Hashmarks: Week 5 in Review

Week 5 was, to say it best, another example of why the NFL is so popular.  Close games and upsets were the theme of the day, as many Super Bowl contenders were forced to battle hard against seemingly inferior opponents, sometimes unsuccessfully.  Showing just how even the NFL is, there are no more undefeated teams this season.  This is the earliest this has happened since 1970, a far cry from the twin 13-0 starts by the Colts and Saints last year.  Let’s review some of the major storylines from an eventful weekend:

Last of the unbeatens

The Kansas City Chiefs were expected to be in rebuilding mode this year, but got off to a surprising 3-0 start thanks to big plays on special teams and unexpectedly strong play from their 2010 draft class.  They faced their biggest challenge coming off their week 4 bye, traveling to Indianapolis to face the AFC Champion Colts, who were angry following a last-second loss to Jacksonville that left them at 2-2.  Despite a valiant defensive effort, the Chiefs lost 19-9 to end their run as the best team in the league (in terms of winning percentage).  The defense played very well, limiting reigning MVP QB Peyton Manning to just 244 yards passing and the Colts to just 1 touchdown.  However, the Chiefs were unable to sustain any momentum on offense, and a couple of early gambles failed them.  Still, the Chiefs showed they could hang with one of the most successful teams of the past decade, and with their position atop the AFC West intact, they should continue to be a factor in the playoff race this season.

Late upsets to rock the establishment

The New Orleans Saints were licking their chops.  The defending Super Bowl champions were traveling to Arizona to face the Cardinals, who were reeling after being routed by San Diego in week 4.  To make matters worse, the Cardinals would be giving QB Max Hall, an undrafted rookie, his first NFL start.  By all accounts, this should have been an easy win for the Saints.  Instead, they were sent home licking their wounds after Arizona shocked them 30-20.  The Cardinals pulled off the upset despite not scoring a rushing or receiving TD, thanks to two fumbles recovered for TDs and a late pick-six.  The Saints’ offense has not been its normal explosive self, and at 3-2 they now stand a full game behind Atlanta in the NFC South.  Speaking of San Diego, they were riding high after their blowout win over the Cardinals, and were expected to follow suit against the Raiders, who they had beaten 13 straight times.  Instead, the Raiders pulled off an incredible upset, defeating the Chargers 35-27.  Despite gaining over 500 yards of offense, including 431 yards passing by QB Philip Rivers, the Chargers were done in by a string of mistakes, especially on special teams.  The Raiders blocked two punts in the first quarter alone, knocking one out of the end zone for a safety and returning the other for a TD.  The Chargers are now 1.5 games back of the Chiefs in the AFC West, and with the miscues piling up they will not have the easy path to the playoffs many analysts expected them to have this year.

We Want Carr!

The San Francisco 49ers have been mired in a slump all season, and firing their offensive coordinator didn’t seem to keep them from starting 0-4.  On Sunday night, the Niners were asked once again to try and salvage their season when they hosted the Philadelphia Eagles.  The Eagles were seemingly ripe for the taking, with QB Kevin Kolb back in the starting lineup thanks to a Michael Vick injury.  Unfortunately, multiple turnovers doomed the 49ers once again, and a late comeback fell just short in a 27-24 loss.  The lowlight came in the early fourth quarter, when embattled QB Alex Smith lost a fumble that was returned for a TD.  Heavy boos rained down on Smith, who proceeded to throw 3 incomplete passes on the next drive.  Following the last pass, chants of “We want Carr!” filled the stadium as the crowd demanded that backup QB David Carr, a former no.1 overall pick, replace Smith.  The crowd nearly got their wish, but Smith was able to talk coach Mike Singletary out of the move, and actually proceeded to throw 2 TDs to make the game close.  However, after a game-sealing INT, the 49ers now stand at 0-5, and it’s likely that Smith and Singletary will not survive the season.  It should be noted that team president Jed York said the team would make the playoffs this season, despite the 0-5 start.

The new defensive line

Various defensive linemen made some pretty spectacular interceptions over the weekend.  Detroit Lions DT Ndamukong Suh, the second overall pick in this year’s NFL Draft, recorded his first career INT in a 44-6 rout of the St. Louis Rams.  He tipped a pass at the line and caught the ball, returning it 20 yards to set up a fourth-quarter FG.  Not to be topped, Chicago Bears DE Julius Peppers, the biggest free-agency signing in the offseason, made his own tipped INT in a 23-6 win over the Carolina Panthers.  Deflecting a pass by Jimmy Clausen at the line, Peppers managed to dive for the ball while on the ground and catch it just before it hit the ground.  His INT also set up a FG, this time in the first quarter.  But no INT was more impressive than the one by Atlanta Falcons DE Kroy Biermann.  Nursing a 13-10 lead in the 4th quarter against the Cleveland Browns, Biermann jumped to deflect a Jake Delhomme pass.  Tracking the ball, he dove to make the INT just before the ball hit the ground.  But with no one touching him down, he managed to get to his feet and return the ball for a game-sealing TD, as the Falcons won 20-10.  Not all of these plays were crucial to the team’s victories.  But with the playmaking ability afforded by these defensive linemen, offenses will certainly have that much more to worry about.

Monday Night headlines galore

This edition of Hashmarks could have been written on the Vikings-Jets game alone.  The Jets were returning three important starters to the lineup, CB Darrelle Revis (hamstring), LB Calvin Pace (leg), and WR Santonio Holmes (suspension).  The Vikings had just traded for veteran WR Randy Moss, putting him in a Vikings uniform for the first time since 2005, and making him only the second player ever to appear on consecutive Monday night games.  Vikings QB Brett Favre was under fire late in the week after a Deadspin.com report revealed evidence that he sent lewd messages and committed other forms of sexual harassment while with the Jets in 2008.  The Vikings were trying to right the ship after a 1-2 start, while the Jets were looking to lay claim to the top of the AFC.  It all served as a great backdrop for a rainy Monday night matchup.  The Jets were able to hold off a 2nd-half rally by the Vikings for a 29-20 victory, during which Favre threw his 500th career TD pass and set the record for most fumbles lost.  Despite an underwhelming performance from the Jets offense, which was forced to settle for FGs on almost every drive into the red zone, they were able to pull off an important home win.  The Jets are now riding high at the top of the NFL, while the Vikings have to regroup quickly before their 1-3 start spirals out of control.

By: Rakibul Islam

Read more about sports at allmediany.com

About the Author

Rakibul Islam is a sports staff writer for AllMediaNY.com.

Rose Pillow Fight 48 tree

Forever Vienna (Deluxe) $11.19 All products are BRAND NEW and factory sealed. Fast shipping and 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed….

Canadian Art Songs $10.00 All products are BRAND NEW and factory sealed. Fast shipping and 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed….

The Songs of Frank Bridge $39.75 …

Black Belt Jones [VHS] $4.75 A kung-fu expert battles the Mafia to save his karate studio from mob redevelopment in Watts area of L.A….

Bullets and Saddles [VHS] $9.99 …

Kenneth Cole New York Women’s KC4745 Petite Chic Classic Square Case Watch $57.50 Gold tone stainless steel case includes a polished link bracelet. The convenient push button deployment clasp brings the band together. Classic white dial has complimentary gold tone hands and hour markers. The precise Quartz movement is protected by a scratch resistant mineral crystal. Water resistant….

Bayer 701100A 2-in-1 Systemic Rose & Flower Care Granules – 5 lb. $14.09 Gardens and flowers make your yard come to life with color and scent. Roses emit a luscious fragrant smell that elicits relaxation and emotional balance. Keeping your roses and other flowers healthy requires that they are kept free from bugs that see them as a delicious snack as well as protected from certain naturally occurring diseases. Now with Bayer Advanced 2 in 1 systemic rose & flower car…

Florene Calendars – Green Days Of Week On Formal Background – Light Switch Covers – double toggle switch $13.75 Green Days Of Week On Formal Background Light Switch Cover is new and handcrafted utilizing unique process resulting in a stunning high gloss ceramic-like finish. SET OF MATCHING SCREWS IS INCLUDED giving it a perfect finishing touch. Made of durable metal material….

The Biermanns Are Coming! $1.99 …

Bridesmaids (Two-Disc Blu-ray/DVD Combo in Blu-ray Packaging) $14.98 Kristen Wiig co-wrote and stars in this raunchy comedy from “Freaks and Geeks” creator Paul Feig. Romantically challenged and financially troubled, Annie (Wiig) tries to rise to the occasion when she’s tapped to be her best friend’s (Maya Rudolph) maid of honor. But will Annie’s competition with a controlling bridesmaid (Rose Byrne) bring the wedding plans crashing down? With Melissa McCarthy, Wen…