Another chapter of NFL history has now been written following the events of week nine but before I get started on the action I would like to explain the above picture. Every November the NFL pays tribute to the men and women who's lives are dedicated to serving our countries and defending our freedom. It is also on the 11th November that we pay our respects and remember those who have died in the line of duty! This was JJ Watt's way to show his support and I wanted to share this with everyone as mine.
Back to the action and this week the Atlanta Falcons continued their winning streak with a closely fought match against the Dallas Cowboys. The Cowboys came into this match wanting to put last weeks result against the Giants behind them and they did so by building a six nil lead after the first quarter.
By halftime the Falcons had managed to pull the score back to six all and the game was eventually settled by a fourth quarter battle to see who was mentally tougher. Unfortunately for Romo and his Cowboys, it was Atlanta who stayed strong and came up winners 19 - 13. This win moves Atlanta onto an 8 - 0 record and continues their franchises best ever start to a season. Looking at their upcoming fixtures they could quite feasibly be 13 - 0 by the time they face the Giants is week 15.
By halftime the Falcons had managed to pull the score back to six all and the game was eventually settled by a fourth quarter battle to see who was mentally tougher. Unfortunately for Romo and his Cowboys, it was Atlanta who stayed strong and came up winners 19 - 13. This win moves Atlanta onto an 8 - 0 record and continues their franchises best ever start to a season. Looking at their upcoming fixtures they could quite feasibly be 13 - 0 by the time they face the Giants is week 15.
Thinking of the New York Giants, they faced a tricky home match against the Steelers this week in the wake of Superstorm Sandy. Personally I thought it was going to be an comfortable game for the Giants but it turns out I was horribly wrong!
It was the Steelers of old who flew into New Jersey this week and they gave Eli Manning a run for his money. The terrible towel gang held Manning to just 125 yards, no touchdowns and forced one interception. Manning seemed to be lacking his now trade mark poise in the pocket and was far from efficient on third downs and clutch situations. It was this coupled with the lack of the run game that led the Steelers to a 24 - 20 victory.
It wasn't just Eli who had a bad week, check out my wall of shame below for week nine:
It was the Steelers of old who flew into New Jersey this week and they gave Eli Manning a run for his money. The terrible towel gang held Manning to just 125 yards, no touchdowns and forced one interception. Manning seemed to be lacking his now trade mark poise in the pocket and was far from efficient on third downs and clutch situations. It was this coupled with the lack of the run game that led the Steelers to a 24 - 20 victory.
It wasn't just Eli who had a bad week, check out my wall of shame below for week nine:
wall of shame week nine
This week my hall of shame belongs to Matt Cassel (Quarterback for the Kansas City Chiefs), Chan Gailey (Head coach of the Buffalo Bills) and Michael Vick (Quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles).
Let me explain my reasoning for placing the above three in my wall of shame. Firstly you have Matt Cassell who generally speaking couldn't hit a barn door with a pass even on a good day! Then you have Coach Gailey who despite having two of the best running backs in the league at his disposal continues to run a pass heavy offense every week! Finally you have Michael Vick who is having a totally shocking season. Week after week he is getting sacked, hurt and loosing fumbles, you have to ask yourself is this finally the end for the legend of Vick!
Let me explain my reasoning for placing the above three in my wall of shame. Firstly you have Matt Cassell who generally speaking couldn't hit a barn door with a pass even on a good day! Then you have Coach Gailey who despite having two of the best running backs in the league at his disposal continues to run a pass heavy offense every week! Finally you have Michael Vick who is having a totally shocking season. Week after week he is getting sacked, hurt and loosing fumbles, you have to ask yourself is this finally the end for the legend of Vick!
On a brighter note though, here are all the scores from across the league in week nine:
Kansas City 13 vs 31 San Diego
Buffalo 9 vs 21 Houston
Baltimore 25 vs 15 Cleveland
Carolina 21 vs 13 Washington
Chicago 51 vs 20 Tennessee
Denver 31 vs 23 Cincinnati
Detroit 31 vs 14 Jacksonville
Arizona 17 vs 31 Green Bay
Miami 20 vs 23 Indianapolis
Minnesota 20 vs 30 Seattle
Tampa Bay 42 vs 32 Oakland
Pittsburgh 24 vs 20 New York Giants
Dallas 13 vs 19 Atlanta
Philadelphia 13 vs 28 New Orleans
Lets finish like always with the two award winners for this week under the headings 'Ray Lewis Award' for defensive impact player and the 'Megatron' Award for offensive impact player.....
Kansas City 13 vs 31 San Diego
Buffalo 9 vs 21 Houston
Baltimore 25 vs 15 Cleveland
Carolina 21 vs 13 Washington
Chicago 51 vs 20 Tennessee
Denver 31 vs 23 Cincinnati
Detroit 31 vs 14 Jacksonville
Arizona 17 vs 31 Green Bay
Miami 20 vs 23 Indianapolis
Minnesota 20 vs 30 Seattle
Tampa Bay 42 vs 32 Oakland
Pittsburgh 24 vs 20 New York Giants
Dallas 13 vs 19 Atlanta
Philadelphia 13 vs 28 New Orleans
Lets finish like always with the two award winners for this week under the headings 'Ray Lewis Award' for defensive impact player and the 'Megatron' Award for offensive impact player.....
Ray Lewis Award
The Ray Lewis award this week goes to a player who has now become the first ever double award winner and that player is Charles Tillman of the Chicago Bears. Tillman had yet another outstanding week with nine total tackles and four, yes four forced fumbles! This is made more spectacular by the fact he is a cornerback and his job is mainly to stop the pass. I am sure that you will all agree he deserves the award again and hope you will join me in congratulating Charles Tillman on his achievement!
Megatron Award
The Megatron award this week goes to the same man who Marcus awarded last week on our podcast 'Spitball'. For those who haven't listened to it yet the award went to the Tampa Bay Running back Doug Martin who appears to be on fire at the moment. This week Martin rushed for 251 yards and four touchdowns setting a new franchise record and becoming only the second player of the Superbowl era to rush for 250 yards. The question is can you name the other??
On that note ladies and gentleman I bid you farewell until next week, take care and remember you can get in touch via twitter, facebook or email by clicking the above icons.
On that note ladies and gentleman I bid you farewell until next week, take care and remember you can get in touch via twitter, facebook or email by clicking the above icons.