Category: NFL (Page 1179 of 1282)

Some teams just outright baffle me in the NFL.

Quick Shots:
The only unbeaten team in the NFL remained unbeaten as the Colts topped the Bills 17-16. The score might come as a shock, but if you think about it Indy has just come off of two huge road wins against Denver and New England and were due for a letdown. Rookie tailback Joseph Addai carried Indy with 124 total yards and a score…Here’s a shocker – New England loses its third game of the season…at home. The hard fighting Jets knocked off the Patriots 17-14 and sent New England to its first back-to-back losing campaigns for the first time since dinosaurs ruled the earth. Despite out gaining New York 377 to 278, the Patriots turned the ball over twice and could never establish a rhythm on offense (much like the Colts game last Sunday night) thanks to a solid game by the Jets defense…What a wild one in Cincinnati as the Chargers knocked off the Bengals 49-41. The Bengals led 28-7 at one point during the second half, but surrendered 430 yards of total offense to San Diego. The Chargers defense wasn’t that much better, however, and gave up a whopping 545 yards to Cincy. LaDainian Tomlinson scored four times and out did Bengals WR Chad Johnson, who finally had a breakout game by catching 11 balls for 260 yards (he hadn’t cracked even the 100 yard mark coming into the contest) and two scores…The Eagles continue to play well under head coach Andy Reid coming off a bye. Philadelphia ransacked the Redskins 27-3 on the strength of Donovan McNabb, Brian Westbrook and a healthy Donte Stallworth. McNabb hit Stallworth six times for 139 yards and on an 84-yard touchdown bomb in the first quarter…The Ravens won by the skin of their teeth in Tennessee. Despite a solid day by rookie Vince Young and Travis Henry, the Titans squandered a 26-17 forth quarter lead as Baltimore rallied to win 27-26. Steve McNair threw two picks, but otherwise had an unbelievable day by throwing for 373 yards and three touchdowns. Brian Billick and the Ravens are now 3-0 after firing offensive coordinator Jim Fassell…Atlanta continues to be a mess as Charlie Frye and the Browns orchestrated a nice upset over the Falcons 17-13. Frye was 16 of 22 passing for 165 yards and a touchdown to Braylon Edwards. Looking at the Falcons scheduled forthcoming, I’d be shocked if Atlanta made the playoffs with as many problems as they have right now. The Falcons have a total of six starters out and Michael Vick continues his maddening-inconsistent ways…I find it funny that the 49ers knocked off the Lions 19-13 in Detroit. It’s funny because, during the week some of the Lions players (like CB Dre’ Bly) buffed out their chests in the win over the Falcons last week. Then Detroit lets Frank Gore run all over the place to the tune of 159 yards and a touchdown while a crappy San Francisco road team flat out manhandles the Lions in every phase of the game…The read-hot Miami Dolphins have now won back to back games against top opponents as the Fish defeat Kansas City 13-10. Miami’s defense has been solid and it was again Sunday in holding Larry Johnson to just 75 yards on the ground. Ronnie Brown looks like he may be hitting his stride while producing 89 yards and a touchdown against a pretty stout Chiefs’ run defense…I’ll tell you what, the Packers are turning things around. Call me crazy, but with Green Bay’s 23-17 win over the Vikings in Minnesota Sunday, the Packers are getting back into the playoff hunt in that weak NFC North. Great day by Brett Favre who threw for 347 yards and two touchdowns – one of those scores going to WR Donald Driver, who finished the contest with six catches for 191 yards…The puke award goes to the Jacksonville Jaguars who managed only 10 points against the Texans. Houston knocked off Jacksonville 13-10 on the strength of a balanced offensive attack. The Texans gathered 158 yards through the air while gaining 148 yards on the ground. Houston’s defense forced David Garrard into four interceptions. Let me guess Jack Del Rio – Byron Leftwich will start next week?…

Most impressed with: The Jets for going into New England and knocking off a Patriots team that finally looks like it won’t get away from another cheap-spending offseason. Eric Mangini is giving Sean Payton of New Orleans a run at Coach of the Year.

Least impressed with: These teams (like my opener indicates) just outright baffle me: the Patriots, Falcons, Bengals and Jaguars. The Patriots have lost three games at home, the Falcons can’t beat the Lions and Browns while the Bengals finally get it together on offense but give up 49 points on defense. And I don’t know what team is the real Jacksonville Jaguars squad anymore.

Don’t forget to check out my NFL Random Thoughts blog on Monday.

Phil Taylor of SI.com wrote an interesting article on Thursday about how Randy Moss will likely never be as dominating as he was while in Minnesota.

The most discouraging part is that Moss doesn’t seem to care about his obvious decline. He doesn’t seem to mind that he’s no longer among the most feared players at his position, surpassed by players like Steve Smith and Chad Johnson. Moss throws out the occasional cryptic comment about the pathetic Raiders organization, but he doesn’t really complain, because that would be too much trouble.

I think Taylor makes an excellent point. Anyone who has watched Moss play this year (or God forbid has him on a fantasy team) has seen a guy who barely tries. His route running has become lackadaisical, his hands have become average and his overall effort has to be reaching a career low. Many site the fact that since he plays for the Raiders he just doesn’t try as hard because Oakland isn’t that good. I’d argue that it doesn’t matter whom this guy plays for, because he’s obviously given up. Moss won’t break records set by Jerry Rice like many thought when he first entered the league. And after watching him play against Seattle last Monday night, I doubt if he’s even a top five receiver anymore.

I think the motivation of being passed over by 18 teams before finally being selected by Minnesota is gone – and so is his passion for that matter.