NFL Monday Memo
The best and worst of Week 13:
(Warning to Stillers fans: I was very, very impressed with your team yesterday. In fact, ever since picking the Patriots, I was second-guessing that decision, purely from a matchups perspective. Oh, well. See you in Tampa!)
Giant of the week: Justin Tuck, DE. He had six tackles and two sacks to lead a Giants’ defense that held No. 1 NFL rusher Clinton Portis to just 22 yards and no TDs.
Jet of the week: Thomas Jones, RB. Yesterday’s 34-17 loss to the Broncos was through no fault of Jones, who rushed for 138 yards and two TDs.
Offensive player of the week: Donovan McNabb, QB, Eagles. Coming off the first benching of his career, McNabb threw for 260 yards, four TDs and no INTs in a Thanksgiving night blowout win over the Cardinals.
Defensive player of the week: James Harrison, LB, Stillers. A repeat Glauber Nation DPOW award for Harrison, who was brilliant in a 33-10 over the Patriots on the road. He had two sacks, two forced fumbles and a team-high nine tackles as the Stillers continued to establish themselves as legit Super Bowl contenders.
Last laugh award: Michael Turner, RB, Falcons. Playing his former team for the first time since leaving as a free agent, Turner chalked up his sixth 100-yard rushing game of the season as the Falcons beat the Chargers.
No last laugh award: LaDainian Tomlinson, RB, Chargers. The Bolts let Turner go thinking they had many good years left with Tomlinson. But he continued his struggles against the Falcons, running for just 24 yards on 14 carries.
Coach on the hot seat: Norv Turner, Chargers. At 4-8, he still has the backing of management and ownership. It’s another story with his players, who are starting to question whether Turner is the answer.
Hangin’ around award: Dolphins. They don’t blow anybody out, but they win more often than not. Latest example: a 16-12 win over the Rams. The Dolphins are 7-5 and just one game behind the Jets. Um … the teams play each other on Dec. 28 at the Meadowlands, in case you’d forgotten.
Falling off a cliff award: Marc Bulger, QB, Rams. The Rams have a ton of money invested in him, but concussions and vastly diminished effectiveness might spell a premature end to his run in St. Louis.
Rookie of the week, Part I: Matt Ryan, QB, Falcons. I know, I know. This is getting monotonous. But what more can you say about a first-year QB who has his team in playoff contention after beating a team that went to the AFC Championship Game last year?
Rookie of the week, Part II: Joe Flacco, QB, Ravens. The kid just keeps on winning … and throwing touchdown passes. There were two more against the Bungles yesterday.
Best game: Panthers 35, Packers 31. Panthers pull out see-saw game in Green Bay on DeAngelo Williams’ fourth touchdown run of the day.
Worst game: Titans 47, Lions 10. Can we please take this Thanksgiving Day game away from the Lions?
Best play: Mark Clayton’s one-handed catch of Flacco’s long pass that turned into a 70-yard touchdown. Wow.
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Comments (5)
"Very Impressed" huh? Wow! maybe we might be better than the 4th best team in the league in tomorrows power poll? Nah, you'll find some reason to keep those guys from the 'Burgh down. :-) :-) :-)
Beware of the Glauber Hex Steeler fans.Come to think of it, my picks have been losers since the shoutout a couple of weeks ago.
You've cracked the code, son!
Sorry, tenn tom, that was me.
You still cracked the code.
Black N Gold: Beware. I love the Steelers!!!
Bob:
It appears the Giants are starting to keep their distance vis-a-vis Plaxico and whether he will play for the Giants again. But how on earth can they allow Kareem McKenzie to play immediately following his arrest for DUI? He could have killed somebody, just as Burress could have. Why did the Giants not suspend McKenzie? And what do you think about all these pious Giants fans and there "Wellington would have never gone for this" platitudes. Do they remember LT?