NFL GridIron Gab Daily Digest

It may have started slow for the Chargers at home on Monday night, but once they got into rhythm, the team found their legs and let Philip Rivers’ arm do the talking.

In the end, the Pro Bowl QB threw for four touchdowns, as the Chargers beat up their division rivals 35-14 to stay in contention in the AFC West.

Rivers went 15-of-24 for 233 yards and one interception while Mike Tolbert added 25 carries for 111 yards and a score for the Chargers (5-5), who moved back to .500 with a three-game winning streak.

“We have a bunch of resilient, tough guys on this team that never flinch, never blink,” said Rivers. “This is a pretty good win we put together today. In all three phases of the game, we played great tonight.”

The win puts the Chargers into second in the division with the Raiders, one game back of the Chiefs for first.

“That was the most complete game we’ve had this season,” said head coach Norv Turner. “But we don’t have any time to rest. We have a short week and we have to get ready to start on Wednesday and travel on Friday. We have to keep the momentum we have going here.”

Patrick Crayton had three catches for 105 yards and a score, but left the game after his touchdown with an injured left wrist. Darren Sproles added five catches for 60 yards with a touchdown.

Kyle Orton was 24-for-38 with 217 yards, one touchdown and one interception for the Broncos (3-7), who started fast with a six play drive for a score, but never got back that momentum as they continued to flounder at the bottom of the division.

Knowshon Moreno had 13 carries for 58 yards and a score while Brandon Lloyd finished with six catches for 78 yards and a touchdown in the loss, as Denver fell to 1-4 on the road this season.

“We don’t have any crystal ball and can’t predict what anybody else is going to do,” said Denver head coach Josh McDaniels. “There is still a lot of football left to play and we can control what we do.”

The Chargers have another big showdown on Sunday night, as they take the Colts on the road in a game they need to have to keep pace in the West.

The Seahawks are 5-5 and have been outscored by 48 points this season, yet they find themselves one game ahead St. Louis for the NFC West division lead.

It’s Tuesday and that means it’s time for you, the 12th Man, to take control of the ship here at SeahawksGab and sound off on the state of the team with the Tuesday Two Deep.

Can't get enough SeahawksGab? Follow Editor Devon Heinen on Twitter at http://twitter.com/DevonHeinen.

Senior writer jclombardi grades Packers win over Vikings.

SUMMARY: After a sluggish first quarter, QB Rodgers rebounded to throw for 301 yards and four touchdowns to lead the Packers over the Vikings 31-3. With timely turnovers, the defense shut down QB Favre and RB Peterson holding the Vikings to a field goal.

GAME BALLS: QB Rodgers; WR Jones; WR Jennings; CB Williams.

INJURY REPORT: S Bigby (hamstring).  S Smith (ankle sprain).

Report Card Grades–Good, Bad, & Ugly (JC vs. SE):

PASSING OFFENSE:  A- vs A-. After an awful first quarter that saw the Packers get only eight total years, QB  Rodgers settled down to throw 22 of 31 passes for 301 yards, 4 touchdowns, no interceptions, and 141.3 passer rating. On offense, the Packers adjusted to quick-hitting and vertical passes exploiting the Vikings' glaring weakness with Allen and rookie Cook at the Nos. 2 and 3 cornerbacks. WR Jennings had 7 catches for 152 yards and 3 touchdowns. WR Jones had 3 catches for 51 yards and 1 big touchdown. If the Packers have a second playmaker in their receiving corps, it's James Jones who has overtaken Donald Driver as a playmaker. That was a great catch by Jones in the end zone. Driver hasn't had a 100-yard game since Nov. 26 last year. Maybe the injury is a factor, but that's what often happens to declining players. They get hurt.

RUSHING OFFENSE: C VS C. The Packers struggled rushing, but they got 91 total yards. Rookie RB Nance looked strong, especially in short yardage, getting 12 carries for 37 yards.  RB Jackson had 14 carries for 28 yards. Now, they both will share running time in future games. QB Rodgers scrambled with three runs for 21 yards.

PASSING DEFENSE: A- vs B+. Under constant pressure facing an effective Packers fire zone blitzing, Vikings QB Favre had only a quick small pocket to work with completing only 17 of 38 for 208 yards, an interception, and a rating of 51.2. The inside linebackers did a fair number of double shoots, too, and they might not have gotten sacks, but they had Favre on the carpet from the start. Jenkins, Raji, the inside backers — they were all pushing the pocket and Favre had nowhere to step up. And that's the way to beat him. He can't get out on the perimeter and make plays anymore. In the first half, two timely turnovers, a forced fumble by CB Woodson and an interception by CB Williams, stopped two early Vikings drives to set the tempo for the game. The entire defense looked stellar led by CB Woodson with 7 tackles and 1 forced fumble, by CB Williams with his big interception, and by LB Matthews with 5 tackles and 1 sack. Rookie CB Shields looked shaky in three coverage plays involving WR Rice and WR Lewis.

RUSHING DEFENSE: B vs B-. Led by the front seven line, the rush defense schemed to stop the run doing a great job. They limited RB Peterson to 72 yards. The defense was aggressive to limit Peterson from the big plays. The two inside backers, Bishop and Hawk, were really sound in making sure there were no cutback lanes. Nick Barnett was an aggressive player, but he had a tendency to overrun plays and leave lanes open. Both Hawk and Bishop attacked the line of scrimmage, but their run fits also were exceptional.

SPECIAL TEAMS: B vs B. On four returns, KR Harvin had only 69 yards averaging only 17.3 yards. Punter Masthay’s gross average was a low 39.2 yards, but he had an excellent net average of 38.2, placing two inside the 20 and forcing three fair catches. The Packers return specialists had no special day.

COACHING: A- vs A. While the early game plan stunk, the Packers adjusted to establish the tempo of the game crushing an important NFL rival sweeping the Vikings series.  They stand at 7-3 with the Bears at the NFC top. The Packers converted only 8 of 15 third downs. They were a solid 2 for 2 in the red zone. DC Capers’ defense continued to make timely takeaways showing solid performances in the last three games giving up only 10 points.

OVERALL: A vs. A (CBS Sportsline). About the only thing the Packers could have done better is run the ball. Their defense has given up one TD in the past 13 quarters and picked up two more takeaways.

Before we go from the euphoria of the overtime win at home to Kansas City two weeks ago to the dismay of Sunday's blowout loss at Pittsburgh, keep in mind that this Raider team is an average team. Meaning, you win some, you lose some. In the AFC West, that may be enough to win a division, but let's not get any delusions of grandeur: this is not a Super Bowl team. This is, more than likely, an 8-8 team.

I could be wrong. They could go in the tank, not rebound from this poor drubbing, and finish at 6-10, extending their NFL record of seasons with at least double-digit losses to eight.

I could be wrong the other way as well. They could put together another winning streak and finish at 10-6. Tom Cable could get the team to, once again, put on a miserable performance like the one against the Steelers behind them. Like the 49ers game a month ago, the Raiders looked lost and ready to throw in the towel on the 2010 season. Instead, they put together two dominating performances against Denver and Seattle, before the OT win against the Chiefs propelled them into a tie for the division lead.

More than likely, though, they'll finish somewhere in between, and at this point that looks like 8-8—which, by definition, in the NFL, is average. That's because, among other things, they still can't get consistent play from the quarterback position, whether that be Jason Campbell or Bruce Gradkowski. Both, at times, can look like a bona fide #1 QB in the NFL. At other times, it appears as if they've never played the position past high school. Somewhere in between would be nice. Somewhere in between exceptional and poor play. Somewhere in between, which would be average.

Raider fans should be jumping for joy at being average. When you've been as bad as they've been the past seven seasons, average is the first step towards being good. And from good you take that next step to great. It's a natural progression.

Am I saying it's time to write off this season? Of course not. The Raiders have a very winnable game on Sunday vs. the Dolphins, and from there, who knows how the season will play out?

It's just that before we can get back to a Commitment to Excellence, let's admit to being average. For now, there's nothing wrong with that.

Senior writer jclombardi highlights Favre watch headlines.

Beaten and battered, Favre faces harsh reality: No matter how you feel about Brett Favre, it was hard not to feel just a pinch of sympathy for him Sunday. Once a three-time NFL most valuable player and just last year still among the best quarterbacks in the game, Favre is finishing out his career with a team in a death spiral and looking every bit like a 41-year-old man in a young man’s game. As purple-clad fans fled the Metrodome and Packers fans stayed behind to savor the closing minutes of a 31-3 beat-down of Favre and the Vikings, the chants of “Go, Pack, go!” must have rung hollow in Favre’s ear flaps. Favre is a Hall of Famer reduced to irrelevance. As Favre walked off the field, a handful of Packers made their way through a phalanx of photographers to pat the quarterback on the helmet or shoulder pads and wish him well. ”One thing we always say is that we miss one another,” Driver said. “I asked him if he would be OK and he said, ‘Yeah,’ and then he said, ‘I love you.’ I said, ‘I love you, too.’ And that was it.” Safety Nick Collins told Favre to “keep his head up and keep playing.” ”He said, ‘Y’all keep going. You’re playing good. You can do it,’?” Collins said. “We’ve been watching him the whole season, watching everything he’s going through,” Jenkins said. “You feel bad for him as a former teammate. He’s a pretty cool guy. You don’t wish bad luck on anybody. It’s just one of those things. He’s having a tough year and hopefully he’ll be able to get past it, whatever direction he goes in after this season.”

Favre to ‘re-evaluate things’ following rout: In 1992, the Green Bay Packers breathed life into Brett Favre’s NFL career. Sunday, they may have put that marvelous career to rest for good. The Packers completed a season sweep of their former quarterback with a remarkably easy 31-3 victory over his Minnesota Vikings Sunday at the Metrodome. That evened it up at two wins per team since Favre joined the Vikings in 2009 and it will probably remain tied because Favre doesn’t look or sound like someone who has a 21st NFL season in his 41-year-old body. When the unexpected rout was over Sunday, two things were clear: The Vikings as we know them are done and Favre might be, too. Afterward, he wouldn’t even commit to playing another game, saying twice that he would go home and re-evaluate. He cracked a joke while declining to say exactly what he would re-evaluate.

The last goodbye?: If this is it, and Brett Favre left the door slightly ajar to that possibility with his promise to "re-evaluate" his situation, then it was understandable that some folks at Mall of America Field at the Metrodome Sunday afternoon took pity upon the 41-year-old Minnesota Vikings quarterback. None of that sympathy, however, was coming from the Green Bay Packers' locker room in the wake of their 31-3 whupping of their former teammate and his team, effectively ending the Vikings' season with six weeks remaining. "None. Not at all," said Packers veteran cornerback Charles Woodson, who played the 2006 and '07 seasons with Favre. "This is football, and we're all after one goal – to win games and ultimately win a championship. What somebody else, another team is going through, means nothing to us. We're full steam ahead." Wide receiver Donald Driver, Favre's teammate and friend from 1999 through 2007, agreed. "Nah, not at all," Driver said. "I love him, love him to death, but when you play this game, there's no friends until it's all over. I think he would have agreed if he would have beaten us. I'm happy that we beat him. Now I can say that I've won with him, lost with him and I've beat him. I can put that on top of my shelf." Asked point-blank if he's fully committed to finishing the season, Favre initially tried to deflect the question with a joke. "As I stand here today, I never expected us to be in this situation," Favre replied. "I came back for a Super Bowl. I also knew there (was) a chance that wouldn't happen. Probably a better chance that it (didn't) – a way better chance that you don't play near as good as you did last year. It doesn't mean you can't have success, but this is a little bit surprising. Again, I'm just going to go home and, I don't want to say think about this game, just re-evaluate tomorrow."

Will Favre play again this year?: Considering the player, the scene was surreal. Brett Favre, with his legendary consecutive starts streak now five away from the landmark 300, stood on the Minnesota Vikings' sideline with the clock winding down on Sunday. His team was getting trounced 31-3 by his former employers, and most of the fans had headed for the exits long ago. There Favre stood, arm-in-arm with teammates Ryan Longwell and Steve Hutchinson. Then one trainer. And then another. Was Favre, in the middle of a disastrous season, saying good-bye? Whether Favre’s season – and career – will end after this game seems unlikely for someone who's given so much of himself in his career and would forever tarnish his legacy by throwing in the towel with six games to go. But he made no effort to emphatically say he'll stick with a team that is sinking so quickly that coach Brad Childress' dismissal after the season seems like a foregone conclusion. Asked if he wanted to finish the season, Favre said, "I don't want to sit here and tell you I'd love to sit here and tell you I'd love to finish the season and then go out and lose 31-3." Pressed on the meaning of his going home to "re-evaluate" statement, Favre said: "I have no idea. If I had known it was going to lead to that question, I would have re-evaluated that answer."

Will Sunday be the last time we see Young in a Titans uniform?

“I throw my shoes into the stands after every game, my hat into the stands after every game, my wristbands into the stands after every game…If it’s a problem, I’ll pay for my jersey.”

-Young, following his team’s 19-16 OT loss to Washington

Tennessee Titans QB Vince Young will miss the rest of the season due to a broken thumb.  This arrives according to WZTV Fox 17 in Nashville.  Coach Jeff Fisher said Monday that Tennessee team doctors recommended the season-ending surgery to repair Young’s flexor tendon in his right thumb.   Rusty Smith, a sixth round rookie from Florida Atlantic, will now be the starting QB for Jeff Fisher and the slumping 5-5 Titans.  From Super Bowl contenders to on the outside looking in.  Needless to say, the former decorated Texas megastar’s days look to be numbered in Tennessee.  Time for Rusty to Randy.

“I’m not walking out on my teammates, I’m walking out on you.”

-Young to Fisher, following the Redskins defeat

Hakeem Nicks was on his way to Hawaii

“When you got your top two receivers out, that is always a big blow, but we learn how to fight through it. Other guys got to step up and we got to run the ball and get guys open. I got to play great football.”

-Eli Manning, concerning the issue of being without Nicks and Smith

The Giants announced Monday that #1 wideout Hakeem Nicks will be sidelined for the next three weeks with swelling in his lower right leg.

Nicks took a hit in the leg during the 27-17 defeat in Philly on Sunday night and is being treated for compartment syndrome, or swelling in the lower leg that compresses nerves and blood vessels.

According to the club, Nicks underwent a fasciotomy at the Hospital for Special Surgery on Monday. Compartment syndrome can lead to muscle and nerve damage if not treated immediately.

“Big time players make big time plays in big time games”- Santana Moss

1. Matchup: #13 Arkansas vs #21 Mississippi State

Knile Davis, RB, Arkansas: Davis ran for 187 yards on 30 carries, while adding three rushing touchdowns. His long run of the night was 62 yards; showing very good power and balance in his running. Knile can be effective between the tackles, while also showing enough speed to get towards the boundary with consistency. It was Davis’ second consecutive game rushing for over 180 yards, and at 6′2 220 pounds, he has great size. Arkansas fans should be extremely happy that Knile Davis is only a sophomore.

2. Matchup: #7 Wisconsin vs Michigan

Monte Ball, RB, Wisconsin: In a Big Ten Conference rivalry match, Wisconsin’s running game was huge. Monte Ball had 29 carries for 173 yards and four rushing touchdowns. Ball now has had three straight performances rushing for over 120 yards, and has also scored nine touchdowns in that span. At 5′11 and 235 pounds Ball is built very similiar to former Wisconsin Badger and Heisman Trophy winner, Ron Dayne.

3. Matchup: #13 Arkansas vs #21 Mississippi State

Ryan Mallett, QB, Arkansas: It was Mallett’s eighth 300 yard performance of the season, which also included a game winning touchdown pass in double overtime. He finished the game 17-of-26 passing for 306 yards and three touchdowns. Ryan Mallett continues to validate his stock as a first round pick and potential franchise quarterback for an NFL team, he’ll have an even bigger test this Saturday at home against LSU.

4. Matchup: #8 Nebraska vs #19 Texas A&M

Cyrus Gray, RB, Texas A&M: Cyrus Gray continues to establish himself as one of the top running backs in the Big 12 Conference. He has now rushed for over 100 yards in five straight games. In the upset of Nebraska he had 26 carries for 137 yards, while also adding 9 receptions for 65 yards. The win gives Texas A&M an 8-3 overall record; two games better than last season.

5. Matchup: Purdue vs #12 Michigan State

Kirk Cousins, QB, Michigan State: Down 28-13 with six minutes left in the third quarter, Cousins rallied his team with two passing touchdowns and one rushing score to seal the come from behind victory. Cousins finished the game 28-of-37 passing with 276 yards and four touchdowns. The Spartans are currently tied for first place in the Big Ten Conference with Ohio State.

Honorable Mention: Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State, 10 rec 130 yds 1 td. James White, RB, Wisconsin, 23 carries 181 yards 2 td. Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford, 16-20 235 yards 2 td, 3 carries 72 yards.

He’s frustrated ! He’s not used to so many things going so wrong so consistently. He’s getting the stuffing knocked out of him every Sunday. He’s 41 years old !!!

It’s NOT the way it was suppose to go. The Vikings were suppose to be a top 4 team talent wise……..and they may well be ! But Geez !

Up until Sunday, Brett Favre was still into it. He still seemed to be on board. But the look in his eyes against the Packers was one I just haven’t seen before. A kind of mutation between a late night Zombie marathon and the Ren and Stimpy show. He didn’t quite look angry. Not quite sad. Definitely not happy !!! But did you see his face as he walked off the field. Now I’m trying NOT to read into this, but I swear as I watched him, I turned to my son and said " He looks like he’s ready to quit !"

Next thing I hear is Favre saying when asked if the team has quit "The score could indicate that, but again without watching the film I don’t know,”

Favre then insisted he’s committed to the team despite failing to directly answer questions about whether he wants to finish the season. “I’m here, and we’re in this thing together,” Favre said.

I have to re-evaluate"………

OK, like I said "He’s frustrated". Who could blame the guy if he is having thoughts of abandoning ship. ……He needs to digest the reality. Maybe a hot tub of Epson salts and a cold lager will put it all into perspective.

But here is what I really DON’T like to hear:

Let me preference this statement by saying that I am NO fan of the Brett Favre admiration society. I have said many times that I feel that he is the most over-hyped players of all-time. I don’t feel he’s as good as Joe Montana, Dan Marino, John Elway or Fran Tarkenton for that matter. But this need to scapegoat the guy for everything thats wrong is way out of line. Has he played well….NO ?

Is time catching him ? Probably. But come on…..have you seen the offensive line give this guy more then 2-3 seconds on any pass play all season ? Has he been off target ? Yes…..the guy has two broken bones in his ankle !!! He has a shoulder separation, elbow tendinitis and probably Piles for spending so much time sitting on the ground. Is there any other QB in this league who would STILL be fighting to stay in the line-up. Like him or not, Brett Favre is one tough S.O.B.

Two top NFL passers will do battle tonight as the Chargers get ready for their home matchup with the Broncos. In most sports betting circles, the safe bet is to go with the over, as Philip Rivers and Kyle Orton are prepared to go head to head in a Monday night showdown.

Rivers and Orton are on pace to challenge Dan Marino's single-season record of 5,084 passing yards set in 1984. Rivers leads the NFL with 2,944 yards, and Orton is second with 2,806.

The Chargers have won two straight but are 0-2 within the division, and if you bet on NFL trends, you know that another AFC West loss could be fatal.

"You have a Denver team that I would imagine feels like we did a week or two ago: 'Hey, we get on a little bit of a roll, we're right in there,'" Rivers said. "We're a win away from first place and a loss away from last place. Everybody's in it and there's still a long way to go."

The Chargers are 3-1 at home, while Denver is 1-3 on the road, a good sign for the Bolts, who need a win in a big way to get into the race in the AFC West.