NFL Game Day Summaries: Sunday 22 September 2013 Part 1
Houston Texans 9–30 Baltimore Ravens
This was a matchup between the what Ifs and the already haves. With no Rice in the backfield, the Ravens started Pierce and gave him the ball 24 times for 65yds and picked up a TD. Texans at times looked clueless on offense and only managed 3FG’s from Bullock.
The 2nd quarter proved the turning point in the game as the Ravens outscored the Texans 17-6. Baltimore’s Daryl Smith intercepted Matt Schaub for a 36yd return. Tandon Doss returned an 82yd punt to the endzone. Schaub was under pressure most of the game enduring 3 sacks and 7 hits.
NYG 0 – 38 Carolina Panthers
Cam Newton impressed with 3 TD passes, 2 to Brandon Lafell and a 47yd deep pass to Ted Ginn Jr. Eli Manning was sacked 7 times, 3 alone from DE Greg Hardy. Carolina reduced Manning to 119yds passing and an interception. In total NYG acquired only 150 total yards in this game and are now 0-3.
Green Bay Packers 30 –34 Cincinnati Bengals
Game of the week saw the Packers go to the Bengals, some people were calling this a possible Super Bowl dress rehearsal. The game swung one way then another as the Bengals raced to a 14-0 lead in the 1st quarter, including a spectacular dive into the end zone from Giovani Bernard. The 2nd and 3rd quarters saw the Packers strike back with an amazing run of 30 unanswered points.
The Bengals stopped the rot with Dalton connecting with AJ Green at the end of the 3rd to make the score 30-21 to Green Bay. Injuries struck the Pack as TE Finlay went out in the 1st quarter, LB Matthews and Starks also left the game. Rookie HB Jonathan Franklin looked impressive for Green Bay until on a 4th and 1 saw Franklin fumble the ball, the Bengals recovered the ball with Terence Newman in the right place at the right time as he picked up the loose ball and took it 58yds for the score. This ended the scoring in the game as the Bengals scored the last 21 points.
St Louis Rams 7–31 Dallas Cowboys
The Cowboys are back, as STL looked less than ordinary. Tony Romo threw for 3 TDs and a 137.2 rating. Add to this DeMarco Murray’s 175yds rushing and TD leaving Dallas atop the NFC East.
Bradford was sacked 6 times, his lack of mobility and the inability to get rid of the ball is surely a worry in an ever collapsing pocket. Take nothing away from Dallas as they played well on both sides of the ball. The Rams (1-2) are winless in their 2 road games.
Cleveland Browns 31–27 Minnesota Vikings
An even game was played in Minneapolis, but it was Browns QB Hoyer who came out on top.
Peterson managed to score on the Vikings 1st possession but failed to do anything else of note during the game. Hoyer managed to find Cameron for 3 TD passes. Josh Gordon came away with 10 catches for 146yds and a TD after Hoyer hooked up on a 47yd strike. Hoyer did throw 3 picks to go with his 3 TDs. Ponder threw an Interception, was sacked six times and gave up a fumble.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 3–23 New England Patriots
Three FG’s from Gostkowski and a pair of TD passes from Brady to Thompkins was enough to see off a poor Tampa Bay.
Still Freeman continues to struggle at QB for the Bucs, completing only 19 of 41 passes for 236yds and throwing an interception. It is well known that Freeman and HC Greg Schiano do not get along can we expect a change in personnel very soon?
As for the Patriots it was good to see Brady connecting with his young receivers and look set to improve in the passing department due to Rob Gronkowski almost back fit.
Arizona Cardinals 7–31 New Orleans Saints
A one way game saw the Saints power over the Cards. Although scoring 1st the Cards then folded allowing Brees to throw 3 TDs and 342yds.
Fantasy wise Jimmy Graham managed 9 catches for 134yds and 2 TDs and was once again outstanding and once again remains a massive threat for Brees to go to.
No one picked Saints to be a threat this season, everyone said that the defense are not good enough. Today saw Cards QB Carson Palmer sacked 4 times and picked off twice. So far, so good for the Saints.
San Diego Chargers 17– 20 Tennessee Titans
Titans QB Jake Locker impressed today with 299yds in the air and a TD, to go along with 5 carries for 68yds and a TD.
In a tight game the Titans just about deserved their victory. Chargers QB Rivers once again showed why he shouldn’t be written off just yet completed 20/24 passes with a TD pass to Gates.
The final play of the game is a must see as the Chargers came out throwing the ball, mixed with lateral passes then a boot of the ball to end the game. Benny Hill style football.
Detroit Lions 27–20 Washington Redskins
Detroit once again relied on the Stafford to Johnson combination to win in Washington.
The Skins needed to improve on both sides of the ball and to a certain extent they did. At 17-17 RGIII went on a familiar scramble a la last season only to pick up 21yds, but he decided to slide head 1st and coughed up the ball on the way down.
A performance from the Skins that sees them getting better and even at 0-3 in a weak division the season is far from over.
Stafford threw for 385yds and 2 TDs with an interception that was returned by Skins CB Hall for a pick 6.