Football Report Dec. 8

GAME BALLS:
Buffalo vs. New York Jets: Darrelle Revis. I really didn’t want to hand out a game ball to anyone in this game but Revis had the game-clinching interception and held Terrell Owens in check for the first time since he got cozy with Ryan Fitzpatrick.

Tennessee vs. Indianapolis: Joseph Addai. Addai ran for 79 yards and put Indy up 14-0 early. He also added three catches for 17 yards and had five carries in the fourth quarter that helped the Colts run down the clock.

Minnesota vs. Arizona: Arizona run defense. The Cards held Minnesota to 62 yards on the ground. Adrian Peterson, the NFL's third-leading rusher coming into the game, had just to 19 yards on 13 carries. Arizona is playing some great football.
Wild Card: Robert Meachem. The Saints WR not only scored the tying touchdown in the final minute of regulation, but he also made the game's biggest play at the end of the first half. Kareem Moore picked off Drew Brees but on the return, Meachem ran Moore down, stripped him and returned the fumble for a touchdown to tie the game going into halftime.

PENALTY FLAGS:
Buffalo vs. New York Jets: Ryan Fitzpatrick. Wow. He came down from the cloud he was on really quick. He looked awful vs. a banged up New York defense. It may be time to take Brian Brohm out for a test drive.

Tennessee vs. Indianapolis: Tennessee. The whole team gets this one. How do you have more first downs, more yards, punt only twice and still find a way to get your teeth kicked in?

Minnesota vs. Arizona: Brett Favre. Tossed two second half interceptions when his team needed him to carry them on his shoulders. If he is going to get the credit for the big wins, he needs to take his lumps when he fails in a crucial game.
Wild Card: Shaun Suisham. The Redskins kicker shanked a 23-yard field goal with 1:56 to play in regulation that would have iced the game for Washington and in the process would have ruined New Orleans perfect season and may have saved his coach’s job. Ouch!

NFL Power Poll
1. Indianapolis- They easily put away the Titans, the hottest team over the last month of the season.
2. New Orleans- They struggled against the Redskins but as all good teams do, found a way to win.
3. San Diego- Hottest team in the NFL, winning seven in a row.
4. Arizona- Are finally starting to look like the team that went to the Super Bowl last season.
5. Cincinnati- Clinched a winning record for only the second time in almost 20 years.

My Heisman Trophy Ballot
I am not a Heisman voter but if I was, here is how my ballot would look:
5. Kellen Moore, QB, Boise State.
4. Mark Ingram, RB, Alabama.
3. Colt McCoy, QB, Texas.
2. C.J. Spiller, RB Clemson.
And the winner….
Toby Gerhart, RB, Stanford.
Analysis: Gerhart was the heart and soul of his team. They don’t win without his bruising, hard-nosed style of running. He single-handedly won games for the Cardinal. He was led the nation in rushing yards with 1,736 and had a whopping 26 touchdowns. More importantly, during the last month of the season, he was at his very best. Gerhart averaged 29 carries and 185.5 yards per game in his last four games. Ingram, McCoy and Spiller each had a letdown game down the stretch.