AJ Green may be the Bengals star receiver but Jerome Simpson scored arguably the most acrobatic touchdown in Bengals history. The Bengals scored seven points on the play but would have been awarded just six by the German judges.
The Minnesota Vikings just keep losing?even in victory. Not only did Minnesota win a meaningless game against the Washington Redskins that hurt their draft position but they also lost Adrian Peterson in the process. After tearing both his ACL and MCL, Peterson will be healthy in time for part of the 2012 season but will take time to find his legs.
Remember when Victor Cruz, had his monster rookie preseason in August of 2010? That summer he capped off the preseason by recording six receptions for 143 yards and three touchdowns against the Jets on Monday night.?Cruz disappeared during the regular season behind the Giants talented rotation of receivers until injuries to Mario Manningham and Domenik Hixon left the Giants vulnerable. Against the Jets, Cruz established himself as the Giants? single-season receptions leader. Cruz also put his athleticism on display by slicing through the Jets defense en route to a 99-yard vacation into the end zone.
The decimation of NFL passing records this season continues as Cam Newton proceeded to eclipse Peyton Manning?s single-season NFL passing record. Newton also connected with receiver Brandon LaFell on a 91yard touchdown throw and followed that up by improving upon his NFL record for rushing touchdowns by a quarterback courtesy of a 49-yard scamper.
On the Eve of Christmas Day, Tim Tebow inally came down to Earth(insert Resurrection joke here). While, Tebow has shown the heart and clutch ability to deliver in the final minutes of low-scoring affairs, he doesn?t have what it takes to be the franchise quarterback. When you look at the totality of circumstances, he has too many major deficiencies to overlook. He has a sub 50 percent completion percentage, throws just as many groundballs as he does floaters and he doesn?t understand how to read NFL defenses. I?m not saying he won?t start the season opener next season but John Elway?s got to find an insurance policy at quarterback in case Tebow doesn?t show drastic improvement next season.
The Rams may have a decision to make if they manage to earn the first overall pick in April?s NFL Draft. Do they draft Andrew Luck or stick with Sam Bradford? Bradford had an absolutely miserable sophomore campaign. Bradford regressed in every category for his season by completing only 53 percent of his passes and ended the season with a 70.5 quarterback rating. Luck, on the other hand has a? better skillset and greater understanding of the quarterback position than any prospect since John Elway.
How good is San Francisco?s run defense? It took 16 weeks for an opposing team to score a rushing touchdown. However, Marshawn Lynch?s streak-snapping touchdown has an asterisk beside it. The 49ers defense held Seattle to just 17 points without all-universe linebacker Patrick Willis, who has quietly established himself as one of the league?s top linebackers.
For the second time, this season, the Philadelphia Eagles crushed the Dallas Cowboys like Marshawn Lynch treats a bag of Skittles. In two victories over the Cowboys, the Eagles outscored Dallas 54-14.? Next week, the NFC East Championship will come down to two teams who are more prone to letdowns than Six Flags rollercoasters.
Jerome Simpson wasn?t the only player to go airborne on Christmas Eve. Dolphins running back Reggie Bush. Reggie Bush finally reached the 1,000 yard marker as a running back and most impressively, did it while averaging half a first down per carry(5.0 yards). ?In his first season, as the feature back in a physical offensive attack, Bush was used less as a slot receiver and showed his value as a between the tackles runner. However, as he showed by hurdling a Patriots defender, Bush still has plenty of electricity left in his cleats.
