Week 5 Sunday Scores & Monday Prediction

By TLarner

This weekend was a great example of parity in the NFL. Would you believe the Super Bowl Champs would be knocked out by anundrafted rookie making his first start at quarterback? And that the Lions would put up 44 points with their backup QB? There are also no undefeated teams left, unlike last year when the Colts and Saints both started with 13 wins.

Sunday’s Scores

Jacksonville 36, Buffalo 26

Denver 17, Baltimore 31

Green Bay 13, Washington 16

St. Louis 6, Detroit 44

Chicago 23, Carolina 6

Tampa Bay 24, Cincinnati 21

Atlanta 20, Cleveland 10

New York Giants 34, Houston 10

New Orleans 20, Arizona 30

Tennessee 34, Dallas 27

San Diego 27, Oakland 35

Philadelphia 27, San Francisco 24

Game of the Week Results

The Indianapolis Colts ended Kansas City’s undefeated streak with a 19-9 victory at home in Lucas Oil Stadium. It was an ugly win for the Colts, but Coach Jim Caldwell will take any win after falling to divison rival Jacksonville last week. Now all teams in the AFC South are 3-2. The Chiefs faced their first quality opponent of 2010. Their first three victories came against a disappointing Chargers team, the Browns, and the 49ers. Now 3-1, Kansas City is still first in the AFC West.

The game started with an onside kick attempt by the Chiefs, but the ball failed to go 10 yards, and Peyton Manning started with great field position. A stout K.C. defense held the Colts to a field goal. At the end of the first quarter, Matt Cassel had the Chiefs offense on the goal line, but failed to score on a gutsy call to give up three points and go for the touchdown. In the third quarter, up 9-3 after two more Adam Vinatieri field goals, Manning threw an interception to safety Jon McGraw. On the ensuing drive, Cassel finds Dwayne Bowe in the endzone on a long play action pass, but Bowe dropped the ball. Both team entered the fourth quarter with 3 field goals. Vinatieri added another before running back Mike Hart scored the game’s only touchdown for Indy.

Manning was uncharacteristically off target Sunday. He missed a few passes in the endzone, and threw only his second pick of the year. This was also his first game this season without a touchdown pass. He did manage to throw for 244 yards. His ground game finally gave him some support. Joseph Addai and Hart both ran for 50 yards. When Manning has his running backs taking pressure off of him, the Colts have a better chance of winning. The Colts’ defense also deserves some credit. Cassel only had 156 passing yards. The dangerous duo of Jamaal Charles and Thomas Jones was held to 106 yards rushing, limiting the third best rushing offense. Rookie tight end Tony Moeaki remained Cassel’s favorite receiver with a team high four catches for 50 yards. The Chiefs were unable to score in two red zone attempts. Kansas City also lost the time of possession battle 25:35 to Indianapolis’ 34:25.

Monday Night Football: Minnesota at New York

Tonight’s contest brings star receiver Randy Moss back to New Meadowlands Stadium, only this time in a Minnesota uniform instead of a New England one. In his first game with his new team, Moss will once again face the Jets, where last time he caught two passes for 38 yards, including a 34 yard touchdown. Brett Favre hopes Moss can bring the deep threat Sidney Rice provided last season. As for New York, the Jets are coming off a three game win streak over their AFC East opponents. Mark Sanchez hopes he can keep the New York offense rolling against a tough Viking defense.

The matchup we will all be watching is Moss vs. Darrelle Revis. These two squared off in the Patriots’ loss to New York. Moss was able to beat Revis on his touchdown catch. However, in his defense, that was the same play that Revis tweaked his hamstring which forced him to miss some time. In Week 2 of last season, Moss was held to a mere 24 yards while Revis came away with a pick. During Week 11, Moss had only 34 yards, but beat Revis for a four yard touchdown catch. Moss has only been in Minnesota for a week, and has only learned a portion of the playbook. On the other hand, he is a playmaker, and I’m sure he and Favre can draw up some plays in the dirt if needed.

As for the rest of the athletes on the field, we will get to see a top level offense against an always gritty defense. Sanchez’s offense is fourth in points scored (26.5) and first in rushing yards (167.8). Sanchez has a 105.3 passer rating, with eight touchdowns and no interceptions. LaDainian Tomlinson leads the team on the ground with 341 yards and three touchdowns. Santonio Holmes returns from suspension and will give Sanchez another weapon. The Vikings’ defense is second in points allowed (12.7) and fourth in yards allowed (276.3). Usually a dangerous pass rusher, Jared Allen only has one sack this season, and is hungry for more. Opponents are only converting 32% of third down attempts.

Prediction

I know Moss typically has a big game in his first game with a new team, but Favre isn’t exactly hot this season. As a fan of Brett, I would like to see these two on the same page, but Revis has been able to hold Moss to minimal yardage in recent games. The Jets have a good offense, and a great defense, whereas Minnesota’s defense is the only unit to brag about. I believe right now, New York is the more complete team. With Holmes back, Sanchez should have enough targets to exploit any weakness in the Vikings’ defense. L.T. has also been playing like he did in his youth. This contest will be close, but the Vikings will need to press the panic button as they fall to 1-3.

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