Another crazy week in the NFL. Is it just me, or have these 2009 Sunday afternoons been super heavy with the similar story lines? A few weeks ago five games were blowouts, all of them forty something to teen something. Weird.
This week was no different. Week 11 was chaulk full of close ones, with 11 of the games being decided by less than eight points. Told you these weeks are similar heavy. Can you say that? Similar heavy?
By the way, call it the AFC Worst if you want, but the Chargers, Broncos, Chiefs and Raiders have combined for wins over the Steelers, Bengals, Eagles, Cowboys, Patriots and Giants. That’s not too shabby.
San Diego 32, Denver 3
Wow. Ten days ago the Bolts were “wild card contenders” and now with a mollywhopping of the Broncos and the tiebreakers, they are the #2 seed in the AFC behind the Colts. This was the best game by far for San Diego because it was the best game on the ground (203 yards). LaDainian Tomlinson was up to his old/new tricks and felt good enough to bark at the Denver bench after his touchdown. Yeah buddy.
Oakland 20, Cincinnati 17
So the Brad Gradkowski in Oakland experiment is a success so far. The fourth-year QB out of Toledo had the Raider attack humming after a slow start and finished 17-for-34, 183 yards and two touchdowns. What is with the Oakland trap door/game? Maybe it has something to do with all those birds flying over the stadium. Is it just me, or is that not the most ominous thing in the world?
Kansas City 27, Pittsburgh 24 (OT)
The Chiefs defense looked like they’ve won more than three games, and Chris Chambers stepped up and had a huge catch in overtime with normal number one target Dwayne Bowe sidelined. Biggest upset of the year? Remember how good the Steelers looked in Denver? They miss Troy, bad.
Indianapolis 17, Baltimore 15
I feel really bad for the Ravens. Really, are they not the best 5-5 team of all time? Also can you think of an undefeated team in the last few years that plays this many close games? Never thought I would be jealous of a dude from Indiana, but Colts fan is getting spoiled. Peyton and Co. have started five of the last nine years 9-0.
Dallas 7, Washington 6
Don’t give me any of that “throwback game” bull. It’s just bad football.
Detroit 38, Cleveland 37
Has to be the game o’ da week if only for the last seven seconds. In a few years when Matt Stafford is trying to carry his Lions to the playoffs, they will mention his rookie season, that one game against the Browns, and those last two plays. That is called nutting up and getting it done.
Green Bay 30, San Francisco 24
There is something incestuous about the Packers beating the Niners with an effective, quick hitting West Coast offense. Aaron Rodgers should never take a five step drop. Ever.
Jacksonville 18, Buffalo 15
Don’t look now, but the Jags are 6-4 with their eyes on the playoffs and their resilient running attack in tow. Terrell Owens goes crazy and and the Bills lose. Has that pick up been worth it?
Minnesota 35, Seattle 9
Brett Favre for MVP? Just sayin’.
New York Giants 34, Atlanta 31 (OT)
Matty-Ice did his best Matty-Ice impersonation, but finally Eli closed a game, something he hadn’t done in a month. I don’t care what their record is, both of these teams will be dangerous in the playoffs. A rematch to come, perhaps?
New Orleans 38, Tampa Bay 7
The Saints gave up just 219 yards and forced four turnovers. Oh yeah, and they have that guy at quarterback. Best team in football. Bottom line.
Arizona 21, St. Louis 13
It wasn’t Kurt/Fitz/Bolden for the Cardinals, it was Hightower/Wells. Did Arizona really just show up two weeks in a row?
New England 31, New York Jets 14
No amount of crying was going to stop the Patriots from getting all up in Sanchito’s business at the outset of this rematch. The rookie QB and the Jets stayed tough, but Tom Brady is a good QB. Very good.
Philadelphia 24, Chicago 20
Another great game between two teams going in different directions. My two favorite moments in this game were: 1) When the back judge referee got knocked over in the second half, he bounced up quickly and athletically, so the fans gave him a little cheer. Good on ya, Chi Town. and 2) When McNabb gave Cutler that pep-talk after the game. I hate “big baby boo hoo” Cutler, but Donovan is a class act.