By TLarner
Game of the Week Results: PHI 38, NYG 31
A thriller in the NFC East was the perfect candidate for this week’s Game of the Week between the Philadelphia Eagles and the New York Giants, who both entered the game at 9-4. Many may recall the “Miracle in the Meadowlands”, when Philadelphia’s Herm Edwards returned a fumble for a touchdown with seconds remaining in the game to steal the win over New York. Yesterday’s game has been referred to by some as the “Miracle in the New Meadowlands”.
The first half belonged to the Giants. Eli Manning threw three touchdown passes. Receiver Mario Manningham caught touchdowns of 35 yards and 33 yards. After a fumble by Philadelphia receiver Jeremy Maclin was returned to the eight yard line by Kenny Phillips, Manning found Hakeem Nicks for another score right before the break. In the first half, the New York defense was able to rush Michael Vick, preventing him from throwing or running, and the Giants led 24-3. In the second half, the Eagles offense finally clicked. Maclin caught a touchdown in the third quarter, setup by a Manningham fumble. Manning threw his fourth touchdown of the day to tight end Kevin Boss after another lost fumble, this time by DeSean Jackson, and the Giants maintained a 21 point lead. In the final quarter, Philadelphia scored 28 straight points. Brent Celek hauled in a 65 yard touchdown with 7:28 left in the game. The Eagles recovered an onside kick, and Vick ran for a touchdown on the ensuing drive. With just over a minute left in regulation, Vick finds Maclin for another touchdown, his fourth total. Giants rookie punter Matt Dodge punted the ball straight to the electric Jackson with 14 second left in the game. Jackson, who initially fumbled the ball, returned 65 yards for the walk off touchdown. It was the first game winning punt return touchdown with time expiring in NFL history.
Vick racked up 372 total yards with four touchdowns. He was intercepted once. Running back LeSean McCoy earned 64 yards on the ground, and Maclin caught seven passes for 59 yards and two touchdowns. Manning threw for 289 yards with four touchdowns and one intercepted for New York. Ahmad Bradshaw and Brandon Jacobs combined for 100 yards rushing. Manningham caught eight passes for 113 yards with two touchdowns. A normally stout New York defense gave up 418 yards of total offense to the Eagles.
Remaining Scores from Sunday:
New Orleans 24, Baltimore 30
Arizona 12, Carolina 19
Cleveland 17, Cincinnati 19
Washington 30, Dallas 33
Jacksonville 24, Indianapolis 34
Buffalo 17, Miami 14
Kansas City 27, St. Louis 13
Detroit 23, Tampa Bay 20 (Overtime)
Houston 17, Tennessee 31
Atlanta 34, Seattle 18
Denver 23, Oakland 39
New York Jets 22, Pittsburgh 17
Green Bay 27, New England 31
Monday Night Football: Chicago at Minnesota
The NFC North leading Chicago Bears (9-4) travel to Minnesota to play in the Vikings (5-8) first outdoor home game in almost three decades. With the Metrodome collapsed, the University of Minnesota will host the game after last week’s game was moved to Detroit. How will the elements change the game?
Like a typical Bears football team, Lovie Smith’s 2010 Bears are winning with good defense. They are third in points allowed per game (17.5) and second in rushing yards allowed per game (87.9). Linebacker Brian Urlacher has 104 tackles, three and a half sacks, two forced fumbles, and an interception so far this season. Julius Peppers has eight sacks, while Israel Idonije has made a name of himself with seven sacks. Although they have beaten team’s like Green Bay and Philadelphia, many are skeptical if Chicago is actually a playoff caliber team, especially after losing 36-7 against New England. Quarterback Jay Cutler has improved from last season, but not by much. The Chicago offense is 26th in the league in passing yards (192.8). Cutler has a 88.3 passer rating with 2,697 yards, 17 touchdowns, and 12 picks. Devin Hester has returned two punts for scores this season.
The troubles of the Minnesota Vikings have been no secret this season. The quarterback position brings about more question marks, whether Brett Favre plays or not. Favre was listed as questionable with his shoulder injury, and will be a game time decision. Tarvaris Jackson was placed on injured reserve with a foot injury. Rookie Joe Webb is expected to make his first start of his short career. A constant in the Minnesota backfield is Adrian Peterson. Peterson, who currently has 1,149 yards rushing, has earned over 1,000 yards in each of his first four seasons. In Minnesota’s five wins, he has eight rushing touchdowns. In the eight losses, Peterson has only three touchdowns. The Minnesota defense is sixth in the league in yards allowed (309.3). Jared Allen leads the team with nine and a half sacks.
Prediction
The Minnesota Vikings have had enough drama to start their own day time soap opera. As much as Favre wants to play, I don’t know if his old, injured self would be better than a sixth round rookie. This season I would have expected Peterson to average at least 20 carries a game with 100 yards or more, but last week he had only 14 carries for 26 yards against the Giants. On the other hand, Chicago has a healthy quarterback who, depending on which Cutler we see, can lead his team to victory. The Bears will take a two game lead in the NFC North over the Packers with a win tonight.
Bears can clinch the division with a win tonight, plain and simple. Hope they don’t gag on it.
How about Bill Cowher announcing he is ready to come back and then lists the 3 teams he wants to coach.. If I am Tony Sparano and Tom Coughlin – aren’t I a little ticked that he listed my job as one of his favorites? I don’t think Gary Kubiak has a leg to stand on, but the other guys have to be annoyed..
I like how the press is getting on Miami’s kicker Dan Carpenter for going 0 for 4 yesterday.. His misses? From 48, 48, 61 and 53.. Ahhh could the offense get it a little closer??
Here’s a thought to ponder while Ol’ Man Favre dreams of cutting grass – where would the Vikings be if he had declined playing this year?
Judging by Tavaris Jackson’s play? Not far from where they are right now.
How long has the current playoff format been used? I can’t believe that Seattle at 6-7 will make the playoffs while some 8-win teams sit on the outside looking in because they are in a competitive division. Is this not a travesty? Why aren’t more people screaming about this?