Week 7 Recaps

49ers 35 - Chargers 25 Game Of The Week *Updated*

In the Game of the Week, the 49ers managed to overcome the talented Chargers 35-25. Unconventionally, the 49ers' star RB Frank Gore only ran for 18 yards on 9 carries. The Chargers front-line and LBs treated the 49ers offensive line like it wasn't even there on running plays. Neither team was successful in the running game, but both flourished passing the ball. Both QBs threw for a minimum of 350 yards. Alex Smith was 20-24 for 357 yards and 4 TDs, while his counterpart, QB Phillip Rivers, threw for 391 yards, 2 TDs, and 1 INT on 30 of 49 passing attempts. The game was a back and forth scoring battle. By halftime, the score was tied at 14. The second half displayed similar parity. Late in the 4th quarter, The 49ers held a 28-25 lead over the Chargers. With less than 2 minutes left in the game, San Diego was i position to drive down the field for the potential game tying or game winning score, but the 49ers defense put a quick end to that dream when newly acquired LB Lawrence Timmons returned an interception for a game-sealing 33 yard TD. The 49ers keep their unblemished record (6-0), but in Week 8 will face the high flying Cowboys (5-1) team in the Game of the Week. The disappointed Chargers will try to take out their frustration on the 2-4 Rams in Week 8.


Panthers 31 - Eagles 28 *Updated*

What a nail biter! Especially for Panther fans. Sporting a perfect 5-0 record through Week 7, Carolina hosted an Eagles team who has played very tough against some very good opposition. This game wasn't any different for the Eagles. In the opening quarter, rookie QB Tim Tribow ( 18-25 for 210 yds, 2 TDs / 6 car, 50 yards, 1 TD) opened the score with a 7 yard rushing TD. At one point in the second quarter, Philadelphia had a 21-7 advantage, but the Panthers' QB Matt Moore (13-21 for 269 yds, 2 TDs, 1 INT) cut the lead with a 6 yard TD run as time ran off. In the second half, the Panthers displayed a better defense. However, initially it looked like the Eagles would continue their offense assault when Tribow hit rookie WR Ruben Barter on a 14 yard TD pass making the Philly lead 28-14. That would be the last time the Eagles would score, while the Panthers potent offense attacked Philly for 17 points. 14 of those points came on the backs of speedsters WR Steve Smith (4 rcpts, 143 yds, 1 TD) and HB DeAngelo Williams (19 car, 101 yds, 1 TD), who had an 87 yard TD reception and 30 yard TD run, respectively. In the end, Carolina held off Philly 31-28. The Panthers are now 6-0 and will face the hapless Seahawks (1-5) in Week 8. The Eagles once again battle tough team to the end, but come up a little short. Although rookie QB Tribow made a great effort today, you have to wonder if Eagles fans are lamenting the McNabb trade.


Patriots ((5-1) 38 - Ravens (1-5) 17 Credit: JTconnolly

The Patriots have had a busy past week pulling off some risky trades. Many people where questioning trading an up and coming CB for a back-up RB who's days at an elite runner seemed behind him but the Patriots front office, as they always do, proved us wrong. Newly acquired Willie Parker had a huge day against a tough Ravens defense. Parker rushed for 130 yards on 17 carries and added three scores. Brady was pretty efficient on the day finishing 10-14 for 239 yards and throwing two scores to his favorite target Randy Moss. Moss had another huge day, after last weeks 260 yards receiving; he finished this game w/ 209 yards receiving and 2 scores. Like the defense, the Ravens offense had tough time getting it going. The Ravens only mustered 10 pts from the offensive side of the ball w/ Flacco managing to throw for 188 yards, 1 Td and 2 critical interceptions. Ray Rice and O line could not get it going against a Vince-less Patriots team. Getting rid of the big man seemed like the best thing that could happen for Rice but newly acquired DeMeco Ryans had other plans. He help filled the void and lead the Patriots D in tackles which held Rice to a 2.3 yard per carry average and limited him to a average of 2.1 yards per catch. It was a tough day all around for the Ravens. The Ravens will look to rebound next week against the newly owned Saints while the Patriots take on the surprisingly tough Cleveland Browns for the potential game of the week!!![u]

Colts (4-2) 25 - Broncos (2-5) 21

In a close Week 7 match-up, the Colts overcame a 21-10 3rd quarter deficit to edge out the Broncos, 25-21 in the 4th. Newly acquired RB Jonathan Stewart opened the scoring with a first quarter today run. Although Stewart on ran for 53 yards on 21 caries, the brusing RB contributed 2 rushing TDs and 1 recieving TD. Other than a FG in the second quarter, the Broncos kept the Colts quite while managing to scored 21 points through three quarters. The combination of speedster RB Moreno (9 carries, 97 yds, 1 TD / 4 rcpts, 71 yds, 1 TD) and beast-like WR Marshall (5 rcpts, 97 yds, 1 TD) was more than the Colts could handle. However, the 4th quarter was a different matter. The Broncos were held scoreless, while the Colts went on a 15-0 run to claim the victory 25-21. Manning didnt have to do much in this game. He was 15 of 22 for 17o yds and 1 TD. His opponent, QB Orton, had a beter statistical game throw for 237 yds, 2 TDs, and 1 INT in 15 of 23 passing attempts. However, that 1 INT could have been the deciding factor of this game. The Colts improve to 4-2 and will face a tough 4-2 Jags in Week 8 in what should be a very entertaining game. The Broncos seemed to have control of this game, but let it slip through their hands in the fourth. The Denver coaching will grill their players all through their bye week, and we can all count on a more well rounded performance from the Broncos in Week 9.

Texans (4-2) 34 - Chiefs (0-7) 17 Credit: JTconnolly

With the AFC south being one of the toughest divisions in the league and the Texans sitting in third place, they are approaching every game as if it where a playoff game. The Texans started slow but finished with a fury. After being down 17-10 after the first half, the Texans turned to their stand out TE Owen Daniels. Owen Daniels had 7 catches for 130 yards and 2 Tds, both coming in the second half. The reason Owens has able to get some room was the surprising threat of Steve Slaton. The last two games the Texans balance has improved. After the horrible game against Washington where Slaton rushed for 14 yards on 12 carries, he has been able to pick it up and put together back to back 100 yard rushing games. Slaton, in the past two weeks has rushed for 209 yards on 32 carries and 2 Td’s including a 107 yard and 1 Td performance against the Chiefs. If the Texans can keep the balance, they may be a force to reckon with in the AFC south. The defense came in with questions after trading away their star MLB DeMeco Ryans and the D’s first half performance was a little worrisome for the fans. After being ripped by the defensive coordinator at the half, the Texans D proved that their D and this trade were legit. Even though, Big Vince did not record a sack or tackle, his presence and energy was felt by the Texans fans and team as he led the D to a second half shutout.


The Chiefs after getting a new coach are still trying to figure out their player’s strengths and weaknesses. Even though the Chiefs lost this game, their first half performance was very promising. The second half was a different story as they could not put any points on the board but if they are able to put a full game together they will be a much more competitive team. Matt Cassel had an average day, completing 17 of 28 passes for 162 and 1 Td while Jamal Charles finished the day with 66 yards on 17 carries and 1Td.

The Chiefs will head to Oakland to face a very tough and competitive Raiders team and hope they can put together a full game that can mimic their first half performance against the Texans. The Texans head to Pittsburg to face a surprising winless Steelers team. The Texans should not take this game lightly because the Steelers are getting better and better each week and are looking to spoil the Texans playoff dreams.

Thanks, this has been JT with your game recap!!!