The 15-Play Drive

15 thoughts on week-8 in the NFL...

1. Halloween Sunday turned into fright night for offense. Five teams scored 10-points or less including the Jets who were shutout by the Packers.

2. Along those lines, memo to Jets offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer...run the ball! I know it was Halloween, but did Schottenheimer think Mark Sanchez was wearing a Joe Montana costume? In a game that was 3-0 at halftime, and 6-0 in the 4th quarter, Sanchez had 38-pass attempts. LaDainian Tomlinson and Shonn Greene combined for 22-runs. Not nearly enough.

3. Raiders running back Darren McFadden is the most improved player in football. He now has four games of over 100-yards rushing in 2010, and is averaging 5.5-yards per carry. In his first two years, McFadden ran for 856-yards in fifteen games. He's got 668-yards in just six games this season.

4. Wade Phillips' post-game press conferences have become flat out depressing. Following the Cowboys latest atrocious performance, a 35-17 home loss to the Jaguars, Phillips was asked if he's lost the team. His response, "I hope not." Don't exude too much confidence there Wade.

5. You're already one of the best defensive tackles in football, but next time hold off on the celebration until you get into the end zone Ndamukong Suh.

6. Speaking of rookies, if you're still not convinced Sam Bradford is going to be a big time quarterback, then I have to question your intelligence. He's got the the Rams at 4-4 now, and has thrown 11-touchdowns to a receiving corps that is sub-par to say the least.

7. Randy Moss must have decided to dress up like a ghost yesterday, because he was invisible. In his return to Foxboro, Moss had all of 1-reception for 8-yards.

8. It's amazing how vital Jets castoff Danny Woodhead has become to the Patriots offense. Check out his numbers in their last 3-games...25-rushes 100-yards 1-TD. 13-receptions 125-yards. And most importantly, Woodhead has learned Patriots speak. When he joined me and Steve Torre on the Sunday Drive, he took credit for absolutely nothing.

9. I'm not buying what Mike Shanahan was selling yesterday when he tried to explain why he pulled Donovan McNabb late in the 4th quarter. "Rex (Grossman) gave us the best chance to win....knowing terminology and how we run it." Shanahan was referring to their two minute offense, but what he says makes zero sense. Donovan McNabb was acquired by the Redskins in early April. You're telling me he's not familiar with how they execute the two minute drill? And since when does Rex Grossman give any team their best chance to win?

10. Spoke with Dolphins cornerback Sean Smith after his interception secured Miami's 22-14 victory in Cincinnati Sunday, but not even he could explain this...The Dolphins are now 4-3 with all of their wins coming on the road.

11. It must be gut wrenching, but you're getting closer Bills fans. Back to back overtime losses for 0-7 Buffalo.

12. Make that 8-overtime games in 8-weeks with exactly zero decided on the first possession. Can we scrap that rule change now please?

13. Think Derek Anderson! You can't force a ball into coverage trailing 38-35 in the 4th quarter, when you're already in field goal range.

14. In a 7-7 game just before halftime, why is Brad Childress going for it on 4th and goal? Take the points, and a lead into the locker room.

15. The Todd Collins award of the week once again goes to Cardinals QB Max Hall. Congratulations Max, you're a back to back winner! 8 of 16-passing isn't terrible, but 2-interceptions returned for touchdowns in less than 2-quarters...that's embarrassing.