HIGHLIGHTS
THE COWBOYS BIG WIN?-I cannot give the Cowboys flack when they lose, if I did not also give them their due credit when they win. The Cowboys came into this one, like the Eagles, needing a big win to save their season. Indeed at 3-5, and facing the prospect of going 3-6, the Cowboys could essentially write off the rest of the season and start cleaning house now if they lost another one. But alas, Tony Romo and Jason Garrett saved themselves for another week, as the desperate Cowboys were able to vanquish their division rivals in convincing fashion with big plays in all three phases of the game (offense, defense and special teams). Michael Vick might get the assist in this game, going out with a totally inevitable concussion on another one of his “scrambles”, but given the way he’s played this season and the signficance of his injury is greatly minimized.
At 4-5 the prospects of Dallas making it to the post-season show are still slim, but at least they won a critical game they had too, and are within striking distance of the Giants.
PITTSBURGH’S PULLS IT OUT UGLY- You might be wondering why I decided to give kudos to a Steelers’ team that trailed KC, a team that never held a lead at any point in the season coming into this one. it is a fair question, but it is the same reason I will give the Patriots’ respect in their close call against Buffalo, good teams find ways to win ball games they should no matter what. In this game, the Steelers were in the midst of tight game, when their best player and leader was taken out of the game with an awful looking shoulder injury. Down their quarterback and on the scoreboard the vast majority of teams, often concede defeat by letting their level of play fall dramatically, however, as I have said before truly good teams find a win. In this contest, the Steelers relied on perrential question mark Byron Leftwich to keep them in the game, and capitalized on the (inevitable) bad play by Matt Cassell to win an important game at home and keep their playoff hopes alive.
THOSE RELENTLESS RAMS- Ordinarily I do not praise teams that do not win, but the Rams not losing to a much superior San Francisco team on the road is worthy of some praise. The Rams played refuse to lose ball for 60 minutes and then, played another 15 minutes of refuse to lose ball in overtime. Yes, there were some missed field goals, but the suspect calls by Jeff Fischer, most notably not calling time out on a crucial field goal attempting thus electing to have his kicker kick from 58 yards instead of 53, should more than negate San Fran’s miscues. While this team probably won’t make it to the playoffs this year, there is plenty to like in St. Louis’ future. If Daryl Richardson fills the void that will be left by Stephen Jackson, and the team can find a star-calibre receiver to line-up opposite Danny Amendola things should be good soon in Rams-Land.
LOWLIGHTS
THE GIANTS LOSE ANOTHER STINKER- The Giants have for the second week in a row, dropped a game they could have and should have won. Last week they allowed Pittsburgh to run all over them and while losing to the Steelers is nothing to be ashamed of, losing to the Bengals is. The Bengals despite their impressive start have had some big loss in their last 4 games coming into this one. The Giants however, to the shegrin of thier fans, would not let that stand and absolutely gifted the Bengals a win Cinncinatti had no business winning. In the process, the Giants allowed the winner of the Cowboys-Eagles game back in the race for the NFC East crown with the gap now shrunk to 1.5 games. Now I am in no way saying the Giants won’t still win the division and make a deep post-season run, but the Giants should not be letting their foot off the throats of anyone.
THE RAVENS CLASSY WIN- While winning big is certainly a part of football, there is such a thing as sportsmanship right? Well, over the last couple years I am not so sure anymore. Teams of late have tried to flout conventions on sportsmanship with examples ranging from running up the score, blitzing the other team in victory formation, players laughing at the injuries of their peers etc. In this one, the Ravens tried to further add credence to the notion that sportsmanship is a relic of the past by humiliating their opponents the Raiders, with a fake field goal that was run in for a touchdown. Now don’t get me wrong, I am not against sticking it to your opponent, but the Ravens need to take a long hard look at themselves before they stick it to anyone. They missed a chance to go to the Superbowl last year by shooting themselves in the foot, and aside from the year they won the title, have looked pretty dissapointing the last fews seasons.
FLOGGING THE FALCONS- I knew it. I knew it all along. Not only were the Falcons bound to lose a game, but this is a team that is chronically inflicted with losing big games it is supposed to win. They are like a much more successful version of my beloved Dallas Cowboys. While the Falcons dropping games they should be winning is nothing new, this loss is of particular significance given the way in which Roddy White and some of the other Falcons were patting themselves on the back and declaring this game over before it begun. The result? The Falcons allowed a division opponent, who were all but counted out of the playoffs, to beat them amid all of their big talk and pre-game showboating. While I love a bravado as much as the next person, unless you have at least have a title, you should be keeping your mouth shut. Period. The Falcons should absolutely take this loss as a lesson hard learned, and next time, not count their falcons before they hatch.
