It took eleven weeks, but there are finally no remaining undefeated teams. It was another great weekend of sports that ended in controversy like only the NFL can. It wouldn’t be the NFL without controversy.
- Last night’s game was one for the ages. One of the best to ever play the game, Tom Brady, faced the Carolina Panthers and their stingy defense. It was going to be a battle all night long and that is exactly what happened. The game came down to the last play after Tom Brady led his offense down the field with five seconds left in the game. Brady threw the ball to the end zone and it was picked off, but a flag was thrown. Linebackers Luke Kuechly was seen visibly interfering with Rob Gronkowski’s ability to catch the pass. However, the referee announced that there was no penalty on the play as the ball was deemed “uncatchable”. Were the Patriots robbed? It appears so and you can debate it for days, but the Panthers won their sixth straight game. They are on an unbelievable role and nobody appears able to stop them. It does not get any easier for the Patriots this week as they host Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos.
- Another game with controversy was the New Orleans Saints-San Francisco 49ers game. Late in the game, 49ers linebacker Ahmad Brooks hit quarterback Drew Brees that made the quarterback’s neck snap, or at least that is how it appeared. Brooks has about five or six inches on Brees which may have caused the hit to look like he was aiming for his head when he was not. Either way, it ended up being the game changing play. The 49ers now find themselves on a two game losing streak, and while they still have a strong record, they are in the same division as the Seattle Seahawks who are 10-1.
- The Kansas City Chiefs finally got their chance to prove they were a legit team, and their success was not due to the easiest schedule in the NFL. Well, they lost to the Denver Broncos and now find themselves tied with them in the AFC West. Peyton Manning played on a hobbled ankle, but you would never know it. The Broncos offensive line really stepped up their game and protected their MVP. The Chiefs lead the league in sacks, but was unable to get much pressure on Manning. This is a crucial stretch of games for Denver who heads to Foxborough and then to Kansas City to play the Chiefs again. Expect the defensive line to be more physical in trying to get after Manning.
- The Philadelphia Eagles finally became the only team in the NFC East with a winning record. Beating a pathetic Redskins team, the Eagles took sole possession of first place. Washington’s defense did not show up to this game and the offense did not show up until the fourth quarter. They will go into their bye week with a one game lead that no team can catch this week. The Cowboys and Giants face off this upcoming week that will determine which team’s season is likely over, as far as the playoffs go. The Cowboys can tie the Eagles with a win and the Giants would be one game back with a win. The Redskins look to be out of the race for good.
