Week seven in the NFL has passed us by. Controversial endings and interceptions galore riddled the weekend's action. Here are my highlights (and low-lights) of week seven!
(5-2) Atlanta Falcons 39
(2-4) Cincinnati Bengals 32
One of these teams is living up to the hype they garnered going into the year. Atlanta is balanced on both sides of the ball and has earned victories during a very tough opening schedule. Roddy White's 201 yards through the air secured a much-need win and some extra breathing room heading into their bye week. In Cincy, things are about to a'splode. At 2-4, the Bengals are all but out of the AFC North race. With all of these un-met expectations, can Marvin Lewis save his job?
(5-2) Tennessee Titans 37
(4-3) Philadelphia Eagles 19
Well Kevin Kolb lost a game. I guess that means it's okay to go back to Michael Vick at quarterback, right? Jeff Fisher's Titans didn't play their typical game, only getting Chris Johnson 66 yards, but Kenny Britt's 225 yard outing is huge for a team struggling to find a deep threat. Now they have a receiver to go with CJ out of the backfield. Look out for the Titans.
(5-1) Pittsburgh Steelers 23
(3-3) Miami Dolphins 22
Was it as obvious a fumble to you as it was to me? Ben didn't even get close to crossing the plane before losing that ball into the end zone. The ref signaled the score too soon and the ensuing scrum for the ball was not officiated properly. Miami fans should be upset, but they should be more upset at the red zone opportunities their team squandered. Every NFL team should be afraid of Pittsburgh. If they have luck on their side too, then their opponents are in for trouble.
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(2-5) Cleveland Browns 30
(4-3) New Orleans Saints 17
Who dat? I mean... go Browns? Did that really happen? A successful fake punt and four interceptions from Drew Brees were the perfect recipe for a Browns win. I mean, Colt McCoy only completed nine of his sixteen passes and they still won! How does that happen? These Saints are clearly not the same team that inspired last season. At this rate, they'll be lucky to make the playoffs.
(5-2) Baltimore Ravens 37
(0-6) Buffalo Bills 34
So... did Baltimore's defense have an off day or does Buffalo's offense look better than it has in years? Ryan Fitzpatrick is the second highest rated QB in the NFL right behind Peyton Manning... so I guess they're not awful. Ray Lewis saved the game for his teammates with a timely strip to set up the game winning field goal in overtime to keep the Ravens in the AFC hunt.
(3-4) Oakland Raiders 59
(2-5) Denver Broncos 14
Man, I had this game pegged wrong. I thought the Broncos would be able to the chains moving with their passing attack and do enough to hold down a Raider offense that isn't as good as their numbers may suggest. Here's the real question: does this loss say more about the Raider offense or the Denver defense?
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(5-1) New England Patriots 23
(2-5) San Diego Chargers 20
It ended up being closer than I'd expected, but the better team won this game. Still, when will Bill Belichick finally NOT go for the fourth down when the game is close? Beyond that, when will his team actually convert one? Also, it's officially time to stop caring about the Chargers. Philip Rivers is a good quarterback on a bad team that desperately misses Vincent Jackson and the 2005 Shawne Merriman. Simply not enough playmakers.
(4-3) Green Bay Packers 28
(2-4) Minnesota Vikings 24
If Favre can stop limping sometime this season, maybe he can avoid tossing three picks a game. Just a thought. With two fractures in his ankle, old man Favre could be on the bench for the next week or two. You can't tell me Tarvaris Jackson couldn't play up to the same crappy level. It's good to see Green Bay get a win over the Vikes and avoid the downward spiral, but they aren't playing up to their hype. Too many injuries and too much miscommunication last night between Rodgers and his receivers.
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(5-2) New York Giants 41
(1-5) Dallas Cowboys 35
Okay, we're done talking about the Cowboys. They're 1-5 and have lost Tony Romo for an extended period of time with a broken clavicle. They're not making the playoffs. They're not playing in the Super Bowl at their own stadium. Wade Philips is gone at the end of the season. Lock it up. The Giants get the win despite a hefty five turnovers. Tom Coughlin will find plenty to criticize this week.
Hooray for football!
Keywords: Atlanta Falcons, Baltimore Ravens, Brett Favre, Buffalo Bills, Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns, Dallas Cowboys, Denver Broncos, Green Bay Packers, Joe Anello, Miami Dolphins, Minnesota Vikings, New England Patriots, New Orleans Saints, New York Giants, NFL, Oakland Raiders, Philadelphia Eagles, Pittsburgh Steelers, San Diego Chargers, Tennessee Titans
