Week 14 - Running Away

Some big games by some big backs and big performances by some key players under fire. Let's look at all the games as the gurus enjoyed their best week thus far with a positive 6.5 Stars thus far and hopefully more on the way.

Oakland visited the Bungles in week 14. They needed this win to continue to lead the wild card race and possibly stay within reach of the division. Rudi and Carson dominated the game, while the defense continued to play better...of course it was the Raiders...and they suck.

The Vikings kept their playoff hopes alive by beating the Cowardly Lions on the road. The irony of all ironies is that Artose Pinner killed them. He had three TD's and rushed for 125 yards against his ex-team. Why Detroit doesn't look to Josh McCown is beyond me? Kitna leads the league in turnovers with 26. As tight as the playoff races are, so is the race for Brady Quinn between Detroit and Oakland. It is going to come down to the wire.

The Ravens defense dominates again as Green kept making negative plays to kill drives...2 INT's, a lost fumble and 4 sacks. This D is good, but is the offense efficient enough to go all the way. I would love to see these guys face the Colts as it would be a classic match up. This loss puts the Ravens one step closer to the division title and the Chiefs one step closer to planning for the 2007 draft.

Dolphins continue their late season surge as their defense dominated Brady and the Pats. They sacked Brady 4 times and forced 3 fumbles. The Pats still hold a 2 game lead in their division with 3 to go, so their playoff spot is fairly secure.

The Pats were helped by the disaster tha was the J.E.T.S. Jets Jets Jets game. I guess Mangenius looked more like a man child today. They had momentum early with a 10-7 lead, but quickly went down on a long pass to Evans and a INT returned for a TD. Two huge game changing plays and playoff dimming plays for the Jets. They still have a chance as they are only one game out with an easy schedule, but nothing is "easy" for the Jets.

The Dirty Birds were down at halftime 6-0 and the playoffs were looking dim. However, the running game and defense eventually prevailed. The Bucs meanwhile looked horrible again. Gruden even went so far as replacing Bruce Gradkowski with the ever exciting Tim Rattay. I bet they wish they could get in the Brady Quinn sweepstakes.

Philly needed to win to keep up with the other 6 - 6 teams. They were up big at halftime and managed to hold on. Jeff Garcia clearly looks very comfortable in the Andy Reid version of the west coast offense. I am not sure this defense will be able hold up for the next three weeks to make the push to the playoffs. Jason Campbell did some good things and got more comfortable as the game went progressed. Putting him in was a great move for the future. Once Clinton Portis comes back next year, you know Danny Boy will buy whatever other players he needs to make them a better team.

In one of the biggest games of the week, the G-men went to Carolina to visit Jake and the Panthers. However, Weinke ended up starting and both CB's were on the sidelines for the Panthers. Weinke still managed 400+ yards of passing as the Panthers just abandoned the running game. Plax had a big game and Eli showed why they traded for him as he led them to victory.

Breaking News: The FBI has issued an amber alert...the Colts rushing defense is missing. The Colts have come back to the pack and are now in line for the #2 seed. What do you think LT would do to this D? Jones-Drew and Fred Taylor have certainly made themselves a formiddable team in the back field this year. Garrard didn't do anything spectacular, but he didn't need to.

Vince Young does it again. Comes from behind to tie the game and then wins it with a long run in OT. I am becoming a believer in this guy. Travis Henry has done a nice job of revitalizing his career as well. How much longer can the Texans go with David Carr? He has been terrible, but his line isn't much better and they have no running attack.

Luckily for them, the Hawks are in the worst division in football. I just don't understand how a Super Bowl contending team can lay such an egg at AZ. Matt leinart the last couple of weeks has been showing more confidence and showing why he should have been drafted higher.

GB @ SF: anyone care any more...the only thing of note here is Favre got closer to breaking Marino's all time TD record.

Do you think Mike Shanahan wishes he would have stuck with Jake? I don't think Jake would have made the difference, but Cutler doesn't look like a kid ready to play. He will eventually be fine, but he was not ready for the D he faced today. LT is amazing...the best overall player in football hands down.