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 Chris Mortensen takes a look at the "disappointments" around the league.
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Dan Patrick Show
Chris Mortensen tells why Warren Sapp didn't start against Washington.
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Dan Patrick Show
Chris Mortensen and Dan Patrick analyze Peyton Manning's happy feet.
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Week 5 review: Bucs backed into a corner
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Redskins 20, Bucs 17: Sure, the Redskins blew a 17-7 lead in the fourth quarter, and Daniel Snyder probably blew his top in the owner's box. But the bottom didn't fall out for the Redskins and this was a decision that has huge implications. For one, if the Redskins survive their brutal schedule during the next five weeks, they get a bye to prepare for their Nov. 20 match with the St. Louis Rams. We're talking home-field advantage.
|  | | Deion Sanders, left, eyes the end zone during his 57-yard punt return in OT. |
Ah, but that's a great leap forward in a season that is giving us weekly surprises. Incredibly, the biggest surprise Sunday was Deion Sanders' 57-yard yard punt return. I must admit, after predicting that Deion would still be an impact player, I was having doubts. He ain't what he used to be, but he proved Sunday he can still turn on the juice in a prime-time moment. You also have to throw a bouquet to Norv Turner, whose greatest attribute might be the resilience he has passed to a wounded team that was missing key offensive linemen (Tre Johnson and Corey Raymer). The Bucs are backed into an unpredictable corner, having lost two straight while the Vikings have sailed to a 4-0 start. Bucs coach Tony Dungy treated this as a must-win game. The real must-win game comes next Monday night when the Bucs travel to Minnesota. Just can't picture the Bucs trailing the Vikings by three games after six weeks, can you? We'll find out.
Colts 18, Bills 16: The Colts have now won two tough road games (Kansas City, Buffalo) and what was neat about Sunday's dramatic win over the Bills is that Peyton Manning couldn't care less about a passing day that yielded just 168 yards. It's all about winning and the Colts continue to take impressive steps in defense of their AFC East title. Oh, yeah, let's say it again -- it's still the toughest division in football. The Bills must be kicking themselves, but you knew that when they had to settle for three chip-shot field goals in the first half that it would haunt them. True, the Bills proved they can run the football (170 yards) but with a weapon like WR Eric Moulds, it's difficult to fathom that they could manage just one touchdown -- that coming on Rob Johnson's 40-yarder with 1:08 left to play. Now the Bills (2-2) travel to Miami (4-1) with a load of pressure.
Rams 57, Chargers 31: Rams coach Mike Martz assured this victory when he promised his team they would get an entire week off if they started the season 5-0. Another sign the Rams would not suffer a letdown came when Kurt Warner suggested during the week that the offense with a 40-point average had not played its "A" game yet. Does this count, Kurt? Will the Rams hit the 70-point mark in a single game this year? The Chargers appear to be a team coming unraveled, although Jim Harbaugh's 348-yard passing day produced enough points to win on any other Sunday. However, one must consider the theory that the Rams defense might just be flat-out pooped every Sunday because no sooner do they hit the sidelines, they're making a U-turn after the offense's patented three-play drives.
Vikings 31, Lions 24: If you want to beat the Vikings when they're on the the road, see to it that Randy Moss' mom doesn't get a seat in the end zone because chances are Moss will make an appearance or three to visit mother during the game with a gift. Moss showed why he's still the NFL's greatest athlete. Credit Vikings offensive coordinator Sherman Lewis for getting Moss re-interested by moving him around in different formations. Daunte Culpepper just looked like a pro, throwing no interceptions. The Lions finally got their ground game on track with James Stewart (123 yards), but their home-field mystique is starting to disappear. They actually have a better record (2-0) on the road than they do at home (1-2).
Steelers 24, Jaguars 13: Which direction do you want to go? Praise the Steelers for returning to form and rushing for 209 yards? Or wonder out loud what the heck is going on with the Jaguars defense? Let's talk Jacksonville. Is this a scheme problem under defensive coordinator Dom Capers or is it something deeper? Word in Jacksonville is that a handful of defensive players have lost "focus" and aren't taking care of business on and off the field. Either way, it's a crisis. The Jags have a statement game on Sunday night when they face the Ravens. If they can't answer the bell for this one, they might as well throw in the towel. As for the Steelers, maybe they are not a lost cause as we first believed. Kordell Stewart had to regain some confidence with a solid performance, and Jerome Bettis looked tike the Bus of old, as opposed to just an old bus. Win against the Jets in New York, Steelers, and there's life in your season.
Titans 28, Giants 14: The Giants may want to think about this movie sequel -- "Forget the Titans." This was one of the most impressive all-around performances of the year that didn't involve the Rams. The Titans controlled the ball for almost 43 minutes. Eddie George pounded the football. Steve McNair looked like the Pro Bowl QB he could become this year. The defense forced four turnovers. The Giants (3-2) didn't have to win this game, but they needed to make a better showing. I would say the next two New York games (Atlanta and Dallas) are crucial.
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The Giants may want to think about this movie sequel -- 'Forget the Titans.' ” |
Ravens 12. Browns 0: True, a win is a win. True, the Ravens have a great defense and three shutouts to show for it. True, the running tandem of Jamal Lewis (86 yards) and Priest Holmes (82) is something for opponents to ponder. Yet Ravens QB Tony Banks is still firing almost as many blanks as the defense. OK, that's an exaggeration, but Banks has enough weapons and a proven scheme to deliver more than four field goals. Even with being shut out, the Browns restore some credibility by playing Baltimore tough. They had their chances.
New England 28, Denver 19: Why do I think Broncos coach Mike Shanahan is steaming at defensive coordinator Greg Robinson? The Patriots' previously inept offense came alive in Drew Bledsoe's four-TD performance. Maybe this was the break the Pats needed after facing such stout defenses as Tampa Bay, the New York Jets and Miami (and Minnesota as well). I believe there's a very uncomfortable feeling in the Broncos' hallways this week after back-to-back defeats at Mile High. And Terrell Davis (foot) probably needs to rest for two or three weeks before he even tries coming back again.
Bears 27, Packers 24: I know the Packers had some matchup problems on defense this game because of injuries, but this was a major setback for the offense and coach Mike Sherman, who now has lost two of three home games. Brett Favre tried to rally the Pack but the effort was too late. Give the Bears credit for playing a fairly complete game. Cade McNown keeps his job another week.
Cowboys 16, Panthers 13: I know what Jerry Jones is thinking -- "We're not out of it." Guess what? With this win, the Cowboys (2-3) go into their bye week at least believing the owner is right. OK, let's not get carried away. Good to see Emmitt Smith bust out (132 yards rushing) as the Cowboys' O-line won the battle. The Panthers? I think George Seifert was sick again Sunday.
Eagles 38, Falcons 10: Yes, it's a three-team race in the NFC East and now the Eagles play host to the Redskins, whose biggest mistake was letting Brian Mitchell go. Mitchell warmed up for his former team with a spectacular night against Atlanta. Donovan McNabb is starting to settle down, so this makes the Eagles offense a real threat. The defense remains downright nasty. When you peek at the Philly schedule, you see real potential for a playoff run, if not a division title. There's nothing to be said about the Falcons, whose offensive line is in such shambles that there seems little Dan Reeves can do about it.
Dolphins 31, Bengals 16: Dolphins coach Dave Wannstedt knew this one had trouble written all over it, the moment he heard Bengals coach Bruce Coslet had resigned a week ago. In fact, Wannstedt told his team Saturday night that he had planned to find a reason to yell at them during the week just to get their attention, but the Dolphins had practiced so well, he laid off. Oops. The Dolphins stumbled big early, got into a hole, and then let the Bengals be the Bengals. Wannstedt also gambled a little, allowing some injured starters, such as Zach Thomas, to rest up for Sunday's showdown against Buffalo.
49ers 27, Cardinals 20: Steve Mariucci for president. On the other side, I suspect that Vince Tobin may be dropping out of the race very soon, especially with the Cleveland Browns coming to town.
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