Joe's Final Drive: Week 6

A not-really-forgotten superstar returned to be cheered by his home crowd, Tom Brady trash-talks and someone had to lose the Panic Bowl. Here are the highlights of week six in the NFL!

(3-2) Miami Dolphins 23
(3-3) Green Bay Packers 20

Another week, another Packers overtime loss. As good as their offense looked in the first and fourth quarters, the Pack struggled in the second and third periods, letting Miami build confidence. Aaron Rodgers doesn't seem to be playing at full speed yet, but when is it going to happen? The Green Bay defense gave up 150 yards on the ground, in part to their multiple injuries. Brandon Marshall is starting to become the focal point of the Miami offense, having finally gelled with QB Chad Henne. Ten catches for 127 yards proves it.

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(3-3) St. Louis Rams 20
(2-4) San Diego Chargers 17

How 'bout them Rams? They're at .500 for the season and held off the still-sluggish Chargers for their third win! After being pounded by Detroit last weekend, it would have been easy for this team to sink back into their losing ways but Sam Bradford has them ready for battle every week. They're still in the race for a division title, shockingly enough. As for San Diego, I barely like talking about them. Their offensive is explosive and Rivers is fantastic but their defense is weak and their special teams are horrific. Even if they turn it around, they're not a serious contender for much of anything.

(4-1) New England Patriots 23
(4-2) Baltimore Ravens 20

Did you see Tom Brady trash-talk at Terrell Suggs? I don't like Brady at all, but that was AWESOME. Hair-flapping behind his helmet and everything. Down by ten in the fourth quarter, Brady and the newly re-acquired Deion Branch fought back against an under-staffed Raven secondary that had avoided being exposed in their first five outings. Has anyone else noticed how happy Bill Belichick is lately? It's weird. It's like he's cheating somehow...

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(4-2) Philadelphia Eagles 31
(4-2) Atlanta Falcons 17

So we've got another quarterback controversy in Philly. This is my shocked face. Andy Reid has a favorable dilemma on his hands but he's going to have another hard decision as well. Do you ride the hot hand in Kolb as he did with Vick or do you return the "starter" to the position he held before an injury took it away? At 4-2, they're in the thick of the NFC East race in a year where they were supposed to be rebuilding. Atlanta loses a tough one on the road, but I'm not overly surprised. There's no dominant team in the NFC.

(4-1) Pittsburgh Steelers 28
(1-5) Cleveland Browns 10

Speaking of dominant, look what happens when Big Ben Roethlisberger gets back in the starting line-up. With Charlie Batch, this would have been a 14-10 or 13-10 win. With Ben, the defense can take more chances because they know the points are coming on offense. This team is now frighteningly good. In sorrowful Cleveland, Colt McCoy actually looked better than I expected. Two interceptions and several sacks sounds about right against the Steeler defense, but he was fairly accurate and poised in the pocket. Something to look forward to in the Cleveland future?

(4-2) Houston Texans 35
(3-2) Kansas City Chiefs 31

Are either one of these teams for real? The Texans always fall behind early thanks to a poor defense and the Chiefs always blow leads late thanks to a inconsistent offense. Matt Schaub and Andre Johnson woke up in the fourth, leading the Texans to 21 points in the quarter. Houston stays ahead in their division with the win and the Chiefs aren't adversely affected by the loss. At least Matt Cassel had a much better overall game than we had seen from him lately.

(5-1) New York Jets 24
(2-4) Denver Broncos 20

Darelle Revis wasn't his usual lock-down self, which makes you wonder if the Jets made the right decision by putting him on the field with a sore hamstring. When Jabar Gaffney makes him look bad, you might think about resting him. Mark Sanchez overcame a few interceptions early to lead his team to their fifth win of the season. If there are dominant teams in the NFL, it's the Jets and Steelers. For Denver, Tim Tebow scored his first career touchdown... so you know... there's that.

(2-3) Minnesota Vikings 24
(1-4) Dallas Cowboys 21

Best. Panic Bowl. Ever. ...Okay, perhaps not, but it was at least entertaining. Dallas continues to shoot themselves in the foot with ridiculously idiotic penalties that negate field position and take away touchdowns. When is Wade Philips going to start coaching his players and holding them accountable? Oh that's right, never. Brad Childress' Vikings are closing in towards surface level, but they still have a ton of problems. Randy Moss hasn't been integrated fully into the offense yet and Brett Favre is taking too many unnecessary hits. Old man Favre won't last all season.

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(4-2) Indianapolis Colts 27
(3-3) Washington Redskins 24

So close Washington, so close. Indianapolis fumbled the ball FOUR times and you still couldn't find a way to win. The 'Skins defense dropped too many interceptions and couldn't get Peyton Manning off the field when it counted. Donovan McNabb continues to throw erratic passes at the worst times. Losing tight end Chris Cooley with a concussion won't do his completion percentage any favors either.

Sexual mis-quote of the week:
"There's been a revolving door in the back end of this secondary." - Jon Gruden

Happy football everyone!