0 Monday Night Showdown ended with an injury filled game as the Eagles run over the Redskins. Posted by DieHardFans | at 4:42 AM

Monday night, in front of a national-TV audience, Washington simply went through the motions. Physical mistakes, lack of talent, bad breaks all this is forgivable. Half-hearted efforts aren't, especially when a team is playing for an embattled head coach. And the Washington Redskins, now 2-5 on the season, are fooling themselves if they think they gave all they could against the Eagles.



The Eagles made a move at the trade deadline for Rams linebacker Will Witherspoon. And that move paid off right away on Monday night, as the vet had a pick six as well as a forced fumble in the team’s 27-17 win over the Washington Redskins at FedEx Field. “You can’t expect to get a sack, cause a fumble, turnover, and interception for touchdown—whatever,” Witherspoon said. “It’s like, ‘What? Who in their right mind would think that in their first game?’ But when it comes down to it, it happened.” Donovan McNabb Eagles QB completed 15 of 25 passes for 156 yards, getting his 200th touchdown pass and surpassing 30,000 yards passing for his career. Most of the highlights on both sides of the ball came in the first half, as the Eagles led 27-10 at halftime.

The Philadelphia Eagles defense also took it to Washington’s banged up offensive line and QB Jason Campbell, as they forced six sacks, four total fumbles and a pick. Campbell was 29-for-43 for 284 yards with two TD’s and an interception. The makeshift offensive line again failed to protect Campbell or create room for Clinton Portis, who rushed for only 43 yards and at one point chucked his helmet on the sideline in frustration. About the only bad thing for the Eagles was early in the game when running back Brian Westbrook left in the first quarter with a concussion. His status is still uncertain until further test results.

Coach Andy Reid said he expects Westbrook to recover fully but wasn’t certain whether his star running back will play next week play against the Giants at home on Sunday.

0 Giant stumble at home as they embraced a loss against the Cards... Posted by DieHardFans | at 3:45 AM

The New York Giants spent the week shrugging off the last week’s loss and promised to be better this week at home against the Cardinals as it was a ‘Get Right” game. The defense promised more blitzing and less trepidation. The offense promised to be sharper. To a man, the Giants were certain they'd come up with a big win Sunday night over the reigning NFC champs... and then they lost.

The Cardinals played their own style of takeaway on Sunday night at the Meadowlands against the Giants, stunning the big blue with a 24-17 win. It’s the third straight win on the road for the Cards. They stopped Giants QB Eli Manning all night, forcing four Giants turnovers, including two on their last two possessions as Ahmad Bradshaw fumbled and then Manning threw a pick after the Giants appeared to be driving towards what could have been the tying score.“Tonight,”, “we definitely fed off our defense” said Kurt Warner who was 20-for-36 for 231 yards with a touchdown to running back Jason Wright that put the team up 24-14 with 2:32 left in the third quarter.

The Cards were outgained by New York 327 to 288 in the passing dept., but the turnovers by Manning helped the birds take advantage of the chances they were given. Safety Adrian Wilson had an interception and a fumble recovery, Antrel Rolle picked off Manning to seal the win for Arizona. The Arizona Cardinals (4-2) scored 17 straight points from the end of the second quarter to late in the third quarter to go up 10 points at 24-14, putting all the pressure on Manning and the Giants offense.

Arizona spent most of the night taking advantage of great field position. They had three touchdown drives that went no farther than 55 yards, taking advantage of field position via poor punting and turnovers. Their drives of 46, 55, and 20 yards were enough to hand the Giants their second straight loss to drop them to 5-2 after a 5-0 start. The Cards are now by themselves in the NFC West, a game up on the 49ers. Next week they host the Carolina Panthers (2-4). It's all part of a weird and surprisingly substandard vibe the Giants are giving off the past couple of weeks.

After two years as a dominant NFC force, they have looked lately like a team that still has a ways to go before we can call it a Super Bowl contender.

0 Defense steps up a notch as the Steelers sweep the Vikings of their Feet... Posted by DieHardFans | at 12:42 AM

Steelers defense storms past Vikings to steal a convincing win!

It may have been a long time coming, but the infamous Steelers defense, and their trade mark big-play, has finally paid off. The side came out victors on Sunday afternoon, after a hard fought game in Heinz Field.



They cruised back to form, stopping the Vikings in their tracks with a pair of huge fourth quarter plays in a 27-17 win to move to 5-2. It was the first time since 1998 that the defense had scored two TD’s in a game. The points were crucial, as the first made it 20-10, whilst the second sealed the win to make it 27-17. Favre threw an important pass that Chester Taylor couldn’t contain. It bounced off his face and shoulder pads, falling directly into the Pittsburgh Steelers laps. Before they were unable to say “we’re still undefeated” the game was over.

They achieved not one, but two defensive touchdowns in the last six minutes! The Minnesota Vikings made up important yards, and controlled the time of possession. However, it was those key plays that proved to be the final nail in an imminent coffin for the Vikings. They have certainly improved their pass rush defense and secondary play and it is certainly safe to say that the offensive balance between Favre’s vertical passing attack and Peterson’s ground game is bang on!

However, the critics have been out in full force of late, many accusing the Vikings of giving up throwing away important touchdowns. The Vikings don’t appear to be lacking in discipline on the training pitch, but the results appear to be disagree.

They may well be looking at the blip as a blessing in disguise. It is the difference between being good, and being elite. With a little more concentration and hard work, the boys may still pull through this season!

0 Favre making his presence felt as the Vikings(6-0) considered super special going into Week 7! Posted by DieHardFans | at 11:43 PM

The Minnesota Vikings have been through a number of “special” moments. The 98 Vikings were the most explosive offensive force that the NFL had to offer, bar the infamous Patriots.

With Randall Cunningham handing the ball off to Robert Smith success was their middle name. The 15 – 1 season was spoiled only by a mid-season loss in Tampa Bay. They have proven that they can slay the bigger teams against all odds, with the likes of Brett Favre, who has previously been classed as over rated, proving every bit of his worth!

However, fans have now been won over by the way he runs down field to throw a block on a much larger player just because that’s how he plays the game.

He is an ambassador for at least some of the things that are right about the NFL, but he has more importantly, added real weight and strength to a team that is getting better and better!

0 Colts strengthened by Sanders imminent return... Posted by DieHardFans | at 11:40 PM

The undefeated Colts are going from strength to strength this season. Gaining additional quality, they are fast becoming one of the top play-makers in terms of their defense.

Safety; Bob Sanders, is hoping to make his season debut this Sunday at St. Louis. The 2007 NFL defensive player of the year hasn’t played a single game since January. He’s expected to train this week. He had been sidelined for the first time this season, despite the fact he had not been listed in the team’s injury report.

Head Coach Jim Caldwell commented: “He’s improving and been ramping up his activity over the last three weeks and we anticipate he will be able to do something for us (Sunday).”Sanders has previously been left out of the side. The two-time Pro Bowl safety returned to practice and was going to travel with the first team to Nashville for the Oct. 11 game. But with a bye last week, the Colts opted to hold him out.

He has previously much of his training as the result of a knee operation and although the Colts had hoped he would make a return within 6 weeks, it would appear he may be back sooner. Sanders told the press: I feel better than I’ve felt in a long time,” Sanders said Wednesday. “I feel excited about that and I’m ready to get in there. But we’ve not made that decision (about playing) yet.”

0 Titans hit by another crushing defeat as Patriots cruise to 59-0 victory. Posted by DieHardFans | at 4:43 AM

The fate of the Titans has been called into this question this week. After losing to the colts at home, they went on to play what was to be the thrashing of the season, at the hands of the New England Patriots who were on the offensive from the off, in response to their own defeat at the hands of Denver.

Tom Brady was able to show flashes of his former 2007 glory in the previous 5 games, throwing 6 top class touchdown passes, five of which were in just a single quarter, an overall NFL record. Tight end Bo Scaife said. “This is the worst it gets.” “I don’t think anybody in this league is 59 points better than us”.

The Titans are now 0-6, and have lost their last three by 20, 22 and 59 points after making the NFL’s best record, 13-3, last year.

Head Coach Jeff Fisher said “I’m really disappointed and embarrassed”. “Fortunately for me, career-wise, I have never been through anything like this before and, unfortunately, it did happen tonight. I can assure you one thing; it’s not going to happen again.”

Commentators have begun to question their ability to defend and feel they are lost when it comes to throwing the ball. In fact, Titans QB Kerry Collins was pulled after going 2 of 12 passes for minus-7 yards. Replacement QB Vince Young came in and threw an interception, one of five Tennessee turnovers, on his first play.

The only bright side for Sundays Game from the Tennessee Titans was running back Chris Johnson, who had 128 yards on 17 carries, including a 48-yard gain that of course didn’t produce anything.

The team have been left to reflect on the defeat ahead of the next match up.

0 Steelers strengthened by the return of Polamalu and Parker... Posted by DieHardFans | at 4:37 AM

The Steelers have been strengthened by the return of 2 previously injured players this week, with safety Troy Polamalu and running back Willie Parker, both back for Sunday's game against the Cleveland Browns at Heinz Field.

However it would seem the coach has been left with a selection nightmare, with just one of them set to start. Polamalu, who missed four games with a sprained medial collateral ligament, has been in training all week. He is due to make his comeback and will start against the Browns, wearing a protective brace.

Parker on the other hand, who missed the past two games with a toe injury, is expected to be replaced again in the starting lineup by Rashard Mendenhall, despite the fact he had been present during training all week. Meanwhile, Mendenhall returned to practice today after missing Thursday's session with flu. The Steelers are without any pre planned rotation system for Mendenhall and Parker, meaning the flow of the game will ultimately determine whether Parker gets a run out.

0 Tons to work on as the Cowboys go into BYE WEEK... Posted by DieHardFans | at 2:41 AM

Heading into the bye week, the Dallas Cowboys are carrying a modest 3-2 record. After successive victories against teams that are a combined 1-13, they have also had a string of defeats against teams that are 10-0.

Commentators are often left questioning their consistency after watching them steam roll the Buccaneers, only to suffer a heart breaker at the hands of the Giants. After winning against the Panthers; they went on to let the Denver Broncos slip through their hands.

They did however manage to keep the Chiefs in check, and to go on to win the game in what was to be an overtime thriller. The boys of Dallas still have a fair bit of work to do and LB Bradie James admitted as much during a press conference on Monday.

Let’s see how the Cowboys have been playing the field:

So far, the Cowboys have committed 68 penalties in the 5 games played according to NFL.com. They currently rank in the top three in the league for most penalized team. In the first five games of the season, four of them have come down to the last possession, forcing overtime on 3 separate occasions. Whilst the defense was excellent in the overtime period against Kansas City on Sunday, it was the failure to stop the Chiefs from scoring a touchdown with under a minute to play that knocked them down a peg or 2.

0 Steelers dealt a costly blow as Aaron Smith is sidelined with injury. Posted by DieHardFans | at 4:32 AM

The beleaguered Steelers have been dealt a hefty blow in the form of yet another injury. This time it’s 11 year veteran DE Aaron Smith. He received a knock so severe, commentators predict he will be sidelined for the foreseeable.

33-year-old Smith has recorded 44 sacks and 385 tackles in 150 career games with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Speaking at Tuesday’s press conference, head coach; Mike Tomlin said he had suffered a torn rotators cuff in his right shoulder during Sunday’s game against the Detroit Lions.

Smith picked up the injury in the third quarter but soldiered on to play the remainder, only missing a handful of snaps here and there. The Pittsburgh ace will undergo surgery late next week. The loss of Smith couldn’t have come at a worse time. He is widely regarded as the best 3-4 end in the entire league, known for his ability to create gaps for the linebackers to make plays.

Prone to injury in the past, Smith tore his bicep in 2007. This proved to be a significant factor in their decline that season from top spot. The real test will be their match up with the Minnesota Vikings! Ziggy will replace Smith!

0 Last minute heroics help Miami on to convincing victory over Jets... Posted by DieHardFans | at 3:33 AM

Miami ran 16 snaps out of the Wildcat formation, to secure a clinical victory over rivals, the New York Jets on Sunday. They won 31-27, which was one of their most convincing victories to date. What will please them all the more is that their win has come against Coach Rex Ryan, whose own unconventional defensive plays had proven too much for the Wildcat last year.

It was a big night for big players in a game filled with rivalry. The performance was helped along by the Jets QB, Mark Sanchez who just wasn’t on form, failing to make as many as 50% of his passes, throwing for just 172 yards.

Fresh signing, Edwards gave them that extra boost. He held on to 2-touchdowns passes, grabbing those much needed points. In only his second NFL start, Miami Dolphins QB Chad Henne completed 20-26 for 241yards, bringing back memories of the golden day shoot-outs, reminiscent of the Dolphins during the Dan Marino era.

Even Jets linebacker Calvin Pace said “We made him look like Dan Marino," "They did what they want, and they did it at will." Last minute heroics from RB Ronnie Brown, brought play to a close as he stomped in the end zone with 10 seconds left on the clock, to seal the game for Miami.

Brown ran for 75yards and had two touchdowns including the game winner.

0 Steelers hold their ground to play Chicago off the park! Posted by DieHardFans | at 12:08 AM

For the first time this season, the Pittsburgh Steelers have clinched a convincing away victory, after playing Cincinnati Bengals and Chicago Bears off the park. Roethlisberger was the hero of the hour, throwing three touchdown passes toward the end of 3rd quarter. The Pittsburgh defence was just too good in the fourth, holding off the Detroit Lions for a 28-20 win Sunday. Corner back William James intercepted a bad ball, allowing him to create a damaging field goal in the second quarter.

The Detroit Lions had the chance to take the game in overtime in the fourth quarter against the defending Super Bowl champs. However, it wasn’t to be as the Steelers held it together, spurred on by thousands of black-and-gold clad fans chanted "DE-FENSE!"

Quarterback Dante Culpepper threw one interception and was sacked seven times, including three successive plays on the Lions’ final drive. But it was none other than the offensive line who helped Big Ben move around in the pocket and complete throws for big gains. The performance truly was reminiscent of their Super Bowl victory in 2006 at the same stadium.

0 Eli Manning & Matthew Stafford leaves Sunday with Leg Injury’s Posted by DieHardFans | at 11:53 PM

New York Giants QB; Eli Manning has suffered a setback this week, injuring his heel during Sunday’s game against the Kansas City Chiefs. Manning who left the game in the 4th quarter implied that it was a non-contact injury and is not going to miss any games. He was replaced by David Carr. It was at this stage that the Giants had almost sealed a 27-16 win over the chiefs. The question of whether he will be fit for Sunday’s match up has been answered this week. His MRI results haven’t revealed any major injuries, leaving the New York Giants fans breathing sigh of relief.

Another player to be blighted by injury is Detroit Lions rookie; Matthew Stafford. After twisting his knee against the Chicago Bears, he has been referred to a specialist for tests and the Lions have said they will assess his injury in due course.

0 Colts Cruise Against Seahawks as Manning Reaches Another Milestone Posted by DieHardFans | at 11:35 PM

This might well be the most impressive start to this season yet for Peyton Manning. The Indianapolis Colts crushed the Seattle Seahawks in Sunday’s game, beating them 34-17 to win the 13th game on the spin. Manning was on fire, displaying his trademark touchdown passes in the first half, matching Fran Tarkenton’s record. The stadium erupted from the moment he connected with Reggie Wayne on a 5- yard pass in the 2nd quarter.

He is now third on the NFL's career list with 342 trailing only Marino (420) and Brett Favre (469). He received a standing ovation from both his team and opposition. Seattle coach Jim Mora said. "He's one of the finest of all times."

0 Favre achieves yet another record on night filled with emotion Posted by DieHardFans | at 4:56 AM

Legendary quarterback; Brett Favre has achieved yet another record, on top of his succession of achievements on the field. He has been crowned the first quarterback in history to beat all 32 NFL teams and some may say he saved the best for last; the Green Bay Packers. The long standing veteran of the field achieved the feat in his first game against his former team.

True to form, Favre was cool and calm personified as he completed 3-touchdown passes, covering 271 yards to grab a 30-23 victory on Monday night. He celebrated with a cheeky body bump with former Packers kicker & current team-mate; Ryan Longwell.

Brett wore his heart on his sleeve on what he described as the most emotional night of his career. and team mate Andrew Peterson said: “I definitely wanted to get this win for Brett. He tried to neglect it all week, but we all knew how much it meant to him”.

The game was Brett’s sixth in a Vikings jersey and fans and critics alike were out in full force for this one, as flash photography and roaring fans saw Brett cruise to a well earned victory.