THE NFL STORY: WEEK #8

So the ESPN cameras caught Philip Rivers saying "This is the worst thing ever" after his fumble cost the Chargers a chance to win the Monday Night game. Worst thing ever? Has he seen the Dolphins play lately?


THE SCORE:
Indianapolis (0-8) 10
TENNESSEE (4-3) 27
THE STATS: Indianapolis outgains Tennessee 399-311, 22 first downs to 17, but -2 in turnovers, -7 in penalties.
THE STORY: NCAA rules notwithstanding, the Colts should find a way to invite Andrew Luck to watch practice. Ya know, just to get an early start on things.


THE SCORE:
Jacksonville (2-6) 14
HOUSTON (5-3) 24
THE STATS: Houston double the yardage, 358 to 174.
THE STORY: Houston now 3-0 in division, beating each division opponent in their first meeting.


THE SCORE:
MINNESOTA (2-6) 24
Carolina (2-6) 21
THE STATS: Minnesota QB Christian Ponder 18-28-236-102.7 rating.
THE STORY: I think I figured out how Minnesota can win. After blowing halftime leads in 4 times this season, they didn't blow one this time. It was tied 14-14 at the half. So the Vikes just need to stop leading at halftime and they can win.


THE SCORE:
New Orleans (5-3) 21
ST. LOUIS (1-6) 31
THE STATS: St. Louis RB Steven Jackson 25-15-2 TDs.
THE STORY: The shocker here isn't that a week after scoring 62 and giving up 7 against Indianapolis, that the Saints scored just 21 and gave up 31 against St. Louis. Rather, The Story is that a week after scoring 7 and giving up 34 at Dallas, that winless St. Louis could put up 31 and give up just 21 to New Orleans. There's something about a blind squirrel that you can insert here.


THE SCORE:
Arizona (1-6) 27
BALTIMORE (5-2) 30
THE STATS: Arizona up 24-6 at the half.
THE STORY: What's with all the blown leads in the NFL this season? Is Frank Reich running a school on how to overcome any deficit?


THE SCORE:
Miami (0-7) 17
NY GIANTS (5-2) 20
THE STATS: NY Giants QB Eli Manning 31-45-349-0-2 TDs, 106.6 rating.
THE STORY: Could Dolphins be the first franchise to win every game in a season, *and* lose every game in another?


THE SCORE:
Washington (3-4) 0
BUFFALO (5-2) 23
THE STATS: Washington 178 total yards, 2.2 yards per rush, 3.6 per pass play.
THE STORY: Redskins' 3 game losing streak is longest current losing streak in the NFL for teams not named Cardinals, Dolphins, or Colts.


THE SCORE:
DETROIT (6-2) 45
Denver (2-5) 10
THE STATS: Detroit defense: 7 sacks, 1 interception, 2 fumble recovery, 117 net yards passing.
THE STORY: Tebowing is: 1) The latest Internet craze 2) An expression of devotion and thanks to god 3) A beat down of the opposing team's quarterback.


THE SCORE:
New England (5-2) 17
PITTSBURGH (6-2) 25
THE STATS: New England: 43 yards rushing, 3.6 average per rush.
THE STORY: Quick question (no peeking until you've guessed): who's got the best record in the AFC right now?


THE SCORE:
Cleveland (3-4) 10
SAN FRANCISCO(6-1) 20
THE STATS: San Francisco RB Frank Gore 31-134-1 TD.
THE STORY: Besides Green Bay, I bet you can't name one team in the NFL with a better record than San Francisco. You can't, because there isn't.


THE SCORE:
CINCINNATI (5-2) 34
Seattle (2-5) 12
THE STATS: Seattle outgains Cincinnati 411-252 in the loss.
THE STORY: Early Elias Sports Bureau Season-ending stat prediction alert: Seattle winds up with the worst 2nd place record of any NFL team, ever.


THE SCORE:
Dallas (2-5) 7
PHILADELPHIA (4-3) 34
THE STATS: Philadelphia RB LeSean McCoy 30-185-2 TDs.
THE STORY: Andy Reid now 13-0 after bye weeks; Eagles petitioning NFL to add 16 more bye weeks to the schedule.


THE SCORE:
San Diego (4-3) 20
KANSAS CITY (4-3) 23
THE STATS: San Diego QB Philip Rivers passing: 26-41-369-2-0 TD, 72.1 rating. San Diego QB Philip Rivers rushing: 3 carries, 1 yard, 1 fumble lost.
THE STORY: Philip Rivers did his best Romo in blowing a chance to win the game.

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