jlisa
Sunday’s are back. Are you ready for some football? It is the NFL season again… and we should ALL be excited about that.
Now lets recap week 1.
Dallas 24, New York Giants 17 (Wednesday Night)
The New York Giants did what they do best; lose when everyone expects them to win. The reigning Super bowl Champs were outplayed by the Cowboys on a night when the team showcased its 4th Lombardi Trophy. Tony Romo had a monster game throwing for 307 yards and three touchdowns. Cowboys WR Kevin Ogletree caught 8 balls for 114 yards and scored twice. The Giants defense, hampered by injuries to its secondary, was non-existent all night. 2-time Super bowl MVP Eli Manning was sacked a handful of times, despite throwing for 213 yards and a score. Victor Cruz dropped the ball 3 times on third down, that would have changed the game. The Giants simply looked unprepared, while the Cowboys executed their game plan to perfection.
Chicago 41, Indianapolis 21
Jay Cutler threw for 333 yards and 2 touchdowns as the Bears made it rain on Andrew Luck’s debut. Luck threw for 309 and 1 touchdown, however he was picked off three times. As if the Colts luck wasn’t bad enough, Pro Bowl defensive end Dwight Freeney left the game early with a sprained ankle.
Philadelphia 17, Cleveland 16
This game was ugly to say the least. Although I would have liked to see the eagles lose, they managed to pull out the W. Vick threw for 317 yards, 4 interceptions, and 2 touchdowns, including the game winner with 1:18 left in the game. On the other side, Cleveland’s rookie QB Brandon Weeden had a frustrating debut game. He went 12/35 for 118 yards and threw 4 interceptions.
Detroit 27, Saint Louis 23
After an impressive season last year, the Detroit Lions are a team on the rise. Detroit QB Matt Stafford threw three interceptions in the first half, but when the Lions were down 3 points with 12 seconds left, he hit Kevin Smith in the end zone for the winning touchdown. Rams RB Steven Jackson was held to 53 yards rushing.
New England 34, Tennessee 13
The Patriots looked motivated and ready to retaliate after losing in the Super Bowl last year to the NY Giants. Tom Brady threw for 236 yards and two touchdowns and rookie RB Stevan Ridley ran for 125 yards and a score. This game was a blowout, and Brady became the 14th player ever to throw for more than 40,000 yards in a career.
Atlanta 40, Kansas City 24
Falcons QB Matty “Ice” threw three touchdown and ran for another as the Falcons took control of this one in the 3rd quarter. Surprisingly, Kansas City outgained the Falcons 393 to 376, but turned the ball over three times, resulting in 13 points from Atlanta.
Minnesota 26, Jacksonville 23 (OT)
Adrian Peterson’s first game back from knee surgery proved to be a thrilling and exciting battle. Vikings Rookie kicker Blair Walsh provided all of the Vikings late game scoring, making 4 field goals (12 points), including a game-tying 55 yarder as time expired. He also kicked the GW field goal in overtime. After seeing his first action since ending his preseason lockout, Jaguars RB Maurice Jones-Drew finished with 19 carries for 77 yards.
Washington 40, New Orleans 32
All of a sudden, the NFC east looks like it is going to be much stronger than last year. Lets not forget, the winner of this division (The Super Bowl champion NY Giants) last year finished 9-7. Rookie QB Robert Griffin III showed that he is the real deal and caused nightmares for the New Orleans defense. RGIII threw for 320 yards and two touchdowns, as the Redskins pulled off an upset that nobody saw coming. Also, Rookie RB Alfred Morris rushed for 96 yards and two touchdowns for WAS. Drew Brees played well, throwing for 339 yards & 3 touchdowns. However, he threw two fourth quarter interceptions that inevitably lost the game for NO.
New York Jets 48, Buffalo 28
Dominating the off-season tabloids in the tri-state area, the NY Jets destroyed the Buffalo Bills 48-28. I’m still waiting to hear Rex Ryan guarantee that his team will now finish 16-0. Mark Sanchez threw for 266 yards and three touchdowns (no joke), and Shonn Greene added 94 yards and a running touchdown. All of a sudden, the Jets looked like an NFL team and not merely a Ringling Brother Circus act. But then again….they played the Buffalo Bills. Bills QB Ryan Fitzpatrick threw for 195 yards/3 TD’s/ 3 Interceptions. Bills RB CJ Spiller had a huge game rushing for 169 yards and a TD.
Houston 30, Miami 10
The Houston defense shut down the Dolphins, forcing four Miami turnovers and keeping the Dolphins offense out of the end zone all game. MIA only scored on a punt return TD in the third quarter. Arian Foster ran for two touchdowns and Andre Johnson caught another as part of a 24 point 2nd quarter that blew the game open for the Texans. Miami rookie QB Ryan Tannehil was 20/36 for 219 yards and three interceptions.
San Francisco 30, Green Bay 22
This showdown was a display of two teams atop the NFC. Aaron Rodgers threw for 303 yards and two touchdowns, but was unable to overcome San Francisco’s physicality on defense. SF held the packers to 45 yards rushing, and forced Rodgers to throw a late game interception that helped the 49ers win the game. SF running back Frank Gore rushed for 112 yards and a TD and QB Alex Smith added 211 and 2 touchdowns. 49ers kicker David Akers tied an NFL record with a 63-yard field goal as time expired in the first half.
Arizona 20, Seattle 16
Seattle scored 13 straight points in the fourth quarter to take a 16-13 lead, but Cardinals QB Kevin Kolb rallied up his troops for a late go-ahead touchdown. Cardinals starting QB John Skelton had to be carted off the field with an ankle injury, so Kolb had to come in and rescue his teams offense.
Tampa Bay 16, Carolina 10
Tampa Bay’s defense looked like the Bucs of old, holding the Panthers to 10 rushing yards, 2 interceptions, sacking Cam Newton three times, and blocking a punt. TB rookie RB Doug Martin rushed for 95 yards in Buccaneers debut. Carolina QB Cam Newton threw for 303 yards and a TD, but threw two late game interceptions.
Denver 31, Pittsburgh 19
The last time these teams played was in the divisional round of the playoffs, when Tim Tebow threw a game-winning touchdown to eliminate the Steelers from the playoffs. Pittsburgh’s luck wasn’t much better this time around. Peyton Manning let everybody know that he is still the Peyton of old. He finished 19/26 for 253 yards and 2 touchdowns. Manning rallied the Broncos for 17 unanswered points in the game’s final 10 minutes to give Denver its first win with Manning at QB. Steelers fans must be shaking in their boots.
Baltimore 44, Cincinnati 13
The Ravens new no-huddle offense gave the Bengals issues all night. Baltimore QB Joe Flacco threw for 299 yards and two touchdowns, while Safety Ed Rood took an interception to the house for a 34 yard score. The Ravens rolled over Cincinnati and extend their home winning streak to 11 games.
San Diego 22, Oakland 14
Philip Rivers and the SD Chargers capitalized on a number of mistakes by Oakland. Rivers went 24/33 for 231 yards and threw 1 touchdown. Once Oakland Pro Bowl long snapper Jon Condo left the game due to an injury, the Raiders botched three punts that changed the game. Oakland QB Carson Palmer went 32/46 throwing for 297 yards and 1 touchdown
