Week 8 Action Report

Week 8 is over and sweet sassy mo-lassy was it exciting! There were TWO user vs user Burlington Coat Factory Games of the Week, featuring the Patriots (Mark) against the Rams (Brandon), and the Saints (Bill) against the Chargers (Eric). Let’s see what happened:

NEW ENGLAND vs ST. LOUIS - Although this exciting matchup was criminally unbroadcasted anywhere but the NFL network (Brandon’s house), I’ve still got a decent rundown of the action.

St. Louis entered the game with a perfect (6-0) record, looking to face their biggest challenge yet in the (4-2) Patriots. This year’s Rams team has featured a balanced offense complimented by a solid defense with a ball-hawking secondary led by FS LaRon Landry. The Rams’ run defense ranked as one of the best in the league, a big plus when going up against the New England running duo of Marion Barber and Darren McFadden.

The Patriots under Coach USA have seen some incredible ups and downs this season. In the three games since their week 4 bye (in which Coach USA was apprehended by Albanian authorities), the Patriots were edged in a big game against the San Diego Chargers in week 6, but easily dismantled lesser opponents in weeks 5 and 7. Approaching another big matchup this week, speculation revolved around the possibility of laying the game on the shoulders of seldom used QB Joe Flacco, as they did against the Chargers. New England’s victories have come at the greater effect of their running game, split between big back Marion Barber and elusive sprinter Darren McFadden. Facing one of the league’s leading rush defenses, what would be Coach USA’s game plan?

Well, they ran the ball. The Patriots attack was a touch more balanced than in some weeks, but the offense still relied heavily on the Marion-Darion-Banana Connection. Although the Rams had some success stopping Barber, the McFadden changeup proved to be too much; McFadden finished the game with over 6 yards per carry.

The Rams continued to pursue a balanced attack against the Patriots, but neither passing nor running produced much success. TE Antonio Gates was the leading yardage receiver at the end of the day with a few big plays, but QB Jay Cutler was picked off three times, keeping the Rams from sustaining drives. HB Frank Gore was also ineffectual, rushing for under 40 yards in the game.

What looked to be anyone’s game turned out to be not even close, as the Patriots grabbed the Rams by the horns, 34-7.

NEW ORLEANS vs SAN DIEGO - The (6-1) Chargers brought their four game winning streak against a Saints team looking to snap a two game losing streak playing across the Adriatic in neutered site London, UK.

Neither team knew what to expect in terms of stadium atmosphere, so each coach hoped for an early score to sway the crowd. That score came in the form of a field goal for Saints Kicker, Stephen Gostkowski, probably a native Brit. The opening drive by the Saints lasted 4 minutes and was kept alive repeatedly by clutch play from HB Jones-Drew, TE Greg Olsen, and QB Philip Rivers. However, once the Saints found themselves in the redzone, the Chargers’ defense decided it was Tea Time and kept New Orleans out of the endzone.

With only a few seconds remaining in the 1st quarter, the Chargers offense went to work. Normally a pass-heavy (or pass-exclusive) offense, the Chargers again turned to HB Felix Jones when faced with a dangerous opponent. Another long drive consisting almost entirely of runs earned the Chargers a touchdown and the lead.

The 1st half saw a lot of defensive stands by both teams, but the Chargers were able to score once more to make it 14-3 heading into the 3rd quarter.

Both teams played conservative offense in the 1st half, not wanting to give the other team a short-field or a score on a turnover. That trend would continue into the 2nd half.

Midway through the half, the Saints put together another long drive and found themselves with 4th and 2 within the Chargers’ 10 yard-line. Deciding to go for it, the Saints handed to ball to Maurice Jones-Drew who carried the ball 3 yards for the first, giving New Orleans 1st and goal around the 5. San Diego was not able to resist them this time, and the Saints runners burned some extra petrol on their way to the endzone, making the score 14-10.

With most of the 4th quarter left to play, the Chargers continued to highlight the run game, hoping to burn enough time to put the game out of reach. Facing a long 3rd down and out of field goal range, the Chargers turned to QB David Garrard, who was able to scramble for the first and show the crowd how he’s been earning his crumpets all season. This key play allowed the Chargers to whittle the clock down, and San Diego scored a final touchdown just before time expired. The final score was a 21-10 in this very close, turnover-free game.

Both teams will spend an extra week in England during their week 9 byes, probably touring the Louvre or the Pyramids.

CLE (Mike) - Back in the homeland, the Cleveland Browns capsized the Jacksonville Jaguars, 42-23. The Browns remain the only undefeated team at (7-0) with this victory.

MIN (Sam) - Bye.

HOU (Brian) - Bye.

That’s it for week 8. As we move into week 9, we’ll start tracking the Pro Bowl Selection and Yearly Awards, so don’t forget to check!