Thoughts and observations from Week Four of the 2011 NFL Season:
One week after losing to the New York Giants at home, the Philadelphia Eagles, popular Super Bowl picks pre-season, opened up a 23-3 lead on the San Francisco 49ers. The Niners, not the most brilliant of offensive football teams this season, managed to outscore the Eagles 21-0 from that point, winning 24-23 and worsening the nightmare for Philly. The only good news for them coming out of an embarrassing loss at the Linc is that QB Michael Vick managed to throw for 400+ yards...and not get injured. But wow, did anyone expect this?
Speaking of comebacks, the Detroit Lions! The Detroit Lions are 4-0, and they are doing it heart attack-style. Last week, they won from 20-3 down at the half vs. Minnesota. This week, to better their previous Houdini effort, they came back from 24 points down in the third quarter to stun Dallas in Cowboys Stadium, 34-30. Talk about a signature win for a franchise who're surprising beyond belief this year. This is a good football team.
Eli Manning was sluggish for most of the NY Giants game vs. Arizona, but caught fire late, and the Giants scored 21 points in the final quarter - in the final 12:07, actually - to escape the University of Phoenix, the site of their amazing Super Bowl XLII win against the previously-undefeated New England Patriots, with a win. It wasn't pretty, but the Giants got the win, and that's what counts.
Carolina QB Cam Newton had another amazing day against Chicago, going 27-46 for 374 1yards, a TD and an INT through the air, and 8 rushes for 35 yards and 2 TDs on the ground. I must admit I thought Newton would struggle in the NFL. Boy, was I wrong! When the rest of the Panthers football team starts playing to that same elite level as their rookie signal caller...watch out!!
In the same game, Chicago RB Matt Forte, the heart, soul, production and go-forward of their offense, had 25 carries for 205 yards and a score as the Bears held off the Panthers 34-29. Forte is off contract this year. The Bears should pay him whatever he wants, because he's infinitely worth it. Without Forte running and catching passes, Chicago could possibly be winless this season.
Another for-real team in 2011: the Houston Texans. Even after losing WR Andre Johnson to a hamstring injury, the Texans managed to beat up the Pittsburgh Steelers on both sides of the football, riding RB Arian Foster all the way to a 17-10 victory. Foster had 155 yards and had the go-ahead touchdown. The maligned Texans D sacked Ben Roethlisberger five times, and was hit in the mouth. Mario Williams led the way, with 2 sacks. Big day, huge win for the Texans.
One week after losing to the New York Giants at home, the Philadelphia Eagles, popular Super Bowl picks pre-season, opened up a 23-3 lead on the San Francisco 49ers. The Niners, not the most brilliant of offensive football teams this season, managed to outscore the Eagles 21-0 from that point, winning 24-23 and worsening the nightmare for Philly. The only good news for them coming out of an embarrassing loss at the Linc is that QB Michael Vick managed to throw for 400+ yards...and not get injured. But wow, did anyone expect this?
Speaking of comebacks, the Detroit Lions! The Detroit Lions are 4-0, and they are doing it heart attack-style. Last week, they won from 20-3 down at the half vs. Minnesota. This week, to better their previous Houdini effort, they came back from 24 points down in the third quarter to stun Dallas in Cowboys Stadium, 34-30. Talk about a signature win for a franchise who're surprising beyond belief this year. This is a good football team.
Eli Manning was sluggish for most of the NY Giants game vs. Arizona, but caught fire late, and the Giants scored 21 points in the final quarter - in the final 12:07, actually - to escape the University of Phoenix, the site of their amazing Super Bowl XLII win against the previously-undefeated New England Patriots, with a win. It wasn't pretty, but the Giants got the win, and that's what counts.
Carolina QB Cam Newton had another amazing day against Chicago, going 27-46 for 374 1yards, a TD and an INT through the air, and 8 rushes for 35 yards and 2 TDs on the ground. I must admit I thought Newton would struggle in the NFL. Boy, was I wrong! When the rest of the Panthers football team starts playing to that same elite level as their rookie signal caller...watch out!!
In the same game, Chicago RB Matt Forte, the heart, soul, production and go-forward of their offense, had 25 carries for 205 yards and a score as the Bears held off the Panthers 34-29. Forte is off contract this year. The Bears should pay him whatever he wants, because he's infinitely worth it. Without Forte running and catching passes, Chicago could possibly be winless this season.
Another for-real team in 2011: the Houston Texans. Even after losing WR Andre Johnson to a hamstring injury, the Texans managed to beat up the Pittsburgh Steelers on both sides of the football, riding RB Arian Foster all the way to a 17-10 victory. Foster had 155 yards and had the go-ahead touchdown. The maligned Texans D sacked Ben Roethlisberger five times, and was hit in the mouth. Mario Williams led the way, with 2 sacks. Big day, huge win for the Texans.
Not surprising anyone, are the Green Bay Packers. They beat a hapless Denver team 49-23, and if there is a better QB in the NFL than Aaron Rodgers at the moment, I'm yet to see him. Rodgers - 29-38 for 208 yards and 4 TDs, plus 9 rushes for 36 yards and 2 TDs - looks like he's in a clinic out there, making all the throws and big plays to an arsenal of offensive weapons. The Pack do need to shore up their pass defense, but aside from that, life is good.
Oakland's Richard Seymour finally got a shot at the team who traded him, the New England Patriots, and proceeded to self destruct early, giving up some silly penalties for roughing the passer - driving Tom Brady down after whistles had stopped the play - and undisciplined ones that only helped the Patriots offense. You may be angry that you were traded, Richard, but don't make life any extra harder for your defense than it already us when you go against New England. The Raiders are the most penalised team in the NFL.
Congratulations to Chicago's Devin Hester, who broke an NFL record with his 11th punt return for a touchdown, a 69-yard effort vs. Carolina today. There's no one more electric in the special teams game than Hester. No wonder teams sacrifice field position to keep the ball away from him.
MVP of Week Four: Without Green Bay QB Aaron Rodgers close behind, the MVP for this week is Chicago RB Matt Forte. A career-high 205 yards and a TD on 25 carries and 4 receptions for 23 through the air. Nice day, and definitely the difference between Chicago and Carolina.
No comments:
Post a Comment