December 20th, 2010 Monday
Monday’s Headlines
Favre Makes a Final MNF Appearance
It was short lived, but future hall of fame quarterback Brett Favre tried his best to give fans one last hurrah. Only yesterday was Favre being ruled out of Monday Night’s matchup with the Bears, but then earlier today his status was upgraded to “questionable.” As if any of this should surprise anyone, this is Brett Favre and in the true spirit of the legendary number four, just before the start of the game it was announced he would start. And start he did, but unlike some of those more memorable Monday night finishes, this would be one without the Mr. Favre. The Vikings quarterback gave it the old college try, but a hard sack in the first half knocked him out of the game with a concussion. It has been a fun ride through 20 seasons and 297 straight starts, but at 41 years of age this was likely the last time we’ve seen Favre play; where have we heard that before?
Cassel Makes Timely Return
Just when his team needed him most, Chiefs quarterback Matt Cassel made his return to action on Sunday and led his team to a much needed win on the road. Cassel had missed week 4 due to the appendectomy he had suffered, but the time off did him good as well as his team. Against the Rams on Sunday, the Chiefs offense was a much different group than what fans saw only a week earlier (0 points & 67 total net yards). Yesterday with Cassel under center, the Chiefs offense churned out 383 yards of offense and 27 points and easily handled their foes. With Cassel back the Chiefs look ripe to take the division, but they will still have to face an upstart Titan’s team next week and their old adversaries (the Raiders) in the season finale.
Tebow Earns Another Start
It wasn’t all pretty on Sunday, but apparently the young rookie (Tim Tebow) showed enough grit to warrant a second look. Against the Raiders, the Broncos’ quarterback made plays with his legs as well as his arm. Tebow only threw 16 passes on the day, but completed 8 for 138 yards and a 33 yard touchdown pass to Brandon Lloyd. Tebow was a duel threat on the afternoon, scrambling at times and running at others on his way to 78 yards, including a 40 yard quarterback keeper for a touchdown. Some of his throws looked more wild and errant than precise, but there was a few that he looked poised and delivered on time. Tebow did add some spark to the offense on Sunday, but clearly his game plan package was scaled down greatly. If the Broncos are going to get a good look at the kid, they will need to open up the playbook more; and Texan’s (32nd ranked pass defense) arrival to Denver could not be timelier.
Patriots Keep On Winning
It was a lot closer than many had expected, but the Patriots notched their 12 win of the season with a 31-27 victory over the visiting Green Bay Packers. The Packers keep it close and stay competitive Sunday night, but when you come to Foxboro if you expect to win you had better bring your best game. It was safe to say, the Packers did not have their best (missing quarterback Aaron Rodgers), but they did give it their best shot taking this one down to the wire. With less than 30 seconds left in the game this one was still in the air, but that’s as close as it would get. Despite missing Rodgers, the Packers played a good game, but it just wasn’t enough to overcome quarterback Tom Brady and the Patriots. Brady and the Patriots passing game started the evening slow, but both finished strong as the league’s top vote-getter finished with 163 yards passing and two touchdowns. Brady raised his season and league leading passing touchdown total to 31 against just four picks. His four interceptions are also the lowest for any NFL quarterback with a minimum of 200 passes; how do you spell MVP, B-R-A-D-Y.
Colts Take Back the South
It was probably the first time in quite a number of seasons that the Colts have had to battle for a playoff berth this late in the season. On Sunday Peyton Manning and company actually took the field trailing the division leaders (Jaguars) by one game and desperately needed the win or they would be watching the playoffs from home this season. It typical Manning fashion, he and the Colts saved their best for home. Yesterday the Colts faced the Jaguars at Lucas Oil Stadium before a capacity crowd and the home team did not disappoint. The Colts came out fast and caught their opponents flat footed. Manning carved up the defense mixing up his play calls and leading the offense to an opening drive touchdown. It was enough to put the Colts in front where they would remain throughout the afternoon. The Jaguars fought the good fight and even got this won close, but the loss leaves them in a most precarious situation. With only two games left in the season; if the Colts win out, they will take the South and the Jaguars will be left with nothing more than a “what if.”
By David Ortega
It was short lived, but future hall of fame quarterback Brett Favre tried his best to give fans one last hurrah. Only yesterday was Favre being ruled out of Monday Night’s matchup with the Bears, but then earlier today his status was upgraded to “questionable.” As if any of this should surprise anyone, this is Brett Favre and in the true spirit of the legendary number four, just before the start of the game it was announced he would start. And start he did, but unlike some of those more memorable Monday night finishes, this would be one without the Mr. Favre. The Vikings quarterback gave it the old college try, but a hard sack in the first half knocked him out of the game with a concussion. It has been a fun ride through 20 seasons and 297 straight starts, but at 41 years of age this was likely the last time we’ve seen Favre play; where have we heard that before?
Cassel Makes Timely Return
Just when his team needed him most, Chiefs quarterback Matt Cassel made his return to action on Sunday and led his team to a much needed win on the road. Cassel had missed week 4 due to the appendectomy he had suffered, but the time off did him good as well as his team. Against the Rams on Sunday, the Chiefs offense was a much different group than what fans saw only a week earlier (0 points & 67 total net yards). Yesterday with Cassel under center, the Chiefs offense churned out 383 yards of offense and 27 points and easily handled their foes. With Cassel back the Chiefs look ripe to take the division, but they will still have to face an upstart Titan’s team next week and their old adversaries (the Raiders) in the season finale.
Tebow Earns Another Start
It wasn’t all pretty on Sunday, but apparently the young rookie (Tim Tebow) showed enough grit to warrant a second look. Against the Raiders, the Broncos’ quarterback made plays with his legs as well as his arm. Tebow only threw 16 passes on the day, but completed 8 for 138 yards and a 33 yard touchdown pass to Brandon Lloyd. Tebow was a duel threat on the afternoon, scrambling at times and running at others on his way to 78 yards, including a 40 yard quarterback keeper for a touchdown. Some of his throws looked more wild and errant than precise, but there was a few that he looked poised and delivered on time. Tebow did add some spark to the offense on Sunday, but clearly his game plan package was scaled down greatly. If the Broncos are going to get a good look at the kid, they will need to open up the playbook more; and Texan’s (32nd ranked pass defense) arrival to Denver could not be timelier.
Patriots Keep On Winning
It was a lot closer than many had expected, but the Patriots notched their 12 win of the season with a 31-27 victory over the visiting Green Bay Packers. The Packers keep it close and stay competitive Sunday night, but when you come to Foxboro if you expect to win you had better bring your best game. It was safe to say, the Packers did not have their best (missing quarterback Aaron Rodgers), but they did give it their best shot taking this one down to the wire. With less than 30 seconds left in the game this one was still in the air, but that’s as close as it would get. Despite missing Rodgers, the Packers played a good game, but it just wasn’t enough to overcome quarterback Tom Brady and the Patriots. Brady and the Patriots passing game started the evening slow, but both finished strong as the league’s top vote-getter finished with 163 yards passing and two touchdowns. Brady raised his season and league leading passing touchdown total to 31 against just four picks. His four interceptions are also the lowest for any NFL quarterback with a minimum of 200 passes; how do you spell MVP, B-R-A-D-Y.
Colts Take Back the South
It was probably the first time in quite a number of seasons that the Colts have had to battle for a playoff berth this late in the season. On Sunday Peyton Manning and company actually took the field trailing the division leaders (Jaguars) by one game and desperately needed the win or they would be watching the playoffs from home this season. It typical Manning fashion, he and the Colts saved their best for home. Yesterday the Colts faced the Jaguars at Lucas Oil Stadium before a capacity crowd and the home team did not disappoint. The Colts came out fast and caught their opponents flat footed. Manning carved up the defense mixing up his play calls and leading the offense to an opening drive touchdown. It was enough to put the Colts in front where they would remain throughout the afternoon. The Jaguars fought the good fight and even got this won close, but the loss leaves them in a most precarious situation. With only two games left in the season; if the Colts win out, they will take the South and the Jaguars will be left with nothing more than a “what if.”
By David Ortega
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