NFL Week 9 Recap & Analysis – OT Wins Cap Off Stunning Comebacks

By Joe Pietaro
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Updated: November 8, 2010

VIKINGS – 27, Cardinals – 24 (OT)

The Brett Favre – Brad Childress soap opera appeared to hit rock bottom before the 41-year-old QB mounted another great comeback. Although they are only 3-5, Minnesota may have saved their season and live to play another week in a division where the mediocre lead. Arizona (3-5) could have moved into a three-way tie for first place in the NFC West if they could have held on to a 14-point lead with five minutes to go, but they let one get away.

Jets – 23, LIONS – 20 (OT)

Just how the Jets pulled this one out is still puzzling. New York played horribly, with 11 penalties (three directly leading to Detroit scores) committed and having to burn two timeouts early in the final stanza defensively because they had too many men on the field. The Lions ultimately scored a TD anyway and went up by 10 points. That’s when the Jets – who have not played particularly sharp since their win at Buffalo over a month ago – made their move, with some help from the mistake-prone 2-6 Lions. Just why Detroit HC Jim Schwartz called a pass play on third-and-six with under two minutes to go is a mystery. Kill the clock, Jim. That’s how you win in the NFL. Of course the Jets tied it up, won the coin toss and subsequently marched down the field (with the assistance of a late hit penalty) so that Nick Folk could hit a 36 yarder to improve the Jets to 6-2.

RAIDERS – 23, Chiefs – 20 (OT)

Can anyone believe that Oakland (5-4) is only a half game out of first place this late in the season? Even the staunchest supporters who take up residency in the Black Hole have to cross their fingers behind their backs if they say they did. The Silver & Black won their third straight game with the left foot of kicker Sebastian Janikowski, who tied it up with a 41-yard field goal with seconds remaining and then won it with a 33-yard kick in the extra period. As far as Kansas City (5-3) goes, they are in a dogfight for the division when it seemed only a few weeks ago tat they would be the only winning club out of the AFC West.

EAGLES -26, Colts – 24

Michael Vick versus Peyton Manning played out as advertised but with a bit of a surprise ending. Philadelphia came out firing on a all cylinders, allowed Indianapolis to take the lead before stiffening up in the second half for a slim victory. Both teams are now 5-3 and in second place in their respective divisions. Philly is still a bit of a pleasant surprise so far but Indy has to be viewed as a minor disappointment. Sure, the Colts may get hot in the playoffs but need to play more consistent if they are to go far.

Bears – 22, BILLS – 19

Toronto was the setting and the result was the ‘home’ team is still winless. Buffalo (0-9) went up north for the third time in franchise history and played Chicago well but Jay Cutler managed to throw a pass to his teammate and not the opponent for once with a late TD. The Bills are looking at the top spot in April while the Bears try to be the most inconsistent team in the NFL to earn a playoff spot.

BROWNS – 34, Patriots – 14

The shocker of the day resulted in a game that may play into what will happen in the AFC East. New England (6-2) dropped behind the Jets, who travel to Cleveland next week to face a team that has defeated the defending Super Bowl champs and now arguably the best team in the conference their last two games. The Browns (3-5) put the smack down on the Pats from pillar to post and could very well do the same thing to a Jets team who has been lucky to be 3-1 in their last four games when they very well could be 0-4.

RAVENS – 26, Dolphins -10

Miami (4-4) lost for the first time on the road this season and Baltimore stayed in first place in the AFC North with a convincing win. The vaunted Raven defense held the Fish to a mere 24 yards on the ground in the second half. They are going to be a force in the playoffs, especially if QB Joey Flacco continues to have games like this (20-for-27, 266 yards and two touchdowns). Miami will be watching the post season from their beach chairs again.

FALCONS -27, Buccaneers – 21

This was a surprise game to decide first place in the NFC South, but with the Saints struggling that’s exactly what it was. Atlanta (6-2) stayed on top and Tampa Bay fell to 5-3 and third place. When it’s all said and done, New Orleans will be close to the top and make the playoffs if not win the division outright. The Falcons are a playoff contender while the Bucs will fade.

Chargers -29, TEXANS -23

Is it too late for San Diego to make a run? They have looked good the past two weeks after a brutal start and are now 4-5 in a mediocre division. Houston (4-4) is now in the basement in the AFC South and are going in the opposite direction of the Chargers. Always considered a playoff team but one that misses out seems to be the case once again with the Texans, while the Chargers – who always make a big run at the end to sneak into the post season – are right on track to do it again.

Giants – 41, SEAHAWKS – 7

New York won their fourth consecutive game with a blowout in the Pacific North West to improve to 6-2, saying atop the NFC East. Seattle dropped their second in a row, fell to 4-4 and actually saw the idle Rams move ahead of them in the putrid NFC West.

Saints – 34, PANTHERS – 3

Playing like a defending Super Bowl champions should, New Orleans (6-3) took care of business against hapless Carolina (1-7). It shouldn’t be too long before the Saints unseat the Falcons and take over the division.

PACKERS – 45, Cowboys – 7

Jerry Jones finally pulled the plug on HC Wade Phillips and should have done so long ago. Another total embarrassment for 1-7 Dallas. Green Bay kept pace with the Bears and should rise to the top by the end of the season.

Photo by Jim Leary