Month: October 2014

‘Thursday Night Football’ moves from CBS to NFL Network

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By Nick Shook | NFL.com
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According to the Gregorian calendar, Wednesday is followed by Thursday. That also means Thursday Night Football is again right around the corner, mere hours from filling televisions screens across the world with exciting NFL action.

But unlike the first eight Thursdays of the season, this day before Friday will be different. This Thursday, the Carolina Panthers face the New Orleans Saints in a battle for NFC South supremacy, and it can be seen on only one network — NFL Network. Continue reading →

Arian Foster keeps rolling in Texans’ win over Titans

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By Nick Shook | NFL.com
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Week 8 is the first in which we’ve come as close as possible to average combined performance for road teams. It wasn’t great, but it wasn’t terrible, either. Visiting squads won six of 13 games on Sunday, but even a few of those were ugly.

It took the Atlanta Falcons a major collapse and one final, crushing penalty to surrender a 21-point lead that at times seemed insurmountable for the Detroit Lions to notch Sunday’s first road win. Seattle needed a beautiful strike from Russell Wilson to Luke Willson to complete a 13-9 comeback win over thePanthers in Charlotte. It was a productive drive at just the right time, but that doesn’t erase the fact that Seattle had a horrid day offensively. I’m sorry, Wilson.

With that being said, we still had a few diamonds in the rough on Sunday. Here are your most outstanding away from home. Continue reading →

Aaron Rodgers’ two-minute drill keys Packers’ late win

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By Nick Shook | NFL.com
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Did the league send a memo to road teams this week?

After an abysmal performance by visiting squads in Week 5, the group collectively shoved it in the face of doubters (they’re out there somewhere), going 8-4-1 against home teams on Sunday. Big road victories included Dallas’ emphatic win at the home of the 12s in Seattle; New England’s prove-it triumph against division foe Buffalo; and Baltimore’s dominating performance against the lowly Buccaneers.

There were plenty of stars to choose from this week, but alas, we have a limit of three. Here are the very best visitors of Week 6.

Greatest on the Road …

Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers

Before you take up arms and attempt to hunt me down, allow me to clarify: Joe Flacco had a fantastic game (21 of 29, 306 yards, five touchdowns), most of which he accomplished in the first half, but it’s the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. There’s a reason they’re 1-5 and have been carved up by more than one quarterback (see: Thursday Night Football, Week 3).

Meanwhile, in Southern Florida, the Packers found themselves in quite the barn burner. Green Bay had a lead, then lost it, then regained it, then lost it again. But with the Packers trailing by four with 2:04 left to play and Cheeseheads across America wondering, possibly panicking — are we really about to lose to the Dolphins? — it was Rodgers to the rescue.

Continue reading →

Brian Hoyer, Browns historically great in road victory

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By Nick Shook | NFL.com
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Well, we’ve reached a new low. Road teams struggled mightily in Week 5, going 3-10 on Sunday, and if it weren’t for a record-setting comeback, Alex Henery being the Detroit Lions‘ only option at kicker, and Dick LeBeau‘s defense confusing a rookie quarterback late in a close game, we might have had our first winless week for those away from home. Luckily, the traveling stars of the week made it a little bit respectable for road teams as a whole.

Whether it was room service food, the effect of a hostile crowd or uncomfortable beds (never at a Courtyard Marriott, of course), something threw off the road squads. But despite slim pickings, there were still some standout performers. Here are the week’s best.

Greatest on the Road …

Brian Hoyer, Cleveland Browns

Let’s be honest: Brian Hoyer may have sat behind Tom Brady for a portion of his career, but he isn’t Tom Brady, and probably never will be. But let’s take a quick look at Hoyer’s final stat line: 21-37, 292 yards, three touchdowns, one interception.

Pretty good numbers for a guy who has spent most of his career as a backup, right?

Continue reading →