The 1PM games on Sunday had some last minute finishes (and an OT) that often had a field goal playing an important role, including some long ones. [Miami tried one to have a shot at a last minute comeback, clearly possible against GB, but it failed; meanwhile, Arizona managed a few late figgies in their loss to previously winless Oakland ... they are now officially the most pathetic team in the NFL.] The longest was the 62yd figgie accomplished by Tampa Bay, who clearly let Phillie score with a long run so that they would have time left on the clock. Sure, it was under forty seconds, but plenty of time. Well, better time management than the Eagles, who threw a short pass to the 2 at the end of the First Half, allowing time to expire without scoring any points. They lost by 2.
The Giants won by two touchdowns, pushing to the front of the NFC East by a half a game. A bit of a strange game. They started with a touchdown-safety-field goal (12-0). Third and short, they tried for a TD, but it was intercepted, leading to a TD drive that appeared to end with the Dallas QB (1) not quite breaking the plane. The Giants soon after fumbled via basically fumble-free, ready to retire to go into broadcast journalism, Tiki Barber. They already lost a key defender, and it looked at first TB -- rusher extraordinaire -- was hurt too. No, but Dallas seemed about ready go up 14-12 (at best, only down 12-10) ... oh, so sorry ... interception near the goal line. The Dallas faithful only up their Tony Romo (young back-up QB) chants and the coach looked more annoyed than usual.
The fans got their wish -- Romo came out to start the Second Half ... and his first pass was tipped, leading to a Giants TD before the first minute ran off the clock. Romo was intercepted twice more, including one that was returned 96YD for a TD instead of setting up a score that would have given them a shot to tie with nearly three minutes left. Shades of last week, when the Eagles returned one 102YD instead of having Dallas coming back, though the other QB threw that pass. Dallas did score soon after, but now it was a two touchdown game, and there was only about two minutes left. They failed the onside kick (if they got it back, they would have to score a TD, and get another one, score a TD ... and win in OT), losing 36-22.
Oh, chuckle, TO missed an easy 4th-2 catch that would have set up a key score earlier. In effect, Dallas had any shot at making a game of it. TO had his moments in that First Half scoring drive, but choked in his other big moment. Well, he does sell jerseys with his antics, right? [As an aside, the Giants have a new thing where they fake jump shots to celebrate key plays. This looks a bit lame, but apparently it riles them up somehow. More proof we are paying millions to grow men to play little boy games.]
As to the Jets, they are 4-3, plenty respectable with all the low expectations. Any serious dreams of playoffs, however, really ended with that loss to the Colts. Still, my prediction of 6-8 wins seems pretty on target. And, boys, you owe me at least one upset. You have it in you.