The Buccaneers went all-in to shut down the Colts’ pathetic running game, daring Curtis Painter to beat them. He very nearly did. Painter was credited with two long touchdown throws to Pierre Garcon, though one of them traveled all of two yards down the field. The Colts QB was game, but the Bucs defense […]

Quick takes on the afternoon games around the NFL… New York 31 – Arizona 27 The Good: The Cardinals have been waiting for this game from Beanie Wells since the day they drafted him out of Ohio State. All they needed was their much-maligned offensive line to gel, and to get him into the backfield […]

Week 4 is the last full slate of games before the bye weeks start, and for teams entering the bye, a chance to make something positive to build on for the next two weeks of practice. This week’s games is another odd one, like Week 2, with no conference matchups in it. (The schedule makers […]

It’s inexplicable, it really is. The NFL may be a passing league but one of the few time-tested and approved uses for the running game is to preserve leads, big leads especially. The clock becomes your friend and your opponent’s enemy. And if the clock in your friend, your high-motor bulldozer running back is your […]

Michael Vick, bench fodder? With apologies to Chris Johnson owners, no player has been more disappointing in fantasy so far this year than Michael Vick. With passing numbers hitting historic heights, Vick has yet to throw for more than 250 yards in a game, and has failed to crack the 200 mark twice. Moreover, where […]

The NFC South may now be the most competitive division in football, top to bottom, thanks to the surprisingly fast emergence of Cam Newton as an NFL-ready weapon. But the team poised to take the biggest step forward is the team now facing the slowest start. The Atlanta Falcons looked very good in the second […]

While the NFL’s passing numbers are racing out to a record start, the number of true “impact” running backs is dropping. With Chris Johnson out of shape and Adrian Peterson being inexplicably taken out of his team’s gameplan while trying (and failing) to hold leads, the title of “best NFL running back” is up for […]

After three weeks of action in the 2011 NFL season, we’re starting to think we know something about these teams. That gives us plenty of things to talk about, and a golden opportunity to put thoughts in print. In just a few weeks, we can be point to these snap judgements triumphantly, or be deeply […]

  Anonymous feet outdid the famous arms on the field as ten total field goals were kicked in a 18-16 Dallas win. Nine of them were good, six of them by Dallas’ Dan Bailey. A mishandled snap on a Graham Gano attempt provided the game’s winning margin. This is what the famed Dallas-Washington rivalry has […]

Buffalo 34, New England 31 Twisted Sister: We’re Not Going to Take It http://youtube.com/watch?v=WT1LXhgXPWs The national bandwagon for the Buffalo Bills has officially started. After winning their first two games people were still not too sure what to think of the Bills. But after their come from behind win for the second week in a […]

On an ugly evening of football, at least one team came to play – the Indianapolis Colts’ defense. Unfortunately, their offense showed up as well, and spoiled what was almost a massive upset over a logey Pittsburgh Steelers team. The Good: Colts defensive ends Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis were their usual terrifying selves, rushing […]

Baltimore 37 – St. Louis 7 This one was done early. The Ravens walked into St. Louis and beat the Rams up and down the field this afternoon. The Good: Joe Flacco paired up with Torrey Smith for touchdowns on three occasions in the first half, and the smashmouth Ravens had a 27-0 lead at […]

Another game, another pounding for Michael Vick. After getting concussed by his own lineman on a pass rush last week, Vick has already exited today’s game twice. He has been far from the best player on the field while on the field — that honor goes to LeSean McCoy — in an overall disappointing day […]