Weekly Roundup

Week Nine
By Nick Ferraro
Senior Columnist

Seahawks 33 Cardinals 19

Shaun Alexander has petitioned the league office for permission to play the Cards every week. Dennis Green’s team looks undisciplined. Who gets cut for that? It’s official – Kurt Warner has nothing left in the tank.

Stat of the game: Neil Rackers should be the NFC Pro-Bowl kicker. Four more field goals just illuminate the fact that Arizona has no idea how to finish a drive.

Browns 20 Titans 14

The Browns have to do better in the first round next year. Braylon Edwards had one catch for two yards. He has 15 catches on the year.

Stat of the game: The Browns had their first rushing TD of the season Sunday.

Chiefs 27 Raiders 23

The Raiders snatched defeat from the jaws of victory. The Chiefs ran the ball in from the one-yard line with :05 on the clock. It was a big gamble as they could have tried a quick pass and kicked the tying field goal if needed. If the Raiders made the stop, Vermeil would have been charbroiled for the call.

Stat of the game: The Raiders fell to 3-5 and last in AFC West.

Falcons 17 Dolphins 10

The Falcons threw a second-half shutout in Miami. The win kept the Vick family from dropping to 0-2 against Miami for the weekend.

Stat of the game: Vick had his best passing game of the year – 22-31 for 228 and a TD.

Bengals 21 Ravens 9

I wonder if the Ravens will be thinking offense in next year’s draft. Carson Palmer should be getting mentioned as an MVP candidate.

Stat of the game: Jamal Lewis managed just 13 more rushing yards than his quarterback.

Bears 20 Saints 17

Cedric Benson had his best game as a pro for the Bears. The Saints have thrown their hat into the ring in the Matt Leinart derby. This team will have a new home, a new coach, and a new quarterback at the start of next season.

Stat of the Game: Four more turnovers for New Orleans/San Antonio/ Baton Rouge.

Vikings 27 Lions 14

Joey Harrington, who still stinks, and Steve Mariucci will be done after the season.

Stat of the Game: Scottie Vines led the Lions in receiving. That’s right, with the talent the Lions have at WR, Scottie Vines had 9 grabs for 109 yards.

Panthers 34 Buccaneers 14

It was a key game in the NFC South. The Bucs miss Brian Griese. I never thought anyone would actually miss Brian Griese.

Stat of the Game: The Panthers have won the last five games against the Bucs

Jaguars 21 Texans 14

The Texans played hard looking for their second straight win. Jacksonville needed two fourth-quarter TDs to come from behind.

Stat of the Game: Fred Taylor left the game early with an injury. I know you’re shocked.

Giants 24 49ers 6

The Giant joyride is coming to an end. After next week’s tussle with the mighty Vikings, the Gnats will actually have to play some pro teams.

Stat of the Game: Subtracting the miracle against Denver, the teams the Gnats have beaten have a combined 14-26 record.

Steelers 20 Packers 10

The Steelers offered to make it a close game, but the Packers declined.

Stat of the Game: The Steelers won despite managing just 59 passing yards and converting 0 of 8 third downs.

Redskins 17 Eagles 10

The Eagles lost the battle, but they won the war. Cutting Terrell Owens free will make them a better team. T.O. will never get the contract he seeks, and we are left to wonder what kind of career he may have had if his head was screwed on correctly.

Stat of the Game: The Skins held Philadelphia to just 45 yards on the ground.

Chargers 31 Jets 26

I’m not sure exactly what Chad Pennington’s injury has to do with the defense, but the Jets have not been able to stop anyone since the brittle blond went down. The game plan had to involve slowing LaDainian Tomlinson and TE Antonio Gates, but both had huge games. The Jet defense has been disappointing. The last three opponents have all scored at least 27 points. Brooks Bollinger showed some major heart in leading the Jets after Vinny went out with an injury. Bollinger had two TDs and brought the Jets inside the San Diego ten in the closing moments. The Jets had a chance to win it but couldn’t punch it in. Bollinger deserves a start after Sunday’s performance.

Stat of the Game: Before Bollinger’s TD tosses, Tomlinson had as many TD passes as the Jets for the season.

Colts 40 Patriots 19 (Mon)

The ’72 Dolphins are getting a little antsy after Monday night’s game. The Colts are clearly out in front of the rest of the league at this point.

Stat of the Game: Held to just 34 yards on the ground, the Pats couldn’t play the “keep-away� style that had been successful against Manning.

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