WEEK 15
NFL GAME REVIEWS
New Orleans Saints (7‐7) 24 Chicago Bears (8‐6) 27 Thursday Night football for the third time this season and it was another electric game, one that went to overtime. This was a key battle for both teams – the Saints were in desperate need of win to keep pace in the NFC south whereas a win for the Bears was vital in keeping pace with the rampaging Vikings who have now won 4 straight games. This wouldn’t be a proper Bears game if someone didn’t take a kick or punt back for a TD – and Daniel Manning got straight down to business, taking the opening kickoff 83yds for the TD. Drew Brees didn’t exactly get off to a hot start – his first drive was ended with a pick. 2nd quarter now and after Kyle Orton fumbled the ball away at his own 1yd line – it was inevitable that Brees hit Pierre Thomas from 2yds out for the tying TD. Rookie sensation Matt Forte grabbed the lead back for the Bears on their next drive, 1yd out – it was his first TD of the day. Kyle Orton looked to extend the advantage before halftime, and did when he ran in on the QB run from 6yds out for a 14 point lead at halftime. The second half started with a Brees pick, followed by an Orton pick, that gave Pierre Thomas a nice 42yd field to run down and he did for the TD. Garrett Hartley got going to start the fourth quarter, connecting on a 30yd field goal – bringing the Saints within 4 points. After Orton was intercepted, the Saints stole the lead back with a Brees connection with Marques Colston from 11yds out. It looked to be all over – that was if you count out the kicking power of Robbie Gould – he struck a 28yds field goal to send the game into overtime. I really do not approve of this “first score wins” policy of the NFL so I’ll keep this short – Bears got the ball – Gould won the game. The Bears win 27‐24 and the Saints are starting to tail off the NFC south’s hot pace. Game Notes.... o
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Penalties will destroy you! – The Saints committed five penalties for 97 yards, and none was bigger than the 38‐yard pass interference call in overtime. Hester also drew a 39‐yard penalty in the second quarter, which led to another touchdown. Hester finished with four catches for 46 yards. A bit of history... – The Bears have won the last four matchups against the Saints, including the 2006 NFC Championship Game
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (9‐5) 10 Atlanta Falcons (9‐5) 13 This was a game for the playoffs and it’s hard to say that seeing the Falcons with a 9‐5 record. After this game, the Falcons will get the NFC’s last wildcard sport and the Bucs will not – hard to believe, but that is how key this game was. It was scrappy and slow – but not all football is art! Jason Elam started the day hot – connecting on a 26yd field goal. After Michael Turner had watched Tampa get shredded last week it gave him ma few ideas...He dominated the defence on the next drive and capped it off with a 1yd TD run. Matt Ryan threw 2 interceptions in the second quarter, and the Bucs turned this into 7 points courtesy of a Brian Griese pass to Antonio Bryant from 20yds out. After halftime the highlight of the third quarter was a Brian Griese interception and a Falcons TD that was fumbled and recovered for a touchback. We had to wait until the fourth quarter before Matt Bryant missed a field goal, Michael Koenen had a punt blocked and Bryant managed to turn it into a 38yd, game tying field goal – this game was in overtime baby! The Bucs won the ball but failed to move it – especially after John Abraham killed the drive with a ‐13yd sack! The Falcons took the punt and Elam nailed a 34yd field goal for the win. The Falcons leapfrog the Bucs with that win and stay in contention for a playoff spot. Game Notes.... o o o
What’s happening to the Bay? – One week after being lit up by the Panthers for 299 rushing yards on Monday Night Football, the Buccaneers' rush defence was once again gashed ‐‐ this time for 175 yards. The Predator – Falcons DE John Abraham's three sacks gave him a career‐high 15.5 on the season Damn...so close! ‐ Falcons TE Jason Rader caught his first pass but fell 1 yard short of scoring his first touchdown when he fumbled the ball before crossing the goal line.
Washington Redskins (7‐7) 13 Cincinnati Bengals (2‐11‐1) 20 I’ve been saying for weeks that the Redskins would self destruct and this was probably the killer nail in the Coffin for them. Losing to a team that has won only 1 other game must be humiliating and it now virtually puts them out of the playoffs. Let’s see how the Bengals skinned the Skins. It started badly for the Skins – TE Chris Cooley fumbled the ball away on the opening drive and Ryan Fitzpatrick rolled right down the field and ran the ball in from 1yd out on the naked bootleg play. Fitzpatrick did it again 4 drives later when he hit Chris Henry from 12yds out for the TD. The second quarter began with another Bengals score; this was a 32yd Shane Graham field goal. Even when the Skins did get a TD it was cursed – Jason Campbell hit Santana Moss from 10yds out for the score, but Moss was soon slapped with a 15yd unsportsmanlike conduct foul! Shaun Suisham added a23yd field goal to end the half 17‐10 to the Bengals. After an uneventful third quarter, Shane Graham out the Bengals back out ahead by 10 points with a 45yd field goal, and the best the Skins could manage was a 36yd Shaun Suisham field goal – the final score was 20‐13 and the Bomb is beginning to destruct in Zorn’s locker room....expect more Clinton Portis arguments! Game Notes.... o o
Here’s a first... – Ryan Fitzpatrick ran and passed for a touchdown ‐‐ the first time he has done that in his career. ... Bengals WR Chris Henry scored for the first time this season in the first quarter Have a go if you think you’re Zorn enough... ‐ A few days after criticizing coach Jim Zorn in the media, Redskins RB Clinton Portis rushed for 77 yards on 25 carries. ... Washington suffered its fifth loss in its last six games.
Tenessee Titans (12‐2) 12 Houston Texans (7‐7) 13 The Texans are improving and the Titans are levelling off after their stunning start to the season. They have already clinched a playoff spot, but that doesn't mean they don’t want every win they can get! The Texans got Matt Schaub back last week and we saw just how valuable he is to this team – oh and don’t overlook the NFL’s number 1 receiver this year...Andre Johnson ‐ those two have a sweet partnership going on! Kerry Collins started the game with a pick – Schaub’s response was to play fair and fumble the ball back to the Titans. This set up a 26yd Rob Bironas field goal for the lead. The Texans managed to respond quickly with a 16 play drive – yet they only got a 32yd Kris Brown field goal out of it. The Titans went 3 and out and Schaub got another chance – this time he went to his sweet partner, Andre Johnson, from 13yds out for the first TD of the day. The half ended when Bironas nailed a 23yd field goal – the Texans were on top 10‐6. Third quarter now and Bironas was certainly earning his pay check! He struck a 51yd field goal – his third of the game. The Texans put together a an astonishing 19 play drive but Kris Brown missed a simple 26yd field goal...hey...when is a field goal EVER simple? Fourth quarter now and Brown made up for it with a 24yd field goal, swiftly followed by a 34yd Bironas attempt. It certainly was another kicking game and had only 1 TD. The Texans win ugly and just edge the Titans 13‐12 to give them a .500 record. Game Notes.... o o o o o
Top of the charts! – Andre Johnson finished with 11 receptions and a career‐high 207 receiving yards, a Texans franchise record. His second‐quarter score was the only touchdown of the game and gave the Texans a lead they would not relinquish. TD = 7, FG = 3 – Tennessee finished 2‐of‐13 on third downs, settling for three Rob Bironas field goals. Another first! ‐ Houston has won four straight for the first time in franchise history Welcome Home ‐ Texans QB Matt Schaub is 4‐0 at Reliant Stadium this season. Rookie Magic ‐ Texans rookie RB Steve Slaton recorded 100 rushing yards for the fourth time in his last five games.
Greenbay Packers (5‐9) 16 Jacksonville Jaguars (5‐9) 20 These two teams have a lot in common...They’re both seeing their “should be successful” seasons, slip away into the night. And they have only themselves to blame. The Jaguars have not been able to get a passing game going and that has overshadowed the quite brilliant year the Maurice Jones‐Drew is having. The Post‐Favre packers are starting to feel the pressure and Aaron Rodgers is not getting the sympathy he was at the beginning of the season – the media expect him to be Favre‐esque...not quite yet though is he! The game started promisingly for the Jags, on their first possession they constructed a 12 play drive which culminated in a 30yd pass deep down the field to Dennis Northcutt for the TD. The Packers tried to respond – they managed a 22yd Mason Crosby field goal. 2nd quarter now and after Josh Scobee missed a 51yd field goal – Aaron Rodgers didn’t miss his opportunity to take the lead – he orchestrated a 10 play drive and threw a 4yd TD pass to Greg Jennings. Mason Crosby extended that lead going into halftime – his 23yd field goal gave the Packers a 13‐7 lead. After a scoreless third quarter, Garrard began to fight back – hitting RB Maurice Jones‐Drew from 14yds out for the lead. Mason Crosby returned that lead to the Packers bench when he struck a 38yd fields goal attempt, but that was quickly erased when Maurice Jones‐Drew went straight up the middle – that 2yd TD run gave the Jags the final lead. The following Packers challenge of the play failed, the following two point attempt also failed! The game was over when Rodgers tried a deep ball to Donald Lee but was picked. The Packers hopes for a playoff run are now in tatters but in the end...so are the Jags! Game Notes.... o o o o
Game Ball... – The Packers went for it on fourth‐and‐1 to open the fourth quarter and failed to convert. The Jaguars, starting at their own 44, scored a touchdown on the ensuing drive. Run David...! – David Garrard is 8‐for‐8 when running on third‐and‐1 this season No small feat ‐ Jaguars coach Jack Del Rio picked up his 50th regular‐season victory Disappointing ‐ The Packers have lost six of their last seven games
San Fransisco 49’ers (5‐9) 9 Miami Dolphins (9‐5) 14 It’s the revamped 49’ers taking on the New Look Dolphins...both teams have had a makeover – the Dolphins got Chad Pennington, the 49’ers got Mike Singletary – Who’s new look was at the height of fashion this week? Well Chad Pennington didn’t take long to score...on the Dolphins first possession he lofted it deep down the field to David Martin for a 61yd TD. Joe Nedney brought he 49’ers within 4 after striking a 38yd field goal, but Pennington was showing why he’s the Fins number one...He went deep down the field yet again and found Joey Haynos in the end zone from 19yds out. 3rd quarter now and Joe Nedney hit his second field goal of the day, this one from 23yds out, and that was followed in the 4th with his third field goal – from28yds out. The Fins needed only two TD’s to defeat the 49’ers – whose offense never really got going, settling for 3 simple field goals. Game Notes.... o
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Touchdowns are worth 7, Field goals are worth 3! – Miami's defence increased its streak of quarters without allowing a touchdown to 12, after holding St. Louis and Buffalo out of the end zone the previous two weeks. San Francisco was limited to three Joe Nedney field goals (from 38, 23 and 28 yards). What were you doing with the ball?... – San Francisco lost despite winning time of possession 38:13 to 21:47
Seattle Seahawks (3‐11) 23 St. Louis Rams (2‐12) 20 Neither of these teams has been able to overcome injury (I’d like to think that’s what the problem is in both of these teams – if it isn’t then they have much bigger problems than I can comprehend!) The Seahawks huge loss of Matt Hasslebeck and the Rams loss of a shaky Marc Bulger and Steven Jackson have caused problems – but Jackson and Bulger would play today so the Rams would be at their finest...Bulger got right into the game from the start – his first possession ended when he threw a 31yd deep bomb to Torry Holt for the opening score. The Seahawks capitalised on Ram mistakes and when Derek Stanley fumbled the ball away it was Jonathan Babineaux who scooped up the gift and took it 24yds for the tying TD. Steven Jackson responded for the Rams, capping off a massive 18 play drive with a 6yd TD run from scrimmage. Seneca Wallace fumbled for the Seahawks and the Rams turned it into 3 points, courtesy of a 36yd Josh Brown field goal. Orlando Mare got kicking to start the third quarter; he nailed a 28yd field goal to close the gap to 7 points. Mare struck a second, this time from 50yds out, to close the gap to 4. Josh Brown opened up the gap to 7 again with a 48yd field goal, but the Rams defence just could not hold the Seahawks...T.J. Duckett ran in from 1yd out to tie the game, the best the Rams could do was challenge the ball breaking the goal line plane, but it failed. The Rams failed on their next drive, going 3 and out – the Seahawks marched down the field and Mare struck his third field goal of the day from 27yds out...it was of course on‐line. The Seahawks work hard in the fourth quarter and edge the Rams who really don’t look much better than the Lions! Game Notes.... o
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Maybe Hasslebeck wasn’t such a big loss? – Seahawks quarterback Seneca Wallace directed Seattle on two fourth‐quarter scoring drives to win the game. Wallace led a 10‐play, 80‐yard drive to tie the game. His 45‐yard pass to Deion Branch in the final minute set up the winning field goal. Just can’t finish – The Seahawks trailed 17‐7 at halftime, but held the Rams to only a field goal in the second half. Seattle had only 76 yards in the first half, but finished with 333 total yards That’s a milestone! – Seahawks coach Mike Holmgren earned his 160th career victory, most among active coaches
Buffalo Bills (6‐8) 27 New York Jets (9‐5) 31 Do you think Brett Favre was saying “Jericho...feel the healing power of Favre...he saved your season and now he’s polishing your helmet!” Well a lot of people think Favre saved the Jets and I agree...partially! Without him they would be a worse football team, no doubting that – but don’t overlook the other us making this team special! Let’s see how old man Favre got on against a struggling Bills team. Well it wasn’t old man Favre setting the record to start with...oh no...When Thomas Jones ran in from 2yds out for the opening score –he set a new team record for touchdowns scored and most rushing TD’s in a single season! Ryan Lindell got kicking for the Bills, striking a 34yd field goal to keep the game close. Old man Favre was still firing like he meant it – he nailed Jericho Cotchery in the end zone for the score. The gunslinger is just that though, and when he “slung” it up for an interception – J.P. Losman ran it in from 8yds out on the QB scramble – Buffalo are within 4 points. Losman looked impressive and on the Bills next possession he passed to Steve Johnson who took it 2yds for the score. Did you know the Jets have another weapon...no?...Well you shouldn’t forget the name “Leon Washington” from now on – the HB burst through the Bills D‐line and took it 47yds for the TD and the lead. The half ended 21‐17 Jets. Things calmed down after half time – after Favre threw a pick, Ryan Lindell got the quarter’s only score, a 48yd field goal. Fourth quarter now and after Losman was picked, Jay “touchy” Feely struck his first score of the game from 31yds out. Leon McKelvin had a 100yd kickoff return on the next drive...that was nullified by a holding penalty, but Fred Jackson more than made up for it when he turned the corner from 11yds out for the score, giving the Bills the lead again. Things went downhill for the Bills...FAST! Losman was sacked for a fumble and Sedrick Ellis picked it up, he went 11yds for the TD and the lead. It didn’t look like Losman had recovered from the hit, on his next pass he was intercepted by Darrell Revis, and the game was over when Losman threw another pick, this time to Kerry Rhodes. The Jets rally in the fourth quarter for the win and keep their playoff hopes alive. Game Notes.... o
Turnover? – The Bills lost the turnover battle, 4‐2, thanks to Losman who finished with three interceptions and a fumble to go with just 148 passing yards and a touchdown.
San Diego Chargers (6‐8) 22 Kansas City Chiefs (2‐12) 21 I had a funny feeling that this would be tight and the result proved me right. The Chargers have an intangible knack of coming back and even though they have had a fairly mediocre offense this season – it is still very VERY explosive and capable of putting points up when they need them. It doesn’t look like Kansas has a clear cut QB now and another name was thrown into the mix today...yes – it’s Larry Johnson! The star HB got the opening TD when he threw it to all time best tight end ever...Tony Gonzalez! Tyler Thigpen threw a pick in the second quarter but the Chargers couldn’t capitalise – Thigpen made no such mistake again though – hitting Dwayne Bowe from 1yd out. Nate Kaeding saved some face for the Chargers before halftime – hitting a 32yd field goal to give the Chiefs a 14‐3 lead at the half. After the Herminator had pumped up his men for a second half never to forget, they began well – picking off Phillip Rivers was the start, Tyler Thigpen running 3yds up the middle for the TD was the end. Time to see that explosive offense fire on all broadsides...Ladanian Tomlinson can still dodge ‘em like he used to – strolling in from 6yds out to cut the gap back to 11 points. Fourth quarter now and Phillip Rivers got the arm pumping...4yds out, he hit WR Malcom Floyd for his first TD of the game. After the Chargers recovered an onside kick, Rivers did it again – he threw the winning TD to Vincent Jackson from 10yds out to seal the lead. The following two point attempt was no good but it was enough to edge the Chiefs. Charlie Barth did try a 50yd field goal to send the game into overtime, but he missed and the Chargers get only their 6th win of the season. Game Notes.... o o o
No Surprises – The Chargers have won three of their past four meetings with the Chiefs. The best Tight End EVER! – Tony Gonzalez had six catches for 62 yards with a touchdown. This season against the Chargers, Gonzalez has 16 catches for 175 yards with three TDs. Explosions in Kansas ‐ The Chargers were late bloomers, rolling up 150 of their 394 total yards on their last two drives. They used a 15‐play, 89‐yard drive to cut the deficit to six after a failed two‐point conversion and then scored again after recovering an onside kick.
Detroit Lions (0‐14) 21 Indianapolis Colts (10‐4) 31 You would think nothing was impossible...yet this probably was. The Lions travelled to Lucas Oil stadium, probably knowing this was out of their grasp. They did indeed put up a brave fight, but the Colts are on a roll – and it’s going to take more than the Detroit Lions to stop that. Dominic Rhodes got things rolling for the Colts – he capped off a 14 play drive with a 1yd TD run. Detroit managed to get the ball back after a Colt’s punt was muffed and turned that into a 51yd Jason Hanson field goal. 2nd quarter now and Kevin Smith fumbled a Lion’s ball away, but the Colts didn’t capitalise. They did capitalise later on though – Chad Simpson ran the ball in from 2yds out for his first TD of the year. Not everything is hopeless in Detroit – they do have a star receiver in Calvin Johnson and he was the lucky (but expected) recipient of a 33yd Dan Orlovsky TD pass. Peyton Manning quelled any form of Lions momentum when he hit Dallas Clark in the end zone from 3yds out, sending the Colts into halftime with a 21‐10 lead. After the Colts came out and fumbled away another punt, Jason Hanson got another 3 points from this mistake – 3oyds out it was his second field goal of the day. 4th quarter now and the Lions finally found some energy, Kevin Smith ran in from 1yd out for the TD and...Brace yourself...the Lions made a two point conversion! Dominic Rhodes followed with his own TD from 1yd out and Adam Vinatieri finished the game but striking a 31yd field goal through the uprights. Orlovsky had time for 1 more drive but he was sacked and fumbled the ball away. The Colts get the win and remain firm contenders for a playoff position. Game Notes.... o o o
Game of seconds – The Colts opened the game with a 14‐play drive that ended in a touchdown and took up half of the first quarter. Indianapolis finished with 28 first downs to Detroit's 18 and held onto the ball five minutes longer. History Man ‐ Marvin Harrison passed Tim Brown for the third‐most career receptions in NFL history. Harrison and is now tied for third (1,095) behind Jerry Rice (1,549) and Cris Carter (1,101). History Man II ‐ Lions kicker Jason Hanson broke the NFL record for most 50‐yard field goals in a career with 41.
Minnesota Vikings (9‐5) 35 Arizona Cardinals (8‐6) 14 Run meets pass...Kurt Warner meets Adrian Peterson. This was really a battle of defence – who could stop the other’s playmakers and, as we know – it’s very hard to stop Adrian Peterson! The game was underway when Billy Graham punted towards deep threat receiver Bernard Berrian – he took that punt 82yds to the house for a spectacular opening score. After Kurt Warner was picked by Cedric Griffin on the next drive, Tarvaris Jackson, who is filling in for the injured Gus Frerotte, tossed a TD pass to...Bernard Berrian – 41yds deep...that’s why they paid him big bucks! Anquan Boldin had butter on his fingers when he fumbled the ball away on the Cardinals next possession, Tarvaris made them pay again, hitting Sidney Rice from 6yds out to open up a 3 TD lead. Kurt Warner fumbled again on the next drive, but the Cards got a punt away...Didn’t do much to stop the Vikings though, Jackson threw another TD pass, this time to Chester Taylor from 11yds out. The Vikings went into halftime with a massive 28 point, 4 TD lead. Third quarter now and Kurt Warner came out of the locker room firing – he took just 3 plays to find Jerheme Urban from 50yds out – a big play day just got bigger! It was special teams that got the Vikings thinking next...Ryan Longwell had a 34yd field goal blocked by Dominic Rodgers‐Cromartie, it was recovered by Roderick Hood of the Cardinals – he took it 68yds for the TD. Tarvaris Jackson didn’t want to give up a 4TD lead and he got it back to 3 when he hit Bobby Wade from 59yds out – that was Jackson’s 4th TD pass of the game. Neither team could manage to break the deadlock in the fourth quarter and the game ended 35‐14 to the Vikings. They now look almost certain of a playoff spot – the Cardinals are already there, having clinched their division two weeks ago. Game Notes.... o o o
Playoff Picture – Minnesota won its fourth consecutive game. ... The Vikings can clinch the NFC North with another win, or a loss by the Bears. Adrian Baby! – He may not have had a TD today, but Adrian Peterson had a colossal 165yd rushing game, including a 32yd run. Balance? ‐ The Cardinals had only seven rushing plays, allowing the Vikings to put pressure on Kurt Warner.
Pittsburgh Steelers (11‐3) 13 Baltimore Ravens (9‐5) 9 Big game of the week as the Steelers looked to clinch the AFC North and guarantee themselves a playoff spot – the Ravens look to stay alive in the wildcard hunt and a win would put them in superior stead for one. With such big teams and especially big defences (I would certainly rank them number 1 and 2 in the NFL), this was never going to be a huge scoring game. After a scoreless first quarter, Matt Stover got the Ravens rolling with his first field goal of the day from 28yds out. Jeff Reed levelled things up with a 31yd field goal of his own. Stover added another field goal before the half ended – 26yds out, it gave the Ravens a 6‐3 lead at the half. Stover also got the only score of the third quarter, a 28yd field goal which came thanks to a Santonio Holmes fumble which Ed Reed recovered. Jeff Reed got his second field goal of the day – hitting it through from 30yds out. The only TD of the game came right at the end, Big Ben Roethlisberger’s pass to Santonio Holmes was ruled down at the 1yd line – it was challenged by the Steelers and overturned for a TD. The game ended when Joe Flacco was picked off by William Gay. The Steelers clinch the AFC North and have a first round bye week. Game Notes.... o o o o
Field Position rules all – The Steelers began four drives pinned inside their own 10‐yard line. Two drives ended in punts, one in a fumble and the final drive resulted in the first touchdown of the game. Now this is amazing... ‐ The Ravens have not allowed a 100‐yard rusher in 32 games Equally amazing... ‐ Pittsburgh has yet to allow an opponent gain 300 yards of total offense this season. Beginners Luck? ‐ Mike Tomlin became the sixth coach to win a division in his first two seasons as a head coach
Denver Broncos (8‐6) 10 Carolina Panthers (11‐3) 30 So now the Panthers are starting to get some extra attention...they’ve built up an 11‐3 record, and currently lie 2nd in the NFL’s league table (Just behind Tennessee). Sneaking by without anyone noticing, they only became known last week when their run game torched the Bucs defence and people are wondering just how good this team is. They came up against the Broncos, who top the AFC West division and even with a loss, have still pretty much sewn up the division. Two leaders and two winners...who won here and whose game ended after the first quarter? Jay Cutler got the scoring going with a 7yd TD pass to P.J. Pope (love the name!) That was swiftly followed by a classic Jake Delhomme – Steve Smith connection from 15yds out. Matt Prater added 3 points from 43yds out and after Chris Gamble intercepted Jay Cutler’s pass intended for rookie Eddie Royal, John Kasay struck a 39yd field goal to tie things up for the Panthers. Well that was it for the Bronco’s...the Panthers held them in check and the rest of the scoring was done by the cats. 2nd quarter now and Jonathan “daily show” Stewart ran in from 2yds out to give the Panthers the lead. Selvin Young fumbled away a Bronco possession and John Kasay turned that into 3 points from 44yds out. Third quarter now and it’s becoming clear that DeAngelo Williams is doing this at least once per game...he ran straight through the Bronco defence for a 56yd TD. After Delhomme was intercepted the Broncos missed a 47yd field goal, and the Panthers took the good field position and turned it into a 42yd Kasay field goal. That was the game – the Bronco’s fell asleep after the first quarter and the Panthers come within one win of clinching the NFC South. Game Notes.... o o o
Such a great name – Broncos RB P.J. Pope amassed a career‐high 75 yards from scrimmage and scored his first touchdown Welcome to the NFL– Denver rookie Josh Barrett had his first career interception Big Plays ‐ Carolina's big‐play ability, as evidenced by their 7.1 yard‐per‐play average, proved to be the difference in this matchup.
New England Patroits (9‐5) 49 Oakland Raiders (3‐11) 26 How long before the gates of McAfee Stadium has “abandon hope all who enter” written on the door. It really is a desperate situation there and it didn’t get any easier when the Patriots rolled into town. Their points scoring machine was rolling smoothly and Matt Cassell did indeed play – and made his dad very proud indeed. Cassell started hot...connecting with RB Kevin Faulk in the end zone for a 7yd TD. That was swiftly followed by a 20yd TD pass to Randy Moss and finally Sammy Morris went up the middle for a 29yd rushing TD. The Raiders weren’t out of it – JaMarcus Russell made a TD pass to Johnny Lee‐ Higgins from 56yds deep for the TD. Johnny Lee‐Higgins is really starting to look like a small light in a very dark tunnel! 2nd quarter now and the Patriots would not let up. Cassell went to Wes Welker this time for a 13yd TD pass. On the ensuing kickoff it was Justin Miller who proved too much for the Pats special teams – he ran the kickoff back 91yds for the TD. Remember the rule “Tit for tat?” well on the next kickoff it was Ellis Hobbs on the return and he took it back 95yds for the TD and the first back to back kickoff TD’s of the season. The half ended with a Cassell pick, followed by a Russell pick. The score was 35‐14 at halftime. 3rd quarter now and Cassell was certainly having a superb day passing – he hit Randy Moss from 9yds out for his fourth TD of the day. JaMarcus Russell followed with a TD pass of his own to Ronald Curry, but things got spicy when Janikowski had his extra point blocked. LaMont Jordan is a former Raider – one who got out just in time by the look of it! He taught his old team some respect and ran right through the defence from 49yds out for the TD. The game was over already but the final score was to top rookie running back Darren McFadden – he ran in from 11yds out, the following two point attempt failed. The Patriots roll over the Raiders and somewhere Matt Cassel’s dad was smiling down upon him. Game Notes.... o o o
4 score and 70 years ago – The Patriots recorded 21 first downs in the opening half, scoring touchdowns on their first four possessions, while the Raiders totalled just five first downs in that stretch. Playoff Picture – The win kept New England in a three‐way tie for first place in the AFC East with the Dolphins and Jets, both winners earlier in the day Former Raiders rule ‐ Moss and LaMont Jordan had big days against their former team. Moss finished with five catches and 67 yards to go with his two touchdowns, while Jordan rushed for 97 yards and a score on 12 carries.
New York Giants (11‐3) 8 Dallas Cowboys (9‐5) 20 Big Sunday night matchup that would have knock on effects for playoff position. The Giants have a two game lead over the Cowboys now and have clinched the division – for the cowboys this was a must win game, if only to stay in the NFC wildcard hunt. After a scoreless first quarter, it was Tony Romo who drew first blood – hitting Patrick Crayton deep in the end zone from 34yds out. John Carney brought the Giants onto the board with a 34yd field goal. The Cowboys held a 7‐3 lead at halftime. The third quarter held about as much action as the first and the next score was Romo’s second TD pass of the day – this time from 1yd out, hitting Deon Anderson. The Giants defence was all over Romo for the entire game, the pinnacle was the safety they forced by sacking Romo in his own end zone – it nearly turned into a TD, but wise Romo tipped the ball out of bounds before a Giant could fall on it. John Carney added 3 points from 47yds out to bring the Giants within 6 points; however Tashard Choice was having a superb day and got the winning score when he ran up the middle, 38yds for the TD. The game was over when Eli Manning was picked by Terrence Newman and the Cowboys keep their playoff hopes alive with a crucial divisional win. Game Notes.... o
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No Rhythm thanks to 8 sacks – The Giants' offensive line entered the game having allowed just 15 sacks all season, but Dallas capitalized on the loss of starters Kareem McKenzie (back) and Rich Seubert (flu) by sacking Eli Manning eight times. Outside linebacker DeMarcus Ware led the team with three sacks and two forced fumbles. Romo the next Aikman?‐ With 244 passing yards, Romo became the first Cowboys QB with consecutive 3,000‐yard seasons since Troy Aikman did it in three consecutive years from 1995‐97 and the sixth Cowboys quarterback to surpass 10,000 yards for his career T.O. Show ‐ With three receptions, Terrell Owens has 940 for his career, tying Art Monk for seventh all‐time. We need some Coughlin medicine ‐ The Giants failed to score a touchdown for the first time since December of 2004.
Cleveland Browns (9‐4) 10 Philadelphia Eagles (10‐3) 30 The Streaky Eagles come to Monday night football and they face the Dawgz of the Browns. A win for the eagles was pretty much essential in order to keep their very slim playoff chances alive. The Browns have nothing to play for except pride. Their season never got going and they’re searching for solutions at the QB position. Donovan McNabb started the scoring when he hit Kevin Curtis in the end zone from 14yds out. Phil Dawson had the first Browns score of the game – his 27yd field goal drew the gap closer. That gap opened to end the first quarter when David Akers was on‐line from 24yds out for his first field goal of the day. 2nd quarter now and after McNabb threw a pick, Ken Dorsey threw it back to the Eagles – Asante Samuel was the lucky recipient of the gift and he took it 50yds back to house for the TD. McNabb ended the half with a pick – but the score remained 17‐3. After halftime it was up to David Akers to strike a 34yd field goal to give the Eagles a 20 point lead. Akers began the fourth quarter with his third field goal of the day, followed by a McNabb touchdown that came off of a Ken Dorsey pick – McNabb hit Greg Lewis from 10yds out. With the game sewn up the Eagles substituted Kevin Kolb on and he proceeded to throw a pass to Greg Lewis...which was intercepted by Brandon McDonald for his second pick of the game. McDonald took this one to the house though – 24yds ended the game. The Eagles keep slim playoff hopes alive and the Browns have yet more questions to answer. Game Notes.... o
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Punt or don’t punt? – The Eagles did not punt until midway through the fourth quarter with McNabb sitting on the bench and the game out of hand. They scored on five of their first seven offensive possessions and threw interceptions in the end zone on the other two. Did the rest do him any good? – Since being benched in Week 12 against the Ravens, McNabb has thrown seven touchdowns and one interception Jason Avant’s magical wonderland ‐ Philadelphia WR Jason Avant had his first 100‐yard receiving game Welcome to Philadelphia, this is why we paid you big bucks! ‐ Asante Samuel got into the end zone for the first time as an Eagle.