Brett Favre, Minnesota Vikings / Image: Zuma Press

After putting in an impressive 18-of-24 passing performance (with 232 yards and one touchdown) this afternoon, Brett proclaimed this Vikings team the best he has ever played for:

“From a talent level, this is the best team I’ve ever been on. Now, I’ve said this from day one. It’s all how it shakes out as far as—you gotta have luck, the injury bug is always a factor for everyone. But to me, how our chemistry continues to come together is the most important thing. And that goes from play calling to who runs this route better; what run and what play action comes off of one play to the next; just kind of getting into the zone, if you will. We won that game today, but we did not play our best football.”

You can say that again. After building a 14-point lead with an impressive opening drive and fumble return touchdown by Jared Allen, the Vikings kind of went to sleep. The only thing keeping the game from being close (at least on the scoreboard) in the first half were St. Louis turnovers. The Rams were controlling the clock and moving the ball up and down the field almost at will.

But, as with wins over Cleveland and Detroit earlier this season, Minnesota took their game up a notch in the second half and cruised to an easy four touchdown win. With that being said, however, it will take a better performance—much like last week’s MNF win over Green Bay—to stay competitive with the likes of Baltimore, Pittsburgh and Green Bay (again) in the next three weeks before a much-deserved bye.

Source: NFL.com

Post from: Every Morning Quarterback

Brett Favre 5-0 For the First Time

Torry Holt, Jacksonville Jaguars / Photo: Newscom

As far as I’m concerned, Torry’s got six-to-eight more years left in his career. You can’t base an opinion on his production — or lack thereof — with the Rams last season (64 catches, 796 yards, three TDs). STL was a train wreck. And they let their best receiver go in some kind of crazy “youth movement”. But if any other team needs help at the receiver position, it’s the Jags. Last offseason they thought they were getting some quality depth with the additions of Jerry Porter and Troy Williamson, but Jerry is no longer with the team and Troy struggled to stay on the field. Plus Matt Jones was waived because he can’t stay out of trouble. And unrestricted free agent Reggie Williams (an 11-game starter last season) is not listed on the team’s current roster. So, the receiver-depleted Jaguars are suddenly feeling a lot better about themselves.

Source: Jaguars.com

Post from: Every Morning Quarterback

Jaguars Sign Torry Holt

National Football League Blogcast, NFL Blogcast

To create nearly $8 million in salary cap space, the St. Louis Rams released seven-time Pro Bowl receiver Torry Holt today. Torry was one of the few remaining players from the Rams’ glory days — aka “The Greatest Show on Turf.” Ironically, one of the other remaining players, tackle Orlando Pace, was also released this week. That leaves only defensive end Leonard Little and quarterback Marc Bulger from the team that lost Super Bowl XXXVI to the Patriots. Owner Chip Rosenbloom said the decision wasn’t an easy one:

“The Rams will forever be grateful for the way Torry Holt represented the Rams on the field and in the community. Over the past 10 seasons Torry has proven himself to be one of the finest wide receivers in league history. This is a difficult decision because Torry has meant so much to the organization.”

Torry was one of the first players I interviewed when I began my NFL writing career back in 1999. He was the 6th overall pick in the NFL Draft that year. And he’s played in all but two games for the Rams since then. I think you find a way to keep this guy on your team. No matter what kind of rebuilding excuse you have, it makes no sense to get rid of your best offensive weapon. Torry led the Rams in receptions (64) in what was a miserable 2008 season. Of course, he’s spent most of his career leading the Rams in receptions. And Torry ranks 11th in NFL history with 869 receptions and he’s 14th overall with 12,660 receiving yards. To top it off, his 80.1 yards-per-game career receiving average is the best in NFL history. So, its the Rams loss. And forget T.J. Houshmandzadeh (who signed with the Seattle Seahawks a couple weeks ago). Torry Holt has suddenly becoming the most sought after free agent receiver this offseason (if you were compiling the entire list of free agents this offseason). I believe this is a guy who has five more years of great production and any receiver-needy team should be knocking down his door.

Source: StLouisRams.com, Photo: Newscom

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Rams Release Torry Holt

National Football League Blogcast, NFL Blogcast

The St. Louis Rams unloaded the foundation (literally) of their offensive line for the past 12 seasons today. To clear some much needed space under the salary cap ($6 million, in fact), left tackle Orlando Pace was released. Rams Owner/Chairman Chip Rosenbloom made the following statement today:

“I can’t begin to thank Orlando for all he has meant to the Rams organization, since we selected him with the first overall pick in the 1997 draft. It is never easy to end a relationship that has had as much success as ours, but in the best interest of Orlando and the Rams, we feel now is the right time. As a Super Bowl Champion and seven-time Pro Bowler, he has been a true professional and will always go down as one of the finest Rams of all time. We wish him, Carla and their children the very best as they move onto the next chapter of their football journey.”

Is there really going to be another chapter in Orlando’s football journey? Twelve years of playing left tackle at 325 pounds has taken its toll. Orlando had season-ending injuries in 2006 and 2007 that limited him to nine games in each those two years. Granted, he did manage to play in 14 games last season, but he’s 33-years-old and I don’t know if attempting more football at this point makes much sense. I believe if there’s a market for him — if there’s money to be made and he feels up to it, we’ll see him in another uniform in 2009. Otherwise, he has nothing left to prove. He can chill for five years and get ready for his Hall of Fame induction. Because that’s where he belongs.

Source: StLouisRams.com, Photo: Newscom

Post from: Every Morning Quarterback

Rams Release Orlando Pace

National Football League Blogcast, NFL Blogcast

The St. Louis Rams have hired former N.Y. Giants defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo as their head coach. Coach Spags has certainly earned this opportunity. After spending eight seasons working with Jim Johnson on Philadelphia’s defense (defensive assistant, defensive backs coach and linebackers coach), he became the Giants’ defensive coordinator and spent the past two seasons impressing with his trademark creative blitz schemes. Of course, those very schemes helped the Giants win the Super Bowl last season, but New York finished 5th in total defense this season — most impressive considering Michael Strahan retired and Osi Umenyiora’s season ended before it got started due to injury. Coach Spags is a “players coach” and I expect he’ll quickly help the Rams to rebound from a miserable 2-14 season.

Source: StLouisRams.com, Photo: Newscom

Post from: Every Morning Quarterback

Rams Name Steve Spagnuolo Head Coach

The opponents for all 2009 regular-season games have been determined and a complete list of each team’s home and away matchups was issued yesterday by the NFL. The scheduling formula implemented in 2002 with realignment guarantees that all teams play each other on a regular, rotating basis. Under the formula, every team within a division plays 16 games as follows:

• Home and away against its three division opponents (6 games)
• The four teams from another division within its conference on a rotating three-year cycle (4 games)
• The four teams from a division in the other conference on a rotating four-year cycle (4 games)
• Two intraconference games based on the prior year’s standings (2 games). These games match a first-place team against the first-place teams in the two same-conference divisions the team is not scheduled to play that season. The second-place, third-place, and fourth-place teams in a conference are matched in the same way each year.

The official 2009 schedule, with playing dates and times, will be announced in the spring. NFL Kickoff 2009 Weekend will begin on Thursday night, September 10, and the regular season will conclude on January 3. Wild Card Weekend will be Saturday and Sunday, January 9-10; Divisional Playoff games on the weekend of January 16-17; and the AFC and NFC Championship Games on Sunday, January 24. Super Bowl XLIV at Dolphin Stadium in South Florida will be played on Sunday, February 7.

AFC EAST

Miami Dolphins
Home: Buffalo Bills, New England Patriots, New York Jets, Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Pittsburgh Steelers, New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Away: Buffalo Bills, New England Patriots, New York Jets, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans, San Diego Chargers, Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers

New England Patriots
Home: Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, New York Jets, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans, Baltimore Ravens, Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers
Away: Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, New York Jets, Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Denver Broncos, New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

N.Y. Jets
Home: Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, New England Patriots, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans, Cincinnati Bengals, Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers
Away: Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, New England Patriots, Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Oakland Raiders, New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Buffalo Bills
Home: Miami Dolphins, New England Patriots, New York Jets, Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Cleveland Browns, New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Away: Miami Dolphins, New England Patriots, New York Jets, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans, Kansas City Chiefs, Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers

AFC NORTH

Pittsburgh Steelers
Home: Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns, Oakland Raiders, San Diego Chargers, Tennessee Titans, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings
Away: Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns, Denver Broncos, Kansas City Chiefs, Miami Dolphins, Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions

Baltimore Ravens
Home: Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers, Denver Broncos, Kansas City Chiefs, Indianapolis Colts, Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions
Away: Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers, Oakland Raiders, San Diego Chargers, New England Patriots, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings

Cincinnati Bengals
Home: Baltimore Ravens, Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers, Denver Broncos, Kansas City Chiefs, Houston Texans, Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions
Away: Baltimore Ravens, Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers, Oakland Raiders, San Diego Chargers, New York Jets, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings

Cleveland Browns
Home: Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, Pittsburgh Steelers, Oakland Raiders, San Diego Chargers, Jacksonville Jaguars, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings
Away: Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, Pittsburgh Steelers, Denver Broncos, Kansas City Chiefs, Buffalo Bills, Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions

AFC SOUTH

Tennessee Titans
Home: Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Jacksonville Jaguars, Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, San Diego Chargers, Arizona Cardinals, St. Louis Rams
Away: Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Jacksonville Jaguars, New England Patriots, New York Jets, Pittsburgh Steelers, San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks

Indianapolis Colts
Home: Houston Texans, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans, New England Patriots, New York Jets, Denver Broncos, San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks
Away: Houston Texans, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans, Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, Baltimore Ravens, Arizona Cardinals, St. Louis Rams

Houston Texans
Home: Indianapolis Colts, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans, New England Patriots, New York Jets, Oakland Raiders, San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks
Away: Indianapolis Colts, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans, Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, Cincinnati Bengals, Arizona Cardinals, St. Louis Rams

Jacksonville Jaguars
Home: Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Tennessee Titans, Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, Kansas City Chiefs, Arizona Cardinals, St. Louis Rams
Away: Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Tennessee Titans, New England Patriots, New York Jets, Cleveland Browns, San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks

AFC WEST

San Diego Chargers
Home: Denver Broncos, Kansas City Chiefs, Oakland Raiders, Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, Miami Dolphins, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Redskins
Away: Denver Broncos, Kansas City Chiefs, Oakland Raiders, Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers, Tennessee Titans, Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants

Denver Broncos
Home: Kansas City Chiefs, Oakland Raiders, San Diego Chargers, Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers, New England Patriots, Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants
Away: Kansas City Chiefs, Oakland Raiders, San Diego Chargers, Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, Indianapolis Colts, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Redskins

Oakland Raiders
Home: Denver Broncos, Kansas City Chiefs, San Diego Chargers, Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, New York Jets, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Redskins
Away: Denver Broncos, Kansas City Chiefs, San Diego Chargers, Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers, Houston Texans, Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants

Kansas City Chiefs
Home: Denver Broncos, Oakland Raiders, San Diego Chargers, Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers, Buffalo Bills, Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants
Away: Denver Broncos, Oakland Raiders, San Diego Chargers, Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, Jacksonville Jaguars, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Redskins

NFC EAST

N.Y. Giants
Home: Dallas Cowboys, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Redskins, Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, Arizona Cardinals, Oakland Raiders, San Diego Chargers
Away: Dallas Cowboys, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Redskins, New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Minnesota Vikings, Denver Broncos, Kansas City Chiefs

Philadelphia Eagles
Home: Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants, Washington Redskins, New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, San Francisco 49ers, Denver Broncos, Kansas City Chiefs
Away: Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants, Washington Redskins, Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, Chicago Bears, Oakland Raiders, San Diego Chargers

Dallas Cowboys
Home: New York Giants, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Redskins, Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, Seattle Seahawks, Oakland Raiders, San Diego Chargers
Away: New York Giants, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Redskins, New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Green Bay Packers, Denver Broncos, Kansas City Chiefs

Washington Redskins
Home: Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants, Philadelphia Eagles, New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, St. Louis Rams, Denver Broncos, Kansas City Chiefs
Away: Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants, Philadelphia Eagles, Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, Detroit Lions, Oakland Raiders, San Diego Chargers

NFC NORTH

Minnesota Vikings
Home: Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions, Green Bay Packers, San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks, New York Giants, Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals
Away: Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions, Green Bay Packers, Arizona Cardinals, St. Louis Rams, Carolina Panthers, Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers

Chicago Bears
Home: Detroit Lions, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, Arizona Cardinals, St. Louis Rams, Philadelphia Eagles, Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers
Away: Detroit Lions, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks, Atlanta Falcons, Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals

Green Bay Packers
Home: Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions, Minnesota Vikings, San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks, Dallas Cowboys, Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals
Away: Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions, Minnesota Vikings, Arizona Cardinals, St. Louis Rams, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers

Detroit Lions
Home: Chicago Bears, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, Arizona Cardinals, St. Louis Rams, Washington Redskins, Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers
Away: Chicago Bears, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks, New Orleans Saints, Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals

NFC SOUTH

Carolina Panthers
Home: Atlanta Falcons, New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Redskins, Minnesota Vikings, Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins
Away: Atlanta Falcons, New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants, Arizona Cardinals, New England Patriots, New York Jets

Atlanta Falcons
Home: Carolina Panthers, New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Redskins, Chicago Bears, Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins
Away: Carolina Panthers, New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants, San Francisco 49ers, New England Patriots, New York Jets

Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Home: Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, New Orleans Saints, Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants, Green Bay Packers, New England Patriots, New York Jets
Away: Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, New Orleans Saints, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Redskins, Seattle Seahawks, Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins

New Orleans Saints
Home: Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants, Detroit Lions, New England Patriots, New York Jets
Away: Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Redskins, St. Louis Rams, Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins

NFC WEST

Arizona Cardinals
Home: St. Louis Rams, San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, Carolina Panthers, Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts
Away: St. Louis Rams, San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks, Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions, New York Giants, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans

San Francisco 49ers
Home: Arizona Cardinals, St. Louis Rams, Seattle Seahawks, Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions, Atlanta Falcons, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans
Away: Arizona Cardinals, St. Louis Rams, Seattle Seahawks, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, Philadelphia Eagles, Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts

Seattle Seahawks
Home: Arizona Cardinals, San Francisco 49ers, St. Louis Rams, Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans
Away: Arizona Cardinals, San Francisco 49ers, St. Louis Rams, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, Dallas Cowboys, Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts

St. Louis Rams
Home: Arizona Cardinals, San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, New Orleans Saints, Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts
Away: Arizona Cardinals, San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks, Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions, Washington Redskins, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans

Post from: Every Morning Quarterback

NFL 2009 Opponents Determined

Dallas Cowboys defensive end DeMarcus Ware tied an NFL sack record by recording a sack in his 10th straight game this afternoon. But it was the only good news the Cowboys had as they were not only beaten — they were lambasted by the revived St. Louis Rams 34-14. DeMarcus finished the day with three sacks and led the Cowboys with seven tackles. Interestingly, though he now shares the NFL record, DeMarcus remains one game shy of the franchise record. The Cowboys recognize Harvey Martin’s 11-game streak from 1976-77, a run that ended five years before the sack became an official statistic, as the number to beat.

This was a chaotic week for the Cowboys — Tony Romo’s injury, Adam “Pacman” Jones’ suspension, more injuries to rookie running back Felix Jones and punter Mat McBrier, trading with Detroit for receiver Roy Williams — and I guess I overestimated backup QB Brad Johnson’s veteran ability at 40-years-old. He had three interceptions today. But Brad was not the only reason the Cowboys lost today. It was a team effort. DeMarcus will certainly put this sack record on the backburner as the Cowboys try to regroup and figure out what is wrong with their team.

Source: NFL.com

Post from: Every Morning Quarterback

DeMarcus Ware Ties NFL Sack Record

National Football League Blogcast, NFL Blogcast

With this afternoon’s surprising 34-14 win over the Dallas Cowboys, the St. Louis Rams are now — amazingly — a team to watch out for in the NFC. Just three weeks ago, the Rams were in total disarray at 0-4 and, without question, they were playing the worst football of any NFL team. After dismissing then-head coach Scott Linehan, the Rams named defensive coordinator Jim Haslett the interim head coach and he has not only submitted a strong bid to serve as the future head coach of the Rams, he has put his winning stamp on the entire organization in just two short weeks:

“As a coaching staff, I told our guys our job is to change the culture. Maybe we get a shot here, maybe we get a shot somewhere else. If nothing else, I want to leave the building in better shape, and if the team does sell, the (new owner) feels better about it, the city feels better about and the players feel better about how they stand in the community ….. It’s not just players that win championships, organizations win. I asked them to come eat with the coaches, the players, come to practice ….. Let’s have some fun and be positive. We have to change the culture. If we have anybody who gets negative around here, I want them fired.”

I like coach Haslett’s style. The question that remains is whether the Rams can maintain this pace. I know they just beat the Redskins and Cowboys back-to-back, but are they really this talented? At 2-4, they’re tied for second place in the NFC West, only two games behind the Cardinals. And they still play the Cards twice. It could be shaping up for a wild finish in the STL.

Source: ESPN.com, Photo: Newscom

Post from: Every Morning Quarterback

Jim Haslett Changing Culture in St. Louis

National Football League Blogcast, NFL Blogcast

Miami Dolphins linebacker Joey Porter can’t help himself. His mouth won’t stop. But his wallet is taking a hit as a result. Joey was fined $20,000 for exercising his freedom of speech about the officiating after last Sunday’s loss to the Houston Texans. On the first play of the Texans drive for the winning touchdown late in the game, Joey stripped quarterback Matt Schaub. Recently beleaguered referee Ed Hochuli ruled the play an incomplete pass rather than a fumble, saying Matt’s arm was moving forward when he was hit. Joey disagreed and shared his views with the whole world after the game:

“I know for sure that I had both his arms when the ball came out. I’m looking for an apology or something on Tuesday or Wednesday on NFL Network, but it will be too late by then. The game’s over ….. I thought we won the game, actually, but they kept getting calls.”

Wow. A fine of $20,000 for that? He should’ve really cut loose and got his money’s worth. I understand the NFL’s commitment to protecting their officials, but $20K seems pretty steep. It does send an expensive message, however, that the league won’t tolerate the verbal abuse of its officials. Joey learned the hard way. Or did he?

Other players suffering a similar fate this week were Denver Broncos DB Dre Bly ($20K), Chicago Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher ($20K), and St. Louis Rams guard Richie Incognito. Richie will pay a total of $35,000 for verbal abuse of a game official ($25,000), a major facemask penalty ($5,000), and a chop block ($5,000). Rough day at the office?

Source: Sun-Sentinel.com, Photo: Newscom

Post from: Every Morning Quarterback

Joey Porter Fined For Critical Comments

National Football League Blogcast, NFL Blogcast

This is why we love the National Football League, right? Even if your team came out on the losing end of one of these games, you have to appreciate the beauty of the fantastic finish. And five of today’s games had ‘em. If you were watching the 1 p.m. ET games on DirecTV’s NFL Sunday Ticket Game Mix, good for you. You got your money’s worth. Four of the five fantastic finishes were early games ending at roughly the same time:

• After trailing for most of the game, Minnesota Vikings kicker Ryan Longwell hit a 26-yard field goal with nine seconds left as the Vikes beat the still winless (0-5) Detroit Lions 12-10. The game-winner came on the heels of a controversial pass interference call against Lions DB Leigh Bodden. After seeing the replay, I have to agree. It looked like Leigh barely touched Vikings receiver Aundrae Allison. Aundrae’s forward motion was his own lunging. And so begins the post-Matt Millen era in Detroit.
• On 4th and goal from the two-yard-line with three seconds on the clock and trailing by five points, Houston Texans quarterback Matt Schaub, back from an illness last week, called his own number, scoring on a quarterback draw to beat the Miami Dolphins 29-28. For the Texans, it was their first win of the season. And it took every bit of four quarters to get it. Houston receiver Andre Johnson had a career day with 10 catches (three on the final drive) for 178 yards and a touchdown.
• Josh Brown kicked a 49-yard field goal as time expired, leading the opportunistic St. Louis Rams to an unlikely 19-17 win over the heavily favored Washington Redskins. The kick came after a bonehead personal foul penalty by Rams guard Richie Incognito moved the try back 15 yards. For the Rams, despite that infraction and 10 other penalties — plus being outgained by 168 total yards — it was their first win and a great “audition” of sorts for interim head coach Jim Haslett.
• Jason Elam kicked a 48-yard field goal as time expired, lifting the Atlanta Falcons to a 22-20 win over the Chicago Bears. The Bears thought they had the game won after quarterback Kyle Orton connected with receiver Rashied Davis for a 17-yard score with 11 seconds left. I believe Falcons rookie quarterback Matt Ryan will look back at this game as a possible turning point in his rookie season — it was his first 300-yard passing effort and he made a perfect sideline throw to receiver Michael Jenkins under heavy pressure with six seconds left. He’ll still have his share of growing pains, but this was a veteran performance. Falcons fans have forgotten Michael Vick.
• The Arizona Cardinals became the first team in NFL history to win an overtime game on a blocked punt. The official Gamebook play-by-play looked like this: M.McBriar punt is BLOCKED by 87-S.Morey, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, RECOVERED by ARI-52-M.Beisel at DAL 3. 52-M.Beisel for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN. The score happened after forcing Dallas three-and-out to start the OT.

This is the kind of weekend the National Football League dreams of.

Source: NFL.com, Photo: Newscom

Post from: Every Morning Quarterback

Five Fantastic Finishes