RECOGNIZE: The Cardinals made it clear that they’re the class of the NFC West on Sunday night when they took out the Seahawks, 39-32, in Seattle. Sure, they blew a 19-0 lead during the game, and Carson Palmer had one of the more spectacular fumbles you’ll see this season, but stealing a win in front of the 12th Man is well worth the happiest of Drew Stanton happy dances.
The Arizona Cardinals are the class of the NFC, maybe the NFL
The Cardinals exorcised any demons they had about playing in Seattle, and at the same time restated their case as one of the best teams in the NFL.
NO CLUE: The NFL introduced the phrase “established as a runner” to its catch rule and it did absolutely nothing to clarify what the hell is actually a catch. Because the NFL ruled that Odell Beckham Jr. didn’t establish himself as a runner in the end zone late against the Patriots, the Giants lost to the Pats on a field goal. The wonky rule popped up again when an apparent Daniel Fells fumble was ruled an incompletion, allowing the Cardinals to retain possession on what might have been a game-changing turnover. The NFL needs to come up with a new, decipherable definition of a catch as soon as it physically can.
WELCOME BACK: Ricardo Lockette returned to Seattle in front of a thunderous ovation from the CenturyLink crowd for the first time since he suffered a serious neck injury in Week 8.
NOT AGAIN: Later in the night, Cardinals offensive lineman Mike Iupati took a blow to the head and had to be taken off the field in an ambulance in an incident that recalled Lockette’s own scary collision. Thankfully, Iupati was released from the hospital and returned home with his team Sunday night.
CHEAP SHOT 1: Not only has Brandon Browner failed to live up to his contract in New Orleans, he is also taking dangerous cheap shots at opponents even when he is in position to make a tackle for his team. The NFL should do something about his blindside hit.
CHEAP SHOT 2: Thankfully, officials saw safety T.J. Ward throw a punch at Jeremy Maclin during a Chiefs touchdown and ejected Ward from the game.
BEST WORST DAY EVER: Peyton Manning broke Brett Favre’s all-time passing record on the same day he was benched after recording a career-worst 0.0 passer rating. The vaunted company in the 0.0 club? Family members Archie and Eli Manning, and former NFL Draft rival Ryan Leaf.
OMAHA: Broncos head coach Gary Kubiak said Manning would remain the Broncos’ starting quarterback as long as he is healthy, but at least we know if Manning went to the bench that OMAHA would live on.
BRETT FAVRE IS IN A TREE: Also, he is very happy for Manning and his accomplishment.
MOMENT OF SILENCE: NFL teams paid tribute to the victims of the atrocious terror attacks in Paris last week, but unfortunately fans couldn’t be counted on to remain respectful during a moment of silence at Lambeau Field. Aaron Rodgers called out fans for reportedly anti-Muslim comments he heard from the crowd.
BLOWING IT: The Lions tried as hard as they could to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory, but even they couldn’t get in the way of their own streak-snapping win. By beating the Packers on Sunday, they won at Lambeau Field for the first time since 1991. We learned that the Packers are missing Jordy Nelson way, way more than we thought. We also learned that Jim Caldwell really is incapable of smiling.
GOOD FUN: Every time the Patriots and Giants get together, fans get a classic. Sunday was no exception. A feverish fourth quarter and a controversial call highlighted one of the most fun games of the season.
PYRRHIC VICTORY: The Patriots beat the Giants, but at the cost of potentially of losing Julian Edelman for the season. With Edelman out with a broken foot, opponents have even more reason to throw double and triple teams at Rob Gronkowski.
BROTHERLY SHADE: Bears tight end Martellus Bennett appeared to take extra satisfaction in beating the Rams on Sunday. His brother, Michael, a defensive end for the Seahawks, faces off against the Rams regularly and Bennett opened up his locker room interview by calling the Rams the Seahawks’ “little brother.” Then he singled out Rams defensive end Eugene Sims, saying, “97, he’s a little b**tch.”
The Rams have a reputation for being a dirty team under Jeff Fisher. That may have played a role in Bennett’s comments.
BEN’S BACK: Ben Roethlisberger wasn’t supposed to play Sunday, but he was forced into action because of a Landry Jones injury. Roethlisberger promptly LIT IT UP on the field.
YOU LIKE THAT: Kirk Cousins had a perfect game against the Saints on Sunday -- literally, his 158.3 passer rating was as good as it can possibly get -- and his teammates honored him by replicating his famous YOU LIKE THAT catchphrase.
UNTIMELY PENALTY: Elvis Dumervil committed an egregious facemask penalty and gave the Jaguars an un-timed down to kick a game-winning field goal. It was quite possibly the worst penalty of the season.
WRONG WAY: It’s really easy to get discombobulated when someone fumbles.
BRADFORD DOWN: The Eagles lost Sam Bradford on Sunday with a left arm injury and a concussion. They’ll be hoping he gets better soon because Mark Sanchez replaced him and looked like, well, Mark Sanchez.
NEXT LEVEL CAM: Cam Newton totally provoked Avery Williamson by dancing in his face, but he had a good point: “I’m a firm believer if you don’t like it, keep me out (of the end zone).”
UNFAIR: Todd Gurley shouldn’t be allowed to leap over whole human beings whenever he wants. This is anarchy!
RUBBERIZED: The Rams finally covered up the concrete ring that gave Reggie Bush a season-ending injury.
See More:
