Review and Preview : Week 10

football, news, week 10

Review

Audible: Calling an audible is what happens when someone, usually the quarterback, changes the play at the line of scrimmage. (From Tuesday’s post.)

Head Coach’s Headset: The head coach is usually talking to coordinators who are up in the box (a press box up high in the stadium). He is engaged in a constant conversation with his staff in order to collectively create the most effective game plan possible. (From Wednesday’s post.)

Live Helmets: One player from each team is allowed to have a live radio in his helmet through which he receives play calls from a coach – usually a coordinator or position coach. The “live” helmets are designated by a green dot sticker on the back of the helmet. The lines of communication aren’t always open – during the 40-second play clock, the coaches have 25-seconds to communicate with the player wearing the live helmet. It automatically shuts off in the last 15-seconds. (From Wednesday’s post.)

Most Likely To Score a Touchdown:  There is no one position amongst the offensive “skill” players – wide receivers, running backs, tight ends – that is more likely to score a touchdown than any other. It is completely dependent on the team, the players, and the style of offense they play. (From Wednesday’s post.)

FootballSimplified App: An app that teaches the basics of football in just a few sentences. It’s a quick, informative tutorial that will help tremendously as you dive further into the basics and beyond. The app covers understanding offense and defense, but also covers offensive play calling, a defensive coverage, and kicking formations. (From Thursday’s post.)

Reminder!

Don’t forget to register for the upcoming Understanding Football class on November 26th on the Influence Network! There are only 50 spots, so be sure to get yours before they sell out!

Preview

Normal Girl Game of the Week

Kansas City Chiefs at Denver Broncos, SNF on NBC

As aforementioned, this was an easy pick for game of the week – and more than that, it’s the game of the year so far this season. The undefeated Chiefs face the Broncos at home in a battle of the best in the AFC, who also happen to occupy the same division, the AFC West. Barring an unfathomable collapse, one of these teams will win the division and the other will get the top wildcard spot. These divisional games will go a long way in deciding who gets which spot. They will also be the biggest test for the perfect Chiefs thus far.

Also on the Radar:

1. The Panthers proved that they are the real deal last week against the 49ers. They’ll get another chance to prove their legitimacy this week as they face the Patriots coming off a bye. Interestingly enough, however, Bill Belichick has an 8-6 record when coming off a bye. It’s not a bad record, but it’s also not an indication that the Patriots have a better chance of winning this week coming off a bye than they do any other week. In fact, that win percentage (.571) suggests less of a chance to win than their usual win percentage under Belichick (.720).

2. As per above, the Niners were handed a tough loss at home by the Panthers last week. And this week, to get back on track, they face an even greater challenge: trying to best the Saints in New Orleans. That is one Everest-sized tall order.

3. This week’s weird-but-true fact: The Jets only win in odd weeks this season. Literally. They won in Weeks 1, 3, 5, 7, and 9, and lost in Weeks 2, 4, 6, 8, and just had their bye in Week 10. This week, Week 11, they play the Bills in Buffalo,  a road location that usually proves troublesome for the Jets.  Which is more powerful: the 2013 odd week streak, or the bone-chilling reality that is Buffalo in November? We shall see.

At the Water Cooler : Week 10

football, games, week 10

Washington Redskins at Minnesota Vikings (Vikings won, 34-27)

Credit where credit is due: prior to leaving in the 3rd quarter with an injury, Vikings QB Christian Ponder went 17 of 21 for 174 yards and two touchdowns and one interception. Not amazing, but not too shabby for a guy who doesn’t get much r-e-s-p-e-c-t.

Seattle Seahawks at Atlanta Falcons (Seahawks won, 33-10)

Stick a fork in the Falcons. They’re done.

Detroit Lions at Chicago Bears (Lions won, 21-19)

This NFC North matchup was everything it was promised to be. Megatron and his two second half touchdowns sealed the deal for the Lions, who now own first place in the division.

Philadelphia Eagles at Green Bay Packers (Eagles won, 27-13)

The Packers own first place in the game they are playing, called Let’s See How Many Backups We Can Field In One Season. All appearances would suggest they are a lock to win it.

Jacksonville Jaguars at Tennessee Titans (Jaguars won(!), 29-27)

The Jaguars can breathe a sigh of relief: they will not be the 2013 version of the winless ’08 Lions. Your move, Tampa Bay.

St. Louis Rams at Indianapolis Colts (Rams won, 38-8)

Not to take anything away from the Rams, who played very well, but this was a complete collapse by the Colts. And likely the worst game of Andrew Luck’s life: 29 of 47 for 353 yards, 1 TD, and 3 INT’s. That’s a bad day at the office right there.

Oakland Raiders at NY Giants (Giants won, 24-20)

The Giants are officially on a 3-game winning streak. It wouldn’t be news in any other season, but in this one, it’s cause for major celebration – especially considering that two other NFC East rivals fell (Redskins and Cowboys) this week.

Buffalo Bills at Pittsburgh Steelers (Steelers won, 23-10)

This wasn’t quite the welcome back party Bills fans were anticipating with EJ Manuel back in the lineup.

Cincinnati Bengals at Baltimore Ravens (Ravens won, 20-17 OT)

The Bengals, somehow, came all the way back from a 17-point deficit, thanks in part to an insane AJ Green TD catch. (Even more insane than is usual insane TD catches.) But in the end it wasn’t enough to best the Ravens, who are now only one game behind the Bengals in the wide open AFC North.

Carolina Panthers at San Francisco 49ers (Panthers won, 10-9)

This was the litmus test for the Panthers. They had won four straight…but not against teams like the 49ers…and the 49ers coming off a bye and playing at home, no less. With their fifth straight win coming against the well-rested defending NFC Champs and a Carolina defense that looks scary good, the Panthers can officially be recognized as the real deal.

Denver Broncos at San Diego Chargers (Broncos won, 28-20)

Cue the script for the rest of the week in the world of sports: Is Peyton ok? It’s a legitimate question – one we’ll get more answers to after his MRI today – and one that will be talked to death until the Broncos hit the field against the undefeated Chiefs next Sunday.

Houston Texans at Arizona Cardinals (Cardinals won, 27-24)

That fork we used for the Falcons? Feel free to stick it in the Texans. It’s kind of hard to believe they’ve dropped to 2-7.

Dallas Cowboys at New Orleans Saints (Saints won, 49-17)

In Friday’s post we had talked about both the Saints and the Cowboys needing a big statement win after their mediocre Week 9 games. The Saints certainly held up their end of the bargain on that one; it was a thorough stomping.

Miami Dolphins at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (MNF on ESPN)

Florida football has seen brighter days, that’s for sure. The fallout in Miami gets a little messier every day and the Bucs – afflicted with MRSA, an ousted QB, and generally bad play – are still looking for their first win. Tonight might be their best chance to get it.

Bye: Cleveland Browns, Kansas City Chiefs, New England Patriots, NY Jets

What To Know : After Week 10

What to know this week? That in the NFL, no one really knows anything. Thus, this:

  • The Dolphins, looking like they could be a playoff threat last week, lose 37-3 to the Titans, who lost 51-20 to the Bears the week before.
  • The Patriots win a nail-biter…against the Bills. Final score: 37-31.
  • Kickers who never miss…missed. When it counted. And the result was a tie: Rams 24, Niners 24.
  • The Giants, who never look great in November but always retain a glimmer of Super Bowl hope throughout, looked particularly ungreat in a 31-13 loss to the Bengals.
  • The Jets…are the Jets.
  • The Steelers, overwhelmingly favored, had to go into overtime to win against the Chiefs, 16-13.

This is why we love the NFL…you never know what’s going to happen.

(And this is also why I am spectacularly failing in our Pick ‘Em league this year. Unpredictability: 1, Beka: 0.)

What To Know : Week 10

Week 10 has arrived! Here’s what you need to know:

GAME OF THE WEEK: Lots of people are saying Cowboys at Eagles, and for good reason. Both teams have found their niche this season as the teams that never fail to find a way to fail. So Sunday’s battle of the 3-5’s promises not to be unlike watching a head-on collision to see which vehicle escapes with less damage. Personally, I’m excited for the Texans at Bears. It promises to be a low-scoring affair with two of the league’s best defenses on display, but a good matchup of worthy opponents. Also, be on upset alert for the Falcons at Saints game.

PLAYER TO WATCH: There are so many different directions I want to go with this one, but I think I’m settling on all of the Tennessee Titans. All of the players/coaches/personnel/secretaries were put on notice after owner Bud Adams went on the war path following the Titans humbling loss to Chicago last Sunday. Basically, everyone will be playing for their lives, which isn’t the best atmosphere for starting QB Jake Locker to come back to after being out on injury for the past few weeks.

STORYLINE TO KNOW: Charles Tillman, cornerback for the Bears, has let it be known that if his wife goes into labor on Sunday, he will miss the game to be with her. This, predictably, has the more rabid football fans and commentators up in arms, while everyone else is touched by his (completely NORMAL) commitment to his family. Would you expect anyone else to miss the birth of their child if they had a choice in the matter? Tillman is absolutely making the right call here.

RECIPES TO MAKE:

caramelitas (a personal favorite)

caramel apple brownies

gooey chocolate peanut butter cup brownies

peppermint cookies and cream popcorn

pumpkin magic bars