NFL Week 2: The Numbers

One number from each game that stuck out above all others.

Bears v. Panthers – 1 – Carries and yards gained by Panthers RB Jonathan Stewart in the 1st half. Stewart had 13 carries for 76 yards and 2 TDs in the second half. Conversely, RB DeAngelo Williams had only one carry in the second half.

Saints v. Redskins – 249th – 2008 draft selection that the Redskins used on safety Chris Horton, out of UCLA. Horton had 2 INTs and a fumble recovery in his first start.

Colts v. Vikings – 5 – Field goals for the Vikings’ Ryan Longwell to open up a 15-0 lead, before eventually missing one and losing 18-15. Following their last made FG, the Vikings gained no more than 17 yards on any of their final five drives, including a crucial 3 and out leading to Indy’s winning score.

Raiders v. Chiefs – 300 – Rushing yards for the Raiders. Rookie Darren McFadden led the way with 164 yards on 21 carries. The running game accounted for almost six times as many yards as the passing game, which had only 55 yards.

Packers v. Lions – 40 – Combined points scored in the fourth quarter. Detroit scored the first sixteen points (two passing TDs and a safety) of the quarter, capping a 25-3 run in which they took the lead 25-24. Green Bay responded by ripping off 24 (FG, rushing TD, 2 INTs for TD) straight points to win 48-25.

Titans v. Bengals – 10 – Cincinnati drives that consisted of four plays or fewer. They had only three drives of more than four plays. As Cleet said, they’re running full speed three and outing their way towards Coach Marvin Lewis being fired.

Giants v. Rams – 6 – Sacks recorded by the New York defense, tying Osi Umenyiora’s individual best for a game from a year ago.

Dolphins v. Cardinals – 154 – Total of yards passing racked up by Kurt Warner in just two plays. The Cardinals first official play on offense went for a 79-yard touchdown pass to Anquan Boldin. On the next drive, Warner connects with Larry Fitzgerald for a 75-yard pass. Miami starting QB Chad Pennington had just 112 passing yards for the game.

Patriots v. Jets – 20 – Yards lost by Bret Favre on a critical sack by Adalius Thomas. Down 19-10 the Jets had the ball with just over 5:00 remaining and on 2nd and 3, Adalius Thomas bulled through Leon Washington to get to Favre. After spinning Washington and Favre round, right round like a record, baby, the Jets chances were Dead, meanwhile Alive is the Patriots 21-game regular season winning streak.

Falcons v. Buccaneers – 176 – Fewer rushing yards for Michael Turner than the team record he set last week (220). His average per carry was seven yards lower. The Falcons also had three trips into the Tampa red zone, having to settle for field goals each time.

Bills v. Jaguars – 7 – yard perfectly thrown TD pass from Trent Edwards to James Hardy to take the lead with just over four minutes to go in the 4th. Also, the Jaguars were one of seven teams to blow 4th quarter leads.

Chargers v. Broncos – 2 – Coach Mike Shanahan’s decision to go for a two point conversion and the win with just 24 seconds left in the game. There were also 2 controversial plays that went against the Chargers. One play was incorrectly ruled a fumble by San Diego, but was not able to be reviewed, because the replay booth was experiencing technical difficulties. The second was a fumble by Broncos QB Jay Cutler that was recovered by the Chargers, but the whistle had been blown before the recovery, and extended the Broncos’ game–winning drive. Lastly, Broncos WR Brandon Marshall caught eighteen passes, tied for the 2nd most in any game.

Steelers v. Browns - 10 - Straight wins for the Steelers over the Browns. Despite converting almost 50% of their third downs, the Browns had two critical interceptions, and ten penalties. Where I'm from they have a saying, "If you want to be the man, you've got to beat the man." QB Derek Anderson and Head Coach Romeo Crennel have one more chance this year, but if they're not successful, it may be their last.