Jets cornerback Darrelle Revis is the best defensive player in the NFL posted by Colin Linneweber

The New York Jets lost an utter heartbreaker to the Atlanta Falcons 10-7 Sunday afternoon at the Meadowlands in New Jersey.

 

“We’re obviously out of the playoffs, and that’s unfortunate,” Jets Head Coach Rex Ryan incorrectly stated to the New York Daily News after the game in frustration.

 

The 7-7 Jets did virtually everything in their power to ensure that the 7-7 Falcons would steal the game and vacate the swamps of Jersey with a victory.

 

Jets rookie quarterback Mark Sanchez threw three costly interceptions and Gang Green’s kicking game banged the pooch on three separate field goal attempts as well.

 

“It’s tough to swallow,” said Sanchez, 23, who has tossed only 12 touchdown passes, in contrast to 20 interceptions, for 2,275 yards to date. “It’s never good to play that poorly. We played well in spurts and then we’d turn the ball over.”

 

As a team, the Jets lead the league in rushing and they are ranked first overall in total defense.

 

The formula that enabled New York to win three consecutive games was their abilities to run the ball effectively on the ground and play sound defensive football.

 

The Jets defense played stellar against the Falcons and they suffocated their entire offensive attack.

 

Jets star running back Thomas Jones, who entered this weekend’s game with the fourth most rushing yards in the NFL, was subpar and he finished with only 52 yards on 19 carries.

 

Needless to say, the Jets rushing attack did not perform the way that fans have become accustomed to.

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Big Daddy Embraces Lucky 13 posted by Les Leonard

     Sunday’ s lackluster Saints performance encouraged devoted Saints onlookers to do their best Fred Sanford impersonations (grabbing their chest, sensing “ The Big One” ), while the Saints struggled, but held off those rotten “ Dirty Birds” . The Saints surpassed another milestone in this magical 2009 season. Previously, 12 wins stood as the team record for the most wins in any season, which they achieved under Jim Mora in 1987 and 1992, led by Bobby Hebert and the awesome “ Dome Patrol” . As the pressure mounts on the ’ 09 players to stay perfect, Big Daddy believes the double-time formula will reduce Saints fans’ unbearable stress to a manageable level. If you normally drink one beer a quarter, make it two and everything will be all right. For those fans who don’ t drink, you better find Dr. Feelgood before the playoffs start. In this week’s edition of the Section 645 Saints Beat, Big Daddy attends the Louisiana High School Athletic Association/State Farm Prep Classic, reports from the Kingpin, recaps the Atlanta game, forecasts the NFC and AFC playoff positioning, and releases his World Famous Pregame Information.

     Last Friday night marked the start of the LHSAA/State Farm Prep Classic in the Superdome, the five championship games drew record-breaking crowds despite “ ponding” on area roadways due to heavy rain. The 2A state championship game featured John Curtis vs. Evangel. Evangel upset the heavily favored Patriots 18-13, earning their 12th state title, third most in Louisiana History. The 3A game pitted Parkview Baptist vs. Notre Dame. Notre Dame’s stout defense, held Parkview’s offense to 1 yard in the second half on their way to the 14-7 triumph. Saturday’s 1A battle, South Plaquemines vs. Haynesville, was a rather sloppy but hard-hitting affair, where the kickers converted only 1 of 5 extra points. Haynesville’s late interception dashed South Plaquemines’ three-peat dreams, persevering Haynesville’s 15th state crown (second on Louisiana’s all-time list) in their 19-12 win. In 4A Neville fought Franklinton, Neville jumped on Franklinton early, behind the brilliant play of quarterback Taylor Burch; they led 21-0 at the half. Franklinton owned the third quarter, trimming the deficit to 21-15 moving to the fourth. Neville closed the deal, scoring 10 points in the final period to secure the trophy, 31-15. The highly anticipated 5A match-up had Rummel opposing West Monroe always deemed by promoters as the “ Main Event.” West Monroe wore down the Raiders strong defense, turning West Monroe’ s 9-0 halftime cushion into a 30-0 blowout, assuring them top honors in Louisiana high school football.

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Joe's Opening Drive: Week 11 posted by Joe Anello

After three quarters of a boring contest, we finally got some action late in Thursday's Miami v. Carolina game. To anyone who had Ricky Williams on their fantasy team, good job. Now, we look to the weekend in the week 11 edition of the Oepning Drive!

(1-8) Cleveland Browns at (1-8) Detroit Lions 

This is the 2009 Suck Bowl Rebuilding Bowl. AKA the only game where the Lions should be healthy favorites all season. Say what you want about Detroit, they can put up some points with Matthew Stafford and Calvin Johnson. I'm not sure Cleveland is even aware that scoring six points at once is possible. The best part about the game is that one of these teams will reach two victories. (Though how classic and awesome would a tie be?

(5-4) Atlanta Falcons at (5-4) New York Giants

After solid starts to their seasons, both of these squads are heading in the wrong direction and are in serious danger of missing the playoffs altogether. Tom Coughlin's Giants have lost four straight while the Falcons have dropped three of their last four. Big Blue's vaunted defense has failed in recent weeks, but the offense is the real culprit. They've strayed from the running game and Eli Manning has turned the ball over with regularity. Atlanta's Matt Ryan is in a similar boat, with more interceptions through nine games this season that he had all of his rookie year. Whoever loses will almost certainly miss the postseason.

(9-0) Indianapolis Colts at (5-4) Baltimore Ravens

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Joe's Final Drive: Week 10 posted by Joe Anello

With all of the surprise upsets, there’s no way I can take the time to properly address them all. I’ll hit the best and worst of week 10 in this edition of the Final Drive! 

(3-6) Tennessee Titans 41
(3-6) Buffalo Bills 17 
Biggest thing to come out of this game besides Chris Johnson’s awesomeness is the $250,000 fine on Titans owner Bud Adams, who flipped off the crowds. Nice one Bud. Oh yeah, and Dick Jauron was fired today. Saw that coming. 

(5-4) Jacksonville Jaguars 24
(4-5) New York Jets 22 

We hear Jets coach Rex Ryan cried during his post-game talk to the players. Man has that team crumbled in unspectacular fashion. Mean while the Jags are 5-4 and scarily unpredictable. Maurice Jones-Drew’s kneel-down at the end of the game is getting some criticism, but he only did what he was told to do. The coaches trusted their kicking game and didn’t want to leave the Jets any time on the clock. I get it. 

(7-2) Cincinnati Bengals 18
(6-3) Pittsburgh Steelers 12 

Okay, we all have to start accepting the Bengals as a legitimate AFC contender. Any team that beats Pittsburgh and Baltimore twice in one season thanks to their defense should be treated likewise. Have you noticed they’ve turned into a power-running team? That added to their defense a conference champion makes.

 
One of many. 

(3-6) Washington Redskins 27

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Hours Before Kickoff: Week 9 posted by Randolph Charlotin

Just like the Patriots addressed the secondary with defending tall receivers in mind, the Miami Dolphins did the same in the off-season. The difference was the source of the remedy.

 

New England signed free agent veteran cornerbacks Shawn Springs and Leigh Bodden. Miami went the younger route and drafted Vonta Davis and Sean Smith.

 

Being division neighbors means they play almost the exact out of division opponents, save for Denver and Baltimore for the Patriots and San Diego and Pittsburgh for the Dolphins. Otherwise they both play the AFC South and NFC South.

 

Most of these teams feature large wide outs that are very tough to handle without the proper equipment: Atlanta’s Michael Jenkins (6’4” 217), New Orleans’ Marques Colston (6’4” 225), and Houston’s Andre Johnson (6’3” 225) to name a few.

 

While all great receivers, the Dolphins had one man in mind when they selected Davis and Smith: Randy Moss.

 

It’s hard enough trying to control a receiver about once every four years. But Moss was a problem twice a year. The ‘Fins haven’t been able to shut down Moss since he arrived in New England in2007.

 

Miami was completely caught off guard when Moss first arrived in the Sunshine State. With just four receptions, Moss (6’4” 210) burned the secondary worse than the July sun: 122 yards and two touchdowns. The encore lacked yards, but Randy inflicted equal damage: five receptions, 50 yards, two touchdowns.

 

One exception was the Wildcat game last September as they held Moss to four receptions and 25 yards in Matt Cassell’s second career start. Miami got cocky after that, and paid for their over-confidence.

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Big Daddy’s Unforgettable Halloween: posted by Les Leonard

     Big Daddy's spectacular Halloween weekend could not have ended any better than with a Darren Sharper pick to clinch the victory against the hated Dirty Birds on Monday night. Don’ t you feel sorry for people around the country living in cultureless gated communities whose neighbors are from anywhere USA, half of which will move within a year chasing a more lucrative job to fulfill the false illusion of sprawling malls, 401(k)s, mortgages, car payments, and college funds which define success in today’ s misguided America? In this edition on the Section 645 Saints Beat, Big Daddy thanks the Kingpin, reports from Section 645, recaps Monday night, covers the Voodoo Music Experience, plus gives a special Halloween report from Frenchmen St., and releases his World famous Pregame Information.

     If you missed the First Annual Big Daddy Tailgate BBQ prior to that Monday Night Party in Superdome, don’ t feel bad, but Wow! You missed a serious throw down. Big Daddy wishes to thank Ben, Steve, and Tamme for making the Kingpin feel like such a special place. When you combine that feeling the Kingpin exudes with grilling skills of Eric Labouchere and Nat Carrier (the master chefs of Martinique Bistro), the chemical reaction produces the best tailgating venue the Crescent City can offer. Loading up on an all-meat diet prior to football fuels those customary outbursts required by Big Daddy's Section 645 standards, teaching opponents that the Superdome has become the NFL's toughest place for visiting teams.

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The Real Tom Brady posted by Randolph Charlotin

Alright, Tom Brady. The grace period is over. Now it’s time to be yourself again. That means the accurate surgeon capable of lighting up the scoreboard with few errors should finally be back. You’ve had enough time to work out the kinks. No more excuses.

 

I’m holding true to my belief that Brady needed seven to eight weeks to find his comfort zone. As the season went on, we noticed the progress Brady made, step by step.

 

His second half against Buffalo was a complete 180 of the first half. After being blitzed nearly to death against the New York Jets, Brady carved up Atlanta and starred down Baltimore’s Ray Lewis-led defense and came out ahead.

 

Not happy with his inaccuracy on deep balls against Denver, Brady put on a clinic against Tennessee, throwing six touchdowns and connecting on a handful of passes downfield. And Brady put it all together in London in a sound defeat of Tampa Bay.

 

I gave Brady the same timetable that Indianapolis’ Peyton Manning needed to get right last year. Manning went from your average quarterback to league MVP in the course of half a season. If Brady is to reclaim his position in the NFL quarterback hierarchy, the second half of the season is when he must re-establish himself.

 

At this point, Brady isn’t number 1 or 1A. Since Brady missed almost all of last season, Manning held his place while New Orleans’ Drew Brees finally became recognized as one of the elite passers in the league. Brady still has some work to do to be considered an elite QB again. Past accomplishments don’t carry over.

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Joe’s NFL Opening Drive: Week 8 posted by Joe Anello

 

This weekend Denver faces yet another stiff challenge, and four division match-ups make the Opening Drive! Oh yeah, and some guy named Favre returns to the second team he played for. No big whoop. Let’s analyze! 

(6-0) Denver Broncos at (3-3) Baltimore Ravens 

For the past few games, we’ve all said “this will be the week the Denver Broncos lose.” So far those prognostications have proved worthless, as Josh McDaniels’ team is still undefeated. Kyle Orton has played efficiently if nothing else with nine touchdowns and only one interception (a half-ending throw-up) to his credit. This Sunday he faces a Ravens squad who has lost three straight and is in danger of falling out of the division race. With Cincinnati and Pittsburgh both off this week, Baltimore has a shot to climb out of their hole, but they need to hold a team to under 30 points sometime this season. 

(2-4) Miami Dolphins at (4-3) New York Jets 

The Dolphins are certainly the best 2-4 team in the league. Unfortunately that doesn’t count for much in the NFL. After two consecutive victories, they lost a 21-point lead and eventually lost to the Saints by 12. Getting over that heartbreaker will prove much easier if they can sweep their green division rivals. If Rex Ryan hasn’t learned how his team should defend against Ronnie Brown and the Wildcat, it will be a long day at the Meadowlands. Mark Sanchez rebounded with a solid game against the Raiders, but what quarterback doesn’t? (Besides Donovan McNabb… that one time.)  

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Joe's Final Drive: Week 7 posted by Joe Anello

Wow, it was blowout city this weekend. 11 of the 13 NFL games in week 7 were decided by ten points or more. That’s just ridiculous. Maybe it was good I was moving furniture on Sunday… wait, no it still wasn’t. To the Final Drive of week 7! 

(5-2) Pittsburgh Steelers 27
(6-1) Minnesota Vikings 17 

It’s about time I see Brett Favre being Brett Favre. That fourth quarter fumble and tipped pass/interception cost the Vikings another comeback win and an undefeated season. For shame. You should probably run Adrian Peterson more and stop 40-year old Favre from passing 51 times. Just a thought. Without Antoine Winfield, the Vikings’ secondary and run support is nowhere near as intimidating. Ben Ben and the Steelers are back in the division running after troubles the first weeks of the season. Troy Polamalu is all the difference in the Pittsburgh D.

Great shot.  

(4-3) Houston Texans 24
(3-3) San Francisco 49ers 21 

Well, they almost blew it, but the Texans held onto the victory to get over .500 this season. In an AFC south with the inconsistent Jaguars and winless Titans, the Texans could make a strong showing for second and a winning record. Meanwhile, over in San Fran, the Niners have lost three straight. They benched Shaun Hill at halftime and brought in former number one pick Alex Smith, who tossed three TD’s to Vernon Davis (who is a beast) to close the gap. Smith will start next week. Also a storyline was Michael Crabtree’s insertion into the starting line-up, catching five passes for 56 yards. It may not sound like a lot, but for someone that has only been with the team a few weeks, it’s impressive.

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Staying On the Run posted by Randolph Charlotin

Hopefully RB Laurence Maroney doesn’t think he’s off the hook after rushing for 123 yards (7.7 average) and a score. If anything, the expectations have gone up. It’s nice to see you blow up in one game as the undisputed primary ball carrier. But can you do this week after week after week?

 

While the numbers look good, I’m not sold on Maroney’s performance against Tennessee. It’s not just because the Titans are a bad team. Laurence started off well, hitting holes quickly. But after the 45-yard touchdown, his feet were pitter-pattering again.

 

I’ll give Maroney the benefit of the doubt, but only to a point. It was a snowy field so maybe to keep his traction Laurence chopped his feet. I’d believe it, except Maroney has a history of stuttering in the backfield. That, and on one run, he tried to bounce it outside instead of taking what was available. Old habits die hard.

 

We know what Maroney is capable of as a lead back. He averaged almost 100 yards through the final six games of 2007. That’s what is expected out of Maroney from now until Sammy Morris and Fred Taylor return to action.

 

Of course Maroney can’t do it alone. In his defense, the offensive line hasn’t consistently opened holes for Maroney in the early part of the season. With the combined talent in the backfield, the ground game should improve on the 6th overall ranking from last year, averaging 142 yards per game. The ranking has more than doubled, dropping to 13th overall and gaining 116 yards per game.

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Vinatieri seals late Patriots win

New England Patriots leave it late to beat Atlanta Falcons - plus an NFL round-up. [read full article]

From BBC Sport

Falcons sign CB Robinson to 6-year deal

The Atlanta Falcons have signed free-agent cornerback DuntaRobinson, the Houston Texans' career interceptions leader, to asix-year, $57 million contract. [read full article]

From FOXSports.com News for NFL

Falcons ink CB Robinson for 6 yrs., $57M (AP)

The Atlanta Falcons have signed free-agent cornerback Dunta Robinson, the Houston Texans' career interceptions leader, to a six-year, $57 million contract. The team confirmed the deal on Saturday. It was reported Friday that the Falcons and Robinson had agreed to terms. Robinson's signing is important because the Falcons finished 28th in the league against the pass last season. [read full article]

From Yahoo! Sports

Report: Falcons land CB Robinson

A person familiar with the negotiations says the Atlanta Falconshave agreed to terms with free-agent cornerback Dunta Robinson, whohad 13 interceptions in the last six seasons with Houston. [read full article]

From FOXSports.com News for NFL

Falcons, CB Robinson agree on 6-yr. deal (AP)

A person familiar with the negotiations said the Atlanta Falcons agreed to terms on a six-year deal Friday with free-agent cornerback Dunta Robinson, who had 13 interceptions in the last six seasons with Houston. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because no contract had been signed. Financial terms of the agreement were not immediately available. [read full article]

From Yahoo! Sports