Due to a crazy travel schedule, FMQB was unavailable last week. Call it my Bye week. But I’m back, in full force, and have a double-episode for all the readers! Week 9 and Week 10 bonanza! Keep in mind that some of this was written before Week 10, so view stats with a grain of salt. Speaking of a crazy travel schedule, in Week 9 the Steelers had a crazy itinerary. Due to Hurricane Sandy, lack of hotels and power forced the Steelers to actually stay in Pittsburgh on Saturday night and fly to New York early Sunday morning before game time. But the Steelers came and delivered while the Giants looked like the one with the crazy schedule. Very clutch.
Long ago, in a football game far far away…
Ok so this was technically 3 weeks ago, but I need to point out the amazing efficiency that Alex Smith had in Monday night’s game against the Cardinals. Most FMQB fans know that I’m not a fan of Alex Smith at all, but he was one attempt and completion away from an NFL record. Smith went 18 for 19, yielding a 95% accuracy rating. But the minimum pass attempts to be in the running for the record is 20, this is so the RB who throws one pass for a completion in a game doesn’t hold the record at 100%. But anywho, this was extremely impressive in a yawner of a game. Also equally impressive was Randy Moss’ TD catch and 40 yd run. He literally had the speed he did in 1999. It shows he still has what it takes, too bad he doesn’t try on every play…
Stat of the Week:
As of Week 9, Russell Wilson at home: 4-0, nine touchdowns, no interceptions. As of Week 10? 5-0, 11 TD’s, 0 INTs.
Weirdest Stat of the Year (before Week 10):
Calvin Johnson hasn’t caught a touchdown pass from Matthew Stafford this season, through eight games. His one TD catch was from Shaun Hill.
Stat of the Week #2:
After Week 9, Andrew Luck and Peyton Manning had each passed for 2,404 yds.
Stat of the Week #3:
In Week 9, Andrew Luck and Ryan Tannehill dropped back to pass 89 times and threw no interceptions
It’s Not Vick’s Fault:
Immediately after week 8, there was a huge controversy in Philly saying calling Andy Reid to bench Mike Vick, and Vick seemingly willing to admit defeat. Well I watched the game between the Saints and Eagles on Monday night, and let me tell ya, it’s not Vick’s fault. Their offensive line is atrocious. I wouldn’t doubt if there are some high school O-lines that are better than the Eagles right now. One play alone had 5 offensive lineman, and the Saints only rushing 3. Now in rare instances, you can get sacked with this, but it only comes in a “coverage sack” when the QB is back there for 7 seconds with nobody to throw to. But in this case, 5 guys blocking 3, one of the Saints lineman was on top of Vick in less than 2 seconds! The entire game, once the most elusive QB in the NFL was constantly pressured and not even given 3 seconds. All blame should be taken off Vick for their record this year.
Defensive Player of the Year:
The media has been swarming on Charles Tillman, and showcasing his remarkable ability to literally punch the ball out of the arms of the carrier. Well in Week 9 Tillman was at it again, in their beatdown of the Titans, Charles Tillman had a whopping 4 forced fumbles in one game! Hands down he will be the Defensive Player of the Year, and we still have 7 games left!
Has anybody seen Ed Hochuli?
When the regular refs came back, I was excited to see fan-favorite Ed Hochuli, but when I stopped to think about it, I don’t think I’ve seen him yet this year! According to FootballZebras.com, Ed Hochuli has indeed been in the lineup, but for some pretty crappy games. Bengals vs Jaguars in Week 4, he had Week 5 off, Steelers vs Titans in Week 6, Saints vs Buccaneers in Week 7, Panthers vs Bears in Week 8, and off in Week 9. So he’s apparently still employed for those of you who were worried like me…
***Back to Week 10***
Two major things happened in Week 10, the last undefeated team finally lost, and we saw the first tie in 4 years. Somehow the tie is getting much more attention than the Falcons Loss.
A Tie between Rivals
If there’s one person who hates the fact that you can Tie in the NFL, it’s me. It affects playoff matchups, there’s no other sport that allows ties (except soccer), and with the rules of the game favoring offense there’s no reason a team wouldn’t score quickly even if it went into double-OT. With the “better teams” QB already knocked out with a concussion, and the penalty ridden Rams weren’t going to do anything. The Rams had 2 game winning plays that got called back by penalties which was absolutely ridiculous! Especially the 80yd play to Amendola, which first off was called wrong, and second had absolutely nothing to do with the play. But whatever. Also, Jeff Fisher should have called a timeout on the FG instead of getting the delay of game. But, long story short, I was expecting a 35-3 game, so good job Rams!
C’mon Men:
Ok seriously, why is it that everytime there’s a tie, some stupid football player comes in and says “I didn’t know that we could tie.” Who DOESN’T know that?!?! Every NFL fan knows it, you play the game and still don’t know it? McNabb sounded like an absolute idiot when he said it last time, and apparently there were at least 4 players who didn’t know it on Sunday. C’mon Men
Stat of the Week
The Broncos D held the Panthers to 0% 3rd down conversions.
Stolen Stat
The last 6 ties have all come in the month of November
Stat of the Week #2:
In the past 10 years, there have been only 3 ties. In the 80s, there were 10
Stat of the Week #3:
The Rams ran 2 successful fake punts on Sunday. Including one standing in their own endzone. Who does that?!?!
College Quote of the Week:
“I get paid to win football games” Tennessee Volunteers QB (keeping in mind that the NCAA has strict rules against college payments)
Political Quote of the Week:
“Isn’t it ironic that Peyton Manning threw his 420th TD pass for a Colorado team 4 days after they legalized marijuana” Facebook
A little disappointed…
On my Bucket List is to see an NFL team go undefeated and win the Super Bowl (as long as it’s not the Patriots. Well the ’72 Dolphins can pop the champagne again as the Falcons became the last team to record a loss on Sunday. With a ridiculously easy schedule the rest of the year, the Saints were the only potential roadblock. Could easily see a 15-1 season yet, but will Matt Ryan finally win a playoff game? Only time will tell.
Non-football and Politically Incorrect Joke:
“I got kicked out of a bar when I went in and ordered a Hurricane Sandy” Bob
“What’s a Hurricane Sandy” Jim
“It’s just a watered down Manhattan” Bob
FMQB 