By Paul Gotham
One less makes it makes it three
Denver, Indianapolis, and New Orleans maintained their unblemished records. Denver’s stayed intact by virtue of the bye week. Indy did what Indy does. The Saints took strides to legitimacy.
The St. Louis Rams figured out how to keep Peyton Manning under 300 yards passing for the game. That was small consolation considering the Colts trounced the Rams 42-6. Manning finished the afternoon 23/34 for 234 and tds. The passing total marked the first time this season under 300 yards for the 12-year veteran. Manning completed 7 of 10 for for 118 yards and two touchdowns in the first quarter. Indy has won 15 consecutive regular season contests. St. Louis has lost 17 in a row. Indy’s challenge will be to maintain their efficiency when they host the 49ers next week. Could be a difficult task considering the Rams must have seemed slow yesterday. After a date with the Texans, Indy hosts New England before traveling to Baltimore.
Any rumors of the Saints demise were proven untrue. After spotting the Dolphins a 24-3 lead, Drew Brees and the Saints showed they are contenders. Despite being intercepted early, Brees responded to lead the Saints past a resilient Dolphin squad in Miami. New Orleans closed to within 21-10 before half. Then the teams traded scores in the third. Miami led entering the fourth, 34-24 before the Saints rattled off 24 unanswered points. Marcus Colston made five catches and one td. Brees only threw for one td, but the Saint qb rushed for two others.
With Ben Roethlisberger coming into the weekend as the #1 rated quarterback in the NFL, fans wondered if the Steelers defensive identity had become a thing of the past. Two defensive touchdowns and a goal line stand should reassure Steel Town it is “same as it ever was.” Minnesota gained 386 yards of total offense. But when it mattered, the Steeler defense made the plays. On five trips to the red zone, Minnesota scored just one touchdown. The Vikings had a first and goal inside the one, and the Steelers stuffed three run attempts before the Vikings settled for a field goal. Adrian Peterson entered the day averaging 161 yards rushing per game. The Steelers held the star running back to 69 yards on the ground. The Steeler defense converted two touchdowns in the fourth quarter. LaMarr Woodley returned a fumble 77 yards for six points. Keyaron Fox returned an interception 82 yards for another score.
Pittsburgh gets a bye week before traveling to Denver. The Broncos travel to Baltimore next week. Minnesota at Green Bay next week. Isn’t there some discussion about an appropriate greeting for #4?
London Calling
“Yes, I was there too. And you know what they said? Well, some of it was true.”
I am all for Commissioner Goodell’s attempts to clean up the league. The hard line Goodell has taken with behavioral infractions is commendable. I admired Goodell when he lowered playoff ticket prices as an attempt to help fans through tough economic times. This whole foray over seas? I am not on board. First, we have exhibition games in England. Then, we lose a regular season game. I hear talk of an NFL franchise in London. That will work as well as the Red Bulls in the EPL. Now, I hear mention that Goodell is considering a future Super Bowl in London? This only works with me if he is considering relegation at some point. A Super Bowl in London? Maybe I shouldn’t be so concerned. It’s not like I can rub enough nickels together to ever attend that soiree.
Seriously, how does this help the product of the league? New England crushed Tampa Bay yesterday at Wembley. Will jet lag affect the Patriots at all with the upcoming game against the Colts?
Of course, the league office is going to refer to how the Giants won the Super Bowl when they played the Dolphins on the old sod.
On another note, the Patriots have won their last two games by a combined score of 94-7. Gulp. Was it something I said?
How ’bout them Buffalo Bills?!?
I can hear the cheers now: U-G-L-Y – you ain’t got no alibi; you ugly. It does not matter how you win as long as you win. The Panthers out-gained the Bills 425-167. The Bills outscored Carolina 20-9. Jake Delhomme’s nickname needs to be apple, because he has all the makings of a good turnover. ‘Apple’ threw three more picks yesterday. Delhomme now has 13 ints this year to 4tds. How did the trading deadline pass without the Panthers making a deal for Brady Quinn?
Parity goes bonk!
A lot of good that salary cap is doing. So much for the favorable scheduling. Six of yesterday’s games were decided by 20 or more points. What is the name of the bridge connecting the haves and have nots of the NFL?
Sanchez handles his Badlands
After limping through three losses, Mark Sanchez “spit in the face of these Badlands” and led the Jets to a 38-0 drubbing of Oakland H.S.. Sanchez went 9 of 15 for for 143 yards and one touchdown. Okay, so the game plan didn’t take many chances. At least the Jets coaching staff showed Sanchez can do an efficient job of handing off the pigskin.
Got any NFL splinters? Share them here.
Apple Turnover Delhomme? Good use of french pastry, Casey!
Helmet Sticker!!! 🙂
I just gave myself a high five.
How’d you do that?? Use a mirror? Other method?
ummmm…it only takes two hands to perform a high five…right?
So you used the “Amen method” … cool!
if you want to continue on the French theme, you could call him “Pomme Delhomme,” with pomme being the word for apple. nice reference on the Clash and Springsteen too.
‘Pomme DelHomme’ – nice.
C’mon Bill! I know it was 6 in the a.m. and all, but the T Heads reference? 🙂
I was also impressed by the Goldie Hawn “Wildcats” cheer.
Ahhh stick Sanchez back in LA and he was in his element. Can’t wait for him to go back the NY/NJ and start throwing that ball in cold, wet rain/snow..
Sanchez: “Coach! Coach come here!! ”
Coach Ryan: ” What’s wrong Sanchie?? Something hurt? What can we do for you.? Need your bee-hind kissed?”
Sanchez:: ” Something wrong with my hands Coach.. They are turning a bluish-purple color. I have never seen them do this before. Something must be wrong.
Coach Ryan:” Go talk to A-Rod. His lips are still purple…”
Did anyone see Percy Harvin’s kickoff return for TD against Pittsburgh? If anyone needed more proof that kickers are not exactly like the rest of the team then watch Jeff Reed on the play. His body bump didn’t exactly slow Percyt Harvin down.
In fact, I have seen the “soft scrubs” at a car wash put up more of a resistance. Coach Tomlin is going to have a field day in the video room.
I know alot of experts are saying the Pats are back – but I need to see the boys win one on the road. Their 2 losses were on the road ( Denver and NJ Jets) and all 5 wins have been at home (Buffalo, Baltimore, Atlanta, Tennessee and Tampa Bay). Well Tampa might not count, but the fact remains that they need to show they can win on the road.
Fortunately they have a bye week and then they are in Miami (I think). It will be 2 weeks of practicing against the Wildcat. If anyone can come up with a game plan against the Wildcat, you know Belichick can do it.
Smitty
Great scenario between Sanchez and Ryan. Sanchez will have to figure out how to succeed in the cold considering a lot of his nfl career with the Jets will be played in frigid temps.
I am looking forward to the Pats / Dolphins match-up. You are right Belichik will figure out something. Of course, how did the Pats do against the Fish last year? That sure is a lot of points New England has scored the past two weeks.
Kickers making tackles? Why didn’t I try kicking for a football team?
Tomlin probably sat William Gay next to Jeff Reed. How about Gay’s ‘attempt’ to wrestle with Adrian Petersen?
Was that a wrestling move – or Gay’s poor imitation of a doormat? Petersen absolutely destroyed him on that play and probably guaranteed Gay a clip on the Madden 2010 opening film sequence.
If Gay’s attorney is smart, he is pushing for royalties now..