NFL Football - Week Eleven Review

There was nothing quite like "home cooking" this weekend around the NFL as the host teams won 11 of the

13 games played. The only road teams to win Sunday were the Oakland Raiders and Arizona Cardinals. The Indianapolis Colts won on the road at Tennessee on Thursday night.
Starting in the NFC North division, the Chicago Bears (6-4) weathered the storms around the area (the game was delayed for nearly two hours as tornadoes roared throughout Illinois on Sunday afternoon) to defeat the Baltimore Ravens, 23-20 in overtime. Bears' kicker Robbie Gould drilled a 38-yard field goal in the OT to win the game.
The Detroit Lions (6-4) lost at Pittsburgh, 37-27 as the Steelers defense rose up in the second half and shut down the Lions passing tandem of  Matthew Stafford and WR  Calvin Johnson, who had 179 receiving yards and two touchdowns in the first half.
The second half was all Steelers (4-6) as they shut out Detroit after trailing 27-20 at the half. Pittsburgh QB Ben Roethlisberger, the Heftyinfo NFL Player of the Week, passed for 367 yards and four

Big Ben led the way for Steelers in win.

touchdowns to lead the charge. It was the fourth win in six games for the Steelers after a 0-4 start.
The New York Giants (4-6) won their fourth straight game with a 27-13 home victory against the reeling Green Bay Packers (5-5), who lost their third straight game without QB Aaron Rodgers, who is out with a fractured collar bone.
Jason Pierre-Paul raced 24 yards with an interception for a touchdown to ice the game for the Giants. Packers backup QB Scott Tolzien threw three interceptions in the loss.
The Minnesota Vikings were flattened in Seattle, 41-20 as Marshawn Lynch ran for two scores and also caught a TD pass to lead the way for the Seahawks, who improved to an NFL best 10-1 record.
The big game was Sunday night where the host Denver Broncos (9-1) beat the Kansas City Chiefs, 27-17 behind two TD runs by running back Monte Ball and a touchdown pass from QB Peyton Manning, who has 34 for the season. It was the first loss of the year for Kansas City (9-1), which didn't get a QB sack against the Broncos. The two teams are tied for first place in the AFC West and will meet again in just two weeks in Kansas City.
The New Orleans Saints survived at home against the San Francisco 49ers, 23-20 as Garrett Hartley kicked the game winning field goal at the buzzer. It was the third field goal in the fourth quarter for Hartley and provided the difference for the Saints, who improved to 8-2 with the win. The 49ers (6-4) lost for the second straight game and are now tied for second place with surprising Arizona in the NFC West.


                                                    Elsewhere around the league . . . . . . 

The Miami Dolphins (5-5) won a listless game against the visiting San Diego Chargers, 20-16 by holding them out of the end zone in the closing seconds . . .  Philadelphia (6-5) took over first place in the NFC East with a 24-16 home win against Washington (3-7) behind two TD runs by LeSean McCoy and a defensive stand in the final minute to stifle the Redskins comeback effort . . .  The Buffalo Bills crushed the visiting New York Jets (5-5) 37-14 as Jets' QB Geno Smith threw three picks and also fumbled while fellow rookie QB E.J. Manuel was stellar with two TD passes for the Bills (4-7) . . .  Cincinnati (7-4) won at home, 41-20 over Cleveland to open a three-game cushion in the AFC North. Bengals' QB Andy Dalton had three TD passes and the defense and special teams (blocked punt for TD) each scored as well . . .  The Arizona Cardinals (6-4) showed they are playoff contenders with another win, this time 27-14 at Jacksonville as QB Carson Palmer had two TD passes, including a 91-yard TD strike to WR Michael Floyd . . .  The Oakland Raiders (4-6) won on the road against Houston, 28-23 behind three TD passes from backup QB Matt McGloin, sending the Texans (2-8) to their eighth  consecutive loss . . .  The Indianapolis Colts (7-3) stormed back from a 21-3 first half deficit to beat the host Tennessee Titans, 30-27 behind two rushing touchdowns from Donald Brown and a scoring run by QB Andrew Luck while the defense held the Titans (4-6) to just two field goals in the second half . . . The host Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-8) won their second consecutive game by pounding the hapless Atlanta Falcons, 41-28 in blowout fashion, building a 38-6 lead in the third quarter behind three scores and 163 yards rushing by Bobby Rainey. . .  The Carolina Panthers topped the visiting New England Patriots, 24-20 on Monday Night Football behind three TD passes from Cam Newton to improve to 7-3 with their sixth consecutive win.

College Football Top Ten

Heftyinfo College Football Top Ten                        (Week ending November 16) 


1. Alabama (10-0)
2. Florida State (10-0)
3. Ohio State (10-0)
4. Baylor (9-0)
5. Oregon (9-1)
6. Clemson (9-1)
7. Auburn (10-1)
8. Missouri (9-1)
9. Texas A & M (8-2)
10. Oklahoma State (9-1)

NFL Football - Week Eleven Preview

There are two huge games and both will be televised nationally in "prime time" as the Denver Broncos (8-1) host the undefeated Kansas City Chiefs (9-0) on NBC-TV's Sunday Night Football while the red-hot Carolina Panthers (6-3), winners of five straight games and fresh off their road victory against the mighty San Francisco 49ers last week, take on the visiting New England Patriots (7-2) on Monday Night Football on ESPN.
These games will go a long way in helping to determine the playoff pictures in both conferences.
The Broncos are leading the NFL is scoring while Kansas City boasts the league's top defense in the scoring category. Meanwhile, the Patriots have been surging on offense after getting tight end Rob Gronkowski back a few weeks ago and posted their highest output of the season two weeks ago in a 55-31 blowout win over the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The Panthers limited the 49ers to under 200 yards of total offense last week and sacked agile quarterback Colin Kaepernick six times in the 10-9 win, which was not only their fifth in a row, but first against a true "powerhouse" type team. In addition, Carolina is second (to Kansas City) in the NFL in scoring defense through the first nine games.
There are other games with big impact on the league's playoff picture entering Week Eleven, including the Chicago Bears (5-4) hosting the Baltimore Ravens (4-5) and the San Diego Chargers (4-5) playing at the Miami Dolphins (also 4-5) while the Philadelphia Eagles (5-5) host the Washington Redskins (3-6) in a big NFC East battle.
Another team from the NFC East, the New York Giants (3-6) face the visiting Green Bay Packers (5-4) who have lost two in a row following the injury to All-Pro QB Aaron Rodgers. The Giants have been hot, winning three straight and getting right back into the thick of the NFC East race.
And of course, let's not forget Drew Brees and the New Orleans Saints, who put up a ridiculous 600 plus yards against Dallas in a 49-17 thrashing last week, facing the San Francisco 49ers in the Super Dome in the late afternoon featured NFC game. Unlike The Dallas Cowboys, the 'Niners play solid defense and this one should live up to the billing.
The following capsule previews breaks down the action this week and as always, the Heftyinfo picks for the week's games are on tap.
(Dallas and St. Louis have the Bye Week) 

Indianapolis (6-3) at Tennessee (4-5) - The Titans blew a huge opportunity last week losing to Jacksonville. Meanwhile, the Colts were crushed (at home) by St. Louis. Go figure!

NY Jets (5-4) at Buffalo (3-7) - The Jets are riding high while the Bills are already playing out the string. But, watch out because that makes the Bills dangerous.

Baltimore (4-5) at Chicago (5-4) - This game could very well go down to the wire.

Cleveland (4-5) at Cincinnati (6-4) - If the Browns want to be considered serious playoff contenders ... this is their game to prove it.

Atlanta (2-7) at Tampa Bay (1-8) - Can the Buccaneers win two in a row? It's possible because the Falcons stink this season.

Arizona (5-4) at Jacksonville (1-8) - Can the Jaguars win two in a row? Nope!

Oakland (3-6) at Houston (2-7) - The Texans are looking to snap a seven-game losing streak and the Raiders should be just the tonic.

San Diego (4-5) at Miami (4-5) - Philip Rivers and company are due for a big game win. This very well could be the week.

Washington (3-6) at Philadelphia (5-5) - The league's most over-hyped QB (RG3) against the league's hottest QB (Nick Foles) in the past two games. Something has to give.

Detroit (6-3) at Pittsburgh (3-6) - Upset Alert! The Steelers are still in wild card playoff contention and the Lions are looking like the team to beat in the rugged NFC North ... Take the Steelers!

Green Bay (5-4) at NY Giants (3-6) - The Packers are hurting without Aaron Rodgers and the Giants are starting to get their mojo back.

Minnesota (2-7) at Seattle (9-1) - The Seahawks have the chance to become the league's first double-digit win team in 2013.

San Francisco (6-3) at New Orleans (7-2) - The Saints do not lose in the Dome. The 49ers are tough and should keep it close.

Kansas City (9-0) at Denver (8-1) - Peyton Manning and the Broncos will not allow the Chiefs to have their way in the Mile High City.

New England (7-2) at Carolina (6-3) - After last week's MNF stinker game, two solid teams go at it in "prime time" on ESPN. Should be a great game.

The Heftyinfo picks for Week Eleven    . . . . .        (Home teams are listed in BOLD; Lock of the Week pick is listed in BOLD CAPS) 


Indianapolis over Tennessee
Buffalo over NY Jets
Chicago over Baltimore
Cincinnati over Cleveland
Tampa Bay over Atlanta
Arizona over Jacksonville
Houston over Oakland
San Diego over Miami
Philadelphia over Washington
Pittsburgh over Detroit
NY Giants over Green Bay
Seattle over Minnesota
New Orleans over San Francisco
DENVER over Kansas City
Carolina over New England

Last Week's Record:  9-5

SEASON RECORD:  90-57

Lock of the Week Record:  8-2





 

NFL Football - Week Ten Review

The Carolina Panthers served notice to the rest of the league that they are legitimate contenders in the NFC this season.
The Panthers (6-3) won their fifth consecutive game by beating the host San Francisco 49ers, 10-9 behind solid defense that limited San Francisco (6-3) to just 151 yards in total offense, including just 46 yards passing for the game. In addition, the suffocating Panthers defense sacked 49ers' QB Colin Kaepernick six

Carolina D crushed the 49ers.

times. Carolina running back DeAngelo Williams ran 27 yards for the game's only touchdown.
The win kept Carolina within one game of the first place New Orleans Saints (7-2) in the NFC South as the Saints dismantled the visiting Dallas Cowboys, 49-17 on the Sunday Night Football game.
New Orleans out gained the Cowboys in total yardage by a 625-193 count as QB Drew Brees threw four touchdown passes along with 392 yards. Meanwhile, running back Mark Ingram gained 145 yards on the ground and scored a touchdown and Darren Sproles added two scores as well, one rushing and one receiving. The Saints also set a new NFL record as they had 40 first downs in the game.
Two of the bigger surprises around the NFL on Sunday had to be the St. Louis Rams (4-6) crushing the Indianapolis Colts, 38-8 while the Jacksonville Jaguars (1-8) won their first game of the season by winning a road game against the Tennessee Titans, 29-27 with a safety being the difference in the outcome.
The Titans turned the ball over four times while the Jags built a 20-10 lead heading into the final quarter. The Jags' defense scored all nine points in the final frame with the safety and a touchdown off a fumble recovery. The Titans had to go with backup QB Ryan Fitzpatrick after Jake Locker was knocked out with a foot  injury. Today, it was reported that Locker will be out for the rest of the season.

Tavon Austin was a one-man wrecking crew in Rams big win.

The Rams went into Indy and just lowered the boom on the Colts (6-3) behind Tavon Austin, the Heftyinfo NFL Player of the Week, who scored three touchdowns and accumulated 314 all-purpose yards to lead the way, including a 98-yard punt return for a touchdown. He also hauled in TD passes of 57 and 81 yards and defensive end Chris Long ran back a fumble 45 yards for the game's first score to help set the tone as Colts' QB Andrew Luck turned the football over four times (fumble and three INT) in the loss.




The Denver Broncos (8-1) won a big road game against the San Diego Chargers, 28-20 to set up a HUGE showdown in the AFC West next week against the undefeated Kansas City Chiefs.
Broncos' QB Peyton Manning, despite being injured late in the game (ankle) threw for 330 yards and four TD passes, including three of them to WR Demaryius Thomas (seven catches for 108 yards) while the defense came through late in the game, stopping a late Chargers' threat that made it close after Denver had built up a 28-6 advantage early in the second half.
The Detroit Lions (6-3) knocked off the Chicago Bears on the road, 21-19 as the defense stopped a two-point conversion try with just 40 seconds left to play.
Lions QB Matthew Stafford (three TD passes) hooked up with WR Calvin Johnson twice for touchdowns and RB Reggie Bush rushed for 105 yards to lead the way on offense. Bears' QB Jay Cutler returned ahead of schedule from a groin injury, but left the game in the fourth quarter with an ankle injury after showing gimpiness during the game. Backup QB Josh McCown nearly rallied the team back by hitting WR Brandon Marshall (seven catches for 139 yards) for a touchdown to pull the Bears to within two points.

                                              Elsewhere around the NFL    . . . . . . .

The New York Giants (3-6) won for a third straight time, beating the visiting Oakland Raiders, 24-20 as RB Andre Brown gained 115 yards and scored a touchdown to go with a special team score on a blocked punt  . .  .  Seattle (9-1) rolled past the host Atlanta Falcons, 33-10 as QB Russell Wilson threw two TD passes and RB Marshwan Lynch (145 yards rushing) ran for another score while kicker Steven Hauschka made four field goals . . .   The Arizona Cardinals (5-4) held off the visiting Houston Texans, 27-24 as the defense accounted for a score and QB Carson Palmer had two TD passes. The Texans (2-7) lost for the seventh consecutive time . . .  QB Nick Foles stayed hot with three scoring passes to lead the visiting Philadelphia Eagles (5-5) to a 27-13 win over Green Bay, who were without starting QB Aaron Rodgers (broken collar bone) and then lost backup QB Seneca Wallace to a groin injury early in the game . . .  The Baltimore Ravens (4-5) sucked it up and won in OT, 20-17 as Justin Tucker drilled a 46-yard field goal to win it after the Bengals (6-4) tied the game at the very end of regulation with a 'Hail Mary' TD pass from Andy Dalton to WR A.J. Green, who caught the ball off a deflection in the end zone . . .  Last Thursday night, the Minnesota Vikings rallied back to beat the visiting Washington Redskins, 34-27 as  QB Christian Ponder threw for two scores and RB Adrian Peterson rushed for two more to lead the way. Redskins' QB Robert Griffin III had three TD passes in the loss . . .   The Pittsburgh Steelers (3-6) beat the visiting Buffalo Bills, 23-10 with solid defense (limiting Buffalo to just 227 yards in total offense) and a balanced attack that included 164 passing yards and 136 rushing yards . . .  The Tampa Bay Buccaneers won their first game of the season with a 22-19 home win over the Miami Dolphins (4-5)  on Monday Night Football, with the Bucs defense recording a safety and holding the 'Fins to just two yards rushing for the game.

College Football Top Ten

Heftyinfo College Football Top Ten                        (Week ending November 9)

1. Alabama (9-0)                            
2. Florida State (9-0)
3. Ohio State (9-0)
4. Baylor (8-0)                           
5. Stanford (8-1)
6. Clemson (8-1)
7. Auburn (9-1)
8. Oregon (8-1)
9. Missouri (9-1)
10.Texas A & M (8-2)

NFL Football - Week Ten Preview

There are two big divisional battles taking place this weekend around the NFL as the Chicago Bears and Detroit Lions go at it in Soldier Field in the Windy City while Baltimore Ravens host the Cincinnati Bengals in an AFC North tilt.
The Bears (5-3) knocked off the Green Bay Packers last week and are tied for first place with the Lions and Packers (both 5-3) in the NFC North division. Chicago may even have quarterback Jay Cutler back behind center for the game. Cutler has been out sonce suffering a groin injury against the Washington Redskins three weeks ago.
Meanwhile, the Lions are coming off the bye week and blasted the Bears up in Motown back in Week Four, 40-32 in a game that was nowhere near as close as what the final score would indicate.
The Packers will be without All-Pro QB Aaron Rodgers for an undetermined amount of time as he suffered a collar bone fracture against the Bears. How much impact that will have on the division race will have to play out, but the winner of the Bears-Lions game will definitely have some wind in their sails heading into the final seven games.
The AFC North is not a very strong division this season, so the Baltimore Ravens (3-5) know they have to win the division to likely get back to the playoffs this year. The Cincinnati Bengals (6-3) have a strong hold on the division lead at this point, but they are coming off a tough loss to Miami a week ago.
The Ravens are basically in a "must win" game here after falling to the Cleveland Browns (4-5 with the bye this weekend) last week and it won't be easy, but they have to start winning games, especially in the AFC North.
Some other games of interest have the Denver Broncos (7-1) at San Diego Chargers (4-4) in a AFC West battle and the Sunday Night Football game has the Dallas Cowboys (5-4) going on the road to face the New Orleans Saints (6-2) in a game that could help determine a possible first round bye in the post-season.
The Broncos are coming off their bye week and still trail the Kansas City Chiefs (9-0), who they will be playing next week and again two weeks later. So it is important for them not to look ahead because the Chargers have been a formidable team this season under rejuvenated QB Philip Rivers, who does boast a winning record (4-3 including two playoff wins) against Denver QB Peyton Manning in head-to-head games.

The rest of the action is featured in the capsule previews along with the Heftyinfo picks for Week Ten.
(Cleveland, Kansas City, New England and NY Jets have the Bye Weeks) 

Washington (3-5) at Minnesota (1-7) - The Vikings have had a tough year so far. Washington won a squeaker last week.

Seattle (8-1) at Atlanta (2-6) - The Seahawks have been struggling to win lately but the Falcons are simply awful this year.

Detroit (5-3) at Chicago (5-3)  - First place in the NFC North is on the line in this game.

Philadelphia (4-5) at Green Bay (5-3) - Can Eagles' QB Nick Foles throw for SEVEN touchdowns again this week? Can the Packers win without starting QB Aaron Rodgers? This should be a good game.

Jacksonville (0-8) at Tennessee (4-4) - The Jaguars have to win at some point this season. Not this week on the road against the Titans they won't.

St. Louis (3-6) at Indianapolis (6-2) - Take the Colts... they are rolling.

Oakland (3-5) at NY Giants (2-6) - The Giants can actually get back in the NFC East race with a win. The Raiders are a mess.

Buffalo (3-6) at Pittsburgh (2-6) - Yawn.

Cincinnati (6-3) at Baltimore (3-5) - It's put up or shut up time for the Baltimore Ravens.

Carolina (5-3) at San Francisco (6-2) - The 49ers have won five straight games. The Panthers have won four straight games. Something has to give. Take the 49ers at home.

Denver (7-1) at San Diego (4-4) - The Broncos are well rested while the Chargers let one get away at Washington last weekend.

Houston (2-6) at Arizona (4-4) - This could be a very exciting game ... stay tuned.

Dallas (5-4) at New Orleans (6-2) - This Sunday Night Football game in prime time should be a shoot out in the Super Dome.

Miami (4-4) at Tampa Bay (0-8) - This Monday night stinker could very well produce the first win of the season for the Bucs.


The Heftyinfo picks for Week Ten    . . . . .        (Home teams are listed in BOLD; Lock of the Week pick is listed in BOLD CAPS)

Minnesota over Washington
Seattle over Atlanta
Detroit over Chicago
Green Bay over Philadelphia
TENNESSEE over Jacksonville
Indianapolis over St. Louis
NY Giants over Oakland
Pittsburgh over Buffalo
Cincinnati over Baltimore
San Francisco over Carolina
Denver over San Diego
Arizona over Houston
New Orleans over Dallas
Tampa Bay over Miami

Last Week's Record:  7-6

SEASON RECORD:  81-52

Lock of the Week Record:  8-1

NFL Football - Week Nine Review

In what was a surprising weekend in many regards around the NFL, the main focus is on the health of two Head Coaches as Gary Kubiak (Houston Texans) and John Fox (Denver Broncos) both suffered physical ailments, in particular Fox, who underwent heart surgery following an episode of dizziness and feeling light headed over the weekend.
Meanwhile, Kubiak nearly passed out as the Texans and Indianapolis Colts headed to the halftime locker rooms. After being taken to the hospital, he was diagnosed in good condition and should be back with the Texans soon.
That puts things in perspective regarding the game of football.
The Colts (6-2) stormed back in the second half of the game to beat the host Texans, 27-24 behind three TD passes from QB Andrew Luck. Houston held a 21-3 halftime lead but couldn't muster much in the second half. Texans' QB Case Keenum passed for 350 yards and three touchdowns, all to WR Andre Johnson, in the loss, which was the sixth in a row for Houston following a 2-0 start.

Eagles QB Nick Foles had a record day in big win.

There was also a lot of excitement on the field elsewhere as the Philadelphia Eagles (4-5) clobbered the host Oakland Raiders, 49-20 with quarterback Nick Foles, the Heftyinfo NFL Player of the Week, leading the way with SEVEN touchdown passes and 406 yards passing. It was the second time this season a QB has thrown seven TD passes in one game. Peyton Manning also did it for Denver in Week One.

The Washington Redskins (3-5) edged the San Diego Chargers, 30-24 in overtime as Darrel Young scored his third rushing touchdown of the game to win it.
Chargers' QB Philip Rivers had 341 passing yards to go with two touchdowns and two interceptions and led the 'Bolts down the field in the final two minutes, but couldn't get the touchdown to win the game as the 'Skins defense held firm, denying the go ahead score in spite of first-and-goal from inside the one-yard line with 21 seconds to go and two timeouts remaining. Instead, San Diego (4-4) had to settle for the tying field goal to force the overtime.
The New York Jets (5-4), fresh off a 49-9 blowout loss at Cincinnati last week, turned the tables and beat the visiting New Orleans Saints, 26-20 behind solid defense that included two interceptions. Jets' running back Chris Ivory gained 139 yards against his former team and scored a touchdown to help provide the difference.

Tom Brady celebrates big win over Steelers.

The New England Patriots (7-2) had their biggest offensive output this season in a 55-31 rout of the visiting Pittsburgh Steelers (2-6) as QB Tom Brady threw for 432 yards and four touchdowns. The Patriots gained 610 yards in total offense, including 197 yards rushing while tight end Rob Gronkowski had nine catches for 143 yards and a touchdown. Steelers' QB Ben Roehtlisberger had 400 yards passing and four TD passes in the loss.



                                           Elsewhere around the NFL . . . . . 

The Tennessee Titans (4-4) outlasted the host St. Louis Rams, 28-21 behind 150 yards and two rushing touchdowns from running back Chris Johnson . . .  The Seattle Seahawks (8-1) survived a major scare at home, beating back the winless Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 27-24 in OT on a 27-yard field goal by Steven Hauschka. The 'Hawks trailed 21-0 in the game but rallied behind two TD passes and a running score from QB Russell Wilson to force the overtime . . .  The Carolina Panthers (5-3) won their fourth straight game, blowing out the visiting Atlanta Falcons, 34-10 as the defense intercepted three passes, including a 38-yard return for score by Drayton Florence . . .  Kansas City (9-0) remained the NFL's only undefeated team with a 23-13 road win against the Buffalo Bills as the defense scored two touchdowns and kicker Ryan Succop kicked three field goals to lead the way . . .  The Dallas Cowboys (5-4) pulled off a late rally to win at home, 27-23 over the Minnesota Vikings as QB Tony Romo (337 pass yards) hit WR Dwayne Harris for a seven-yard scoring pass with only 35 seconds left to win the game  . . .   The Cleveland Browns (4-5) knocked off the visiting Baltimore Ravens, 24-18 behind three TD passes from QB Jason Campbell  . . .  Last Thursday, the Miami Dolphins (4-4) beat the visiting Cincinnati Bengals (6-3) with a safety in OT to win 22-20 as the defense sacked QB Andy Dalton in the end zone to win it on Halloween night . . .  The Chicago Bears (5-3) surprised the host Green Bay Packers (5-3) on Monday Night Football, 27-20 to force a three-way tie for first place (with the Detroit Lions) in the NFC North. Bears' backup QB Josh McCown threw for 272 yards and had two TD passes and RB Matt Forte' rushed for 125 yards and scored a TD while the defense recorded five QB sacks, including the one by DL Shea McClellin that broke Packers' QB Aaron Rodgers collar bone. Rodgers is out for an undetermined amount of time because of the injury.