New York Giants 20 @ San Francisco 49ers 27
FOR THE FIRST time since the NFL realigned into eight four-team divisions, all four teams in the NFC West managed a victory in the same weekend.
The Cardinals, well, Larry Fitzgerald, virtually ended the Philadelphia’s faint playoff hopes with a 21-17 win over the Eagles, the Rams scored a one-point victory (13-12) over the Browns, while the Seahawks surprised everyone with a comfortable win over the consistently inconsistent Baltimore Ravens.
However, those victories will count for nothing as the San Francisco 49ers continued their inexorable march towards the playoffs and their first divisional crown since 2002.
It was, in truth, a poor quality game with defences and special teams, particularly 49ers kicker David Akers, providing most of the highlights.
Akers hit four field goals in the first three quarters, setting up one with a perfectly executed surprise onside kick.
Indeed, it wasn’t until Eli Manning and Mario Manningham had put the Giants into a 13-12 lead late in the third quarter that 49ers QB Alex Smith stopped managing the game and started making plays.
With 90 seconds gone in the fourth quarter, Smith found Vernon Davis on a 31-yard touchdown pass (which included a spectacular leap from the four yard line by Davis).
The 49ers were then successful with a two-point conversion to grab a 20-13 lead.
Manning, chasing a third come-from-behind victory in three games, faltered on the next drive, giving up an interception to Carlos Rogers on second and seven.
The 49ers capitalised when Kendall Hunter, replacing the injured Frank Gore, ran in a 27-yard touchdown.
The Giants attempted to rally once more but the 49ers held on to record their seventh consecutive victory for the first time since 1997.
The NFC West takes a lot of abuse from NFL fans but this year, they may just have a genuine contender in their midst.
I still can’t see the 49ers winning any shootouts but, if they can keep games low scoring, they have the ability to beat anyone.
Watch the highlights here.
Performance of the week: Andre Carter
The Patriots entered their week ten match-up with the Jets as the worst-ranked pass defence in the National Football League.
Therefore, it was hardly surprising the Jets took the field confident of throwing their way to the top of the AFC East.
Yet, almost single-handedly, DE Andre Carter put pay to those plans by recording an impressive 4.5 sacks during the game. The former Redskin and 49er had only recorded 4.5 sacks on the season before this game.
You can see his first hit on Mark Sanchez here.
Play of the week
There were a number of contenders this week but, when you fool the cameraman, you know you’ve executed the perfect play action. Take a bow Matt Cassel.
See it here.
Week Ten Results:
- Oakland Raiders 24 @ San Diego 17
- New Orleans Saints 26 @ Atlanta Falcons 23
- Tennessee Titans 30 @ Carolina Panthers 3
- Pittsburgh Steelers 24 @ Cincinnati Bengals 17
- St. Louis Rams 13 @ Cleveland Browns 12
- Buffalo Bills 7 @ Dallas Cowboys 44
- Jacksonville Jaguars 17 @ Indianapolis Colts 3
- Denver Broncos 17 @ Kansas City Chiefs 10
- Washington Redskins 9 @ Miami Dolphins 20
- Arizona Cardinals 21 @ Philadelphia Eagles 17
- Houston Texans 37 @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers 9
- Baltimore Ravens 17 @ Seattle Seahawks 22
- Detroit Lions 13 @ Chicago Bears 37
- New York Giants 20 @ San Francisco 49ers 27
- New England Patriots 37 @ New York Jets 16
- Minnesota Vikings 7 @ Green Bay Packers 45
