By Tlarner
Monday Night Results: Min-20, NYJ-29
The Minnesota Vikings fell to a disappointing 1-3 after a stunning loss to the Jets on Monday night. Brett Favre had trouble getting the offense started in the first half. For the first play of the game, Minnesota used a little trickery. Randy Moss threw a 10 yard pass to Favre on a fake reverse. While New York was able to move the ball, they only scored nine points on field goals before the half. Moss, who was well covered by Jets’ corner Antonio Cromartie, caught his first touchdown from Favre in the third quarter, which was Brett’s 500th career touchdown pass. Trailing 15-7 in the fourth quarter, Favre then found Percy Harvin for a 34 yard touchdown. New York finally reached the end zone on a 23 yard run by Shonn Greene, and put the Jets up 22-13. Favre then threw his third touchdown of the night, once again finding Harvin for a score. Down 22-20 with a little over a one and a half minutes left, Favre threw a pick six to Jets corner Dwight Lowery to seal the deal for New York. In the loss, Favre also surpassed 70,000 career passing yards.
Mark Sanchez threw for 191 yards. L.T. looked young again, running for 94 yards, while Greene added 57 more. Braylon Edwards had five catches for 70 yards. Nick Folk was 5-5 on field goals, with a long of 53 yards. Favre was only 14-34, but threw for 264 yards. Adrian Peterson ran for 88 yards. Harvin had 97 yards receiving, and Moss caught four passes for 81 yards.
News & Notes
The Cleveland Browns and the Philadelphia Eagles swapped back up running backs on Wednesday. Cleveland sent Jerome Harrison to Philly in exchange for Mike Bell. Harrison started seven games last season, and ran for over 120 yards in four games, including 286 yards and three touchdowns against Kansas City in Week 15. He appeared to be the starter in the offseason, but has been outplayed by Peyton Hillis. Bell ran for over 650 yards last season with the Saints, and had seen very little action this season with the Eagles.
The Giants signed kicker Shayne Graham to replace Lawrence Tynes, who sprained his ankle on Friday. Graham had spent the last seven seasons with the Bengals.
The Dallas Cowboys activated receiver Jesse Holley, who won the reality show hosted by former Cowboy Michael Irvin. The show guaranteed the winner a spot in training camp in 2009. Holley had been on the practice squad all of last season.
Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Antwan Odom will be suspended four games for violating the policy on performance-enhancing substances. He was suspended before the season, but appealed, claiming the positive test was result of accidently taking a weight loss pill prescribed to his wife. It appeared Odom would be sidelined for a week or two anyway with a knee injury.
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger will make his first start of the season this week against division rival Cleveland. Roethlisberger was suspended six games after violating the personal conduct policy, but had the suspension reduced to four games. The Steelers, 3-1, are coming off a bye week.
Injury Report
The Cleveland Browns are minus quarterbacks Jake Delhomme and Seneca Wallace with high ankle sprains. Rookie Colt McCoy will make his first career start against the Steelers this week. Running back Peyton Hillis missed practice Wednesday and Thursday, and was limited on Friday. He is questionable for Sunday.
The Oakland Raiders will start quarterback Jason Campbell this week against the 49ers. Bruce Gradkowksi, who took Campbell’s starting job, is listed as questionable with a shoulder injury. Running back Darren McFadden may also be out Sunday with a hamstring injury.
The Packers anticipate quarterback Aaron Rodgers will start this Sunday. Rodgers received a concussion last week, but appears to be healthy after participating in practice this week. The current league leader in sacks Clay Matthews is listed as doubtful.
Philadelphia Eagles coach Andy Reid is starting Kevin Kolb again this week. Michael Vick is improving after suffering a rib injury, and may suit up for the game this Sunday against Atlanta. Defensive tackle Brodrick Bunkley and offensive tackle Jason Peters are out this week.
Saints running back Pierre Thomas will miss his third consecutive game this week with a sprained left ankle. Corner Randall Gay is also out this week. Gay has been suffering from headaches possibly related to a concussion he suffered in Week 2.
St. Louis Rams’ running back Steven Jackson says he is completely healed from a groin injury that has slowed him down the past few weeks. Jackson needs 141 yards to become the Rams’ career leader in rushing yards, a record currently held by Eric Dickerson. St. Louis lost receiver Mark Clayton for the season. Clayton will need surgery to repair a torn patella, and is the third receiver to go down with a season-ending knee injury for the Rams this year. He led the team with 306 yards and two touchdown catches.
Game of the Week: Baltimore at New England
In last season’s wildcard round, New England hosted Baltimore in what was expected to be another Tom Brady playoff victory. However, the Ravens exploded out of the gate, and ran all over the Patriots. This weekend, Brady is seeking to avenge that loss against the AFC North leaders. The Ravens are currently 4-1, while the Pats, minus Randy Moss, sit at 3-1 coming off a bye week.
Joe Flacco hasn’t exactly been electrifying this season. He was thrown for 1116 yards, five touchdowns, and six interceptions. His completion percentage is only 57.1%, six percent lower than last season. The addition of Anquan Boldin was suppose to be the final piece to the puzzle for this offense. Boldin leads the team with 363 yards and three touchdowns. Todd Heap and Derrick Mason both have over 200 yards receiving. Ray Rice has 363 rushing yards and 100 receiving. In a big win against Denver last week, he ran for 133 yards and his only two touchdowns this year. Defensively, the Ravens are fourth in points allowed per game (14.4) and third in yards allowed (257.8). Pro Bowl linebacker Ray Lewis leads the team in tackles, and has the team’s only interception.
New England currently ranks first in points scored with 32.8 per game. Brady has a 109.0 passer rating. He has nine touchdowns and only two picks. BenJarvus Green-Ellis is the lead man in the Patriots backfield. He has 215 yards and two scores. Now that Moss is gone, Wes Welker and Aaron Hernandez will be the top targets for Brady. Welker has a team high 26 receptions and three touchdowns. Hernandez leads the team with 240 receiving yards. Statistically, the New England defense has struggled. They rank 26th in points allowed (24) and 29th in yards allowed (384.5). Safety Patrick Chung blocked a punt, a field goal, and returned a pick for a touchdown against Miami in Week 4. In the same game, Brandon Tate returned a kickoff 103 yards.
Key Matchup: Joe Flacco vs. Pats’ Pass Defense
With the Achilles’ heel of the Patriots being their poor pass defense, Flacco should look to exploit the mismatches through the air. New England ranks 29th in the league in pass yards allowed per game with 272.2. Boldin should receive double coverage most of the night. Mason and T.J. Houshmanzedah will have favorable one on one matchups on the outside, and Heap will challenge the coverage ability of the linebackers. New England linebacker Rob Ninkovich will have his hands full stopping Rice, who had 78 receptions for over 700 yards last season. However, Ninkovich was able to record his first two career interceptions against Miami. Gary Guyton also has a pick six this season. Tully Banta-Cain has one and a half sacks, and Gerard Warren leads the team with two. If Flacco has time in the pocket, he should be able to find open receivers for big gains. If Bill Belichick can confuse Flacco, he may continue to be inaccurate and give the Patriots’ corners some easy interceptions.
Prediction
New England played great defense and made huge plays on special teams to stop the Dolphins, however, even Buffalo was able to score 30 points against them. In Week 1, Carson Palmer, who hasn’t played well this year for the Bengals, threw for 345 yards. When they faced the Jets, who have a formidable offense and strong defense, the Patriots struggled. The Ravens, like the Jets, have potential on offense and a great defense. I think Baltimore will be able to repeat last season’s playoff victory, and remain atop their division.
Best of the Rest: (Home teams in italics)
Green Bay over Miami
San Diego over St. Louis
Pittsburgh over Cleveland
Kansas City over Houston
New York Giants over Detroit
Philadelphia over Atlanta
Chicago over Seattle
New Orleans over Tampa Bay
New York Jets over Denver
Oakland over San Francisco
Minnesota over Dallas
Indianapolis over Washington
Tennessee over Jacksonville
Last week’s results: 6-8
Have NFL Splinters? Share them here.
Well done again, Tlarner! I have a difference of opinion on a few games:
— Just a gut feeling that the Dolphins will surprise the Packers
— Texans will beat the Chiefs. I listened all week on the local radio how this is a MUST win for Houston and they will be loaded for bear.
— Falcons over the Eagles
— Skins top the Colts
Considering New England’s defensive statistics, it is pretty amazing they are 3-1. I look at Flacco as a field general who does what he can to make sure he doesn’t lose the game for his team. His defense will keep him in the game. Even with Boldin to throw to, that won’t erase that Flacco is not a great QB.
What will the Steelers do now that Roethlisberger has returned? They have proven they can win without throwing the ball a lot. Will that continue? Can Roethlisberger remain content not throwing the ball much?
PATRIOTS (-3) over Ravens
Because that little creep Justin Bieber lit a fire under Patriots Nation. Because Deion Branch never should have left. Because I’m a giant homer.
Colts (-3) over REDSKINS
Because only an idiot bets against Peyton Manning at night.
Chiefs (+4.5) over TEXANS
Because the Chiefs are undervalued and the Texans are overvalued. By the way, what does Gary Kubiak have to do to get fired at this point? Is Houston happy with going 8-8 for the rest of eternity?
Dolphins (+3) over PACKERS
Because Green Bay is banged up. Because Greg Jennings is in a heated battle with Marques Colston and Joe Flacco to become 2010’s official fantasy football murderer. Because Miami desperately needs a win. And because Mike McCarthy is Wade Phillips 2.0.
Falcons (+3) over EAGLES
Because the Falcons are headed for a 1-seed and 1-seeds win games like this. And because the Eagles are the Good Bad Team: They whup other bad teams and lose to good ones.
I’m also thinkin the Cowboys will beat the Vikings today. Favre will be running for his life.
I guess I’m an idiot, Bill. Thanks. And have a nice day.
Wally, I’m glad to see we can agree to disagree. These predictions are in no way an expert opinion. I like Philly cause I root for them every week. If Clay Matthews is able to play for Green Bay, I think he can make Henne’s day miserable. I like K.C. because they played pretty tough against Indy, and Houston’s defense is 29th in points allowed and 32nd in pass yards allowed, so if Dwayne Bowe will catch the ball this week, Cassel should have a good game. Finally, I have a hard time picking against Peyton under most circumstances.
The Steelers definitely need to stick with the run and Rashard Mendenhall. I don’t think Big Ben would mind a few run calls, then a nice play action boot to get him on the outside to make some plays.
Wally – you are on the Sports Guy’s radar. It’s a badge of honor.
Wally – he called you an idiot!!! You going to take that lying down???
🙂
The Pats had two weeks to prepare for the Ravens – don’t underestimate Bill Belichick. It will be a day of misery for Joe Flacco..
As for Brady and the offense… Everyone assumes that since Moss is gone, the aerial attack is history. I don’t believe it. One thing is for sure about a Belichick led team – the obvious answer isn’t always the correct one. I think the Pats will use Tate and Branch to stretch the field and allow Welker to maneuver underneath..
Today’s Pats/Ravens game will not be same as last year’s playoff game.
Smitty … I was actually sitting down when I read it. So I’m going to take it sitting down. It’s not the first time I’ve been called an idiot … and besides, he’s an “expert”.
But if the ‘Skins happen to win … Katy, ya better bar the door! 😉
HAHAHA
The Bears losing at home to the Seattle Seachickens is likely the beginning of the end of the season for this Bears team that has obviously been masquerading as a contender. With the overmatched Lovie Smith as coach, you cannot fool people for an entire season. But Bears management is just as mentally challenged as Lovie, and so they have been fooled for what … 9 seasons now??? Watching the Bears trying to be a pro football franchise is a tragic comedy. They take themselves so seriousy, yet everyone on the outside is laughing at them and they just don’t see it.
What’s amazing is that Wade Phillips and Lovie Smith are both allowed to keep their jobs after exhibiting countless seasons of incompetence. What’s that say about their respective owners???
Dammit … Indy beat Washington … how could I be so stupid and pick the Skins?!?!? I’m such an idiot !!!
There … everyone happy now???
Awwww gee Wally. I am not happy about it. I don’t know how others feel. Did Bill actually call you an idiot? I mean did he come right out and say Wally you are an idiot for picking against the Colts? Maybe it was a little strong, but all of us can be guilty of that from time to time. 🙂
Wally – You bet against Peyton at night? What an idiot.
Rey … I know, I know. I will NEVER EVER again bet against Peyton at night.
Hey … serious question for you Philadelphia Eagles fans: Do you prefer Vick or Kolb as the starting QB???
As an Eagles fan, I don’t know what to think anymore. If Kolb gets another start while Vick is out, and does as well as he did yesterday, he makes a strong case of why he was named the #1 QB in the offseason. I’ll admit I was a Kolb fan before the season, but now I think I have to go with Vick, mainly because of his ability to run as well as throw. The only thing I’m afraid of is Vick returning to the QB he was with the Falcons, inaccurate with a lot of interceptions.
I’m also worried about the severe concussion to DeSean Jackson. He is a playmaker, and both QB’s favorite target. It was nice to see Jeremy Maclin step up in his absence, and I’m still waiting for Jason Avant to prove he deserves the extension he signed in the offseason. And if newly acquired Jerome Harrison can play like he did in the final games of last season with the Browns, he can be a great spell for LeSean McCoy.
Rey – COME ON! Wally was just trying make a rational pick. 😉
Okay … who were the SHMUCKS out there who picked KC to beat Houston??? Step forward and take your medicine.
You NEVER EVER pick a former Texans team to beat a current Texans team … in the state of Texas … on the 3rd Sunday in October. NEVER!
Duh!!!
That’s almost as idiotic as picking against Peyton at night. Don’t let it happen again.