Bengals aim to keep the run going, Steelers out to stay in the division chase

Article by Gordon Dedman

Cincinnati Bengals (6-0) at Pittsburgh Steelers (4-3) Sky Sports 1800 Sunday

For me, this is the big clash of the weekend with the unbeaten Bengals facing a dangerous Steel City team, desperate to put the division leaders in their place. Obviously, the Sky Sports director has the same enthusiasm as he has it as the featured game after the show at Wembley.

This matchup has all the hallmarks of being a cracker and football fans will be able to savour the best of the AFC North. Fresh from their bye week, the Bengals will be making the short journey to Pittsburgh to face a Steelers team keen to get back on track with the return of their leader Ben Roethlisberger.

The Bengals press notes highlight that a win will take the team to 7-0 for the first time. To make Bengals history is a big incentive, but their notes also add realism with the suggestion, “the roadblock is formidable — Pittsburgh at Heinz Field.”

 

Since Andy Dalton entered the NFL in 2011, the Bengals’ have a 22-13 (.629) record on the road, the third-highest winning percentage in the NFL during that span, but in Pittsburgh he’s only has one win in four visits. The one victory was in 2012 when Cincinnati pinched a 13-10 win with four seconds left in the game.

The Bengals’ offense is currently ranked third in the NFL with an average of 410.3 total net yards per game. The team has found stability with the same offensive coordinator for the fifth year, together with a fit and healthy cast of talented runners and receivers for Dalton to work with.

They are the only team in the AFC with two players who have scored at least six touchdowns apiece this season – tight end Tyler Eifert (six) and running back Jeremy Hill (six).

“I think our success comes from looking at the versatility we have,” offered Bengals receiver Marvin Jones. “You can’t have enough fingers to count the number of players who can change a game, and we expect greatness from all of them.”

Roethlisberger requires 31 passing yards to become the first Steelers quarterback to make 40,000 and to become the ninth passer in league history to reach that mark with one team. I would love to be part of Steelers history again.

 

You can forget about comparing the stats put up by both teams this season to find the winner as the Steelers have been without their most explosive weapon Roethlisberger for four games. Will his rustiness affect his ability to come right back into an important game like this?

 

His coach Mike Tomlin doesn’t believe so, “He’ll have a full week of preparation. He participated in a partial capacity a week ago. Hopefully, all of those things will allow him to push past some of the anxiety and so forth, associated with getting back out there.”

 

On defense for the Steelers, defensive coordinator Keith Butler told Steelers radio that the focus this week has been on keeping the ball in front and not letting it go over your head, keeping the mistakes down and not missing tackles.

 

I will be watching the game at Heinz Field as it is part of my annual exploits to Pittsburgh, so can the Steelers make my visit a rewarding one? It revolves around Le’Veon Bell so watch the game and find out!

 

San Diego Chargers (2-5) at Baltimore Ravens (1-6)

These two teams have seen better times and their fans will be disappointed that this season they have not realised their usual potential.  Both are coming off losses and both fought valiantly to come from behind in the attempt to gain a win.

Joe Flacco is working with his fourth offensive coordinator in four years and that may explain why is has been struggling, and as mentioned with Cincinnati, stability builds success.

Arizona Cardinals (5-2) at Cleveland Browns (2-5)

With the stats leaning their way, this looks all over an Arizona win. The Browns quarterback Josh McCown is recovering from a shoulder injury, so it will be a late call as to who will be leading the team in front of the Dawg Pound.

While the Broncos were idle the Raiders showed more improvement, and the Chiefs got a rare win

Article by Mark Brown

Oakland Raiders 37 – 29 San Diego Chargers

 

Carr helps the Raiders motor to victory over the sloppy Chargers

 

 

The impressive Raiders managed to turn two interceptions from Chargers QB Phillip Rivers into ten points on their way to a thrilling victory but for me it was Raiders QB Derek Carr that was the stand out player in this one.  He threw three touchdowns, the best of which was, simply, a sublime 52 yarder to Amani Cooper.

 

There is a chance in the near future that these two franchises could be stadium mates and if this is, indeed the last showdown in San Diego between the two then what a game to end with.  Unfortunately for the Chargers this one was all about Oakland and that includes a large, raucous almost fanatical showing of support from the Raiders fans.

 

It would seem that having a bye last week was just the medicine the Raiders needed to get back on track.  They looked quick, sharp, good in the tackle and overall a more efficient outfit than their opponents.  They scored on the first seven drives and even managed to keep San Diego from scoring a touchdown of their own until in to the 4^th.

 

Derek Carr went 24 of 31 for 289 yards.  Ironically Chargers QB Rivers managed more yardage put couldn’t get the points for his team as he went 38 of 58 for 336 yards but it was the two interceptions that cost the Chargers dear.  San Diego Coach Mike McCoy new exactly where to point the finger of blame as he told the after game press conference “It was poor all round, it’s pathetic, the first half was pathetic.  No excuses it starts with me.  Put it on me.”   In my opinion I think McCoy is being a little bit harsh on himself – you can train all week and work hard in practice but you can not legislate for mistakes and players not doing their jobs properly when it comes to the game.  Tactically the Chargers weren’t bad they just had no answer to a rampant Raiders. 

 

It’s also worth remembering that San Diego had a few notable absences this week as Antonio Gates (knee) and Safety Eric Weddle (groin) were both out with injury as well as rookie RB Melvin Gordon seemingly taking the brunt of the blame for the loss to Green Bay as he was benched for the first half.

 

Not only is the Chargers future in San Diego looking uncertain but now their season hangs in the balance as they contemplate life at the bottom of the division.

 

Next up for the Raiders is the New York Jets on the 1^st November

Next up for the Chargers is the Baltimore Ravens on the 1^st November

 

 

Pittsburgh Steelers 12 – 23 Kansas City Chiefs

 

Kansas halt five game losing streak as they hang on for the win late on

 

Third time lucky!!  Finally at the third time of asking the Chiefs managed to hold out in the fourth as their opponents looked like snatching victory yet again.

 

If Kansas City QB Alex Smith was worried late on he didn’t let the nerves show as he calmly did what he had to and pulled the strings as this game came to a close.  “This was not much different to the other two games (Denver and Chicago) – I just think we made plays down the stretch.  The bottom line, staying aggressive in all three facets of the game”

 

The Chiefs worked tirelessly to shut down Pittsburgh stand in Landry Jones who had to step in for the injured Roethlisberger and Vick.  He did manage 209 yards and a touchdown pass but being picked off twice and a fumble helped the Chiefs over the line.  Having said that it was not until the third quarter that the Chiefs had any kind of breathing space and that only came about because of one of the interceptions from Jones.  The Chiefs took possession and managed a 47 yard drive before Charcandrick West plunged in to the end zone from a yard out.

 

West, Kelce and Conly all took advantage of the in form Smith who seemed determined not to let this lead slip this time.  For a brief spell though the Steelers looked like they were going to be the third team to break the Chiefs hearts late on in the fourth as they forced the Chiefs to punt and then added a field goal of their own but this time Smith and Co were in no mood to give it up and managed to cling to the victory.

 

Already the Chiefs are showing the same kind of determination that Coach Fox bred in to the Broncos and for me, given time Fox will turn it round and when that happens?....Well, AFC West you have been warned!!!

 

Next up for the Chiefs is the Lions on 1^st November

 

 

 

A winless week for the North benefits the bye week Bengals

Article by Gordon Dedman

None of the teams in the division won, but maybe that was due to the Bengals having their bye week. Turnovers contributed to each AFC North team’s demise, so as no player’s performance stood out, it can only be turnovers that make the headline of the weekend.

Pittsburgh Steelers at Kansas City Chiefs

After last week’s fairy tale beginning for Landry Jones against Arizona, there was a return to the real world in Kansas as the Steelers succumbed to the Chiefs 23-13. Jones’ performance in Kansas did not match the outstanding contribution he made the previous week when he came on for an injured Michael Vick.

Jones’ two interceptions and a fumble prevented the Steelers offense from putting together the necessary momentum as the Chiefs scored a touchdown in each of the final two quarters to cement the win.

Both Le’Veon Bell and Antonio Brown contributed 100 yards plus games, but Heath Miller didn’t have a catch for the first time in 110 games.  The same number of yards that Charcandrick West had on the day for the Chiefs.

"They made more dynamic plays than we did, particularly over the last 30 minutes of the game," said coach Tomlin. "They converted necessary third downs on offense and made dynamic, game-changing plays on defense."

Cleveland Browns at St. Louis Rams

Any thoughts the Browns had turned the corner were left in St. Louis last weekend when the Browns were humbled in a 24-6 loss.

As the Cleveland starter, Josh McCown is 1-5 and has lost to the Rams for three straight seasons with three different teams, but at the start of this game, McCown threw eleven straight completions. Unfortunately, a fumbles from a teammate and then one by himself handed a 10-0 lead to the Rams and the Browns were unable to make a comeback.

Although McCown attempted to perform miracles avoiding the Rams defense, his offensive line gave up four sacks and even more penalties as they failed to give him sufficient protection. In the fourth quarter he came off with a shoulder injury and Johnny Manziel came on in his place.

The star for the Rams was rookie Todd Gurley who rushed for 128 yards and scored his first two NFL touchdowns in the third and fourth quarters.

Baltimore Ravens at Arizona Cardinals

The big talking point of the game was the 62-yard run of the Cardinals Chris Johnson. The Ravens appeared to have stopped his progress after four yards, but he never touched the ground as he rolled over the bodies of the defensive players. No whistles blew so he just carried on running with the result of the drive a 21-yard field goal.

 

After taking an early lead with a 44-yard field goal, the Ravens then went into their lethargic mode. Three passes later, the Cardinals went 7-3 ahead, but the lead flip flopped until Arizona made it 14-10 at the half and extended their lead to 26-10 midway through the final period.

When the Ravens were forced to punt on their next possession, the signs for a second win of the season appeared very distant. The Baltimore special teams handed them a lifeline with a blocked punt placing the ball on their opponents’ one enabling Flacco to add eight points with Kyle Juszczyk ‘s touchdown and a successful two points after. With just under two minutes remaining, the Ravens had one final drive to force the game into overtime, but a Flacco interception as he pressed too hard gave a 26-18 win to the Cardinals.

Steelers look to put pressure on Bengals

Article by Gordon Dedman

Pittsburgh Steelers (4-2) at Kansas City Chiefs (1-5)

The Steelers travel to Kansas this Sunday with doubt over their starting quarterback. With a late decision expected, it is even more difficult to predict the outcome of the matchup and I need that soothsayer to come to my aid.

The Steelers +6 turnover margin (9 takeaways/3 giveaways) this season is the highest by the team in the first 6 games of a season since 2010 (+9). In recent years the Steelers defense has been the weak link in a team that has been building a potent offense.  The Steelers defense has now improved but, as I say every week, they will have to be at the top of their game Sunday to provide Landry Jones an opportunity to win the game.

 

The Steelers have forced seven turnovers in their last three games and that could be the key to whether they leave Kansas with the expected win. The Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith was respectful of the Steelers saying, "The Steelers’ defense is going to be physical and they’re going to play you down to the wire." Smith is a mobile quarterback, but has still been sacked 23 times and that justifies his caution regarding the Steelers

Because of the Steelers quarterback challenges, Antonio Brown has been quiet for three weeks, but maybe this will be the week he bursts back into life?

Cleveland Browns (2-4) at St Louis Rams (2-3)

The Browns need quarterback Josh McCown and wide receiver Travis Benjamin to be at their best against the Rams dominant pass defense. That Rams defensive unit could determine the outcome of the game while McCown has the opportunity to confirm how competent he has been this year, despite the team’s losses.

Rookie Todd Gurley has become the featured back in the last two games for the Rams after recuperating from a knee injury. His last two games have produced 146 and 159 yards rushing and he looks as though he can take advantage of the Browns porous run defense.

Cleveland’s Coach Mike Pettine described his run defense as a source of frustration and probably the biggest issue the team has to deal with. If the Browns don’t produce a solution to that challenge, the Rams will take the win.

Baltimore Ravens (1-5) at Arizona Cardinals (4-2) Monday Night Football Sky TV

When the schedule first came out for Monday Night games, this must have looked a cracking matchup. Now the Ravens have slumped in their dismal start to the season, it doesn’t look so appealing at first glance, but the Ravens have got to come good some time, so why not in front of a national TV audience?

Baltimore is surely up against it to change their losing ways. Arizona just edges it with all the stats, but psychologically, they will have the advantage. Playing at home should provide the impetus to give them the win.

 

“We cannot give up big plays,” Ravens defensive coordinator Dean Pees said. “It’s a broken record, but until we quit doing that, statistically, we’re going to look terrible.” The Ravens will continue to lose games if that don’t rectify that flaw.

Broncos keep winning ugly, Chiefs just playing ugly

Article by Mark Brown

 

Denver Broncos 26 – 23 Cleveland Browns

 

Manning on the decline? – The Defense shines

 

I know last week I said I could only see a Super Bowl berth for my beloved Broncos and my heart tells me that that hasn’t changed but crikey they made me sweat this week and I let out a huge sign of relief when the game finished.  How long the Broncos can keep relying on the fantastic defense to keep edging past opponents it hard to say  but I am starting to get the feeling that the end is nigh!!

 

Peyton Manning is all over the place at the moment, one week ok, one week average and one week bad.  This week he was the latter.  There are rumblings by certain experts that just maybe his arm is on the wane and that maybe he can see retirement staring him squaring in the face.  I’m not sure how true that is – haven’t we been here before with a certain Mr. Brady (who by the way at the same age as Manning is having a season Manning can only wish for at the moment)?

 

Manning threw three interceptions in this one, had two consecutive sacks and at times relied too heavily on his defense to bail him out.  Some would say “Hey it’s a team game after all – we relied on Peyton last year now its his turn”  He manages 26 of 48 for 290 yards, not a bad average but lets be honest we are talking about the great Peyton Manning here, one of the all time greats.  On the plus side he did manage a sublime 75 yarder to Emmanuel Sanders for Denver’s only touchdown of the game.  As is becoming the norm with Denver this season this was another tight one just as the scoring ratio suggests.

 

Browns Quarterback Josh McCown managed 20 of 39 for 213 yards and two touchdowns but just as the Browns looked like taking the win he threw a cross field ball that was picked off by Denver’s Safety David Burton Jr and that’s what ultimately turned the game in favour of Denver.  The game went in to overtime and when Manning led the Bronco’s from their own 12 yard line to the Cleveland 16 up stepped Brandon McManus with a game winning 34 yard field goal.

 

Whether Manning is finished is still open to debate, personally I think he is allowed one off season in what has been an illustrious career so far but what isn’t up for debate is that Denver can’t keep relying on their Defense to bail them out and certainly not with the Packers up next (another 6-0 team).  Let’s hope Manning uses his bye week productively and gets rid of whatever demons are troubling him in time to meet Green Bay in the next game.

 

Next up for the Broncos the Green Bay Packers Monday 2^nd November

 

 

 

 

 

 

San Diego Chargers 20 – 27 Green Bay Packers

 

Heartbreak as injuries cost the Chargers dearly in this one

 

Another Chargers loss I hear you say? And yes you would be right but it was the manner of this defeat that will heat Rivers and co as they consider life on 2-4 for the season.  This was sheer heartbreak for San Diego as it came right in the dying seconds.  This was about as close as anyone has come to spoiling Green Bay’s perfect start to the season so far.

 

The Chargers worked hard all game and held up well without three starting defense men and you could tell how much the win meant to Green Bay’s quarterback Rodgers afterwards  “That was tough – we don’t have to win pretty every week although we would like to”

 

Chargers quarterback Rivers was even more distraught afterwards telling waiting reporters “Gosh, I don’t know.  You’ve got to laugh to keep from crying – Another one that’s tough – we should have scored 40 but we didn’t and that’s what’s frustrating because our defense played their tail off” The old saying goes that you make your own luck in football but I don’t fall in with that way of thinking, great players usually make the difference but on this occasion as with the Broncos v Browns, Green Bay rode their luck and eventually pulled it off.  Had the Chargers had a fully fit roster and played like that I think the Packers might just have been on 5-1 this week.

 

Next up for the Chargers is the Raiders on 25^th October

 

 

 

Kansas City Chiefs 10 – 16 Minnesota Vikings

 

Another tight one as the Vikings hold out to beat the Chiefs.

 

Alex Smith’s 42 yard touchdown pass to Albert Wilson pulled the Chiefs to within three points of the Vikings mid way through the fourth quarter but honestly, Minnesota had done enough, just about, in the early stages of the game to earn the win.

 

Look at how the scoring went and that will tell you all you need to know.  You can’t go three quarters in the NFL without putting points on the board and hope to get a victory.  By the time Smith made that pass the Vikings were looking ragged and you can only but wonder about what might have been if the Chiefs had scored early on.

 

As late as the fourth the Chiefs had started to find their rhythm with five interceptions for 88 yards by Tight End Travis Kelce and had Jamaal Charles’ replacement Charcandrick West not been stopped on fourth and one midway through the fourth who knows what might have happened.  The Chiefs will argue that West’s knee didn’t touch the ground and therefore the play should have stood, however it didn’t.  Shortly after that though, West lost the ball on the Minnesota 38^th with only 4.32 on the clock and that was the catalyst.

“We were confident then but the fumbled killed it for us” He was right because the Vikings were then able to ride it out.

 

Personally I feel the Chiefs should consider themselves unlucky to be were they are this season and they are certainly better than 1-5 suggests because they have played well in some of their games only to come away with nothing and this one was no exception.  However with the Steelers coming up next week they will be mighty lucky not to go 1-6 for the season so far.

 

Next up the Steelers on 25th October.

 

Steelers rely on Landry, Bengals stay perfect

Article by Gordon Dedman

Last weekend’s division games produced another overtime game, another quarterback change while the Bengals go marching on. It was just another weekend in the AFC North.

 

Against Arizona, the Steelers found their backup quarterback Michael Vick being replaced through an injury. Landry Jones came in never having played a snap in regular season. His first pass went for a touchdown and he also produced the longest completion in the NFL this year, one of 88 yards that also went for a touchdown.  With his performance that earned the win and a quarterback rating of 149, I have no hesitation making Jones the headline man of the weekend in the division.

Cincinnati Bengals at Buffalo Bills

With the injury to their starting quarterback Tyrod Taylor, the Bills promoted E J Manuel to lead the team against Andy Dalton’s Bengals. After Manuel’s opening drive of 80 yards that finished with his 2-yd touchdown run, the super effective Bengals took over and dictated the pace of the rest of the game.

Cincinnati’s defense provided great field position for their offense and they were able to take advantage of it. Dalton spread his passes around, throwing them to seven different players with touchdowns to three. "You take away this guy, you take away that guy," Bills coach Rex Ryan observed. "Well, this other dude beats you."

After the 34-21 win, the Bengals go 6-0 for the third time in their history and head into a bye week before travelling to Pittsburgh, where this writer will be present for that matchup.

Denver Broncos at Cleveland Browns

The Browns intercepted Denver’s Peyton Manning on the first series of the game to provide their offense with good field position. Cleveland used all four downs, but couldn’t make any progress and memories of the old inefficient Browns came back into view. Denver went on to kick a 29-yard field goal from the change of possession.

After Josh McCown’s first interception was returned 63 yards by Aqib Talib for a touchdown to enable Denver to increase their lead, those recollections strengthened and talk of a revitalised Browns faded.

As can happen in football, it began to change in the third quarter as McCown guided his team to seven points. When the Browns pulled within two points of their opponents with McCown’s second touchdown pass, the Dawg Pound was in full voice.

The Browns then took their first lead with Karlos Dansby’s interception returned 35 yards for a touchdown, and they chose to go for the two points after, but failed. Manning replied instantly with a 75-yard touchdown pass to Emmanuel Saunders, but the Browns forced the game into overtime ruing their decision earlier not to kick a point after, but to go for the failed two.

At the start of overtime, Cleveland intercepted Manning for the third time and the game should have been over, but for the second time Denver kept their opponents to four and out before kicking a 34-yard field goal to take the win 26-23.

Arizona Cardinals at Pittsburgh Steelers

Steelers quarterback Michael Vick hadn’t displayed his veteran prowess previously for the Steelers, and facing the Cardinals that didn’t change. Vick completed just three passes from eight attempts for a paltry six yards before he went off injured.

The Steelers defense kept the team in the game, holding the Cardinals to a 10-6 advantage before Mike Mitchell’s fumble recovery gave replacement quarterback Landry Jones a chance to turn the game on its head.  Jones’ first ever pass in the NFL regular season went for an 8-yard touchdown to Martavis Bryant, returning from suspension.

The two points after attempt failed, but the Steelers had taken a lead they would not relinquish.  With Chris Boswell, a kicker they can rely on now, Pittsburgh increased their advantage before Jones found Bryant again with an 88-yard touchdown pass to give the Steelers their 25-13 win.

Baltimore Ravens at San Francisco 49ers

San Francisco took an early lead they never surrendered as the Ravens failed to capitalise on the opportunities presented their way while falling to 1-5 for the worst start in the team’s 20-year history.

Joe Flacco’s two interceptions contributed to his team’s failure, but the ex-Baltimore Torrey Smith, now with San Francisco caught seven passes for 137 yards and a touchdown less than two weeks after suffering a back injury to help his team to the 25-20 win.

Baltimore appears to be suffering from the loss of their defensive leader Terrell Suggs.

 

 

 

Lots to prove for the AFC North teams this week with tough tests for all

Article by Gordon Dedman

Cincinnati Bengals (5-0) at Buffalo Bills (3-2)

Andy Dalton will be keen to keep the Bengals band wagon rolling when they travel to Buffalo. After their come from behind overtime win over the Seattle Seahawks, it will take something special to stop this momentum.

The confidence within the team is limitless. Bengals offensive coordinator Hue Jackson enthused, "When you have the weapons we have, on any given play anybody can get it - and that makes Andy very confident." The team believes in Dalton and he should command another sixty minutes of offensive power. With doubt over the participation of Bills quarterback Tyrod Taylor, everything points to the wagon rolling on.

 Baltimore Ravens (1-4) at San Francisco 49ers (1-4)

Two teams, bottom of their respective divisions looking to take something out of the season, although the Ravens appear to be in dire straits even with a win as the strength in their division is possibly the strongest in the NFL.

On the season so far, Baltimore appears to have the edge in offensive yards, but the 49ers have scored more touchdowns. Joe Flacco will want to show the Ravens are not a spent force and the desire to win should be sufficient to take the game. If Steve Smith Jr returns, it will provide additional help to Flacco and the offense.

 

To provide some depth at running back, the Ravens picked up an interesting prospect in Raheem Mostert. An undrafted free agent, he performed well preseason for the Eagles and was placed on their practice squad from where the Dolphins took him, bringing him to the UK for the International Series, before releasing him

Arizona Cardinals (4-1) at Pittsburgh Steelers (3-2)

If Ben Roethlisberger was to play against his previous offensive coordinator Bruce Arians, now head coach of the Cardinals, it would add more intrigue to the matchup. Roethlisberger is recovering faster than was first projected, but I can’t see him playing Sunday.

That will mean the game will hinge around which Michael Vick turns up to play for the Steelers. He was awful for almost three quarters against San Diego, but maybe he was hesitant, too conservative because he didn’t want to make a mistake. When the pressure was really on, he let rip and put the team into a winning position. If he starts off that way Sunday, it will be a good contest.

The ex-Bengal Carson Palmer will lead the Cardinals and he is on the top of his game. Their one loss was a 24-22 defeat against the Rams when all the stats still went with the Cardinals except for the three turnovers they gave up. Once again, the Steelers defense will need to be at its best if they are to give a chance for Vick to take the win.

Denver Broncos (5-0) at Cleveland Browns (2-3)

The rejuvenated Browns against the unbeaten Broncos. It would be great for Josh McCown to show the Dawg Pound how good he is having won his two games on the road (Johnny Manziel won the game in Cleveland).

If McCown can overcome the tough Denver defense, it will endear him to Browns fans until… well until they lose their next game. The Broncos are +6 in the turnover ratio. If the Browns don’t turn the ball over, an upset does appear on the cards and that’s why we watch the NFL every Sunday.

 

 

Broncos D leads the way as the rest of the West lose ground

Article by Mark Brown

Denver Broncos 16 – 10 Oakland Raiders

 

Broncos win again and now have as many wins as the Chargers, the Raiders and the Chiefs combined.

 

Ironic really, that last year it was Manning and his Offense that took all the plaudits because this year it seems Manning and Co are just along for the ride as the Denver Defense seem to have all the answers.  Five games in and so far the Defense is responsible for 22 sacks, 14 turnovers and three defensive touchdowns.

 

“We want to play better offensively.  We all want to do our jobs but somehow, someway it’s about getting a Broncos win” Said Manning after the game.

 

Denver’s Quarterback finished the game 22 of 35 for 266 yards but only managed to run the ball for 43 yards and had two interceptions and two sacks.  The most sacks this season since his rookie year.

 

Derek Carr’s stats were no better for Oakland as he threw for 249 yards and three touchdowns and took the defeat hard, telling the after game press conference “It’s really hard because we feel we have left something on the field.  We’ve left a win out there”

 

Personally, I don’t think, myself included that if you asked the Bronco’s fans they would care how the wins come as long as they keep coming.  Denver have now gone 8 straight wins and call me biased but I can’t anything other than a Super Bowl berth for Denver this year.  Oakland, on the other hand seem to have fallen back in to their old ways of inconsistency and despite having plenty of chances to snatch victory just couldn’t manage it.

 

Next up for the Broncos is the Browns on the 18th October.

Next up for Oakland is a visit to San Diego on the 25^th October.

 

 

Pittsburgh Steelers 24 – 20 San Diego Chargers

 

Le’Veon Bell the hero as Pittsburgh steel the win

 

Cometh the hour, cometh the man.  With only five seconds left, down by three and the ball on the one yard line Pittsburgh needed a miracle and Bell duly obliged.  With voracious Pittsburgh fans roaring their team on making this feel like a home game Bell took the direct snap, went left, through the traffic and dived for the end zone managing to get the ball over the line whilst being dragged down by Chargers Donald Butler.

 

Chargers Quarterback Rivers said after the game “It was a tough environment tonight, it felt like we were the road team”

 

This was a thrilling encounter and actually both teams did enough to win it and either team was always going to be unlucky to lose but on the day it was Pittsburgh that had the least errors.  Rivers was intercepted, rookie Lambo missed a 60 yard field goal attempt and the only shining light on the day was the return of Antonio Gates after a four game suspension for PED offences.  Rivers has now thrown 74 touchdown passes to Gates – the most in NFL history.  Gates looked like he wasn’t far from re-finding his rhythm and will be key in the coming weeks if San Diego are going to keep their season going.

 

Next up for the Chargers is a visit to the Green bay on 18^th October

 

 

 

Chicago Bears 18 – 17 Kansas City Chiefs

 

Bears stage a come back to snatch the win in Kansas.

 

Quarterback Jay Cutler lead the Bears to two touchdowns in the closing minutes in Kansas, the second of which was to Matt Forte with 18 seconds left to get a very big win for Chicago.  The reason why it was such a big win was because they were playing with round pegs in square holes as they were without WR’s Alshon Jeffrey and Eddie Royal and three starting linemen.  Oh and not to mention they trailed Kansas 17-3 as late as the third quarter.

 

 

What is going to be even harder for the Chiefs to take after this defeat is that they lost RB Jamaal Charles with a season ending ACL injury only months after his return from the same injury.  Charles is a massive player for Kansas and losing him now is only going to make a bad season even worse.  Whether Charles is going to be able to return at all we will only know after preliminary MRI scans this week.  Fingers crossed this is only a season ending injury and not a career ending one.

 

Chiefs Quarterback Alex Smith went 16 of 30 for 181 yards and was sacked three times.  That’s now 22 for the season so it’s not hard to see where the problem lies.  Any QB, even the legends such as Elway or Marino needed time to pull the trigger.  Being a Broncos fan I can honestly say that if ex Broncos coach John Fox is given time he will get it right.  There is always a transition period when a new coach comes in to any team.  Fox won’t make an impact this season now but if he’s still there next season – watch this space.

 

Next up a trip to the Minnesota on 18th October.

Bengals stay perfect, Steelers still in the chase

Article by Gordon Dedman

Is the AFC North the most interesting division in the NFL? None of the weekend’s games were blowouts. Two went into overtime and Monday night’s game was decided on the final play of regular time.

There are several players that deserve plaudits, but for me the headline man of the weekend is Josh McCown. He showed more than heart to give the Browns their first win in Baltimore since 2007. He showed the leadership the Browns have been seeking for just as long.

The Browns have now found their quarterback, so the fans should be hoping the organisation stick with him to give Johnny Manziel time to mature and develop without bearing the burden of becoming their franchise quarterback.  Not yet, anyway.

 

Cleveland Browns at Baltimore Ravens

After a nervy start with both teams going three and out, Joe Flacco found his form and led his team to a 14-3 lead in the first quarter. Previous Cleveland teams may have folded, but McCown’s didn’t and the Browns began to creep back into the game during the second period and replied to Baltimore’s superiority in the third quarter as McCown confirmed his ability when leading his team on a drive of 90 yards before finishing with his 10-yard touchdown run.

The fourth quarter saw Cleveland finally edge ahead, but the lead was to change hands twice more before  Baltimore kicked the field goal that made the score 30-30 to send the game into overtime.

After the Ravens three and out on their possession, McCown guided the Browns downfield to kick a 32-yard field goal to win the game and affirm they will play their part in deciding the division title. McCown threw for a team-record 457 yards and became the first Cleveland quarterback to have three straight games of 300+ yards. There should be no debate with the fans now as to who should be leading the team.

Cleveland’s victory handed Baltimore their first 1-4 start to a season and it also meant they had lost their first two games at home for the first time.

Seattle Seahawks at Cincinnati Bengals

Is this the year Andy Dalton comes of age? Against the Seahawks, Dalton showed poise, patience, panache and potency. This battle of two top quarterbacks saw Dalton come out on top of Seattle’s Russell Wilson and provide more proof of his development. The Seahawks star has been to the last two Super Bowls while Dalton has failed to get past the first round of the playoffs on four straight occasions.

Having matched the Seahawks in the first half, the third quarter belonged to Seattle as the Bengals offense stalled. As the game went into the fourth quarter, the Bengals were trailing by 17 points and needed a lift to spark resurgence.  Cincinnati’s Adam Jones provided that with his 35-yard punt return giving his team outstanding field position on their opponents 33.

Four plays later, Dalton’s touchdown pass had reduced the Bengals deficit and was followed on their next possession with Dalton’s 5-yard touchdown run up the middle. When the Seahawks were restricted to a three and out on their next series, the Bengals had 2:17 to force the game into overtime. Dalton guided his team into field goal range and as time expired, Mike Nugent’s 31-yard field goal tied the game 21-21 to add a fifth period.

As I have said several times previously, a Hollywood script for a game like this wouldn’t be viewed as credible. Seattle couldn’t make any progress in overtime, but Nugent was presented with a 42-yard field goal attempt that bounced off the left upright to add the drama that gave Dalton’s Bengals the victory. The Bengals are 5-0 for the first time since 1988, the last time they appeared in the Super Bowl.

 

Pittsburgh Steelers at San Diego Chargers

The Steelers Michael Vick only completed half of his passes during the game, but when it matter most midway through the final period, he threw a 72-yard touchdown completion to Markus Wheaton to tie the game at 17-17 and set up an unbelievable finale.

Both offenses found it difficult to make progress in the first three quarters. Vick struggled to find his receivers and relied heavily on Le’Veon Bell to make yardage. The revamped Chargers offensive line found the Steelers defense on top of their game preventing Philip Rivers from having time to settle.

It came down to the final three minutes for a wild finish. After a 12-play drive that finished with Josh Lambo’s 54-yard field goal, the Chargers were three points in front with 2:56 remaining. The big question hanging over the struggling Steelers offense was whether they could go downfield far enough for a field goal attempt.

Using short passes and Bell to keep the San Diego defense honest, the Vick of old emerged after he scrambled 24 yards up the middle for a first down. A 16-yard pass placed the ball on the Chargers one with just five seconds for a play.

With one timeout remaining, a field goal attempt was now secondary and the final play came in, possibly scripted by Ben Roethlisberger on the sideline. Ably assisted by David DeCastro’s block,  Bell’s off tackle run just broke the goal line to hand the Steelers an important win and keep their playoff hopes alive as they chase the 5-0 Bengals.

The NFL has confirmed the game clock in the Steelers final possession wasn’t operated correctly, but in his Tuesday press conference, coach Tomlin dismissed it as not defining the outcome of the game, so he was moving on although I think the media won’t.