Last week the Baltimore Ravens and the Houston Texans faced off in a match between the two teams in the AFC with an above .500 record; and it was all one sided.
First Down: “Dismantling the Ravens” When one door closed another one opened for the Houston Texans. After a lackluster performance against Aaron Rodgers and the Packers, they now had to deal with the return of Terrell Suggs. Suggs was supposed to be out all season but through hard work managed to come back by week 7. He had an impact early in the first quarter, but there were visible signs of rust. The Texans got a safety early and that jumpstarted the defense which picked off Joe Flacco 2 times, returning one to the house in a 43-13 mauling. The offense continues to flow through Arian Foster who had 98-yards and 2 scores against a Ravens defense that is starting to look old. While Andre Johnson and the passing game hasn’t picked it up yet, Foster remains the team’s workhorse. Through the first seven games Foster has 9 touchdowns and 659 yards, putting him on pace for 20 TD's. As great as the run game is, it's Wade Phillips defense that has been getting all the praise and rightfully so. The Texans use to be the joke of the league on defense but now with studs J.J. Watt, Connor Barwin and Whitney Mercilus as a linebacking core, they have become one of the most feared defenses in the league. The Texans could not have asked for a better start before their bye week. Their first in the AFC and have home advantage is in their sights. Their schedule is pretty easy the rest of the way besides a trip to New England and Chicago, to wrap up the AFC.
Second Down: “ALL DAY” Given the nickname in his first year out of Oklahoma, Adrian Peterson has lived up to the name and has become a beast in the NFL. To further my point, last year Peterson suffered his first severe injury as a pro (a torn ACL). A regular human being usually can’t lift his leg for two weeks after surgery; AP was lifting his leg right after surgery. He was expected to miss at least half the season and probably more, but instead has played since opening day. Listening to Peterson talk, he knows he can get better is showing improvements each week. Last Sunday his Minnesota Vikings were in tough against the Arizona Cardinals. The Vikings needed “All Day” to step up and score his first TD since week one! Peterson scored on a spectacular 13-yard run and finished the day with 153-yards on the ground, which was huge because Christian Ponder had one of the worst performances ever. Ponder completed only 8 of 17 passes for 58 yards and 2 interceptions in the 21-14 win. If the Vikings want to make the playoffs it’s going to have to be on the backs of Peterson and the strong defense, which ranks sixth. It also helps to go a perfect 8-0 at home and the Vikings look to extend their home winning streak to 5 on Thursday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Third Down: “Steel Town” After losing on the road to Tennessee two weeks ago the Pittsburgh Steelers had plenty of time to think about their next game. Under the lights, “Big” Ben Roethlisberger through for 278-yards while Jonathan Dwyer ran for 122, as the Steelers beat the Cincinnati Bengals 24-17. In a big division match, on the road, the Steelers defense stepped up holding Andy Dalton to only 105 yards throwing, and A.J. Green to just one catch. Up next for the Steelers, they face two tough NFC East opponents in Washington and at New York.
Fourth Down: “The Buffalo Bills” Just when you think you have seen the worse from the Buffalo Bills, something even worse happens. After awful performances against New England and San Francisco, the Bills looked good in a win against the Cardinals. However, Chris Johnson and the Titans were coming to town and CJ24 has never had a bad game against Buffalo in his career. He stung them again running for a season best 195-yards and 2 scores including a career high 83-yard run. Bills Quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick looked good all game until a costly pick with just under 4 minutes to go. The Titans score a d touchdown on 4th and 9 with just over a minute left. Matt Hasselback found Nate Washington for a 15 yard score and the Titans held on for a 35-34 win. The Bills could have remained tied for first had they won, but now they have to put the past in the past and gear up for Foster and the Texans after the bye week.
Thursday, October 25, 2012
Sunday, October 21, 2012
Four Downs- A look back at week 6
The Seattle Seahawks continue to shock the world and one of the bests in Ray Lewis may call it a career.
First Down: “The Series of Unfortunate Dallas Cowboy Events” Taken from the title one of my favourite books written by Lemony Snicket. The series tells a story of three orphans and all the unfortunate events they endure. The last few years the Dallas Cowboys couldn’t have a more unfortunate tale to tell. From Tony Romo’s season ending injury against the NY Giants, to losing against them in the final game of the season last year. There are so many moments that you could pick from that the Cowboys should have won but didn’t and last week’s 31-29 loss was the latest wound. They outplayed the Ravens in every facet of the game including 227-yards on the ground but still found themselves down eight, with just over 4 minutes to play. Romo orchestrated an 18 play, 4-minute drive that resulted in a Dez Bryant touchdown. However, Bryant had the two point convert go through his hands resulting thus giving the game to the Ravens right; wrong. The Cowboys recovered the onside kick and a pass-interference call later, they were in Dan Bailey’s range. Bailey was a perfect 8-8 in field goal attempts this year but missed the 51-yard kick just left and the Cowboys were sent home losers. They have a tough remaining schedule and at (2-3) they are in in a grind.
Second Down: “Pete Carrol’s Seattle Seahawks” There is no argument that Pete Carroll was a successful coach at his time at USC but many questioned if he could be the same coach in the NFL. He had two tenures in the NFL as HC with the New York Jets and New England Patriots. Since coming to Seattle in 2010, Carroll has drafted well and brought in the right personnel in order to be competitive. People remember the Marshawn Lynch magical run in the playoffs against the Saints but this year there has been even more magic. From Golden Tate’s game-winning TD to this past weekend where QB Russell Wilson came down from 13 points against Tom Brady and the Pats. The defense picked off Brady twice and did not let him score in the 4th. The Seahawks loss to the 49ers 13-6 on Thursday and are now (4-3)
Third Down: “Bleeding Blue” The NY Giants are like a box of chocolate, you never know what you will get. Forrest Gump’s infamous line is very fitting for this team because the fact of the matter you don’t know what your going to get. They get showed up on banner night against the Dallas Cowboys and looked awful going down 14+ points against Tampa Bay and Cleveland at home. On Sunday when many like this writer though that the San Francisco 49ers would own the stage, it was quite the opposite. The Giants went on the road, shut down a rushing game that put up 300-yards a week before and forced QB Alex Smith into 3 interceptions. It also helps when Ahmad Bradshaw had over 100-yards rushing for the second straight week. Any team could use a good rushing game but the Giants have mastered the play action and when they have Hakeem Nicks or Victor Cruz in man on man you usually know where Eli Manning is going to go. This week they face another test in Robert Griffin III and the Washington Redskins.
Fourth Down: “Ray Lewis” If it’s an end of an era I’m glad to say that I was around to see most of Ray Lewis’s career. He came into the league in 1996 when I was a wee little tad. In 2000 (Super Bowl XXXV) Lewis led his Ravens to a Superbowl and took home the MVP honors. I was not around for the Dick Butkus’s of the league but Lewis has always been the best linebacker to play in my mind. He has 50 career turnovers but what is more impressive is how he carries himself off the field. After watching Ray Lewis’s “A Football Life” (which I highly recommend) I truly got to appreciate how much he loves the game and the passion that he brings. If this is his last his legacy will go down as someone who laid everything out on the line each game, each play and for his amazing entrances.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R43adFL8RLk
His great motivational speeches before games.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YUra9wrjCfU
And his relentless play.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JrnDLXxVoFE
Lewis might still play this season and could still choose to play next year, but if it is the last we see of Ray then I want to thank him for inspiring, motivating and playing football the right way.
Enjoy week 7 with many big games on the slate.
Link for Ray Lewis "A Football Life" : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M62iU4hWV_g
First Down: “The Series of Unfortunate Dallas Cowboy Events” Taken from the title one of my favourite books written by Lemony Snicket. The series tells a story of three orphans and all the unfortunate events they endure. The last few years the Dallas Cowboys couldn’t have a more unfortunate tale to tell. From Tony Romo’s season ending injury against the NY Giants, to losing against them in the final game of the season last year. There are so many moments that you could pick from that the Cowboys should have won but didn’t and last week’s 31-29 loss was the latest wound. They outplayed the Ravens in every facet of the game including 227-yards on the ground but still found themselves down eight, with just over 4 minutes to play. Romo orchestrated an 18 play, 4-minute drive that resulted in a Dez Bryant touchdown. However, Bryant had the two point convert go through his hands resulting thus giving the game to the Ravens right; wrong. The Cowboys recovered the onside kick and a pass-interference call later, they were in Dan Bailey’s range. Bailey was a perfect 8-8 in field goal attempts this year but missed the 51-yard kick just left and the Cowboys were sent home losers. They have a tough remaining schedule and at (2-3) they are in in a grind.
Second Down: “Pete Carrol’s Seattle Seahawks” There is no argument that Pete Carroll was a successful coach at his time at USC but many questioned if he could be the same coach in the NFL. He had two tenures in the NFL as HC with the New York Jets and New England Patriots. Since coming to Seattle in 2010, Carroll has drafted well and brought in the right personnel in order to be competitive. People remember the Marshawn Lynch magical run in the playoffs against the Saints but this year there has been even more magic. From Golden Tate’s game-winning TD to this past weekend where QB Russell Wilson came down from 13 points against Tom Brady and the Pats. The defense picked off Brady twice and did not let him score in the 4th. The Seahawks loss to the 49ers 13-6 on Thursday and are now (4-3)
Third Down: “Bleeding Blue” The NY Giants are like a box of chocolate, you never know what you will get. Forrest Gump’s infamous line is very fitting for this team because the fact of the matter you don’t know what your going to get. They get showed up on banner night against the Dallas Cowboys and looked awful going down 14+ points against Tampa Bay and Cleveland at home. On Sunday when many like this writer though that the San Francisco 49ers would own the stage, it was quite the opposite. The Giants went on the road, shut down a rushing game that put up 300-yards a week before and forced QB Alex Smith into 3 interceptions. It also helps when Ahmad Bradshaw had over 100-yards rushing for the second straight week. Any team could use a good rushing game but the Giants have mastered the play action and when they have Hakeem Nicks or Victor Cruz in man on man you usually know where Eli Manning is going to go. This week they face another test in Robert Griffin III and the Washington Redskins.
Fourth Down: “Ray Lewis” If it’s an end of an era I’m glad to say that I was around to see most of Ray Lewis’s career. He came into the league in 1996 when I was a wee little tad. In 2000 (Super Bowl XXXV) Lewis led his Ravens to a Superbowl and took home the MVP honors. I was not around for the Dick Butkus’s of the league but Lewis has always been the best linebacker to play in my mind. He has 50 career turnovers but what is more impressive is how he carries himself off the field. After watching Ray Lewis’s “A Football Life” (which I highly recommend) I truly got to appreciate how much he loves the game and the passion that he brings. If this is his last his legacy will go down as someone who laid everything out on the line each game, each play and for his amazing entrances.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R43adFL8RLk
His great motivational speeches before games.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YUra9wrjCfU
And his relentless play.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JrnDLXxVoFE
Lewis might still play this season and could still choose to play next year, but if it is the last we see of Ray then I want to thank him for inspiring, motivating and playing football the right way.
Enjoy week 7 with many big games on the slate.
Link for Ray Lewis "A Football Life" : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M62iU4hWV_g
Saturday, October 13, 2012
Four Downs- A look back at week 5
By:Sam Mendelsohn
If there is anything to analyze about week five it’s that the NFL is the most unpredictable sport there is. Drew Brees finally led the Saints to victory, passing the great Johnny Unitas for most consecutive games with a touchdown pass. The Indianapolis Colts however, were the story of the week.
First Down: “The Indianapolis Colts” After receiving the emotional news that new HC Chuck Pagano was diagnosed with Leukemia, the game against the Green Bay Packers seemed to be put on the back burner. Right out of the gates the Colts fans showed their emotions, with a huge ovation as the team entered LucasOil Stadium, but the first half belonged to Aaron Rodgers. Rodgers was nearly perfect with two TD passes leading his team to a 21-3 halftime lead. Bruce Arians or (BA) as he is referred to by the Colts, had to motivate a team in the spot of his ailing friend and down eighteen points. Whatever Arians said helped flipped the game 180 degrees. Quarterback Andrew Luck threw two touchdown passes and ran one in, while Reggie Wayne had a career high 13 receptions for 212 and a score. The Colts got help from Packers kicker Mason Crosby who shanked the tying 51-yards Field Goal and gave the Colts the win. The Colts may not make the playoffs but that game will be remembered by Colts fans for all the heart that was laid out on that field.
Second Down: “Easy Brees-y” Ok. I mentioned my man crush on Brees last week but can you blame me? This guy is a machine and has managed to stay cool, calm and collected through a four game losing streak. A win against the team that drafted him and passing legend Johnny U all on the same night was purely spectacular. The Saints pulled a Plaxico and shot themselves in the foot going 0-4 and the Atlanta Falcons seem to be on a freight train heading towards the playoffs. Every win is huge in the NFL and the Saints can now head into their bye week with a good feelings about themselves. However, the record that Brees broke on Sunday night means just a little more then the win, even if he won’t admit it. Brees has always been overlooked, even in San Diego when he had never reached his prime. He came to New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina, revitalized a city, won a Lombardi trophy and Superbowl MVP. Last year he passed one of the longest standing records in the NFL held by the great Dan Marino. Sunday night’s performance further showed that Brees is one of the best to play the position.
Third Down: “Jeff Fisher” The last few years the St. Louis Rams have been brutal. To put into perspective since 2004 when they last made the playoffs the Rams have not had a season over .500. They had a chance in 2010 to win a do-or-die game against Seattle at home, but stunk up their own place and were booted from the playoffs. This year they hired one of the all-time greats in Jeff Fisher. Fisher has a great Win/Loss record as a coach and had been successful for many years in Tennessee. On Thursday night against the division leading and undefeated Arizona Cardinals, the Rams defense combined for nine sacks against the Cards offense. After the game Arizona quarterback Kevin Kolb looked like he had just gone five rounds in the octagon. The Rams now sit just one game back in a close NFC West.
Fourth Down: “Da Bears” Lance Briggs and Charles Tillman became the first duo on the same team to return an interception to the house in two consecutive games. The Bears clobbered the Jacksonville Jaguars 41-3 and the fact that the Packers (2-3) and Lions (1-3) are struggling, leaves the Bears as the team to beat in the NFC North. Matt Forte isn’t 100-percent from an ankle injury but he’s managing, and him and Brian Urlacher will get healthier as the season goes along. They have old reliable Robbie Gould has proven he can kick in pressure moments, but most of all Jay Cutler is playing well. The team looked poised for the playoff last year before Cutler suffered an injury and seem to be on the right track this year.
Week 6 has a major Sunday Night Showdown with defense going against offense. J.J Watt against Aaron Rodgers. Green Bay at Houston 8:20. Enjoy.
If there is anything to analyze about week five it’s that the NFL is the most unpredictable sport there is. Drew Brees finally led the Saints to victory, passing the great Johnny Unitas for most consecutive games with a touchdown pass. The Indianapolis Colts however, were the story of the week.
First Down: “The Indianapolis Colts” After receiving the emotional news that new HC Chuck Pagano was diagnosed with Leukemia, the game against the Green Bay Packers seemed to be put on the back burner. Right out of the gates the Colts fans showed their emotions, with a huge ovation as the team entered LucasOil Stadium, but the first half belonged to Aaron Rodgers. Rodgers was nearly perfect with two TD passes leading his team to a 21-3 halftime lead. Bruce Arians or (BA) as he is referred to by the Colts, had to motivate a team in the spot of his ailing friend and down eighteen points. Whatever Arians said helped flipped the game 180 degrees. Quarterback Andrew Luck threw two touchdown passes and ran one in, while Reggie Wayne had a career high 13 receptions for 212 and a score. The Colts got help from Packers kicker Mason Crosby who shanked the tying 51-yards Field Goal and gave the Colts the win. The Colts may not make the playoffs but that game will be remembered by Colts fans for all the heart that was laid out on that field.
Second Down: “Easy Brees-y” Ok. I mentioned my man crush on Brees last week but can you blame me? This guy is a machine and has managed to stay cool, calm and collected through a four game losing streak. A win against the team that drafted him and passing legend Johnny U all on the same night was purely spectacular. The Saints pulled a Plaxico and shot themselves in the foot going 0-4 and the Atlanta Falcons seem to be on a freight train heading towards the playoffs. Every win is huge in the NFL and the Saints can now head into their bye week with a good feelings about themselves. However, the record that Brees broke on Sunday night means just a little more then the win, even if he won’t admit it. Brees has always been overlooked, even in San Diego when he had never reached his prime. He came to New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina, revitalized a city, won a Lombardi trophy and Superbowl MVP. Last year he passed one of the longest standing records in the NFL held by the great Dan Marino. Sunday night’s performance further showed that Brees is one of the best to play the position.
Third Down: “Jeff Fisher” The last few years the St. Louis Rams have been brutal. To put into perspective since 2004 when they last made the playoffs the Rams have not had a season over .500. They had a chance in 2010 to win a do-or-die game against Seattle at home, but stunk up their own place and were booted from the playoffs. This year they hired one of the all-time greats in Jeff Fisher. Fisher has a great Win/Loss record as a coach and had been successful for many years in Tennessee. On Thursday night against the division leading and undefeated Arizona Cardinals, the Rams defense combined for nine sacks against the Cards offense. After the game Arizona quarterback Kevin Kolb looked like he had just gone five rounds in the octagon. The Rams now sit just one game back in a close NFC West.
Fourth Down: “Da Bears” Lance Briggs and Charles Tillman became the first duo on the same team to return an interception to the house in two consecutive games. The Bears clobbered the Jacksonville Jaguars 41-3 and the fact that the Packers (2-3) and Lions (1-3) are struggling, leaves the Bears as the team to beat in the NFC North. Matt Forte isn’t 100-percent from an ankle injury but he’s managing, and him and Brian Urlacher will get healthier as the season goes along. They have old reliable Robbie Gould has proven he can kick in pressure moments, but most of all Jay Cutler is playing well. The team looked poised for the playoff last year before Cutler suffered an injury and seem to be on the right track this year.
Week 6 has a major Sunday Night Showdown with defense going against offense. J.J Watt against Aaron Rodgers. Green Bay at Houston 8:20. Enjoy.
Sunday, October 7, 2012
Four Downs- A look back at week 4
By:Sam Mendelsohn
After reaching the quarter mark in the seasons we are starting to see teams pull away from the pack. Houston, Atlanta both head into Sunday as the remaining undefeated teams. While the Saints and Browns have yet to win a game.
First Down: “Wild Showdown in Atlanta”
Coming off his worst performance as a pro, Cam Newton looked to rebound against the undefeated Atlanta Falcons. For most of the game Cam showed why he was selected first overall in 2011. Utilizing his speed, arm and decision making, Newton led the Panthers all game until a costly fumble in the fourth. The Panthers recovered the ball but chose to punt the ball. The punt was perfect by Brain Nortman, landing on the Falcons half-yard line. But on the very next play Matt Ryan threw a 56-yard pass to Roddy White setting up the eventual game winning field goal. You must think that Ron Rivera was considering that move to go for it and win the game on 4th down. Instead he and his team are left with just a 1-3 record.
Second Down: “Leaving on a JET-plane”
The Jets were shutout at home against one of the toughest defenses in the SanFrancisco 49ers but their is issue long term. They are without two key players on both sides of the ball in Santonio Holmes and Darelle Revis. Putting all the pressure on Mark Sanchez who was a brutal 13 for 29 for 103 yards. Look, the 49ers defense is tops in the league but I strongly advise that Ryan go to Tebow; he can’t do any worse. After another home shutout at the hands of the Texans Defense on Monday night there will be no other choice but to call on Tim Tebow.
Third Down: “Hard Knocks”
When HBO chose the Miami Dolphins to be the team they followed I like many questioned why? The episodes came and went without a single win in the pre-season. Joe Philbin however, is a very good coach in this league and has been for some time. Seeing his team nearly steal a game in Arizona was surely a good sign and rookie Ryan Tannehill played well. Tannehill started training camp as the third string quarterback and has quickly shown he has what it takes to play in the league. He dropped back 41 times and threw for over 430 yards but had two costly turnovers. The Dolphins dropped to 1-3 but there is a glimmer of light shining at the end of the tunnel.
Fourth Down: “The Saints go quietly marching on and on.”
It’s no easy task for any team to walk into Lambeau and steal a game away from Aaron Rodgers and the cheese heads, but the Saints desperately needed a win. Had it not been for a holding call on a crucial dying seconds kick, the Saints would have stole away a win. The one bright spot is that Drew Brees will yet again etch his name into the history books. Brees should pass Johnny Unitas’s record that has lasted fifty-two years of 48 consecutive games with a touchdown pass. The ironic thing is that it will come against the team that drafted him and let him go, at home on Sunday night. It’s like NBC knew this would be the case and planned it so accordingly. Oh, how I love when things fall into place and when it’s a guy like Drew Brees at the centre I will surely be watching. He like me has been looked the other way for most of our lives because we are both vertically challenged. I will be rooting for Brees and the Saints come 815. Saints 38- Chargers 27
After reaching the quarter mark in the seasons we are starting to see teams pull away from the pack. Houston, Atlanta both head into Sunday as the remaining undefeated teams. While the Saints and Browns have yet to win a game.
First Down: “Wild Showdown in Atlanta”
Coming off his worst performance as a pro, Cam Newton looked to rebound against the undefeated Atlanta Falcons. For most of the game Cam showed why he was selected first overall in 2011. Utilizing his speed, arm and decision making, Newton led the Panthers all game until a costly fumble in the fourth. The Panthers recovered the ball but chose to punt the ball. The punt was perfect by Brain Nortman, landing on the Falcons half-yard line. But on the very next play Matt Ryan threw a 56-yard pass to Roddy White setting up the eventual game winning field goal. You must think that Ron Rivera was considering that move to go for it and win the game on 4th down. Instead he and his team are left with just a 1-3 record.
Second Down: “Leaving on a JET-plane”
The Jets were shutout at home against one of the toughest defenses in the SanFrancisco 49ers but their is issue long term. They are without two key players on both sides of the ball in Santonio Holmes and Darelle Revis. Putting all the pressure on Mark Sanchez who was a brutal 13 for 29 for 103 yards. Look, the 49ers defense is tops in the league but I strongly advise that Ryan go to Tebow; he can’t do any worse. After another home shutout at the hands of the Texans Defense on Monday night there will be no other choice but to call on Tim Tebow.
Third Down: “Hard Knocks”
When HBO chose the Miami Dolphins to be the team they followed I like many questioned why? The episodes came and went without a single win in the pre-season. Joe Philbin however, is a very good coach in this league and has been for some time. Seeing his team nearly steal a game in Arizona was surely a good sign and rookie Ryan Tannehill played well. Tannehill started training camp as the third string quarterback and has quickly shown he has what it takes to play in the league. He dropped back 41 times and threw for over 430 yards but had two costly turnovers. The Dolphins dropped to 1-3 but there is a glimmer of light shining at the end of the tunnel.
Fourth Down: “The Saints go quietly marching on and on.”
It’s no easy task for any team to walk into Lambeau and steal a game away from Aaron Rodgers and the cheese heads, but the Saints desperately needed a win. Had it not been for a holding call on a crucial dying seconds kick, the Saints would have stole away a win. The one bright spot is that Drew Brees will yet again etch his name into the history books. Brees should pass Johnny Unitas’s record that has lasted fifty-two years of 48 consecutive games with a touchdown pass. The ironic thing is that it will come against the team that drafted him and let him go, at home on Sunday night. It’s like NBC knew this would be the case and planned it so accordingly. Oh, how I love when things fall into place and when it’s a guy like Drew Brees at the centre I will surely be watching. He like me has been looked the other way for most of our lives because we are both vertically challenged. I will be rooting for Brees and the Saints come 815. Saints 38- Chargers 27
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