Wade Phillips Gets the Boot and Other NFL Week 9 Observations

The Dallas Cowboys

Watching the Sunday night debacle of the Green Bay Packers demolishing a Dallas Cowboys team that had been thumping their chests about a Super Bowl run, was just too much fun. 

For all those lifelong Cowboys haters like me, it’s great to see this team not only buried in mediocrity, but a quitting team. 

I knew after watching that travesty of a game, that poor Wade Philips was going to get the proverbial axe.  Jerry Jones had to do something to stop the bleeding. 

I like Philips but never thought he was cut out to be a head coach. Jason Garrett isn't the answer either.  If they really want to make a statement, they need to cut Mike Jenkins who has been a horrible cornerback all year long.  

The Cowboys are providing good entertainment.

GAMES I WATCHED

Cleveland Browns over New England Patriots, 34-14 (On NFL.com Game Rewind)

I had to force myself to watch this game online.  What I saw made me sick to my stomach. 

The New England Patriots' defense has been soft all year; only winning through special teams and turnovers.  The offense, without Randy Moss stretching the defense, has been inconsistent, allowing teams to double cover the underneath receivers. 

Wes Welker is getting unwanted attention from defenses these days.  And when the Pats can’t establish a running game to loosen up the passing attack, the offense is just flat.

The defense was mauled by the Cleveland Browns. 

The scariest question about this game: Was it just a trap game between contests with the Minnesota Vikings and Pittsburgh Steelers, or has it exposed the defense as weak and undisciplined?   

The Browns beat the Saints and Peyton Hillis as well, who had 184 yards rushing in this game, and who put up 144 yards on the stout Baltimore Ravens defense (okay, I know they are not as stout this year, but still).  And, the Patriots’ defense played physically tough against the Minnesota Vikings and the hard running Adrian Peterson.  So that gives hope that defense just had an off day. 

Cleveland appears better than their 3-5 record after beating the Saints and Patriots, and playing well against the Ravens.

MVP: Peyton Hillis, RB

Baltimore Ravens over Miami Dolphins, 26-10

The Ravens had little trouble dispatching the Dolphins. 

I thought they were going to pay for settling for field goals after having the ball in the red zone twice in the first half.  Once the Ravens got near the goal line, they had comically bad offensive series, having to settle for three points instead of seven. 

But Miami was never able to take advantage of their breaks. 

It was only 13-10 Ravens at halftime, and it should been much worse for the Dolphins.  

Most impressive was the Ravens running the ball straight up the middle over and over, with guard Ben Grubbs and center Matt Birk dominating the interior of the Dolphins defense. 

The Ravens, while giving up a few yards, forced three interceptions and never looked back.

MVP: Ben Grubbs, G

Philadelphia Eagles over Indianapolis Colts, 26-24

I have a lot to say about this game and the horrendous officiating.  The officials did everything they could to give the Colts the win.

I could care less about the Eagles, and despite many who think I hate the Colts, I really don’t.  But I have observed just how much the bad and game changing calls always seem to go in their favor.

The Eagles completely outplayed the Colts and deserved to win the game.

The biggest mistake the officials made was calling a roughing penalty on defensive back Kurt Coleman late in the second quarter after Austin Collie was knocked out on a hard, legal hit.  Collie clearly caught the ball, had possession, moved forward and ducked his head, and was crunched by Coleman in what appeared to be the chest area. 

Collie dropped the ball and the Eagles recovered it. 

The correct call by the officials would have been a fumble by Collie and the Eagles getting the ball wherever they returned it.  Instead, the Colts got a 15-yard penalty in the red zone, and were able to score a touchdown and pull to a 16-14 deficit against the Eagles.

Part of the officials’ reaction to the hit was probably that Collie was knocked completely unconscious and had to be taken off on a stretcher.  Thankfully, Collie appears to be fine now.  But that doesn’t absolve the officials for practically handing the Colts a touchdown.

But they were not done yet! 

Down 26-17 with three and half minutes left in the game, the Colts face a fourth down and 18 yards to go from the Philadelphia 41-yard line.  The Eagles sack Manning, game over, right?

Hold on, defensive end Trent Cole barely grazes the back of Manning’s helmet as he was being blocked.  Manning probably didn’t even feel or notice it.  But the officials, seeing that the Colts were about to lose, drop the flag, 15 yards.

The Eagles were able to survive for a close win.

Lost in all this was Michael Vick playing an excellent game both passing and running. 

MVP: Michael Vick, QB

Green Bay Packers over Dallas Cowboys, 45-7

There really isn’t much to say about this game other than that Green Bay destroyed Dallas and the Dallas players simply quit. 

Jerry Jones must have been embarrassed by the lack of effort on the part of his team.  The Packers played a great game, of course, but they didn’t have a real football team to compete with. 

And Clay Matthews, Jr. just terrorized the Dallas offensive line while receiver James Jones had a nice day with eight catches for 123 yards and a touchdown.

MVP: Clay Matthews, Jr., LB

Pittsburgh Steelers over Cincinnati Bengals, 27-21

The Bengals are an enigma.  They have great receivers, a good quarterback and a solid running game, but just can’t seem to get it done. 

Their defense is a bit weak, but not horrible.  Had the Bengals not given up scores after turnovers and a blocked punt, they might have been able to win this game.  But they can't get over the hump.

The Steelers' defense, as usual, was solid, and they relaxed after getting the big lead, allowing the Bengals back in the game late.  The offense had to resort to a trick play with Antwaan Randle-El throwing a touchdown pass.  But despite a speedy receiver, Big Ben and a good running attack, they don’t produce a lot of points.

While the defense really won this game, they let the Bengals back in it, so I’m going with the speed receiver Mike Wallace as the MVP who had 110 receiving yards and extended the Steelers lead in the fourth quarter with his touchdown grab from Randle-El.

MVP: Mike Wallace, WR

PLAYERS OF THE WEEK

Offensive Player: Peyton Hillis, RB, Cleveland Browns
Defensive Player:  Clay Matthews, Jr., Linebacker, Green Bay Packers
Offensive Lineman: Ben Grubbs, G, Baltimore Ravens
Special Teams:  Wes Welker, WR/K, New England Patriots
Rookie of the Week:  Jacoby Ford, WR, Oakland Raiders