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| Authored by Andrew Perna - 16th November, 2005 - 4:03 pm
 In week ten we saw Brady push the Patriots past the Dolphins, Samkon Gado lead the Packers to an upset victory over the Falcons, and the Bears win after returning a missed field goal for a 108-yard touchdown.
We also saw the Colts continue their dominance by beating the Texans on their way to 9-0, the Panthers win their sixth straight game, and the Steelers use three quarterbacks in a victory over the rival Cleveland Browns.
Those were just some of the highlights from week ten in the NFL. Here is my complete list of highs and lows.
The Highest of Highs
Defense Dominates
Minnesota?s offense didn?t score a touchdown against the Giants, but still managed to win 24-21. The Vikings scored on an interception, a kick-off return, and a punt return. Minnesota grabbed four interceptions, two sacks and recovered one fumble. The defense helped overcome their offensive struggles, as the Vikings totaled a dismal 137 yards of total offense, while the Giants totaled 405 yards. Despite their offensive struggles the Vikings performance on defense allowed them to pull-off the upset victory over the heavily-favored Giants. The Giants will play the Eagles in an important division battle next Sunday, while the Vikings will head to Green Bay for Monday Night Football.
Is There A Doctor In The House?
The Green Bay Packers were in desperate need of a spark on offense against the Falcons on Sunday. So the Packers called on running back Samkon Gado, a doctor-in-waiting, and he delivered. Gado ran for 103 yards and two touchdowns, and even caught a touchdown pass from Brett Favre. The Packers, who won their second game of the season, surprised the rest of the league by beating the Falcons in Atlanta, 33-25. It remains to be seen whether the doctor will be the house next Monday when the Packers square off against the Vikings in prime time.
Harrington to Williams
Lions quarterback Joey Harrington came into Sunday?s game against the Arizona Cardinals on a short leash. Had it not been for Jeff Garcia?s leg injury, Harrington would have been planted firmly on the bench. His horrific play had dropped him from number one on the depth chart down to two. Maybe all Harrington needed was a healthy Roy Williams. Williams, who played for the first time since week five, hooked up with the quarterback for three touchdowns on seven receptions for 117 yards. The game was the best of Williams?s career, and the best of Harrington?s disappointing season. Detroit?s 29-21 win kept them within striking distance of the NFC North-leading Chicago Bears.
Rumble in Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh versus Cleveland is the AFC?s longest standing rivalry, and it showed on Sunday night. The Steelers, who have dominated the Browns as of late, were victorious 34-21. The Steelers used three quarterbacks against Cleveland ? Charlie Batch, Tommy Maddox, and Antwaan Randle El. Hines Ward led Pittsburgh with 124 receiving yards and a touchdown. Ward, who had one touchdown overturned and was called down at the half-yard line once, was named NFL Player of the Week. The Steelers, 7-2, face Baltimore in week eleven before facing the Bengals and Colts in consecutive weeks.
Tampa Bay Wins Epic Battle
An outstanding performance from an inexperienced quarterback, and a gutsy call by the head coach resulted in a one-point win for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Young quarterback Chris Simms threw for 279 yards and three touchdowns in the win over the Washington Redskins. Down 35-28 with 1:05 minutes remaining in the fourth quarter Simms threw a 30-yard touchdown pass to Edell Shepherd to pull within one point. After an off sides penalty, Coach Jon Gruden decided to go for a two-point conversion, which would either result in victory or loss. Gruden gave the ball to Mike Alstott, who already had two touchdowns in the game, and he delivered.
The Lowest of Lows
San Francisco?s TD Drought
Not only did the 49ers lose to the Bears 17-9, but the loss was due to a ten-point swing. A missed field goal by Joe Nedney was returned by the Bears? Nathan Vasher for a 108-yard touchdown. San Francisco has not scored a touchdown in three weeks. Their last touchdown came in week seven against the Washington Redskins. The 49ers, who have the NFL?s worst offense and defense, are averaging only 14.6 points per game. In addition to losing to Chicago, the 49ers lost strong safety Tony Parrish for the rest of the season with of a fractured left leg. San Francisco, 2-7, will face off against the division leading Seahawks, 7-2, this Sunday.
K.C. K.O?ed
The Chiefs, who average, 22.1 points per game this season, managed only 3 against the Buffalo Bills this weekend. Midway through the second quarter Bills? quarterback Kelly Holcomb went down with a concussion, and JP Losman stepped in and had arguably his best game as a pro. However, it was Buffalo?s defense that won them the game. They grabbed 3 interceptions and one fumble as they shut down one of the league?s most prolific offenses. The one positive from Kansas City?s loss was the play of running back Larry Johnson. Filling in for the injured Priest Holmes, Johnson ran for 132 yards on the ground and caught five passes for 46 yards. The Chiefs will look to rebound against the lowly Texans in week eleven.
Tice Needs Surgery?
I listed the Minnesota Vikings? victory over the New York Giants as a high for week ten, but Minnesota Head Coach Mike Tice didn?t have the best of weeks. Tice sprained a ligament in his left knee when Vikings? cornerback Laroni Gallishaw tackled Jamaar Taylor into him on a punt return. Taylor knocked into Tice, who then toppled over. Tice had an MRI on Monday, and will be evaluated on a daily basis. He insisted that the injury would not keep him off of the sidelines. The injury just added to the drama the Culpepper-less, booze-cruisin? Vikings already disastrous season.
Returning Rams
In Sunday?s game against the Seattle Seahawks the St. Louis Rams welcomed back stars Marc Bulger, Torry Holt, and Issac Bruce. Their presence didn?t matter one bit. The Rams, 4-5, were in the Seahawk red zone five times, but only scored on one of those possessions. The Rams 31-16 loss to the Seahawks virtually gave the NFC North division to Seattle. At 7-2, Seattle holds a 3-game lead over the second-place Rams with six games remaining. Bulger threw for 304 yards to go along with a touchdown and an interception. Meanwhile, Holt and Bruce combined for only 61 yards and one touchdown.
The T.O-less Eagles
Through the first three quarters on Monday Night the Eagles looked as though they would be just fine with pro bowl receiver Terrell Owens. Then came the fourth quarter. In the final four minutes, and with less than thirty seconds in between scores, the Cowboys put up 14 points and came from behind to shock the Eagles 21-20. Donovan McNabb threw for 196 yards, with only 62 of those yards being completed to Philadelphia?s receiving core. McNabb was intercepted in the final minutes by Dallas safety Roy Williams, who returned it for the game-winning touchdown. The Eagles are now a long shot to make it to the playoffs, and will be without McNabb for an unknown period of time. |
