In what should have been, the game of the week the New England Patriots solidified themselves as the top team in the AFC after dismantling the Houston Texans. While the Chicago Bears have major issues they need to sort out if they want to make the playoffs.
First Down: “An Emotional Win” Everyone around Valley Ranch, TX would tell you that this was a must win game for the Dallas Cowboys and their opponent was no slouch. The Cincinnati Bengals had been having an up-and-down season but were riding a 4-game winning streak; but no one could have forseen what would transpired before that. Nose Tackle Josh Brent got into a car accident and killed practice squad member and very close friend Jerry Brown Jr. 48 hours later and the Cowboys had to play a tough road game with emotions riding high. The Bengals controlled for the most part of the game, and were up 9 points in the final quarter. However, Tony Romo led an emotional charged team to ten 4th quarter points including a GW Dan Bailey FG to beat the Bengals 20-19. The win was big it masked the real problem between Brent and Brown Jr. The Cowboys have two tough but winnable home games against Pittsburgh (this week) and New Orleans and wrap the season up on the road against RGIII.
Second Down: “I am Still the Master” Bill Belichick and Tom Brady are the only two people remaining from their dynasty run at the beginning of the millennium. Since then, their has been a lot of moving pieces that have been added to a team that has reached the Super Bowl twice out of the last four years, (and lost both). This year “The Brady Bunch” are at it again with tight end Rob Gronkowski leading the charge for most of the season before a serious injury. Since then guys like Julian Edelman, Donte Stallworth had stepped up, but both are now on Injured Reserve. Brandon Lloyd and tight end Aaron Hernandez are solid with ol’ reliable Wes Welker in the slot. On Monday Night in a battle of the top teams in the AFC the Patriots showed once again why there are not just the best home team in the AFC but the best team in general. Brady threw 4 touchdown passes and was nearly flawless against the Texans stingy defense. The Patriots defense stepped up and was the better of the two; neutralizing Arian Foster, Matt Schaub and Andre Johnson. The Patriots have already clinched their division and have a 1st round bye in the sights.
Third Down: “Oh My, Lions, Dolphins and Bears” Unfortunately there are no Tigers in football but on Sunday the Detroit Lions, Miami Dolphins and probably the most shocking of all the Chicago Bears all lost. Detroit fought hard but the conditions at Lambeau Field were just too much in a 27-20 losing effort. The Dolphins and Ryan Tannehill stayed in it for most of the game against the SF 49ers until Colin Kapernick ran 50 yards in to the endzone with under 3 to play. Dolphins lose 27-13 and then there are the Chicago Bears. A few weeks ago, they were looking dangerous, unstoppable and in control of their own destiny. Since then the Bears have lost 4 of 5 and face Green Bay this week. It was last week however with a depleted defense that could not stop "All Day" Peterson and the Vikings Minnesota Vikings. Peterson ran for 154 yards and 2 scores as the Vikings won 21-14. That is with Christian Ponder throwing for 91 yards and Jay Cutler getting constant pressure. The Bears are now in 6th in the AFC as the Seattle Seahawks also at (8-5) have the tie-breaker. The Bears do have the Cardinals and Lions to finish the season off but it will be all playoff mode from hear on if the Bears want to make it.
Fourth Down: “Kirk Cousins?” If a tie in football is considered kissing your sister, what does losing to a Cousin mean? In all seriousness the game of the week saw RGIII play a motivational game and put his team in the best position to win against a tough Baltimore Ravens squad. Unfotunately, Griffin was not on the field when the Redskins tied it, that was Kirk Cousins a 4rd pick from this years past draft. Cousins only threw the ball twice and completed both passes, one of which was a TD pass to Pierre Garcon from 11 yards to cut it to 28-26. On the 2-PT Convert Cousins ran it in untouched. In OT the Ravens punted the ball and it was returned inside Ravens territory. Cousins handed the ball off a few more tims and Kai Forbath hit a GW 34 yard FG for the 31-28 win. The Redskins faced a Ravens defense without Ray Lewis and Terrell Suggs, but it was still a huge win and kept them in the playoff race.
Bold predicition: C.J. Spiller will have more combined yards then the Seattle Seahawks offense will have in total.
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