Talking NFL

Going into yesterday’s games, most NFL power polls looked something like this:

1) Patriots
2) Colts
3) Steelers
4) Cowboys
5) Packers
6-32) Everyone else

After Sunday’s contests, the top 5 teams remain the same, but with a slightly different pecking order.  Let’s take a quick look at the big games:

Packers 34 - Vikings 0

The game ball for the 7 - 1 Packers after this beatdown of the Vikings doesn’t go to Favre; it goes to their resurgent defense that held Minnesota scoreless, and their vaunted running game to just 86 yards on the day.   (Hope you have them on your fantasy team, like some smart guy suggested before the season started!)

True, the Vikings quarterbacks (Bollinger, Holcomb and Jackson) are a less intimidating trio than the Hanson brothers, but the Packers should be commended for keeping Chester Taylor and “Purple Jesus” in check.  Speaking of Adrian Peterson, he left the game with a sprained knee after getting hit by Packers cornerback Al Harris, who had this to say after the game:

“I never, ever want to see a guy get hurt,” Harris said. “You’re not proud that something like that has happened. My prayers will go out to him. I wish him the best.”

Well said, Al.  Let’s hope Peterson is back in the mix soon; he’s been a human highlight reel so far this season and is the clear front runner for Rookie of the Year.

Dallas 31 - Giants 20

“Cover-2! Cover-2!  Dude, seriously; cover yourself!”

Tony Romo continues to prove he was worth the gi-normous six-year, $67.5 million contract that Jerry Jones offered him, as he threw for 4 TD passes - 2 of them to the suddenly saint-like Terrell Owens.  Meanwhile, the Giants had penalties erase a long kick-off return and touchdown, and Eli Manning threw 2 picks.  Giants fans better hope this isn’t the beginning of a repeat of last year’s collapse down the stretch.

Steelers 31 - Browns 28

Very impressive win by Mike Tomlin’s crew, because they had to come back from a 21-6 deficit in the 2nd quarter.  That’s when you really see what a team’s made of, and the Steelers were true to their name.  Roethlisberger continued his excellent play, highlighted by a nifty 30-yard TD scramble in the fourth quarter.  Meanwhile, the defense clamped down in the 2nd half, and LB James Harrison forced two fumbles.  

Give credit to the Browns; they’ve become a different team under the surprising Derek Anderson (who threw for 3 TD’s and no picks).  Unfortunately, Phil Dawson’s 52 yard field goal at the end of the game fell just short.

Chargers 23 - Colts 21

So many things we could discuss with this game, but I’ll keep it short; all this year, the Colts have had issues with their kick coverage teams.  Yesterday was the day that deficiency cost them a game.  When a guy scores his very first career touchdown against you on the opening kickoff, then returns a punt for a score later in the same game, you have “special” issues my friend.

Two other quick coaching rants comments from this game:

- Tony Dungy is a great coach, no doubt about it, but last night he outsmarted himself.  With less than 2 minutes to play and a fourth and inches just outside the Chargers 6 yard line, he had his offense line up to try and draw San Diego offsides.  They were called for a False Start, specifically Ben Utecht was whistled for a quick reset move.  The ball was pushed back 5 yards, and Adam Vinatieri (who must still be on the Patriots payroll or something) amazingly missed a 29-yard chip shot field goal attempt.  It would have been good from 24 yards.

Granted, the penalty that was called was subjective, and there’s no way that Vinatieri should miss a kick like that.  Having said that, why even line your offense up at all in that instance?  The whole world knows what’s coming (yes, even Norv Turner); doesn’t the risk outweigh the reward?  In addition, Dungy burned a timeout after that play simply to argue his point, one that cost his team when they were trying to stop the Chargers after the missed field goal.

Speaking of Norv - congrats on the shaky win, but I have one question that I think every Chargers fan wants to ask:  who the hell is giving you the green light to challenge those calls from the press box?!  This kid?

Finally, congrats to Peyton Manning, who set a career record with six interceptions in a single game (what, he didn’t celebrate that?  Well I sure did!)

NFL, Week 10, Green Bay Packers, Dallas Cowboys, Pittsburgh Steelers, Indianapolis Colts, 20/20 hindsight