Saturday was Sacramento, Monday is Los Angeles, and Tuesday is San Diego.
Today is NFL Sunday from the Palm Springs airport bar.
Here is my Week 4 NFL Recap.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ Washington Redskins–As is often the case, a pair of bad teams can actually make for a good game. If good is defined by close, yes. If defined by quality of play and excitement, then no. Johnson hit Antonio Bryant on a 2 yard touchdown pass in the first quarter, and a field goal in the second quarter had the Pirates of Pewter Pants up 10-0 at halftime.
The third quarter was all Washington. A field goal had them within 10-3, and Jason Campbell tossed a 17 yard touchdown to Chris Cooley to tie the game and a 59 yard touchdown to Santana Moss to put the Redskins up-17-10 after three quarters. Tampa Bay did take 8 minutes and 12 plays to reach the Washington five yard line, but the drive bogged down. A field goal had the Bucs within a field goal with two minutes left. It didn’t happen. Jon Gruden is still in the Monday Night Football booth. 16-13 Redskins
Baltimore Ravens @ New England Patriots–In the first quarter a field goal by Stephen Gotkowski had New England on the board first, but Joe Flacco hit Derrick Mason for a 20 yard touchdown to put the Ravens up 7-3. In the second quarter Tom Brady led a 14 play, 76 yard, 8 minute drive that ended with Brady sneaking in from one yard out to put the Patriots back up 10-7. Sammy Morris added a 12 yard touchdown run to put the Patriots up 17-7 at intermission.
In the third quarter the Ravens recovered a fumble in the end zone. The gift touchdown had them within 17-14. Yet Brady hit Randy Moss from 14 yard out to give the Patriots a 24-14 lead. The Ravens hung tough, and early in the fourth quarter Flacco hit Willis McGahee from 13 yards out to pull the Ravens to within 24-21. A New England field goal gave the Patriots a 6 point cushion, but late in the game Flacco moved the Ravens deep on one final drive.
Two years ago the Patriots went 16-0, but the closest they came to a loss was when they played the Ravens. A critical fourth down was stopped twice by the Baltimore defense, but New England was given a third chance, which they used to win. This time it was the Ravens facing 4th and 3 from the New England 15. Flacco threw a perfect pass, and with less than 30 seconds left, the receiver simply dropped it. It was right in his hands. Once again, the evil empire of football led by Dark Knight Bill Bellichick pulled out a win. 27-21 Patriots
Detroit Lions @ Chicago Bears–The Lions are improved. Matthew Stafford has talent. Yet the Bears are even more improved, and Jay Cutler finally had the breakout game Chicago was expecting of him as the Bears exploded on the scoreboard. It was the Lions that got going early with a one yard run from Smith to put Detroit up 7-0. Cutler responded with a 5 yard run of his own to tie the game 7-7. Yet the Lions came back, and Stafford hit Heller for a 14-7 Lions lead after the opening quarter.
Both teams kept their feet on the offensive accelertor in the second quarter. Cutler threw a pair of short touchdown passes, 2 yards to Davis and one yard to Greg Olsen as the Bears led 21-14. Yet Smith ran it in again, this time from 3 yards out, as the teams went to the locker rooms tied 21-21. Yet while the first half was a pinball machine for both teams, the second half was all Chicago.
Johnny Knox got things going by returning the second half kickoff 102 yards for a touchdown as the Bears led 28-21 and never looked back. Robby Gould connected on field goals of 52 and 22 as the Bears led 34-21 entering the final quarter. Jason Hanson did kick a 35 yard field goal to pull the Lions to within 34-24, but Detroit got no closer. Matt Forte ripped off a 37 yard run for a touchdown, and Wolfe closed out the scoring with a touchdown on the ground from 2 yards out. The final score was a blowout, but the game was closer than the score indicated. 48-24 Bears
Cincinnati Bengals @ Cleveland Browns–Normally this is for the right to embarrass all of Ohio, but the Bengals are much improved. The Browns are not. Yet anything can happen in this game. In the first quarter Chad Johnson took a five yard touchdown from Carson Palmer to put Cincy up 7-0. In the second quarter a 75 yard fumble return by Geathers had the Bengals up 14-0, which should have been enough. Yet for all the hype about Brady Quinn, Derek Anderson can play. A one yard touchdown pass to Heiden had Cleveland within 14-7 at the break.
Derek Anderson ran it in from one yard out to tie the game 14-14 in the third quarter. Cleveland twice reached the red zone in the fourth quarter, but had to settle for field goals and a 20-14 lead. However, Cincinnati was doing nothing. Carson Palmer led one final drive to try and win it. With time running out, Palmer found Johnson for the 2 yard touchdown. The Bengals were getting ready to celebrate a fantastic comeback and a typical Cleveland meltdown. Yet in another “are you kidding me?” moment for the Bengals this season, the extra point attempt was blocked. Instead of a 21-20 Bengals win, the last game that anybody would want to have overtime did.
To make matters worse, they played virtually the entire 5th quarter for the right to be the best team in Ohio behind the Ohio State Buckeyes. Sudden death was endless agony. With one minute remaining in overtime, the Bengals faced 4th and 10 at the Cleveland 40. Marvin Lewis decided to go for it rather than try a 58 yard field goal. Palmer escaped the pocket and ran 15 yards for a 1st down. Another screen pass set up a chip shot field goal on the final play. It looked terrible, but was ruled good. 23-20 Bengals, OT
Oakland Raiders @ Houston Texans–For more on the game of the day, go to Just Blog Baby.
For the seventh straight year, the Raiders are a bad team, and the season appears lost after 4 games. JaMarcus Russell had a miserable day, going 12 for 33. Kris Brown kicked a 26 yard field goal, and Sebastian Janikowski responded with a 46 yarder to make it 3-3 after the first quarter. In the second quarter, reality set in. Brown kicked a 34 yard field goal to put the Texans up 6-3. Slaton then ran 32 yards for a touchdown to make it 13-3. Slaton then took an 18 yard touchdown pass from Matt Schaub as the Texans coasted 20-3. Seabass added another field goal for the Raiders as they trailed 20-6 at intermission. I watched the second half under protest through many bitter tears of silver and black wins in days long gone by.
The Texans did not score any points on offense in the second half. Their defense put a safety on the board, as Justin Fargas was tackled in the end zone by Brad Cushing. Jones then returned the free kick 95 yards for the final score of the game as the Raiders managed to play poorly in all three phases of the game. Outside of offense, defense, special teams, blocking, and tackling, the Raiders have hope. I can’t stand it any more, so no more shall be said. 29-6 Texans
Tennessee Titans @ Jacksonville Jaguars–What the heck has happened to the Tennessee Titans? From 13-3 to a shocking 0-4. This team has just fallen apart, and Jeff Fisher has every right to be exasperated. Jacksonville jumped on the Titans from the start. A Josh Scobee field goal and a nine yard run by Maurice Jones-Drew had the Jaguars up 10-0. An 8 minute drive by Tennessee led to a short Rob Bironas field goal, but the rest was all Jacksonville. A pair of touchdown passes of 9 and 15 yards from David Garrard to Sims-Waler sandwiched around another Scobee field goal had the Jaguars rolling 27-3 at intermission.
A Scobee field goal in the third quarter increased the lead to 30-3. By the time the Titans reached the end zone, it was way too little, way too late. 37-17 Jaguars
Seattle Seahawks @ Indianapolis Colts–When a bad team travels on the road to play a good team, miracles usually do not happen. That is why they are called miracles. Brown ran it in from one yard out to put the Colts up 7-0. In the second quarter, Peyton Manning hit Reggie Wayne from 5 yards out to give the Colts a 14-0 lead and end any suspense that should never have existed anyway. An Olidno Mare 38 yard field goal made it 14-3, but Manning then hit Collie, who woofed his way 9 yards into the end zone to make it 21-3 Colts at the half. For some reason, the second half was played.
In the third quarter Joseph Addai ran it in from 12 yards out to make it 28-3. Adam Vinatieri was getting lonely, so the Colts decided in the fourth quarter to stop scoring touchdowns so his leg could have a workout. A pair of field goals made it 34-3. Seattle eventually reached the end zone, but by then the Colts were busy preparing for next week. 34-10 Colts
New York Giants @ Kansas City Chiefs–Once again, a good team with a Manning played a bad team without one. Once again, Goliath beat up David and took his lunch money. Eli Manning hit Steve Smith for a 3 yard touchdown as the Giants led 7-0. A field goal by Succop had the Chiefs within 7-3, but in the second quarter the Giants ended any suspense in another game that was expecting none.Manning hit Smith again, this time for 25 yards, as the Giants led 14-3. A field goal by Tynes in the second quarter and another one in the third quarter had the Giants coasting 20-3 after three quarters.
Manning tossed a 54 yard touchdown to Nicks to make it 27-3. Kansas City did crack the end zone during garbage time, but the score did not reflect the fact that this game was a blowout. 27-16 Giants
Buffalo Bills @ Miami Dolphins–Despite being winless, the Dolphins are not as awful as their record. The Bills are coached by Dick Jauron, which means the Dolphins had every reason to expect to win at home. After a scoreless first quarter, a 33 yard field goal and a 23 yard interception return for a touchdown of Trent Edwards had Miami up 10-0. Ryan Lindell did get the Bills on the board with a 35 yard field goal, but a one yard touchdown run by Ronnie Brown had the Dolphins up 17-3. Chad Pennington did not play in this game, but it did not matter as Henne did the job just fine.
In the third quarter Henne threw a 5 yard touchdown pass to Hartline. When Ricky Williams ran it in from one yard out, the Dolphins led 31-3. The Dolphins were never as bad as their 0-3 record, although Bill Parcells has often said that your record reflects what you are. The Dolphins are now 1-3, and the Bills are still awful. 38-10 Dolphins
New York Jets @ New Orleans Saints–The Jets are a very good team, and expectations are rightly raised. However, the Saints are an even better team, and their sky high expectations were enhanced with home field. Mark Sanchez is on his way to a successful career, but Drew Brees is ridiculous. Rex Ryan is a defensive genius, but the problem for the Jets was not Drew Brees in this game. Shockingly enough, it was the Saints defense that clamped down on the Jets offense.
A 13 play, 7 minute drive led to a 34 yard field goal as the Saints led 3-0 after the first quarter. In the second quarter, Sanchez was intercepted by Darren Sharper, who returned it 99 yards the other way for a shocker that had the Saints up 10-0. Ayodele recovered a fumble in the end zone as the Saints increased their lead to 17-0. Sanchez stayed calm, and a 14 play, 7 minute drive led to a 38 yard Jay Feely field goal to pull the Jets to within 17-3. A 15 yard run by Thomas Jones in the third quarter had the Jets within 17-10, but the Saints closed the door in the fourth quarter with a one yard Pierre Thomas run. Both of these teams are good, and although Sanchez was intercepted three times, the Jets lost a tough road game against an unbeaten team. 24-10 Saints
St. Louis Rams @ San Francisco 49ers–As awful as the Rams are, neither team did anything to deserve being on the field in the first half. In the second quarter, McKillop recovered a fumble in the end zone for the only score of the half as the 49ers led 7-0 ina game that was too ugly to describe. For excitement, San Francisco missed a field goal. The second half was played only because NFL television rules require it.
The second half was all 49ers. Shawn Hill hit Vernon Davis for a 13 yard touchdown and Willis returned a Kyle Boller pass 23 yards for another touchdown. Marc Bulger was probably almost glad not to be playing in this debacle. Hill hit Morgan for an 11 yard touchdown in the fourth quarter, and Mike Singletary had to be pleased when an 11 yard fumble return became the second defensive touchdown on the day. No, these are not the 1985 Bears, and yes, the Rams are horrendous, but Singletary has the 49ers moving in the right direction from an attitude standpoint. They are one Brett Favre miracle away from being 4-0, while the Rams are just trying to avoid 0-16 and win something. 35-0 49ers
Dallas Cowboys @ Denver Broncos–The Broncos came in at 3-0, but beating up a pair of Ohio teams and Oakland would not be as tough a test as a loaded Cowboys team. In the opening quarter Nick Folk nailed a 49 yard field goal, and Marion Barber added a one yard touchdown run to put the Cowboys up 10-0 early on. Denver did nothing, but were given a gift, allowing them to start a drive at the Dallas 9 yard line. One play was enough for Kyle Orton to hit Moreno for the touchdown. Dallas had the ball for 18 of the first 25 minutes, and were dominating statistically, yet only led 10-7.
The second half was a defensive bonelock, but late in the fourth quarter a 28 yard field goal by Prater tied the game 10-10. Denver got the ball back, and the crowd erupted when Kyle Orton found Brandon Marshall for a 51 yard touchdown pass with a little over one minute remaining. Tony Romo brought the Cowboys down the field, and with 9 seconds left, Dallas had 3rd down from inside the 10. After an incomplete pass, Dallas had one last shot with 5 seconds left. Another incomplete, pass, and Denver had completed the stunning upset. The Broncos were supposed to be a mess. No Mike Shanahan and no Jay Cutler? No problem. Josh McDaniels and Kyle Orton are 4-0. As for Dallas, there is trouble in Big D, and Jerry Jones is watching his 1.2 billion dollar investment fall short. 17-10 Broncos
San Diego Chargers @ Pittsburgh Steelers was the Sunday night game. Both of these came in with something to prove. While it is difficult to call the defending champs under Mike Tomlin overrated, they need to right the ship. San Diego definitely is overrated, and will remain so under Norvelous Norv Turner. The first half was a black and gold massacre. The Steelers had Terrible Towels, while the Chargers were just terrible. The first quarter featured a one yard touchdown run by Robert Mendenhall and an 11 yard touchdown pass from Ben Roethlisberger to Mewelde Moore. Mendenhall ran it in from 19 yards out to put the Steelers up 21-0 at halftime.
In the third quarter Big Ben Hit Heath Miller for a 5 yard touchdown to give the Steelers a 28-0 advantage. At that point the STeelers got bored, and Mike Tomlin will have plenty to say about their second half play. Philip Rivers hit Antonio Gates for a 3 yard touchdown pass, but the Steelers still led 28-7 after three quarters. Yet when Hester returned a fumble 41 yards for a score, the Chargers were within 28-14. When Roethlisberger found Miller again for a 6 yard score, the Steelers were back up 35-14, but Rivers kept firing as the Chargers tried to make a furious comeback.
Rivers threw touchdown passes of 30 yards t Gates and 13 yards to Chris Chambers, and a 28-0 deficit was now a ballgame as the Chargers were within 35-28. Yet champions play well when it matters most, even on off nights. A time consuming drive bled the clock, and a 46 yard field goal by Josh Reed iced the game. Rivers had thrown for 254 yards and 3 touchdowns on 21 for 36 passing, but Roethlisberger was a ridiculous 26 for 33 for 333 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Both teams are now 2-2, and have much work to do. Yet the Steelers have proven themselves twice in the last 5 years, while the Chargers have proven that they can waste Super Bowl talent. 38-28 Steelers
Green Bay Packers @ Minnesota Vikings was the Monday night game. Yes, this was billed as World War III. Yet while the hype and storylines were off the charts, the game somehow measured up. Simply put, this was a fine football game, and the rematch next month is already being talked about, deservedly so.
Aaron Rodgers was 26 of 37 for 384 yards and a pair of touchdown passes. Brett Favre was 24 of 31 for 271 yards and 3 touchdowns. Adrian Peterson was held to only 55 yards on 25 carries, but one of the big stories of this game were the play of the guys in the trenches. Minnesota dominated on both sides of the ball in that sense as Favre had all day to throw while Rodgers was knocked around. Minnesota also had zero penalties in the first half while Green Bay made mistakes. Jared Allen had 4 1/2 sacks and a forced fumble. Even Minnesota’s punter was heroic.
Rodgers moved the Packers from their own 26 to the Minnesota 24 in 5 1/2 minutes to start the game, but when he was sacked by Jared Allen, the resulting fumble became the first big play. Favre then led a 12 play, 67 yard drive over 6 minutes. Adrian Peterson converted on the ground on 3rd and 1 from the Minnesota 42 and 4th and 1 from the Green Bay 10. Favre hit Vincent Shiancoe for the one yard touchdown to put the Vikings up 7-0 in a pinball first half. Aaron Rodgers came right back with a 62 yard touchdown pass to Finley to tie the game 7-7.
In the second quarter, after a Minnesota punt, A promising Green Bay drive was thwarted when Rodgers was intercepted at the Minnesota 23. Favre then led a 10 play, 77 yard drive over 7 minutes that ended when Favre threw a 14 yard touchdown pass to Rice on 3rd and 11. Several plays earlier, another 3rd and 11 had Favre hitting Bernard Berrian for 16 yards. With the Vikings up 14-7, they got the ball back at their own 44 with a chance to do some serious damage. They did…to themselves, Adrian Peterson had the ball ripped out of his hands by Clay Matthews, who raced to the end zone. This was not bad offense. It was a spectacular defensive play and it had the game tied 14-14 with 3:18 left in the half.
Minnesota took over at their own 16, and on 3rd and 7 from the 19, Favre found Rice for 16 yards at the 2 minute warning. On the next play, given about 8 billion years to throw the ball, Favre found Chester Taylor for 19 yards. From the Packers 46, Favre went deep to Percy Harvin for a 43 yard gain to the three. Favre was intercepted in the end zone by Charles Woodson as a shocked Vikings crowd looked on, but defensive pass interference by Woodson nullified the turnover. Peterson ran it in from one yard out to give the Vikings the 21-14 lead at halftime.
Minnesota took over at their own 20 to start the second half and Favre went right to work. From the Minnesota 44, Favre found Dugan for 25 yards and then threw a 31 yard touchdown pass to Berrian to put the Vikings up 28-14. Rodgers calmly responded, and from the Green Bay 18, led a 13 play, 8 1/2 minute drive. Green Bay failed to reach the final yard on second down from the ground and 3rd down through the air. On 4th and goal at the one, Mike McCarthy decided to go for it late in the third quarter. Rodgers hit Lee in the end zone, but Lee dropped the pass. The throw was fine. Lee just dropped it. The goal line stand kept it a 14 point game entering the final quarter.
While the offenses cooled for a bit, a perfect punt by Minnesota had the Packers starting at their own one. Disaster struck as Rodgers was sacked in the end zone for a safety. Minnesota led 30-14 with 7 1/2 minutes left, and with Minnesota getting the free kick, they again had a chance to close the door. They didn’t. Yet with 5 minutes left, another fantastic punt had the Packers at their own four yard line.
In hurry up mode, Rodgers threw at will. A 15 yard Ryan Grant run followed by a 37 yard pass from Rodgers to Finley set up a 33 yard touchdown pass to Finley. The critical 2 point conversion failed, but with 3:40 remaining, the Packers were within 30-20. The onsides kick failed, but with a golden opportunity to wrap it up from the Green Bay 45, Minnesota took only 3 plays and 30 seconds to go nowhere and punt.
Green Bay had 3:10 left form their own 18. The drive reached the Minnesota 14, but no further. With 55 seconds left, a field goal cut the lead to 7 points. The missed 2 point conversion and the goal line stand, eschewing the field goal, loomed large. The Vikings again recovered the onsides kick, and Favre took a couple of knees to end a fantastic finish.
The Packers thought that the key was stopping Peterson. They did that. It was Favre, who turns 40 next week, lighting up the scoreboard. Put his AARP card on hold. The Vikings are 4-0, and Favre has 8 touchdown passes and only one interception on the season. Mike McCarthy and Ted Thompson can say all of the right things, but on this day, Favre, gracious publicly, had the last laugh. 30-23 Packers
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