Checkdown Chatter

A lot of things had to go right for the Saints to win last night, and a lot did. They all started with coach Sean Payton and his determined playcalling. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

Drew Brees played a great – if not flawless – game on Sunday, completing his final 10 passes, and throwing only a handful of incompletions while completing a (tied for) Super Bowl record 32 passes. There is little doubt that he was integral to New Orleans’ victory and he definitely deserves his Super Bowl MVP trophy.

But, I think it has to be said that if coaches could be considered, Payton with an A would be in the running. Earlier this season I dropped a ‘play the game for real’ tag on Bill Belichick for his brazen, like he’s just playing Madden where punting/kicking/play calling is unnecesseary, I’ve got to commend Payton for doing the same – and for getting away with it.

Look at the end of the first half where Payton showed guts and belief in his team by going for a (failed) 4th down try for a touchdown to tie the game. The playcall was gutsy, and didn’t work out, but the clock management that followed – waiting for the 1st timeout which ensured the Colts didn’t have time to march down the field and would necessarily just try to run out the clock, which caused their 3 and out, and the resulting pre-half field goal was a thing of beauty. A lot of that was defensive execution and precision passing/clutch kicking, but give Payton and the staff credit for managing the sitaution – at least after the failed 4th down plunge – admirably… even the playcall after spending the last timeout to ensure the clock would run out on the 4th down field goal try was impressive – and it took Stones.

(Take note, there would later be a converted 4th and 2 around midfield that evoked the comment: Somewhere Bill Belichick is rolling in his 2009 football grave).

Then, following the momentum built on the last play of the half the Saints came out at halftime and converted a successful onside kick. Frankly, as much as Porter’s pick 6 or the impressive passing run Brees went on to close this game out, this is the play that won the game. We’re looking at an entirely different ball game if New Orleans throws it deep and Indianapolis marches the field and even knocks in a field goal (an all but foregone conclusion the way they were moving the ball early in this one). The gang at PFT and the players involved agree.

If that kick fails, there is probably public outcry… but, it didn’t. It took guts, and with guts come glory.

Though ultimately a late Rodgers fumble would lead to the Packers being bounced from this year's playoffs, the young QB and the grizzled veteran on the other sidelines deserve a lot of credit for the show they put on.

The Sunday night game added a dose of excitement to what was otherwise a pretty bland wild card weekend. While it seemed to be heading in the direction of a blowout early, the Packers and Cardinals offense really provided a show (or, their withering defenses allowed for it, whichever side of the fence you sit on).

Last night’s 51-45 overtime thriller was the highest scoring game in playoff history.

Without rehashing the details of a game most certainly everyone watched, I think its important to note the significance of the games both quarterbacks turned in.

Kurt Warner is in the sunset of his career, at 38 – as a dedicated family man, with concussion concerns, etc. – amid speculation that this season may be his last reminded us all that there is still plenty left in the tank, if he chose to continue.

Warner threw 33 passes, yet still managed to have more touchdowns (5) than incompletions (4). His 379 passing yards were slightly over the number of grey hairs in his permanently stubbled cheeks. Warner delivered one of the all time playoff games by a quarterback, in a game that was just a few yards away from being his last.

Lets look at the accomplishments.

• For starters, the 379 passing yards is nothing to shake a stick at.
• The 5tds are the 3rd most in playoff history.
• 154.1 passer rating: the second most
• 87.9 completion percentage; 3rd highest.

Playoff games don’t come much better than that – I’ll admit that I know very little of those that are the 2’s and 1’s on the list above, but you can safely assume that they didn’t combine them all in one game. Thus, this might be the best quarterbacking performance in a playoff game you’ll ever see. I thought retirement was for people on the downswing of their career?

And that’s all well and good, but it speaks volumes that I was more impressed watching Aaron Rodgers. Rodgers started slow, and I’m a bit biased here because I’ve been signing his praises since last offseason when he was finally anointed as the starter in Green Bay.

His line, is less impressive, but still the best of the weekend and one of the best quarterbacking lines in recent playoff memory as well. Of course, there was the costly turnover at the end (which wasn’t really his fault) and the interception on the game’s first throw. But otherwise, Rodgers – a quarterback playing in his first career playoff game – delivered in every situation for the Packers. Every time he was called upon to lead his team in a must score situation – and in a 51-45 game there were lots of these, the 2nd year QB delivered.

As Michael Silver at Y! Sports points out, this was one of the greatest games – and greatest quarterbacking clinics, you’re ever likely to witness.

In addition to being the highest-scoring game in postseason history, this was one of the NFL’s greatest games, period. It simultaneously validated the Packers’ young Pro Bowl quarterback, Aaron Rodgers(notes), as an emerging star and elevated Warner, a future Hall of Famer, into the realm of the ethereal.

The final line: 28/42, 422 yards, 4 TDs, 13 rush yards, 1 rush TD, Int, FL is sparkling. If not for the two unfortunate turnovers it would be even better.

The young QB was under constant pressure, the type that could stymie a 2nd year passer in his first game of such magnitude, but Rodgers was cool, and used his mobility – as he has all season – to create opportunities.

Again, per Silver and some of the members of the Cardinals embattled secondary:

“Let me tell you something – that dude is scary,” Arizona free safety Antrel Rolle(notes) said of Rodgers. “We have a great defense, and we were up on him and ready to pounce, and he found ways to tear us apart.

“I don’t ever want to face him again in my life. I am dead serious. I’ll face Drew Brees any day of the week before I face him again.”

Added Pro Bowl strong safety Adrian Wilson(notes): “Hey, nobody ever said the guy was a bad player. But to have him actually do what he did to us in the second half was unbelievable. He was on fire. The whole half. The guy was just amazing.”

Pretty high compliments for a guy in just the 33rd start of his career.

While Warner and the Cardinals earned their right to march into New Orleans next week, you’ve got to have a great feeling that Green Bay will be playing in these type of football games for a long time to come, thanks to some astute personnel moves, and the emergence of the league’s top young QB.

• Very early in the NFC East showdown it was clear that Dallas was going to be the team to beat today, and arguably the team to beat in the NFC. Miles Austin, the anti-Roy Williams, catches everything thrown his way.
• Speaking of Williams, I heard an interesting reminder during the broadcast. The Cowboys dealt for Williams around the same time the Cardinals were shopping Boldin. Cards were asking for a first and third… which is what the Cowboys gave up for Williams… oops.
• At one point during the game the Eagles took a bad time out, I think it was before a punt where the 5 yards for delay of game would have actually helped them. Joe Buck remarked “that to me is a wasted timeout” with a tone of utter surprise. Had I been seated next to Joe, I’d have like to have asked if he’d ever seen an Andy Reid game before.
• Suisham got up to his old tricks in this one. In fairness, it looked like the kick was good to me, but he missed a 30 yarder.
• These are the first back to back shutouts in Cowboy team history.
• Romo continued his streak of great play, as did the Cowboys D… also important: the run game was huge. Barber and Jones had an equal split and equal 91 yard performances. All things clicking today.
• In the other playoff preview game in the NFC the Packers trounced the Cardinals. This one was over early. Some frightening injuries for the Cards, who actually were pretty responsible with pulling their starters: a limping Boldin and a carted off Rodgers-Cromartie. The Packers played a complete game. Woodson had an interception touchdown, his 9th and 3rd on the year, but I heard he got hurt. Haven’t seen any follow up on this. Defensive player of the year?
• I have very little to say about Broncos/Chiefs. I made my thoughts pretty clear before the game. 6-0 meltdown is embarassing, sitting your best players, stupid, when you see Jabar Gaffney with 213 receiving yards, you know something was pretty messed up. Orton had yardage totals, but 3 picks, one for a TD and right around 50% completion. Couldn’t ask for much more with no one to throw to.
• Jamaal Charles destroyed the Broncos (in a game where Denver was supposed to run free) to the tune of a bunch of long runs, a pair of scores, and a franchise single game rushing record (250+). Good for Kansas City for coming to play today. More than Denver can say.
• Despite a valiant effort by the Raiders (until Jamarcus Russell -9/14, 2 turnovers – came in the game as far as the offense is concerned anyway) the Ravens played their way in. While the season belonged to Ray Rice, today belonged to Willis McGahee (167 yards and 3 scores).
• Phillip Rivers played just one quarter and the Chargers managed a comeback win over the Redskins. (Perhaps McD could learn from the division rivals?). Billy Volek, he of the late season heroics, led the winning touchdown drive.
• Chris Johnson got his 2000 yards, and the total yardage record, though you get the feeling its not enough to satisfy him. The Titans fed him the ball, and he had a productive day, but failed to break the long run that he needed to catch Dickerson. Actually, he broke a long one (62 yard TD) that was called back on a hold with 10 minutes left. The game/the record pursuit could have changed considerably if that play stood.
• Cheers to the Titans for finishing 8-8 after their start to the season, the anti-Broncos.
• Matt Hasselbeck played ok, and wasn’t intercepted until the games final pass. Still, knowing how the later half of the season has gone, its kind of a fitting end.
• Most important from today’s late games: knowing we have two rematches of two blowouts this week, I can’t imagine the Cardinals or Eagles overcoming the lopsided defeats, but we shall see.

I know its the last week of the season, but I’ve finally realized that in game notes are too much for my readers, and myself to keep up with. Below are the highlights I picked up from the early games, feel free to add anything I missed.

• Jonathan Stewart started hot (67 yard score on the 2nd play from scrimmage) and delivered another strong game for the Panthers. I know Carolina is a running team, and as made evident by becoming the first team w/ two RBs over 1100 yards rushing on the season there are plenty of rushing yards to go around, but Stewart’s performance over the last two weeks brings up some workload questions for next season… so does Matt Moore’s play over the last few weeks. The Panthers really closed strong.
• Houston started strong against New England, as is their m.o. but they managed to close it out as well. Arian Foster was a huge difference maker with 2 scores and over 100 yards rushing. Matt Schaub did plenty to hold onto his league lead in passing yardage. The Texans have their first ever winning season, and a shot at the playoffs depending on how the late games pan out.
• The Wes Welker injury gives fodder to the rest your starters fire, and somewhat legitimizes Bill Polian (at least in his own mind), but I think the Patriots should be commended for giving it at least a 75% effort with their starters today. Yes, they lost, but the starters still have more momentum going forward than they would have sitting, and both conference top seeds will not have won a game in a month by the time they play. That’s nothing to get excited over.
• Kris Brown has had a terrible year. I’ll forgive the missed 56 yarder for obvious reasons, but the missed XP wasn’t even close, and the 38 yard FG is also inexcusable. Texans winning shouldn’t save his ass, IMO.
• So, after stating that the team cares nothing about milestones (not going for 16-0) and only about the safety of their players, the starting offense was left in a game w/ dangerous field positions just long enough to get Reggie Wayne and Dallas Clark 100 receptions. What is more important, 2 individual season milestones, or the shot at history.
• Lots to say about the Vikings/Giants game. Of note is that the Giants managed to clear out their lockers 3 weeks ago and no one noticed, and the Vikings made a pretty strong statement after faltering over the last month themselves. An interesting note via PFT: Adrian Peterson seems to have finally learned his lesson re: ball security. In that reference they referred to his previous attempts to hold onto the ball as if he was carrying ‘a purse full of poop’ which is probably why it stuck with me.
• Curtis Painter’s performance left alot to be desired – I guess I get why the Colts want Peyton protected. On the other hand, Ryan Fitzpatrick played pretty well despite the conditions. Bills still need QB help for ‘10 though.
• The Browns have won 4 straight to close out the year – and as per their tradition they did it with pathetic QB stats (Anderson: 7/11, 86, INT). Harrison again had a monster workload, 35 touches for 150 total yards and a score. Cribbs got into the endzone rushing as well. These two are worth keeping, Massaquoi has shown promise. Discard the rest, please.
• Brett Favre had a 20 yard run today, the stats don’t lie, I swear to God it happened. Then, senility kicked in and Favre was penalized for an illegal forward pass 20 yards down field.
• Guess who took a roughing the passer penalty against the Patriots. Bernard Pollard, I kid you not. Hoyer was in the game for the Pats, but he left his feet after the ball was gone and decked him. What a douche. Pollard later had a game changing interception off Brady.
• Cutler and the Bears closed out the season on a high note. Its pretty hard to overlook 15 weeks of misery, but the last two show some promise. Get them a number one receiver (Brandon Marshall is available) and some o-line help and this offense could be dangerous. Even with Hester back (who was no slouch this game) Aromashodu made a difference with 2 tds.
• Ryan Moats fumbled, again. He didn’t lose the ball, but you have to wonder what the next step Kubiak could take.
• Credit Pittsburgh for doing their part against the Dolphins. The defense showed some cracks late, but came up with two key turnovers as the game wound down to seal the deal. With the Texans win, however, it doesn’t look good this afternoon for them.
• The Falcons have their first back to back winning seasons in team history. If not for a tough stretch mid season they could be in consideration for the NFC playoffs. Snelling is pretty hard to tackle when he gets a full head of steam.
• It took the 49ers a while to get going, but they really cranked it up in the 4th quarter against the Rams, who win the draft lottery this year. 2 TDs for Gore and another score for Davis finishes their season’s on a strong note.

Incomplete. Went to see avatar 3d and it sold out. Missed the end of the late games.

Rams vs. Cardinals

• Its still early of course, but Tim Hightower is carrying the ball way too often (3 carries, 1 incomplete pass) for Beanie Wells owners.
• No surprise that Null started 1/5 with a pick. Good day to own the Arizona D, I think.
• Warner to Fitzgerald to start the 2nd quarter. His 12th on the year now leads the NFL.
• Doucet’s teammates were pretty happy for him on his 2nd quarter TD. (His first)
• Kurt Warner took off running for about 9 yards late in the 2nd quarter. I’m serious.
• Boldin has 100 yards receiving in the first half.
• Neither Cardinals back has carried the ball all that well, averaging around 3.3 YPC, but Hightower has a short TD to extend the Cardinals lead.

Lions vs. 49ers

• Smith going over the top to Crabtree for 50 early in this one should come as no real surprise.
• Frank Gore not really getting it going on the ground as we expected in this one. San Fran not really getting it done at all, in fact. Well, it took just one drive in the early 2nd half to change that statement. Gains of 19 (receiving) 7, 15, 6, and 0 set up a 2 yard pass from Smith to Davis, the 49ers first score.
• On the next 49er scoring drive Gore again played a major role, 48 yard reception to set up his own 1 yard touchdown.

Broncos vs. Eagles

• Westrbook’s first two carries went for 4 and 9 yards, a fair start. And he hasn’t had his bell rung yet, also a plus.
• DeSean Jackson is capable of scoring the short touchdowns as well, apparently. He has a 2 yard reception for a score early, he just doesn’t like these ones as well.
• The Broncos looked like they weren’t going to offer much resistance until their first drive of the 2nd quarter. They picked up a couple key conversions, and Orton threw the ball well, capping with an 11 yard TD to Gaffney.
• Celek’s first half 4-121-TD are his biggest output in recent weeks – in the game I sat him for Fred Davis, naturally.

Jets vs. Colts

• All the Jets have to do is win their next two to get in. The Colts present the first serious obstacle, however. Sanchez vs. Manning hardly seems fair in a must win. Maybe Manning bails early to even up.
• 7-0 Colts early after a Scott trip extends the drive. Looks like we’re on our way to the early exit.
• In Vinatieri’s first game back he had his first extra point blocked.
• Donald Brown is back in the mix for the Colts and is getting lots of work early.
• Dallas Clark has dropped a couple of balls that we are used to seeing him catch.
• The Jets started the 2nd half with a 106 yard kick return TD from Brad Smith, but as the Colts often do, they took it downfield and capped a scoring drive with a 1 yard TD from Brown, to reclaim the lead.

Bills vs. Falcons

• Matt Ryan and Roddy White seem to be back in synch vs. the Bills. The Falcons first pass led to a 42 yard White score.
• Brian Brohm has no TD passes at half, but 11/18 with one interception isn’t terrible, I suppose.
• I’m fully aware of the quality of the opponents, but the Falcons D has given up only 7 points in the last 6 quarters. Their offense looks a little better inside the dome as well.
• Falcons D even added a defensive touchdown.
• It’s too bad for the Falcons that their season is over.
• Ryan threw the ball well, only 18/35 but he had 3 touchdowns. 7 different Falcons recorded rushing stats, and Roddy White caught two scores.

Chiefs vs. Bengals

• The Bengals are taking shots again downfield this week, but so far there isn’t much vs. the Chiefs. Palmer 2/6 with an early pick.
• The Bengals finally took a 7-0 lead on an OchoCinco TD late in the 2nd quarter, but this team needs to figure out its identity. Last week vs. the Chargers they were semi-offensive… this week against the Chiefs who let Jerome Harrison and the Browns run all over them, they’re lucky to be up 7-0. It gets worse, this one was called back. 3-0.
• In the end, OchoCinco added an 8 yard score to put the Bengals up 7 and they managed to escape with the victory.
• Benson finished 29-133, no scores though. None either for Jamaal Charles who also topped 100 yards.
• Bowe had 9 catches in his 2nd game back.

Raiders vs. Browns

• After an early interception, Jerome Harrison has wasted no time in making me feel foolish for not starting him. 17 yard score to start for the Browns and he’s picking up right where he left off.
• Frye vs. Anderson is not shaping up to be the QB battle of the week.
• For those of us doubting Harrison’s workload, I’d say Mangini obliged. (to the tune of 39 carries for 148 and a score).
• Charlie Frye threw for over 300 yards, a rarity in Oakland, but was picked thrice. No one on the Raiders posted good rushing stats, against a bad rushing defense.
• The Raiders are a funny team, with a big win last week, and then a loss against one of the more disappointing teams around.

Seahawks vs. Packers

• On the Seahawks first drive Matt Hasslebeck lobbed an interception to A.J. Hawk off a playfake. Oh my gosh… another Hasslebeck turnover.
• Unlike my bullet on the Ravens/Steelers QBs Rodgers is picking up right where he left off.
• 4 rushing TDs for the Packers and 5 for running backs. Bummer for Aaron Rodgers who led many teams into the fantasy championship game.
• 38-3 Packers. Hasslebeck with 4 turnovers, marking 9+ through the last 2 games. Please, someone, talk about his disappointing play?
• Ahman Green also in on the running back fest, marking 5 rushing TDs.
• Rodgers finished just 12/23 with 1 score and 230 or so. He didn’t need to do much though. Finley and Jennings made up all but 40 of his passing yards.

Texans vs. Dolphins

• It looks like a typical game is getting underway for Schaub and Johnson. On 3 pass completions Johnson has 2 catches for 38 yards.
• On the next drive, Schaub improved to 7/7 and had a 10 yard score to Johnson on 4th and 1.
• Jones (not Walter) is also in the mix for the Texans. Schaub looked for him on the first two Texans drives and found him from 44 yards out on the 3rd.
• Arian Foster’s 17 yard touchdown run came one week too late for most of us. At 24-0 very early the Dolphins don’t look much like a playoff team.
• As the Texans often do, they coasted in the 2nd half but still came out with a 27-20 win. Arian Foster at 19-97 and a score, as mentioned above, had the breakout we were looking for last week. Ted Ginn at 5-82 had a strong game for the Dolphins, Ricky Williams finished with just 50 total yards.

Ravens vs. Steelers

• Early in this one it looks like two of last weeks king QBs (4tds and/or 503 passing yards) aren’t going to match last weeks totals. Flacco’s first pass was intercepted, and Roethlisberger is 2/7. Perhaps a shift to the defenses this week.
• After a bad snap led to a bad punt that led to good Steelers field position, a 4 yard Mendenhall score makes this a 2 score game early.
• The Heap touchdown was an appropriate response. Ray Rice is running the ball pretty well 10-54, but his lost fumble hurts the stat line.
• After Ray Rice controlled the drive and became the 1st 100 yard rusher against the Steelers in forever, Heap had his 2nd score, and its a tight one. 20-17.
• Rice is running over tacklers, and the top 3rd quarter team in the NFL has done a great job in this 3rd.
• At 20-20 Mason got himself wide open, and took the ball in the face in the end zone. Easiest touchdown he’ll ever have.
• The Steelers D came up huge when they needed them too, after a season that had been average at best. Up by 3 with 3 minutes left, a sack to knock the Ravens out of field goal range, and an interception/fumble recovery on the ensuing 4th down puts the Steelers in great position to win the game.
• While the Ravens tried their hand at a big defensive play, their game breaking interception was called back by a holding penalty.
• Mendenhall had just 36 yards rushing, but scored once, and Rice on the other side had 141 yards rushing, but was held out of the end zone.
• Neither Flacco nor Roethlisberger was all that accurate or exciting.

Panthers vs. Giants

• Manning was already looking Nicks’ way early and often in this one, and after a costly Manningham fumble as they drove for the game’s first score, that will likely remain the course of action.
• 3-0 Panthers. Manning will have to drive the field again after the fumble.
• Jonathan Stewart hadn’t been making much of his start through 1 quarter, but this Giants run D loves giving up touchdowns, and a 29 yard score makes him a very relevant starter today.
• With Matt Moore at the helm the Panthers suddenly look semi-legit. At 24-0 the Giants are looking to take all drama out of week 17 in the NFC.
• Now at 31-0 I think I’m more impressed with the Panthers than I am disappointed in the Giants, but its verry close. One of these teams had something to play for today, but you couldn’t guess who.
• After playing with such heart last week, its a bit surprising to see the Giants fall so hard. Also surprising that the Panthers have knocked off two contenders in recent weeks. Stewart’s line of 28 for 206 with 2 scores, and 16 yard receiving was a pretty good late season audition. Smith, again found the end zone as a receiver. Both Steve’s did, in fact.

Jaguars vs. Patriots

• The Patriots were moving the ball at will on their first drive against the Jaguars, both on the ground and through the air, until a Maroney fumble on the 1.
• Meriweather made a great tackle on a 3rd and short end around, just one example of the young guys on this defense gelling as the season moves along. After this play, Jacksonville Belichicked for it on 4th and 2 from their own 35ish, and Jones-Drew was stone walled.
• Meriweather then added a 57 yard interception return…
• Brady to Baker to start the 2nd half and its 14 zip Patriots.
• Brady to Moss again 28-0. As a Pats fan I’m happy, as a championship hopeful facing the double dip, not so much.
• Moss has the TDs but before the end of the 3rd quarter Welker has 12-119. 12 catches!
• Repeat above re: double dip after Moss’s 3rd TD. Bless Del-Rio for trying, but it looked good to me.
• This game was vintage Brady: 23/26, 267 4 Tds. Moss had the 3 scores, Welker 13 catches for 138, and much to the disdain of those who started Maroney: Morris had the yardage and the score, while Maroney fumbled away his chance.

Buccaneers vs. Saints

• Pierre Thomas has the Saints first touchdown, and fantasy owners are perplexed. You never know what to do with the Saints backfield. 7-0.
• Darren Sharper has another pick. He only took this one 21 yards though, not to the house.
• In an equally unpredictable Saints pass offense, Meachem has an early 30 yard TD.
• Um…. on a 46 yard Barth field goal in overtime the Bucs just beat the Saints. I’d been saying all season they weren’t perfect. At this point, its now redundantly so.
• Aside from a Colston lost fumble the Saints didn’t really do anything wrong. Hartley missed a field goal, but still, they ran well (not often) and passed well. Cadillac was the difference for the Bucs, and a 77 yard punt return TD also helps.

Patriots vs. Bills

• Announcers just made a joke about not being able to recognize Richie Incognito, haha.
• The Bills are running all over the Wilforkless Patriots on their first drive.
• Randy Moss has been overtly interfered with on more than one occasion deep. He’s definitely showing effort, however. He then made a GREAT catch for a touchdown at the start of the 2nd quarter. He’s showing up.
• Maroney has a short TD for the Pats, after being stuffed twice near the goal line.
• At half the Bills are still winning the rushing battle, but trail by 11. Brady is just 5/10 for 68 with 1 TD and 1 pick. Important for the Pats though is that the TD went to Moss.
• Tom Brady is getting hammered in this game.
• After another short Chris Hanson kick the Bills started a fourth quarter drive deep in Patriots territory and managed to score on an 11 yard pass to Evans. 17-10.
• The Pats did a great job closing out this uneventful game, as Maroney handled the rock as he had most of the day.
• Brady and Welker were unexciting, Maroney’s 23 for 81 and a score were pretty strong. The Bills couldn’t run the ball in the 2nd half, and Terrell Owens was a non-factor.

Browns vs. Chiefs

• Succop and Dawson are tied 3-3 early. Of note: Jamaal Charles has just 3 carries for 7 yards. Dwayne Bowe has an early catch for 10, but Chambers has the longer (31) grabs.
• I was about to write that Cribbs’ impact so far was negligable. A 100 yard kick return TD changes that.
• Chris Chambers has defied my expectations for him, apparently benefiting from extra attention paid to Dwayne Bowe. 3 catches for 79 and a score (two long grabs) before half.
• Charles, as expected, broke out of his early doldrums with a 47 yard touchdown score.
• There was a defensive touchdown scored by the Chiefs at the end of the 2nd half. Boxscore reads ambiguously. Apparently the Browns aborted a punt, took it to the opponents one, only to fumble and have it go 101 yards the other way? Sounds like a play worth watching… too bad no one watches Browns vs. Chiefs. Upon watching the replay it was just a missed snap on a punt, recovered by the Chiefs in the opponents end zone. Thanks, nfl.com.
• Immediately after this Josh Cribbs had his 2nd 100+ yard Kickoff return for a score. This sounds like a backyard game.
• 24-20 Chiefs at half. The Browns have done nothing on offense (though note: Harrison surprisingly leads with 12 carries and 73 yards) yet somehow have 20 points on the board. Charles goes into half with 116 total yards and a score.
• Harrison’s 3rd quarter score gives him 150 total yards and the touchdown. No one saw that coming. He added another and has 214 yards rushing and 2 scores with lots of time left.
• For two of the last three weeks the Browns are in the league’s most exciting game. 34-34 as Bradley makes a late TD reception to get the Chiefs tied.
• Very fittingly Harrison sealed it with his 3rd! TD run of the day. 41-34 Browns win their 2nd straight.
• Matt Cassel played the best game I remember him playing for the Chiefs: 22/40, 331, 2TDs. Chris Chambers also played his top game: 5-114-TD. Bowe had 4-56 in his return, and Jamaal Charles was predictably awesome.
• Harrison had 298 total yards and 3 touchdowns. Quinn did nothing exciting.

Falcons vs. Jets

• Chris Redman filled in admirably, but the Falcons look like a better team with him in the game – and Ryan looks like a more polished QB.
• Michael Turner had one carry for 7 and then Jason Snelling took over. He’s out of the game, presumably for good.
• As expected, the Falcons secondary has surrendered another long touchdown. This one: Braylon Edwards for 65 yards.
• After watching Ryan go 3 for his first 10, perhaps my earlier assertion was made a bit too soon.
• Kellen Clemens bobbled the snap on a short field goal in the 2nd quarter, and the Falcons held. The Jets managed to miss another short field goal as time expired in the half, and its just 7-3.
• In a trend in this game, and in the Falcons season down 7-3 early in the 4th Bryant missed from 48.
• THE FALCONS BLOCKED A JETS KICK MAKING 3 JETS MISSES AND FOUR IN THE GAME.
• As expected, Roddy White did little with Revis covering him, but made a key 16 yard reception on 3rd and 9 with the Falcons down 4 and 2 minutes left (covered by Strickland). The 15 yard facemask made this a bigger play.
• On 4th and 6 Matt Ryan hit Tony Gonzalez for the touchdown with 1:38 remaining, erasing an incredible effort by the Jets defense.
• Atlanta closed it out with an interception of Sanchez with about a minute remaining.
• Overall, a gritty performance from Ryan 16/34 for 152 and the important score.
• Braylon Edwards eclipsed 100 yards and a score.

Texans vs. Rams

• In an effort to toy with fantasy owners, Chris Brown got the Texans first carry in this game. He went for 2. The next two went to Arian Foster, with one nice rush for 6, then one that fell short on 3rd and 2. Ryan Moats took the next carry and went nowhere on 4th and 1, and its an interesting start in the Teans backfield. Looks like they gave him the spot, but still, a lesson in futility.
• Foster then managed to lose a fumble on a reception, and my fantasy team may have just lost 2 playoff matchups.
• Ryan Moats had both carries on the next Texans drive.
• Andre Johnson and Matt Schaub have the deep ball perfected. Two of their first three connections were for 30+.
• At half he has 4 catches and 110 yards. The Texans surprisingly trail the Rams, and though Null has had some trouble holding onto the ball, he’s not doing all too bad. 10/14, 83, and a score.
• Uh-oh. Matt Schaub just fumbled. Bring in the backup.
• The Texans came away with the win, Schaub threw for a ton of yardage (367) but only one TD, and Johnson had 190+ yards receiving. Moats carried the ball 13 times for 46 yards, and Arian Foster rotted on the bench. He will not sleep well tonight.
• Steven Jackson’s 120 total yards were admirable, all things considered.

Dolphins vs. Titans

• Chris Johnson’s awareness and vision are apparent every time he touches the ball.
• Johnson and Williams have both put the ball on the ground early. The difference is that CJ goes for 10+ yards every carry.
• Johnson has 112 total yards at half, good news for his pursuit of various all time records, and Young is less than 50% passing but has 2 scores.
• Ricky Williams has eclipsed 1000 yards rushing this year, 6 years after his last 1000 yard season.
• In his typical fashion, Nate Washington has just one catch, for 32 yards and a score.
• Ricky Williams 1 yd TD run came on a direct snap.
• Admirable effort from the Dolphins fighting for their playoff lives going 90 yards and capping w/ a Fasano score and a 2PC from Ricky Williams. 24-24, the Dolphins trailed by 18 at one point.
• The Titans failed to get the yardage for a field goal on the next play, but got a great bounce on a punt to pin the Dolphins at their own 2.
• Griffin made a huge interceptions for the Titans in overtime, and, impressively, he showed the presence of mind to go down, rather than try to make something of the return.
• Bironas nailed a long field goal in overtime: 27-24, and both teams are at 7-7. So are the Jets, and Texans. Lets see what the Ravens do.
• Chris Johnson failed to really pile it on late, with all his carries, 29-104 + 55 receiving. Young passed for 3 tds.
• Henne passed for 349 yards, but 3 interceptions. Williams was 19-80-TD-FL.

Cardinals vs. Lions

• Through the first quarter Beanie wells has 7 touches. Hightower has 0. Fitzgerald has a touchdown reception from 1 yard.
• Tim Hightower’s 2nd touchdown was a one yarder poached from Wells to put the Cardinals up 17-0.
• Hightower closed out the half and I’m a little concerned that Wells was hurt and I missed it. Warner is 13/19 for 130 and a score to Fitzgerald (his only catch, 1 yard) but lost a fumble.
• Culpepper has not impressed, 50% and an interception.
• Wells is back carrying the ball after half, though Hightower had the first carry.
• Perhaps unsurprisingly Drew Stanton relieved Culpepper at half. Certainly unsurpisingly, he has fared no better.
• The Cardinals and Lions traded interceptions in the 3rd. It looked bad for the Lions as the Cardinals started the drive in their red zone, but a 100 yard interception return TD sure helps.
• The Lions offense had been pretty quiet up to this point, but with a 64 yard Morris TD run its suddenly a 3 point game.
• On the next Lions drive Arizona’s Robinson took consecutive unsportsmanlike penalties for 30 yards.
• Beanie Wells’ 18 yard TD may have saved Arizona’s day, and definitely saved fantasy owners who made the leap to start him based on the matchup with the Lions.
• Determined to give the game away, however, Stephens-Howling, who had recovered a Lions fumble earlier, muffed a catch and gave the Lions the ball in the red zone. Arizona would make a key 4th and 1 stop at their own 8 to stop the Lions from scoring, however.
• Warner to Boldin for a 5 yard score makes it 31-24.

Excitement was very much the scene early for the Jaguars offense, but things fizzled in the 4th quarter in their Week 15 loss to the Colts.

The Jaguars could have accomplished two impressive feats last night. One, ending the Colts (a division rival) run for perfection and two, taken control of their own playoff destiny. They accomplished neither, unfortunately.

As so often is the case (7 times this season) Peyton led the Colts on a 4th quarter comeback and the defense accomplished what it couldn’t do all night – force punts and turnovers, to allow the Colts to stay ahead. Manning’s 65 yard TD pass to Reggie Wayne was an impressive exploitation of coverage, and put the Colts up for good. (I’d like to note that this play was semi-vindication, in my eyes, for the 4th and 2 playcall by Belichick weeks ago).

Early in the game, I was prepared to write a retraction article on a) my beliefs that the Jaguars weren’t a playoff team and b) my assertion that Maurice Jones-Drew was being overworked. Following the game, I’m not feeling so high anymore.

Yes, the Jags played pretty well to hang with an opponent that hasn’t lost to anyone – including some very formidable opponents – this year, but if you hang with them all game, only to give up a crushing blow, does it matter? Playoff teams find a way to lock down those close games, and find a way to score when trailing by 4 with two possessions inside the last 7 minutes, the Jags did not, and now must win out, and hope for a little  help (actually, looking @ 10-6 tiebreakers they need a fair bit of help) to make the AFC wild card, rather than guarantee themselves a spot.

As for Jones-Drew he had two TDs, 199 all purpose yards, and was a major factor in why the Jaguars were even close. Watching him run in the first half was impressive, I don’t remember a single carry that didn’t result in 5+ yards. MJD went into the half with 14 carries for 73 yards (5.2 YPC). However – though this has as much, or more to do with defensive adjustments the Colts made at halftime – his 2nd half production was nowhere near the first, and probably is a significant reason why the Jags couldn’t hang on to this one. They controlled the clock in the first half thanks to MJD’s dominance, and were unable to keep the potent Colts offense off the field in the 2nd half when they needed to most. His 2nd half numbers 13 carries for 37 (2.8 YPC) were not near enough to put his team in position to win, and I contend that MJD is getting tired, earlier in games, it would seem.

In no way am I slighting the phenomenal RB either, his 1600 total yards and 16 TDs through 14 games is massively impressive… but I wonder if with a handful fewer carries each game, he wouldn’t have very comparable numbers and a fresher set of legs. Food for thought…

Rams vs. Titans

• After being ignored on the Titans first possesion, Chris Johnson showed why my fantasy team is in trouble despite a 90+ point lead after the early games, with a 39 yard rushing score.
• Repeat above quote after Johnson scores a receiving touchdown from 66. By all account he should have been stopped after about 3 yards, then definitely after 11, and the Rams just let him go. Betcha his rushing record hopes would like those to be rush yards rather than receiving, however.
• As I suggested pregame, the Rams weak run D was good for Young’s legs as well, he proved this with a 44 yard run in the 2nd quarter. Unfortunately, he’s now out with an apparent hamstring issue, and his return is questionable.
• In relief, Collins completed his first pass to Crumpler, and everyone got excited. Then after Johnson was stuffed for 1 yard he missed two receivers on 2nd and 3rd down in the red zone and the Titans settle for a field goal. It’s 17 zip though, I think we’re good here.
• Just as I was ready to say Rams Rookie QB Null was having a pretty good game, he looked for Steven Jackson over the middle and very gingerly thew a pass into the arms of Keith Bullock. Jackson was knocked down, but that one was giftwrapped.
• The holes Chris Johnson is getting are enormous – though, with Kerry Collins in the game they may be shrinking.
• The announcers for CBS just called Kerry Collins the best backup QB in the league. I can’t really think of anyone to top him off the top of my head, but really?
• Null was picked again shortly after, and it led to a Titans field goal to close the half.
• (I thought a little more about the Collins best backup QB comment… they might be right :S that’s a sad state of affairs)
• As you watch the Titans play the Rams (i know they’re just the Rams) can you believe this is the same team that lost 59-0 to the Pats?
• Just when it looked like Chris Johnson was going to be contained by the Titans, he’s in for his 3rd score of the afternoon, from 4 yards out.
• In about the only thing that has gone right for the Rams today, Darby took a direct snap on a fake punt to end the 3rd quarter and went for 52 yards on 4th and 6.
• The Rams would complete another 4th down conversion (Null to McMichael) for a score. 33-7…..
• Chris Johnson (I get he’s chasing records) was in this game too long. Then the Rams Ryan almost took a penalty for driving him out of bounds – I think its bullcrap, he just drove him towards the sideline – but the Titans threw a fit on the sidelines … I’d be going after my coach if I was the Titans’ players.
• Nate Washington’s 33 yard catch was indeed a catch – and kind of a stupid challenge by Steve Spagnulo (who had nothing to lose)… I haven’t seen the play yet, but I’m fearful it set up TD #4 for Johnson. I’m a huge fan, and am basically just pissed because I face him in the fantasy playoffs this week – but how can Lendale White have 0 carries in this game – it ain’t make no sense.
• Further, the Titans up 33-7 just went for it on 4th and 1 at the goal line. Spagnulo is pissed. I concur.
• With a 46 yard interception return TD from Fuller the Titans are in the running for most lopsided victory of the day – lookout Lions, you might not be the worst. 46-7.
• On Russell’s next play he was sacked again and did his best to lost a fumble. Oakland recovered, however.
• Null ended with 157 yards and 5 picks, Steven Jackson had only 47 yards rushing.
• Chris Johnson had 117 rushing, 69 receiving and 3 scores. Collins did alright in relief of Young (11/19-154-TD). Young was 6/8 132, TD and had the 44 yard rush.

Redskins vs. Raiders

• Darren McFadden has a 43 yard reception from Gradkowsi, there was talk about the Raiders desperately seeking  a  big play from him, this looks like a good start.
• Fred Davis is in the endzone again for the Redskins, as he continues to do a great Chris Cooley impression.
• Gradkowski is doing a fair job replicating his week 13 effort. 7/10 for 124 and after a Justin Fargas td run on 4th down the Raiders lead 10-7.
• Davis had another score to make it 17-10 Redskins before half. You have to be impressed with Campbell’s 9/16 and 2 TDs to this point.
• At the end of the half Gradkowski left the game with a knee injury, and we are seeing part 2 of the Jamarcus Russell experience much earlier than I expected. Things were going ok for Russell, but it didn’t take long for four straight negative plays to raise their ugly head. Sack, penalty, penalty, sack, punt.
• Quinton Ganther hadn’t been doing anything overly impressive today, but with a 1 yard score he now has a TD and is near 100 total yards.
• After a Russell interception (gasp!) Ganther added another 1 yard plunge, and with Kevin Smith’s injury this week I’m feeling like I should have added him this week, because he’ll get plucked off waivers next….
• Things fell apart, completely when Russell came in the game. Not all of it was his fault, but he finished 10/16 for 74 with the pick, and was sacked 4 times.
• McFadden had 100 total yards there were no other Raider noteworthies.
• Ganther and Davis each had 50 yards in their respective categories (Ganther added 43 receiving) and 2 scores. Campbell played pretty well against a tough pass D.

Chargers vs. Cowboys

• LT continues to put points on the board for the Chargers, after a Cowboys pass interference penalty set up the Chargers on the 3 or 4, LT showed quickness getting in on 2 tries. 7-3 after each team’s first possession.
• Marion Barber is running hard, but the Chargers are doing well to stop him on short yardage in near their own endzone. 3 straight stops from inside the 3 yard line, but they all looked TD worthy to me. (In fact, I think either of the last two were challengable).
• On 4th and goal they gave it to him again. This time he was stuffed for sure. The Cowboys drove the ball right down the field, but just gave away 7 points.
• Cowboys had another one gift wrapped after an interception, but the Chargers D came up big and Nick Folk missed a 42 yard field goal. He has got to be taken off the kick unit. Cowboys give up 3 more.
• At  10 minutes remaining in the 3rd quarter an interesting stat flashed across the screen: last 20 Cowboys plays (16 rushes [including the 4 Barber stuffs] and 4 incompletions). Romo then was almost picked on his own 8 yard line.
• Great fake Romo to Barber and Miles Austin is in the endzone to make it 10-10. Austin is pumped, Romo pumped, Jerry Jones was super pumped. Should have seen the celebration.
• In more  Jerry Jones news, he looked super, genuinely upset when Demarcus Ware was laying on the field after jamming his neck against another player early in the 4th quarter. Looked like a painful play, but it seems like there isn’t going to be any long term damage here. We’re wishing Ware a speedy recovery.
• Antonio Gates has another impressive game – the go ahead TD in the 4th quarter, after a mostly quiet afternoon.
• The Cowboys are in trouble in the NFC playoff race – particularly if New York beats Philly tonight. The 3 way tie hurts them worse than losing the division lead. They made it 20-17 but the game was long over.
• Felix Jones rushed well 10-51, and Barber, aside from the 4 failed rushes posted decent number as well.
• Austin’s 6-71-TD marks another impressive day for the young receiver.
• Tomlinson rushed 21 times for 50 yards and the score – which wasn’t that impressive (2.4 YPC) but late in the game when the Chargers were running to kill the clock, he was consistently making gains against a Cowboys D that sold out to stop him.

Ray Rice, Andre Johnson, Brandon Marshall, were just some of the huge individual stat lines from the early games. Rice gets photo service because he potsed his numbers in only 30 minutes of work. (Photo AP)

Saints vs. Falcons

• The Redman led Falcons are doing a good job of moving the ball against the Saints early. Looks like they would prefer field goals to touchdowns at this point though, which might not help will kill you against the Saints.
• As expected, the Saints took the field goal and countered with a touchdown. Reggie Bush has it as a receiver, and the Saints backfield continues to confuse in terms of fantasy production.
• Brees @ half: 2 incompletions, 212 yards, 2 Tds.
• At the start of the 2nd half Reggie Bush has his 2nd TD catch.
• Roddy White has been conspicuously absent from the boxscore, (I’m looking but can’t see if he was injured anywhere?!) but Michael Jenkins is picking up the slack. A 50 yard score on a pass from Redman and the Falcons are within 1 TD.
• The next drive the Falcons scored again on a 4yd Snelling run, and we’re all tied up in ATL.
• After the Falcons D did well to hold the Saints to a field goal, Roddy White finally showed up on my boxscore (as in Chris Redman pass intended for Roddy White intercepted). This one gave the Saints great field position, starting at the Atlanta 32. It’s ok though, the Saints felt like gambling and went for it on 4th down instead of taking another field goal, and the Falcons red zone D held.
• Atlanta then put together a pretty impressive drive, but fell 1 yard short on a 4th down pass, and the Saints ran out the clock on another narrow win.
• Redman had a strong stat line 303, 1 td, 1 pick, and he certainly didn’t lose this one for Atlanta. Brees had 3 TDs and 296 passing yards.

Lions vs. Ravens

• Rice broke a 52 yarder on the Ravens first series to quickly put the Ravens in the red zone. Rice then factored in the next three Ravens plays: no gain, 2 yards, 6 yard catch and fumble lost in the Lions end zone. For some reason fantasy scoring seems incapable of handling this. Yahoo sports thus far is treating it like he lost 10 points on the play, somehow, and NFL.com decided to forget the fumble.
• On the strength of a 62 yard reception where Derrick Mason scored a TD despite being looking pretty seriously hurt (he ran a ton of yards after the collision) the Ravens have an early 10-0 lead.
• Rice broke another 50+ yarder before the end of the half and has a 59 yard TD for the Ravens who are ‘running’ away with this one.
• To close out the pass, following an interception of Culpepper Rice added 15 on the ground, 30 through the air, a 3 yard rush to the 2, a run for no gain, and watched a Flacco pass fall incomplete in the endzone. He has touched the ball only 13 times and has 200 total yards.
• Being overshadowed by Rice’s strong performance, is a fairly impressive rushing output from Kevin Smith. The Lions are feeding him tons of work, but just past halftime he has 19 rushes for 79 yards.
• Looks like Rice has been shut down extremely early in this one, and McClain and McGahee are splitting the work. All 3rbs have touchdowns before the end of the 3rd quarter. Actually, McGahee has 2.
• 48-3 was the final, nothing to see from the Lions, and the gist of it for the Ravens was if you owned any of their RBs you were a happy fantasy owner.

Packers vs. Bears

• In another long play to start the game Ryan Grant broke off a 62 yard run to put the Packers up 7-0.
• Packers have increased the lead to 13-0 and they are doing it on the ground, Rodgers had only 9 passes by the time the team had 15 rushes.
• At half Cutler is 10/17 for 1 TD (Knox) and 1 int. He’s outstatting Rodgers, I don’t think anyone would have predicted that.
• Greg Lewis does a poor Percy Harvin impression.
• The Bengals are doing a GREAT job getting pressure on Favre.
• Just as Rodgers was driving to help my fantasy team (he’s got 81 yards and no scores at half) Jermichael Finley lost a fumble. Rodgers and Finley have had good chemistry lately, and I expect them to continue to hook up. More importantly, this fumble cost the Packers a first half closing field goal, and kept the Bears within 1 score.
• To start the 2nd half, Rodgers himself lost a fumble as the Packers were driving for another score. The Bears moved the ball well down field and a 10 yard pass from Cutler to his new favourite target (Aromashodu?) has the Bears in the lead.
• Another week, another multi-interception game for Cutler. The Packers turned this into another score… but Rodgers, king of multitouchdown games, lost the TD to Ryan Grant from the 1. His 2nd. Kindly, my fantasy team was rewarded with a 2 point conversion pass from Rodgers.
• The Packers held on for the win here, 21-14 on the strength of Ryan Grants big day (20-137-2 TDs). Rodgers had a good enough day, 16/24 for 180 but lost the fumble and was kept out of the end zone.
• Forte only got to run a dozen times but actually posted a decent average against a tough d (12-50). Knox and Aromshodu had big days with Hester out.

Seahawks vs. Texans

• Schaub shed the injury fears, and he and Johnson helped my fantasy playoff team just one play into the game, hooking up for a 64 yard td.
• After 1 quarter and some change the Texans have a 24-0 lead, Johnson has 7 catches 135 and 2 scores. I’m guessing the Texans would have liked this last week, but you never know, they could make something of their season yet. Schaub is playing like he wants the rest of the day off.
• At half Schaub has 300 yards and Johnson 10 catches for 185.
• The Texans have even added a defensive touchdown off a pick, and are getting it done in all facets. This gave them a 34-7 lead and they coasted from there. Schaub didn’t exceed his 600 pass yard pace set at half, but 365 and 2 scores was a good day for the Texans in a statement game. Chris Brown got a lousy 3 carries, as most of the backfield work went to Ryan Moats. Johnson was a monster, 11 catches, 193, 2 Tds.
• Not much doin’ on the Seahawks side of things.

Broncos vs. Colts

• The Colts mascot is a really goofily shaped horse, awkward looking like he might fall at any time – but he made a great catch off a bounce on a throw Manning misfired into the endzone.
• The Colts players are doing ok catching the ball as well. Manning led a clinic of an 80 yard drive, capping it by finding Austin Collie in the end zone on 3rd and goal.
• 2 more Clark TDs and in the first quarter and a half Peyton has 3 TDs. The Broncos have 0. So much for a threat to the perfect season.
• It’s now 21-7 as Brandon Marshall is having the week that everyone expected, but that’s a big gap for the Broncos to close.
• After starting with those 3 TDs Manning has been picked twice on deflections by Dawkins. Broncos aren’t doing all that much with great field position off the turnovers though (after the 2nd the Broncos put together a good drive, and Orton – who had been really accurate previously, threw a pick in the direction of Marshall on the goal line).
• Manning’s 3rd interception again set up the Broncos with great field position, but mustered only a field goal.
• Remember when I said Marshall was having the game everyone expected? I don’t think anyone expected a 20 catch 190 yard 2 TD performance… there’s still 10 minutes left, Broncos trail by 5.
• Dallas Clark’s 3rd TD all but put this one out of reach.
• Marshall got the NFL record for receptions (21) but the Broncos fell short. Congrats to their defense for their 2nd half play, however.
• Marshall’s final line: 21-200-2TD. The running games on both sides lacked luster but Addai was over 100 TY with 5 catches for 49. Wayne was shut down pretty well by the Broncos, as some pundits predicted (4-43).

Dolphins vs. Jaguars

• Though its early, Ricky Williams looks ready to post a solid stat line for the ‘Fins. He’s got 29 yards and a 1 yard TD to prove it.
• MJD is being shut down again early. I’m telling you, the guy is tired. Not ripping his production, but he’s had too much workload. Having said that, the Dolphins took a penalty and handed him a 1 yard TD run (took him 2 tries though).
• Nothing happened in the 2nd half here, but the Dolphins held on to win 14-10.
• MSW was a non factor, as no one expected him to be healthy enough to play anyway. MJD did ok, Garrard had a very bland statline but didn’t turn it over.
• Henne was 21/29 for 220 a rushing score, and an interception. Williams went over 100 and scored. Camarillo had 7 catches and went over 100 receiving yards.

Bills vs. Chiefs

• Matt Schaub completed his first 15/19 passes, and is playing as efficient as I remember this year.
• However, the Bills have a Fitzpatrick to Owens scoring strike and lead early. Jamaal Charles has about 70 total yards with lots of time left in the half.
• To start the 2nd half the Bills looked primed to take a 17-3 lead after intercepting Cassel deep in his own end, but Fitzpatrick was picked off in the end zone and the Chiefs avoid dropping further behind. Jackson and Lynch are both running well for Buffalo.
• Charles was playing well before he had his 76 yard touchdown – afterwards, he adds to another huge day for running backs.
• Jairus Byrd picked up another interception.
• The Bills rushed for 200 yards, the Chiefs just 150 but Buffalo had only 84 yards passing to KCs 224. Still the Bills held on for the victory.
• 120 plus total yards from Fred Jackson helped. Chris Chambers caught 4 balls for 50 yards in his last hurrah with Dwayne Bowe out, but a desperation pass headed his way with time expiring left the Chiefs short.

Bengals vs. Vikings

• No real surprises but the Minnesota defense is handling the Bengals run game early.
• Just after the announcers were ripping the Bengals for a suspect illegal contact call, Visanthe Shiancoe threw a mean headbutt at a Bengals defender and could have cost the Vikes 15 – no worries, Jonathan Joseph offset with an unnecessary roughness of his own.
• Well, Brett Favre has been picked off again early. I still don’t buy it, but maybe something to the unraveling talk.
• Later in the 2nd quarter Favre and the horn-blowers are looking much more composed, and an impressive drive w/ 44 rushing yards from Peterson and a scoring grab from Rice has them up 10-0.
• I don’t know where the Bengals hid Chad OchoCinco on his 15 yard TD reception, but he was uncovered coming off the line, and went unopposed in for the score.
• Peterson’s TD over the top of the pile was beautiful. He’s bouncing back from last week’s performance.
• Chad OchoCinco was on the receiving end of one of the worst hits (at least live, it wasn’t that bad on replay) I’ve ever seen in the NFL trying to make a one handed grab. He bounced up faster than I expected though, and got in the face of Cedric Griffin who ended up with a 15 yard unnecessary roughness call.
• This one felt a lot closer than the 30-10 final, but the Bengals never really had a shot.
• Peterson had 130 total yards and 2 scores. Berrian led a quiet Vikings pass attack with 4-43. Rice scored the TD.
• Carson Palmer was 15/25 for 94 and a score, and something is seriously wrong with the Bengals o-line/pass attack.
• Benson had a lighter work load, but still produced 96 yards rushing on 16 carries.

Panthers vs. Patriots

• Tom Brady is ailing worse than we realized. 7/14, interception, no deep completions and the Pats are in trouble against the Panthers.
• Moore and Smith have hooked up on a 41 yard strike (another deep TD given up in New England) but he’s only 3/10.
• The run game is doing its part for New England though, as Maroney does the heavy lifting and Faulk has a 3 yard TD. 7-7.
• Nothing going right for the Pats. As they looked pretty good coming out of half, getting back to old-tyme Belichick football (running the ball well, passing when necessary) but Sammy Morris lost a fumble deep in Panthers territory and its still 7-7.
• Wes Welker has his 3rd consecutive 100 reception season. This is just his 11th game this season. He’s a huge part of the Patriots success. On the Patriots 3rd quarter scoring drive Brady targeted Welker (The only Patriot to catch a ball) 5 times and completed all 5, before finally finding Ben Watson in the end zone on his 6th pass. I don’t get the game on TV, but I can’t understand how the Panthers failed to cover Welker.
• DeAngelo Williams’ first 10 rushes have gone for 79 yards, yet somehow the Panthers aren’t feeding him the ball more.
• All things considered, Brady’s final 19/32 192-TD-INT performance was pretty impressive. Maroney and Welker each had 100 total yards, though neither scored.
• DeAngelo Williams needs more carries, period. 13-82 vs. Stewart’s 7-29.  Matt Moore completed 50% for about 200 and continued to prove that he’s no worse than Jake Delhomme. Steve Smith (2-83-TD) agrees.

Jets vs. Buccaneers

• Freeman’s interception woes continue early this week as he’s thrown 2 passes and 1 pick against a tough Jets pass D.
• This one, as expected, is a bit of a snoozer. Freeman is being well handled and is 2 out of his first 8 for 12 yards. Surprisingly, the Jets can neither run nor pass, and aren’t making much of a strong defensive performance, settling for 3 field goals.
• Nervmind, Thomas Jones heard me. Minutes after I posted this he capped an impressive drive with a 33 yard TD run.
• It was a long time before Freeman was intercepted again, but it was a big one, with a 52 yard Revis return that set up a 7 yard Jones touchdown. Jets are walking away.
• This one was lopsided the whole way, and the Jets finished with a 26-3 win. Freeman threw for 93 yards and 3 picks. The Bucs had just 3 first downs.
• Bryant had the game everyone expected vs. Revis. 20 some receiving yards, fumble lost.
• Jones rushed 24 times for 99 yards and 2 scores. Clemens was no better than Sanchez in his relief (12/23, 111).