Colts Burn Sage, Falcons Stun Packers: NFL Week Five Recap

Chicago Bears 34 - Detroit Lions 7

The Detroit Lions could not defend the run, defend the pass, or establish any offense as the Chicago Bears drubbed their NFC North foe.  Jon Kitna and Dan Orlovsky amassed 131 passing yards on 39 attempts for the Lions.

The Bears looked great.  Devin Hester doubled his season stats, with five catches for 66 yards and a touchdown.  Kyle Orton passed for 334 yards against the Lions' horrid secondary.  Apparently, the firing of Matt Millen won't have much of an effect on Detroit's season.

Atlanta Falcons 27 - Green Bay Packers 24

At the beginning of the fourth quarter, the Packers tied the game at 17 when Aaron Rodgers found Greg Jennings for a 25-yard touchdown pass.  Atlanta answered with 10 straight points and the Packers could not respond, resulting in a loss at Lambeau. 

Rodgers went 25-for-37 for 313 yards and three TDs but threw a fourth quarter interception that hindered the Packers' comeback hopes.  Michael Turner ran for 121 yards and one touchdown, as he showed up again in the odd numbered week five.  The Packers' D could not pressure rookie QB Matt Ryan, as they failed to register a sack.

San Diego Chargers 10 - Miami Dolphins 17

The "Wildcat" shotgun spread option attack continued to be effective, as the Dolphins defeated the San Diego Chargers with tough defense and efficient offense.  Ronnie Brown ran for a five-yard touchdown in the second quarter from the quarterback position; he had 125 yards on the day.  Chad Pennington completed 75 percent of his passes and finished the day with 228 yards on 29 attempts. 

LaDainian Tomlinson was stuffed again, running for only 35 yards on 12 carries for a 2.9 yard per carry average.  The Dolphins sacked Phillip Rivers twice in the second half and had a successful goal line stand in the game, stopping Tomlinson on fourth down.  SD did not turn the ball over, but failed to establish an offensive rhythm. 

Seattle Seahawks 6 - New York Giants 44

The Seahawks lived up to their reputation of not being able to travel to the east coast.  Even without star wide out Plaxico Burress, the Giants easily advanced to 4-0, looking like the defending Super Bowl Champs that they are.  Brandon Jacobs had an outstanding 9.1 yard per rush average, making the best of his 15 carries, scoring twice on the day. 

The Seahawks welcomed back Bobby Engram and Deion Branch to the lineup, and the receivers dominated the Seahawks passing game, catching 11 of the Hawks 14 completions for 92 of their 113 reviving yards.  The Hawks pulled QB Matt Hasselbeck to prevent injury and Seneca Wallace finished the game, as Seattle fell to 1-3 on the season.

Washington Redskins 23 - Philadelphia Eagles 17

First-year head coach Jim Zorn and the Washington Redskins stayed atop the NFC East with a win over the Eagles.  Brain Westbrook did play, and rushed nine yards on the game's first score.  Flashy rookie DeSean Jackson returned a punt 68 yards as the Eagles jumped out to a 14-0 lead.

From there it was all Redskins, who scored 23 unanswered points.  Clinton Portis ran for 145 yards and Chris Cooley had 109 receiving yards, and both players scored on the day. The touchdown pass to Cooley came from the hand of Antwaan Randle El.  The 'Skins did not force a turnover, or get a sack, but held Donovan McNabb to 17-for-29 passing for 196 yards.  Washington will host the Rams next week.

Kansas City Chiefs 0 - Carolina Panthers 34

After an impressive win against Denver last week, the Chiefs did not come to play against the Panthers.  127 total yards will not earn you a victory in the NFL, as KC found out, getting shutout and beat down.  Larry Johnson carried the ball seven times for two yards. 

Carolina continued to look good this season with 195 rushing yards on 39 carries from their two-headed monster.  Julius Peppers registered a sack, while Jon Beason and Ken Lucas both had interceptions for the Panthers' D. 

Tennessee Titans 13 - Baltimore Ravens 10

The Titans were victorious in another defensive battle, earning the fifth win of their undefeated season.  Kerry Collins overcame two interceptions on the day, putting together two fourth quarter scoring drives, the second ending in an 11-yard pass to Alge Crumpler. 

Rookie Joe Flacco could not find success against the NFL's top D, going 18-for-27 for 153 yards, and throwing two interceptions.  Willis McGahee, who was in question before the game, played and finished with 64 yards on 22 carries.  Matt Stover did miss a field goal on the day.

Indianapolis Colts 31 - Houston Texans 27

In the most exciting finish of the day, the Colts scored 21 points in the final five minutes to overcome a 17-point deficit.  Matt Schaub called in sick before kickoff, which opened the door for Sage Rosenfels to start the Texans' home opener.

Sage attempted to hurdle on a fourth quarter scramble that resulted in a 68-yard fumble recovery for a touchdown by Gary Brackett.  Three plays later, Sage was stripped on a roll-out, which opened the door for the Peyton Manning to drive down and connect with Reggie Wayne in the end zone.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers 13 - Denver Broncos 16

The Swiss cheese Broncos run D gave up 6.3 yards per carry, but Tampa only rushed 22 times in the loss.  D.J. Williams had 11 tackles and a sack on the day for Denver.  Brian Griese was knocked out by Champ Bailey, which brought in Jeff Garcia to finish the game.

Tampa was able to slow down Jay Cutler's passing attack, but not enough to prevent Denver from earning their fourth win of the season.

Cincinnati Bengals 22 - Dallas Cowboys 31

Dallas was given a run for their money as the Bengals missed a fourth quarter two-point conversion attempt to tie the game at 24.  Carson Palmer started and finished the game, hooking up with T.J. Houshmandzadeh on both of his touchdown passes.

Felix Jones carried the ball nine times for 96 yards and a touchdown, while workhorse Marion Barber added 84 yards on 23 carries.  Tony Romo spread the love around, hitting Jason Witten, Terrell Owens, and Patrick Crayton on TD passes.

Buffalo Bills 17 - Arizona Cardinals 41

Bills quarterbacks were sacked five times by the Cardinals as Buffalo suffered their first loss of the season.  The Cards' O didn't miss a beat without wide out Anquan Boldin, who had facial surgery this week, compiling 373 total yards and five scores.

The Bills could not force a turnover, and their only highlight of the day was an 87-yard TD catch for Lee Evans.

New England Patriots 30 - San Francisco 49ers 21

The 49ers honored Steve Young before the game, and they could have used him in this one, as J.T. O'Sullivan threw three interceptions.  Frank Gore only carried the ball 12 times, for a 4.5 yards per carry average.  Isaac Bruce did catch two TDs for the 49ers, as they gave the Pats a game.

Matt Cassel hooked up with Randy Moss for a 66-yard touchdown in the first quarter for his only TD pass of the game.  Cassel was sacked five times by the Niners D, as he could not find open receivers.  It seems New England might be best off going after a veteran QB if they want to have a serious playoff run this year.

Pittsburgh Steelers 26 - Jacksonville Jaguars 21

This Sunday night match-up was a great battle between two of the AFC’s top teams.  The Steelers went into the half with a 20–14 lead.  In beginning of the fourth quarter David Garrard found tight end Marcedes Lewis for a 24-yard touchdown strike.  Big Ben Roethlisberger responded with an eight-yard TD pass to Hines Ward just inside the two-minute mark.  Jacksonville could not get into field goal position to give Josh Scobee a chance at his third consecutive game-winning field goal.

Pittsburgh nearly doubled the Jags in total yardage, 415 to 213.  Replacement running back Mewelde Moore was impressive, taking 17 carries for 99 yards.  By squeaking this one out, the Steelers advanced to 4-1, while the Jags fell to 2-3.

Monday Night Match-up:

Minnesota Vikings - New Orleans Saints

Adrian Peterson should run well as the Saints will be without stud defensive tackle Sedrick Ellis.  Despite a great game from Adrian Peterson, don't expect much else from the Vikings' offense.  The Saints' passing attack cannot be stopped and things won't change this week, as Drew Brees will pick apart the Vikings' secondary.

The Vikings may have the best D-line in football, so Deuce won't be impactful, but Reggie Bush should do damage outside the tackles.  Look for the Saints to march to an easy victory in the Big Easy, 31-23.