NFC South Week 11 Wrap Up

   NFC South Week 11 Wrap Up
 
By Rafael Garcia
Sr. Contributing Writer
Southeast Region
 
Miami 24 Carolina 17
The Dolphins came in to this game without injured star running back Ronnie Brown so they had to make adjustments. One of them was to put Ricky Williams in and see if the vet could produce for a whole game. What they got was a flashback of the old Ricky as he ran 22 times for 119 yards with two rushing scores and one receiving. It was the fifth win in seven games for the Fins after a 0-3 start and they find themselves right back in the playoff picture. Chad Henne continues to shine as well going 17-29 for 172 yards and one touchdown with no picks. He has made the most of his opportunity after Chad Pennington went down a few weeks ago.  He was able to get the win despite losing his starting and backup centers. The Panthers continued they’re disappointing season with Jake Delhomme throwing yet another pick and being unable to finish the deal. After starting 0-3 themselves the Panthers were trying to get in the playoff picture but are probably now out of it. Delhomme was a pedestrian 19-42 for 227 yards and a touchdown pass to Steve Smith. DeAngelo Williams had another good game with 122 on just 13 carries with a long run of 50 yards. Smith had seven receptions for 87 yards and a score but the Panthers will find themselves out of the playoffs again and more than likely with a new head coach next year.
 
New York Giants 34 Atlanta 31
When the Falcons took the field they were aware they were playing a Giants team desperate for a win. They came out flat and were down 17-7 at the half on the strength two touchdown catches from Kevin Boss. The second half would begin with the Falcons going downfield and scoring when Jason Snelling ran it in from one-yard to make it 17-14 for his second touchdown of the game. Snelling was in for the inured Michael Turner and had 25 carries for 76 effective yards. Matt Ryan has had his struggles in his second year but was ready to make a late charge. With his team down 31-17 he went to work as he converted third down after third down on a 12-play drive that ended with his 4-yard scoring pass to Eric Weems to make it 31-24. Then it was down to the last minutes of the game and the Gmen could not stop Ryan again. He converted a few more third downs and with time running out he hit Tony Gonzalez from 11 yards to tie the game with 28 seconds left. Now the Falcons felt confident since they were able to drive on New York late and wanted to end things in the overtime. Things did not work out as New York drove the ball and won it on a Lawrence Tynes 36-yard field goal. Atlanta saw itself at 4-1 after five games and have gone 1-4 since to have their playoff hopes dimmed at best. Turner is hurt, Ryan is struggling, and that combination will not help this team one bit. Next week is a divisional game against the winless Bucs and if they are not careful they will find themselves as the second win in a season gone bad for Tampa Bay.
 
New Orleans 38 Tampa Bay 7
Fantasy football owners have not been too happy with Drew Brees these past few games, as he has failed to put his projected points. Against a weak Tampa defense he got some of his fantasy moxie back on as he finished with three touchdown passes but had only 187 yards passing. Mike Bell bounced back after several quiet games and had 75 yards on 13 carries to go with two scores. His running mate Pierre Thomas chipped in with 92 on 11 carries. The defense did not have to work too hard as Tampa QB Josh Freeman was picked off three times and sacked just as many times. The rookie continues his growing pains in a season of lows with hope of only getting any win he can get. After their first possession the Bucs could muster no offense. They had 219 total yards and 95 were on that drive alone. The defense gave up nearly 400 yards to the Saints top-ranked offense. Now New Orleans faces their biggest test of the year when they host the New England Patriots next Monday night. They have ridden the wave to 10-0 but have shown flaws along the way. Brees has been explosive at times but has been inconsistent far too often to beat the Pats unless he has the near perfect game. They Saints defense will have to come up big also because even if Brees has a big day they still have to stop Tom Brady. We all know that will not be done without the utmost effort next week. So let’s enjoy the game and see whom the real heavyweight is when this one is over.