There were plenty of big storylines as the NFL season crossed the halfway pole this week. Some teams and players made powerful statements. And, as loyal Cold, Hard Football Facts readers know, other teams and players made egregious misstatements.
Atlanta 20, San Francisco 16
Statement: Joey Harrington (14 of 25, 138 yards, 1 INT) and the 2-6 Falcons were marginally less inept than Alex Smith (17 of 38, 149 yards, 3 INT) and the 2-6 49ers in a battle of NFL bottom feeders
Misstatement: The 49ers have lost six straight after a 2-0 start, and are on pace to hand powerhouse New England, which traded last year for San Fran’s No. 1 pick, a top-five selection in the 2008 draft.
Buffalo 33, Cincinnati 21
Statement: Led by J.P. Losman (295 yards passing), the Bills ripped off their fourth victory in last five games, the lone defeat a 1-point loss to powerful 7-1 Cowboys.
Misstatement: Misled by Rudi Johnson (11 yards rushing), the Bengals suffered their sixth loss in seven games, the lone victory a 7-point win over pathetic 1-8 Jets.
Cleveland 33, Seattle 30
Statement: Jamal Lewis pieced together one of the most unusual stat lines in history, rushing 20 times for just 37 yards – and all four Cleveland TDs.
Misstatement: Lewis’s name is expunged from the record books, after his single-game mark of 295 rushing yards was surpassed – barely – by Minnesota rookie Adrian Peterson (296 yards).
Dallas 38, Philly 17
Statement: The Cowboys re-assert control over the NFC East – and its former Philadelphia power-brokers –thanks to a near-perfect day by Tony Romo: 20 of 25, 80.0%, 324 yards, 13.0 YPA, 3 TD, 1 INT, 141.7 passer rating.
Misstatement: Each Romo TD pass now costs owner Jerry Jones the equivalent of the GDP of a Third-World nation after Romo signed a six-year, $67-million dollar deal last week.
Detroit 44, Denver 7
Statement: People laughed at Lions QB Jon Kitna when he predicted 10 wins for a team that has reached double-digit victories just once in the past 12 season. He’s responded with personal bests in completion percentage, yards per attempt and passer rating, while leading Detroit to 6-2 record.
Misstatement: People laugh at the Broncos after the perennial AFC West Power, which has lost 10 games or more just once in the past 16 seasons, fell to 3-5, with its second loss in a month of 37 points or more.
Green Bay 33, Kansas City 22
Statement: The Pack is back! Green Bay is now 11-1 in its last 12 games, the same record as the Colts and Patriots.
Misstatement: The Chiefs are gone! KC ranks No. 29 in scoring offense, No. 30 in total offense and No. 30 in rushing offense. In 2005, the last season under Dick Vermeil, the Chiefs ranked No. 6 in scoring offense, No. 1 in total offense and No. 4 in rushing offense.
Houston 24, Oakland 17
Statement: Underachieving Texans RB and 1999 Heisman Trophy-winner Ron Dayne cranks out 122 yards on the ground for just the fourth 100-yard game of his career, and second since 2001.
Misstatement: Underachieving Raiders defense will let anybody run for 100. Dayne is the sixth back in eight games to reach century mark against Oakland defense.
Minnesota 35, San Diego 17
Statement: Vikings rookie phenom Adrian Peterson rips off NFL record 296 rushing yards, on 30 attempts (9.9 YPA) with 3 TDs against once-proud San Diego defense.
Misstatement: Chargers veteran phenom LaDainian Tomlinson held under 100 yards (16 carries, 40 yards, 2.5 YPA, 1 TD) for the sixth time in eight games for once-proud San Diego offense.
New England 24, Indy 20
Statement: Tom Brady tosses TD passes on New England’s final two drives before taking a knee, to secure lead in MVP race and carry undefeated Patriots to huge win over defending Super Bowl champs.
Misstatement: Two-time MVP Peyton Manning fumbles on Indy’s final two drives, as defending Super Bowl champs suffer first loss of 2007 and first home loss since 2005.
New Orleans 41, Jacksonville 24
Statement: Saints continue to rebound from dreadful 0-4 start with season-high 41 points – more than they scored (38) in first three games combined.
Misstatement: Jaguars continue to struggle after 4-1 start, surrendering a season-high 41 points – the same number they allowed in their first four games combined.
Pittsburgh 38, Baltimore 7
Statement: Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger tosses 5 TD passes (all in the first half) on just 16 pass attempts, despite a driving rain and sloppy field.
Misstatement: Baltimore LB and defensive leader Ray Lewis, who recently complained publicly about his offense’s play calling, learns that people in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones.
Tampa Bay 17, Arizona 10
Statement: Buccaneers (5-4) stand alone in first place in the dreadful NFC South, thanks to a defense that held star-studded Arizona offense to 195 total yards. Tampa ranks No. 4 in scoring defense and No. 6 in total defense.
Misstatement: Cardinals (3-5) fall to second place in dreadful NFC West, thanks to a star-studded offense that continues to underachieve. Arizona ranks No. 17 in scoring offense and No. 19 in total offense.
Tennessee 20, Carolina 7
Statement: Titans win yet another game in which Vince Young can barely pass the ball (14 of 23, 110 yards, 0 TD, 2 INT). Tennessee has twice as many wins (six) as Young has TD passes (3).
Misstatement: Rookie QB Matt Moore becomes the latest player to take a snap for Panthers after David Carr comes out with fourth-quarter injury. Carolina has fielded as many QBs this season as they have wins (four).
Washington 23, N.Y. Jets 20
Statement: Led by Clinton Portis (196 yards), Redskins rush for 296 yards and win in OT, to keep potentially promising season alive in crowded NFC East rce.
Misstatement: Misled by big off-season acquisition Thomas Jones, who was held to 70 yards or less on the ground (49) for the seventh time in nine games, potentially promising Jets season continues to unravel in one-horse AFC East race.
