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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
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    • 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
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  • 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)
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  • 2014 NFL Free Agency Position Breakdowns
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  • 2014 NFL Draft Content
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  • Sunday Mornin' Comin' Down
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Week Twelve in Review

Thursday Night Game:

New Orleans Saints 17 at Atlanta Falcons-13
Reviewing the Game:
  • This game was much closer than many predicted, but even as Atlanta was trying take the lead away from the Saints, it just never felt like they stood a chance to win. Atlanta’s offense did not look like the train wreck that it had been in recent weeks. Steven Jackson had his best game as a Falcon, and undrafted rookie receiver, Darius Johnson, paced the offense in the first half. The Saints adjusted well in the second half and Johnson went quiet along with the rest of the pass catchers; Saints cornerback Keenan Lewis had the clamps on Roddy White all night. The Saints offense did just enough to get by the Falcons, who even admitted that this was their Super Bowl in a completely lost season. the Saints had to be encouraged that they were able to run most of their offense through their running backs, on the ground and in the passing game, as they will need that position group to step up as they head towards their playoff run. Even though the result was more competitive than anticipated, it was still a rather boring game.
Matchup to Watch: Jimmy Graham vs. Falcons linebackers and safeties
  • Jimmy Graham had great success all night attacking the defenders in the middle of the Atlanta defense. Graham’s touchdown came when he was all alone in man coverage with William Moore; whose bright idea was that? Graham put a sweet double move on Moore and took off towards the end zone after catching a wide-open pass. Moore caught up with Graham, but only latched on to become the latest defender the superstar tight end dragged into the end zone. Graham looks to be inching closer and closer to one hundred percent after a mid season foot injury, and in the mean time is still domnating like he did tonight. 


Whipping around Sunday:

Week Twelve’s Best:
1) Great finishes
  • This is exactly what the NFL was made for. The Chargers vs. Chiefs, Panthers vs. Dolphins, and Buccaneers vs. Lions all ended in spectacular fashion. Philip Rivers made one of the best throws you will ever see to Seyi Ajirotutu, with less than thirty seconds left, to hand the Chiefs their second loss of the season. The Chargers defense then sealed the deal with great coverage for the first time all day, and a sack of Alex Smith. In Miami, after looking rather sluggish all day, Cam Newton injected life into his offense with a spectacular game winning drive. Newton made a great throw that Steve Smith miraculously held onto on fourth down, and then sealed the deal with a one-yard touchdown throw to Greg Olsen. Cam has now led his team on three consecutive game winning drives, while destroying all the narratives surrounding him. Tampa Bay finished off the superior Detroit Lions when Jonathan Banks snagged Matthew Stafford’s fourth interception of the day. While Fox tries to sell us terrible matchups like the Cowboys vs. Giants as the “game of the week” it is refreshing to see that there were still plenty of exciting games. 
2)    Josh Gordon
  • For all the praise the Browns rightfully get for fleecing the Colts in the Trent Richardson deal, they should be thankful no one took Josh Gordon off their hands. Gordon was terrific against the Steelers. His numbers are outrageous, fourteen catches for 237 yards and a score, and he was every bit as dominant as those numbers indicate. To think, Gordon did most of his damage after Brandon Weeden resurrected himself yet again. Gordon has really been terrific all year, despite a not-so murder’s row of starting quarterbacks provided by the Browns. If the Browns manage to get a real quarterback behind center, and Gordon keeps his nose out of trouble, he might just become a top five NFL receiver
3)    The Pittsburgh Steelers
  • You mean the Steelers were better when they had underperforming and aging veterans like Lamarr Woodley and Brett Keisel on the sidelines? The Steelers defense looked noticeably quicker against every Browns player not named Josh Gordon. Somehow the Steelers have fought back from an 0-4 start to position themselves to be the final seed in the AFC playoffs. When the defense at least plays competently and Roethlisberger is playing smart, this Steelers team is awfully tough to beat. 
4)    Mike Glennon
  • Don’t look now, but this third round pick is by far the best rookie signal caller this season. Glennon has the Bucs on a three game winning streak, and for the first time, he was the biggest reason they won. Glennon made a number of impressive down field throws without much help from his running game. Suddenly this piece of praise from the great Greg Cosell does not look so out of place. Tampa Bay may have finally ended its long search for a franchise quarterback.
5)    Cameron Wake
  • Despite a losing effort, Cameron Wake may have been the best player on the field in the Dolphins loss to the Panthers. Wake was constantly in Newton’s face and delivered the initial blow that looked to have the Panthers quarterback rattled all day. When the Panthers dedicated extra bodies to slow Wake down, other Dolphins linemen like Olivier Vernon and Jared Odrick managed to knife into the backfield. Cam Newton was able to overcome the constant pressure in the end, but this was yet another reminder of why Wake is one of the top defensive players in the league. 

Week Twelve’s Worst
1)    The Houston Texans
  • Case Keenum did little to redeem himself after being benched last week, and his team endured a crippling loss to the Jaguars. The only good thing about the Texans day was they might have found another unknown running back to carry the load for them. Dennis Johnson may well find himself with a “Diamond in the Rough” piece on this page soon enough. Nobody on the Texans defense, outside of J.J. Watt, is playing at a high level right now either, and they are out of excuses. Andre Johnson summed it up pretty well when he astutely told reporters “we suck”. The only good news for the Texans? They may have wrapped up the number one pick by losing to the Jaguars. 
2)    The Chiefs defense
  • 41 points allowed, by this defense? It just goes to show you pressure is the catalyst for everything on most defenses no matter how good they are. When Tamba Hali and Justin Houston left this game there was no hope for the other nine men on defense. Philip Rivers picked up where Peyton Manning left off picking on Marcus Cooper, and the secondary just had no answer for Keenan Allen. There is no need to sound the panic alarm in Kansas City just yet; another great NFL defense, the Panthers, struggled today with out their best pass rusher, and no team is equipped to lose both of their edge rushers. Of course, if Houston and Hali are out for an extend period of time, all bets are off. Eric Berry, Derrick Johnson, Dontari Poe, and Brandon Flowers are great, but the whole unit takes a step back without their edge rushers. 
3)    The Colts
  • No disrespect to the Arizona Cardinals, who are a legitimate playoff team, but the Colts are a train wreck. Of course, the writing was on the wall about this bunch. The Colts defense could not stop anything the Cardinals offense threw at them, and their own anemic offense was laughable. They did not even put a touchdown on the board until late in the fourth quarter. Despite bigger names on the roster, waiver claim Dan Herron was the team’s leading rusher, and Andrew Luck struggled once again with too much weight on his shoulders. The Colts will ride into the playoffs with the state of their division, but no way they get past the first round of the playoffs.
4)    Ryan Tannehill
  • Despite some nice numbers, including several long overdue deep bombs to Mike Wallace, the Dolphins quarterback was unimpressive. Tannehill looked indecisive all day, and several of his deep passes were under or overthrown. He was lucky Wallace finally discovered how to make plays on the ball in the air. Tannehill looked like he was scared of the Panthers pass rush even when it was not there. The young quarterback is just not getting better right now. 
5)    The tie
  • The Packers and Viking game ended in the worst outcome in sports. The tie. Neither team could prove themselves a winner in an hour and fifteen minutes of playing time; it was truly a showing in futility. The return of Matt Flynn briefly gave the Packers a spark in the fourth, but neither he nor Christian Ponder ever stood a chance of mounting the winning drive in overtime. Ties are absolutely the worst, but these two teams earned it. 

Reviewing the Top Three “Matchups to Watch”
1)    Joe Haden vs. Antonio Brown
  • Maybe everyone will stop calling Joe Haden the “next Revis”. The tape shows that Haden is not a shut down level corner, and Jordy Nelson already confirmed that early in the year. Fantasy football owners everywhere panicked and considered benching the red-hot Antonio Brown. Brown, who has been a top five NFL receiver this season, made mincemeat of Joe Haden all afternoon. Now that Brown has put the clown suit Haden, maybe we can settle his value to where it should be; a great cornerback, but not an owner of his own island. 
2)    Darrelle Revis vs. Calvin Johnson.
  • Revis has Megatron on the lock early on, gut an injury spoiled all the fun. Revis left the game early with an undisclosed injury and never made his return to the field. Without the best cornerback of out generation, Megatron was left to eat, and eat he did, despite his team’s loss. 
3)    Kendall Wright vs. the Raiders cornerbacks
  • Wright is the best young receiver no one knows about. Wright went over 100 yards and caught the game winning touchdown from Ryan Fitzpatrick. Even with the downgrade at quarterback, Wright is excelling. It may have something to do with Fitzpatrick reckless nature, and willingness to hurl the ball down the field.


Sunday Night Game:

Denver Broncos- 31 at New England Patriots- 34
Reviewing the Game:
  • Has there been a weirder Manning vs. Brady game before this one? There were eleven total fumbles in the game for goodness sakes. The Broncos scored fourteen points right off the bat on two of those Patriot fumbles, and eventually mounted a 24-0 lead headed into the half. Of course, the Patriots would not stand for that, and came roaring back to score thirty-one unanswered points and had a 31-28 lead heading into the final five minutes. Peyton Manning surgically took the ball down the field for the game tying score, and it was off to overtime. Bill Belichick correctly chose to defer the kickoff and to let the Broncos fight the stifling wind. Both teams went back and forth in the overtime, with neither gaining much momentum, until the Patriots punted to Denver with less than four minutes remaining. Wes Welker and Tony Carter suffered a miscommunication on the punt return and the ball hit Carter’s leg to give the Patriots the ball inside the twenty-yard line. The Patriots were able to kick the game winning field goal for a very sour ending to a thrilling game. 
The Broncos Perspective:
  • The Broncos jumped out early with some timely strips on defense, and that unit played pretty well all night after a dominant first half, but losing Domique Rodger-Cromartie in such unfortunate fashion was brutal. Von Miller was a dominant force for stretches of this game, and he put the clown suit on overrated Patriots tackle Nate Solder on several occasions. Miller makes this whole defense better.
  • Offensively, the Broncos ran the ball with authority. Knowshon Moreno tallied 224 yards and consistently pounded the ball right up the gut. Montee Ball was able to contribute in the rushing onslaught as well. 
  • Peyton Manning certainly was not the same quarterback in the cold, blistery conditions in Foxboro. However, he gave his team the chance to win at the end. Manning was also let down on more than one occasion by some of his receivers, Wes Welker and Demaryius Thomas in particular. 
  • Bottom line is the Broncos will need to run the ball this well when it comes playoff times, because their passing attack just does not seem to stand up in the cold. 
The Patriots Perspective:
  • The Patriots slow start has been well discussed, but they came out like a machine in the second half. With Stevan Ridley in the doghouse after yet another fumble, Brandon Bolden and Shane Vereen carried the load for the Patriots. It is pretty crazy how much of a key piece Vereen is in this offense already, and he is still hampered by a balky cast on his wrist.
  • The Patriots got great receiving performances from Rob Gronkowski and Julian Edleman. Gronk could simply not be covered, and the Broncos had absolutely no answer for him. Tom Brady was flawless in the second half, and showed once again why he never crumbles in the face of pressure. Brady and the Patriots got lucky with a special teams turnover being the deciding factor, but he still had a massive outing. 
  • No one will say it, but major credit needs to be given to the Patriots defense, who managed to get Peyton Manning off his spot, and Bill Belichick for several shrewd coaching decisions. This was a great game, and is almost certainly a preview of the AFC Championship game. 

Monday Night Game:

San Francisco 49ers- at Washington Redskins-
Reviewing the Game:
  • This game set advanced quarterbacking back by twenty years. Both of these young quarterbacks were touted as the “next great things” after last season, but this game epitomized why they have fallen back to earth. That includes Colin Kaepernick, who made some great throws and put up big numbers. Both quarterbacks struggle to read the field, and have been unable to adjust with the training wheels taken off of them. Kaepernick struggled whenever the Redskins were not leaving his first read wide open, and Robert Griffin made some really questionable decisions. The 49ers often kept Griffin contained in the pocket, and he struggled from that area, yet again. The biggest storyline from this game is just how far behind these two are in their developments as NFL quarterbacks. What looked preseason like a matchup between two of the hottest young guns in the league turned out to be a complete and utter mess. 
The 49ers Perspective:
  • The 49ers were so clearly the better team in this game. They were more physical at both lines of scrimmage and moved the Redskins around all night. The 49ers pass rushers were especially impressive. Aldon Smith made several highlight plays hitting RG3, but it was Ahmad Brooks who was once again the more dominant defender. Brooks shut down run lanes to his side, and made several key drops of RG3. Brooks lived in the Redskins backfield tonight.
  • Offensively, the 49ers continued their tradition of looking very good against bad teams. It is hard to take away too much from this game because of how bad the Redskins defense was. However, Vernon Davis and Anquan Boldin were fantastic and Kaepernick delivered several rifles to his two top weapons. If only the 49ers had a number one receiver hiding somewhere…
The Redskins Perspective:
  • Horrible. Simply horrible. There was no fourth quarter revival to come for the Redskins this time. RG3 was atrocious once again, and showed a number of his flaws as a player right now. He was indecisive, made poor reads, and continued to take unnecessary punishment. Griffin did not seem to have any concept of an internal clock against the swarming 49ers defensive front. There were holes in the secondary but Griffin was unable to find them and pull the trigger. It certainly did not help him that the team got behind so quickly, and was unable to run the ball. 
  • Here are a couple pathetic stats from the Redskins in the second half: The team did not get their first first down until nine minutes were left in the fourth quarter. Up until that point, the Redskins were averaging just around one yard per snap as well.
  • It is easy to bash on the Redskins defense, which was simply overmatched at every level for yet another week. However, one player who got the clown suit put on him over and over again was Trent Williams. Williams is an elite level left tackle, most of the time. He has all the athletic ability to mirror and compete with a player like Aldon Smith, but he seemed completely disinterested most of the time. Williams looked half asleep most of the evening and played a terrible game. 
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