NFL Football Season: Week 15

This is coming a little late this week and probably will next week but here it is.

New England Patriots over Oakland Raiders, 49-26

Huge kudos to Matt Cassel for playing such a great game after his father passed away. I can’t say enough about the dedication to the game and team.

I am not going to make a big deal out of the Patriots beating the Raiders. The Raiders are a woeful team we should beat any given Sunday. But given the injuries to Tom Brady and most of the defense, I will say we are the San Diego Chargers or Jacksonville Jaguars. They had a lot of injuries, but less than the Patriots, and they collapsed this year. That just goes to show you what a great coach and team the Patriots are.

MVP: Matt Cassel, QB, New England Patriots

GAMES I WATCHED

Chicago Bears over New Orleans Saints, 27-24 (OT)

Danieal Manning’s opening kickoff return for a touchdown, his 50+ yard return later in the game resulting in another score, and an untimely interception by Drew Brees in the red zone late in the game, is the story of this contest. Other than special teams and Brees’ interception, this was a very closely contested game that came down to a field goal in overtime.

The Saints are one of the more disappointing teams in the league. Despite the injuries at receiver, the way Brees is playing they really should be doing much better than they are. They have lost some real barn burners this year but I really expected more of them. Both teams put on a good show in this game though, but the Saints just couldn’t overcome the kickoff returns and interception.

MVP: Danieal Manning, KR, New Orleans Saints

New York Jets over Buffalo Bills, 31-27

J.P. Losman is a douche bag. I have obviously followed the AFC East closely my entire football-watching life and I have always called J.P. “Loser” Man. I laughed when the announcers said he wanted to put a highlight reel together since he is going to be a free agent at the end of the season.

J.P. better burn every tape he ever made, and make triple sure this game doesn’t see the light of day. What an idiot.

The Jets mostly outplayed the Bills all game long but the Bills were fortunate enough to have a three point lead with less than two minutes to go around their own 20 yard line. Okay, so they call a passing play, which probably wasn’t the smartest call. But J.P. rolls out, gets hit, and fumbles the ball away which the Jets run in for a touchdown. Game over.

On the bright side for Bills fans, J.P. will be GONE next year. Marshawn Lynch ran like a beast. And the Bill’s offensive line played extremely well. In fact, both teams’ offensive lines dominated the game from start to finish with Lynch and Thomas Jones having great days. The difference in the game? J.P.

The Jets seem to be struggling just a bit, and I was surprised how well the Bills controlled Kris Jenkins. The Bills were very competitive in this game, except for J.P. Loserman’s inaccurate passes and ill-timed gift touchdown to the Jets.

Leon Washington had a sterling day on special teams and offensive.

MVP: Leon Washington, KR/RB, New York Jets

Pittsburgh Steelers over Baltimore Ravens, 13-9

This was a matchup of two of the nastiest defenses in the league, as the score shows. If you like watching defenses whack the offense for four quarters, like I do, this was a fun one to watch. Baltimore has struggled against really good defenses this year and they could not get anything going in this game. Joe Flacco and the running backs where mostly held in check all game long.

The Steelers benefited by a controversial touchdown catch that was called down on the one yard line on the field, but overturned by replay. I think it was a touchdown so I am not going to get into all the controversy over that. I will say, despite some struggles, Flacco is the real deal. He’s going to be great barring injury.

And Pittsburgh, as of now, is the best team in the league because of its defense.

And people who think Big Ben should be in the Pro Bowl must be inhaling gas fumes. I like Big Ben, but other than his ability to take punishment and throw with defenders hanging on him, he is not playing that well this season. A better quarterback would get rid of the ball, even if it means no yards, and let the defense do its business.

MVP: Aaron Smith, DE, Pittsburgh Steelers

Dallas Cowboys over New York Giants, 20-8

This was another nasty defense struggle. The score might not say that but it was up for grabs until near the end. Romo took a huge beating but hung in and got the job done against one of the toughest defensive lines in the league. The Giants offense seems to have totally lost is moxie with Brandon Jacobs and Plaxico Burress out of the line up.

They did lose a starting tackle, which showed as DeMarcus Ware got three sacks, but in general it was one of the worst games I’ve seen the Giants’ offensive line play.

The Cowboys weren’t much better, they just had a little bit more of a running game and their defensive backs played a huge game. Despite DeMarcus Ware getting three sacks, I think Terrance Newman is the MVP of the game for his tight coverage. Overall, the Cowboys defensive backs really blanketed the Giants receivers, which was the real difference in the game.

MVP: Terrance Newman, CB, Dallas Cowboys

Philadelphia Eagles over Cleveland Browns, 30-10

If it hadn’t been for two interceptions in the end zone by the Eagles (one by DeSean Jackson lined up at QB) this game would have been a blowout by halftime. Instead, it took me well into the third quarter for me to start drifting off to sleep as the Browns got their behinds handed to them again.

MVP: Donovan McNabb, QB, Philadelphia Eagles

PLAYERS OF THE WEEK

Offensive Player: Andre Johnson, WR, Houston Texans,

Defensive Player: Terrance Newman, CB, Dallas Cowboys

Offensive Lineman: Derrick Dockery, G, Buffalo Bills

Special Teams: Danieal Manning, KR, Chicago Bears

Rookie of the Week:  Tashard Choice, RB, Dallas Cowboys

 

Posted in National Football League