Overtime in week 12 Detroit Lions against Houston Texans
Published November 22, 2012 | 
Houston Texans in overtime 2nd time in a week this time against the Detroit Lions on Thanksgiving Day week 12
In overtime Detroit wins the coin toss and opts to recieve. Ironically this is Houstn’s second game that went to overtime in less than 7 days. The game they had last week with Jacksonville also went to OT.
A big play by Houston defense and they manage to force a fumble, the first one of the whole game, and the Texans recover the ball and will take over on their own 35. That could end up being the play that won the game.
The Texans get within field goal range with a first down but the Lions make a few good stops from behind the line of scrimmage and back them up slightly. Houston makes a 51 yard field goal attempt but the kick is not good so Detroit will get the ball back with decent field position with just over 9 minutes left in overtime.
Detroit gets the first down on the 45 yard line. Then on a 3rd and 10 the pass is incomplete but bounces into the air and the Texans recover the ball. This play is reviewed automatically and the play is ruled incomplete since it hit the ground.
Detroit must punt since they are not within field goal range. The ball is downed on the nine yard line so Houston takes over deep in their own territory.
Talk about irony, Chris Houston cornerback for the Lions, forces a turnover and comes up with the ball for Detroit giving them another shot at putting up the OT points. A nice pass to tight end Tony Scheffler and they get a first down at their own 28 yard line.
A 47 yard field goal attempt hits the post and is no good. Houston will get the ball back with just over 4 minutes left on the 37 yard line.
Houston gets the field goal and wins in overtime against the Detroit Lions. The final score of the football game Houston Texans 34 to Detroit Lions 31.
Detroit Lions vs Houston Texans 2nd Half week 12
Published November 22, 2012 | Second Half in the Houston Texans against the Detroit Lions week 12 football game
Houston’s first possession of the second half is a 3 and out so the Lions defense is continuing to do their job well. The Lions do not get in for six on their next drive but they do get within kicking distance and take the field goal. They now have a 10 point lead and the score is 24 Detroit to 14 Houston.
Houston runs the ball in for an 81 yard touchdown in the most controversial play of the game. The run by running back Justin Forsett was actually down by contact but since there was not a whistle that stopped the play he got up and ran it in. The rules, since there was a flag, did not allow the play to be reviewed so the credit is given to the Texans for the 81 yards and the points. With the extra point the score is Houston 21 to Detroit 24.
The Lions do not do much with the following drive and they must pint the ball back to Houston. Detroit will have to be careful not to allow the setback of what they may feel was bad call in the 3rd quarter that led to the Texan touchdown to affect them adversely. They must get back on track and continue to play like they did in the first half.
Houston can not get deep into Lion territory and must take a field goal. With this score, they manage to tie the game again and the score is at 24 to 24 with just over 2 minutes left in the 3rd quarter.
Detroit seems to be getting their momentum back and they drive down field and get in for the 6 points again. This takes the score to 31 Detroit to 24 Houston. Detroit stops them with a 3 and out and Houston must kick again.
The Detroit Lions certainly have been impressive against the Texans. The defense has been doing a very good job and the offense has surprised me with how well they have found the holes in between the tackles up front and gotten the extra yards when they needed it. They have gone to the outside a few times as well, but have had a few big plays right down the center similar to the previouslast drive that got them the points.
No first down for the Texans again and they go 3 and out and must punt. Catching for Detroit is Stefan Logan and even though he calls a fair catch he is hit by a Hoston defender and draws the 15 yard penaty. The Lions will start their next drive with good filed position and the football is on the 50 yard line.
A sack on 3rd down and the Lions must punt the ball. They were close to field goal range but just not quite enough so they punt which ends up being a great kick and Houston gets the ball back on their own 3 yard line.
Detroit keeps them to short yardage for 2 plays but they do convert on 3rd and 8 and get the first down. Then 2 more first downs in succession and they into Lion territory. The Lions break up the next third down attempt and the Texans are forced to go for it on 4th down and they manage to convert the first down. This puts them at a minimum in field goal range.
Houston appears to be turning in one of their best drives of the game under heavy pressure by the Lion defense and they get the first down inside the 10. At the two minute warning the Texans have a first down on the 1 yard line.
On a first and goal from the 1, Arian Foster pops in for the score. With the extra point the score is now tied and the clock sits at 1 minute 55 seconds. Regardless of the outcome of the next 2 minutes, Detroit and Houston have certainly been providing a thrilling football game.
Detroit manages to get a first down inside of Houston territory and are just about making it into field goal range. They are unable to convert the 3rd down and must punt the ball with 39 seconds left in the game so this game will go to overtime.
Houston Texans vs Detroit Lions 1st Half week 12
Published November 22, 2012 | First Half with the Houston Texans against the Detroit Lions in week 12
Detroit is the first to score and take the lead early in the game.
Houston gets the ball and they go 3 and out on their first possession. They punt the ball back to the Lions giving them the opportunity to extend the lead on this Thanksgiving Day football game.
The Texans defense steps up and shuts down the drive so they punt for the first time and are given the opportunity to even the score. A penalty flag on the punt for unsportsmanlike conduct backs Houston up 15 yards. Houston goes 3 and out again and Houston must punt. This makes 2 drives in a row for the Texans where they fail to get a first down on either one.
A 3 and out for the Lions and they punt the ball for the second time. During the punt, as the ball is coming down it appears to touch a Houston player and Detroit recovers the ball. This play is challenged but the play is not overturned and Houston has the ball on their own 45 yard line.
The Lions defense has been doing their job really well so far in this game and they stop the Texans short of the 1st down on a 3rd and eight and they must punt again. A fair catch on the 10 yard line and the Lions have another shot at it before the end of the 1st period. There is 3 minutes in the 1st quarter.
A nice first down on a 3rd and 10 with a pass to tight end Brandon Pettigrew. The drive ends up falling apart for the Lions and they punt the ball at the beginning of the 2nd quarter.
Houston is able to get into the end zone with a run by Arian Foster and they are finally able to put points on the board. The score is now tied at 7 to 7.
Before you know it the Lions are inside the red zone and the Texans are under pressure to shut down this drive and try and force the Lions to take a field goal, but they do not and a pass on 3rd and goal to Mike Thomas gets them the 6 points. With the extra point the Lions take the lead again for the second time of the game. The score is Detroit 14 to Houston 7.
Detroit gets into the end zone with a short pass to Owen Daniels. They get the extra point and the score is tied again at 14 each. With the 2 minute warning for the half approaching, the Lions have one more shot at taking a lead to the locker room at half time.
Detroit gets the football back and will start their drive on the 41 yard line. They run one play a short pass to Ryan Broyles and he takes it into the red zone. This brings up the two minute warning. A pass to Calvin Johnson and the Lions have the lead for the third time in this holiday football game. The score is 21 Lions to 14 Texans.
Since they did not use much time off the clock the Texans will have just under a minute and a half in the first half when they get the ball back. They have all 3 times outs and 1 minute 49.
The Lions defense seems to be reading the offensive line of Houston well, and they are getting there and making the stop and breaking up the plays well. Houston does convert the 3rd and gets a first down. The Lions break up the next play and knock the football out of quarterback Matt Schaub’s hands but foortunately for the Texans they recover the ball. They then let the clock run out and it brings up half time with the score still at 21 Detroit to Houston 14.
Can the Dallas Cowboys make the point spread against the Washington Redskins
Published November 22, 2012 | Will the Dallas Cowboys make the point spread against the Washington Redskins?
On Thursday afternoon on Thanksgiving day, most likely around the time people all over the country will be sitting back after having their turkey, or possibly even just sitting down to eat their holiday dinner, kickoff will take place at Cowboy stadium in Texas for the football game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Washington Redskins.
Checking the odds at the books that we watch closely, BetOnline for the US bettors and William Hill for the non US market, the line on the Cowboy-Redskins game has Dallas favored to win by 3 points? Many times this season we have seen where simply picking a favorite did not always insure you were backing, or betting on the team that would actually win the game.
This game is very important to them both. Since they are ranked 2nd and 3rd in the NFC East the outcome of this game affects the standings in that division. Both teams are in the hunt for a playoff spot as well. One scenario to consider, say the Redskins currently at 4-6 win, Dallas at 5-5 would move to 5-6 which would make them tied for second place in the division.
Washington then meets the Giants, currently 6-4 leading the NFC East on December 3rd, and since they have lost the last 2 games they will likely not be leading the division by that point in time. So you can see that the division is somewhat of a tight race between these 3 which makes the outcome of Thursday’s game important.
Let’s take a look at the game itself and what I think may happen though. Washington has won the last few games they played but they haven’t exactly been dominating in those games. The only way they can honestly win is by making big plays on the defense and forcing Dallas to turn the ball over and keep them out of the end zone. That might happen some, but I really don’t think they can do it enough to be effective.
And for the offense although rookie quarterback Robert Griffin III is doing ok, their air attack needs a bit of work. They will have to run the ball well to really compete in this game and that is something they have not done a lot of this year. In addition to going to running backs Alfred Morris and Evan Royster a lot, I look for Griffin to do a fair share of running when he gets the opportunity.
But the Cowboys defense will be ready for him. They have been doing a fair job this year on defense and they will certainly have to keep a close eye on Royster and Morris.
I think it is time for Tony Romo, quarterback for Dallas to have a big game. I think this week he will earn his pay and deliver the ball to his receivers, and this is will be a big factor in the game. With the Redskins defense being very effective against play action, he will have to keep his eyes open and may have to throw it away under pressure but he has been improving on getting rid of the ball quicker and avoiding the sack.
As important as this game is to both football teams, they will both take the field ready to play and ready to win. Each of them still has a good chance of making the playoffs, and neither of them will go down without a fight.
Of any of the three games taking place on Thanksgiving Day, this is the one that will probably be the most action packed and the one that is a little more difficult to pick. In my opinion I do think the Dallas Cowboys will make the point spread, and in fact I think they will beat the spread.
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San Francisco 49er’s vs Chicago Bears 2nd Half week 11
Published November 19, 2012 | Can the Chicago Bears come back from a 20 point deficit in the second half against the San Francisco 49er’s?
They stop the Bears on their first drive with a 3 and out. Chicago has absolutely no momentum and it doesn’t look like they have any hopes to find any.
3 plays and the 49er’s are in the red zone again. San Francisco is just walking all over the Bears. They get in for the 6 points again and have extended their lead. The score jumps to 27 to 0.
Chicago is finally able to get in for the points on this drive and the 49er’s made them work hard for it. The score is now at Chicago 7 to San Francisco 7.
Chicago stops the 49er’s again so if they can convert on their next possession they can get themselves back into the game. Sadly for the Bears that doesn’t happen though and San Francisco intercept the ball and they get to start another drive on the offensive side of the football just as the third quarter is ending.
San Francisco unable to get into the end zone on this drive take the field goal and extend their lead to 30 to 7. With Chicago backed up into the end zone the 49er’s are able to force a touchback and add 2 more points to the score making it 32 to 7.
Chicago is stopped once again and needs to punt with just over 2 minutes left in the game. San Francisco runs a play and it brings up the 2 minute warning. The final score is San Francisco 49ers 32 to Chicago Bears 7.
I thought that San Francisco would win this football game but I never thought it would be the blowout that it was. The 49er’s just dominated the game. The offense did well on the ground which was expected, but they did a good job with play action passes also. Their defense did a great job and penetrated the offensive line a lot more than I ever expected to see.
Chicago Bears vs San Francisco 49er’s 1st Half week 11
Published November 19, 2012 | 1st half of the Chicago Bears against the San Francisco 49er’s in week 11
The 49er’s are the first to get the football and they get a first down on their first play. And ironically enough the Bears get an unnecessary roughness 15 yard penalty on the play so a big gain on the first play.
San Francisco has been pretty effective so far in the air and have moved down field well and have made it into the red zone fairly quickly. They go for a pass play in the end zone on a 3rd and one but it didn’t work and they take the field goal so they are first to put the points on the board. Score is 3 to 0.
Chicago goes 3 and out on their first drive. They also had a bad kick so the 49er’s start with good field position on their next drive.
Another drive by San Francisco with passes and a big pass puts them in a 1st and goal situation, then a pass into the end zone and suddenly the 49er’s have a 10 point lead and are shutting out the Bears. Score is 10 to 0. Chicago has a little better drive but they can’t convert a 3rd down around mid field and have to punt again.
As the 1st period ends the score is at San Francisco 10 to Chicago 0. The 49er’s have possession and the ball is on the 36 with a 2nd and 3.
Even though the Chicago Bears are the NFC North leaders, their offense is not playing like they are. They need to start doing something on the offensive side of the ball with the next drive in order to stay alive in this game.
On a 3rd and 12 Chicago tries a pass play and instead of converting the 3rd down Tarell Brown corner back for San Francisco intercepts the football and the 49er’s have another chance to put more points up before the end of the first half.
A great run once again by Frank Gore and they have a first down. San Francisco is mixing it up well switching it up between play action and short pass plays as well as running plays and many of them have been gaing them the yards they need. They are in the red zone again threatening to put Chicago in a 3 score deficit.
Chicago makes a big play on defense and gets the sack on a 3rd and 11 and for them to go for a field goal giving the 49er’s their 4th score. The score now stands at 20 to 0. There is just over 6 minutes left in the first half.
The Bears start their next drive from the 30. A 3 and out once again and the Bears have to punt the ball back to San Francisco again. This drive the Bears are able to break up a 3rd down and force the 49er’s to punt.
With just over 2 minutes left on the clock, Chicago still has enough time to get some points up before the end of the half. Another 3 and out from deep inside their own territory and Chicago punts and the 49er’s will take over with the ball on their own 38.
Chicago stops San Francisco again and has one last shot with less than a minute to go in the first half but they can’t make anything happen. The half time score in San Francisco 20 to Chicago 0.
Second Half Pittsburgh Steelers vs Baltimore Ravens week 11
Published November 18, 2012 | The second half with the Pittsburgh Steelers down by 3 points at the half against the Baltimore Ravens
The Ravens start the half with the football but the Steelers stop them cold on a 3 and out so Pittsburgh will get their first opportunity of the half.
In a great move by the Raven defense, they manage to pick off a pass for the interception. The Ravens do manage to turn the next posssession into 3 points with the field goal and the score is now 13 to Baltimore 7.
The Steelers are doing a little better on this drive and have made it to mid field. A costly penalty for a helmet to helmet hit against the Ravens gives the Steelers additional yards after a first down deep in Raven territory.
Pittsburgh manages the clock poorly and burn 2 timeouts just before the 3rd quarter ends. This may work against them later in the game. They can’t get in the end zone but do get the field goal making the score Pittsburgh 10 to Baltimore 13.
There is only enough time on the clock for the kickoff and maybe one or two plays. Shortly after starting the 4th quarter Pittsburgh is able to get their first sack of the game and forces the Ravens to punt.
I have noticed the the Ravens seem to be locking up the center a little better on a few of the rushing plays that Pittsburgh has attempted in the middle. After they break up a 2nd down run in the middle and a short pass on 3rd the Steelers must punt.
Although there have been a few scores, a lot of this football game has taken place on either side of mid field and has made it into each of the red zones very few times considering the total number of possessions.
Another drive by the Ravens and another drive shut down by the Steelers. Pittsburgh takes over after the punt at the 25.
The Steelers use their last time out with 2:04 left on the clock so the Ravens will run their 3rd down play and then there will be the 2 minute warning. Pittsburgh must stop the Ravens on 3rd and 7.
The Steelers have an offsides call on the play so it brings up a 3rd and 2 plus the 2 minute warning. This means the Ravens will run the 3rd down after the 2 minute warning and have a chance to eat up a good bit more clock time even if the Steelers can stop themn on the next play.
Pittsburgh gets the sack on the next play so the Ravens will need to punt but they will use as much time off the clock as they can. Prescious time ticking away Pittsburgh is trying but is not moving the ball effectively.
With the game on the line you can be sure that they will go for it on 4th even if they don’t convert the 3rd down. Sure enough a low snap but Byron Leftwich extends the play and makes an incomplete pass. The last play of the game was very ugly and after a few latterals time runs out.
The final score of the game is Pittsburgh Steelers 10 to Baltimore Ravens 13.
First Half Baltimore Ravens vs Pittsburgh Steelers week 11
Published November 18, 2012 | 1st half of the Pittsburgh Steelers against the bookies favorites Baltimore Ravens in week 11?
Tonight’s matchup in the AFC North between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Baltimore Ravens may well be an exciting game. The books are favoring the Ravens, but the more I am looking at this the more I think that quarterback Byron Leftwich may surprise a number of people including the bookies.
He is actually in his 10th season and has the experience to win football games. And like I mentioned in an article earlier today here with running back Rashard Mendenhall back in the game the Steelers have a returning weapon in their running game that is explosive and can make things happen on the ground.
On their very first possession from mid field, Leftwich scrambles and runs it in for a touchdown. The Steelers put points on the board in less than one minute with a great start.
The Pittsburgh defense does their job during their first time on the field and stop the Ravens and they must punt providing Leftwich another opportunity to take the field and also to extend their lead early in the game.
The Ravens defense makes a big play and force a turnover. Flacco and the offense comes out on the field for the Ravens second offensive drive. Pittsburgh does the defense job again and force Baltimore to a field goal. This takes the score Ravens 3 to Steelers 7.
The Ravens stop the Steelers just about mid field so they must punt giving Baltimore another shot at points. But once again Pittsburgh stops them so their offense will get the ball back with minutes left in the 1st quarter.
A 3 and out for the Steelers on this drive and they punt the ball, and Jacoby Jones has a great kick return, breaks a tackle in mid field and takes it in for a touchdown. Baltimore now has the lead for the first time in the game and the score is Ravens 10 to Steelers 7.
After a trade of possessions and the Ravens have the ball again and are approaching the red zone just as the 1st quarter comes to an end.
Forced to attempt another field goal due to Pittsburgh breaking up their third down they miss an turn the ball over to the Steelers with decent field position. Unable to convert on the 3rd down the Ravens get the ball back.
The Steelers defense has been doing their job well tonight and force another punt by the Ravens. They have certainly shown why they are rated #1. Ironically the Ravens stop the Steelers on this drive and must punt again as well.
Stopped again the Ravens punt again giving the Steelers one more shot before the end of the first half. They are unable to convert it and punt with 27 seconds left on the clock. The Ravens take a knee and that ends the first half.
The half time score is Baltimore 10 to Pittsburgh 7.
Second Half New England Patriots vs Indianapolis Colts week 11
Published November 18, 2012 | Second half in week 11 New England Patriots against the Indianapolis Colts
The Patriots get in for the points on their first drive of the half and make the job for the Colts more difficult. The score moves to New England 31 to Indianapolis 17.
The New England defense stops the Colts offense on their first drive of the half and clearly swing the momentum of the game to their favor. The Patriots will get the ball back deep in their own territory with a 14 point lead.
The Colts defense does manage to stop the Patriots on 3rd down and they punt for the first time in the game. They will start the next drive with decent field position and the ball is on the 26. On a blitz the New England defense manage to force a fumble on the sack and recover the ball. On the very next play they take it in for a touchdown and the Patriots extend their lead and the score is 38 Patriots to the Colts 17.
Down by 21 points the Colts still have the ball and a 1st down as the 3rd quarter ends. The ball is on the New England 23 yard line. But on the first play of the 4th quarter the ball is picked off by Alfonzo Dennard and run in for another defensive touchdown. With the extra point the Patriots have a huge lead with the score at 45 to 17 for the Colts.
Finally able to do something in the half the Colts get a touchdown making the score Indianapolis 24 to New England 45.
Slicing down the field, a pass by quarterback Tom Brady gets a first down at mid field. Then a great run gets them to the 3 yard line, and a short hop and the Patriots are in the end zone again extending their lead to 28 points again. This makes the score 52 to the Colts 24.
With just under 8 minutes left in the game the Colts drive is stopped and they are forced to punt. A great return by Julian Edelman gives the Patriots good field position with the ball on the Colt 29.
A pass and catch on the 11 gives them a first down and they are knocking on the touchdown door once again. A short run in by Shane Vereen and they get another touchdown. With the extra point it takes the score to Patriots 59 to the Colts 24.
What looked to be a decent drive by the Colts after reaching mid field, a pass by quarterback Andrew Luck is picked off once again, his third interception of the game. It’s ironic that Luck has thrown for over 300 yards in this game.
The final score in the game New England Patriots 59 to Indianapolis Colts 24.
Indianapolis Colts vs New England Patriots 1st Half week 11
Published November 18, 2012 | The Indianapolis Colts meet the New England Patriots in the 1st half
I switched over to this game late due to the Tampa Bay win in their overtime game against the Carolina Panthers. The first play I see is a punt return by the Patriots in for a touch down.
They kick the ball and shortly thereafter the Patriots intercept a pass by quarterback Andrew Luck, and run it back 59 yards for a second touchdown. This puts the score at New England 21 to the Colts 14.
Since I hadn’t seen the first quarter of the game and needing to judge what I am seeing on this drive by New England it appears that Andrew Luck is not letting the interception bother him and is putting together a decent drive. Unable to complete the drive with 6 points the Colts take the field goal and take the score to 17 to Patriots 21.
Patriot quarterback Tom Brady will get the ball back on the 25 with just over 5 minutes left in the first half. As the game hits the two minute warning the field goal team will take the field in an attempt to extend the Patriot lead. New England makes the field goal and the score is 24 Patriots to the Colts 17.
Indianapolis will get the ball back and has just under 2 minutes left in the first half. On a 3rd and 3 Andrew Luck completes a pass to just before mid field and the Colts call a time out with 1 minute 23 seconds left in the half.
Running out of time the Colts have no choice but to attempt a 58 yard field goal, but is unsuccessful. So the half time score is New England 24 to Indianapolis 17.
