1 (2) Houston Texans (6-1) - The Texans got back to winning ways after their loss to Green Bay last week, with a highly impressive victory over the Baltimore Ravens. The Texans ran out winners by a 30 point margin. The Texans had over 400 yards of offense. Matt Schaub threw for 256 yards and 2 touchdowns. Arian Foster led the rushers with 98 yards and 2 touchdowns. Andre Johnson had 9 catches for 86 yards. The Texans look like the best team in the AFC and in my opinion, the NFL.
2 (1) Atlanta Falcons (6-0) - The Falcons took a perfect record into their bye week and will be feeling confident when they head to Philadelphia to face an Eagles side who are perfect after the bye week under Andy Reid.
3 (4) New York Giants (5-2) - Another win for the Giants and a big one it was over an NFC East rival. The Giants have struggled with NFC East games in recent years so it will have done their confidence a lot of good, to start the Eli v RG3 era, with a win. Eli had a mixed game, throwing for 337 yards, a touchdown and 2 interceptions. Victor Cruz was his leading receiver, catching 7 passes for 131 yards and the game winning touchdown. I have mentioned before that I think this Giants team are the real deal and they ticked another box with a win over a mobile quarterback.
4 (5) New England Patriots (4-3) - The Pats tried everything they could to lose this game in the 4th quarter but their defense held firm to restrict the Jets to field goals and the offense recovered enough to kick the field goals required to win the game. Tom Brady threw for 259 yards and 2 touchdowns. Brady connected with Rob Gronkowski for both touchdowns and Gronk ended up with 6 catches for 78 yards and the 2 touchdowns. Running-back, Stevan Ridley was restricted to 65 yards off his 17 carries but the Pats were still able to pick up the win.
5 (6) San Francisco 49ers (5-2) – The 49ers bounced back from last weeks heavy defeat with a narrow win over the Seahawks. Alex Smith completed 14 of 23 passes for 140 yards, a touchdown and an interception. The best player on the field was 49ers running-back, Frank Gore. Gore picked up 131 yards from 16 carries and also caught 5 passes for 51 yards. The 49ers defense done a good job too, restricting the Seahawks to 2 field goals.
6 (7) Chicago Bears (5-1) - The Bears kept up their good run with a win over divisional rivals, the Detroit Lions. The Bears are now 5-1 and look like a good side. Their defense won this game for them. They forced the Lions to turn the ball over 4 times and the defense were supported by a strong running game. The Bears ran for 171 yards and Jay Cutler had a decent game, throwing for 150 yards and a touchdown.
7 (8) Green Bay Packers (4-3) - The Packers won on Sunday to get back to back wins for the first time this season. Aaron Rodgers had another good game, throwing for 342 yards and 3 touchdowns. Jordy Nelson and Randall Cobb were the leading receivers. Nelson caught 8 passes for 122 yards and a touchdown. Cobb also had 8 catches and picked up 89 yards and 2 touchdowns. The Packers running game was poor and picked up just 70 yards from 26 carries. If the Packers can get their running game going, a deep playoff run is a real possibility.
8 (3) Baltimore Ravens (5-2) – The Ravens were heavily beaten by a rampant Houston Texans on Sunday. The Ravens lost by a score of 43-13 and the game was over by half-time. Flacco had a bad day, completing less than half of his passes for 121 yards, a touchdown and an interception. Ray Rice was the only Raven to come out of it with much credit, running for 42 yards off just 9 carries. Why Rice only had 9 carries is a question that only Coach Harbaugh can answer. The Ravens still have the lead in the AFC North but based on this performance they won't want to be seeing Houston again in the post season.
9 (10) Minnesota Vikings (5-2) – The Vikings picked up the win on Sunday in a game I called the "Overachievers Bowl". I didn't think either side would be anywhere near the playoffs but both had impressive starts. Christian Ponder had a disappointing day, throwing for 58 yards, a touchdown and 2 interceptions. However, Adrian Peterson had a great day and pulled the VIkings through, running for 153 yards and a touchdown.
10 (13) Pittsburgh Steelers (3-3) - The Steelers picked up a much needed win in Cincinnati over the Bengals to get back to .500 for the year. The Steelers were led by a great display from their defense, who restricted the Bengals to 185 offensive yards. Ben Roethlisberger threw for 278 yards, a touchdown and an interception. Stand in running-back, Jonathan Dwyer had a great day, running for 122 yards off just 17 carries. Antonio Brown led the receivers catching 7 passes for 96 yards.
11 (12) Denver Broncos (3-3) - The Broncos have had a mixed season so far and we have saw the best and worst of Peyton Manning in their six games. They had their bye week last week and have what should be a great game this week when they host the New Orleans Saints.
12 (9) Seattle Seahawks (4-3) – The Seahawks lost in a tight game to the 49ers last Thursday. Russell Wilson was very disappointing and completed just 9 of his 23 passes for 122 yards and an interception. Marshawn Lynch had more success and picked up 103 yards from just 19 carries. The Seahawks should have gave Lynch more carries but they chose to give the ball to a misfiring Russell Wilson and unsurprisingly it ended in a defeat.
13 (11) Arizona Cardinals (4-3) - After starting 4-0, the Cardinals are now 4-3 after 3 straight losses. This week it was the Minnesota Vikings who beat them by a score of 21-14. John Skelton had a decent game, throwing for 262 yards, a touchdown and an interception. LaRod Stephens-Howling had a good day on the ground, running for 104 yards and a touchdown. Andre Roberts was the leading receiver, catching 7 passes for 103 yards and a touchdown.
14 (14) San Diego Chargers (3-3) - The Chargers went into their bye week with a 3-3 record and face the Cleveland Browns in a game they really have to win if they want to be saw as a genuine playoff contender.
15 (15) Philadelphia Eagles (3-3) - The Eagles had their bye week and I thoroughly enjoyed the break. This has been a stressful, unenjoyable season to be an Eagles fan and it was great to watch football on a Sunday evening and actually enjoy it, instead of hiding behind the couch, everytime our offense touched the ball. Next week is a huge game for this Eagles team. Everyone knows about Andy Reid's record after the bye week and they won't face a tougher challenge than the 6-0, Atlanta Falcons. Either way, somebodies O is going to go.
16 (19) Dallas Cowboys (3-3) - Dallas got their record back to .500 with a win in a tight game against the Carolina Panthers. All of the NFC East teams now have at least 3 wins so it was a big win for the Cowboys. Tony Romo had a decent game, throwing for 227 yards and a touchdown. The running game was quite poor and only picked up 85 yards from 31 carries. Miles Austin was the Cowboys leading receiver, catching 5 passes for 97 yards and a touchdown.
17 (16) Detroit Lions (2-4) - The Lions drop to 2-4 after a loss in a low scoring game on Monday Night Football. It took the Lions 59:30 to score against the Bears and by that stage they were 13-0 behind. The Lions had more offensive yards but turned the ball over 4 times and in the end it cost them the game. Stafford threw for 263 yards, a touchdown and an interception. The leading rusher was Matt Leshoure who ran for 63 yards from 12 carries. Titus Young caught 6 passes for 81 yards.
18 (17) Washington Redskins (3-4) - RG3 lost his first battle with an NFC East rival, after a narrow defeat to the New York Giants. Griffin had a good game, throwing for 258 yards, 2 touchdowns and an interception. He also picked up 89 yards on the ground from 9 carries. Alfred Morris also had a good game on the ground, running for 120 yards. The Redskins are 3-4 now but from what I have saw every game will be a shootout and if nothing else, they should provide good entertainment.
19 (18) Cincinnati Bengals (3-4) - The Bengals are struggling now after getting off to a great start. The Bengals were 3-1 but three defeats later and they are 3-4. The Steelers done a great job of stopping the dangerous, Dalton to Green combination. Green only caught 1 pass, albeit, it was an 8 yard touchdown reception. Dalton only completed 50% of his passes for 105 yards, a touchdown and an interception. The Bengals are going to have to find a way to turn their season around quickly or the playoffs will slip out of their reach.
20 (20) Miami Dolphins (3-3) - The Dolphins were on a bye this week and will be happy to be right in the race to win the AFC East. They are behind only the New England Patriots but have played a game less. This week they travel to New York for a big divisional battle with the Jets.
21 (25) Indianapolis Colts (3-3) - The Colts bounced back from last weeks heavy defeat to the Jets, by beating the Cleveland Browns. The Browns kept the game tight and were within 1 point until Adam Vinatieri kicked a field goal with 3:19 remaining. Andrew Luck had a good game, throwing for 186 yards but it was his 2 touchdown runs that will make the headlines. Reggie Wayne led the receivers again, catching 6 passes for 73 yards. Running-back, Vick Ballard had a good day, running for 84 yards.
22 (21) St Louis Rams (3-4) – The Rams lost at home to the Green Bay Packers to slip back to 3-4 for the season. 3-4 isn't a terrible record but considering the improvement in the NFC West, this season, it won't be good enough for a playoff spot. The Rams gave the Packers a tough game on Sunday but in the end fell short. They couldn't contain Aaron Rodgers and it was to be their downfall. Sam Bradford threw for 255 yards, a touchdown and an interception. Steven Jackson ran for 57 yards off 12 carries. He also had a touchdown. The Rams averaged 4.9 yards per carry so it could be questioned why they only ran the ball 22 times.
23 (26) New Orleans Saints (2-4) – The Saints picked up their 2nd win in a row, with a good win in Tampa Bay over the Bucs. The Saints are potentially a good side and at 2-4 are not out of the race for a wildcard spot. They can't afford many more defeats but there season is far from over. Drew Brees had over 300 yards in the first half on Sunday but a quiet second half saw him finish with 377 yards, 4 touchdowns and an interception. His leading receiver was Lance Moore who caught 9 passes for 121 yards.
24 (22) New York Jets (3-4) - The Jets suffered a tough loss to their biggest rivals, the New England Patriots in overtime on Sunday. The Jets stuck with the Pats and never gave up but were unable to take full advantage of the chances they were presented with and paid the price. If the Jets had been able to get another first down on the drive were Nick Folk kicked a field goal with 1:37 remaining, then I think they would have won the game. However, it wasn't meant to be for the Jets and the Pats won. Mark Sanchez had a decent game, throwing for 328 yards, a touchdown and an interception. His leading receivers were Jeremy Kerley and Dustin Keller. Both had 7 catches, Kerley for 120 yards and Keller for 91 yards and a touchdown.
25 (27) Tennessee Titans (3-4) - The Titans won a thriller in Buffalo, beating the Bills 35-34. Matt Hasselbeck had a solid game, throwing for 205 yards and a touchdown but it was running-back, Chris Johnson who will receive the plaudits. Johnson has had a bad season up to now but exploded into life with a fantastic game on Sunday. He ended the game with 195 yards and 2 touchdowns from 18 carries. If Johnson can keep up that form, the Titans could find themselves in the running for a wildcard spot in the AFC.
26 (23) Buffalo Bills (3-4) – The Bills suffered a heartbreaking loss to Tennessee, losing 35-34, after giving up a late touchdown. The game was tight all the way and at no point was there more than one score between the teams but in the end it was the Titans who picked up the win. Ryan Fitzpatrick had a decent game, throwing for 225 yards, 3 touchdowns and an interception. CJ Spiller and Fred Jackson shared carries again, combining for 141 yards but ultimately it was the Bills inability to stop Chris Johnson that led to the loss.
27 (28) Oakland Raiders (2-4) - The Raiders got their second win of the season after a great comeback against the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Raiders levelled the game with a late touchdown and then won it in overtime, courtesy of a Sebastian Janikowski field goal. Carson Palmer had a good game, throwing for 298 yards, a touchdown and an interception. His leading receiver was Darrius Heywerd-Bey who caught 4 passes for 85 yards. Darren McFadden had another poor day, running for just 53 yards from 19 carries.
28 (24) Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-4) - The Bucs suffered a tough defeat against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday to drop to 2-4 for the season. The Bucs thought they had levelled the game right at the end but the touchdown was ruled out due to a penalty. Josh Freeman had a huge day, throwing for 420 yards and 3 touchdowns. His main target was Vincent Jackson who caught 7 passes for 216 yards and a touchdown. Doug Martin had a good day on the ground, picking up 85 yards and a touchdown.
29 (29) Carolina Panthers (1-5) – The Panthers lost a close game to the Dallas Cowboys and are now 1-5 for the year. Cam Newton had one of his better games, throwing for 233 yards, a touchdown and an interception. He also picked up 64 yards from 6 carries. Steve Smith led the receivers, with 7 catches for 83 yards. Brandon LaFell also had a good day catching 4 passes for 53 yards and a touchdown.
30 (30) Cleveland Browns (1-6) – The Browns were unable to carry their winning form into this week and lost in a tight game to the Indianapolis Colts. The game was very tight throughout and by the end the teams were only seperated by 2 offensive yards but in the end the Colts edged it. Brandon Weeden had a good game, throwing for 264 yards and 2 touchdowns. The running game struggled though and the Browns were only able to pick up 55 yards from 17 carries. Trent Richardson was particularly poor, running for 8 yards from 8 carries.
31 (31) Jacksonville Jaguars (1-5) - The Jags slip to 1-5 after a defeat in overtime to the Raiders. The Jags had a 14 point lead in the second half but the Raiders came back to win. The Jags lost Blaine Gabbert and Maurice Jones-Drew to injury and their offense stalled completely after that. The Jags only managed 209 offensive yards and gave up 351 so in truth they were lucky to keep the game as close as they did.
32 (32) Kansas City Chiefs (1-5) - The Chiefs have been poor so far and were on their bye week with a 1-5 record. They face divisional rivals, the Oakland Raiders, in what looks like a must win game for both sides.
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