Weekly Recap – Week 5

After 5 weeks of NFL action we learned a few things. The Broncos are the real deal, the Bengals are too the Bills even with TO are struggling on Offense and the Atlanta Falcons have an explosive offense. Let’s take a look around the league and how all of Sunday’s action played out.

New England Patriots vs Denver Broncos
In the classic Teacher vs Student chess match, the Broncos pulled out all the stops! They started off the game in the “Wild Horses” formation, similiar to the Wildcat, the Broncos had running back Knowshon Moreno receive direct snaps to find a running lane. It worked as the Pats had to call timeouts to figure out how to stop it. The one that is apparent with this Denver team is that they gameplan very well. Against the Cowboys in Week 4 they felt that secondary was a weakness and they took multiple shots downfield. On Defense, the second half adjustments by Mike Nolan have worked to perfection. For the second straight week the Broncos D’ have help oppenents scoreless. Tom Brady was held to just 63 yards passing and the shocker in this game is that Randy Moss was held without a catch. The Broncos forced Brady to hit the underneath receivers and brought a heavy rush that kept him under pressure. Knowshon Moreno had a good day, with Correll Buckhalter out with injury, Moreno carried the load with 21 carries for 88 yards and his 27 yard catch and run on the final drive in regulation was a key play to the Broncos game tying score. Brandon Marshall added 2 TD’s and Eddie Royal was a big factor in the passing game catching 10 balls for 90 yards. The Play of the Game was when Vonnie Holiday striped the ball from Tom Brady late in the 4th Quarter with Elvis Dumervil recovering. The player of the day however has to be Kyle Orton. He efficiently managed the Broncos offense completing 35 passes on 48 attempts for 330 yards and 2 TD’s. He orchestrated a 98 yard drive to tie the game, not quite Elway-sque but it does draw comparisions. His first interception of the season fell in the hands of Randy Moss on a Hail Mary pass at the end of the 1st half and wasn’t a factor in the game at all. Tom Brady finished the day 19 for 33 for 215 yards but all of his damage came in the first half. How good has the Denver D’ been in the second half? The Broncos have outscored opponents 59-7 (+52) and outgained them 1,158-501 (+657). Held them to 2-of-30 3rd downs. The Broncos win in overtime 20-17!

 New York Giants vs Oakland Raiders
This one was over before halftime. Eli Manning, nursing a sore heel, suited up and came out swinging. He orchestrated 4 scoring drives of 77, 79, 94 and 13 yards before leaving the game at halftime. The Giants made it look easy. Mario Manningham caught a 30 yard TD pass from Manning that was a thing of beauty. This game was 31-7 at halftime and the Giants rested their star QB for the second half. Eli finished the day 8-10 with 2 TD’s and Ahmad Bradshaw had 110 yards on 11 carries and 2 TD’s. Brandon Jacobs added 67 yards and the Raiders were simply out-classed. The G-Men outgained the Raiders 483-124 as the offensive woes for the Raiders continue. The Raiders have failed to reach 200 yards now for the 4th week in a row…it just isn’t pretty in Oakland this one was never close. The G-Men roll 44-7!

 
Philadelphia Eagles vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Well, I guess it’s fair to say that Donovan McNabb feels just fine. Against the Bucs, McNabb came out firing! His first touchdown of the day was an absolute perfect throw to 1st Round pick Jeremy Maclin. He followed that up with a 20 yard TD to FB Leonard Weaver and then capped off the first half with another beautiful pass to Maclin for a 40 yard TD bomb. The Bucs were on the ropes early, Josh Johnson connected with Kellen Winslow  for a first half TD to cut the deficit to 7 but the McNabb to Maclin combo proved to be too much. McNabb finished the day going 16/21 and 264 yards and 3 TD’s. The Bucs continue to struggle in the secondary allowing too many big plays. The story of the day however has to be Jeremy Maclin, the rookie came into the game with 6 total catches for 0 TD’s but on this day had 6 catches for 142 yards and 2 TD’s. The Bucs fall to 0-5 and haven’t won a game in their last nine after finishing the 2008 season losing their last 4. Rookie Head Coach Raheem Morris needs to find some wins in a hurry or his job could be in jeapordy.  The Eagles roll 33-14!

 
Cincinatti Bengals vs Baltimore Ravens
This was a great game! It featured everything you want in a football contest, hard hits, late game comebacks and all the drama and intensity to be a classic! The Ravens came into this contest alittle heated after losing to the Pats after a couple of questionable calls, the Bengals were playing on emotion after their Defensive Coordinator’s wife passed away tragically during the week. This was going to be a fight and it didn’t disappoint. Two key things jump out, 1. Cedric Benson was the first  running back to top the 100 yard mark against the Ravens since Larry Johnson did it 2006, a span of 40 games and 2. the Bengals defense held down the talented Ravens attack to only 257 total yards. The inspired D’ kept Joe Flacco in check giving up only 1Td, holding him to 186 yards and forcing 2 Int’s. Ray Rice had one great TD run of 48 yards but other than that was a non factor, on 13 other carries he gained only 21 yards. The Ravens D’ wasn’t any slouch either, Ed Reed picked off a Carson Palmer pass and returned it 52 yards for a touchdown. The game came down to the wire but the difference maker again for the Ravens was a penalty. With the Bengals facing a 3rd and long, Palmer dropped back to and threw to OchoCinco who did not make the catch, on the play Ray Lewis absolutely leveled him, taking off his helmet and subsequently was flagged 15 yards for hitting a defenseless receiver. The drive continued and with only 22 seconds remaining Palmer found a streaking Andre Caldwell over the middle for the game winner! Bengals win 17-14 in a thriller!

Buffalo Bills vs Cleveland Browns
This game was flat out awful and we don’t really have much to say about it. The Bills offense is enimic and the Browns completed only 2 passes all game! It was a battle of the bottom dwellars and neither team really won it, just he Bills lost it more. Locked up in a 3-3 tie, a muffed punt by Rosco Parrish gave the Browns field position at the 16 and set up a FG with time expiring.  Browns QB Derek Anderson had, as we mentioned, completed only 2 passes and finished with a Zero QB rating. The bright side is that Jamal Lewis went over 100 yards for the first time this season but never found the endzone. The Browns win 6-3!

Pittsburgh Steelers vs Detroit Lions
One would think that this would be a blowout but it was suprisingly close. The Steelers jumped out early with a solid peformance by Ben Roethlisberger’s 3 touchdown passes. The Steelers, whose fans always travel well, were represented by many of their fans and needed some of that extra enthusiasm to hold of the pesky Lions. Playing without number 1 overall pick Matt Stafford, the Lions were led by Dante Culpepper who had 282 yards passing and added 44 yards on the ground. The Steelers avoided a 4th Quarter collapse but were on the brink again. Leading 28-13 heading into the 4th, the Lions scored on 25 yard TD pass to Dennis Northcutt to cut the lead to 8. The Lions got the ball back with time winding down and were looking for the score to tie when the Steeler D’ stepped up. They sacked Culpepper 3 straight times pushing them from the 21 to midfield when a batted ball by Ike Taylor on a desperation heave sealed the deal. All Pro Linebacker James Harrison led all Steelers with 3 sacks who as a team finished with 7 on the day. The Steelers and their traveling fans win, 28-20!

 
Dallas Cowboys vs Kansas City Chiefs
This game was too close for Cowboys fans liking! The Chiefs, playing at home, played inspired ball but the Cowboys mistakes were almost too much to overcome. The Cowboys had numerous penalties, 13 for 90 yards, and had to overcome some poor play from Tony Romo. He missed many receivers and when he was on target they had a few drops. The Boys found themselves down 10-3 at the half and needed a spark and found it in receiver Miles Austin. Austin had a career day and his well timed Touchdowns were the difference in this game. With 2:16 seconds left in the game the Cowboys were tied 13-13 when Austin hauled in a pass, broke a few tackles and raced down the sideline for a 59 yard TD pass putting the Boys ahead by 7. The Chiefs battled back and marched downfield scoring on a Matt Cassel to Dwayne Bowe TD with only 24 seconds remaining in regulation sending the game to overtime. In the extra session, Miles Austin did it again. He took a Tony Romo pass, again broke some tackles and raced 60 yards for the game winner. Austin became the first player in Cowboys history to have 250 yards receiving, surpassing Bullet Bob Hayes’ 248. The Chiefs have now lost 28 out of their last 30 games and have to be disappointed after letting this one slip away. The Cowboys win in OT, 26-20!

New York Jets vs Miami Dolphins
This game had the makings for a heated battle, and it did not disappoint!  In front of prime time television both teams took center stage. While watching the game you knew you were watching two future young guns in Chad Henne and Mark Sanchez duke it out.  His greatest performance thus far in his career, Chad Henne was 20 for 26 with 2 tds. With the help of the Wildcat, Ricky Williams had 11 carries for 68 yds (3 catches for 70 yds).  Ronnie Brown ran  24 times for 74 yds and 2 TDs (one huge one for the game winner TD with :07 left) Mark Sanchez and the Jets O played consistent matchign scores all the way to the 4th quater.  The Jets signed former Cleveland Bad boy Braylon Edwards, who had 5 catches for 64 yds and 1 td catch on the opening drive.  Thomas Jones rushed 13 times for 42yds and 2 TDs.  The Jets Defense aka D-rex surpisingly gave up various big plays all night and had  trouble stopping the Wildcat.  Miami’s Wildcat offense provided 110 yds of Offense and set up three touchdown drives, The Dolphins win 31-27!

 

Minnesota Vikings vs St. Louis Rams
Favre who turned 40, threw for 232 yards and a touchdown a day after a milestone birthday, Showing no signs of a letdown just six days after an emotional win over his former team, Favre didn’t put up big numbers and didn’t have any last-second heroics. He was just making plays, dodging defenders and zipping tigth knit spirals in every direction in his 274th straight regular-season start. The Minnesota defense was a big part of their success creating 4 turnovers and taking 1 of those to the house.  Jared Allen returned one of his two fumble recoveries 52 yards for a touchdown, Adrian Peterson rumbled in for a pair of touchdowns on the day he had 15 carries for 69 yds.  Percy Harvin led Minnesota receiving corps with 4 catches for 66yds.  Kyle Boller and the Rams offense did not have much to celeberate about on the day.   Boller finished 20 for 31 for 209 yards and missed the final 10 minutes after being shaken up late in the third quarter. He was replaced by Bulger, who hit Donnie Avery on a 27-yard TD pass late in the fourth quarter. By then, it was much too late: Minnesota led 31-10. Overall, Minnesota’s defense was way to much for the Rams.  Vikings get their 400th win. Vikings win easy, 38-10!

Houston Texans vs  vs Arizona Cardinals
This game was a close one right down to the last minute.  This is the second game this season decided by a goaline run in the 4th quarter for the Houston Texans.  Arizona Cardinals got the passing game going early in the game.  Kurt Warner went 26 for 38 for 302 yds and 2 TDs.  Both TD grabs were by none other than skinnypost.com’s  pre-beast of the year, Larry Fitzgerald who had 5 catches for 79 yards..  Anquan Boldin led all Cardinals in receiving with 7 catches for 81 yds.   By the looks of the passing stats, Matt Schaub had an amazing day passing going 35 for 50 for 371 yards and 2 tds.  The only problem is the INT he threw late in the 4th quarter that Rodgers-Cromartie took to the house for  6!  Andre Johnson had another stellar game with 8 receptions for 101 yds with two td grabs, one of them bulldozing 3 cardinals for the score.  Steve Slaton added 13 carries for 39yds on the ground. Chris Brown added one score early on the goaline, however he came up short on the last play of the day for the Houston Texans at the one.  Arizona Cardinals hold on to win 28-21!

Atlanta Falcons vs San Francisco 49ers
This game was a big test for the San Francisco 49ers … are they real or no deal.  Verdict…no deal.  There were high hopes but the Falcons swooped in with the ease and took a “W” back to their nest.  Atlanta Falcons scored early and never looked back.  On the Ground it was the Michael Turner show.  22 rushes for 97 yards and 3 TDs.  In the air, Roddy White showed Atlanta why he was like “Show me the money” earlier this season , with 8 catches for 210 yards (a franchise record) and 2 TDs performance.  Matt Ryan had a great game going 22 for 32 and passing for 329 yds with 2TDs and 1 INT.  San Francisco never got the engine running.  When Shaun Hill has more rushing yards than your RB thats never a good sign.  Shaun Hill went 15 for 38 for 198 yds.  Completing 39% of your passes will not equal a win in this league.  Josh Morgan showed flashes with 4 catches for 78 yds and Glen Coffee added 12 rushes for 45yds and 1TD.  All in all, it was a long day for the 49ers.  When Atlanta put up 35 first half points, the 49ers never rose to the challenge. They had no answers to stopping Roddy White and Michael Turner.  49ers flop big and the Falcons win easily 45-10! 

Jacksonville Jaguars vs Seattle Seahawks
Jim Mora definitely lit a fire under the Seattle Seahawks this past weekend.  The high flying passing attack was in full effect.  I’ve always said that, Seattle is as good as Matt Hassel”BACK”  Now that his babyback ribs are healed and his back is fine, Matt kept the Jaguars Defense on their toes going 18-30 for 241 yds and throwing 4 tds.  He got TJ Houshmandzadeh involved early who had 5 catches for 77 yds and 2 scores. When not throwing his side, he was hitting Nate Burleson who had a big day with 2 td grabs with 6 cathches for 98yds.  Seattles Defense came to play as well, forcing two major fumbles, even taking 1 back to the house.  Jacksonsville Jaguars did not show up on both sides of the ball. Period!  It seems like you never know what Jaguars team will show up these days. Garrard was 18-31 for 188 yds.  Most of those passing yards went to Torry Holt who had 7 recs for 95 yards.  Maurice Jones and the running game was no where to be found. He had 12 carries for 34 yds.  Seattle Seahawks win big 41-0!

Indianapolis Colts vs Tennessee Titans
If you said last year that these two teams were playing, you might have picked The Colts as underdogs. However the year is 2009 and the Titans cant save themselves from self destruction.  Peyton Manning was money as usual 36-44 with 3tds and 1 int.  He hit his new favorite target Austin Collie 8 times for 97 yds and 2 scores. The always reliable Reggie Wayne added 1 TD grab with 6 receptions for 60 yds. When your leading scorer for the day is your Kicker,Rob Bironas you’re usually going to be in trouble when matching Indianapolis high powered passing attack.  Tennesee could not quite get it going.  Chris Johnson could not get started as he rushed for 34 yds, Lendale White added 51 yds for the day. Kerry Collins struggled early and often, by the end of the game Vince Young was under center.  Looks like Titans are trying anything to win, as they go 0-5 and Indianapolis Colts go 5-0.  Colts dominate 31-9!

Carolina Panthers vs. Washington Redskins
In this game it featured the bottom of the bottom.  Both teams were hungry to come out of the basement with a much needed win.  The Washington Redskins started quite strong, however when it came time to put up or shut up ,they fell short.  Leading 17-9 the Washington Redskins looked poised to win.   Jason Campbell was 17 for 23 and passed for 145  yards and 1 TD. Clinton Portis finished with 57 yds on 19 carries. He added 1 TD on the ground and 1 TD in the air.   Jake Delhomme was 16 for 25 for 181 passing yds.  He threw a much needed TD to Jeff King in the 3rd quarter to help mount a comeback.  The Panthers scored 11 points to The Redskins 0 points in the 4th quarter, which was a huge difference in the end. The Panthers win their first game of the season 20-17!