LUCK THROWS FOR 4 TDS, INDY ROUTS GIANTS 40-24

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) The mantra throughout the NFL each week is to look ahead. Considering how ugly the previous week was for Indianapolis, the Colts needed tunnel vision toward Monday night.

Following an awful performance in a loss to Pittsburgh, the Colts beat the +New York Giants 40-24 behind Andrew Luck's four touchdown passes and an improved performance by a defense that kept Eli Manning off balance.

With his franchise-record seventh consecutive 300-yard game, Luck led the Colts (6-3) to a lopsided win one week after a 51-34 loss to Ben Roethlisberger and the Steelers. Unlike the way Roethlisberger toyed with their defense in that game, the Colts didn't let Manning get going in handing New York (3-5) its third straight defeat.

''It was great to get back in the win column after a tough one last week,'' Luck said.

Luck hit Coby Fleener for a 32-yard TD in the first half. He had scoring throws of 31 yards to T.Y. Hilton, 40 yards to Reggie Wayne and 2 yards to Dwayne Allen in the third period.

Indianapolis #Colts's #Fleener #TDCelebration #NYGvsIND #NFL #SportsCR3W http://t.co/owhiquPaUz
— Sports CR3W (@SportsCR3W) November 4, 2014

Adam Vinatieri added four field goals and is perfect on 20 tries this year.

It was the eighth time this season that Luck had thrown for more than 300 yards and the 17th time in his three pro seasons. He was 25 for 46 for 354 yards, helping the Colts head into their bye with a two-game lead on Houston on the AFC South.

''Reggie spoke to it last night,'' Luck said. ''He's had only one or two, but he said losses before bye weeks stink.''

So do defeats like the one the +Pittsburgh Steelers laid on Indy. The quick remedy: Win the next time out.

RT @ESPNMondayNight "Somebody (Vontae Davis) is excited about the outcome of this game... pic.twitter.com/vpN1X8Vphh"
— Sports CR3W (@SportsCR3W) November 4, 2014

''We got that bad taste out of our mouths, the way we lost that last game,'' coach Chuck Pagano said. ''It's awesome.''

Wayne, who broke down in tears during the national anthem, surpassed James Lofton for career yards receiving and has 14,070 in his 14-season career.

''I'm just blessed to be out there,'' Wayne said. ''It's an emotional game, man, and sometimes it comes out. It was a prime-time game, and an opportunity to turn things around a little bit.

''An old wise guy once told me you shouldn't hold back your tears. Tonight was a night with the tears.''

Giants first-round pick Odell Beckham Jr. had 156 yards on eight receptions, by far his best game. Manning threw for 359 yards and two TDs, but most of that came with the game decided.

Giants rookie wide receiver, O'Dell Beckham Jr after a nice grab vs the Colts.
Photo Courtesy: New York Giants (AP)

Luck seemed to look for Fleener on every pass in the first half. That well-established combination - they played together at Stanford before joining the Colts in 2012 - paid off on consecutive passes for the game's first touchdown.

But the +Indianapolis Colts probably caught a break on one of those plays. Fleener was awarded a 21-yard gain to the New York 32, although video replays showed he dropped the ball. Giants coach Tom Coughlin threw the challenge flag too late, seconds before Fleener was uncovered down the right side for the touchdown.

''We saw the coaches gathering on the sideline and we didn't know if he was trying to challenge it or not,'' safety Antrel Rolle said. ''And you know as a defense we have to get lined up and get a call. No one got lined up ... we failed to do so as an entire unit. It was one of those plays that costs you.''

Also, costly for the Giants were drops by receivers, an inability to sustain a ground game, and enough pressure against Manning to force long or high throws that had no chance to be caught. Indy led 16-3 at the half thanks to Fleener's TD and field goals of 48, 31 and 48 yards by Vinatieri, who added a 43-yarder in the fourth quarter.

The Colts held the Giants to 143 yards in the opening half, and then staged an 84-yard drive to Hilton's TD on the first series of the third quarter.

New York matched that drive to finally get into the end zone. Beckham got loose for a 59-yard gain on a pass from Manning, and then Andre Williams broke two tackles for a 24-yard reception. Williams surged in from the 1 to make it 23-10.

Luck simply picked New York apart on the next series to go over 300 yards in the air once again. The Colts QB beat a blitz to hit former Giants running back, Ahmad Bradshaw, for 22 yards, Luck, also, did the same to hit Fleener for 11 on third down, and then connected with Wayne on a 40-yard play down the left sideline.

Rookie Jonathan Newsome's sack of Manning three plays later knocked the ball loose and safety Sergio Brown returned it 28 yards to the Giants 4. Luck got his fourth TD pass on a 2-yarder to an uncovered Allen.

That score sent many of the fans to the exits, about the only satisfaction they received being a halftime ceremony when former Giants defensive end Michael Strahan received his Hall of Fame ring.

New York got a pair of late scores on Larry Donnell's 5-yard reception and rookie Corey Washington's 1-yard catch for his first career TD. Quick reaction from the New York Giants on the game.

NOTES: New York lost cornerback Prince Amukamara (torn biceps), probably for the rest of the season, and rookie guard Weston Richburg (ankle). ... Indy held the Giants to 89 yards rushing, while Bradshaw, in his return to the Meadowlands, averaged 7.1 yards a carry, gaining 50, and also had three catches for 29 yards.

+The Associated Press +NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and http://twitter.com/AP-NFL

Manning vs. Brady (Eric Allen - ESPN)

+New England Patriots had issues when they had Talib, but the Thomas pair will be ready for a bit of bounce back redemption from a poorly officiated "B.*" game and a punt they bounces off of a player in 40 mph winds. +Denver Broncos will let Brady throw underneath and the Orange Crush Bookends will have heat on Brady all day. The one thing he cannot deal with. 

Who else is ready for Sunday?!! Time To Ride! United in Orange!

NFL Power Rankings V.8 (ESPN)

Week 8's Takeaways from NFL's Sunday Action

© Jim Rogash/Getty Images
Rumors of the Patriots demise were greatly exaggerated.

There was a whole lot that went down around the NFL on the eighth Sunday of the regular season. From Russell Wilson and the Seattle Seahawks pulling off a must-win against the Carolina Panthers to the Chicago Bears continuing their free fall in New England, some teams were able to overcome recent struggles while others found themselves further behind the eight ball.

Drew Brees and the Saints made a major statement at home against the +Green Bay Packers , as did the Pittsburgh Steelers in a dynamic offensive performance against the Indianapolis Colts. And in less surprising fashion, the Oakland Raiders remain the only winless team in the +NFL.

Let’s check in on 10 takeaways from Sunday’s Week 8 NFL action.

1. Mike Smith’s is on the hot seat in +Atlanta Falcons 

Following a last-second loss to the Detroit Lions in London, the Falcons are now 2-6 on the season and pretty much without any hope of contending for a playoff spot in the second half of the season. More than that, Atlanta couldn’t hold what was a 21-point halftime lead, something that isn’t acceptable at any level.

Now 6-18 since losing the NFC Championship game back in January of 2013, there are a lot of rumors flying that Smith could very well be relieved of his duties in the not-so-distant future. As these rumors swirl, Falcons owner Arthur Blank didn’t do much to quiet them following the loss (via The Atlanta Journal-Constitution).

You’re up 21-0,” owner Arthur Blank told Bradley after the game. “There’s no way you lose that game — just no way. There’s nothing else I can say.

While injuries have played a role here, the decline of this team from Super Bowl contender to cellar-dwellar has to be eye opening. And that could very well cost Smith his job sooner rather than later.

2. The +New England Patriots are Back

Tom Brady had as many touchdown passes (five) as incompletions in a 51-23 blowout win over the Chicago Bears on Sunday. This brings his four-game total to 14 touchdowns and zero interceptions. It isn’t a coincidence that the Patriots have won those four games by a combined 71 points. This coming on the heels of questions about where New England might be headed following losses in two of its first four games.

The interesting dynamic here is that New England, even at 6-2, hasn’t quite pulled away from the pack in the AFC East. After routing the New York Jets on Sunday, Kyle Orton and the Bills are 5-3 on the season. Meanwhile in Miami, the Dolphins are one game above .500.

While New England continues to play some really good football, the AFC East might not be the pedestrian division we have seen in the past. With games coming up against the Denver Broncos, Indianapolis Colts, Detroit Lions, Green Bay Packers and San Diego Chargers, this Patriots team is surely going to be tested. But for right now, concerns about this team have been quieted.

3. The NFC South is Ripe for the +New Orleans Saints’ Taking

Following an impressive 44-23 victory over the Green Bay Packers, Drew Brees and Co. are right back in the thick of the NFC South race. Combine this win with losses by all three of the Saints division rivals, and it’s easy to draw the conclusion that they are in the driver’s seat heading into November.

Brees completed 27-of-32 passes for over 300 yards and three scores. He led the Saints to scoring drives of 80, 69, 88 and 71 yards, which helped keep the ball out of Aaron Rodgers’ hands throughout the game. Defensively, the Saints forced two interceptions and held the Packers to just one touchdown in the second half. Underrated defensive end Jordan Cameron got to the quarterback for two sacks, while Jordy Nelson was held to three receptions on five targets.

Overall, it was a great performance from a Saints team that needed it badly. And now at 3-4 on the season, New Orleans is in a prime position in a division that he headlined by a Panthers team that has won one of its last six games. That’s the type of statement week that can go a long way in determining who wins a well below-average NFC South this season.

4. Carson Palmer’s Improvement is Real. +Arizona Cardinals 

After yet another solid performance from Carson Palmer on Sunday, he continues to show that a career which was once considered over is now back on track. Palmer may have completed less than half his passes. He did struggle with accuracy at times. And yes, he made a couple questionable decisions. But the veteran did not throw a single interception and managed the game pretty darn well against the Philadelphia Eagles in a 24-20 victory for the now 6-1 Cardinals.

By virtue of going another game without throwing an interception, Palmer’s total now sits at one in 156 pass attempts. While the sample size is surely too small, it does appear that he’s no longer the mistake-prone quarterback we have seen for the better part of the last decade in Arizona, Oakland and Cincinnati. If Palmer continues to play this type of football, the Cardinals will find themselves atop of the NFC West when January comes calling. It’s all about sustaining this success in what promises to be a difficult stretch run.

5. The +Oakland Raiders are NFL’s Worst Team

Now at 0-7 on the season, there is little doubt that the Raiders will find themselves with the No. 1 overall pick when the 2015 NFL draft rolls around. This football team is bad, really, really, really…bad.

Oakland’s latest loss came at the hands of a Cleveland Browns team that had just allowed the Jacksonville Jaguars to notch their first win a week prior. And to be honest, there isn’t one thing you can point to as it relates to Oakland’s lack of success on the field. Darren McFadden was running the ball pretty darn well before a third quarter fumble changed the tide of the game for good. Derek Carr had his moments in the first three quarters before it became evident that he was growing frustrated.

This is what happens to bad football teams. They find a way to lose games they should win. Cleveland didn’t necessarily play great football here, instead enabling the Raiders to remain in the game after settling for three field goals in the first half. But with the Raiders seemingly ready to gain momentum, they simply couldn’t get out of their own way.

We are now at the point in the season where it makes sense to look at whether the Raiders will win a game for the remainder of the year. Do you honestly see a game here the Raiders can realistically win? All but one of the opponents remaining on their schedule currently possess a winning record. In order for the Raiders to win even one of these games, they need to perform better in all aspects of the game. Simply put, Oakland’s margin for error just isn’t there with the lack of talent on the roster.

6. +Pittsburgh Steelers Offense Can be Dominating…at Times

I have been beating on this drum for a while now. When the Steelers offense doesn’t get it in its own way, it really can be dynamic. We saw this firsthand against the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday. Ben Roethlisberger had the best single-game performance of what is already a Hall of Fame career. He tallied 522 passing yards and six touchdowns on 40-of-49 passing. That yardage total ranks him in a tie with Boomer Esiason for fourth on the all-time list.

While Roethlisberger was breaking records, the Steelers offensive line held up big time. They didn’t allow a single sack on 49 pass attempts. That’s a major improvement from previous years. Antonio Brown did his normal thing, going for 10 receptions and 133 yards. Meanwhile, rookie Martavis Bryant recorded two touchdown catches and 83 yards on seven targets.

Be it play calling or a lack of execution on the Steelers’ part, this offense has struggled to remain consistent throughout the season. And after a record-setting performance on Sunday, there aren’t any more excuses here. This unit has an opportunity to be among the best in the NFL. It’s now all about showing it on a consistent basis.

7. This +Detroit Lions Team is Different

Different in that they don’t look to be on the verge of a mid-season meltdown like we saw so many times under the unmentionable Jim Schwartz in previous years. Falling down 21-0 to a hapless Atlanta Falcons team on Sunday morning, Detroit rebounded for a last-second win.

While it was evident that Detroit didn’t play its best football in London, it found a way to win a game that it would have lost in the past. Matthew Stafford connected with a pair of former Notre Dame standouts, Golden Tate and Theo Riddick, to the tune of 15 receptions for 225 yards. This lends some credence to the idea that Detroit’s offense can have success without Calvin Johnson, who has now missed the last two games due to an ankle injury.

Defensively, the 6-2 Lions didn’t play the best football until it counted the most. They found a way to pressure Matt Ryan and shutout the Falcons after yielding 21 points in the first half. Barring something major, this team will be in the playoffs come January. And to be honest, first-year head coach Jim Caldwell deserves a lot of the credit.

8. Rex Ryan and +New York Jets Have Two “Quarterbacks”

Which obviously means that they don’t have any. Geno Smith threw three interceptions in the first quarter before being replaced in the lineup by Michael Vick, who proceeded to throw two of his own. While the Jets’ quarterback situation may not be their only problem, it’s rather obvious that this position isn’t even giving the team a chance to win. Including Sunday’s 43-23 loss to the Buffalo Bills, Jets quarterbacks have turned the ball over 16 times in eight games.

It’s so bad that Rex Ryan’s squad yielded 43 points on Sunday with Kyle Orton completing a total of 10 passes. With upcoming games against the Kansas City Chiefs and Pittsburgh Steelers, could the Jets potentially find themselves with a 1-9 record heading into their Week 11 bye? If so, what does that mean for Ryan’s job security?

9. Something Still isn’t Right in +Seattle Seahawks

If you had the pleasure of watching the Seattle Seahawks and Carolina Panthers play on Sunday, you would have had no idea that these two teams boasted the best record in the NFC last season. Both played incredibly sloppy football in a game that was one of the ugliest we have seen around the NFL all season.

Seattle was able to pull off a 13-9 victory after Russell Wilson led the team down the field on a game-winning touchdown scoring drive in the final minute of the game. Up until that point, Pete Carroll’s squad was a hot mess. They committed six penalties in the first half, converted on just 4-of-11 third down opportunities and let Carolina control the time of possession battle in the first half.

While some will conclude that a win is a win, Carroll and Co. have to be concerned here. They put up 13 points against a Panthers team that had yielded an average of 34.8 points in their previous five outings. And now two games behind the Arizona Cardinals entering November, the Seahawks have a steep hill to climb. The talent is here, but several fixes are needed in order for this team to live up to expectations.

10. The +Chicago Bears Season is Over

When your stud free-agent signing injures himself celebrating a sack down by 25 points in the fourth quarter, you know your season isn’t going too well. This is the situation the Bears found themselves in after defensive lineman Lamarr Houston apparently suffered a serious knee injury late in their 51-23 loss to the New England Patriots on Sunday.

But before that embarrassing play, the Bears found a way to embarrass themselves all up and down the field against New England. Falling down 38-7 at the half, Chicago was never really in this game. Jay Cutler turned the ball over on consecutive possessions ending the first half, both of which led to touchdowns for Tom Brady and the Patriots. Defensively, Chicago allowed Brady to complete 30-of-35 passes for 354 yards and five touchdowns. Yes, he had as many touchdowns and incompletions. He was also able to succeed with a clean pocket throughout the entire game and find Rob Gronkowski for three of those scores.

Now at 3-5 on the season and three games behind the Detroit Lions in the NFC North, it’s rather obvious that Marc Trestman’s squad isn’t going anywhere this season. And without much to build on as it relates to a young talent to show progression, this franchise is clearly at a turning point right now. However these final eight games play out will determine a whole heck of a lot heading into what promises to be a busy offseason in Chicago.

Seahawks CB Proposes after OT Thriller win vs Denver Broncos (Week 3)

Seahawks cb Deshawn Shead proposing on the field after Seahawks beat Denver. pic.twitter.com/HBbr6O0waC

— Alex Flanagan (@Alex_Flanagan) September 22, 2014

Darrelle Revis, Patriots A Perfect Fit As Both Upgrade Their Situations

Original by +Doug Kyed on +NESN on Thu, Mar 13, 2014

The New England Patriots waited a day and a half to sign their first marquee free agent. It was worth it. The Patriots got a steal when Darrelle Revis reportedly took a pay cut and agreed to a one-year, $12 million contract — $4 million less than what he made with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers before they released him Wednesday. The deal works out for both parties. The Patriots add a better player than the one they lost (Aqib Talib), and Revis still can say he’s the highest-paid cornerback in the NFL. He’s even making slightly more than the franchise tag number for cornerbacks, which is $11.834 million. Revis also gets to play for a team that’s nearly guaranteed to make the playoffs every season. 

Darrell Revis, with Tampa Bay

Not many teams can offer that kind of prolonged success, which Revis hasn’t experienced. Revis has been to the playoffs twice in his seven-year career, and he just suffered through a 4-12 season with the Bucs. The Patriots also received a third-round compensation pick when Talib signed with the Denver Broncos. The Bucs don’t receive a compensation pick for Revis since they released him, so the Patriots basically traded Talib and $2.5 million for Revis and a third-round pick. 

Revis wasn’t expected to take such a relatively team-friendly deal, so he no longer can be criticized for being “all about the money.” With teams such as the Oakland Raiders, Cleveland Browns and New York Jets rolling in salary-cap space, Revis absolutely could have found a better deal than one year for $12 million. But every player’s goal is to win a Super Bowl, and the Patriots give Revis that chance while he still can retain his bragging rights. Patriots fans collectively freaked out when the Broncos took Talib with a six-year, $57 million contract with $26 million guaranteed, and that looks pretty stupid in retrospect. 

The Patriots landed a better player for $14 million less in guaranteed money. Patriots fans need to learn that Bill Belichick always has a plan, whether it works out or not. When the Patriots let Wes Welker walk last year, they signed Danny Amendola just minutes later. Belichick won’t lose a key player without signing a similar — sometimes better — player. The Patriots’ secondary looks pretty stacked now. Revis and Alfonzo Dennard will be the starting cornerbacks, with Logan Ryan and Kyle Arrington competing for the No. 3 role. Devin McCourty is an All-Pro free safety, and Duron Harmon looked just fine as a starting strong safety in his rookie season. 

The Patriots certainly aren’t done making moves, but adding Revis will go a long way toward bringing them back to the AFC Championship Game and possibly the Super Bowl. Have a question for Doug Kyed? Send it to him via Twitter at @DougKyedNESN

Read more at: http://nesn.com/2014/03/darrelle-revis-new-england-patriots-union-is-perfect-for-both-parties/

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+SPORTS CR3W takes on the above, horrifying wordage in that article. SMH.

Mr. Kyed: While that is all well, and good, PLEASE don't fool yourself into thinking Revis is an upgrade at the position!!? That is a stretch beyond stretches. Revis has not shown glimpses of his former self, and he certainly has shown to NOT be the caliber of Talib over the last two years. The Broncos don't give up a pick, the Patriots are just awarded a compensatory one at the end of the 3rd round. Classic Boston writer/fan up above. Insinuating that Amendola was a better replacement than Welker and who else?? Browse the archives of this Patriots writer and he writes about Brady and the Patriots not having near the talented roster of Peyton or others. How can that be if Bellichick always has a plan in place to replace players that left or were signed elsewhere, then one or the current claim cannot both be true. And the +New England Patriots do have an obligation or they will lose a draft pick if they cut Revis after two years. They have 12.5 million on the take after 2 seasons... Plus, how can Belichick always have a plan in place when Talib signing occurred when Revis was still under contract with the +Tampa Bay Buccaneers ? Bad journalism, pure and simple. Landed a better player?? Really how so. Talib signing is stupid in retrospect, how? Took the top CB off of a rivals roster and secured him for the rest of his prime on their roster. Not stupid or quantified as stupid at all. They got Revis so easily because few were nearly as interested. At least report that aspect! Foolish! Report the news, don't report the story you want it to be unless claiming so...

Talib Headed to Denver with New England in Rearview: Broncos FA Movement Making Serious Splash in NFL Free Agency

+Denver Broncos sign Aqib Talib to 6 year deal, DRC offer Withdrawn

Aqib Talib, suited up for the Patriots in 2013, signs with AFC Rival, Denver Broncos. Big wave
signing in +NFL 2014 free agency. Appears that DRC will not be back with Denver. 

DRC apparently took his time, an afternoon, and John Elway, the Denver Broncos snatch up another big addition to their defensive backfield, Aqib Talib, an unrestricted free agent that was on the +New England Patriots roster and key cog in Head Coach Bill Belichick scheme. The length or size of the offer may be what was withdrawn from their own standout Pro-Bowl CB, Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and perhaps they're still talking. It reunites former +Kansas Jayhawks' college teammates, Chris Harris and Aqib Talib also. Love the corner DRC was for the Broncos, but with the addition of a viable top CB, Talib, and SS, T.J. Ward immediately bolsters the AFC Champions backfield and what was the most inconsistent aspects of their defense, the pass defense. They can be great corners but without a pass rush, it won't matter. The one aspect that cannot be overlooked, both of these players create havoc and turnovers. An aspect the Broncos defense had issues with last season, creating turnovers. This is an absolute great first 8 hours for the 2014 off season of the Broncos. And it also is a big right hook or Elway dart to the Patriots too!! Go :D!

The #Broncos have agreed to terms with UFA CB Aqib Talib on a six-year contract. — Denver Broncos (@Broncos) March 12, 2014

Broncos team sources tell me the team has withdrawn it's offer to DRC.

— Vic Lombardi (@VicLombardi) March 12, 2014

Manning Big Day for Neck Examination to Happen Tomorrow