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  • Backyard Banter Podcast
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 54: Kyle Crabbs - Build my own chair at the table
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 53: James Koh - Divorce the information from emotion
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 52: Will Brinson - That's how it'll have to be
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 51: Charles McDonald - Not an escape from reality
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 50: What you've learned - For you, by you
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 49: Jourdan Rodrigue - Let's see what you think then
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 48: Justin Twell - Long process to come back
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 47: Justin Lonero - It's time to relearn life
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 46: Scott Bischoff - Life presented the greatest challenge possible
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 45: Al Zeidenfeld - Little steps along the way
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 44: Jason Romano - Just a different dream
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 43: Matt Harmon - But here we are (Season 1 finale)
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 42: Gregg Rosenthal - I have to make it work or else
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 41: Jon Moore - Determiner of what I want
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 40: Uncle Chaps - Just have fun with it
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 39: Bob Harris - The best addiction I've ever had
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 38: Scott Fish - Everybody working together to make this big
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 37: Jene Bramel - Ask the questions you want answered
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 36: Mike Tagliere - Never going to leave this candy store
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 35: Ben Cummins - Starting at ground zero
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 34: Field Yates - It's the nature of what we do
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 33: Chris Heil - I gave it everything I had
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 32: Sal Stefanile - Just make them notice you
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 31: Adam Levitan - Accept an alternate lifestyle
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 30: Matthew Freedman - It's not built for everyone
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 29: George Kritikos - If your heart's not in it people notice
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 28: Marcas Grant - Certainly never expected this
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 27: Steve Palazzolo - I understand the questions that come
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 26: Matt Miller - To build bridges not burn them
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 25: Graham Barfield - A human game played by humans
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 24: Pat Daugherty - I just said yes to everything
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 23: Eric Galko - There's always work to be done
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 22: TJ Hernandez - In some roundabout way
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 21: Alex Gelhar - Homework for the rest of your life
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 20: The Fantasy Footballers - Because we were fans
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 19: Jessica Kleinschmidt - The scariest person you deal with is yourself
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 18: Evan Silva - A willingness to work hard
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 17: Jeff Risdon - It's hard to be in the middle
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 16: Cecil Lammey - Because I didn't ask for anything
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 15: Patrick Claybon - If you shine people will see you
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 14: Denny Carter - People want to know you
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 13: Adam Rank - Honestly just don't go away
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 12: Adam Pfeifer - Being happy is doing this
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 11: Mark Schofield - You get one drive in this life
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 10: Liz Loza - Ride the horse in the direction it's going
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 9: Matthew Berry - I've done it without being negative to anyone
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 8: Matt Franciscovich - Persistence is a huge deal
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 7: Matt Williamson - I got lucky, but I made my own luck
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 6: Eric Stoner - Passions are best left as hobbies
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 5: Josh Norris - You don't have to have an opinion on everything
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 4: Rumford Johnny - Elevate somebody or get out of their way
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast episode 3: JJ Zachariason - No one cares because you're not established
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast episode 2: Matt Waldman - Popular doesn't necessarily make it good
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast episode 1 - Sigmund Bloom
  • Fantasy Hipsters
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 28: We''l see you in a bit.
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 27: "Ehhh how about you people relax with that one"
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 26: Mail Satchel - Davante Adams debate & "friends of the show"
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 25: NFL Network's Top 100 Players This or That
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 24: Mail Satchel - Surviving without Charlie and Tight Ends to Watch
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 23: Jeremy Maclin reaction, news recap and did Harmon pull off that hat?
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 22: Mail satchel - WE ARE THE PODCAST OF THE PEOPLE
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 21: Reception Perception review of sleepers, breakouts and surprises
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 20: Evan Silva destroys our MFL10 hopes and dreams
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 19: Mail satchel - Will Brandon Marshall thrive with the Giants in 2017?
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 18: We Are Pretty Mad
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 17: Mail satchel - Rompers, clean eating and the 2007 NFL Draft class
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 16: NFL depth chart breakdowns and being sick of bad Eddie Lacy jokes
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 15: Mail satchel - Drafting too many rookies, breakouts and bell-cow RBs
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 14: French press vs. pour over coffee & mock draft review with James Koh
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 13: Mail satchel - Los Angeles Chargers the hipster's team of 2017?
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 12: NFL Draft rookie fits and a cast iron running back with Matt Waldman
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 11: NFL Draft preview and drumset vomit with Josh Norris of Rotoworld
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast Episode 10: Mail satchel - Dynasty debate, bad impressions and hipster bands
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 9: Perfect Prospect Parings — identifying NFL fits for draft prospects
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 8: Corey Davis, DeVante Parker and what to drink at your draft
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 7: Carlos Hyde, Laquon Treadwell and NFL Draft rookie big board part 3
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 6: Valuing Jordan Howard for 2017 and NFL Draft rookie big board part 2
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 5: NFL Draft rookie top-12 big board and in-depth beer interview
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 4: Kaepernick saga, Harmon shaves his beard and Franchise gets roasted
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast Episode 3: Eddie Lacy, Free Agency, music & beer and picking best QB roommate
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 2: Early Free Agency Fallout, Combine Standouts & Mailbag
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 1: NFL Scouting Combine preview and washed vets
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast: Teaser episode introduction
  • Reception Perception: 2017
    • Reception Perception: Investigating any correlation between the results and draft prospect age
  • The 2016 Reception Perception Project
    • Reception Perception: 11 flags planted for the 2016 season
    • Reception Perception: Nelson Agholor can bounce-back in Doug Pederson's offense
    • Reception Perception: Improved technician Donte Moncrief is set to explode in 2016
    • Reception Perception: Only one concern can hold Sammy Watkins back from his ceiling
    • Reception Perception: Bruce Ellington has a chance to flash this season with the 49ers
    • Reception Perception: Albert Wilson and the Diary of a Truther
    • Reception Perception: Willie Snead built an impressive resume we must not ignore
    • Reception Perception: Welcome the ascending Tyler Lockett to rarified status
    • Reception Perception: Kamar Aiken is the answer to the Ravens receiver riddle
    • Reception Perception: DeSean Jackson and Josh Doctson make the Washington wide receivers a strength
    • Reception Perception: Browns make a refreshing first pick in Corey Coleman
    • Reception Perception: The fruitless search for fatal flaws with Laquon Treadwell
    • Reception Perception: Why there will never be a cumulative or overall grade
    • Reception Perception: The changing variables for Torrey Smith point to a rebound
    • Reception Perception: 2016 media appearances
    • Reception Perception: Rashard Higgins - never tell me the odds
    • Reception Perception: Keyarris Garrett is a unicorn in this draft class
    • Reception Perception: Malcolm Mitchell is a top-10 receiver in the 2016 NFL Draft
    • Reception Perception: 2016 NFL draft prospects results
    • Reception Perception: Golden Tate won't be able to replace Calvin Johnson
    • Reception Perception: Jeff Janis, trump cards and sorting through the noise
    • Reception Perception: Top-four college receiver primer
  • The 2015 Reception Perception Project
    • Reception Perception Based Media Appearances
    • Reception Perception: Steve Johnson is the Surest Sleeper Around
    • Reception Perception: Target and Contested Catch Data for Sophomore WRs
    • Reception Perception: Success Rate vs. Coverage Scores for the Sophomore Wide Receivers
    • Reception Perception: Why we Must Consider the Entire Range of Outcomes for Sammy Watkins
    • Reception Perception: Data Results from Year 1
    • Reception Perception: Scanning Through the Dolphins Receiving Corps for Fantasy Answers
    • Reception Perception: Allen Robinson is Quietly on the Precipice of a Massive Breakout
    • Reception Perception: Michael Crabtree is Exactly What the Raiders’ Passing Game Needs
    • Reception Perception: Justin Hunter and Wisely Shopping the Clearance Bins
    • Reception Perception: How Kevin White Began His Ascension to the Top
    • Reception Perception: Sammie Coates Falls Along a Dangerous Archetype
    • Reception Perception: A Video Rundown of the Data
    • Reception Perception: New Browns Receiver Dwayne Bowe Bring Value to a Depleted Pass Game
    • Reception Perception: Expectations and an Odd Coupling Doomed Mike Wallace in Miami
    • Reception Perception: Andre Johnson Still has Plenty Left to Offer the Colts
    • Reception Perception: Randall Cobb Made the Right Call Sticking With the Packers
    • Reception Perception: Where Do We Go From Here, Percy Harvin?
    • Reception Perception: Devin Smith and The Value of a Trump Card (FBG)
    • Reception Perception: The Siren Song of Dorial Green-Beckham (FBG)
    • Reception Perception: Impending Free Agent Michael Crabtree
    • Reception Perception: Amari Cooper Under the Microscope (FBG)
    • Reception Perception: Sammy Watkins and Cordarrelle Patterson
  • Matt Harmon's in-season film review blog
  • Bio Page
  • Harmon's Fantasy Football Tiered Rankings
  • The Backyard Banter Quarterback Typology
  • Analyzing the Landing Spots for the First Round Wide Recievers
  • Reception Perception
    • Reception Perception: Cordarrelle Patterson and a Developing Story
    • Reception Perception: Jordy Nelson and Mastering the Little Things
  • Ramblings
    • Rebuilding a broken house: losing weight, changing my lifestyle and never looking back
    • Fighting through negativity bias and a wide receiver's drops
    • Saying Goodbye to Dixie
    • The #FreeAustinTice Campaign
    • My Reaction to Adrian Peterson and The Cycle of Abuse
    • Steve Smith: A Lesson in the Dangers of Emotional Football
    • The Arizona Cardinals Will Make the Playoffs
    • The Redskins Better Not Blow This Thing Up
    • The Commodification of NFL Players
    • Digging Deeper: Why Josh Freeman Failed with the Buccaneers
    • The Fall of Aaron Hernandez and the Patriot Way
    • Washington Redskins Injury Concerns
    • Carolina Panther's Draft Bungles
    • Stubbornness the Silent Coaching Killer
  • The Fantasy Gameplan Podcast
  • Draft Class Jersey Number Grades
  • The Eye in the Sky
    • The Eye in the Sky: The St. Louis Rams Should Commit to Sam Bradford for 2014
    • The Eye in the Sky: Why the Cardinals Struggle Against Tight Ends
    • The Eye in the Sky: Uncovering a Diamond in the Rough, Mike Brown
    • The Eye in the Sky: Uncovering a Diamond in the Rough, Brandon Bostick
    • The Eye in the Sky: E.J. Manuel's Improvement All-22 Breakdown
    • The Eye in the Sky: Why Defending the Colts Offense is too Easy All-22 Breakdown
    • The Eye in the Sky: Picking Apart the Jets Defense All-22 Breakdown
    • Eye in the Sky: Texans vs. Chiefs (Week Seven) All-22 Breakdown
    • The Eye in the Sky: Redskins vs. Cowboys (Week Six) All-22 Breakdown
    • The Eye in the Sky: Panthers vs. Cardinals (Week Five) All-22 Breakdown
    • The Eye in the Sky: Colts vs. Seahawks (Week Five)
  • 2014 Free Agent Profiles
    • Josh McCown Free Agent Profile
    • Jason Hatcher Free Agent Profile
    • Jarius Byrd Free Agent Profile
    • T.J. Ward Free Agent Profile
    • Lamarr Houston Free Agent Profile
    • Darrelle Revis Free Agent Profile
    • Eric Decker Free Agent Profile
    • Jared Veldheer Free Agent Profile
    • DeMarcus Ware Free Agent Profile
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    • Louis Delmas Free Agent Profile
    • Red Bryant Free Agent Profile
    • John Carlson Free Agent Profile
    • D'Qwell Jackson Free Agent Profile
  • BYOB Forums (Bring Your Own Banter)
  • 2014 NFL Free Agency Position Breakdowns
    • 2014 Quarterback Free Agent Breakdown
    • 2014 Running Back Free Agent Breakdown
    • 2014 Fullback Free Agent Breakdown
    • 2014 Wide Receiver Free Agent Breakdown
    • 2014 Tight End Free Agent Rankings
    • 2014 Offensive Tackle Free Agent Breakdown
    • 2014 Offensive Guard Free Agent Breakdown
    • 2014 Offensive Center Free Agent Breakdown
    • 2014 Interior Defensive Lineman Free Agent Breakdown
    • 2014 Edge Player Free Agent Breakdown
    • 2014 Linebacker Free Agent Breakdown
    • 2014 Cornerback Free Agent Breakdown
    • 2014 Safety Free Agent Breakdown
    • 2014 Specialist Free Agent Breakdown
  • 2014 NFL Draft Content
    • 2014 NFL Draft Tiered Prospect Big Board (Top 75)
    • 2014 Tiered Colored Position Board
    • 2014 NFL Draft Tiered Prospect Big Board (Top 32)
    • 2014 NFL Draft Top 10 Quarterback Ranking
    • 2014 NFL Draft Running Back Top 10 Ranking
    • 2014 NFL Mock Draft--Post Free Agency
    • 2014 NFL Mock Draft--Pre Free Agency
    • 2014 NFL Draft Wide Receiver Top 10 Ranking
  • Sunday Mornin' Comin' Down
    • April 27th Sunday Morning Coming Down
    • April 13th Sunday Morning Coming Down
    • April 6th Sunday Morning Coming Down
    • March 30th Sunday Morning Coming Down
  • 2013 NFL Power Rankings
    • Week Seventeen 2013 Power Rankings
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    • 2013 Season Preview Edition/Week One
  • 2013 Weekly NFL Previews
    • Super Bowl Preview
    • Playoffs- Conference Championship Round NFL Preview
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    • Week Sixteen NFL Preview
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  • Week in Review 2013
    • Playoffs- Wildcard Round in Review
    • Week Seventeen in Review
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    • Week Fifteen in Review
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  • 2013 Team Record Predictions
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    • Rapid Reactions Heading into Week Eleven
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  • The 2013 All-Surprise Teams
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  • NFL Player Rankings (2013)
    • Top 10 NFL Quarterback Rankings
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Week Fourteen in Review

Thursday Night Game:

Houston Texans- 20 at Jacksonville Jaguars- 27

Reviewing the Game:
  • This game turned out to be much more entertaining than the narrative surrounding it predicted. The Jaguars came out hot and built a 14-0 lead early in the first half. The Texans looked like the inferior team from the beginning, and really never put that narrative to bed. It was impressive how the Jaguars made a nice effort to neutralize J.J. Watt. Watt was in the backfield consistently, but Chad Henne was able to get rid of the ball fast enough on quick patterns to avoid being sacked. The Jaguars offense had a number of impressive moments. A quarterback change once again did nothing for Houston. Their consistent losing ways go way beyond just the quarterback position. One parting shot: if you are not following Houston writing legend @McClain_on_NFL on their miserable game days, you are truly missing out. 
The Texans Perspective:
  • The way everyone began praising Matt Schaub for making smart veteran decisions once he returned to the field you would think the last three months never happened. Well, Schaub reminded everyone why he was on the bench in the first place when he threw a horrendous interception to ice the game. No matter who starts for the Texans the rest of the way, they will not be putting this team on their back to elevate the level of play around them. The Texans all but wrapped up the first overall pick in the draft with this loss. Derek Carr to Houston? My lord, can you imagine the headlines?
  • Jonathan Joseph was once regarded as an elite cover corner, but he has struggled mightily this season. Maybe now people will be more aware of that after last night he was beat on several occasions by Cecil Shorts. Joseph no longer looks adept at the bump and run coverage the Texans love to use. Another member of the Houston secondary, rookie safety D.J. Swearinger outdid him with poor play. Swearinger looked lost on the field throughout the night, and contributed a number of head-scratching penalties. 
The Jaguars Perspective:
  • The more you watch, the more you cannot help but be excited about this team’s future. Gus Bradley looks every bit the future bright star of a head coach he was billed to be, and guys are playing for him. With a ton of energy, and a wealth of knowledge on defensive football, Bradley looks like he will be the face of this team for years to come. 
  • The Jaguars offense has a ton of intriguing talent. Of course there is Cecil Shorts and a still spry Maurice Jones-Drew. However, there is also Mike Brown a favorite of this publication, Ace Sanders contributing on trick plays, and Jordan Todman providing a capable compliment to MJD. Not to mention a quietly improving offensive line. Whoever is the starter at quarterback in Jacksonville next season will not find the cupboard so bare as some might imagine.

Reviewing the Matchup to Watch
Alan Ball vs. Andre Johnson
  • Andre Johnson certainly got his last night with thirteen receptions and a number of crucial yards. The Texans do not consistently find ways to scheme Johnson open, but we can see the positive results when they do. Unlike the first loss to Jacksonville, the Texans seemed to find ways on crosses and routes to the middle of the field to find ways to get the ball in Johnson’s hands. The crazy part is Johnson could have had an even bigger day. Several times his quarterbacks failed to do him justice. Matt Schaub famously missed him for what would have been a crucial conversion on a fourth down late in the game. 
  • All that being said, do not go blaming Johnson’s success on Alan Ball. Ball did not have quite the stellar outing he did in the first matchup, but the Texans did a better job of moving Johnson around. Ball line up almost exclusively at right corner, and Johnson spent more time in the slot and flanker positions. The Jaguars sat in some more zone coverage than usual last night, and that really is not as suited to Ball’s strength. The emerging corner also came up with an interception on a gift from Case Keenum in the first half, and could have had second one. He just looked so shocked Schaub threw the ball where he did that he could not hang on to it. A solid, if unspectacular night for Alan Ball. 


Whipping around Sunday:

Recapping the Major Storylines
  1. No, the Panthers could not come anywhere close to dethroning the Saints for the NFC South crown. The Saints are simply way too good in their own building in primetime. The Panthers had a 6-0 lead at the end of the first quarter, but that evaporated quickly. Receivers found wide-open holes in their defense, and Drew Brees had no problem hitting them. The Panthers offense fell out of rhythm early, and the team as a whole was penalized far too often. There is no need to jump off the Panthers bandwagon just yet, but they were outshined in a major way tonight. 
  2. The Seahawks loss was all too easy to predict. The team came out a little flat in the first half after having praise heaped up on them all week after stomping the Saints. The officials in this game really zeroed in on the Seahawks brand of physical press coverage, and a number of flags were thrown on their corners. Nevertheless, it is very good the team is getting some of those young guys game experience. They have performed pretty well. No need panic about this team; this was just a minor setback.
  3. In a weird snowy game, the Eagles did keep pace with the first place Dallas Cowboys. LeSean McCoy was an absolute animal in the inclement weather, running for over 200 yards and scoring twice. Many people questioned whether Chip Kelly’s offense could play “grind it out” football, and they answered that call in the snow. For the betting man, this should be the team you believe in to take the NFC East. 
  4. Both rookie quarterbacks in the Bucs and Bills game were pretty dreadful. Mike Glennon only completed nine passes of twenty-five and E.J. Manuel threw four interceptions. There seems to be some credence to the idea the Bills have coddled Manuel too much. He hardly ever has to make difficult reads, or challenging throws. When they need him to make big time plays when coming from behind, it is painfully obvious he just does not have the experience to make those throws. 
  5. The Chiefs completely throttled the sinking ship that is the Washington Redskins. A 45-10 victory was just what this team needed to remind everyone they are the third best team in the AFC, and much better than those behind them. The Redskins are not a great challenge for anyone these days, but it was encouraging that they just completely blew the doors off of them. Their defense looked more like the unit that was harassing backup quarterbacks early in the season, and not the sieve we saw over their previous three games.


Reviewing the Top “Matchups to Watch”
1)    Luke Keuchly vs. Jimmy Graham
  • One thing that was mentioned in the preview column was how the Saints may split Graham out; getting him away from Keuchly. It seemed that was the case on about half of Graham’s receptions. When he was split out, safeties and cornerbacks stood no chance of covering him one on one, as usual, but even Keuchly did not do a great job locking down the massive tight end. He is still a great player, but Keuchly has certainly has his fair share of struggles when covering players one on one in 2013. Normally his struggles are due in part because he plays with too much recklessness, but tonight, he almost played Graham too passively.
2)    Josh Gordon vs. Aqib Talib and Devin McCourty
  • In the first quarter it looked like this duo may finally be the ones to shut down this young star. Gordon went that whole time without a reception, but could not be held down for long and finished with seven catches for 151 yards and another long score. On his eighty-yard touchdown catch, Gordon turned Talib around and then just outraced both he and McCourty to the end zone. Sometimes, you just cannot contain elite talent. 
3)    Broncos receivers vs. Titans cornerbacks
  • Well the Titans corners probably will not be getting any of that long overdue publicity after this performance, as least nothing positive. Peyton Manning put up nearly four hundred passing yards and spread the ball out economically to all of his wide receivers. No one is going to look at that stat line and assume this matchup was any sort of contest. Now, this may sound crazy, but the Titans corners actually were not awful today. Many times Jason McCourty and Alterraun Verner had good coverage, but were victimized by perfect ball placement by Peyton Manning. Take Decker’s touchdown for example. Verner and his safety help have that play about as well covered as possible, but Peyton just slips the ball in there anyways. Manning was right to gloat after the game about how he just played extremely well, outside, in the cold. 
4) Andre Holmes vs. Antonio Cromartie
  • While it was teammate Rod Streater who ended up having the more explosive day, Andre Holmes turned in a solid effort of his own. With three catches for sixty-three yards, the numbers do not exactly jump off the page, but watch the catches Holmes made. He really shows proficiency in some of the little things about being a wide receiver. For a guy who has been shadowed with some issues and is very inexperienced, that is a promising development. Holmes did not go nuts against Cromartie or Milliner as some pass catchers have this season, but he certainly did not do anything to bring doubts to those of us who are very high on him. 
5) Jared Cook vs. Cardinals linebackers and safeties
  • Jared Cook had another nondescript outing. He certainly did not go off like he did against this team in week one. Cook did find some open room on the field, but as anticipated, Kellen Clemens simply did not have the tools necessary to hit him. Since most of the Cardinals issues covering tight ends are most discipline-based issues, not personnel based, hitting big plays against them requires great timing and anticipation as a passer. Neither of which are strengths associated with Kellen Clemens.


Monday Night Game:

Dallas Cowboys- 28 at Chicago Bears- 45
Reviewing the Game:
  • If anyone had December 9th as the start of the annual Dallas Cowboys collapse you win. In an absolutely embarrassing defensive effort, the Cowboys were torn apart by the great Marc Trestman offense. The Cowboys ran for nearly 200 yards and still lost the game. That is an extremely rare occurrence. The Cowboys showed once again why they are perennially one of the league’s biggest jokes.
The Cowboys Perspective:
  • The Monte Kiffin hiring was curious at the time, and now it looks worse than anyone could have imagined. This defense has talent, even when Sean Lee is out of the lineup, as he far too often is. Jason Hatcher, DeMarcus Ware, and Brandon Carr are all great players. The problem is the rest of the players are either average or do not fit in the scheme. Good coaches put even average talent in positions to win; Monte Kiffin is no longer a good NFL coach. 
  • It is hard to blame any of this loss on the offense. In fact you really cannot do it. The Cowboys ran the ball with authority and Tony Romo played a clean game. it is just really hard to win football games when the other team scores on all of their possessions (excluding the final kneel down). Games like this are what helps fuel the stupid "Romo stinks in December" narrative. 
The Bears Perspective:
  • The Bears are still right in the thick of the NFC North race, and it is mostly thanks to Josh McCown’s terrific play. He once again was fantastic in tossing four touchdowns passes to take the Bears to a win. However, for those who think he will be relegating Jay Cutler to the bench, lets keep perspective. McCown probably should have tossed three interceptions, but the Dallas defenders did not show any interest in holding on to those passes. Cutler will remain this team’s 2013 starter, but that does not take away from what McCown has done. 
  • The Bears defense remains a massive liability. Joseph Randle even looked like a quality NFL running back against them. The defense still makes this team feel like the third best team in its own division. Even if they somehow get there, the Bears certainly will not be able to do much in the playoffs with other teams knowing they can consistently run against for 200 yards a game.
  • Here is an additional funny side note for anyone interested. I watched the game with a friend tonight and he claimed that both of the Bears wide receivers belonged in the top five best in the NFL. I was right in the middle of explaining to him why there was just too much front line talent at the position throughout the league right now for Alshon Jeffery to be in the top ten when Jeffery hauled in his ridiculous touchdown. My friend simply pointed to the television screen as I was foolishly left silent. I still believe my point, but never have I had an NFL player stick the middle finger up at me like that! Jeffery is simply unbelievable, and will be amongst that rank soon enough. 
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