NFL: Week 11 Recap
To quote Michael Scott from The Office, "I'll tell you how it went. It sucked, it blew chunks." Well, it was the Bengals blowing chunks yet again on a Sunday afternoon and after scoring 31 points in the first half, they scored none in the second. Once again the Bengals failed to play a full 60 minutes and after a 49-31 loss to the Buffalo Bills, they are now 2-8. And in the loss, the Bengals set another NFL record, by becoming the first team to lead by 17 at halftime and then end up losing the game by 18 points. Another Bengals record to be proud of.
Penalties were a huge factor once again, a Dhani Jones interception that would have given the Bengals the ball in the red zone was nullified by a roughing the passer penalty. Then, T.O. made a juggling touchdown catch, but a Andrew Whitworth holding penalty brought it back. Turnovers hurt the Bengals yet again. A Cedric Benson fumble was returned for a touchdown and two more picks from Carson Palmer, including one in the endzone.
I didn't see any of the game because of the blackout and thank God, because it sounds like a didn't miss much. Here's what T.O. said after the game, courtesy ESPN, which just about sums it up.
The 2010 Cincinnati Bengals have the chance to go down as one of the worst teams in franchise history. And with a franchise that has been losing for decades, the Bengals clinched their 18th non-winning record in the last 20 years on Sunday, that's saying something.
Now the "Holy Crap" and "C'mon Man" players for Week 11.
"Holy Crap"
Chicago Bears Defense: The Bears have always been about defense and on Thursday night, their defense looked the defense that has helped them go to Super Bowls. They allowed only 187 yards of total offense, forced a turnover, held the Dolphins to 1 for 11 on third down, recorded six sacks, with DE Julius Peppers having three of them and they shutout Miami 16-0. If the defense keeps playing like this, the Bears will make a serious playoff run.
GB-QB Aaron Rodgers: 22-31, 301 yds, 4 TD; QB Rating 141.3
GB-WR Greg Jennings: 7 rec, 152 yds, 3 TD
BUF-QB Ryan Fitzpatrick: 21-34, 316 yds, 4 TD, 2 INT; QB Rating 107.0
BUF-WR Steve Johnson: 8 rec, 137 yds, 3 TD
BUF-RB Fred Jackson: 21 car, 116 yds, 2 TD
JAC-RB Maurice Jones-Drew: 24 car, 132 yds, TD; 3 rec, 87 yds
DAL-QB Jon Kitna: 18-24, 147 yds, 3 TD; QB Rating 129.7. Dallas is now 2-0 under Jason Garrett.
New York Jets: The Jets now have three straight wins that have come in overtime or in the last minute of the game. Mark Sanchez (22-38, 315 yds, 3 TD, INT; QB Rating 100.2) hooked up with Santonio Holmes (7 rec, 126 yds, 2 TD) once again, as the Jets make it interesting yet again. They are going to steamroll the Bengals on Thursday.
PIT-QB Ben Roethlisberger: 18-29, 275 yds, 3 TD; QB Rating 127.8. Best part of the Raiders/Steelers game, Big Ben getting slapped to the ground by Raiders DE Richard Seymour. He got ejected from the game and was fined $25K, but I'm sure it was worth it. Watch the highlights here at http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=5835336
BAL-LB Ray Lewis: Ray, Ray, had quite the game. 10 total tackles (8 solo) and a interception that he returned for a touchdown. Ray Lewis is still the most feared player in the league after 15 seasons and still one of the best.
NO-QB Drew Brees: 29-43, 382 yds, 4 TD, 2 INT; QB Rating 106.9
NO-WR Marques Colston: 8 rec, 113 yds, 2 TD
ATL-RB Michael Turner: 28 car, 131 yds, TD
NYG-DE Justin Tuck: 7 total tackles, but the 3 sacks and a forced fumble on Michael Vick are impressive.
SD-QB Philip Rivers: 15-24. 233 yds, 4 TD, INT; QB Rating 116.8. If Rivers keeps playing like this he has a chance to not only break Dan Marino's record for most passing yards in a season, but lead the Chargers tot he playoffs and win MVP.
"C'mon Man"
Cincinnati Bengals: A 49-31 loss to the Buffalo Bills and a record that now stands at 2-8, beyond disappointing.
Brett Favre and the Vikings: At 3-7, the Vikings can kiss their season goodbye and Favre (17-38, 208 yds, INT; QB Rating 51.2) only has six more games in his NFL career. Time to hang them up Brett and call it a career. A very disappointing season for Favre and the Vikings, which resulted in head coach Brad Childress getting fired on Monday. Frankly, I'm surprised he lasted this long.
TEN-QB Vince Young: 12-16, 165 yds, QB Rating 107.6, 3 car, 20 yds; not a bad game, but Young got hurt and then lost his temper. Young hurt his thumb when he hit it on a helmet while attempting a pass and when head coach Jeff Fisher, would not allowed Young to go back into the game, let's say he was not happy. He threw his shoulder pads into the stands and refused to talk to any of the media about it. Fisher said that Vince Young has lost his job as starting quarterback."C'mon Man," your a professional football player, no reason to threw a temper tantrum after getting benched. Show some class and professionalism and deal with it. After a 19-16 loss to the Washington Redskins, Tennessee sits at 5-5 and are in trouble of making the playoffs. Read the story and see the highlights here at http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=5835429
After 11 weeks, we now have a better idea of who the contenders are for the Lombardi Trophy. So, in edition to "Holy Crap" and "C'mon Man" here are the teams that can either kiss the season goodbye, are on-life support, still in the hunt and are playoff bound.
Kiss the Season Goodbye
Cincinnati Bengals 2-8
Carolina Panthers 1-9
Detroit Lions 2-8
Cleveland Browns 3-7
Buffalo Bills 2-8
Minnesota Vikings 3-7
Dallas Cowboys 3-7, can still be a major spoiler
On Life-Support
Houston Texans 4-6
Washington Redskins 5-5
Miami Dolphins 5-5
Arizona Cardinals 3-7
San Francisco 49ers 3-7
Denver Broncos 3-7
Still in the Hunt
Jacksonville Jaguars 6-4
Kansas Chiefs 6-4
Tennessee Titans 5-5
Oakland Raiders 5-5
New Orleans Saints 7-3
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 7-3
Chicago Bears 7-3
Indianapolis Colts 6-4
Seattle Seahawks 5-5
St. Louis Rams 4-6, the NFC West is bad
New York Giants 6-4
San Diego Chargers 5-5
Playoff Bound
Baltimore Ravens 7-3
Pittsburgh Steelers 7-3
New York Jets 8-2
New England Patriots 8-2
Atlanta Falcons 8-2
Green Bay Packers 7-3
Philadelphia Eagles 7-3
Remember three football games on Thursday for one of the best days of the year, Thanksgiving. A special Thanksgiving post still to come, just in time for turkey day.
Penalties were a huge factor once again, a Dhani Jones interception that would have given the Bengals the ball in the red zone was nullified by a roughing the passer penalty. Then, T.O. made a juggling touchdown catch, but a Andrew Whitworth holding penalty brought it back. Turnovers hurt the Bengals yet again. A Cedric Benson fumble was returned for a touchdown and two more picks from Carson Palmer, including one in the endzone.
I didn't see any of the game because of the blackout and thank God, because it sounds like a didn't miss much. Here's what T.O. said after the game, courtesy ESPN, which just about sums it up.
"What's crazy is the fact that we're just terrible. That's just plain and simple. When I say we, that's me included. Let me look you in the eyes and emphasize, we are terrible. Terrible. I have no answers for you. I have no sound bytes for you. All I know is, right now, we are terrible."Think about that 2-8 record, 2 and 8. Their is now a distinct possibility of the Bengals going 2-14, which I would not be surprised at all if that happens with the way the season is going. That would tie the franchise record for most losses in a season. Unthinkable coming into the season, but now it's a very possible reality.
The 2010 Cincinnati Bengals have the chance to go down as one of the worst teams in franchise history. And with a franchise that has been losing for decades, the Bengals clinched their 18th non-winning record in the last 20 years on Sunday, that's saying something.
Now the "Holy Crap" and "C'mon Man" players for Week 11.
"Holy Crap"
Chicago Bears Defense: The Bears have always been about defense and on Thursday night, their defense looked the defense that has helped them go to Super Bowls. They allowed only 187 yards of total offense, forced a turnover, held the Dolphins to 1 for 11 on third down, recorded six sacks, with DE Julius Peppers having three of them and they shutout Miami 16-0. If the defense keeps playing like this, the Bears will make a serious playoff run.
GB-QB Aaron Rodgers: 22-31, 301 yds, 4 TD; QB Rating 141.3
GB-WR Greg Jennings: 7 rec, 152 yds, 3 TD
BUF-QB Ryan Fitzpatrick: 21-34, 316 yds, 4 TD, 2 INT; QB Rating 107.0
BUF-WR Steve Johnson: 8 rec, 137 yds, 3 TD
BUF-RB Fred Jackson: 21 car, 116 yds, 2 TD
JAC-RB Maurice Jones-Drew: 24 car, 132 yds, TD; 3 rec, 87 yds
DAL-QB Jon Kitna: 18-24, 147 yds, 3 TD; QB Rating 129.7. Dallas is now 2-0 under Jason Garrett.
New York Jets: The Jets now have three straight wins that have come in overtime or in the last minute of the game. Mark Sanchez (22-38, 315 yds, 3 TD, INT; QB Rating 100.2) hooked up with Santonio Holmes (7 rec, 126 yds, 2 TD) once again, as the Jets make it interesting yet again. They are going to steamroll the Bengals on Thursday.
PIT-QB Ben Roethlisberger: 18-29, 275 yds, 3 TD; QB Rating 127.8. Best part of the Raiders/Steelers game, Big Ben getting slapped to the ground by Raiders DE Richard Seymour. He got ejected from the game and was fined $25K, but I'm sure it was worth it. Watch the highlights here at http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=5835336
BAL-LB Ray Lewis: Ray, Ray, had quite the game. 10 total tackles (8 solo) and a interception that he returned for a touchdown. Ray Lewis is still the most feared player in the league after 15 seasons and still one of the best.
NO-QB Drew Brees: 29-43, 382 yds, 4 TD, 2 INT; QB Rating 106.9
NO-WR Marques Colston: 8 rec, 113 yds, 2 TD
ATL-RB Michael Turner: 28 car, 131 yds, TD
NYG-DE Justin Tuck: 7 total tackles, but the 3 sacks and a forced fumble on Michael Vick are impressive.
SD-QB Philip Rivers: 15-24. 233 yds, 4 TD, INT; QB Rating 116.8. If Rivers keeps playing like this he has a chance to not only break Dan Marino's record for most passing yards in a season, but lead the Chargers tot he playoffs and win MVP.
"C'mon Man"
Cincinnati Bengals: A 49-31 loss to the Buffalo Bills and a record that now stands at 2-8, beyond disappointing.
Brett Favre and the Vikings: At 3-7, the Vikings can kiss their season goodbye and Favre (17-38, 208 yds, INT; QB Rating 51.2) only has six more games in his NFL career. Time to hang them up Brett and call it a career. A very disappointing season for Favre and the Vikings, which resulted in head coach Brad Childress getting fired on Monday. Frankly, I'm surprised he lasted this long.
TEN-QB Vince Young: 12-16, 165 yds, QB Rating 107.6, 3 car, 20 yds; not a bad game, but Young got hurt and then lost his temper. Young hurt his thumb when he hit it on a helmet while attempting a pass and when head coach Jeff Fisher, would not allowed Young to go back into the game, let's say he was not happy. He threw his shoulder pads into the stands and refused to talk to any of the media about it. Fisher said that Vince Young has lost his job as starting quarterback."C'mon Man," your a professional football player, no reason to threw a temper tantrum after getting benched. Show some class and professionalism and deal with it. After a 19-16 loss to the Washington Redskins, Tennessee sits at 5-5 and are in trouble of making the playoffs. Read the story and see the highlights here at http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=5835429
After 11 weeks, we now have a better idea of who the contenders are for the Lombardi Trophy. So, in edition to "Holy Crap" and "C'mon Man" here are the teams that can either kiss the season goodbye, are on-life support, still in the hunt and are playoff bound.
Kiss the Season Goodbye
Cincinnati Bengals 2-8
Carolina Panthers 1-9
Detroit Lions 2-8
Cleveland Browns 3-7
Buffalo Bills 2-8
Minnesota Vikings 3-7
Dallas Cowboys 3-7, can still be a major spoiler
On Life-Support
Houston Texans 4-6
Washington Redskins 5-5
Miami Dolphins 5-5
Arizona Cardinals 3-7
San Francisco 49ers 3-7
Denver Broncos 3-7
Still in the Hunt
Jacksonville Jaguars 6-4
Kansas Chiefs 6-4
Tennessee Titans 5-5
Oakland Raiders 5-5
New Orleans Saints 7-3
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 7-3
Chicago Bears 7-3
Indianapolis Colts 6-4
Seattle Seahawks 5-5
St. Louis Rams 4-6, the NFC West is bad
New York Giants 6-4
San Diego Chargers 5-5
Playoff Bound
Baltimore Ravens 7-3
Pittsburgh Steelers 7-3
New York Jets 8-2
New England Patriots 8-2
Atlanta Falcons 8-2
Green Bay Packers 7-3
Philadelphia Eagles 7-3
Remember three football games on Thursday for one of the best days of the year, Thanksgiving. A special Thanksgiving post still to come, just in time for turkey day.
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