Moving The Chains: My Weekly Take On The NFL - Week 3.

Week 3:

Hero of the week:

Christian Ponder.
Christian Ponder is this week’s hero of the week for putting up very respectable numbers in Minnesota’s upset 24-13 win over the San Francisco 49ers. Ponder went 21 of 35 for 198 yards and 2 TDs. He also scored the first rushing TD conceded by the vaunted 49ers defence. Ponder has always flashed promise, and is now living up to his billing as a first-round pick. If he plays the way he did on Sunday, the Vikings could have a quietly successful season up in Minnesota.

Villain of the week:

Rex Ryan and Tony Sparano.
This week’s villain of the week is split between the New York Jets coaching staff, in particular offensive coordinator Tony Sparano and head coach Rex Ryan, for blindly sticking with Mark Sanchez instead of Tim Tebow. Massive Tebow bias aside, it is clear that Mark Sanchez is not the option. After a decent outing in week 1 against Buffalo, Sanchez has been more than poor. While Tebow’s outings for the Jets have been less than spectacular, I feel this has only proven that Tebow’s future does not involve running trick plays or lining up as a receiver. Given the chance to actually lead – one of those intangibles that Tebow has in droves – the Jets’ offense, there is no reason that he couldn’t be a success. Even if it were to blow up in their faces, they would have at least attempted something different because what they are trying now simply isn’t working.

Disappointment of the week:

None.
This week the New Orleans Saints and Green Bay Packers managed to disappoint once again, but I have extensively covered their failings here in previous weeks.

Moment of the week:
'Fail Mary on Monday Night Football.
Its already been discussed a million and one times, and will be continually for the rest of the season, but the ending to Monday Night Football is potentially one of the most significant moments and one of the most memorable refereeing decisions in NFL history. The referees just plain blew the ending of this game; they missed the pass interference on Sam Shields, and they missed the fact that Jennings had the ball fully under control after incepting Wilson’s Hail Mary. To make the call on the field is one thing, but to not overturn the call in the face of indisputable evidence is what makes it one of the worst calls in history.

Honourable mention:
Prior to the Monday Night Farce, Torrey Smith reaching the endzone twice against the New England Patriots mere hours after he learned of his brother’s death in a motorbike accident was unquestionably the moment of the week. Smith’s tough, emotional performance was supremely inspirational.

Fail of the week:

Joe Philbin.

Miami Dolphins head coach Joe Philbin is the clear candidate here. Freezing the kicker is a tactic that rarely works, especially in a half-empty Dolphins stadium, and his decision to call a time out seconds before Jets kicker Nick Folk had his potentially game-winning effort blocked came back to haunt him. Minutes later, Folk would connect on a 33-yard attempt to win the game for New York.

'My team':

You’d never have thought that this was the second time the New York Giants had taken the field in five days – there were no signs of fatigue in a convincing 36-7 victory over the Carolina Panthers.

The Giants looked strong all across the board from the off, and the performances of unlikely contributors such as Andre Brown (113 yards, 2 TDs) and Ramses Barden (138 yards) were the exclamation point on a dominant first half.

Brown has been cut seven times from five teams, while Barden has been on the roster bubble in each of his three seasons with the Giants, having failed to really make an impact.

Brown’s 2 TD, 113-yard performance was sublime and it’s hard to envisage a situation where Ahmad Bradshaw walks back into a starting role when he returns from injury against Philadelphia next weekend. Martellus Bennett was another key contributor and is proving time and again why he was worth investing in during the offseason.

The Giants defence stifled Cam Newton all game with great pressure up front courtesy of Jason Pierre Paul, and was picked three times. In a game in which several Giants stepped up to the plate in a big way, it was appropriate that rookie Jayron Hosley registered his first career pick and Michael Boley registered his third in as many games. This bodes well considering the Giants face Michael Vick next week, a man with a very similar skill-set to Newton.

Despite the complete nature of this win, it’s hard to tell what it means for the Giants going forward. They were playing a completely disorganised team, who in no way looked ready to play. A poor defence was brutally taken advantage of by a Giants offence which was able to pass and rush at will. Philadelphia will be a far tougher ordeal.

But, a win is a win and most importantly the Giants have back-to-back wins over NFC opponents. The momentum that the Giants will take from this win is key in a league that has most teams posting records not far off .500.