Nathan Stacken
It’s a new week and that means another week of the Stack Attack. There is a lot to digest and talk about as the NFL enters the last quarter of its season, but here’s what I think are the five biggest stories from a wild week 13 in the NFL:
1. New Orleans has some luck on their side.
No team can go through an entire season undefeated like the Saints are without getting a little lucky, and the Saints were lucky on Sunday. After a Redskins defensive back intercepted Drew Brees late in the first half, he tried to pick up some more yards only to have Saints wide receiver Robert Meachem strip him of the football, pick the football up and run it in for a touchdown. The amazing touchdown by the Saints tied the game at 17-17 going into halftime. Later in the game, with the Saints trailing 30-23 in the fourth quarter, Redskins kicker Shaun Suisham missed a 23-yard field goal that would have virtually ended the game and given the Saints their first loss. But Suisham missed and Brees led the Saints on an 80-yard touchdown drive to tie the game. The Saints ended up winning the game in overtime 33-30. The Saints are a very good team, and the ball appears to be bouncing their way to an unforgettable season.
2. Dallas begins its December meltdown?
The last few seasons, the Cowboys have played very poorly in the month of December, leading to either them missing the playoffs or getting beaten in the first round of the playoffs. This December started no differently. The Cowboys lost to a struggling New York Giants team, and though Tony Romo and the offense played fairly well, questions abound as to whether or not we are seeing another collapse. The Eagles won against the Falcons tying them for first in the NFC East with the Cowboys. And the Giants, with the win, are now just a game behind. For the record, the Cowboys do have a difficult road ahead, and they did play better yesterday than they have in recent Decembers, but still a loss right away in December is not good for this team.
3. Indianapolis continues to roll.
4. New England and Pittsburgh suffer head-scratching losses.
Two normal AFC powerhouse teams lost in games on Dec. 6. The Steelers lost to the Oakland Raiders on Dec. 6 at home. The Steelers gave up 21 points in the fourth quarter. The defending Super Bowl champs are not playing like defending champs, and everyone is asking why. Meanwhile, the New England Patriots continue to lose on the road, this time blowing a 14-point lead to the Miami Dolphins. Questionable play calling and going for it on fourth down is plaguing the Patriots right now. They’ll win the AFC East, but they won’t make much noise in the playoffs.
5. Arizona dominates the Vikings.
The Arizona Cardinals throttled the Minnesota Vikings in every phase of the game Sunday night. The front lines were the most impressive. They offensive line didn’t allow the Vikings to sack Kurt Warner once, the first time since Week 4 of last season that the Vikings couldn’t record at least one sack. The Cardinals defensive line got to Brett Favre almost the entire game, pressuring him into two interceptions. While it is just one bad loss for the Vikings, this game means much more for the Cardinals and their confidence come playoff time.
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