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Prisco Grades: Week 9
 
Pete Prisco By Pete Prisco
CBSSports.com Senior Writer
Tell Pete your opinion!
 
 
CBSSports.com Senior Writer Pete Prisco grades each team's performance every week.
 
 
Week1 · 2 · 3 · 4 · 5 · 6 · 7 · 8 · 9
 
Prisco's Picks · Prisco's Grades · Expert Picks · Harmon Forecast
 

The flu shelved me this weekend -- no, it wasn't swine (I didn't feel like having a BLT or pork sandwich) -- preventing me from hitting the road, which meant I had a day on the couch flicking the satellite dish through the NFL Sunday Ticket like a mad man.

Just like good teams find a way to win, John Fox's Panthers -- a bad team -- find a way to lose. (Getty Images)  
Like good teams find a way to win, John Fox's Panthers -- a bad team -- find a way to lose. (Getty Images)  

So what did I see?

 I saw that commercial with a guy talking to himself about erectile dysfunction about 100 times. Does he really get advice from himself?

 I saw some really good quarterback play from guys we expect it from, like Tom Brady, Kurt Warner and Peyton Manning.

 I saw the Cincinnati Bengals show once again what I thought all along: They are for real.

 And I saw two undefeated teams remain that way because of one very important reason:

Good teams find ways to win games that average teams don't.

I'll focus on the Indianapolis Colts and New Orleans Saints here, the final two undefeated teams through nine weeks, with the Colts and Saints both at 8-0. To get there, they were both pushed to the limits Sunday.

The Saints fell behind 14-0 in the first quarter at home and looked flatter than a discarded, stepped-on beignet you might find on Bourbon Street. The Panthers were running at will and the Saints' explosive offense seemed lifeless.

Somehow, someway, the Saints got it going and they ended up winning 30-20. Why? With their passing offense, they are never out of a game. Ever. Drew Brees got it cranked up and they got a late-game fumble return for a touchdown to ice it.

Earlier in the day, Indianapolis jumped to a 13-0 lead -- a score that should have been far worse -- but then had to hold off Houston in a 20-17 victory. The Texans had a chance to send the game to overtime but Kris Brown's 42-yard field goal with no time left sailed wide left.

That's what happens to good teams. They get breaks like that. They make some of their own, but they also get them. It's weird how that works.

Those two teams didn't get their normal sterling grades here in our CBSSports.com Weekly Grades, but even their coaches would admit they didn't deserve them. But they will look back on this day and smile.

I got to watch most of both games, in between the 5,000 times I saw cavemen bowling in some ad and the 1,500 times I flicked around, and when both games were over I thought the same thing.

Good teams seem to find ways to win, maybe on days they don't have the A game. The two undefeated teams did that Sunday.

 
Week 9 - Sunday, Nov. 8, 2009
Green Bay Packers 28, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 38
Tampa Bay Buccaneers ABuccaneers: The Bucs defense came up big with six sacks and three interceptions, one returned for a touchdown by Tanard Jackson to ice it. They also blocked a punt and returned a kickoff 83 yards. That's how you pull upsets. Josh Freeman was steady in his first start with three touchdown passes.
Green Bay Packers FPackers: This one really stings. They made way too many mistakes. You can't win on the road like that -- even against a team you should beat. The special teams were a disaster. The offensive line was bad again.
Miami Dolphins 17, New England Patriots 27
New England Patriots BPatriots: Tom Brady had a huge day and Randy Moss was the recipient of most of it. His 71-yard catch-and-run for a touchdown was the big play of the game. The Patriots defense did a better job against the Wildcat this time, although Miami did throw a touchdown pass off it.
Miami Dolphins C-Dolphins: They didn't run the ball like they have been, which put more pressure on Chad Henne. He played OK, but not enough big plays. The pass defense struggled, but that might happen some with rookie corners.
Kansas City Chiefs 21, Jacksonville Jaguars 24
Jacksonville Jaguars B-Jaguars: They played well until the final six minutes when they almost blew it. That's a mental lapse. They got some big plays on offense from Mike Sims-Walker. They also ran it well. The pass rush, which has been nonexistent, finally showed up with three sacks.
Kansas City Chiefs C-Chiefs: They did little until the final quarter, but they get credit for not quitting. Matt Cassel did play well in the fourth quarter, but it was too late. His offensive line is really bad. The defense got pushed around.
Houston Texans 17, Indianapolis Colts 20
Indianapolis Colts BColts: The Colts looked like they would blow the Texans out, but kept kicking field goals instead of scoring touchdowns. Peyton Manning was red hot in the first half, but cooled off in the second. He did lead them on the game-winning drive late.
Houston Texans B-Texans: The defense had problems early, but slowed down the Colts in the second half. Matt Schaub and the offense took time to get going, but they looked good in the second half. And they did drive to a game-tying field goal attempt that Kris Brown missed. He has to make that.
Baltimore Ravens 7, Cincinnati Bengals 17
Cincinnati Bengals ABengals: They jumped out to a quick lead and then the defense did the rest. The front had four sacks and shut down the Baltimore running game. They also had two interceptions. Carson Palmer and Cedric Benson carried the offense again. Benson went over 100 for the second time vs. the Ravens this season.
Baltimore Ravens C-Ravens: They looked flat for the first quarter and never seemed to recover. That defense isn't what it once was. The offense couldn't muster any drives early and fell behind. They never could get it going as their offensive line struggled.
Arizona Cardinals 41, Chicago Bears 21
Arizona Cardinals B+Cardinals: Kurt Warner threw five touchdown passes and lit up the Chicago secondary. He did what he wanted. Matt Leinart threw the only interception. The defense played well early, but did give up some passing yards to the Bears when they had a big lead. They did let down some late, which is a concern.
Chicago Bears FBears: What happened to that defense? They couldn't stop the Arizona passing attack. They had no pass rush. Jay Cutler put up some numbers and did throw three touchdown passes, but he can't do it alone. Falling behind 31-7 at the half is inexcusable.
Washington Redskins 17, Atlanta Falcons 31
Atlanta Falcons BFalcons: Give this one to Michael Turner. He came up huge with 166 yards and two touchdowns. The defense was good in the first half, but struggled in the second when Washington got back in the game. Matt Ryan didn't do much.
Washington Redskins DRedskins: The offense was horrible most of the day, aside from the third quarter. In the first half, they couldn't get anything going. And the run defense was terrible. How much did they pay Albert Haynesworth?
Detroit Lions 20, Seattle Seahawks 32
Seattle Seahawks CSeahawks: Matt Hasselbeck had a 300-yard passing day and he had to after his team started so slow. Rallying from down 17-0, he had to throw the ball well. The defense had five interceptions, the last one returned by Josh Wilson for a touchdown to seal it.
Detroit Lions C-Lions: They looked good early, jumping to a 14-0 lead. But Matt Stafford had problems throwing the ball and turnovers really hurt. The defense also didn't play well. There will be days like this for rookie passers.
Carolina Panthers 20, New Orleans Saints 30
New Orleans Saints BSaints: Drew Brees got the passing game going after a slow start, throwing for 330 yards and a touchdown. The defense, after a bad start, played much better in the second half.
Carolina Panthers B-Panthers: Give them credit for coming in and fighting, but they don't throw it well enough to win it. You have to against the Saints. They did run well, with DeAngelo Williams going for 149 yards and two scores. His late fumble was a killer.
Tennessee Titans 34, San Francisco 49ers 27
Tennessee Titans BTitans: Chris Johnson was the highlight again, rushing for 135 yards and scoring two touchdowns. Vince Young played well, completing 12 of 19 for 172 yards, no interceptions and he rushed for a score. The defense gave up some passing yards -- what else is new? -- but it also had three interceptions.
San Francisco 49ers C-49ers: Alex Smith threw three interceptions, the last one to kill any chance of rallying for a victory. He did make some plays, but the picks hurt. Frank Gore averaged 5.5 per rush, but only had 15 carries. The defense, usually a strong suit, didn't play well.
San Diego Chargers 21, NY Giants 20
San Diego Chargers B+Chargers: Philip Rivers didn't have his usual stuff, but he found a way late to drive the Chargers to the game-winning score in the final minute. He knows how to do it in the clutch. Vincent Jackson came up big again. The defense was sound, and holding the Giants to a field goal late was key.
NY Giants CGiants: Their decision to play safe late in the game after getting the interception up by three will be questioned -- especially with their defense. The defense did play better, but to let Rivers drive it to the winning score was the difference. Eli Manning was solid, but he didn't hit many plays down the field. It was all short stuff.
Dallas Cowboys 20, Philadelphia Eagles 16
Dallas Cowboys ACowboys: The Dallas defense did a great job limiting the high-scoring Philly offense and made plays in the end. The offense didn't get much, bothered by the blitz, but made a big one in the end from Tony Romo to Miles Austin.
Philadelphia Eagles BEagles: The offensive line struggled against the Dallas pressure and the Eagles couldn't get the offense cranked up. The Philly defense played well, but did give up the big play late. Why did Andy Reid kick the late field goal on fourth down?
Week 9 - Monday, Nov. 9, 2009
Pittsburgh Steelers at Denver Broncos
Denver Broncos Broncos:
Pittsburgh Steelers Steelers:
 
Talk Back
Reputation:94
Level:All-Star
Since:Sep 4, 2007

November 9, 2009 1:18 pm
Wow, there is a whole lot of anti-Prisco sentiment on this site, some justifiable, but a lot of it just plain off-based.  The poor guy talks about how he's claimed all along that the Bengals are for real, and then you see a ton of people saying otherwise.  Have any of you posters actually read his columns?  There are a select number of jouranlists out there who have said that th ...(more)
Reputation:85
Level:All-Star
Since:Sep 19, 2007

November 9, 2009 2:57 pm

I would like to know why all you people that bash prisco everyday read his articles. If they are that bad then why do you not only waste your time reading them, but why do then have to post about it? Go to espn or foxsports and don't post on here and waste my day by having to read your posts. That being said no sports writer is perfect. Yes prisco does not like farve and I think h ...(more)

Reputation:97
Level:Superstar
Since:Mar 23, 2009

November 9, 2009 2:34 pm
The grades for the Tampa Bay - Green Bay game show once again the Pete must be using the "Prisco Curve" to grade the teams rather than grading according to a standard based on the NFL as a whole. He seems to grade teams based on how HE thinks they SHOULD have played rather than how the game actually went. How can one team get an "A" (Tampa Bay) and the other get an "F" ...(more)
Reputation:99
Level:Superstar
Since:Aug 29, 2006

October 19, 2009 7:06 pm
I personally don't see anything wrong with running up the score, especially when a team is at home.  Give the fans something to cheer about, scoring touchdown after touchdown.  In reality they were getting an offense, that was terrible the week before, reps to gel. That kind of work can be invaluable.  I don't feel a team should have to change the way their offense plays i ...(more)
Reputation:97
Level:Superstar
Since:Nov 27, 2006

November 6, 2009 7:56 pm
Dear Prisco

Please buy Nfl Sunday Ticket, or watch the highlights anywhere, at Espn, Nfl Network. But please watch the games, obviously you don't know what you are talking about, you just read some stats and puts them down however you think it happened. I know you are a hater of some teams, or maybe you don' hate them, and you just don't accept what they are. Pl
...(more)
Reputation:98
Level:Superstar
Since:Oct 10, 2006

November 9, 2009 11:20 am
 I saw the Cincinnati Bengals show once again what I thought all along: They are for real.

Really, Prisco? You thought that all along?  What about when you said this:



That was after the Bengals heartbreaking week 1 loss to the Broncos.  So if you reall ...(more)

Reputation:99
Level:Superstar
Since:May 1, 2008

November 9, 2009 12:19 pm

How do you give the C- to the team that won and a C to the team that lost?  Just because they fell behind early?  So did NOLA and the Colts.  Hopefully that is a mistake, but knowing Prisco he meant it to be that way.  He is a joke.

Reputation:94
Level:All-Star
Since:Nov 25, 2007

October 27, 2009 12:27 pm

Okay Brett Favre, be upset with the Packer organization; but you have some unfinsished business with the Packer fans.  You need to apologize to them for what you put them through for 4 years.  You said that you went to the church prayed before the game in Minnesota?  Well, you'd better stay there all weekend in Green Bay, because there is no place else to hide from the people tha ...(more)

Reputation:99
Level:Superstar
Since:Aug 19, 2006

November 3, 2009 4:21 pm
Huh... I will never understand how Prisco grades some of these teams.  What's the purpose of having Power Rankings and GPA if they don't match... or even close at times? He has the Cards at 9th in his power rankings and at a 2.24 GPA... Meanwhile he has the 49ers at 22nd in his rankings with a 2.39 GPA... His entire article is talking up the Houston Texans who rank a solid 2.50 GPA accor ...(more)
Reputation:97
Level:Superstar
Since:Sep 10, 2007

October 26, 2009 12:01 pm
Some of the things Prisco writes to try justify his grades is absolutely fiction.  I mean what part of his colon does he pull this stuff from.  Here is an example from the Vikings/Steelers grades.

The two big turnovers were the difference. Brett Favre had those. The offense had trouble for much of the game. They couldn't get Adrian Peterson going. Th ...(more)
Reputation:86
Level:All-Star
Since:Nov 17, 2008

October 19, 2009 6:02 pm
(POLL) The Pats were up 38 - 0 with 1:16 to go in the 1st half.  They still had Brady in the game when they took the field.  They lined up with 5 WR's in the shotgun formation.  They remained in the shotgun with 5 WRs for the entire drive.  They went no-huddle and even used a timeout.  As we know, they scored another TD to go up 45-0 with 17 seconds left in the half.

W
...(more)
Reputation:96
Level:Superstar
Since:Dec 18, 2008

November 2, 2009 9:06 pm
First off, I am not a Giants fan, but it is funny to see so many people jump off their band wagon.  They continue to do what they do best...run the football. 

The Giants will be fine.  The defense has had some woes, and the passing game isn't what people would have hoped for.  The Giants will still win the division because the can run the ball so well.  As winte
...(more)
Reputation:97
Level:Superstar
Since:Jan 29, 2008

November 2, 2009 5:22 pm
If this were the column of a well-respected journalist who showed that he knew what he was talking about week in and week out, these grades would hold some value to me.  Unfortunately, this is Pete Prisco.  The ONLY reason I read his articles nowdays are to get a few quick laughs at his incompetency.  It is also fun to bash him on these message boards.  So at least he has ...(more)
Reputation:99
Level:Superstar
Since:Jul 4, 2008

October 26, 2009 1:14 pm
I'm no Favre fan but I knew Petey has been laying in the weeds all season waiting for Brett to have a few turnovers so he could write about it.  When Brett goes 6-0 he barely gives him any credit...just glosses over the win.  But since he rode him so hard for coming back, it's been eating at him to get back at Brett the second he has a so-so game.  

NEWSFLASH Pe
...(more)
Reputation:96
Level:Superstar
Since:Jul 18, 2008

November 2, 2009 12:18 pm
Bears with a "B" ???  Really?  I didn't watch the whole game but the futility inside the RedZone and getting fieldgoals rather than 6 is going to kill you when you play a REAL team.  The Packers or Vikings will definitely jump on those opportunities.  Cutler played "ok" against a very mid to lower tier team.  Just an observation.  Feel free to corr ...(more)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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