Indianapolis Colts 11/03/2008 2:52 PMThe Indianapolis Star reports in one critical instance Sunday evening at Lucas Oil Stadium, Peyton Manning and Anthony Gonzalez didn't play like they had been practicing. They played better. They got it right in an 18-15 win over the New England Patriots. Facing a third-and-goal at the New England 9-yard line and with the Indianapolis Colts trailing 12-7, Manning sent Gonzalez from the right slot into the right side of the end zone. Even though Gonzalez was tightly covered by cornerback Michael Richardson, Manning delivered a "back-shoulder'' pass that Gonzalez adjusted to and caught for a touchdown.Read more
St. Louis Rams 11/03/2008 2:51 PMThe St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports the Rams have a 5-19 record since signing QB Marc Bulger to a $65 million contract before the 2007 season. In the latest setback, Sunday's 34-13 loss to the Cardinals, Bulger completed 48 percent of his passes and committed two turnovers that led to 10 Arizona points in the decisive second quarter. After the game, Bulger told Post-Dispatch columnist Bryan Burwell: "If you want to put the blame on me (for why the offense struggled), well, I don't care. "Oh, I know everyone's going to say it's my fault. They're going to say I'm throwing off my back foot or crap like that. But you know what? I don't care what people say. All I care about are what my teammates and my family says. "Everyone else? I don't give a damn."Read more
Pittsburgh Steelers 11/03/2008 2:48 PMThe Post-Gazette reports TE Heath Miller has one of those jobs few in his profession covet. He plays tight end for the Steelers, and if a tight end wants to star in professional football, that's the last place to work. Miller is on his fastest receiving pace since he arrived as the team's No. 1 draft pick in 2005, and he is moving up the list of all-time Steelers tight ends. On the grand NFL landscape, though, it's merely a ripple. Miller's 21 receptions in seven games has him on pace to catch 48 passes, which would top his career high from last season by one. He also will soon become the team's fourth-most productive receiving tight end with four more receptions and could become their second-best scoring tight end by season's end.Read more
Detroit Lions 11/03/2008 2:47 PMThe Detroit Free Press reports the Lions got the ball to WR Calvin Johnson more than ever Sunday. Johnson had been averaging a little more than four catches per game, and the Lions had been trying to get him more. He doubled his average against the Bears with a career-high eight catches. "We did some nice things," coach Rod Marinelli said. "We got the ball to him well, and we know what he can do with it when it does get it. And it opened up Shaun McDonald a little bit also."Read more
