Die Hard Sports Fan

The Giants flew out to Glendale, AZ where they won Super Bowl XLII and outscored the high octane Cardinals offense. I must admit that I was nervous for a few days prior to kick off. The first reason was because the G-MEN are due for a loss, and the second reason was because they have not had to defend a high-flying offense like this maybe since the Super Bowl. This victory along with a Titans loss now puts the Giants and the Titans in a tie for the best record in the NFL, 10-1, with five games to go. Who team will finish the ‘08 season with a better record? We’ll see, but I do know that Big Blue will move up to the #1 spot on all of the Power Rankings.

Offense

The Giants offense consisted of a whole lot of passing yesterday. Eli Manning had a great game as he went 26/33 which is a 78.79% completion percentage and threw for 240 yards, 3 TDs, and 0 INTs. This is the first time he threw for over 200 yards since the Seattle game. Every time the Cardinals scored, Eli marched the team right down the field for a score never giving the Cardinals the opportunity to take the lead. Manning spread the love by throwing his 3 TD passes to 3 different receivers which included Amani Toomer, Madison Hedgecock, and Kevin Boss. Domenik Hixon replaced Burress after the first series and led the team in Receptions and Receiving Yards with 6 and 57 respectively. Earth, Wind, and Fire were not able to show themselves off as a trio to the Cardinals defense because Jacobs was inactive. Ward and Bradshaw were not as successful without the big man. Derrick Ward led the ground game with 20 touches for 69 yards and 1 Rushing TD. The running game only amassed to 87 yards on 27 carries. The Giants’ offense put up 28 of the 37 points.

Defense

The Giants defense was solid even though they gave up 29 points. The defense came out and pressured Kurt Warner throughout the game and the defensive backs were extremely physical with the Cardinals’ receivers. Justin Tuck got the only sack of the game as well as a forced fumble. Rookie Kenny Phillips had his best game yet with 7 Tackles. It seemed like Phillips was involved in every play, and his best play of the game was when he punched the ball out of Larry Fitzgerald’s hands in the end zone for what would’ve been a TD. Ross was also playing very physical, but too physical for the Refs because they kept throwing flags out on the field. The other rookie, Terrell Thomas, got a pick. The Giants have been allowing an average of 17 points per game so they were fortunate that they got the win after allowing 29 points. The Giants’ defense put up 0 of the 37 points.

Special Teams

John Carney returned and was 3/3 (perfect again) in Field Goal Attempts. I already mentioned how Hixon filled in really well for the injured Plaxico, but he was even better on special teams. Domenik Hixon had 201 return yards which constantly gave the Giants’ offense great field position which they took advantage of. Most of Hixon’s return yardage came on a 83-yard return and a 66-yard return. Hixon left the game with 269 total yards so props to him. The Giants’ special teams put up 9 of the 37 points.

Heading into this weekend, I felt like all four NFC East teams were going to win because there were not any head-to-head games or really challenging opponents. The three teams with the better records won while the Eagles with the worst record lost. I was hoping that either the Redskins or Cowboys would’ve lost rather than the Eagles. The Giants won their tenth game which makes them 10-1. How will Big Blue fair in the next 5 games? They have the toughest schedule remaining of any team in the NFL. I predicted them to be 9-2 after the first 11 games, and they are 10-1. I got 3 games wrong so far because I had the Giants beating the Browns but losing to the Steelers, and then I had the Giants and the Eagles splitting the season series with each of them winning at home. I predicted the Giants to be 3-2 down the stretch giving them a 12-4 record. The Giants will make a trip to the nation’s capitol to take on the Redskins on Sunday.

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The Buffalo Bills came out flat in this one and got blown out 41-17 by the Arizona Cardinals.  Not only did the Bills lose the game to drop to 4-1 on the season but they also lost QB Trent Edwards to a concussion early in the 1st quarter. 

1^st Quarter

After Edwards was lost for the game (and possibily even longer), the Bills offense could get nothing going.  The only score of the 1st, came when Cards QB Kurt Warner threw a TD pass to a wide open Larry Fitzgerald.  After 1, Cards lead 7-0.

2^nd Quarter

The Bills attempted to make this one a ball game but their defense could not stop the Cardinals offensive attack.  Rookie RB Tim Hightower added a 17 yard run for a TD and vetran Edgerrin James also had a short TD run in the quarter. 

The Bills would get two touchdowns this quarter as they tried to get back into it.  The first one came on an absolute strike by backup QB JP Losman to Lee Evans.  The play went for 86 yards and the Bills finally got on the board.  The 2nd TD came on a Losman QB draw from the 2 yard line.

The teams would head into the tunnel at halftime with the Cardinals leading by 10, 24-14 over the Bills after K Neil Rackers hit a 47 yard FG as time expired.

3^rd Quarter

The Bills were able to get the game back to a 1 score game when K Rian Lindell hit a 48 yard FG of his own.  The Cards would not be shut out though in this quarter.  Towards the end of it, Larry Fitz caught his 2nd TD pass of the game and Arizona still lead 31-17 going into the 4th.

4^th Quarter

The Bills would end the game putting up a goose egg in the 4th where they are usually very good.  Neil Rackers hit another FG and Hightower scored his 2nd TD of the game on a short run inside the redzone.  The Cards high power offense was able to overmatch the Bills, winning the game 41-17.

Game Notes

• JP Losman sucks (Sorry not really a stat just had to throw it out there.  I’ll get more into that with the post tomorrow)
• The Bills turned the ball over 4 times in this one, while Arizona didn’t have any. 
• Marshawn Lynch had anothe subpar game with 55 yards on 13 carries.  In his defense though, the Bills started passing more and more as the game went on.
• The Bills also got killed in the time of possesion battle with the Cards holding onto the football for 36:16.
• This is the Bills last game before the bye week.  They take on the San Diego Chargers at home in their next game.

More to come on this game tomorrow.  As you can tell I am not very happy with the outcome or the way the game was played by the Bills in general.

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The Buffalo Bills will face the Arizona Cardinals tomorrow afternoon at University of Phoenix Stadium.

Broadcast Info:

Game: Buffalo Bills (3-0) @ St. Louis Rams (0-3)
TV: CBS (Bill Macatee, Steve Beuerlein)
Radio: 97 Rock (Buffalo), 103.3 The EDGE (Buffalo), WHAM 1180 AM (Rochester), WNSS 1260 AM (Syracuse), FAN 590 AM (Toronto). All done by John Murphy, Mark Kelso and Paul Peck on the Bills radio network.
Time: 4:05 p.m. ET

FOR BILLS FANS WATCHING THE GAME IN THE BUFFALO AREA:

Remember you will need to bust out the rabbit ears for this one if you have Time Warner Cable.  With the local CBS channel being pulled off the air for the time being you will have to unplug your cable from the back of your TV and then plug in the antenna.  The quality for this game won’t be too great though seeing as it is coming over the air.  Try to find a friends house with satellite, as they will not be affected by this.

Game Notes:

• The Bills have won four consecutive games against the Cardinals and lead the all-time series, 5-3.
• Quarterback Trent Edwards is only the second Bills quarterback to win three consecutive games after trailing in the fourth quarter
• Bills defensive tackle Marcus Stroud leads all NFL defensive linemen with four passes defensed.  He is questionable in this game.
• Following a loss at Washington in Week 3, the Cardinals spent the week leading up to their game at Buffalo on the East Coast in order to avoid traveling across three time zones in consecutive weeks. Arizona was 2-0 before losing both games on the road trip.
•  Steve Breaston will have to step up his game because Boldin can’t go. Breaston was one of three receivers for the Cardinals with 100-plus receiving yards against the Jets.
• The Bills have scored 45 fourth-quarter points this season
• Buffalo hasn’t had a 5-0 start since 1991.
•  Larry Fitzgerald reached 350 receptions in his career in only his 64th game, the third fastest in NFL history. Only Boldin (58) and Lionel Taylor (63) were faster.
• The Line: The Cardinals are favored by 1. Over/Under 44.5.

Injury Report:

Bills - Out of Game: TE Derek Fine (Hand) and WR Roscoe Parrish (Thumb).  Doubtful: CB Terrence McGee (Knee).  Questionable: DT Marcus Stroud (Shoulder) and DE Aaron Scobel (Foot).

Cardinals - Out of Game: WR Anquan Boldin (Head).  Doubtful: DE Bertrand (Groin).  Questionable: TE Leonard Pope (Ankle), SS Adrian Wilson (Hamstring), and TE Jerame Tuman (Hamstring).  Probable: G Elton Brown (Shoulder), DT Darnell Dockett (Hamstring) and DT Gabe Watson (Knee).

Quote of the Week:

“It’s exciting.  I feel like we’ve come a long way. Working together this offseason and through these four games, I feel like we’ve developed something that I think this organization respects and seeing that, I think they’re rewarding a very valuable commodity to this team.”

-Bills QB Trent Edwards on the Lee Evans contract extension

Open Thread:

Please feel free to comment below or in the tag board in the sidebar to chat with Bills fans from around the world.

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The Redskins overcame a big play and some mental errors to win the game against the Cardinals. 1st Quarter The Redskins drove the length of the field going six for six for 37 yards. Clinton Portis finished the drive with a nifty short yardage run that required him to keep his head up and see the lanes. The Cardinals opened up the game with their first series ending in a punt, mostly due to a delay of game penalty on an intended fourth down and inches attempt. After the penalty, they decided to punt instead. Ladell Betts missed a blitz pickup and the resulting sack stalled the Redskins second drive. Thus, Durant Brooks started off the game with his first punt going for only 35 yards. 2nd Quarter Redskins open up the quarter with the ball after recovering a fumble by Edgerrin James. Shaun Suisham connected on a 46 yard field goal after the drive stalled, again. The Cardinals put together a long, 84 yard drive, assisted by a pass interference penalty on Carlos Rogers that resulted in a touchdown pass from Kurt Warner to Anquan Boldin against Fred Smoot. After another stalled drive by the Redskins, Durant Brooks unleashed a 56 yard punt and pinned the Cardinals deep in their own territory. On the ensuing possession by the Cardinals, with just a 1:11 minutes left in the half, the drive stalled for no points. Score: Redskins lead, 7-10. 3rd Quarter Cardinals open the 2nd half and drive 80+ yards with the help of a personal foul penalty on Fred Smoot, and an offsides penalty. Redskins defense saves against a touchdown however on the play of LaRon Landry and Jason Taylor; both of them breaking up key plays of the drive. On the next series, the Redskins get their first 1st down since the 1st quarter with a short pass to Chris Cooley. Devin Thomas got into the game for a 16 yard misdirection play. Antwaan Randle-El, on a trick play, passed to Chris Cooley to bring the Skins to the Red Zone. Cooley caught a screen and ran all the way to the two yard line. Todd Yoder completed the touchdown drive with a 2 yard reception from Jason Campbell from a formation that looked like a short yardage package. Cardinals come right back with a 62 yard touchdown pass from Kurt Warner to Larry Fitzgerald against Reed Doughty and LaRon Landry. On the next drive, Jason Campbell keeps the drive going early with a scramble out of the backfield. After another short pass to Randle-El, the quarter ends. Score: Tie, 17-17 4th Quarter Redskins open the quarter needing 7 yards for a 1st down, but only pick up 4. Durant Brooks hits a good punt to place the Cardinals inside their 20 yard line. On 2nd and eight, Kurt Warner attempted to go long again only to have the ball interecepted by Carlos Rogers. He returned the interception into the Red Zone. The Redskins quickly convert the turnover to a touchdown pass on a WR screen pass from Jason Campbell to Santana Moss. Cardinals next possession was harrassed by the Redskins blitz package and a sack by Rocky McIntosh. For a moment it appeared that Devin Thomas had his first career TD. But, it was nullified by a personal foul penalty by Stephon Heyer. Nevertheless, the Redskins put a number of first downs together in methodical fashion; for a while. The drive stalls at the Arizona 32 yard line. Shaun Suisham hooks the ensuing field goal attempt wide left to get the ball back to the Cardinals. Cardinals go three and out and punt the ball to Randle-El and the Skins. Redskins get the ball back deep in their territory and effectively run out the clock. Score: Redskins, 17-24 Wrap Up Jason Campbell finished the day with a 112 QB rating, passing for 193 yards on 22 completions from 30 attempts, and two touchdowns. Surprisingly, Campbell was also the Redskins second leading rusher of the game with 26 yards from scrimmage. Clinton Portis finished the day with only 68 yards rushing. But, he scored the opening drive touchdown of the game. Santana Moss and Chris Cooley each had seven receptions for 70+ yards. Moss scored a touchdown on a WR screen catch and run. It is the first time a Redskins receiver has caught a touchdown pass in six consecutive games since Bobby Mitchell did it in 1961. The defense was prepared for the Cardinals. For the most part, with the exception of a long pass for a touchdown, the Cardinals were held in check. Specifically, the Redskins defense held Kurt Warner to under 200 yards passing, and only 116 yards rushing. Shaun Suisham went 1 for 2 in FGs, missing one long attempt wide left. He was perfect on extra points. Durant Brooks, the rookie, punted four times for an average of nearly 43 yards. His longest of the day was a 56 yard boomer. What should be noted here is that Brooks was able to get enough air under the ball which essentially limited the Cardinals from effective punt returns. In fact, the Cardinals had two punt returns. One was stopped for no yardage. The second was for only 3 yards. Download a detailed Game Summary.

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Quarterback

Last week, the Miami Dolphins entered the game with a plan to shut down the running game and make QB Kurt Warner beat them with the pass. Well, that might have worked in recent years. But, as of right now…not so much!

Warner destroyed the Dolphins. He threw for 361 yards, three touchdowns, and ZERO turnovers. Moreover, he finished the day with a PERFECT rating of 158.3. That, by the way, is the third time in his career that he has achieved a perfect rating. It’s been a while since we’ve seen this version of Warner. Personally, for this week, I’d prefer more of the Warner from the past few years. Unfortunately, I think we’re going to see the current Warner, which more closely resembles his glory years with the St. Louis Rams.

Speaking of his achievement against the Dolphins, Warner is quoted by the Associated Press, as such:

When you have one of those days when everything’s clicking and you feel like you can’t be stopped, it brings back a lot of memories of those great years…The game was slowing down. I was putting the ball where I wanted to put it, and it felt good.

At 37 years old, and being the veteran that he is, there is not much we can do to fool him. Rather, we need to be in his face, all day. And, when we get there, if he’s still holding on to the ball, which isn’t likely, we need to put him on his butt…hard! The only time that Warner hasn’t played well in the past is when he is being pressured, rushed, and hit. That’s how Tom Brady got his first NFL Super Bowl ring.

But, thus far this season, that hasn’t happened. In fact, the Dolphins used that defensive strategy and blitzed Warner from all different angles. They even knocked him down a number of times; sacked him twice. It didn’t work. So, clearly, either we need to do it better than the Dolphins. Or, we need a different strategy.

The Cardinals are 2-0 for the first time in 17 years. If they come in to our house and win on Sunday, it will be the first time enjoying a 3-0 record since 1974.

Greg Blache has his hands full this week in preparation for this matchup.

 

Running Backs

Edgerrin James rushed for 55 yards on 18 carries last week. Each yard was a hard fought victory. Still, it was enough to lift James to become only the 14th back in the history of the NFL to gain 15,000 yards from scrimmage. Without question, James is still a good, effective running back and has all the ability to hurt us if we ignore him. He shares time with Tim Hightower, a big, powerful back that has seen the end zone twice in as many games. Both of these guys can move the chains.

 

Receivers

Big. Strong. Fast. And, great hands. That’s all that really needs to be said about the Arizona Cardinals receivers. The combination of Anquan Boldin and Larry Fitzgerald has been too much for opposing defenses this year. Boldin had six catches for 140 yards. It was the 22nd time in his relatively short career that he’s had over 100 yards receiving in a game. He can play some ball. Fitzgerald, on the other side, is definitely no slouch either. Last week he caught six passes for 153 yards. It was his 14th time in his even shorter career that he has been over 100 yards in a game.

~ ~ ~

It is often said that defense is a state of mind…an attitude, if you will. For this weeks game, we need every ounce of attitude we can muster, and a heavy dose of execution. It would be too easy to look past these Cardinals and start thinking about the upcoming trips to the Dallas Cowboys and Phildelphia Eagles. But, that would be foolish.

These guys are coming to play. And, they believe that they can give us a spankin’. Well, they have the paddles to do it. But, our *attitude* needs to be that we’re going to bring some lead pipes to their paddle party.

Hail to the Redskins.

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This week, the Cardinals come to town. Today, they hail from Arizona instead of St. Louis. Today, they have an accomplished and seasoned QB in Kurt Warner, who has played in two super bowls, winning one. Today, they are coached in part by one of our favorite hogs: Russ Grimm. And, today, they bring two WR’s that make the entire league sit up and take notice.

Anquan Boldin and Larry Fitzgerald are big, strong, and very fast. Warner likes to throw. And given the Redskins ability to shut down the opposing team’s rushing attack, they will come to town looking to expose our cornerbacks and defensive backfield.

Moreover, unlike any Cardinals team since the year of 1991, this team comes to town undefeated after the first two games. They have confidence. Yet it is still measured. Darnell Docket, their defensive tackle, in speaking about their two wins against the Miami Dolphins and San Francisco 49ers, he said in a recent interview:

“Not to take anything away from them, they have great players, but we’re much more talented that both those teams. We won those games. We’re supposed to…We’re going to start playing against some real teams, especially on the road.”

They are coming to town with the expectation of winning. And, Warner intends to throw the ball and to throw it often.

I don’t believe that Warner ever lost his swagger. I realize that some think he lost confidence while bouncing around the league and playing the backup role since his days of glory with the St. Louis Rams. Rather, I believe he leaned on his faith, which has allowed him to remain the consummate professional. He is the right QB at the right time for the Cardinals.

We must respect his game, because he’s going to bring it!

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