Cippin on Sports

Week 5 is in the books, save for the Monday Night game, which should be a good one.  We had a little bit of everything in week 5: some blowouts, close games, and some upsets.  Now let’s get onto my thoughts on week 5.

How bout them 5-0 Broncos

The pupil take takes down the teacher, as the Broncos come from behind to shock the Patriots and move to 5-0.  Kyle Orton threw for over 300 yards and Brandon Marshall hauled in two touchdowns in the 20-17 win.

McDaniels was fired up after the big win.

They shut down Randy Moss, only yielding one catch to him.  Moss ended up with as many interceptions as catches.

The loss for Belichick dropped him to 8-7 against his former assistants, a shocking stat.

Orton, whose record  as a starter is now 26-12, looked like Brady out there engineering drives of 90 and 98 yards in the second half to spur the comeback.  The Broncos also finally got Eddie Royal involved this week as Royal finished with 10 catches after coming into the game with 8 on the season.

Josh McDaniels has shut up the critics, including myself, who chastised the young coach in the pre season and it’s clear he is a great coach and has this Broncos team as an AFC contender.  They have a huge game next week against San Diego on Monday, in which they can seize control of the division.

The Broncos are definitely serious contenders in the AFC but one still has to winder whether if they’d be the Super Bowl front runners if Jay Cutler was still in town?

Don’t forget about the Bungals

Who what have thought the week one showdown pitting Cincinnati and Denver could loom large in the AFC playoff picture?

With another win, the Bengals sit alone atop the AFC North with wins away wins over Pittsburgh and Baltimore.

The real key for the Bengals though, has been Cedric Benson.  The rejuvenated back has been the centerpiece of the Bengal’s offense and has transformed the Bengals into a run first team.  Carson Palmer hasn’t been asked been asked to do too much and the 120 yard performance of Benson snapped the Ravens 39 game streak of not allowing a 100 yard rusher.

They have now won three games in a row all by three points and all against divisional opponents.  While they stand at 4-1 I’m still not completely sold on the Bengals.  They got a couple favorable calls late in the Raven’s game that extended their drive and Shayne Graham missed the overtime winner against Cleveland.

Undefeateds Roll

The Giants, Colts, and Vikings all rolled to easy victories this week to improve to 5-0.

The Giants absolutely embarrassed the Raiders and had David Carr in before halftime. For the first time this season JaMarcus Russell had a completion percentage over 60%.

Peyton Manning continued his aerial assault of opposing defenses in the Colts romping of the now 0-5 Titans. The Titans are a mess right now and we finally had a Vince Young sighting!

The Vikings continued their dominance and Jared Allen wrecked havoc all day long for Kyle Boller.  Also Brett Favre starts 5-0 for the first time in his career.

Falcons Roll

The 49ers came in riding high and got embarrassed at home against the Falcons.

The Falcons finally got Roddy White and Michael Turner going, as they combined for five touchdowns.

The 49ers still lead the NFC West but Seattle and Arizona are creeping behind them but they have a bye week to sort out things.

This one play signified the 45-10 defeat: Dre’ Bly  intercepted a pass while down 25 points and then proceeded to showboat down the sideline but was caught from behind and fumble.  Mike Singletary should have a nice talking with Bly, who didn’t apologize for the act after the game.

Browns Win

Derrick Anderson had possibly the worst game ever for a winning quarterback, completing only 2 passes

Dick Jauron may be fired by the time you read.  If he’s not gone this soon he’s all but sure to be gone at the end of the season.

Other Quick Notes

• Speaking of hot seats, none may be hotter than Jim Zorn’s.  Daniel Snyder reportedly met with Mike Shanahan to discuss the Redskins coaching job.  The ‘Skins also blew a 17-2 lead against the previously win less Panthers.
• The Cowboys got very lucky in their over time win over the Chiefs.  They didn’t deserve to win that game.  Don’t blame Tony Romo though, he played very well.
• Donovan McNabb came back and did not disappoint.  Also the Eagles may have found another offensive weapon in rookie Jeremy Maclin.

Now for this week’s awards:

Game Balls

1. Miles Austin

The Cowboys wide out in his first career start set franchise records that Terrell Owens and Michael Irvin didn’t achieve.  He hauled in 10 passes for 250 yards and 2 scores, including the game winner.

2. Cedric Benson

The comeback player of the year candidate had his best game of the season against the staunch Ravens defense.  In his 120 yard effort, he snapped a 39 game streak of running backs failing to reach the century mark against the Ravens.

3. Julius Peppers

The highly payed defensive end had not been producing this season before Sunday.  In a must win situation he delivered with two sacks, a forced fumble, and got great penetration on a play that resulted in a safety.

Lame Ducks

1. Randy Moss

Only one catch against the Broncos and now has 4 catches or less in three out of five games.  Tom Brady could be here as well, as he missed Moss a couple of time.

2. Chris Brown

The Texans goal line back got the twice on the one yard line with the Texans down seven with under a minute left and failed to come through.  He runs to high to be an effective goal line back or any kind of back.

Enjoy Mark Sanchez in prime time tonight against the Dolphins and this video of Josh McDaniels celebrating after the broncos victory.