For the first time in the HISTORY of the NFL, thats right, the HISTORY...5 games were decided within the last 10 seconds of regulation or in overtime. There were upsets all over the place, last second drama, things that happened in the first quarter that affected the outcome of games, etc. What a day it was. It actually made me glad that the Steelers had a bye so I could take in as many of the other games and highlights as possible. I just hope the Steelers took notice, as they waltz their way into one of these proverbial potential let down games coming up Sunday in Cincinnati.
Let's do a quick wrap around, starting with the 5 last second games, starting with the one I actually watched in full. I highly recommend watching the NFL Network higlight clips for each.
St. Louis: 19
Washington: 17
Not sure how they could let this happen. Jason Campbell just was in a different place yesterday than he has been over the previous 4 weeks. Balls were tipped, off target, just an off day for #17. It's easy to see the amount of talent that the Rams have on offense, but it was the big plays made by the defense that made the difference here. Maybe Jim Haslett lit a fire that Scott Linehan just couldn't. The Redskins turned the ball over 3 times in their first 4 posessions, after previously not allowing a turnover on offense all season. The big swing came just before halftime, when Campbell threw a pass that was tipped, and then caught by lineman Pete Kendall who tried to muster a few yards. A Ram defender put his helmet right into the ball, and Oshiomogho Atogwe took it 75 yards for a Rams TD. At least a 10 point swing just before the half. The Skins put up 10 points in the 4th quarter, including Clinton Portis' 2nd TD run of the day, to take a 17-16 lead with just under 4 minutes left. St. Louis drove to about mid field, then were faced with a 3rd and 13 at their own 41, with just over a minute to play. Marc Bulger let one fly, and a ridiculous catch was made by rookie Donnie Avery which put the Rams in position to attempt a 34 yard Field Goal. Bulger then took a knee to wind some clock down, but forgot that he played for the Rams, and that someone had to do something stupid to try to ruin the game for them. Today's culprit (and judging by the St. Louis media, he's a repeat offender) was Richie Incognito. Incognito played the role of idiot about as well as one can all game long, and is lucky it didnt cost the Rams their first victory of the year. His Unsportsmanlike Conduct penalty on a KNEEL play pushed the game winning field goal attempt from 34 yards to 49. It mattered not, as Josh Brown knocked down the winner and the Rams departed DC with their first victory of the 08 season. Should be a dreary week at the office...
Minnesota: 12
Detroit: 10
So I lied. I DON'T recommend watching the highlight reel of this one. I can't believe how many people predicted the Vikings to be a Super Bowl contender. They have looked anything but. I think they definitely missed Bryant McKinnie's presence in the early going, and now that he's back, it opens up the running game more. Peterson went for over 100 yet again, and the defense did what they were expected to do against the Lions, in only allowing 10 points. The difference in the game actually, was the safety that Lions backup QB Dan Orlovsky essentially took on his own. He dropped back to pass and must have thought he was playing in the CFL, because he showed no bearing of where the back of the end zone was, ran out of bounds, 2 points for the Vikes, who eventually go on to win by those two point. Only you Detroit...Only you.
Houston: 29
Miami: 28
Miami was up to their usual tricks, and carried a lead late into this one. Matt Schaub was booed relentlessly in the early going, as his tendency to throw the ball to the opposite team remained throughout the first half. Give his his dap though, he battled back and brought the Texans back from down 5 with 1:45 to go. He called his own number on the game winning TD play, a QB draw on 4th and goal. Nice work. The Texans joined the Rams in getting their first victory on the season. How bout that Andre Johnson, by the way?
Atlanta: 22
Chicago: 20
This is easily the one I understand the least, yet in my opinion is the most impressive. Matt Ryan, making his 6th career start, torches the vaunted Bears defense for his first 300 yard passing game, including a 26 yard pass with :01 left on the clock, out of bounds, to set up the winning field goal. Incredible. The Bears scored with 17 seconds left in the game to take the lead. 17 seconds! They proceeded to squib the kickoff, allowing the Falcons to return it to about their own 45 with :06 left. Ryan find Michael Jenkins for 26, out of bounds (how on earth were the sidelines not locked down?), Jason Elam comes in to attempt a 48 yard field goal...ballgame. The Falcons move into a tie for first place in the NFC South, which is quietly laying claim to the 2nd best division in football. I would be concerned about Michael Turner though. He's not performing very well on teams that have any kind of defense. Not using this as a barometer, because it's extremely tough to run on the Bears, but over the season, he's fattening up on the lesser teams, and struggling mightily against the decent ones.
And now, everyones favorite:Cardinals: 30
Cowboys: 24
If I hear one more time about how games at Arizona are like home games for the Cowboys I might shoot myself. Both quarterbacks in this game were beaten, battered, and bruised, but in the end, old man Warner triumphed over Tony Romo and company. It seemed like every other play there was a fumble, especially in the early going. The Cardinlas defense was very impressive. A far cry from their performance agianst the Jets just a few weeks ago. Dallas got some help on their game winning field goal attempt, as Romo hit a long pass to Jason Witten at the Arizona 39 with time quickly running down. As they were scrambling up the field to kill the clock, Cardinals LB Travis LaBoy, injured on the play, was trying to get off the field. He didnt quite make it, and the Cardinals were assessed a 5 yard offsides penalty. This changed a 56 yard FG attempt into a 51 yarder, and they needed evey bit of it. Prior to that though, Ken Whisenhunt channelled his inner Mike Shanahan, and called time out just before the snap. The Cardinals blocked that attempt, which would have ended the game there. The time out was granted, the play was nullified, and when Nick Folk got the chance to attempt the kick for real, he knocked it through. Definitely would not have been good from 56, so the penalty looked to be a huge break for Dallas. Break two came when they won the Overtime coin toss. At that point, they fell victim to T.O. T.O. called the toss correctly, and as the Cowboys were walking back to the sideline, they were all congratulating him and jumping on his back as if he had just caught a Super Bowl winning TD. Looking back, it's as if to say, this is your time now. We're getting you the ball, you're gonna win it for us. I think there was too much emphasis on trying to force the ball to T.O. in overtime. Overtime almost ended on the first play, as Romo, as usual in a tight spot, made a bad play, fumbled, and was lucky to have the ball bounce right back to him. 2nd and 3rd downs were the aforementioned attempts to force the ball to Owens, with no success. Dallas again abandoned the running game in overtime, despite Marion Barber's huge 4th
quarter. They tried to go for a quick strike type of drive, rather than anything else. Dallas faced a 4th and 17 at their own 15. As punter Mat McBriar handled the snap, Cardinals special teams captain (and former Steeler) Sean Morey blocked the kick with ridiculous ease, Monty Beisel picked it up on the 3, and walked it into the end zone for the win. Arizona now leads the west by 2 full games. This is a different team at home than on the road. Watch out for Steve Breaston as well. He did a fantastic job filling in for Anquan Boldin, and has already made people forget about the departed Bryant Johnson.Elsewhere around the league, Drew Brees had another insane day, 26-30, 320 yards, 3 TD's, against the Raiders as New Orleans cruised 34-3. The Colts offense got back on track agains tthe Ravens, crushing them 31-3. Remember when the Ravens were 2-0 and some of the wonderful Baltimore media types were talking playoffs? I hate to be an I told you so.....
Tampa Bay not only defeated Carolina, they made a huge statement. 27-3, as Jeff Garcia made Jon Gruden's upcoming decision tough as to whether or not to stick with Garcia, or go back to Brian Griese once he's healthy. Carolina is tough to figure out. They battle hard each week, but seem to have some critical let downs in big games. There's now a three way tie for first in the NFC South with the Bucs, Panthers, and Falcons at 4-2, and the Saints lurking at 3-3, and about to get their top two receiving threats back.Theres not much better than to see Bill Belichick looking confused, distraught, angry, etc. as he
did on Sunday night. What was even better was to see his offensive coordinater chewing him out on the way to the locker room at halftime because he didnt want to try to put a drive together despite there being 1:30 left before the half. The Chargers came out, well, Charging...and had the Patsies back on their heels from the first play. Philip Rivers threw 3 TD passes and Matt Cassel did anything but shine in his national TV debut. New England stil has talent, don't get me wrong, but wow, they should be looking hard at bringing in another quarterback before Tuesday's trade deadline. They welcome Denver this week, then have their bye, so there is definitely time to get someone else ready, unless they still believe in Cassel to do what they need him to do to stay successful. After seeing him struggle against a San Diego defense who allowed big games by Jake Delhomme, Jay Cutler, and hell, even JaMarcus Russell almost went for 300 on them, I know I sure dont. Just like that, the Chargers are right back in the thick of the AFC West race, as Denver lost at home to the Jaguars 24-17, as again, their defense was demolished. Maurice Jones-Drew ran at will on them, and Jacksonville's D did enough to curtail the Cutler-Marshall connection.The Eagles got back on track, putting up 40 points on the road without Brian Westbrook. They beat the 49ers 40-26 in a game where the final score looks a lot worse than it was. The Eagles outscore Frisco 23-0 in the 4th quarter, including an interception return for a TD by Juqua Parker to ice the game for Philly. With the Redskins and Cowboys losing, they pull up to within a game of each, and all three will be fans of the Cleveland Browns tonight, as the undefeated Giants will attempt to seperate themselves further from the pack.
In games featuring 2 quaterbacks who have no business starting for NFL teams, The Jets kept the Bengals and Ryan Fitzpatrick winless, 26-14, and the Packers went into Seattle and beat the Charlie Frye led Seahawaks 27-17.
Giants @ Browns tonight. More to come from other weekend events, including a full recap of Saturday night's 9-9-9 challenge, later.
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