By Paul Casey Gotham
Same as it ever was
Cue the hyperbole because it seems like death and taxes need to make room for the Green Bay Packers. We all end up horizontal…or in an urn (insert the Keith Richards humor at this point); we pay too much money to the government, and the Pack keeps on winning.
Sunday’s game against the winless St. Louis Rams had all the earmarks of a letdown. Instead, Aaron Rodgers connected with three different receivers in the second quarter as Green Bay decided the game at half, 24-3.
After the break, Green Bay treated the Rams like they were a little kitten trying to pounce on the fluffy toy connected to the piece of string. Every time the youthful Rams got close, the Pack pulled the string and left the Rams with nothing between its paws. PSYCHE!
Rodgers threw just 28 passes, but compiled 310 yards in the air. He finished with a QB rating of 119 for the game making him the first signal caller in history to start the season with six games at or above a QB rating of 110.
The Rams manufactured 424 total yards of offense to the Packers 399, but it didn’t matter as the Packer defense made the stops when needed.
Last season’s Super Bowl champs improve to 6-0 on the season and stand as the only remaining undefeated team in The League.
It’s a bushwhack!
One good thing about Sunday’s game for the Detroit Lions: they can get the thought out of their minds that they might sneak into the zip code of one Mercury Morris. Not that anyone really thought the Lions would seriously contend for an undefeated season, but they were one of two remaining teams without a blemish. Were being the optimal word. Past tense represents reality.
And the manner in which it happened?
After 58:00 minutes of play the 49ers had more penalties (16) than points (15). The zebras tossed as many penalty flags for 49er infractions as Alex Smith completed passes. But Smith’s 17th completion proved itself to be an ambush – a quick slant to Delanie Walker and San Fran grabbed a 22-19 lead with less than 2:00 remaining.
The bushwhacking continued after the final horn sounded. Something about a handshake and obscenities.
Please allow me to introduce myself
It took just six games for the Cincinnati Bengals to equal their win total from last year. The Bengals have the league’s top-ranked defense, and rookie QB Andy Dalton is fitting right in. Dalton completed 25 of 32 for 264 yards including 13 straight at one point as Cincy ended a seven-game losing streak to the Indianapolis Colts with a 27-17 victory.
Dalton has completed 93 of 157 throws for this season. The TCU-alum is averaging more than 200 yards a game through the air. He’s doing a fine job of making Bengal fans forget about their previous guy under center. Who was that?
Slip sliding away
The nearer their destination, the more the Dallas Cowboys keep slip sliding away. Coming off a bye week with the taste of defeat in their mouths, the Cowpokes held the league’s top offense to 13 points for 59 minutes. Then the New England Patriots went 80 yards for the win.
The Cowboys with that beautiful palace they call home now sit at 2-3.
No soup for you
Wasn’t too long ago that Donovan McNabb ranked among the top QBs in the league, and Campbell’s soups used his mug to promote their Chunky soups. Rest assured, Don won’t be seen promoting soup or anything else if this season finishes the way it started . McNabb’s Minnesota Vikings fell to 1-5 yesterday with a 39-10 loss to the Chicago Bears.
Still trying to figure out why the Vikes threw the ball 41 times while Adrian Peterson had just 12 rushes.
A round of cold ones
These guys have earned some liquid refreshment from the Pine.
Ahmad Bradshaw /New York Giants – three touchdowns
Terrence McGee / Buffalo – 11 tackles
Devin Hester / Chicago – yet another special teams touchdown – a 98-yard kickoff return
Rashard Mendenhall / Pittsburgh – 146 yards rushing
Anquan Boldin / Baltimore – 132 yards receiving
Andy Lee / San Fran – averaged nearly 48 yards per for nine punts.
The pride of Drake University Billy Cundiff / Baltimore – 5 for 5 field goals and 2 for 2 extra points.
The Chinchillas live at Sticky Lips BBQ – 830 Jefferson Road in Rochester – Friday, October 28th.
Got any NFL Splinters? Share them here.
While everyone knows I don’t like the Giants and I really don’t care for Ahmad Bradshaw – I gotta second a 12 horse ale for Mr. Bradshaw. He ran like that all day. But I have to think that a healthy Shawn Merriman and Chris Kelsey make a huge difference in that game.
Did anyone not have a problem with the Jim Schwartz and Jim Harbaugh besides me? Gotta love Harbaugh’s enthusiasm and I definitely love the fact that Schwartz didn’t want to back down.
Two coaches wearing their emotions on their sleeves. I have no problem with it. I would expect nothing less of Harbaugh. Within 5 years, Harbaugh gets the 49ers back to the Super Bowl.
Smitty – I loved the interaction. Additionally, I thought it was hilarious how Harbaugh handled it after the game. He essentially called Schwartz a “wuss” by saying “this one is on me… I shook his hand too hard.”
TRANSLATION: MY APOLOGY IS GOING TO BE A SARCASTIC WAY TO SAY “F-U SCHWARTZ”
Does anybody else agree?
Chris, I completely agree. Hmmmm how do you say I am sorry without actually say and still slam the guy. Harbaugh can’t do anything wrong.
How great will it be if these two go at it again in the playoffs?
Wow…Hearing news that Bills great Kent Hull has passed away. A sad day.
Heard that too. How old was he?
https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/redskins/former-buffalo-bills-mississippi-state-star-center-kent-hull-dies-at-50/2011/10/18/gIQABuupvL_story.html
Jim Schwartz’s performance in the epic Schwartz/Harbaugh handshake reminded me of Will Ferrell’s snapping in SNL’s classic “Family Dinner” sketch. You don’t shake my hand like that! You don’t shake my hand like that! I’m a professional football coach! I manage 10 coaches and 53 players! I-I-I I drive a Dodge Stratus!!!!!!
Is there any doubt that we’re getting a Lions-Niners playoff game in Round 1? Get ready to see that handshake 245,0673 more times during the first full week in January.