NFL Week 10 Observations

Tennessee at Chicago The Tennessee Titans moved to 9-0 yesterday with a 21-14 victory over the Chicago Bears. The outcome was impressive for a few reasons: first, because the Titans, known for their strong running game, amassed a total of 20 yards on 29 attempts and, second, because QB Kerry Collins put up 289 yards and two touchdowns in a hostile environment.

While they remain perfect on the season and winning on the road is no easy task in today’s NFL, they still haven’t faced a true measuring stick as to whether this team is a legit Super Bowl contender. Or maybe they have, but the AFC is weak this season. I think the Titans game in a few weeks against the Pittsburgh Steelers will give us a truer indication.

Kansas City at San Diego I take everything back that I’ve said about San Diego in recent weeks. While RB LaDainian Tomlinson ran fairly well on Sunday and QB Philip Rivers passed for good yardage, the defense once again failed to pressure the opposing quarterback and the 15-and-a-half point favorite squeaked by 20-19 over the 1-8 Kansas City Chiefs.

Perhaps I’ve been wrong to call Tyler Thigpen a back-up quarterback, as this is the third straight game that he’s played fairly well, but for San Diego to allow him to pretty much throw on them at will shows me that the problems for the Lightning Bolts run far deeper than is visible to the eye.

They only managed one sack (by the safety of all positions) and this is clearly a team that lacks focus, heart and desire. Although it’s still very likely that they will win the AFC West—only because the division is utterly horrible—the Chargers will be a first-round casualty and go down as the most over-hyped, overrated and under-performing team in recent years. Yes Dallas, this team even makes you look like you’ve got your stuff together.

Indianapolis at Pittsburgh The Indianapolis Colts once again saved its season yesterday, although this performance was far more impressive than its victory over New England the week before. Faced with the challenge of having to beat the Steelers without the threat of a running game, QB Peyton Manning came up big late in the game and led his team to a 24-20 win. In truth, it shouldn’t have been so close. Wide receiver Marvin Harrison, who’s gotten old really fast, is done. He dropped two potential touchdown passes that would've been routine during his first 11 years in the league.

On the other side of the ball, how come QB Ben Roethlisberger never gets pounced on for his ill-advised turnovers late in games? After every poor throw that New York Giants QB Eli Manning makes, the naysayers come out and question whether he’s really arrived. Not for Big Ben, who has become accustomed to throwing key late game interceptions that cost his team.

In his first seasons in the league, he was protected by an awesome offensive line, a terrific running game, solid receivers and a dominant defense. Now that the key parts around him aren’t as sound as they once were, he’s being asked to do more and Big Ben hasn’t been able to deliver. The Steelers are actually winning this season in spite of him, and unfortunately on days like Sunday, they’re not good enough to overcome him. The Steelers are still a very strong team in the AFC but they’ve really got to get No. 7 back on track.

New York Giants at Philadelphia The heavyweight match-up in the NFL took place last night in Philly. The Super Bowl Champion Giants came in as an underdog and dominated in every facet of the game except the scoreboard. From time of possession, almost 2-to-1, to rushing yards, the Giants were in control. Thanks to some untimely gifts, they allowed the Eagles to stick around and make a game of it.

Midway through the second quarter, the Giants were up 17-7 and driving before RB Brandon Jacobs decided to leap over a five-foot-nothing corner back, which led to a key fumble. The Giants should have put Philly away at that point, but the turnover let the Eagles hang around. In the end, the Giants showed the mental toughness of a champion and pulled out the 36-31 victory in the city of Brotherly Love.

Two things we can take from this game: the Giants have the best team in football and will be that much scarier come January once they work out their kinks, while the Eagles, a talented team in their own right, will be limited once again because of the familiar story of QB Donovan McNabb and coach Andy Reid.

McNabb just can’t get it done in big games and Reid’s play-calling in important situations always leaves something to be desired. Giving RB Brian Westbrook, who was a non-factor throughout the game, the ball twice at the end of the game was a head-scratcher.

New Orleans at Atlanta The Atlanta Falcons are starting to make believers out of everyone. While the New Orleans Saints are by no means an elite team, the Falcons whipped them and QB Matt Ryan continued his impressive play. Perhaps this team will do the unthinkable and make a late season push for a playoff spot.

Lastly, although QB Jake Delhomme, who threw four interceptions, tried his hardest to give away the game in Oakland yesterday (17-6 win), I’m still convinced that it’ll be Carolina or Tampa Bay and not Atlanta battling it out for the NFC South when all is said and done. But, don’t discount the Falcons just yet.

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