In all honesty, and which will become abundantly clear, I watch a little too much football. But in an attempt to justify how I spend most of my Sundays – and Thursdays, Saturdays and Mondays – I have shared my thoughts on the NFL this past week.
Here’s to hoping you like reading about football too much.
Indianapolis v. Houston (33-28)
Indianapolis: The Colts almost gave this one away after jumping out to an early 24-0 lead. But that was before the Texans actually did on their final drive. Still, Indianapolis won a divisional game on the road against what will likely be its only competition – and that’s stretching the definition of competition – in a weak AFC Southern Division. Andrew Luck is looking every bit the part of the game’s eventual top quarterback six games into the season.
Houston: Can J.J. Watt play quarterback? Please? I believe the defensive end is capable of anything at this point. Does anyone doubt he would be at least an improvement over starting quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick? If not that, can the Texans please get the league’s best defensive player some help on the other side of the ball? He’s doing everything short of winning the game by himself for Houston at this point.
Green Bay v. Miami (27-24)
Green Bay: Quarterback Aaron Rodgers paid homage to the Dolphins’ great Dan Marino with a very well-executed fake spike on the Packers’ game-winning drive. Green Bay fans might not have been able to R-E-L-A-X at all during this game, but the Packers have now won three straight.
Miami: Quarterback Ryan Tannehill remains a mercurial talent 37 games into his career. The three-year starter led the Dolphins back from a 17-10 deficit to a 24-17 lead with a 5-yard touchdown pass to receiver Mike Wallace with 9:13 to go in the game. Tannehill also made plays with his legs but tossed two bad second quarter interceptions.
Cleveland v. Pittsburgh (31-10)
Cleveland: After a 30-27 week one loss to these same Steelers, I thought the Browns were this year’s bad team that was good enough to lose a bunch of close games. This still might be true, given that Sunday marked the first time any of Cleveland’s games was decided by more than three points. But the Browns scored 31 straight points, embarrassing the Steelers, and have now won three of their last four. Maybe quarterback Brian Hoyer and first-year coach Mike Pettine have something brewing in Cleveland. Maybe.
Pittsburgh: The Steelers, who dominated the Browns since Cleveland’s reincarnation in 1999, have been outscored by Cleveland 55-13 in the last six quarters.The NFL is full of surprises every year and the Browns not being terrible might be the biggest one.
Carolina v. Cincinnati (37-37)
Carolina: After looking like a shell of himself as he battled bruised ribs to open the season, quarterback Cam Newton dazzled fans last Sunday, throwing for over 280 yards while adding another 107 yards on the ground. Receiver Kelvin Benjamin didn’t, however, but not because of anything he did on the field. After the game, the rookie receiver admitted to the Charlotte Observer that he “didn’t know (teams) could tie in the NFL.”
Cincinnati: This game was supposed to be a matchup of two of the NFL’s more formidable defenses, but instead it produced the highest-scoring tie in NFL history. Go figure. After allowing 33 points in its first three games, the Bengals defense surrendered 80 in its last two. The defenses finally decided to show up in overtime, while kicker Mike Nugent, who missed a game-winning 36-yard field goal as time expired, didn’t, giving us the first tie game of the year.
New England v. Buffalo (37-22)
New England: Rumors of Tom Brady’s demise were greatly exaggerated. Who knew the quarterback could play well when he actually has time to throw?
Buffalo: The change to Kyle Orton at quarterback has paid off for the Bills, seeing that they have been receiving much more consistent play at the position since benching E.J. Manuel. However, if this team is to compete, it needs better production from running backs C.J. Spiller and Fred Jackson, who totaled 45 combined yards on 16 carries. The offensive line needs to play better too.
Detroit v. Minnesota (17-3)
Detroit: While it is the Lions offense that usually draws the headlines, Detroit’s defense, led by the front seven, has developed into one of the league’s top units. The Lions forced three turnovers, had eight sacks and allowed just 3.4 yards per play against Minnesota.
Minnesota: Being a rookie, quarterback Teddy Bridgewater was bound to have games like this – zero touchdowns and three interceptions – in his first year on the job. Before Sunday, Bridgewater looked solid. He’ll need more help from the players around him if he is to succeed.
Denver v. New York Jets (31-17)
Denver: This game was closer than it appeared, but the Broncos’ much-improved defense got a sack and a pick-six on the Jets’ final drive to put the game away. Even if it was against New York, if the defense can consistently play like that, Denver might just have the most complete team in the NFL.
New York Jets: The Jets dropped their fifth straight, and quarterback Geno Smith didn’t inspire any confidence that he is the team’s quarterback of the moment, let alone future, with a late pick-six that sealed the loss.
Baltimore v. Tampa Bay (48-17)
Baltimore: Quarterback Joe Flacco had a league record five passing touchdowns in just over the first 16 minutes of the game, ending it well before the final clock hit 0:00. The Ravens‘ two losses were each by a touchdown and Baltimore has emerged as a sleeper in the American Football Conference.
Tampa Bay: Can they please switch back to the old pewter-and-red uniforms? Or at least tell them they don’t have to play as awful as the jerseys they wear are? The Buccaneers have given up 35 points or more in three of their last four contests. Pathetic.
Tennessee v. Jacksonville (16-14)
Tennessee: This was probably the most unwatchable game this past week and that is saying something since Tampa Bay wasn’t on a bye. Someone had to win it I guess, and it might as well have been one of Nashville’s 25 Most Beautiful People, quarterback Charlie Whitehurst and that fabulous hair of his.
Jacksonville: What quarterback Blake Bortles lacks in salon-quality hair, he makes up for in actual football ability. Bortles looks like the best signal caller of last year’s draft and is perhaps the only reason there should be any hope at all for Jacksonville.
San Diego v. Oakland (31-28)
San Diego: After outclassing its last four opponents, the Chargers were due for a letdown as they made the trip up north to take on the rival Raiders, and they got one. The defense struggled mightily against what had been a stagnant Oakland offense, but made the stops when it needed to. Philip Rivers set a league record with his fifth straight game posting a passer rating of more than 120.
Oakland: Looks like the Raiders might not have screwed up the draft for once, a miracle! Rookie quarterback Derek Carr threw four touchdown passes and clearly has the arm talent to play at this level. His final stat line would’ve been better if his receivers could hold onto the ball. Carr wasn’t perfect, however, throwing a game-ending interception on Oakland’s final drive as the Raiders were driving into field goal range.
Arizona v. Washington (30-20)
Arizona: Larry Fitzgerald lives! The future Hall of Famer had a season-high 98 yards receiving and got into the end zone for the first time this year. It might’ve had something to do with quarterback Carson Palmer being back in the lineup. The Cardinals’ defense is good enough to make the team a legitimate contender, but it will need more consistent play on offense to have success in the playoffs.
Washington: Everyone might want to slow the breaks on the Kirk Cousins bandwagon. After a solid performance against Seattle a week ago, the third-year player followed it up with three interceptions on Sunday, making that seven in three weeks.
Dallas v. Seattle (30-23)
Dallas: Remember when we were all laughing as the Cowboys were getting embarrassed at home in week one against the 49ers? Those same Cowboys just went into the toughest venue in sports and physically dominated the defending champs. After being panned before the start of the year, Dallas might just be the NFC’s best team.
Seattle: In Seattle’s two losses this year, opposing offenses dominated time of possession while defenses physically beat them up. The Cowboys offense held onto the ball for more than 37 minutes while Dallas’ defense pressured Seahawks quarterback, which worries Russell Wilson and limited running back Marshawn Lynch. That’s the blueprint to beating what looked like a near-invincible team at the start of the year.
Chicago v. Atlanta (27-13)
Chicago: When a good Jay Cutler decides to show up, he is very good. And so are the Bears. Chicago is 3-0 when Cutler doesn’t throw an interception and 0-3 when he does. Pretty simple formula.
Atlanta: Speaking of temperamental quarterbacks, Atlanta’s Matt Ryan has thrown six touchdowns and no interceptions in the Falcons’ two wins. He has six touchdowns and seven interceptions when the Falcons lose. Guess what he did Sunday?
Philadelphia v. New York (27-0)
Philadelphia: The Eagles announced themselves as the clear challenger to the Cowboys in the NFC East after a thorough beatdown of the Giants. After a disappointing start to the season, running back LeSean McCoy regained his 2013 form and looked unstoppable against New York.
New York: Is there a team more hot and cold than the Giants? They looked terrible in their first two games and formidable in their next three. Just when you think they’ve turned the corner, they lay a goose egg on the scoreboard. Quarterback Eli Manning faced near constant pressure and was sacked six times.
San Francisco v. St. Louis (31-17)
St. Louis: This one had to hurt. The Rams jumped out to an early 14-0 lead after the first quarter, only to squander it against a division rival. Ouch. The Rams’ much-heralded defense generated no sacks Monday night and has just one this season.
San Francisco: For all the hoopla about Jim Harbaugh losing the locker room a couple weeks ago, the 49ers have now won three straight and are in second place in the division. The running game struggled, but quarterback Colin Kaepernick didn’t need it, turning in his best performance of the year.