NFL FOOTBALL - 2009
Pre-Season - Houston Texans (16) @ (10) Kansas City Chiefs - In a driving rainstorm, the Texans opened their Pre-Season with a win. Houston were led by QB Matt Schaub (7-7-70-0) and RB Chris Brown (6-25-1) who scored the Texans only TD. The Chiefs were led by new coach Todd Haley, new QB Matt Cassel (2-5-15-0) and also featured WR Dwayne Bowe (5-70-0) (10, Low audio, 2 Discs, KTRK - Meyers/Tillman/Allen, NTSC)
13/09/09 - New York Jets (24) @ (7) Houston Texans - In the opening game of the season for both teams, the Jets steam-rollered over the Texans and recorded their 1st win. The Jets started their 1st round draft choice, QB Mark Sanchez (18-31-272-1), and he had a steady game in his 1st career start, leading the Jets to a 17-0 lead at the start of the 4th quarter. He was supported by RB Thomas Jones (20-107-2). The Texans were led by QB Matt Schaub (18-33-166-0) (10, 1 Disc, CBS - Nantz/Simms, NTSC)
13/09/09 - Detroit Lions (27) @ (45) New Orleans Saints - The Saints started the season with a bang, as they dominated the Lions and rolled up 515 yards of Offense. The Saints were led by QB Drew Brees (26-34-358-6) whose 6 TD passes equalled the NFL record for a single game. He was supported by RB Mike Bell (28-143-0) and WR Devery Henderson (5-103-1). The Lions started their #1 draft pick, QB Matthew Stafford (16-37-205-0) and he had a steady game in his 1st career start although he threw 3 interceptions (10, 2 Discs, FOX - Meyers/Green, NTSC)
14/09/09 - Buffalo Bills (24) @ (25) New England Patriots - In his first game back from injury, Patriots QB Tom Brady led his team to a comeback win over the Bills. Buffalo led 24-13 with 5 minutes remaining thanks to QB Trent Edwards (15-25-212-2) and RB Fred Jackson (15-57-0) before Brady (39-53-378-2) started his comeback with 2 TD passes to TE Ben Watson (6-77-2), including the game winner with 50 seconds left which happened 3 plays after the Bills had fumbled a kick-off return. The Patriots also featured WR's Wes Welker (12-93-0) and Randy Moss (12-141-0) (10, Missing last 1:21 of the 1st quarter - No scoring missed - 2010 Re-Broadcast with no half-time or commercials, 2 Discs, ESPN - Tirico/Jaworski/Gruden, PAL)
20/09/09 - New York Giants (33) @ (31) Dallas Cowboys - The 2 old enemies opened the new Cowboys Stadium but the Giants spolied the party with a last play FG to steal the win. The Cowboys did a good job stopping the run but Giants QB Eli Manning (25-38-330-2) picked up the slack. Cowboys QB Tony Romo (13-29-127-1 + 3 interceptions) had a terrible outing but the running game, led by RB's Marion Barber (18-124-1) and Felix Jones (7-96-1) kept the Cowboys in the game and Jones 7 yard TD run with 3 minutes left gave the 'Boys brief hope of the win before the final FG drama (10, 2 Discs, NBC - Michaels/Collinsworth/Kremer, PAL)
27/09/09 - San Francisco 49ers (24) @ (27) Minnesota Vikings - In Vikings QB Brett Favres' regular season home debut, he gave the fans a reason to be happy as he threw the game winning 32 yard TD pass with 2 seconds left. Favre (24-46-301-2) had a big game but the Vikings were down 14-13 at the half. The Vikings rally was ignited by kick returner Percy Harvin who returned a 3rd quarter kick-off 101 yards for a TD. San Francisco were led by QB Shaun Hill (15-25-195-2) and also featured back-up RB Glenn Coffee (25-54-0). Minnesota also featured RB Adrian Peterson (19-85-0) (10, 2 Discs, FOX - Rosen/Ryan, NTSC)
04/10/09 - San Diego Chargers (28) @ (38) Pittsburgh Steelers - The Steelers moved to 2-2 with a big win over the Chargers. Pittsburgh jumped out to a 28-7 lead at the start of the 4th quarter behind the play of RB Rashard Mendenhall (29-165-2) and QB Ben Roethlisberger (26-33-333-2). But the Chargers pulled within 7 at 35-28 on a Special Teams TD and 3 TD passes before a FG in the last minute by the Steelers sealed the win. The Chargers featured QB Philip Rivers (21-36-254-3) but he wasn't helped by a rushing attack that was held to 16 total yards (10, 2 Discs, NBC - Michaels/Collinsworth/Kremer, PAL)
11/10/09 - New England Patriots (17) @ (20) Denver Broncos - The Broncos overcame a 17-7 deficit at the half to force overtime and finished off the Patriots with a game-winning FG to stay unbeaten. The Patriots did all their scoring in the 1st half with 2 TD passes from QB Tom Brady (19-33-215-2) and a FG. The Broncos defense then gave the Offense a chance to rescue the game in the 2nd half and QB Kyle Orton (35-48-330-2) responded by driving the Broncos 98 yards to the game-tieing TD pass in the 4th quarter that forced overtime. The Broncos then took the ball in OT and kicked the game-winning 41 yard FG to win the game. The Patriots also featured RB Sammy Morris (17-68-0) and WR Wes Welker (8-86-1). The Broncos also featured RB Knowshon Moreno (21-88-0) and WR's Eddie Royal (10-90-0) and Brandon Marshall (8-64-2). Both teams wore AFL throwback uniforms with the Broncos wearing mustard yellow (10, 2 Discs, CBS - Nantz/Simms, NTSC)
12/10/09 - New York Jets (27) @ (31) Miami Dolphins - On Monday Night Football, the 2 old enemies put on a show and it was the Dolphins that scored last to take the win. A battle of attrition led to a 13-10 Jets lead at the start of the 4th quarter before both teams Offense's woke up. Jets QB Mark Sanchez (12-24-172-1) and RB Thomas Jones (13-42-2) battled Dolphins QB Chad Henne (2-26-241-2) and the Wildcat formation, led by RB Ronnie Bown (21-74-2 + 1-2-21-0) in a back-and-forth scoring duel. The Dolphins claimed the win with the winning TD run with 6 seconds left (10, 2 Discs, ESPN - Tirico/Jaworski/Gruden, NTSC)
18/10/09 - Chicago Bears (14) @ (21) Atlanta Falcons - The Falcons advanced to 4-1, their best start to a season since 2004, holding off the Bears with a big defensive stand in the 4th quarter. Atlanta QB Matt Ryan (19-33-185-2) led the Falcons to a 14-7 lead at the half with 2 TD passes but the Bears tied the game in the 4th quarter with a TD pass from Bears QB Jay Cutler (27-43-300-2). The Falcons went back on top with a TD run from RB Michael Turner (13-30-1) and then watched as the Defense took control and kept the Bears from making a comeback (10, 2 Discs, NBC - Michaels/Collinsworth/Kremer, PAL)
18/10/09 - Tennessee Titans (0) @ (59) New England Patriots - On a snowy day in Foxboro, the Patriots made easy work of the Titans and set several NFL records on the way. Patriots QB Tom Brady (29-34-380-6) had a huge game, throwing 5 TD passes in the 2nd quarter and tied an NFL record with 6 TD passes in total. He led New England to a 49-0 lead at the half, an NFL record for biggest lead at the half. The 59-0 win equalled the NFL record for the biggest margin of victory. Brady's favourite targets were WR's Wes Welker (10-150-2) and Randy Moss (8-129-3). The Titans were led by QB Kerry Collins (2-12--7-0), who had a terrible game, and RB Chris Johnson (17-128-0) as the Titans were held to only 186 yards of total offense (10, Includes local post-game, 2 Discs, CBS - Nantz/Simms, NTSC)
19/10/09 - Denver Broncos (34) @ (23) San Diego Chargers - On Monday Night Football, the Broncos took a 3.5 game division lead over the Chargers with a big game from WR Eddie Royal (235 return yards). Royal became the 11th player in NFL history to return a kick-off (93 yards) and a punt (71 yards) for TD's in the same game. The Chargers led 20-17 at the break although the Broncos hadn't scored on Offense. But Broncos QB Kyle Orton (20-29-229-2) got Denver moving in the 2nd half while the defense shut-down Chargers QB Philip Rivers (20-33-274-1) and RB LaDainian Tomlinson (18-70-0), forcing 4 sacks and 4 fumbles. Chargers RB Darren Sproles also scored on a 77 yard punt return. Both teams wore AFL throwback uniforms (10, 2 Discs, ESPN - Tirico/Jaworski/Gruden, NTSC)
25/10/09 - New Orleans Saints (46) @ (34) Miami Dolphins - In a shootout in Miami, the Saints recovered from an early 21 point deficit to win the game and stay unbeaten. The Dolphins led 24-10 at the half thanks to 2 TD runs from RB Ricky Williams (9-80-03 inc. 68 yard TD run). But the Saints found their feet and rattled of 36 points in the 2nd half to take the win. Saints QB Drew Brees (22-38-298-1) had a bad 1st half but shone in the 2nd half and was helped by the defense that returned 2 interceptions for TD's. The Dolphins also featured QB Chad Henne (18-36-211-1) (10, 2 Discs, FOX - Stockton/Davis, NTSC)
25/10/09 - San Francisco 49ers (21) @ (24) Houston Texans - In a game of 2 halves, the Texans dominated the 1st half then held off a strong fightback in the 2nd half to claim their 2nd consecutive win. The Texans led 21-0 at the half with 2 TD passes from QB Matt Schaub (20-30-264-2) and TD run from RB Steve Slaton (18-67-1). The defense, led by DL Mario Williams (2 tackles, 1 sack) and LB's Brian Cushing (5 tackles) and DeMeco Ryan (6 tackles) held the 49ers Offense to only 50 yards. San Francisco made a QB change at half-time, bringing on Alex Smith (15-22-206-3) and he led the 49ers to within 3 points with 3 TD passes to TE Vernon Davis (7-93-3) but the Texans defense held on late in the 4th quarter and sealed the win with an interception. The game also marked the NFL debut of 49ers WR Michael Crabtree (5-56-0) (10, 1 Disc, FOX - Meyers/Billick, NTSC)
15/11/09 - New England Patriots (34) @ (35) Indianapolis Colts - The Colts increased their regular season win streak to 18 games with a dramatic win over New England. The Patriots started fast and led 24-14 at the half, thanks to QB Tom Brady (29-42-375-3). The Colts rallied in the 2nd half behind the play of QB Peyton Manning (28-44-327-4) but still trailed 34-28 with 1:57 left. The Patriots were on their own 28 yard line and faced 4th-and-2 when coach Bill Belichick decided to go for the 1st down rather than punt. The Colts defense stopped the 4th down play short and Manning needed just 4 plays to score the game-winning TD with 9 seconds left (10, 2 Discs, NBC - Michaels/Collinsworth/Kremer, NTSC)
22/11/09 - San Francisco 49ers (24) @ (30) Green Bay Packers - Packers QB Aaron Rodgers (32-45-344-2) exacted a measure of revenge against the team that didn't draft him in 2005, throwing 2 TD passes to keep the Packers playoff hopes alive. The Packers led 23-3 at the half and looked to be coasting when 49ers QB Alex Smith (16-33-227-3), selected ahead of Rodgers in 2005, threw 3 TD passes to pull the team within 6 points, but the Packers held on for the win. The game also marked the first career TD for 49ers WR Michael Crabtree (4-77-1) (10, 2 Discs, FOX - Brennaman/Billick/Meyers, NTSC)
22/11/09 - Cleveland Browns (37) @ (38) Detroit Lions - The battle of the league's 2 worst teams turned into a shootout, with the Lions emerging winners with a last play TD. Both teams were on fire on Offense in the 1st half with the Browns leading 27-24 at the break, led by QB Brady Quinn (21-33-304-4 inc. 59 yard TD pass) and RB Jamal Lewis (24-75-0). Both teams Defense's ruled the 2nd half, and the Lions found themselves down 37-31 with 1:46 left. Lions QB Matthew Stafford (26-43-422-5 inc. 75 yard TD pass) then led the Lions on a 88 yard drive and won the game with a final play 1 yard TD pass, 1 play after leaving the game briefly with a badly bruised shoulder (10, 2 Discs, CBS - Criqui/Cross, NTSC)
29/11/09 - Arizona Cardinals (17) @ (20) Tennessee Titans - The Titans continued their amazing 5 game win streak but needed a last play TD pass to do so. Titans QB Vince Young (27-43-387-1) passed for a career high in yards and drove the Titans 99 yards in the final 2:37 to claim the win on a last play 10 yard TD pass. The Cardinals were led by QB Matt Leinart (21-31-220-0), who had a good game in his first start in 2 years. The QB match-up was the first between Young and Leinart since the epic 2006 Rose Bowl (10, 2 Discs, FOX - Rosen/Ryan/Thompson, NTSC)
06/12/09 - New Orleans Saints (33) @ (30) Washington Redskins - The Saints continued their Cinderella season with an improbable overtime win against the Redskins. The Saints, led by QB Drew Brees (35-49-419-2) and WR Robert Meachem (8-142-1), played catch-up the whole game and needed a 53 yard TD pass to tie the game with 1:19 left to force overtime. Once in overtime, the Saints forced a Redskins fumble that they turned into the game-winning FG, their only lead in the game. The Redskins racked up 455 yards of Total Offense, led by QB Jason Campbell (30-42-367-3) but couldn't play defense when it really mattered (10, 2 Discs, FOX - Rosen/Ryan/Turner, NTSC)
20/12/09 - Green Bay Packers (36) @ (37) Pittsburgh Steelers - The Steelers ended their 5 game losing streak with a last play TD pass that also ended the Packers 5 game win streak. The Packers, led by QB Aaron Rodgers (26-48-383-3), took a 36-30 lead with 2:06 left that was set-up by the Steelers attempting and failing on an on-side kick after they had kicked a FG to take a 30-28 lead. But Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger (29-46-503-3) bailed out his coach by leading his team downfield and throwing the game-winning 19 yard TD pass to WR Mike Wallace on the final play of the game. The teams combined for 35 points in the 4th quarter (10, 2 Discs, FOX - Buck/Aikman/Oliver, NTSC)
03/01/10 - Cincinnati Bengals (0) @ (37) New York Jets - The Jets knew that only a win would see them into the Playoffs and on a frigid night in New Jersey they took apart the Bengals to clinch that final place. The Jets led 27-0 at the half and held the Bengals to only 7 total yards at the half. Any chance of a Bengals comeback was snuffed out by the Defense and the Jets coasted home. The Jets rushed for 257 yards, with RB's Thomas Jones (27-78-2) and Shon Greene (13-62-0) + QB/WR/RB Brad Smith (4-92-1) doing the damage. Rookie QB Mark Sanchez (8-16-63-0) had a steady game. The Bengals were led by QB Carson Palmer (1-11-0-0) who had a terrible game, but were missing RB Cedric Benson, who was rested. The game also marked the last NFL game at Giants Stadium before both the Jets and the Giants move to the new Meadowlands stadium (10, 2 Discs, NBC - Michaels/Collinsworth/Kremer, PAL)
11/01/10 - NFC Wildcard Playoff - Green Bay Packers (45) @ (51) Arizona Cardinals - Both teams played out the highest scoring post-season game ever, and it was the Cardinals that moved on with a deciding defensive score in Overtime. The Cardinals led 24-10 at the ,with QB Kurt Warner (29-33-379-5) leading the way, before Packers QB Aaron Rodgers (28-42-422-4) staged a 2nd half comeback that gave them a 3 point lead with 1:52 left. Warner then drove the Cardinals to a game-tieing FG with 9 seconds left that forced Overtime where the Defense finished the game by forcing a Rodgers fumble and returning it for a TD (10, 2 Discs, FOX - Buck/Aikman/Oliver/Myers, NTSC)
16/01/10 - NFC Divisional Playoff - Arizona Cardinals (14) @ (45) New Orleans Saints - The Saints exploded on the defending NFC Champions with a big win in the Superdome. The Saints, led by QB Drew Brees (23-32-247-3) and RB Reggie Bush (5-84-1 + 83 yard punt return TD), led 35-14 at the half and coasted home. The Cardinals were led by QB Kurt Warner (17-26-205-0), RB Tim Hightower (6-87-1) and WR Larry Fitzgerald (6-77-0). The game proved to be the final NFL game for QB Kurt Warner, who announced his retirement 13 days later (10, 2 Discs, FOX - Albert/Johnston/Siragusa, NTSC)
24/01/10 - AFC Championship - New York Jets (17) @ (30) Indianapolis Colts - The Colts advanced to their 2nd Superbowl in 4 years with a comeback win over the Jets. After a scoreless 1st quarter, New York took a 17-6 lead thanks to QB Mark Sanchez (17-30-257-2 inc. an 80 yard TD pass) and RB's Thomas Jones (16-42-0) and Shonn Greene (10 41-0). But the Colts then reeled off 24 unanswered points to take the win, led by QB Peyton Manning (26-39-377-3) and WR's Pierre Garcon (11-151-1) and Austin Collie (7-123-1) (10, 2 Discs, CBS - Nantz/Simms, NTSC)
24/01/10 - NFC Championship - Minnesota Vikings (28) @ (31) New Orleans Saints - In a game of high drama, both teams played to overtime where the Saints won out to reach their 1st ever Superbowl. Both teams were evenly matched, with the score tied at 14-14 at the half, but the game was decided by Vikings turnovers. They lost 3 fumbles and had 2 interceptions, with the 2nd interception in the final seconds of the game. With the score 28-28, Vikings QB Brett Favre (28-46-310-1) drove his team to within game-winning FG distance but his interception doomed Minnesota to overtime. Once in overtime, the Saints won the toss and QB Drew Brees (17-31-197-3) guided his team into FG range where the Saints kicked their way into the Superbowl. The Vikings also featured RB Adrian Peterson (25-122-3) and WR Bernard Berrian (9-102-0). The Saints also featured RB Pierre Thomas (14-61-1) and WR Devery Henderson (4-39-1) (10, 3 Discs, FOX - Buck/Aikman/Oliver, NTSC)