Chiefs lose first game
The dog days of the football season are quickly approaching. All teams had high hopes entering into the season, but for some, it’s time to start playing for pride. After week five, every team in the NFL has now suffered at least one loss.
Unbeaten No More
The last of the unbeaten teams suffered its first lost in week five when Kansas City Chiefs fell to the Indianapolis Colts 19-9. Despite losing, the Chiefs defense played well against Peyton Manning, holding him under 300 yards passing and not letting him throw a touchdown. The game was tied 9-9 going into the fourth quarter as the two teams exchanged field goals through three quarters. With 4:02 left in the game, Colts running back Mike Hart scored the game’s only touchdown to give the Colts the edge.
BYU Alum Shines
Undrafted former BYU quarterback Max Hall won in his debut against the defending Super Bowl champs, the New Orleans Saints. The Arizona Cardinals put up 30 points against the Saints even though they never scored a passing or rushing touchdown in the game. Hall had a fumble on the two yard line that was picked up and carried in for a touchdown by Cardinal’s left tackle Levi Brown in the second quarter. Then in the fourth quarter, the Cardinals scored twice on defense – First on a 27-yard fumble recovery return by Kerry Rhodes, and later on Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie’s 28 yard pick six. Jay Feely had three field goals in the 30-20 win.
Southern Watch
One division to keep an eye on is the AFC South. After week five, all of the South teams have records of 3-2. As of right now, the Houston Texans and the Jacksonville Jaguars stand at top of the division due to their 1-0 division records. The Indianapolis Colts currently sit in third place because of an 0-2 record in the division. In fourth place are the Tennessee Titans because they haven’t played anyone in their division yet.
The two surprises in the division have to be the Jaguars and the Colts. The Jaguars have two good wins against the Denver Broncos and the Colts. Not many would have predicted the Jaguars to have a winning record after five weeks. Even though they have the same record, things don’t look quite as good for the Colts. The Colts are doing just fine against teams that are not in the AFC South, with teams in their own division giving the team fits. With the Colts struggling in Division play, the conference division is wide open for the first time in years.
Still Looking For That First Win
In week five, the Detroit Lions got off of the win-less list and the Detroit Lions in a 44-6 blowout over the St. Louis Rams. That leaves three teams looking for their first win: the Carolina Panthers, Buffalo Bills and San Francisco 49ers. Two of those teams – the Panthers and Bills – will have to wait until week seven to look for that first win since they will have a week six bye. Former Ute and current 49ers quarterback Alex Smith’s leash is getting shorter and shorter in San Francisco, with 49ers head coach Mike Singletary saying he’ll evaluate Smith’s status on a week-to-week basis heading forward.
Week Six Storylines
Heading into this week’s action, one thing to keep an eye on is the investigation by the NFL into an alleged incident with Vikings quarterback Brett Favre. Favre may have sent racy photos and messages to a female Jet’s employee when he played for the Jets two years ago. The NFL has put the Favre investigation on the fast track and depending on what they find, it could lead to a suspension.
As far as field action in week six, the game to keep an eye on will be the Baltimore Ravens’ visit to the New England Patriots. Through five weeks, the Ravens look like one of the best teams in the league. The Ravens have a strong defense, but their one weakness this year is their defensive backs having to play without safety Ed Reed. Also, It will be interesting to see how the Patriots offense will look without wide receiver Randy Moss, who was traded to the Vikings last week. In a separate trade this week, the Patriots reacquired wide receiver Deion Branch from the Seattle Seahawks, but the veteran may not prove to be the deep threat Moss was. New England does still have Tom Brady and he is the engine that makes the Patriot’s offense go. Because of this, the matchup to watch will be the Raven defense against the Patriot offense.
– jake.ipson@aggiemail.usu.edu