Here's my quick review of everything we saw in Week 8 of the 2001 NFL season:
| TJ'S TOP 10 |
W-L |
TJ SAYS |
| 1. Raiders |
6-1 |
Impressive in snapping Broncos' 7-game hex.
|
| 2. Rams |
6-1 |
A week off to think about season's first loss.
|
| 3. Bears |
6-1 |
Mike Brown does his overtime magic once again.
|
| 4. Steelers |
5-2 |
Got no kicks in losing to Ravens.
|
| 5. Packers |
5-2 |
Special teams lived up to billing vs. Bucs.
|
| 6. 49ers |
5-2 |
Garcia to Owens back on track once again.
|
| 7. Dolphins |
5-2 |
Defense does just enough in win over Panthers.
|
| 8. Chargers |
5-3 |
Magic ran out for battered Doug Flutie.
|
| 9. Eagles |
4-3 |
Just enough Donovan McNabb to avenge earlier loss.
|
| 10. Saints |
4-3 |
Porous run defense and struggling QB Aaron Brooks.
|
Offensive player of the week:
Packers running back Ahman Green: Ran for 169 yards and a touchdown, plus caught six passes for 49 yards in Green Bay's narrow win over the Bucs.
Defensive player of the week:
Bears strong safety Mike Brown: For the second straight week, the former Nebraska standout returned an interception in overtime as Dick Jauron's team won again.
Special team player of the week:
Eagles kick returner Brian Mitchell: His 94-yard kickoff return for a touchdown gave him an NFL-record-tying 12 kick returns for scores.
Number of the week:
3. Number of sacks by Browns defensive end Courtney Brown (playing in his first game of the season) at Chicago. The Bears had surrendered just two sacks in their first six games.
Surprise of the week:
Chiefs over Chargers. San Diego's luck at home finally ran out as the San Diego defense couldn't stop Dick Vermeil's team late.
Coaching move of the week:
Bill Belichick. He did a great job with young Tom Brady and the Patriots. After throwing four interceptions in the fourth quarter last week at Denver, Brady rebounded with three touchdown passes in a win at Atlanta.
Rising this week:
Washington Redskins. Marty Schottenheimer's team has won three straight following a dreadful 0-5 start and in the NFC East, they're not out of the playoff picture.
Falling this week:
Seattle Seahawks. After peaking with a win over the Broncos, Mike Holmgren's club has fallen flat against Miami and couldn't stop Redskins running back Stephen Davis.
Store it away:
The NFC East will eventually be won by a team with less than 10 wins, the first time in the history of the division.
Tom Jackson is an NFL analyst for ESPN.
