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 | | Dan Patrick Show
 Has the (Ryan) Leaf fallen for the last time in San Diego? Chris Mortensen answers.
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Real: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6
Dan Patrick Show
The "Big Easy" just got tougher. Chris Mortensen talks about the impact of Ricky Williams' injury.
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Real: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6
Dan Patrick Show
Chris Mortensen breaks down the Rams' offense. Thumbs up for Trent Green.
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Real: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6
Dan Patrick Show
Chris Mortensen analyzes the QB situation in Buffalo.
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Week 11: Broncos' success vs. Raiders continues
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Broncos 27, Raiders 24: Maybe Brian Griese hasn't made anyone forget John
Elway, but this game was a small step forward.
|  | | No kick for Jason Elam this season can top the one he booted Monday night from 41 yards out, lifting the Broncos past the Raiders. |
Not only did Griese lead the
Broncos in the final minute to set up Jason Elam's game-winning kick, but he
overcame a slight shoulder separation to win a big AFC West game. In fact,
the Raiders (8-2) cannot take the division title for granted because the Broncos (6-4) have the tiebreaker on the basis of their two-game sweep of Oakland. Even with Griese's excellence, I was a little surprised that Terrell
Davis (68 yards) wasn't more effective running the ball against the Oakland
defense. The Raiders will kick themselves because they broke down on special
teams when Ian Gold blocked Shane Lechler's punt for a touchdown. This was
the type of mistake Raiders coach Jon Gruden was hoping to avoid to put a
temporary halt to the Denver domination of the series. Still, given that
Tyrone Wheatley was sidelined and the Raiders faced the emotional "last
Monday night game at Mile High Stadium," I came away a little more convinced
that Oakland is the best team in this division.
Colts 23, Jets 15: Nice win for the Colts, although they should be a
little concerned about their trend to start fast, then bog down on offense.
Nevertheless, this was a pretty good showing by the shaky Indy defense, with
help from 131 yards rushing by Edgerrin James to keep them relatively fresh
as the Colts won the ball-control battle by an eight-minute margin. Sure, the
Jets rallied again to build some suspense in the final minutes, but what else
is new in the AFC East? No surprise that the Jets are now talking about
helping QB Vinny Testaverde with a hurry-up offense early in the game. They
have to get Testaverde rolling or else their playoff hopes are in doubt. Now
the Jets travel to Miami. Go figure on what has happened since their magical
40-37 overtime win over the Dolphins on Oct. 23 -- three straight losses for
New York (6-4), three straight wins for Miami (8-2).
Ravens 24, Titans 23: Automatic Al? Yeah, right. The Titans may still win home-field advantage in the AFC, but if they don't, they will remember Al Del Greco's kicking flubs in the final quarter Sunday. Big win for the Ravens (7-4), who make Tennessee (8-2) a little more uncomfortable in the AFC Central. Ravens quarterback Trent Dilfer did throw an awful interception that was returned 87 yards by Perry Phenix that gave the Titans a 23-17 lead. But Dilfer had many good moments, including a clutch winning drive that proved he could do it against a championship-caliber team. Steve McNair almost stole it back for the Titans only to watch Del Greco follow his missed PAT with a botched 43-yarder that could have rocked Aldelphia Coliseum. Instead, they lost their homefield mystique. The Ravens can carry this with them if the two meet in the playoffs. Book the Ravens. Their schedule is set up for a strong finish. Oh, isn't it fun to see Shannon Sharpe having fun?
Rams 38, Giants 24: This sets a few things straight. The Rams aren't finished. The Giants aren't ready for the big time. The Rams proved they can win and put points on the board without Kurt Warner and Marshall Faulk. The Giants' primary concern about their defense came true -- they still don't have enough skilled cover men in the secondary. That's why I was a little surprised that Giants defensive coordinator John Fox (one of the league's best) didn't get after Trent Green with a more aggressive blitz package. Green helped his stock with four touchdowns and 54 yards rushing. The Rams' defense clearly is playing with more passion under Bud Carson. Even though the Giants posted 24 points, quarterback Kerry Collins couldn't match Green play for play. This game gives the Rams a big confidence boost going into next Monday night's matchup against the Redskins. Their basic message -- champs until beaten.
Eagles 26, Steelers 23: When the Steelers review this game, they will be very ill. Their playoff hopes took a hit. When Jerome Bettis rushes for 134 yards and the Steelers' defense scores a TD, as they did Sunday, that usually means victory. But Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb made just enough plays, and a few breaks didn't hurt. The Eagles (7-3) are inching into NFC playoff position. The Steelers have a tough road to travel in the AFC.
Bucs 20, Packers 15: Shaun King looked sharp in the first half, but he was almost too casual in the second half. The Packers' no-huddle offense in the second half was pretty effective until Warren Sapp put Brett Favre out of the game with a sprained foot. Matt Hasselbeck gave the Packers a 15-14 lead on a nifty field goal fake, but Martin Gramatica made his Pro Bowl pitch with a couple of 50-yard-plus field goals. The Packers might have pulled this off with Dorsey Levens in the lineup. Ahman Green has speed, but he broke few tackles and could have done more with the space the Packers' O-line gave him. The Bucs' D made some big hits and tackles, but what else is new?
|  | | Baltimore running back Jamal Lewis scored on a 2-yard TD run in the Ravens' win over the Titans. |
Saints 20, Panthers 10: This probably didn't feel like a victory for the Saints. The loss of Ricky Williams to a broken ankle is a huge blow, just as they are getting ready to play the likes of the Raiders, Rams and Broncos. Saints quarterback Jeff Blake and wide receiver Joe Horn will need to make more big plays. The defense continues to shine. Rookie defensive end Darren Howard's big interception and 50-yard return that ended in a questionable fumble exhibited some flaws: 1. Howard doesn't know how to carry the football, 2. Games that have fewer cameras provide a disadvantage in the instant replay system, 3. Officials apparently aren't fast enough to stay in stride with a defensive end -- otherwise, a decent view probably would have allowed Howard's touchdown.
Bills 20, Bears 3: Don't get started on Doug Flutie vs. Rob Johnson. Flutie produced 10 points and Johnson drove the Bills 54 yards for a field goal in his second-quarter appearance. True, Flutie has very few negative plays (such as sacks), but Johnson really does have more upside. Bills coach Wade Phillips might just try what he did Sunday and continue to play both guys until he sees one catch fire. The bigger problem for the Bills are the injuries that saw running back Sammy Morris, defensive end Marcellus Wiley and defensive tackle Ted Washington leave the field. The Bills will need them as they face a very challenging schedule.
Seahawks 28, Jaguars 21: This was the most surprising result from Sunday's action. The Jaguars were coming off a bye, hoping to regroup for a second-half run, and the uninspired Seahawks (4-7) were traveling cross country. The Jaguars jumped out to a 21-7 lead. Mark Brunell threw for 340 yards. Jimmy Smith and Keenan McCardell each went over 100 yards receiving. Fred Taylor rushed for 103. How did Jacksonville lose?
Well, the Seahawks do have some big-hearted players, like quarterback Jon Kitna, running back Ricky Watters and linebacker Chad Brown. The Jaguars' heart will be tested the remainder of their empty season.
49ers 21, Chiefs 7: OK, this challenges the Seahawks-Jaguars game as the day's stunner. However, this shows what three straight road games to the West Coast can do to a team. The Chiefs were flat, and they will despise how they played Sunday for a long time. 49ers quarterback Jeff Garcia and running back Charlie Garner continued to build strong cases for the Pro Bowl. But the real heroes were on the other side of the ball, where defensive coordinator Jim Mora Jr. -- who has the league's toughest job -- devised a plan to cool off the hot Kansas City offense.
Lions 13, Falcons 10: So much for the inspiration that new coach Gary Moeller provided for the Lions. They won, but it felt like a defeat. Moeller should get credit for showing courage enough to ignore the Detroit crowd on a fourth-and-inches decision at the goal line to kick a game-tying field goal. The Falcons also should get credit. Despite a depleted roster, they made a run in Detroit; in fact, Jamal Anderson ran for his first 100-yard day since the '98 playoffs.
Vikings 31, Cardinals 14: True, it wasn't spectacular, but I liked the way Daunte Culpepper didn't force things in the second half. He overcame an early interception (by deserving perennial Pro Bowl corner Aeneas Williams), but his 25-of-32 passing for 302 yards was exactly what he needed to restore a little confidence. It doesn't hurt that Culpepper has Cris Carter, Randy Moss and Robert Smith to help him along.
Cowboys 23, Bengals 6: This must have felt good for Troy Aikman, who was 24-of-37 for 308 yards. He was barely touched by the Bengals. "That's the kind of protection I need," he said. That's true but, unfortunately, it is unrealistic. The Cowboys did show some pride in the face of mounting injuries. Bengals quarterback Akili Smith is so bad (10-of-25, 68 yards) that his own players are starting to second guess him.
Dolphins 17, Chargers 7: Miami took care of business. That's the best thing that can be said about the Dolphins, who now brace for some serious opponents. A word or three about Ryan Leaf -- he's so soft, so clearly out of condition, so much a morale-killer, the Chargers should cut him today.
Browns 19, Patriots 11: A very nice win for hard-working Browns coach Chris Palmer, who has shown tremendous class in the face of a season in which five offensive starters have been lost to injury. Browns fans also had a good time, jeering ex-coach Bill Belichick. I think Belichick will be making a lot of changes after the season, with players and his coaching staff.
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