Week 19 NFL Game Recaps
49ers 36, 49ers 32
Well, you'd have to call this a coming-of-age performance for Smith. He really struggled at times, especially in the second and third quarters, but his two late drives were really impressive. When the Saints went up 24-23, I was pissed that they scored with four minutes on the clock because New Orleans has accumulated way too many bulls*** front-door covers this year. I figured Smith would either go three-and-out or commit a turnover, allowing the Saints to go up by at least four points.
So much for that. Smith proved just about everyone wrong, finishing 24-of-42 for 299 yards and three passing touchdowns. He also had a rushing score with a couple of minutes remaining where he looked like Tim Tebow, sprinting out left and down the field for 28 yards.
Brees' picks both came prior to intermission, and they were part of four Saint first-half turnovers. Donte Whitner forced a fumble on Pierre Thomas on the opening drive on what was one of the hardest hits I've ever seen. This site's senior editor said it looked like something out of Mike Tyson's Punch-Out. Courtney Roby would later muff a kickoff and then fumble it. There was also a fifth give-away in the third quarter when Darren Sproles coughed up another fumble.
Despite all of this, the Saints were in position to win this contest, which is a testament to how good Brees and all of his weapons are. It's a shame that we won't have a Packers-Saints rematch.
The offensive line will also have to perform better. Smith had no pass protection when he was in third-and-long situations. He was sacked or pressured almost instantly nearly every time, even fumbling twice.
Patriots 45, Broncos 10
I've never seen an offensive line look so Jekyll and Hyde in a span of a week. The front kept Tim Tebow completely clean against the Steelers, yet the Patriots were in the backfield on almost every single passing down. Tebow had no chance whatsoever, especially with his receivers unable to separate. Denver had 14 negative plays - the most by any team in the NFL this year.
On the rare occasions that Tebow was able to get a clean release off, his receivers would drop passes. The worst infraction of this nature came from last week's hero, Demaryius Thomas, whpo dropped what would have been a first down in New England teritory on a third down during the team's second drive. I counted five drops in total.
There was a brief stretch in which Brady struggled in the middle of the first half, heaving an interception on one throw, tossing another near-pick and then missing an open Wes Welker. But he recovered on the next drive after the Broncos drew to within 14-7, leading his team on an eight-play, 52 yard drive to give his team another two-score advantage.
Hernandez also caught four balls for 55 yards and a touchdown, but that paled in comparison to Rob Gronkowski's 10 receptions for 145 yards and three scores, which tied a postseason record. The Broncos doubled Gronkowski last time and really limited him, but they decided to play zone this time, which is a big no-no against Brady. But it's not like they could have done anything to stop New England, save for drugging Brady's offensive linemen.
Ravens 20, Texans 13
Let's review each aspect:
- Flacco went 14-of-27 for 176 yards and two touchdowns, but those numbers don't tell the whole story. He missed open receivers and was very tentative in the pocket. He took five sacks (2.5 each from J.J. Watt and Brooks Reed). Basically, if Flacco's name was "Tim Tebow," ESPN buffoons like Bomani Jones, Merril Hoge and Cris Carter would be calling him the worst quarterback of all time after this performance. The difference between Flacco and Tebow though is that the Baltimore quarterback did have time to throw on some occasions, so his performance has to be more discouraging to Raven fans than what Denver supporters feel about their signal-caller.
- It doesn't help that Flacco once again had awful play-calling. Cam Cameron idiotically forgot to involve Ray Rice early on. Rice finished with 21 carries, gaining 60 rushing yards in the process, but had just four catches. Even worse, Cameron was guilty of some really predictable play-calling at the goal line in the fourth quarter. He did a good job with this in the first quarter, signaling in a play-action pass from Flacco to Kris Wilson, which resulted in a touchdown, so I don't understand why Cameron went back to stupidity when he could have sealed the deal. No, wait. I do understand what happened. Cameron is just that completely inept.
- What happened to Baltimore's run defense? I figured it would be better with Ray Lewis healthy, but Arian Foster managed to rush for 132 yards and a touchdown on 27 carries. This made things easier for T.J. Yates.
Of course, Yates' turnovers made things easier for the Ravens. Yates went 17-of-35 for 184 yards and three interceptions. He could have been picked off on five occasions, but Ed Reed dropped two interceptions in the first half.
Yates' problem wasn't accuracy; in fact, most of his throws were on the money. The issue was that he predetermined where he wanted to go on some of his attempts. He stared down Andre Johnson far too often, including the last real drive of the contest when he foolishly heaved a ball downfield despite being at midfield and having ample time remaining on the clock.
Giants 37, Packers 20
Green Bay's meltdown was truly amazing. The team committed so many unforced errors that had the Lambeau crowd groaning in disgust on nearly every possession. It's almost as if the players ha d the same lack of urgency they typically do in the preseason. Here's the laundry list of dumb mistakes:
- Drops: The Packers had a whopping eight drops by: Greg Jennings (2), Jermichael Finley, James Starks, Tom Crabtree, Ryan Taylor, Ryan Grant and Jordy Nelson. Drops plagued the Packers in their loss to the Chiefs, and that issue festered once again.
- Aaron Rodgers missed a wide-open Jennings for a touchdown on the opening drive. The Packers would have to settle for a field goal.
- John Kuhn lost a fumble in Giants' territory during the second quarter.
- Rodgers then lost a fumble of his own in New York territory on the opening drive of the third quarter.
- Rodgers had a wide-open Finley on a third down with 13 minutes to go, but missed him. He was sacked on the following play, which turned the ball over on downs.
- Grant fumbled the ball away down 10 in the fourth quarter. Chase Blackburn returned it inside the Green Bay 5-yard line. Eli Manning threw the game-sealing touchdown on the very next play to give his team a 30-13 lead.
If you're not familiar with Leavy, he's the inept/crooked ref who botched/fixed the Steelers-Seahawks Super Bowl. I don't know how the hell he's still permitted to officiate playoff games. He needs to be fired because allowing him to work another game would be completely irresponsible. He's either bought or just completely awful at his job.
That wasn't even the craziest Nicks score. Manning launched a Hail Mary on the final play of the first half, and New York Nicks came down with it in the end zone. The Packers covered the Hail Mary very poorly - almost as if they had no idea it was coming. Nicks finished with seven grabs for 165 yards and two touchdowns. Mario Manningham (3-31) also scored. Victor Cruz (5-74) was also a factor.
My playoff 2011 NFL Power Rankings, will be posted Monday morning.
|
Ok
01-13-2013
01:06 am
xxx.xxx.xxx.219
(total posts: 1)
113
3
San Francisco had a tremendous advantage in this contest because of the 8 p.m. start time. Circadian rhythms set in, and many Packer bodies shut down just after halftime.
- Oh my god. Please tell me youre trolling
Raven Hate
01-12-2013
11:36 pm
xxx.xxx.xxx.219
(total posts: 2)
14
3
Ohh, I also forgot to mention the block in the back and hold by Jacob Hester on Holliday's 2nd return TD.
If anything the officials tried to swing the game Denver's way.
Raven Hate
01-12-2013
11:33 pm
xxx.xxx.xxx.219
(total posts: 2)
157
6
Walt, I enjoy the site, but when it comes to the Ravens you have an inexplicable and clear bias against them. Seriously, who in the Ravens organisation pissed in your cheerios?
For the "Tuck Rule" fumble - Peyton Manning lost control moving his hand forward but had CLEARLY regained possession with 2 hands before fumbling, so you're wrong there. You fail to mention the earlier strip-sack that was taken away by a bogus hands to the face call which the officials clearly botched and tried to cover up. As far as bias towards Baltimore - which game were you watching? The officials just plain sucked. They blew calls both ways and anything 50/50 went the way of Denver early on. Baltimore's offensive line just dominated one of the better defensive lines in the NFL (if you include Miller) and Flacco outplayed Manning against what was a better statistical unit, at home. I love the site, but the irrational Raven hate you have just dumbfounds me.
Bucky
01-12-2013
11:26 pm
xxx.xxx.xxx3.29
(total posts: 1)
55
3
In the replay, you could see Manning get his both hands on the ball when it was against his groin. He dropped it after that, so IMO it was a fumble and a good call.
HATE
01-07-2013
10:31 pm
xxx.xxx.xxx.144
(total posts: 2)
123
9
your hate against the Ravens is blatantly obvious every week. You keep pointing out the missed plays by the colts but forget everything that could've made this game even more a blowout in the ravens favor. i appreciate the work you put in for this site but i'm not gonna look at this section if all you're going to do is discredit my team in any way you can when they win.
D
01-07-2013
04:49 pm
xxx.xxx.xxx.1.1
(total posts: 1)
16
7
While the RGIII injury is unfortunate, should have been avoided and obviously played a part. You can't dismiss the fact that the Seahawks broke down the Washington D. There's a reason they put up 371 yards in 3 Quarters. And that's because they were playing ball and started to dismantle the 'Skins defense. There's multiple facets to Football, more than just RGIII vs the defense, can't discount the rest.
More blame should be put on Shanahan for continuously putting out a completely hobbled QB who was not a better option than Cousins at that time. He was hurt prior to this game and was visibly hurt and no where near playing level. He chose to ignore that and put him out there even though he clearly wasn't the best answer. Boneheaded decision that hurt the Redskins the most.
@Seahawks fan in NJ
01-07-2013
04:23 pm
xxx.xxx.xxx.237
(total posts: 1)
19
14
HAHAHAHA. what a joke. it's like every seattle fan is delusional... or just to casual to formulate an opinion.
Still at it!
01-07-2013
03:28 pm
xxx.xxx.xxx9.66
(total posts: 7)
48
4
Walter loves to mention TWO dropped interceptions for the Indianapolis defense, but fails to mention how many dropped interceptions the Ravens defense had. He throws the call on the Ray Rice fumble as a "bone" but then goes on to make it sound like every other call went the Ravens way.
Still salty he lost his "biggest play of the weekend" yet again. Even when I warned him. Yeah... it sure looked like the Colts really had a huge advantage because "Pagano knows the Ravens." Note to Walt... the Ravens defense stopped playing midway through the 2nd half once they built their lead. They were simply letting the Colts run out the clock. Why show more material for Peyton Manning than you have to? Indianapolis looks like a promising team going forward, but they got beat by a better team that finally had all it's defensive stars on the field at the same time this season. They didn't "give the game away" as Walt would have you believe. And if the forecast for freezing temperatures and possibly snow this weekend in Denver hold true... the Ravens could play very well against the Broncos.
John M
01-07-2013
01:43 pm
xxx.xxx.xxx5.76
(total posts: 1)
20
3
"I don't want to completely discredit the Ravens' defense", but that's exactly what I'm going to do. The only disappointing thing about them was that they didn't hang on to 3 more of Luck's poor/deflected passes.
This was not an evenly matched game. In fact it was the least evenly matched game of the weekend on the scoreboard, although the Joe Webb debacle was worse overall. You were way off on who the better team was, and if it weren't for the Rice fumbles in Colts territory and Flacco choosing to go to Tandon Doss (really?) in key first half moments, the score would have been even more lopsided. The worst part is that you're just waiting for them to lose to claim that you were right all along about their flaws and fraud status, despite how many picks you get wrong along the way.
Matt
01-07-2013
01:40 pm
xxx.xxx.xxx.249
(total posts: 1)
18
3
Walter has hated the Ravens ever since that Chargers game and refuses to ever say they just played a good game because of it lol. Every win is "Well, if this and this didnt happen then Baltimore would have been in trouble"
#1 Seahawk Fan in NJ
01-07-2013
01:08 pm
xxx.xxx.xxx.140
(total posts: 6)
12
28
Keep whining about RG3 and his injury.
The bottom line is after taking two punches to the face in the 1st quarter, Seahawks made their adjustments and whipped the Skins (without their best pass rusher) The Seahawks could have scored 40 if not for some errors.
jo
01-07-2013
11:29 am
xxx.xxx.xxx.200
(total posts: 6)
13
3
walt u complain about colts outplaying ravens and the missed calls by ref and luck making bad throws and a tipped int etc. but you dnt recall that if rice dont fumble twice
Joe R
01-07-2013
11:17 am
xxx.xxx.xxx.194
(total posts: 1)
4
3
I have to disagree with anon. It was pretty evident midway through the 3rd quarter that RGIII was toast. Not only did Shanahan stick with an ineffective Quarterback, but now Washington has to anxiously wait and see if he feels lingering effects to this game.
I don't think he will, and I hope not (since I really like RGIII), but it's a reasonable concern. Cousins wasn't exactly ineffective when he played during the season, too. And it's not like they couldn't go back to RGIII
anon
01-07-2013
11:03 am
xxx.xxx.xxx.254
(total posts: 3)
11
2
Is it just me or are the people calling for Shanahan's head for not pulling RGIII the same people who were calling Jay Cutler a wimp for not reentering the NFC Championship game on a torn ACL a couple years ago?
Also, let's be honest: if Shanny had pulled RGIII earlier and they had lost because of Kirk Cousins, people would have been screaming at how dumb Shanny was for not sticking with his young star QB during a win-or-go-home scenario. This really is a no-win situation for the poor guy.
@wtf?
01-07-2013
10:38 am
xxx.xxx.xxx1.83
(total posts: 1)
19
7
sherman and co, have been doing that all year long! i'm sure they sent escorts to the refs before the game. 49ers were a victim of that in the first game. if griffin didn't get hurt, he was gonna curb stomp that seattle defense. good luck getting away with all that nonsense vs white and jones down in the ATL. Atlanta in an easy win.
|
2013 NBA Mock Draft - May 22
2013 Fantasy Football Rankings - May 22
2014 NFL Mock Draft - May 21
Charlie's 2014 NFL Mock Draft - May 20
NFL Picks - Feb. 3
2012: Live 2012 NFL Draft Blog - April 26
2012 NFL Week 1 Recap - Sept. 10
2012 NFL Week 2 Recap - Sept. 17
2012 NFL Week 3 Recap - Sept. 24
2012 NFL Week 4 Recap - Oct. 1
2012 NFL Week 5 Recap - Oct. 8
2012 NFL Week 6 Recap - Oct. 15
2012 NFL Week 7 Recap - Oct. 22
2012 NFL Week 8 Recap - Oct. 29
2012 NFL Week 9 Recap - Nov. 5
2012 NFL Week 10 Recap - Nov. 12
2012 NFL Week 11 Recap - Nov. 19
2012 NFL Week 12 Recap - Nov. 26
2012 NFL Week 13 Recap - Dec. 3
2012 NFL Week 14 Recap - Dec. 10
2012 NFL Week 15 Recap - Dec. 17
2012 NFL Week 16 Recap - Dec. 24
2012 NFL Week 17 Recap - Dec. 31
2012 NFL Week 18 Recap - Jan. 7
2012 NFL Week 19 Recap - Jan. 14
2012 NFL Week 20 Recap - Jan. 21
Super Bowl XLVII Recap - Feb. 4
Super Bowl XLVII Live Blog - Feb. 4
2011: Live 2011 NFL Draft Blog - April 28
2011 NFL Week 1 Recap - Sept. 12
2011 NFL Week 2 Recap - Sept. 19
2011 NFL Week 3 Recap - Sept. 26
2011 NFL Week 4 Recap - Oct. 3
2011 NFL Week 5 Recap - Oct. 10
2011 NFL Week 6 Recap - Oct. 17
2011 NFL Week 7 Recap - Oct. 24
2011 NFL Week 8 Recap - Oct. 31
2011 NFL Week 9 Recap - Nov. 7
2011 NFL Week 10 Recap - Nov. 14
2011 NFL Week 11 Recap - Nov. 21
2011 NFL Week 12 Recap - Nov. 28
2011 NFL Week 13 Recap - Dec. 5
2011 NFL Week 14 Recap - Dec. 12
2011 NFL Week 15 Recap - Dec. 19
2011 NFL Week 16 Recap - Dec. 26
2011 NFL Week 17 Recap - Jan. 2
2011 NFL Week 18 Recap - Jan. 9
2011 NFL Week 19 Recap - Jan. 16
2011 NFL Week 20 Recap - Jan. 23
Super Bowl XLVI Live Blog - Feb. 6
2010: Live 2010 NFL Draft Blog - April 22
2010 Hall of Fame Game Live Blog - Aug. 8
2010 NFL Kickoff Live Blog - Sept. 9
2010 NFL Week 1 Review - Sept. 13
2010 NFL Week 2 Review - Sept. 20
2010 NFL Week 3 Review - Sept. 27
2010 NFL Week 4 Review - Oct. 4
2010 NFL Week 5 Review - Oct. 11
2010 NFL Week 6 Review - Oct. 18
2010 NFL Week 7 Review - Oct. 25
2010 NFL Week 8 Review - Nov. 1
2010 NFL Week 9 Review - Nov. 8
2010 NFL Week 10 Review - Nov. 15
2010 NFL Week 11 Review - Nov. 22
2010 NFL Week 12 Review - Nov. 29
2010 NFL Week 13 Review - Dec. 6
2010 NFL Week 14 Review - Dec. 13
2010 NFL Week 15 Review - Dec. 20
2010 NFL Week 16 Review - Dec. 27
2010 NFL Week 17 Review - Jan. 3
2010 NFL Week 18 Review - Jan. 10
2010 NFL Week 19 Review - Jan. 17
2010 NFL Week 19 Review - Jan. 24
Super Bowl XLV Live Blog - Feb. 6
2009: Live 2009 NFL Draft Blog - April 25
2009 Hall of Fame Game Live Blog - Aug. 10
2009 NFL Kickoff Live Blog - Sept. 10
2009 NFL Week 1 Review - Sept. 14
2009 NFL Week 2 Review - Sept. 21
2009 NFL Week 3 Review - Sept. 28
2009 NFL Week 4 Review - Oct. 5
2009 NFL Week 5 Review - Oct. 12
2009 NFL Week 6 Review - Oct. 19
2009 NFL Week 7 Review - Oct. 26
2009 NFL Week 8 Review - Nov. 2
2009 NFL Week 9 Review - Nov. 9
2009 NFL Week 10 Review - Nov. 16
2009 NFL Week 11 Review - Nov. 23
2009 NFL Week 12 Review - Nov. 30
2009 NFL Week 13 Review - Dec. 6
2009 NFL Week 14 Review - Dec. 13
2009 NFL Week 15 Review - Dec. 20
2009 NFL Week 16 Review - Dec. 27
2009 NFL Week 17 Review - Jan. 4
2009 NFL Week 18 Review - Jan. 11
2009 NFL Week 19 Review - Jan. 18
2009 NFL Week 20 Review - Jan. 25
Super Bowl XLIV Live Blog - Feb. 7
2008: Live 2008 NFL Draft Blog - April 26
2008 NFL Kickoff Blog - Sept. 4
NFL Week 1 Review - Sept. 8
NFL Week 2 Review - Sept. 15
NFL Week 3 Review - Sept. 22
NFL Week 4 Review - Sept. 29
NFL Week 5 Review - Oct. 6
NFL Week 6 Review - Oct. 13
NFL Week 7 Review - Oct. 20
NFL Week 8 Review - Oct. 27
NFL Week 9 Review - Nov. 3
NFL Week 10 Review - Nov. 10
NFL Week 11 Review - Nov. 17
NFL Week 12 Review - Nov. 24
NFL Week 13 Review - Dec. 1
NFL Week 14 Review - Dec. 8
NFL Week 15 Review - Dec. 15
NFL Week 16 Review - Dec. 22
NFL Week 17 Review - Dec. 29
NFL Wild Card Playoffs Review - Jan. 4
NFL Divisional Playoffs Review - Jan. 11
NFL Championship Sunday Review - Jan. 19
Super Bowl XLIII Live Blog
2007: NFL Draft: Day 1 Review Blog - April 28
Quarterback Rankings - June 25
NFL Kickoff Blog - Sept. 6
Chief Carl Has Lost a Step - Sept. 9
The NFL Cheated the Patriots - Sept. 16
NFL Week 3 Wrap-Up - Sept. 23
NFL Week 4 Wrap-Up - Sept. 30
NFL Week 5 Wrap-Up - Oct. 7
NFL Week 6 Wrap-Up - Oct. 14
NFL Week 7 Wrap-Up - Oct. 21
NFL Week 8 Wrap-Up - Oct. 28
NFL Week 9 Wrap-Up - Nov. 4
NFL Week 10 Wrap-Up - Nov. 11
NFL Week 11 Wrap-Up - Nov. 18
NFL Week 12 Wrap-Up - Nov. 25
NFL Week 13 Wrap-Up - Dec. 2
NFL Week 14 Wrap-Up - Dec. 9
NFL Week 15 Wrap-Up - Dec. 16
NFL Week 16 Wrap-Up - Dec. 23
NFL Week 17 Wrap-Up - Dec. 30
NFL Week 18 Wrap-Up - Jan. 6
NFL Week 19 Wrap-Up - Jan. 13
2008 Championship Sunday Diary - Jan. 20
Super Bowl XLII Live Blog - Feb. 3
© 1999-2013 Walter Cherepinsky : all rights reserved
Privacy Policy
2 5 9


Leave a comment