Written by Brendon Donohoe
Week 6 featured the odd and the idiotic. The once great became not so great, and the idiotic were particularly idiotic. Here is you Week 6 Sunday Recap.
Denver Broncos – 26, Cleveland Browns – 23
It’s a story we see often. A great player we all admire starts to get up there in years, and eventually that player hits a wall. Once that player hits the wall, he/she becomes a shell of their former self. Sadly, Peyton Manning has hit that wall. Peyton has only two quality starts this season, and those two starts come against teams that combine for two wins. If it was not for the Broncos incredible defense, then this team might not even have a winning record.
Only way to follow that up is with another depressing fact. This game marked the 21st time the Browns have lost on the last play of the game since 1999. Rough.
Cincinnati Bengals – 34, Buffalo Bills – 21
As one era begins to decline, another rises. After years of being just good, the Bengals appear to finally be great. One of the biggest factors to that step up is Andy Dalton, who has been as good as any QB this season (yes, he has been as good as Brady and Rodgers).
The game also featured the idiotic, but the idiotic happened after the game. Google ‘Cincinnati Bengals locker room’. Good job NFL Network!
Washington Redskins – 20, New York Jets – 34
The Kirk Cousins experiment needs to end. He is not a good quarterback. The man has thrown 2 or more interceptions in HALF of his career starts. May be time to give the ball back to that other QB wasting away on the bench.
Also, props to the Jets. I pegged the Jets to be a 6-10 team, and here they are at 4-1. Proving me wrong so far, but the Jets will now have to face their biggest test of the season next week, as they take on the New England Patriots in Foxboro.
Arizona Cardinals – 13, Pittsburgh Steelers – 25
This was one of those oddball games. The Cardinals were expected to win this game, instead the offense was shut down, and the defense was beaten by the Steelers 3rd string QB. In a game featuring Carson Palmer, Antonio Brown, and Le’Veon Bell, it was Landry Jones, Martavis Bryant, and John Brown who were the MVPs. Strange times.
Kansas City Chiefs – 10, Minnasota Vikings – 16
The Chiefs offense played predictably badly, and the Vikings offense played surprisingly badly. Though, keep your eyes out for Stefon Diggs. The rookie receiver is looking like a draft steal.
Chicago Bears – 34, Detroit Lions – 37
Two bad teams, one bizarre ruling. Was it touchdown? Was it an interception? Dean Blandino, the NFL VP of Officiating had this to say,
“The ruling on the field was an interception. Golden Tate controlled the pass right at the goal line. The ball came loose and was eventually caught by a Chicago defender. This is different than the plays we’ve been talking about, the Dez Bryant play or the Calvin Johnson play. This is not a receiver who’s going to the ground. The issue here is, did he become a runner before the ball came loose? Did he have control, both feet down, and then time enough to become a runner after the second foot is down?
“When you watch the play the ball comes loose, he is taking his third step, the third step is almost on the ground when the ball comes out. He had demonstrated possession, had become a runner, once the ball breaks the plane of the goal line in possession of a runner it is a touchdown and the play is over at that point.”
Call me a skeptic, but I’m going to disagree with Dean on this one. First, I find Blandino to be very inconsistent in his decisions to start with. Second, Tate looked like he was losing possession of the ball right after that second step, which wouldn’t make him a runner. Just for added measure, FOX rules analyst, Mike Pereria, also didn’t agree with the decision because it wasn’t clear that Tate had become a runner.
Houston Texans – 31, Jacksonville Jaguars – 20
It took a while, but one of the Texan’s QBs finally figured out how to succeed in Houston. The key to success? Throwing the ball to DeAndre Hopkins, who was targeted 15 times. Hopkins hauled in 10 of those throws on his way to 148yrds, and 2 TDs. Now all Bortles needs is a running back, an offensive line that isn’t trying to kill him, and the ability to not throw multiple INTs a game.
Miami Dolphins – 38, Tennessee Titans – 10
What a coaching change will do for some teams. Through the week we heard of Dan Campbell’s unorthodox practices, and though strange, it clearly paid off. The passing game bounced back, the running game actually happened, and the defense finally played the way it was supposed to. Should be interesting to see if these unorthodox strategies will keep paying off.
Carolina Panthers – 27, Seattle Seahawks – 23
Like out of a comic book, Superman first struggled against his enemy, but eventually overcame the odds to defeat the Legion of Boom. On a more serious note, this is one of the games that will define your season. Championship teams always have those odd wins in the season where they should have lost, but didn’t. Seahawks though, are in trouble. The offense hasn’t been stellar, but not terrible. The defense on the other hand is the question mark. This defense is supposed to be the key to unlocking this team’s championship aspirations, but choking in the 4th for the second straight week is an enormous red flag. I wouldn’t be surprised if this team misses the playoffs.
San Diego Chargers – 20, Green Bay Packers – 27
I feel bad for Phillip Rivers. He is incredibly talented, yet has been surrounded by mediocrity for much of his career. Rivers threw for over 500yrds against the league’s 4th ranked pass defense……and lost. Poor coaching and a poor running game cost this team a win against a very good Packers team.
Baltimore Ravens – 20, San Francisco – 25
You have to feel for the Ravens. In each of the team’s five losses, they have lost by less than a touchdown. The defense hasn’t been great, but most of the blame falls squarely on Joe Flacco. For a QB that’s paid to be one of the best, he sure doesn’t play like it, and that’s with having the ageless wonder, Steve Smith Sr.
Colin Kaepernick on the other hand, is starting to play up to his contract value. For the second straight week, Kaep pushed a mediocre 49ers team to the end, and this time, won.
New England Patriots – 34, Indianapolis Colts – 27
Possibly the game of the week, but not for the reason you’re thinking of. Well, maybe you are.
Probably the funniest, dumbest play I’ve seen since the ‘butt fumble’. Though, I’m not sure which was the best part. One offensive lineman against 4 blitzers? Because the formation was illegal? Or maybe it was the fact that the play was actually drawn up and called. Wow, what a great day to be alive.
BONUS ROUND
MNF Record: 2-2
New York Giants – 24, Philadelphia Eagles – 27
My head is telling me Giants, but my gut is telling me Eagles. I’m taking the home team in a nail biter.
Come back next week for the Week 7 recap.
