Can the Dallas Cowboys upset the Atlanta Falcons and get an early lead in the first half?

Nothing much happening for the Falcons on their first possession and they go 3 and out and then punt the ball to Dallas. The Cowboys are in a must win position in the season.

Even though they manage to get a good run back and get deep into Falcon territory, a bit of pressure on Tony Romo quarterback for Dallas and he is unable to convert the third down and Dallas takes the field goal and the early lead in the game. Score 3 to 0.

A great catch by Julio Jones and the Falcons make a big play and gets to mid field. Then they turn a short pass into another first down and they are in Dallas territory in a few plays. The Cowboy defense makes a good play and stops them from converting the 3rd down. Well within striking distance of field goal and the kick is missed.

If Dallas can now have a good drive and get into the end zone on the next possession they can
extend their early lead and have quite a bit of momentum going into the 2nd quarter. Then after a face mask penalty they get set back. Then a huge pass play by Tony Romo to Dunbar and they are deep in Falcon territory again. Once again unable to convert they take the field goal and their lead is extended to 6 to 0.

It’s starting to look more and more like Atlanta will no longer be the undefeated team after tonights game. The Dallas defense is showing Atlanta why they are currently rated one of the best defenses in the league. They have managed to quite often hold Atlanta to short yardage. Once again they force them to take the field goal on this drive and the score now stands at Atlanta 3 to Dallas 6.

Dallas now has another chance to get into the end zoneand we are 1 minute into the second quarter. Dallas really must convert on this drive and they will have a more solid handle on the half.

And a holding call on Atlanta defense gets an interception called back so Dallas keeps the ball and Atlanta loses the chance on a big play that could have stopped this drive. The next play is also almost intercepted in the end zone. The third down play is broken up and the 54 yard field goal is missed so Atlanta gets the ball back with good field position.

A big sack on Matt Ryan and the ball is forced loose but luckily Atlanta recovered the ball. Again the Falcons can not convert on the drive and they punt the ball back to Dallas.

Even though Romo had to start with the ball on about the 2 yard line a few plays later and they get the first down. And with a combination of short passes and runs in the mixture they have a few first downs and are at mid field.

Another missed opportunity for Dallas and they have to punt the ball. Then under pressure of the clock with only a minute to go in the half and Atlanta gets the first down and Atlanta is getting close to mid field with another first down.

They actually get another first down on the 48 and get a pass to the 28 yard line and use their last time out and have 3 seconds left on the clock, just enough to make a field goal. Atlanta makes the field goal and we have tied score at the half.

A close 2nd half in the NY Giants vs Pittsburgh Steelers week 9 football game

A great kick return of more than 60 yards and the Steelers start the half with good field position. Good coverage from the Giants defense and they stop the Steelers from getting deep enough to get any points and NY has a great opportunity to extend the lead.

Unable to get a touchdown the Giants take a 50 yard field goal and take the score to 17 to 10 giving them a touchdown lead.

Making a bad decision under heavy pressure and to avoid getting sacked he throws another interception and Eli Manning will get the ball back with decent field position about mid way through the third quarter.

And NY gets another field goal just before the 3rd quarter ends and takes the lead to more than a touchdown with the score at 20 to 10.

Now more than ever Roethlisberger needs to protect the football better and not get picked even if he is forced to throw under pressure. I look for him to scramble for the first down possibly in an attempt to keep better control.

They are doing just that and when the third quarter ends they are carefully and patiently moving down field using the short pass and accessing their running game in small pieces. Then a short pass to Mike Wallace and he breaks a tackle and runs it in for the touchdown. This puts Pittsburgh back in to the game and the score is Steelers 17 to Giants 20.

The Steeler defense steps up when they most had to and shut down the drive and sack Eli Manning on the 3rd down forcing a punt. this was only the 2nd sack of the game and only the 7th time Manning has been sacked this year.

Then on the punt return Emmanuel Sanders gets a 63 yard return and Pittsburgh have the ball on the NY 13 and are well within scoring distance. The Giants break up the 3rd down play and force them to attempt the field goal.

And instead of the Steelers making the kick and getting the tie score, they attempt the fake and the Giants defense sense the play and break it up and stop them from getting a first down. This will end up being a big play and may have kept Pittsburgh from winning the football game.

The Steelers defense forces a 3 and out and the Giants punt the ball again. Keeping the Giants defense off balance a bit this drive and they mix it up with a few running plys up the center and some short passes and they get in for the score. The Steelers get the lead back and the score is 24 to 20 with roughly 4 minutes left in the game.

Rather than get the 3rd down conversion on the drive Pittsburgh manages to stop the NY and they punt the ball. If the Steelers can get at least one first down on the ground and hold on to the ball they will keep the lead and be in a position to run down the clock and win the game.

They hit them for a short loss in the second down and force them to throw the ball but Roethlisberger hits his man and gets the first down and the Giants use their last time out. On the next play Pittsburgh runs the ball and gets the first down and we are at the two minute warning.

Pittsburgh still has the ball, has a first down and NY is out of time outs. This game has actually turned around and was won within the 4th quarter. The final score in the game Pittsburgh 24 to NY 20.

I know I picked the Giants to win here, but this was a really fun football game to watch.

A close 1st half in NY Giants vs Pittsburgh Steelers football game

Off to a slow start which is somewaht normal for NY and they need to punt on their first possession. Taking a NY bounce off the kick and Pittsburgh will have their forst drive starting form their own 2 yard line.

Ben Roethlisberger quarterback for the Steelers has put together a decent drive and gets the Steelers to the 30 or so giving him more room to manuver but on the next play the Giants sack him for a loss. They then shortly thereafter have to punt so each team has had one drive with no score.

Another trade in possessions and NY stops Pittsburgh again and we still have a no score game with the Giants to get the ball back. But cornerback Ike Taylor makes a great play for the Steelers defense and gets his first inteception of the season and Pittsburgh will get the ball back.

Then a run right up the center gets them great field position. And the quarter ends scoreless with Pittsburgh possessing the ball.

Then after a total of 11 plays on the drive the Steelers are the first to get into the end zone and put the points up with a score standing at 7 to 0.

A bit of a better drive by the Giants this possession and they end up getting a first down inside the 10. A personal foul penalty on 3rd down gives them another chance and they get in on a short run on the next down and get the touchdown. The game is tied at 7 each with just over 6 minutes left in the first half.

Then suddenly on a pass play by Roethlisberger instead of an incomplete pass the Giants scoop up the ball and run it in for a touchdown. Even after the officials review the play the call on the field stands and NY gets the touchdown and have a 7 point lead over the Steelers with the score at 14 to 7.

The score is still 14 to 7 when we get the 2 minute warning and the Steelers have the ball with good field position after having just converting a 4th and short. They can not turn it into any points so the Giants get the ball back with just over 1 minute left and 2 time outs in the half.

They miss a field goal just before the end of the half and Pittsburgh gets the ball back with approximately 30 seconds left.

Using the hurry up offense they make a few quick plays and get within kicking distance and just make the kick and take the field goal points amking it a 10 to 14 point game at the end of the half with NY in the lead.

Second half Miami Dolphins vs Indianapolis Colts week 9

Neither team able to convert on their first possession of the half and the Dolphins get the ball back with another chance to extend their current lead against the Colts.

The Colts defense seems to be coming alive a little better this quarter and manage to stop the Miami defense deep in their own territory and force them to punt. The score still stands at 17 to 13.

This time around Indy does a good job and makes a throw that could have been intercepted but was not and the Colts get the touchdown. The score is now 20 to 17 and the Colts lead for the first time in the football game.

Early in the 4th quarter and Miami is stopped for getting a touchdown once again but they manage to get the field goal. This ties up the game with a score of 20 to 20.

The Colts quarterback Andrew Luck has been very effective in converting 3rd and long and he does so again on this drive. A couple of really good plays and they get into Dolphin end of the field but they are stopped and forced to take the field goal. This gives the lead back to Indianapolis at 23 to 20 with just under 6 minutes left in the game.

Possibly one of the most important drives of the game for Miami and they falter a bit before they are able to get into their opponents territory and they must punt the ball with a little over 3 minutes left on the clock.

The Colts must control the ball as well as the clock and protect the ball. They do not convert and must punt the football. Miami has just over 2 minutes to score and tie it up or go for the win.

At the 2 minute warning Miami has just made it to mid field. Both teams have 2 time outs left so this game has played out to be exciting and close right up until the end.

With 1 minute 30 plus seconds left on the clock a holding call on 4th and 15 against Miami gives the ball back to the Colts. Unless the Dolphins defense can make a big play the Colts have the game won.

You gotta give kudos to Andrew Luck the Colts quarterback. For a rookie this guy played a great game. In fact he now has the rookie record of 433 passing yards.

The Indianapolis Colts win the game with a 23 to 20 score.

First half Miami Dolphins vs Indianapolis Colts week 9

Not much scoring activity early in the game but the Dolphins are first with points on the board with a field goal midway through the first quarter and the score goes to 3 to 0.

A nice drive by the Colts this possession and they have gotten a first down in Dolphin territory. They go for a deep pass and although incomplete it draws the flag and get the first down and it’s first and goal at the 10.

The Colts make the play on 3rd down and get the completion in the end zone and put the points up and take the lead back from Miami. The score is 7 to 3 Colts lead.

The Dolphins very quickly get back into Colts terrirtory early in the second quarter and are threatening to score again. And they do just that with a 31 yard pass to Charles Clay and the Dolphins get back on top with a score of 10 to 7.

The Colts answer with a great play and a pass to Shawn Smith in double coverage and he makes the grab and gets the completion and they are in Miami territory. Miami is able to stop them this drive and the Colts take the field goal and it is now a tied game with just over 9 minutes left in the first half.

Well it’s a back and forth game on points and the Dolphins get back into the end zone again. They have managed to score on each possession so far today and take the lead back at 17 to 10.

The Colts have the ball and just over 4 minutes to go in the quarter to even the score back up before the end of the half. Indianapolis did make it to mid field but miami is able to stop them and they miss a 54 yard field goal.

Miami is set to get the ball back just before the two minute warning. Each team has 2 time outs left. Good defense from the Colts and they broke up a 3rd down play by the Dolphins and force them to punt for the first time in the game. Indianapolis still has time outs and roughly a minute plus to get into scoring distance.

They are unable to get a touchdown but do manage to get into field goal range and take the points from a 47 yard field goal. The half time score is 17 to 13 with Miami in the lead.

Will the Favorite Green Bay Packers win against the Arizona Cardinals?

The simple answer is they are just playing better football.

Comparing the two quarterbacks you can see fairly simply that Aaron Rodgers, quarterback for the Packers has more potential to have an explosive game and put points on the board. He has been having a good season and the Packers have won the past few games.

When you compare that to the fact that the Cardinals have lost the last 3 games then the momentum is clearly on Green Bay’s side.

You might be asking at this point, “What about quarterback Kevin Kolb and his receivers Andre Roberts and Larry Fitzgerald for the Cardinals?” Yes I agree they have some potential and it’s true that Kolb is now over 1100 yards passing, but Kolb is still out this week due to a rib injury. At the present time it is not known when he will return this season.

That means that Arizona will have to rely on the backup quarterback John Skelton. His percentage the past 2 games has been reasonable, but this is his 3rd season and I just don’t think he has shown he has what it takes to make the big plays against the Packers defense.

I think that outside line backer for the Packers; Clay Matthews and company, D.J. Smith, Tramon Williams, Sam Sheilds and the rest of the defensive line will just be too much for Skelton and he will be hurried and be forced to make passing decisions on the move and make key mistakes and the incompletes will mount up early in the game.

It’s also true the the Packers have had hurt players to deal with. Some of their top receivers are out due to injuries. Greg Jennings is out due to having surgery on a hamstring injury and Jordy Nelson has not been practicing the past few days so it is not known if he will play on Sunday. This is not good but luckily the Packers have other receivers to go to such as Randall Cobb and James Jones.

In fact I think the Green Bay will take an early lead in the first half of the football game and will hold that lead throughout the entire game.

I think the biggest threat to the Packers offense will be a combination of the blitz and trying to force Rodgers into making mistakes in hopes to force an interception or at least incomplete passes. This will not be easy for them since Rodgers handles himself well both in and out of the pocket, it will be up to his receivers to make the plays.

Although it may take a possession or two to get the rythym down I see the Packers with a clear win over the Cardinals and see no reason why they would have too much trouble making the point spread. Last I checked this was sitting with Green Bay as 10 point favorites and although this is a bit overly confident I think they will make this.