NFL Week 3 in Review

by Mike Trovato

What a weekend it was in the NFL, filled with milestones, firsts, and a great bunch of highlights. Here's a glance at the notable events from Sunday's games:

It's About Time...
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After losing 19 straight games, the Detroit Lions finally won their first game since December 23, 2007, beating the Washington Redskins on Sunday.

Detroit took an early lead when #1 overall pick Matt Stafford hooked up with Bryant Johnson for a 21 yard score. The Motor City Kitties tacked on two more field goals before halftime, holding on to beat the Redskins, 19-14. Stafford looked solid in his first career win, throwing for 241 yards and the one TD with no interceptions.

The 'Skins, playing from behind for three quarters, managed just 65 rushing yards on 14 carries, 21 of which came on a scramble by QB Jason Campbell. Campbell completed 66% (27 for 41) of his passes for 340 yards and 2 TD's with one pick, but failed to lead what would have been the game winning drive. The Auburn alum began the drive with three straight completions, but followed with 3 incompletions in the final 30 seconds as Washington was stalled at the Lions' 36 as time expired.

Congrats to the Lions and to the city of Detriot, which in such a difficult economic time, desperately needed this victory. Without getting political, it's nice to see the residents of Detroit have something to celebrate. And celebrate they did, with the team, which returned to the field to give high-fives to the fans that remained in the stadium. Now the burden shifts to the Redskins- which for a team that spends so much on free agents, is in a state of disarray- and the St. Louis Rams, which now owns the NFL's longest current losing streak at 13 straight.


And the Legend Continues...
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As if Brett Favre hasn't proven enough on the football field. Favre won his first home game as a Minnesota Viking in dramatic fashion, leading yet another memorable game winning drive.
Down 24-20 with 1:29 left on the clock, Favre orchestrated a 10 play, 80 yard march, completing 6 of 7 passes, the last of which- his 47th attempt of the day- was a perfect strike to newly acquired Greg Lewis.

Favre eluded the 49er pass rush, scrambling around, firing a bullet that traveled 41 yards to Lewis, who made an incredible grab, reaching over the defender in the back of the end zone. Hit immediately after the throw, Favre leaped to his feet and pumped his Hall of Fame right arm as the Metrodome erupted. The play was reviewed and upheld with 0:02 on the clock, sealing victory for Minnesota, which improved to 3-0 in a matchup of two previously unbeaten teams.


Fly Eagle, Fly
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For a man who has accomplished so much in his NFL career, Donovan McNabb is one of the most under-appreciated athletes of his time. Over the last 9 seasons, McNabb has been nothing but a warrior for the Philadelphia Eagles, leading them to 7 winning seasons against just one losing campaign (2005, in which he missed 7 games) In 2002, McNabb played an entire game through a broken ankle, throwing for four touchdowns.

Yet, the QB out of Syracuse who was booed upon by Eagles fans on draft day, has continued to hear the boos through the years. Despite leading Philadelphia to four straight NFC Championship games from 2001 to 2004 and a Super Bowl appearance in '04, fans have called for a replacement on numerous occasions.

The Eagles finished 2008 winning 4 of their last 5 regular season games, sneaking into the playoffs and falling just one touchdown short of the Super Bowl in the NFC Championship, their 5th in 8 years under McNabb's leadership. It seemed the controversy would finally die down. Instead, Philadelphia signed Michael Vick to compete with Kevin Kolb for the role of "Who should replace Donovan next?"

Despite entering this season as the starter, another potential controversy looms on the horizon: In Week 3, starting his second straight game in place of the injured McNabb (broken rib), Kevin Kolb became the first QB to pass for 300 yards in his first 2 NFL starts.
Congrats to Kolb. Good luck to Donovan, who undeservedly may be hearing the calls for a changing of the guard, yet again.


Despite Hines' Moment, Bengals Steel Show
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Hines Ward became the 32nd player in NFL history to eclipse 10,000 career receiving yards. With his 14 yard reception in the 3rd quarter, his third of the game, Hines accumulated his 10,001st yard receiving. Ward joins Marvin Harrison, Steve Largent, Michael Irvin and Rod Smith as the only receivers to have accumulated all of their yardage with one team.

Despite Ward's historic accomplishment, the Bengals mounted a 4th quarter comeback, scoring 14 unanswered points in their final two drives: 6 plays for 85 yards, followed by a 71 yard drive that spanned 16 plays over 5 minutes, culminating in a game-winning touchdown pass to Andre Caldwell with 14 seconds remaining. The loss drops the reigning World Champs to 1-2 on the season and 3rd place in the AFC North.


Bucking the Bucs
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The New York Giants held the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to just 89 yards of total offense, dropping the Buccs to 0-3 with a 24-0 victory on Sunday. Tampa Bay had 14 yards in the first half, and did not gain a first down until there were 5 minutes left in the third quarter.

Ahmad Bradshaw and Brandon Jacobs each outgained Tampa Bay- individually. Bradshaw slashed through Tampa's helpless D, averaging 7.4 yards per carry en route to 104 yards rushing. Jacobs scored the first and only necessary touchdown of the game, barreling his way to 95 yards on 26 carries.

Steve Smith and Mario Manningham again proved to be Eli Manning's favorite targets, combining for 11 receptions, 118 yards and a TD. Smith alone logged more receiving yards than the entire Tampa Bay receiving corps, edging out Stroughter, Winslow, Ward, Bryant, Stevens, Williams and Askew, 63 yards to 58.

The Bucs dismal performance prompted rookie head coach Raheem Morris to bench QB Byron Leftwich after the game. Josh Johnson will take over as the starter. As for the Giants, they continue to roll, as expected, taking a 3-0 record to face another winless team, the Kansas City Chiefs.


Sanchez sets 1st NFL Record; Jets, as Titans, beat Titans

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It didn't come easy, but when all was said and done, Mark Sanchez took his place in the record books, becoming the first rookie QB in NFL history to win his first 3 NFL games. Still, the QB stayed humble, stating in a post-game press conference that, "We" won the game, and that he did not deserve all the credit.

The 24-17 Jets victory was truly a team effort. Sanchez started well out of the gates and the Jets jumped out to a 14-0 lead in the first quarter, but the rookie experienced his first real adversity before halftime. Following an incomplete pass to start the 2nd quarter, Sanchez fumbled while being sacked by Tony Brown, with Jevon Kearse recovering the ball at the Tennessee 45. Mark would close out the rest of the half 0 for 5, fumbling again but being bailed out by Thomas Jones on the recovery.

The Titans, wearing throwback Houston Oilers jerseys, scored 17 unanswered points until Sanchez bounced back, leading Gang Green (ironically in New York Titans attire) on a 7 play, 80 yard scoring drive, connecting with Jerricho Cotchery for the go-ahead touchdown. Sanchez would throw another interception, his third turnover of the game, but the Jets defense backed him up, squeezing the life out of the Titans offense.
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Chris Johnson, despite a 30-yard run and gaining over 100 all-purpose yards (97 rushing, 8 receiving), was relatively contained, never breaking free for a huge play. After falling behind 17-14, Rex Ryan dialed it up, putting immense pressure on Kerry Collins. In Tennessee's final 7 drives, Gang Green held the Titans offense to 4 three-and-outs, 1 interception, a punt and a turnover on downs. Collins, who started out 15-for-24, finished 0 for his final 13 pass attempts, being sacked once and throwing the one pick into the hands of David Harris.

The Jets head into New Orleans in Week 4, a heavyweight matchup pitting two of the NFL's remaining 7 undefeated teams. The Jets 3rd ranked defense has the daunting task of containing Drew Brees and the the Saints, who boast the league's top offense both in terms of yardage and points scored.