This week’s theme of the Final Drive is turnovers. In almost every game, the victors used the battle-tested combination of protecting the ball on offense and getting takeaways on defense. In the NFL, if your team can get more turnovers than they giveaway, your chance of winning goes up exponentially.
Indianapolis Colts 31, Baltimore Ravens 3
Well, I did say Peyton Manning would not be held under twenty points. Thanks to Mr. Manning for backing me up. The Colts lit up one of the best defenses in the league last Sunday as Manning got on track, finding Marvin Harrison twice and Reggie Wayne once for touchdowns. The Colts defense was the beneficiary of three Joe Flacco interceptions that led to scores each time. This was a huge game for Colts, but it was an equally embarrassing game for the Ravens. Their defense was exploited by the deep ball on multiple occasions, showing the age of corners Chris McAlister and Samari Rolle. Harrison abused McAlister on a routine basis. Flacco had a rough game, and as a rookie there will be more to come. The Ravens can only hope to hover around .500. In a competitive AFC North, that might be enough to sneak into the playoffs, given Pittsburgh’s difficult schedule.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 37, Carolina Panthers 3
What a difference a Jeff Garcia makes. Hopefully this is the game that proves to Coach Jon Gruden that Garcia is the man for the starting job (everyone else knew). Warrick Dunn was able to put up 115 yards on the ground against the vaunted Carolina defense. The Tampa defense showed its mettle, picking off Jake Delhomme three times. Delhomme did hit Steve Smith for 112 yards, but the star receiver never made it into the end zone. The Panthers QB had his worst game of the season at probably the worst time possible. Now the Buccaneers have tied the Panthers’ record at 4-2, but in essence hold a one game lead thanks to the head-to-head win. In a scrappy division, this game could come back to haunt John Fox and the Panthers.
St. Louis Rams 19, Washington Redskins 17
This is why they play the games. After four straight wins, with the last two coming against Dallas and Philadelphia, Jim Zorns’s Redskins were looking past the winless Rams. With interim head coach Jim Haslett at the helm and Marc Bulger reinserted at quarterback, the Rams caught the ‘Skins snoozing. The Redskins outgained the Rams in total yards 368 to 200, but still found ways to lose. After not having an offensive turnover all season, the Redskins caught up a bit, fumbling three times. The Rams took advantage with a last second field goal to win it, adding to the list of shocking developments in week six. It was a solid win for St. Louis, and gives them something to build on in the coming weeks. The bright spot for Washington was the play of Clinton Portis, who rushed for 129 yards and two touchdowns on the day. Former MVP Shaun Alexander signed a one-year deal with Washington yesterday. After losing Ladell Betts to a sprained knee, the signing will add a needed layer of depth behind Clinton Portis, who should be saved for an eventual push for the playoffs.
Jacksonville Jaguars 24, Denver Broncos 17
Denver, behind the skill of Jay Cutler, took the opening possession 80 yards for a touchdown on the first drive of the game. After that opening score, the Broncos turned the ball over on three of their next four possessions, giving Jacksonville opportunities to jump on the board. Denver didn’t get another touchdown until the fourth quarter, when Jacksonville had already built a sizeable lead. It was a return to form for the Jags, as they finally discovered their running game with Maurice Jones-Drew. Fred Taylor was out most of the game after being injured in the first quarter, but returned late to spell MJD in key situations. Denver had their own injury issues, as wide-out Brandon Stokley left with a concussion, leaving Brandon Marshall as their sole first day starter. Receiver Eddie Royal and tight end Tony Scheffler were both out with injuries, which dampened a normally fiery offensive attack. While Marshall is one of the best young receivers in the NFL, he can’t be expected to be the only target for Cutler. Jacksonville was able to double up on him and force Denver to go in other directions. In the end, this was a bigger win for Jacksonville than it was a loss for Denver. However, now that San Diego is behind them at 3-3, Mike Shanahan might beg to differ.
Arizona Cardinals 30, Dallas Cowboys 24
This was a huge loss for the Cowboys, and it wasn’t because they didn’t catch up to the Giants in the NFC East. The injury fallout from this game could cost the Cowboys a trip to the postseason. Ken Wisenhunt’s Cardinals came into this season with high expectations, and their win over Dallas is a good start to fulfilling them. It puts them squarely in the driver’s seat of the NFC West at 4-2 while every other team in the division is 2-4 or worse. Dallas was able to put the game into overtime with a late kick by Nick Folk after a “freeze” timeout by Wisenhunt, but that’s where Dallas’ success turned into horror. Punter Matt McBriar had a punt blocked into the Dallas end zone for a touchdown to end the game. Tony Romo broke the pinkie finger on his throwing hand on the first play of overtime. It was a bruising game for Romo, who never seemed aware of the Arizona pass rush. Felix Jones left the game with a hamstring injury, which is expected to sideline him for 2-4 weeks. McBriar was injured on the final play of the game and will be out for the season. With the acquisition of Roy Williams, forty year-old back-up QB Brad Johnson should be able to put up points, but there may be too many injures for Dallas to overcome.
San Diego Chargers 30, New England Patriots 10
This game clearly revealed these teams’ true identities. San Diego is a talented team on both sides of the ball, and they excel at the big play. New England is old on defense, and Matt Cassel is no Tom Brady. Philip Rivers hit Vincent Jackson 48 yards deep on the first play from scrimmage and the Chargers never looked back. They dominated this game, and never was it more evident than their defensive goal line stand as the Patriots were attempting to get the game within one score. Even without a dominant LaDainian Tomlinson rushing performance, the Chargers had no problem pulling themselves back up to .500, only one game behind the division leading Denver Broncos. Charger defensive tackle Jamal Williams penetrated the Patriot offensive line all night, wreaking havoc in the backfield on running plays as well as on Cassel drop-backs. New England’s secondary was exposed as corner Deltha O’Neal was a favorite victim of Philip Rivers’ precise passing. Bill Belichick better figure out his quarterback situation or his Patriots may not even sniff the postseason.
Cleveland Browns 35, New York Giants 14
Ending the shock-fest that was week six in the NFL, the Browns followed suit and laid the wood to the Super Bowl Champ Giants. It was a different Giants team then we’ve been accustomed to, with Eli manning throwing three interceptions, two more than he had thrown the first four games of the season. The Giants moved the ball effectively against the Browns through the air and on the ground, but couldn’t cash in at the end zone. The Giants missed their chance to put some distance behind them, as Dallas and Washington also lost in week six. For Cleveland, they won in spite of their own mistakes as they racked up ten penalties, almost all of which were illegal procedures or false starts. The positive? Cleveland didn’t punt, give up a sack, or turn the ball over against the Giants. That means they’re getting scores, protecting the quarterback, and protecting the ball. That’s the key to winning in the NFL. Derek Anderson showed why he went to the Pro Bowl last season, passing for over 300 yards and two touchdowns, half of which went to Braylon Edwards, who is trying to make up for his six dropped passes on the year. Anderson may have saved his job for another week, keeping Brady Quinn in the wings. The Browns may very well have saved their season, as there is a world of difference between 2-3 and 1-4.
