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| The Raiderettes desperately try to distract Oakland fans from the scoreboard. (shout out to a fellow St. Johnner!) (Ed Szczepanski, USA TODAY Sports) |
Cam Newton and the Panthers get their fourth straight victory over the sinking Falcons, who appear to be out of the mix this year.
Matt Ryan simply does not have the support around him, and is trying desperately to make plays for his team. However, these forced throws are doing him no favors, and Sunday marked the first time in his career he has thrown three pics in back-to-back games.
San Diego 24, Washington 30 (OT)
First and goal from the one yard line, 21 seconds to go and one timeout remaining. Forgive me if this sounds familiar, but who else could possibly find a way to blow that opportunity?
Ladies and gentlemen, your San Diego Chargers!
Rivers and co. surrendered 500 yards of total offense to Washington, but still found themselves in position to win the game late. On their last drive, Danny Woodhead's TD was overturned, and after three failed attempts to gain a yard, they were forced to settle for a FG to send the game to overtime. They never held the ball again, as Washington took its opening OT drive 78 yards to put the game away.
San Diego entered the game as the sixth AFC playoff team, but after falling to 4-4 on the season, they now join a long list of potential wild-card suitors, while Washington remains alive in the hunt for the very-open NFC East.
New Orleans 20, New York Jets 26
The Ryan-bowl pitted Rex and the Jets against brother Rob, defensive coordinator of the favored- Saints. Drew Brees had a rough day at the office, and the Jets were able to pressure the quarterback all game and force two interceptions on tipped passes. Two turnovers turned in to 10 points, and the Jets were able to hang on late for the win.
A critical juncture of the game came in the 4th quarter when the Saints, down a score and driving into Jets territory, faced a 4th and inches scenario. Initially they picked up the first down on a rush, but the play was voided by a late timeout call from the sideline. Any guesses as to which side it came from?
Ask the Patriots and they will tell you that Rex Ryan will do anything to give his team a competitive advantage, no matter how frivolous. In the past, he has tipped off officials on key plays of the game, he has attempted to build QB confidence by getting his image tattooed on his arm, and he has even banned his players from having sex before big games.
In any case, because of the late timeout, the Saints were forced to re-do the down, and inexplicably decided to attempt a reverse (on 4th and INCHES!) The play resulted in a loss of 8 yards and a turnover on downs, and the Jets were able to complete the upset.
Tennessee 28, St. Louis 21
The snooze-fest of this week featured two teams desperately trying to preserve their dignity. Although they did manage three touchdowns without their starting QB, the Rams were unable to stop Chris Johnson and the Tennessee running game and fell at home to the Titans. The success of both teams, as well as public interest in the two, can be adequately summed up as "mild".
Minnesota 23, Dallas 27
It's never easy for Big D. In this game they were matched up against the one-win Vikings and found themselves needing a touchdown with 35 seconds remaining to beat the last-place team. The game featured another Dez Bryant outburst (which resulted in a critical 15-yard penalty) and another Romo 4th quarter interception, but somehow the Cowboys were able to pull it together and rally for the late win. Dallas extends its lead in the NFC East, and the Vikings, at 1-7, seem unable to win anything-- even the competition for the first pick in the draft.
Kansas City 23, Buffalo 17
The Buffalo Bills, led by (insert this week's quarterback here) were unable to preserve an early lead and fell at home to the Kansas City Chiefs. QB Jeff Tule, in his first NFL start, had the Bills one-yard away from a 14 point lead to start the third quarter. His pass (from the one yard line!!) was tipped, intercepted, and returned 100 yards for a Kansas City touchdown to tie the game. From that point on, it was only a matter of time, and the Chiefs climbed back into command-- no thanks to their offense. The Chiefs now enter their bye week as the lone undefeated team in the NFL with a record of 9-0.
Tampa Bay 24, Seattle 27 (OT)
The Seahawks have not lost at home since Christmas of 2011. The Buccaneers have not won a game all season long. Yet midway through the second quarter, Tampa Bay was up 21-0 over the home team. This head-scratcher eventually evaporated, but Seattle sure took its sweet time with it, requiring an overtime field goal to send the winless Bucs to 0-8 on the season.
Pittsburgh 31, New England 55
A 24-24 tie was shattered by the Patriots in a 28-point fourth quarter. It took a while for Brady to get the offense going, but by the end of the day, they had racked up 610 total yards of offense and 55 points, both the highest amount ever allowed by a Pittsburgh defense. Rob Gronkowski posted his best stat-line of the season with 143 yards and a touchdown, and was one of three Patriots with over 100 yards receiving on the day. With Gronk and Amendola healthy, and RB Shane Vereen two weeks from his return, the Patriots will emerge from their bye in great shape for the final push.
Baltimore 18, Cleveland 24
The Browns snapped an 11-game losing streak to the Ravens by upsetting them in Cleveland. On second thought, I'm not sure who the favorite was. The defending Super Bowl champs have looked sluggish all season and now fall to 3-5 on the year. Their pro-bowl RB Ray Rice was outrushed by Joe Flacco, and apart from the last play of the game, managed just 20 total yards on 13 touches, while his QB threw 17 incompletions and an interception. Somewhere, Cam Cameron is smiling, while elsewhere, Ray Lewis is yelling (or praying, or somehow both). Meanwhile, Browns QB Jason Campbell has looked great in his two starts, and the Brandon Weeden era in Cleveland looks to be coming to a rapid close.
Philadelphia 49, Oakland 20
... yep.
Indianapolis 27, Houston 24
*Sunday Night*
The Colts fell behind big in the first half, but emerged from the break on a mission, outscoring the Texans 24-3 and escaping with the win after Randy Bullock's third missed a FG of the game. The reeling Texans fell to 2-6, but third-string QB Case Keenum looked good in his second start, and you have to believe that Houston's priority for the remainder of the season will deciding on a QB to start with next season. Meanwhile, the Colts improve to 6-2 on the year thanks to Andrew Luck's 10th career game-winning drive.
Chicago 27, Green Bay 20
*Monday Night*
The Packers fell at home to the rival Bears after losing QB Aaron Rodgers in the first quarter. Backup Seneca Wallace got a lot of help from the running game to keep the game competitive, but in the end, it was the other team's backup QB that would emerge with the W. The Packers fall into a three-way tie for first place in their division with the Bears and Lions at 5-3.
Cincinnati 20, Miami 22
*Thursday Night*
Halloween was spooky for Andy Dalton and the Bengals. The Red Rifle threw three interceptions and was sacked 5 times in the game, including a game-winning safety in overtime. The Dolphins snapped their 4-game losing streak and halted the Bengals win streak at 4 as well. However, any positives Miami took from this game were greatly overshadowed by the emerging Jonathan Martin/Richie Incognito scandal, which will do nothing to help the shaky team get back on track. The Bengals, still in first place, look to rebound against the winless Buccaneers
*On the Bye*
Minnesota 23, Dallas 27
It's never easy for Big D. In this game they were matched up against the one-win Vikings and found themselves needing a touchdown with 35 seconds remaining to beat the last-place team. The game featured another Dez Bryant outburst (which resulted in a critical 15-yard penalty) and another Romo 4th quarter interception, but somehow the Cowboys were able to pull it together and rally for the late win. Dallas extends its lead in the NFC East, and the Vikings, at 1-7, seem unable to win anything-- even the competition for the first pick in the draft.
Kansas City 23, Buffalo 17
The Buffalo Bills, led by (insert this week's quarterback here) were unable to preserve an early lead and fell at home to the Kansas City Chiefs. QB Jeff Tule, in his first NFL start, had the Bills one-yard away from a 14 point lead to start the third quarter. His pass (from the one yard line!!) was tipped, intercepted, and returned 100 yards for a Kansas City touchdown to tie the game. From that point on, it was only a matter of time, and the Chiefs climbed back into command-- no thanks to their offense. The Chiefs now enter their bye week as the lone undefeated team in the NFL with a record of 9-0.
Tampa Bay 24, Seattle 27 (OT)
The Seahawks have not lost at home since Christmas of 2011. The Buccaneers have not won a game all season long. Yet midway through the second quarter, Tampa Bay was up 21-0 over the home team. This head-scratcher eventually evaporated, but Seattle sure took its sweet time with it, requiring an overtime field goal to send the winless Bucs to 0-8 on the season.
Pittsburgh 31, New England 55
A 24-24 tie was shattered by the Patriots in a 28-point fourth quarter. It took a while for Brady to get the offense going, but by the end of the day, they had racked up 610 total yards of offense and 55 points, both the highest amount ever allowed by a Pittsburgh defense. Rob Gronkowski posted his best stat-line of the season with 143 yards and a touchdown, and was one of three Patriots with over 100 yards receiving on the day. With Gronk and Amendola healthy, and RB Shane Vereen two weeks from his return, the Patriots will emerge from their bye in great shape for the final push.
Baltimore 18, Cleveland 24
The Browns snapped an 11-game losing streak to the Ravens by upsetting them in Cleveland. On second thought, I'm not sure who the favorite was. The defending Super Bowl champs have looked sluggish all season and now fall to 3-5 on the year. Their pro-bowl RB Ray Rice was outrushed by Joe Flacco, and apart from the last play of the game, managed just 20 total yards on 13 touches, while his QB threw 17 incompletions and an interception. Somewhere, Cam Cameron is smiling, while elsewhere, Ray Lewis is yelling (or praying, or somehow both). Meanwhile, Browns QB Jason Campbell has looked great in his two starts, and the Brandon Weeden era in Cleveland looks to be coming to a rapid close.
Philadelphia 49, Oakland 20
... yep.
Indianapolis 27, Houston 24
*Sunday Night*
The Colts fell behind big in the first half, but emerged from the break on a mission, outscoring the Texans 24-3 and escaping with the win after Randy Bullock's third missed a FG of the game. The reeling Texans fell to 2-6, but third-string QB Case Keenum looked good in his second start, and you have to believe that Houston's priority for the remainder of the season will deciding on a QB to start with next season. Meanwhile, the Colts improve to 6-2 on the year thanks to Andrew Luck's 10th career game-winning drive.
Chicago 27, Green Bay 20
*Monday Night*
The Packers fell at home to the rival Bears after losing QB Aaron Rodgers in the first quarter. Backup Seneca Wallace got a lot of help from the running game to keep the game competitive, but in the end, it was the other team's backup QB that would emerge with the W. The Packers fall into a three-way tie for first place in their division with the Bears and Lions at 5-3.
Cincinnati 20, Miami 22
*Thursday Night*
Halloween was spooky for Andy Dalton and the Bengals. The Red Rifle threw three interceptions and was sacked 5 times in the game, including a game-winning safety in overtime. The Dolphins snapped their 4-game losing streak and halted the Bengals win streak at 4 as well. However, any positives Miami took from this game were greatly overshadowed by the emerging Jonathan Martin/Richie Incognito scandal, which will do nothing to help the shaky team get back on track. The Bengals, still in first place, look to rebound against the winless Buccaneers
*On the Bye*
Arizona, Denver, Detroit, Jacksonville, New York Giants, San Francisco
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