NFL Recap: Tom Is Terrific, Sanchez Stinks, Wesley's A Weasel

One threw 6 TD's (5 in ONE QUARTER), one threw 5 INT's, and one threw one of the dirtiest hits we've seen in the NFL. Add to that a lucky escape for the Vikings, and the systematic destruction of one of the top teams in the NFL. Oh yeah, and did you hear the Raiders won? It all adds up to a very exciting (and surprising) Sunday in the NFL.

Brady Goes Berserk

The stats speak for themselves: 29/34 for 380 yards, 6 TD's, and no interceptions. The score? A 59-0 walloping. And all done while snow was falling to boot. Shades of 2007 for Tom Brady and the New England Patriots. Granted, it came against a reeling Tennessee Titans team, but the beating the Pats laid down on Jeff Fisher and the Titans was just downright embarrassing. Brady completed 19 of his first 20 passes and threw 5 TD's in the 2nd quarter, a feat that has not been accomplished since 1950. The Patriots' 59 points on 619 total yards are both franchise records. The play of the game (and possibly the week) was a perfectly executed flea flicker, with Brady taking the tossback from Maroney and throwing a laser against the wind to a wide open Randy Moss in the endzone. Even Brady getting pulled after the second series of the 3rd quarter didn't help the hapless Titans, as the Pats backup QB, Michigan State product Brian Hoyer, then came in and completed 9 of 11 passes for 52 yards, running in a TD himself from 1 yard out in his pro debut. Tom will have the chance to be terrific on the international stage as the Patriots play the very ugly looking Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Wembley Stadium in London, England next week.

Sanchise Hype Officially Over

Jets QB Mark Sanchez is a rookie in the NFL, and it sure showed this week. The QB from SoCal had never played in weather below 55 degrees... in fact, the week prior to this Sunday's game was the first time he had even practiced in wind, rain, and chilly weather. You're not in Cali anymore, kid. This is New York. Get used to it. Needless to say, weather being no excuse, Sanchez was ugly, going 10/29 for a paltry 119 yards, no TD's and 5 INT's (8 in the last two games) while losing to the struggling Buffalo Bills in overtime. Rex Ryan said later that he thought about pulling his QB from the game. However, as bad as Sanchez was, there is enough bad play and blame to spread around for this game, both offensively and defensively... on both teams. In fact, for a while there in OT it looked like neither team wanted to win this game, as the Jets and Bills traded INT's and penalties for most of the OT period. The Bills ended up lucking out in the end on a 47 yard Ryan Lindell FG with 2:49 left in OT. After starting 3-0, the Jets have now dropped three in a row while the Sanchise hype has crashed back down to Earth. Sanchez and the Jets will look to get above .500 again when they travel to the Sanchez-friendly warmth of Oakland where they will face the Raiders. But that might not be as easy as it seems, considering what transpired in Oakland this week...

Even Santa Boos As Eagles Lose To Raiders

Raiders QB JaMarcus Russell went 17/28 for a season-high 224 yards, throwing 1 TD and 2 INT's. The one TD pass was an 86 yard catch and run to TE Zach Miller (the longest pass play in 25 years for the Raiders), who ended the day with 6 catches for 139 yards and the TD. Justin "Huggy Bear Jr." Fargas, filling in for an injured Darren McFadden, had 87 of the Raiders 116 yards on the ground. The defense had 6 sacks. Good Lord, the Raiders actually played a game. The Philadelphia Eagles, on the other hand, were no where to be found. Donovan McNabb went 22/36 for 269 yards and no TD's or INT's. Brian Westbrook had just 6 carries for 50 yards, adding 9 receptions for 91 yards. The biggest surprise was the dominate play of the Raiders defensive line, which came into the game ranked 31st in the league agaunst the run. The Eagles abandoned the run early and only had Michael Vick (who was moved up to the no. 2 QB spot for the Eagles) on the field for two plays as they failed to score a touchdown for the first time all season. The Raiders just flat out over-powered the Eagles in the game. Shell-shocked Philly will try to regroup when they meet the turmoil-ridden Washington Redskins next Monday night.

No Favre Magic As Vikings Just Plain Get Lucky

There was no last-minute Favre magic as the Vikings barely escaped with a 33-31 win over the Baltimore Ravens. Ravens QB Joe Flacco had the best game of his young carreer, going 28/43 for 385 yards, 2 TD's, and no INT's. Favre ended the game 21/29 for 278 yards, 3TD's, and no INT's. Vikings RB Adrian Peterson rushed for 143 yards, as the Ravens allowed back-to-back 100-yard rushers for the first time since 2005. Ravens RB Ray Rice had 10 carries for 77 yards and 2 TD's. Old Man Favre threw 2 quick TD's in the beginning of the game as it looked like the Vikings were going to dominate the Ravens. But the Ravens would not let up, hanging tough with the Vikings all game long, until they finally captured the lead with 3:37 left in the 4th quarter off a 33 yard Ray Rice TD scamper. Favre then hit WR S. Rice for 56 yards, which led to a Ryan Longwell FG at the 2 minute warning. Ravens QB Joe FlaccoJoe Flacco didn't back down, driving his team down to the Viking 26 yard line and spiking the ball with :03 left on the game clock, setting up Ravens kicker Hauschka for a 44-yard game winning FG attempt. Unfortunately, the kick sailed wide left, and the lucky Vikings escaped with the win to remain undefeated. The Ravens have a bye next week, while the Vikings face a huge test as they travel to Pittsburgh to face Big Ben and the Steelers.

Super Saints?

It was the battle of the (arguably) two best teams in the NFL. Both the New York Giants and the New Orleans Saints came into the game undefeated. The G-Men had been touted as the most complete team in the NFL, while the Saints' high-octane offense, led by Drew Brees, had recently found a new weapon - a running game. The Giants had the No. 1 overall defense and the best pass defense entering the game. That meant nothing to Saints QB Drew BreesDrew Brees, who completed 15 straight passes at one point in the first half and repeatedly found seams in the Giants' secondary en route to a 23/30, 369-yard, 4 TD performance. Giants QB Eli Manning went 14/31 for 178 yards 1 TD and 1 INT. Drew Brees, sfter having rather pedestrian performances in his last two outings, dismantled the Giants secondary in a dazzling outing in the Super Dome. Former Giant TE Jeremy Shockey even got into the act, catching 4 passes for 37 yards and a TD. The Giants came into the game 5-0, arguably the best team in the league... but with questions, as they had not played a team of the Saints calibur. Now that the Saints have downed the Giants, let the argument begin for the Saints as the best team in the NFL... and rumblings about a possible (and long-awaited) Super Bowl appearance. Certainly, the Saints look to be poised to go deep into the playoffs at this point. The Giants will take on the Arizona Cardinals at home next week, while the Saints travel to Miami to take on the Dolphins.

Panther Safety Wesley Almost Causes Brawl With Dirty Hit

The Carolina Panthers beat the Tampa bay Bucs 28-21, but that's not the story of this game. The real story was the brutal, dirty hit dished out by Panther safety Dante Wesley on Bucs punt returner Clifton Smith. The hit was as dirty and uncalled-for as they come. Smith stood waiting for the punt with his eyes skyward when Wesley arrived and laid a crushing blow. Nevermind that Wesley hit an entirely defenseless Smith. The scariest part of the hit was seeing Wesley drive his shoulder and elbow through Smith’s head, delivering a concussion that knocked Smith unconscious for nearly a minute. The Bucs players immediately went after Wesley as both benches cleared. The refs and both coaching staffs did an outstanding job of keeping the peace, as they averted what could have easily turned into a fulll out brawl between the two teams. Wesley was justifiably DQ-ed and kicked out of the game (see video). Wesley faces serious repercussions, including fines and possible suspension. Both are well deserved. Wesley's dirty hit was disgusting. Every NFL fan loves a good hard hit. But neither this kind of play, nor perhaps Wesley himself, belong in the game.

Zorn Death Watch Officially On

Washington Redskins coach Jim ZornJim Zorn was told after a 14-6 loss to the previously winless Kansas City Chiefs that he will not call offensive plays anymore. The team did not reveal who would call plays, but an announcement is expected on Monday. This could be a preliminary step in a move to usher Zorn out before the end of the season... and perhaps as soon as the Redskins bye week. Asked directly whether he is concerned about his future, Zorn replied: "That part's not up to me, so I won't answer that question". There will be plenty of questions over the coming days about Washington's quarterback situation, too. Zorn yanked starter Jason Campbell at halftime and replaced him with Todd CollinsTodd Collins, who hadn't played since the end of the 2007 season. The Redskins face the Philadelphia Eagles next week, who are sure to be fired up coming off a stunning defeat at the hands of the Oakland Raiders. This obviously does not bode well for Zorn. Stay tuned.