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	NFL BAD BEATS / LUCKY WINS Paraphrasing the Beach Boys, "wouldn't it be nice" to have had Seattle -10 over San Francisco, Green Bay-Indianapolis 'over' 50 or Arizona-Atlanta 'under' 43 last week in the NFL?... The Seahawks led 17-0 after the first quarter and beat the 49ers 34-0, handing San Francisco its first shut out since 1977 (420 games!). The Packers and Colts combined for 52 points and 910 yards in the first half alone in a game that was truly 'over' by halftime. Arizona and Atlanta played one of the ugliest games we'll see all year as any time one team got close to scoring, something bad happened. The total over 43 was never threatened as the score was Atlanta 6-0 entering the fourth quarter.... These are great examples of 'rocking chair' games for those that had the 'right side' of the above contests but like most weeks, Week 3 in the NFL had its share of games that came down to the wire or saw just a play or two determine the pointspread decision.... Before I start recapping some of last week's games, remember when in order to get credit for scoring a touchdown, a player actually had carry the ball into the end zone? The rule has over the years, somehow morphed into just 'breaking the plane' or just getting to or hitting the pylon. The Giants were pretty much in control of their game with the Browns throughout winning 27-10 but BOTH of the team's first two touchdowns were NOT touchdowns! Neither Tiki Barber in the first quarter nor Kurt Warner in the third quarter reached the end zone. Both came very close by were granted TDs by getting to the pylon. I'm soooo confused, as Vinnie Barbarino used to say.... The Bears-Vikings game had its pointspread outcome determined by what I call a 'phantom' TD. The Vikings were a huge 'steam' play opening as 9 1/2-point favorites and getting as high a 12 by game time. The Bears had chances early to open up a lead but were stopped twice very deep in Minnesota territory and led just 6-0. After the Bears second field goal, Minnesota quickly made it 7-6 and then 10-6. The Vikings missed a chance late in the first half to extend the lead further but failed on a fake field goal try.... The Vikings scored on their first drive of the second half and the game was 'sitting' 11, at 17-6. Leading 17-9, the Vikings again missed an opportunity to extend the lead by fumbling deep in Chicago territory. Minnesota was up just 20-9 after a drive that stalled inside the Chicago 10 ended in a field goal. The Bears scored but missed the two-point conversion and the score was 20-15.... A Minnesota TD made it 27-15 and Minnesota backers needed a 'stop' while Chicago backers needed the proverbial concession TD. Chicago scored at the two-minute warning when Rex Grossman scrambled for a five-yard TD that was first ruled a fumble (recovered by the Vikings) but was then overturned in the booth to say he had CROSSED THE PLANE! Yes I had Minnesota but that was one 'cheap' TD! Final: Minnesota 27 Chicago 22.... For those who had the Chargers on Sunday with 10 points, you didn't get 'robbed' but you weren't very lucky either! Denver scored first to go up 7-0 and then San Diego missed a great chance to even things up when its drive stalled at the Denver five. Trailing 7-3,the Chargers defense held Denver to a field goal from inside their own 10-yard line and held Denver again, after Brees lost a fumble at the San Diego 28.... The Chargers made a game of it by recovering a Quentin Griffin fumble and scoring a TD to close to 13-10 in the third quarter. The Chargers then held Denver at mid-field but roughed the punter, allowing Denver another chance. Once again it looked as if the San Diego defense had held but with the Broncos facing a fourth-and-nine at the SD 33, the Broncos went for it. On the last play of the third quarter, Plummer was forced out of the pocket and really just threw one up for grabs in the en zone. Ashley Lelie came down with it though, his first TD in 15 games!... The teams traded fourth quarter field goals and with the game 'sitting' right on 10, San Diego lost 46 yards in its final two drives. Now that's hard to do! Everybody got to go home and 'kiss their sisters'. Not a bad gig if your last name is Aniston or Locklear!... The Chiefs game with the Texans was not really a bad beat or lucky win, it was just an example of how one play can change the entire game. The Chiefs were desperate at 0-2 and were facing the 0-2 Texans. Houston missed two great opportunities early when they were forced to settle for two very short field goals. The Chiefs led at the half 7-6 and then on their first drive of the second half opened a 14-6 lead. When KC forced a three-and-out on Houston's next possession, the Chiefs offense then moved quickly to a first-and-goal at the Texans one-yard line. It was here that the game and most likely Kansas City's entire season turned. After Priest Holmes was stuffed for a one-yard loss, Trent Green threw an ill-advised pass to a well-covered Tony Gonzalez and the Texans returned the interception 102 yards for a TD. A successful two-point conversion later and it was NOT 21-6 KC but 14-14!... The Chiefs actually came back to take a 21-14 lead and laying just 7 1/2-points still had a chance to 'cover' but the team's league-worst defense (allows 28.7 PPG-the most in the NFL!) could not hold the Texans, who won 24-21.... As always I won't spend too much time on the Monday Night game as everyone gets to watch it. Still, I'm not sure how one could 'justify' the pass interference call made against the Redskins in the first quarter that basically 'handed' the Cowboys a 7-0 lead or the pass interference 'non-call' on Dallas in the early fourth quarter that could have allowed Washington back in the game with plenty of time on the clock. Yada, Yada, Yada.... Back to articles
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