Kyle’s NFL week 9 recap

So, a few headlines before I recap week 9…….

Richie Incognito suspended for being a huge douchebag

Seriously, I knew this guy was a dick, but holy shit.  He seriously needs a reality check.  He is SUCH an asshole.  I know Jonathan Martin didn’t search out help or anything, and he should have brought it to someone’s attention, but Incognito deserves to be released and not have anyone pick him up.  No one is going near him with a ten foot pole, and rightfully so.

Gary Kubiak has mini stroke on the sideline

Kubiak complained of dizziness and feeling faint before the half ended, then collapsed on his way to the tunnel at halftime Sunday Night.  That’s a pretty messed up situation, and although I’m not a huge fan of him, I won’t rip him for this.  I hope he gets healthy soon and can return to the sideline.  Same with John Fox for Denver.

Nnamdi Asomugha completes his free fall by getting released by San Francisco

How does anyone fall quicker from grace than Asomugha?  Once considered arguably the best shutdown corner in the league just 5 years ago he was just released by his 3^rd team in the last four years.  He now falls into the league of gentleman like Matt Schaub, Greg Jennings, Josh Freeman, and co.  At least he was on top at one point.  I’m sure someone will pick him up, then be utterly disappointed.

And now, WEEK 9

Chicago – 27   Green Bay – 20

Chicago pulled off a rare win in Lambeau Field Monday night, aided by the departure due to injury by Aaron Rodgers. 

Now, Packer fans will say that this game doesn’t go that way if Rodgers doesn’t get hurt.  Let me start by saying this. He DID get hurt, he DID leave the game, and Aaron Rodgers doesn’t stop the Bears from scoring. Obviously neither does the Packers defense.  Packer fans can complain all they want about Seneca Wallace not practicing this week, but you are an NFL quarterback.  As a back-up it is your job to be ready to go at the drop of a hat.  McCown was 2 weeks ago when the Bears played the Skins.  Want someone to blame?  Blame the Packers front office for thinking Seneca Wallace can get the job done.  The Packers allowed the Bears to go 6-14 on 3^rd down, and gain 442 total yards, their most ever in a win at Lambeau.  Josh McCown threw for 272 yards and 2 touchdowns.  Key stat for McCown was 0 turnovers.  Matt Forte ran for 125 yards, and Brandon Marshall caught 7 balls for 107 yards and a beautifully caught TD.  The Packers had a running game going most of the night, and Eddie Lacy gained 150 yards on the ground.  James Starks added a 32 yard TD run, and the game could have gone either way all night.  Unfortunately Wallace just couldn’t get anything going, throwing for only 114 and one interception on a ball tipped by Julius Peppers into his own hands. The Packers special teams stepped up blocking an Adam Podlesh punt, his first blocked punt of his career.  In the 3^rd quarter, the Packers drove and scored on an Eddie Lacy TD run to tie the score at 17.  On the ensuing kickoff, the Pack executed a surprise onside kick, seemingly shifting the momentum.  It was a brilliant play call and caught the Bears off guard.  The Bears defense held tough, and held the Packers to a field goal.  The Bears offense answered and scored on a TD pass from McCown to Alson Jeffrey.  After getting the ball back, the Bears masterfully executed a 9 minute drive that ended in a field goal with :50 left in the game.  The Packers couldn’t answer, giving the Bears their first win in the last 7 tries against Green Bay.

Now you got the recap, my personal thoughts on this game…

1. You couldn’t have asked for a better showing from Josh McCown.  He was poised in the pocket, not afraid to make throws, handled the pass rush, and made real smart decisions.  The Bears did a great job of giving him time to throw, but even when he was under duress he made good throws.  It might be easy to jump on the bandwagon of “We don’t need Cutler” but don’t get too overzealous just yet.  Cutler is still a much better quarterback and if anything, a couple weeks to sit back and watch my not be the worst thing for him.
2. The Bears defense played better this week, but they still suck a big one.  They gave up 199 rushing to the Packers, and have been getting run over all season.  The linebackers get a pass from me seeing as how 2/3 of them are rookies, and the defensive tackles are actually playing the best on the D line, which is a horrible statement in itself.  Peppers had his name called, FINALLY, and Shea McClellin had the game of his life collecting 3 sacks.  But Chris fucking Conte has got to go.  I have never seen a safety lazily drift into the gap the running back is going to run through, then dance around for a minute before falling at his feet and letting him run by.  I always liked Christ Conte before this season, and for whatever reason his confidence has left him this year.  He needs to be benched so he can watch from the sidelines for a bit. He won’t get in the way over there, I’m sure he’ll hit the deck 4 yards away from anyone.
3. Matt Forte looked great Monday.  He continues to be the Bears most complete weapon on the offense.  I know they have Marshall, Jeffrey, Bennett and co. but he is one of the few 3 down backs in football.  He can run, catch, pass block, and make moves in the open field to break big runs.  I hope he earns his 2^nd pro bowl bid this year because it would be well deserved.
4. It was good to finally see SOMETHING out of Shea McClellin.  I know it was against a banged up Packers O line, but after knocking Rodgers out of the game, he got two more sacks to finish with 3 on the night. (Matching his career total)  Hopefully this game is more a stepping stone for him that gives him confidence instead of being just an apparition.
5. The injury excuse is so fucking stupid to me.  Yes, Rodgers got hurt, yes Finley and Cobb are out, but the national media is talking all about “All the Packers Injuries”.  Give me a damn break!!  Melton.  Hayden.  Collins.  Williams.  Joe Anderson.  That’s just the IR.  Tillman, Briggs, Cutler, Anderson, and co. have all missed time, or will be missing time.  The Bears are much more devastated by injury than the Packers.  Yes, the Rodgers injury is a bigger one, but the Bears are certainly dealing with more.  I know it’s tough for the Packers fans to grasp, losing that is.  Packers fans have had a perennial Super Bowl Contender every year for a lot of years.  The Bears have been stuck in mediocrity for some years with a flash here and there.  They lost! Get over it! The whole, “Oh, we would have if THIS was different” shit is just being sore losers.  The Packers played like shit.  The Bears played better.  I don’t care if it’s 1 point or a 100 points.  Winning is winning.  Deal with it.

Final Bears thought…

This game could very well be the turning point of the season for the Bears.  No one saw them winning this game.  McCown has been playing out of his mind, and as long as the defense can get better and make a few stops here and there, the Bears can make a serious run to the playoffs.  All Bears fans have been waiting YEARS for a real NFL offense.  Now that we finally have it, it is at the cost of the defense.  Tucker called his first game from the sidelines Monday night, so hopefully he can light a fire.  Trestman seems more and more like the real deal as a head coach, hopefully if Tucker ISN’T the man for the defense, he can find the one who is.

AROUND THE NFL

Cincinnati – 20    Miami - 22

What a crazy ending.  I can’t remember seeing an overtime game end on a safety.  This game shows just how damn frustrating Cincinnati is, and how frustrating the Dolphins are.  Both teams look like wild card teams, but not much more.

Kansas City – 23   Buffalo – 13

My upset pick was looking real good until Tamba Hali picked up a fumble by T.J. Graham and took it in from 11 yards for a TD to break a 13-13 tie.  Jeff Tuel also threw an interception that went for 100 yards and a score for KC.  I sense that Kansas City is starting to wear down.  Well, not the defense, but the offense didn’t score a TD in this game and only managed 210 total yards.

Minnesota – 23   Dallas – 27

Christian Ponder actually wasn’t the reason the Vikings lost.  I know, crazy, right?  AP ran for 140 yards and a score, but the Vikings pass defense just couldn’t hold on, even with a customary late game pick by Tony Romo.  Never saw this game this close, but for once Romo rebounded after a costly turnover and was clutch when Dallas needed it.  At least Dez Bryant kept his whining to himself this week.  Is there a bigger baby in the NFL right now??

Tennessee – 28   St. Louis - 21

Chris Johnson finally strapped on his big boy pants, going over 100 yards for the first time this season, and getting the game winning score with under 3 minutes to play.  Kellen Clemmons almost engenireed a late game drive, but couldn’t connect with Austin Pettis as he overthrew him.  Surprise surprise.

New Orleans – 20    New York Jets – 26

Man, the New York Jets are tough to figure out.  Given the circumstance at the beginning of the year, Rex Ryan should be in consideration for coach of the year, though that seems slated for Ol’ Fat Stache.  The Jets have a legit defense.  Something that’s escaped them the last couple years, and Geno Smith seems to be growing into his role as starting quarterback.  But with that said, they’ll probably lose their next game as they have started the season winning every other game.  Tying the longest streak to open a season that way.  Brees threw for 382 and two scores, but the Saints were held to 6 points in the second half.  Ouch.

San Diego – 24   Washington - 30    

Danny Woodhead got within a foot of giving the Chargers the game winning score.  With :21 left in the game, Woodhead’s near touchdown gave San Diego a first and Goal inside the one.  Game over right?  Down 3 they decided to run, pass, pass, and Washington’s defense held on, forcing the Chargers to kick a game tying field goal.  Washington went on to win in overtime.  How sad is it that with how bad Washington started, and having a 3-5 record, they are only 1 ½ games out of first in the division?  You stay classy, NFC East.  And on a side note, I’m sad that Manti Teo has been such a bust this year.  I haven’t gotten to pick on him at all! Well, here’s one for the fun of it.

Atlanta – 10   Carolina – 34

Well,  Atlanta, welcome to the freefall.  Your season has just officially ended.  A division game, must win, to get your season on track on you completely shit down your leg.  Cam Newton didn’t play perfect, nor did he have to.  The Carolina defense picked off Matt Ryan, one of which went for a TD that devastated any chance for a comeback.  Carolina is making a case for the playoffs.

Philadelphia – 49   Oakland - 20

I hate games like this.  Two weeks ago Nick Foles sucked more than a Dyson, and this week he’s tying NFL records.  (More on that below) I can’t think of someone I’d least like to tie Peyton Manning for an NFL record.  He made it happen though, so I can’t fault him too much.  Damn Oakland let me down, and I think it’s safe to say that Foles just played himself into the starting gig in Philly for at least a few weeks.

Tampa Bay – 24   Seattle – 27

The Seahawks overcame a 21-point deficit to stay on top the NFC and continue the best start in Franchise history.  I was torn watching this game.  I enjoy watching Greg Schiano just fall and burn, but at the same time, I would have loved to see Pete Carroll lost to the lowly Bucs.  Tampa Bay came out strong, scoring 21 points in the first 13 minutes of the game.  Seattle shut them down after that.  Russell Wilson led the Hawks on a game-tying drive with under 2 minutes in regulation, then another in OT to set up the game winning field goal.  Play of the day? Keith Tandy’s interception of Russell Wilson at the goal line in the second half.  Hell of an effort.  Pete Carroll, you’re a douche.

Baltimore – 18   Cleveland – 24

My, how the mighty have fallen.  Baltimore dropped to 3-5 after never really being a factor in this game.  Cleveland went up early and never looked back.  At one point Baltimore got within 3, but it never felt like Cleveland had lost control of the game.  Joe Flacco, maybe you can go home and drown your sorrows in that HUGE pile of cash you have.  Come back next week and try not sucking.  I like John Harbaugh as a coach, I really do, but for the second time this season Ray Rice was a complete non-factor.  11 carries?  C’mon!! He is your best offensive weapon, he should be used as such.  Jason Campbell looked good again for Cleveland, who appear to have settled on their starter for the rest of the year.  Brandon Weeden’s chances officially ran out.

Pittsburgh – 31   New England – 55

I can say, I’d never thought Pittsburgh would be 2-6 at this point in the season.  They look completely lost.  Big Ben had a pointless 400 yard day, as the Patriots steamrolled Pittsburgh to improve to 7-2.  This was a game up until midway through the 3^rd quarter.  New England took a 24-10 lead into the half, but Pittsburgh scored on their first two possessions of the second half to tie the score.  Then, all hell broke loose. 4 fourth quarter touchdowns sealed it up for the Pats.  Brady went for 432 yards, 4 scores, and gave the Pats a big boost heading into the bye week.

Indianapolis – 27   Houston - 24

For one half of football, Case Keenum looked like an all-pro.  Then, Gary Kubiak collapsed heading to the locker room at halftime and was taken to the hospital.  Houston followed suit with a second half collapse of their own.  They blew an 18 point lead, and just couldn’t get any offense going, letting the Colts back into the game, taking the lead with 4:00 left.  Houston had one more chance, but Randy “I’ll miss ‘em as well as I’ll make ‘em” Bullock missed a 55 yard attempt to seal the win for Indy.  He is now 13-21 on the season.  I don’t know, I don’t think I want a guy on my team that looks like this. 

Even if he is a kicker.

“Well You Didn’t Make a Lick of Difference” Performance of the Week:

Ray Rice – RB – Baltimore Ravens

11 carries, 17 yards, 0 TD

I still don’t get why Ray Rice is only getting 11 carries in a game?  It’s not like the game was out of reach or anything.  The Ravens were close enough to run the ball and still be in it, they didn’t need to worry about time.  He is the best offense weapon the Ravens have and they totally misused that.

“Holy Crap, I’m Awesome!???” Breakout Performance of the week:

Nick Foles – QB – Philadelphia Eagles

22-28, 406 yards, 7 TD, 0 Int

Foles completed touchdown passes to Brent Celek, Riley Cooper (3 times), Zach Ertz, LeSean McCoy, and DeSean Jackson.  He was unstoppable all day, and tied the NFL Record with 7 TD passes.  The thing I love about giving him the award this week was that he was in the other award slot two weeks ago, and I’m sure he’ll be THERE again before HERE.