Cold, Hard Football Facts.com delves into the world of phootball physics with its weekly and deeply scientific look back at the statements made around the NFL on Sunday, along with their equal and opposite misstatements.
Statement: Baltimore wins at home for the seventh straight game, dating back to middle of 2006 season.
Misstatement: For the second straight game, Baltimore nearly blows a double-digit lead. The Ravens have been outscored 24-6 in the fourth quarter of their last two wins.
Statement: With Steve Smith (one catch) and Julius Peppers (no sacks, no tackles) silenced, Panthers still gut out a road win in Atlanta.
Misstatement: The league office is still deciding if wins over pathetic Falcons will count in official NFL standings.
Statement: Dallas RB Marion Barber III averages 5.9 YPA vs. tough Chicago front and adds his fourth touchdown of the season.
Misstatement: Cowboys commit a ridiculous 10 penalties for 100 yards, but saved by all-too-familiar Rex Grossman mulligan (3 INT).
Green Bay 31, San Diego 24
Statement: Cryogenically preserved 1996 version of Brett Favre puts together his best game since … well, last week, with a passer rating of 110.3 that was a shade behind his 112.4 vs. the Giants.
Misstatement: Green Bay running game is worst in the NFL with 65.6 YPG (32nd) and 2.9 YPA (30th).
Indianapolis 30, Houston 24
Statement: Houston QB Matt Schaub does his best Peyton Manning imitation, completing 17 for 19 passes in the second half. But two misses were costly: both were picked off by Indy defenders.
Misstatement: Indy QB Peyton Manning does an even better Peyton Manning impersonation, completing 20 of 29 on the day with 0 picks.
Jacksonville 23, Denver 14
Statement: The Jaguars dominate the line of scrimmage and the clock, 38:42 to 21:18.
Misstatement: Denver’s Mile High advantage is slipping faster than Jay Cutler’s approval rating. In their last seven home games, the Broncos have five losses and two close wins.
Kansas City 13, Minnesota 10
Statement: KC defensive end Jared Allen returns from a two-game suspension with two sacks, a forced fumble and countless pressures of Vikings QB Kelly Holcomb.
Misstatement: The once-vaunted Chiefs run game nets 50 yards on 31 carries - that's only 1.7 YPA better than center Casey Wiegmann falling on the ball each play.
New England 38, Buffalo 7
Statement: New England scores 38 points for the third straight week and continues its chase to supplant 1950 Rams (38.83 PPG) as the No. 1 scoring offense in NFL history.
Misstatement: Buffalo coach Dick Jauron makes his offense walk home after 10 consecutive drives fail to cross midfield.
N.Y. Giants 24, Washington 17
Statement: In need of a game-tying score, Joe Gibbs and the smash-mouth Redskins attempt to relive the glory days of the Diesel and run the ball on 3rd- and 4th-and-goal.
Misstatement: Giants stuff both plays; Gibbs considers handing the ball to methanol-powered Tony Stewart in the No. 20 car next time he needs a game-tying score.
Statement: With a victory in hand, Jets mysteriously report no rule violations on opposing sidelines.
Misstatement: Once-proud Dolphin D currently ranks 26th in scoring defense after finishing fifth in 2006.
Oakland 26, Cleveland 24
Statement: Oakland blocks its second kick of the season, this one sealing their first win after 11 consecutive defeats.
Misstatement: Charlie Weis looks to add Cleveland to Notre Dame schedule after defenseless Browns (35.0 PPG, No. 31 in the NFL) allow Raiders to post their highest point total since Week 8 of the 2005 season.
Philadelphia 56, Detroit 21
Statement: Donovan McNabb pitches a perfect game (158.3 passer rating) as the old-look Eagles roll up 42 first-half points against hapless Detroit defense.
Misstatement: Embarrassed to be wearing uniforms that look like the result of a lost bar bet, the Philly defense quietly surrenders a Detroit franchise-record 446 passing yards to the immortal Jon Kitna.
Pittsburgh 37, San Francisco 16
Statement:: The well-balanced Steelers roll up 37 points and win their third straight by three TDs or more, despite just 49 yards from their wide receivers.
Misstatement: San Fran former No. 1 pick Alex Smith tosses his first TD of the season in garbage time; San Fran former No. 82 pick Joe Montana still refuses to return his phone calls.
Seattle 24, Cincinnati 21
Statement: Bengals running back Rudi Johnson turns something into nothing on his only reception of the day, rumbling for 33 yards.
Misstatement: Johnson finishes with a whopping 9 yards on his 17 rush attempts, a total that was topped by fullback Jeremi Johnson’s one run for 12 yards.
Tampa Bay 24, St. Louis 3
Statement: Bucs rekindle memories of their 2002 Super Bowl team by rising to fourth in the NFL in Defensive Passer Rating (71.1).
Misstatement: St. Louis QB Marc Bulger throws three picks; he didn’t throw his third interception of 2006 until Week 10.
