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 Chris Mortensen tells who he would pick as MVP of the first half.
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Dan Patrick Show
Are the Bucs back? Chris Motrensen weighs in.
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Dan Patrick Show
Trick or treat, Chris Mortensen tells who is behind the Ravens' costumes.
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Dan Patrick Show
Chris Mortensen says it is time to stand up and notice the New Orleans Saints.
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Week 9: Titans Rolle on, Bucs make it interesting
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Titans 27, Redskins 21: Nothing fazes the Titans, certainly not a road game or an injury-depleted receiving corps or a quick 7-0 deficit. Again, this is why they are the NFL's best team -- they can beat you in all phases of the game, depending on the need. They are the ultimate team.
|  | | Eddie George played a solid game coming off his injury, gaining 71 yards on 22 carries Monday night. |
The best example of this came when Samari Rolle intercepted Brad Johnson's pass on the final play of the first half. Rolle's ambitious 81-yard return was highlighted by his zestful running behind a number of superb blocks by a hustling bunch of defenders who understood the urgency of the play. It gave the Titans a 20-7 halftime lead before a stunned crowd of 83,472, which included Redskins owner Daniel Snyder, who already had witnessed a 69-yard punt return by Derrick Mason. The Titans played turnover-free football, and even though quarterback Steve McNair was under 100 yards passing for the night, he was efficient (14-of-18). McNair's 18-yard touchdown pass pass to tight end Frank Wycheck was critical. Eddie George also delivered big, considering he was playing with a sprained knee. He touched the ball seven straight times during the Titans' final scoring drive (Wycheck's touchdown) and accumulated 113 yards running and receiving, which is why he is a pro, not to mention a Pro Bowl player. I thought the Redskins did some pretty good things -- Brad Johnson's three interceptions were a little deceiving, inasmuch as he was playing with his own depleted receivers that forced two cornerbacks, Champ Bailey and Deion Sanders, onto the field. It is no disgrace to lose to Tennessee, although few teams can accept the blows delivered by a pair of touchdown returns that accounted for Washington's defeat.
Bucs 41, Vikings 13: Ah, the season changes a little now, doesn't it? The Bucs are now 4-4 at the midseason point and Tony Dungy teams traditionally have been strong in November and December. Why should we expect anything different, especially after the Bucs dismantled the previously unbeaten Vikings? Dungy rolled up his sleeves and clearly got involved with the offense, scaling back in some areas but getting the ball in the hands of two playmakers previously invisible this year -- Keyshawn Johnson and Warrick Dunn. Things appeared to be so simple that Shaun King had his best outing, finding receivers wide open throughout the afternoon against a Minnesota defense that for now, at least, is exposed. The Bucs also came up with an answer to Mike Alstott's disappointing season. Dunn was the featured back until the Bucs were well in the lead, and then Alstott was used effectively to eat up yards and the clock. Makes sense. If you're up by two TDs or more, Alstott's fumbling can do less damage. Bucs defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin also came up with a terrific game plan, going after Daunte Culpepper from different angles, although the most effective angle was still Warren Sapp up the gut. The strategy paid off and Culpepper now must bounce back from the first time this year he has looked like a "rookie." Big picture? I don't think I'd panic if I were a Vikings fan. They do have an interesting game next Monday night in Green Bay, but after that come home games against Arizona and Carolina. So, the Vikes should be no worse than 9-2 going into their last five games. The way I figure it, the Vikes look like a 12-4 team (OK, 13-3 is possible, too), which means the Bucs will have to win out against a schedule that includes the Bills, Dolphins and Rams, not to mention a road game to finish the year in Green Bay on what promises to be a chilly Christmas Eve. The main theme here, I guess, is the Bucs are alive again in the NFC but with a mystery ride ahead of them.
Bills 23, Jets 20: Sure, Doug Flutie had some balls batted around by the Jets, but he drove the Bills for a game-winning drive. WR Eric Moulds played like a Pro Bowl guy with some big catches and TE Jay Riemersma, back after a knee injury, showed what his absence meant to the Bills. He had only one catch for 13 yards, but the Jets had to account for him. So, what happens if Rob Johnson gets healthy this week? Stick with Flutie, I think, because the Bills again just look more efficient with him under the center; however, the Bills' next task is at New England, where Bill Belichick has had Flutie's number. The Buffalo defense -- LB Sam Cowart made another case for a Pro Bowl berth -- did a stellar job on the Jets' Curtis Martin, though the secondary mixed good moments with some bad. Vinny Testaverde? I'm starting to really wonder what's going on with this guy. Two more interceptions and a lost fumble. I don't care how many great throws he makes in the fourth quarter -- he wouldn't have to make them if he took care of the football the first three quarters. Then again, I thought the Jets would struggle more, given the task of playing the Bills in Buffalo, and coming off their emotional Monday night win over Miami. How about the AFC East race? The Colts, Dolphins and Jets are knotted and the Bills are back in the wild-card race, at the very least.
Steelers 9, Ravens 6: Here's what Trent Dilfer proved Sunday -- he did two tremendous imitations against Pittsburgh, one of himself and one of Tony Banks. I mean, Dilfer fumbled at the Steelers' 10 and he also threw an interception into the end zone. That's Banks, right? Other times, Dilfer looked very much like the guy who played in Tampa. There was an occasional flash ... then, pffffft. Never seen anything like this, have you? Five games without a touchdown? Perhaps we should just give the Steelers their due, except that the Ravens failed to score a TD against the Browns during this dreadful streak, which has seen the Ravens drop to 5-4 after their 5-1 start. The Steelers' fifth straight win earmarks them as a true contender with a chance to wake up the entire AFC if they can pull off an upset in Tennessee on Sunday. Kordell Stewart didn't light it up, but who does against the Ravens? But Stewart's TD pass to Hines Ward was a huge play that overcame Baltimore's 6-3 lead. (How horrifying was it for the Steelers to watch that missed PAT?) The Ravens travel to Cincinnati next. Chris Redman sure sounds tempting to me, as risky as going to a rookie would be for Ravens coach Brian Billick, who must be wondering why he didn't trade for Brad Johnson in the first place. Beyond all the negatives, Ravens rookie RB Jamal Lewis (93 yards) looked like a real jewel amid the rhinestones.
Rams 34, 49ers 24: Marshall Faulk might have settled the MVP debate with a four-TD performance on a day when the Rams had concerns about the running back's shoulder and knee. Trent Green may not have been Warner-like but he was good enough to win with a 300-yard plus game. He should get better with each start while Warner's hand heals. 49ers QB Jeff Garcia got a taste of Bud Carson's influence on the Rams' defense when he was blitzed often. True, Garcia got off a pair of TD passes to Terrell Owens but he was smacked around by the Rams.
Colts 30, Lions 18: Jim Mora and Bobby Ross despise turnovers, so I imagine the coaches needed something for their stomachs after the game. Ross' frustrations were numerous. It's always troublesome to watch a team need a yard for a touchdown only to fail like the Lions did after Desmond Howard's punt return. The Lions must find a way to protect QB Charlie Batch, or he isn't going to finish the season. Peyton Manning and Edgerrin James played like All-Pros, save for two turnovers by each player. Marvin Harrison had his seventh straight 100-yard receiving day. I think he's pretty good.
Dolphins 28, Packers 20: Late Saturday afternoon, Dolphins coach Dave Wannstedt was saying, "This game can't come soon enough," as a means to put some distance between their Monday night disaster in New York.
|  | | Trace Armstrong forces a fumble with this sack of Brett Favre in the fourth quarter Sunday. |
But Wannstedt did express some reservations about whether his players were taking the Packers seriously. "I've had too many bad experiences with Brett Favre," said Wannstedt, alluding to his 1-11 record vs. the Packers as the Chicago Bears coach. It wasn't Favre who haunted Wannstedt, but the Packers did jump out to a 17-0 lead. That the Dolphins overcame that deficit, especially in the wake of their Jets' loss, speaks volumes of their character. From their worst loss, to one of their best wins, the Dolphins again have a share of the AFC East lead. The Pack ran the ball well with Dorsey Levens and Ahman Green, but Levens hit the sidelines in the second half with another injury.
Jaguars 23, Cowboys 17 (OT): It was sure nice to see a smile on the face of Tom Coughlin, just knowing what the Jaguars' miserable season had done to the coach. Alvis Whitted got the winning TD, but I do hope somebody will call him out on his dangerous showboating as he stuck the ball over the goal line. Respect the game, Alvis, and it will respect you. The Cowboys are what they are, and now they are 3-5. Randall Cunningham or Troy Aikman ... guess it doesn't matter.
Giants 24, Eagles 7: The Giants knew exactly what they wanted to do in this game and they did it. Sounds simple, but a lot of times it isn't. Ron Dayne got his 25 carries and the Giants controlled the clock. Once again, Giants defensive coordinator John Fox had Donovan McNabb's number -- this was one of those windy specials at Giants Stadium where throwing the ball was going to be an adventure. Now let's see if the Giants can muster up that weather when they host the Rams next week.
Chiefs 24, Seahawks 19: Anyone notice that Elvis Grbac is starting to look like Dan Fouts? No, not just with the beard, but the way he's shaving opposing secondaries, this time to the tune of 343 yards against the Seahawks. Seattle QB Jon Kitna did not look like he was having fun during his three-interception afternoon.
Saints 21, Cardinals 10: This is still a remarkable development -- the Saints at 5-3 and Ricky Williams showing remarkable versatility as a runner and a receiver. Williams' string of five 100-yard games was snapped but he had 93 yards receiving. The Cardinals did play with more spunk in Dave McGinnis' first game as head coach, but the Saints' defense had one moment too many.
Bengals 12, Browns 3: Every week that Bengals GM Mike Brown fails to talk contract with RB Corey Dillon (27 for 137 yards) is costing him money. Bengals coach Dick LeBeau has benched five players since he took over for Bruce Coslet and he has now has two victories to show for it.
Falcons 13, Panthers 12: Well, Jamal Anderson almost got his first 100-yard rushing day of the year. Other than that, this game deserves a "no comment."
Raiders 15, Chargers 13: I don't think I would have wanted to see Jon Gruden's face had Sebastian Janikowski missed the 24-yard FG for the game-winner. The Raiders weren't pretty but they are 7-1. As for the Chargers, they played like their leader, Junior Seau -- with passion. Now they need a win, not to mention they need to keep those beautiful throwback uniforms.
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