11
Oct
2011
Wow. The Lions are 5-0 for the first time since 1956
(AP Photo via MLive.com)
We are witnessing something historic right now in the NFL. As the Lions soundly defeated the Bears 24-13 last night on Monday Night Football, the team that was the laughing stock of the league at 0-16 just three years ago improved to 5-0 for the first time since 1956.
It was the city’s first MNF game since 1991, and the Detroit crowd brought the noise to Ford Field, resulting in six false start penalties by the visiting Bears in the first half (9 total). Calvin Johnson scored on a 73-yard pass from Matt Stafford in the second quarter, and Jahvid Best added an 88-yard TD dash to give the Lions a double-digit lead in the third quarter.
The Lions defense harassed Jay Cutler all night long with 3 sacks and countless knockdowns, and to his credit, the Bears QB hung in and did his best to avoid the rush and try to make things happen. But Chicago simply couldn’t get the offense rolling in the second half, and the defense couldn’t contain Best, so the Bears now fall to 2-3, a full three games behind the NFC North leading Lions and Packers.
Watch Jahvid Best’s 88-yard TD run after the jump:
7
Oct
2011
NFL 2011 Quarter-Point Jump To Conclusions Mat
Michael Bolton: That's the worst idea I've ever heard in my life, Tom (Image via blogspot.com)
Every year, we try to refrain from pulling a Tom Smykowski from Office Space, and jumping to any conclusions about the upcoming NFL season prematurely. In a sixteen-game season, it usually takes several games for teams to figure out their identity, and a lot longer than that to determine a realistic playoff picture.
So, while it’s tempting to draw knee-jerk reactions from a couple of games, we at least try to wait until the quarter-point mark to start making our hyperbolic and definitive statements about the season ahead. Even with the lockout-shortened off-season, four games is enough to get a sense of which teams are back in the driver’s seat (Packers, Patriots), and which teams are going to have trouble living up to expectations (Jets, Rams).
So without further adieu, here are our top 5 observations on the ol’ Jump To Conclusions mat:
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(Photo: Philly.com)
The “Dream Team” is actually a Nightmare: This pre-season, the Philadelphia Eagles were crowned as NFC East Champions based almost solely on the big name signings made by GM Howie Roseman, who apparently attended the Dan Snyder school of Free Agency. Nnamdi Asomugha, Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, Jason Babin and Cullen Jenkins were among the stars to join the Philadelphia roster, and Eagles fans were planning trips to the Super Bowl before a down had been played.
Well, after a 1-3 start, the Eagles are proving that it takes more than just raw talent to win in the NFL, and chemistry can be the most important thing for a team to succeed. Plus, in the age of the salary cap, spending huge money at certain positions inevitably results in deficiencies elsewhere (see the Eagles LB corps), and so far the Philly defense has been a big disappointment. It will be interesting to see how Andy Reid – and the egos in his locker room – handles their early adversity.
- The Detroit Lions will compete for the NFC crown: Yes, the Lions bandwagon is already starting to get crowded after starting the season 4-0 for the first time since 1980, and completing consecutive comebacks of 20 points or more against the Vikings and Cowboys.Ndamukong Suh and Calvin Johnson are unquestionably young superstars in this league, and if Matt Stafford can remain healthy, they give Jim Schwartz’ team a chance to compete in any game. And first round draft pick Nick Fairley could return from injury this week, making Detroit’s defense even more imposing. Bottom line: the Lions will make playoffs this year.
- The Buffalo Bills are for real: The Bills are off to an impressive 3-1 start, and after defeating their hated rival Patriots in Week 3, they’re a fashionable pick to surprise in the AFC this year. Chan Gailey’s offense is clicking with Ryan Fitzpatrick, Fred Jackson and Steve Johnson off to a hot start, and the Bills defense has been opportunistic with 8 INTs. But those takeaways could be covering up for bigger problems on defense, and Buffalo faces a brutal schedule late in the season which will really test their road toughness. So while the Bills are definitely improved, and there’s reason for optimism in Buffalo, the division still goes through New England until someone proves otherwise.
(Photo: WashingtonPost.com)
3
Oct
2011
Cowboys suffer historic collapse; Lions start season 4-0 (VIDEO)
(Photo: Getty Images via BleacherReport.com)
Wow. Just wow.
After dominating the first half of Sunday’s Cowboys-Lions game and leading 27-3 in the third quarter, Tony Romo and the Cowboys figured out a new and exciting way to blow a football game. Romo threw two – count ‘em, TWO – pick six interceptions (3 total 2nd half INTs) that let the Lions back in the game and eventually defeat Dallas, 34-30. It was a stunning performance on both sides of the ball, as the Lions completed their second straight 20+ point comeback and improved to 4-0 for the first time since 1980.
Watch as Romo throws a gift-wrapped interception to his former teammate (and groomsman in his wedding) LB Bobby Carpenter who takes it to the house, and then follows that up with another INT to CB Chris Houston, who cuts the Lions deficit even further with a 56-yard return:
VIDEO AFTER THE JUMP
27
Nov
2009
Matt Stafford is even more impressive on “mic’d up”
We realize that the Matt Stafford coverage this week is bordering on man-crush territory. And the fact that he threw 4 INTs yesterday against the Packers cannot be ignored.
But you just can’t fight a great story. And Stafford’s gutsy comeback performance (and particularly the final play) last weekend against the Browns was a great story. This “mic’d up” segment gives even more insight into the way this kid plays the game of football, including how he fought off the trainers to re-enter the game with a shoulder injury. If you don’t want to follow Stafford into battle after watching this, I don’t know what to tell you.
Stafford has obviously got a long way to go. But it’s clear from this video that he has the intangibles you just can’t teach, and should make him a great QB in this league for a long time.
24
Nov
2009
Awesomely Hilarious Video: Matt Stafford is now a man
I don’t know who wrote this song (UPDATE: as I should have guessed, it’s from the South Park guys, and was actually the opening theme song for Trey Parker’s movie Orgazmo), but it’s definitely the best thing I’ve heard in a while. The fact that it’s set to a montage of Matt Stafford pics and highlights is just icing on the cake.
Hope you enjoy a laugh on this pre-holiday Tuesday:
Live it, Live it!
23
Nov
2009
Game of the Week Highlights: Lions vs Browns – Stafford shoulders the win
Matt Stafford breaks away from a member of the Lions training staff to re-enter the game against the Browns (Photo: JULIAN H. GONZALEZ/DFP)
Heading into week 11 of the NFL season, one game stood out as the match-up that nobody wanted to see – the 1-8 Detroit Lions vs the 1-8 Cleveland Browns. The worst teams from both conferences squaring off in a game that was barely even broadcast on TV in their home markets. Feel the power. But by Sunday evening, this clash of the basement-dwellers stood out from the pack as the most competitive, action-packed game of the week. And the ending was certainly the most memorable!
The Browns jumped out to a lead on the arm of Brady Quinn, who threw for three 1st quarter TDs, and had Cleveland feeling good early. But rookie #1 pick Matt Stafford led the Lions on a gutsy comeback with 4 TDs of his own, giving them one last shot to win the game as time expired.
If you don’t know what happened by now, you can watch the complete game highlights below … or fast forward to around 5:10 to see the big finish (game recap here):
Peter King describes exactly what happened on those final two plays , including what went down after Stafford seemingly threw a pick to end the game as time ran out. But a pass interference penalty – along with an unnecessary timeout by Eric Mangini – allowed Stafford to re-enter the game after injuring his shoulder to throw the go-ahead score. Against the wishes of Lions team doctors.
UPDATE: Stafford suffered an AC joint separation in his non-throwing (left) shoulder. He is likely to miss Thursday’s Lions game against the Packers, but it doesn’t look like a long-term injury.
And while it’s yet another brutal loss for Cleveland and their fans (and TheDarkHorse may kill me for this post), the win marks the coming out party for Matt Stafford as a QB who now has earned the respect of his teammates, along with the city of Detroit. Head Coach Jim Schwartz summed it up best after the game:
“His best play wasn’t the last play, or the second-to-last,” Schwartz told me. “His best play was eluding four of our medical guys to get back onto the field.”
By playing through the pain and carrying the team on his shoulders (literally), Stafford has given hope to a franchise that hasn’t felt that emotion since Barry Sanders left town. And that’s a pretty big accomplishment in and of itself.
22
Aug
2009
( ( ( LIVE GAME BLOG ) ) ) Browns vs. Lions
The Browns 10-year rebuilding plan continues today!
And we are here to follow the action. After a dismal showing against Green Bay last Saturday, will the Browns have their act together today in Cleveland Browns Stadium? Will Eric Mangini‘s team be different than those coached by Chris Palmer, Butch Davis, or Romeo Crenell–or is this just more of the same?
Aspects of the game the Browns need to improve:
- Every aspect
There’s an incredible amount of attention on the QB battle between Brady Quinn and Derek Anderson, but the reality is that neither of these guys has separated from the pack. Neither has shown they can play consistent football week to week (or even practice to practice). The “quarterback controversy” here, in my opinion, is the fact that we’re going into the season for the eleventh time since the Browns return to the league WITHOUT a clear-cut starter–and minus a true leader at the position.
Here are two problems that suggest disaster for this team: (1) They cannot run the football; (2) They cannot stop the run. That’s the recipe for a painful, long season. This team that has to get tougher, smarter, and refuse to lie down. Winning or losing preseason games is not of core importance–but playing well, gaining confidence, and nailing down Mangini’s new system are critical.
Will the team get their act together today? We’ll post throughout the game, right after the jump…
29
Jul
2009
NFL Rookie Talent Show
Apparently the latest trend in NFL trading cards is to gather all of the newest entrants to the league together and make them do something stupid on camera. Earlier this year we were treated to the Upper Deck NFL Rookie Touchdown Dance-Off. Now, Topps is now getting into the game with the Topps NFL “Rookies Got Talent” Competition.
Here we see some of the highest-profile NFL rookies – including Mark Sanchez, Matt Stafford, Kenny Britt & Knowshawn Moreno – show off their hidden talents . Most of these are pretty stupid, but check out the amazing display of hand speed by Giants WR Hakeem Nicks … I can only assume it’s a trick, but if not, my man’s got some ridiculous hand-eye coordination.
Meanwhile, while all this it taking place, 32 of 36 first round draft choices remain unsigned. Ah, priorities.
“While we in no way condone Antonio’s decision to be in a nightclub in Manhattan less than two days before a game, we cannot understand the DA’s position that Antonio is subject to criminal charges. When this incident occurred, Antonio reacted out of concern for the health and well-being of Plaxico Burress. His first priority was to make sure Plaxico received proper medical attention for what very well could have been a life-threatening wound. There was no criminal intent on the part of Antonio, who was thrust into this predicament simply because he accompanied Plaxico that evening and because he made the decision to immediately take Plaxico to the hospital. We believe it is unwarranted for the DA’s office to press criminal charges against Antonio under these circumstances.”
Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/giants/2009/07/mara-charges-against-pierce-un.html#ixzz0MbjSzzia
24
Jul
2009
Friday Round-Up: NFL Draft Goes Primetime, the T.O. Show Sucks, You Wish You Were Matt Stafford
Happy belated 4th of July! Especially to the blond in the pink top.
Things have sort of gotten away from us here at ReadandReact since around the 4th of July, when a blur of whiskey, fireworks and real life responsibilities stepped in to interrupt your regularly scheduled pointless NFL banter. And for that, we’d like to apologize.
But let’s not kid ourselves. July is a particularly painful time for NFL news (we’re getting into Fantasy preview territory now), and since we won’t waste space on that attention whore who shall remain nameless, it’s been a little light on fodder for our cynical rants of late.
We’ll try to pick things up now that we’re heading into training camp, and there might be some semblance of actual football news. Or not. I mean, it’s not like we’re getting paid for this. Get off our backs, okay?!?
Here’s your Friday Round-Up:
- NFL Draft Expands to 3 days in 2010: First round to be broacast live on Thursday in primetime. Second and Third rounds Friday night. Fourth-Seventh on Saturday. Hmmmm … so entire weekends will no longer go to waste? Mixed feelings on this one, I gotta say.
- Good for Matt Stafford: I have no idea where the banner photo above is from (apparently taken on or around the 4th of July), but it’s nice to see the #1 draft pick is enjoying himself before his first NFL training camp begins. I mean, it’s all downhill for the poor bastard in Detroit.
- The T.O. Show premiered on VH1 this week, and it was just about the steaming pile we expected it to be (see this spot-on review from the Boston Herald). The latest “reality show” addition to the VH1 non-music video stable is a badly staged outlet for Owens’ unchecked ego, and it succeeds in revealing T.O. as a bigger child off the field than even imaginable. He spends most of the show shirtless and being scolded by his publicists/friends/handlers, Mo’ and Kita (neither of whom, incidentally, were responsible for the famous “25 million reasons to live” quote during the T.O. overdose scare of 2006, like I had hoped). They nag, he rolls his eyes and flexes … the highlight of the show is waiting to see whether or not Terrell ends up nailing his realtor.
Watch the awful highlight clip after the jump, and save yourselves from watching the show.
28
May
2009
NFL Rookie Dance Off!
Thirty-four members of the 2009 NFL Rookie Class were gathered together in Los Angeles this past weekend for the annual Reebok NFL Players Rookie Premiere Upper Deck Photo Shoot.
In addition to getting their pictures taken for their trading cards, the rookies were challenged to perform their best Touchdown Dance, with the winner taking home an autographed Michael Jordan jersey.
Let’s go to the videotape:
If you disregard the fact that most of these would draw a 15-yard penalty for including props (and the fact that we’ve seen half of those before anyway), there were actually some decent moves in there. Broncos RB Knowshon Moreno taking home the prize for his lumberjack celebration … I don’t know, I kind of liked Aaron Curry‘s, myself.
