Week 18 NFL Game Recaps
Texans 31, Bengals 10
The Bengals also went three-and-out to start because Andy Dalton missed a wide-open Cedric Benson on a 3rd-and-2. It was clear at that point that the team to quit making dumb, mental errors would be the one to prevail. And that was Houston.
Cincinnati continuously shot itself in the foot. Marvin Lewis had one of the worst challenges of all time in the first half when he threw a red flag to review a spot that would have been the difference between 3rd-and-1 and 1st-and-10. It's not like the extra inch he wanted would have prevented a punting situation; he lost the challenge and then promptly moved the chains on the next play. This was a big deal because Lewis challenged again later in the first half. He lost that one as well, giving him no reviews after intermission.
The Bengals also wasted a timeout on the third play of the third quarter because Dalton couldn't hear the play. Houston's crowd did a great job of getting up for its first playoff contest with this new franchise.
Dalton had an up-and-down performance overall. He made some nice throws, and his yardage figures don't account for a 50-yard pass-interference penalty to A.J. Green, who beat Glover Quin. However, Dalton missed some open receivers downfield, and the aforementioned third pick was poorly thrown to Danieal Manning.
First of all, Hammond looked like a clown. Like an actual clown. I don't know what his makeup artists were thinking or trying to hide. Forum member FTM commented, "Is Tom Hammond a puppet from Team America? That is not a human face."
His commentary was more comical, as he mispronounced players' names all night, from Glover Quin to Danieal Manning. He even called Matt Schaub "Matt Shoob." Fortunately, Hammond is done doing football for the year, as he'll be moving on to the boring Olympics next week.
Saints 45, Lions 28
Apparently not. Different game, same result. We can now confirm the Saints are 17 points better than the Lions.
The Saints, however, got their act together in the second half. Brees was unstoppable, going 33-of-43 for 466 yards and three touchdowns. The team didn't even punt. In fact, New Orleans set a playoff record for most net yards in a single game with 626.
Of course, it didn't help the Lions' cause that they continuously blew coverages and whiffed on tackles. It's amazing how many times Brees' targets were open downfield. And I know Detroit struggled versus the run all year, but making Pierre Thomas (8-66, TD) and Chris Ivory (13-47) look like Beast Mode was inexcusable. Thomas also caught six balls for 55 receiving yards.
Giants 24, Falcons 2
Atlanta was 0-for-3 in short yardage in this contest. They went for it on fourth-and-inches on the New York 25 on the first play of the second quarter of a scoreless game. They tried to sneak it, but failed. Luckily, they were still able to establish a lead on an ensuing safety in which Eli Manning was whistled for intentional grounding in his own end zone.
The other two miscues were much more damaging. Down 10-2 at the end of the third quarter, Atlanta attempted another another sneak from the Giants' 20. Ryan was stuffed, and the entire Falcon sideline reportedly was completely deflated. Three plays later, Manning hit Hakeem Nicks for a 72-yard touchdown, blowing this contest open.
Michael Turner was stuffed on 3rd-and-1 on the ensuing possession. The Falcons had to punt, and New York would find the end zone a few minutes later.
The two New York scores put the game out of reach, but you have to wonder what would have happened if Atlanta opted for the field goals. With two successful kicks, the team would have trailed 10-8, and the players wouldn't have been sulking on the bench.
Remember when I said that Atlanta could have been down 10-8 with two kicks? Well, if Smith used a timeout and his team was able to drive down to field-goal range, the Falcons could have led 11-10 at the end of the third quarter. It's amazing how significant inept coaching decisions can be in an NFL game.
Despite the drops, White still caught five balls for 52 yards. Julio Jones was better statistically (7-64). Poor Tony Gonzalez, who still hasn't won a playoff game in his Hall-of-Fame career, had just four grabs for 44 yards.
1. As I tweeted (@walterfootball), "Congratulations to FOX for the first ever commercial-one play-commercial-punt-commercial series."
Seriously, I can't believe FOX pull this. We often see commercial-kickoff-commercial, but I don't ever recall seeing two plays sandwiched in between three ad breaks.
2. I also tweeted this in the fourth quarter: "Since 1989, only one team has ever finished with 2 points in a game. That was the 1993 Bengals, who lost to the Patriots, 7-2."
Well, you can now add the Falcons into that dubious category.
3. My senior editor pointed out that at one point during the second half, Troy Aikman said, "Matt Ryan incompleted it."
What's up with the grammar issues from all the 90s Cowboy players?
Broncos 29, Steelers 23
No one gave Denver a chance. Bill Simmons, whom I'm a fan of, called the Broncos the worst team to ever make the playoffs. Cris Carter and Keyshawn Johnson predictably called for a Pittsburgh blowout. Several ESPN and CBS analysts stubbornly opined that they wouldn't even score a touchdown.
That certainly looked like the case when Denver mustered just eight yards of offense in the first quarter. Offensive coordinator Mike McCoy had some of the worst and most predictable play-calling I had ever seen. He called for runs on all three first downs in the opening period, and Tebow was in second-and-long as a result each time.
Things really changed after that though. Just a bit, right? Tim Tebow, whom many suggested could be benched in favor of Brady Quinn because he had struggled the past two weeks, completed many deep, accurate bombs downfield. He had just five completions at halftime, but four of them were for 30, 40, 58 and 41 yards. Not included in that were a Demaryius Thomas drop inside the 5-yard line and an Eric Decker 21-yard apparent catch that was overturned after a Pittsburgh challenge.
The Broncos led throughout, beginning in the second quarter, but it looked like they might lose this playoff battle late in the fourth quarter and overtime. The ironic thing was it would have been everyone's fault but Tebow's. Willis McGahee (19-61) fumbled at midfield prior to Pittsburgh's game-tying drive. The defense struggled to stop a hobbled Ben Roethlisberger, including Champ Bailey, who dropped an interception that went right through his hands right before Big Ben hit Jerricho Cotchery for the tying score.
I was so frustrated on the forums that I half-joked that the Pittsburgh players were idiots for calling tails during the overtime coin toss because it was clear the ref had a two-headed coin.
My playoff 2011 NFL Power Rankings, will be posted Monday morning.
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Zeekmo
10-31-2011
07:25 pm
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It looks like the "Poop Salad" nickname is gone from T-Jack, and deservedly so. He is miles ahead of Charlie Whitehurst, who doesn't look like he could be a viable 3rd stringer in the NFL
WaltsGay!
10-31-2011
07:21 pm
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One of the first things you say on this page is "one of the craziest sundays in NFL history"? Are you retarded Walt? Everything went according to plan, so what's crazy? The fact you can't pick your nose? You suck Walt and you are Gay!
Matt
10-31-2011
07:15 pm
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Lets just ignore how Flaccos recievers dropped balls (one for a pick) and 3 other potential TDs, including one to end the first half.
nycsportzfan
10-31-2011
05:46 pm
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Hey Walt, i WON money yesterday, so i don't know what your talking about.. I parlayed Cincy with Philly and took PIttsburgh straight up.. Of course i did lose with the Giants and Ravens, and that Mare missed FG cost me on the OVER in that one, but the Cincy and Philly Parlay with the Steelers put me about 60bucks UP for the day.. U just stink at picking games..
HA
10-31-2011
05:05 pm
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How about this recap, Walt. You SUCK! Good your thing your site is free!
Felton
10-31-2011
03:02 pm
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AJ Feeley last won an NFL game at QB in 2004. His last previous TD pass was in 2007. The Saints had been shut out in the first half previously in 2007. The Rams had scored 56 ponts in their prior 6 games. The saints were held to 95 yard...s in the first half. Charles Brown and Jermon Bushrod are still trying to find Chris Long and Robert Quinn. Chris Long looked even better yesterday than when he terrorized ACC offensive lines a few years back - and that's versus schools whose football coach argues for travelling calls.See More
Wrt23
10-31-2011
02:43 pm
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Tarvaris Jackson played far, far, far better than Charlie Whitehurst.
Tarvaris Jackson has outperformed Charlie all year. I know you find this concept hard to understand. Tarvaris is an average Qb. Which in my opinion was a good stopgap. Was Kolb a good option? Carson Palmer? Both were overpaid for. Dalton is definitely looking the part but who thought he would. Hasselbeck, as much as I love him, showed very little the past 3 years, and no doubt would already be hurt behind this young line. Tarvaris threw for 300+ yards, without a full game, and had his recievers consistenly drop balls, and had zero run game, not to mention he's playing hurt... Pete Carroll did not screw "so" many things up. Marshawn came within inches of a TD, and the ref's should have called a delay of game for holding marshawn on the ground for 11 seconds. He a risky decision but the way the game was going I was alright with it. If it doesn't work of course everyone is going to jump on it, but at the time it was smart. Had it worked he'd be a genius... Please watch the game before posting recaps...
TWay32
10-31-2011
02:41 pm
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I still like you, Walt. Usually I take some of your picks and cull the ones I don't like and end up above 50% for a week. This week unfortunately i went with you totally all the way. Thanks for getting SF right. Better next week.
Noe
10-31-2011
01:25 pm
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My god, these writers you hired have got to go. Their recaps are so BORING.
I mean, we all saw the games. We come here to get witty comments and to see you laugh at the incompetent people of the NFL. These guys give nothing other than a monotone play-by-play description of the game. I understand that maybe you can't watch every single game, but at least hire some competent writers.
DaBears
10-31-2011
01:14 pm
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I have been a loyal fan of Walt and try to have his back, but its getting really hard to do.
Seriously Walt, I am hoping this is finally rock bottom for you. There's really no where to go but up after this 2 win week (I hope). In the words of Chris Cater "C'mon Man!!"
Markymark420
10-31-2011
12:15 pm
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Walter i have won 7 out of 8 weeks and one thing i have done is avoid your picks thank god..
You look at the spread to much you don't think about who will win without the spread and thats killing you this year and well you have never been great just uve never sucked this much... Your not special at this and u know but you try which i respect i just think u look at the spread before thinkin about the game which the spreads are gonna be close to 50/50 everytime and even with good teams losing some say its rigged it may be but people like you have been losing for years because you look at the spread only... I doubt u ever won millions so smply put your ot a god at this learn new tactics
William H
10-31-2011
01:31 am
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I went 9-1 this week, fam. I'm the genius, god. When I look in the mirror, I see what is real.
Khash
10-24-2011
10:05 pm
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Dude, Maybe you should sit this one out. You've been really good in the past year, but I'm betting against you this year. You're just ignoring some obvious factor.
longshot7
10-24-2011
06:51 pm
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As far as shady stuff in the Vikes/Pack game, what about the late hit 15-yd penalty on Clay Matthews?
jamz
10-24-2011
05:36 pm
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Baltimore Ravens 28-10
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