Week 4: So Close! Sunday Recap

Yesterday, thanks to a very sweet friend, I was invited to go to the Atlanta Falcons and Carolina Panthers game in Atlanta. This was not only my first NFL game but also the first time I was going to get to see my favorite, Cam Newton, play live and in person. And to make my day even more special, my ticket came from Linda Hope, the wife of Chris Hope who plays for the Atlanta Falcons (my friend does some work with the Hopes). So in addition to my first NFL game, and seeing my favorite player, I got to see the games from the insiders perspective and the whole experience has really made me love this sport. The stadium's energy was so exciting with loud, fun music (which wins me over in most situations), and a raucous crowd. As much as I love Cam Newton it was hard not to root for the Falcons who were one of several teams to pull out a close win yesterday. I also want to say that even though I had the best time and am so thankful I got to go to the game yesterday, it did make me realize that the best way to watch the games really is in my living room with my husband and his crazy "NFL Sunday" hair....I wonder if he will let me blast some music during time outs.  Well, since I lived it, let's start in Atlanta.

- Let's just say that getting into the Georgia Dome 10 minutes before kickoff was not the easiest thing I have ever done. Once we got in and got up to our section the Panthers had already put 7 points on the board, Cam Newton had thrown a 17 yard touchdown pass to Greg Olsen for the early lead. In fact, it looked like the Panthers had locked up a win. Cam Newton competed 15 out of 24 passes for 215 yards and 2 touchdowns AND one rushing touchdown. It looked like the Panthers were going to hang on to their one point lead as Cam Newton hung on to the ball to rush for a first down and run the clock down. But he fumbled the ball, lost the first down, and the Falcons got their opportunity to score. Atlanta QB, Matt Ryan, was sacked for a career high 7 times during this game. But he overcame that painful stat to throw a 59 yard bomb to Roddy White. That huge play with a few more short completions got the Falcons in field goal position and Matt Bryan kicked a 40 yard field goal to win the game 28-30. The Falcons go on with a 4-0 record and Cam Newton walked off the field with the weight of the Panthers loss on his very nice shoulders.

The cheese stands alone. I'll talk to you, Cam!

- Eli Manning was not able to pull a rabbit out of his hat last night when the NY Giants took on Michael Vick and the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday night. Well, he actually was able to, but then his kicker killed that poor bunny. The Eagles were up by 2 with 15 seconds left in the game. The Giants' kicker, Lawrence Tynes went out to attempt a 54 yards field goal and he missed it! Except, much like the Dolphins last week, the Eagles had called a time out in order to try and "ice the kicker" so he would have another chance...a shot at redemption...he could still win the game...and then he missed it AGAIN! The Eagles squeaked out another win 17-19. "Impress Him" Fact: The Eagles became the first team in NFL history to have all 3 of their first wins decided by 2 points or less.

- For a hot second it looked like the New Orleans Saints might get their first win in the most hostile of environments, Lambeau Field, against the Greenbay Packers. I think it is safe to say that after the debacle that was last Monday night's game, the Packers deserved a break, though it seemed like even the regular officials were against them during this game. After it appeared that the Saints had fumbled a kickoff return and the Packers had recovers it, the refs called the runner "down by contact" which means there was no fumble. The Packers were out of challenges so what should have been a turnover, stayed with the Saints and the marched the ball down the field to get in field goal position. Garrett Hartley made the first 43 yard attempt but the Saints were called for holding so they moved it back 10 yards to set up a 53 yard attempt. To add a little more drama the Packers were then called for encroachment to move it back up 5 yards and make it a 48 yard attempt. Poor Hartley probably was expecting another whistle when he finally did get to kick the football so he missed it and the Packers found redemption with a 27-28 win over the Saints. In good news for the Saints, Drew Brees looked good with 446 passing yards including 3 touchdowns. "Impress Him" Fact: Drew Brees now has 47 consecutive regular season games with a touchdown pass, tying Johnny Unitas for the all time record. Aaron Rodgers was no slouch either, he threw for 319 yards and 4 touchdowns to get the Packers' win.

- The Washington Redskins and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers decided they wanted to be part of the close games that were going on on Sunday. And on a day where kickers were making or breaking games the Redskins' kicker, Billy Cundiff, thought that he would do his part by missing 3 field goals and then coming out to kick (and make) the game winning, 41-yard field goal. The Bucs had overcome an 18-point deficit to pull ahead of the Redskins 22-21. But our favorite rookie, who showed so much promise during that first week, was not ready for his team to lose 3 in a row. Despite the headset in his helmet going out, Robert Griffin III (RG3) led the Redskins from their own 20 yard line to the 40 and then carried the ball himself to the 26 yard line. Cundiff's game winner gave the Redskins their 24-22 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as well as ensuring that he had a ride home. Don't count RG3 and the Redskins out just yet.

Other Notables:
- The Houston Texans ran over the Tennessee Titans 38-14. Last week Texans QB, lost part of his ear after a particularly nasty hit. He proved that you really don't need that part of your ear to play football as he threw for 202 yards and 2 touchdowns. Arian Foster rushed for 86 yards. "Impress Him" Fact: The Texans are 4-0 for the first time in franchise history.

- The New England Patriots destroyed AFC East rivals the Buffalo Bills. At the beginning of the third quarter the Bills were up 21-7 and I was about to open a bottle of champagne to celebrate the demise of the Patriots. And then Tom Brady sensed my impending celebration and decided to rain on my parade. He directed 6 touchdown drives in the second half to come back and kill the Bills 52-28. The Patriots had 580 yards of offense and forced 6 turnovers. "Impress Him" Fact: The Patriots' 45 points in the second half were the most in franchise history and the fourth most in NFL history, they were also the most by a team who was trailing since 1950.

I just like silly pictures of this guy. Bet you a million dollars he has never been on a motorcycle. (Photo Credit: justjared.com)

Well, that does it for me until tomorrow's recap of the Chicago Bears at the Dallas Cowboys! I am off to have a very productive day off...and by productive I mean catch up on Revenge, Once Upon a Time, and the Real Housewives of New Jersey Reunion, Part 1 (of 3!!!). You have your definition of productive, I have mine.