The 15-Play Drive

15 thoughts on week-6 in the NFL...

1. Only Jim Harbaugh and Jim Schwartz know what really happened during their exchange at midfield following the 49ers victory over the Lions Sunday. That being said, no matter what transpired, Schwartz was out of line going after Harbaugh the way he did. He looked like an immature player who gets hit after the whistle, overreacts and ends up with a 15-yard penalty. Niners tight end Delanie Walker told me and Steve Torre on the Sunday Drive: "You've got to understand, when you're coming into a house that's 5-0 emotions are high. We took the win away from them. Things happen. That's coaches. They get emotional too especially when it's a big game like this."

2. Here's the understatement of the year...I caught up with Eagles safety Kurt Coleman after they beat the Redskins 20 to 13, and when I asked about his individual performance, Coleman responded with this: "I was able to read Rex all day." No kidding. Coleman had 3-interceptions, and the Eagles picked off Rex Grossman 4-times.

3. Amazing what happens when you win the turnover battle. Coming into week-6, the Eagles had three more turnovers than any other team in the NFL. Sunday, their turnover differential was +2.

4. On the flip side, the Bills were +11 and had scored 72-points off turnovers heading into their meeting with the Giants. But in their 27-24 loss, Buffalo QB Ryan Fitzpatrick threw a pair of crucial interceptions, while the Giants never did give the ball away.

5. It's time to find a happy medium Jason Garrett. The Cowboys head coach was too aggressive when Dallas had a 27 to 3 lead at home against the Lions in week-4. Sunday, he was far too conservative with a 16-13 edge over the Patriots in the 4th quarter. Dallas had the ball at their own 28-yard line with 3:36 remaining. They proceeded to run the ball twice, with DeMarco Murray losing a combined 3-yards on those 2-plays. Then, following a false start penalty, they ran it again. Those 3-plays took exactly 54-seconds off the clock, and gave Tom Brady all the time he needed to lead the Patriots on a game winning 80-yard drive.

6. Speaking of coaching decisions, give Hue Jackson credit for understanding that without QB Jason Campbell, the Raiders offense was going nowhere. So instead of hoping Oakland's defense could hold a 10-point 3rd quarter lead, Jackson rolled the dice and his gamble paid off big time. Facing 4th and 20 at the Browns 35-yard line, the Raiders lined up for a 52-yard field goal attempt. But rather than settle for a potential 20 to 7 advantage, Oakland faked it, and the result was a 35-yard TD pass from punter/holder Shane Lechler to tight end Kevin Boss. Right call at the right time.

7. Before you think I'm about to elevate Hue Jackson to Bill Belichick status, the Raiders head coach also got away with an awful decision in the 4th quarter. Now leading 24-10, Oakland faced 4th and 1 at the Browns 5-yard line. Logic tells you take the chip shot field goal and make it a 3-possession game. Instead, he kept the offense on the field, and when Michael Bush was stopped for no gain, Cleveland had new life. Although the Raiders held on for a 24-17 win, this game was much more stressful in the end then it needed to be.

8. Did Colts wide receiver Pierre Garcon think he was at the goal line instead of his own 33-yard line late in the 4th quarter of Sunday's loss to the Bengals? Trailing 20 to 17, Garcon made a 5-yard reception, and as he was being tackled, inexplicably reached out with the ball in his hand. Bengals safety Reggie Nelson knocked it loose, and defensive end Carlos Dunlap returned the fumble for a touchdown. There's no question Garcon has talent. However, drops and boneheaded plays like this keep him from being a real threat.

9. I don't think you're ready for the circus, but that was a nice juggling act you put on there Brent Celek. The third time was the charm for the Eagles tight end who made a 21-yard reception falling backwards after the ball bounced off his hands two different times.

10. Curtis Lofton didn't make the interception, but the Falcons linebacker certainly caused it late in the 2nd quarter against the Panthers Sunday. Lofton was covering tight end Greg Olsen on the play, but still had the awareness to deflect a pass intended for Steve Smith. Brent Grimes picked it off in the end zone, and Atlanta went into the locker room with a 14-10 lead.

11. The Todd Collins award of the week goes to Rex Grossman. This was a shoo-in the moment the entire Redskins fan base started calling for John Beck. In Washington's 20-13 loss to the Eagles, Grossman completed just 9 of 22-passes for 122-yards with 0-TD's and 4-INT's before being pulled for Beck in the 4th quarter.

12. On a day when Sean Payton tried to keep on coaching despite suffering a fractured left tibia and torn MCL, the Saints players should be ashamed of themselves. While their coach showed toughness, New Orleans played uninspired and sloppy football in losing to a beat up Buccaneers team.

13. You weren't dreaming Jay Cutler...I know it's hard to believe, but you actually did have time to throw the football Sunday night against the Vikings. A week after being sacked 3-times and constantly pressured by the Lions, Cutler was sacked just once, and looked quite comfortable in the pocket versus Minnesota.

14. It's not Montana to Rice, but Bengals QB Andy Dalton and wide receiver A.J. Green have something special brewing in Cincinnati. During the Bengals 3-game winning streak, the rookie tandem has combined for 14-receptions, 259-yards and 2-TD's. In case you're wondering, Green has more catches, yards and touchdowns in those 3-games than former Bengals receiver Chad Ochocinco has all season.

15. Vince Young isn't exactly resurrecting his career in Philly. Young was the originator of the ill advised "Dream Team" nickname. He then injured his hamstring in the pre season and was unable to play when Michael Vick went down in losses to the Falcons and Giants. Sunday, he made his regular season debut, and his only pass attempt was intercepted. If this season was supposed to be about positioning himself for a starting job next year, Young better hope there's an opening in Canada.