National Football Post Diner News

13    Oct 2008

QUOTE :  “When you want to win a game, you have to teach. When you lose a game, you have to learn.”  Tom Landry

SOME GAME OBSERVATIONS AND QUESTIONS

1. I loved that the first play for the Tampa Bay Bucs on offense was their longest pass play of the year.  They averaged 8.65 yards per attempt yesterday and they tried to make plays up the field. 
2. The Bucs/Panthers game from the Panthers standpoint is one of those games that you have to admit on that day, the Bucs were the better team and the game was never really close.  The Panthers are going to have to throw it to run it the next time.  The Bucs defense has the best run schemes of any defense and might and be the best in the NFL. 
3. I thought Colts wide receiver Marvin Harrison looked like his old self and was very impressive with his lateral quickness.  With the Ravens missing two corners, the Colts took advantage of the situation. 
4. Nice to see Peyton Manning admit that he had a SECOND surgery to the CBS people, as we first reported back in August. 
5. I don’t know what to make of the Rams beating the Skins.  It will be the first tape I watch this week as Jim Haslett clearly had his team prepared to play.  They managed the game very well and from looking at the game book, they did not give away the game--they played sound and forced the Skins to beat them, which they could not get done.  Most games in the NFL are lost, not won. 
6. Richie Incognito, the Rams center, has to feel relieved today.  His very, very stupid penalty almost cost the Rams the game.  He is lucky to have a job today. 
7. The Skins turned the ball over and it looked to me like rookie Chris Long’s power rush on Chris Samuels was the reason for one of the critical turnovers. 
8. The volume of plays is one of the reasons why it takes ten games to evaluate young quarterbacks.  Being hit, being involved, and having to think quickly and make quick decisions are the main reasons JT O’Sullivan and Joe Flacco are having some trouble.  O’Sullivan had a chance to make some plays yesterday, and he seems to be struggling more each week. 
9. If Andy Reid does not get a long field goal kicker in this week for a tryout, I would be surprised.  And if he sends out David Akers for another long kick, I will be even more surprised.  This is a huge problem for the Eagles. 
10. For the first time, Detroit looked like an NFL team yesterday and for the first time all season, they did not spot their opponent a 21 point lead.  I have seen that pass interference call several times and still cannot see the penalty. 
11. The Lions only had 8 first downs for the game and Rudi Johnson averaged 2.2 yards per carry on 17 attempts.  The Vikings did not look pretty in the game and are very lucky to have won, but they won.  They at least improved their coverage units. 
12. What can you say about Drew Brees?  He is just amazing and no matter what the Raiders did defensively, he was able to respond.  His accuracy and quick thinking is just a cut above most players. 
13. The Saints lack of dependability on a reliable field goal kicker will keep haunting them all season.  And the Raiders continue to mismanage games at the end of the half.  They gave the Saints three, and were lucky they did not get seven. 
14. Kyle Orton’s throw for the final touchdown was tremendous, but Atlanta Matt Ryan’s throw to win the game with a guy in his face was incredible.  The Bears have themselves to blame for losing that game.  11 seconds to go and they allowed the Falcons to get into field goal range.  That is a crime. 
15. Matt Ryan is the real deal.  He may not have the strongest arm or the most zip, but he is a leader and he can execute the game plan very well. 
16. The Chargers might have won last night, but their defense does not look the same to me.  And it has nothing to do with Shawn Merriman not being there.
17. New England QB Matt Cassel does not make very quick decisions and his accuracy on some easy throws is a concern.  He looks like he cannot process the decisions with any real conviction. 
18. Texans quarterback Matt Schaub has to be commended for his gutty performance yesterday.  He was able to overcome a very bad start and made some key plays down the stretch.  And thank god for the amazing catch Andre Johnson made to convert fourth down.  One of the best plays of the day. 
19. Did you see Maurice Jones Drew run through the Broncos?  The Broncos have no chance to win anything with that defense.  At least Jarvis Moss dressed.  He did not make a play, but he dressed. 
20. Seattle’s struggles on defense now continue at home. They could not get off the field yesterday and allowed the Packers to control the ball for over 36 minutes during the game. 

GAME NOTES

DALLAS AT ARIZONA

FROM NFL.COM                 GAME BALL                 STEVE BREASTON

Cardinals wide receiver Steve Breaston gets the nod for his 102 receiving yards and a touchdown. Filling in for the injured Anquan Boldin, Breaston repeatedly broke free in Dallas' secondary and his presence helped open up the field for Larry Fitzgerald, who also chipped in with 79 yards and a score.

Terrell Owens: has not led the Cowboys in receiving yards in any game this season

Cowboys: 2nd loss in last 14 road games

Tony Romo: 13-3 career on road as starter

Romo had 0 INT, snapping a streak of 9 straight games with an INT including playoffs; Romo did lose a fumble.  He's committed at least 1 turnover in 20 of his last 21 games including playoffs (23 INT, 5 fumbles lost during span)

Romo had his 14th career 300-yd game, passing Troy Aikman for the most in Cowboys history

DeMarcus Ware: 9th straight game with a sack (tied with Bruce Smith and Kevin Greene for 2nd longest sack streak in NFL history)

Marion Barber: career-high 11 receptions

Kurt Warner: 33 pass TD in last 14 games

J.J. Arrington: 2nd career kick return TD – also returned the opening kickoff for a TD on Nov. 26, 2006 vs. Vikings. It was the 3rd opening kickoff returned for a TD in franchise history (Arrington has 2 of the 3, Roy Shivers in 1966 has the other).

GREEN BAY AT SEATTLE

FROM NFL.COM                 GAME BALL                 AARON RODGERS

Aaron Rodgers was efficient in leading the Packers to 17 unanswered points in the second half. He completed 21 of 30 passes for 208 yards and two touchdowns. He also picked up 16 of his 23 rushing yards sprinting for a key first down in the third quarter that kept the Packers' final touchdown drive alive.

The Seahawks have been held under 200 total yards in back-to-back games for the first time under Mike Holmgren; last time they had less than 200 yards in back-to-back games was Nov. 1992 in Tom Flores’ first season with Seattle

Mike Holmgren: 2-5 career vs. Packers

Seahawks: first 1-4 start since 2002

Seahawks suffered just their 9th loss in last 44 home games

Packers converted 10-18 3rd down opportunities

Time of Possession: GB - 37:26, SEA - 22:34

Aaron Kampman had 2 sacks, 9th career game with 2+ sacks

Charlie Frye: 1-5 in last 6 starts (lost 3 straight)

Ryan Grant had career-high 33 rush attempts for 90 yards

ST LOUIS AT WASHINGTON         

FROM NFL.COM                 GAME BALL                 DONNIE AVERY

Donnie Avery had a 43-yard reception for St. Louis to set up Brown's winning kick. Avery made a move on the under-thrown ball from Marc Bulger to make a nifty one-handed catch. Avery has been slowed by injuries this year, but he set career highs with four receptions for 73 yards Sunday.

Rams snap 8-game losing streak

Rams win despite being held to 8 first downs, 200 total yards and committing 10 penalties

Redskins turned it over 3 times.  The had 0 offensive turnovers in first 5 games

Clinton Portis: 40th career 100-yd game, 22nd with the Redskins (extending his franchise record); 395 rush yards in last 3 games (has 3 straight 100-yd games for first time since 2005)

Jason Campbell was sacked 4 times; still has 0 INT in 179 pass attempts this season; extends franchise record to 201 consecutive pass attempts without an INT dating back to last season; The Redskins as a team have now gone 309 consecutive pass attempts without an INT.

Redskins: 1st loss in last 5 home games

Jim Haslett: 3-1 career vs. Redskins

Jason Taylor played but did not start.  The last time Taylor played in a reserve role came in a season opener on Aug. 31, 1998 with the Dolphins. Taylor was recovering from a partial tear in his left knee that occurred during the preseason that year

 JACKSONVILLE AT DENVER

FROM NFL.COM                 GAME BALL MAURICE JONES DREW

Maurice Jones-Drew received a season-high 22 carries for the Jaguars after Fred Taylor was injured. Jones-Drew rushed for 125 yards and a pair of touchdowns.

Denver Broncos OFFENSE

THIS SEASON

                                         1st 3 Gms       Last 3 Gms

W-L                                         3-0                    1-2

PPG                                        38.0                 17.3

Total YPG                               432.0                367.3

Red Zone Eff.                         10-15                  4-9    

Turnovers                                    3                      8

Broncos: 1st loss in last 7 home games

Broncos have been held to under 20 points in 3 straight games after scoring 34+ points in their first 3 games

Maurice Jones-Drew: 125 rush yards, 7th career 100-yd game, 2nd this season; 5th career game with 2 rush TD; has at least 1 rush TD in 4 of last 5 games

Jaguars scored 10 points off of 3 Broncos turnovers

Jay Cutler held to a season-low 192 pass yards; has a TD pass in 7 straight games

Cutler was not sacked for the 4th time this season.  He's been sacked just 2 times all season with 228 pass attempts

NEW ENGLAND AT SAN DIEGO

FROM NFL.COM                 GAME BALL                 JAMAL WILLIAMS

Chargers defensive tackle Jamal Williams was credited with only two tackles but played much bigger than that. Williams repeatedly flushed quarterback Matt Cassel out of the pocket, knocked down passes and was a dominant force in stopping the run. Williams had a key surge to help stuff Sammy Morris on second-and-1 in the Chargers' pivotal goal-line stand in the third quarter.

Patriots 12-game road win streak ends (2nd longest in NFL history)

Patriots have 3 pass TDs, 4 INTs in 5 games this season; they had 16 pass TDs, 2 INTs through 5 games last season (3+ pass TD in each of first 5 games)

Chargers are 8-1 in their last 9 home games

Chargers: 3-1 following 0-2 start; they're 3-3 after 6 games for the 4th time in 5 seasons

Rivers has 9 TDs and 1 INT in 3 home games this season

Rivers: 14 pass TD this season is tied for 1st with Tony Romo, 109.4 passer rating leads NFL

Vincent Jackson: 1st career 100-yd game

Matt Cassel: sacked 4 times, he's been sacked 17 times in the last 4 games

Cassel has 2 TDs, 4 INTs, 1 fumble lost in last 3 games

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