Steelers 17, Bucs 10
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Vinny Cerrato's analysis |
The Bucs scored on Brad Johnson's 5-yard pass to Frank Murphy with 28 seconds remaining, then appeared to recover an onside kick at their 43, but upon review the ball went to the Steelers. |
Steelers D earned it with 10 sacks, but for individuality sake this goes to Jerome Bettis, who had 143 rushing yards and ran as well as threw for a TD. |
The Steelers have a strong pass defense to complement their run defense. It
starts with the cornerbacks and continues with the pass rush. Bucs QB Brad
Johnson doesn't move well, and the Steelers exploited that. |
UP NEXT: Steelers (4-1) vs. Titans (2-3) | Bucs (2-3) vs. Vikings (3-3) |
Bears 24, Bengals 0
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Vinny Cerrato's analysis |
After squandering chances to lead by more than 10-0 at the half, the Bears struck for a TD in the third for a 17-0 lead. |
Bears RB Anthony Thomas. The Michigan product set a club rookie rushing record with 188 yards, topping such legends as Walter Payton and Gale Sayers. |
The A-train made some strong runs, he showed explosiveness through holes and
he broke some tackles. It's been coming each week. He's been improving bit
by bit -- if he can keep moving in that direction and keep gaining
confidence, the Bears will have that strong running game to go with their
outstanding defense. |
UP NEXT: Bears (4-1) vs. 49ers (4-1) | Bengals (3-3) at Lions (0-5) |
Titans 27, Lions 24
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Vinny Cerrato's analysis |
Joe Nedney kicked a 46 yard FG with five seconds remaining. |
Titans kicker Nedney. Not just because of the game-winner, either; he hit four field goals in the game to save the Titans. |
Titans RB Eddie George doesn't look 100 percent healthy -- he hasn't had
a really productive running game all season. Steve McNair is playing better, but
George doesn't look like the guy who's averaged better than 1,300 yards per
season throughout his career |
UP NEXT: Titans (2-3) at Steelers (4-1) | Lions (0-5) vs. Bengals (3-3) |
Falcons 20, Saints 13
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Vinny Cerrato's analysis |
The Saints kicked a 31-yard FG with 26 seconds remaining to pull to 20-13, recovered their onside kick only to have their final pass fall short in the end zone. |
Falcons RB Maurice Smith. The former backup had a solid showing with 83 yards on 22 carries. |
Give Atlanta's defense a lot of credit. Despite a poor showing before this
game, the Falcons' D stepped up and pressured the quarterback. The Falcons
held Saints RB Ricky Williams to 51 yards on 21 carries. |
UP NEXT: Falcons (3-3) BYE | Saints (3-2) at Rams (6-0) |
Redskins 17, Panthers 14
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Vinny Cerrato's analysis |
Brett Conway kicked a 23-yard FG 1:52 into overtime. |
Redskins LB LaVar Arrington. His 67-yard interception return for a TD in the fourth quarter saved the day. |
Rod Gardner made some great plays against Carolina,
averaging 34.7 yards on six catches in his team's first win. He's just a
rookie, but that's being a go-to receiver. |
UP NEXT: Panthers (1-5) vs. Jets (3-3) | Redskins (1-5) vs. Giants (3-2) |
Browns 24, Ravens 14
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Vinny Cerrato's analysis |
Tim Couch passed to Quincy Morgan for a 36-yard TD and 24-6 lead in the fourth. |
Browns QB Couch. Solid day, going 11-for-18 for 149 yards and two TDs (no INTs) against powerhouse defense. |
The Ravens were sleepwalking today, and Cleveland just took it to them. Give
the Browns credit for their defense -- they went after Ravens QB Elvis
Grbac, pressured him into turnovers and set their offense up with a short
field. |
UP NEXT: Ravens (3-3) vs. Jaguars (2-3) | Browns (4-2) BYE |
Patriots 38, Colts 17
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Vinny Cerrato's analysis |
After taking a 31-17 lead into the fourth, Tom Brady found David Patten for another Patriots' TD. |
Patriots WR Patten. Ran, caught and passed for TDs, the first in the NFL to do that since Walter Payton in 1979. |
The Colts have been in a funk for three weeks now. They're playing flat, and you can't just pin it on the defense -- the offense isn't making plays, either. In fact, the Colts got beat at their own game today: the long pass. |
UP NEXT: Patriots (3-3) at Broncos (3-3) | Colts (2-3) at Chiefs (1-5), Thursday |
Rams 34, Jets 14
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Vinny Cerrato's analysis |
The Rams, leading by two touchdowns at the half, scored the first 10 points of the second half. |
Rams RB Trung Canidate. Flashed the all-around brilliance he showed in college at Arizona, rushing for 195 yards and two TDs and snagging three catches for 37 yards. |
I was surprised at how productive Canidate was (23 carries, 195 yards, two
touchdowns). Everybody knows he's got tremendous speed, and he made plays
with his speed today. |
UP NEXT: Rams (6-0) vs. Saints (3-2) | Jets (3-3) at Panthers (1-5) |
Cardinals 24, Chiefs 16
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Vinny Cerrato's analysis |
Corey Chavous intercepted Trent Green in the end zone with one second remaining to preserve the win. |
Cardinals RB Michael Pittman. Rushed for 95 yards and a TD, and caught four passes for 42 yards to get the nod over David Boston. |
The Chiefs have been hurt by injuries to their key receivers, Sylvester
Morris and Derrick Alexander. If you don't have receivers in the offense
Dick Vermeil wants to run, you don't have anything. That's where the Chiefs have
been struggling.
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UP NEXT: Chiefs (1-5) vs. Colts (2-3), Thursday | Cardinals (2-3) at Cowboys (1-4) |
Chargers 27, Broncos 10
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Vinny Cerrato's analysis |
Doug Flutie hit Jeff Graham for touchdowns of 17 and 20 yards in the third and fourth quarter, respectively, the last one making it 27-10. |
Chargers QB Flutie. Went 21 for 32 for 280 yards passing and two TDs. |
The Broncos need to get their offensive line
squared away -- they've got to protect QB Brian Griese and get back to
running the football. Denver also needs to play more consistently on defense. |
UP NEXT: Broncos (3-3) vs. Patriots (3-3) | Chargers (4-2) vs. Bills (1-4) |
Vikings 35, Packers 13
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Vinny Cerrato's analysis |
The Vikings took a 20-0 lead at the half, with Kailee Wong's 27-yard interception return for a TD the key. |
Vikings RB Doug Chapman. He didn't score, but 90 yards on 22 carries was exactly what the Vikes had been missing. |
The Vikings always play well against the Packers at home. Minnesota gets up
for this game because it's a big rivalry. If the Vikings become more
consistent, string some quality games together and play well on the road --
then you can say they're back among the NFC favorites. |
UP NEXT: Packers (4-2) BYE | Vikings (3-3) at Bucs (2-3) |
Eagles 10, Giants 9
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Donovan McNabb found James Thrash for an 18-yard TD pass and 10-9 lead with 1:52 left, then the Giants fumbled. |
Eagles QB McNabb. Not a great game, and Thrash deserves credit for staying in bounds, but McNabb did scramble and throw a strike with the game on the line. |
UP NEXT: Eagles (3-2) vs. Raiders (4-1) | Giants (3-3) at Redskins (1-5) |
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