National Football League In Review

After a host of games across the league, one thing is clear in my mind: never, ever count the Eagles out. Faced with a 21-point halftime deficit, and staring down a three-touchdown gap with roughly seven minutes to play, Philadelphia rallied to win in the most improbable comeback so far this year.

Vick averaged 13.0 yards a carry and ran for one score
to lead the Eagles to a 38-31 victory over the Giants on Sunday.
Photo courtesy of google.com

They not only scored three times to tie the game over that seven-minute span, but also recovered an onside kick to give themselves a shot to score. What's more, their special teams eventually won the game for them. Give credit to the Eagles 'D' for generating a stop that late in the contest, and give credit to DeSean Jackson and the rest of that punt return unit for delivering the most thrilling game-winnning touchdown of the year. However, they wouldn't have been in that position were it not for the play of Michael Vick. His efforts in running for 130 yards from the quarterback position were undeniably tremendous, and with two regular-season games left to play, he just might be the NFL MVP. Now, Philadelphia holds the tie-breaker over the Giants, and a chokehold on the NFC East.

Another team also solidified their own playoff position with a tough road victory. The Baltimore Ravens went into New Orleans and handed the defending Super Bowl champs their third loss in a big, bruising way.  Ray Rice and the rest of the Ravens backfield outrushed the Saints 207 to 28, and held on in the fourth quarter despite a tying touchdown from Drew Brees. They're now atop the wild-card standings, and with two games against divisonal opponents left, they can pass the Steelers in the AFC North, despite their loss to Pittsburgh two weeks ago.

The Ravens actually got some help on that front  today, as Rex Ryan's Jets took down those Steelers at Heinz Field. Special teams and defense keyed the Jets' victory, with New York getting huge contributions from former Missouri star Brad Smith (a 97-yard kickoff return for a score to open the game), kicker Nick Folk (two field goals), and veteran LB Jason Taylor (the primary force behind a late-game safety which extended New York's lead to five). At this point, the Jets look like a strong contender out of the AFC.

Today's results all boil down to one basic prinicple, though. That principle is simple: to win in the NFL, you need to possess the will to win, every second, every play, and every down. Certain teams have it, and certain teams don't. In the next two weeks, as we head towards the playoffs, we'll see who's for real.....and who's just playing games.

--Beau