CHARGERS STINK, PATS DON'T MISS MOSS, VIKES SURVIVE, TOO MANY CONCUSSIONS TO BE FOLLOWED BY HEFTY FINES
Today saw a lot of really close games, six games were determined by 3-points & another two by four.
Let's examine the San Diego Chargers first six games shall we? They crushed Jacksonville & Arizona in the comfy confines of Qualcomm Stadium but the road has been brutal, Norv Turner's gang is 0-4 away from home. They've lost to Kansas City, Seattle, Oakland & today the St. Louis Rams, hardly the creme de la creme of the NFL. The Rams sacked Phillip Rivers seven times, RB Steven Jackson ran for 109 yards & in the process, the Chargers lost their best pass receiver, tight end Antonio Gates to an ankle injury. Tho the Chargers return home for the next two games, the opponents are New England & Tennessee. The team that has won this division 6 of the past eight years, is in real danger of watching the playoffs from the warmth of their family rooms. I have to mention who scored the Rams' first touchdown, a diving 38-yard reception by rookie Danario Alexander. He finished his first NFL game with four receptions for 72-yards & the touchdown. I knew this young man could play in the NFL, he just needed to get well & for someone to give him a chance. I wish it had been the Chiefs, but at least he got the opportunity. I hope he & fellow rookie, Sam Bradford, form a a passing tandem to be feared for many years to come.
The Bears laid another egg, losing to Seattle 23-20 at Soldier Field. Once again the Chicago bug-a-boo was pass protection. The Seahawks sacked Jay Cutler six times & hit him another nine. Devon Hester returned a Seattle punt 89-yards for a score just after the 2-minute warning, but the punchless Bear defense couldn't stop Seattle to get the ball. Everyone in the NFC North lost except Minnesota.
Miami squeaked out a 23-20 overtime win at Lambeau Field. The Packers lengthy injury list has begun to cost them games. The absence of OLB Clay Mathews allowed the Dolphins too much time to throw the ball. Injuries also created an offensive line protection issue, Aaron Rodgers was sacked five time & hit 10 more times. I think my NFC Super Bowl pick is down the drain if they aren't able to trade for some help before the October 19th trading deadline.
New England traded WR Randy Moss just over a week ago & more or less filled his position with new acquired Deon Branch from Seattle. He catches nine Tom Brady passes for 98-yards & a touchdown in the Patriots' 23-20 overtime win over the Ravens. The Patriots rallied from 10-down in the 4th quarter to tie the game on a Stephen Gostkowski 24-yard field goal with 1:24. Baltimore had numerous chances to deliver a knockout punch in this game but were unable to do so & it cost them.
Philadelphia's revolving door at the quarterback position continued today as Kevin Kolb lit up the Atlanta Falcons for 326-yards & three touchdowns on a 23 of 29 passing performance. Philly easily handled the Falcons, 31-17. After the game Andy Reid wouldn't commit to next week's starter, but FOXSports' jay Glazer & ESPN's Chris Mortenson said Reid told them Michael Vick would return as the starter. Jeremy Maclin had a career day with 7-receptions, 159-yards & 2-touchdowns.
Big Ben Rothlesberger made his return to the starting lineup in Pittsburgh today, leading the Steelers to a 28-10 win over Cleveland. He threw touchdown passes to Mike Wallace, Hines Ward & Heath Miller. For the Browns, rookie Colt McCoy got his first start & it was no picnic. But McCoy didn't embarrass himself, completing 23 of 33 for 281 yards & a touchdown to TE Ben Watson. He did throw two interceptions but considering he was sacked 5-times & hits another 9-times, McCoy did a pretty fair job under the circumstances.
The Jets are damn glad to get out of Denver with a win. They rallied to beat the Broncos 24-20 with two LaDainian Tomlinson 4th quarter touchdown runs, the game-winner with just 1:13 left. The last TD was set up on a 4th & 5 pass interference call at the Denver 2-yardline. Then the Jets had to sweat a couple of Kyle Orton passes down to the New York 40 before rookie center J.D. Walton snapped the ball right past Orton & it was recovered by the Jets. QB Mark Sanchez returned to his unpredictable ways, throwing two interceptions.
Forty-Niner fans can take a breath, their team finally won their first game today, beating the pitiful Oakland Raiders 17-9. Frisco RB Frank Gore gained 149-yards on 25-carries & the Raiders were kind enough to chip in 143-yards in penalties, flagged 11 times.
Minnesota survived the "Elimination Bowl" beating Dallas 24-21. Brett Favre wasn't good, neither was the Viking running game, 93-yards passing & 95-yards rushing is a rather anemic performance. But we're talking about Dallas, who, like Oakland, was kind enough to contribute 11-penalties for 91-yards. For the second week in a row, they were flagged for an excessive celebration after a Roy Williams touchdown. When are they going to learn? Maybe now that it's too late because I think the Cowboys dream of playing on their home field in the Super Bowl is done.
Sunday also marked a frightening parade of violent hits resulting in far too many concussions. I expect the league to lower the boom the offenders. Cleveland's Josh Cribbs & Mohammed Massaquoi both sustained concussions at the hands of Steeler OLB James Harrison. Both were helmet to helmet hits. DeSean Jackson was drilled by Falcons' cornerback Dunta Robinson that left both players motionless on the turf for 10-minutes. Jackson was said to have sustained "a serious concussion." Andy Reid intimated after the game Jackson probably wouldn't be able to play for "several weeks." It was scary. Redskin tight end Chris Cooley also suffered a concussion this evening in their game with the Colts. Detroit linebacker Zach Follett was knocked cold after a collision covering a kickoff. He was strapped to a back board & rushed to the hospital. He is in stable condition with motion in all his extremities. Also sustaining serious injuries Sunday was Houston linebacker DeMeco Ryans who ruptured his left Achilles tendon. The Texans' leading tackler for the past three seasons will be lost for the season. Detroit backup quarterback Shaun Hill suffered a broken left forearm. After seeing Rutgers defensive tackle Eric LeGrand being wheeled off the field in yesterday's game with Army & knowing he is currently paralyzed from the neck down, these deliberate shots in the NFL need to be dealt with by suspensions & not fines. Former safety Rodney Harrison said before the Colts-Redskins game he didn't stop hitting receivers with his helmet until he was suspended without pay for four games. He said "5-10 thousand dollars mean little to today's player, but when you realize how much you're hurting your team by being suspended, your attitude changes quickly." I hope the commissioner takes note of Harrison's experience.
Some exciting matchups next week, Cincinnati @ Atlanta, Philly @ Tennessee, Pittsburgh @ Miami, New England @ San Diego, Minnesota @ Green Bay & the Giants @ Dallas(final nail in the coffin).
I won the Chiefs game, getting 4 1/2, pushed on the Baltimore game getting three, losing by three & got smoked in the Atlanta-Philly contest. So for the weekend I was 4-2-1, rather disappointing after the great start yesterday.
Let's examine the San Diego Chargers first six games shall we? They crushed Jacksonville & Arizona in the comfy confines of Qualcomm Stadium but the road has been brutal, Norv Turner's gang is 0-4 away from home. They've lost to Kansas City, Seattle, Oakland & today the St. Louis Rams, hardly the creme de la creme of the NFL. The Rams sacked Phillip Rivers seven times, RB Steven Jackson ran for 109 yards & in the process, the Chargers lost their best pass receiver, tight end Antonio Gates to an ankle injury. Tho the Chargers return home for the next two games, the opponents are New England & Tennessee. The team that has won this division 6 of the past eight years, is in real danger of watching the playoffs from the warmth of their family rooms. I have to mention who scored the Rams' first touchdown, a diving 38-yard reception by rookie Danario Alexander. He finished his first NFL game with four receptions for 72-yards & the touchdown. I knew this young man could play in the NFL, he just needed to get well & for someone to give him a chance. I wish it had been the Chiefs, but at least he got the opportunity. I hope he & fellow rookie, Sam Bradford, form a a passing tandem to be feared for many years to come.
The Bears laid another egg, losing to Seattle 23-20 at Soldier Field. Once again the Chicago bug-a-boo was pass protection. The Seahawks sacked Jay Cutler six times & hit him another nine. Devon Hester returned a Seattle punt 89-yards for a score just after the 2-minute warning, but the punchless Bear defense couldn't stop Seattle to get the ball. Everyone in the NFC North lost except Minnesota.
Miami squeaked out a 23-20 overtime win at Lambeau Field. The Packers lengthy injury list has begun to cost them games. The absence of OLB Clay Mathews allowed the Dolphins too much time to throw the ball. Injuries also created an offensive line protection issue, Aaron Rodgers was sacked five time & hit 10 more times. I think my NFC Super Bowl pick is down the drain if they aren't able to trade for some help before the October 19th trading deadline.
New England traded WR Randy Moss just over a week ago & more or less filled his position with new acquired Deon Branch from Seattle. He catches nine Tom Brady passes for 98-yards & a touchdown in the Patriots' 23-20 overtime win over the Ravens. The Patriots rallied from 10-down in the 4th quarter to tie the game on a Stephen Gostkowski 24-yard field goal with 1:24. Baltimore had numerous chances to deliver a knockout punch in this game but were unable to do so & it cost them.
Philadelphia's revolving door at the quarterback position continued today as Kevin Kolb lit up the Atlanta Falcons for 326-yards & three touchdowns on a 23 of 29 passing performance. Philly easily handled the Falcons, 31-17. After the game Andy Reid wouldn't commit to next week's starter, but FOXSports' jay Glazer & ESPN's Chris Mortenson said Reid told them Michael Vick would return as the starter. Jeremy Maclin had a career day with 7-receptions, 159-yards & 2-touchdowns.
Big Ben Rothlesberger made his return to the starting lineup in Pittsburgh today, leading the Steelers to a 28-10 win over Cleveland. He threw touchdown passes to Mike Wallace, Hines Ward & Heath Miller. For the Browns, rookie Colt McCoy got his first start & it was no picnic. But McCoy didn't embarrass himself, completing 23 of 33 for 281 yards & a touchdown to TE Ben Watson. He did throw two interceptions but considering he was sacked 5-times & hits another 9-times, McCoy did a pretty fair job under the circumstances.
The Jets are damn glad to get out of Denver with a win. They rallied to beat the Broncos 24-20 with two LaDainian Tomlinson 4th quarter touchdown runs, the game-winner with just 1:13 left. The last TD was set up on a 4th & 5 pass interference call at the Denver 2-yardline. Then the Jets had to sweat a couple of Kyle Orton passes down to the New York 40 before rookie center J.D. Walton snapped the ball right past Orton & it was recovered by the Jets. QB Mark Sanchez returned to his unpredictable ways, throwing two interceptions.
Forty-Niner fans can take a breath, their team finally won their first game today, beating the pitiful Oakland Raiders 17-9. Frisco RB Frank Gore gained 149-yards on 25-carries & the Raiders were kind enough to chip in 143-yards in penalties, flagged 11 times.
Minnesota survived the "Elimination Bowl" beating Dallas 24-21. Brett Favre wasn't good, neither was the Viking running game, 93-yards passing & 95-yards rushing is a rather anemic performance. But we're talking about Dallas, who, like Oakland, was kind enough to contribute 11-penalties for 91-yards. For the second week in a row, they were flagged for an excessive celebration after a Roy Williams touchdown. When are they going to learn? Maybe now that it's too late because I think the Cowboys dream of playing on their home field in the Super Bowl is done.
Sunday also marked a frightening parade of violent hits resulting in far too many concussions. I expect the league to lower the boom the offenders. Cleveland's Josh Cribbs & Mohammed Massaquoi both sustained concussions at the hands of Steeler OLB James Harrison. Both were helmet to helmet hits. DeSean Jackson was drilled by Falcons' cornerback Dunta Robinson that left both players motionless on the turf for 10-minutes. Jackson was said to have sustained "a serious concussion." Andy Reid intimated after the game Jackson probably wouldn't be able to play for "several weeks." It was scary. Redskin tight end Chris Cooley also suffered a concussion this evening in their game with the Colts. Detroit linebacker Zach Follett was knocked cold after a collision covering a kickoff. He was strapped to a back board & rushed to the hospital. He is in stable condition with motion in all his extremities. Also sustaining serious injuries Sunday was Houston linebacker DeMeco Ryans who ruptured his left Achilles tendon. The Texans' leading tackler for the past three seasons will be lost for the season. Detroit backup quarterback Shaun Hill suffered a broken left forearm. After seeing Rutgers defensive tackle Eric LeGrand being wheeled off the field in yesterday's game with Army & knowing he is currently paralyzed from the neck down, these deliberate shots in the NFL need to be dealt with by suspensions & not fines. Former safety Rodney Harrison said before the Colts-Redskins game he didn't stop hitting receivers with his helmet until he was suspended without pay for four games. He said "5-10 thousand dollars mean little to today's player, but when you realize how much you're hurting your team by being suspended, your attitude changes quickly." I hope the commissioner takes note of Harrison's experience.
Some exciting matchups next week, Cincinnati @ Atlanta, Philly @ Tennessee, Pittsburgh @ Miami, New England @ San Diego, Minnesota @ Green Bay & the Giants @ Dallas(final nail in the coffin).
I won the Chiefs game, getting 4 1/2, pushed on the Baltimore game getting three, losing by three & got smoked in the Atlanta-Philly contest. So for the weekend I was 4-2-1, rather disappointing after the great start yesterday.
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