Well another week of Brady winning when it matters, another Jets debacle, another week of baring witness to San Fran’s utter domination and another week of NFL action is in the books. The weekend was filled with wall-to-wall storylines and excitement (except if you were unfortunate enough to watch and/or attend the Ravens-Chiefs game) so without further adieu, lets get right to the highlights and lowlights
HIGHLIGHTS
1) Colts Big Win- The Colts comeback against Green Bay would have made the highlight list anyway because of its sheer magnitude and because of who they beat. While I bet on the Colts in this contest (my apologies for not posting this in my picks column), being down 17-3 at the half against the Rodgers led Packers, I never could have expected the kind of comeback that the Colts put up. Yes, Mason Crosby missed two big field goals, but the Colts were a totally different team in the 2nd half and Reggie Wayne has the game of his life in perhaps the most emotionally charged game we will see this season. They wanted to win for coach Chuck (Pagano) and boy did they ever. No one expected much out of the Colts this season, and maybe that’s true, but I know two things; Andrew Luck is the real deal, and if they ever get a running game this team will be a contender for a very long time. This win however, could give them a spark for a memorable run for the rest of the season though.
2) 49ers Crush Another One- I know I watched that game, but looking back I cannot fathom for the life of me how the 49ers lost against the Vikings in week 3. Sure they were on the road and Christian Ponder, while not spectacular, is a guy who always manages to make the big play when his squad needs it and did so in this one, but after watching the last two weeks I still am left clueless as to how a team this dominant could give up a loss. However, fortunately for the 49er that one loss might turn out to be a blessing in disguise. How you ask? Well first and foremost they will be able to avoid all the nonsense and undue pressure that comes from all the undefeated talk that seems to actually suffocate teams in the long-run, especially lately (i.e. 2007 Patriots, 2009 Colts, 2011 Packers etc.). Second, although they have been playing fantastic ball the last couple of years, that loss seems to have re-focussed and envigorated an already strong contender. Barring a significant injury, I fear for any team having to play this team this season, including their bane the New York Giants this week.
3) Drew Brees’ New Record and Big Night- While I still cannot believe that the Chargers gave away this one (especially considering they were on the verge of being up 31-14 with a pick-6 if not for that ridiculous helmet-to-helmet hit on Drew Brees), the record set by Brees’ was somewhat impressive. I say somewhat because in the NFL there are records and then there are RECORDS and Brees’ latest seem to fall into the former category. If we are talking about fantasy football than, by all means having your QB throw at least a touchdown a game for 48 straight is big, but I mean if your team gets a win in a gritty defensive battle, what does it matter if your QB has a touchdown or not in a game. The bigger story I think is that the Saints finally got the losing stink off them, and at 1-4 at least they have the smallest of outside chances in making the playoffs.
LOWLIGHTS
1) Eagles Loss- For the Eagles to drop a game to the perennially great Steelers is not really a big deal or “lowlight” worthy. However, the way they played and Andy Reid’s continued suspect play calling certainly is. Since getting paid Michael Vick was turned into dollar for dollar the worst value for any quarterback in the NFL not named Peyton Manning. His team did all they could to get the victory, and the Steelers did all they could to lose this one (including Antonio Brown’s wide open touchdown drop in the endzone), but Vick still managed to turn the ball over at the worst possible time (perhaps none bigger than his fumble into the endzone which cost his team a touchdown in a game decided by 2 points). Of course all of the blame cannot be shifted onto Vick’s shoulders, as Andy Reid continues unbelievable challenges, poor clock management and terrible decision making. I almost chocked when I saw the Eagles decide to go for it on their OWN 30 on fourth down in a tight game like this one with plenty of time on the clock. I thought I was hallucinating. Luckily, LeShawn Macoy was able to lunge for the first after getting hit in the backfield on this one, but this is the kind of terrible coaching that sucks the life and confidence from your team in the longrun. The Eagles finally lost a game they deserved to lose, and if Vick and Reid don’t start being accountable to their team, plenty more losses are coming I assure you.
2) Manning Finished?- Before the season kicked off I made the prediction that Peyton Manning was done as an elite level quarterback and cited his age, injury history and being out of football for over a year as justifications for said prediction. I was not particularly happy about making the prediction because even though I never rarely bought into the Peyton Manning hype machine, he was an incredible competitor, who always put his squad in the best position to win and always had them in contention. However, that Manning is sadly long gone. There was a glimpse of the old Manning in Denver’s week 1 win, but that might have been the final curtain call for the Manning of old. Don’t get me wrong this Manning is still incredibly competitive and this week’s loss was not all on him (especially when you consider Willis McGahee’s recent bout of fumble-itis), but there comes a point in every great athelete’s life when both they and we know they no longer have it. It is sad because we have cheered them on for years, but it is an inevitability. To have watched Manning these last four weeks, I can tell you that that inevitability with respect to Manning is now a certainty.
3) New York Jets Latest Fiasco- Let me begin by saying that I am not the type of person who piles it on when someone is down. I always hate when Letterman makes the inevitable and excessive Paris Hilton jokes, because to me that is both lame and lazy. However, the exception to this rule is of course the New York Jets, because for no other reason than their misfortunes are wholly of their own making. We all know the longstanding errors, making a suspect quarterback in Mark Sanchez your starter and keeping him there, allowing a loudmouth like Rex Ryan to remain your head coach despite all his empty promises, bringing in another suspect quarterback with a massive sideshow in Tim Tebow when you know that doing so will create a totally unnecessary “controversy” etc. However, in addition to these problems it seems every week the Jets find some way of either embarrassing themselves, drawing negative attention or both. This week of course is no different. Not only did Mark Sanchez cement his position as one of the worst quarterback in football (currently sitting with a passer rating of 66 in the league which is good for 31st) but like Tony Romo he manages to make the worst possible play at the worst possible time. In this game, you can take your pick as he threw an interception in the redzone at the end of the first half and an interception to end the game late in the fourth. However, because Sanchez also makes none of the good passes Romo does make, all the heat Sanchez takes is rightly deserved. Look I am not saying Mark Sanchez won’t become a decent game manager one day, he has all the skills to become the next Brad Johnson or Trent Dilfer, but right now he is failing miserably even at that. And while it is not all his fault because of all the injuries to the already weak receiving corps and Rex Ryan’s suspect coaching, there is no excuse for having 4 straight games completing less than half your passes. None. I don’t know where the Jets go from here, but at the rate things are going, Sanchez, Ryan and GM Mike Tannenbaum should have their bags packed come the end of the season.
