Anyway back to today's game, between the 2 - 5 Broncos, and the 1 - 6 49'ers. This game was seen before the season began as a battle between 2 teams that would be competing for division titles and playoff berth's. The Broncos missed a 'wildcard' spot by 1 game last year after starting the season 6 - 0. The 49'ers finished just 2 games back from Arizona in the NFC West last year, but after the departure of many key players from the Cardinals, including starting QB Kurt Warner and WR Anquan Boldin, the 49'ers were seen as the favorites for the title this time around. This optimism has not been realised for either team as they have a combined record of just 3 - 11. Some people have seen the fact that they are 2 struggling teams as a bad thing for the game. In my eyes they couldn't be more wrong. This is a game between 2 struggling, desperate teams that are looking to keep their season alive before the bye week. I believe that this is going to be a scrap from beginning to end, and is going to be very entertaining to watch.
So this game will not have the explosiveness of the 2008 game in London between the Saints and the Chargers, but it will be a battle, and the outcome of the battle could have huge consequences for the losing teams coaching staff. Enjoy the game UK, as it looks like the NFL is on these shores to stay!
This game was exactly what we all expected. The fairly decent Packers absolutely demolished a very poor Browns team. Demolished a slightly harsh phrase? They outgained them 460yrds : 139yrds. I stand by my comment. Aaron Rodgers managed to not get sacked in this game, but, what did the Browns do?? Ryan Grant looked back to form as he ran for 148 and a TD. Big win for the Packers, in a tough division. Cleveland – Oh dear!
Well, my prediction for this game was pretty well off the mark. I felt that the 49’ers, coming off a bye week, and after letting their fans down badly against Atlanta before that, would come out strong, and take an early lead. By half time, thanks to TD’s from Steve Slaton (x2) and Owen Daniels, the Texans led 21 – 0. Coach Singletary decided to pull QB Shaun Hill from the game, and replace him with Alex Smith. Smith seemed to make the difference as the 49’ers rallied and cut the deficit to 24 – 21. In the last minute though, Smith threw a pick to Eugene Wilson to seal the win. Frank Gore failed to impress in his return, rushing for just 32 yards. Making his debut, rookie Michael Crabtree caught 5 balls. What will happen at QB for the 49’ers now?? I think they should stick with Smith. He and Crabtree could drastically improve this passing attack. The tight ends for both teams had a big day. San Fran’s Davis : 93 yards, 3 TDs. Houston’s Daniels: 123 yards, 1 TD. Big win for the Texans, it’s the first time they have had a winning record since 2007
So, a huge game for the Chargers, and they get a huge win to improve to 3 – 3 in their chase of 6 – 0 Denver. I said in my preview of this game that the Chiefs are a struggling team, the proved that in this game. Matt Cassel threw for just 97 yards, and Larry Johnson ran for just 49 yards (3.1yrds/rush). What has happened to L.J. Since the game Johnson has been on the internet bad mouthing his coaches, I think we may see Jamaal Charles taking over the number 1 RB role in Kansas before too long. For the Chargers, Rivers had his usual huge game, but L.T struggled yet again. Is L.T an ageing back whose best days are behind him? Vincent Jackson came up with some huge plays for the Chargers, are they back in the AFC West division hunt?
Well heres a shock, NOT!! The Colts improve to 6 – 0 against, in my opinion, the worst team in football. Manning threw for 235 yards and 3 TD’s. Addai rushed for 64 yards and one TD, Brown for 58 yards (including a 45 yard scamper), and Reggie Wayne caught 7 balls for 83 yards and a TD. The only surprise here – the Rams managed to get 6 points, How?
This defiantly lived up to its billing (by you voters) to be the Game of the week. It had everything, defence, big pass plays, a kick return, and late drama. The game was 13 – 10 Steelers going into the 4th, then it got lively. Firstly Lamar Woodley scooped up a Farve fumble, and took it 77 yards back to the house. As the Steelers thought they had the game wrapped up, Percy Harvin takes the Steelers kick off back 88 yards for a TD. The Vikings then got the ball back and drove to the Steelers 19 yard line with 1:15 on the clock, looking for the game winning TD. Farve dropped back, tried to throw the screen to Chester Taylor who, inexplicably, allowed it to pass threw his hands and it was picked off by Keyaron Fox. He then took the ball back 82 yards for the sealing TD for Pittsburgh. What drama! After all this late drama it would be easy to blame this loss on Vikings QB Brett Farve. I though disagree with this. Farve threw for 334 yards, and the pick at the end was on Chester Taylor (if only Peterson had been in the game). The main surprise to me was the performance of the Steelers O line, only allowing 3 sacks, none of which to Jared Allen. The Steelers defence on the other hand looked like the old Steelers, 4 sacks, and held AD to only 69 yards. Important win for the Steelers, think they are back??
Well this game didn’t turn out to be as bad as I thought it might be. The Bills did have to go without injured QB Trent Edwards, but starting in his place Ryan Fitzpatrick did ok. He threw for 123 yards and a touchdown. The Panthers QB Jake Delhomme, was awful again, throwing 3 picks (2 of which to Bills rookie safety Jairus Byrd) and 0 TD’s. The Panthers obviously don’t believe in their backup QB much, or else surely, Delhomme would have been out by now. He has thrown for 13 INT’s this season. I believe he single handily cost Carolina this game, as the outgained the Bills (425 – 167), DeAngelo Williams got it going 139 yards and a TD), and even Steve Smith (99 yards) had a big game. All these factors should have given the Panthers the win. But the excellent Bills secondary and Delhomme’s poor display, gave the now 3 – 4 Bills, a big win on the road.
The Jets comfortably (and expectedly) broke their 3 game losing streak against another terrible football team. Sanchez got back on track – 143 yards 1 TD, but his opposite QB finally got pulled out of a game. JaMarcus Russell, who has been shocking for most of the season, finally was replaced by Bruce Gradkowski after turning the ball over 3 times in the first half. Jets RB Leon Washington broke his leg in this game and will be out for the rest of the season. This will be a huge loss for the Jets as he has made a number of huge plays for them this season. Shonn Greene will be the guy who takes over from Washington. He rushed for 144 yards, alongside Thomas Jones who got 121 yards. They won’t be playing the Raiders every week though.
Well, I thought the Bengals would win, I thought Benson would have a good day, but wow they did so much more than that. Benson, against the team that released him, rushed for 189 yards and a TD. That means he rushed for 154 more yards in this game, than the whole Bears roster did. Think he proved his point? The other player I thought would benefit from Bensons dominance was Chad Ochocinco. He had 10 catches, for 118 yards and 2 TD’s. The Bears could not get there run game going in this game and even though Jay Cutler again had a decent day 251 yards 1 TD, he again threw 3 INT’s. Jay needs to be more consistent if the Bears are going to challenge Green Bay and Minnesota in the NFC North.
This was a BIG win for the Cowboys. After other results this weekend they are now right back in the hunt in the NFC East (arguably the best division in football). Romo had a big day for the Cowboys 311 yards 3 TD’s, and newly crowned starter Miles Austin had a huge day – again. He caught 6 balls for 171 yards and 2 TD’s. He looks like he’s going to be really useful to the Cowboys, as they battle the Giants for supremacy in the East. Matt Ryan played just ok for the Falcons. His 198 yards and 2 TD’s were somewhat cancelled out by his 2 INT’s and 4 sacks. This was a disappointing game for the falcons, but they must dust themselves down for next weeks massive game out in New Orleans.
What an exciting game this was. I was really excited just before the end of the 2nd quarter as my Dolphins had a 24 – 3 lead over one of the best teams this year. I do believe thought that Drew Brees 1 yard TD run with a minute and a half left before half time, was the momentum changer. If there was any doubt in that, that was taken away as Darren Sharper intercepted Chad Henne, one minute into the second half, and took it back for a TD. The score was now cut to 24 – 17, in a matter of 3 minutes. The Dolphins managed to trade TD’s and actually gain a field goal making the score 34 – 24 going into the 3rd quarter. In the fourth quarter the Saints got 2 TD’s early, added a field goal and had a 6 point lead. As Henne was trying to piece together a two minute drive to win the game, his pass was picked off by Tracy Porter, he sealed the game with a 54 yard return. This was hard luck for the Dolphins, but the impressive Saints march on to 6 – 0.
This was a big shock to me, and virtually everyone who watches the NFL. The Cardinals managed to get alot of pressure onto Eli Manning, and forced 3 INT’s. This was a really big factor in the win. Another factor was Chris ‘ Beenie’ Wells. He managed to get solid yardage against a mean defence, and made the Cardinals running game look half decent, for once. The Giants will be very disappointed with this loss, as it opens up the whole division. They where 5 – 0 just two weeks ago, now with the Cowboys and Eagles at 4 – 2, the division is on.
The Eagles bounced back from a devastating loss in Oakland last week. They responded perfectly by getting a 14 – 0 lead in the first quarter. By half time the score was 27 – 10, and with the complete inability of the Redskins offence this year, the game was over. Another major concern for under pressure head coach Jim Zorn is the loss of Chris Cooley, to what looks like a season ending injury. At 2 – 5, after spending the money they did last season, how long till Zorn is out of Washington? Eagles are now right back in the race in the exciting NFC East.