- Messages
- 79,278
- Reaction score
- 45,637
Falling
Garrett
1. Jason Garrett, Cowboys offensive coordinator: Is it really that difficult to get one of your most explosive players, Felix Jones, some touches? Jones finished with three carries and didn't catch a pass. In an all-out slugfest (for the first half), the Cowboys could've used a running game. Instead, Marion Barber, Tashard Choice and Jones combined for 11 carries. That's unacceptable. It's not as if the Cowboys were lighting up the Packers in the passing game. It was a giant step back for this offense -- and the finger is pointed squarely at the Princeton man.
2. Eagles' red zone efficiency: The Eagles had to settle for field goals during their first three trips inside the Chargers' 10-yard line. At one point, they had first-and-goal from the 1-yard line -- and could not punch it in. They had similar issues against the Cowboys the previous week. The Eagles came back and made a game of it Sunday, but it's hard to win when you're trading field goals for touchdowns.
Austin
3. Miles Austin, Cowboys wide receiver: One of the few downsides to becoming an overnight sensation in this league is that you're going to face more scrutiny. Early this season, a four-catch, 20-yard performance by Austin wouldn't warrant a comment. But Austin has become one of the most dangerous receivers in the NFC East. Now it's news when he doesn't make an impact on a game. Austin also had a key drop against the Packers. He spent about three weeks in the "rising" category, but he's starting to trend the other direction.
Rising
Betts
1. Ladell Betts, Commanders running back: Had 26 carries for 114 yards and a touchdown that pretty much sealed the upset of the Broncos. Betts has been slowed by an ankle injury in recent weeks, but he ran with power and speed against the Broncos. On the touchdown run, he ran through a Brian Dawkins tackle. For one Sunday, Betts gave this offense an identity. And starter Clinton Portis may have been the happiest player on the sideline. You could see him leading the cheers for Betts throughout the game. It would've been easy to fold after those two early Brandon Marshall touchdowns, but the Skins hung in there.
Avant
2. Jason Avant, Eagles wide receiver: Avant took over the game in the second half. He had eight catches for 156 yards and he made one of the best one-handed catches in traffic you'll see in an NFL game. With the emergence of speedsters DeSean Jackson and Jeremy Maclin, we haven't heard as much from Avant this season. On Sunday, though, he was the best receiver on the field. A courageous effort by one of the team's best competitors.
3. Jason Campbell, Commanders quarterback: He's kept his dignity intact through all the drama and he did an excellent job of managing his team Sunday.
Campbell
When Campbell gets outside the pocket, he can be a dangerous quarterback. He made a couple of throws to Antwaan Randle El on the run that most quarterbacks in the league can't make. On one of them, he beat the blitz by firing a pass over the middle from his back foot. When Campbell stops trying to be perfect and lets his instincts take over, he can be a highly effective player. Special shout-outs to defensive end Andre Carter and linebacker Brian Orakpo for combining for three sacks and 13 tackles. They both had outstanding games. And it was also a gutty effort by Albert Haynesworth to try to drag himself back on the field despite an ankle injury.
Garrett
1. Jason Garrett, Cowboys offensive coordinator: Is it really that difficult to get one of your most explosive players, Felix Jones, some touches? Jones finished with three carries and didn't catch a pass. In an all-out slugfest (for the first half), the Cowboys could've used a running game. Instead, Marion Barber, Tashard Choice and Jones combined for 11 carries. That's unacceptable. It's not as if the Cowboys were lighting up the Packers in the passing game. It was a giant step back for this offense -- and the finger is pointed squarely at the Princeton man.
2. Eagles' red zone efficiency: The Eagles had to settle for field goals during their first three trips inside the Chargers' 10-yard line. At one point, they had first-and-goal from the 1-yard line -- and could not punch it in. They had similar issues against the Cowboys the previous week. The Eagles came back and made a game of it Sunday, but it's hard to win when you're trading field goals for touchdowns.
Austin
3. Miles Austin, Cowboys wide receiver: One of the few downsides to becoming an overnight sensation in this league is that you're going to face more scrutiny. Early this season, a four-catch, 20-yard performance by Austin wouldn't warrant a comment. But Austin has become one of the most dangerous receivers in the NFC East. Now it's news when he doesn't make an impact on a game. Austin also had a key drop against the Packers. He spent about three weeks in the "rising" category, but he's starting to trend the other direction.
Rising
Betts
1. Ladell Betts, Commanders running back: Had 26 carries for 114 yards and a touchdown that pretty much sealed the upset of the Broncos. Betts has been slowed by an ankle injury in recent weeks, but he ran with power and speed against the Broncos. On the touchdown run, he ran through a Brian Dawkins tackle. For one Sunday, Betts gave this offense an identity. And starter Clinton Portis may have been the happiest player on the sideline. You could see him leading the cheers for Betts throughout the game. It would've been easy to fold after those two early Brandon Marshall touchdowns, but the Skins hung in there.
Avant
2. Jason Avant, Eagles wide receiver: Avant took over the game in the second half. He had eight catches for 156 yards and he made one of the best one-handed catches in traffic you'll see in an NFL game. With the emergence of speedsters DeSean Jackson and Jeremy Maclin, we haven't heard as much from Avant this season. On Sunday, though, he was the best receiver on the field. A courageous effort by one of the team's best competitors.
3. Jason Campbell, Commanders quarterback: He's kept his dignity intact through all the drama and he did an excellent job of managing his team Sunday.
Campbell
When Campbell gets outside the pocket, he can be a dangerous quarterback. He made a couple of throws to Antwaan Randle El on the run that most quarterbacks in the league can't make. On one of them, he beat the blitz by firing a pass over the middle from his back foot. When Campbell stops trying to be perfect and lets his instincts take over, he can be a highly effective player. Special shout-outs to defensive end Andre Carter and linebacker Brian Orakpo for combining for three sacks and 13 tackles. They both had outstanding games. And it was also a gutty effort by Albert Haynesworth to try to drag himself back on the field despite an ankle injury.
