As we get to the home stretch of the NFL season I'm not sure what is more surprising, no one wants to win the NFC East or that the Seattle Seahawks could actually make the playoffs.
GAME BALLS
Drew Brees, QB New Orleans: Do I really need to explain this one? Brees was 32 of 40 for 412 yards and five TDs in just a little over three quarters. We may need to start adding Brees to the MVP discussion.
Matt Ryan, QB Atlanta: Did the real Matty Ice really stand up? Ryan threw for 224 yards and three TDs while taking the 4th quarter off in a rout of Jacksonville.
Tony Romo, QB Dallas: Romo looks good in December so far with 3 TDs passes and another on the ground as the Cowboys took over first place in the NFC East.
Reggie Bush, RB Miami: Bush got the luxury of playing a rundown Bills defense, but still showed why he can be a successful back in the league with a career high 203 yards and score.
Red Bryant, DE Seattle: Anytime a 6-4, 323 lbs. dude gets an INT and rumbles back for a TD gets a game ball. Yes, it was only a 20 yard return, but DL running with the ball is fun to watch.
Indianapolis Colts: The Colts got in the win column with an impressive victory over the Titans who are fighting for a playoff spot. QB Dan Orlovsky threw three TDs, Jacob Lacey returned an INT for a score and Donald Brown ran for 161 yards and a TD.
Romeo Crennel, Interim Head Coach Kansas City: This will be the signature win in his career. He was an awful head coach in Cleveland and will be awful when he get the Chiefs job full-time, but Sunday was his day as KC upset Green Bay and ruined their perfect season.
Matthew Stafford, QB Detroit: Stafford looked like a playoff caliber QB with a 57 yard and 98 yard drive in the final 10 minutes for a 28-27 come from behind win on the road over Oakland. He finished with 391 yards and four TDs.
PENALTY FLAGS
Chris Johnson, RB Tennessee: Looks how is back to coasting on his fat contact. Johnson ran for a whopping 55 yards on on 15 carries for a 3.7 yard average.
Ravens Defense: What happened to this defense? Philip Rivers and company made them look like a bad FCS defense. Totally out of character.
Chicago Bears: A sure fire playoff team is going down the drain without a QB. Maybe they should have claimed Kyle Orton or signed Donovan McNabb.
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
Tuesday, December 06, 2011
Game Balls and Penalty Flags- Week 13
GAME BALLS
Marshawn Lynch, RB Seattle: The former Bill who couldn't seem to stay out of trouble is having a stellar, problem free season for the Seahawks. Lynch ran for a 148 yards and two scores, one which he basically ran through each Eagles defender as Seattle has all the sudden become respectable.
T.J. Yates, QB Houston: Yates was not expected to ever see the field this year, but after injuries to the top two Matt's, Yates not only kept the Texans in the game, but looked good leading the team to a win over a very good Falcons squad. Yates is now the only North Carolina Tar Heel to ever start at QB in the NFL.
Miami Dolphins: The 'fins are 4-1 in the last five games and have outscored opponents 139-54, with the lone loss a one-point defeat at Dallas on Thanksgiving. Reggie Bush ran for 100 yards and a score as Miami pounded the AFC West leading Raiders 34-14.
Tim Tebow, QB Denver: Talk all you want about how bad a QB Tebow is, but the numbers don't lie. He has passed for 10 TDs against only one INT leading the Broncos once again on a late rally, passing for a season-high 202 yards and two touchdowns to help Denver win their fifth consecutive game with a 35-32 victory over the Vikings. I think there are at least 10 teams that would like their QB to have a 10-1 TD-INT ratio and five straight wins.
Alex Smith, QB San Francisco: Smith threw two second-half touchdowns of 52 and 56 yards to Michael Crabtree and Kyle Williams, respectively leading San Francisco right into the playoffs shutting out St. Louis 26-0. The niners clinched their first NFC West title and postseason berth since 2002. Head coach Jim Harbaugh joined George Seifert (1989) and Steve Mariucci (1997) as the only rookie coaches in 49ers history to win the division.
Justin Houston, LB Kansas City: Bears QB Caleb Hanie may still be having nightmare's of Houston who tallied three sacks, two QB hits, a forced fumble and a pass deflected.
Patrick Robinson, CB New Orleans: Robinson flew in from the corner to block a Jason Hanson field goal try as the clock expired at the end of the first half. It is rare to see a FG blocked in the NFL and even more rare when the guy who blocks it comes off the edge.
PENALTY FLAGS
ESPN: The world-wide leader makes a cameo for the non-sense non-story they published yesterday about Brett Favre and the Chicago Bears. ESPN cited a "source familiar with Brett Favre." Really? We are all familiar with that glory hound and your network's need to talk about him any chance you get. Do us all a favor and get over #4.
Jason Garrett, Head Coach Dallas: His kicker booted what would have been the game-winning FG only to call a timeout right before it was snapped. And yes, after the time out, said kicker shanked it sending the game into OT which Dallas lost. Dear coaches, stop over thinking the room!
Chan Gailey, Head Coach Buffalo: Much criticized RB C.J. Spiller has 80 yards at halftime (not including another 41 on a TD that was called back on a lousy holding call) and is finally playing with confidence. So what do you do in the second half? Oh yes, you stop giving Spiller the ball even though he was the only offensive player having success for the Bills. Dear coaches, PLEASE stop over thinking the room!
Ndamukong Suh, DL Detroit: Two women say they were injured when Suh crashed his car into a tree in downtown Portland, Ore., over the weekend. CBSSports.com reported Monday that one of the women requested her name be removed from the report and all subsequent documents out of fear of retaliation from Suh or his family or friends. All of this coming after he was suspended by the NFL for his continued dirty play.
Marshawn Lynch, RB Seattle: The former Bill who couldn't seem to stay out of trouble is having a stellar, problem free season for the Seahawks. Lynch ran for a 148 yards and two scores, one which he basically ran through each Eagles defender as Seattle has all the sudden become respectable.
T.J. Yates, QB Houston: Yates was not expected to ever see the field this year, but after injuries to the top two Matt's, Yates not only kept the Texans in the game, but looked good leading the team to a win over a very good Falcons squad. Yates is now the only North Carolina Tar Heel to ever start at QB in the NFL.
Miami Dolphins: The 'fins are 4-1 in the last five games and have outscored opponents 139-54, with the lone loss a one-point defeat at Dallas on Thanksgiving. Reggie Bush ran for 100 yards and a score as Miami pounded the AFC West leading Raiders 34-14.
Tim Tebow, QB Denver: Talk all you want about how bad a QB Tebow is, but the numbers don't lie. He has passed for 10 TDs against only one INT leading the Broncos once again on a late rally, passing for a season-high 202 yards and two touchdowns to help Denver win their fifth consecutive game with a 35-32 victory over the Vikings. I think there are at least 10 teams that would like their QB to have a 10-1 TD-INT ratio and five straight wins.
Alex Smith, QB San Francisco: Smith threw two second-half touchdowns of 52 and 56 yards to Michael Crabtree and Kyle Williams, respectively leading San Francisco right into the playoffs shutting out St. Louis 26-0. The niners clinched their first NFC West title and postseason berth since 2002. Head coach Jim Harbaugh joined George Seifert (1989) and Steve Mariucci (1997) as the only rookie coaches in 49ers history to win the division.
Justin Houston, LB Kansas City: Bears QB Caleb Hanie may still be having nightmare's of Houston who tallied three sacks, two QB hits, a forced fumble and a pass deflected.
Patrick Robinson, CB New Orleans: Robinson flew in from the corner to block a Jason Hanson field goal try as the clock expired at the end of the first half. It is rare to see a FG blocked in the NFL and even more rare when the guy who blocks it comes off the edge.
PENALTY FLAGS
ESPN: The world-wide leader makes a cameo for the non-sense non-story they published yesterday about Brett Favre and the Chicago Bears. ESPN cited a "source familiar with Brett Favre." Really? We are all familiar with that glory hound and your network's need to talk about him any chance you get. Do us all a favor and get over #4.
Jason Garrett, Head Coach Dallas: His kicker booted what would have been the game-winning FG only to call a timeout right before it was snapped. And yes, after the time out, said kicker shanked it sending the game into OT which Dallas lost. Dear coaches, stop over thinking the room!
Chan Gailey, Head Coach Buffalo: Much criticized RB C.J. Spiller has 80 yards at halftime (not including another 41 on a TD that was called back on a lousy holding call) and is finally playing with confidence. So what do you do in the second half? Oh yes, you stop giving Spiller the ball even though he was the only offensive player having success for the Bills. Dear coaches, PLEASE stop over thinking the room!
Ndamukong Suh, DL Detroit: Two women say they were injured when Suh crashed his car into a tree in downtown Portland, Ore., over the weekend. CBSSports.com reported Monday that one of the women requested her name be removed from the report and all subsequent documents out of fear of retaliation from Suh or his family or friends. All of this coming after he was suspended by the NFL for his continued dirty play.
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Game Balls and Penalty Flags- Week 12
As we head to December, 17 of 32 teams are still in the playoff race, just what the NFL was hoping for. Green Bay has an oh-fer in the loss column and Indy has an oh-fer in the win column. Both teams head to December looking like those 0's can remain.
GAME BALLS
Laurent Robinson, WR Dallas: The journeyman from Illinois State has been a great fill-in for Miles Austin as he hauled in seven passes for 79 yards and two scores as the Cowboys are the hottest team south of Wisconsin.
Ravens Defense: Baltimore sacked San Francisco QB Alex Smith a franchise record tying nine times despite playing without LB Ray Lewis, the team's leading tackler and vocal leader.
Matt Ryan, QB Atlanta: Ryan has struggled most of the year, but came out of his shell playing against a tough Vikings defensive line going 27 of 34 for 262 yards and three TDs as the Falcons try to keep pace with New Orleans.
A.J. Green, WR Cincinnati: The rookie made a leaping catch for a 51 yard gain in the final minute to set up a field goal that rallied the Bengals to a 23-20 victory over the Browns to keep Cincy in playoff contention.
A.J. Yates, QB Houston: He just gets a game ball for being the first Houston QB in two weeks to walk off the field not hurt. Next week may be another story. Good Luck Yates.
Patrick Peterson, CB Arizona: Peterson tied the NFL record with his fourth punt return for a touchdown this season as the Cardinals won their seventh in a row in St. Louis with a 23-20 victory.
Oakland Special Teams: K Sebastian Janikowski kicked a team-record six field goals, P Shane Lechler had an 80-yard punt and neutralized star returner Devin Hester as the Raiders took out the Bears 25-20.
Drew Brees, QB New Orleans: Brees passed for 363 yards and four touchdowns and ran for another score as the Saints rolled to a 49-24 victory over the Giants.
PENALTY FLAGS
Ndamukong Suh, DE Detroit: He was tossed for stomping on Packer's OL Evan Dietrich-Smith's right arm in the third quarter. Suh claimed he didn't intentionally step on the Dietrich-Smith with his foot, saying he was just trying to separate himself from the situation. Not good for a guy who already has a rep as a dirty player.
Browns Special Teams: For the second time in three games, a botched snap cost Cleveland a chance to take a late lead. Phil Dawson was short on a 55-yard try with just under two minutes left after the snap skipped along the ground, giving Cincinnati a chance to win the game, which they did.
Indianapolis Colts: The Colts probable lone chance to win this season against Carolina was all for not as they dropped to 0-11 for the first time since 1986 and have lost six home games in a season for the sixth time in the Indianapolis era.
Stevie Johnson, WR Buffalo: Not for the TD dance, but for dropping the game winning TD not once but twice. This was a game the Bills needed and their star wide out failed his team when they needed him most.
GAME BALLS
Laurent Robinson, WR Dallas: The journeyman from Illinois State has been a great fill-in for Miles Austin as he hauled in seven passes for 79 yards and two scores as the Cowboys are the hottest team south of Wisconsin.
Ravens Defense: Baltimore sacked San Francisco QB Alex Smith a franchise record tying nine times despite playing without LB Ray Lewis, the team's leading tackler and vocal leader.
Matt Ryan, QB Atlanta: Ryan has struggled most of the year, but came out of his shell playing against a tough Vikings defensive line going 27 of 34 for 262 yards and three TDs as the Falcons try to keep pace with New Orleans.
A.J. Green, WR Cincinnati: The rookie made a leaping catch for a 51 yard gain in the final minute to set up a field goal that rallied the Bengals to a 23-20 victory over the Browns to keep Cincy in playoff contention.
A.J. Yates, QB Houston: He just gets a game ball for being the first Houston QB in two weeks to walk off the field not hurt. Next week may be another story. Good Luck Yates.
Patrick Peterson, CB Arizona: Peterson tied the NFL record with his fourth punt return for a touchdown this season as the Cardinals won their seventh in a row in St. Louis with a 23-20 victory.
Oakland Special Teams: K Sebastian Janikowski kicked a team-record six field goals, P Shane Lechler had an 80-yard punt and neutralized star returner Devin Hester as the Raiders took out the Bears 25-20.
Drew Brees, QB New Orleans: Brees passed for 363 yards and four touchdowns and ran for another score as the Saints rolled to a 49-24 victory over the Giants.
PENALTY FLAGS
Ndamukong Suh, DE Detroit: He was tossed for stomping on Packer's OL Evan Dietrich-Smith's right arm in the third quarter. Suh claimed he didn't intentionally step on the Dietrich-Smith with his foot, saying he was just trying to separate himself from the situation. Not good for a guy who already has a rep as a dirty player.
Browns Special Teams: For the second time in three games, a botched snap cost Cleveland a chance to take a late lead. Phil Dawson was short on a 55-yard try with just under two minutes left after the snap skipped along the ground, giving Cincinnati a chance to win the game, which they did.
Indianapolis Colts: The Colts probable lone chance to win this season against Carolina was all for not as they dropped to 0-11 for the first time since 1986 and have lost six home games in a season for the sixth time in the Indianapolis era.
Stevie Johnson, WR Buffalo: Not for the TD dance, but for dropping the game winning TD not once but twice. This was a game the Bills needed and their star wide out failed his team when they needed him most.
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
Game Balls and Penalty Flags- Week 11
As we are just two days away from Thanksgiving, lets be thankful just about every team seems to still have a shot at the playoffs, well except for Indianapolis.
GAME BALLS
Tim Tebow, QB Denver: Yes, I know he sucked for 57 minutes against the Jets, but somehow the dude keeps finding ways to win games. Tebow's 20 yard touchdown run with 58 seconds left capped a 95-yard drive as the chosen one is now 4-1 as a starter.
Torrey Smith, WR Baltimore: The rookie steps up again with 165 yards through the air including an impressive 38 yard grab where he dusted two defenders proving to be the game-winner.
Matthew Stafford, QB Detroit: After throwing two picks, he led the Lions comeback tossing five TDs and 335 yards en route to keep pace in the NFC playoff hunt.
Jordy Nelson, WR Green Bay: One of Aaron Rodgers many weapons hauled in six passes for 123 yards and two scores with his 2nd TD, a 40 yarder, putting the undefeated Pack ahead for good.
Matt Moore, QB Miami: The Bills defense made him look like Dan Marino as he carved up the imposters dressed as an NFL defense for three touchdowns.
PENALTY FLAGS
Chris Johnson, RB Tennessee: Guess who had one good game, then decided to mail it in again. 12 carries on 13 yards. Seriously? Why had Bud Adams not had him arrested for theft?
Officiating Crew, Cleveland v. Baltimore game: Why was Jermaine Gresham's catch late in the 4th quarter not a TD? Didn't we figure this all out last year when Calvin Johnson was robbed of a TD? http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/2011112004/2011/REG11/bengals@ravens#menu=highlights&tab=recap
Buffalo Bills Defense: It would have been nice for them to let head coach Chan Gailey know before the game that they didn't intend to show up against Dolphins.
John Skelton, QB Arizona: Larry Fitzgerald is still playing for the Cardinals, right? How does Skelton not know that?
GAME BALLS
Tim Tebow, QB Denver: Yes, I know he sucked for 57 minutes against the Jets, but somehow the dude keeps finding ways to win games. Tebow's 20 yard touchdown run with 58 seconds left capped a 95-yard drive as the chosen one is now 4-1 as a starter.
Torrey Smith, WR Baltimore: The rookie steps up again with 165 yards through the air including an impressive 38 yard grab where he dusted two defenders proving to be the game-winner.
Matthew Stafford, QB Detroit: After throwing two picks, he led the Lions comeback tossing five TDs and 335 yards en route to keep pace in the NFC playoff hunt.
Jordy Nelson, WR Green Bay: One of Aaron Rodgers many weapons hauled in six passes for 123 yards and two scores with his 2nd TD, a 40 yarder, putting the undefeated Pack ahead for good.
Matt Moore, QB Miami: The Bills defense made him look like Dan Marino as he carved up the imposters dressed as an NFL defense for three touchdowns.
PENALTY FLAGS
Chris Johnson, RB Tennessee: Guess who had one good game, then decided to mail it in again. 12 carries on 13 yards. Seriously? Why had Bud Adams not had him arrested for theft?
Officiating Crew, Cleveland v. Baltimore game: Why was Jermaine Gresham's catch late in the 4th quarter not a TD? Didn't we figure this all out last year when Calvin Johnson was robbed of a TD? http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/2011112004/2011/REG11/bengals@ravens#menu=highlights&tab=recap
Buffalo Bills Defense: It would have been nice for them to let head coach Chan Gailey know before the game that they didn't intend to show up against Dolphins.
John Skelton, QB Arizona: Larry Fitzgerald is still playing for the Cardinals, right? How does Skelton not know that?
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Game Balls and Penalty Flags- Week 10
The Lions and Bills have fallen off the "Darlings of the NFL" wagon, but the 49ers remain. San Francisco has the second best record in the league only behind the defending Super Bowl champion Packers and can clinch a playoff spot before December. For that, the whole team gets our first game ball.
GAME BALLS
Tony Romo, QB Dallas: Unfortunately for the Bills, "Good Romo" showed up this week. Romo was 23 of 26 for 270 yards and three scores setting the franchise record for single-game accuracy by hitting on 88.5 percent of his passes.
Michael Bush, RB Oakland: With Darren McFadden out with an injury, Bush racked up 157 yards on 30 carries and a touchdown to go with another 85 yards on three receptions as the Raiders upended the Chargers.
John Skelton, QB Arizona: Who? Yes, John Skelton, he really is in the NFL. The Fordham (yes, they play football) product threw a 5-yard touchdown pass to Early Doucet with 1:53 left as the Arizona Cardinals rallied for a 21-17 victory over the Eagles. Skelton finished with 315 yards and three TDs filling in for the injured Kevin Kolb.
Arian Foster, RB Houston: Foster rushed for 85 yards and a score as well as four receptions for 102 yards and another TD.
Houston Defense: The NFL's top-ranked defense had four sacks, three interceptions and recovered a fumble while missing their best player DE Mario Williams.
Steven Hauschka, K Seattle: Hauschka matched a franchise record with five field goals to lead the Seahawks in a 22-17 upset of the Ravens. Hauschka kicked field goals of 22, 38, 39, 35 and 30 yards.
Devin Hester, WR Chicago: I'm not going to buy Hester a Christmas present because he will just return it. The Bears locked up their fourth straight win thanks to a another punt return for a touchdown by Hester, who ran one back 82 yards. That extended his NFL record for punt return TDs to 12 and combined kick-return touchdowns to 17.
Aaron Rodgers, QB Green Bay: Hands down, the MVP of the league went 23 of 30 for 250 yards and four TDs as the Packers are the only undefeated team in the league.
PENALTY FLAGS
Philadelphia Eagles: The defending NFC East champion Eagles were expected to be Super Bowl contenders after a host of big-name signings in the offseason. They now have lost seven of their past eight home games and are out of the playoff hunt losing to a backup QB, blowing yet another 4th quarter lead against the lowly Cardinals.
Baltimore Ravens: David Reed fumbled twice on kickoff returns leading to six points for Seattle. Joe Flacco's lone interception was returned by David Hawthorne inside the Ravens 10 and eventually led to another field goal. To make matters worse, the normally reliable Billy Cundiff missed field-goal attempts of 52 and 50 yards in the first half.
Philip Rivers, QB San Diego: With the Chargers looking to tie the game, Rivers was intercepted in the end zone by Oakland's Matt Giordano with 3:22 left. It was Rivers' league high 15th INT. Rivers was sacked on consecutive plays near midfield to end the game. He fumbled on the final play, giving him a league high 19 turnovers.
Rex Ryan, Head Coach New York Jets: Ryan's yap gets him in trouble once again. The NFL is looking into an Internet video that shows Ryan using an obscenity while angrily responding to a fan at halftime of the Jets 37-16 loss to the Patriots. On the video, a fan yells, "Hey, Rex, Belichick is better than you," Ryan looks up and tells the fan to "shut up" while also using an obscenity.
GAME BALLS
Tony Romo, QB Dallas: Unfortunately for the Bills, "Good Romo" showed up this week. Romo was 23 of 26 for 270 yards and three scores setting the franchise record for single-game accuracy by hitting on 88.5 percent of his passes.
Michael Bush, RB Oakland: With Darren McFadden out with an injury, Bush racked up 157 yards on 30 carries and a touchdown to go with another 85 yards on three receptions as the Raiders upended the Chargers.
John Skelton, QB Arizona: Who? Yes, John Skelton, he really is in the NFL. The Fordham (yes, they play football) product threw a 5-yard touchdown pass to Early Doucet with 1:53 left as the Arizona Cardinals rallied for a 21-17 victory over the Eagles. Skelton finished with 315 yards and three TDs filling in for the injured Kevin Kolb.
Arian Foster, RB Houston: Foster rushed for 85 yards and a score as well as four receptions for 102 yards and another TD.
Houston Defense: The NFL's top-ranked defense had four sacks, three interceptions and recovered a fumble while missing their best player DE Mario Williams.
Steven Hauschka, K Seattle: Hauschka matched a franchise record with five field goals to lead the Seahawks in a 22-17 upset of the Ravens. Hauschka kicked field goals of 22, 38, 39, 35 and 30 yards.
Devin Hester, WR Chicago: I'm not going to buy Hester a Christmas present because he will just return it. The Bears locked up their fourth straight win thanks to a another punt return for a touchdown by Hester, who ran one back 82 yards. That extended his NFL record for punt return TDs to 12 and combined kick-return touchdowns to 17.
Aaron Rodgers, QB Green Bay: Hands down, the MVP of the league went 23 of 30 for 250 yards and four TDs as the Packers are the only undefeated team in the league.
PENALTY FLAGS
Philadelphia Eagles: The defending NFC East champion Eagles were expected to be Super Bowl contenders after a host of big-name signings in the offseason. They now have lost seven of their past eight home games and are out of the playoff hunt losing to a backup QB, blowing yet another 4th quarter lead against the lowly Cardinals.
Baltimore Ravens: David Reed fumbled twice on kickoff returns leading to six points for Seattle. Joe Flacco's lone interception was returned by David Hawthorne inside the Ravens 10 and eventually led to another field goal. To make matters worse, the normally reliable Billy Cundiff missed field-goal attempts of 52 and 50 yards in the first half.
Philip Rivers, QB San Diego: With the Chargers looking to tie the game, Rivers was intercepted in the end zone by Oakland's Matt Giordano with 3:22 left. It was Rivers' league high 15th INT. Rivers was sacked on consecutive plays near midfield to end the game. He fumbled on the final play, giving him a league high 19 turnovers.
Rex Ryan, Head Coach New York Jets: Ryan's yap gets him in trouble once again. The NFL is looking into an Internet video that shows Ryan using an obscenity while angrily responding to a fan at halftime of the Jets 37-16 loss to the Patriots. On the video, a fan yells, "Hey, Rex, Belichick is better than you," Ryan looks up and tells the fan to "shut up" while also using an obscenity.
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