I know Naptime Huddle should reflect on the week’s games on
Mondays, but the outcome of the Monday night Cowboys vs. Redskins game needed
to be determined before I felt that a Week 3 wrap-up could be complete. Therefore, let’s begin our bite-sized thoughts
with that contest.
1. Riveting
Field Goal Battle! Looks like my
nephew, Eric, was right in picking this as a must–see game this week.
Especially if you like field goals.
There must be some nefarious allergen in Cowboys Stadium because both
teams caught a severe red zone allergy. Only
the Redskins managed to score a touchdown from inside the 20-yard line. The two teams combined for nine field goals;
Dallas used six to hand the Redskins their first loss of the season.*
2.
Topsy-Turvy
Division Standings. Glancing through
the division standings after Week 3, there are few surprises:
a.
Coming off an incredible comeback win the second
week in a row, the Buffalo Bills are in first place in the AFC East. Anointed an “Unexpected Undefeated” by NH last week, the Bills earned that title
by knocking off the heavily-favored New England Patriots 34-31 after being
behind 21-0 to start the game. Four
interceptions of Tom Brady and a last second field goal got it done. If they keep this up a clean record will no
longer be unexpected.
b.
The Detroit Lions are only one game behind the
NFC North leaders (the Green Bay Packers) and they show no signs of slowing
down. Incredible passing by QB Matthew
Stafford and spectacular catches by wide receiver Calvin Johnson, capped by a
clutch field goal by veteran kicker Jason Hanson, resulted in an electrifying
win over the already weary Minnesota Vikings.
c.
The Indianapolis Colts are winless and at the
bottom of the AFC South without Peyton Manning.
‘Nuff said.
3.
Disappointment
in Philadelphia: The wheels aren’t
quite coming off yet in Philadelphia, but the lug nuts are certainly getting
loose. The self-named “Dream Team” is
having a nightmarish start after dropping to 1-2 with a loss to division rival
New York Giants. Giants QB Eli Manning
made the much-touted Philly secondary look silly; Eagles QB Michael Vick left
with a bruised right hand and it is unclear when he will return to the
field.
4.
Dead Team
Walking? The Tennessee Titans won
their battle against the Denver Broncos on Sunday, but they may have lost the
war, having lost Kenny Britt to a knee injury.
If Britt, the team’s star in the first two weeks, is done for the
season, can veteran QB Matt Hasselbeck keep hope alive in Nashville? Personally, I can’t imagine the Titans will
roll over; Hasselbeck still managed to have a 300+ yard game without Britt.
5.
For Newton,
Maybe Ugly is Beautiful: I’m
borrowing a phrase from my niece, Nicky’s Saturday post of our family’s chocolate cake recipe but it’s
particularly apt for this week’s win by the Carolina Panthers. Rookie QB Cam Newton’s first two games have
been works of art from a statistical standpoint, throwing for over 400 yards in
each game. However, both games were
losses. On Sunday, Newton struggled to
even hold onto the ball in a torrential downpour and had average numbers: he
was 18 for 34 with only 158 yards. All
that matters is the final score, though, and Newton led his team on a flawless
drive at the end to draw up a victory.
6. Keeping the Bubbly on Ice:
And for the 1972 Dolphins, here are the
remaining undefeated teams in the NFL: Buffalo Bills, Detroit Lions and Green
Bay Packers.
*In case you were
wondering, the record for most field goals made by a team in a single game is
8, which was accomplished by Tennessee Titan Rob Bironas on October 21, 2007
against the Houston Texans. I couldn’t find a definitive answer, but Monday night's game might
actually tie a record for most field goals made in a single game by the teams
playing.
