Week 9 Roundup

Running backs get paid by the yard, and the great ones by the touchdown. That’s the first thing we ask about any back on Sunday—how many yards did he get? But yards gained are often a number that screams for context. Did the back roll up some stats in a blowout? Did a single run account for the bulk of the total? Or did the back serve as a bellcow for his team, and grind out important, clock-killing, chain-moving yardage in the second half of a close game?

That last description describes Adrian Peterson’s performance on Sunday in Minnesota’s 28-21 win over a hot Houston team. All Day got his sixer early on, banging in for the game’s first score from a yard out. But it was in the second half, especially the fourth quarter, that AD earned his paycheck. He ground out several first down runs, including big chunks of 40, 22, and 21 yards, as the home team protected its 7-14 point lead. The Purple Pounder finished with 25-139 and the TD, but forget the fantasy stuff—it was an impressive afternoon of physical dominance.

Looking for more of an aerial approach? Check out the TD catch Braylon Edwards turned in for Cleveland. The swing state wideout went vertical in the end zone and yanked the ball away from a pair of Baltimore DBs for the score. It wasn’t enough to yank victory away from the Birds, who won 37-27, but it was a sensational play. Edwards had four grabs for 86 yards in the game.

(OK, in the interest of keeping it real, Braylon also dropped what looked to be a sure TD late in the game)

Another Award for Excellent Performance by a Wide Receiver in a Losing Effort goes to…Calvin Johnson of Detroit. Yes, MegaTron & Co. are struggling through a nightmare, winless season in Motown, but CJ is keeping up his end of the bargain. A slick over-the-shoulder TD grab was part of an eight catch, 94-yard performance in a tough loss to Chicago, 27-23. An out-of-work QB is coming to Detroit to perhaps provide some deep balls for Johnson, who deserves a good hurler at the other end for once.

Also on the receiver tip, let’s give credit for a solid game in a win—Larry Fitzgerald and his Arizona crew pummeled the team from their former home city of St. Louis, 34-14. Fitz hauled in 6 balls for 81 yards, although he didn’t crack paydirt. The win solidifies the division lead, and makes it more likely a post-season game will be played in the Valley of the Sun.