Game recrap: It was probably one of the least-watched games of the NFL season so far as the Lions and Rams traded stupid mistakes. First, the Rams gave up a safety on an interception, then the Lions allowed a score on a fake FG, but ultimately the Rams were able to grind it out in the fourth, winning 17-10.
Game recap: If this is Brett Favre’s final season in the NFL, he can retire knowing full well that he swept the team he felt shunned him just two years ago.
Game recap: Donovan McNabb and the Eagles passing attack took apart the Giants Sunday, 40-17, and Philadelphia remains undefeated in the division. McNabb outperformed his counterpart and the Eagles defense shined.
Fantasy studs: Maurice Jones-Drew, RB, JAC (eight carries for 177 yards and two TDs) -- That is a ton of yards on so few carries. He was Jacksonville’s offense and his scoring runs were 80-yard and 79-yard respectively. On a side note, QB David Garrard did get down field to block for him on one of MJD’s scores. And Chris Johnson, RB, TEN (24 carries for 228 yards and two TDs, two catches for 11 yards) Johnson torched the Jags on Sunday and became the league’s leading rusher in the process. These stats were bittersweet for me – I have Johnson on a fantasy league, but as a Jag fan was very hurt. Cue the violin.
Fantasy stud: Ray Rice, RB, BAL -- The Ravens leading rusher and receiver scored a touchdown for the third game in a row. He now has four touchdowns in the last three games.
Fantasy stud: Tony Romo, QB, DAL (21 of 36, 256 yards, three touchdowns) -- Take away a lost fumble and Romo had an outstanding outing, going without an interception for the third straight game. Honorable mention goes to Seahawks QB Matt Hasselbeck, who had similar numbers to Romo (22 of 39 for 249 yards and two touchdowns). Meanwhile, Cowboys WR Miles Austin continues to be the Waiver Wire Pickup of the Year, catching five passes for 61 yards and a touchdown. RB Marion Barber also had a decent day, rushing for 53 yards and a touchdown on 14 carries.
Fantasy dud: Kurt Warner, QB. ARI (27 of 46, 242 yards, two touchdowns, five interceptions, one fumble) -- Warner accounted for all six of the Cards turnovers. What more do you need to say?
Fantasy duds: Steve Slaton, RB, HOU (one carry for one yard, two catches for 10 yards and a fumble) Slaton leads the league in fumbles this season and apparently one more in Week 8 was too much for Texans head coach Gary Kubiak. Slaton has been a bit of a disappointment and is experiencing the sophomore slump. And Matt Schaub, QB, HOU (25-of-34 for 268 yards, no TDs and two INTs) This was the first game since Week 1 that Schaub didn’t throw a TD pass. He has been a good fantasy QB this season, but today he was subpar.
Let me introduce you to: Cleveland’s sore rear end -- Cleveland has lost three straight games and 13 of its last 14 games overall. Today, the Browns were held to 191 total yards, had five turnovers, three fumbles lost and two interceptions thrown. The only points they had came off of a 1-yard TD run by Derek Anderson and the extra point was blocked.
Let me introduce you to: Ryan Moats, RB, HOU – Moats was the beneficiary of RB Steve Slaton’s fumble and benching because he was able to put up a monster day. Heading into Week 8, Moats had 15 carries for 56 yards and no TDs. The four-year vet previously had career numbers of 497 rushing yards and four TDs (including this season), so this was his breakout game.
Stat of the day: 104 -- The total yards of offense that the Jets held Miami to, and still lost.
Stat of the day: 0 -- That’s how many TD passes QB Peyton Manning threw on Sunday. It’s the first time since Week 13 of the 2008 season that he has gone without throwing at least one score.
Stat of the day: Panthers QB Jake Delhomme was 7 of 14 for 90 yards and a touchdown pass. By limiting Delhomme to just 14 pass attempts, the Panthers limited the chances he had to make a crucial mistake. Also, his one TD pass to Steve Smith resulted in over half his day’s passing yards.
Rookie look: If not for LeSean McCoy’s 66-yard TD run in the fourth quarter, he would have been held to just 16 yards on 10 carries. With Brian Westbrook out, McCoy carried the load, but still only got 13 touches.
Rookie look: Vikings rookie WR Percy Harvin had a big day, catching five passes for 84 yards and a touchdown. He also had five kickoff returns for 175 yards, including a 77-yarder that setup a Vikings score.
Key Injuries: Owen Daniels, TE, HOU – Daniels had one catch for 22 yards on the day before leaving with a season-ending knee injury.
Defense/Special teams: Despite getting to QB Aaron Rodgers six times, the Vikings allowed 26 points (23 of which came in the second half), 351 total net yards and did not record a single turnover. The Packers did force two turnovers, but they also allowed 355 total net yards and didn’t get to Brett Favre once – not to mention the 38 points they allowed.
Defense/Special Teams: The stat sheet only shows two sacks, but the Baltimore defense was in Kyle Orton's face all day. The Ravens gave up 79 yards of offense in the first half, allowed just one touchdown and forced Denver to punt eight times (the most since Week 1 for DEN). Ed Reed forced a fumble after he laid a huge hit on rookie RB Knowshon Moreno. This is all in addition to the TD return. They lived up to their reputation on Sunday as a solid fantasy D/ST. Denver's defense recorded two sacks. Elvis Dumervil had just two tackles and the league leader in sacks was held without a sack for just the third time this season.
Look ahead: Oakland has a bye next week, which is good for all the players hurting on that roster. If all goes well, Darren McFadden might be healthy enough to suit up in Week 10 against the Chiefs. The Chargers head to the east coast to take on the reeling N. Y. Giants, losers of three straight. San Diego needs to keep winning and stay in striking distance of the one-loss Broncos.
Look ahead: If you can't beat the Rams at home, chances are you aren't going to beat the Seahawks on the road. Detroit is likely going to remain firmly at their place in the NFC basement. The Rams get to ride these good feelings into a bye next week.
Things you didn’t know: Ted Ginn Jr. became the first player to return two kickoffs for TDs in the same quarter since Green Bay’s Travis Williams in 1967.
Things you didn’t know: The Chargers have swept the season series with the Raiders for the sixth straight year, and some San Diego players have never lost to Oakland.
Final take: Regardless of what you’ve seen this week from the Cowboys, Eagles and Giants, the NFC East is still wide open and can be taken by anyone. All three teams are way too inconsistent to be able to declare a favorite right now. The same can be said for the NFC West as the Seahawks, Cardinals and 49ers haven’t really shown enough consistency either.
Final take: Jacksonville – Apparently the Jaguars are playing for the NFL draft in April 2010 and are hoping that stadium gets built in LA in a hurry. Tennessee – This win was more of a moral boost for the team. They were an NFL best 13-3 last season, but are sitting at 1-6 in 2009.
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