Here's my quick review of everything we saw in Week 9 of the 2001 NFL season:
| TJ'S TOP 10 |
W-L |
TJ SAYS |
| 1. Rams |
7-1 |
The Rams just scored again … and again.
|
| 2. Steelers |
6-2 |
Jerome Bettis making case for league MVP.
|
| 3. Raiders |
6-2 |
Overwhelmed by Shaun Alexander on Sunday night.
|
| 4. Packers |
6-2 |
Eight consecutive wins at Soldier Field.
|
| 5. 49ers |
6-2 |
Kudos to QB Jeff Garcia and RB Garrison Hearst.
|
| 6. Bears |
6-3 |
Couldn't get into overtime for 3rd straight week.
|
| 7. Dolphins |
6-2 |
Jay Fiedler made his share of big plays.
|
| 8. Ravens |
6-3 |
Ugly, but suddenly a three-game winning streak.
|
| 9. Eagles |
5-3 |
Offensive explosion against the hapless Vikings.
|
| 10. Saints |
4-4 |
Defense has disappeared in Cajun Country.
|
Offensive player of the week:
Seahawks running back Shaun Alexander. Rushed for 266 yards (4th best all-time) and three touchdowns as Seattle surprised the Raiders, 34-27.
Defensive player of the week:
Steelers linebacker Jason Gildon. Seven tackles, 3½ of the team's seven sacks and a forced fumble in Pittsburgh's overtime win at Cleveland.
Special team player of the week:
Buccaneers kick returner Karl Williams. His 84-yard punt return for a touchdown proved to be the game-winner in Tampa Bay's win at the Silverdome.
Number of the week:
10. Number of consecutive games Pittsburgh's defense has held an opponent under 300 total yards (dating back to last year). Cleveland gained 187 today.
Surprise of the week:
No major upsets, so we'll see what happens in Seattle Sunday night.
Coaching move of the week:
St. Louis' Mike Martz. Instead of letting Marshall Faulk go for the rushing record, he didn't let the reigning MVP touch the ball in the second half. Good move for a key player coming off an injury.
Rising this week:
New York Jets. A three-game winning streak thanks to running back Curtis Martin and an improving defensive unit has Herman Edwards' team in the playoff hunt.
Falling this week:
New Orleans Saints. The defense can't stop the run and quarterback Aaron Brooks has been less than accurate as Jim Haslett's team has dropped three of its last four games.
Store it away:
Steelers running back Jerome Bettis is the league's MVP at the halfway point of the season.
Tom Jackson is an NFL analyst for ESPN.
