Monday’s Night Headlines
It took just a few more unimpressive losses and a scandalous rumor to end Josh McDaniels reign as the Bronco’s head coach. Last week following another embarrassing Sunday loss, this time to the Rams at Investco Field, team owner Pat Bowlen gave assurance in an interview after the game that McDaniels job was safe. 24 hours later Bowlen basically retracted that statement, saying he would do what’s in the best interest of the franchise. After Sunday’s road loss to the Chiefs in the midst of Spygate II, Bowlen obviously took another look at the direction of his team and on Monday night hours before the Pats-Jets matchup, the decision came down to cut ties with the 34-year old McDaniels.
It was a magical start with six straight wins, but poor personnel decisions and people management quickly undid what McDaniels was trying to build. After a 6-0 start, McDaniels lost 17 of his next 22 games including the Massacre at Mile High; a 45 point trouncing at the hands of one of the Bronco’s biggest nemisis’, the Oakland Raiders. Losses to the Chargers, Rams, and most recently an uninspired 10-6 losing effort at the hands of the Chiefs were enough for Bowlen to hand the kid his papers.
The question looking ahead now, who will Bowlen seek to lead his team in 2011?
Favre Streak Coming To An End?
On Sunday in the Vikings impressive dismantling of the Buffalo Bills, quarterback Brett Favre was knocked out early in the first quarter when he took a hard shot from behind and had to leave the game with a shoulder injury. The injury Favre sustained kept him on the sideline for the rest of the game and after an MRI on Monday it was determine Favre suffered a sprained shoulder that could have him sitting longer. According to the Vikings head coach Leslie Frazier, no surgery is needed so the word for now is day-to-day and lots of rest for the 41-year old.
In the case of Favre, of course it will take a lot to keep him out of next Sunday’s game with the Giants. After watching Jackson play last Sunday completing 15 of 22 for 187 yards and two touchdowns for Frazier the move to the bench looks like it will be a smooth transition. A final note for the fantasy friendly, Jackson’s play didn’t seem to hurt Adrian Peterson’s effectiveness and production and Sidney Rice’s 5-catch 105 yards receiving and two touchdowns would suggest the two are already in sync as well.
If there ever was a good time for Favre to exit and end his incredible 298 game starting streak, this might be the time. Sure hitting 300 would be an accomplishment, but the bigger picture for the Vikings is life after Favre. The team saw some good things from Jackson on Sunday and with the playoffs seemingly out of reach, in one of the modern era’s definitive team sports, there is no greater opportunity for Favre to take one for the team than at this moment and sit down.
Could Jackson Be The Start Of Something New?
It only took nearly two full seasons for quarterback Tarvaris Jackson to return to the field and see some action in a meaningful game; the last time before Sunday was in December of 2008. On Sunday Jackson entered the Viking’s game against the Bills in the first quarter and showed a lot of NFL experts and analysts what they could only speculate about; his play. For the most part he had to impress many with his play. Using his athletics skills and great mobility, Jackson was able to move around the pocket, extend plays and make throws to lead the Vikings to their second straight post-Childress victory.
One could hardly make great assumptions about the future based on just one game, but after watching this one particular game one would have to like what they see and be very optimistic about the Vikings post-Favre era. Jackson was pretty sharp on Sunday completing 68 percent of his passes and throwing two touchdowns to the team’s best receiver (Sidney Rice). Jackson also showed great mobility scrambling for 22 yards. In the Viking’s 38-14 win Jackson gave Viking fans a glimpse of what the future might hold.
No one knows just yet for sure when the future might happen, but when it does it already appears that Jackson will fit nicely into a picture that includes running back Adrian Peterson, wide receiver’s Sidney Rice, and Percy Harvin.
Patriots Stake Their Claim As The Best
It was deemed to be a great matchup of two AFC powers going head-to-head and vying for supremacy in the East. It was supposed to be, but for one thing; only one team showed up. From out of the gate the Patriots quickly proved on Monday night who the better team is.
The Patriots and quarterback Tom Brady wasted very little time going to work right away and scoring on their first four drives; FG, TD, TD, & TD. It was enough to put the Jets on their heels and on the run for the rest of the night. The Jets came out right away and tried to be aggressive throwing the ball early, but lack of success only fueled the Patriot’s engines and quickly changed the complexion of the game.
After failing to score on their initial drive (missed field goal attempt), couple with a three-and-out, the Jets quickly found themselves playing catchup and getting away from what they do best; run the ball.
The Patriots dictated the tempo, forced the action and quickly put this one away by halftime 24-3. Sure there was a whole second half to be played. While Rex and the boys worked out the kinks to get the offense on track, they never had an answer for Tom Brady and the Patriots offense. Brady was near perfect finishing the evening with a 148.9 passer rating after completing 21 of 29 passes for 326 yards and four touchdowns. The four touchdowns gave Brady 15 in his last five games to go along with 1,427 yards passing over the same stretch.
Clearly Monday night was a statement game and the Patriots made it loud and clear who the best team was not only on this night, but perhaps in the league. If not thee best team, one of the best teams and with in all likelihood the best quarterback in the game today.
By David Ortega
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