It was another exciting week in the NFL. Some teams feel further, while others excelled. The Broncos, Saints, and Chiefs all remain undefeated while the Giants, Jaguars, and Steelers (who had a bye week) are still winless.
- Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos have looked unbeatable so far. However, the Dallas Cowboys put up a great fight behind Tony Romo’s greatest game of his career. Throwing for over 500 yards for five touchdown, the Cowboys were all tied up with two and a half minutes left in the game. Romo made one critical error throwing an interception that cost the Cowboys the game, but all blame cannot be put on him. Their defense never forced the Broncos to punt; clearly no team can win if that happens. While they lost, they looked like the only team in the NFC East who is playing with everything they have. Manning finally threw an interception, but faked everyone out when he ran a touchdown in himself, only the second time he has done that in his career. He fooled everyone, including the cameraman who nearly missed capturing it!
- Houston is a team who wishes they had Manning under center. The Texans definitely have a big problem with their quarterback. Matt Schaub threw another pick-six against the San Francisco 49ers; it was the fourth week in a row he did so. It was one of three turnovers he had in the game. The offense only mustered a lousy three points with Schaub in the game. Finally, head coach Gary Kubiak took a clearly defeated Schaub out of the game and put in T.J. Yates. He did not do much better only further exposing that this team is looking less and less like a contender as the weeks go on. Houston’s defense is notorious for delivering big hits and big stops, but even they looked like they lacked confidence after surrendering 34 points. The 49ers, however, appear to have gotten back into a groove winning back to back games. Kaepernick went back to running for first downs something he stopped doing the first couple of weeks in the season. The 49ers defense looked tough once again, Tramaine Brock had a standout game catching two of Schaub’s interception including the pick-six. These two teams are going in different directions.
- Two of last year’s brightest stars squared off in Indianapolis yesterday. The Seahawks traveled to face the Colts and show that they can win on the road just as easily as they do at home. The Seahawks led the Colts for the first three quarters, but Andrew Luck did what Andrew Luck does. He has become one of the most reliable quarterbacks in the fourth quarter. Once again he led his team down the field to go ahead, and their defense held the Seahawks scoreless. Seattle QB Russell Wilson and RB Marshawn Lynch did manage to find a lot of running room combining for over 200 rushing yards. This was more of a statement win for the Colts rather than a loss for the Seahawks. The Seahawks are one of the best teams in the league and Indianapolis proved that they can beat the best.
- Another statement win came from Cincinnati Bengals handing the New England Patriots their first loss and ending Tom Brady’s touchdown streak. Cincinnati’s defense has been talked about as one of the most ferocious in the league and they proved it on the field yesterday. Quarterback Andy Dalton is still a big question and proved it yesterday failing to throw for a touchdown against a defense missing its biggest component (literally and figuratively), Vince Wilfork. The Patriots got Danny Amendola back, but he only had four receptions for 55 yards. This might be the first time in a long time Tom Brady could not put the team on his back and win the game. Patriots need Gronkowski back now more than ever. If Dalton can become more reliable, the Bengals might finally make some noise in the playoffs.
- The Green Bay Packers beat a Calvin Johnson-less Detroit team. Had they beat the Lions with Johnson it would be more of a statement, but they did get back to .500 and held the Lions to nine points. Aaron Rodgers had a quiet night by his standards, only throwing for one touchdown. Kicker Mason Crosby proved reliable in this game kicking five field goals.
