Watching New England at Dallas here and it’s a dinger of a game. 21-17 to the Patriots at half time. Brady has been superb - he’s thrown 3 first half TD passes and has become the first ever QB to throw at least 3 TD passes in the first 6 games of the season.
The Patriots were well in control at 14-3 before Brady was hit on his blind side and the Cowboys returned the fumble for a TD. Brady responded though and drove the Patriots back down for a second TD pass to Wes Welker.
Tony Romo then led the Cowboys on a super drive just before half time and found Terrell Owens in the end zone.
It’s a cracker.
Devon Hester returned another kick-off earlier on but the Bears lost at home to the Vikings.
Critical win for my beloved Eagles at the Jets too. We’re 2-3 now and look set to go on an impressive winning streak from here.
That Buccaneers - Titans game was shocking last night. I was flicking and came across a CFB game on NASN. Thought at first it was going to be Canadian Football which I hate watching because it’s only 3 downs and then a turnover which destroys momentum a bit.
Anyway turned out to be a college ball game instead which was far more exciting. It was Auburn at Arkansas and Auburn were leading 3-0 with 10 minutes to go. Arkansas went through two quick possessions without even threatening to move the chains and Auburn got themselves a field goal with 2 minutes on the clock. Then from never looking like even completing a successful pass the Arkansas quater back launched a long pass on first down. He threw to double coverage but pass interference was given against the defender. Ball was advanced 15 yards (is that always the rule - does it sometimes not get moved to where the ball would be caught?) and this gave Arkansas momentum. Three quick first downs from their running back and then they scored a touchdown with a cracking pass out to the wide receiver.
Place went wild (far more atmosphere than NFL games it has to be said) but Auburn didn’t crack and used their 50 seconds to go up the field and land a field goal to clinch it.
Smashing last 10 minutes, though I’d say the first 3 quarters were a bore. The clock time seems to be 25 seconds to play in though for college football as opposed to 40 seconds. That made a big difference at the end because it requires you to execute far more play. In NFL it can be all too easy to kill 2 minutes near the end with the extended time.
In NFL a pass interference penalty results in the ball being moved forward to the point where the offence took place alright. Wasn’t aware of the college football ruling but I don’t get to see much college football as I don’t have nasn. I always thought it was impressive/weird the way the whole community in these college towns/cities get thoroughly behind their sides - the attendances are absolutely phenomenal and in many places college sport is considered more important than the pro equivalent.
The Patriots ended up pulling away to win 48-27 last night. Brady ended up throwing 5 TD passes. Off the hook, off the chain.
They go 97 yards with no timeouts left from their own 3 yard line with 1:53 on the clock to get a game winning TD with only 9 seconds left.
Our defence was superb but we’re just not firing in the red zone at all this season. In complete control in the first half but all we had to show for it was 3 field goals and a series of incompletions inside the 20.
McNabb’s injuries have taken their toll and outside of the outstanding Brian Westbrook we lack penetration on offence.
We’re 2-4 now so I think I might start supporting a different team.
Saw the second quarter Bandage and it was a microcosm of what you’ve described there for the whole game. Right before the end they’d a chance at a TD completion to the open tight end but McNabb messed up the throw.
That guy Westrbook looked quality though. Anything special from Hester?
Eagles specifically avoided Hester with all punts and kick-offs so he didn’t get to return any. Akers kicked-off with a ‘pooch’ kick each time, a kind of floated dunt out to the wing that was landing on the 30 with Hester waiting deep. So the Bears generally brought it back 5/10 yards from there to start with relatively good field position but the Eagles were happy with the trade off. As for punts, most of them went through the end zone with the Bears starting on the 20 until the last punt by the Eagles where he pinned them back on the 3 yard line and it looked game over. Alas, it wasn’t.
Miami Dolphins linebacker Channing Crowder has admitted not knowing people speak English in London.
Miami Dolphin Channing CrowderThe NFL player might want to check a map to see where he’s playing Sunday’s prestige game against the New York Giants at Wembley Stadium.
Crowder, who comes from Atlanta in Georgia, may be praised on the field, but confessed geography was not his strong point.
He admitted he did not know until now where London was - or that Londoners spoke English.
“I couldn’t find London on a map if they didn’t have the names of the countries,” he said.
“I swear to God. I don’t know what nothing is. I know Italy looks like a boot. I learned that.”
Crowder added: "I know (Washington Redskins linebacker) London Fletcher. We did a football camp together. So I know him.
“That’s the closest thing I know to London. He’s black, so I’m sure he’s not from London. I’m sure that’s a coincidental name.”
The Miami Dolphins are play the New York Giants at Wembley this Sunday in the first NFL regular-season game to be played outside the United States.
Looking forward to the game at Wembley today though the Giants should blow the Dolphins away completely. It’s a 5pm kick off on Sky Sports 2. I might do a few bets later on.
Bit of a dogfight at Wembley where it’s absolutely pi$$ing rain. 13-3 to the Giants in the 3rd quarter but the conditions have made throwing the ball a lottery. It’s all about grinding up field through the running game. I badly need the Giants to win this as I did a ridiculous bet earlier which I shouldn’t publicise (thoughts of it would even make Oisn McConville shudder).
Very enjoyable night’s American Football so far and I’m even staying up for as much as possible of my beloved Philadelphia Eagles entertaining Dallas (1.18am kick off).
Tom Brady just led the Patriots to a come from behind 24-20 victory at the defending champions, Indianapolis Colts. They were 20-10 down midway through the 4th quarter and he brought them on two smashing drives. There was also some outstanding catches by the wide receivers - Welker, Moss and Stallworth.
Earlier on there was some amazing scenes in Minnesota. The rookie, Adrian Peterson, who had a 200+ yards rushing game in Chicago a few weeks back broke the NFL rushing record today. He had 296 yards rushing against the Chargers and two fantastic long range TD runs. It was superb to watch. The Chargers also had a massive play just before half time - Minnesota tried a long range FG as time expired and one of the Chargers plucked the ball from under the cross bar and returned it 109 yards for a TD. It was off the hook, off the chain.
Anyway, we need a big showing from Donovan McNabb and Brian Westbrook and I hope our secondary put in some huge hits on that traitor filthbag, Terrell Owens.
Fireworks in Philly. From our very first play Donovan got hit from behind, coughed it up and Dallas got the turnover. That prick Terrell Owens then had a reception and Barber ran it in from close for 7-0. Donovan then showed his character by leading us on a 7 play, 75 yard drive before Westbrook brought it in for the tie. There was a great catch and run by Reggie Brown during the drive - getting him back from the disabled list is huge for us. Dallas driving again now - Romo is 6/6 for 76 yards.
Legged it back from work to try get my Thanksgiving Day gridiron bets on but Green Bay at Detroit had started at 5.30pm rather than 6pm as I anticipated. Paddy Power seemingly don’t let you bet on american football in running (sort it out Flanjo / Captain) so I’m restricted to the 2 later games:
New York Jets At Dallas Cowboys
Dallas Cowboys -14.0 @ 10 - 11
Indianapolis Colts At Atlanta Falcons
Indianapolis Colts -12.5 @ 10 - 11
Going for a bit of handicap action. Dallas are on fire offensively this season and Romo/TO are on a ridiculous hot streak. 4 TD receptions for TO on Sunday and the travelling won’t have done the Jets any favours either.
The second one’s riskier. The Colts have some key injuries with WR Marvin Harrison a crucial miss and they’ve struggled since losing to the Patriots a few weeks back. Atlanta have severe QB problems and are pretty inept. I take the Colts to start an upsurge in from tonight.
Detroit are 6-0 up and driving against The Pack by the way.
The Pack won 37-26 earlier on. Brett Favre had another 300+ yard game and threw 3 TDs. He also broke another record - most successive pass completions in a game in Packer history (20). Awesome from the veteran as the Pack move to 10-1 - the best record in the NFC.
The 9-1 Cowboys are looking to join them on 10 wins and they lead the Jets 21-3 at half time. The Cowboys aren’t flowing as well as usual but they’re primarily a second half team and so the first part of my double should come in.
Legged it back from work to try get my Thanksgiving Day gridiron bets on but Green Bay at Detroit had started at 5.30pm rather than 6pm as I anticipated. Paddy Power seemingly don’t let you bet on american football in running (sort it out Flanjo / Captain) so I’m restricted to the 2 later games:
New York Jets At Dallas Cowboys
Dallas Cowboys -14.0 @ 10 - 11
Indianapolis Colts At Atlanta Falcons
Indianapolis Colts -12.5 @ 10 - 11
Going for a bit of handicap action. Dallas are on fire offensively this season and Romo/TO are on a ridiculous hot streak. 4 TD receptions for TO on Sunday and the travelling won’t have done the Jets any favours either.
The second one’s riskier. The Colts have some key injuries with WR Marvin Harrison a crucial miss and they’ve struggled since losing to the Patriots a few weeks back. Atlanta have severe QB problems and are pretty inept. I take the Colts to start an upsurge in from tonight.
Detroit are 6-0 up and driving against The Pack by the way.
New York Jets 3-37 Dallas Cowboys
Indianapolis Colts 31-13 Atlanta Falcons
A nice 15/4 combined handicap double will pay for 18 pints (south Dublin city centre prices) for myself tonight.
I have a good thing going on the NFL. Please join me on this thread on Sunday and share in this wealth.
I was going to put on that double Bandage but I was too comfortable downstairs and didn’t make it upstairs to my computer in time. Then I saw the Cowboys were winning handily and I was pissed off because I’d already decided the Colts would win easily. Some form Favre is in though. Are they benefiting from an easy run of games or are the Packers the real deal?
Next Thursday night’s game when The Pack travel to Dallas will tell us a lot about them. It’s basically a shoot-out to see who’s currently the best team in the NFC and will decide who has home field advantage throughout the play-offs. I wasn’t sure about them earlier this season as they seemed to be grinding out wins without really opening their shoulders but in the last 4 or 5 weeks they’ve really started to dismantle teams and run up big scores. Favre is undoubtedly their main man and they’re a team who pass way more than they run. Previously they barely ran the ball at all but in the last few weeks they’ve promoted a new running back from within their ranks, Ryan Grant, who’s looked the part and added variety to their offence he had 100+ yards and a TD last night. They have a lot of capable receivers too so their offence is really clicking into gear. Their defence is very strong too, though Charles Woodson, possibly the best secondary defender (the defenders that defend deep against the wide receivers) in the NFL got injured last night. A lot will depend on how bad his injury is. They’re always incredibly hard to beat in the freezing cold at home but I think the trio of Romo/TO/Jason Witten will probably sneak past them at home next week. As they’re on course to be the top 2 seeds in the NFC it’s possible then that the NFC Championship game will be a re-match in Dallas in January. Man, I love this game.
