Ten Things We Learned On The NFL’s Fifteenth Sunday

Added on Dec 20, 2010 by Scott in

NFL

Yesterday provided telling evidence as to why the NFL is the most exciting sport on the planet. There were stunning upsets, thrilling comebacks, last-second wins and heartbreaking defeats. The Jets and Colts bounced back, while the Bucs and Jaguars stumbled. Matt Cassel made a triumphant return, Rex Grossman looked shockingly good and Matt Flynn nearly knocked off the mighty Patriots. There was much to be learned on this drama-filled Sunday. Ten things to be exact.

10. Ray Rice was in beast mode – Ray Rice has had a somewhat disappointing season as compared to 2009, although the Saints probably wouldn’t agree after he torched them to the tune of 233 total yards and two touchdowns. When Baltimore needed their workhorse to come up big, the little man from Rutgers answered the bell. Nobody is talking about the Ravens, but if Rice continues his December surge, the AFC should beware.

9. The T.O show has been canceled – Mr. Me, who spent much of last week trashing the Bengals coaching staff, had karma bite him in his oversized ego on Sunday when he went down with a knee injury that will end his 2010 season and most likely his stay in Cincinnati. Where will the never boring wide receiver land next year? How about a swan song in San Francisco?

8. The Cowboys defense made Rex Grossman look legit – I’d love to give sexy Rexy all the credit for his 322 yard, four touchdown performance versus Dallas, but c’mon — the guy still accounted for three costly turnovers. In addition, the Dallas secondary is abysmal, horrible and ghastly all rolled into one. However, Grossman looked better than Donovan McNabb, which is beyond puzzling.

7. The Colts are still the Colts – Anyone really believe the Jags would waltz into Indy and seize the division? Yeah, I didn’t think so. When they needed it most, the Colts found a running game in the form of second-year man Donald Brown, who rumbled for 129 yards and a score. More importantly, Manning took care of the ball. Amidst all the injuries and setbacks, Indianapolis is once again atop the AFC South.

6. Dan Carpenter needs a paper bag - For his head. The Dolphins kicker missed four field goals against Buffalo. Convert two or even one, and Miami might steal a victory. To be fair, none of the attempts was a gimme: 48, 61, 53 and 48. However, when your job is to make field goals, you should probably do so, or you won’t be employed for very long.

5. The Eagles are fun to watch – Down 21 with less than eight minutes to play, Philly looked finished. Then Michael Vick and the special teams went to work. 28 points later and the guys in green had completed an improbable comeback victory to take control of the NFC East. Punting to DeSean Jackson was dumb, but it shouldn’t mask how horrendous the Giants defense played in the fourth quarter.

4. Matt Cassel makes the Chiefs respectable – Without Cassel, the Chiefs have no shot. With him, they are worthy of a playoff spot, although it remains to be seen if they can hang with the rest of the AFC. Props to Cassel for gutting it out eleven days after having his appendix removed. If that was Vince Young, he would’ve missed a month.

3. The Lions are gritty – For the first time since 2007, the motor city cats felt the joy of winning away from home. Head coach Jim Schwartz has done a commendable job this year considering he’s down to his third quarterback. By the way, that Calvin Johnson guy is pretty, pretty darn amazing, eh?

2. Mark Sanchez didn’t flinch – He wasn’t spectacular by any stretch, but Sanchez didn’t commit any turnovers and managed to finally get the offense into the end zone using his own legs. Their run game is still not performing up to snuff and the defense is allowing too many big plays. That being said, Rex Ryan’s bunch will be a tough out in the postseason.

1. The Patriots always find a way – A defensive pick-six and a 71-yard kickoff return by an offensive lineman was what it took for the Pats to beat the Pack. I’m sure Bill Belichick wasn’t thrilled by the overall execution, but the results were the same. Defeating New England will take a flawless effort and even then I’m not so sure it will be enough.