NFL - NEWS & NOTES

I'm really surprised by that outcome. I thought it would be a close Titan's win.

They've lost 3 of 4 now.

 

Thursday Night Football: Second half surge carries Colts to 34-17 win over Titans



The Indianapolis Colts Defense and special teams clamped down on the Tennessee Titans and helped spark a second-half scoring blitz in a 34-17 victory on the road Thursday night.

The Titans were held scoreless in the second half as a trio of special teams mistakes helped the Colts steam away for the victory.

Despite trailing 17-13 at halftime, the Colts gained control of the game in the third quarter. A shanked punt from Trevor Daniel traveled just 17 yards before going out of bounds and giving the Colts a short field at the Titans’ 27-yard line. It took Indianapolis just four plays before Nyheim Hines scored on a 2-yard touchdown run as the Colts took a 20-17 lead.

After forcing a three-and-out, Daniel had a punt blocked by E.J. Speed and returned six yards for a touchdown by T.J. Carrie as the Colts lead grew to 27-17.

After a 12-play, 52-yard drive, Stephen Gostowski missed a 44-yard field goal wide right to preserve the 10-point lead for the Colts.

A 40-yard pass from Rivers to Michael Pittman set up a 2-yard quarterback sneak touchdown run by Jacoby Brissett as Indianapolis slammed the door shut. A last chance to mount a comeback for Tennessee ended with a turnover on downs inside the Colts red zone.

It wasn’t all defense and special teams for the Colts either. Indianapolis out-gained the Titans by a 430-294 margin on Thursday night.

Hines scored two touchdowns – one rushing, one receiving – and racked up 115 yards from scrimmage for Indianapolis. Philip Rivers completed 29 of 39 passes for 308 yards with the touchdowns to Hines to carry the night for the Colts’ offense. Michael Pittman also caught seven passes for 101 yards.

The Titans did strike first with D'Onta Foreman scoring on a 5-yard pass from Ryan Tannehill on the opening drive to take a 7-0 lead.

Rodrigo Blankenship and Gostkowski traded field goals before Rivers and Hines connected for a 13-yard touchdown to even the game at 10-10 in the second quarter. Tennessee retook the lead on a 1-yard jet sweep touchdown run from tight end Jonnu Smith to grab a 17-10 advantage.

Blankenship’s 43-yard field goal to end the half would trim the deficit to four before the defense took control after the break.

Tannehill completed 15 of 27 passes for 147 yards and a touchdown. Derrick Henry carried 19 times for 103 yards for the Titans.

Colts defensive end Al-Quadin Muhammad was ejected in the closing minutes for Indianapolis after punching Titans tackle Ty Sambrailo.

NBC

 

Hall of Famer Paul Hornung dies at 84



The Louisville Sports Commission announced that Packer icon and Pro Football Hall of Famer Paul Hornung died on Thursday.

Hornung’s death comes after a long battle with dementia. He was 84 years old.

Hornung played at Notre Dame and won the Heisman Trophy in 1956 before being selected by the Packers with the first overall pick of the 1957 draft. He played halfback and was prized for his versatility during his 10 years in Green Bay. He ran the ball, caught passes, threw passes, and handled placekicking duties, which led Vince Lombardi to call him the most versatile player in the history of the league.

Hornung did those things well enough to be the league’s MVP in 1961 and make first-team All-Pro twice. He was also part of four NFL champions and the Super Bowl I winners, although he did not play in that win over the Chiefs because of a pinched nerve in his neck.

He retired with 3,711 rushing yards, 1,480 receiving yards and 62 career touchdowns. He was voted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1986.

Our condolences go out to Hornung’s family and loved ones on their loss.

NBC

 

I'm proud to say that, in the mid 80s, while my mom and dad were enjoying a night out at what was called the Paper Valley Hotel in Appleton WI, Paul Hornung made a pass at my mom while my dad was using the restroom.

She laughs about it to this day.

 

Matt Nagy won’t call offensive plays for Bears Monday



Bears head coach Matt Nagy said earlier this week that the team would look at everything in order to spur their offensive production and included his role as the offensive playcaller in that conversation.

Nagy has decided to make a change on that front. At his Friday press conference, Nagy announced that offensive coordinator Bill Lazor will take over that responsibility for Monday night’s game against the Vikings.

“It allows me to really look at all three phases from the head-coaching position and focus on that. . . . I’m excited to let Bill take this over and he has experience in this role. I think he’s gonna do a great job,” Nagy said, via Kevin Fishbain of TheAthletic.com.

The Bears rank 29th in points scored and yards from scrimmage, so the need to improve on the offensive side of the ball is a clear one in Chicago. If this move doesn’t bear fruit, we’ll find out what else the Bears will try as memories of their 5-1 start fade away.

NBC

 

The Eagles have dealt with a lot of injuries this season, but the news this week is better than most. RB Miles Sanders (knee), WR Alshon Jeffery (foot, calf), and RT Lane Johnson (ankle) are all set to play on Sunday.

 

I think tbe Eagles assert themselves and win the NFC East. 7-8-1 here we come.

 

I have them at 6-9-1. But they still win the NFC East.

 

And I think come playoff time, if they continue to get healthy, they will be a force to be reckon with.

I look at Minnesota, Philadelphia to be among the best sub 500 teams out there in the NFC.

(he said while looking through purple glasses)

 

Is that even a thing ?? Is there some kind'a award for that ?? Or just a participation trophy.

 

Is that even a thing ?? Is there some kind'a award for that ?? Or just a participation trophy.

Yup........Seattle Seahawks did it years ago and then lost the Super Bowl to the Pittsburgh Steelers.

 

Thanks for bringing back that memory. Those bastards won six or seven games all year, then knocked off the Saints in the first round.. That one still hurts.

 

That's called "peaking at the right time"

Unless you're the Patriots. Then it's "peeking" at the right time.

 

Simply means they started slow for what ever reason and have a legitimate chance at turning things around and maybe doing something come playoff time.

As mentioned... it can, does and will happen.

"on any given Sunday"

 

I remember the Giants doing that years ago. Got the last wildcard spot on the last weekend and then ran the table.

 

The year they lost to the Steelers they were 13-3.

 

Yeah. I think the year they beat the Saints was 2010. 2005 was the SB loss

 

It was 2010. They went 7-9...beat the Saints on Lynch's iconic touchdown and lost to the Bears the following week. Who lost to the Packers. Who then beat the Steelers in the SB.

 

Joe Mixon ruled out of Sunday’s game



The Bengals downgraded running back Joe Mixon to out for Sunday’s game against the Steelers.

It is not a surprise given Mixon was doubtful on Friday’s status report. He did not practice this week.

Mixon will miss his third consecutive game with a foot injury. The Bengals did not place him on injured reserve, so his rehab obviously has taken longer than the team anticipated when Mixon was initially injured.

Mixon has 140 touches in six games this season, going for 566 yards and four touchdowns.

Giovani Bernard and Samaje Perine have handled the backfield duties with Mixon out of the lineup.

Bernard has had at least 18 touches and a touchdown in each of the past two games, and for the season, he has 64 touches for 333 yards and four touchdowns.

NBC

 

Seahawks rule out Chris Carson, Carlos Hyde, promote Damon Harrison



The Seahawks listed running backs Chris Carson and Carlos Hyde as questionable to return from their injuries Sunday. Neither will.

On Saturday, the team downgraded both players to out.

Carson will miss his third game with a foot injury, while Hyde will miss his third game with a hamstring injury. DeeJay Dallas, Travis Homer and Alex Collins have handled the running back duties in their absences, and the Seahawks again have promoted Collins to the active roster.

The Seahawks also downgraded defensive end Benson Mayowa (ankle) to out.

The team promoted defensive tackle Damon Harrison to the active roster. Harrison signed with the Seahawks’ practice squad Oct. 7.

He has not played a game since Week 17 of last season when he was with the Lions.

The Seahawks activated cornerback Neiko Thorpe (sports hernia) from injured reserve and placed defensive tackle Bryan Mone (ankle) on IR in a corresponding move.

NBC