Week 7: Arizona On Bye
Just like the old joke says, we're guaranteed to not lose this week.
Week Seven's Big Games
Denver (3-3) at Minnesota (3-2)
Minnesota looks for legitimacy and a lead in the blac & blue division. The Broncos hope to prove they are better more often then they ain't.
Kansas City (4-2) at Oakland (5-1)
This will be a key battle for the AFC West.
New England (3-3) at Miami (3-2)
New England can get above .500 and move past Miami with a win. The Dolphins can put pressure on the Bills with a win of their own.
New Orleans (3-3) at Atlanta (5-1)
New Orleans will try to stay close to the NFC South power tandem of Atlanta and Tampa Bay.
Tampa Bay (5-0) at San Francisco (3-3)
The only undefeated team in the NFL gets a tough road test, while the Niners are trying to stay with the Rams in the NFC West.
Results
Home Team in CAPS
Denver 37, MINNESOTA 27: Well, if the Vikes are going to hold on to the NFC North, they are going to have to protect their home better than this. The Vikings overcame an early 17-7 deficit to lead 27-17 going into the fourth quarter, but the Broncos scored 20 unanswered points in the final quarter to take the victory. Clinton Portis (71 yd, 2 td) scored both of his touchdowns and Jason Elam kicked two of his three FG to account for the Broncos late-game offense. The Vikings outgained the Broncos, 402-265, but turned the ball over three times, fumbled the ball six times overall, and allowed seven sacks. Rod Smith (8 rec, 172 yd, 2 td) was a force at receiver for the Broncos. Daunte Culpepper (28-38, 365 yd, 2 td, 1 int) and Randy Moss (16 rec, 220 yd, 2 td) were typically incredible, but the ground game (47 total yd) was pathetic.
OAKLAND 44, Kansas City 3: The Raiders treated the Chiefs like a high school team. They were up 27-3 by halftime, and failed to score less than 10 points in just one quarter (the third, they got 7). The yardage difference (376-304) wasn't so significant, but the Chiefs helped the Raiders by coughing up four turnovers. Charlie Garner (108 rush yd, 1 td, 8 rec, 77 rec yd, 1 rec td) was a threat all over the field, and Rich Gannon (22-26, 221 yd, 2 td, 0 int) was very much on the mark.
New England 27, MIAMI 9: You would think a team that dropped 51 on Jacksonvilled would do better against a Pats team that has struggled at times this season, and at home to boot. Two Antowain Smith rushing scores, and a Deion Branch TD reception were the key plays in the Patriots' first half march to a 24-0 lead. The Dolphins had a big yardage advantage (427-263), but, as usual in cases like these, they returned the favor with 5 turnovers, including 4 Jay Fiedler interceptions. Smith (77 yd, 2 td) was the Pats' best weapon today. Randy McKnight (8 rec, 151 yd) and Chris Chambers (6 rec, 119 yd, 1 td) played well when Fielder got them the ball.
ATLANTA 28, New Orleans 14: I noted the Saints are about as close to an up-and-down team as we have seen this season. This week is a downer. The best that can be said is that they matched the Falcons with an interception return for touchdown. The Falcons had a 14-0 halftime lead, and they used their interception return score to put the nail in the Saints' coffin. T.J. Duckett (88 yd, 1 td) had a strong day for the Dirty Birds.
SAN FRANCISCO 27, Tampa Bay 24: The last undefeated team in the NFL has fallen, but it wasn't without drama. The Niners won the game on a lengthy 55-yd Owen Poachman FG with just 1:00 minute left in the game. The Niners were down 21-10 at one point in the second quarter before coming back in the second half. The Niners outgained the Buccs 393-299, and Tampa Bay also turned the ball over 3 times. Jeff Garcia (23-32, 250 yd, 2 td, 0 int) led the way for San Fran.
Baltimore 23, CINCINNATI 16
SEATTLE 17, Chicago 6
Dallas 17, DETROIT 14
ST. LOUIS 25, Green Bay 7
HOUSTON 17, NY Jets 10
NY GIANTS 9, Philadelphia 6
San Diego 26, CLEVELAND 16
Tennessee 26, CAROLINA 9
BUFFALO 20, Washington 13
Next week, the Cards are back in action.
CR