2011-12 NFL Week 9 Wrap Up

In my best Lombardi voice, 'What in the he77 is going on out there?'  This was another thisclose week with some teams just letting me down.  And it's funny that I have to start this off with one of those teams,.....

Miami @ Kansas City - I did say this 'This Dolphins team has been playing tough as late and they are one of those teams that you don't want to play because they are hungry.  If you aren't prepared, you're going to get beat'.  So maybe I was just ahead of the curve on this one and should have ridden with the Dolphins.  Reggie Bush (13 carries for 92 yards, 1 TD, 3 rec for 50 yards) has put up some big numbers the last two weeks, which give more credence to the Kardashian-Gate (he's been running his arse off since her divorce).  Matt Moore looked like Dan Marino (on a bad day, 17 of 23 for 244 yards, 3 TDs) and the Dolphins defense got pretty staunch all of a sudden.  This is the Chiefs team that I had been talking trash about for most of the year and then I pick them and they do this to me.  To add more pain to the equation, the Chiefs didn't even commit any turnovers.  Just unmotivated and not prepared.  Time for Haley to shave after this one.  Inquisitive Mind 0 - 1 for the week.  

Atlanta @ Indianapolis - Again, it's sad to see the Colts getting beat like this.  For all of those who vote for MVP, please mail that award to Indianapolis, C/O Peyton Manning for the next 2 years (whether he plays or not).  The Falcons looked like world beaters with Ryan (14 of 24 for 275 yards, 3 TDs, 1 INT) and Turner (19 carries for 71 yards, 1 TD) handling the majority of the load.  It seems like this was nothing more than a pre-season game for the Falcons so hopefully they got back on track with a limited workout this week.  Big Ups to Julio Jones (3 rec, 131 yards, 2 TDs) on his breakout game of the season.  Side note: Thanks to @Lizzs_Lockeroom for pointing out that no one was really tweeting or talking about Marvin Harrison being inducted into the Colts Ring of Honor?  Where is the love?  That guy put his body on the line (all 5'8" of him) for years for the Colts and helping Manning set a lot of passing records.  Inquisitive Mind 1 - 1- for the week.  

Tampa Bay @ New Orleans - The Saints looked like a team on a mission and they played liked they owed the Bucs a butt whuppin from their last encounter.  Brees was Brees (27 of 36 for 258 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT) and the rest of the Saints backfield, Ivory/Thomas/Sproles combined for 195 yards on the ground and the Saints survived a late comeback try by the Bucs.  This was an all-business game as the Saints looked to prove that they should be the team that people are talking about being able to face and beat the Packers for the NFC.  I like Josh Freeman (27 of 37 for 281 yards, 1 TD), but I'll say this again, how do they get this guy to zero in earlier in games and not wait for the 4th quarter?  Inquisitive Mind 2 - 1 for the week.  

New York Jets @ Buffalo - This is the next game that let me down.  I just knew that the Bills, playing at The Ralph, with the 'White Out' in full force would show up and move the Jets season a lot closer to the brink.  What happened was something totally unexplainable as the Bills refused to come out of the locker room, or at least their desire stayed there as they put up their worst performance of the year.  I will give it to the Jets, they played well, but I'm not sold on them yet.  Sanchez (20 of 28 for 230 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT) was just alright, but the defense did show us that they have the ability.  Fitzpatrick 15 of 31 for 191 yards, 1 TD, 2 INTs) was bad, Mr. Jackson (18 carries, 82 yards, 3 rec 38 yards) was bad, and the Bills defense couldn't get off the field.  Moral of the story, you make turnovers, you lose.  Inquisitive Mind 2 - 2 for the week.  

Seattle @ Dallas - I say let Jerry Jones coach the team.  I mean at times, it seems like these Cowboys need that type of motivation sitting on the sidelines.  You miss a tackle, you gotta face Jerry, you throw a pick, Jerry's waiting on the sideline.  This Seahawks team sucks, and I'm really being nice.  I'm almost at the point where I am going to travel out there this week in my cleats and tryout for the starting QB job that they have open.  The Cowboys let this team play with them for a half and that's way too long.  Inquisitive Mind 3 - 2 for the week.  

Cleveland @ Houston - I'm not sure how often this happens, but when two backs from the same team, Foster (19 carries, 124 yards, 1 TD, 5 rec, 26 yards) and Tate (12 carries, 115 yards, 1 TD) both eclipse 100 yards, you normally win the game.  Even if your QB, Schaub (14 of 23 for 119 yards, 1 INT), plays like garbage.  Best record in the franchise for the Texans, right?  Inquisitive Mind 4 - 2 for the week.  

San Francisco @ Washington - If you were on twitter, just search for #ShannyFace and you'll see the ugliest picture you're ever seen.  The Redskins shouldn't have to put up with this kind of performance by their team.  Someone needs to just put them out of their misery.  There's been a lot of chatter about who is your Coach of the Year at the halfway point of the season and my response is an emphatic Harbaugh.  Jim wins hands down because he actually has his team winning and they have Alex Smith (17 of  24 for 200 yards, 1 TD) as their starter.  Let that marinate for a second.  John Harbaugh gets any second place votes because his Ravens are looking good right now after sweeping the Steelers this year.  Frank Gore ran the ball and all the talk before the game really meant nothing as the 49ers took the Redskins heart.  Inquisitive Mind 5 - 2 for the week.  

Cincinnati @ Tennessee - Well Chris Johnson seems to be turning the corner, but not fast enough for this Titans team to change their direction.  This was a tough loss for the Titans and I think this will pretty much end their hopes of making the playoffs unless they can get on a real nice run over the next few weeks.  Not sure they have enough left in the tank.  Andy Dalton (22 of 39 for 217 yards, 3 TDs) is the truth.  I doubted him earlier in the year, but the kid can play, I mean he can really play.  He quietly brought his team back to win this game.  He's doing a lot while depending on Cedric Benson (20 carries, 78 yards) and the Bengals defense to get him through.  Just imagine this guy with some more talent on the offensive side of the ball.  Inquisitive Mind 5 - 3 for the week.  

Denver @ Oakland - Wow!!  I have to say that someone from the Broncos had to be reading my blog because I said here 'Can I say that they are setting this kid up to fail?  The offense doesn't seem to be tailored to his skillset and he's also struggling because he doesn't have a go to receiver (if Decker is your answer here then that further proves my point) and really no running game'.  Then the Broncos go out and tailor make their game plan to Tebow's (10 of 21 for 124 yards, 2 TDs, 12 carries, 118 yards) strengths and he puts on a performance, along with McGahee (20 carries, 163 yards, 2 TDs).  And yes, I also did say that Decker (3 rec, 47 yards, 1 TD) isn't a #1 receiver but he had a good game also.  The rebirth of Carson Palmer looks to be taking baby steps also as he showed the world that he still has some football left in his body (but maybe not enough?).  I'm not so worried about the Raiders as they will get Run DMC back next week and I look for them to make the playoffs or scare us all the way there.  Inquisitive Mind 5 - 4 for the week.  

New York Giants @ New England - Ok, let's get past all of the Eli is the best and this was the Superbowl all over again.  This was a week 9 game where the Giants limped into Gillette Stadium (no Bradshaw, no Nicks) and beat the Patriots.  Yes, they were a 9 point dog, but it took a great team effort and a last second drive by Eli to win the game.  So, let's cheer about that, but hold off on all of the Giants are THE team now.  Both teams were even on time of possession (Giants 30:17, Pats 29:43), rushing yards (Giants 111 yards, Patriots 106 yards), and the Patriots had about 90 more passing yards.  No big statistical differences with the exception of the turnovers (Pats 4, Giants 2).  I did hear boos directed at Tom Brady (that has to be a first at home for him), but they had their chances.  (Getting on soapbox) Dear Giants fans:  The QB that you have is not named Peyton, but it is Peyton's little brother.  Eli is an average or slightly better than average QB (take a look at his entire book of work), but he's having a helluva year so far.  You will need to play much better defense and run the ball more effectively to win the NFC.  I'm not saying you don't have a chance, but let's temper the enthusiasm for right now.  (Getting off my soapbox).  Inquisitive Mind 6 - 4 for the week.  

St. Louis @ Arizona - The Rams ran the ball pretty well but weren't able to stop the juggernaut that is John Skelton (20 of 35 for 222 yards, 1 TD) from leading the Cardinals to a win.  (Yes, I laughed when I typed that last line).  Steven Jackson (29 carries, 130 yards) put in work.  Doesn't it seem like he's in a no win situation in St. Louis?  Anyway, Sam Bradford (23 of 36 for 255 yards, 1 INT) is still on someone's milk carton with his performance.  However, Patrick Peterson (99 yard punt return, 1 INT) figured out a way to not only get the win, but do it in Primetime fashion by returning a punt for a TD to end the game in overtime.  Inquisitive Mind 6 - 5 for the week.  

Green Bay @ San Diego - Well, the Chargers found a way to keep Aaron Rodgers (21 of 26 for 247 yards, 4 TDs) on the sideline by running the ball, Philip Rivers (26 of 46 for 385 yards, 4 TDs, 3 INTs) threw for 6 TDs (two to the Packers), and the Chargers lost.  Rivers had something to prove after his choke from last Monday night and after the first touchdown pass, I thought for sure he'd have a pretty good game.  The Chargers had some opportunities but they weren't able to capitalize on them.  I will say this again, Aaron Rodgers proved in this game that he is THE MAN right now.  I like Brees, I like Brady, but right now they are like 1a, while Rodgers is an emphatic 1.  Could you imagine this Packers team with a better running game?  I don't think that they run the table and go undefeated, but I think they definitely return to the Superbowl this year, barring a significant injury.  Norv Turner, it's time to pack your bags and go and get a OC job somewhere.  I think they need some help in DC, and you should try to return to whence you came.  Inquisitive Mind 7 - 5 for the week.  

Baltimore @ Pittsburgh - What a game!!!!!  This is the type of game that I had to take my son away from his regularly scheduled programming and have him watch this game.  This was about defense, and punishing the opposing team.  Ray Rice's (18 carries, 43 yards, 1 TD) 80 yard scamper was called back on a bad holding call, but this game was marred by a few bad calls, both ways.  I thought for sure we'd see a lot more out of the Steelers because they lost Round 1 of this matchup, but it seems like only James Harrison (8 tackles, 3 sacks) got the memo.  Big Ben (20 of 37 for 330 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT) had a decent game, but not being able to run, hurt the suddenly pass-happy Steelers.  On the other hand Joe Flacco (28 of 47 for 300 yards, 1 TD) decided to show us his good side with leading the team down the field for the game winning drive.  I like Flacco, but I am still not sure that this team can win it all if he doesn't consistently play better.  He has weapons, so he has no excuse.  Is it play calling or something else?  Inquisitive Mind 8 - 5 for the week.  

Chicago @ Philadelphia - This had to be the best game of the season for the Bears, I mean, the best (with the exception to the two fumbles by Forte, they still need to pay that man).  Cutler (18 of 32 for 208 yards, 2 TDs) didn't get sacked, and was actually in a good mood after the game.  They jumped on the Eagles early and it looked like they were going to blow them out, but somehow the Eagles, led by LeSeasn McCoy, scrapped back into this game.  I think it's interesting watching this game that the Eagles have a lot of pieces, but as someone said, they don't have that chemistry.  Despite some lapses on defense and the inability to stop the run, they actually looked ok.  Their season is at that critical stage where they have to almost win out to make the playoffs and sadly I'm going to say they have a chance (still on the Eagles bandwagon, but I have a leg and half my arse hanging off).  The Bears can't play better than this, or if they can they actually might have me opening my mouth and inserting my foot.  We'll see, I hope they are wrong.  Inquisitive Mind 8 - 6 for the week.  

Well, obviously I'm getting hammered with this whole picks thing.  This 8-6 week bring me to 84-46 for the season.  It's going to get better.  Pulling out all stop for Week 10.