Merry Christmas Eve and happy Week 16 in the NFL! I was under the impression that this was the last week of the regular season, but as luck would have it, there is one more so I will save my retrospective post on how far we have come for next week. This week it is all about who is in and who is out and as much as that may sound just like something Heidi Klum might say I was hard pressed to find one runway or sassy designer on my TV this past Sunday...sometimes things sound the same but aren't the same at all. In fact, I only wish trying to figure out who was in and out of the playoffs was as easy as Michael Kors saying yes or no. Instead we are dealing with math and the combinations of so many scenarios that make me want to bury my head in my pillow. Anyone who thinks that guys who are into sports are dumb is unbelievably wrong. It takes an very sharp analytical brain to figure this mess out. Those of you who know me know that anything to do with analytics, statistics, or anything else in the neighborhood basically drives me to drink, so here is my very dumbed down run down of who is in and who is out. On a side note I am thinking of writing to the NFL and suggest they adopt the Project Runway model of selection for next year's playoffs, I think it would make things easier for everyone.
I'm sorry Steelers that means you're out. Auf wiedersehen.
- The Pittsburgh Steelers are out. They were knocked out of playoff contention by the Cincinnati Bengals who kicked a field goal with 4 seconds remaining in the game for the win. Cincinnati sacked Roethlisberger 4 times and Pittsburgh was only able to complete 2 of 14 3rd downs. So the "used-to-be" terrible Bengals are on their way to the post season and the 2-time Super Bowl champ, Ben Roethlisberger, is on his way home to his newborn baby.
- Not only are the Ravens in the playoffs but they are the Champions of the AFC North and they got there by beating the New York Giants 14-33. The Giants still have a chance but losing against the Ravens didn't help their cause. They will need to win next week against the Eagles and then will need some other teams to help them out as well in order to make it to the post-season. Not what you would expect from the defending Super Bowl Champs or a Manning brother. Aside: Apparently Eli's big brother, Peyton Manning, gave his brother some game notes on the Ravens after he played and beat them last week with his team the Broncos. Either Eli didn't listen, or Peyton played a pretty mean Christmas joke on his little brother because Eli looked like he didn't know where he was on Sunday night.
You're in Baltimore, Eli and they are KILLING you!
- The Indianapolis Colts are in and in a big way. Rookie QB, Andrew Luck, broke Cam Newton's rookie passing yards record and led his team to a 20-13 win over the Kansas City Chiefs. Not only do the colts have life in the playoffs but they will take to the field with their head coach, Chuck Pagano, back by their side. Pagano was diagnosed with cancer early in the season and has missed much of the season while undergoing chemotherapy treatments. Pagano is now in remission and you have to think that having their healthy coach back on the sidelines will fuel the Colts' fire going into the playoffs.
- The Seahawks are in as they continue their hot streak of completely killing their opposition. The Seahawks have not lost at home yet this season, and as the rain poured down in Seattle they kept the streak alive with a 13-42 win over the San Francisco 49'ers, who are thought by many to be the best team in the NFL right now. Rookie QB, Russell Wilson, threw for 171 yards and 4 touchdowns. "Impress Him" Fact: Seattle has outscored its last 3 opponents 150-30. That is incredible. If I were an NFC team I would be praying that Seattle does not win home field advantage in the playoffs.
As the Wise Man, Tim McGraw, once said "Bring on the Rain".
- The Miami and Dolphins and the New Orleans Saints both pulled off respectable victories against the Buffalo Bills and the Dallas Cowboys respectively. But wins by the Bengals and the Vikings put both teams out of playoff contention. The Cowboys HAVE to win their game against the Redskins next week in order to make it to the playoffs.
- The Green Bay Packers are in and with the 49'ers loss may have a chance to win the No. 2 seed in the playoffs with a win over the Minnesota Vikings next week. What's the big deal about being the No. 2 seed? I'm glad you asked. The No. 2 seed gets a bye the first round of the playoffs. And in case you were wondering, the No. 1 seed gets a bye AND home field advantage throughout the playoffs.
While the AFC is pretty much decided the NFC will be figured out next week. So until then here is wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas!
We are a nation in mourning. All of our flags are at half staff and players and coaches in the NFL are writing the names of slain children on their hats, shoes and helmets.I know that there are mixed feelings about whether or not the Sandy Hook Elementary killings should spur a political debate on gun control, but I am sure we all wish that that pyscho wasn't able to get his hands on two guns. What can you do in the face of tragedy but pick yourself up and find a way to move on. If nothing, football provides the briefest respite from an unfathomable act and Week 15 did not disappoint when we needed some entertainment the most.
- The (not so) mighty New York Giants lost 0-34 to the Atlanta Falcons. That's right, Eli Manning and the Giants scored zero points. Nothing. Nada. Goose Egg. Their first shut out since 1996. The Falcons have only lost 2 games all season (tied for the best record in the NFL) but have still not earned the respect they think they deserve. That chip on their shoulder seemed to work in their favor today. Asante Samuel intercepted Eli Manning twice and quarterback, Matt Ryan threw for 270 yards and 3 touchdowns. Not only did the Falcons shut the Giants out but it is the first time they have beat the Giants since 2004. The Falcons now sit on top of the NFC South and will have a bye the first round of the playoffs.
Victor Cruz wrote the name of one of the SHES victims on his shoes
- Rookie QB, Russell Wilson rushed for 3 touchdowns in the Seattle Seahawks 50-17 routing of the Buffalo Bills. This a week after the Seahawks shut out the Arizona Cardinals 58-0. Russell Wilson may have played 3rd fiddle to fellow rookie QBs, RG3 and Andrew Luck. But I think it is safe to say that everyone will be talking about him in the morning.
- While we are on the subject of shutouts the New Orleans Saints had one of their own, shutting out the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 0-41. The Saints have been the center of a lot of talk this week. Paul Tagliabue, the former commissioner of the NFL, vacated the suspensions of four players. Suspensions that were handed down by current commissioner, Roger Goodell. Tagliabue basically said that players follow the directions of their coaches for fear of getting cut or benched. So the onus of the Bounty Gate scandal falls more on the coaches than it does the players. Needless to say, the Saints felt the slightest bit vindicated this week and it showed. Drew Brees overcame a 2-week rut to throw for 307 yards and 4 touchdowns. "Impress Him" Fact: The Saints still have a snowballs chance in New Orleans of making the playoffs if they win out but all of the other teams will have to lose their last 2 games. Not likely, but stranger things have happened to this team this year including their first shut-out game since 1995.
- Unfortunately for Jay Cutler, Clay Matthews was back on defense for the Green Bay Packers after missing 4 games due to a hamstring injury. You may remember that when these 2 teams met earlier this season Clay Matthews sacked Jay Cutler 3.5 times so I am guessing that Jay was hoping to catch a little break this time around. No such luck. Clay was back and looking for Jay and found him for 2 sacks in the Packers 21-13 win over NFC North rivals, the Chicago Bears. Aaron Rodgers was looking (and playing) good with 291 passing yards and 3 touchdowns. Chicago continues to struggle losing 5 of their last 6 games. The bad news for all of us is that the Bears are in danger of not making the playoffs which means Jay Cutler will have extra time on his hands to make more babies with Kristen Cavallari, and no one wants that. "Impress Him" Fact: Want to really turn some heads? Tell your co-workers/husband/boyfriend that the Bears just don't have any play-makers beyond Jay Cutler and Brandon Marshall. On another note I just tried to google images of Jay Cutler with Kristen and his baby and there are none. There aren't even any of just him and the baby. Is Jay Cutler a dead beat dad? Incidentally, there are several pictures of Jay Cutler's head on a poor baby's body and also several of him with a pacifier in his mouth...if that tells you anything.
I don't know where Jay is, but please don't fumble that baby
- You have to give the Dallas Cowboys this, they will not go away. In fact, they are tied for 1st place in the NFC East. This team simply refuses to give up as was evident in their overtime win over the Pittsburgh Steelers. Of course, the Steelers helped out a little. A fumbled kickoff return led to the tie-ing touchdown for the Cowboys. And then Brandon Carr intercepted Roethlisberger's first pass in overtime and ran it 36 yards to the 1st yard line, setting up an easy field goal for Dan Bailey who was happy to play the hero for the second week in a row. The Steelers are one game behind the Cincinnati Bengals for a wild card spot in the playoffs. They face the Bengals in a "must win" game next week.
- Imagine you had all of the ligaments in your knee torn and reconstructed. Now imagine that 9 months later you were running down a field while giant men tried everything in their power to knock you down. And now imagine that none of that mattered because you are some kind of super human and instead of slowing down you are going to have the best season as a running back of your career and possibly of anybody's career if things keep going the way they are going. If you can imagine all of that then you will know what it is like to be Adrian Peterson. In the Minnesota Vikings' game against the St. Louis Rams Peterson ran for a season-best 212 yards giving him 1812 yards for the season...294 yards shy of the single season record set by Eric Dickerson in 1984. Oh and the Vikings beat the Rams 36-22.
- When I played tennis in high school, I always had to play against a girl who I had been playing with since I was 6 years old. I would always be pretty antsy before the match and would start off petty shaky and would get in a hole. Once I was in this hole I would kind of give up because I really liked Marcie and didn't care if she beat me, I was hungry, and I was ready to get home and see what the gang from West Beverly High was up to...oh and I probably had homework or something. And it would be at the moment that I had accepted defeat that I would start playing my best game and the match would drag out for a third set. That seems to be what is happening with the Carolina Panthers the last 2 weeks. Last week they decidedly took out the Atlanta Falcons and this week it was the San Diego Chargers' turn to be humiliated by a team who had only won 4 games coming into Sunday's game. In fact, it was the first time that the Panthers have won consecutive games since last December. Mike Tolbert, a former Charger, had 2 touchdowns against his old team and Cam Newton threw for 231 yards and 2 touchdowns in the Panthers' 31-7 defeat of the San Diego Chargers. Of course, the Panthers are playing for nothing but pride right now but they are playing like the team everyone expected them to be at the beginning of the season. Hopefully, they can remember what worked come September.
This week I thought I would change it up with GQ Cam.
- The San Francisco 49'ers took on the New England Patriots last night in what looked like the most miserable conditions ever...cold, rainy, sleet. Barf. You would think that the Patriots would be used to this kind of weather, but it was the 49'ers who looked right at home. In fact, the Patriots have not lost on their home field in December in a decade. A decade! The 49'ers were up 31-3 when the Patriots decided to make it interesting and come back to tie the game in the 4th quarter. But this was San Francisco's game to win and they clinched the win with a 38 yard touchdown pass from Colin Kaepernick to Michael Crabtree. The 49'ers won 41-34 and are headed to the post season with some good momentum.
That does it for the big news out of Week 15. Remember to hold your little ones tight this week and every week.
Whoever decided to schedule a Downton Abbey marathon on a Sunday when the know I am supposed to be watching football is on my list...the bad one. I know that Public Television is funded by viewers like me but you mean to tell me they couldn't do the marathon today when they know I am off work? Selfish. The good news is that, thanks to carefully observing my husband's technique, I have become a master of the remote control. I am now able to keep up with 3 football games AND the lives of post World War I English aristocrats. It's not easy, but no sacrifice is. Now on to the 14th Sunday of this NFL season.
I am so in love with this show, hopefully someone is donating money to keep it going.
-It was another emotional week in the NFL, this time for the Dallas Cowboys. Early Saturday morning a practice-squad linebacker for the Cowboys, Jerry Brown, dies in a one-car accident. His roommate and best friend, Josh Brent, was driving the car and has been arrested for intoxication manslaughter. Just like the Kansas City Chiefs were playing for much more than a W last week, this week the Cowboys were playing for their own fallen teammate. Dan Bailey kicked a game winning 40-yard field goal as time expired and the Cowboys beat the Cincinnati Bengals 19-20.
- The Panthers may be in last place, but they have not given up. That much was certain when they took on the Atlanta Falcons who are tied for the best record in the NFL with the Houston Texans. I was at the game when these two teams played the first time and the Falcons came back to win the game and I would have said that this game would go much the same way if not worse for the Panthers. But we have all learned over the course of this football season that I really have no idea what I am talking about. Cam Newton was like a man on fire. Not only did he throw for 287 yards and 2 touchdowns, but he also led the team in rushing with 116 rushing yards including one 72-yard run that ended in a somersault into the end-zone. The Panthers won 20-30 and I have another all-to-rare excuse to google images of Cam Newton.
That, my friends, is how you score a touchdown. Nevermind that they are last in the league.
- The Washington Redskins pulled of an overtime victory over the Baltimore Ravens. What's more impressive is that they pulled the win off with back-up quarterback, Kirk Cousins, leading the team in place of RG3 who went down with a sprained knee during the last drive of the fourth quarter. "Impress Him" Face: Kirk Cousins is also a rookie who has played in ONE GAME this season. The Redskins were down by 8 points when Cousins threw an 11-yard touchdown pass to Pierre Garcon and then ran the ball in himself for a 2 point conversion to tie the game and send it into overtime. The Redskins won 28-31 and while RG3 did not tear his ACL, the Redskins are still waiting to see who their starting QB will be next week.
- The Seattle Seahawks beat the Arizona Cardinals 0-58. I don't really know if I need to say anything else about that.
- It was all about Adrian Peterson when the Minnesota Vikings took on the Chicago Bears. Peterson rushed for 154 yards and 2 touchdowns in the Vikings 14-21 win over the Bears. "Impress Him" Fact: Peterson has 7 straight games with 100+ rushing yards. He has 1600 rushing yards this season with 3 games to play, putting him closer to the goal of a 2000 yard season. Oh and remember that he basically just had his whole knee reconstructed before this season. Man or robot? You decide. The Bears, who were already without linebacker, Brian Urlacher, also lost Jay Cutler in the fourth quarter with a neck injury.
There are your highlights from Sunday #14! There are 2 regular season Sunday's to go and then the Playoffs start and basically everything that happened the 16 weeks before doesn't matter. Of course, Downton Abbey will also have it's season 3 premier during these "playoffs".... so when you make your donation to PBS (I would donate, but my husband hid my credit card) could you please ask them to start playing Downton Abbey on Saturdays, when I don't have anything to do? That would be great.
When I started this blog I promised that the NFL was the best Reality TV there was. Unfortunately it got a little too real this weekend.On Saturday morning Javon Belcher, a linebacker for the Kansas City Chiefs, shot and killed his 22-year old girlfriend. He then drove to Arrowhead Stadium, thanked his head coach, Romeo Crennel and Chiefs' General Manager Scott Pioli, for everything they had done for him and then shot himself in front of them in the stadium parking lot just as the police arrived. To make this story even more tragic, Belcher and his girlfriend were parents to a 3-month old baby girl who is now left without parents. Despite this unthinkable tragedy for the Chiefs, the team collectively decided that it would still play their Sunday afternoon game against the Carolina Panthers. Remember earlier in the season when Ravens' wide receiver, Torrey Smith, lost his brother in a motorcycle accident but still played that night and had one of the best games of his career? Well, the Kansas City Chiefs drew the same kind of strength on Sunday, beating the Panthers 21-27. Not that the Panthers tried to make it easy for them. Cam Newton threw for 232 yards and 3 touchdowns. Chiefs' QB, Brady Quinn, threw for 201 yards and his first 2 touchdown passes in 2 years! After the game Chiefs and Panthers could be seen hugging, crying, and praying together. Even as I type this I am tearing up, not only because what happened on Saturday is such a senseless tragedy that has left a 3-month old an orphan for no reason, but also because there is something about seeing a team pull together in the face of the unthinkable and seeing their opponents offer their love and support. Needless to say this has also fanned the flames of the gun-control debate and Bob Costas was quick to offer his opinions during half time of Sunday Night Football.
A group of Chiefs and Panthers pray together after the game
- On to a less upsetting game, the San Francisco 49'ers against the St. Louis Rams. Leading up to this game it was all about the quarterbacks. You might remember that starting QB for the 49'ers, Alex Smith, was knocked out a game with a concussion. The back-up, Collin Kaepernick, proved to have a "hot hand" and was kept as the starter even after Alex Smith was cleared to play. Kaepernick was the starter again this week against the Rams, a team that the 49'ers tied with a few weeks ago. "Impress Him" Fact: The tie between these 2 teams was the first tie in 4 NFL seasons. It looked like this game was headed for the same result when the teams were still tied up with less than 30 seconds left in overtime until Greg Zuerlin kicked a 54-yard field goal with 26 seconds remaining to give the Rams the 16-13 win over the 49'ers. Kaeperick threw for 208 yards, no touchdowns, and also gave up a safety which game the Rams 2 points. But 49'ers Head Coach, Jim Harbaugh is sticking by his new guy and says that Kaepernick will get his 4th straight start next week against the Miami Dolphins. "Impress Him" Fact: Alex Smith has done nothing wrong to lose his starting job, except get a concussion 3 weeks ago. In fact he was leading the NFL with completing 70% of his passes for 1731 yards. Harbaugh is taking a gamble with this switch, and the pressure is on for Kaepernick to get the 49'ers to the playoffs.
- Well the New York Jets won one. But it wasn't with Mark Sanchez, he got benched. And it wasn't with Tim Tebow, he is "hurt". And it wasn't by much, they won against the Arizona Cardinals, 7-6 with 3rd string quarterback, Greg McElroy, playing quarterback. McElroy went in after Sanchez was benched late in the 3rd quarter led the jets down the field for their one and only touchdown early in the fourth. The Jets need to win all of their next games to have a shot in hell of going to the playoffs...maybe ole whats-his-face is the guy to get it done.
- I feel like I haven't talked about the Dallas Cowboys for a few weeks, mostly because I am growing tired of that pitiful look on Tony Romo's face. But last night they faced off against the Philadelphia Eagles and pulled off a much needed 33-38 win. Romo competed 22 of 27 passes for 303 yards and three second-half touchdowns. To add a cherry on top of the win, Romo's 23-yard pass to Dez Bryant broke Troy Aikman's franchise record of 165 touchdown passes. Nick Foles, the QB who replaced Michael Vick for the Philadelphia Eagles threw for 251 yards and a touchdown. But it wasn't enough and the Eagles went on to their 8th straight loss.
word on the street is that these two have been on the outs all season
It's been kind of a rough Week 13, I hope that Kansas City and the families of Javon Belcher and his girlfriend find a way to heal, move forward, and more than anything figure out the best plan for Baby Zoey. From what I can tell about how these teams operate, they will have all the support they need.
Saints fans call themselves "Who Dat Nation". After last night's rematch against the Atlanta Falcons they might want to change their name to "What Happened Nation". You may remember that just a few short weeks ago, the embattled New Orleans Saints handed the Falcons their first loss of the season. A win made much sweeter by the fact that these 2 NFC South rivals HATE each other. The Falcons are in a comfortable position to make it to the playoffs being tied for the best record in the NFL with the Houston Texans. But Drew Brees and the Saints needed this win to even stay part of the Post Season conversation. To say that Brees blew it would be an understatement as well as a clever play on words and the Falcons walked away with a BIG 13-23 win. Here are the highlights...or lo-lights whichever you prefer.
I can't help but love New Orleans and all their weird ways
- The Saints should have known that things were not going to go well for them on Thursday night when they landed at the Atlanta airport and their team bus was egged. Seriously, Atlanta...what are you 12 years old?
- The first drive started off with the Falcons scoring a quick touchdown...it took them just about 4 minutes to put 7 points on the board after an impressive drive led by running back, Michael Turner, who had 83 yards rushing and the opening touchdown. Drew Brees had his chance on the next drive and it looked like he was going to turn nothing into something when he threw a 38 yard bomb for a big 3rd down conversion. But on the very next play, he threw his first of 5 interceptions of the night. I feel like I need to say that again. DREW BREES THREW 5 INTERCEPTIONS LAST NIGHT! Not only was that a career high for him (i would hope so) but last night's game also ended Drew Brees' streak of 54 consecutive games with a touchdown pass, an NFL record that he set earlier this season.
- Despite the interceptions, the Saints had multiple chances to win this game. I mean, they only lost by 10 despite giving the ball back to the Falcons like it was a bomb or something. At the end of the second quarter the Saints drove to the red zone but were unable to put ANY points on the board when Brees had an incomplete pass to Sproles with 12 seconds remaining and did not have enough time to get the last play off before time ran out. The usually reliable, wide receiver, Lance Moore, also dropped a ball in the endzone during the 3rd quarter.
- The 3rd quarter actually looked like it belonged to the Saints. The Falcons had yet to convert a third down the entire game and with less than 4 minutes left in the game, they had gone 5 consecutive possessions without a 1st down. At this point in the game the Saints had run 58 offensive plays, wearing out the Falcons' defense. "Impress Him" Fact: The average number of plays run by an offense in a football game is around 63, which is why the Falcons defense was understandably worn out. But at the end of the 3rd quarter Brees threw his 3rd interception of the night and the Saints never quite reclaimed the momentum.
- There was one glimmer of hope towards the end of the 4th quarter. Michael Turner fumbled the ball and it was recovered by the Saints and even run down for a touchdown. But the touchdown was called back because the refs said there was contact made with the runner, but it was still Saints ball. "Impress Him" Fact: In the NFL a runner has to be "down by contact" to be considered down. Which means that unlike in college football, if a player gets possession of the ball and falls down but is not touched by an opposing player, the play is still alive and he is allowed to get up and continue forward progress. After recovering the fumble, the Saints still had a chance, that is before Drew Brees threw his 5th interception. Oh wait! the Falcons were offsides, the interception doesn't count, it's still Saints ball, they have another chance! Or Drew Brees can now throw his 5th official interception of the night.
- You'll notice that I have not even mentioned Matt Ryan yet. That's because the Falcons owe this win to their defense. For as well as they played on defense they did little on offense after the first quarter. Matt Ryan completed just 18 of 33 passes for 165 yards and a touchdown pass. But as Matty Ice (yes, that is seriously his nickname) has said all season, it doesn't have to be a pretty win, just a win, and the Falcons go on to an 11-1 record.
Matty Ice with some Natty Ice...get it.
What a game to kick off Week 13! The next 3 weeks will be filled with teams trying to claw their way into the playoffs and then it starts all over again. Let me know what you think on Twitter @gridiron4girls or on my Facebook Page. Happy Friday!!
Welcome to Week 12 and the official start to the Holiday Season! I don't know about all of you but this time of year is the only thing that helps me get through the cold days....even though its only 60 degrees here, but you know what I mean. The Holidays kicked off in the NFL on Thanksgiving Day with 3 games. The NFL also seems to be in the Holiday spirit with one team winning for a sick little boy, one Quarterback growing hair for a cause, and a cheerleader losing some hair for a cause. Since I was too full to recap on Friday, let's start with what the office will be buzzing about from the Thursday games.
- Yet again the New York Jets are the "butt" of countless jokes....this time literally. The Jets had to know it was not going to be their night against their arch-rivals, the New England Patriots when their QB, Mark Sanchez literally ran into the fanny of his offensive lineman, causing him to fall backwards and fumble the ball which was picked up by a Patriot and run into the end-zone for a touchdown. To add insult to injury, the Jets' returner, Joe Mcknight, fumbled the kickoff on the very next play, it was picked up by Julian Edelman who ran it in 22 yards for yet another touchdown caused by a Jets' turnover. In the end the Jets were humiliated 49-19. The fans were calling for Tebow, but it was found out later that he had a rib injury. If you have a second check out Mark Sanchez's fumble below...trust me it's worth it.
- The guys in your life might be getting a little technical this morning if they are talking about the Houston Texans and Detroit Lions game. Turns out the Lions lost this one, 34-31, because of a mistake made by their Head Coach, Jim Schwartz. By NFL rule, all scoring plays are reviewed by the officials. So when Houston's Jim Forsett scored an 81 yard touchdown the officials would have automatically reviewed the play to ensure that the score was, in fact, legit. During this review they would have seen that Forsett's knee and elbow were clearly down before he made the long run down the field and that their was no touchdown. However, Jim Schwartz made the mistake of throwing the challenge flag before the officials could review the play. Again, by NFL rule, throwing the challenge flag on a scoring play is considered unsportsmanlike conduct, carries a 15 yard penalty, and negates the official review. Needless to say, the Lions could have won this one in regulation, instead, it went to overtime and the Texans walked away with another close win, beating the Lions 34-31. Does anyone else find it impossible to hear the name Schwartz without thinking of Spaceballs?
May the Schwartz be with you
- RG3 and the Washington Redskins did not do Tony Romo any Thanksgiving favors when they traveled to Dallas on Thursday. RG3 threw for 311 yards and 4 touchdowns in their 38-31 win over the Cowboys. 28 of those points came in the 2nd quarter, the first 28-point quarter the Redskins have had in 13 years. Tony Romo made an honest effort at a comeback and had a career-high day with 411 yards and 3 second-half touchdowns. But a hot Romo never seems to be enough for the poor Cowboys this year. "Impress Him" Fact: Tony Romo lost for the first time in 6 consecutive Thanksgiving Day starts. It is Romo's 3rd loss in 3 career 400 yard games and the Cowboys first loss to the Redskins in 7 Thanksgiving Day games. - Now onto Sunday! Let's start at the end with the absolute smashing of the Green Bay Packers against the New York Giants on Sunday night. The Giants were coming off a bye week and a 2 game slump, while the Packers were hot on a 5 game winning streak. But apparently, there was a sweet little boy at the game who's Make-A-Wish wish was for the Giants to play like the Super Bowl champs they are...so that is what they did, killing Aaron Rodgers and the Packers, 10-38. The Packers were missing key players on Defense including, Clay Matthews and Charles Woodson. They were also missing receiver, Greg Jennings on offense. The Packers' offensive line didn't do Aaron Rodgers (or his moustache) any favors either, he was sacked 5 times by the Giants and was under pressure all night. Eli Manning had 249 yards and 3 touchdowns. "Impress Him" Fact: The win gives the Giants a 2 game lead in the NFC East, while the loss knocks Green Bay out of a tie for first place in the NFC North.
The Movember Moustache is not working on or off the field, Aaron.
- The San Francisco 49'ers were also in the business of ending winning streaks with their 31-21 win over the New Orleans Saints. What's most impressive about this win? Well, they got it done with back-up QB Collin Kaepernick, in his second start for the 49'ers even after starting QB, Alex Smith was determined to be healthy enough to play on Sunday. Kaepernick threw for 231 yards and a touchdown. The 49'ers defense played a big part in their win, running two interceptions back for touchdowns, and sacking QB, Drew Brees, 5 times. They also held a New Orleans team who had rushed for 140 or more yards in previous games to just 59 rushing yards on Sunday. San Francisco Head Coach, Jim Harbaugh, said that he started Collin Kaepernick to preserve the health of Alex Smith, but he did not say who would start next week against the St. Louis Rams. Could there be some QB drama in San Francisco...I hope so, that is what makes this game so interesting.
Who will be the guy in SF? That's Kaepernick on the left in case were wondering
- The Atlanta Falcons were also in the business of bringing down winning streaks with a close 24-23 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers who were on a 4-game roll. With just over 10 minutes left in the fourth quarter, the Falcons were down 17-23. But Atlanta QB, Matt Ryan, is no stranger to game-winning drives and he put together a 6-play, 64 yard drive that ended with a touchdown run from Michael Turner to give the Falcons the 1-point lead. The Bucs had a chance to pull off the win, but missed a field goal. The hot rookie of the moment, Doug Martin, was also held to just 50 rushing yards for the Bucs. The Falcons can't relax for long though, they host the New Orleans Saints next week, the very same Saints who handed them their first loss of the season just a few weeks ago.
- A cheerleader for the Indianapolis Colts, Megan Meadors, accepted a challenge by the Colts' mascot, Blue. Blue asked the cheerleaders if they would shave their heads if he managed to raise $10,000 for leukemia research in the name of Colt's head coach, Chuck Pagano, who is currently undergoing treatment for leukemia. Meadors accepted the challenge, raised over $22,000, and let blue shave her head on the sidelines. This is the kind of story that gives me goosebumps.
How can Blue see what he's doing? Good for you, Megan!
I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving and is as excited about the Holiday season as I am! Don't forget to follow me on Twitter @gridiron4girls and like Gridiron For Girls on Facebook!
I had a major reality check yesterday when one of my very best guy friends...who is a total guys' guy texted me and asked me if I was watching the AMA's and then started giving me his opinion on Pit Bull (he loves him), Justin Bieber (he called him a bad word) and Christina Aguilera (she intimidates him with her makeup). I didn't even know the AMAs were happening last night! I was knee deep in the Steelers game and was missing out! Luckily my bud kept the updates coming but my once scarily up to date knowledge of everything pop culture is slowly fading away in the name of football. Though I have to say that I am more than willing to miss anything that has to do with Justin Bieber, what is the deal with that kid? I guess my point is that this Thanksgiving week, I am thankful that while I am delving into the male world of football, I have friends out there who are keeping an eye on Hollywood for me. I am a lucky girl indeed. Now on to Week 11!
- Colts and Patriots. Patriots and Colts. It's a rivalry that was made famous by the match-up by elite QB's Peyton Manning and Tom Brady. But this year everything was different. Peyton Manning has moved on to be a Bronco and Indianapolis' rookie quarterback, Andrew Luck, made his first trip to face Tom Brady and the new England Patriots in what should be known as The Goober Bowl. Rookie Goob, Luck, started off okay and at the half the score was tied 24-17. But that's when Luck literally ran out of luck. Goober #2, Tom Brady, threw for 331 yards and 3 touchdowns. The Patriots went on to score 2 more touchdowns on interception returns and a touchdown on a punt return. When it was all said and done, the rookie and the Indianapolis Colts lost to the 3-time Super Bowl champ and the New England Patriots 24-59. The news isn't all good for the Patriots. The lost Rob Gronkowski, one of their most valuable tight-ends, when he broke his forearm trying to block an extra point. Why he was trying to block an extra point when they were up over 30 points and there was less than 4:00 left in the game is a question that I am sure will haunt Bill Belichick for a few days."Impress Him" Facts: Andrew Luck was the #1 pick in the last NFL draft, one of his interceptions today was picked off by Alfonzo Dennard, the last pick in the the last NFL draft. Luck may have lost this game but he did throw for 334 yards, his 5th game with 300+ passing yards which breaks the rookie record set by Peyton Manning, not bad for a Goob.
Poor Andrew...no matter what he does...Goob.
- I have no idea why the Pittsburgh Steelers insist on dressing up like overgrown yellow-jackets, but it is not working for them. Not in the fashion department. Not in the football department. The Steelers were missing starting Bumblebee Quarterback, Ben Roethlisberger, for their Sunday night game against AFC North rivals, the Baltimore Ravens. Apparently Ben had a shoulder injury but the more worrisome injury was a dislocated rib that, if moved the wrong way, could puncture an artery. Yikes. The back-up quarterback was Byron Leftwich, who has played in exactly 2 games this season including last night. To his credit he threw for 201 yards, but spent a lot of time pulling himself off the ground. Not that the Ravens looked much better. QB, Joe Flacco, completed 20 out of 32 passes for 164 yards and the offense really couldn't get a whole lot going against the NFL's #1 defense. Their points came when Jacoby Jones returned a punt for a touchdown and Justin Tucker kicked 2 field goals to give the Ravens the 13-10 win and their third straight win against the Steelers.
HELP! I am being chased by a swarm of giant bees!!!
- The Green Bay Packers may have lost 3 of their first 5 games but with yesterday's win over the Detroit Lions they are on a 5 game winning streak and a half-game away from taking first place in the NFC North; as Wide Receiver, Donald Driver (and Stella), put it, "We got our groove back." They got it back just in time too, Aaron Rodgers threw a 22 yard touchdown pass to Randall Cobb with 1:55 left in the game to help pull out the 24-20 win over the Lions. The Lions had all kind of problems. Quarterback, Matt Stafford threw 2 interceptions and lost a fumble. To make matters worse, receivers coach, Shawn Jefferson, was seen yelling at the Lions' Offensive coordinator late in the game. It's never a good sign when the coaching staff is visibly at each others throats. Aside: I just realized that I have been spelling "Green Bay" wrong all year. That's what I get for thinking that I am smarter than spell check. My B.
- The Houston Texans held on to their one loss record with a come-from-behind win in overtime against the Jacksonville Jaguars. And they couldn't have done it without Wide Receiver, Andre Johnson. Johnson had 14 receptions for 273 yards and a touchdown. Matt Schaub was no slouch either, he completed a 43 passes (a franchise record) for 527 yards, tying him for 2nd most in NFL history. (Warren Moon also threw for 527 yards in 1990). Schaub threw 2 touchdown passes in the fourth quarter that tied the game up 34-34 and sent it to overtime. During overtime the Jags and the Texans traded field goals before Andre Johnson sealed the win with a 48 yard touchdown. The Jaguars played most of the game with their back-up QB, Chad Henne, after their starter, Blaine Gabbert, left in the first quarter with an elbow injury. Henne had a big day himself, with 354 yards and 4 touchdowns. Wide Receiver, Justin Blackmon, also had a big day or the Jaguars with 236 receiving yards. It was the first time in NFL history that 2 opposing players had 200+ receiving yards in the same game. But in the end it wasn't enough and the Texans won the game 37-43. "Impress Him" Fact: The Jaguars have lost 3 road games in overtime this year. This is the first overtime win for the Texans in their home stadium.
- I hate Philip Rivers. Which is why I really enjoyed watching the Denver Broncos and San Diego Chargers game. Broncos Linebacker, Von Miller, not only sacked Rivers 3 times but he also forced 2 fumbles and had some pretty impressive celebration dances. Peyton Manning also did his part with 270 passing yards for 3 touchdowns. Not bad for a guy who sat out all last season. The Broncos walked away with a 23-30 win and I get to post this picture.
Frankly, it's an insult to Miss Piggy.
I hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving! I for one am Thankful for my family, my friends, and for all you who read this blog and are so kind and supportive, LOOOOOOVE YALL!!
