NFL Hangover Week 4

Going into Week 4, there were only a few games I wanted to watch, compared to most week’s where I’m bouncing between 6 games at once. If you missed one of these games, hopefully I can give you an idea how it played out.

Seahawks (17) at Colts (34)


I realize this wasn’t considered a colossal match-up, but I wanted to watch Peyton Manning obliterate yet another defense.

The network just showed a graphic called the “Ultimate QB Comparison” between Seneca Wallace and Peyton Manning. My coffee almost came out my nose. Isn’t this like showing a caption that says “Ultimate Wife Comparison” featuring Lorena Bobbitt and Angelina Jolie?

Dwight Freeney is playing, but mostly on third downs. It seems like a great way to use him if he’s not 100%, but might be a blueprint for later in the season anyway. Wouldn’t the Colts defense be more formidable if Freeney and Mathis subbed out on 1st downs and short 2nd downs? They would be fresh for 2nd or 3rd and long and would be less susceptible to first down draws and power runs.

So far, the Pierre Garcon experiment is a resounding success. He gives the Colts the best size/speed combination they’ve had at receiver in the last decade. Even if he doesn’t blow up for 125 yards per game, he’s a different type of threat for defenses to account for.

The Colts put together their first drive centered around Joseph Addai and Donald Brown caps it off with a TD. 7-0. That seemed too easy. I might not be watching this game for long.

The Seahawks offense is getting eaten up, but their defense holds the Colts on the next drive. Seneca Wallace just missed a bomb for a touchdown.

Edgerrin James just came in for a carry and got a great reception from the Indy crowd. I don’t think most people realize how great Edge was with the Colts. They let him leave at just the right time, but they would never have become a dominant offense without him. In 7 seasons with the Colts, his average season was 1300 yds rushing, 400 yds receiving & 10 TDs. That’s unreal.

Donald Brown just fumbled after a great run on a draw play but the ref rules it was recovered by Seattle out of bounds. The Colts run a quick snap out of the no huddle to make sure Seattle can’t challenge. Why don’t more teams do this? Even if you only gain 2 yards up the gut, it’s better than having a turnover. This is why Manning wins games, he’s smarter than other teams. To cap off the drive, Manning hits Reggie Wayne on a drag route underneath for a TD. 14-0.

TJ Houshmandzadeh is having a big game, which is no surprise. The Colts have trouble with big receivers underneath and that is TJ’s game to a tee. Seattle is putting together a decent drive and spreading it out to all their WR’s. I like the combination of Burleson and TJ. The drive ends with a great stand on 1st and goal by the Colts defense. Note to opposing offensive coordinators, don’t try to run outside on the Colts, they’re too fast. Run up the middle on their 270 pound tackles. Shouldn’t this be common sense? Did I just tell other teams how to score on the Colts? The Seahawks kick a FG to make it 14-3 with 1:30 left in the half.

After the kickoff, the Colts have the ball on their own 20 yard line with 1:17 to go. It’s time for Manning’s magic. I’m giddy. How many quarterbacks can you watch, knowing they have a phenomenal chance to get a TD with 80 yards to go and 1:17 on the clock?

Manning hits Austin Collie for a diving TD catch to cap the drive. 21-0. That TD tied him with Fran Tarkenton for 3rd all time in touchdown passes. Bill Simmons called Manning an assassin in his power rankings and I couldn’t agree more. On the drive he completed 7 passes to 5 different receivers and never once looked rattled or rushed. He knew they’d get the touchdown.

On the Colts first drive of the 2nd half, they march down the field again with Addai scoring a TD. 28-3 in the 3rd quarter. I didn’t watch any longer, this one is done.

Ravens (21) at Patriots (27)

The Ravens look as unstoppable as any team in the league right now. Their defense is always great and the offense is running the NY Giants 08/09 blueprint. They ride 3 running backs pounding the ball and Flacco exploits the teams crowding the box.

On the other hand, the Patriots are the model franchise of the last decade but seem to be slipping somewhat. I love games that pit the up-and-comers versus the old guard.

The Ravens didn’t start well with a fumble on the opening kickoff though, although they only gave up a FG after sacking Brady.

Joe Flacco missed his first pass by 10 yards and his second one bounced off the chest of a defensive lineman. When did the Ravens trade for JaMarcus Russell? With Flacco rattled and the Foxboro crowd going nuts, the Pats commit an offside penalty and give the Ravens 3rd and 5, which Flacco converted. New England just missed a colossal opportunity to put the Ravens offense on it’s heels. Never let a shaken quarterback get his confidence back.

Flacco’s confidence is building on the opening drive and he just converted 3rd and 4 off a play that was designed with an unbalanced line and play action off the threat of a WR reverse. This is a textbook OBP. I loved it.

Speaking of great offensive play design, I love Cam Cameron as an offensive coordinator, but he was a terrible head coach. For those familiar with the Peter Principle, the NFL is full of great examples, Gregg Williams, Dick LeBeau, Norv Turner and Kevin Gilbride. The key is whether they know their limits. If you’re not familiar with the Peter Principle, just type it into google, I’m sure Wikipedia could explain it way better than I ever could.

While I was rambling on, the drive ended with Flacco completing a TD pass to Derrick Mason. Flacco released the ball just as he got drilled and Mason hung on to the ball despite having his legs cut out and landing on his back and head. WOW. 7-3 for the Upstarts.

Wes Welker is the key to the Patriots offense. Yeah, I said it. When he’s in the game, the linebackers and safeties have to play the crossing and short routes differently, opening up deep passes for Moss and Watson. Without Welker in the lineup, the field wasn’t stretched. It seems odd to say a small guy who catches 7 yard curls helps stretch the field.

The NFL lists Haloti Ngata as 345 pounds and Kelly Gregg as 315 pounds. That’s the equivalent of having a grizzly bear on the field to stuff the run. Come to think of it, that’s how it looked as they swallowed up Lawrence Maroney.

Speaking of Ngata, he just fell victim to the worst rule in football. The Ravens were just penalized 15 yards for a hand to Brady’s face. He had his hands up trying to knock down the pass and his hand grazed Brady’s facemask. I want the league’s QBs to be protected from cheap shots, but this is ridiculous. The call extended the drive.

After a 4th and 1 conversion, Brady called the QB sneak for a touchdown. 10-7 for the old guard, aided by a terrible rule.

The Ravens aren’t moving the ball well now and the Pats force a punt. On the next drive, Brady looks like he’s getting back to the stone killer he used to be. He just pump-faked left and then hit Ben Watson up the seem to the right. Oh no, we just had another overprotection sighting. Suggs was called for roughing the passer because he grazed Brady’s knee. The announcers defended the call because Brady practically asked the ref for the flag. Neither play showed any intent to injure Brady, so why are they all worth 15 yards? With another drive extended due to cheap penalties, the Pats score another TD. 17-7 Pats.

With 1:11 left in the first half, Flacco throws a pick as he and his WR clearly looked like they were expecting different routes.

I missed the first part of the second half but came back to a 17-14 score. Glad to see the Ravens aren’t going to roll over.

Brady has clearly decided that this is his game to win. He completed back-to-back passes over the middle to Aiken and Moss and then narrowly avoided a sack to hit Moss for a TD. 24-14 Pats.

Ravens ball and they’re intent on unleashing Ray Rice. He just caught a 4 yard pass on 3rd and 8 and made two quick moves to get the final 4 yards and a first down. At this point, Rice has 99 yards on 9 rushing attempts. I’d call that explosive. Flacco hits McGahee for a 13 yard TD on a combination route that follows Heap clearing out a zone. Great play call Cam. 24-21 Pats.

Not to be outdone, Brady leads another drive down the field, this time relying on the run more. However, the Ravens defense holds in the red zone and they force a FG. 27-21 Pats.

The Ravens have time to get the ball back. After a decent drive, they have 4th and 1 and line up in a 3-wide formation. I’m thinking a quick hitch, possibly a slant route or a draw play. Nope, they just jam it up the middle and get stuffed. I hate play calls like that. If having 3 wide receivers doesn’t spread out the linebackers, audible to a pass. It’s like these guys never play Madden.

The Ravens get one more shot after forcing a punt from the Pats and have to run the no huddle. On 4th and 3, Flacco hits Mark Clayton, and he drops the pass. Game over.

I guess the old guard wasn’t ready to give up their title just yet.

Bengals (23) at Browns (20)

I had no intention of watching this game whatsoever. I figured the Browns were the worst team in the NFL (apologies to Tampa Bay, you guys are equally miserable) and didn’t stand a chance against a Bengals team who were one lucky play away from being undefeated.

But there I was, 2 minutes into the second half, tuning in to a 14-7 Cincy lead. As I’m watching a decent Browns drive, they flash a graphic showing that the Browns had gone 235 straight rushes without a TD. Yes, that was the sound of Jamal Lewis and Jerome Harrison being dropped from millions of fantasy teams, you heard it correctly. But wait a second, the Browns got down to the 1 yard line, maybe they can break the streak. Interception by the Bengals.  I guess the streak is alive.

On the next Browns drive, Jerome Harrison came alive with a great run that caused some sort of pushing fight after a huge tackle. Hey, Braylon Edwards, you’re barely strong enough to hold onto the ball, don’t pick fights with defensive linemen. The drive ends with Derek Andersen running in a TD to make it 14-14. We have a game.

After recovering a Bengals fumble, the Browns kick another FG to make it 17-14.

I’m not that impressed with the Bengals offense. With Carson Palmer, Ochocinco and a half-decent running game, they should be moving the ball. Instead, they’ve had six 3-and-outs this game. Yuck.

After another terrible Bengals drive, the Browns capitalize on a short field for a 20-14 lead.

Bernard Scott enters the game for the Bengals and apparently is determined to light a fire under the Bengals running game. He has 2 big runs and Cincy ends up with a TD on the drive. 20-20 with an extra point blocked by Shaun Rogers. I have no idea what to make of this. Rogers blocked a FG earlier in the game. With only an extra point between them and the lead with 2 minutes to go, the Bengals couldn’t find a way to stop him?

The Browns get the ball back with 1:52 on the clock and no timeouts. They drive to the Bengals 40 but stall and decide NOT to attempt a 57 yard field goal for the win with 12 seconds left. They punt instead. Has Mangini lost his mind? The football gods are not going to like this one.

Cincy wins the coin toss in OT and elects to receive. If Cleveland had won the coin toss, Mangini would have given up the ball just so they didn’t turn it over. I’m still completely and utterly confused on the 57-yarder decision.

I have 2 words to describe the play in overtime. SUCK and FEST.

Eventually the Bengals win it when Carson Palmer converts on 4th down with a run and they maneuver into FG range after another 2 plays. 23-20 Bengals over the Cowards….I mean Browns.

Jets (10) at Saints (24)

This is one of those early season titanic clashes that helps shape which teams are primed for playoff runs and capable of winning against the good teams.  Both teams are 3-0.

Due to the incompetent OT session on the Bengals-Browns game, I didn’t join this one until there was 3:14 left in the 1st quarter and the Saints are up 3-0.

After hearing the announcers talk about Gregg Williams “dialing up a blitz” on the last play, I’m left to wonder why we still use that phrase. While I’m sure it has some origins from WWII and calling in an air attack, shouldn’t we find a better term? I like “charging up a blitz” or “cranking up a blitz”. If you have anything better, I’m listening.

Mark Sanchez takes the Jets down to the redzone and is promptly baited by Darren Sharper who picks it off on the goal line and returns it the length of the field for a TD. 10-0 Saints. It’s hard enough to stop the Saints offense without giving up defensive TD’s.

On the next Saints drive, the moved the ball reasonably well, eventually getting down inside the 5. The Saints decided to try pounding 2 straight runs into the pile in a 2-back, 3-TE set and then tried to pass out of that same setup on the next 2 downs. Why does a team with such success spreading the field and using mismatches go to a power game on the goal line? I’m not saying the red zone provides the same room to maneuver that the middle of the field does, but play to your strengths.

The Jets get the ball on downs but are backed up inside their own 5. As I mentioned earlier in the column, I think Gregg Williams is a great defensive coordinator, even if he wasn’t much of a head coach. Well, in this case, he “cranked up” enough pressure to get around the corner and cause the sack-fumble combo on Sanchez. The fumble was recovered in the end zone for another defensive TD. 17-0 Saints.

At this point, it’s apparent that these aren’t the Saints from the last few years. They’ve showed their offense in earlier games, but apparently they’ve found a way to put their defensive stamp on the game as well.

On the next drive, Jets rookie RB Shonn Greene showed a nice burst in the Jets backfield and they moved the ball along the ground. They settled for a FG but got on the board. 17-3. The Jets defense held on the next series to get the ball back.

The Saints just crowded the line with 8 in the box, but only rushed 4. The tactic confused the blocking scheme of the Jets O-line enough to let the left DE come in free on Sanchez. This play wins my respect in the “Favorite Madden Tactic” category. You’re right, I’m not in complete touch with reality. So what?

We go into halftime with the Saints up 17-3. Both defenses are playing very well, with the Saints getting some turnovers, which have been the difference.

The second half started the same way as the first half ended…..with free rushers getting to Sanchez. Rex Ryan might want to take a break from the defensive side of the ball and teach his O-line how to pick up the same kind of pass rush he’s so used to generating.

The under-rated story in this game is how toothless the Saints offense has been. The Jets have had Brees under pressure and have covered his receiving options quite well. That said, New Orleans refuses to run the ball. They could run the draw with Bush or a more conventional running attack with Pierre Thomas to slow the blitzes.

Bush runs the draw like I said….and fumbles. OK, maybe the Pierre Thomas option is better. The Jets use the turnover well and score a TD on a Thomas Jones run. 17-10.

On the next drive, either the Saints realized the benefits of rushing, or they were taking pity on my fantasy team, because they finally started running with Pierre Thomas. He gained 15 yards, 7 yards, and 18 yards on his first 3 carries. Apparently there is something to this running thing. Unfortunately, they got stuffed on 4th and inches a few plays later.

3rd and 1 for the Jets and Randall Gay shows beautiful pass defense by staying tight to the receiver and getting his hand in front to knock the pass down. I still think that’s the most under-rated play in football with every ref looking to throw a pass interference flag. I take that back, catching a JaMarcus Russell pass is the hardest play in football. My bad.

The Jets shut down the Saints offense again. On 3rd and 2, the Jets try to run the ball despite New Orleans crowding 9 in the box. Memo to Mr. Sanchez, you might want to audible to a pass in this situation.

With it still only a 1-score lead, the Saints find life when Brees completes a crucial 3rd and 6 pass. This seems to spark a P. Thomas running game and touchdown. 24-10 and essentially game over.

Sanchez throws two picks down the stretch trying to get the Jets back into the game. It looks like the Saints win the first battle for respectability this year. Great teams find multiple ways to win and they’ve managed two wins on offense, one on defense and one with a balanced game.

Chargers (28) at Steelers (38)

The Sunday night game appeared to be a decent matchup on the surface but the Chargers have the Norv curse and it seems to be killing them this year.

With the Steelers up 7-0 in the first quarter, they are consistently getting themselves into 3rd and short situations. Big Ben specializes in 3rd and short as they spread the field and leave him options to scramble. The drive continues down the field and Mewelde Moore scored on a reception. 14-0.

San Diego isn’t able to move the ball much but punts it inside the Steelers 10 yard line.

The Steelers continue to get to short downs. On 3rd and 3, they spread the field and make the short throw. Rashard Mendenhall, the talented but ill-prepared young RB, breaks a nice run by bouncing outside to the right. The Steelers follow that up with a reverse to Holmes that appeared to have an option to pass. Mendenhall bounces another run outside for 10-15 yards. He could have a big night. Big Ben was sacked on the next play but Mendenhall blew up a blitzing middle linebacker so badly that Ron Jaworski had to show it on the replay. He’ll be getting some free dinners from the O-line for that one. It reminded me of the knock-out blow MJD delivered last year. Ben is sacked again and it’s followed with a punt.

The Chargers do nothing with the ball again and on the next drive Mendenhall turns a dump pass into a decent gain. Ben completes his next pass to Heath Miller down to the 2 yard line and Mendenhall completes the drive with a spinning 2-yard TD run. 21-0.

With four possessions in the first half, the Steelers had 3 drives over 75 yards for touchdowns and one drive for 57 yards and a punt. That’s great offensive output.

I barely watched the second half of the game but the 38-28 score was extremely flattering to San Diego. This game was over at halftime and the Steelers just bled the clock and forced San Diego to take chances.

Mendenhall finished the game with 29 carries, 165 yards, 2 touchdowns and most likely the starters job. Mr. Mendenhall, welcome to my fantasy team.

Packers (23) at Vikings (30)

So, there’s this guy, who was great, retired, un-retired, got traded, then retired again, un-retired and joined his old team’s arch rival.

With the Vikings at 3-0 and the Pack at 2-1, this was already a great rivalry game. Add in the gun-slinging media darling and it becomes the biggest hype machine since Brett un-retired for the second time. Note that I refuse to use the phrase “came back” since he never left. He just pretended like he was going to leave. There’s a difference.

Up until the last drive of the game against the 49ers, Favre actually hasn’t been doing anything special this season. He’s looked better than Tarvaris Jackson did last year. That’s like being the tallest of the seven dwarves.

I love the early screen pass and draw plays called by Green Bay. They are taking advantage of a pumped up and possibly performance-enhanced Vikings defensive line who is playing extremely aggressive. Rodgers looks poised on the drive and everything seems to be working for the Packers. That is, until Jared Allen strips the ball from Rodgers. That will kill a drive in a hurry.

The Vikings first 4 plays are hand offs to Adrian Peterson. I also like this strategy. Use the best back in the league and don’t let your aging quarterback try to do too much against his old team. Favre completes his first pass to Bernard Berrian. The Vikes even convert a 4th and 1 inside the 10 and Favre completes a TD pass to Visanthe Shiancoe who was probably his 3rd option on the play. Nice drive, 7-0 Vikes.

With 2:36 left in the 1st quarter, and Green Bay facing a 3rd and 5, Rodgers completes a 62-yard catch and run touchdown to Jermichael Finley to tie the game. A great play and a great name.

At this point, Ron Jaworski has already called AP the greatest running back to ever play the game and Jared Allen the best man off the corner in the NFL. While I think both players are clearly in the top 5 in both categories, I think we might be under-estimating players like Walter Payton, Barry Sanders, Dwight Freeney and DeMarcus Ware. No doubt, Jaws will be spewing the same sunshine about whatever players he’s covering next week.

In contrast to Jaworksi’s fact-less drivel, the network just showed that the Vikings defense has allowed the least rushing yards ever over a 3 year span. I knew they were good, but that is downright impressive. It does, however, question the NFL adage that run defense and running the ball on offense wins games. The Vikes allowed the least rushing yards and had the NFL’s leading rusher last season. They should have dominated. They finished 10-6 but got destroyed by the Eagles in the playoffs.

Rodgers just got picked on a great play by Antoine Winfield. I love DB’s who bait the QB. For those counting at home, that’s 3 decent drives by Green Bay now and two have ended in turnovers.

AP just stopped in the middle of bouncing a run outside to the right, cut hard left and gained 10 yards. Whoa. Maybe Jaws is right.

Enough already, we get it that Brett Favre has great arm strength. You’ve been telling us for 16 years now, I think we’ve figured it out. What the bobbleheads in the booth should be talking about is Favre’s great pump fake to an outside left route and then threw a TD over the middle to Sidney Rice. 14-7 Vikes and Favre is looking better than he has all year.

Jared Allen gets another sack of Rodgers on 3rd down with under five minutes left in the second quarter.

With 3:30 left in the half, Clay Matthews Jr. makes a monstrous play to rip the ball from AP’s hands and takes it the other way for a TD. 14-14 and the Packers have a pulse.

With the ball back, Favre just missed Berrian deep by putting the ball over the wrong shoulder. Come to think of Berrian’s history, he probably ran the wrong route. The next two plays are a well-designed screen to Chester Taylor and a rocket throw over the middle to Percy Harvin. Harvin got an extra 15-20 yards with a quick move to his left that made the initial defender miss.

Pass interference is called on Charles Woodson and it negated his perfect coverage and an amazing one-handed interception as he rolled and kept it from touching the ground. What a terrible call considering how perfectly he defended that play. On the next play, AP goes into the end zone and the ref again alters a game. 21-14 Vikes.

In the 2nd half Favre executes a pump-and-go route to perfection up the left sideline for a 28-14 lead. I haven’t seen him play this well in 3 years.

Green Bay stays alive with a nice drive. With Ryan Grant almost in the endzone, he takes a massive hit from 3 different Vikings at the same time. What a hit! The slow motion didn’t do it justice. You rarely see a running back go from full speed to a dead stop instantly. He’ll feel that one for a couple weeks. The Vikings defend the goal line plays well to leave the Packers with 4th and goal. Rodgers hangs in the pocket and finds Donald Lee in the end zone, but he drops the pass. That was a game-killer.

At one point on the next drive, the Vikings had completed 7 straight 3rd down conversions, which is amazing.

On the next Green Bay drive, with the ball at their 1 yard line, Jared Allen catches up to Rodgers once again, this time for the safety, 30-14. Jared Allen has been a beast all night so it’s only fitting that he sealed the win. Every play from this point on was merely a formality. Great performance by the Vikings and Brett Favre’s best game in 4 or 5 years. I guess this time the hype was worth it.

What a roller-coaster week of football it was. Peyton pulled his ninja-like assassination methods on yet another team, the Saints defense outscored their offense, Rashard Mendenhall altered every fantasy league in the country, too many ref decisions affected games for the worse and Brett Favre lived up to the hype. No wonder I feel hung over.