Monday, September 29

NFL Week 4: The Numbers

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

Browns v. Bengals - 1 - One win for Romeo Crennel and the Browns. First TDs for Braylon Edwards and Chad Ocho Cinco. Eric Wright's one-handed interception. One passing TD for Bengals QB Ryan Fitzpatrick, tying starter Carson Palmer for the year. The Browns first rushing TD. One for the ages? No. One game that summed up Ohio's NFL frustrations this year? Yes.

Vikings v. Titans - 7 - Fumbles in the game. The difference: of the four Minnesota fumbles, they lost three. The Titans only lost one of their three. The Vikings also had seven penalties for 50 yards, while Tennessee penalties accounted for only 18 yards. Three of Minnesota's four 3rd quarter drives were cut short by penalties (the fourth ended early because of a fumble).

Broncos v. Chiefs - 5 - KC scoring drives that started in Denver territory. Also the total number of turnovers in the game, four of which were by the Broncos.

49ers v. Saints - 16 - As in New Orleans WR Lance Moore. Moore had 102 total receiving yards and zero TDs in the first three games of the season. He caught seven passes for 101 yards and two 2nd quarter TDs against the Niners.

Cardinals v. Jets - 6 - 2nd quarter scores by the Jets, the turnover margin in favor of NY, and Brett Favre TD passes (a career best). A game that featured more FG attempts than punts, the Jets put up 56 points and only managed to score in two quarters.

Packers v. Buccaneers - 3 - Field Goals and XPs for Tampa Bay K Matt Bryant, just days after the passing of his 3-month old son, Matthew Tryson.

Falcons v. Panthers - 100 - Regular season wins for Carolina in franchise history. Jake Delhomme completed his 100th TD pass with the team, and WR Muhsin Muhammad accumulated his 27th 100-yard receiving game with the Panthers, a team best. As for 1-0-0, Steve Smith scored his first TD of the season, and Carolina gave up 0 sacks, and had 0 turnovers.

Texans v. Jaguars - 2 - or as Chris Berman might say deux, deux, deux. One of the most statistically even games of the years, the teams both had only two penalties and punts, had a difference of only two first downs and 11 yards (1 + 1 = 2, right?). The time of possession difference was less than two minutes and Texans Coach Gary Kubiak decision to not go with his #2 QB Sage Rosenfels almost paid off, and had the two-sided coin landed in their favor, it may have. Ultimately, the Jags got the win, running their record, fittingly, to 2-2.

Chargers v. Raiders - 4 - San Diego scored 25 of their 28 points on four of their last five drives, all in the fourth quarter. Conversely, the Raiders were unsuccessful on four of their five fourth quarter drives. LaDainian Tomlinson scored his first 100-yard rushing game of the season in the team's fourth game for the second year in a row (Tomlinson has rushed for 100+ yards in 7 of his 8 week four games). And finally, the Lane Kiffin job watch enters it's fourth week (come on, I had to).

Bills v. Rams - 3 - The Bills used three unanswered fourth quarter scores to take and extend the lead against the Rams. For the third straight week, Buffalo has entered the fourth quarter trailing and emerged victorious.

Redskins v. Cowboys - 8 - "Eight! Freaking Eight!" This will be sum up Cowboy fans calls to sports radio shows over the next few days. Just a week after being mentioned in this very column, for his increased second half effectiveness, Marion Barber III had only eight carries, and only three in the second half. I guess we can't count Wade Phillips or Jason Garrett amongst our loyal readers.

Eagles v. Bears - 1 - The Eagles had advantages in all of the statistical categories: first downs, passing yards, rushing yards, time of posession, and turnover +/-. All of the statistical categories except one, the one that mattered, the scoreboard. Correll Buckhalter was stopped on critical back to back plays at the one-yard line, and the lack of one Pro Bowl running back, may have cost the Eagles.

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