NFL WEEK 16,WHAT I SAW
We saw all or part of ten games on Saturday. Here's what I saw.
Rex Ryan should be quiet now as his Jets fold in biggest game of the year.
I've grown so weary of hearing this clown boast every week, it was fun watching his team implode in the biggest game of their season, losing to the New York Giants 29-14. When you have the ball 13-minutes more than your opponent, have 34 more offensive snaps than your opponent & hold their Pro Bowl QB to a 9 of 27 passing day, you should win, or at least be competitive. The Jets were neither. The two big plays in the game were a 99-yard catch & run by Giants' WR Victor Cruz & a safety when Jets QB Mark Sanchez was tackled in the endzone to extend the Giants lead to 22-14 in the 4th quarter. Sanchez turned the ball over three times on a pair of picks & a lost fumble. He was sacked 5-times & knocked down another six. I lost count of passes batted down or deflected by the Giants' defense. Sanchez attempted 59 passes. When you're running the ball at 4.2 yards-per-carry, why are you throwing the ball 59-times? Plaxico Burress, who taunted the Giants all week in the newspapers, caught just 3 passes for 34-yards & no scores. He had promised at least 2 touchdown receptions & probably 3. Maybe, just maybe Ryan & his team will keep their big yaps shut, letting their play speak for them instead, but I doubt it. This is not a humble group even after getting their collective asses kicked.
Once again Andy Reid beats one of the Ryans as Eagles dump fading Cowboys 20-7.
In a game that was hardly as close as the score might indicate, the Philadelphia Eagles went to Dallas & came away with their third decisive win in a row. More importantly, Dallas QB Tony Romo was injured early in the game when he banged his throwing hand on the helmet of an oncoming pass rusher. Locker room X-rays were negative, but since they play the Giants next week for the division, this game meant nothing after new York won earlier in the day. Better to save Romo for next Sunday night(the game has been moved to NBC). Reid's Eagles have beaten the Ryan brothers 3 times this season by a collective 99-33.
Tebow fails in a major way as Broncos get smoked in Buffalo.
The Tebow express was last seen sputtering to a halt as it was derailed by the mighty Buffalo Bills, losers of 7 straight. Tebow threw four interceptions, two returned for scores & now Denver must beat Kansas City next Sunday to win the AFC West. After what I saw in this game, I'm not certain Denver can beat anyone. Completing just 13 of 30, Tebow had his team in the game halfway thru the 3rd quarter. then he cranked up the turnover machine, throwing three picks in the last 20-minutes of the game. The Denver coverage teams were miserable as well. Bills punt returner Leodis McKelvin ran back 3 for 135-yards, one an 80-yard TD return. Kickoff return man Justin Rogers had 3 returns in the 30-40-yard range. Denver really looked awful, it wasn't just Tim Tebow, but he was the worst.
Bengals win 23-16 on the play of the year.
If you didn't see Saturday's best play, don't sweat it, it'll be replayed till after the Super Bowl. Cincinnati wide receiver Jerome Simpson caught a crossing route pass fro Andy Dalton & streaked up the far sideline before encountering Arizona linebacker Daryl Washington at the two-yardline. Simpson vaulted completely over the head of the 6' 2" Washington & landed in the endzone on his feet. Simpson stuck the landing, probably would've gotten a 10 from the Russian judge it was so acrobatic. But the Cardinals blew a chance to win the game in the last minute when QB John Skelton found a wide-open Early Doucet at the goal line but Doucet tripped & fell just as the ball sailed over his head. Rookie cornerback & punt return phenom Patrick Peterson left the game early with an Achilles injury. The win solidified the Bengals wildcard hopes as the Jets lost. They play Baltimore next Sunday.
It's down to Colts & Rams for 1st overall draft pick as St. Louis is shutout 27-0.
Charlie batch started in place of Ben Roethlisberger & Kellen Clemens started for St. Louis' Sam Bradford, that's were the similarities end between these two teams. It was all Steelers as they stayed alive for the AFC North crown. Pittsburgh could finish anywhere from the #1 seed to the #5 seed as a wildcard entry. They close the season at Cleveland next Sunday.
Cam sets a rookie record while the Buccaneers suffer their 6th blowout loss.
I'm guessin' Tampa Bay head coach Raheem Morris has about 8-days, 10-days tops, as the Bucs top man. Carolina blasted the Buccaneers 48-16, for their 6th loss of 16-oints or greater. Cam Newton broke Peyton Manning's rookie passing yardage record of 3,739, throwing for 171-yards & three touchdowns. It was the Panthers 4th win in their last 5 games.
With Miami ahead 17-0, Patriots had 'em right where they wanted 'em.
Down 17-0 at half, New England didn't score until kicker Stephen Gostkowski got them on the scoreboard with 11-monutes left in the third quarter. But they had the Phish right where they wanted them, ripping of 27-unanswered points to beat Miami 27-24. Left tackle Matt Light went down in pregame warmups & with right tackle Sebastian Vollmer already inactive, the Pats had a tough time protecting Tom Brady. This could be a huge problem if either stays sidelined for too long. Patriots clinched a first round bye with either the 1st or 2nd seed.
Matthew Stafford burns San Diego with huge day thru the air.
The Chargers were coming off 3 straight wins & found themselves with playoff hopes. Not for long as the Detroit Lions, led by quarterback Matthew Stafford, tore up San Diego 38-10. Stafford completed 29 of 36 for 373-yards & three touchdowns. With their 10th win, the Lions cliched a wildcard spot.
Frisco surrenders their 1st rushing TD all season but survive 19-17 in Seattle.
The Niners also saw their first 100-yard rusher all season as Seattle's Marshawn Lynch ran for 107-yards & a late 4th quarter touchdown to go ahead with 6:41 to play. But San Francisco relied on the steady right leg of placekicker David Akers who kicked 4-field goals, giving him a season total of 42 with one game left to play. Niners rookie sensation Aldon Smith recorded his 14th sack of the season. They stayed in the hunt for a first round bye in the NFC playoffs.
Minnesota loses Ponder & later, Adrian Peterson......for a long time.
Rookie Christian ponder was sidelined with a concussion but his replacement, Joe Webb, threw 2 TD's in just 5 attempts to lead the Minnesota Vikings to a road win in Washington 33-26. Adrian Peterson suffered what appeared to be a serious knee injury & the team has admitted his ACL was torn & that's the minimum, the exact damage will be known after he has an MRI. But extensive damage could be found on the All-Pro running back. DE Jared Allen recorded a sack of Skin's QB Rex Grossman, his 18th, tying Allen with Eagles DE Jason Babin for the league lead.
Baltimore hangs on 20-14 over Cleveland but Flacco is dreadful, again.
Yes, it appears the Baltimore Ravens will finally get a home playoff game, but if QB Joe Flacco doesn't play a helluva lot better, it won't matter where the game is played. Flacco was 11 of 24 for 132-yards. A third of that yardage came on one play to Ray Rice, so it's not even as good as it might appear. Another problem that keep rearing it's ugly head is the Raven coverage teams which once again surrendered a long return for a touchdown.
Rex Ryan should be quiet now as his Jets fold in biggest game of the year.
I've grown so weary of hearing this clown boast every week, it was fun watching his team implode in the biggest game of their season, losing to the New York Giants 29-14. When you have the ball 13-minutes more than your opponent, have 34 more offensive snaps than your opponent & hold their Pro Bowl QB to a 9 of 27 passing day, you should win, or at least be competitive. The Jets were neither. The two big plays in the game were a 99-yard catch & run by Giants' WR Victor Cruz & a safety when Jets QB Mark Sanchez was tackled in the endzone to extend the Giants lead to 22-14 in the 4th quarter. Sanchez turned the ball over three times on a pair of picks & a lost fumble. He was sacked 5-times & knocked down another six. I lost count of passes batted down or deflected by the Giants' defense. Sanchez attempted 59 passes. When you're running the ball at 4.2 yards-per-carry, why are you throwing the ball 59-times? Plaxico Burress, who taunted the Giants all week in the newspapers, caught just 3 passes for 34-yards & no scores. He had promised at least 2 touchdown receptions & probably 3. Maybe, just maybe Ryan & his team will keep their big yaps shut, letting their play speak for them instead, but I doubt it. This is not a humble group even after getting their collective asses kicked.
Once again Andy Reid beats one of the Ryans as Eagles dump fading Cowboys 20-7.
In a game that was hardly as close as the score might indicate, the Philadelphia Eagles went to Dallas & came away with their third decisive win in a row. More importantly, Dallas QB Tony Romo was injured early in the game when he banged his throwing hand on the helmet of an oncoming pass rusher. Locker room X-rays were negative, but since they play the Giants next week for the division, this game meant nothing after new York won earlier in the day. Better to save Romo for next Sunday night(the game has been moved to NBC). Reid's Eagles have beaten the Ryan brothers 3 times this season by a collective 99-33.
Tebow fails in a major way as Broncos get smoked in Buffalo.
The Tebow express was last seen sputtering to a halt as it was derailed by the mighty Buffalo Bills, losers of 7 straight. Tebow threw four interceptions, two returned for scores & now Denver must beat Kansas City next Sunday to win the AFC West. After what I saw in this game, I'm not certain Denver can beat anyone. Completing just 13 of 30, Tebow had his team in the game halfway thru the 3rd quarter. then he cranked up the turnover machine, throwing three picks in the last 20-minutes of the game. The Denver coverage teams were miserable as well. Bills punt returner Leodis McKelvin ran back 3 for 135-yards, one an 80-yard TD return. Kickoff return man Justin Rogers had 3 returns in the 30-40-yard range. Denver really looked awful, it wasn't just Tim Tebow, but he was the worst.
Bengals win 23-16 on the play of the year.
If you didn't see Saturday's best play, don't sweat it, it'll be replayed till after the Super Bowl. Cincinnati wide receiver Jerome Simpson caught a crossing route pass fro Andy Dalton & streaked up the far sideline before encountering Arizona linebacker Daryl Washington at the two-yardline. Simpson vaulted completely over the head of the 6' 2" Washington & landed in the endzone on his feet. Simpson stuck the landing, probably would've gotten a 10 from the Russian judge it was so acrobatic. But the Cardinals blew a chance to win the game in the last minute when QB John Skelton found a wide-open Early Doucet at the goal line but Doucet tripped & fell just as the ball sailed over his head. Rookie cornerback & punt return phenom Patrick Peterson left the game early with an Achilles injury. The win solidified the Bengals wildcard hopes as the Jets lost. They play Baltimore next Sunday.
It's down to Colts & Rams for 1st overall draft pick as St. Louis is shutout 27-0.
Charlie batch started in place of Ben Roethlisberger & Kellen Clemens started for St. Louis' Sam Bradford, that's were the similarities end between these two teams. It was all Steelers as they stayed alive for the AFC North crown. Pittsburgh could finish anywhere from the #1 seed to the #5 seed as a wildcard entry. They close the season at Cleveland next Sunday.
Cam sets a rookie record while the Buccaneers suffer their 6th blowout loss.
I'm guessin' Tampa Bay head coach Raheem Morris has about 8-days, 10-days tops, as the Bucs top man. Carolina blasted the Buccaneers 48-16, for their 6th loss of 16-oints or greater. Cam Newton broke Peyton Manning's rookie passing yardage record of 3,739, throwing for 171-yards & three touchdowns. It was the Panthers 4th win in their last 5 games.
With Miami ahead 17-0, Patriots had 'em right where they wanted 'em.
Down 17-0 at half, New England didn't score until kicker Stephen Gostkowski got them on the scoreboard with 11-monutes left in the third quarter. But they had the Phish right where they wanted them, ripping of 27-unanswered points to beat Miami 27-24. Left tackle Matt Light went down in pregame warmups & with right tackle Sebastian Vollmer already inactive, the Pats had a tough time protecting Tom Brady. This could be a huge problem if either stays sidelined for too long. Patriots clinched a first round bye with either the 1st or 2nd seed.
Matthew Stafford burns San Diego with huge day thru the air.
The Chargers were coming off 3 straight wins & found themselves with playoff hopes. Not for long as the Detroit Lions, led by quarterback Matthew Stafford, tore up San Diego 38-10. Stafford completed 29 of 36 for 373-yards & three touchdowns. With their 10th win, the Lions cliched a wildcard spot.
Frisco surrenders their 1st rushing TD all season but survive 19-17 in Seattle.
The Niners also saw their first 100-yard rusher all season as Seattle's Marshawn Lynch ran for 107-yards & a late 4th quarter touchdown to go ahead with 6:41 to play. But San Francisco relied on the steady right leg of placekicker David Akers who kicked 4-field goals, giving him a season total of 42 with one game left to play. Niners rookie sensation Aldon Smith recorded his 14th sack of the season. They stayed in the hunt for a first round bye in the NFC playoffs.
Minnesota loses Ponder & later, Adrian Peterson......for a long time.
Rookie Christian ponder was sidelined with a concussion but his replacement, Joe Webb, threw 2 TD's in just 5 attempts to lead the Minnesota Vikings to a road win in Washington 33-26. Adrian Peterson suffered what appeared to be a serious knee injury & the team has admitted his ACL was torn & that's the minimum, the exact damage will be known after he has an MRI. But extensive damage could be found on the All-Pro running back. DE Jared Allen recorded a sack of Skin's QB Rex Grossman, his 18th, tying Allen with Eagles DE Jason Babin for the league lead.
Baltimore hangs on 20-14 over Cleveland but Flacco is dreadful, again.
Yes, it appears the Baltimore Ravens will finally get a home playoff game, but if QB Joe Flacco doesn't play a helluva lot better, it won't matter where the game is played. Flacco was 11 of 24 for 132-yards. A third of that yardage came on one play to Ray Rice, so it's not even as good as it might appear. Another problem that keep rearing it's ugly head is the Raven coverage teams which once again surrendered a long return for a touchdown.
I saw the Dallas-Philly score and thought wow. When I got home from the Chiefs game, I read some of the game details and thought "the Cowboys quit". First, I didn't get the impression you thought so and second could this be why they are not mentally tough? There was a greater message sent throughout the locker room than "lets play for next week." If any team should have quit, it was the Eagles.
One note about the Chiefs game. There seemed to be a conscience effort to NOT show the Bills-Broncos score. This was a mistake. The crowd was pretty quit during the whole second half. There was no buzz in the air. I just can't put my finger on it, but the Chiefs offense had no spark or urgency.
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Andy,
In regards to the Eagle-Cowboy game, once the Giants won in an early start, this game meant nothing to the Cowboys. Next Sunday night's game is for the NFC East crown. Then when Romo was injured, it took this game down another notch, it just didn't matter. I agree the Cowboys don't play with great intensity very often & I seriously doubt they'll beat NYG in the Meadowlands.
As far as the Chiefs game goes, the lack of spark is their problem, not the fans. Their horrible special teams breakdowns cost them this game, not knowing the score of the Denver game. They knew going in they had to win 2 games to win the division, provided San Diego lost one of two. Since their game didn't start till later, their only concern was beating the team in front of them & they couldn't do it. It was really sad, I thought they'd get it done. But every one I talked to & heard from knew what was going on in the Denver game as it happened.
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