Wide receiver Troy Brown once again played on both sides of the ball (both wide receiver and cornerback) on Sunday as the depleted New England Patriots managed yet another last minute victory as they defeated the Miami Dolphins 23-16. The Patriots, who were without running back Corey Dillon, still managed a decently balanced offense with the help of ex-Seattle Seahawk Heath Evans, who ran for 84 yards, which was more than he gained in his last two seasons in Seattle alone. Despite the victory, the Patriots secondary was still a little fragile, with Miami Quarterback Gus Frerotte throwing for 360 yards and two touchdowns. The Pats also lost two more players to injury: Center Dan Koppen and Cornerback Randall Gay. The Patriots finished the first half of the season after having played the toughest first half of any team in the league, and look forward to a much easier second half schedule.
On the other side of the league, the Philadelphia Eagles had a difficult time against Drew Bledsoes Dallas Cowboys for the second time this season. Cowboys safety Roy Williams returned a Donovan McNabb interception for 46 yards to the endzone to put the Cowboys ahead with just over two minutes left. The Eagles received their third straight loss as they fell to 4-5, and the bottom of the NFC East. With Terrell Owens suspended indefinitely, and Donovan McNabb not expected to play next week against New York things dont look good for the Eagles.
In yet another shocking game, the New York Giants fell to the Minnesota Vikings 24-21 as the Vikings were led by backup quarterback Brad Johnson. The victory, however, can be credited mainly to Vikings Safety Darren Sharper who had three interceptions, including one that he returned ninety-two yards for a touchdown. The Vikings also returned both a punt and a kick-off for touchdowns, which helped them to counter the offensive production of the Giants, including over 200 all-purpose yards from running back Tiki Barber.
Meanwhile, the Indianapolis Colts have moved to 9-0 as they rolled over the Houston Texans 31-17. However, there is hope for the rest of the NFL, as the Colts next two opponents are the 7-2 Cincinnati Bengals and the Pittsburgh Steelers, two teams that each have a chance to stop, the Colts.
NFL history was rewritten this weekend as cornerback Nathan Vasher achieved the longest touchdown run in NFL history as he returned a missed 49ers field goal from 8 yards deep in his own end zone for a touchdown. Vashers 108 yard run surpassed the previous two records tied at 107 yards, thanks mostly to a wild wind that sent him running through the end zone to return the missed kick.
Other than next Sundays Colts- Bengals game, there are a few other games to keep an eye on this weekend, like the Buccaneers against the Atlanta Falcons. These two 6-3 NFC South teams will contend for either second or first place in their division, depending on the success of the Carolina Panthers when they take on the Chicago Bears.
