NFL Week 9: The Numbers

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

Jets v. Bills - 2 - interceptions returned for touchdowns, one by each team. For Brett Favre, it was the 300th interception of his career, but this was the first week since week four that he hasn't thrown at least 2 INTs. It was, however, the fourth week in a row for Favre having more INTs than passing TDs. Trent Edwards finished the game with two interceptions and a fumble. Edwards's TOs led to ten points and the final one, an INT, clinched the game for New York. Buffalo struggled running the ball all game, having only 30 yards on 17 carries, or less than 2 yards/carry. CB Darrelle Revis was the defensive star for the Jets, having a sack, forced fumble, fumble recovery, and an INT. DT Kris Jenkins also had 2 sacks, after only having one through seven games.

Lions v. Bears - 4 - Straight scoring drives for the Lions in the 2nd quarter, unfortunately 4 of their second half drives gained less than ten total yards. The first game since week 1 (@ IND) where Chicago RB Matt Forte averaged more than 4 yards/carry. Detroit had 4 receivers with at least 4 receptions averaging 10 or more yards/reception. Only one of the nine scoring drives in the game was longer than 60 yards. The Lions continued their streak of allowing opposing QBs their season-high QB ratings, in Rex Grossman's first action of the season he posted an incredible 49.9 rating.

Jaguars v. Bengals - 1 - Win for the Bengals. It was Chad Johnson's first multi-TD game of the season. Johnson has led the team in receiving yards only 1 time this season and is yet to have a game with over 60 yards.Cedric Benson became the first Bengal to rush for over 75 yards in a game this season. Former #1 RB Chris Perry had 0 carries and 1 reception, his 1st touch in the last three weeks. The Jaguars rushing game continues to struggle as Cincy QB Ryan Fitzpatrick had more rushing yards (52) than Jacksonville's leader, Maurice Jones-Drew (33).

Ravens v. Browns - 10 - The Ravens scored the last 24 points of the game, erasing a 14-point deficit on their way to victory. According to the Washington Post, Braylon Edwards had 10 drops entering the game, and had another crucial drop on a ball that would've been a sure TD in the fourth quarter, shortly after Baltimore tied the game. This game was also the Ray Rice coming out party. Having more than 8 carries for the first time since week one, Rice ran for 154 yards at an average of 7.3 y/c.

Packers v. Titans - 2 - Attempts for Rob Bironas to win the game. On the Packers first two drives of the 2nd half, Aaron Rodgers turned the ball over. The first cut short a drive already in FG range, the second set up a FG for the Titans. Green Bay had four penalties to only 2 for Tennessee. Aaron Rodgers threw for over 300 yards for the third time this season, but for the second time Green Bay has lost when he did. Titans QB Kerry Collins connected on less than half of his passes (48.6%), for the first time this season. Rookie RB Chris Johnson has led the Titans every week thus far, but also led the team in receiving yards for the first time against the Pack.

Buccaneers v. Chiefs - 3 - Straight TD drives to open the game for KC. Up by as many as 21, the Chiefs were up eleven after 3 quarters, but they allowed two fourth quarter TDs to force OT. A fumble by RB Jamaal Charles on his own 3-yard line set up the first fourth TB score. Even an Earnest Graham fumble (again on the KC 3) with just over 3 minutes remaining was not enough to stop the Buccaneer comeback. Following a timeout and a penalty, K Matt Bryant's third FG attempt in OT was good, completing the TB comeback. The game also featured 3 unusual TDs: a 97-yard kickoff return ans TD passes from a WR and a RB.

Cardinals v. Rams - 4 - Arizona drives in a row to open to open the game, including a St. Louis Goal line stand, that resulted in 0 points. The Cardinals followed that with 4 scores in the 2nd quarter, good for 24 points. Another rookie RB coming out party, as Tim Hightower had 109 yards after never having more than 37 in a game so far. Kurt Warner also saw his 4-week streak of 70+% completions end. Each of the 4 Cardinal receivers that had more than 1 catch averaged over 10 yards/catch, and 4 of their receivers caught balls of longer than 30 yards.

Texans v. Vikings - 3 - Straight 100-yard rushing games for Adrian Peterson and TD passes for Gus Frerotte (despite only 18 passing attempts). Also 3 total INTs in the game, the one by Frerotte was returned by Houston for a TD and the two by Houston both occured in the red zone.

Dolphins v. Broncos - 1972 - The only time the Broncos had fewer rushing yards than the 14 they had Sunday. In a day full of Denver shooting themselves in the foot, Jay Cutler had his first three interception game, including two in his first four passes. They also had 10 penalties for 81 yards, including a crucial penalty on Brandon Marshall that negated a would-be tying 77-yard touchdown pass.

Falcons v. Raiders - 77 - Total yards of offense for Oakland. Over half of those yards came on two runs from QB JaMarcus Russell (22 and 24 yards). The team only had 30 offensive plays, went 3-and-out on each of their first half drives and had more penalty yards than passing yards. After Russell, the next highest offensive gainer was Justin Fargas with 23 yards on the ground. On the good side, Atlanta QB Matt Ryan completed 17 of 22 attempts, good for 77.3% completion, his highest so far in his rookie year (138.4 QB Rating).

Cowboys v. Giants - 7 - Total number of turnovers in the game, including four interceptions and three fumbles. Not a pretty game to say the least, one of the ugliest things to watch was the Cowboys attempting to tackle Brandon Jacobs, who had his 3rd 100-yard rushing game of the season, and ran for 7 (6.9) yards per carry. While seven of the Cowboys eleven first downs came on third or fourth down, the Giants gained first down 15 (of 23 total) times on either first or second down.

Eagles v. Seahawks - 2 - Following the Seahawks first quarter TD, the Eagles scored two times in each quarter. The Eagles had twice as many first downs and more than twice as many passing yards. I'd like to take this opportunity to say that Seneca Wallace is being dealt a raw deal, as is the city of Seattle. It's lazy and stupid to think that having someone play WR for five years and then expect them to be able to play QB for an extended period of time in the NFL. It's an attempted cost saving mesaure that embaresses your player, your team, and sends a horrible message to the fans. I'll hop off my soapbox and get back to the numbers.

Patriots v. Colts - 1 - One dropped pass by Jabar Gaffney, one Joe Thomas penalty, and one of Matt Cassel's best statistical efforts. Cassel completed 73.5% of his passes and was not sacked once. His lone interception was late, and were it not for some timeout mismanagement (how often can we say that about a Hoodie-led team?), they may have been able to pull out a win.