Week 12 NFL Review

Texans at Lions-A back and forth shootout in the first game on Turkey Day is the way to start the football week. Four touchdowns in the second quarter (two for each team) and a pair of touchdowns in the final minutes of the fourth quarter give us an overtime game. Two missed field goals in overtime and a slew of possessions ends with Shane Graham making his next attempt and winning it. Better now-Houston
Better @ the end of the year-Houston

Redskins at Cowboys-RGIII in his first Thanksgiving Day game throws four touchdowns (three in the second quarter) and the Redskins win a shootout in Dallas. Dallas's defense isn't living up to their potential, Romo loses in November for the first time ever, and Dallas's playoff hopes are fading fast.Better now-Washington
Better @ the end of the year-Washington

Patriots at Jets-Now is it Tebow time yet? The Pats put a major hurt on the Jets on Thanksgiving, all but sealing the AFC East up. Five turnovers for New York didn't help, but at this point in the season (4-7) why not phone it in and call on Tebow?

Better now-Patriots

Better @ the end of the year-Patriots



Raiders at Bengals-The “Cincinnati Three” have a great day feasting on the Oakland defense. Dalton throws three touchdowns, Green-Ellis runs for 129 yards and a touchdown, and A.J. Green catches three passes for 111 yards.
Better now-Cincinnati
Better @ the end of the year-Cincinnati


Steelers at Browns-Who expected the Steelers to win? Even against the Browns, Charlie Batch is out of date as a quarterback. If it were Charlie Batch from 10 years ago, maybe he could've led them to a victory. It's not all on him though, great teams find ways to win, and Pittsburgh isn't great. Congrats to Cleveland.
Better now-Steelers
Better @ the end of the year-Steelers



Bills at Colts-”Chuck Strong”, that is what Indianapolis is. This season was going to be about toughing out close games no matter the opponent, and that's what they did. A punt return in the first quarter, two field goals from Vinatieri, and Luck's only touchdown throw coming in the third to T.J. Hilton (who had the 75 yard punt return in the first). Buffalo struggles, Colts keep moving forward.
Better now-Colts
Better @ the end of the year-Colts



Titans at Jaguars-Chad Henne comes to play. Henne throws for 261 yards and two touchdowns, and the Jags win their second of the year. It may not seem like a lot, but it is down in Jacksonville. Chris Johnson only runs for 80 yards for the Titans, while Cecil Shorts and Justin Blackmon for Jacksonville each notch a touchdown on the stat sheet.
Better now-Titans (by a little bit)
Better @ the end of the year-Titans (by a little bit)



Broncos at Chiefs-An odd game to say the least. Denver's offense doesn't get going, but because it's Kansas City, they aren't punished for it. Denver wins, but it wasn't very pretty.
Better now-Broncos
Better @ the end of the year-Broncos



Vikings at Bears-Peterson gains 100+ yards again, but fumbles, as does Christen Ponder, and the Bears keep the pressure on in an NFC North matchup. Stiff defense and Michael Bush running for two touchdowns means the Bears win a division game.

Better now-Bears

Better @ the end of the year-Bears



Falcons at Buccaneers-Falcons tough one out against Tampa Bay. Doug Martin doesn't gain a ton of yards, but scores twice on a day that Freeman couldn't find the end zone. Tampa didn't make mistakes, the Falcons were just better today. Atlanta needs to focus and get better, otherwise they won't last long in the playoffs.
Better now-Atlanta
Better @ the end of the year-Atlanta



Seahawks at Dolphins-17 points in the fourth quarter for the Dolphins, capped by a Dan Carpenter field goal as time expired and Miami takes one away from a good Seattle team. This is a good win for Miami, and a bad bad loss for Seattle.
Better now-Seattle
Better @ the end of the year-Seattle

Ravens at Chargers-Torrey Smith has another big game, catching seven passes for 144 yards. Baltimore makes a comeback, scoring 10 points in the fourth quarter, and Justin Tucker kicks them to victory with one at the gun, then one in overtime.
Better now-Baltimore

Better @ the end of the year-Baltimore

49ers at Saints-Colin Kaepernick continues to impress. It wasn't as impressive as last week, but throwing one touchdown, running one, and two interception returns by the 49ers defense powers them to a victory. The Saints didn't look bad at all, and even with this loss, they still have a better shot at the playoffs than Dallas.
Better now-49ers
Better @ the end of the year-49ers



Rams at Cardinals-Ryan Lindley has a terrible day at the helm, throwing four interceptions, while Sam Bradford throws two touchdowns and St. Louis continues to add to Arizona's fall.
Better now-Cardinals
Better @ the end of the year-Cardinals



Packers at Giants-The Giants came to play, while Green Bay didn't. A rush offense, combined with defense, equals a win for a top team in the NFC. The Packers may be only as good as the teams they play. They've lost to the top two teams in the NFC (Giants and 49ers), both teams they'd play in the playoffs...not good.

Better now-Giants

Better @ the end of the year-Giants (but either team can still go the opposite way they're going)

Panthers @ Eagles- The Eagles year is over for sure now. Cam Newton plays a big game in his first Monday Night Football appearance, looked better than he has in recent games, and Carolina takes one from a team that is really hurting.
Better now-Draw
Better @ the end of the year-Draw

Week 11 NFL Review

Dolphins at Bills- Ryan Lindell wins this game for Buffalo. He kicks four field goals, makes all of them, and an extra point on a punt return for a touchdown, accounting for 13 of the 19 Buffalo points. Tannehill is starting to lose steam, but that isn't shocking for a rookie to do.
Better right now- Even
Better at the end of the season- Even


Eagles at Redskins- RGIII incompleted one pass, threw four touchdowns, and propelled the Redskins to victory. RGIII finished with 200 yards passing and 84 yards rushing (led team). Washington needs a running attack, while the hell season for the Eagles continues.
Better right now- Redskins
Better at the end of the season- Redskins



Packers at Lions- Packers score 10 points in the forth quarter and steal a game from the Lions. Randall Cobb makes up for some questionable calls in returning, by scoring the game-winning touchdown as Rodgers threads the seam near the end of the game. The NFC North is getting tight.
Better right now- Packers
Better at the end of the season- Packers



Cardinals at Falcons- Atlanta gives Arizona every opportunity to win the game (six tournovers), and Atlanta still is able to edge it out. Winners find a way to win. Ryan can't throw five interceptions from here on out though.
Better right now- Atlanta
Better at the end of the season- Atlanta



Buccaneers at Panthers- Cam and the Panthers celebrate too early, while Josh Freeman connects with Doug Martin for the game-tying touchdown. In OT, Freeman hits Dallas Clark in the left side of the end zone and win the game. Martin finished with 138 rushing yards, he continues to impress.
Better right now- Buccaneers
Better at the end of the season- Buccaneers



Browns at Cowboys- I was cheering for the Browns to win this one. They had the Cowboys for a half, but Dallas ties the game and wins it in OT with a field goal. Dallas still isn't good.
Better right now- Dallas
Better at the end of the season- Dallas



Jets at Rams- The Jets can beat the Rams, and they did handily. No impressive stats, just straight-up keep scoring and limiting the other team. No Tebow time in the near future I guess.
Better right now- Jets
Better at the end of the season- Jets



Jaguars at Texans- Jacksonville gives Houston FAR more than what they expected. The Jaguars almost steal one and shock the NFL. Each team makes a field goal in OT, and Houston gets it done in the end with Andre Johnson. Chad Henne throws four touchdowns, no interceptions, and 354 yards for the Jags in the loss, while Schaub records the 2nd-most pass yards in a game all-time: 527. Justin Blackmon catches seven receptions for 236 yards, Andre Johnson catches 14 for 273 yards, each scoring one touchdown. GAME OF THE YEAR?
Better right now- Texans
Better at the end of the season- Texans



Bengals at Chiefs- Cincy has everything clicking against a bad KC team, the Bengals three stars (Dalton, Green, Green-Ellis) each record great numbers, while Jamal Charles continues to suffer in Kansas City. Dalton passed for 230 yards, Green catches six receptions for 91 yards and one touchdown, and Green-Ellis runs for 101 yards on 25 attempts with a touchdown.
Better right now- Bengals
Better at the end of the season- Bengals

 
Colts at Patriots- The veteran shows the rookie hows it's done. Luck makes some bad choices (resulting in two interceptions being taken back for touchdowns), while Brady is himself, throwing three touchdowns and 331 yards. Luck throws three interceptions, two touchdowns, and 334 yards. New England's defense steps up, but needs to tighten up on how many yards they surrender.
Better right now- Patriots
Better at the end of the season- Patriots



Saints at Raiders- The Raiders could have pulled a Jacksonville and battled hard, but that wasn't in the cards for them. Brees passes for three touchdowns and 219 yards, outpassed in yards by Carson Palmer, but the game goes easily to New Orleans.
Better right now- Saints
Better at the end of the season- Saints



Chargers at Broncos- Peyton Manning shakes off early mistiming and leads Denver to another division win. Phil Rivers becomes shaken, can't move his offense, and San Diego's season is almost done. Denver has the AFC West in the bag. Manning throws three touchdowns and 269 yards, connecting with three different receivers for touchdowns.
Better right now- Broncos
Better at the end of the season- Broncos



Ravens at Steelers- These two teams will play each other in two weeks, and it will be the Steelers looking for revenge. Neither team played great football. Byron Leftwich didn't do too bad for a quarterback that has less than 10 snaps this season. Leftwich passed for 201 yards and one interception. Both defenses held and it was on the leg of Justin Tucker to score tonight. Jacoby Jones scored on a 63 yard punt return as well.
Better right now- Ravens
Better at the end of the season- Ravens


Bears at 49ers- The 49ers, led by backup Colin Kaepernick, put a hurtin on Chicago. Kaepernick threw for 243 yards and two touchdowns, looking the part of an experienced quarterback for the entire first half. Everything worked tonight for San Francisco, while it was a nightmare for the Bears defense.

Better right now- 49ers
Better at the end of the season- 49ers

Week 10 NFL Review

Colts @ Jaguars-The Colts continue to get better, while the Jaguars continue to lose. Andrew Luck may lead Indianapolis to the playoffs sooner than most thought.

Better now-Colts
Better at the end of the season-Colts

Broncos @ Panthers-Manning continues his remarkable season, while Cam Newton can't get any protection today. Almost every play he was hurried or hit, the Broncos defense was amazing.
Better now-Broncos
Better at the end of the season-Broncos



Chargers @ Buccaneers-Two teams that have had a sketchy season. San Diego shows offensive life, but no defense, Tampa Bay has a defense, but it has holes, and their offense can run it one week, but pass the next. Consistency is desperately needed in both cities. Josh Freeman throws two touchdowns and 210 yards for the Bucs, Rivers throws three touchdowns, but two picks, one of them returned by Leonard Johnson 83 yards for the game-winning score.
Better now-Buccaneers
Better at the end of the season-Bucaneers



Titans @ Dolphins-Who was playing for the Titans today? Because it sure wasn't the Titans the NFL has seen this season. Tannehill throws three interceptions in a game that was more like a nightmare for those in Flordia.
Better now-Dolphins by a small margin
Better at the end of the season-Dolphins



Bills @ Patriots-The Bills fight until the very end, but the Patriots have their number today. Both quarterbacks led their teams very well. C.J. Spiller will be key to the Bills success for years.
Better now-Patriots
Better @ the end of the season-Patriots



Raiders at Ravens-NO MERCY! Oakland must have done something to John Harbaugh or his family, or they owed the Ravens money. 105 yard kick return by Jacoby Jones, a fake field goal turned into a touchdown. Combine those two with Ray Rice and Flacco on his game, no chance for the Raiders. Torrey Smith with another great receiving day: 67 yards on two catches, both touchdowns.
Better now-Ravens
Better at the end of the season-Ravens



Giants @ Bengals-Friend said the Giants would win, I chose not to take them on ESPN Streak For The Cash because I knew better. Bengals aren't a bad team and they proved that today. Andy Dalton throws four touchdowns to four different receivers, while Eli can't find the end zone and throws two interceptions.
Better now-Giants
Better at the end of the season-Giants



Falcons @ Saints-And then there were none. The Falcons go down to the New Orleans Saints, a team that had a great shot to beat them. Saints are riding high now and improving every week. Ryan and Brees throw for three touchdowns, Ryan for over 400 yards, but in the end, the Saints win.
Better now-Falcons, but the Saints are rising
Better at the end of the season-Falcons, by a little bit



Lions @ Vikings-Adrian Peterson may be a machine in the body of a man. MVP? Comeback of The Year? Both are possible as he goes for 171 yards and a touchdown on 27 carries. Calvin Johnson found the end zone once, and had 207 yards on 12 receptions, but the Lions hadn't answered Minnesota enough times to make it close.
Better now-Draw
Better at the end of the season-Draw



Jets @ Seahawks-Tebow time may be on its way within the next two weeks. The Seahawks continue to win with Russell Wilson at the helm. Wilson threw two touchdowns, 188 yards, and ran for 34 yards, while Marshawn Lynch runs 27 times for 124 yards. The defense makes certain that Wilson feels comfortable on offense, sacking Sanchez three times and picking him off once.
Better now-Seahawks
Better at the end of the season-Seahawks


Cowboys @ Eagles-Both teams came in with their seasons in the danger zone. Cowboys escape with a victory, even if both teams probably won't make the playoffs and are both flawed in many ways. Andy Reid will lose his job at the end of the year.
Better now-Draw
Better at the end of the season-Draw



Rams @ 49ers-A Draw?!? Haven't seen one of those in years. These things happen when division rivals go at it. 49ers are still the better team though, but the Rams are capable of building a good season.
Better now-49ers
Better at the end of the season-49ers



Texans @ Bears-The weather dampens a high-profile game. I think it would've been higher scoring otherwise. Schaub and Foster are stronger than Forte and Cutler tonight and the Texans continue to roll.
Better now-Texans
Better at the end of the season-Draw

UConn vs Michigan State

Congratulations to my UConn Huskies! First game under a new coach, sanctions preventing them from the postseason, missing several players from last year, and facing the #14 ranked team in the country in Michigan State @ Ramstein Air Base in Germany. Didn't like that all the players didn't get to play (Leon Tolksdorf of German residence, Phil Nolan, Brendan Allen). The team led by as much as 16 during the game, and looks far better than last year. Sure, they had lots of talent, but no chemistry, they weren't a team. Now, with a new coach to play for, as well as everything except post season births, UConn can reach their true potential. Congrats to my Huskies, GO HUSKY NATION!!!!

Shabazz Napier-25 points
DeAndre Daniels-12 points, 8 rebounds
Ryan Boatright-13 points
Tyler Olander-4 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists

Week 9 NFL Review

Chiefs at Chargers-Chargers shake off their recent woes, but still aren't close to what they once were. The struggles continue in Kansas City.

Better now-Chargers
Better at the end of the year-Chargers


Panthers at Redskins-RGIII gets stopped by...the Carolina Panthers defense!? First time for everything I guess. Carolina gets the win, but they still aren't better than the Redskins.
Better now-Redskins
Better at the end of the year-Redskins



Cardinals at Packers- Aaron Rodgers is Aaron Rodgers. The Packers win, and finish 3-0 in the last three games they should have won. Skelton passes for over 300 yards, which for the Packers defense (giving up 300 yards passing to Jacksonville last week) isn't good.
Better now-Packers
Better at the end of the year-Packers



Lions at Jaguars-Mikel Leshoure and Joique Bell combine for 143 rushing yards and four touchdowns in a game that Detroit wins without a passing touchdown. Even against Jacksonville that's impressive for team that does passing better than running. Megatron (Calvin Johnson) catches seven passes for 129 yards.
Better now-Lions
Better at the end of the year-Lions



Bears at Titans- Bears beat the Titans like they stole something. Five takeaways, four by Charles Tillman, one taken back on a punt block for a touchdown, and one interception taken back for a touchdown by Urlacher. The only positive for the Titans today was that Chris Johnson ran for 141 yards and a touchdown (80 of that off of one run).
Better now-Bears
Better at the end of the year-Bears



Broncos at Bengals-Peyton Manning again. Three touchdowns today help lead the Broncos past a good Cincinnati team. Trindon Holliday, all five and half feet of him returns the longest kick return (105 yards) in Denver history. Doing it for the small guys!
Better now-Broncos
Better at the end of the year-Broncos


Ravens at Browns-Five field goals by Phil Dawson isn't enough to carry Cleveland to a win over their division rivals. An ugly game, but one Baltimore comes away with.
Better now-Ravens
Better at the end of the year-Ravens


Bills at Texans-Defensive game all-around, not much scoring for either team (though Buffalo is used to not scoring this year). Andre Johnson goes for 118 yards on eight catches in the 21-9 win.
Better now-Texans
Better at the end of the year-Texans


Dolphins at Colts-Andrew Luck breaks the single-game rookie record for passing yards. The Colts may be better than everyone gave them credit for. Adam Vinatieri makes three kicks, including the game winner with about six minutes left.
Better now-Even
Better at the end of the year-Even


Vikings at Seahawks-Two teams with potential and up-and-coming quarterbacks clash, and only one succeeded. Russell Wilson passes for three touchdowns, Marshawn Lynch runs for 124 yards and a touchdown in the win. Adrian Peterson continues his incredible year, running for 182 off of 17 attempts, scoring two touchdowns.
Better now-Draw
Better at the end of the year-Draw


Buccaneers at Raiders-Doug Martin again PLAYING OUT OF HIS MIND! 25 carries for 251 yards, four touchdowns in the Tampa Bay win. If Tampa wants to get to the playoffs though, they need to tighten their defense up. Giving up 32 to Oakland won't cut it.
Better now-Buccaneers
Better at the end of the year-Buccaneers


Steelers at Giants-Giants get some calls their way from the refs, but it isn't enough to get them the win. Pittsburgh may have a solidified running game in the near future Issac Redman ran for 147 yards on 26 attempts and one touchdown.
Better now-Giants
Better at the end of the year-Giants


Cowboys at Falcons-Matt Bryant provides most of the scoring for the Falcons, while Dallas can't find their offense. Dallas has a pretty good defense, as does Atlanta, but only one of these teams has a consistent offense, and it's the one that's undefeated.
Better now-Falcons
Better at the end of the year-Falcons

Eagles at Saints-Eagles struggles continue, while New Orleans capitalizes on them. Both quarterbacks played equally good, and Philadelphia has a good RB in LeShan McCoy (rushed for 119 yards on 19 attempts), they just couldn't put stuff together (flee-flicker on the kickoff rightfully called a forward-lateral, but executed perfectly and creatively otherwise). Andy Reid is having a very very bad 2012.

Better now-New Orleans

Better at the end of the year-New Orleans