The other game I got right? Regrettably, the Dolphins. Here's an excerpt from yesterday's Sunday Smash:
I think the Jets pull it out very, very late. Think about Ronnie Brown's touchdown with under ten seconds left to win the last matchup. Shonn Greene does the same and sends the Jet fans home happy, though with minor heart palpitations.
The Jets had the ball, down by 5, inside the 10-yard line with just a minute to go! Forget the ridiculous and absurd nature from which the Dolphins scored. Forget that if the Jets simply kicked extra points instead of failing two 2-point conversions, they could have simply kicked a field goal for overtime. The Jets were on the brink of not only winning the game in remarkable fashion, but making me a prognosticating genius! What if ESPN was dialing my number as the Jets were driving, about to hire me for their Experts Pick Section? What a terrible way to lose. But this is what we signed up for when we became Jets fans. After 3-0 and on top of the world, it's 4-4 at their bye. We will have a 'State of the Jets' midseason report some point next week.
On to the Giants for a moment. Admittedly, the Jets game was on my TV and I only flipped to Giants-Eagles during commercials. What I saw was eerily similar to what we all saw the two previous games. The Giants have been completely exposed. Ever since safety Kenny Phillips suffered his injury, the G-Men cannot cover anyone in the secondary. Granted, the Saints and Cardinals are known for their high-powered aerial attacks. But the Eagles, in a rivalry game, without Brian Westbrook, putting up 40? Three touchdowns of 40 yards or more. Sure, Eli didn't help with those flutters across the middle, but the secondary looks to be in absolute shambles moving forward. But give credit to Philly. 40 points, and no one rushed or caught for over 100 yards. That there is balance. The Giants are looking awfully forward to their bye in 2 weeks. First they host San Diego next week. They aren't too shabby throwing the ball, either. Here's the rest from week 8.
The Montauk BeverageWorks Delicious Performance of the Week:
Chris Johnson, Titans. A couple of factors went into this one. First off, the dude ran for 230 yards and 2 touchdowns, getting the Titans their elusive first victory. Second, Johnson performed well enough for this distinction earlier in the season, but was just barely beaten out by a Frank Gore performance. Third, Brett Favre was going to get the award, but he already won it this season. No repeats. So congrats to Johnson, maybe not the best all-around running back in the league. But in this man's eyes, the scariest as far as taking any run for a touchdown.
- Speaking of Favre...what else is left to say? Throws for 250 yards and 4 touchdowns. But believe it or not, he's not the main reason the Vikings won. Aaron Rodgers met him blow for blow for the Packers. He threw for more yards than Favre, and was even the leading rusher for the Packers in the game. Nine guys caught a pass. No, Favre wasn't what set Minnesota apart. It was rookie Percy Harvin, and that gaudy 35-yard average on kickoff returns. He put the Vikings in a position to do damage every time he brought one back. In a game that was so even throughout, this was the difference.
- The Ravens escorted the Broncos back down to earth this week. It will be interesting to see how Denver responds to this. Sure, they started 6-0, but after that hot start they stand just 2 games ahead of San Diego in the division. Throw in the fact that the Broncos still face the Chargers one more time, and Denver may be feeling some heat sooner rather than later. Their first chance at a rebound is pretty darn tough--hosting the defending-champion Steelers next Monday night.
- Devin Hester caught 7 passes yesterday. That doesn't seem too impressive. But on the other side, quarterback Derek Anderson completed 6 passes total for the Browns. The Rams and Titans both won yesterday, so that is 2 less teams the Browns can say they are 'better than' based on their 1-7 record. The only team left? 0-7 Tampa Bay. But the Browns beat the Bills, who beat the Jets, who beat the Pats, who beat the Ravens, who beat the Broncos, who beat the Bengals, who beat the Steelers. So maybe they're among the top teams in the AFC. Who am I to judge?
- One last word on the Upset Perfiction. The Panthers won the game (and put up 34 points) with Jake Delhomme completing 7 passes for 90 yards. Perhaps now they have realized that their team is running and defense. Their well-roundedness is what made them a division champ last year, and what may salvage their season this year.
- Rams-Lions was a fun game! Check out these highlights! The fake field goal at 1:33 of the clip makes these kind of games entertaining. The series of events starting at 0:50 of the clip makes these kind of games legendary.
- Reilly Sports Blog playoff hopefuls Houston and Dallas put up impressive performances against teams against some gross competition. These games are connected though, as Dallas quarterback Tony Romo and Houston running back Steve Slaton are the focal points of the blog's fantasy team. One was good, one is in deep trouble. We will get to this topic more in-depth in the middle of the week.
- Peyton Manning threw for 350 yards, yet no touchdowns. Reggie Wayne caught a touchdown pass though. That's not something you see everyday. Running back Joseph Addai chucked one to Wayne as Indy stayed undefeated against the Niners.
- It's the 4-2 Falcons visiting the 6-0 Saints on Monday Night Football tonight. ESPN is praying for either the Phils or Yanks to put up a 10-spot in the early innings so they can maybe have some viewers. In any case, look for the Saints to prevail, 27-16.
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