In case you haven't heard, Peyton Manning played in a game this week. In other news, so did thirty-one one other quarterbacks. Here's a look at what we learned from the Week Seven outcomes.
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| Not Peyton Manning. |
San Diego 24, Jacksonville 6
The woes continue for Jacksonville, who has yet to score a touchdown at home this season. San Diego showed some promise and is displaying a surprising number of offensive weapons for a team who has already lost its top receivers to injuries. However, the Chargers will ultimately be judged by how they finish the year, as they rightfully should, and unfortunately find themselves stuck in a division with two top teams in the NFL: Denver and Kansas City.
St. Louis 15, Carolina 30
The Panthers defense is beginning to assert itself as one of league's best, and are holding opponents to an average of 14 points per game. They stifled a Ram's attack that had played well of late but capitulated after losing starting QB Sam Bradford in the 4th quarter to an ACL that effectively ended the young quarterback's season.
Chicago 41, Washington 45
An exciting affair was decided by Roy Helu Jr.'s third touchdown of the day, coming with forty-five seconds remaining in the game. Chicago QB Jay Cutler left the game due to injury but backup quarterback Josh McCown was able to effectively lead the offense, throwing for over 200 yards and a touchdown. Robert Griffin III showed glimpses of his former self and played far better than last week in Washington's post-bye-week loss to Dallas, a good victory for a team with expectations of returning to the playoffs as NFC East champs, and a bitter defeat for a Bear's team aching for a Superbowl berth. Since the bye, RG3 is averaging over 80 rushing yards per game, compared to a meager 18 in the four games before.
Dallas 17, Philadelphia 3
So much for the Nick Foles era. After a week spent debating whether another solid performance by the young QB would effectively supplant Vick as the starter, Foles had a miserable day-- and that was before he left the game with a concussion. The Matt Barkely era began today as well, and was christened with three fourth-quarter picks. Hats off to the Dallas defense for allowing the fewest points of the week, and to Tony Romo for not throwing any game-changing interceptions. Dallas now sits alone atop the NFC East.
New England 27, New York Jets 30
Controversy. That is how this AFC East thriller will be remembered, specifically for a game-changing unsportsmanlike conduct penalty called in overtime on the New England Patriots. A player was flagged for illegally pushing a teammate into a down-lineman during the game-winning field goal attempt. The kick was wide, the flag enforced, and kicker Nick Folk was given another shot from fifteen yards closer. He nailed it, and the Jets can hang their hats having played impressively all-around. Geno Smith threw for a touchdown and rushed for another himself, while the Jets defense kept Brady from throwing a touchdown pass for only the second time in his last fifty-five games. A tough pill to swallow for a Patriots team encouraged by the return of their star tight-end, Rob Gronkowski, who contributed 114 yards (on 17 targets!) but no touchdowns.
Buffalo 23, Miami 21
Dan Carpenter booted the game-winning field goal with less than a minute to go to beat his former team, and the Dolphins, who started the year with three straight victories, have followed with three straights losses. Thad Lewis played well for Buffalo despite lingering injury concerns after his foot-sprain in last week's OT loss to Cinci, and led the Bills to their second-straight victory with Lewis as the starting QB.
Cincinnati 27, Detroit 24
The Lion's defense was effectively tamed by Cincinnati's offensive line, and managed only one sack of QB Andy Dalton, who did not turn the ball over once. The Lion's have looked good at times this season, but skeptics will be harder to convince given their past volatility. Meanwhile, the Bengals add another complete-team victory to their ever increasing resume.
Tampa Bay 23, Atlanta 31
Atlanta's attack was not hindered by the absence of its top-two receivers and star running back, but regular-season home-victories have likely ceased to satisfy QB Matt Ryan. A team with high expectations and unfortunate injury setbacks stills fought for its life and denied rookie QB Mike Glennon, keeping the Bucs winless on the year.
*Sidenote: Both winless teams hail from the Sunshine State, leading me to wonder: What's wrong with Florida? (Apart from their drug and gun control problems, I mean.)*
San Francisco 31, Tennessee 17
The Niners improve to 5-2 on the year, and despite some questionable performances, appear to be building a strong case for contention in the rankings. The return of Jake Locker was not enough to boost the Titans over the NFC favorites, who have won four straight and will continue on their trip to London, where they will face a winless Jags team next week.
Browns 13, Packers 31
The aggressive offense of the Packers did not miss a beat without WRs James Jones and Randall Cobb, and will have to continue to find a way to win without key weapons, as they also lost TE Jermichael Finley to a neck injury in the second half. RB Eddie Lacy led an effective running game that allowed Green Bay 33 minutes of possession, and its Defense allowed only 215 yards of total offense to Cleveland.
Houston 16, Kansas City 17
The Moral Victory of the Week goes to the Houston Texans for their loss in Kansas City. A team in desperate need of a confidence boost threw their third-string rookie QB out in front of an undefeated league-leading defense in one of the most hostile environments in the game, then lost also its star running back and star linebacker, yet somehow this game was close to the very end. Kansas City becomes the only unbeaten team left at this point, and does so again in only moderately impressive fashion. However, despite the ease of their schedule, Andy Reid and Alex Smith continue to enjoy the greatest possible outcome in their unlikely revival of the Chiefs. Houston drops to 2-5 and has now lost five straight heading into their much-needed bye week, but at least their streak of "consecutive games with a pick-6" came to an end at four.
Baltimore 16, Pittsburgh 19
Another Iron Bowl featuring the league's most traditionally vaunted defenses was decided by a late field goal. Any victory of their hated division rival is welcome, but the win has to feel especialy good for the Steelers, as it is merely their second of the season. The Ravens have to feel frustrated, as they fought back all game and found the end-zone late in the fourth to tie the score, only to surrender a large run-back on the ensuing kickoff and put the Steelers in excellent position to kick the game-winner. Somewhere, Jacoby Jones is shaking his head. Live by the sword, die by the sword.
Denver 33, Indianapolis 39
Peyton Manning's much publicized return to Indy was spoiled as his former team ruined Denver's perfect record by beating them at home. The Bronco defense had much trouble slowing QB Andrew Luck, who seems uninhibited by the lack of effective offensive weapons. RB Trent Richardson has yet to break out as a Colt, and veteran WR Reggie Wayne is now out for the season after tearing his ACL. A few costly turnovers and over 100 yards in penalties doomed Denver, who seemed out of character in the Sunday night drama, and the Colts were able to capitalize and improve to 5-2 on the year.
*Monday Night*
Minnesota 7, New York Giants 23
In this battle of the bottom-feeders the Giants prevailed and earned their first win of the season. At best, Minnesota's offense looked incapable in Josh Freeman's first start as a Viking, and for the first time all season gave the fan base of the winless Buccaneers something to cheer about. Adrian Peterson was held to 28 yards on only 13 carries, and Freeman completed just 20 of his 53(!) pass attempts for a measly 153 yards and a pic, while also setting the NFL record for most overthrows in a game.
*Thursday Night*
Seattle 34, Arizona 22
Russell Wilson led a dangerously complete Seattle team to a road victory over their division foes from Arizona. Carson Palmer was sacked seven times and threw two interceptions in the loss, but can hardly be blamed for Arizona's continued impotence. Seattle's defense continues to enforce their position as a top seed of the NFC.
*On the Bye*
Oakland, New Orleans
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