Quick observations from Sunday’s action:
Patriots 48, Cowboys 27
This was billed as the marquee match up of the day and for the most part, it was. What did we really all expect though – for the Cowboys to keep pace with New England for four quarters after they virtually got whipped by a bad Buffalo team just six nights ago? Tom Brady is 900-0 on turf and the Patriots live for big games. Brady looked like he played against air today, throwing for five touchdowns and 388 yards. Sure, Dallas is still a legitimate Super Bowl contender, however, this game is evidence that the NFC still has a ways to go to compete with the cream of the crop in the AFC.
Vikings 34, Bears 31
Just when you thought the Bears were primed for another one of their miracle wins, Ryan Longwell nails a last second 55-yard field goal as the Vikings hang on for victory. Chicago deserves major praise for coming back after trailing by 14 points with less than three minutes left in the fourth quarter, but Minnesota and Adrian Peterson (224 yards, 3 TDs) deserved it more. Devin Hester’s performance was the only thing that kept this game close.
Jaguars 37, Texans 17
Holy points batman – when did Jacksonville learn how to score? What a game by David Garrard (221 yards, 2 TDs) and the combination of Maurice Jones-Drew and Fred Taylor (combined 215 rushing yards). If the Jags can produce this kind of offense every week, they’re virtually a lock for the postseason…understatement of the year, I know.
Packers 17, Redskins 14
Green Bay deserves credit for bouncing back from last week’s loss against Chicago, but if Santana Moss and the rest of the Redskins receiving corps could hold onto the ball, people would be cruising on the Washington bandwagon right now. Brett Favre (188 yards, 2 INTs) certainly had a down game didn’t he? Ah well, he’s allowed one of these types of games, isn’t he?
Bucs 13, Titans 10
This type of loss proves that the Titans just aren’t there yet. The defense once again played great, but the offense turned the ball over three times. If Ronde Barber comes down in bounds late in the fourth quarter on an interception attempt, the Titans probably don’t even get the chance to tie the game at 10. What another gutsy performance by Jeff Garcia (274 yards, 1 TD) and the Bucs.
Chargers 28, Raiders 14
Heads up NFL – the Chargers are having fun again. The defense played loose, LT racked up his usual 198 yards and four touchdowns, and they soundly defeated a team they were supposed to beat. Things got hairy when the Raiders scored midway through the fourth quarter to get within a touchdown, but when San Diego had to put the game away, they did. They’re baaaack.
Chiefs 27, Bengals 20
Very quietly, the Chiefs are sneaking back into contention. They have an underrated defense and if Larry Johnson can get going like he did Sunday, they’ve got enough weapons on offense to at least make an interesting run. The Bengals on the other hand, are freaking toast. The offense isn’t scoring enough points to mask the defenses’ weaknesses anymore and eventually that locker room is going to explode (if it hasn’t already). Congrats to KC’s Tony Gonzalez for setting the NFL record for touchdown catches for a tight end. He’s certainly been one of the best.
Browns 41, Dolphins 31
Rob Chudzinski’s magical offense strikes again. Derek Anderson (245 yards, 3 TDs) might currently be the most underrated quarterback in the league and deserves credit for holding his own while most Browns fans clamor for rookie Brady Quinn. If Cleveland had anything that resembled a defense, it might be able to contend for a Wild Card.
Eagles 16, Jets 9
Philly dominated this game from start to finish, but they just couldn’t get into the end zone. When a team rings up 413 yards and only turns the ball over once, they need to score more than 16 points. Don’t the Jets have to find out what Kellen Clemons has? Chad Pennington’s limitations are staggering.
Ravens 22, Rams 3
The Ravens defensive performance against the Rams was the kind where you wonder why Rex Ryan isn’t a head coach yet. Ryan’s defense caused six turnovers and essentially gift-wrapped opportunities for the Ravens offense all day. Somebody tell Gus Frerotte (8 INTs in two games) what color uniforms the Rams wear, because obviously he has no idea.
Panthers 25, Cardinals 10
Who said the 43-year old Vinny Testaverde couldn’t play anymore, hah? Testaverde threw for 206 yards and a touchdown, plus schooled fellow backup quarterback Tim Rattay, who filled in when Kurt Warner went down with an elbow injury early in the game. Rattay looks like a poor man’s Joey Harrington, which isn’t a good thing.
