NFL FanHouse

NFL Week 9 Live Tweet

Michael David Smith — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 12:58:00 EST

It's week 9 in the 2009 NFL season, and we've got some big games ahead of us.

Can the Baltimore Ravens stay in the AFC North race by winning on the road against the Cincinnati Bengals? Can the Indianapolis Colts effectively end the AFC South race by winning at home against the Houston Texans? Will anyone show up in Jacksonville to watch the Jaguars face the Chiefs?

For all of that and more follow along below or follow me on Twitter @MichaelDavSmith.

NFL Week 9 Live Tweet originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Sun, 08 Nov 2009 12:58:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

FanHouse Preview: Cowboys at Eagles

R.J. White — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 10:20:00 EST

by R.J. White

Filed under: Cowboys, Eagles, NFC East, FanHouse Previews

When the Eagles and Cowboys step on the same field, you know you're in for a battle. This will be the 100th meeting in the series, with the Cowboys entering the fay with a 55-44 lead in the previous 99 games. The Eagles have the leg up in recent years though, culminating in a Week 17 beatdown last year that wound up earning Philly a playoff berth over Dallas. (Not that Tony Romo would have done much had he made the playoffs anyway.)

Both teams are 5-2, and with the Giants losing to both these foes in recent weeks, this game will determine who has the inside track at winning the NFC East. So if you though this would be just another regular ol' 100th meeting between hated rivals, think again.

More Coverage: Westbrook Reportedly Out for Eagles
The Once-Over: Breakdowns of All Week 9 Games

FanHouse Preview: Cowboys at Eagles originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Sun, 08 Nov 2009 10:20:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Survivor: FanHouse Island, Week 9

Michael Katz — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 10:00:00 EST

by Michael KatzThe NFL FanHouse team is putting its prediction skills to the test with a little friendly survivor pick 'em league. Each week, every competitor will choose one NFL winner, keeping in mind that you can't pick the same team more than once during the year. But it's a dangerous game: Get one wrong, and you're out.

The NFL season is half over and every team is, at the very least, still in existence. The Survivor Pick 'Em season is also half over, but only three writers remain.

You tell me which is the more dangerous game, Malcolm Gladwell.

Survivor: FanHouse Island, Week 9 originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Sun, 08 Nov 2009 10:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Ryan Moats Earns Texans' Starting Job

Chris Burke — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 17:20:00 EST

by Chris Burke

Filed under: Texans

Running back Ryan Moats almost single-handedly carried Houston to a Week 8 win at Buffalo -- scoring three rushing touchdowns in the fourth quarter as the Texans turned a 10-9 deficit into a 31-10 victory.

He'll be rewarded for that effort, too. Houston coach Gary Kubiak told ESPN's Bob Holtzman that Moats will be his team's starting back when the Texans play in Indianapolis Sunday, according to Adam Schefter.

Kubiak also said that Steve Slaton, who's had major issues with ball security this year, will share carries.

Ryan Moats Earns Texans' Starting Job originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Sat, 07 Nov 2009 17:20:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Bucs Legend Excited to Christen Team's Ring of Honor

Brett McMurphy — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 15:30:00 EST

by Brett McMurphy

Filed under: Buccaneers

TAMPA, Fla. -- Halftime. A few precious moments for an NFL player to make adjustments and catch his breath.

For Chicago Bears offensive tackle Ted Albrecht, it was just enough time to make a confession.

The date was Dec. 4, 1977. The Bears were battling the Buccaneers in Tampa Stadium. The game was a scoreless tie, but Albrecht was already beat. A Bears assistant walked across the visiting locker room to talk with him.

"Coach, there are four things in this world I do not want to do under any circumstance," Albrecht said. "No. 1, I don't want to milk a cobra. No. 2, I don't want to be buried at sea. No. 3, I don't want to be hit in the head with a hockey puck.

"And No. 4," he said, "I don't want to play the second half against Lee Roy Selmon."

No one did.

Bucs Legend Excited to Christen Team's Ring of Honor originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Sat, 07 Nov 2009 15:30:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Broncos Sign Veteran CB Ty Law

Chris Burke — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 12:25:00 EST

by Chris Burke

Filed under: Broncos, NFL Free Agency

In a move that came a bit out of the blue, the Broncos waived 24-year-old cornerback Jack Williams and signed 14-year vet Ty Law.

Denver rookie head coach Josh McDaniels didn't mess around after Baltimore shredded Denver 30-7 last week -- the Broncos' first loss of the year. Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco went 20 of 25 through the air in that game, and as Jeff Legwold of the Denver Post points out, 12 of 15 against Denver's nickel defense.

McDaniels said Saturday that he hopes Law can play Monday night when Denver hosts Pittsburgh.

Broncos Sign Veteran CB Ty Law originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Sat, 07 Nov 2009 12:25:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

The Once-Over: Week 9

Knox Bardeen — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 10:00:00 EST

by Knox Bardeen

Filed under: NFL Predictions

With attention spans dwindling, we forgo full game-by-game previews to give you the essentials you need to know about every contest this glorious NFL weekend. We call it The Once-Over.

The Once-Over: Week 9 originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Sat, 07 Nov 2009 10:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

With Yankees Done, Pressure's Really on the Giants Now

Dan Graziano — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 09:00:00 EST

by Dan Graziano

Filed under: Giants, NFL Quarterbacks, NFL Analysis

It's not that the Giants' three-game losing streak has gone unnoticed. It's just that, with all the excitement over everything the Yankees have been up to, New York sports fans have had other things on their minds. Yes, they're aware, vaguely, that the Giants' defense hasn't been able to stop the Saints, Cardinals or Eagles the past three weeks. And they have seen a headline or two about Eli Manning suddenly looking much more mortal than his contract and his championship pedigree say he should. But the panic meter hasn't moved too much over all of this, because New York is still one of the few American towns in which football can take a backseat to baseball. And for the past few weeks, for very good reason, New York has been a baseball town.

That all changes this weekend. The San Diego Chargers hit town -- another dynamic offense surely licking its chops over a chance to take its turn at the Giants' battered ego and secondary. If the Giants lose again, they're looking at a 5-4 record heading into their bye week, which would mean two solid weeks of tabloid and talk show debate on the issue of "What's Wrong With the Giants?"

With Yankees Done, Pressure's Really on the Giants Now originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Sat, 07 Nov 2009 09:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Tom Brady: I've Never 'Influenced a Call'

Chris Burke — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 23:20:00 EST

by Chris Burke

Filed under: Dolphins, Patriots

Coincidence or not, after Tom Brady missed almost all of the 2008 season after a low hit tore the Patriots star's left MCL and ACL, the NFL's Competition Committee made clear that it would enforce more strictly a rule preventing defenders from tackling quarterbacks at or below the knee. It was affectionately dubbed "The Brady Rule" by folks outside the league office.

And the Patriots have benefitted from the increased focus on QB protection, with their opponents picking up five roughing the passer penalties in seven games. One, in particular, raised some eyebrows -- in New England's Week 4 win over Baltimore, Ravens linebacker Terrell Suggs gently brushed Brady's knee, and Brady gestured back at referee Ron Winter, and a flag came flying.

Winter might have thrown the flag regardless of Brady's reaction -- it is in the rule book, after all, though the rule states that forcible contact must me made -- but, nonetheless, the anti-Brady folk out there used it as evidence that Brady gets whatever he wants from officials.

Tom Brady: I've Never 'Influenced a Call' originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Fri, 06 Nov 2009 23:20:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

John Harbaugh: Cowboys Are Everything That's Wrong With the NFL

Josh Alper — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 17:15:00 EST

by Josh Alper

Filed under: Cowboys, Eagles, NFC East

On the eve of a Sunday night NFC East showdown in Philadelphia, the Cowboys have gotten some bulletin board material via a comparison of their franchise and the Eagles. Strangely enough, the inflammatory statements weren't made by anyone with current ties to the Eagles, but by Ravens head coach John Harbaugh.

Harbaugh, a former Eagles assistant, was asked for a new book what made the Eagles more successful than the Cowboys over the last 10 years. Matt Mosley of ESPN.com shares the answer.

John Harbaugh: Cowboys Are Everything That's Wrong With the NFL originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Fri, 06 Nov 2009 17:15:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Jaguars Again NFL's Lone Blackout

Chris Burke — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 16:52:00 EST

by Chris Burke

Filed under: NFL Media Watch

Despite a still-struggling economy and a league that's unusually top-heavy this season, the NFL continues to -- somehow, some way -- sellout the majority of its games.

With the news Friday afternoon that Cincinnati had sold enough tickets its matchup with Baltimore to air on local TV, that left the floundering Jaguars as the only team blacked out for Week 9. It's the fourth time in four home games that Jacksonville has failed (by a large margin) to reach a sellout, and the third week this season that every home team but the Jaguars has avoided a local TV blackout.

Rather remarkably, only three teams thus far -- Jacksonville, Detroit and Oakland -- have been blacked out.

Jaguars Again NFL's Lone Blackout originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Fri, 06 Nov 2009 16:52:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Week 9 NFL Picks: Not Much Belief in First-Place Broncos

Dave Goldberg — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 15:00:00 EST

by Dave Goldberg

Filed under: NFL Predictions

The Denver Broncos lost for the first time last week, a predictable defeat in Baltimore.

The folks who set the odds seem to think that's the start of a trend. Don't hold it against them -- their first concern is always money, and they seem to think Pittsburgh is the money team as it heads for a Monday night meeting at Invesco Field. The Steelers are a three-point favorite against a team that hadn't lost a game until it went to Baltimore.

Understandable on one level.

The Steelers are the Super Bowl champions, a team that's almost always competitive. Denver's a traditional team, too, but it's tradition most recently hasn't been what it was in the 1980s and 1990s when it went to five Super Bowls, winning the last two in John Elway's final two seasons.

Week 9 NFL Picks: Not Much Belief in First-Place Broncos originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Fri, 06 Nov 2009 15:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Bob Sanders Reportedly Out for Season

Matt Snyder — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 13:10:00 EST

by Matt Snyder

Filed under: Colts, AFC South, NFL Injuries

There's never a good time to have half of your defensive backfield hurt, but having it happen immediately before facing the Houston Texans' powerful passing attack is close to the worst possible situation during the regular season. But that is exactly what's happening in Indianapolis.

News broke Thursday that Marlin Jackson would be out for the season with a torn ACL -- for the second consecutive year. Friday, the Colts learned that Bob Sanders needs surgery to repair his injured elbow -- which will end his season, according to Adam Shefter of ESPN -- and that starting cornerback Kelvin Hayden has been definitively ruled out for Sunday's game as well.

Bob Sanders Reportedly Out for Season originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Fri, 06 Nov 2009 13:10:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

NFL FanHouse Preview Chat Recap

Bruce Ciskie — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 11:00:00 EST

by Bruce Ciskie

Filed under: Bengals, Colts, Ravens, Saints, NFL Fans, NFL Live Blogging

Most teams will play their eighth game this week, meaning that we're hitting the halfway mark. Already, there's talk of 16-0 teams and teams that have played themselves out of serious contention.

We previewed this weekend's big games, got your predictions, and found out who you think has the better shot of running the table among the remaining unbeatens. Read all about it after the jump.

NFL FanHouse Preview Chat Recap originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Fri, 06 Nov 2009 11:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Between the Lines: Who Sends the House and Who Plays It Safe?

JJ Cooper — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 09:41:00 EST

by JJ Cooper

Filed under: Jets, Saints, NFL Analysis

Every week we analyze line play in a new Between The Lines feature.

In watching line play around the league, it's obvious that there's more than one way to pressure the quarterback. The Jets and Eagles generate pressure with confusion. Teams don't know if they're sending three or eight and they don't know where they will be coming from. The Vikings send their front four most of the time, but with Jared Allen and Kevin Williams, they don't need to confuse people as much as just beat them off the line. It generally works and drives Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers insane (14 sacks in two games).

Between the Lines: Who Sends the House and Who Plays It Safe? originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Fri, 06 Nov 2009 09:41:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Yankees' Blueprint a Lesson for Al Davis

Nancy Gay — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 21:00:00 EST

by Nancy Gay

Filed under: Raiders

The Boss, the one who rules Major League Baseball, wasn't in New York Wednesday night as the Yankees celebrated their 27th World Series title with a 7-3 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies. But George Steinbrenner, 79 -- still the architect of champions and the titan of New York sports -- was watching from his home in Tampa.

Every out. Every pitch. Every player celebration. Steinbrenner could see and hear his players express their gratitude, and his family said he was overcome with joy.

"Thank you. Thank you for everything," Yankees catcher Jorge Posada told the owner through a camera lens. "Thank you for this. Thank you for having the team every year, to try to have a team to be here [the World Series]."

The Boss is not in robust health these days. He wasn't in the clubhouse to feel the champagne shower. But he was "teary eyed" said his son, Hank. "It meant everything."

Yankees' Blueprint a Lesson for Al Davis originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Thu, 05 Nov 2009 21:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Before Retiring, Jamal Lewis Wants Wins

Thomas George — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 19:30:00 EST

by Thomas George

Filed under: Browns, NFL Analysis

Once Jamal Lewis returned to his hometown of Atlanta on Wednesday night, things looked the same from afar. Yes, he is retiring after this season. No, it was not an instant decision based on the Cleveland Browns' 30-6 loss at the Chicago Bears last Sunday -- after which Lewis announced his NFL exit plans.

He left the University of Tennessee after three seasons and the Baltimore Ravens after a Super Bowl XXXV championship and seven seasons. This third season with the Browns gives him 10 full NFL years.

Cleveland is 1-7, but Lewis said his choice would be the same if his team was 7-1.

And though the Browns have a bye this week and Lewis, 30, has quiet time to reconsider, he said he will not.

Before Retiring, Jamal Lewis Wants Wins originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Thu, 05 Nov 2009 19:30:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Colts' Marlin Jackson Out for Season

Matt Snyder — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 19:15:00 EST

by Matt Snyder

Filed under: Colts, AFC South, NFL Injuries

In what will surely be a big blow to the Colts' very solid pass defense, Indianapolis starting cornerback Marlin Jackson confirmed Thursday that he has torn his ACL and will miss the rest of the season. The unfortunate injury reportedly occurred on the last play of Wednesday's practice -- it's the second straight year that Jackson's suffered a season-ending ACL injury.

The timing is especially bad for the Colts, as they gear up to face the league's third-ranked passing attack this weekend, in the Houston Texans. This also further jumbles the situation as to who will guard superstar wideout Andre Johnson, considering Kelvin Hayden is also banged up for the Colts.

The timing for Jackson is actually worse than it is for his team. He's scheduled to be a free agent at the conclusion of the 2009-2010 season and he likely won't be healthy enough to prove himself until most teams will have filled their most pressing depth chart needs.

Colts' Marlin Jackson Out for Season originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Thu, 05 Nov 2009 19:15:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Chiefs Petition a Protest From the Heart

Dan Graziano — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 17:00:00 EST

by Dan Graziano

Filed under: Chiefs, NFL Fans, NFL Analysis

The Chiefs fans who want Larry Johnson off their team aren't your typical angry fans, lashing out over something as unpleasantly common as another losing season. The online petition they started, which was barreling toward 20,000 signatures Thursday afternoon amid a surprising run of national publicity, says nothing about wanting a coach fired or demanding that an owner sell. It is a petition from the heart, whose roots lie not in anger over the team's record or current stretch of on-field futility, but rather in a deep and abiding love of the team and its history.

"People in Kansas City, we don't mind losing," Dan Cataldi said. "We get used to it, actually. But it just gets frustrating when we don't like the team. That's what we can't stand."

Hence, this petition, which is addressed to new Chiefs GM Scott Pioli and makes the simple plea to remove Johnson from the field and/or the team before he collects 80 more yards and surpasses Priest Holmes as the team's all time leading rusher.

Chiefs Petition a Protest From the Heart originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Thu, 05 Nov 2009 17:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Greg Blache Defends Daniel Snyder

Matt Snyder — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 15:10:00 EST

by Matt Snyder

Filed under: Redskins, NFC East

Former Redskins player John Riggins has been increasingly critical of current Redskins owner Dan Snyder over the course of the 2009 season. Most recently he took to Showtime's Inside the NFL to air his grievances against Snyder and the Redskins.

Redskins defensive coordinator Greg Blache, who apparently is an ardent Snyder supporter, took some serious issue with Riggins and his constant criticism. So serious an issue, in fact, that the Redskins sent out an incredibly lengthy press release courtesy of Blache early Thursday afternoon.

Greg Blache Defends Daniel Snyder originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Thu, 05 Nov 2009 15:10:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments