WEEK 4 IN THE NFL, WHAT I SAW
The Chiefs won, so it had to be a pretty good weekend right? My thoughts on their 22-17 win at Arrowhead are below, just scroll down to read it. Here's the rest of what I saw on Sunday.
Climb aboard the Tony Romo rollercoaster, Caution: It's a wild ride.
Romo led his beat up team to a Monday night victory over the Washington Redskins. But that was waaaay back on Monday. In this "what have you done for me lately" world, what happened yesterday is most important right now. After posting a 27-3 lead early in the third quarter, "Bad Romo" made an appearance. After forcing yet another Detroit punt, things turned sour. Romo threw to a double-covered Dez Bryant & former Cowboy linebacker, Bobby Carpenter, intercepted it & ran the pick back 34-yards for Detroit's first touchdown. Still ahead 27-10, Romo threw another pick, this time to cornerback Chris Houston, who ran it back 56-yards for another touchdown. Now the score is 27-17. Dallas kicks a field goal on their next possession to run it to 30-17. Five snaps later, Detroit quarterback Matthew Stafford arcs a high throw into the endzone & "Megatron" aka Calvin Johnson, comes down with it for a touchdown. Dallas' lead has shrunk to 30-24. They trade pints on the next two possessions before kicker Jason Hanson boots a 51-yard field goal making the score 30-27, Dallas. With 4-minutes left in the game, Dallas sets up at their twenty after the kickoff. On the first snap Romo throws another interception to Detroit linebacker Stephen Tulloch at the Dallas 45. Fast forward to 1:42 left when Stafford throws another jump ball to Johnson, he comes down with it, Lions win. Biggest Detroit comeback in franchise history, biggest blown lead in Dallas history. Lions perfect at 4-0. Careful Cowboy fans, this ride will make you lose your lunch.
Sam Bradford is beginning to look like the David Carr of yesteryear.
I believed the Rams would win the NFC West because they added receivers, a backup for Steven Jackson & solidified their offensive line. I was wrong about the last part. This line had such promise, they played better last season & that was without Harvey Dahl. What the hell happened? Bradford has become a tackling dummy, he was sacked 7 times on Sunday & knocked down another 10-12 in their 17-10 loss to Washington. For the 4th game in a row, he lost a fumble. He's getting the yipps like David Carr had back when he was getting sacked 70+ times for the Texans. St. Louis managed a pathetic 172-yards of total offense vs. the Redskins. Their defense kept them in the game, but the poor line play & the numerous drops by Ram receivers kept the Rams winless. Rooie tight end Lance Kendricks looked sensational in the preseason, but when they turned the lights on to play for real, he drops pass after pass. Steve Spagnuolo better get his O-line sorted out, no one wants to see Bradford's confidence destroyed, but that's where the Rams are headed.
The Steelers have line issues too, just ask Big Ben.
In another 17-10 final, the Pittsburgh Steelers got exposed on two fronts. Their patchwork offensive line isn't working & their defense might be getting a little long in the tooth. Ben Roethlisberger left Houston in a walking boot, he'll have an MRI today. He was hit & hit & then hit some more. Sacked 5 times & knocked down another 8-10, Big Ben. like Sam Bradford, never had two consecutive pass drops without someone hanging all over him. Just as troubling for Steeler fans was Houston's ability to run all over the vaunted Black & Gold defense. Arian Foster rushed for 155-yards on 30 carries & QB Matt Schaub was virtually untouched in the pocket. I don't like what I've seen of Pittsburgh the first four weeks. Also hurting was Pro Bowl center Maurkice Pouncey, a victim of some sort of a lower leg injury. Houston all-pro wide receiver Andre Johnson went down in a heap after injuring his knee while running untouched in the open field. No word on the severity of either injury.
Only two undefeated teams left & they're in the same division.
The Packers still haven't shown much "Super Bowl Hangover." They rolled Denver yesterday 49-23 at Lambeau Field. QB Aaron Rodgers threw for over 400-yards, 4 touchdowns & ran for 2 touchdowns. No big deal you say? It had never been done until yesterday. If they go to Atlanta next Sunday night & beat the Falcons, I'm going to concede the "Hangover" just isn't there & they could very easily repeat as world champs.
If we're so talented, why is this so damn difficult?
Atlanta had issues before the season, consistent offensive line play & lack of a pass rush. I pointed them out in August & the problems still exist, that's why it's so damn difficult. The mighty, mighty Seahawks made life miserable for Atlanta all day & the Falcons recovered just enough in the 4th quarter to win 30-28. Rookie Julio Jones caught 11 passes for 127-yards & all-time great TE Tony Gonzalez caught 7 & a touchdown. Both quarterbacks had good days because there was virtually no detectable pass rush, none, zero, zip, nada. If the Falcons can't find a way to get to the quarterback on defense & spring RB Michael Turner for more yardage, they're not going anywhere.
Jeez, I thought Blaine Gabbert had a bad day until I watched the Sunday Nighter.
Yes Gabbert struggled mightily in the second half of yesterday's loss to New Orleans, but his 16 of 42 for 196-yards, a touchdown & one interception was way better than what I saw Sunday night. Baltimore beat the Jets 34-17 & the game featured one offensive touchdown. Ray Rice ran one in from 3-yards in the 1st quarter. The other five touchdowns were a mixture of interception returns, fumble returns & a 107-yard kickoff runback by New York's Joe McKnight. Mark Sanchez & Joe Flacco both have a winning record in the playoffs, but last night they were dreadful. The pair combined for 21 completions on 66 attempts, no touchdowns & two interceptions, both run back for touchdowns. They fumbled 5 times between them & two fumbles by Sanchez were run back for scores. Get the picture? Baltimore's defense played way better than Rex Ryan's crew holding the Jets running game under 40-yards. The Jets, losers last week in Oakland, now travel to New England in an effort to stay in what has become a 3-way race now that Buffalo has become relevant.
It was fun while it lasted, but we were bound to play like the Bills eventually.
It lasted until just after halftime, the Bills holding a 17-3 lead at Cincinnati. But in another of the day's big comebacks, the Bengals rallied with 20-second half points while holding the Bills to just 3 in their last-second 23-20 win. Kicker Mike Nugent nailed a 43-yard field goal with no time left for the game winning points. Cincy actually held the previously high-powered Bills offense in check most of the day, surrendering just 13-points. The Bills return home to play another deeply troubled franchise, the Philadelphia Eagles.
Everybody who thought the Niners would start 3-1, please raise your hands.
The so-called "Dream Team" has quickly evolved into a full blown nightmare. Jim Harbaugh's 49ers came east to Philly & didn't give up when they were down 23-3 halfway thru the third quarter. Michael Vick had his best day as a pro throwing for 416-yards, 2 scores & was the Eagles' leading rusher with 75-yards. LeSean McCoy was totally ineffective rushing 9 times for just 18-yards. In the closing minutes, Jeremy Maclin caught a pass near midfield & set sail up the sideline in search of field goal range only to be stripped by fellow Mizzou Tiger, Justiin Smith. Eagle kicker Alex Henery, the NCAA's most accurate field goal kicker in history, missed two kicks inside the 40-yardline. Philly could find their dream season circling the drain if they're not able to turn it around in Buffalo & against division leader Washington. Ex-Packer defensive tackle Cullen Jenkins said after the game "I didn't like the vibe in the halftime locker room. This is something we need to address." Jim Harbaugh's Niners have a 2-game lead in the NFC West. Anyone see that coming?
Matt Hasselbeck is en fuego. Still has plenty left in the tank.
He was said to be the transition QB, hold down the fort for a year until first round pick Jake Locker is ready to play. Hold the presses, Matt Hasselneck is en fuego(on fire). He threw 3 TD passes in the Titans 31-13 win in Cleveland. There was more big news for Tennessee as contract holdout Chris Johnson finally made his presence felt with a 101-yard day. The Titans are now tied with Houston for first with identical 3-1 records.
Cam Newton continues to post every number except wins.
He threw for another 374-yards in Chicago against a pretty good defense, he ran for a pair of scores, but in the end an interception he threw goes back for a touchdown, Devin Hester returned a punt 69-yards for another, so it was another losing day for the Panthers, but it's obvious, they picked the right guy to play quarterback. I was amazed how easily he avoided the Bear pass rush, never sacked, never knocked down. He needs experience & a lot of help around him, but he's the guy.
Tamba & D.J. playing at a very high level right now.
I forgot when I was capping the Chiefs' win to mention how well linebackers Tamba Hali & Derrick Johnson played yesterday. Hali had both K.C. sacks & all five of their QB knockdowns. He also caused a holding penalty & two false starts. Not Derrick Thomas, but in the neighborhood. D.J. closes on the ball faster than any Chiefs' linebacker I can remember, man he's quick. I'd like to salute Glenn Dorsey(4 tackles), Kelly Gregg(4 tackles & a deflected pass) & Amon Gordon(3 tackles). These three defensive linemen not only made 11 stops between them, but freed up their linebackers to record 25 tackles. That's the way it's supposed to work in the 3-4 scheme. If only Tyson Jackson could do something, anything(he did have a deflected pass).
In the end, they played like the Raiders we know & love.
The Silver & Black hung around & hung around during the first half yesterday but eventually they played like the Raiders we've gotten to know the past ten years. QB Jason Campbell threw a horrible pick in the redzone & the patriots never lokked back, winning 31-19. Oakland had buried the Jets last Sunday with an overwhelming running attack, but yesterday it was the Pats who ran over the Raiders. Rookie Stevan Ridley ran for 97-yards on just 10 carries & Benjarvis Green-Ellis chipped in with another 75, both scored. Wes Welker had another huge day catching 9 Tom Brady passes for 158-yards & a score. New England can put a hurt on the Jets future with a win in Foxboro next Sunday.
The Chargers win again, but are really any good?
I have my doubts, but they're 3-1, my Super Bowl pick isn't giving me any confidence that I made the right choice. They're just a completely different team without TE Antonio Gates. San Diego racks up a lot of yardage, but they don't score much. They play at Arrowhead on Sunday Night, October 23rd & I think the Chiefs have a solid chance to beat them.
They're 3-1, but how?
The G-Men find themselves tied for first in the NFC East but it's hard to pinpoint just how they've done it. One week they run the ball for a coupla hundred yards, the next Eli Manning lights up the opponent. That's what happened yesterday, along with a firce pass rush. Manning threw two touchdowns without an interception, but he did lose a fumble. Can Eli play 60-minutes of football without committing a turnover? New York scored a pair of touchdowns on manning passes in the final 3-minutes of the game. I love to watch Tom Coughlin coach.
Don't forget my radio show tonight at 6:10PM CDT on KRMS 1150AM or 97.5 FM. You can also catch it by live stream on the internet at www.krmsradio.com Give me a call won't you? We'll be giving away 2 rounds of golf at Missouri's finest public golf course, Old Kinderhook plus a $25 gift card at the Trophy Room restaurant & bar. Answer tonight's trivia question & both are yours. Both are good for one full year, so save it for next summer if you want.
Climb aboard the Tony Romo rollercoaster, Caution: It's a wild ride.
Romo led his beat up team to a Monday night victory over the Washington Redskins. But that was waaaay back on Monday. In this "what have you done for me lately" world, what happened yesterday is most important right now. After posting a 27-3 lead early in the third quarter, "Bad Romo" made an appearance. After forcing yet another Detroit punt, things turned sour. Romo threw to a double-covered Dez Bryant & former Cowboy linebacker, Bobby Carpenter, intercepted it & ran the pick back 34-yards for Detroit's first touchdown. Still ahead 27-10, Romo threw another pick, this time to cornerback Chris Houston, who ran it back 56-yards for another touchdown. Now the score is 27-17. Dallas kicks a field goal on their next possession to run it to 30-17. Five snaps later, Detroit quarterback Matthew Stafford arcs a high throw into the endzone & "Megatron" aka Calvin Johnson, comes down with it for a touchdown. Dallas' lead has shrunk to 30-24. They trade pints on the next two possessions before kicker Jason Hanson boots a 51-yard field goal making the score 30-27, Dallas. With 4-minutes left in the game, Dallas sets up at their twenty after the kickoff. On the first snap Romo throws another interception to Detroit linebacker Stephen Tulloch at the Dallas 45. Fast forward to 1:42 left when Stafford throws another jump ball to Johnson, he comes down with it, Lions win. Biggest Detroit comeback in franchise history, biggest blown lead in Dallas history. Lions perfect at 4-0. Careful Cowboy fans, this ride will make you lose your lunch.
Sam Bradford is beginning to look like the David Carr of yesteryear.
I believed the Rams would win the NFC West because they added receivers, a backup for Steven Jackson & solidified their offensive line. I was wrong about the last part. This line had such promise, they played better last season & that was without Harvey Dahl. What the hell happened? Bradford has become a tackling dummy, he was sacked 7 times on Sunday & knocked down another 10-12 in their 17-10 loss to Washington. For the 4th game in a row, he lost a fumble. He's getting the yipps like David Carr had back when he was getting sacked 70+ times for the Texans. St. Louis managed a pathetic 172-yards of total offense vs. the Redskins. Their defense kept them in the game, but the poor line play & the numerous drops by Ram receivers kept the Rams winless. Rooie tight end Lance Kendricks looked sensational in the preseason, but when they turned the lights on to play for real, he drops pass after pass. Steve Spagnuolo better get his O-line sorted out, no one wants to see Bradford's confidence destroyed, but that's where the Rams are headed.
The Steelers have line issues too, just ask Big Ben.
In another 17-10 final, the Pittsburgh Steelers got exposed on two fronts. Their patchwork offensive line isn't working & their defense might be getting a little long in the tooth. Ben Roethlisberger left Houston in a walking boot, he'll have an MRI today. He was hit & hit & then hit some more. Sacked 5 times & knocked down another 8-10, Big Ben. like Sam Bradford, never had two consecutive pass drops without someone hanging all over him. Just as troubling for Steeler fans was Houston's ability to run all over the vaunted Black & Gold defense. Arian Foster rushed for 155-yards on 30 carries & QB Matt Schaub was virtually untouched in the pocket. I don't like what I've seen of Pittsburgh the first four weeks. Also hurting was Pro Bowl center Maurkice Pouncey, a victim of some sort of a lower leg injury. Houston all-pro wide receiver Andre Johnson went down in a heap after injuring his knee while running untouched in the open field. No word on the severity of either injury.
Only two undefeated teams left & they're in the same division.
The Packers still haven't shown much "Super Bowl Hangover." They rolled Denver yesterday 49-23 at Lambeau Field. QB Aaron Rodgers threw for over 400-yards, 4 touchdowns & ran for 2 touchdowns. No big deal you say? It had never been done until yesterday. If they go to Atlanta next Sunday night & beat the Falcons, I'm going to concede the "Hangover" just isn't there & they could very easily repeat as world champs.
If we're so talented, why is this so damn difficult?
Atlanta had issues before the season, consistent offensive line play & lack of a pass rush. I pointed them out in August & the problems still exist, that's why it's so damn difficult. The mighty, mighty Seahawks made life miserable for Atlanta all day & the Falcons recovered just enough in the 4th quarter to win 30-28. Rookie Julio Jones caught 11 passes for 127-yards & all-time great TE Tony Gonzalez caught 7 & a touchdown. Both quarterbacks had good days because there was virtually no detectable pass rush, none, zero, zip, nada. If the Falcons can't find a way to get to the quarterback on defense & spring RB Michael Turner for more yardage, they're not going anywhere.
Jeez, I thought Blaine Gabbert had a bad day until I watched the Sunday Nighter.
Yes Gabbert struggled mightily in the second half of yesterday's loss to New Orleans, but his 16 of 42 for 196-yards, a touchdown & one interception was way better than what I saw Sunday night. Baltimore beat the Jets 34-17 & the game featured one offensive touchdown. Ray Rice ran one in from 3-yards in the 1st quarter. The other five touchdowns were a mixture of interception returns, fumble returns & a 107-yard kickoff runback by New York's Joe McKnight. Mark Sanchez & Joe Flacco both have a winning record in the playoffs, but last night they were dreadful. The pair combined for 21 completions on 66 attempts, no touchdowns & two interceptions, both run back for touchdowns. They fumbled 5 times between them & two fumbles by Sanchez were run back for scores. Get the picture? Baltimore's defense played way better than Rex Ryan's crew holding the Jets running game under 40-yards. The Jets, losers last week in Oakland, now travel to New England in an effort to stay in what has become a 3-way race now that Buffalo has become relevant.
It was fun while it lasted, but we were bound to play like the Bills eventually.
It lasted until just after halftime, the Bills holding a 17-3 lead at Cincinnati. But in another of the day's big comebacks, the Bengals rallied with 20-second half points while holding the Bills to just 3 in their last-second 23-20 win. Kicker Mike Nugent nailed a 43-yard field goal with no time left for the game winning points. Cincy actually held the previously high-powered Bills offense in check most of the day, surrendering just 13-points. The Bills return home to play another deeply troubled franchise, the Philadelphia Eagles.
Everybody who thought the Niners would start 3-1, please raise your hands.
The so-called "Dream Team" has quickly evolved into a full blown nightmare. Jim Harbaugh's 49ers came east to Philly & didn't give up when they were down 23-3 halfway thru the third quarter. Michael Vick had his best day as a pro throwing for 416-yards, 2 scores & was the Eagles' leading rusher with 75-yards. LeSean McCoy was totally ineffective rushing 9 times for just 18-yards. In the closing minutes, Jeremy Maclin caught a pass near midfield & set sail up the sideline in search of field goal range only to be stripped by fellow Mizzou Tiger, Justiin Smith. Eagle kicker Alex Henery, the NCAA's most accurate field goal kicker in history, missed two kicks inside the 40-yardline. Philly could find their dream season circling the drain if they're not able to turn it around in Buffalo & against division leader Washington. Ex-Packer defensive tackle Cullen Jenkins said after the game "I didn't like the vibe in the halftime locker room. This is something we need to address." Jim Harbaugh's Niners have a 2-game lead in the NFC West. Anyone see that coming?
Matt Hasselbeck is en fuego. Still has plenty left in the tank.
He was said to be the transition QB, hold down the fort for a year until first round pick Jake Locker is ready to play. Hold the presses, Matt Hasselneck is en fuego(on fire). He threw 3 TD passes in the Titans 31-13 win in Cleveland. There was more big news for Tennessee as contract holdout Chris Johnson finally made his presence felt with a 101-yard day. The Titans are now tied with Houston for first with identical 3-1 records.
Cam Newton continues to post every number except wins.
He threw for another 374-yards in Chicago against a pretty good defense, he ran for a pair of scores, but in the end an interception he threw goes back for a touchdown, Devin Hester returned a punt 69-yards for another, so it was another losing day for the Panthers, but it's obvious, they picked the right guy to play quarterback. I was amazed how easily he avoided the Bear pass rush, never sacked, never knocked down. He needs experience & a lot of help around him, but he's the guy.
Tamba & D.J. playing at a very high level right now.
I forgot when I was capping the Chiefs' win to mention how well linebackers Tamba Hali & Derrick Johnson played yesterday. Hali had both K.C. sacks & all five of their QB knockdowns. He also caused a holding penalty & two false starts. Not Derrick Thomas, but in the neighborhood. D.J. closes on the ball faster than any Chiefs' linebacker I can remember, man he's quick. I'd like to salute Glenn Dorsey(4 tackles), Kelly Gregg(4 tackles & a deflected pass) & Amon Gordon(3 tackles). These three defensive linemen not only made 11 stops between them, but freed up their linebackers to record 25 tackles. That's the way it's supposed to work in the 3-4 scheme. If only Tyson Jackson could do something, anything(he did have a deflected pass).
In the end, they played like the Raiders we know & love.
The Silver & Black hung around & hung around during the first half yesterday but eventually they played like the Raiders we've gotten to know the past ten years. QB Jason Campbell threw a horrible pick in the redzone & the patriots never lokked back, winning 31-19. Oakland had buried the Jets last Sunday with an overwhelming running attack, but yesterday it was the Pats who ran over the Raiders. Rookie Stevan Ridley ran for 97-yards on just 10 carries & Benjarvis Green-Ellis chipped in with another 75, both scored. Wes Welker had another huge day catching 9 Tom Brady passes for 158-yards & a score. New England can put a hurt on the Jets future with a win in Foxboro next Sunday.
The Chargers win again, but are really any good?
I have my doubts, but they're 3-1, my Super Bowl pick isn't giving me any confidence that I made the right choice. They're just a completely different team without TE Antonio Gates. San Diego racks up a lot of yardage, but they don't score much. They play at Arrowhead on Sunday Night, October 23rd & I think the Chiefs have a solid chance to beat them.
They're 3-1, but how?
The G-Men find themselves tied for first in the NFC East but it's hard to pinpoint just how they've done it. One week they run the ball for a coupla hundred yards, the next Eli Manning lights up the opponent. That's what happened yesterday, along with a firce pass rush. Manning threw two touchdowns without an interception, but he did lose a fumble. Can Eli play 60-minutes of football without committing a turnover? New York scored a pair of touchdowns on manning passes in the final 3-minutes of the game. I love to watch Tom Coughlin coach.
Don't forget my radio show tonight at 6:10PM CDT on KRMS 1150AM or 97.5 FM. You can also catch it by live stream on the internet at www.krmsradio.com Give me a call won't you? We'll be giving away 2 rounds of golf at Missouri's finest public golf course, Old Kinderhook plus a $25 gift card at the Trophy Room restaurant & bar. Answer tonight's trivia question & both are yours. Both are good for one full year, so save it for next summer if you want.
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