NFL '06-The Roller Coaster Continues

By Rhonda Reigstad

With four weeks left in the regular season, there are surprises at every corner and it isn't ending anytime soon.

The Indianapolis Colts started out on a tear this year and whispers of "undefeated" were floating in the air. A loss to Dallas , 21-14, squashed all hopes and the 1972 Miami Dolphins were breathing a sigh of relief once again.

With a matchup against the Tennessee Titans, it seemed to be an easy game for them but not so. Rookie quarterback Vince Young is coming into his own and proving why he won the national championship at Texas last year. Young and his teammates came back from a 14 point deficit and Titans kicker Rob Bironas sealed the deal with a 60 yard field goal with 7 seconds left in the game to win, 20-17. It was the longest field goal in franchise history. With that comeback, Young set a record as the only rookie quarterback to come from behind in back-to-back weeks from 14 points or more down.

On a brighter note for the Colts, quarterback Peyton Manning has thrown for 3,000 yards for his ninth straight season tying former Miami Dolphins quarterback Dan Marino.

The Green Bay Packers have been having more downs than ups this year themselves with one of the youngest teams and coaching staffs in the league. Quarterback Brett Favre has to be wondering if it was a good idea to come back. A couple weeks ago, Favre went out with an injury and backup Aaron Rodgers took his place only to break his foot and not have a stellar showing in the mean time. With three inexperienced players on the offensive line, it hasn't helped Favre or the running game.

The Packers were down 31-0 against the New York Jets and heard it from the crowd when going into the locker room at the half. Coach Mike McCarthy said, "Hell, I would have been booing, too." The Jets had their way in the first half scoring on every possession. The Packers were well on their way to having their third shutout at home this year but did manage to get on the board and ended the game, 38-10.

It's hard to believe that 10 years ago no one could beat the Packers at Lambeau Field. Turn the clock to now and it's a whole different story. The Packers have won one game at home this year and haven't had the same home field advantage they're used to.

Don't blame Favre for all the problems in Green Bay . You don't need to look any further than general manager Ted Thompson. Thompson has done a horrible job in the offseason getting quality free agents and not drafted well until this year when he got linebacker A.J. Hawk from Ohio State University . Maybe it's time team president Bob Harlan looks a little higher up for the woes that are facing the Packers.

Packers fans weren't the only ones booing. Chicago Bears fans were too. Yes, you read that right. While the Bears clinched the NFC North title, quarterback Rex Grossman had one of his worst outings of the season. Grossman completed six of 19 passes for 34 yards and threw three interceptions. Amazingly, with statistics like that, the Bears beat the Minnesota Vikings, 23-13, thanks to play by the defense and special teams.

Bears coach Lovie Smith has to be shaking his head after that performance but insists that Grossman is his quarterback even though fans were calling for backup Brian Griese.

Talk about weird. The Houston Texans defeated the Oakland Raiders, 23-14, and had negative five yards passing, leaving quarterback David Carr shaking his head. "It's the weirdest feeling I've ever had in a football game." Maybe that's what a few other teams in the league need to do to win, huh?

One of the biggest surprises of the year has to be Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo. Cowboys coach Bill Parcells decided to pull Drew Bledsoe and insert Romo who nobody had heard of until the last few weeks. The result? Romo is 5-1 in his six starts for the 'Boys. Parcells has had nothing but good things to say about Romo and it's rare to hear that from him.

Parcells probably has a new outlook on kickers. After cutting kicker Mike Vanderjagt and signing Martin Gramatica, Gramatica kicked the game winner with seconds left to play to beat the New York Giants, 23-20. The loss for the Giants is their fourth straight. Quarterback Tony Romo ended the game 20 for 34 with 257 yards passing and two interceptions.

The New Orleans Saints keep marching on as they beat the San Francisco 49ers, 34-10. Running back Reggie Bush tied teammate Joe Horn's franchise record of four touchdowns in a game and ended with nine receptions for 131 yards and 37 yards on 10 rushes.

With four weeks left in the season, there's plenty up for grabs in deciding who will be going to the playoffs. It ain't over yet and anyone who follows sports knows anything can and will happen.

 

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