The Vikes win the “Desperation Bowl”, the 49ers notch their first win of 2010 and the Saints look like last year’s model 
during Week 6 in the NFL.
Here are the game recaps and final scores:
Minnesota Vikings 24 Dallas Cowboys 21: The Vikes came out winners in the “Desperation Bowl” with some help from the Cowboys who continued to rack up stupid penalties. Brett Favre, possibly nursing a sore elbow, threw only 19 passes on the day, completing 14 with one TD. The Vikings rode the back of Adrian Peterson’s ground game and a kickoff return TD by Percy Harvin. Dallas’s running game could only muster 94 yards while Tony Romo threw three TDs. But Romo’s two picks coupled with the excessive flags sent the ‘Boys to 1-4.
Philadelphia Eagles 31 Atlanta Hawks 17: Kevin Kolb had a stellar day with 23-29 passing for 3 TDs and a pick. That included two to the house to WR DeSean Jackson who left with what was described as a “severe” concussion. The Philly D held on after holding the Falcons to only 7 points in the first half, limiting the running game to 66 yards on the day. Matt Ryan to Tony Gonzalez for two TDs was the bulk of Falcons scoring.
Seattle Seahawks 23 Chicago Bears 20: The Seahawks did it with defense and two castoff RBs, Justin Forsett and Marshawn Lynch who each scored one TD. Like in recent years, offensive coordinator Mike Martz’ running game appears to be fizzling out with Matt Forte gaining just 11 yards on the ground. Jay Cutler was only 17-39 without a TD, but he did fumble for a safety during one of his 6 sacks. Devin Hester tied an NFL record with his punt return for a TD that made the game look closer than it actually was.
New York Giants 28 Detroit Lions 20: Another QB got knocked out for the Lions and in came third-stringer Drew Stanton who acquitted himself well. He tossed an 87 yard TD to Calvin Johnson and only turned the ball over once, but unfortunately that was during the crucial final drive of the game deep inside Giants territory. The Giants limited the Lions running game to 34 net yards aside from Stanton scrambling for 30. The Giants ran the ball down the Lions throats with two TDs for Brandon Jacobs and 133 yards for Ahmad Bradshaw.
St. Louis Rams 20 San Diego Chargers 17: You have to wonder if the insane Chargers fans who graced the pages of YouTube last week may come back for an encore after another loss to a rebuilding team. The Chargers can’t run the ball and so if Philip Rivers has an off day, which he had, they are toast. The Rams are for real on defense and Sam Bradford again, does just enough to not lose the game. Steven Jackson had another solid day with 109 yards and one TD. The Chargers couldn’t convert enough on third down and that was the name of the game, on this day.
New England Patriots 23 Baltimore Ravens 20: Ravens RB Le’Ron McClain committed a personal foul that resulted in his team being unable to convert on third down in OT. They handed the ball back, Tom Brady drove down the field and the Pats kicker, Gostkowski kicked a short FG for the win. Deion Branch got into the way-back machine with Brady and caught a TD on 98 receiving yards during his return to the team.
New York Jets 24 Denver Broncos 20: LT continues to look like he drank from the fountain of youth as he ran for 2 TDS on 55 yards on the ground. The Jets D held the Broncos runners in check, except Tim Tebow. That’s right, he made his presence felt on 6 plays, one of which resulted in a 5 yard TD. The Jets also held prolific QB Kyle Orton to 1 TD on 209 yards passing.
Indianapolis Colts 27 Washington Redskins 24: Peyton Manning ran the Redskins D ragged with the no-huddle offense in the first half. He threw for 2 TDs on 307 yards but the Colts were sloppy and lucky too. The Skins had the ball for a final drive in the waning seconds and Donovan McNabb threw a pick. Ryan Torain was outstanding with 2 TDs on 100 yards running as a sub for the injured Clinton Portis.
Pittsburgh Steelers 28 Cleveland Browns 10: Big Ben looked a bit rusty early but shook it off to throw 3 TDs on efficient 16-27 passing. Cleveland’s young rookie, Colt McCoy survived with his head still on his shoulders and performed admirably for a first NFL start. He threw for 1 TD on 23-33, 281 yards passing. The Steelers D limited Peyton Hillis to a mere 41 yards on the day.
Miami Dolphins 23 Green Bay Packers in Lambeau 20: This is the second full game in which the Packers offense has stalled in two losses. Their running game is clearly not right and Aaron Rodgers turned in an average to poor day for him on 18-33 passing, 1 pick and 1 TD, adding another on a 1 yard dive into the end zone. The Dolphins had a great balanced day with 150 yards on the ground and 231 yards through the air.
New Orleans Saints 31 over Tampa Bay Bucs 6: All is right in the world of the Saints as they trampled the Bucs, allowing only one TD all day. Even Tampa’s kicker had a rough day as he missed both FG tries. Drew Brees spread around the love to Meacham, Moore and Colston with the first two catching TDs. Chris Ivory ran wild as the primary RB on 158 yards on 15 carries.
Houston Texans 35 Kansas City Chiefs 31: Matt Schaub to Andre Johnson won a second game this year in the final seconds for the Texans. Matt Cassell had a good day at QB for the Chiefs, 20-29 and 3 TDs but their D couldn’t hold Houston when it mattered. KCs runners, Thomas Jones and Jamaal Charles both performed well with 100 and 93 yards respectively.
San Francisco 49ers 17 over the Oakland Raiders 9: The 49ers won their first game of the season with defense and a day on which Alex Smith actually didn’t throw one pick. He went 16-33 on the day and 2TDs to his monster offensive weapons, Vernon Davis and Michael Crabtree. Raiders QB Jason Campbell couldn’t move his team and ended the day with a QB rating of 10.7….that is NOT a typo folks.
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Used with permission of the author.
Paula Duffy is a national sports columnist for Examiner.com and the Huffington Post and regularly comments on sports/legal matters for radio affiliates of ESPN and Fox Sports. She founded the sports information site, Incidental Contact, is the author of a line of audio books designed for sports novices and in her spare time practices law in Los Angeles.
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