411's Monday Morning Cup of Coffee 10.06.08: NFL Week 5 Breakdown

Posted by Ken Schmidt on 10.06.2008

The Colts edge out the Texans in the Game of the Week, the Titans barely get by Baltimore to stay undefeated, the Giants blow out Seattle, the Cowboys and Redskins keep rolling, and more! 411's Ken Schmidt breaks down all the Sunday games in the latest edition of 411's Monday Morning NFL Cup of Coffee!

Well another week of football is in the books and I cashed in big on another three football games to bet on THAT I GAVE AWAY FOR FREE. I am red hot this year in the NFL and if you aren't reading the Office than you are missing out on free money. Seriously. Let's get to the Week 5 action that has some upsets, great games, and collapses in Philadelphia. Ah, the NFL sure is a vicious circle.

	ATLANTA 27
	GREEN BAY 24

Summary
Perhaps the Packers are not as good as I thought they were, or maybe the Falcons are better but after this game I can't be sure of either. The Falcons rode Matt Ryan early as his two TD passes in the first half had Atlanta on top 17-7 at half. Another young QB getting his first season as the starter under center across from rookie Matt Ryan was Aaron Rodgers who got the start even though he was supposed to miss the game with an injury, I guess he really is Bret Favre's protégée. Another Favrian trait Rodgers showed today was the big risk, big reward plays as both his TD passes were into coverage, the one to Donald Driver being into double coverage. The Packers surged back in the second half and had a tie game following a Greg Jennings TD but Jerious Norwood set his team up with big kick off returns that set up field goals and than a Burner Turner TD that put the game away for the Falcons. A big upset for the Falcons on the road in Green Bay.

Falcons
The Falcons are actually 3-2, and this is a team that if they finished with three wins in the season they a lot of people would not be surprised. Instead they look like they could be contending for a division that is wide open. Matt Ryan is handling himself well, especially coming off last week's performance against the Panthers. The Falcons will most likely not reach the playoffs but the fact that they are still contending at this point in season is more than they expected, kudos to them.

Packers
You have to give the young Aaron Rodgers a lot of credit for tossing 313 yards and three TDs while playing hurt. However, his single interception in the game was costly and his team came out as the losers in this one. The defense let the Packers down today as they did not perform the way they should against the young Falcons and the Packers are now slipping down in their division at 2-3.

GAME OF THE WEEK

	INDIANAPOLIS 31
	HOUSTON 27

Summary
Early in the game is was the Sage Rosenfels show as he was connecting to Kevin Walter and Andre Johnson for big yards and looked like the winless Texans were going to stun the powerhouse Colts. It looked like another game to cite in the transition of power in the AFC. However, the Texans made the mistakes that most young teams make, including weak defense in the fourth quarter and two huge turnovers at the end of the game (one was a fumble returned for a touchdown). Peyton Manning proved once again that he is one of the best when time is ticking down and the game is on the line as the Colts scored 21 unanswered in the fourth quarter to sneak out of Houston with a victory.

Colts
I was fairly confident through this entire game that the Colts would come back and win. That was until the fourth quarter where I finally called my girlfriend to concede this game to her (she picks the Texans every week for the simple fact that I never do). Peyton Manning was once again big time down the stretch finishing with 247 yards and 2 TDs (both in the fourth quarter). The Colts need to be worried as they struggled to beat a bad team here and as the Patriots are susceptible without Brady the Colts are failing to step up into that opening as the number one team in the AFC.

Texans
This was a step forward and two steps back for a young football team. The Texans looked to be in control of the Indianapolis Colts the entire game but in the end it means very little because they could not protect the ball in the end. They let a sure win slip away in the fourth quarter and are now 0-4. Even the Chiefs have a win.

	NEW YORK GIANTS 44
	SEATTLE 6

Summary
Remember the last time the Giants played where they let the Bengals hang with them all game? Well the Giants would not allow another team that started the game clearly below them to get any momentum. The Giants started putting up big points early with a big strike capability that made the loss of Plaxico Burress in this game completely an after though. Michael Strahan deserves props for calling a big showing from Dom Hixon. I thought it would be Amani Toomer (who played admirably) but Hixon was the number one today until the second stringers reported in, and even then the Seahawks first team couldn't hang with those bums. For those curious, David Carr still has a job as he checked in for the Giants and threw a TD pass.

Giants
With all the talk of the Cowboys being the best team in the NFC with the Redskins and Eagles being potential world beaters a lot of focus has gone away from the defending champs. With Eli and the boys picking up their fourth win in dominant fashion. Eli completed most of his passes on the way to a 2 TD performance and Brandon Jacobs broke free on more than one occasion as he broke the 100 yard rushing mark. The defense was on top of Hasselbeck all game and came up with just two sacks (proving the sack stat does not mean all that much because they were putting the pressure on). The Giants are the best team in football as of Week 5. There, I said it.

Seattle
The Seahawks are in a sad state right now as they were hoping to at least hang with the big boys here, and they failed. Julius Jones never got a chance to get going as the Seahawks needed to abandon the run early to play catch-up and it never worked. The defense couldn't cover an offense that was without their biggest playmaker and Matt Hasselbeck looks washed up. At 1-3, it looks like there will be a shift in power in the NFC West.

	CHICAGO 34
	DETRIOT 7

Summary
Everything about this game can be taken from the final score. The Bears came out and jumped on a bad team early and they did not look back. Kyle "My Twin Brother" Orton played the best game of his career against a weak Lions defense as he came up with over 300 TDs and 2 TDs but more importantly NO TURNOVERS. The Lions looked inept in every facet of the game, the only points they scored were against the Bears second team defense after a muffed punt by Devin Hester.

Bears
This was a nice overall game for the Bears who remain right among the top of the NFC North, especially with the loss from the Packers. Kyle Orton looked more than just passable as a quarterback, he looked good. However, I would take any quarterback playing against the Lions this year. Matt Forte continues his run at rookie of the year with another touchdown and the defense put up points this game if you have them as your fantasy defense. Big game for all players on the Bears side.

Lions
The Lions are just horrible, just awful. They remain winless and Jon Kitna was pulled for back up option Dan Orlovsky who had an interception and a fumble. Nothing seems to be working for this team and they should be whipping boys for the rest of their games this year. 0-16 is a real possibility.

	WASHINGTON 23
	PHILADELPHIA 17

Summary
At least the Phillies clinched the NLDS series today because the Eagles were absolutely terrible. After jumping out early to a 14-0 lead the Eagles decided to stop playing offense. After DeSean Jackson returned his first punt for a touchdown the Birds completely shut down their offense. They failed to convert almost every third down because when they needed three yards, they threw for two. The Redskins took advantage of the Eagles ineptness to comeback and score 23 straight points behind a healthy dose of Clinton Portis and another touchdown pass for Antwaan Randle El. Honestly, that guy should start for a few teams in the NFL. The Eagles offense completely died out and Jason Campbell was again protected the ball and the Eagles let what could be a huge win slip away at home.

Redskins
Even with plenty of injuries on the defensive side of the ball they did a great job shutting down a pretty potent Eagles offense. Jason Campbell still does not turn the ball over and the team that protects the ball usually wins the game. Clinton Portis did a good job on the ground with 145 yards and a touchdown.

Eagles
Andy Reid needs to go because he was out coached yet again, this time by a rookie head coach. The Eagles continue to make boneheaded play calls like throwing for two yards on a third down when they need four. This team has now lost two games in the their division and that might be the breaking point of this season and hopefully the breaking point of Andy Reid's disappointing tenure in Philadelphia without a Super Bowl.

	MIAMI 17
	SAN DEIGO 10

Summary
The Dolphins knew what they had to do to win this game, shut down the playmakers in San Diego and let Ronnie Brown wear down the defense. After the teams matched each other with field goals in the first quarter the Dolphins broke away with two touchdowns in the second quarter, a toss from Chad Pennington and another TD run from Ronnie Brown. The Chargers needed to get something from their big play stars (Gates and LT) but came up short. Chris Chambers caught a long touchdown to bring the Chargers within striking distance but when LT gets just 35 yards on the ground, it is hard to bring a potent offense to the table. The Dolphins shut LT down on two key fourth down plays on their way to two straight victories.

Dolphins
The Phins should really be proud of their performance in this game as the grinded out a big victory. Chad Pennington did not wow anybody with any plays and Ronnie Brown didn't do anything flashy this week but both did well on the ball and gave the defense enough rest to shut down the Chargers. This was a big win and makes it completely believable that the Dolphins that won just a single game last year could become contenders.

Chargers
More disappointment in San Diego as they suffer their third loss of the season. Considering the Oakland Raiders took them to a tight contest last week and they have lost to some teams that people had chalked up as easy wins for the Chargers than San Diego is in big trouble. Like I said for the Colts, with Tom Brady's injury bringing the Patriots down to Earth a team like the Chargers should've stepped into the role as elite of the AFC but they have failed thus far.

	TENNESSEE 13
	BALTIMORE 10

Summary
Some might call this game boring but this game had be more enthralled than a Colts 13-point comeback and my home team's game combined. These two teams did not give up an inch to the other squad and the defenses made the opposing quarterbacks look weak. There were two key drives in this game: the Ravens final drive of the second half where Matt Stover missed a field goal that would've put his team up 13-3 and then Kerry Collins finally waking up and taking his team the length of the field for the game winning TD. I loved watching this game because it is defenses that win championships and the Titans D have led them to their first 5-0 start in team history.

Titans
You cannot complain about a team that has won their first five games, especially an AFC team that is battling during the shift of powers. Kerry Collins had by far his worst game of the season but the defense compensated for his interceptions and he drove his team down the field when it mattered. Vince Young might be second on the depth chart but Kerry is not going anywhere as long as this team keeps winning.

Ravens
Baltimore has lost back to back heart breakers to slip to 2-2 on the season. However, this young team can not be ashamed losing to powerhouses like Tennessee and Pittsburgh. The offense still lacks playmakers but the defense is keeping them in games. The Ravens are growing as a team and could play a big spoiler later in the year.

	CAROLINA 34
	KANSAS CITY 0

Summary
Just when the Chiefs put up a huge win that made me believe they weren't one of the worst teams in the NFL they go out and get clobbered by the Panthers. Damon Huard threw two interceptions early and was replaced by Tyler Thigpen who drove the team down the field and than threw an interception to keep the Chiefs scoreless. This game could've been a lot worse but the Panthers stopped trying to score, which is admirable but still embarrasses the Chiefs who did not belong on the same field with them today.

Panthers
The Panthers are putting their name into the contest of top non-Eastern division team in the NFC. The Panthers came out and smacked the Chiefs around on offense and defense. That D-Line deserves the world of credit for keeping Larry Johnson to two yards. Meanwhile Jake Delhomme drove the ball well and handed it off when the Chiefs tried to stop the run. Just when it looked like Jonathon Stewart was well on his way to winning the position battle at running back DeAngelo Williams has a big day in a big win as the Panthers move to 4-1.

Chiefs
Ugly, ugly game for a team that defeated an unbeaten team last week. No one came out with any heart at all as Larry Johnson was taken out of the game and two quarterbacks conceded the job back to Brodie Croyle when he gets healthy.

	NEW ENGLAND 30
	SAN FRANCISCO 21

Summary
The 49ers came out throwing the ball all over the Patriots and looked to repeat the Dolphins upset over the defending AFC Champs. J.T. O'Sullivan tossed two TD passes in the first quarter to put the 49ers up 14-7. The Pats one score in the first came from a 66-yard bomb from Cassel downfield to Mr. Big Play himself, Randy Moss. The Patriots then reverted back to their killer instinct form as they pounded away a solid running game which opened things up for the New England back-up QB to play pitch and catch with one of the best WR in the league. Cassel was able to get some solid passes off in this game and the Pats offense seemed to finally understand how to play without Brady. The 49ers battled the whole way but the Patriots over powered San Francisco and improved to 3-1.

Patriots
The Pats looked good against a team that I do not believe are in their league. Cassel finally understood how to put points on the board, and that is get the ball into Welker and Moss's hands and let them do the rest. The Pats continue to use a four-headed running attack to move the ball on the ground and open up the passing game. This was a solid win for the Patriots who I am still not counting out to win the AFC East.

49erss
J.T. O'Sullivan had another half way decent game for the 49ers here but this team is still not in the same league as the NFL's elite. J.T. might've passed for three TDs but his three interceptions hurt this team a lot and they could not recover from the turnovers. The 49ers seem like they are almost there, when it comes to being a good team, but they still don't have a passable quarterback, I still believe J.T. O'Sullivan is nothing more than a 2nd-string QB.

	ARIZONA 41
	BUFFALO 17

Summary
This game truly went south for the Bills went their starting quarterback Trent Edwards left the game on a stretcher after a nasty hit gave him a concussion. J.P. Losman stepped into the game trailing after the Cards went up 14-0 behind the lethal Warner/Fitzgerald combination as well as the TD-machine Tim Hightower. Losman may have lost his starting job last year but one thing he does do well is hook up with Lee Evans for long touchdowns, and this game was no different. After the long TD it looked like the Bills might be able to battle back but that was not the case as the Cards began to hand it to the Bills defense that is normally solid. Warner spread the ball out and the Cards did not seem to lose a step, even in the wake of the severe injury to pro bowler Anquan Boldin. The Bills got into a shootout and not many teams can handle a team like the Cards when it comes to wild west shootouts.

Cardinals
No Boldin, no problem for Kurt Warner and his high powered offense. Warner finished with 250 yards and 2 TDs on the day and spread the ball out to nine different receivers. Tim Hightower is slowly becoming a viable fantasy option as he added two more TDs today, the guy just gets touchdowns every week. The Cardinals didn't worry too much about the run game today as the focus was mostly on the passing game. You have to appreciate the killer instinct from the Cardinals as they just kept passing the ball, knowing it was working.

Bills
The first loss of the season might come with bigger implications as the injury to Trent Edwards looked ugly. Hopefully we come back because the Bills may be 4-1 but are by no means my favorite to win the AFC East. Those pesky Patriots still only have one loss and seeing how this young Bills squad bounces back from a trouncing like today will be the true test.

	DALLAS 31
	CINNCINATTI 22

Summary
The Bengals seem to bring their A game every time they see an NFC East opponent on their schedule. The Cowboys came out and put it to the Bengals early with a field goal off an interception and than a Felix Jones run for a 33-yard touchdown and then Jason Witten find himself all alone in the end zone and it was 17-0 Cowboys and it looked like the Cowboys would win a laugher. The Bengals showed some true heart as they brought everything they could to the table to try and beat down the superior squad. Carson Palmer led his team to 16 straight points to get within striking distance. The Bengals used all the tricks they could, including a surprise on-side kick that they recovered. However, it was the big play Cowboys came away with the win as one of T.O.'s two catches went for a 57-yard TD. The Bengals tried to battle back as they drive the field down eight points and after T.J. Houshmanzadeh's second TD (why wouldn't he have a huge game, I was against him in 411 fantasy) the Bengals were just 2-yards away from a tie. However, the conversion attempt was a failed fade pattern and the Cowboys were able to sneak away with the victory.

Cowboys
This is not the performance expected out of the Cowboys after a big loss last week. The Cowboys needed to prove themselves after some off field controversy and a big loss and they did not. Romo did not have one of his better games and another week went by where T.O. did not make a huge impact (only one big play for T.O.). On the positive side for the Cowboys Felix Jones continues to be an amazing playmaker as he made the most of his nine carries netting 96 yards and a long TD. That kid is amazing.

Bengals
Although the Bengals remain winless they lost in style this week hanging right with one of the NFL's elite. Carson Palmer and T.J. Houshmanzadeh continue to be one of the best tandems when it comes to controlling a game. However, Chad Ocho Cinco continues to not impact his team, I am sure the Bengals are wishing Chad Johnson would come back. Also, the Bengals running game remains non-existent. Had the Bengals had established anything on the ground today they might've been able to try a run on the conversion try, but when you are getting beat in the trenches, you cannot let the game ride on a handoff. Also, Chris Perry will be under tight physician surveillance due to a major case of fumbleitis, that guy can not hold onto the rock.

	DENVER 16
	TAMPA BAY 13

Summary
With the final score going well under the Vegas line most would believe that would benefit the defense savvy Tampa Bay Buccaneers but alas the Denver Broncos played well on defense for the first time this season. In a first half that was marred by the offenses driving and stalling for field goals it was Prater and Bryant exchanging field goals going into halftime. Jay Cutler and his favorite offensive weapon Brandon Marshall stayed quiet all game and Eddie Royal left with an injury. The second half featured more stalling offense in a field position battle. The Broncos were able to pin a Jeff Garcia led Buccaneers offense at their own 10 and hold them to three and out giving Cutler great field position. After just five plays Cutler found Stokley for a 10 yard TD pass that ended up putting the Broncos up for good.

Broncos
This was not the same absolute gun the ball all the time offense we have seen from the Broncos. They had to adapt to a more field position minded game to match up against a team like Tampa Bay that is heavy on the defense and not a very high powered offense. Cutler did not make any mistakes on his way to a 227-yard game with one very important TD. The Broncos improve to 4-1 and more importantly pick up a win when the Chargers could not.

Buccaneers
So much for my fantasy sleeper of Brian Griese putting up top QB numbers this week. That couldn't be further from the truth as old man Griese did not last the entire game. He was replaced by Jeff Garcia late and Garcia could not do any better, ending up throwing a crucial interception before getting a touchdown against the Broncos prevent defense (a late TD to tie the spread DAMNIT!). The Bucs do not need to worry about this loss as they still look like a playoff team this season. They might not win the division but they could be one of the teams battling with the NFC East teams for the wild card spots.



ALL WEEK 5 TEAM

QB: Kyle Orton (24/34 334 yards, 2 TDs)
RB: DeAngelo Williams (20 carries 123 yards, 2 rushing TDs & 1 receiving TD)
WR: Randy Moss (5 receptions, 111 yards, 1 TD)
WR: Roddy White (8 receptions, 132 yards, 1 TD)
TE: Chris Cooley (8 receptions, 109 yards, 1 TD)
Team Defense: Carolina (0 points allowed, 3 sacks, 2 inteceptions)

2nd Team
QB: Eli Manning (19/25 267 yards, 2 TDs)
RB: Brandon Jacobs (15 carries, 136 yards, 2 TDs)
WR: Dominek Hixon (4 receptions, 102 yards, 1 TD)
WR: Andre Johnson (9 receptions, 131 yards, 1 TD)
TE: Jason Witten (8 reception, 79 yards, 1 TD)
Team Defense: Chicago (7 points allowed, 4 sacks, interception for TD)