NFL Week 7 - Sunday Review
Chargers Get a Big Win In Atlanta
I said going into this game that the Chargers are not a bad football team, despite their 2-4 record Last week the Chargers rallied to hand the Broncos their 1st loss of the season in San Diego. However they got an even bigger scalp on Sunday knocking over the high flying Falcons 33-30 in over-time in the Georgia Dome.The Chargers collapsed at Arrowhead in Week 1, giving up a 21-point lead against Kansas City to lose in overtime. They gave up a final possession touchdown to lose narrowly at Indianapolis in Week 3. They inexplicably let a 10-point 4th quarter lead, with minutes to play, slip away in their home loss to the Saints in Week 4. And to cap things off, they botched a 34-yard field goal in Oakland that would have sent that game into overtime.
However despite these heartbreaking miscues, they have been rewarded for their efforts these past two weeks with victories over the Broncos and now Falcons on the road. High Draft pick Joey Bosa is balling on defence with his 4 sacks through 3 starts the most since Elvis Dumervil in 2006. Head Coach Mike McCoy is right on the hot seat and rumours were swirling that he could be sacked if the team lost to Denver. However this team has shown character to win the last 2 weeks and remain alive at 3-4 in a strong looking AFC West with Oakland currently in 1st place at 5-2.
Rams In Quicksand After Loss to Giants
Once again it looks like fools gold when it comes to Jeff Fisher's Rams. It does not seem to matter that they are now in Los Angeles compared to St. Louis, they seem allergic to prosperity. The Rams have always played well in the division, and seemingly shock wins against the Seahawks and Cardinals elevated them to 3-1 and sitting atop the NFC West. However the Rams have well and truly fluffed their opportunity again with a hat trick of losses against Buffalo, Detroit and now the Giants, all by narrow margins. In the first non-Rugby event at Twickenham, London, in its 107 year history, the Rams would be set for a long flight home after a 17-10 loss to New York sent them plummeting to 3-4.
Case Keenum has kept the wolves at bay with some improved performances at quarterback this year - he threw 4 interceptions at Twickenham which might heat up the talk that Number 1 Draft pick Jared Goff should be behind centre. While the Rams' defence played well on Sunday, their offence just doesn't show up often enough, and with Keenum in charge I would not be surprised to see this team slump out of the playoff race in coming weeks.
Lions Surprising Many at 4-3
Many at the start of the year including though the Lions were headed for dark days with the retirement of star wide receiver Calvin Johnson. The Lions are 4-3 and in the playoff hunt after a tight and tense 20-17 victory against the Redskins. Quarterback Matt Stafford led an amazing last minute drive by hitting Anquan Boldin for an 18 yard Touchdown with just 16 seconds to play. Stafford started the drive from his own 25 yard line, with just 1 minute and 5 seconds to play and took them 75 yards to send the home fans into raptures. It was a 3rd consecutive home win for the Lions all of which have come in dramatic fashion.
The Lions relied on a late touchdown to beat the Eagles and a final second field goal to overcome the Rams. They now need on the road for the next 2 games to take on the Texans and Vikings right in the thick of the NFC playoff hunt.