Monday, October 31, 2011

NFL 11 Week 8 synopsis

Well, at least the Colts didn’t look so bad this week. We set no more new records for losses, so that’s a plus. We started out once again with a fumble to start the game, but at least we recovered it. Then we started this habit of a holding penalty on every punt return, followed by a false start. Both were half the distance to the goal penalties. We started with 1st and 15, 1st and 18, then 1st and 22. And it continued. We just looked bad. It also did not help that we had yet another offensive tackle injured, so we had our fifth offensive line

And with all that, it was 20-0 at halftime. And despite that being too big of a hole to dig out off, but thankfully we kicked a field goal. Then ran in a TD. It was nice to see the offense score. Our defense looked better, until they got tired after the second Painter pick (the first was not his fault, but a deflection and an amazing defensive play). But once again, he had trouble keeping plays alive, either by over or under-throwing his receivers, commonly one-hopping balls. Even without Addai, the running game was our only offensive strength. In fact, Painter had 4 runs, averaging nearly 20 yards (maybe he should run instead of throwing).

We also had problems on Special Teams. I already mentioned the penalties. I was also yelling at them to stop running the ball out of the endzone. Take a freaking touchback. At least that gives us a chance to start out on the 20 instead of inside the 10. Because of that, we also had trouble barely avoiding safeties. The Titans first TD of a game came from a blocked punt. Being backed up makes it easier for them to get to the kicker. It was the first blocked punt of Pat MacAfee’s career. Can’t blame him, just the field position and the blockers.

Again, we had a few unfair penalties that kept the game out of reach. Specifically, we got called for a helmet-to-helmet, when it hit a guy’s shoulder, and worse, they did a helmet-to-helmet, and the ref picked it up (the ref also kept getting confused on which team did what. I didn’t like him).

Good news is that toward the end of the third, they came out slinging and actually looked like there was something to build on. I’m still hoping to win one this season. If we can avoid the stupid penalties and put together an offensive drive onto the other side of the field, maybe even find the endzone, and we might actually win a game.

Rest of the League:
Steelers-Pats. The Steelers looked good. More importantly, they got a safety at the end of the game. Because Tom Brady is a chump.

Rams-Saints. So the Rams were without their QB, but finally had their RB healthy, and he performed. The Saints, however, were apparently so exhausted from scoring more than 60 points the week before, they simply could not put together any offense. Brees was sacked 6 times, and their defense allowed 31 points to give the Rams their first win of the season. That’s right. First win against a team who the week before set a new record for most points scored.

Ravens-Cards. The Ravens decided to let Arizona run up the score just to make their win look better.

Giants-Fins. Miami also almost got their first win against an actual good team, but Eli did his thing, representing the Manning name well again.

Lions-Broncos. The Lions are this year’s dream team (and you thought it was Philly, you silly head). Tim Tebow, well, he’s not the Messiah. He’s still a rookie. They were ready to crown him in his first start, now their ready to crucify him (perhaps a more accurate Messiah reference). Give the kid a chance. Stop reacting and see how things play out.

Bills-Skins. One of the talking heads on TV said it well. “Playing in Toronto, the Redskins couldn’t get their offense through customs.”

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