It was delightfully cruel to send former Panther quarterback Jake Delhomme out against his previous team. Although, the delightfully almost turned into frightfully when Jake blew a decent lead and nearly threw the game away with a costly pick that went all the way for a Panther score late in the third quarter and the lead. Jake tentively recovered in the fourth to beat his former team with the help of a Dawson field goal and a Kasay last ditch effort missed field goal.
The star of the game was not Delhomme, but Peyton Hillis. Hillis turned in another strong effort scoring all three touchdowns and grinding out 192 combined yards. He was the go to guy once again and remains the top target of Brown's quarterbacks. Delhomme spread the passes around to six different receivers and threw for 245 yards. It was good to see Robiskie and Massaquoi get an increase in production as they combined for 11 catches and 102 yards.The offense threw a few surprise plays into the mix, which was good to see. One was a Hillis pass attempt that fell short of its target in the end zone. If successful, it would have been the play of the game.
Carolina played a decent game. Jonathan Stewart put in a 98 yard game. Mike Goodson ran for 55 yards and racked up another 81 yards from catches. Goodson also scored the Panthers only offensive touchdown on a 26 yard run. Clausen got beat up by the Brown's defense and still managed to make a game of it. Their defense hung in tough and had two picks. One by Captain Munnerlyn for 37 yards and a score.
The Brown's are back on the winning track. Hillis continues to be the workhorse of the offense both in running and receptions. It was good to see Mangini using some imagination in the play calling. I saw a couple of plays that could have been big ground gainers if they were successfully executed. Mangini should continue to throw in the surprises. It was also good to see the wide receivers more involved. Still, the long ball is lacking and to be a legitimate offensive threat you must have in your possession the potential for quick strick capability. Joshua Cribbs was back retrieving kicks and punts, but was missing in the overall offensive scheme where he needs to be and possibly that potential quick strike. A team will not make it to the playoffs on running alone. Miami is next on the list.
There were no real surprises this past week, except maybe Buffalo crushing Cincinnati by scoring 49 points. Cleveland and Jacksonville was going to be close as well as the Indianapolis and New England game. The Patriots and Colts confrontation turned out to be everything it was expected to be, scoring wise that is. Manning out passed Brady by over 200 yards and had four touchdowns to two, but was also tagged with three interceptions. The Patriots running attack by Green-Ellis and Woodhead netted 165 yards and two touchdowns.
I was 9-5 in Week Eleven. A nice improvement over the previous week disaster picks. This week opens with three games on Turkey Day. The New England at Detroit contest should be a no brainer. The Lions are out matched in this one and can't seem to get a break from misfortune. New Orleans at Dallas two weeks ago would have been a simple choice, but Dallas has picked itself up off the turf by winning two in a row. New Orleans past two victories were over losing teams. This one will not be easy for the Saints since they are playing in hostile territory. Cincinnati at New York Jets is the final Thursday game. If the Bills can score 49 points against the Bengal defense, what will the Jets do? The Jets have acquired a reputation for executing last minute heroics in the likes of Santonio Holmes, saving themselves from what could have easily been a losing record for the season.
Games to watch on Sunday are Green Bay at Atalnta, Philadelphia at Chicago, San Diego at Indianapolis, and Carolina at Cleveland. Green Bay is on a roll and Aaron Rodgers is on fire. Atlanta has a strong offensive attack of their own spearheaded by Matt Ryan and Michael Turner. Atlanta's one weak spot is on defense against passing, which Rodgers will attempt to exploit. Chicago is on the top of their division and so is Philadelphia. The Eagles look strong in all categories and Vick has been dead on with his passing. Chicago will have to contain Vick and force him to his right and Cutler will have to avoid the costly mistake.
San Diego at Indianapolis is the meeting of two good quarterbacks once again, although I give the edge to Manning. Manning will be looking to avenge himself for last weeks loss and the Colts are in a must win situation to get ahead of opportunistic Jacksonville in their division. San Diego is first in passing yardage and first in defending against the pass. Rivers can match Manning touchdown for touchdown. Should be a good game.
The Browns have an opportunity to get back on the winning track against a weaker Panther team. Peyton Hillis should put up some big numbers in this one and the Browns defense will be too much for the low scoring Panther offense. The home fans should enjoy this one.
THU, NOV 25 TIME (ET) New England 34 at Detroit 18 12:30 PM CBS W
Ford Field New Orleans 23 at Dallas 24 4:15 PM FOX L
Cowboys Stadium Cincinnati 20 at NY Jets 24 8:20 PM NFL W
New Meadowlands Stadium SUN, NOV 28 TIME (ET) Green Bay 24 at Atlanta 27 1:00 PM FOX W
Georgia Dome Pittsburgh 32 at Buffalo 15 1:00 PM CBS W
Ralph Wilson Stadium Carolina 10 at Cleveland 24 1:00 PM FOX W
Cleveland Browns Stadium Jacksonville 21 at NY Giants 23 1:00 PM CBS W
New Meadowlands Stadium Minnesota 24bat Washington 20 1:00 PM FOX W
FedEx Field Tennessee 18 at Houston 27 1:00 PM CBS W
Reliant Stadium Kansas City 23 at Seattle 24 4:05 PM CBS L
Qwest Field
Miami 20 at Oakland 23 4:05 PM CBS L
Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum
The Browns were overtaken in the final minutes against the Jags. Despite giving up the losing touchdown near the end, the Browns defense did everthing they possibly could to win this one and the Jags offense did everything they could to throw a bone to the Browns time and time again, to no avail. Dawson missed two 51 yard field goal attempts that could have made the difference in the score. Long kicks are tough, but making one is what sets the great ones apart. All chances for a playoff spot, remote as it were, are now a chewed up splintered bone.
The Jags offense threw four interceptions and put the ball on the ground twice. Garrard accounted for four of those turnovers. He was harrassed and manhandled by the Browns defense who sacked him four times. T. J. Ward had two interceptions and Joe Haden and Abram Elam each had one. Elam also gathered up a fumble for a touchdown in the third quarter. The only weak spot for the Browns defense was the running game where they gave up 133 yards to Maurice Jones-Drew and a touchdown.
Peyton Hillis was stuffed throughout the game in the running department, but seemed to be McCoys primary receiver in this one gathering up 6 receptions for 95 yards. Colt McCoy had a so-so game with 241 yards and a touchdown. The Browns are still lacking a key element in their offense, the long ball threat. Until they have that quick strike potential, they will not be a genuine threat. Mangini needs to show more confidence in McCoy's abilities and unleash him to explore that capability out. He needs to show more confidence in his receivers also, or find a receiver with that potential. The Browns were missing an important piece of their offensive puzzle in Joshua Cribbs.
Where do the Browns go from here? They go back home to play the Carolina Panthers and hopefully get back to winning. This game will be a good place to start. Go for broke Mangini, set the Dawgs free. Let's see some fireworks.
It was another wild and crazy weekend in the NFL. The new and improved Cleveland Browns nearly pulled off another win against a contending team. Buffalo Bills got their first win of the season against the hard luck Detroit Lions. The Denver Broncos took all of their frustrations out on the hapless Kansas City Chiefs. The inept Dallas Cowboys showed the potential that was expected of them at the beginning of the season. Jacksonville has become the most entertaining football team of the season with its "let it all loose" win over Houston. New England pummeled the defense of the Steelers to make up for the previous Sunday's embarrasement in Cleveland and the Vick vs McNabb show on Monday Night Football was like sending Cujo(no pun intended) against Barney the Dinosaur. The Bizarro World of 2010 NFL football continues. Will the Chicago at Miami game on Thursday night set the tone for what is to come? Tune in and we will see.
Week Ten was my worse picks ever. I was a ridiculous 5-9. If I can't do better than that this coming week I'll shave my head and get a tattoo of the Carolina Panthers. Chicago and Miami are fairly matched, but Chicago has the edge on defense. Thigpen may surprise Chicago's defense, so they will need to stay on their toes to keep that edge. Green Bay is at "what are they going to do now" Minnesota. The Vikings are finished for the year, so now if they are going to win it will be to preserve their pride and it will be tested against the Packers. Still, this one is a tough one to call because with Favre anything can happen. Oakland is on the top of their division and if they want to remain there they are going to have to beat an angry Steeler defense in thirsting-for-blood Hines Field. If the Raiders are to win this one it will have to be done with running and defense.
The games to watch this week are Cleveland at Jacksonville, Indianapolis at New England, and NY Giants at Philadelphia. Jacksonville is going to be loud and rowdy. David Garrard is coming off one of his better games and looking strong. Maurice Jones-Drew, the offenses ace-in-the-hole at running back, is pounding the opposition. Couple the two together and you have a formidable foe. Colt McCoy is playing error free ball and is improving week to week. The Browns can easily match the Jags running offense with Peyton Hillis. I give the edge to the Browns because of having the better defense.
Peyton Manning is not throwing as many touchdowns like he was in the beginning of the season. Injured receivers may have something to do with that, maybe. Usually Manning is able to overcome that kind of set back by utulizing the potential talent he is given to work with. Case in point is tightend Tamme. He has stepped in place for injured Dallas Clark and has done an excellent job. Tom Brady has faced a similar dilemma and has prevailed. Rob Gronkowski has become Brady's go to guy, at least in the game against Pittsburgh that became apparent. Neither team has a dominant running game. The Colts are strong against the pass and the Patriots are weak against the pass. I give the edge to the Colts, but you are never sure about anything when it comes to Belichick.
The NY Giants at Philadelphia game will be a closely contested game. If Manning can stay mistake free the Giants will have a chance, otherwise its lights out. Michael Vick has found his niche. The Giants defense is going to have their hands full.
THU, NOV 18 TIME (ET) Chicago 27 at Miami 21 8:20 PM NFL W
Sun Life Stadium SUN, NOV 21 TIME (ET) Buffalo 18 at Cincinnati 28 1:00 PM CBS L
Paul Brown Stadium Detroit 21 at Dallas 23 1:00 PM FOX W
Cowboys Stadium Washington 23 at Tennessee 24 1:00 PM FOX L
LP Field Arizona 18 at Kansas City 21 1:00 PM FOX W
Arrowhead Stadium Green Bay 28 at Minnesota 20 1:00 PM FOX W
Mall of America Field Houston 27 at NY Jets 24 1:00 PM CBS L
New Meadowlands Stadium Oakland 23 at Pittsburgh 28 1:00 PM CBS W
Heinz Field Baltimore 27 at Carolina 15 1:00 PM CBS W
Bank of America Stadium Cleveland 27 at Jacksonville 24 1:00 PM CBS L
EverBank Field Tampa Bay 23 at San Francisco 21 4:05 PM FOX W
After dismantling two of the top contending teams, the Browns lose in a heartbreaker. A mental error and a lapse in agressive tackling turned a great effort into a loss. Santonio Holmes took a pass from Sanchez and proceeded to weave around the frozen in their tracks Browns coverage for the winning score in OT. The mental error was rookie cornerback Joe Haden intercepting a ball he should have knocked down to force the Jets to punt with just over a minute left in OT. Who knows what the result of that punt would have been, but in all fairness to Haden, when you are in the heat of the moment and the adrenaline is pumping the obvious isn't so clear and defining. He did what a cornerback is supposed to do when the opportunity presents itself, intercept the ball. Any other time in the game it would have been an oustanding defensive play, just not in overtime when one play can mean your demise.
The Browns had a chance of winning their third straight, but a Chansi Stuckey fumble at New York's 32 yanked that chance away. Aside from that fumble, the Browns offense put in a decent day. Colt McCoy was error free and threw a touchdown in a pivotal moment of the game. Peyton Hillis ran for 82 yards and one touchdown. Joshua Cribbs looked good until an injury removed him from the game. The other offensive player that helped the Browns cause was Nick Folk of the Jets. His three missed field goals made it possible for the Browns to stay alive in regulation time.
The Browns may not make it into the playoffs, though it is still a remote possibility. But they are making a show of it. They have been handling a tough schedule remarkably, which at the beginning of the year you could have very easily been looking at an merciless string of losses these few past weeks. Hopefully, this loss didn't take the air out of the balloon. Cleveland next goes to Jacksonville. The Jaguars are bursting at the seams with hot air after pulling off a well conceived desparation pass against Houston for a win. The Jets game is history, Jacksonville is the next first step towards the playoffs.
It was a spectacle, a marvel. Just when you thought the Vikings were ascending into the deep abyss the hand of something, a something I can't give an identity because I don't know what to call it, reached down and pulled them out to play another day. Favre threw for a career-high 446 yards and completed 36 of 47 passes with two touchdowns. The Raiders topped the Chiefs in OT thus proving they are now legitimate contenders for their division title. Sebastian Janikowski took the game ball in this one. The Colts receiving core took another hit while Manning fell short in a last ditch effort in their loss to The Eagles. The Lions shot themselves in the foot again. An over aggressive hit on Tomlinson going out of bounds put the Jets in a position to tie the game in the last seconds of regulation. Then in overtime you could have blinked your eyes and missed the final outcome. That's how quickly the Jets moved into field goal range for Nick Folk to kick the winning score. Dare I mention the results of the Dallas Cowboys game? Does the new movie with Denzel Washington "Unstoppable" bring anything to mind? Another weekend in the books.
I was 10-3 for Week Nine. I am getting closer to the perfect score. Some last minute heroics changed the outcome of several games, otherwise I could have been 7-6. Week to week you think the picks should be easy, but this year is anything but easy. Baltimore at Atlanta is first on the list since it is a Thursday night game. Atlanta is coming off a big win and feeling their Cherrios or Wheaties, whichever one you favor. This one will be entertaining. Atlanta has only one weakness and that is passing defense. Baltimore is steady across the boards offensively and defensively. Atlanta is playing at home, that is the edge in this one. Cincinnati showed a spark of life against the Steelers. Peyton Manning acquired a sliver called Michael Vick he is going to want to extract. Indianapolis should beat the Bengals despite their receIver woes. Dallas is going to New York to play the Giants. Nothing more needs to be said other than it will be brutal, the flight back for the Cowboys.
The two games I have selected as ones to watch are the New York Jets at Cleveland and New England at Pittsburgh. All Pittsburgh has to do is review the game highlights of the Patriots verses the Browns last weekend. It was a thing of beauty. Belichick no doubt is painfully reviewing them also, attempting to figure out how he can patch up the big whole in his defense. It won't be an easy victory for either team, but the Steelers will prevail in the end.
Finally, the match up between the Jets and Browns at Cleveland Browns Stadium. The Cleveland fans will be expecting a repeat performance. Hillis is coming off a huge display of running prowess, but the Jets are strong against the run. Colt McCoy will be tested in this game as to whether he can carry the the team to victory. My suggestion to Mangini is get Joshua Cribbs involved in a big way to give support to McCoy. Mangini has listened and gotten imaginative in the play calling and needs to continue to step it up. Do that and I will take the Browns all the way to the end.
THU, NOV 11 TIME (ET) Baltimore 20 at Atlanta 21 8:20 PM NFL W
Georgia Dome SUN, NOV 14 TIME (ET) Detroit 23 at Buffalo 20 1:00 PM FOX L
Ralph Wilson Stadium Minnesota 24 at Chicago 21 1:00 PM FOX L
Soldier Field NY Jets 24 at Cleveland 27 1:00 PM CBS L
Cleveland Browns Stadium Tennessee 23 at Miami 18 1:00 PM CBS L
Travel Sun Life Stadium Cincinnati 20 at Indianapolis 30 1:00 PM CBS W
Lucas Oil Stadium Houston 23 at Jacksonville 24 1:00 PM CBS W
EverBank Field Carolina 15 at Tampa Bay 24 1:00 PM FOX W
Raymond James Stadium Kansas City 28 at Denver 17 4:05 PM CBS L
Invesco Field at Mile High Seattle 18 at Arizona 24 4:15 PM FOX L
U of Phoenix Stadium Dallas 14 at NY Giants 28 4:15 PM FOX L
New Meadowlands Stadium St. Louis 23 at San Francisco 16 4:15 PM FOX L
Travel Candlestick Park New England 24 at Pittsburgh 28 8:20 PM NBC L
Heinz Field MON, NOV 15 TIME (ET)
The Cleveland Browns accomplished the unimaginable, a convincing win over the hot New England Patriots. It was a treat for Brown's fans everywhere, but a special gift to the fans at Cleveland Browns Stadium, easing some of their pent up frustrations. The offense and defense were as steady as a rock in this one playing smashed-mouthed football from beginning to end.
Colt McCoy had one of his better days topping Brady in the rating column. He was 14-19 for 174 yards. McCoy didn't have a passing touchdown, but did take one in on a 16 yard run. Most of the offense was accumilated by Peyton Hillis on the ground. He had 29 carries for 184 yards and 2 touchdowns. Adding to the success of McCoy and Hillis, you have to give alot of credit to the offensive line for creating the opportunities and not allowing a single sack or even a hit on McCoy. The Browns also controlled the clock.
The defense and special teams of the Browns also played an acceptional game. One interception was recorded against Hoyer, but two fumble recoveries were key where one prevented a Patriot score and another set up a Browns score. The defense kept Brady and Company out of sync and stymied their run game. The Patriots were 3-11 on third down efficiency, which forced them to punt 5 times.
The Cleveland Browns have now shocked the Saints and dominated the Patriots. Three weeks ago you would have said this was an impossible outcome and things were looking all too familiar. Now, in light of these two latest convincing victories one has look forward with a different perspective in mind on the rest of the season. Next week the Jets come to Cleveland Town. The Jets have been stumbling somewhat, just barely edging out the mistake proned Lions. Do it again Browns and make us all believers.
The Cowboys tipped the ball and the game to the Jaquars as they continue to self destruct their season. The Vikings are hopelessly sinking into a quagmire and Favre continues to get brutalized. Green Bay didn't score a single touchdown in their confrontation with the Jets, but neither did the Jets, not even a field goal. Tampa Bay leaped over Arizona in a close one and the beginning of the year prophecy is looking believable. Oakland and St Louis are looking like the new threat on the block. The Detroit Lions finally got their just reward, a victory. Indianapolis is looking like, Indianapolis. The Bazzaro World of NFL 2010 is getting freakier with every passing weekend. There is a cold wind of change blowing through the the corridors and tunnels of the National Football Leagues stadiums.
We are at the half way point of the season. Week Eight was predictable, but at the same time unpredictable. My picks were 8-5. If Carolina beats the Saints and Seattle beats the Giants this coming Sunday I will not shave for the rest of the season, unless the Browns beat New England and Detroit beats the Jets to keep things in balance, then the deal is off. Come on Mangini, let's see Joshua Cribbs in the wild "Dawg" formation. What can you lose, the game? Or how about a few shots down field to Cribbs, air it out. Think big. Use your imagination. Bill Belichick is coming to town and he now has a running attack to compliment his passing assault.
Putting Ochocinco and Owens on the same team is asking for trouble and that is what the Bengals are in, a heap of trouble. Cincinnati has lost four in a row and in the cellar of the AFC North. Pittsburgh is their next opponent and prime time Monday Night Football is the venue. Will TV celebrities Ocho and Owens, the big O's, shine in the spotlight or will the Steeler defense steal the show? Pittsburgh is coming off a stinging loss and will be looking for redemption. Polamalu verses Palmer, and the winner is Polamalu by a knockout.
Dallas is going to Green Bay. Although the Packers have not been impressive, the Cowboys are less impressive, to put it mildly. The truth of the matter is they have been embarrassing themselves to the extent Cowboy fans are wearing paper bags over their heads. The Cowboys are befuddled, bewildered, and beaten. Sometimes it looks like players have quit on the season and that's where the Cowboys are at. That having been said, Kitna is going to put it together this Sunday, if his receivers don't sabotage his efforts, but will still fall short of victory in the Packers house.
NFL football is back. Every week I will be making my picks for the week just for fun. Check back every week to see how I did. Match your picks against mine. There will be polls for you to participate in. Kick off is about to begin.
It was delightfully cruel to send former Panther quarterback Jake Delhomme out against his previous team. Although, the delightfully almost turned into frightfully when Jake blew a decent lead and nearly threw the game away with a costly pick that went all the way for a Panther score late in the third quarter and the lead. Jake tentively recovered in the fourth to beat his former team with the help of a Dawson field goal and a Kasay last ditch effort missed field goal. 
