"The Stack" 10-24-16
The Eagles defense smothered Vikings quarterback Sam Bradford all day Sunday handing the Vikings their first loss of the season 21-10.
James Lang-USA TODAY Sports
Dolphins running back Jay Ajayi ran for 204 yards, his second consecutive game rushing for over 200 yards as the Dolphins beat the Bills 28-25.
Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
Colts kicker Adam Vinatieri set a record with 43 consecutive field goals made (not in one game...that would be a record). He and Andrew Luck helped the Colts beat the Titans 34-26.
Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
The Stack is back on this Monday and there are no undefeated teams remaining in the NFL. Our worst fears came true yesterday as the Minnesota Vikings, particular their offensive line played a dreadful game and lost the Philadelphia Eagles 21-10. What else happened in week 7? Time to get to some reaction and recap week 7 in the NFL in “the stack” for today, Monday, October 24th:
New York Giants 17 Los Angeles 10
The Giants once again got off to a slow start spotting the Rams an early ten points, but their defense, which had three takeaways on the season coming into the game went to work. They picked off Case Keenum four times and brought one interception back for a touchdown. An interception on a miscommunication between Keenum and Brandon Quick sealed the game.
Cincinnati 31 Cleveland 17
Can the Browns keep a quarterback healthy this season? Cody Kessler left the game and Kevin Hogan finished up. Guess that is what happens when you have as young a team as the Browns do. Doesn’t seem to be a winning formula when you can’t keep your guys happy. That and giving up big plays like Jeremy Hill’s touchdown run and A.J. Green’s Hail Mary grab to end the first half.
Detroit 23 Washington 20
Congrats Zach Zenner (former SDSU Jackrabbit) who scored the first touchdown of his NFL career. After Washington took the lead it was Matthew Stafford who showed his clutch gene once again with a last minute drive the ended with a touchdown pass to Anquan Boldin. Another big comeback win for the Lions.
Oakland 33 Jacksonville 16
The Raiders should request every game be played in the 1 PM ET/Noon CT window. They are 4-0 now in the central and eastern time zone following a very convincing win over the Jaguars. Blake Bortles was bad for the Jaguars while Raiders were better in all three phases. These team is the real deal and next week they get to play in the eastern time zone again against the Buccaneers.
Kansas City 27 New Orleans 21
The Chiefs defense once again got a pick six and though Drew Brees had over 300 yards passing and three touchdowns, the Chiefs were just slightly better and able to hang on for the win. This is going to be an exciting race in the AFC West between them, the Raiders and the Broncos.
Miami 28 Buffalo 25
Jay Ajayi has awoken. The Dolphins running back ran for over 200 yards for the second consecutive week joining only a handful of other running backs every to do that. They would be O.J. Simpson, Earl Campbell and Ricky Williams The Bills lost LeSean McCoy in this game to a hamstring injury (he had one going into the game) and the Dolphins overcame an eleven point deficit to come back and beat the Bills. There is no quit in this Dolphins team, at least not yet.
New York Jets 24 Baltimore 16
It looked like the Jets were going to lose this game in Jet-like fashion this season with that botched snap that the Ravens returned for a touchdown. Then Geno Smith got hurt and Ryan Fitzpatrick came in and while he wasn’t spectacular he didn’t throw an interception. The Jets relied on Matt Forte who had 100 yards on 30 carries and a touchdown and he also added a touchdown reception as the Jets handed the Ravens their fourth straight loss.
Philadelphia 21 Minnesota 10
These two teams came into the league one and two respectively in turnovers committed throughout the season. They had five consecutive turnovers combined in the first quarter. The Vikings offensive line was a disaster and the Eagles took advantage of it all day. Vikings quarterback Sam Bradford was constantly under duress and the Vikings squandered multiple opportunities inside the red zone. If Andrew Sendejo had taken his interception to the outside he would have scored a touchdown, wouldn’t have gotten injured and this would have been a completely different game. As it was though, the Eagles played much better than the Vikings and deserved the victory. This will serve as a wakeup call for the Vikings.
Indianapolis 34 Tennessee 26
Colts kicker Adam Vinatieri has made NFL history. The greatest kicker in the history of the NFL (and former SDSU Jackrabbit) has now made 43 consecutive field goals after the two he booted through were successful in Nashville. He keeps getting better with age. Andrew Luck was pretty good in this one too with over 300 yards through the air and three touchdowns. Good bounce back win for the Colts after their heartbreaking loss last week in Houston.
San Diego 33 Atlanta 30
The Falcons weren’t supposed to come back home after two good showings against tough teams in the Denver Broncos and Seattle Seahawks and blow a 17-point fourth quarter lead. That just shouldn’t happen. It did in this one though. The Falcons defense was not great and Matt Ryan threw an interception to help the Chargers mount a comeback. Melvin Gordon scored three touchdowns (two on the ground and one receiving) though this game might have ended in regulation had Falcons kicker Matt Bryant been able to make his 58-yard field goal. It just missed. The Falcons went for it on fourth down in overtime and couldn’t convert and the Chargers kicked a game-winning field goal. They only play close and entertaining games.
Tampa Bay 34 San Francisco 17
Thought the 49ers might be able to pull off an upset here, but their run defense was absolutely atrocious as Jacquizz Rodgers ran for 154 yards and some guy named Peyton Barber added 84 yards on the ground too as the Bucs helped put away the 49ers. Colin Kaepernick was okay in this one and he is far from the only problem with the 49ers. This team is a disaster.
New England 27 Pittsburgh 16
No Ben Roethlisberger was a bit of a problem for the Pittsburgh Steelers. While Landry Jones wasn't terrible he wasn't tremendous either. The Steelers defense had some issues stopping LaGarrette Blount who had a big day rushing the football and scored a couple of touchdowns. With the bye coming up, Steelers fans have to be hoping that Roethlisberger is able to come back soon after that.
Seattle 6 Arizona 6
Not really sure what to say about this one. The Cardinals will be kicking themselves (literally and figuratively) and after all of the missed opportunities in this one. They dominated this game in terms of a yardage stand point, but their field goal unit was terrible. They had one blocked, missed one field goal in OT after running back David Johnson apparently didn’t get in the endzone. Then Stephen Hauschka missed a chip shot field goal with little time remaining in overtime. What?!
Houston Texans @ Denver Broncos 8:30 PM ET ESPN
The Texans have shown that they aren’t ready to beat the really good teams on the road yet this season (see New England and Minnesota as prime examples). It’s not going to change in Brock Osweiler’s return to Denver. Trevor Siemian gets the better of Osweiler and the Texans.
Prediction: Broncos 20 Texans 9
Coming up Tuesday: MNF reaction plus other top stories in the sports world.
