Notes from NFL Week 14

Texans @ Packers

Packers fans continue to impress. The place is packed even with the starting temperature of 6 degrees. Green, yellow, camoflauge and safety orange make up the most unique crowd scene in the NFL. Packers fans know their football. The first Green Bay punt of the game was a duck, travelling only 25 yards. It was the punter's first kick for the team and it had to be like trying to kick a block of ice. The second punt was boomed for a respectable 48 yards or so. The Lambeau field crowd started cheering as soon as the ball left the punter's foot. They appreciated and acknowledged the better punt. The crowd cheered after the third punt as well, even though it resulted in a touchback. Fans in Houston (and many other NFL cities) would have been halfway to the nacho cart instead of in their seats cheering for a punt.

Schaub just threw an interception. Williams jumped an out route, something that has happened a couple times earlier in the season. This is never a good sign.

I dislike the sports guy, but he's right about one thing. Gus Johnson makes every game a big game. He's called the last couple of Texans games and they have been enjoyable. Every play is a big play. FUMBLE!!! HE FUMBLED THE FOOTBALL!!! Jim Nance should take notes.

Eagles @ Giants

Fox showed a stat that John Carney led the NFL in points. Earlier this year, Carney was benched for Lawrence Tynes, a kicker they thought about cutting last year because of inconsistency. All Carney had done up to that point was make all of his FG attempts and all of his PAT. The Giants are back to Carney, probably for the rest of the year. It still goes to show that even 11-1, reigning Super Bowl champion teams aren't immune from dumb decisions.

Taking the ball up 17-10 with 9:26 left in the 4th quarter, the Eagles ran the ball with Westbrook 11 times on the 13 play drive, taking more than seven minutes off the clock. I didn't think I'd ever see this type of drive from Andy Reid and the Eagles. Sure I love it because I've got Westbrook on my fantasy team, but also because it's the right way to play against the best team in football when you've got one of the best running backs in the game.

Browns @ Titans

Ahmard Hall caught TD pass for the Titans in this one. It's another chapter in a pretty special story for Hall. He served for 4 years in the Marines, walked-on at Texas and played on the national championship team. For him to get a chance in the NFL, at least 4 years older than most players get a shot, playing the endangered fullback position, is remarkable. As this story mentions, Hall has good perspective. With all the problems the NFL has been facing recently, it would be nice to see a player like Hall succeed.