What We Learned: NFL Edition

There were plenty of important games on Sunday with some teams inching closer to the playoffs and other teams acting like they are allergic to winning in December. Here is what we learned on Sunday:

• Chargers win 20-17 over Cowboys: There are two guarantees in the great month of December. We all know that Christmas always comes on the 25^th and now we can add that the San Diego Chargers are the most dominating team this month. After this big win over the Dallas Cowboys, the Chargers are 16-0 in December with Phillip Rivers at quarterback. If this team can stay healthy, this could be the year that Norv Turner leads this team to the Super Bowl.
• Vikings beat Bengals 30-10: This was a huge statement win for the Minnesota Vikings. After suffering a 30-17 loss to the Arizona Cardinals last week, this team absolutely dominated one of the better teams in the AFC. This is a completely different defense with cornerback Antonie Winfield back and it was very impressive to see this defense play so well after losing captain E.J. Henderson last week to a gruesome leg ingury. Cedric Benson had 96 yards on only 16 carries, but the Vikings defense held him scoreless. With Kevin and Pat Williams up front, even Tiger Woods couldn’t penetrate this defensive line.
• Packers beat Bears 21-14: The Green Bay Packers remind me of the 2007 New York Giants. Tom Coughlin’s team used a late winning streak to lead his Giants to a Super Bowl win. Mike McCarthy’s Packers have won five straight games and could enter the playoffs with an eight game winning-streak with games against the Steelers, Seahawks and Cardinals. Charles Woodson had his eighth interception on Sunday and is the Defensive Player of the Year and is in the running for the NFL MVP. After giving up 7.5 sacks in two games to Minnesota Vikings defensive end Jared Allen, the Packers offensive line is finally playing very good ball.
• Colts stay undefeated with a 28-16 win over the Broncos: Peyton Manning had a “bad” game and this team still put up 28 points. The former Vol threw three interceptions, two of which were lucky tips that ended in the hands of Brian Dawkins. How impressive was this win for the Colts? Manning threw three interceptions, Reggie Wayne only had 43 yards and this team found a way to stay undefeated. Did I mention that Broncos receiver Brandon Marshall set an NFL record with 21 catches and had 200 yards? Tight End Dallas Clark is one of the most consistent players in the NFL and was crucial today for the Colts.
• Patriots pick up an ugly 20-10 win over the Panthers: Randy is being Randy once again as Randy Moss had one of the worst games of his Patriots career on Sunday. Moss ran lazy routes, had multiple drops and only had one catch for 16 yards. Tom Brady gave him a lecture on the sideline and these two are not on the same page. This team is headed nowhere and should be very concerned that the Miami Dolphins might end up winning the AFC East.
• Dolphins pick up a huge 14-10 win over the Jaguars: Ricky Williams is only 25 yards away from 1,000 rushing yards on the season and he is turning into the most consistent back on the Dolphins. Tony Soprano should consider making Williams the number one back next season as Williams is carrying this team. Soprano probably won’t win Coach of the Year, but he has done one of the best jobs in the NFL. Miami has a very favorable schedule with a road game next week against the Tennessee Titans, followed by home games against the Houston Texans and Pittsburgh Steelers. This team is headed for the playoffs.
• Eagles outlast Giants 45-38: Desean Jackson is the MVP of the Philadelphia Eagles. His 72 yard punt return touchdown was absolutely filthy and he dominates bad tackling teams like the New York Giants. Michael Vick scored another rushing touchdown and he finally looks like he is in good shape for the first time this season. Vick will be a starting quarterback for some other team next season. Dominique Hixon and Hakeem Nicks blew this game for the Giants. This team could still make the playoffs, but this team blows too many opportunities. Nicks will be one of the best receivers in the NFL if he can learn to catch the ball. Did anybody notice how bad the refs were in this game? They spotted the ball ten yards back on a forward fumble in the first half and completely blew the call right before halftime when Hixon fumbled the kickoff and the refs ruled that the second quarter was over. This was one of the most entertaining games of the day, but Pee Wee teams should not study this game to learn how to tackle.
• Saints stay undefeated with a 26-23 win over the Falcons: Mike Smith did a very good job keeping this game competitive, but the Atlanta Falcons secondary couldn’t keep up with Drew Brees and the New Orleans Saints. This was another close game for the Saints and they keep finding ways to win. A healthy Matt Ryan and Michael Turner might have handed the Saints their first loss. Brees once again had three touchdown passes and needs one more to pass Aaron Brooks for most touchdown passes in franchise history.
• Ravens destroy Lions 48-3: Ray Rice had 166 rushing yards and now has over 1,000 rushing yards on the season. Remember when we told you before the season that he would be the most improved player in the NFL? Our prediction is looking good and Rice might lead this team into the playoffs. If Ed Reed comes back and says healthy, this is another dangerous team if they make the playoffs.
• Titans beat Rams 47-7: The St. Louis Rams are a pathetic team this season and there are maybe four players on this team that I would want on my team. Chris Johnson had a pedestrian 117 rushing yards and two touchdowns. Vince Young left the game with a hamstring injury, but Jeff Fisher could have quarterbacked this team to a win over the Rams. Last year’s second overall pick, Chris Long, has only four sacks this season and eight sacks in two years for the Rams. This team needs to draft better next season.
• Texans beat Seahawks 34-7: Why is nobody talking about how bad the Seattle Seahawks are? Jim Mora proved why he is Jim Mora by giving a returning Julius Jones 10 carries and only giving Justin Forsett eight touches. Forsett had 130 and two touchdowns two weeks ago and Mora loves going with the unproductive Jones. Andre Johnson and Matt Schaub were both dominant in this game and there was even an Arian Foster sighting as he had 88 total yards.
•  Bills beat Chiefs 16-10: *Yawn* This was a game with two horrible defenses and two teams that are completing less than 30 percent of their third downs. Terrell Owens scored a touchdown in this game and the Bills had four interceptions, including rookie Jairus Byrd’s league-leading ninth interception. This defense is completely different with a healthy Terrence McGee.
• Redskins beat Raiders 34-13: This was a game with two teams that have been playing good ball recently, but this Raiders offense is anemic with JaMarcus Russell. Bruce Gradkowski hurt both his knees in this game and might not play the rest of the season. Quinton “Who?” Ganther had two rushing touchdowns and Jason Campbell threw two touchdowns. This team isn’t that far away from competing, if they add a competent coach and general manager.
• Jets beat Buccaneers 26-3: Kellen Clemens picked up his first win of the season, even though he only threw 111 yards and didn’t throw a touchdown. Mark Sanchez needs to stop complaining and try to turn around his season. Real shocker here: Darrelle Revis had another interception.