NFL Week 12: The Numbers

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

The Panthers tackle like they are coached by George Fox, not John Fox.

Jets v. Titans – 4 – Following three straight weeks of multiple interceptions, Mr. Number 4 has thrown five touchdowns and only two INTs in the last 4 games for the Jets. His cumulative passer rating for the last month is 103.65 and he's completed exactly 75% of his passes. Excluding his 0 TD and 1 INT game against Buffalo at the start of the month, Favre's only thrown 1 INT against 5 Tds and completed 77 percent of his passes for a 113.64 passer rating.

Texans v. Browns – 5 – Turnovers for the Browns. The turnovers allowed Houston to enjoy a near 15 minute advantage in time of posession despite converting on only four third downs and rushing for 3.1 yards per carry. Houston QB Sage Rosenfels did complete 75 percent of his passes, compared to 41 percent for the Browns signal-callers. Cleveland finished the game with only two third down conversions, three less than their number of turnovers. There has to be a corellation.

49ers v. Cowboys – 5 – San Francisco had six plays from inside the Cowboys 5-yard line in the first quarter, but came away with only six points total. By the time they scored again, it was 29-6 Dallas. Rushing was a problem for the Niners all day, totaling only 26 yards on 1.7 yards/carry. They also had troubles on third down, converting on only twenty percent of their third downs, while allowing Dallas to convert on half of theirs.

Buccaneers v. Lions – 9 – Detroit continues to find ways to lose. Not only did they allow both punt and interception returns for touchdowns in the third quarter, stretching the Bucs leads from four to eighteen, but it was penalties that killed them. 9 of their ten penalties came on the offensive side of the ball, often short-circuiting a drive before it started or, on multiple occasions, in Tampa territory. Collectively, the teams was penalized seven more times for 45 more yards than the Bucs.

Bills v. Chiefs – 54 – The most points ever scored by Buffalo on the road and the second most in team history (58 v. Miami, 1966), and Trent Edwards accounted for four touchdowns snapping out of a month long funk, but the signs aren't all good. The Chiefs converted only one third down, but had 21 first downs. KC also outgained the Bills despite having five turnovers, while Buffalo had zero.

Bears v. Rams – 0.7 – Yards per carry for St. Louis. They had 14 yards on 19 carries. Conversely, Matt Forte had 20 carries for 132 yards (6.6 y/c) and two scores. Like Cleveland, the Rams had more turnovers (4) than third down conversions (3). They were also penalized eight more times than the Bears (11-3) for 71 more yards (85-14).

Patriots v. Dolphins – 4- No, it's not because Matt Cassel lead the New England offense to over 400 yards passing twice, something no other Patriot QB had done (including Mr. Brady). It's because for the first time, he hit connected with 4 different receivers for at least five passes each. One of the things Cassel had struggled with was locking onto receivers, but as Randy Moss said, "Matt is getting in the comfort zone, he's playing some hellified ball." Also, after Ronnie Brown's four rushing touchdowns in their first encounter, he and the Wildcat formation were shut out.

Vikings v. Jaguars – 2 – In only their second road win of the season, Minnesota scored 2 touchdowns in the first 2 minutes of play. The first score was a fumbled exchange returned for a score and the second was set up by a fumble on the ensuing kickoff. This was the third time this season Jacksonville has had their leading rusher held to 20 or fewer yards. Wasted for the Jags, David Garrard's first 300 yard passing game (along with 2 INTs).

Eagles v. Ravens – 108 – The longest INT return for a touchdown in NFL history, scored by Ed Reed, breaking his old record of 106 yards. Approriately for the Eagles, it came with the ball on the 1-yard line, where they've struggled all year, but shame on rookie safety Haruki Nakamura for begging for the lateral from Reed, instead of blocking. The Eagles also had more turnovers than third down conversions, not surprisingly in a loss.

Raiders v. Broncos – 132 – Difference in Royal Ivey receiving yards from Denver's week one victory against the Raiders to this week's loss. The Raiders went 11 of 12 in passing attempts for 160 yards, while Jay Cutler completed just 43% of his passes, his worst percentage ever. Oakland scored their first offensive touchdown since week eight.

Panthers v. Falcons – 83 – Henry Douglas accounted for 188 total yards, scoring on a 7-yard reception and a 61-yard punt return, but it was his 69-yard reception on 3rd and 11 with the Panthers down only 3 in the fourth quarter that proved to be the back breaker. The Falcons would go on to punch the ball in the end zone on 4th down extending the lead to ten. The Panthers would then lose 18 yards in the process of going 3 and out, setting up Douglas's punt return TD.

Giants v. Cardinals – 79 – Percent completion percentage for Eli Manning, who also threw 3 touchdowns to outduel Kurt Warner. Without Brandon Jacobs, the Giants league-leading rushing attack was held to nearly 90 yards less than their average, but Manning was more than capable to pick up the slack. It was just the second time all season the Giants haven't had over 100 yards rushing (@ Pitt).

Redskins v. Seahawks – 17 – Minute time of posession advantage for the Redskins. The Seahawks averaged seven yards per rush, but were only able to muster 20 attempts. Maurice Morris became just the second Seahawk to record a 100-yard rushing game this season. Their passing game continues to struggle as Matt Hasselbeck threw for 103 yards on 12 of 24 with 2 touchdowns, but also 2 interceptions. Seattle has had only one 200 yard passing game all season (Wallace @ SF). Clinton Portis rushed for over 100 yards for the first time since week 8 (the Redskins were 0-2 during that time).

Colts v. Chargers – 24 – The fourth time this season that San Diego has lost in the last 24 seconds of the game. They did everything right, more first downs, more passing and rushing yards, even on turnovers, but they left ninety seconds on the clock when they kicked the game-tying field goal and Peyton Manning was able to move the ball into position for a field goal as time expired.