By Dan Shouse
Fan Fanatic Sports Staff
The Pats got back on track, and a couple of underdogs pulled off upsets to headline week 11 in the NFL.
Patriots 31 (7-3) Jets 14 (4-6)
The Patriots were expected to dominate, and for the most part they did. The defense bounced back nicely, picking off Mark Sanchez four times. The win gets the Patriots back in position to have a shot at a number 2 seed in the AFC.
Chiefs 27 (3-7) Steelers 24 (6-4)
Who saw this one coming? Chris Chambers 61 yard reception in overtime set up the game winning field goal, as the Chief stunned the defending champs at Arrowhead. Special teams continue to haunt the Steelers, as they gave up yet another kick return for a TD.
Raiders 20 (3-7) Bengals 17 (7-3)
The Chiefs were not the only team to pull off a big upset on Sunday. Andre Caldwell's fumble on a kick return, set up a Sebastian Janikowski 33 yard game winning field goal, as the Raiders shocked the Bengals in Oakland. The Bengals scored 10 points in the final 33 seconds to get the win. Turnovers haunted Cincinnati , as the Bengals turned the ball over 3 times, including once inside the Raiders 15 yard line.
Giants 34 (6-4) Falcons 31 (5-5)
The Giants needed overtime, but they were finally able to end their four game losing streak with a win over the Falcons. Matt Ryan rallied the Falcons from a 14 point hole in the 4th quarter, but Eli Manning took over in overtime, and led a drive to set up the game winning field goal by Lawrence Tynes from 39 yards out. The win keeps the Giants playoff hopes alive.
Colts 17 (10-0) Ravens 15 (5-5)
For the fourth straight week, the Colts dodged a bullet, this time against Baltimore, and remained perfect on the season. Peyton Manning looked human, throwing a pair of interceptions, but the story of this game was the Indy defense. Indy kept the Ravens out of the end zone, and picked off Joe Flacco at the Indy 13 yard line with just over 2 minutes left, sealing the win.
Lions 38 (2-8) Browns 37 (1-9)
What looked like on of the worst games of the season on paper, actually turned out to be one of the more entertaining games of the year. A pass interference call in the end zone gave the Lions one more play with no time on the clock. Matthew Stafford took advantage of the free play, hitting Brandon Pettigrew for the game winning touchdown. Stafford had a huge day, throwing for over 400 yards and 5 TDs. Brady Quinn also had a nice game for the Browns, throwing for 300 yards and 4 TDs in the loss.
Cowboys 7 (7-3) Redskins 6 (3-7)
So much for the Redskins offense showing signs of life. The Redskins were dreadful on offense, struggling to move the ball all game. The Cowboys were not much better on offense, but Tony Romo's 4th quarter TD pass to Patrick Crayton was all the offense Dallas needed. Romo and the Cowboys were booed by their home fans most of the game before pulling out the win.
Packers 30 (6-4) 49ers 24 (4-6)
The Packers held off a late comeback attempt by the 49ers, remaining in the hunt for a spot in the playoffs. Aaron Rodgers had a big day, throwing for 344 yards and 2TDs in the win.
Vikings 35 (9-1) Seahawks 9 (3-7)
Brett Favre continues to deny father time. Favre is still playing like a young man, as he threw for 4 TDs at home in an easy win against the Seahawks.
Saints 39 (10-0) Buccaneers 7 (1-9)
The Saints were never really challenged in this one. Drew Brees threw for 3 TDs, and the Saints defense made life miserable for rookie QB Josh Freeman. Freeman struggled mightily, throwing 3 picks and fumbling once.
Jaguars 18 (6-4) Bills 15 (3-7)
TO finally had a big game, catching 9 passes for 197 yards and a score, but it was still not enough to get by the Jags. David Garrard hit Mike-Sims Walker with the go ahead TD with less than one minute to play, preventing the Bills from pulling off the upset in Jacksonville.
Cardinals 21 (7-3) Rams 13 (1-9)
Kurt Warner helped build a 21-3 lead before leaving with a concussion, and the Cardinals held on for the road win in St. Louis. Anquan Boldin and Larry Fitzgerald combined for 16 catches and almost 200 yards in the win.
Chargers 32 (7-3) Broncos 3 (6-4)
The Broncos look like they may be done. The Chargers made it five wins in a row, blowing out the hapless Broncos. Josh McDaniels benched Chris Simms in the 1st quarter and turned to injured QB Kyle Orten, but it didn't matter. The Chargers dominated and took control of the AFC West.
Eagles 24 (6-4) Bears 20 (4-6)
The Eagles remain alive, and the Bears' season is all but over. LeSean McCoy's 10 yard TD run put the Eagles ahead in the 4th quarter, and then the defense picked off Jay Cutler with under a minute to play, sealing the victory.
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Monday Night Football: Rare Big Game for Texans
By Dan Shouse
Fan Fanatic Sports Staff
Since joining the NFL as an expansion team in 2002, the terms "big game" and "Houston Texans" have rarely gone together. Times are changing however, as the Texans head into Monday night's game against the Tennessee Titans. This is arguably the biggest game in the franchise's short existence.
At 5-4, the Texans are in position to compete for a wild card playoff spot. This is the latest in a season that the Texans have been over 500 in team history. A win over the Titans would go a long way in proving that the Houston is for real.
A trendy pick to make the playoffs before the season began, Houston struggled early in the year, but has come on strong winning 3 of 4 heading into Monday night. The quick reaction is to give credit to the offense for the team's recent success. With players like Matt Schaub and Andre Johnson, you have to give the offense their due respect, but the defense has also been impressive.
Prior to their bye week last Sunday, the Texans came close to upsetting Colts in Indy. The defense limited the Colts to 20 points, and if not for a missed 42 yard field goal by Kris Brown as time expired, the game would have gone to overtime. With a recent injury that has sidelined tight end Owen Daniels for the year, and with Steve Slaton's turnover issues, the defense may have to continue its strong play if the Texans hope to make the postseason.
Things will not get much easier for the Texans this week, as they get to face arguably the best running back in the NFL in Chris Johnson. After staring the season 0-6, the Titans have caught fire, and have now won three straight. The team may be undefeated since Vince Young took over for an ineffective Kerry Collins, but the real reason for the turnaround is Johnson. During the last 3 weeks, Johnson has rushed for almost 500 yards, and added over a 100 receiving yards during that span. If not for the Titans poor overall record, you could argue that Johnson has been the league MVP.
There is no doubt that if Houston is going to win, it all comes down to stopping Johnson. If they do not, then it may be the same old Texans we have seen the past few years - a team loaded with potential, but always seems to fall short of a winning season. It is time for Houston to start living up to its preseason hype.
Look for the Texans to limit Chris Johnson and get the win behind their defense. This is almost like a playoff game for Houston. Win a few more wins, the Texans may be able to take part in a playoff game for real.
Prediction: Texans 28 Titans 24
Fan Fanatic Sports Staff
Since joining the NFL as an expansion team in 2002, the terms "big game" and "Houston Texans" have rarely gone together. Times are changing however, as the Texans head into Monday night's game against the Tennessee Titans. This is arguably the biggest game in the franchise's short existence.
At 5-4, the Texans are in position to compete for a wild card playoff spot. This is the latest in a season that the Texans have been over 500 in team history. A win over the Titans would go a long way in proving that the Houston is for real.
A trendy pick to make the playoffs before the season began, Houston struggled early in the year, but has come on strong winning 3 of 4 heading into Monday night. The quick reaction is to give credit to the offense for the team's recent success. With players like Matt Schaub and Andre Johnson, you have to give the offense their due respect, but the defense has also been impressive.
Prior to their bye week last Sunday, the Texans came close to upsetting Colts in Indy. The defense limited the Colts to 20 points, and if not for a missed 42 yard field goal by Kris Brown as time expired, the game would have gone to overtime. With a recent injury that has sidelined tight end Owen Daniels for the year, and with Steve Slaton's turnover issues, the defense may have to continue its strong play if the Texans hope to make the postseason.
Things will not get much easier for the Texans this week, as they get to face arguably the best running back in the NFL in Chris Johnson. After staring the season 0-6, the Titans have caught fire, and have now won three straight. The team may be undefeated since Vince Young took over for an ineffective Kerry Collins, but the real reason for the turnaround is Johnson. During the last 3 weeks, Johnson has rushed for almost 500 yards, and added over a 100 receiving yards during that span. If not for the Titans poor overall record, you could argue that Johnson has been the league MVP.
There is no doubt that if Houston is going to win, it all comes down to stopping Johnson. If they do not, then it may be the same old Texans we have seen the past few years - a team loaded with potential, but always seems to fall short of a winning season. It is time for Houston to start living up to its preseason hype.
Look for the Texans to limit Chris Johnson and get the win behind their defense. This is almost like a playoff game for Houston. Win a few more wins, the Texans may be able to take part in a playoff game for real.
Prediction: Texans 28 Titans 24
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
