Seattle Seahawks 24, New England Patriots 23
If you read my AFC East Preview article you would know I felt this game had upset written all over it. The favored New England Patriots fell to the underdog Seattle Seahawks. This game pitted arguably the leagues best quarterback Tom Brady against a rookie quarterback Russell Wilson that has been criticized lately for his shaky play. This game featured a dramatic and shocking fourth quarter comeback by the upstart Seahawks.
The game seemed to be turning out as expected with New England in complete control, but the Seahawks did not flinch. In the third quarter the Pats were holding onto a 20-10 lead but a key redzone interception of Brady swung momentum in Seattle’s favor. Wilson lead the Hawks to 14 fourth quarter points including a beautifully thrown play action bomb to WR Sidney Rice. The number one ranked Seattle defense held on to finish the game 24-23.
Miami Dolphins 17, St. Louis Rams 14
In a game that featured two young quarterbacks Sam Bradford for the Rams and Ryan Tannehill for the Dolphins, the defenses were the true story in this contest. In an uncharacteristic performance the stout Miami defense gave up 461 yards to the Rams’ offense. The suddenly potent Rams offense moved the ball well but failed find the endzone until late in the game. This along with missed field goals by rookie kicker Zuerlein would be the demise of St. Louis.
To start the game the normally stingy Miami defense could not stop the Rams from moving the football and the Rams jumped out to a 6-0 lead in the first quarter. The Dolphins lead by rookie quarterback Tannehill finally started to find a rhythm in the second quarter scoring 10 points and entering halftime with a 10-6 lead. Tannehill continues to impress and finished the game 21 of 29 with 185 yards and two TDs. Rookie Rams kicker missed 3 field goals including a 66 yarder to send the game into overtime as time expired to seal the game for the Dolphins.
New York Jets 35, Indianapolis Colts 9
The Colts were coming off a very emotional win last week after head coach Chuck Pagano was diagnosed with Leukemia. The New York Jets lead by head coach Rex Ryan and quarterback Mark Sanchez were on the hot seat coming into this contest having lost their last two games and on the verge of a total melt down. With so much at stake the Jets came ready to play trouncing the Colts in front of the Jets faithful 35-9.
Lead by running back Shonn Greene who finished with a career high 161 yards and three touhdowns the Jets ran all over the Colts with over 250 yards on the ground. Gang Green seemed to awake the old run the football mentality that has been so successful for them in the past. Talks of benching Jets quarterback Sanchez for his inconsistent play were squelched for at least one week. Sanchez was an efficient 11 of 18 for 85 yards and two touchdowns. Sprinkle in a little Tebow and play sound defense and you have the formula for winning football in New York.
Buffalo Bills 19, Arizona Cardinals 16
Yes I know, another Arizona Cardinal’s game goes into overtime, shocker! For what seems to be every week the Cardiac Cards played in another overtime nail biter. This time the Cards fall short to the Buffalo Bills and have now lost two in a row after starting the season 4-0. The Bills on the other hand have been widely criticized for their uninspired play lately, came into this game ready to play and squeezed out a victory over a tough Arizona team.
Starting Arizona quarterback Kevin Kolb left the game with an injury and was replaced by backup John Skelton. The Cards’ kicker Jay Feely set an Arizona record with a 61 yard field goal to tie the game late in the fourth quarter but missed a 38 yard game winner as time expired. In overtime the game was sealed for the Bills when Jarius Bird intercepted Skelton to set up the game winning field goal for Bill’s kicker Ryan Lindell.