Minnesota-Green Bay
Imagine Derek Jeter returning to Yankee Stadium in a Red Sox uniform, or Albert Pujols coming back to Busch Stadium in a Cubs uniform, or Kobe Bryant returning to the Staples Center in a Celtics uniform. Is it a foreign thought? On Sunday, this foreign thought will become a reality when quarterback Brett Favre returns to Lambeau Field in a Vikings uniform. Favre, who played 16 years for the Packers, returns to the place where he helped the team to ten playoff appearances, six division crowns, two NFC Championships and a victory in Super Bowl XXXI.
Minnesota is coming off of its first loss of the season, a 27-17 setback in Pittsburgh, as the Vikings offense allowed two defensive touchdowns by the Steelers in the fourth quarter. A fumble by Favre was recovered by the Steelers and was taken back for a touchdown. Later in the fouth, down 20-17, the Vikings were deep in Pittsburgh territory, but a Favre interception was returned by the Steelers for the game-clinching touchdown.
Wide receiver Percy Harvin did return a kickoff for an 88-yard touchdown in between the two Steeler defensive scores. The Packers had no trouble downing Cleveland on Sunday, 31-3. The Packers got three touchdown passes by quarterback Aaron Rodgers, including a 71-yard strike to wide receiver Donald Driver. Up 24-3, the Packers stopped the Browns on the one-yard line and then drove 99 yards to score the final touchdown of the game and salt the contest away. The Packers have won the last three at Lambeau in the series, including a 24-19 win in Week one of 2008, the first start of Rodgers’ career. What will Favre’s reaction be? Watch on Sunday to find out.
New York Giants-
Philadelphia
One of the most bitter rivalries in the NFC and NFL will be played out on Sunday at Lincoln Financial Field. However, this is not the biggest game between New York and Philadelphia on Sunday. Later that day and across the street, the Yankees and Phillies will be playing Game Four of the World Series at Citizens Bank Park. The Giants come into Sunday’s contest as losers of two straight (Big Blue fell to Arizona on Sunday Night, 24-17).
The Giants committed four turnovers in the loss, including an interception by quarterback Eli Manning that led to the Cardinals’ final touchdown of the evening and put Arizona up 24-14 late in the third quarter. Running back Brandon Jacobs rushed for 76 yards on just 13 carries and scored a touchdown in the loss. Wide receiver Hakeem Nicks scored the other touchdown for New York off of a deflection that went for 62 yards.
The Eagles used the big play to best Washington, 27-17, on Monday Night. Wide receiver DeSean Jackson scored on a 67-yard run and caught a 57-yard bomb from quarterback Donovan McNabb. Those two plays accounted for 124 of the 262 yards the Eagles had that night. Philadelphia’s third touchdown came from linebacker Will Witherspoon as he picked off a tipped pass and took it nine yards for a touchdown.
The Eagles did not turn the ball over in the triumph, but forced four Redskins turnovers in the win. The Eagles ended the Giants run for a repeat last year in the NFC Divisional Round with a 23-11 win at Giants Stadium and topped the Giants, 23-20, in the NFC Wild Card Round two years prior in Philadelphia. However, New York has won the last four regular season contests in the City of Brotherly Love, including a 36-31 victory last season.
Miami-New York Jets
Three weeks ago down in South Florida, the Dolphins pulled out a thrilled 31-27 victory over the Jets. On Sunday, it is rematch time at Giants Stadium as the Dolphins look to sweep the Jets for the first time since 2003. Miami comes off of a tough 46-34 loss to New Orleans as the Dolphins blew a 24-3 lead late in the first half and fell 46-34.
Miami hurt itself with dropped passes and two interceptions when that Saints returned for touchdowns. Miami lost in spite of running back Ricky Williams rushing for three touchdowns in the game, including a 68-yard scamper. His three scores tied for his career best.
The Jets had little trouble out in Oakland, netting a 38-0 win over the Raiders to snap a three-game losing streak. Running back Shonn Greene rushed for 144 yards and two touchdowns, while fellowing running back Thomas Jones had 121 yards and one score. Quarterback Mark Sanchez threw for one touchdown, ran for a score, and had no interceptions after tossing five picks the week before in a loss to Buffalo. The Jets’ defense forced three Oakland turnovers and New York’s special teams forced a fourth turnover. Miami snapped a four-game skid to the Jets at Giants Stadium in Week 17 of last year in a 24-17 win to win the AFC East.
Denver-Baltimore
One of the NFL’s biggest surprises, the 6-0 Broncos, travel to Baltimore to take on a desperate 3-3 Ravens team. Both teams had a bye in Week Seven. Denver ended a three-game losing streak in San Diego with a 34-23 win on Monday, October 19 and currently lead the AFC West by three games. Wide receiver Eddie Royal returned both a punt and a kickoff for a touchdown as the Broncos improved to 6-0 for the first time since 1998 when they went on to win the Super Bowl.
The Broncos defense has been stingy all season, allowing just 66 points so far, compared to the 154 points they surrendered a year ago this time. The Ravens come in losing three straight by a total of 11 points. Baltimore fell, 33-31, at Minnesota in Week Six despite 385 passing yards from quarterback Joe Flacco, who rallied the Ravens from a 27-10 deficit.
Baltimore had a chance to win it in the end, but kicker Steven Hauschka missed a 44-yard field goal as time expired and the Ravens fell to their third straight loss. The Ravens had 117 yards receiving, 77 yards rushing, and two touchdowns from running back Ray Rice in the loss. Wide receiver Derrick Mason had a solid game with 97 yards receiving and scored one touchdown. Baltimore has won all three meetings between the two teams in Baltimore.
A win by Baltimore will get them 4-3 and within one game of Cincinnati and Pittsburgh. The Ravens are 3-0 all-time at home against the Broncos, winning regular season games in 2002 and 2003 and scored a 21-3 win the 2000 AFC Wild Card Round on their way to winning Super Bowl XXXV.
Atlanta-New Orleans
The oldest NFC rivalry in the south will heat up again on Monday as the 6-0 Saints host the 4-2 Falcons on Monday Night Football. The Saints rallied from a 24-3 deficit late in the first half to produce a 46-34 win over the Dolphins on Sunday in Miami. Quarterback Drew Brees scored on a quarterback sneak to cut the Miami lead to 24-10 just before halftime. Safety Darren Sharper cut the lead to 24-17 on an interception.
Miami led 34-24 entering the fourth quarter, but the Saints outscored the hosts 22-0 in the last quarter to improve to 6-0. New Orleans took the lead for good at 37-34 on Brees’ second rushing touchdown of the game. Cornerback Tracy Porter sealed the comeback victory with a 54-yard interception return.
The Falcons come off of a 37-21 loss in Dallas. They led 7-3 with six minutes to go in the first half, but two Cowboy touchdowns in the final 5:50 of the first half gave the Cowboys a 17-7 lead–one that they’d never relinquish. After the Falcons scored the first touchdown of the second half to cut the Dallas lead to 17-14, the Cowboys scored 17 consecutive points to take control of the game.
The Falcons hurt themselves with three turnovers, courtesy of quarterback Matt Ryan, who tossed two interceptions and fumbled once. The two teams split last season’s series, both winning at home. Because Atlanta last won at New Orleans in 2002, the Saints have won the last five at the Superdome. Atlanta, which led the all-time series 44-35, did beat New Orleans in 2005 in San Antonio, when the Saints did not play a home game in New Orleans due to Hurricane Katrina.
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