5. New England Patriots 17,
In Foxboro, in an ugly game for both teams, the Patriots showed yet again how much heart they possess and emerged victorious behind Kevin Faulk and Mike Cloud, who combined for 110 yards and a touchdown.
The Giants showed just how many problems they really have on offense. They committed five turnovers and didn’t force a single Patriot turnover. This was a key factor in New England’s victory.
Richard Seymour had a huge game for the Patriots, deflecting two passes that turned into interceptions and coming up with a huge sack that stopped a potential Giant touchdown drive.
Seattle Seahawks 20,
In Seattle, the 49ers were able to come back from what looked like a blowout, only to lose on a missed extra point.
Jeff Garcia scored on a bootleg late in the third to put his team in what looked like a tie ballgame, but the extra point hold was flubbed by Bill LaFleur, and kicker Owen Pochman had to pause before kicking the ball wide right.
The 49ers were able to get it right the next time when Pochman connected on a 33-yarder to put the 49ers up 19-17, but the Seahawks kicker Josh Brown delivered on the next possession to put his team up 20-19. Garrison Hearst of the 49ers was stripped right after the two minute warning, and that proved to be the end of the game.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 35,
In Landover, the Buccaneers waited until the second half before they turned on the jets. Down 10-7 at halftime, the Bucs gained almost 300 yards on offense in the second half alone and wound up destroying the helpless Redskins.
Patrick Ramsey still had no protection from his offensive line, which gave up four sacks to Simeon Rice alone and another two to Warren Sapp.
As for the much hyped feud between Redskins linebacker Lavar Arrington and Sapp, it proved to be much ado about nothing. Sapp was only on offense for a couple of plays, and Arrington never laid a hit on him, although he did stop Buc’s running back Michael Pittman cold on the one yard line.
Carolina Panthers 23,
In Indianapolis, the Panthers kept finding ways to win behind running back Stephen Davis and its all pro defense. Davis had 76 yards rushing before getting pulled out of the game with an injured forearm and being replaced by second year player Deshawn Foster, who had 86 yards on the ground.
The Colts could not come up with a second straight come-from-behind victory, although they did their best to achieve one. Peyton Manning hit Reggie Wayne to tie the game at 20 before going into overtime. That was the last Colt possession, as the Panthers kept handing the ball to Foster and watching him run over the Colt defense. Panther kicker John Kasey hit a 47 yard field goal to win the game.
Kansas City Chiefs 40,
In Green Bay, the Packers let go of a 17 point fourth quarter lead and watched the Chiefs blow by their helpless defense. Even when it looked like the Packers were going to somehow pull off a victory, Ahman Green seemed to “fumble” it away.
After Morten Anderson’s field goal was blocked, Ahman Green fumbled on the next play, and Trent Green connected with Eddie Kennison on the next play for the overtime victory. Even though Dante Hall did not have a game winning touchdown return, Hall came up with some big returns that put his team in tremendous field position.
Other Regional Action:
In East Rutherford, the Bills, who looked like a strong Super Bowl contender the first two games of the season, struggled to find a running game, and collapsed to 3-3 on the season. The Jets, who move up to 1-4, have new life with a renewed running game, gaining 100 yards on the ground for the first time this season.
Player of the Week: Trent Green
Green’s leadership and pinpoint passes helped his team come back from a 17 point defecit against the Packers. In Lambeau Field. These three things are very difficult to do by themselves, much less combined.
It also helped that Green had the second most passing yards of the day (400) and three touchdowns while staying perfect with no interceptions.
Disappointment of the Week:
Maybe this should be called the disappointment of the season. At the beginning of the season, some experts had the Falcons on their way to the Super Bowl.
Not so fast. With Doug Johnson at the helm, the Falcons have fallen to 1-4, hitting their lowpoint this week when they were mauled on both sides of the ball by a St. Louis team that is marginal at best.
This team looks nothing like the 9-6-1 team last year that beat the Packers at home during the playoffs for the first time in history. And with quarterback Mike Vick still expected to miss another two to three weeks, things look dismal.
But, like he said this Monday night, he’s not Superman.
Watch out for: Kevin Faulk
Not even the starting running back for the Super Bowl XXXVI Champion Patriots, Faulk has wrestled the starting job away from starter Antoine Smith with his consistent, slashing running style.
Cousin of St. Louis Ram Marshall Faulk, Faulk exhibits many of the same qualities of his much famous cousin at a much more affordable price.
He can catch, run, and even throw the ball. He’s averaging around four yards a carry, and got his personal best 86 yards rushing last week. He gives the Patriots the running game that was missing from two years ago, and if he can stay healthy and consistent, he might just lead his team into the promised land that was visited just two short years ago.
