Every week following the Sunday slate of NFL games, I will put out my recap and reactions. Briefly analyzing the game and looking at what it means for both teams going forward.
Bears 23, Panthers 22
Said a lot about both teams, but nothing to change the perception of them. The Panthers have been pedestrian for most of the year, although they have showed signs of potential brilliance. As goes Cam, so goes the team. In games he’s showed sign of excellence (last-minute losses to the undefeated Falcons and one-loss Bears and shootout win over the high-powered Saints) they’ve played at elite levels. When he’s been mediocre (blowout loss to the Giants and three other losses scoring 14 points or under), they’ve looked like the disaster of a team they were before Cam got there. The Bears, on the other hand, showed that their defense is good enough to beat poor competition even when their offense takes most of the game off. They’ll need to develop more consistency on that side of the ball if they want to make it to New Orleans in February, and that starts with the play of ‘Smoking Jay’ Cutler.
(One last side note: as well as the Bears’ defense has been playing it hasn’t really mattered, but doesn’t it feel like they’re due for a game-changing return by Hester?)
Bears 23, Panthers 22
Said a lot about both teams, but nothing to change the perception of them. The Panthers have been pedestrian for most of the year, although they have showed signs of potential brilliance. As goes Cam, so goes the team. In games he’s showed sign of excellence (last-minute losses to the undefeated Falcons and one-loss Bears and shootout win over the high-powered Saints) they’ve played at elite levels. When he’s been mediocre (blowout loss to the Giants and three other losses scoring 14 points or under), they’ve looked like the disaster of a team they were before Cam got there. The Bears, on the other hand, showed that their defense is good enough to beat poor competition even when their offense takes most of the game off. They’ll need to develop more consistency on that side of the ball if they want to make it to New Orleans in February, and that starts with the play of ‘Smoking Jay’ Cutler.
(One last side note: as well as the Bears’ defense has been playing it hasn’t really mattered, but doesn’t it feel like they’re due for a game-changing return by Hester?)
Browns 7, Chargers 6
Did we really think this Chargers team had a shot at the playoffs? After a primetime collapse last Monday Night against Denver, they turn around and forget to wake up on time in Cleveland against the lowly Browns. (Sad fact about the AFC West: they’re still just a game back). The Browns, on the other hand, have been sneakily better than most expected; being in one-score games in four of the six losses and being in the game into the fourth quarter in the other two. The jury is still out on Brandon ‘Older than the MVP but still somehow a rookie’ Weeden, but fellow frosh Trent Richardson looks like he may be the ‘real deal’. Pair him with a defense that shows signs of promise and they may be onto a 49er-like style of play the AFC North used to be known for. Cleveland fans can take solace in that glimmer of hope, because this year is still not going to be the season they’ve been yearning for.
Lions 28, Seahawks 24
Did this game take place last year and just now get broadcast? Detroit finally showed the explosive offense that broke their playoff drought last year, and against the top-ranked Seattle defense as well! Boise State-alum Titus Young, getting more playing time with Nate Burleson sidelined, played probably his best game as a pro against the tough Seahawks secondary. Meanwhile, the ‘Hawks have fallen back to earth, now sitting at an even 4-4 (needing the aid of a replacement ref gift-wrapped victory to keep them from a losing record) and looking more and more like the .500 team it has been the last couple years. On the bright side, Russell Wilson has been starting to play well enough to merit keeping him in the starting lineup over Matt Flynn and Marshawn Lynch is still stuck in ‘Beast Mode’, raking up another 100 yards on the ground. Somebody get this man more Skittles!
(For those unfamiliar with his exploits, last year it was discovered that Marshawn Lynch enjoyed eating Skittles, his candy of choice, during games. Once that little tidbit of information was exposed on national t.v., fans quickly jumped at the chance to be a part of the trend: throwing Skittles onto the field in Lynch's direction whenever he scored a touchdown at home in Seattle. Needless to say, this was a little silly and, frankly, a bit dangerous. But hey, when you get a chance to have some fun in Rodger Goodell's No Fun League you have to take advantage of it!)
http://instntrply.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/Skittles1.gif
Packers 24, Jaguars 15
Being a life-long Packer fan, I want to blame the offense’s ineptitude on a lack of rhythm without stud receivers Greg Jennings and Jordy Nelson. I want to site the absence of Charles Woodson as the reason for the defense’s less-than-stellar play. Unfortunately, I’m coming to gripes with the fact that the Packers may just be the league’s most erratic team; looking like the buzzsaw we saw during last year’s regular season in dominant performances on the road against the previously unbeaten Texans and so-so Rams, then looking extremely average at home against a struggling Jaguars team. But in the end, a win is a win and in a strong NFC, every win may really matter when it comes playoff time. The Jaguars, however, showed signs of life even without their star running back, MJD. Remember last year when everyone had written off Blaine Gabbert as a bust? Well he’s proving this year that it still takes time for some quarterbacks to adjust to the pro game. Not every rook can come in and set the league on fire like Cam or RGIII. Regardless of talent, he showed some admirable toughness playing with a torn labrum in his non-throwing shoulder; even continuing to hang in the pocket after taking multiple shots to the shoulder that left him in visible pain. That kind of toughness should earn him a lot of respect in the locker room, if nothing else.
Colts 19, Titans 13
This game was tough to watch for stretches, but may have been most revealing of the Colts season, and that of their top pick. While the Titans, who looked like the league’s worst team early in the year, have played three straight games in which they won or held a lead late, this game was all about Andrew Luck. Fellow rookie QB Robert Griffin III has stolen the headlines through his highlight-reel play, but Luck has (somehow) quietly looked every bit like the prospect who earned the highest ratings for a QB coming out of college since John Elway. Four go-ahead touchdown drives in the last minute or overtime are not a bad way to start a career. Somehow, he even has the Colts tied for a wild-card spot, although in the admittedly weak AFC.
Did we really think this Chargers team had a shot at the playoffs? After a primetime collapse last Monday Night against Denver, they turn around and forget to wake up on time in Cleveland against the lowly Browns. (Sad fact about the AFC West: they’re still just a game back). The Browns, on the other hand, have been sneakily better than most expected; being in one-score games in four of the six losses and being in the game into the fourth quarter in the other two. The jury is still out on Brandon ‘Older than the MVP but still somehow a rookie’ Weeden, but fellow frosh Trent Richardson looks like he may be the ‘real deal’. Pair him with a defense that shows signs of promise and they may be onto a 49er-like style of play the AFC North used to be known for. Cleveland fans can take solace in that glimmer of hope, because this year is still not going to be the season they’ve been yearning for.
Lions 28, Seahawks 24
Did this game take place last year and just now get broadcast? Detroit finally showed the explosive offense that broke their playoff drought last year, and against the top-ranked Seattle defense as well! Boise State-alum Titus Young, getting more playing time with Nate Burleson sidelined, played probably his best game as a pro against the tough Seahawks secondary. Meanwhile, the ‘Hawks have fallen back to earth, now sitting at an even 4-4 (needing the aid of a replacement ref gift-wrapped victory to keep them from a losing record) and looking more and more like the .500 team it has been the last couple years. On the bright side, Russell Wilson has been starting to play well enough to merit keeping him in the starting lineup over Matt Flynn and Marshawn Lynch is still stuck in ‘Beast Mode’, raking up another 100 yards on the ground. Somebody get this man more Skittles!
(For those unfamiliar with his exploits, last year it was discovered that Marshawn Lynch enjoyed eating Skittles, his candy of choice, during games. Once that little tidbit of information was exposed on national t.v., fans quickly jumped at the chance to be a part of the trend: throwing Skittles onto the field in Lynch's direction whenever he scored a touchdown at home in Seattle. Needless to say, this was a little silly and, frankly, a bit dangerous. But hey, when you get a chance to have some fun in Rodger Goodell's No Fun League you have to take advantage of it!)
http://instntrply.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/Skittles1.gif
Packers 24, Jaguars 15
Being a life-long Packer fan, I want to blame the offense’s ineptitude on a lack of rhythm without stud receivers Greg Jennings and Jordy Nelson. I want to site the absence of Charles Woodson as the reason for the defense’s less-than-stellar play. Unfortunately, I’m coming to gripes with the fact that the Packers may just be the league’s most erratic team; looking like the buzzsaw we saw during last year’s regular season in dominant performances on the road against the previously unbeaten Texans and so-so Rams, then looking extremely average at home against a struggling Jaguars team. But in the end, a win is a win and in a strong NFC, every win may really matter when it comes playoff time. The Jaguars, however, showed signs of life even without their star running back, MJD. Remember last year when everyone had written off Blaine Gabbert as a bust? Well he’s proving this year that it still takes time for some quarterbacks to adjust to the pro game. Not every rook can come in and set the league on fire like Cam or RGIII. Regardless of talent, he showed some admirable toughness playing with a torn labrum in his non-throwing shoulder; even continuing to hang in the pocket after taking multiple shots to the shoulder that left him in visible pain. That kind of toughness should earn him a lot of respect in the locker room, if nothing else.
Colts 19, Titans 13
This game was tough to watch for stretches, but may have been most revealing of the Colts season, and that of their top pick. While the Titans, who looked like the league’s worst team early in the year, have played three straight games in which they won or held a lead late, this game was all about Andrew Luck. Fellow rookie QB Robert Griffin III has stolen the headlines through his highlight-reel play, but Luck has (somehow) quietly looked every bit like the prospect who earned the highest ratings for a QB coming out of college since John Elway. Four go-ahead touchdown drives in the last minute or overtime are not a bad way to start a career. Somehow, he even has the Colts tied for a wild-card spot, although in the admittedly weak AFC.
Patriots 45. Rams 7
Haven’t we been down this road before? The Patriots drop a couple games they probably shouldn’t, then proceed to run off a stretch reminding everyone why they are always talked about as Super Bowl contenders. Don’t mistake my respect for admiration; I hate the Patriot as much as any other non-bandwagon fan, but don’t they remind anyone else of another team with veteran leadership from stars that seem to always hang around an elite level and a great coach that probably doesn’t get quite the attention he deserves due to his subdued personality? (I’m talking about you, Tim Duncan and Greg Popavich! You won’t fool me into writing you off as too old again THIS year). They still have the ability to turn it on seemingly whenever they want, this time at the expense of the fading Rams. Maybe everyone jumped on the NFC West bandwagon a little too quickly. The Cardinals, Seahawks, and Rams have all cooled off significantly since their hot starts, as they all seem to be different teams at home than when on the road. Meanwhile, the class of the division in San Francisco has seemed a bit more mortal since their first couple games.
(Another side note: Why does the NFL play these games in London? Did any casual fans even realize this game was being played in a different country? Shouldn’t events like this be a bigger deal?)
Do you agree with Pats owner Robert Craft’s comments that England is ready for their own professional team in the NFL?
http://stadiumvibe.com/new-wembley-stadium/wembley-stadium-5/
Dolphins 30, Jets 9
So after forcing overtime against the powerful Patriots, the Jets get blown out at home against the surprisingly solid Dolphins. Even with back-up Matt Moore coming in for the injured rookie quarterback Ryan Tannehill, who has been quietly and surprisingly putting together a strong rookie campaign, the Dolphins did enough on offense to get the victory, backed up by strong games from their defense and special teams. Don’t look now, but they are tied with the Colts and Steelers for the two wild card spots. On the other sideline, the Jets fell to 3-5 this year while looking anemic at times. I’m still not quite ready to count Mark Sanchez out as a starting NFL QB, but if you were going to trade for Tebow and take on all the distractions he brings with him, isn’t this the situation you at least consider handing him the reigns and seeing if he can spark these Jets like he did for the Broncos last year? Can the offense really do much worse?
Falcons 30, Eagles 17
The Falcons have looked shaky in a couple games this year that they may have been lucky to win (against bad teams like the Panthers and Raiders nonetheless), but they remain the lone unbeaten team and have moments like the Matt Ryan bomb to Julio Jones that show just how dangerous their offense can be. Their defense also deserves credit; they haven’t been the best unit in the league and they may not have as many big names as others, but they have been damn effective. It is almost unfair, but the measure of their success for this season lies on how far they can advance in the playoffs, regardless of how good their regular season is. The Eagles, contrarily, look like a full-blown disaster. Just a week after firing their Offensive Line Coach-turned Defensive Coordinator, the clamoring for Mike Vick’s benching is starting to grow louder. They need to figure out what is holding them back, because expectations for this team will remain sky-high as long as their payroll does.
Steelers 27, Redskins 12
He's human!! Yes, unfortunately it turns out RGIII is mortal after all. After seeing his electric play over the last few weeks it seems like many forgot he is still a rookie. Dick LeBeau’s defense is designed to confuse quarterbacks of all ages, and Griffin is not immune to that fact. The Steelers may have been the bigger story of this game, though. With the defense finally starting to resemble the menacing units that have earned the squad so much respect over the years, the offense beginning to click with the development of a running game, and ‘Big Ben’ Roethlisberger doing things only he can, the Steelers have the looks of one of the better teams in a depleted AFC.
(Personnel decision: With Jonathan Dwyer breaking 100 yards this week and playing better with every snap, does Rashard Mendenhall still own the starting spot assuming he returns from injury?)
On a fashion note, WHAT THE HELL WERE THE STEELERS WEARING? These jailhouse jumpsuit jerseys with manual scoreboard numbers rank up there with the worst-of-the-worst. They definitely give those yellow and powder blue Eagles atrocities a run for their money.
Giants 29, Cowboys 24
Why can’t the ‘Boys play the Giants every week, as they seem to always play them tougher than just about anyone else. In a game where each team scored at least 23 unanswered at one point, it was Eli Manning who once again came up big late in the game. The Cowboys looked miserable in the first quarter and a half before Tony Romo got hot and brought them back into it as fast as he played them out of it. For that two-quarter stretch, Romo showed all his abilities that give the organization confidence in him. But it is that inconsistency that often costs his team at inopportune times. The Giants, however, blew what once seemed like an insurmountable lead, yet found a way to come back and hang on to win. They aren’t perfect, but the Giants seem to always have the confidence that they’re going to win; and as a rival fan, I hate watching the Giants play because it always FEELS like they are going to win, even in those seemingly rare cases they don’t. That’s what made Dez Bryant’s so-close-to-a-touchdown catch, where his fingertips landed just out-of-bounds, so shocking and would have made it such a revelation; the Giants just don’t lose games like that under Tom Coughlin.
If you didn’t see it, look for Bryant’s almost-touchdown in this week’s Top Ten- it was that good. Proof that sometimes it really is a games of inches.
Raiders 26, Chiefs 16
Well the Brady Quinn Experiment didn’t last long in KC. When reverting back to turnover-prone Matt Cassel before halftime is your best option, it may be time to bottom out and take a quarterback early in the draft (however I have my doubts Matt Barkley would really be any better). The Raiders, who have looked abysmal many times this year, have looked very capable in brief glimpses. Being in the AFC West, they’re still just a game back and have legit reason to hope for the playoffs, where they can get blasted by a far superior team. Just don’t count on it Raider fans, with the way Peyton Manning has been playing.
Broncos 34, Saints 14
Speaking of that guy Peyton Manning, remember him? Well it turns out he is still pretty good. With him starting to assume his old form and Willis McGahee pacing a balanced rushing attack, the Broncos are turning into a dynamic offense. The defense has looked suspect at times throughout the year, but a team with playmakers like Von Miller, Elvis Dumervil, and Champ Bailey can create turnovers and big plays that fuel the offense. For the Saints, Drew Brees was good, but not great. Unfortunately for the Saints this year, it takes excellence from Brees week-in and week-out if they want to compete because of their porous defense, which has a legitimate chance to earn the dubious title of worst defense ever.
Thursday Night Rewind
Buccaneers 36, Vikings 17
Did the teams switch jerseys before the game? It was the Bucs that came out with a stingy defense, balanced offensive attack, and confidence of a team playing above expectations; everything that the Vikings had been coming into the game. And while Adrian Peterson had a strong performance (15 carries for 123 yards and a score), it was Tampa Bay rookie running back Doug Martin who stole the show. He rushed for a career high 135 yards on 29 carries and a score while also catching 3 passes for 79 yards and another TD through the air. In the tough NFC, this was a difficult loss for the Vikings, who still have the toughest part of their schedule ahead of them. For the Bucs, Josh Freeman is returning to the form he showed two years ago and Martin looks like he could be a star. They have plenty of reason to be excited about the future down in Tampa.
Looking Ahead to Monday Night
San Francisco 49ers at Arizona Cardinals
The ‘Niners have a chance to separate themselves from the rest if the NFC West with a win in the desert, which would give them a two game lead in the division with wins over both division rivals trailing them. The Cardinals, on the other hand, need a win to stop a three game losing skid after jumping out to a 4-0 start. With a rotation at QB between Kevin Kolb and John Skelton due to injury, the play at that position has been even more erratic than having just one mediocre quarterback the whole season; which is depressing considering how stout the defense has been and the big-play potential across the board from guys like Larry Fitzgerald and Patrick Peterson.
I expect the ‘Niners to assert their dominance and take control of the division, going on the road and winning a defensive battle 20-10.
I hope you enjoyed reading! If you have any questions, comments, or other suggestions on how to improve the column or any other topic feel free to contact me at my email address [email protected], on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/adam.colman.9 or on Twitter @AdamRColman.
Thanks for the support!
He's human!! Yes, unfortunately it turns out RGIII is mortal after all. After seeing his electric play over the last few weeks it seems like many forgot he is still a rookie. Dick LeBeau’s defense is designed to confuse quarterbacks of all ages, and Griffin is not immune to that fact. The Steelers may have been the bigger story of this game, though. With the defense finally starting to resemble the menacing units that have earned the squad so much respect over the years, the offense beginning to click with the development of a running game, and ‘Big Ben’ Roethlisberger doing things only he can, the Steelers have the looks of one of the better teams in a depleted AFC.
(Personnel decision: With Jonathan Dwyer breaking 100 yards this week and playing better with every snap, does Rashard Mendenhall still own the starting spot assuming he returns from injury?)
On a fashion note, WHAT THE HELL WERE THE STEELERS WEARING? These jailhouse jumpsuit jerseys with manual scoreboard numbers rank up there with the worst-of-the-worst. They definitely give those yellow and powder blue Eagles atrocities a run for their money.
Giants 29, Cowboys 24
Why can’t the ‘Boys play the Giants every week, as they seem to always play them tougher than just about anyone else. In a game where each team scored at least 23 unanswered at one point, it was Eli Manning who once again came up big late in the game. The Cowboys looked miserable in the first quarter and a half before Tony Romo got hot and brought them back into it as fast as he played them out of it. For that two-quarter stretch, Romo showed all his abilities that give the organization confidence in him. But it is that inconsistency that often costs his team at inopportune times. The Giants, however, blew what once seemed like an insurmountable lead, yet found a way to come back and hang on to win. They aren’t perfect, but the Giants seem to always have the confidence that they’re going to win; and as a rival fan, I hate watching the Giants play because it always FEELS like they are going to win, even in those seemingly rare cases they don’t. That’s what made Dez Bryant’s so-close-to-a-touchdown catch, where his fingertips landed just out-of-bounds, so shocking and would have made it such a revelation; the Giants just don’t lose games like that under Tom Coughlin.
If you didn’t see it, look for Bryant’s almost-touchdown in this week’s Top Ten- it was that good. Proof that sometimes it really is a games of inches.
Raiders 26, Chiefs 16
Well the Brady Quinn Experiment didn’t last long in KC. When reverting back to turnover-prone Matt Cassel before halftime is your best option, it may be time to bottom out and take a quarterback early in the draft (however I have my doubts Matt Barkley would really be any better). The Raiders, who have looked abysmal many times this year, have looked very capable in brief glimpses. Being in the AFC West, they’re still just a game back and have legit reason to hope for the playoffs, where they can get blasted by a far superior team. Just don’t count on it Raider fans, with the way Peyton Manning has been playing.
Broncos 34, Saints 14
Speaking of that guy Peyton Manning, remember him? Well it turns out he is still pretty good. With him starting to assume his old form and Willis McGahee pacing a balanced rushing attack, the Broncos are turning into a dynamic offense. The defense has looked suspect at times throughout the year, but a team with playmakers like Von Miller, Elvis Dumervil, and Champ Bailey can create turnovers and big plays that fuel the offense. For the Saints, Drew Brees was good, but not great. Unfortunately for the Saints this year, it takes excellence from Brees week-in and week-out if they want to compete because of their porous defense, which has a legitimate chance to earn the dubious title of worst defense ever.
Thursday Night Rewind
Buccaneers 36, Vikings 17
Did the teams switch jerseys before the game? It was the Bucs that came out with a stingy defense, balanced offensive attack, and confidence of a team playing above expectations; everything that the Vikings had been coming into the game. And while Adrian Peterson had a strong performance (15 carries for 123 yards and a score), it was Tampa Bay rookie running back Doug Martin who stole the show. He rushed for a career high 135 yards on 29 carries and a score while also catching 3 passes for 79 yards and another TD through the air. In the tough NFC, this was a difficult loss for the Vikings, who still have the toughest part of their schedule ahead of them. For the Bucs, Josh Freeman is returning to the form he showed two years ago and Martin looks like he could be a star. They have plenty of reason to be excited about the future down in Tampa.
Looking Ahead to Monday Night
San Francisco 49ers at Arizona Cardinals
The ‘Niners have a chance to separate themselves from the rest if the NFC West with a win in the desert, which would give them a two game lead in the division with wins over both division rivals trailing them. The Cardinals, on the other hand, need a win to stop a three game losing skid after jumping out to a 4-0 start. With a rotation at QB between Kevin Kolb and John Skelton due to injury, the play at that position has been even more erratic than having just one mediocre quarterback the whole season; which is depressing considering how stout the defense has been and the big-play potential across the board from guys like Larry Fitzgerald and Patrick Peterson.
I expect the ‘Niners to assert their dominance and take control of the division, going on the road and winning a defensive battle 20-10.
I hope you enjoyed reading! If you have any questions, comments, or other suggestions on how to improve the column or any other topic feel free to contact me at my email address [email protected], on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/adam.colman.9 or on Twitter @AdamRColman.
Thanks for the support!
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