Monday Morning Quarterack

This was a RIDICULOUS week in the NFL with lots of close finished, upsets, and great performances to boot. So let's get right to it.


Indianapolis 35 Jacksonville 31

And I thought this was the best game of the week after it finished, I spoke too soon!! In any case, Jacksonville's defense caves in and fails to hold the Colts, as Indy, despite poor run defense, manages to STILL win the game and go to 14-0, something they have yet to do. Meanwhile, it looked like the Jags season was over....at least on Thursday it looked like it....


Dallas 24 New Orleans 17
I lied, THIS is the game of the week!!!! This was all Cowboys in a shockingly great performance that was a close to perfect for three quarters as possible. A couple Saints TDs late MADE it seem closer, but in reality, Dallas dominated the Saints on both sides of the ball. Big thumbs down, however, to Nick Folk. Hey Coach Phillips, you have TWO kickers on the roster, let's give Buehler a shot at field goals too.
And just like that, Dallas controls its on destiny, especially if the Giants lose one of their remaining games. I'm not counting my chickens yet, because any game at Washington is tough next week and then it's the Eagles, for what will likely be the division title. All I know is that I want a NFC East Championship and go from there. I'm hungry and I sure hope this Dallas team is too!!! They sure looked like it on Sautrday and hopefully that'll carry over.


New England 17 Buffalo 10
The only thing this game proved is that the Patriots need to either pick up the pace or get squashed come playoff time. Then again, in an AFC where only two teams are dominating, maybe that's not true. But in any case they were very unimpressive offensviely yet again. Only 110 yards passing Tom Brady?? Not good news.


Cleveland 41 Kansas City 34
I love how games between bad teams become really sweet. The Browns pull off the upset in Kansas City thanks to some ridiculous day from Josh Cribbs ( tow 100+ yard kick returns?!?!?) and Jerome Harrison (why did I bench him for Chris Jennings in fnatasy?!?!?!) It's a shame this game determines nothing more than draft position for the 2010 Draft.


Atlanta 10 NY Jets 7
Damn, I wish I could watch Browns/Chiefs instead of this crap. Terrible team by both teams, it just so happened the Falcons acutally scored in the red zone, which won them the game. Both teams are 7-7 and though the Jets are still alive, they deserve to be out after today. Complete disgrace of a game.


Houston 16 St. Louis 13
Wait, I change my mind, THIS game was crap. I didn't hear much about this game, but somehow 360+ yards passing from Matt Schaub only yields 16 points??? Somehow the Texans nearly lost to Keith Null's St. Louis Rams. The Texans are yet another 7-7 team that's in but deserves to be out (yes I'm officially off that bandwagon). Oh, and the Ram need a quarterback. Please.


Tennessee 27 Miami 24 OT
Wait, I lied, THIS was the game of the week. A war between two teams battling for playoff position erupted in Nashville, with the Titans winning on a Rob Bironas field goal. This was the Vince Young to Justin Gage show scoring wise early, but Chad Henne AGAIN showed poise and led the Dolphins from behind. Sadly, lady luck failed to fall their way on the coin toss. Hats off to both teams for a solid, well played game, unlike the previous four teams mentioned.


Arizona 31 Detroit 24
I lied AGAIN, THIS was the game of the week. Ok, maybe not, but it was exciting down to the wire and proved not only do the Lions have some fight left, but that Arizona, despite the win, is going through their December doldrums again. The question after this game for Arizona is whether they can again turn the December duldrums into playoff prowess just like last season. That question is to be answered still.


Oakland 20 Denver 19
ANOTHER game of the week!!! I just like this because of all the rare quarterback showings. We had a Charlie Frye sighting, J. P. Losman, and a winner by....JaMarcus Russell?!?!?! alll in one game!!! When does a team ever win with three qaurterbacks??? That's a first.


San Diego 27 Cincinnati 24
Emtional game for the Bengals here, and they really played a hard, heartfelt game from the outset. But ever heart, grit, and determination can't slow down what appears to be an unstoppable Charger machine. San Diego is proving to be an elite team and it seems like only the Colts can stand in their way.


Baltimore 34 Chicago 7
The Bears are finally officially eliminated and were embarassed by a real, legit playoff team in the Ravens. Now I can finally rest in peace.


Tampa Bay 24 Seattle 7
I thought at first I was seeing this score backwards, then I realized the Buccaneers indeed finally won their first road game, first game in their non-retro uniforms this year, and their second game overall. Then I stopped caring.


Philadelphia 27 San Francisco 13
I WILL give some props to the Eagles this week, but I'm certainly not a believer in this team, at all. The 49ers played a terrible game and this deficit should have been much worse. In any case, the Eagles are in the playoffs, and the 49ers are out.


Pittsburgh 37 Green Bay 36
A new game of the week?? Absolutly!!!! The Steelers said no to playoff elimination and pulled out a winner at Heinz. But first, thumbs DOWN to Mike Tomlin for that onside kick call. Absolutly stupid and terrible. Double thumbs down, though, to the Green Bay defense. Allowing a Steeler 4th down conversion, an illegal contact penalty, and a winning touchdown pass that could have easily been broken up lost them the game. Bad game by the defense overall, shame on you.


Carolina 26 Minnesota 7
Uh oh, what's wrong in Minny? Brett Favre ws pressure by the Carolina front four all night, Peterson never got rolling, and the Panthers absolutly destroyed the Vikings D in the 4th quarter of this one. This game was closer than the score indicates, but the Panthers came to play today and won. The Vikings, meanwhile, lost badly for the second time in the three weeks. Not good news.