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.