42-17 Christmas Blow Out for the Chargers
Friday’s Christmas Day game for the San Diego Chargers and the Tennessee Titans was a big game for both teams. The Chargers wanted to get a first-round bye in the playoffs and the second seed in the AFC. But, standing in their way was the Tennessee Titans, who were trying to get into the playoffs themselves. Unfortunately for the Titans, Philip Rivers was on fire and lead the Chargers to victory. The Chargers beat the Titans 42-17.
Chargers quarterback, Philip Rivers, threw for 264-yards and two touchdown passes. Rivers lead the Chargers up and down the field against a tough Tennessee Titans defense. Rivers leadership also lead to six touchdowns for the Chargers. Two of those touchdowns were scored by LaDainian Tomlinson and other three were scored by Darren Sproles. Of course, three turnovers by Titans quarterback, Vince Young, did not help the Titans at all.
If the Tennessee Titans are going to be in the playoffs next year, Vince Young needs to play better than he did in this game. He cannot turn the ball over because it can be very costly and it was for the Titans in this game. The key for the Titans when they play against a high scoring offense, like the Chargers, is that they need to keep that offense off the field. And, by using running back, Chris Johnson, they can do it. But, even though Chris Johnson had 142-yards rushing, the Titans did not control the clock. They left too much time for Philip Rivers and the Chargers offense to do what they do best, scoring touchdowns.
For the San Diego Chargers, the earned the second seed in the AFC and more important, a first-round bye. The Chargers are on fire right now. They have now won 10 straight game and are looking for more against Washington next week and in the playoffs. But, not everything is great for the San Diego Chargers. On defense, the Chargers pass rush needs to be better. They don’t have to sack the opposing quarterback all the time, but they do need to put pressure on the QB to make him turn the over, like they did to Vince Young on Friday. Lets see if the Chargers can keep the winning streak going.
(Sources: Fox Sports, ESPN)
Bad Decisions by Belichick and Adams
A couple of bad decisions were made on Sunday. One, cost a team the game and the other, lost money for an owner. New England Patriots coach, Bill Belichick, made a big and wrong decision that should have been a easy decision. And for Tennessee Titans owner, Bud Adams, there is a right way to celebrate and then there is the wrong way to celebrate for an NFL owner.
When you need just two yards to get a first down and win a game, in most cases, you go for the win. However, when you are on your own 28-yard line with two minutes left on the clock, you need to punt the ball. Let your defense win the game for you. But, New England Patriots coach, Bill Belichick, decided to go for it on fourth down and the Patriots failed to pickup the first down. The Colts were able to get the ball back. From there, Indianapolis Colts quarterback, Peyton Manning, was able to move the Colts towards the goal line. The Colts won the game 35-34, when Manning threw a touchdown pass to wide-receiver, Reggie Wayne. Bill Belichick decision lost a game for the Patriots, but at least he did lose any money, like Titans owner, Bud Adams.
As a owner of a football team, when your team wins, you should be happy and celebrating with friends, family, members of your organization and your fans. But, you should not be making an obscene gestures to opposing fans. However, that is what Tennessee Titans owner, Bud Adams, did following the Titans victory over the Buffalo Bills. It might have felt good at the time, but you got to remember who you are and what you represent as an owner of the NFL. That doesn’t set a good example for kids and NFL fans in general. The NFL fined Bud Adams $250,000 for his obscene gesture. Hopefully Bud Adams has learned is lesson and how to celebrate the right way.
(Sources: ESPN)
The Kickoff to the 2009 NFL Season Has Begun
For NFL football fans, this is the most exciting time of the year, the start of the 2009 NFL Season. Thursday nights game featured the defending Super Bowl Champions, Pittsburgh Steelers vs. the Tennessee Titans. This game was a defensive struggle and would eventually go into overtime. The Pittsburgh Steelers would win 13-10.
Even though the Steelers got the victory, they lost Troy Polamalu due to a sprain to the medial collateral ligament in his left knee on a blocked field goal. He will be out 3 to 6 weeks according to coach Mike Tomlin. In the end, the Titans were unable to stop Ben Roethlisberger, who threw for 363-yards and would lead the Steelers down the field for the game winning filed goal in overtime.
The rest of the NFL starts play on Sunday. It’s awesome to see football again. Lets get it on!
(Sources: NFL.com, ESPN)
Steve McNair will be missed
On July 4th, former Tennessee Titans and Baltimore Ravens quarterback, Steve McNair was killed as a result of a murder-suicide committed by his 20-year old girlfriend, Sahel Kazemi. Police said that Sahel shot McNair four times before turning the gun on herself. Although Steve McNair was married, Sahel suspected that McNair was seeing another woman. Sahel also had increasing financial issues, which may have been added motivation for the shootings, but most likely remain unknown.
Steve McNair player 13 seasons in the NFL. McNair played 11 years for the Tennessee Titans and played the last two seasons for the Baltimore Ravens before retiring in 2008. McNair shared the NFL MVP award with Peyton Manning in 2003. Steve McNair also lead the Tennessee Titans to their only Super Bowl appearance in 2000.
On Thursday, a memorial was held where McNair’s casket was on display at Mount Zion Baptist Church. Family, friends, former teammates and fans were all there to view McNair’s closed casket and to show their respects. Several former teammates spoke at the memorial, but Titans coach Jeff Fisher said it best, “…I’m going to miss you No. 9.”
Steve McNair will be surely missed. A funeral for Steve McNair will be held on Saturday in Mississippi. McNair leaves behind a wife and four children. Steve McNair was 36. Rest in Peace, Steve McNair.
(Sources: ESPN)
Turnovers End Giants, Titans, and Panthers Season
Whether it was fumbles, interceptions or not converting on 4th down situations, this past weekend was bad timing for turnovers. For the New York Giants, Tennessee Titans and Carolina Panthers, turning the ball over during the playoffs ended their dreams of being Super Bowl Champions. All these teams worked hard to gain a bye in the playoffs, but it did not matter as a result of the turnovers.
For the defending Super Bowl Champions New York Giants, even though Eli Manning did throw two interceptions in their lost to the Philadelphia Eagles that was not the major factor that doomed them. The Giants inability to get the 1st down when they tried to go for it on 4th down was very costly. The Eagles stop them a couple of times in the 4th quarter and would then capitalize by scoring a touchdown and then eventually winning the game.
As for the Tennessee Titans, they lost only 3 games all season, but the curial turnovers by the Titans would lead to Baltimore Raves 13-10 victory. Titians quarterback, Kerry Collins, had a costly fumble when the Titans were driving in the 2nd quarter. Later in the quarter, Kerry Collins threw an interception that could had lead to points for the Titans. Towards the end of the 2nd quarter, Titans running back, LenDale White, would also fumble the football, which gave the Titans no chance of getting any points in that quarter. The final turnover that was very costly for Titans was when Alge Crumple fumble the ball at the 5-yard line when the Titans looked like they were going to score. Without these turnovers, the Titans could have scored several times, but it was not meant to be.
Finally for the Carolina Panthers, coming into their game against the Arizona Cardinals, the main issue was if the Cardinals were going to able to handle the Panthers offense, but it was the Panthers that had the issues. The Panthers main issues was their turnovers, especially during crucial times in the game by Panthers quarterback Jake Delhomme. Jake Delhomme threw five interceptions, which helped lead to the Cardinals victory. After falling behind, the Panthers tried to get back into this game, but interceptions stopped any chance of that happening and they would lose 33-13 to the Cardinals.
Now, as these teams looked back, they had a great season, but their mistakes in the playoffs will haunted them until next season. Tough break for Giants, Titans and Panthers to gain home field advantage and a first round bye and have it all end in one game. These teams should be back next year, hopefully for them, next time, it will be their opponents that make the mistakes.
Chiefs No Match for Undefeated Titans
The rushing attack of LenDale White and Chris Johnson was unstoppable against the Kansas City Chiefs. The Tennessee Titans were in control of this game from the beginning. The Titans would win the game 34-10. Tough game for starting quarterback Brodie Croyle, who was injured in this game. The Kansas City Chiefs would also lose their backup QB Damon Huard due to an injured as well.
For the Kansas City Chiefs, not having Larry Johnson in the line-up due to being suspended by the team, did not help. Tony Gonzales had six catches for 97 yards, but not enough big plays by the Chiefs on both sides of the ball and constant pressure by the Tennessee would doom the Chiefs. The Tennessee Titans will try to remain undefeated against the Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts. As for the Chiefs, they will try to stop Bret Farve and the New York Jets. The Chiefs cannot play like they did in this game because if they do, then Bret Farve will have a field day with the Chiefs defense. Will the Kansas Chiefs stop the bleeding and get a win, we shall see.