Loading ...What We Learned
OT…OT…OT
Ok so maybe only 2 NFL games went to OT this past week but they were both dandies. It’s true that, “I’ve never been a part of a tie. I never even knew that was in the rule book”….times up McNabb said that last season… but it made for an exciting week. With Kansas City beating Pittsburgh 27-24 it just goes to show you how important special teams really are. They really do comprise 1/3 of a great team. It’s obvious that special teams won’t be on the field 33% of the time but field position is so monumental for a team looking to make the playoffs. Maybe you don’t know every kicker or long snapper but Pittsburgh’s special teams may cost them a trip to the postseason. For the 8TH week in a row the Steelers have given up a touchdown on special teams. 8 weeks in a row! That’s good enough to be the NFL record, which it is. And, in the past 2 weeks they have lost by 6 and 3. What especially kills the Steelers is that they have already played, and lost twice, to the 7-3 Bengals who sit atop the AFC North. Only good news for the Steelers is that in their remaining 6 games only one team is currently about .500. But who knows even 5-5 Baltimore has a chance to win that division.
The NFL’s other OT game this past week featured the Giants and Falcons. New York, who hasn’t won since week 5, saw Eli Manning throw for a career best 384 YDS. Despite giving up 24 2nd half points, including a TD with 28 seconds left in the game, the Giants improved to 6-4 and have no time to celebrate as they are at Denver this Thanksgiving. The NFC East is shaping up to have an interesting finish. Between Dallas, Philly, and New York each team has shown excellent signs at some point in this season but more important they all have embarrassing loses. Dallas only has 14 points in their last 2 games….ehhhh, New York is 21st in the league in points against, and Philly hasn’t had a 100 yard rusher all year. Round two of the playoffs might be it for any team from this division.
AFC West
While the Broncos are not statistically eliminated, they have fallen to 6-4 and San Diego is now atop the AFC West at 7-3. Oh and the Broncos only managed 3 points at home. Looks like the Denver train has run out of steam. Josh McDaniels better motivate his team quickly because they are on track to go 8-8 after that hot 6-0 start. They can start hot but it looks like they can’t finish. Insert Michael Scott quote of your choice here. What is great is that the Cleveland and Detroit game stole the spotlight as game of the week from that AFC West matchup. Brady Quinn and Matthew Stafford combined for over 700 YDS of passing, 9 TD’s and only 2 INT’s. What does that mean? Well nothing yet ‘cause these two teams are a combined 3-17 but it’s nice to see your QB have a game like that as these clubs look towards the future.
Jets D shuts down lively New England Offense
Lol…major lol…uber lol….Even if that’s a bad joke the joke is still on Rex Ryan and his woeful Jets. Now Rex Ryan really has something to cry about. ..Wes Welker and the Pats went completely ballistic on the Jets this past week. Welker had 15 catches for 192 YDS, both career bests, the Pats had 27 first downs in their 410 yards of offence and New England held the ball for almost 40 minutes. The 4-6 Jets have a somewhat tough last 6 games and a really long offseason ahead of them if they can’t get it together. The Jets are just 1-4 in their division are poised to take over Buffalo and claim last place in the AFC East. Either way New England is at New Orleans for some spectacular Monday Night Turkey Coma Football this week. The Pats, a rare dog in this game, are at 10-0 New Orleans which will be an excellent measure of the Saints. With excellent skill on both sides of the ball the Saints will really be tested especially because they haven’t played a top 10 team this year. New England’s 1-3 road record will be a defiant factor as well. Brady and Brees will not disappoint.
Dragon Thoughts
Vince Young, Aaron Rodgers, Matthew Stafford, Matt Ryan, Eli Manning, Phillip Rivers and Ben Roethlisberger. Now where does Jay Cutler fit into this picture of young NFL quarterbacks? After losing another game the mama bears drop to 4-6 and Cutler is now 24th in the league in QB rating at 74.5. It’s an honest question. Hate to say it but…what has Jay Cutler done to show he is the QB of the future for the Bears? (Lord beer me the strength to be wrong about this one)
After winning their 3rd game in a row the Arizona Cardinals have improved to 7-3 and a crazy 5-0 on the road. With road games left at Tennessee, San Francisco, and Detroit it would be incredibly impressive for the Cards, or is “Cards” strictly for the St. Louis Cardinals, to complete their season 8-0 on the road. More importantly no other team is even .500 in the NFC west and if “Zona” finishes strong they could possibly steal a playoff bye from Minnesota.
Vince Young is back. And he is a “Rich Man’s” Kyle Orton. Young has lead the Titans to wins in their last 4 weeks and has improved himself to 22-11 as a starter. Dude just wins game, simple as that. It’ll be exciting to see Young back next year with a more confidence as a hopeful season long starter.
Brett Favre went 22-25 213 YDS with 4 TD’s last week against the shehawks. With 22 career 4 TD games Favre has set another NFL record. You know the term, “like a broken record?” Yes that applies to Favre as well.
Turkey Day Picks…
Gotta take 2 of 3 road teams… The Pack will have an offence intensive game against the Lions but Green Bay will prevail….Doesn’t matter that Oakland beat the Bengals last week. Oakland had 3 turnovers and only held the ball for 21 minutes. Dallas will put up more that 7 and roll. Great matchup Thursday night but with the momentum just gone in Denver I got to take the Giants over the Broncos.
By: Josh London
questions, comments, concerns……bother me at joshuablondon@gmail.com