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      Ah, the ebb and flow of the NFL: Packers shut down Cowboys

      November 15, 2009 /

      This is how I know nobody has a clue about what will happen in the NFL:

      Green Bay Packers 17, Dallas Cowboys 7.

      Unless you’re a Packer slappy, you couldn’t possibly have expected that outcome today; there’s just no way. Dallas had won four in a row, was coming off an impressive road win at Philadelphia and was playing with a ton of confidence. Green Bay, on the other hand, had not beaten a team with a winning record all season and had lost to the previously winless Buccaneers last week in one of the ugliest losses for any team this season.

      Granted, some could say that this was a letdown game for the Cowboys after beating the Eagles last week, but it’s not like the Packers are the Browns or Rams; Dallas shouldn’t have had any problem getting up for this game today.

      Nevertheless, the Packers’ defense played one hell of a game by completely shutting down a Dallas offense that had been firing on all cylinders entering the game. Green Bay forced three turnovers, held the Cowboys to only 61 rushing yards and sacked Tony Romo five times. It was a dominating effort by Dom Capers’ defense tonight that was embarrassed last week in Tampa. The Packers’ O-line still tried their best to get Aaron Rodgers killed, but Green Bay will certainly take a win, especially after the team held a players-only meeting earlier this week in an effort to try and clear the air.

      Since the Eagles also lost today, this won’t set the Cowboys back in the standings but it is alarming that Green Bay was able to shut down Dallas’ offense so easily. I mean, this was the same Packers defense that gave up 38 points last week to the Buccaneers, who were starting a rookie quarterback in Josh Freeman.

      Maybe this was just an off day for Wade Phillips’ team. They better hope so anyway.

      NFL

      NFL Gambler Killer of the Week: Matt Hasselbeck

      November 15, 2009 /


      “Let’s see how many people I can screw with this throw…”

      I’ve decided to introduce a new feature to TSR called “NFL Gambler Killer of the Week,” where I’ll call out a player or a team for having a hand in screwing bettors. In order to stay objective, I won’t indicate whether or not I personally was affected by the play.

      The inaugural NFL Gambler Killer of the Week goes to Seahawks’ quarterback Matt Hasselbeck for his brilliant fourth quarter performance in Seattle’s 31-20 loss to the Cardinals.

      Here’s the situation:

      The Seahawks were 9-point underdogs heading into Sunday’s game in Arizona and actually jumped out to a 14-0 lead early in the second quarter. But being the gracious people they are, Seattle allowed Arizona to rack up 31 points, including 14 points in the fourth quarter to take a 31-20 lead.

      With 5:20 remaining and trailing by 11 (remember, Seattle was getting nine points), the Seahawks took over at their own five-yard line. Hasselbeck then successfully moved the offense to Arizona’s 25-yard line and it appeared that the Seahawks would cut into their deficit with either a field goal or a touchdown and help bettors out in the process.

      But being the gracious person he is, Hasselbeck threw into triple coverage on 2nd and 10 and was intercepted by Antrel Rolle.

      “Damn!” Mr. Bettor is thinking to himself. “Could have been a nice backdoor cover.”

      But then Seattle’s defense gives Mr. Bettor a sliver of hope by forcing Arizona to a three-and-out and giving the offense the ball back with 3:05 remaining. The crafty Hasselbeck once again led the Seahawks into Arizona territory and then down to the Cardinals’ 3-yard line.

      “You sweet son of a bitch! You’re going to save me, Matt,” Mr. Bettor screams.

      Then, in one of the dumbest decisions of the NFL season, Hasselbeck gets the snap, almost fumbles it, and then tries to shovel it to his running back three feet in front of him. But instead of falling incomplete or into the loving arms of his running back, Adrian Wilson comes out of nowhere and snatches the ball out of the air like the Black Angel of Death he is. (It was actually a great play by Wilson; one of the best of the day.)

      “Are you serious?! What were you thinking?! What were you thinking! F-you Matt, you pile of garbage!”

      Game over. A field goal in either one of those situations probably would have given bettors a cover, but instead they had to watch as Hasselbeck lost his mind on two separate occasions.

      He must have had the Cardinals –9.

      NFL

      Chris Johnson is sick; T.O. is a turd

      November 15, 2009 /

      Chris Johnson rushed for 132 yards and two touchdowns on 26 carries on Sunday, while also adding nine receptions for 100 yards to help the Titans crush the Bills, 41-17.

      Johnson turned simple screen and dump off passes into highlight reel plays and also gained 32 yards on an option pitch. Since Vince Young re-entered Tennessee’s starting lineup, Jeff Fisher’s coaching staff has done a nice job of finding creative ways to get Johnson the ball. He’s racked up 1,091 rushing yards on the season, which is tops in the NFL.

      While Johnson was doing everything to help his team win, Terrell Owens was being a distraction to his. He did catch an eye-popping three passes for 85 yards and a touchdown, but he also got into a screaming match with one of his coaches and apparently was slapping people high-fives to the crowd behind the Bills’ bench near the end of the game. What he was celebrating about and whom he was celebrating with are both unknown, although he did go to college in Tennessee so maybe he saw one of his old roommates.

      Trent Edwards misfired on several passes to T.O. throughout the game and therefore Owens must have felt that because of that, he didn’t have to pursue Tennessee defenders on two separate interceptions in the second half. One of the interceptions was T.O.’s fault too, as he let the ball slip through his stone-hands.

      ESPN’s Chris Mortensen reported after the game that Owens might be trying to get cut. Hopefully the Bills keep him and make him rot in Buffalo for the rest of the season.

      NFL

      Ronnie Brown leaves on crutches after Dolphins’ win

      November 15, 2009 /

      Ronnie Brown left Land Shark Stadium on Sunday on crutches after injuring his right ankle in the Dolphins’ 25-23 win over the Buccaneers. He was unable to re-enter the game after injuring the ankle and it’s unclear at this point whether or not he’ll miss any time.

      The game itself was absolutely wild, or at least the finish was. Miami had a win all but locked up after they forced Josh Freeman to throw an incomplete pass on a 4th and 6 from the Dolphins’ 22-yard line with just over two minutes remaining. But Quincy Black intercepted Chad Henne on a 3rd and 7 (why the Dolphins were throwing in that spot I don’t know) and Tampa capitalized with a Cadillac Williams 1-yard touchdown run to give the Bucs a 23-22 lead. (And the only reason the game wasn’t tied at 23-23 is because Miami missed an extra point earlier in the game.)

      But the Dolphins then marched up the field under a 1:15 to play and capped the drive off with a Dan Carpenter 25-yard field goal to win the game.

      Not exactly how you want to finish a game, but a win is a win and Miami will certainly take it.

      NFL

      Bush has solid day as Saints edge Rams

      November 15, 2009 /

      Reggie Bush has been criticized throughout his career for not being able to run between the tackles, but nobody can argue what he can do in open space.

      In the Saints’ 28-23 win over the Rams on Sunday, Bush rushed six times for 83 yards and a touchdown, while adding two receptions for 15 yards and a score. He showed his incredible athleticism several times throughout the game, including on a 15-yard touchdown pass in the second quarter in which he launched himself into the end zone.

      Bush has taken a backseat to Drew Brees, the Saints’ bevy of receivers and even the play of the defense under new coordinator Gregg Williams. But he remains a key cog in this explosive Saints’ offense and as long as he stays healthy and continues to accept his role in a crowded Saints’ backfield, he’ll remain a perfect fit for Sean Payton’s offense.

      While the Saints improved to 9-0 on the season, they’ve suffered some injuries the past couple weeks and I think that’s why their games of been close of late. They should have destroyed a bad Rams team and instead, they allowed St. Louis to hang around until the fourth quarter.

      Hopefully key players like Darren Sharper (who didn’t play today due to an injury) and Tracy Porter (who suffered an injury during the game) won’t be out long and the Saints can continue to play perfect football.

      NFL

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