A.J. Green and The Red Rifle Sink Browns
To say that A.J. Green and Andy Dalton are good at football is an understatement.
It was a typical game for the Bengals on Sunday against Cleveland. Get outplayed in the first half, butkeep it close. Have a great second half, and win it in the fourth quarter. According to the Michael Signora, NFL Vice President of Football Communications, the Bengals win on Sunday marked the third time this year they have won after trailing by 10 or more points at the half, tying an NFL record. It isn't always pretty, but the Bengals find a way to win, and that's all that matters.
Andy Dalton was great on Sunday, yet again, and SI's Peter King and Marvin Lewis agreed.
"Andy Dalton amazes me every day I see him,'' coach Marvin Lewis said after win number seven, and after Dalton had led a touchdown drive and two field goal drives in the last 18 minutes to erase a 10-point Cleveland lead.
Cedric Benson was effective running the ball, the run blocking was excellent, Geno Atkins had constant pressure on Colt McCoy, and A.J. Green was well...sensational.
Green only totaled 3 receptions, but he had 110-yds receiving, including a spectacular 51-yard catch, that was at least 12 feet in the air, late in the fourth quarter that got the Bengals down inside the 10 yard line with the game tied at 20. Mike Nugent kicked a game winning 26-yard field goal with 38 second left, as the Bengals improved to 7-4.
The AFC playoff picture is still very crowded, but Cincinnati is still in contention as the sixth seed if the season were to end today. Denver, Tennessee, and the NY Jets are hot on their heels, so this week's game in Pittsburgh is very important.
The Bengals can afford a loss with winnable games against Arizona, St. Louis, and Houston remaining, but a win against the Steelers at Heinz Field, only makes their job easier. A.J. Green got hurt in their first meeting and missed most of the second half. Steelers safety Troy Polamalu got hurt in Pittsburgh's game Sunday night, so with Green back and Polamalu possibly out, things look good for the Bengals going into Sunday's AFC North battle.
"HOLY CRAP" PERFORMERS
Baltimore Ravens Defense: Even without LB Ray Lewis, the Ravens defense dominated the San Francisco 49ers Thanksgiving night in the "HarBowl." They held the 49ers to just 6 points, 170-yds of total offense, 2-12 on third down, and the defense recorded nine sacks.
Terrell Suggs was unstoppable all night and had 3 sacks of his own along with Haloti Ngata, who had 2 sacks, Cory Redding's 2.5 sacks, Tom Zbikowski's sack, and Lardarius Webb recorded half a sack. A very dominating performance from maybe the best defense in the league, as John Harbaugh and the Ravens beat his brother Jim and the 49ers.
QB Matt Ryan, Falcons: 27/34, 262-yds, and 3 TD from Matt Ryan who shredded the Vikings secondary in the Falcons' 24-14 win.
WR Roddy White, Falcons: One of the best games of the season for White with 10 receptions for 120-yds and a touchdown.
LB Chad Greenway, Vikings: 16 total tackles and a hit on the quarterback for Greenway who was all over the field on Sunday.
RB Chris Johnson, Titans: Big day from CJ with 23 carries for 190-yards.
WR Reggie Wayne, Colts: Best game of the season for Wayne, 5 receptions for 122-yds and a touchdown, who is having a quite season without Peyton Manning at quarterback.
QB Ryan Fitzpatrick, Bills: The Harvard grad had a solid game Sunday against the Jets going 26/39 for 264-yds and 3 TD.
QB Mark Sanchez, Jets: I've been a critic of Mark Sanchez all season, but I have to say, the guy played pretty good against the Bills. 17/35, 180-yds, 4 TD and an INT isn't a bad day's work and the Jets won their sixth game of the season.
LB Connor Barwin, Texans: The former Cincinnati Bearcat had himself quite the game with 10 total tackles, four sacks, five tackles for loss, and six hits on the quarterback.
WR Johnny Knox, Bears: 4 receptions, 145-yds, and a touchdown for Knox, who had a very solid game for the Bears despite the absence of QB Jay Cutler.
K Sebastian Janikowski, Raiders: Field goals of 40, 47, 42, 19, 37, and 44 from Janikowski not only set an Oakland Raiders record for most field goals in a game, but it also helped the Raiders defeat the Bears 25-20.
P Shane Lechler, Raiders: Don't kick the ball to Devin Hester, well Lechler did, but Hester has just two returns for a total of 7-yards. Lechler dropped three of his five punts inside the 20-yard and he also had a punt of 80-yards that went clear over the head of Hester. So, I guess you can kick the ball to Hester, just as long as the ball goes over his head.
RB Roy Helu, Redskins: I think the Redskins have found their running back of the future. Helu rushed for 108-yds and a touchdown, and he caught seven balls for 54-yds in Washington's 23-17 win over Seattle.
QB Tom Brady, WR Deion Branch, and WR Wes Welker, Patriots: Brady and the Patriots offense is one of the best in the league and the Eagles had no answer for them on Sunday. Brady completed 24/34 passes to only four receivers, and Branch and Welker were two of his favorite targets. Branch had 6 receptions for 125-yds and Welker had 8 receptions for 115-yds and a touchdown.
The Patriots put up 457-yds of offense, 353-yds through the air, and 38 points on the Eagles, almost certainly ending Philadelphia's playoff chances.
QB Tim Tebow, Broncos: I don't know how, but Tebow just keeps on winning. Tebow was 9/18 passing for 143-yds, a touchdown and he rushed the ball 22 times for 67-yds, the most rushes by a quarterback sine the NFL/AFL merger. He kept the Broncos in the game and yet again led them to a fourth quarter comeback. Tebow and the Broncos prevailed in overtime and are now 6-5, only a game behind the Raiders in the division. Denver is 5-1 with Tebow at quarterback and the only question now is, can he get the Broncos to the playoffs?
WR Victor Cruz, Giants: Another great game from the second year player out of UMass. Cruz has 9 receptions for 157-yds and 2 TD.
QB Drew Brees, Saints: Brees was just ridiculous on Monday night going 24/38 for 363-yds, 4 TD, and he also ran for a touchdown. The Saints put up 49 points, 577-yds of offense, and Brees is on pace to not only break Dan Marino's passing record, but to shatter it.
"Holy Crap" Performers of the Week -- A pair of Arizona Cardinals
RB Beanie Wells, Cardinals: A career day for Wells, who had 228-yds rushing and a touchdown on 27 carries in the Cardinals 23-20 win over the rival Rams.
CB Patrick Peterson, Cardinals: Peterson has only played in 10 NFL games and already teams are starting to realize, you don't kick the ball to Patrick Peterson either. On Sunday Peterson had an 80-yard punt return for a touchdown, tying an NFL record with his fourth punt-return touchdown of the season. Peterson also became the first player in history to have four returns of 80-plus yards in a single season.
"C'MON MAN" PERFORMANCES
San Francisco 49ers Offensive Line: Giving up 9 sacks and allowing your quarterback to get hit 12 times in a game is a recipe for disaster.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: QB Josh Freeman and RB LeGarrette Blount were responsible for four of the five Tampa Bay turnovers in this one, as they lost to Tennessee 23-17.
Indianapolis Colts: With a 27-19 loss to the Panthers this past Sunday, the Colts become the 11th team since 1980 to start a season 0-11.
QB John Skelton, Cardinals: Skelton better thank Beanie Wells for carrying Arizona to victory, because he had another "C'mon Man" performance -- 12/23, 114-yds, 2 INT, QB rating 30.0 -- in backup duty for the Cardinals.
Philadelphia Eagles: There are several candidates for biggest disappointment of the year, but has anyone been more disappointing than the "Dream Team" in Philadelphia?
K Nick Novak, Chargers: Did anyone else notice something peculiar on the San Diego sidelines Sunday? Kicker Nick Novak was crouched down on the sidelines late in the fourth quarter with one of the staff blocking the view of his "wedding tackle" with a towel, because he had to take a leak. When you've gotta go...you gotta go, but in front of 64,436 fans, not to mention those watching on television...ballsy. Too bad going to the bathroom on the sidelines didn't help him make a 53-yard field goal in overtime, as the Chargers went on to lose for the sixth straight week.
QB Tyler Palko, Chiefs: Palko was just the latest quarterback to fall victim to the Pittsburgh Steelers defense going 18/28 for 167-yds, 3 INT, and a fumble lost.
WR Dwayne Bowe, Chiefs: Bowe caught 7 balls for 69-yds Sunday night against the Steelers, but it was the ball he didn't try to catch that makes his performance noteworthy. With the Chiefs driving late in the fourth quarter, Bowe doesn't even try to make a catch on a ball that resulted in Palko's third interception, ending the game.
It would have been a difficult catch, the ball was behind him, but he jumped up in the air and didn't even reach his hands out for the ball. At least make an effort for the ball, try and tip it, do something, so it doesn't get picked off. Palko was furious after the play and probably yelling, "Hey Bowe, C'mon Man!"
"C'mon Man" Performance of the Week, 1a
DT Ndamukong Suh, Lions: There is no question that Ndamukong Suh is one of the league's primer defensive line men and now people are calling him one of the league's dirtiest players. Suh was ejected from Detroit's annual Thanksgiving Day game after pushing the head of Green Bay Packers offensive lineman Evan Dietrich-Smith into the ground and then he stomped on his right arm in the third quarter.
"I apologized to my teammates and my fans and my coaches for putting myself in a position to be misinterpreted and taken out of the game," Suh said. Albert Haynesworth once received a five game suspension after stomping on the head of Andre Gurode, so Suh was expected to receive a two game suspension . This is only Suh's second season in the NFL and already he has seriously hurt his reputation. "C'mon Man."
"C'mon Man" Performance of the Week, 1b
WR Stevie Johnson, Bills: ESPN's John Clayton does a great job of explaining Stevie Johnson's antics on Sunday and here's what he had to say.
"Unintended consequences" is how the NFL labels excessive touchdown celebrations and plays on which officials flag or the league has to review for fines. Bills wide receiver Steve Johnson may be on the receiving end of one of those fines after an excessive celebration of a second-quarter touchdown, forming his fingers into a fake gun and shooting himself -- a sick reference to the self-inflicted shooting that sent Plaxico Burress, now a Jets receiver, to jail for two years -- then crashing to the ground after mimicking the Jets' customary airplane celebration.
The Bills were penalized 15 yards on the ensuing kickoff because of Johnson's antics. Compounding the mistake, Buffalo coach Chan Gailey called for an onside kick, but Dave Rayner -- filling in for the injured Rian Lindell -- mishit the ball and it was recovered by the Jets at the Bills' 36-yard line with 2:06 remaining in the first half. Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez easily directed a four-play touchdown drive that was capped by Burress, of all people, catching a 14-yard touchdown pass that tied the score at 14.
Stevie Johnson later found himself wide open in the middle of the field with eight seconds left and let a perfectly thrown ball go right through his hands. The Bills went on to lose 28-24, basically ending their playoff chances. When asked about his celebration Johnson said, "It was very stupid of me. I felt like I cost us the game." Yes you did Stevie, "C'mon Man."
It was a typical game for the Bengals on Sunday against Cleveland. Get outplayed in the first half, butkeep it close. Have a great second half, and win it in the fourth quarter. According to the Michael Signora, NFL Vice President of Football Communications, the Bengals win on Sunday marked the third time this year they have won after trailing by 10 or more points at the half, tying an NFL record. It isn't always pretty, but the Bengals find a way to win, and that's all that matters.
Andy Dalton was great on Sunday, yet again, and SI's Peter King and Marvin Lewis agreed.
"Andy Dalton amazes me every day I see him,'' coach Marvin Lewis said after win number seven, and after Dalton had led a touchdown drive and two field goal drives in the last 18 minutes to erase a 10-point Cleveland lead.
Cedric Benson was effective running the ball, the run blocking was excellent, Geno Atkins had constant pressure on Colt McCoy, and A.J. Green was well...sensational.
| A.J. has only played in 10 games during his rookie season, but some would argue that he has already become one of the league's best receivers. (The Enquirer/Jeff Swinger) |
Green only totaled 3 receptions, but he had 110-yds receiving, including a spectacular 51-yard catch, that was at least 12 feet in the air, late in the fourth quarter that got the Bengals down inside the 10 yard line with the game tied at 20. Mike Nugent kicked a game winning 26-yard field goal with 38 second left, as the Bengals improved to 7-4.
The AFC playoff picture is still very crowded, but Cincinnati is still in contention as the sixth seed if the season were to end today. Denver, Tennessee, and the NY Jets are hot on their heels, so this week's game in Pittsburgh is very important.
The Bengals can afford a loss with winnable games against Arizona, St. Louis, and Houston remaining, but a win against the Steelers at Heinz Field, only makes their job easier. A.J. Green got hurt in their first meeting and missed most of the second half. Steelers safety Troy Polamalu got hurt in Pittsburgh's game Sunday night, so with Green back and Polamalu possibly out, things look good for the Bengals going into Sunday's AFC North battle.
"HOLY CRAP" PERFORMERS
Baltimore Ravens Defense: Even without LB Ray Lewis, the Ravens defense dominated the San Francisco 49ers Thanksgiving night in the "HarBowl." They held the 49ers to just 6 points, 170-yds of total offense, 2-12 on third down, and the defense recorded nine sacks.
Terrell Suggs was unstoppable all night and had 3 sacks of his own along with Haloti Ngata, who had 2 sacks, Cory Redding's 2.5 sacks, Tom Zbikowski's sack, and Lardarius Webb recorded half a sack. A very dominating performance from maybe the best defense in the league, as John Harbaugh and the Ravens beat his brother Jim and the 49ers.
QB Matt Ryan, Falcons: 27/34, 262-yds, and 3 TD from Matt Ryan who shredded the Vikings secondary in the Falcons' 24-14 win.
WR Roddy White, Falcons: One of the best games of the season for White with 10 receptions for 120-yds and a touchdown.
LB Chad Greenway, Vikings: 16 total tackles and a hit on the quarterback for Greenway who was all over the field on Sunday.
RB Chris Johnson, Titans: Big day from CJ with 23 carries for 190-yards.
WR Reggie Wayne, Colts: Best game of the season for Wayne, 5 receptions for 122-yds and a touchdown, who is having a quite season without Peyton Manning at quarterback.
QB Ryan Fitzpatrick, Bills: The Harvard grad had a solid game Sunday against the Jets going 26/39 for 264-yds and 3 TD.
QB Mark Sanchez, Jets: I've been a critic of Mark Sanchez all season, but I have to say, the guy played pretty good against the Bills. 17/35, 180-yds, 4 TD and an INT isn't a bad day's work and the Jets won their sixth game of the season.
LB Connor Barwin, Texans: The former Cincinnati Bearcat had himself quite the game with 10 total tackles, four sacks, five tackles for loss, and six hits on the quarterback.
WR Johnny Knox, Bears: 4 receptions, 145-yds, and a touchdown for Knox, who had a very solid game for the Bears despite the absence of QB Jay Cutler.
K Sebastian Janikowski, Raiders: Field goals of 40, 47, 42, 19, 37, and 44 from Janikowski not only set an Oakland Raiders record for most field goals in a game, but it also helped the Raiders defeat the Bears 25-20.
P Shane Lechler, Raiders: Don't kick the ball to Devin Hester, well Lechler did, but Hester has just two returns for a total of 7-yards. Lechler dropped three of his five punts inside the 20-yard and he also had a punt of 80-yards that went clear over the head of Hester. So, I guess you can kick the ball to Hester, just as long as the ball goes over his head.
RB Roy Helu, Redskins: I think the Redskins have found their running back of the future. Helu rushed for 108-yds and a touchdown, and he caught seven balls for 54-yds in Washington's 23-17 win over Seattle.
QB Tom Brady, WR Deion Branch, and WR Wes Welker, Patriots: Brady and the Patriots offense is one of the best in the league and the Eagles had no answer for them on Sunday. Brady completed 24/34 passes to only four receivers, and Branch and Welker were two of his favorite targets. Branch had 6 receptions for 125-yds and Welker had 8 receptions for 115-yds and a touchdown.
The Patriots put up 457-yds of offense, 353-yds through the air, and 38 points on the Eagles, almost certainly ending Philadelphia's playoff chances.
QB Tim Tebow, Broncos: I don't know how, but Tebow just keeps on winning. Tebow was 9/18 passing for 143-yds, a touchdown and he rushed the ball 22 times for 67-yds, the most rushes by a quarterback sine the NFL/AFL merger. He kept the Broncos in the game and yet again led them to a fourth quarter comeback. Tebow and the Broncos prevailed in overtime and are now 6-5, only a game behind the Raiders in the division. Denver is 5-1 with Tebow at quarterback and the only question now is, can he get the Broncos to the playoffs?
WR Victor Cruz, Giants: Another great game from the second year player out of UMass. Cruz has 9 receptions for 157-yds and 2 TD.
QB Drew Brees, Saints: Brees was just ridiculous on Monday night going 24/38 for 363-yds, 4 TD, and he also ran for a touchdown. The Saints put up 49 points, 577-yds of offense, and Brees is on pace to not only break Dan Marino's passing record, but to shatter it.
"Holy Crap" Performers of the Week -- A pair of Arizona Cardinals
RB Beanie Wells, Cardinals: A career day for Wells, who had 228-yds rushing and a touchdown on 27 carries in the Cardinals 23-20 win over the rival Rams.
CB Patrick Peterson, Cardinals: Peterson has only played in 10 NFL games and already teams are starting to realize, you don't kick the ball to Patrick Peterson either. On Sunday Peterson had an 80-yard punt return for a touchdown, tying an NFL record with his fourth punt-return touchdown of the season. Peterson also became the first player in history to have four returns of 80-plus yards in a single season.
"C'MON MAN" PERFORMANCES
San Francisco 49ers Offensive Line: Giving up 9 sacks and allowing your quarterback to get hit 12 times in a game is a recipe for disaster.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: QB Josh Freeman and RB LeGarrette Blount were responsible for four of the five Tampa Bay turnovers in this one, as they lost to Tennessee 23-17.
Indianapolis Colts: With a 27-19 loss to the Panthers this past Sunday, the Colts become the 11th team since 1980 to start a season 0-11.
QB John Skelton, Cardinals: Skelton better thank Beanie Wells for carrying Arizona to victory, because he had another "C'mon Man" performance -- 12/23, 114-yds, 2 INT, QB rating 30.0 -- in backup duty for the Cardinals.
Philadelphia Eagles: There are several candidates for biggest disappointment of the year, but has anyone been more disappointing than the "Dream Team" in Philadelphia?
K Nick Novak, Chargers: Did anyone else notice something peculiar on the San Diego sidelines Sunday? Kicker Nick Novak was crouched down on the sidelines late in the fourth quarter with one of the staff blocking the view of his "wedding tackle" with a towel, because he had to take a leak. When you've gotta go...you gotta go, but in front of 64,436 fans, not to mention those watching on television...ballsy. Too bad going to the bathroom on the sidelines didn't help him make a 53-yard field goal in overtime, as the Chargers went on to lose for the sixth straight week.
QB Tyler Palko, Chiefs: Palko was just the latest quarterback to fall victim to the Pittsburgh Steelers defense going 18/28 for 167-yds, 3 INT, and a fumble lost.
WR Dwayne Bowe, Chiefs: Bowe caught 7 balls for 69-yds Sunday night against the Steelers, but it was the ball he didn't try to catch that makes his performance noteworthy. With the Chiefs driving late in the fourth quarter, Bowe doesn't even try to make a catch on a ball that resulted in Palko's third interception, ending the game.
It would have been a difficult catch, the ball was behind him, but he jumped up in the air and didn't even reach his hands out for the ball. At least make an effort for the ball, try and tip it, do something, so it doesn't get picked off. Palko was furious after the play and probably yelling, "Hey Bowe, C'mon Man!"
"C'mon Man" Performance of the Week, 1a
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| Ndamukong Suh received a two game suspension for his stomp on Turkey Day. (Andrew Weber/US Presswire) |
"I apologized to my teammates and my fans and my coaches for putting myself in a position to be misinterpreted and taken out of the game," Suh said. Albert Haynesworth once received a five game suspension after stomping on the head of Andre Gurode, so Suh was expected to receive a two game suspension . This is only Suh's second season in the NFL and already he has seriously hurt his reputation. "C'mon Man."
"C'mon Man" Performance of the Week, 1b
WR Stevie Johnson, Bills: ESPN's John Clayton does a great job of explaining Stevie Johnson's antics on Sunday and here's what he had to say.
"Unintended consequences" is how the NFL labels excessive touchdown celebrations and plays on which officials flag or the league has to review for fines. Bills wide receiver Steve Johnson may be on the receiving end of one of those fines after an excessive celebration of a second-quarter touchdown, forming his fingers into a fake gun and shooting himself -- a sick reference to the self-inflicted shooting that sent Plaxico Burress, now a Jets receiver, to jail for two years -- then crashing to the ground after mimicking the Jets' customary airplane celebration.
The Bills were penalized 15 yards on the ensuing kickoff because of Johnson's antics. Compounding the mistake, Buffalo coach Chan Gailey called for an onside kick, but Dave Rayner -- filling in for the injured Rian Lindell -- mishit the ball and it was recovered by the Jets at the Bills' 36-yard line with 2:06 remaining in the first half. Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez easily directed a four-play touchdown drive that was capped by Burress, of all people, catching a 14-yard touchdown pass that tied the score at 14.
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| Stevie Johnson's touchdown celebration not only cost his team the game, but a possible playoff berth as well. (Anthony Gruppuso/US Presswire) |
BOLD PREDICTION
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| How long before Urban Meyer brings another National Championship to Columbus? (Marc Serota/Getty Images) |
On May 30th I tweeted, "Jim Tressel is out at Ohio State. How long before Urban Meyer is introduced as the new coach of the Buckeyes?" Well, apparently it took 15,724,800 seconds, 262,080 minutes, 4368 hours, 26 weeks, or 182 days, which ever you prefer. I'm not right all the time, but was I right or what? "Holy Crap."
With that being said, here's another bold prediction. Urban Meyer will get the Buckeyes to at least one national championship game in the next five years, probably more, and will win at least one by 2016. Great hire in my opinion and best of luck to Urban, who is a graduate of the University of Cincinnati by the way, in Columbus.
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