By: Joe Smeltzer
Hello, all. Week 7 of the 2015 NFL season is in the books, and like every other week, some interesting stuff went down. Let's get into, the best (and worst) of week 7
Highs
Game of the Week: Redskins 31, Bucs 30
Yes, the "who the hell cares" game of the week was awesome, as well as embarrassing for Tampa Bay. This contest between two irrelevant teams looked like it would be a laugher when Tampa Bay got out to a 24-0 lead, but Kirk Cousins of all people was not ready to pack it in. The former Michigan State Spartan led his troops back, running for a touchdown and throwing for two more, cutting the Bucs lead to just 24-21 by the end of the 3rd quarter. Tampa had a chance to slam the door shut late in the 4th quarter, when they had 1st and goal at the Washington 5 yard line, clinging to a 27-24 lead. But the Bucs could not get the ball in that end zone, and they were forced to settle for a Connor Brath field goal, giving Cousins 2:24 to make something happen. He did just that, hitting Jordan Reed in the end zone from 6 yards out with 24 seconds left, giving Washington a 31-30 victory. Even though neither of these teams will be in the playoffs, it was a very exciting game that is a reason we love sports, and that's why it is worthy of the honor.
Honorable Mentions: Bills-Jags, Jets-Patriots.
Biggest Statement: Miami Dolphins
I don't care what the match up is. Leading 41-0 after the first half is impressive, and the Dolphins were simply awesome this week, even if the Houston Texans are pathetic, and Ryan Tannehill and Lamar Miller were the main reasons why. Tannehill was 18-19, passing for 282 yards and four touchdowns while Miller ran for 175 yards on just 14 carries while contributing 61 recieving yards and a running for a touchdown as well as catching another. It looks like the firing of Joe Philbin may have lit a fire under the Dolphins, and I am intrigued to see whether or not they can sneak in a wild card spot in the awful AFC.
Honorable Mentions: Raiders, Saints
Lows
Most Boring game of the week: Falcons at Titans
Defensive football can be compelling at times: if both teams are compelling to watch. But in the case of the Atlanta Falcons and the Tennessee Titans, only one of those teams is compelling. This game would have been a lot more interesting if Atlanta had delivered the 20+ point drubbing that they were supposed to, but instead, all we got was a defensive standstill. It takes a certain type of 10-7 game to be interesting, and a 5-1 team going up against a 1-5 team does not fit the criteria in my opinion. So if you wanted to see some touchdowns, I don't blame any fans for taking a weekend nap during the middle of this snooze fest.
Flops of the Week: Houston Texans
As much as Miami deserves credit for their performance on Sunday afternoon, Houston deserves to take plenty of flack for their futility. Any team that calls themselves a member of the National Football League and manages to fall behind 41-0 in a game in which their opponents are by no means Superbowl contenders should be ashamed of themselves. Houston, we have a big time problem, and as good of a guy as Bill O'Brien is, I foresee him hitting the unemployment line this January for his higher ups to solve this problem. It is astonishing for me to think that a defensive unit that features a player as gifted as JJ Watt can be so pathetic. The story of the offensive unit isn't much more positive. Brian Hoyer can't do anything behind center, and Arian Foster is now lost for the season. Amazingly, this bunch is only one game back of first place in the AFC South, but as badly as the Indianapolis Colts have underachieved this season, I still think they are in much better shape than Houston is. If any Texans fans are reading this, I am very sorry for what you have to root for. Then again, I was a fan of the Pittsburgh Pirates throughout 15 consecutive losing seasons, so I do not express great empathy for fans of any team.
Honorable Mentions: Bucs, Redskins, Colts
I was way off
Saints at Colts
The Colts appear to be finding themselves after an awful 0-2 start, as they have won three of their last four games. The Saints, on the other hand, have fallen on hard times. I see Andrew Luck having plenty of success against the New Orleans defense, and that will propel the Colts to a comfortable win. 34-14 Colts -An excerpt from Joe Smeltzer's NFL Week 7 Preview
Um, about that. The New Orleans Saints made me look like a bum on Sunday, and I tip my hat to them. If I had known that Mark Ingram would turn into the 2nd coming of Jim Brown, maybe I would have picked differently. Ingram was a monster on Sunday, rushing for 143 yards on just 14 Carries. The Saints were in complete control for most of the game, as they led 27-0 in the 3rd quarter before fending off a late Colt rally that made the game look more even than it was. The Saints won't make the playoffs, but this had to feel good for Sean Peyton and company. As for Chuck Pagano, you better figure things out, pal. You too, Mr. Luck.
Thank you for reading, and don't forget to follow ''Smeltzer on Sports'' on Twitter as well as Google Plus. God bless you all.
Highs
Game of the Week: Redskins 31, Bucs 30
Yes, the "who the hell cares" game of the week was awesome, as well as embarrassing for Tampa Bay. This contest between two irrelevant teams looked like it would be a laugher when Tampa Bay got out to a 24-0 lead, but Kirk Cousins of all people was not ready to pack it in. The former Michigan State Spartan led his troops back, running for a touchdown and throwing for two more, cutting the Bucs lead to just 24-21 by the end of the 3rd quarter. Tampa had a chance to slam the door shut late in the 4th quarter, when they had 1st and goal at the Washington 5 yard line, clinging to a 27-24 lead. But the Bucs could not get the ball in that end zone, and they were forced to settle for a Connor Brath field goal, giving Cousins 2:24 to make something happen. He did just that, hitting Jordan Reed in the end zone from 6 yards out with 24 seconds left, giving Washington a 31-30 victory. Even though neither of these teams will be in the playoffs, it was a very exciting game that is a reason we love sports, and that's why it is worthy of the honor.
Honorable Mentions: Bills-Jags, Jets-Patriots.
Biggest Statement: Miami Dolphins
I don't care what the match up is. Leading 41-0 after the first half is impressive, and the Dolphins were simply awesome this week, even if the Houston Texans are pathetic, and Ryan Tannehill and Lamar Miller were the main reasons why. Tannehill was 18-19, passing for 282 yards and four touchdowns while Miller ran for 175 yards on just 14 carries while contributing 61 recieving yards and a running for a touchdown as well as catching another. It looks like the firing of Joe Philbin may have lit a fire under the Dolphins, and I am intrigued to see whether or not they can sneak in a wild card spot in the awful AFC.
Honorable Mentions: Raiders, Saints
Lows
Most Boring game of the week: Falcons at Titans
Defensive football can be compelling at times: if both teams are compelling to watch. But in the case of the Atlanta Falcons and the Tennessee Titans, only one of those teams is compelling. This game would have been a lot more interesting if Atlanta had delivered the 20+ point drubbing that they were supposed to, but instead, all we got was a defensive standstill. It takes a certain type of 10-7 game to be interesting, and a 5-1 team going up against a 1-5 team does not fit the criteria in my opinion. So if you wanted to see some touchdowns, I don't blame any fans for taking a weekend nap during the middle of this snooze fest.Flops of the Week: Houston Texans
As much as Miami deserves credit for their performance on Sunday afternoon, Houston deserves to take plenty of flack for their futility. Any team that calls themselves a member of the National Football League and manages to fall behind 41-0 in a game in which their opponents are by no means Superbowl contenders should be ashamed of themselves. Houston, we have a big time problem, and as good of a guy as Bill O'Brien is, I foresee him hitting the unemployment line this January for his higher ups to solve this problem. It is astonishing for me to think that a defensive unit that features a player as gifted as JJ Watt can be so pathetic. The story of the offensive unit isn't much more positive. Brian Hoyer can't do anything behind center, and Arian Foster is now lost for the season. Amazingly, this bunch is only one game back of first place in the AFC South, but as badly as the Indianapolis Colts have underachieved this season, I still think they are in much better shape than Houston is. If any Texans fans are reading this, I am very sorry for what you have to root for. Then again, I was a fan of the Pittsburgh Pirates throughout 15 consecutive losing seasons, so I do not express great empathy for fans of any team.
Honorable Mentions: Bucs, Redskins, Colts
I was way off
Saints at Colts
The Colts appear to be finding themselves after an awful 0-2 start, as they have won three of their last four games. The Saints, on the other hand, have fallen on hard times. I see Andrew Luck having plenty of success against the New Orleans defense, and that will propel the Colts to a comfortable win. 34-14 Colts -An excerpt from Joe Smeltzer's NFL Week 7 Preview
Um, about that. The New Orleans Saints made me look like a bum on Sunday, and I tip my hat to them. If I had known that Mark Ingram would turn into the 2nd coming of Jim Brown, maybe I would have picked differently. Ingram was a monster on Sunday, rushing for 143 yards on just 14 Carries. The Saints were in complete control for most of the game, as they led 27-0 in the 3rd quarter before fending off a late Colt rally that made the game look more even than it was. The Saints won't make the playoffs, but this had to feel good for Sean Peyton and company. As for Chuck Pagano, you better figure things out, pal. You too, Mr. Luck.
Thank you for reading, and don't forget to follow ''Smeltzer on Sports'' on Twitter as well as Google Plus. God bless you all.
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