While the world was locked in on last week’s Colts-Patriots game – which lived up to the hype as Tom Brady rallied the Patriots to a late win, 24-20 – a funny thing happened around the rest of the league.
Players on the other 30 teams sent out reminders that they’re worth watching, too.
Viewers in the Las Vegas area who turned on CBS for the early game as a primer for the battle of the unbeatens saw two NFL records fall.
Minnesota defeated San Diego 35-17, and in the process, rookie running back Adrian Peterson ran for an NFL record 296 yards. Peterson scored three times in the Vikings’ win and piled up 253 yards in the second half alone. He also surpassed 200 yards for the second time this season, becoming the first player to accomplish that feat as a rookie.
Another record was set in the game – one that will never be broken, unless the NFL moves to Canada and begins playing on 110-yard fields. On the final play of the first half, Minnesota’s Ryan Longwell attempted a 57-yard field goal. The kick was short, just under the crossbar, and San Diego’s Antonio Cromartie jumped up and caught the ball in the back of the end zone.
Cromartie’s foot landed inches from the back line in the end zone, but he retained his balance and remained in bounds, and then ran, untouched, 109 yards for a touchdown. No play in league history had previously gone for 109 yards, and no play can possibly be longer.
But the feats of Peterson and Cromartie weren’t the only superlatives in the “other” games last week. To wit:
* Drew Brees set a team record with 346 passing yards – in the first half. The Saints quarterback finished with 445 passing yards and three touchdowns in the team’s 41-24 win over Jacksonville.
* Clinton Portis ran for 196 yards and a touchdown, including 37 yards on the game-winning drive in overtime as Washington defeated the Jets 23-20.
* Brett Favre threw for 360 yards as the Packers rallied past the Chiefs.
* Terrell Owens caught 10 passes for 174 yards and a score as Dallas routed Philadelphia.
* Derek Anderson threw for 364 yards as the Browns beat the Seahawks in overtime, 33-30.
* Ben Roethlisberger tied a team record with five touchdown passes – all in the first half – as the Steelers dominated the Ravens.
* The Lions scored two defensive touchdowns and shut the Broncos down to improve to 6-2 – yes, the Detroit Lions are 6-2 – with a 44-7 demolition of Denver.
Even in the big game, Joseph Addai of Indianapolis became the first player in Colts history to run for 100 yards and have 100 receiving yards in the same game.
There were standout performances all around the league. It’s amazing what can happen when so much attention is paid to one specific game – or, perhaps, when the Rams and Dolphins happen to have the same bye week.
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The celebrity picks:
Lance Burton, Monte Carlo headliner
(14-11-2)
Packers –6 vs. Vikings
Eagles +3 at Redskins
49ers +10 at Seahawks
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Anthony Crivello, star of "Phantom - The Las Vegas Spectacular"
(14-11-2)
Bills –3 at Dolphins
Redskins –3 at Eagles
Cardinals –1 vs. Lions
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Danny Gans, Mirage headliner
(14-11-2)
Panthers –4 1/2 vs. Falcons
Vikings +6 at Packers
Colts -3 1/2 at Chargers
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Oscar Goodman, mayor of Las Vegas
(17-9-1)
Steelers –9 1/2 vs. Browns
Saints –11 1/2 vs. Rams
Bears –3 at Raiders
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Hans Klok, Planet Hollywood headliner
(16-10-1)
Steelers –9 1/2 vs. Browns
Raiders +3 at Bears
Colts –3 1/2 at Chargers
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Wayne Newton, "Mr. Las Vegas"
(9-14-4)
Ravens-Bengals under 44
Panthers –4 1/2 vs. Falcons
Giants pick vs. Cowboys
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Penn & Teller, Rio headliners
(18-9)
Giants pick vs. Cowboys
Eagles +3 vs. Redskins
Steelers –9 1/2 vs. Browns
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Rita Rudner, Harrah's headliner
(16-10-1)
Seahawks –10 vs. 49ers
Vikings +6 at Packers
Dolphins-Bills over 40 1/2