Arlington, Tex. - When the Philadelphia Eagles came into Jerry World to tangle with their arch-rival Dallas Cowboys on Thanksgiving, they had to do two things to leave with a win and the first-place spot in the NFC East.
Control the ground game and pressure the Cowboys' vaunted backfield.
Check and check.
Philadelphia outrushed Dallas 256-93 on the day as the Eagles easily defeat the Cowboys 33-10 in the 111th game of their 54 year rivalry.
LeSean McCoy rushed 25 times for 159 yards in the winning effort for Philadelphia (9-3). He notched the Eagles' third and final touchdown when he powered up the middle and over an empty secondary for a 38 yard score in the third quarter.
McCoy earned his 4th game this season of 100 or more yards and his 4th-career season of 1,000 yards rushing.
DeMarco Murray entered the game as the league's best rusher by yardage, with a Sunday average of 134 yards, gaining 100 yards or more in 10-of-11 games.
Thursday found him gain only 72 yards on 20 attempts and the Cowboys' only touchdown, a 1 yarder in the second quarter on a drive aided in the red zone by penalties.
Linebacker Mychal Kendricks stuffed Murray behind the line when the back ventured a 4th-and-1 rush over the right side late in the contest.
Tony Romo was held to 199 yards passing and no touchdowns in defeat and was sacked 4 times as the Eagles' front-seven easily found their way through the Cowboys' previously invincible offensive line.
He was intercepted twice, by Cary Williams on an underthrown ball in the third quarter, and a late, uninspired pass when the game was in hand to Nate Allen, the only man in the area of the throw.
"I thought our defense played really hard," Chip Kelly said of his 27th-ranked unit. "You gotta bring it. I thought our guys did."
Fletcher Cox recorded two tackles-for-loss and a sack on Romo as Dallas (8-4) goes 3-4 at home on the year.
Even when LeSean McCoy fumbled on the Eagles 13, the visitors' defense held the Cowboys to only 3 of their 10 points. Cox and Bennie Logan stuffed DeMarco Murray on a 2nd-and-1 from the Eagles 4 for a 1-yard loss.
Romo was dragged down for a 5 yard sack on the next play when Casey Matthews powered through a fast-willowing Dallas front.
"I thought Casey did a great job," Kelly said afterwards. "I thought the whole group on defense played really well."
Brandon Graham and Vinny Curry added to the Birds' defensive scoresheet, each notching a sack on Tony Romo.
"I thought our defense overall did a really nice job," Kelly said.
But it was the Eagles' offensive prowess that likely decided the outcome early.
Early, as in the first five minutes they held the football.
Philadelphia jumped out to a 14-0 lead in the first quarter on their first two drives. Mark Sanchez led the Eagles 80 yards in 3:05, aided by Darren Sproles' two third-down conversions, the latter a 3rd-and-2 screen pass that swung right to the Cowboys 10.
LeSean McCoy rushed for 36 yards over the left side on the drive, ended when Mark Sanchez faked the handoff left to McCoy, but pulled the ball and ran himself right for the 2 yard score.
"I thought Mark played a really clean game today," Chip Kelly said of this quarterback. Sanchez last featured in a Thanksgiving contest two years ago, suffering the infamous "Butt Fumble" as the signal caller for the New York Jets in defeat to the Patriots.
His performance this time around was the exact inverse of that debacle.
He would lead the visitors the second time, over 88 yards a minute quicker than his first outing. LeSean McCoy took a rush around right end for 19 yards on its first play and Jordan Matthews snagged a 15 yard catch after the quarterback rolled right.
Sanchez rolled left thirty-seconds later on a read-option fake, a dominant feature of the Chip Kelly playbook, finding Jordan Matthews racing across the field for a 27 yard touchdown.
Mark Sanchez finished 20-of-29 on 217 yards passing in victory, 202 of which came in the first half.
"Our guys came ready to play," Chip Kelly said of the opening scores. "We were excited about playing here today."
Jeremy Maclin took a 2nd-and-20 pass for 58 yards in the second quarter, outracing the confused secondary before being pushed out of bounds on a drive that ended with a field goal.
He led the Eagles receiving with 108 yards on 8 catches.
Cody Parkey kicked four times for Philadelphia, three times in the second quarter and once more in the fourth.
Dallas struck paydirt once when Murray rushed from 1 yard. Cole Beasley caught a 16 yard pass from Romo and Lance Dunbar rushed for 28 yards seconds later. Dez Bryant hauled in a 38 yard pass to the Eagles 3, one of his 4 catches on the day.
Thursday, November 27, 2014
Eagles feast on Cowboys 33-10 for Thanksgiving
Arlington, Tex. - LeSean McCoy and Mark Sanchez rushed for touchdowns and Sanchez threw a third as the Philadelphia Eagles easily discard the Dallas Cowboys 33-10 on Thanksgiving as the NFC East sides renew their rivalry.
Chip Kelly's Eagles take full possession of the NFC East with the victory after bringing a division tie with the Cowboys into the contest today.
Philadelphia (9-3) jumped out to a 14-0 lead after playing only five minutes of football in the first quarter.
Mark Sanchez rushed for his 1st score on the ground this season on a drive that featured a 36 yard rush from LeSean McCoy.
His scoring toss to Jordan Matthews from 27 yards came on the Eagles' second possession, two minutes of game time later, begun by McCoy's 19 yard gallop. Matthews snagged a 15 yard catch and Riley Cooper picked up two receptions on the drive.
LeSean McCoy rushed 25 times for 159 yards and a 38 yard touchdown in the third quarter.
The effort marked his 4th game this season of 100 or more yards as his 4th-career 1,000 yard season.
DeMarco Murray, the league's leading rusher, notched the only touchdown on the day for Dallas (8-4), a 1 yarder to open the second quarter on the Cowboys' only productive drive, a 67 yard charge to bring the home side within 14-7.
Murray rushed for only 73 yards after averaging 134 per game coming in as Philadelphia outgained Dallas on the ground 256-93.
Tony Romo was held to only 199 yards passing and no touchdowns in defeat and was sacked 4 times. He threw two interceptions, to Cary Williams in the third quarter and late to Nate Allen when the game was in hand.
Chip Kelly's Eagles take full possession of the NFC East with the victory after bringing a division tie with the Cowboys into the contest today.
Philadelphia (9-3) jumped out to a 14-0 lead after playing only five minutes of football in the first quarter.
Mark Sanchez rushed for his 1st score on the ground this season on a drive that featured a 36 yard rush from LeSean McCoy.
His scoring toss to Jordan Matthews from 27 yards came on the Eagles' second possession, two minutes of game time later, begun by McCoy's 19 yard gallop. Matthews snagged a 15 yard catch and Riley Cooper picked up two receptions on the drive.
LeSean McCoy rushed 25 times for 159 yards and a 38 yard touchdown in the third quarter.
The effort marked his 4th game this season of 100 or more yards as his 4th-career 1,000 yard season.
DeMarco Murray, the league's leading rusher, notched the only touchdown on the day for Dallas (8-4), a 1 yarder to open the second quarter on the Cowboys' only productive drive, a 67 yard charge to bring the home side within 14-7.
Murray rushed for only 73 yards after averaging 134 per game coming in as Philadelphia outgained Dallas on the ground 256-93.
Tony Romo was held to only 199 yards passing and no touchdowns in defeat and was sacked 4 times. He threw two interceptions, to Cary Williams in the third quarter and late to Nate Allen when the game was in hand.
Eagles leading Cowboys 30-10 after three quarters
Arlington, Tex. - LeSean McCoy rushed for a 38 yard touchdown and Tony Romo threw an interception as the Eagles lead the Cowboys 30-10 after three quarters Thursday.
Philadelphia drove 80 yards in 5 plays, aided by an 8 yard rush from Mark Sanchez and a 7 yard dash from McCoy before breaking through a gaping hole up the middle and cutting left through an empty secondary to paydirt for the 20-point lead.
McCoy rushed 20 times for 141 yards on the game thus far, securing his 4th 100 yard game this year and 4th-career 1,000 yard season.
Dallas took the succeeding possession 23 yards in 9 plays, including a 14 yard rush from Lance Dunbar and a 9 yarder from DeMarco Murray. Romo was sacked twice on the charge, by Brandon Graham and then Fletcher Cox.
Dez Bryant converted a 3rd-and-8 with an 11 yard reception, but Romo's 3rd-and-15 pass was intercepted by Cary Williams, the corner's 2nd pick this season, at the Eagles 26.
Romo finished the quarter 11-of-17 for 107 yards passing and an interception. He has been sacked 4 times.
LeSean McCoy fumbled after tripping over Lane Johnson to the Eagles 13 on Philadelphia's first drive, recovered by Jeremy Mincey for Dallas.
But the Eagles stiffened defensively, a trend that featured throughout the third quarter, and Dallas could do little with the football.
DeMarco Murray rushed to the Eagles 4, but on the resulting 2nd-and-1 was brought down for a 1 yard loss by Fletcher Cox and Bennie Logan.
Tony Romo was brought down for a 5 yard loss on 3rd-and-2 when Casey Matthews snaked through the protection and Dan Bailey kicked from 28 yards to bring the Cowboys within 23-10.
Dallas (8-3) stalled on their first drive of the third quarter after DeMarco Murray rushed for 9 and 7 yards. Jason Witten converted a 2nd-and-1 for an 8 yard reception, but after Murray took the to sideline, Lance Dunbar was stuffed for a yard on 3rd-and-3 when Fletcher Cox and Malcolm Jenkins overtook the Cowboys' vaunted front.
Philadelphia took a quick 14-0 lead over Dallas after two drives that lasted five minutes. Mark Sanchez rushed for a 1 yard score and his 27 yard toss to Jordan Matthews gave the visitors the two-touchdown advantage.
DeMarco Murray brought the Cowboys within 7 on a 1 yard rush to end a 67 yard drive.
Philadelphia drove 80 yards in 5 plays, aided by an 8 yard rush from Mark Sanchez and a 7 yard dash from McCoy before breaking through a gaping hole up the middle and cutting left through an empty secondary to paydirt for the 20-point lead.
McCoy rushed 20 times for 141 yards on the game thus far, securing his 4th 100 yard game this year and 4th-career 1,000 yard season.
Dallas took the succeeding possession 23 yards in 9 plays, including a 14 yard rush from Lance Dunbar and a 9 yarder from DeMarco Murray. Romo was sacked twice on the charge, by Brandon Graham and then Fletcher Cox.
Dez Bryant converted a 3rd-and-8 with an 11 yard reception, but Romo's 3rd-and-15 pass was intercepted by Cary Williams, the corner's 2nd pick this season, at the Eagles 26.
Romo finished the quarter 11-of-17 for 107 yards passing and an interception. He has been sacked 4 times.
LeSean McCoy fumbled after tripping over Lane Johnson to the Eagles 13 on Philadelphia's first drive, recovered by Jeremy Mincey for Dallas.
But the Eagles stiffened defensively, a trend that featured throughout the third quarter, and Dallas could do little with the football.
DeMarco Murray rushed to the Eagles 4, but on the resulting 2nd-and-1 was brought down for a 1 yard loss by Fletcher Cox and Bennie Logan.
Tony Romo was brought down for a 5 yard loss on 3rd-and-2 when Casey Matthews snaked through the protection and Dan Bailey kicked from 28 yards to bring the Cowboys within 23-10.
Dallas (8-3) stalled on their first drive of the third quarter after DeMarco Murray rushed for 9 and 7 yards. Jason Witten converted a 2nd-and-1 for an 8 yard reception, but after Murray took the to sideline, Lance Dunbar was stuffed for a yard on 3rd-and-3 when Fletcher Cox and Malcolm Jenkins overtook the Cowboys' vaunted front.
Philadelphia took a quick 14-0 lead over Dallas after two drives that lasted five minutes. Mark Sanchez rushed for a 1 yard score and his 27 yard toss to Jordan Matthews gave the visitors the two-touchdown advantage.
DeMarco Murray brought the Cowboys within 7 on a 1 yard rush to end a 67 yard drive.
Eagles leading Cowboys 23-7 at halftime
Arlington, Tex. - Mark Sanchez rushed for a touchdown and threw another as the Eagles lead the Cowboys 23-7 at the halftime break Thursday.
It was a first half that found the Cowboys' 16th-ranked defense under siege, surrendering 14 points to the visitors in five minutes.
Mark Sanchez ended their first drive with a 1 yard touchdown rush after LeSean McCoy gained 36 yards on a rush and Darren Sproles converted two third-down plays, the latter a 3rd-and-6 screen pass to the Cowboys 10.
They needed only two minutes on their next charge, begun on a 19 yard rush from McCoy and a 15 yard catch from Jordan Matthews, who snagged the 27 yard score on a read-option fake that found Sanchez rolling left.
Mark Sanchez is 17-for-24 on 202 yards passing. Jeremy Maclin has 93 yards receiving on 5 catches and Jordan Matthews has 4 receptions for 51 yards and a touchdown.
LeSean McCoy rushed 14 times for 83 yards in the half, and a long of 36 on the game's first drive.
DeMarco Murray rushed from 1 yard for his 8th touchdown this season to open the second quarter of play, ending a 67 yard charge for Dallas (8-3).
A drive that began when Lance Dunbar scampered for a 38 yard gain on its first play. Cole Beasley snagged a bubble screen pass for 16 more and Dez Bryant secured a 38 yard catch, his only in the game thus far, over Bradley Fletcher to the Eagles 4.
Murray carried to the 1 and an offside call against the Eagles brought them inches closer for Murray to charge over the middle on the next play to bring Dallas within 14-7.
Tony Romo finished the half 8-of-11 on 87 yards. DeMarco Murray gained 46 yards on 13 rushes and the score.
Jeremy Maclin took a Mark Sanchez pass 59 yards as he outraced the Cowboys' secondary, the drive ending as Philadelphia (8-3) extended their lead 17-7 after Cody Parkey kicked his 24th-of-26 field goal this season, from 31 yards.
Parkey finished the half with three field goals on three straight drives for Philadelphia.
Orlando Scandrick and J.J. Wilcox combined on two defensive penalties in the Eagles' second-to-last drive of the quarter, and after a 9 yard rush from McCoy, Philadelphia drove to the Cowboys 9 at the two-minute warning.
McCoy rushed on the next play, a 2nd-and-1, giving the Eagles the 1st-and-Goal, on which McCoy gained another yard. The next play, after Dallas called time, found McCoy on a delayed handoff that was stalled for no gain and another Cowboys time-out.
But Sterling Moore would bat the 3rd-and-Goal pass for Riley Cooper and Cody Parkey kicked from 22 yards to give the Eagles the 20-7 lead.
The only blemish for the Eagles is their 1-of-4 red zone possession mark in thirty minutes.
Cole Beasley fumbled a reception with 1:19 left in the half after Brandon Boykin knocked the ball from his arms. Safety Nate Allen recovered for the Eagles at the Cowboys 11. Sanchez could not convert from close range and Cody Parkey booted his third field goal on the day, from 26 yards to extend the Eagles' lead 23-7.
Philadelphia outgained Dallas 114-35 after the game's first three possessions, finishing the half with 292 yards to the Cowboys' 130.
Vinny Curry sacked Romo on a 3rd-and-3 when the quarterback was surprised by an early snap midway through the second period.
It was a first half that found the Cowboys' 16th-ranked defense under siege, surrendering 14 points to the visitors in five minutes.
Mark Sanchez ended their first drive with a 1 yard touchdown rush after LeSean McCoy gained 36 yards on a rush and Darren Sproles converted two third-down plays, the latter a 3rd-and-6 screen pass to the Cowboys 10.
They needed only two minutes on their next charge, begun on a 19 yard rush from McCoy and a 15 yard catch from Jordan Matthews, who snagged the 27 yard score on a read-option fake that found Sanchez rolling left.
Mark Sanchez is 17-for-24 on 202 yards passing. Jeremy Maclin has 93 yards receiving on 5 catches and Jordan Matthews has 4 receptions for 51 yards and a touchdown.
LeSean McCoy rushed 14 times for 83 yards in the half, and a long of 36 on the game's first drive.
DeMarco Murray rushed from 1 yard for his 8th touchdown this season to open the second quarter of play, ending a 67 yard charge for Dallas (8-3).
A drive that began when Lance Dunbar scampered for a 38 yard gain on its first play. Cole Beasley snagged a bubble screen pass for 16 more and Dez Bryant secured a 38 yard catch, his only in the game thus far, over Bradley Fletcher to the Eagles 4.
Murray carried to the 1 and an offside call against the Eagles brought them inches closer for Murray to charge over the middle on the next play to bring Dallas within 14-7.
Tony Romo finished the half 8-of-11 on 87 yards. DeMarco Murray gained 46 yards on 13 rushes and the score.
Jeremy Maclin took a Mark Sanchez pass 59 yards as he outraced the Cowboys' secondary, the drive ending as Philadelphia (8-3) extended their lead 17-7 after Cody Parkey kicked his 24th-of-26 field goal this season, from 31 yards.
Parkey finished the half with three field goals on three straight drives for Philadelphia.
Orlando Scandrick and J.J. Wilcox combined on two defensive penalties in the Eagles' second-to-last drive of the quarter, and after a 9 yard rush from McCoy, Philadelphia drove to the Cowboys 9 at the two-minute warning.
McCoy rushed on the next play, a 2nd-and-1, giving the Eagles the 1st-and-Goal, on which McCoy gained another yard. The next play, after Dallas called time, found McCoy on a delayed handoff that was stalled for no gain and another Cowboys time-out.
But Sterling Moore would bat the 3rd-and-Goal pass for Riley Cooper and Cody Parkey kicked from 22 yards to give the Eagles the 20-7 lead.
The only blemish for the Eagles is their 1-of-4 red zone possession mark in thirty minutes.
Cole Beasley fumbled a reception with 1:19 left in the half after Brandon Boykin knocked the ball from his arms. Safety Nate Allen recovered for the Eagles at the Cowboys 11. Sanchez could not convert from close range and Cody Parkey booted his third field goal on the day, from 26 yards to extend the Eagles' lead 23-7.
Philadelphia outgained Dallas 114-35 after the game's first three possessions, finishing the half with 292 yards to the Cowboys' 130.
Vinny Curry sacked Romo on a 3rd-and-3 when the quarterback was surprised by an early snap midway through the second period.
Eagles leading Cowboys 14-0 after first quarter
Arlington, Tex. - Chip Kelly likes to do things quickly.
Like take a 14-0 lead over the Dallas Cowboys in the first quarter on Thanksgiving.
Mark Sanchez led Philadelphia (8-3) over 80 yards in 9 plays on the game's first possession, a drive that lasted all of three minutes. Darren Sproles featured on two 3rd-down conversions, a 3rd-and-1 scamper over the left side for 13 yards and a 3rd-and-2 screen pass that swung right to the Cowboys 10.
LeSean McCoy gained 36 yards on a misdirection play that went down the near sideline.
Riley Cooper caught a 1st-and-Goal toss to the Cowboys 2 and on the next play, Sanchez faked the handoff to McCoy, who powered up the middle as the quarterback kept the ball and rolled left into the end zone for the visiting Eagles.
After a Cowboys drive stalled, Sanchez repeated the formula, needing only 2:01 to charge the visitors down 88 yards of AT&T Stadium, flinging passes of 15 yards to Jordan Matthews and 13 more to Jeremy Maclin.
LeSean McCoy began the drive on a 19 yard rush around right end and Jordan Matthews ended it when Mark Sanchez rolled left on a read-option fake, tossing a 27 yard touchdown to the rookie for the quick two touchdown advantage.
Mark Sanchez is 9-of-11 for 99 yards and a touchdown passing and another rushing.
Tony Romo led the Cowboys (8-3) 35 yards in 11 plays over five minutes on the game's second drive, ending on a punt after stalling when Romo's 3rd-and-8 pass to Dez Bryant fell incomplete when the receiver came into contact with corner Bradley Fletcher.
Bryant fell victim to the Eagles' other starting corner, Cary Williams, on a 2nd-and-6 play-action pass that went his way, though snagged a 38 yard catch to the Eagles 3 on their next drive.
DeMarco Murray caught a screen pass for 10 yards on a 3rd-and-2 across midfield.
Tony Romo is 6-of-8 for 75 yards after the first quarter.
Like take a 14-0 lead over the Dallas Cowboys in the first quarter on Thanksgiving.
Mark Sanchez led Philadelphia (8-3) over 80 yards in 9 plays on the game's first possession, a drive that lasted all of three minutes. Darren Sproles featured on two 3rd-down conversions, a 3rd-and-1 scamper over the left side for 13 yards and a 3rd-and-2 screen pass that swung right to the Cowboys 10.
LeSean McCoy gained 36 yards on a misdirection play that went down the near sideline.
Riley Cooper caught a 1st-and-Goal toss to the Cowboys 2 and on the next play, Sanchez faked the handoff to McCoy, who powered up the middle as the quarterback kept the ball and rolled left into the end zone for the visiting Eagles.
After a Cowboys drive stalled, Sanchez repeated the formula, needing only 2:01 to charge the visitors down 88 yards of AT&T Stadium, flinging passes of 15 yards to Jordan Matthews and 13 more to Jeremy Maclin.
LeSean McCoy began the drive on a 19 yard rush around right end and Jordan Matthews ended it when Mark Sanchez rolled left on a read-option fake, tossing a 27 yard touchdown to the rookie for the quick two touchdown advantage.
Mark Sanchez is 9-of-11 for 99 yards and a touchdown passing and another rushing.
Tony Romo led the Cowboys (8-3) 35 yards in 11 plays over five minutes on the game's second drive, ending on a punt after stalling when Romo's 3rd-and-8 pass to Dez Bryant fell incomplete when the receiver came into contact with corner Bradley Fletcher.
Bryant fell victim to the Eagles' other starting corner, Cary Williams, on a 2nd-and-6 play-action pass that went his way, though snagged a 38 yard catch to the Eagles 3 on their next drive.
DeMarco Murray caught a screen pass for 10 yards on a 3rd-and-2 across midfield.
Tony Romo is 6-of-8 for 75 yards after the first quarter.
NFL Capsules: Thanksgiving feast in NFL triple-header
A brief look ahead to the triple-header of football awaiting on Thanksgiving Day:
Chicago Bears (5-6) at Detroit Lions (7-4)
Detroit, Mich. - After being discarded 34-9 by the New England Patriots Sunday, the Lions return to Ford Field to host their annual Thanksgiving contest looking to avoid a third-straight defeat.
Injuries have hampered Detroit's offensive campaign, which now ranks 28th in football (17.9 ppg). Calvin Johnson, Reggie Bush, and Joique Bell have all missed time, and their front-five has been picked apart by the injury bug. Tackle Riley Reiff and guard Larry Watford both have been bothered by hurt knees.
Which is largely the reason Detroit ranks 30th in rushing (80.8 ypg) and only 3 yards per attempt. Quarterback Matthew Stafford has thrown 6 interceptions in his last 5 outings and 10 overall, and will face Chicago's 28th-ranked pass defense (260.5 ypg).
Not that the Bears will likely fare better offensively. Enjoying a two-game winning streak against lowly Minnesota and lowlier Tampa Bay, they previously were handed two embarrassing defeats: a 55-14 laugher to the Packers and a 51-23 decision to the Patriots, both road games.
Jay Cutler has thrown 22 touchdown passes to 12 interceptions on 2,825 yards this season and leads the 14th-best pass game in football. He had not thrown a pick at Ford Field in his first five appearances there before making up for it, throwing three in the Bears' 40-32 defeat last year.
"Against a team like this," Cutler said this week, "you have to get the ball out."
Matt Forte heads the Bears' 20th-ranked rushing offense with 822 yards on the season and 5 touchdowns, and Alshon Jeffery and Michael Bennett split 10 receiving touchdowns evenly between them.
Forte will face the league's best rush defense (70.7 ypg) and the Bears receivers the 10th-best pass defense (233.1 ypg).
Philadelphia Eagles (8-3) at Dallas Cowboys (8-3)
Arlington, Tex. - Not that the Cowboys-Eagles rivalry was bitter enough, but with both teams clamoring for first-place in the NFC East, with both teams meeting again in two weeks, with both teams sharing the same record, and playing on Thanksgiving, the bitterness of this 54-year-old rivalry has been sent into overdrive.
"We want to win our division," Eagles corner Cary Williams said this week. "They [Dallas] are a great opponent. They have a great team and are playing at a high level right now."
Dallas features the 2nd-best rush offense in football (150.1 ypg) and the league's best back, DeMarco Murray, who has rushed for 1,154 yards overall and 7 touchdowns. His yardage mark is good for 9th-best in Cowboys history, and is on pace for 1,970, which, if achieved, would be their best mark all-time.
Thursday he will face the Eagles' 17th-ranked rush defense.
Tony Romo heads the league's 14th-best passing game (237.2 ypg) against the Eagles' 30th-ranked pass defense (266.3 ypg). He threw 4 touchdowns in their Sunday night victory over the Giants as the Cowboys enjoy a two-game winning streak.
He has thrown 22 touchdowns to 6 interceptions this season.
Philadelphia secured five sacks last Sunday in a rout of the Titans, two each from Trent Cole and Connor Barwin. Barwin is second in football with 12 1/2 sacks, his career-high, and has his sights set on powering through the Cowboys' stout offensive line to their quarterback.
"He [Romo] has one of the best offensive lines in the league in front of him," Barwin said. "And he's one of the best at eluding the rush. He's a huge challenge to us up front."
Mark Sanchez has thrown for an average of 328 yards in four-games' relief of starter Nick Foles. He tossed 5 touchdowns in those games, but in the last two threw four interceptions, and is responsible for 8 turnovers overall.
That could spell bad news for the Eagles as Dallas has secured an interception in their last four outings.
Seattle Seahawks (7-4) at San Francisco 49ers (7-4)
Santa Clara, Cal. - The 49ers seek a sixth-straight home victory over the Seahawks in the first of their two meetings in 18 days.
The last time the two teams met, in last year's NFC Championship Game, Colin Kaepernick's pass for Michael Crabtree in the end zone was tipped by Richard Sherman and intercepted by Malcolm Smith to send the Seahawks to their eventual first Super Bowl championship.
Kaepernick has thrown 15 touchdowns to 6 interceptions on 2,615 yards this season and has thrown a touchdown pass in 18 straight contests, a franchise record. He will have to earn his 19th the hard way Thursday.
Seattle, against whom Kaepernick is 1-3 all-time, boasts the best overall defense in football as the "Legion of Boom" is holding opponents to 297 total yards per game, though the Niners are second-best in that category (300.1 ypg).
And when looking for points, the Seahawks feature the best rush attack in the game (169.6 ypg). Marshawn Lynch, powered solely by Skittles, has rushed for 9 touchdowns this year on 852 yards. Quarterback Russell Wilson added 4 more on the ground and has 644 yards with his feet.
In the pocket, however, Wilson heads the 30th-ranked pass game in football, averaging only 190 yards with his arm, and is yet to take a snap at Levi's Stadium.
"It's going to be a tough crowd, playing at that stadium," Wilson said this week. "We're going to have to play great football. Play lights out, that's it." Wilson was 0-2 at Candlestick Park, tossing one touchdown to two interceptions.
Win or lose, the result will likely be seen by the greatest number Thursday as the nation retires from their feast to take in the primetime contest.
"A Thanksgiving game where everybody will be watching," Wilson added. "It's going to kind of elevate the game in general, and it's the 49ers. It's one of those things you're gonna get pumped up for."
Chicago Bears (5-6) at Detroit Lions (7-4)
Detroit, Mich. - After being discarded 34-9 by the New England Patriots Sunday, the Lions return to Ford Field to host their annual Thanksgiving contest looking to avoid a third-straight defeat.
Injuries have hampered Detroit's offensive campaign, which now ranks 28th in football (17.9 ppg). Calvin Johnson, Reggie Bush, and Joique Bell have all missed time, and their front-five has been picked apart by the injury bug. Tackle Riley Reiff and guard Larry Watford both have been bothered by hurt knees.
Which is largely the reason Detroit ranks 30th in rushing (80.8 ypg) and only 3 yards per attempt. Quarterback Matthew Stafford has thrown 6 interceptions in his last 5 outings and 10 overall, and will face Chicago's 28th-ranked pass defense (260.5 ypg).
Not that the Bears will likely fare better offensively. Enjoying a two-game winning streak against lowly Minnesota and lowlier Tampa Bay, they previously were handed two embarrassing defeats: a 55-14 laugher to the Packers and a 51-23 decision to the Patriots, both road games.
Jay Cutler has thrown 22 touchdown passes to 12 interceptions on 2,825 yards this season and leads the 14th-best pass game in football. He had not thrown a pick at Ford Field in his first five appearances there before making up for it, throwing three in the Bears' 40-32 defeat last year.
"Against a team like this," Cutler said this week, "you have to get the ball out."
Matt Forte heads the Bears' 20th-ranked rushing offense with 822 yards on the season and 5 touchdowns, and Alshon Jeffery and Michael Bennett split 10 receiving touchdowns evenly between them.
Forte will face the league's best rush defense (70.7 ypg) and the Bears receivers the 10th-best pass defense (233.1 ypg).
Philadelphia Eagles (8-3) at Dallas Cowboys (8-3)
Arlington, Tex. - Not that the Cowboys-Eagles rivalry was bitter enough, but with both teams clamoring for first-place in the NFC East, with both teams meeting again in two weeks, with both teams sharing the same record, and playing on Thanksgiving, the bitterness of this 54-year-old rivalry has been sent into overdrive.
"We want to win our division," Eagles corner Cary Williams said this week. "They [Dallas] are a great opponent. They have a great team and are playing at a high level right now."
Dallas features the 2nd-best rush offense in football (150.1 ypg) and the league's best back, DeMarco Murray, who has rushed for 1,154 yards overall and 7 touchdowns. His yardage mark is good for 9th-best in Cowboys history, and is on pace for 1,970, which, if achieved, would be their best mark all-time.
Thursday he will face the Eagles' 17th-ranked rush defense.
Tony Romo heads the league's 14th-best passing game (237.2 ypg) against the Eagles' 30th-ranked pass defense (266.3 ypg). He threw 4 touchdowns in their Sunday night victory over the Giants as the Cowboys enjoy a two-game winning streak.
He has thrown 22 touchdowns to 6 interceptions this season.
Philadelphia secured five sacks last Sunday in a rout of the Titans, two each from Trent Cole and Connor Barwin. Barwin is second in football with 12 1/2 sacks, his career-high, and has his sights set on powering through the Cowboys' stout offensive line to their quarterback.
"He [Romo] has one of the best offensive lines in the league in front of him," Barwin said. "And he's one of the best at eluding the rush. He's a huge challenge to us up front."
Mark Sanchez has thrown for an average of 328 yards in four-games' relief of starter Nick Foles. He tossed 5 touchdowns in those games, but in the last two threw four interceptions, and is responsible for 8 turnovers overall.
That could spell bad news for the Eagles as Dallas has secured an interception in their last four outings.
Seattle Seahawks (7-4) at San Francisco 49ers (7-4)
Santa Clara, Cal. - The 49ers seek a sixth-straight home victory over the Seahawks in the first of their two meetings in 18 days.
The last time the two teams met, in last year's NFC Championship Game, Colin Kaepernick's pass for Michael Crabtree in the end zone was tipped by Richard Sherman and intercepted by Malcolm Smith to send the Seahawks to their eventual first Super Bowl championship.
Kaepernick has thrown 15 touchdowns to 6 interceptions on 2,615 yards this season and has thrown a touchdown pass in 18 straight contests, a franchise record. He will have to earn his 19th the hard way Thursday.
Seattle, against whom Kaepernick is 1-3 all-time, boasts the best overall defense in football as the "Legion of Boom" is holding opponents to 297 total yards per game, though the Niners are second-best in that category (300.1 ypg).
And when looking for points, the Seahawks feature the best rush attack in the game (169.6 ypg). Marshawn Lynch, powered solely by Skittles, has rushed for 9 touchdowns this year on 852 yards. Quarterback Russell Wilson added 4 more on the ground and has 644 yards with his feet.
In the pocket, however, Wilson heads the 30th-ranked pass game in football, averaging only 190 yards with his arm, and is yet to take a snap at Levi's Stadium.
"It's going to be a tough crowd, playing at that stadium," Wilson said this week. "We're going to have to play great football. Play lights out, that's it." Wilson was 0-2 at Candlestick Park, tossing one touchdown to two interceptions.
Win or lose, the result will likely be seen by the greatest number Thursday as the nation retires from their feast to take in the primetime contest.
"A Thanksgiving game where everybody will be watching," Wilson added. "It's going to kind of elevate the game in general, and it's the 49ers. It's one of those things you're gonna get pumped up for."
Wednesday, November 26, 2014
Red Wings down Flyers 5-2 at the Joe
Detroit, Mich. - Pavel Datsyuk scored twice for the Detroit Red Wings in a three-goal second period as they defeat the Philadelphia Flyers 5-2 Wednesday night.
Philadelphia (8-10-3, 19 pts) came under attack in the second period, as Steve Mason was pulled from the Flyers net after allowing those 3 on 14 shots in thirty-two minutes. Mason secured 46 saves in the Flyers' 1-0 shootout defeat to the Islanders Monday.
Tomas Jurco struck for his 2nd this season after the puck came loose from a scrum in the Flyers crease, firing past Mason's right shoulder.
Pavel Datsyuk notched two goals for Detroit (12-5-5, 29 pts), his 6th and 7th this season. His first came on a power-play after taking a cross-ice pass from Jakub Kindl and shooting clean to Mason's right.
Datsyuk lit the lamp again, against Ray Emery, after Darren Helm's shot was deflected off the high post and into the path of the 12-year veteran, who came wide open before Emery turned around and shot to the backup's right side.
The Wings center enjoyed his 32nd-career game with at least 2 goals scored.
Detroit is now 7-2-2 at home this year and Philadelphia 2-7-1 away from home. The Flyers host the Rangers Friday before visiting them the next day and travelling to all three California teams and Columbus to end a five-game road trip.
Stephen Weiss opened scoring at 10:12, firing past Steve Mason, assisted by Darren Helm after an exchange of passes from a faceoff found Weiss at close range.
Red Wings captain Henrik Zetterberg added the empty-net goal with 1:22 left to finish the scoreline after Ray Emery was pulled a minute earlier.
Thus ensuring the Flyers' sixth-straight defeat on the road this season and Detroit's 4th victory in their last 5 outings.
Philadelphia got on the board when captain Claude Giroux flung a wrister past Jimmy Howard after taking a pass from Wayne Simmonds in stride at the center line. The goal was the first for Giroux at even-strength and his 7th overall.
Jakub Voracek brought the visitors within 4-2 at the 12:25 mark in the third. Claude Giroux flicked the puck from the left circle inside to Wayne Simmonds near the Wings' crease who passed to Voracek, open to Howard's left who shot for his 8th goal and 30th point.
Those marks tied him for the points-lead with Pittsburgh's Sidney Crosby.
Jimmy Howard stopped 22-of-24 shots for Detroit in victory.
Philadelphia (8-10-3, 19 pts) came under attack in the second period, as Steve Mason was pulled from the Flyers net after allowing those 3 on 14 shots in thirty-two minutes. Mason secured 46 saves in the Flyers' 1-0 shootout defeat to the Islanders Monday.
Tomas Jurco struck for his 2nd this season after the puck came loose from a scrum in the Flyers crease, firing past Mason's right shoulder.
Pavel Datsyuk notched two goals for Detroit (12-5-5, 29 pts), his 6th and 7th this season. His first came on a power-play after taking a cross-ice pass from Jakub Kindl and shooting clean to Mason's right.
Datsyuk lit the lamp again, against Ray Emery, after Darren Helm's shot was deflected off the high post and into the path of the 12-year veteran, who came wide open before Emery turned around and shot to the backup's right side.
The Wings center enjoyed his 32nd-career game with at least 2 goals scored.
Detroit is now 7-2-2 at home this year and Philadelphia 2-7-1 away from home. The Flyers host the Rangers Friday before visiting them the next day and travelling to all three California teams and Columbus to end a five-game road trip.
Stephen Weiss opened scoring at 10:12, firing past Steve Mason, assisted by Darren Helm after an exchange of passes from a faceoff found Weiss at close range.
Red Wings captain Henrik Zetterberg added the empty-net goal with 1:22 left to finish the scoreline after Ray Emery was pulled a minute earlier.
Thus ensuring the Flyers' sixth-straight defeat on the road this season and Detroit's 4th victory in their last 5 outings.
Philadelphia got on the board when captain Claude Giroux flung a wrister past Jimmy Howard after taking a pass from Wayne Simmonds in stride at the center line. The goal was the first for Giroux at even-strength and his 7th overall.
Jakub Voracek brought the visitors within 4-2 at the 12:25 mark in the third. Claude Giroux flicked the puck from the left circle inside to Wayne Simmonds near the Wings' crease who passed to Voracek, open to Howard's left who shot for his 8th goal and 30th point.
Those marks tied him for the points-lead with Pittsburgh's Sidney Crosby.
Jimmy Howard stopped 22-of-24 shots for Detroit in victory.
Datsyuk strikes twice as Wings lead Flyers 4-1 after two
Detroit, Mich. - Steve Mason was pulled from the Philadelphia net after allowing 3 goals on 14 shots after thirty-two minutes Wednesday night, as the Red Wings lead the Flyers 4-1 after two periods.
Tomas Jurco scored his second goal of the season for Detroit after Henrik Zetterberg and Darren Helm were involved in a scrum with two Flyers in front of the Philly net.
The puck squirted from them and into the path of Jurco in stride, who fired clean past Mason's right shoulder.
That right side would suffer again, at 11:47, five seconds after Detroit took the man-advantage when Jakub Voracek held Gustav Nyquist.
Pavel Datsyuk shot his 6th and 7th goals on the year, the first on that advantage and after winning a faceoff from the left circle.
The puck then sailed cross-ice to Jakub Kindl, who darted it across back to Datsyuk, unbeknownst to Mason, and the 12-year veteran found the goalie's right side wide open for the two-goal lead.
The right side of Ray Emery in relief proved little better for the Flyers (8-9-3). Emery left his right side open after a close-range shot from Darren Helm to the goalie's left hit the high post, bouncing to Datsyuk who was open for the easy strike and the three-goal advantage.
Emery stopped 4-of-5 and Mason 11-of-14 before being pulled for Philadelphia. Jimmy Howard only faced 4 shots in the second period, stopping them all easily.
Flyers captain Claude Giroux snuck his 7th goal this season past Jimmy Howard to bring matters to a 1-1 tie at the 2:31 mark.
The goal, his first this season at even-strength, came off a pass from Wayne Simmonds at the center line to Giroux in stride, who flung the wrister past Howard's right shoulder.
Giroux then sat for two minutes at 4:59 after interfering with Pavel Datsyuk, throwing his stick into the Wings center's legs as he tried to take the puck up the ice for the home side.
Tomas Tatar nearly got in to Mason's right with the advantage but found the goalie's right pad, and Justin Abdelkader fired a bouncing puck as he was falling with 25 seconds left in 5-on-4 play, but was wide.
Sean Couturier and Kyle Quincey fought with five minutes left in the period. Couturier started shoving Quincey in front of the Detroit net when the Flyers were playing in the crease, and seconds later both dropped gloves.
Few punches were thrown until Couturier was pushed into the glass, then both landed three on each other in succession. Quincey took over, striking the Flyers center four times before they were separated by the officials.
Tomas Jurco scored his second goal of the season for Detroit after Henrik Zetterberg and Darren Helm were involved in a scrum with two Flyers in front of the Philly net.
The puck squirted from them and into the path of Jurco in stride, who fired clean past Mason's right shoulder.
That right side would suffer again, at 11:47, five seconds after Detroit took the man-advantage when Jakub Voracek held Gustav Nyquist.
Pavel Datsyuk shot his 6th and 7th goals on the year, the first on that advantage and after winning a faceoff from the left circle.
The puck then sailed cross-ice to Jakub Kindl, who darted it across back to Datsyuk, unbeknownst to Mason, and the 12-year veteran found the goalie's right side wide open for the two-goal lead.
The right side of Ray Emery in relief proved little better for the Flyers (8-9-3). Emery left his right side open after a close-range shot from Darren Helm to the goalie's left hit the high post, bouncing to Datsyuk who was open for the easy strike and the three-goal advantage.
Emery stopped 4-of-5 and Mason 11-of-14 before being pulled for Philadelphia. Jimmy Howard only faced 4 shots in the second period, stopping them all easily.
Flyers captain Claude Giroux snuck his 7th goal this season past Jimmy Howard to bring matters to a 1-1 tie at the 2:31 mark.
The goal, his first this season at even-strength, came off a pass from Wayne Simmonds at the center line to Giroux in stride, who flung the wrister past Howard's right shoulder.
Giroux then sat for two minutes at 4:59 after interfering with Pavel Datsyuk, throwing his stick into the Wings center's legs as he tried to take the puck up the ice for the home side.
Tomas Tatar nearly got in to Mason's right with the advantage but found the goalie's right pad, and Justin Abdelkader fired a bouncing puck as he was falling with 25 seconds left in 5-on-4 play, but was wide.
Sean Couturier and Kyle Quincey fought with five minutes left in the period. Couturier started shoving Quincey in front of the Detroit net when the Flyers were playing in the crease, and seconds later both dropped gloves.
Few punches were thrown until Couturier was pushed into the glass, then both landed three on each other in succession. Quincey took over, striking the Flyers center four times before they were separated by the officials.
Red Wings leading Flyers 1-0 after first period
Detroit, Mich. - Stephen Weiss notched his third goal of the season past Steve Mason as the Detroit Red Wings take and hold a 1-0 lead over the Philadelphia Flyers after the first period of play Wednesday night.
Pavel Datsyuk won the faceoff seconds before in the right circle and after an exchange of passes between Jakub Kindl and Darren Helm, the puck came into the path of Weiss, who fired from close range to Mason's right.
Jimmy Howard and Steve Mason both faced 7 shots in goal respectively, Howard stopping them all and Mason allowing 1.
Detroit (11-5-5, 27 pts) took the man-advantage at 15:35 when Michael Raffl cross-checked Xavier Ouellet.
Jonathan Franzen tried twice on Mason in those two minutes, a close range blast as he was falling that hit the goalie's right pad and a wrister from long range a half-minute later that went wide. But the Flyers kept Detroit off the board in that time.
Philadelphia (8-9-3, 19 pts) enjoyed two power-plays in the first session, after Detroit's Jonathan Ericsson tripped Wayne Simmonds 1:28 into the game, and when, at 13:08, Henrik Zetterberg held team points-leader Jakub Voracek.
The Flyers went 0-for-2 with the advantage against Detroit's 2nd-ranked penalty-kill, though led the Red Wings 11-7 in faceoff wins.
Pavel Datsyuk won the faceoff seconds before in the right circle and after an exchange of passes between Jakub Kindl and Darren Helm, the puck came into the path of Weiss, who fired from close range to Mason's right.
Jimmy Howard and Steve Mason both faced 7 shots in goal respectively, Howard stopping them all and Mason allowing 1.
Detroit (11-5-5, 27 pts) took the man-advantage at 15:35 when Michael Raffl cross-checked Xavier Ouellet.
Jonathan Franzen tried twice on Mason in those two minutes, a close range blast as he was falling that hit the goalie's right pad and a wrister from long range a half-minute later that went wide. But the Flyers kept Detroit off the board in that time.
Philadelphia (8-9-3, 19 pts) enjoyed two power-plays in the first session, after Detroit's Jonathan Ericsson tripped Wayne Simmonds 1:28 into the game, and when, at 13:08, Henrik Zetterberg held team points-leader Jakub Voracek.
The Flyers went 0-for-2 with the advantage against Detroit's 2nd-ranked penalty-kill, though led the Red Wings 11-7 in faceoff wins.
Patriots-Packers preview
Green Bay, Wis. - Every so often, two great men meet in a rare contest against one another in a great arena: Napoleon and Wellington at Waterloo, Antony and Augustus in Egypt, Brady and Rodgers at Lambeau.
History may not lend as much space to that last one as the previous two, but that won't stop the Green Bay Packers from hosting the New England Patriots Sunday afternoon at Lambeau Field.
The stadium is the second-oldest in the game, built in 1957, (Chicago's Soldier Field went up in 1926) and sits on a square block of concrete in the middle of a pleasant neighborhood west of downtown Green Bay. Driving down residential streets, one can see the stadium rising above the roofs of homes.
"There's a great tradition there and their record is great there," Patriots coach Bill Belichick said Tuesday. "The thing that we have to focus on is just really our matchup this week."
New England (9-2) is seeking to go 4-0 against the NFC North this season, coming off a 34-9 trouncing of Detroit at home, also besting Minnesota and Chicago in Weeks 2 and 8. They have taken 14 straight from the division overall.
The Detroit win was also their 7th-straight overall on the year, the best streak from any team, after starting 2-2 and have guaranteed their 14th-straight campaign with a winning record.
But the Patriots have faced only one difficult road test this season, a Monday night 41-14 defeat to the Chiefs in Week 4.
"We're playing Green Bay in Green Bay," Belichick said Tuesday. "That's where they've been very dominant, really, in terms of getting ahead and playing from ahead, first quarter. The numbers are staggering."
Numbers that include a perfect 5-0 record for the hosts at home, where they have outscored visitors 66-0 in the first quarter and 128-9 in the first half of games played there this season.
Green Bay (8-3) defeated the Chicago Bears in a Sunday night laugher 55-14 after leading them 42-0 at the half, and took apart a game Philadelphia Eagles side 53-20, taking a 30-6 advantage into the half of that contest.
Quarterback Aaron Rodgers threw 6 touchdowns in the first half, a record, of the Bears game and 3 more against the Eagles.
"They've been so far ahead of these teams that they've played early in the game it's almost like they're running out the clock in the middle of the second quarter," Belichick said of the quick-striking Pack.
Aaron Rodgers is second in football in touchdowns (30) and interceptions (3), heading the game's 8th-best pass attack (261.8 ypg).
"He does an excellent job in the pocket of extending plays, feeling the rush," Belichick said of Rodgers. "He can run when has to but he also is probably even more dangerous when he just buys extra time in the pocket and lets his receivers uncover and lifts it down the field to somebody for 20 or 30 yards that is able to get open because the play has been extended for another couple of seconds."
But Tom Brady commands the 6th-ranked pass game in football (272.5 ypg), tossing 13 touchdowns in his last four appearances and is good for 4th league-wide with 26 scores overall this season.
And dueling with big-name quarterbacks is nothing new for the 3-time Super Bowl champion. He handled the team's Week 9 battle in Foxborough with Peyton Manning's Denver Broncos, throwing 4 touchdowns in their 43-21 victory.
"We're playing one of the best teams in the league. This team plays better -- they play like we do at home," Brady said, whose Patriots are 6-0 at home this year and 3-2 on the road.
Brady threw four touchdowns in the Patriots' last voyage to the Frozen Tundra, downing the Packers 35-0 in 2006.
"Tom's incredible," Aaron Rodgers said of his foe this week, "he's got great discipline and eye control, he;'s always had incredible subtle movements in the pocket that allow him to throw on rhythm and in a balanced position. That's how you become accurate, when your feet are underneath you, you're on balance all the time and Tom does a great job of getting his feet and his body in position to throw that ball from a balanced position."
New England has something to rely on in their ground game as well.
Jonas Gray, the rookie from Notre Dame, rushed for 4 touchdowns on 201 yards in the Patriots' 42-20 win at the Colts Nov. 16th. Gray did not take a snap against Detroit the following week, reportedly for missing a practice.
Enter LaGarrette Blount, playing his second game in his second go-round with the Patriots after being picked up on waivers following his Nov. 18th release from the Steelers.
Blount carried 12 times for 78 yards and two touchdowns in last week's victory over Detroit.
New England is averaging 39.5 points in their current win streak, with Tom Brady throwing for 315 yards in those games. Rob Gronkowski has 27 receptions for 403 yards and 5 touchdowns in their last four outings.
The Packers' Jordy Nelson leads the NFL with 123 receiving yards at home and 2nd-year man Randall Cobb has 20 receptions and two touchdowns in the last three at Lambeau this year.
But those receivers will be defended by Patriots corners Darrelle Revis and Brandon Browner, which could lend the Packers' game plan more to tailback Eddie Lacy.
Lacy has 6 rushing touchdowns this season, tied for 8th in football.
"No matter what phase of the game you're in, they've got explosive playmakers and schemes and things that you've got to take care of," Bill Belichick said of the Packers. "There's no chance to relax against this team. They're good at anything."
History may not lend as much space to that last one as the previous two, but that won't stop the Green Bay Packers from hosting the New England Patriots Sunday afternoon at Lambeau Field.
The stadium is the second-oldest in the game, built in 1957, (Chicago's Soldier Field went up in 1926) and sits on a square block of concrete in the middle of a pleasant neighborhood west of downtown Green Bay. Driving down residential streets, one can see the stadium rising above the roofs of homes.
"There's a great tradition there and their record is great there," Patriots coach Bill Belichick said Tuesday. "The thing that we have to focus on is just really our matchup this week."
New England (9-2) is seeking to go 4-0 against the NFC North this season, coming off a 34-9 trouncing of Detroit at home, also besting Minnesota and Chicago in Weeks 2 and 8. They have taken 14 straight from the division overall.
The Detroit win was also their 7th-straight overall on the year, the best streak from any team, after starting 2-2 and have guaranteed their 14th-straight campaign with a winning record.
But the Patriots have faced only one difficult road test this season, a Monday night 41-14 defeat to the Chiefs in Week 4.
"We're playing Green Bay in Green Bay," Belichick said Tuesday. "That's where they've been very dominant, really, in terms of getting ahead and playing from ahead, first quarter. The numbers are staggering."
Numbers that include a perfect 5-0 record for the hosts at home, where they have outscored visitors 66-0 in the first quarter and 128-9 in the first half of games played there this season.
Green Bay (8-3) defeated the Chicago Bears in a Sunday night laugher 55-14 after leading them 42-0 at the half, and took apart a game Philadelphia Eagles side 53-20, taking a 30-6 advantage into the half of that contest.
Quarterback Aaron Rodgers threw 6 touchdowns in the first half, a record, of the Bears game and 3 more against the Eagles.
"They've been so far ahead of these teams that they've played early in the game it's almost like they're running out the clock in the middle of the second quarter," Belichick said of the quick-striking Pack.
Aaron Rodgers is second in football in touchdowns (30) and interceptions (3), heading the game's 8th-best pass attack (261.8 ypg).
"He does an excellent job in the pocket of extending plays, feeling the rush," Belichick said of Rodgers. "He can run when has to but he also is probably even more dangerous when he just buys extra time in the pocket and lets his receivers uncover and lifts it down the field to somebody for 20 or 30 yards that is able to get open because the play has been extended for another couple of seconds."
But Tom Brady commands the 6th-ranked pass game in football (272.5 ypg), tossing 13 touchdowns in his last four appearances and is good for 4th league-wide with 26 scores overall this season.
And dueling with big-name quarterbacks is nothing new for the 3-time Super Bowl champion. He handled the team's Week 9 battle in Foxborough with Peyton Manning's Denver Broncos, throwing 4 touchdowns in their 43-21 victory.
"We're playing one of the best teams in the league. This team plays better -- they play like we do at home," Brady said, whose Patriots are 6-0 at home this year and 3-2 on the road.
Brady threw four touchdowns in the Patriots' last voyage to the Frozen Tundra, downing the Packers 35-0 in 2006.
"Tom's incredible," Aaron Rodgers said of his foe this week, "he's got great discipline and eye control, he;'s always had incredible subtle movements in the pocket that allow him to throw on rhythm and in a balanced position. That's how you become accurate, when your feet are underneath you, you're on balance all the time and Tom does a great job of getting his feet and his body in position to throw that ball from a balanced position."
New England has something to rely on in their ground game as well.
Jonas Gray, the rookie from Notre Dame, rushed for 4 touchdowns on 201 yards in the Patriots' 42-20 win at the Colts Nov. 16th. Gray did not take a snap against Detroit the following week, reportedly for missing a practice.
Enter LaGarrette Blount, playing his second game in his second go-round with the Patriots after being picked up on waivers following his Nov. 18th release from the Steelers.
Blount carried 12 times for 78 yards and two touchdowns in last week's victory over Detroit.
New England is averaging 39.5 points in their current win streak, with Tom Brady throwing for 315 yards in those games. Rob Gronkowski has 27 receptions for 403 yards and 5 touchdowns in their last four outings.
The Packers' Jordy Nelson leads the NFL with 123 receiving yards at home and 2nd-year man Randall Cobb has 20 receptions and two touchdowns in the last three at Lambeau this year.
But those receivers will be defended by Patriots corners Darrelle Revis and Brandon Browner, which could lend the Packers' game plan more to tailback Eddie Lacy.
Lacy has 6 rushing touchdowns this season, tied for 8th in football.
"No matter what phase of the game you're in, they've got explosive playmakers and schemes and things that you've got to take care of," Bill Belichick said of the Packers. "There's no chance to relax against this team. They're good at anything."
Jets will start Geno Smith again
Florham Park, N.J. - People and organizations tend to do things early in the morning when they want to get past them as quickly as possible and move on.
Which may be why at 7 a.m. this morning, the New York Jets (2-9) announced Geno Smith will return as their starting quarterback when they host the Miami Dolphins (6-5) Monday night.
"We just want to give Geno another opportunity to show what he can do," Jets coach Rex Ryan said. "Obviously we like the way he finished last season. We've had some bumps in the road this year. We sat him down for a few weeks and we'll see how he responds."
Smith started the Jets' first eight games this season before being benched for Michael Vick in the last three, though he would replace his replacement in the team's 38-3 defeat to the Buffalo Bills Monday.
"The main factor is you want to give your guys a chance to win the game," Ryan said Wednesday. "That's the No. 1 factor you look into. But that's what we did. We feel good. Geno last time out had a good game against Miami." That last time being Week 17 last season.
Smith was benched after the Bills handed New York a 42-23 defeat in Week 8 at the Meadowlands, a game in which Smith threw interceptions on three-straight pass attempts. Rex Ryan had told the press repeatedly in the weeks before then of his commitment to Smith under center.
But those picks brought him to 10 on the season, against only 7 touchdowns, and many in the locker room questioning the passer. Michael Vick took over as the Jets went 1-2 before throwing only 76 yards and a pick against the Bills Monday night, being replaced himself for Smith in the third quarter.
Which may be why at 7 a.m. this morning, the New York Jets (2-9) announced Geno Smith will return as their starting quarterback when they host the Miami Dolphins (6-5) Monday night.
"We just want to give Geno another opportunity to show what he can do," Jets coach Rex Ryan said. "Obviously we like the way he finished last season. We've had some bumps in the road this year. We sat him down for a few weeks and we'll see how he responds."
Smith started the Jets' first eight games this season before being benched for Michael Vick in the last three, though he would replace his replacement in the team's 38-3 defeat to the Buffalo Bills Monday.
"The main factor is you want to give your guys a chance to win the game," Ryan said Wednesday. "That's the No. 1 factor you look into. But that's what we did. We feel good. Geno last time out had a good game against Miami." That last time being Week 17 last season.
Smith was benched after the Bills handed New York a 42-23 defeat in Week 8 at the Meadowlands, a game in which Smith threw interceptions on three-straight pass attempts. Rex Ryan had told the press repeatedly in the weeks before then of his commitment to Smith under center.
But those picks brought him to 10 on the season, against only 7 touchdowns, and many in the locker room questioning the passer. Michael Vick took over as the Jets went 1-2 before throwing only 76 yards and a pick against the Bills Monday night, being replaced himself for Smith in the third quarter.
Dust settles after awkward exchange between Eagles WRs
Philadelphia, Pa. - Eagles receiver Riley Cooper appeared on the field for his team 91 percent of the time during Philadelphia's first five games, but has seen game time only 76 percent of the time in their last six outings. And he saw only 67 percent of last week's victory over the Titans.
Cooper has caught only 39 receptions this season for 425 yards and a touchdown.
Facing reporters at his locker about that decrease, Cooper offered a sarcastic theory. With rookies Jordan Matthews and Josh Huff likely to receive increasing time as the season wears on, the 5th-year man from Florida turned his attention elsewhere, and an attempt at humor.
"Maclin's trying to get a contract, so he's probably not going to try and come out of the game," Cooper said jokingly.
Maclin signed a one-year deal in the offseason worth up to $6 million a few days after Cooper inked his 5-year, $25 million extension.
Reporters being interested in reporting, took those words to Maclin, the Eagles' leading receiver this season with 980 yards and 9 touchdowns.
"That was not a very smart thing for Coop to say," Maclin said. His reply to if the theory was true was surgical: "No."
Cooper admitted again publicly that he was joking and said Maclin was the better receiver.
"I'm supposed to sub every four or five plays, and that's what I do," Cooper said. "Maclin, I guess, he's a lot better player than me, so he doesn't have to sub."
The off-hand remarks from Cooper, a man of whom off-hand remarks is already well known, have caused a slight distraction for the Eagles, who travel to the Cowboys Thanksgiving Day as both teams share an 8-3 record and battle for the first-place spot in the NFC East.
Ask if he spoke with Maclin about his remarks, Cooper shook his head, "No."
"The reason I regret saying it is because y'all made it such a big deal," Cooper said.
Cooper has caught only 39 receptions this season for 425 yards and a touchdown.
Facing reporters at his locker about that decrease, Cooper offered a sarcastic theory. With rookies Jordan Matthews and Josh Huff likely to receive increasing time as the season wears on, the 5th-year man from Florida turned his attention elsewhere, and an attempt at humor.
"Maclin's trying to get a contract, so he's probably not going to try and come out of the game," Cooper said jokingly.
Maclin signed a one-year deal in the offseason worth up to $6 million a few days after Cooper inked his 5-year, $25 million extension.
Reporters being interested in reporting, took those words to Maclin, the Eagles' leading receiver this season with 980 yards and 9 touchdowns.
"That was not a very smart thing for Coop to say," Maclin said. His reply to if the theory was true was surgical: "No."
Cooper admitted again publicly that he was joking and said Maclin was the better receiver.
"I'm supposed to sub every four or five plays, and that's what I do," Cooper said. "Maclin, I guess, he's a lot better player than me, so he doesn't have to sub."
The off-hand remarks from Cooper, a man of whom off-hand remarks is already well known, have caused a slight distraction for the Eagles, who travel to the Cowboys Thanksgiving Day as both teams share an 8-3 record and battle for the first-place spot in the NFC East.
Ask if he spoke with Maclin about his remarks, Cooper shook his head, "No."
"The reason I regret saying it is because y'all made it such a big deal," Cooper said.
Breaking: Redskins will start Colt McCoy over RGIII
Ashburn, Va. - Colt McCoy will start at quarterback over Robert Griffin for the Washington Redskins when they visit the Indianapolis Colts this Sunday, according to a team source.
That, after coach Jay Gruden said yesterday that Griffin would likely start at the Colts, his fourth complete game of the season, on the mend after suffering a dislocated ankle in Week 2.
The decision to bench Griffin is not said to be long-term concerning his future with the franchise, but a "reset" for a team with high hopes for the upcoming offseason and draft.
Griffin is 0-3 since returning to action, suffering losses to Minnesota, Tampa Bay, and San Francisco. He threw a touchdown in the 3-point loss to the Vikings, but against then 1-win Tampa was sacked six times and consistently missed open receivers. He was brought down 5 times by the 49ers a week later, against whom he threw no touchdowns or interceptions.
Colt McCoy is the only passer on the Redskins' roster to have started, completed, and won an entire contest for the team this season, a 20-17 overtime victory over the Dallas Cowboys.
He led Washington (3-8) to a 19-17 victory over Tennessee in Week 7, entering play to start the second half after that game's starter, Kirk Cousins, suffered three turnovers, and on his first pass attempt threw a 70 yard touchdown to Pierre Garcon.
Griffin would have faced Andrew Luck Sunday, who was drafted first overall, to Griffin's second-overall selection, in the 2012 NFL Draft.
That, after coach Jay Gruden said yesterday that Griffin would likely start at the Colts, his fourth complete game of the season, on the mend after suffering a dislocated ankle in Week 2.
The decision to bench Griffin is not said to be long-term concerning his future with the franchise, but a "reset" for a team with high hopes for the upcoming offseason and draft.
Griffin is 0-3 since returning to action, suffering losses to Minnesota, Tampa Bay, and San Francisco. He threw a touchdown in the 3-point loss to the Vikings, but against then 1-win Tampa was sacked six times and consistently missed open receivers. He was brought down 5 times by the 49ers a week later, against whom he threw no touchdowns or interceptions.
Colt McCoy is the only passer on the Redskins' roster to have started, completed, and won an entire contest for the team this season, a 20-17 overtime victory over the Dallas Cowboys.
He led Washington (3-8) to a 19-17 victory over Tennessee in Week 7, entering play to start the second half after that game's starter, Kirk Cousins, suffered three turnovers, and on his first pass attempt threw a 70 yard touchdown to Pierre Garcon.
Griffin would have faced Andrew Luck Sunday, who was drafted first overall, to Griffin's second-overall selection, in the 2012 NFL Draft.
Flyers-Red Wings preview
Detroit, Mich. - "We want to and have to play better."
That was the brief and succinct judgment of Flyers forward Wayne Simmonds (14 pts) minutes after suffering a 1-0 shootout decision to the New York Islanders Monday.
Among the best at home and the worst on the road this season, the Philadelphia Flyers travel to Joe Louis Arena to face the Detroit Red Wings Wednesday night.
Philadelphia (8-9-3, 19 pts) has suffered five straight defeats on the road, including two outings in which they were shut out. Before defeating Columbus on Nov. 22nd, they lost four games overall, outscored 15-8.
Steve Mason (4-6-2) protected the Flyers against the Isles in his first-career shutout, stopping 46 shots against him in sixty-five minutes before allowing two strikes in the shootout from Frans Nielsen and John Tavares.
Though the Flyers were grateful for Mason stopping those shots, head coach Craig Berbue was concerned that so many came his way, and that so few came from the sticks of those in orange, having been outshot 46-21.
"I'm disappointed we didn't play better," he said afterwards. "We didn't have enough guys that competed hard enough, that showed urgency throughout the game."
Philadelphia's Flyers are 6-3-2 at home this season and averaging 3.5 goals per game. Away from Wells Fargo Center, however, they are 2-6-1 and score 2.1 times a night. Averaging 3.45 goals scored per game at home, they have notched only 7 altogether during their current road campaign, including a 3-for-31 stretch on the power-play.
Their penalty-kill has fared little better recently, bearing the 30th mark in hockey (.731 pct). In their 6-3 defeat to the Canadiens Nov. 15th, they allowed three power-play goals from the Habs, a group that until then had failed to strike with the advantage in 27 of their previous 28 attempts.
Killing penalities, however, is an art form in Detroit, where the Red Wings (11-5-5, 27 pts) enjoy the 2nd-best mark in the league at defending a man down (.893 pct), and are coming off a 4-3 victory over the Ottawa Senators.
They went 2-for-6 on the power-play in that contest and rank 13th with the advantage.
"It's a good win for our team," Wings boss Mike Babcock said. "We had lots of good players, and it was really good for Stephen Weiss, and that's really good for us."
Weiss, after scoring twice in 26 contests one year ago, lit the lamp twice for the Wings in their win over Ottawa, returning to action after sitting from a hernia injury that required surgery.
"Hopefully he can get his confidence back and get going," Babcock said of the center.
Henrik Zetterberg leads the Red Wings in points (18), scoring 4 goals and assisting on 14 others. Gustav Nyquist leads the team in scoring with 10 goals this season.
Detroit, like Philadelphia, excels at home, where they are 7-2-2 this season and Tomas Tatar is enjoying a 6-game points streak, notching an assist, shared with goalie Jimmy Howard, in Monday's win over Ottawa.
Detroit sits third in the Atlantic Division, behind Tampa Bay and leader Montreal, against whom the Red Wings are 0-2 this season, with two more meetings scheduled.
After hosting the New York Rangers on the 28th, the Flyers will venture a five-game road trip that includes visits to the Rangers the next day and three matchups with all three California teams before heading to Columbus.
Philadelphia defeated Detroit 4-2 in their Oct. 25th meeting for the Flyers' third-stright win in the all-time series.
That was the brief and succinct judgment of Flyers forward Wayne Simmonds (14 pts) minutes after suffering a 1-0 shootout decision to the New York Islanders Monday.
Among the best at home and the worst on the road this season, the Philadelphia Flyers travel to Joe Louis Arena to face the Detroit Red Wings Wednesday night.
Philadelphia (8-9-3, 19 pts) has suffered five straight defeats on the road, including two outings in which they were shut out. Before defeating Columbus on Nov. 22nd, they lost four games overall, outscored 15-8.
Steve Mason (4-6-2) protected the Flyers against the Isles in his first-career shutout, stopping 46 shots against him in sixty-five minutes before allowing two strikes in the shootout from Frans Nielsen and John Tavares.
Though the Flyers were grateful for Mason stopping those shots, head coach Craig Berbue was concerned that so many came his way, and that so few came from the sticks of those in orange, having been outshot 46-21.
"I'm disappointed we didn't play better," he said afterwards. "We didn't have enough guys that competed hard enough, that showed urgency throughout the game."
Philadelphia's Flyers are 6-3-2 at home this season and averaging 3.5 goals per game. Away from Wells Fargo Center, however, they are 2-6-1 and score 2.1 times a night. Averaging 3.45 goals scored per game at home, they have notched only 7 altogether during their current road campaign, including a 3-for-31 stretch on the power-play.
Their penalty-kill has fared little better recently, bearing the 30th mark in hockey (.731 pct). In their 6-3 defeat to the Canadiens Nov. 15th, they allowed three power-play goals from the Habs, a group that until then had failed to strike with the advantage in 27 of their previous 28 attempts.
Killing penalities, however, is an art form in Detroit, where the Red Wings (11-5-5, 27 pts) enjoy the 2nd-best mark in the league at defending a man down (.893 pct), and are coming off a 4-3 victory over the Ottawa Senators.
They went 2-for-6 on the power-play in that contest and rank 13th with the advantage.
"It's a good win for our team," Wings boss Mike Babcock said. "We had lots of good players, and it was really good for Stephen Weiss, and that's really good for us."
Weiss, after scoring twice in 26 contests one year ago, lit the lamp twice for the Wings in their win over Ottawa, returning to action after sitting from a hernia injury that required surgery.
"Hopefully he can get his confidence back and get going," Babcock said of the center.
Henrik Zetterberg leads the Red Wings in points (18), scoring 4 goals and assisting on 14 others. Gustav Nyquist leads the team in scoring with 10 goals this season.
Detroit, like Philadelphia, excels at home, where they are 7-2-2 this season and Tomas Tatar is enjoying a 6-game points streak, notching an assist, shared with goalie Jimmy Howard, in Monday's win over Ottawa.
Detroit sits third in the Atlantic Division, behind Tampa Bay and leader Montreal, against whom the Red Wings are 0-2 this season, with two more meetings scheduled.
After hosting the New York Rangers on the 28th, the Flyers will venture a five-game road trip that includes visits to the Rangers the next day and three matchups with all three California teams before heading to Columbus.
Philadelphia defeated Detroit 4-2 in their Oct. 25th meeting for the Flyers' third-stright win in the all-time series.
Tuesday, November 25, 2014
Jay Gruden: Griffin will start for Redskins
Ashburn, Va. - Washington Redskins head coach Jay Gruden has confirmed quarterback Robert Griffin will start for the team when they travel to the Colts this coming Sunday.
"Right now, we have every intent for Robert," Gruden said, "but we'll look at the tape and make our evaluation here shortly."
"Right now, we have every intent for Robert," Gruden said, "but we'll look at the tape and make our evaluation here shortly."
That, after a two-game losing streak and candid public criticisms from Gruden that had many believing there to be a rift between he and Griffin.
Gruden said his quarterback's performance was "not even close to good enough" after the Redskins fell 27-7 at home to the then 1-win Buccaneers, a game in which Griffin threw a touchdown and two interceptions and was sacked six times.
"Robert had some fundamental flaws," he said after that game. "His footwork was below average. He took three-step drops when he should have taken five. He took a one-step drop when he should have taken three on a couple occasions and that can't happen. He stepped up when he didn't have to step up, and he stepped into pressure. He read the wrong side of the field a couple of times."
That contest was the first game action Griffin saw since returning after nursing his dislocated ankle, and since falling 17-13 to the 49ers is now 0-3 in that time. Griffin was sacked five times in that loss and threw no touchdowns, and the Redskins (3-8) have now failed to score more than 13 points in three of the four games in which Griffin has started.
"We have a 24-year-old kid who has not had a lot of these concepts thrown at him," he said after the Redskins' loss to the 49ers. "We think we got him all sorted out, but he hasn't seen these concepts against different coverages."
Colt McCoy is the only quarterback on the roster who has completed an entire contest with a winning result this season, Washington's Monday night 20-17 overtime victory at Dallas, though he played the second half of their 19-17 win over Tennessee. His first pass attempt in that game was a 70 yard touchdown to Pierre Garcon.
And Robert Griffin has lost 17 of the last 20 full games he has started.
Gruden said his quarterback's performance was "not even close to good enough" after the Redskins fell 27-7 at home to the then 1-win Buccaneers, a game in which Griffin threw a touchdown and two interceptions and was sacked six times.
"Robert had some fundamental flaws," he said after that game. "His footwork was below average. He took three-step drops when he should have taken five. He took a one-step drop when he should have taken three on a couple occasions and that can't happen. He stepped up when he didn't have to step up, and he stepped into pressure. He read the wrong side of the field a couple of times."
That contest was the first game action Griffin saw since returning after nursing his dislocated ankle, and since falling 17-13 to the 49ers is now 0-3 in that time. Griffin was sacked five times in that loss and threw no touchdowns, and the Redskins (3-8) have now failed to score more than 13 points in three of the four games in which Griffin has started.
"We have a 24-year-old kid who has not had a lot of these concepts thrown at him," he said after the Redskins' loss to the 49ers. "We think we got him all sorted out, but he hasn't seen these concepts against different coverages."
Colt McCoy is the only quarterback on the roster who has completed an entire contest with a winning result this season, Washington's Monday night 20-17 overtime victory at Dallas, though he played the second half of their 19-17 win over Tennessee. His first pass attempt in that game was a 70 yard touchdown to Pierre Garcon.
And Robert Griffin has lost 17 of the last 20 full games he has started.
"He's auditioned long enough," Gruden said this week of Griffin. "Clock's ticking. He's gotta play. We'll see."
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