NFL 100: A Spotlight
The past two posts were pretty lengthy as the history of the AFL requires you to talk about it from birth to the 1970 merger. This spotlight will be shorter as I will talk about one of the greatest runs I've ever seen from a running back. The crowd noise alone caused enough seismic activity to cause a tremor. The game would be called "Beast Quake."
On January 8th, 2011 the 7-9 Seattle Seahawks (winners of the NFC West, mind you) hosted the 11-5 New Orleans Saints in the opening game of the NFL Wild Card playoffs. The Seahawks were lead by Matt Hasselbeck, Marshawn Lynch, Mike Williams and Earl Thomas. The Saints were the defending champions after winning Super Bowl XLIV the year before. They were anchored by Drew Brees, Marques Colston, Darren Sharper and Jonathan Vilma. It would be the first time that a team with a losing record play in the playoffs, let alone host a playoff game.
The two teams had met before during the regular season. In a week 11 contest, the Saints would beat the Seahawks at home 34-19. In most people's minds, the wild card game between the two would be much of the same. Vegas had the Saints as 10-point favorites.
The first quarter scoring started with a Garrett Hartley field goal to put the Saints up 3-0. A 1-yard pass play from Brees to Heath Evans gave the Saints a 10-0 cushion. John Carlson would give the Seahawks some points on the board from a 11-yard play from Hasselbeck to cut the lead to 10-7 to end the first quarter.
The 2nd quarter would see more scoring as Brees hit Julius Jones for a touchdown, with a 17-7 Saints lead. John Carlson would get his 2nd receiving touchdown from Hasselbeck, keeping the deficit down to 3 with a 17-14 game. Olindor Mare would give the Seahawks a field goal to tie the game at 17. Seattle wouldn't be done with that as Hasselbeck would hit Brandon Stockley with a 45-yard pass for a touchdown to give the Seahawks their first lead in the game, 24-17 Seattle. Garrett Hartley would hit a field goal to finish the first half with a 24-20 Seahawks lead into halftime.
Mike Williams 38-yard pass catch for a touchdown opened up the scoring into the 3rd quarter. Giving the Seahawks a 31-20 cushion. Olindo Mare would hit a field goal to give the Seahawks a 34-20 lead, finishing the 3rd quarter.
The Saints would come roaring back with a 4-yard run from Julius Jones to cut the lead down to a 34-27 deficit. Garrett Hartley would hit a field goal to cut the Seahawks lead down to 4 with a 34-30 game. The two teams would trade possessions a couple of times until the Seahawks would attempt to kill some clock and run the ball. They would get that and more.
On a 2nd and 10 play, the Seahawks would run a play in the I-formation with the play "17 Power" a counter run by Lynch. The end result would be that Lynch would break eight tackles en route to the endzone on a 67-yard run that would drive the people at Qwest Field nuts, creating a crowd noise that caused a tremor.
The play is certainly most memorable as I was in my dorm room at the time watching the game. After the game was over I put a status on Facebook saying "The Saints are the first team to lose to a losing team in the playoffs" or at least something like that. In the end, it would be the final playoff win for Matt Hasselbeck both as a player and as a Seattle Seahawk. In the 2011 offseason he would sign with Tennessee. A couple of seasons later the Seahawks would draft a rather short quarterback out of Wisconsin by the name of Russell Wilson, the rest is history.
Week 9 Recap
San Francisco 28, Arizona 25: TW: 49ers, CV: 49ers
The Cardinals kept it an interesting game but the 49ers remain undefeated. Jimmy Garoppolo threw the ball for 317 yards with four touchdowns, easily his best game of the season so far. Matt Breida would be the leading rusher for the 49ers with 78 yards but with zero touchdowns. Certainly the Cardinals defense kept the 49ers rushing attack from getting a lot of yardage. Kyler Murray did well with 241 yards passing yards with two touchdowns. Newly acquired player Kenyan Drake ran the ball for 110 yards with a touchdown, giving him leading rusher honors of the game.
All-time series: 49ers lead series 30-26
Next week: San Francisco: vs Seattle (Monday night); Arizona: @ Tampa Bay
TW: 1-0; CV: 1-0
Houston 26, Jacksonville 3: TW: Jaguars; CV: Jaguars
The loss of JJ Watt certainly didn't affect the Texans defense. DeShaun Watson finished the day with 201 yards passing with two touchdowns while rushing for 37 yards. Duke Johnson would get a touchdown while compiling 13 rushing yards. Carlos Hyde would get leading rushing honors in the game with 160 yards. Gardner Minshew looked mortal in the game with his 309 yards passing with two interceptions. Leonard Fournette would only get 40 yards rushing for the Jaguars. Houston escapes London with a win.
All-time series: Texans lead series 23-13
Next week: Houston: Bye; Jacksonville: Bye
TW: 1-1; CV: 1-1
Minnesota 23, Kansas City 26: TW: Vikings; CV: Vikings
The game was actually pretty entertaining. Kirk Cousins did well in the game but perhaps could've done more to get the win. Cousins threw the ball for 220 yards with 3 touchdowns. Dalvin Cook was held to less than 100 yards for the first time in quite a while. Cook would finish the game with 71 with zero touchdowns. Matt Moore was starting for the 2nd consecutive game in Patrick Mahomes' absence. Moore finished the game with 275 yards passing with a touchdown. Damien Williams would get 125 yards rushing, including a 91-yard rushing touchdown. Harrison Butker would hit 4 for 4 in field goals, including the game winning field goal from 44 yards. Vikings should've really won this game but defense kind of let them down.
All-time series: Chiefs lead series 8-5
Next week: Minnesota: @ Dallas; Kansas City: @ Tennessee
TW: 1-2; CV: 1-2
NY Jets 18, Miami 26: TW: Jets; CV: Jets
The ghosts of the 2008 Lions and 2017 Browns can sleep easy as the Dolphins get win #1. Sam Darnold threw the ball for 260 yards with a touchdown and an interception. Le'Veon Bell ran the ball for a decent 66 yards with zero touchdowns. Ryan Fitzpatrick started for Miami, getting 288 yards passing with three touchdowns. Mark Walton Jr ran the ball for 29 yards. Oddly enough there was two safeties in this game, one each for both teams. Cincinnati is the lone winless team now this season.
All-time series: Jets lead series 54-53-1
Next week: NY Jets: vs NY Giants; Miami: @ Indianapolis
TW: 1-3; CV: 1-3
Washington 9, Buffalo 24: TW: Bills; CV: Bills
Dwayne Haskins would get his first start of the season for the Redskins. It was an average start. Haskins threw the ball for 144 yards with zero touchdowns while not throwing any interceptions. Adrian Peterson would carry the load with 108 yards with zero touchdowns, a good day for him. Josh Allen would have a good day with his arm and legs as he threw for 160 yards with a touchdown while getting 12 rushing yards with a touchdown. Devin Singletary would finish the day with leading rushing honors for the Bills with 95 yards.
All-time series: Bills lead series 9-6
Next week: Washington: Bye; Buffalo: @ Cleveland
TW: 2-3; CV: 2-3
Indianapolis 24, Pittsburgh 26: TW: Steelers; CV: Colts
The game came down to a missed field goal from Adam Vinatieri. Jacoby Brissett would start the game but would leave the game with a knee injury with 59 passing yards. Brian Hoyer would step in and have a good game in the backup role with 168 yards passing with three touchdowns and an interception. Marlon Mack would finish the day with 89 rushing yards. Mason Rudolph started for Pittsburgh and would throw for 191 yards with a touchdown and an interception. Trey Edmonds would tally 73 yards rushing with zero touchdowns, while filling in as a backup running back. Steelers are back to .500 after a 1-4 start.
All-time series: Steelers lead 25-6
Next week: Indianapolis: vs Miami; Pittsburgh: vs LA Rams
TW: 3-3; CV: 2-4
Tennessee 20, Carolina 30: TW: Panthers; CV: Panthers
Another game, another day at the office for Christian McCaffrey. Ryan Tannehill finished the game with 331 yards passing while throwing a touchdown and two interceptions. Tannehill would also have 38 yards rushing with a touchdown. Derrick Henry would be the leading rusher for the Titans with 63 yards with a touchdown as well. Kyle Allen continued to play well in Cam Newton's stead (yeah Cam Newton still exists in this universe) with 232 yards with two touchdowns and an interception. Christian McCaffrey would run the ball over the Titans defense with 146 yards rushing while getting 20 yards receiving.
All-time series: Series tied at 3
Next week: Tennessee: vs Kansas City; Carolina: @ Green Bay
TW: 4-3; CV: 3-4
Chicago 14, Philadelphia 22: TW: Eagles; CV: Eagles
At one point the Bears were 3-1, and four games later they are now at 3-5. Mitchell Trubisky threw the ball for 125 yards with zero touchdowns while not throwing an interception. David Montgomery ran the ball for 40 yards with two touchdowns. Carson Wentz of the Eagles threw the ball for 239 yards with a touchdown with no interceptions. Jordan Howard ran the ball for 82 yards with a touchdown. The Bears offense was at one point terrible, as in single digit total yards by halftime terrible.
All-time series: Bears lead 29-16-1
Next week: Chicago: vs Detroit; Philadelphia: Bye
TW: 5-3; CV: 4-4
Tampa Bay 34, Seattle 40 (F/OT): TW: Seahawks; CV: Seahawks
The game would go into overtime but the Seahawks would survive from another great Russell Wilson game. Jameis Winston would have a good game with 335 yards passing with two touchdowns. A rare game where he would throw no interceptions. Ronald Jones would run the ball for 67 yards with a touchdown. Dare Ogunwale would run in for a touchdown from a 1-yard play. Russell Wilson would have a game for the ages with 378 yards passing with five touchdowns. Chris Carson would be the leading rusher for the Seahawks with 105 yards. Seahawks defense perhaps a bit suspect but a win is a win.
All-time series: Seahawks lead series 9-5
Next week: Tampa Bay: vs Arizona; Seattle: @ San Francisco (Monday night)
TW: 6-3; CV: 5-4
Detroit 24, Oakland 31: TW: Raiders; CV: Raiders
The difference between the two teams was that Detroit didn't have a running game and Oakland had one. Matthew Stafford would finish the game with 406 yards with three touchdowns and an interceptions. JD McKissic would be the Lions leading rusher with 32 yards as Kenny Golladay wasn't in the lineup due to injury. Derek Carr finished the day with 289 yards with two touchdowns. Josh Jacobs ran the ball for 120 yards with two touchdowns, another good game for him. Poor Lions.
All-time series: Raiders lead series 7-6
Next week: Detroit: @ Chicago; Oakland: vs LA Chargers (Thursday night)
TW: 7-3; CV: 6-4
Cleveland 19, Denver 24: TW: Browns; CV: Broncos
Cleveland just can't seem to find a win to save its life. Baker Mayfield would do fine with his 273 yards passing with a touchdown but perhaps could've done better. Nick Chubb wouldn't get a lot of yardage in this one but would get 65 yards rushing with zero touchdowns. Austin Seibert, the Browns kicker, would hit 4/4 field goals. Brandon Allen started for Denver and would do fine with his 193 yards with two touchdowns. Philip Lindsey would have a good day with his 92 yards rushing with a touchdown.
All-time series: Broncos lead 24-6
Next week: Cleveland: vs Buffalo; Denver: Bye
TW: 7-4; CV: 7-4
Green Bay 11, LA Chargers 26: TW: Packers; CV: Packers
The Packers laid an egg but everyone else in the NFC North laid an egg too. Aaron Rodgers did fine at the end of the day but perhaps could've gotten more than just 161 yards passing with a touchdown. Aaron Jones, the yardage back, was held to 30 yards this game with credit to the Chargers defense. Phillip Rivers would finish the game with 294 yards passing but wouldn't get a touchdown pass. The Chargers running attack found a way to win with Melvin Gordon and Austin Ekeler who finished the game with 80 yards and 70 yards rushing respectively. Gordon would get two touchdowns from the ground. It wasn't a pretty game but at this point I'll take a 7-2 record for Green Bay.
All-time series: Packers lead series 10-2
Next week: Green Bay: vs Carolina; LA Chargers: @ Oakland (Thursday night)
TW: 7-5; CV: 7-5
New England 20, Baltimore 37: TW: Patriots; CV: Patriots
The undefeated are no more. Tom Brady would throw the ball for 285 yards with a touchdown and an interception. James White could only get 38 yards rushing while scoring a touchdown from the ground. Lamar Jackson would have a good day with his arm and legs. Jackson would throw the ball for 163 yards with a touchdown while compiling 61 yards and two touchdowns from the ground. Mark Ingram was the leading rusher for the Ravens with 115 yards. Gus Edwards would get 27 yards rushing with a touchdown as well. Perhaps the game will be a wake up call for the Patriots.
All-time series: Patriots lead series 10-4
Next week: New England: Bye; Baltimore: @ Cincinnati
TW: 7-6; CV: 7-6
Dallas 37, NY Giants 18: TW: Cowboys; CV: Cowboys
The game was as to be expected. Dak Prescott would have a decent to good game with an early interception but would finish the game with 257 yards passing with three touchdowns. Ezekiel Elliot would run over the Giants rush defense with 139 yards. Daniel Jones would pass for 210 yards with a touchdown and an interception while being the leading rusher with 54 yards. Saquon Barkley could only get 28 yards rushing.
All-time series: Cowboys lead 67-46-2
Next week: Dallas: vs Minnesota; NY Giants: @ NY Jets
TW: 8-6; CV: 8-6
The Records (By Week & Year):
Cardinal Viking:
2017: 167-89
2018: 156-98-2
2019:
Week 1: 11-4-1
Week 2: 10-6
Week 3: 10-6
Week 4: 7-8
Week 5: 9-6
Week 6: 7-7
Week 7: 10-4
Week 8: 11-4
Week 9: 8-6
Overall: 83-51-1
My record:
2012: 164-90-2
2013: 162-92-1
2014: 172-83-1
2017: 164-92
2018: 156-98-2
2019:
Week 1: 12-3-1
Week 2: 10-6
Week 3: 11-5
Week 4: 8-7
Week 5: 5-10
Week 6: 9-5
Week 7: 7-7
Week 8: 14-1
Week 9: 8-6
Overall: 84-50-1
See you guys/gals on Wednesday for the Week 10 Picks post!
-Tom
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