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Quick Snaps: NFL Week 5

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I love a good holiday weekend, even if Columbus Day is one of the most controversial federal holidays on the calendar. Maybe the entire country should go the way of Berkeley, CA and change the name to “Indigenous Peoples Day”. If you’re looking for a good read on what this land was like before Columbus and his merry band of disease ridden malcontents arrived, take a look at “1491” by Charles Mann. Excellent and investigative take on the culture and progress of the indigenous peoples of the Americas. But enough of the book review, on to a quick NFL Sunday recap for Week 5.

Quick Snaps

Bills 31 Eagles 24 – The Bills lead the AFC East, MIke Vick broke the career rushing record for an NFL QB, and the Philadelphia Eagles dropped to 1-4 on the season. I joked last week about the need for the Philadelphia Phillies to keep winning to help take some of the pressure off of this abysmal start for the Eagles. Unfortunately, that didn’t happen so while Ryan Howard is at home nursing a torn achilles, the heat is only going to intensify on Andy Reid and his basement dwelling Iggles.

Vikings 34 Cardinals 10 – Speaking of the Eagles, two former Philadelphia QB’s, Kevin Kolb and Donovan McNabb, squared off against one another in the Metrodome yesterday too see who could amass a lower passer efficiency. Adrian Peterson had a good afternoon with 3 early touchdowns and this was the game most people should have taken in their survivor pool. However…

Seahawks 36 Giants 25 – Nearly 70% of remaining survivor pool contestants lost because they bet against Clipboard Jesus. If you look closely, you can find Charlie Whitehurst on the cover of most Southern Rock albums from the 1970’s.

Steelers 38 Titans 17 – I can’t decide if Ben Roethlisberger is really tough or just an attention seeking prima dona. He always seems to have these mysterious injuries which threaten to keep him out of action until he “recovers” in time to put up ridiculous numbers like he did Sunday against the Titans.

Raiders 25 Texans 20 – With the recent passing of Al Davis the football karma gods were clearly on the side of the Raiders Sunday afternoon in Texas. Too bad most young football fans don’t entirely understand the impact Davis had on the NFL. I will forever be thankful to the Raiders owner for two reasons: 1) Bo Jackson and 2) the Lane Kiffin firing announcement.

Chargers 29 Broncos 24 – The Republican Party should consider asking Tim Tebow to run for President in 2012. Think about it, they would be guaranteed a win in at least two swing states, Colorado and Florida, and the QB’s presence in the upcoming debates should be inspiring enough to keep even Rick Perry awake.

Patriots 30 Jets 21 – At this point, Jim Nantz, will all of the New England games he has called over the years, has to own a home in the Foxboro area. At the very least he splits a time share with Phil Simms. Now I’m not saying Nantz favors the Patriots but I did find it a little peculiar when Bill Belichick’s red challenge flag came flying out of the CBS broadcast booth during yesterday’s game with the Jets.

view from the Georgia Dome courtesy of @EricFisherTWC

 

Quick Snaps: NFL Week #4

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Before we pull the trigger on a week 4 recap, it must be October in the NFL as players, coaches, and officials alike began adorning a variety of pink garments in support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. My eyes weren’t nearly as strained by any of the well intentioned accessories – even the whistles – and find the pink towels much more palatable than the pepto-bismol bats MLB uses for a very similar cause on Mother’s Day.

Quick Snaps

Lions 34 Cowboys 30 – So maybe Tony Romo can’t close after all.

Bengals 23 Bills 20 – Mike Nugent didn’t seem all that excited after he kicked the game winning FG to lead the Bengals over the formerly undefeated Buffalo Bills. Perhaps his lack of exuberance was due to the noticeable fact that there were plenty of good seats still available at Paul Brown Stadium. Was this apathy for a mediocre franchise or more indicative of the tough economic times on the Ohio River?

49ers 24 Eagles 23 – The best thing that can happen to the Philadelphia Eagles is for the Philadelphia Phillies to reach the World Series. That way, the “fans that booed Santa Claus” won’t channel as much energy and blinding venom towards a campaign to fire Andy Reid. I’m sure firebigred.com is already a hot commodity with Go Daddy.

Giants 31 Cardinals 27 – Eli Manning, like most quarterbacks, is a totally different quarterback in a dome. Would his older brother Payton be as prolific a passer if he spent his entire career outside in the Meadowlands instead of indoors at the RCA Dome now Lucas Oil Field?

Chiefs 22 Vikings 17 – As Buster Olney suggested on twitter, maybe the Vikings should consider trading RB Adrian Peterson in a “Hershel Walker” type deal instead this time around Minnesota ships the superstar in return for a gluttony of draft picks. Also, do you really need to keep trotting Donovan McNabb’s carcass out there when you have Christian Ponder, your QB in waiting, holding a clipboard on the sidelines?

Patriots 31 Raiders 19 – Tom Brady gets a much needed haircut and the Patriots transform into a running team. Stranger things have happened but one things for sure, unless New England keeps chewing up yards on the guard, and develops a consistent pass rush, they’re still a long way from New Orleans.

Packers 49 Broncos 23 – Quite a weekend for the state of Wisconsin. First the Badgers take it to Big Ten newbies the Nebraska. Then the Brewers go up 2-0 in their NLDS series with the Diamondbacks before the weekend was topped off by a record setting fantasy performance by Aaron Rodgers and the Packers. Good news for me, the team I played started Jay Cutler.

view from Paul Brown Stadium courtesy of @cincynowsports