Time for a look at some of the games from this weekend as we got a few surprising results. Most notably the Cowboys and Eagles each choking away 20 point leads as their disappointing seasons continue.
So, lets get to the recaps.
Tennessee Titans vs Cleveland Browns Recap - October 02, 2011 - NFL - SB Nation
Matt Hasselbeck continues to revive his career in Tennesee while throwing for three scores and 220 yards, Chris Johnson finally got over 100 yards after a horrible start to his season, and Colt McCoy completed 40 of his 61 passes for 350 yards as the Browns were in catchup mode almost the entire game. Titans win 31-13.
San Francisco 49ers vs Philadelphia Eagles Recap - October 02, 2011 - NFL - SB Nation
Not even a career high 416 yards from Michael Vick was enough to stop the Eagles from having their third straight fourth quarter collapse as the dream team is turning into a nightmare for Philly. The Eagles were up 23-3 before Frank Gore and the 49ers rallied against the disappointing Philly defense that has been struggling after the teams Offensive line coach took over the Defense. The Eagles made a ton of mistakes in this game, from Ronnie Brown's attempt to throw the ball away as he was being tackled on a running play that became a fumble inside the 49ers five yard line, to the two missed field goals, to the fumble on Phillys final drive after a reception by Jeremy Maclin that allowed the 49ers to hold on for a 24-23 win dropping Philly to 1-3 and improving San Fran to 3-1. Pretty much the opposite of what everyone expected huh?
Pittsburgh Steelers vs Houston Texans Recap - October 02, 2011 - NFL - SB Nation
The Texans controlled this game, and were able to overcome a hamstring injury to star receiver Andre Johnson that looked like it could have been much worse, and penalties that overturned a blocked field goal for a score, a pick six, and a fumble giving Houston the ball in Steelers territory. The Texans won through their ground game chewing up a ton of time on the clock, including a 155 yard game from Arian Foster, and their defense being able to constantly get pressure on Ben Roethlisberger who wound up with an ankle sprain near the end of the game. The Texans went on to win 17-10.
Carolina Panthers vs Chicago Bears Recap - October 02, 2011 - NFL - SB Nation
After Jay Cutler suffered a massive beating over the last couple of games for the Bears, they went to more of a ground and pound attack and it worked. Matt Forte ran for 205 yards and a score. The Bears also had a 69 yard punt return by Devin Hester that broke Eric Metcalf's record of 10 punt returns for scores, and D.J. Moore had a pick six. Meanwhile, Cam Newton continues to put up big numbers with 374 yards through the air, and three touchdowns (two rushing) on the day. But yet again, those big numbers aren't enough to get the Panthers wins as the Bears hold on for a 34-29 victory.
New Orleans Saints vs Jacksonville Jaguars Recap - October 02, 2011 - NFL - SB Nation
Drew Brees and the saints cruised to a win in this game. Brees had 351 yards through the air, and the Saints were able to keep control for most of the game. Meanwhile, rookie Blaine Gabbert struggled completing only 16 of his 42 pass attempts for 196 yards, a score, and a pick. The Saints win 23-10.
Buffalo Bills vs Cincinnati Bengals Recap - October 02, 2011 - NFL - SB Nation
This time, the Bills were the ones who blew a big lead instead of having a big comeback like they did the last two weeks. At one point Buffalo was up 17-3, but rookie Andy Dalton helped lead the Bengals back by throwing a touchdown and running for one to tie the game. Then the Bengals were able to drive down the field after getting the ball back with just under two minutes left and former Cardinal Mike Nugent kicked a 43 yard field goal as time ran out to give the Bengals a 23-20 win.
Detroit Lions vs Dallas Cowboys Recap - October 02, 2011 - NFL - SB Nation
As good as Tony Romo was in the first half, he was just as bad in the second half as his three second half interceptions (including two that were returned for scores) helped Detroit erase a 24 point deficit in the second half. This went on to become the largest collapse in Cowboys history while Tony Romo showed exactly why people think the Cowboys will never win a championship with him at the helm. Matthew Stafford also connected with Calvin Johnson twice for scores, including one that Megatron brought in between three defenders. The Cowboys had a chance to rally on their final drive, but in the typical hilarious fashion they had with choking in this game, on 4th and 20 Romo dumped it off to Felix Jones who then ran out of bounds after a short gain as if he thought it was third down. Don't worry Felix, the announcers Troy Aikman and Joe Buck (who is duller than ever to listen to with his throat virus) thought it was third down as well. After all that, the Lions improved to 4-0 after getting a 34-30 win over Dallas.
Minnesota Vikings vs Kansas City Chiefs Recap - October 02, 2011 - NFL - SB Nation
The Chiefs finally get a win in this battle of 0-3 teams. Former Cardinal Steve Breaston had a nice day catching four passes for 91 yards, and Ryan Succop kicked five field goals to help the Chiefs avoid an 0-4 start while dropping the Vikings to 0-4. The Chiefs wound up pulling out a close 22-17 win.
Washington Redskins vs St. Louis Rams Recap - October 02, 2011 - NFL - SB Nation
Has any team been more disappointing than the Rams this season? Their offense did not do much at all on the day, with Sam Bradford throwing for only 164 yards while completing 20 of his 43 passes, Steven Jackson had 45 yards on 17 carries, Bradford was also pressured all day long by the Redskins defense that registered seven sacks on the day. The Skins did wind up with a 17-0 lead before the Rams rallied with the help of two interceptions thrown by Rex Grossman who continues to be his inconsistent self, but in the end the Skins held on for a 17-10 win.
Atlanta Falcons vs Seattle Seahawks Recap - October 02, 2011 - NFL - SB Nation
The Falcons barely came away with a win in a game where they had a big lead but lost nearly lost it in the final seconds. After being up 24-7 going into halftime, Tarvaris Jackson was finally able to show some of what the Seahawks liked in him throwing for a career high 319 yards to go along with his three touchdown passes. At the end of the game, the Hawks were down by two and were able to drive to the Falcons 43 yard line with eight seconds left in the game, but the 61 yard kick fell short and the Falcons were able to hold on for a 30-28 win.
Miami Dolphins vs San Diego Chargers Recap - October 02, 2011 - NFL - SB Nation
Phillip Rivers throw for 307 yards and a score as the Chargers cruised to an easy win. Meanwhile for Miami, they lost starting Quarterback Chad Henne to a shoulder injury which pushed backup Matt Moore into the game who threw for 167 yards and a pick. The Chargers won the game 26-16, dropping the Dolphins to 0-4 and they have now lost seven in a row going back to last season.
Denver Broncos vs Green Bay Packers Recap - October 02, 2011 - NFL - SB Nation
Not much to say here, Aaron Rodgers and the completely stacked offense in Green Bay dominated the Broncos, Rodgers threw for a career high 408 yards and he accounted for six total touchdowns (four passing) as the Packers rolled to a 49-23 win.
New England Patriots vs Oakland Raiders Recap - October 02, 2011 - NFL - SB Nation
Just another game dominated by the Patriots as Tom Brady had another solid game throwing for 226 and two scores. They controlled the entire game, and forced Jason Campbell into throwing two interceptions, one of them on a pass that looked like it was supposed to be thrown out of the endzone because no Oakland player was even near where the pass went, and one went to Vince Wilfork who is always fun to watch jiggling with the ball. Campbell did have 344 yards, but most of them came after the Raiders were already down by a lot. The Patriots rolled to a 31-19 victory.
New York Jets vs Baltimore Ravens Recap - October 02, 2011 - NFL - SB Nation
The defense dominated this game for both teams, and it even did most of the scoring with three defensive scores by the Ravens along with one for the Jets and a kick that was brought back for a score by New York in this sloppy turnover filled game where both Quarterbacks played poorly. Joe Flacco and Mark Sanchez combined to go 21 of 66 for 282 yards and two interceptions. If you like dominant defenses beating up on Quarterbacks, this is the game for you as the Ravens rolled to a 34-17 win.
Indianapolis Colts vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers Recap - October 03, 2011 - NFL - SB Nation
Curtis Painter was better than expected, but he still wasn't good enough to help the Peyton Manning-less Colts avoid an 0-4 start. Painter had 281 passing yards and two scores, but completed only 13 of his 30 pass attempts, he also threw several passes that should have been picked off. Meanwhile, Tampa Bay rode the legs of LeGarrette Blount in this game where he had 25 carries for 127 yards including the go ahead 35 yard score with just over three minutes left to help the Bucs wrap up a 24-17 win.