Week 9 NFL Recap
PITTSBURGH (93-7 THE FAN) -- Week 9 is in the books, but before we jump ahead to week 10, let's look back at the week that was.
HALF WAY TO PERFECTION
The Atlanta Falcons have reached the half way point of their season and still have not lost a game. It was not pretty Sunday night, but the Falcons held off the Cowboys for a 19-13 win to move to 8-0 on the year. The Falcons travel to NFC South rival New Orleans next week, that game looks to be their toughest remaining game on the schedule until they host the Giants in week 15. The Saints are playing much better than most 3-5 teams, with all 3 of their wins coming in the last 4 weeks. Atlanta plays New Orleans twice in November.
AFC NORTH RECAP
The North went 2-2 over week 9. The Bengals lost at home to Denver and Pittsburgh beat the Giants on the road in the 2 non-division games. Baltimore survived a scare for the second time this season against Cleveland for a 10 point win. Cleveland had the ball in position for a game tying score as time expired in week for in Baltimore the 1st time those two played. This time, Cleveland actually held the lead in the 4th quarter before allowing 11 straight Raven points in the last 4:26 of the game.
Cleveland is the last team in the division to get a week off, that comes this week. The other 3 teams are in action and at home in week 10.
WEEK 10 SCHEDULE:
N.Y Giants at Cincinnati
Oakland at Baltimore
Kansas City at Pittsburgh (Monday Night)
COACHING HOT SEATS
We are past the half way point so it is about time that the rumor mills kick up about coaches getting fired, so let's look at the coaches that find themselves on the hot seat at this point in the season. Throw in the news that broke Sunday morning that Saints head coach Sean Payton, who is suspended for the season, could possible have his contract voided and become a free agent essentially and things get even more intriguing.
Jason Garrett (Dallas) - Not only have the Cowboys had a disappointing start to the 2012 season starting 3-5, you also can't forget their collapse to end the season last year. The Cowboys lost 4 of their last 5 to end the season a year ago. If they had one any of those 4 losses, the Cowboys, not the Super Bowl Champion Giants would have won the NFC East. In the last 13 games, Dallas has won just 4 times. Also, keep in mind that Sean Payton could be available and nobody changes coaches and has the money to do so like Jerry Jones.
Marvin Lewis (Cincinnati) - This was a playoff team last year, and it just seems the Lewis has lost the team after a 3-1 start. The past 4 games have been ugly, losing all 4, 3 of which were at home. Next up for the Bengals are the Giants, and they also still have games remaining against both Baltimore and Pittsburgh.
Andy Reid (Philadelphia) - Like the Bengals things looked good in September, but the Eagles have lost 4 straight and their next two games are against division foes, Dallas and Washington. Being on the Hot Seat in nothing new to Reid, it is something he has been dealing with for the past few years. It is just that this time it could be the year he gets canned.
Romeo Crennel (Kansas City) - Crennel has one thing going in his favor and that is that this is his 1st year in Kansas City. He took over in week 15 last year and pulled off an upset of the previously undefeated Green Bay Packers. That got some momentum behind him to get the job permanently. The Chiefs organization may be regretting that decision right about now. KC is 1-7 so far this year and have only be within 1 score once in those 7 losses.
AFC vs NFC
Last week the AFC won 3 of the 4 games played between the 2 conference to close the gap to 20-12 in favor of the NFC. This week it went just the opposite. The AFC went 1-3 this week, with the Steelers win the only win for the conference. The Raiders, Jaguars and Titans all lost. The season series now sits at 23-13 for the NFC with 5 games being played this coming Sunday.
