Week Nine in Review

By: Matt Harmon

Thursday Night Game:

Cincinnati Bengals- 20 at Miami Dolphins- 22
Reviewing the Game:

• In predictable fashion the Bengals and Andy Dalton fell short despite coming off an incredible three game stretch. Coming off being named the Offensive Player of the Month for October Andy Dalton threw three interceptions, two of which were entirely fault and painfully inexcusable. With Dalton struggling, Giovanni Bernard picked up the slack with some truly incredible runs, including one of his touchdowns, which will no doubt be one of the tops plays of this season. A.J. Green also turned in a stellar effort despit one uncharacteristic drop. All this to say, it was once again Andy Dalton who was the weak link of a team oozing with talent. The Bengals defense did its part, despite losing All-Pro defensive tackle Geno Atkins to an ACL injury, as the Dolphins offense looked out of sync for most of the night. Some of those struggles might be on Mike Sherman who looks to be out of his depth; there is no reason Lamar Miller should have only received sixteen carries when he was rolling the way he was last night. The Dolphins defense won this game and most only the back of Cameron Wake, who was the best player on the field last night. Wake collected three sacks, including the game winning safety in overtime. You do not see endings like that every day. 

Matchup to Watch: Carlos Dunlap vs. Tyson Clabo

• Clabo and the Dolphins predictably struggled for the early portions of this game. Dunlap, Michael Johnson, and Wallace Gilberry were getting consistent pressure on Ryan Tannehill. However, give this group credit, for the majority of the Dolphins game-tying drive to go to overtime the offensive line held its own and gave Tannehill just enough time to make throws. To his credit, Dunlap actually made a touchdown saving play when he hustled all the way down the field to pop the ball out of Lamar Miller’s arm before he broke into the end zone. 

Sunday Games:

Kansas City Chiefs- 23 at Buffalo Bills- 13
Reviewing the Game:

• The Bills put up a fight, and third string quarterback Jeff Tuel made a few impressive throws, but in the end the Bills were simply overmatched. Tuel also made two backbreaking mistakes on his interceptions and one was returned 100 yards for a touchdown by Sean Smith. Interestingly enough, Smith blew his assignment and left Stevie Johnson wide open, but Tuel had predetermined where he was throwing the ball and Smith happened to be right in that spot. The Chiefs stick to their formula and get another win, but still are being disrespected despite an undefeated record. The Chiefs will have to beat a good team to get the national pundits off their back. 

Matchup to Watch:  Kiko Alonso vs. Jamal Charles

• Jamal Charles got his with ninety rushing yards, but the Bills did a good job limiting his big plays, as his longest run was for only twelve yards. The Bills defense did a nice job limiting Charles’ role in the passing game as his six catches only netted a total of six yards. Kiko Alonso led a strong effort buy the Bills front seven. 

 


Atlanta Falcons- 10 at Carolina Panthers- 34
Reviewing the Game:                                

• Carolina once again pushed aside a bad football team and racked up 30 plus points on the way to another win. The Panthers did not get the best effort from Cam Newton, who threw two interceptions and missed on a number of throws, but unlike in years past, Cam made the plays he needed to win this game. Even as Newton faltered, the rest of the team stepped up around him. Jonathan Stewart brought a steady running threat; Brandon LaFell made a number of clutch catches, and the defense intercept Matt Ryan three times. Matt Ryan had a rough afternoon, and those three interceptions were pretty much all on him, but what is he supposed to do out there? This Falcons roster is flat out bad right now outside of their quarterback and tight end. The Falcons are officially done after this loss. 

Matchup to Watch: Osi Uymeniora vs. Jordan Gross

• Uymeniora got half of a sack, but do not be fooled, that was a coverage sack. The secondary kept their coverage together an extraordinarily long time, and Newton had no choice but to take a late sack. The Falcons could not get to Newton most of the afternoon, despite injuries to Carolina’s offensive line. 
  

Minnesota Vikings- 23 at Dallas Cowboys- 27
Reviewing the Game:

• The Vikings fought in this game, and Adrian Peterson had a vintage elte performance, but it was not enough to get the win. Tony Romo almost lived up to his negative narrative when he threw a bad interception late in the fourth quarter when Dallas was trailing, but was lucky to get the ball back and drive his team down for a clutch game winning touchdown. The Vikings put together a nice effort, but they just are not a good football team right now.  

Matchup to Watch: Terrance Williams and Dez Bryant vs. Vikings cornerbacks

• Oddly enough, these two did not make that much of a difference. Bryant and Williams only combined for eight catches and 97 yards, and neither made many game changing plays. Instead, it was Jason Witten who abused the Vikings poor group of safeties. 

New Orleans Saints- 20 at New York Jets- 26
Reviewing the Game:

• Well, it was indeed an up week on the Jets roller coaster. It appears Rex Ryan did a ton of research on how to find holes in his brothers defense as the Saints let up seven plays of nineteen or more yards to the offensively challenged Jets. You cannot win games with those types of number. Former Saints running back Chris Ivory was unleashed and ran like a man out to prove his old team should have valued him much higher than they did. The quality of play that the Jets are getting from Muhammad Wilkerson, Sheldon Richardson, and Damon Harrison is incredible. With the rest of the defense being just around average, everything Ryan is doing on defense is keyed around those three players and they completely dominated the Saints offensive line today. Drew Brees put up some big numbers as always, but made several uncharacteristic bad decisions. There is no reason to panic if you are a Saints supporter, but this loss opens up questions of how well New Orleans can play outside and away from the Super Dome. 

Matchup to Watch: Marques Colston vs. Antonio Cromartie

• This is a matchup never materialized as Marques Colston was a surprise and late inactive for this game. 

Tennessee Titans- 28 at St. Louis Rams- 21
Reviewing the Game:

• The Rams offense was not the problem today. Kellen Clemens had a mostly efficient day spread the ball around to multiple target, but it was rookie running back Zac Stacy who ruled the day yet again. Stacy carried the ball 27 times for the Rams and even chipped in with six receptions out of the backfield. The Rams may have found a budding star in the fifth round of last April’s draft. The Titans we not an offensive force or anything, but the Rams defense was a complete disgrace and cost them this game and any sort of revenge Jeff Fisher was planning for his former team. 

Matchup to Watch: Chris Johnson vs. Rams front seven

• Chris Johnson looked the best we have seen him in a long time on Sunday. In fact, the entire Titans backfield was on fire as Jake Locker and Shonn Greene also took carries into the end zone. As impressive as his final stat line was, lets hold off on declaring that CJ2K is back. A number of his runs he got down the field completely untouched and got to the edge completely unchallenged. The Rams first round pick, Alec Ogletree, was down right putrid in this game and stood out a number of times and all in a bad way. For how much talent they have and as many investments have been made in them, there is no excuse for such a horrific performance by the Rams linebackers. 
  

San Diego Chargers- 24 at Washington Redskins- 30
Reviewing the Game:

• The Redskins started off this game with a few embarrassing gaffes, coming away with no points on a 92-yard drive and RG3’s interception to a defensive lineman in his own endzone, but they got their act together and pulled out a win. The Redskins got back to running the plays that made them so successful with Griffin last season, including several triple option plays and play action designed to get guys open in the middle of the field. The Chargers had no answers for the Redskins running game, and let up four rushing touchdowns. Philip Rivers had some nice moments, but the much-maligned Redskins defense also managed to bait him into some mistakes. The Redskins did get a little lucky that the Chargers were unable to punch in the game winning inside the five and had to settle for a field goal and overtime, but give this team credit for being resilient, especially after they had two field goals blocked. 

Matchup to Watch: Redskins pass offense vs. Chargers secondary

• With the read option working so successfully, the Redskins were able to find a ton of holes in the Chargers secondary. RG3 deserves a lot of credit for bouncing back from his worst game as a pro last week against Denver to deliver a great game today. Griffin drilled the ball into small holes with ease all afternoon. The best player on the field in this game however, was Pierre Garcon. Garcon is a perfect fit for the type of offense the Redskins run with Griffin and put together a dominant performance today. Garcon is a complete player who is an incredible route runner, makes great contested catches, and has the speed and moves to be a threat after the catch. 
  

Philadelphia Eagles- 49 at Oakland Raiders- 20
Reviewing the Game:

• Nick Foles. What else is there to say? Foles did his best Peyton Manning impression by torching the Eagles secondary for 400 plus yards and seven touchdowns on only 28 passes. His numbers are not inflated by any gimmicks either; Foles was unbelievably accurate and pushed the ball down the field at will against the Raiders. Foles was dominant today and clearly earned the right to start for at least the rest of this season. The Raiders fell behind in this game an despite playing some solid offense, stood no chance in mounting a comeback. The read option game was a huge hit for the Raiders, but it just did not matter with their defense falling to Foles. 

Matchup to Watch: Raiders front seven vs. LeSean McCoy

• With how well Nick Foles was playing LeSean McCoy was hardly needed in the ground game. However, if his number had to be called more, he could have torched the Raiders as well. Just watch the moves he throws down on his 25-yard touchdown reception, it was unreal. The Raiders were a top ten unit coming into this contest, but the Eagles sure made that look like a mirage. 
  

Tampa Bay Buccaneers- 24 at Seattle Seahawks - 27
Reviewing the Game:

• The football world was completely flabbergasted and Twitter was sent into a panic when the Buccaneers jumped out to a stunning 21-0 lead. The Bucs pulled out all the stops early in the game to get that lead, and even had their running back, Mike James, throw a jump pass to a tight end that was falling over. However, it all just could not stick. The mark of a good team is being able to adjust at half time; Tampa Bay stuck with the status quo and it cost them dearly, whereas Seattle adjusted and won the game. As the Bucs lead began to dwindle, you could just feel there was no way Russell Wilson and the Seahawks were not going to pull out the win. Tampa Bay is too talented to be a winless team, or to blow a 21 point advantage. 

Matchup to Watch: Vincent Jackson vs. Richard Sherman

• Vincent Jackson was held to two catches for just eleven yards. Richard Sherman had the clamps on him all day. 
  

Baltimore Ravens- 18 at Cleveland Browns- 24
Reviewing the Game:

• The Ravens are just not a good team. Their offense will literally put you to sleep, and their rushing numbers are enough to bring a man to tears. That side of the ball is a total mess, and there is not need to continue to beat the dead horse over it. It was much more surprising that their defense played so poorly. Jason Campbell looked incredible in this win, and frankly, looked better than he ever has at the NFL level. Campbell moved around well and consistently delivered accurate strikes down the field. Greg Little finally looked like the stud he is every bit capable of being, and made some delicious open field moves for a man his size. If he wanted to be, Greg Little could be TO-lite. Jason Campbell was able to do all that without any help from his running game; Willis McGahee averaged an embarrassing 1.7 yards per carry. 

Matchup to Watch: Torrey Smith vs. Joe Haden

• This matchup was probably a poor choice because Ray Horton does not really have Joe Haden shadow the oppositions best receiver. It may be a good idea to consider, seeing as Torrey Smith was able to have a productive day. In fact, Smith was the only Ravens offensive player to do anything of consequence, something that has been a trend throughout this season.  

Pittsburgh Steelers- 31 at New England Patriots- 55
Reviewing the Game:

• Who would have thought that this would turn into one of those “start all your fantasy players” games? The two Pro Bowl quarterbacks combined for over 800 yards of passing and eight scores. Stevan Ridley also got into the action and showed once again why he needs to be the bell cow back for the Patriots. Things were so bad for the Steelers defense that even LeGarrette Blount had an effective day running the football. Ben Roethlisberger had an effective day spreading the ball around to Antonio Brown, Emmanuel Sanders, and even Jericho Cotchery. However, on a day where the Steelers defense was a complete failure, the Patriots defense stepped up enough to grab some timely interceptions and sacks. Sometimes it pays to go beyond the box score to see that a defense steps up when it matters most. 

Matchup to Watch: Tom Brady vs. the Steelers secondary

• Tom Brady must have heard everyone talking about how he might be done; he did not look that way today. Brady was slinging passes down field like we have not seen in the past two years while looking off the Steelers veteran defensive backs. Rob Gronkowski spent the day torturing Troy Polamalu in coverage while Danny Amendola and Aaron Dobson destroyed the cornerbacks. It was an all out assault against an old and slow Steelers defense. 
  

Indianapolis Colt- 27 at Houston Texans- 24
Reviewing the Game:

• You heard it here first, and Case Keenum far exceed even the loftiest of expectations. Keenum attacked the Colts secondary deep over and over again in ways that his predecessor Matt Schaub is clearly no longer able to do. Keenum was simply fantastic and looked every bit like a starting quarterback, and one with a very strong future ahead of him. Keenum wisely leaned on Andre Johnson, who scored his first three touchdowns of the season, early and often. Jonson abused the Colts, who for some reason tried to cover him one on one and even lined him up against safeties. Keenum and the Texans had the Colts on the ropes down 24-6, and the defense was giving Andrew Lucks fits. However, Luck came alive late in the game, combatted the insane amount of pressure on him, and led the Colts on three touchdown drives to win the game. All three of Luck’s touchdowns went to T.Y. Hilton who looked completely capable of filling the shoes of Reggie Wayne for the rest of the season. Luck showed why he is a great player, because even on his worst night, he had it in him to lead this team back and win the game. Keenum and company should have won this game, but you can thank Randy Bullock and his three missed field goals, including one that would have sent the game to overtime, for robbing our boy of his first career win. 

Matchup to Watch: Robert Mathis vs. Duane Brown

• Duane Brown was utterly dominant last night and showed why he is the best offensive tackle in the NFL. Brown completely shut down the NFL’s leading sack man in Robert Mathis and actually completely embarrassed him at time. Brown was over powering and rag-dolled Mathis on several occasions. It is also important to highlight that even when the Colts moved Mathis to the other side of the line to try to get to Keenum, former Broncos starting tackle, Ryan Harris, also performed admirably against him.

Monday Night Game:

Chicago Bears- 27 at Green Bay Packers- 20
Reviewing the Game:

• During the first series it looked like this game was going to right to script. The Packers were pounding Eddie Lacy right down the throat of the Bears depleted defense and were driving, but then it all fell apart when Aaron Rodgers got up after taking a hit and was visibly in pain. The Packers settled for a field goal, and Rodgers never returned. Lacy continued to run hard, and added to his impressive Offensive Rookie of the Year resume, but Seneca Wallace was largely ineffective and never got the offense rolling. The Packers defense may have been the bigger culprit in this loss though. Josh McCown looks like a new man under Marc Trestman; how did Trestman not get an NFL head-coaching job before this? The man is the King Midas of quarterbacks. McCown moved around well in the pocket, reset his feet, and moved the Bears down the field like he was Jay Cutler himself back there. Behind solid protection, McCown was able to keep the Bears offense viable. When it came time to stop the run at the end of the game, the Packers could not hold up against Matt Forte. The defensive performance was simply embarrassing for Green Bay. 

Matchup to Watch: Sam Shields vs. Brandon Marshall

• Brandon Marshall as at his best last night. Marshall outmuscled both of the Packers corners with regularity, and his touchdown over Tramon Williams was vintage Marshall. Josh McCown clearly looked for Marshall early and often, but he also got all of his other targets involved. Matt Forte, Alshon Jeffery, Martellus Bennett, and Marshall all had at least four catches.

 

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