Buccaneers QB Josh Freeman came in on a roll lately. Vikings QB Christian Ponder came in very turnover prone and inaccurate. That didn't change in this game. Freeman didn't necessarily light up the Vikings defense, but it was the inability of the Vikings offense to keep pace with the Buccaneers that lost them the game. Buccaneers RB Doug Martin had 214 total yards, including a 64-yard touchdown reception on a screen pass. The Vikings were playing from behind the entire way.
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| Bears QB Jay Cutler is sacked by Panthers DL Dwan Edwards. |
The Bears were fortunate to escape their home field with a victory. For the Panthers, QB Cam Newton's interception that was returned for a touchdown by Bears CB Tim Jennings probably was the blow that sealed a Bears win. The Panthers were thoroughly dominating the Bears offense, getting to QB Jay Cutler and forcing him into bad throws. The Panthers have had opportunities for victories in Atlanta and Chicago. Those two losses have to be disheartening.
San Diego Chargers 6 Cleveland Browns 7
Chargers QB Philip Rivers and the offense couldn't get anything going. In the third quarter, WR Robert Meachem dropped a potential easy touchdown pass. That was about the only opportunity the Chargers had for a touchdown. The Browns didn't do much either, but RB Trent Richardson was effective running the ball again. He has been a big bright spot for the Browns.
Seattle Seahawks 24 Detroit Lions 28
This was certainly looking like another loss for the Lions in front of their home crowd. Lions QB Matthew Stafford has struggled so far this season, but he led a spectacular 16-play drive that culminated in a game-winning one-yard touchdown reception for WR Titus Young. Young had nine catches for 100 yards and two touchdowns for his best game as a Lion. Seahawks QB Russell Wilson was efficient, and RB Marshawn Lynch rushed for over 100 yards on just 12 carries. It wasn't enough for Stafford and the explosive Lions' offense.
Jacksonville Jaguars 15 Green Bay Packers 24
It was a little surprising this game was sort of neck and neck throughout. Packers QB Aaron Rodgers was playing without his top two receivers in WR Jordy Nelson and WR Greg Jennings. It was the old reliable WR Donald Driver who sealed the Packers win in the fourth quarter with his four-yard touchdown reception. Jaguars QB Blaine Gabbert was healthy enough to play after what appeared to be a serious shoulder injury last week against the Oakland Raiders.
Miami Dolphins 30 New York Jets 9
There was a lot of trash-talking going on between the two teams and the Dolphins ended up getting the last laugh. The Dolphins embarrassed the Jets in front of their home crowd, and fans were already heading for the exits at halftime. Going into their bye week, the Jets will be faced with questions as to whether QB Mark Sanchez will keep his starting job. Also, will QB Tim Tebow's role increase a little bit?
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| Former Eagles CB Asante Samuel celebrates the Falcons victory. |
The more stunning thing about this game happened at the game's conclusion. Eagles QB Michael Vick revealed at his postgame press conference that head coach Andy Reid is considering a quarterback change. For Vick to reveal that probably had everyone in the room stunned, and most Eagles fans as well. This was the Eagles first game after the bye week, when they fired their defensive coordinator Juan Castillo. The Eagles then proceeded to play their worst defensive game of the season. I guess Castillo isn't to blame.
Washington Redskins 12 Pittsburgh Steelers 27
Many people thought Redskins QB Robert Griffin III would make the Steelers defense look old and slow. It was the complete opposite. It was sort of a humbling experience for the Redskins and Griffin III as they were dominated by a Steelers team with ugly uniforms. Griffin III only had 10 yards rushing and under 200 yards passing. Meanwhile, Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger improved to 14-0 against rookie quarterbacks in his career.
New England Patriots 45 St. Louis Rams 7
The Rams got off to a good start, scoring on their first possession. Things were looking interesting after the Rams took that 7-0 lead. The Patriots got angry and decided to rip off 45 unanswered for the easy victory in Wembley Stadium. It was a successful international trip for them.
Indianapolis Colts 19 Tennessee Titans 13 OT
This game was pretty even, which was expected. Colts RB Vick Ballard had the highlight of the day, and it was the game-winner. Ballard had the game-winning 16-yard touchdown reception, diving into the end zone and getting spun around in the air. The Colts are now 4-3, and with the rest of the AFC very mediocre, the Colts can surprise many and get to the playoffs this season.
Oakland Raiders 26 Kansas City Chiefs 16
I gave the benefit of the doubt to the home team because I thought both teams were bad. It appears the Chiefs are very bad. The Raiders won five straight at Arrowhead Stadium coming into the game, and some things never change. Raiders QB Carson Palmer had a decent game en route to the victory. The Chiefs troubles continue. They have not led at all this season in regulation, taking their only lead at any point this season in overtime in their victory against the New Orleans Saints. Chiefs QB Brady Quinn got the start, but he was injured. In comes QB Matt Cassel, who wasn't much better. The Chiefs simply aren't playing with the same spirit they showed late last season after Todd Haley was fired.
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| Cowboys WR Dez Bryant caught what would've been the game-winning touchdown if he wasn't out of bounds. |
This was a game the Cowboys could've had to build momentum going forward. They were down 23-0 and things appeared very bleak. However, the Cowboys scored 24 unanswered to take their only lead. The Cowboys simply couldn't keep it going, as six turnovers hurt them badly. The Giants offense was struggling. The receivers got no separation from the Cowboys secondary. The Giants also struggled to get touchdowns in the red zone. They've struggled all season with that. They'll need to fix that.
New Orleans Saints 14 Denver Broncos 34
After this win, the Broncos are now 4-3. Looking at the remainder of their schedule, it's difficult to find where the Broncos will actually lose again. They play the Baltimore Ravens in Baltimore in December. However, Manning has been dominant playing in Baltimore as a member of the Indianapolis Colts. The Broncos got through their toughest section of the season early, playing the Atlanta Falcons, Houston Texans, and New England Patriots. When the season is over, the Broncos might be the best in the AFC.
San Francisco 49ers 24 Arizona Cardinals 3
After a 4-0 start, the Cardinals have played exactly how many analysts expected them to. They are now 4-4 and it doesn't appear they will be stopping this slide anytime soon. The 49ers were too dominant, it's surprising they only scored 24 points. 49ers QB Alex Smith only had one incompletion the entire game. This is a game the Cardinals would like to forget about very quickly.
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