• Of Note (Week 9, 2012)

    by
    Russell S Baxter
    Published on 11-06-2012 10:13 PM
    2 Comments Comments
    Every Tuesday, we’ll recap the previous week with a few things of note. Sometimes the obvious is the most interesting, while we’ll try and mix in a surprise or two along the way…

    There’s half a season to go as every team in the league has played at least 8 games. But it’s interesting to note that in today’s NFL where we see playoff teams come and go, the Patriots (5-3), Ravens (6-2), Texans (7-1), Broncos (5-2), Giants (6-3) and 49ers (6-2)--the winners of their respective divisions in 2011--are all currently in first place by themselves in 2012. As for the other two defending division champions, the Saints find themselves 5 games behind the Atlanta Falcons in the NFC South while the Packers trail the Chicago Bears by a game and a half in the NFC North…

    The Tennessee Titans are coming off a 51-20 home loss to the Chicago Bears, the seventh time in 9 games that Mike Munchak’s team has allowed 30 or more points this season. The Titans have now allowed 308 points in 9 games this season and in case you’re wondering, the NFL record for points allowed in a season is 533 by the then-Baltimore Colts in 1981…

    It was quite a Sunday for Buccaneers’ rookie RB Doug Martin, who ran for 251 yards and 4 touchdowns in a 42-32 win at Oakland. Tampa has now won 2 straight road games after losing their previous 9 contests away from home and in those contests vs. the Vikings and Raiders, the first-rounder from Boise State has totaled 54 attempts for 386 yards and 5 touchdown, plus caught 7 passes for 100 yards and a score as Greg Schiano’s club put 78 points on the board…

    Despite Monday night’s 28-13 win over the Eagles, the Saints’ defense continues to allow mind-boggling numbers. Philadelphia rolled up 447 total yards in the loss, the eighth time in as many games this season that Steve Spagnuolo’s unit has allowed over 400 yards of total offense to an opponent. To put that in some sort of context, the Saints have given up 3,770 yards of offense (471.3 YPG) during their 3-5 start. Last season, the Pittsburgh Steelers allowed a league-low 4,348 total yards (271.8 YPG) in 16 games in 2011…

    Here’s some more bad news regarding the 1-7 Chiefs, who have lost five straight games while their turnover count for the season now stands at 29. Romeo Crennel’s club has scored a combined 67 points in first 3 quarters, while totaling 66 points in fourth quarter and OT in 8 games this season. And talk about getting off to a slow start? The Chiefs have been outscored a whopping 61-6 in the first quarter in 2012…

    Comments 2 Comments
    1. vancemeek's Avatar
      That first quarter number for the Chiefs is exactly why they haven't ran a play with a lead all season. They scarcely start a game, then, BAM, they're behind. They're embarrassingly bad.

      Doug Martin should be getting some ROY mentions. He was my 2nd favorite back in the draft, and has been amazing, especially the last few weeks. The "Muscle Hamster" has balance, speed, a low center of gravity, and great vision.
      Reply
    1. wxwax's Avatar
      You'd expect the Falcons to put the hurt on the Saints D this week. But even if they go nuts, I'm not confident the Falcons can cover, maybe not even win. Divisional game in the Superdome and someone, somewhere, is going to gouge this Falcons defense. Brees is a good place to start looking.

      The Ravens are going to have an interesting 2nd half of the season. I'm wondering how badly their defense will decline.

      Kills me to say it, but Doug Martin is something else. A new talent emerges. That's fine and exciting. It's his head coach I don't care for. So I begrudge TB their wins.
      Reply