Even All-Stars Fade Away ~ A Madden NFL 15 Franchise

[patriotway]

NFL Standings - Week 7, 2014
NFC EAST	W	L	T	PF	PA
Washington Redskins	5	2	0	159	141
New York Giants	4	3	0	131	139
Philadelphia Eagles	3	3	0	138	109
Dallas Cowboys	0	7	0	84	209
NFC NORTH	W	L	T	PF	PA
Green Bay Packers	5	1	1	181	100
Detroit Lions	3	3	1	169	139
Chicago Bears	2	5	0	140	188
Minnesota Vikings	0	7	0	61	188
NFC SOUTH	W	L	T	PF	PA
Atlanta Falcons	7	0	0	209	139
New Orleans Saints	5	1	0	194	124
Carolina Panthers	2	5	0	82	132
Tampa Bay Buccaneers	0	6	0	57	172
NFC WEST	W	L	T	PF	PA
Seattle Seahawks	6	0	0	187	112
St. Louis Rams	4	2	0	134	91
Arizona Cardinals	3	3	0	164	111
San Francisco 49ers	3	4	0	124	118
AFC EAST	W	L	T	PF	PA
Buffalo Bills	6	1	0	203	111
New England Patriots	3	4	0	202	181
Miami Dolphins	2	4	0	81	152
New York Jets	0	7	0	118	176
AFC NORTH	W	L	T	PF	PA
Pittsburgh Steelers	7	0	0	187	81
Cincinnati Bengals	3	3	0	142	141
Baltimore Ravens	3	4	0	151	155
Cleveland Browns	1	5	0	104	140
AFC SOUTH	W	L	T	PF	PA
Indianapolis Colts	5	2	0	143	126
Tennessee Titans	4	3	0	161	146
Jacksonville Jaguars	3	4	0	126	170
Houston Texans	2	5	0	121	152
AFC WEST	W	L	T	PF	PA
San Diego Chargers	5	2	0	154	141
Kansas City Chiefs	4	2	0	148	125
Oakland Raiders	3	3	0	99	114
Denver Broncos	2	4	0	127	155

[patriotway]

Some of the top teams in the league are featured in the Week 8 Preview. In the first game, the Indianapolis Colts visit the Pittsburgh Steelers in a contest between AFC division leaders. After the first seven games of the season, the Steelers look like a favorite to not only play in the Super Bowl, but to win it as well. The Colts have Super Bowl aspirations of there own and will look to bring the Steelers back to Earth a little by giving them their first loss of the season.



Something that was not mentioned above is that along with being some of best teams in the league, these are also some of best quarterbacks playing at the moment. Whenever two highly skilled quarterbacks are on the field at the same time, there are going to be fireworks. That's not something the defenses of the New Orleans Saints and Green Bay Packers want to hear before the game.

Week 8 Schedule

Thursday's Games

San Diego Chargers (5-2) @ Denver Broncos (2-4) l 8:25 PM

Sunday's Games

Detroit Lions (3-3-1) @ Atlanta Falcons (7-0) l 9:30 AM

Minnesota Vikings (0-7) @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers (0-6) l 1:00 PM

Buffalo Bills (6-1) @ New York Jets l 1:00 PM

Chicago Bears (2-5) @ New England Patriots (3-4) l 1:00 PM

Seattle Seahawks (6-0) @ Carolina Panthers (2-5) l 1:00 PM

Miami Dolphins (2-4) @ Jacksonville Jaguars (3-4) l 1:00 PM

Baltimore Ravens (3-4) @ Cincinnati Bengals (3-3) l 1:00 PM

Houston Texans (2-5) @ Tennessee Titans (4-3) l 1:00 PM

St. Louis Rams (4-2) @ Kansas City Chiefs (4-2) l 1:00 PM

Philadelphia Eagles (3-3) @ Arizona Cardinals (3-3) l 4:05 PM

Indianapolis Colts (5-2) @ Pittsburgh Steelers (7-0) l 4:25 PM

Oakland Raiders (3-3) @ Cleveland Browns (1-5) l 4:25 PM

Green Bay Packers (5-1-1) @ New Orleans Saints (5-1) l 8:30 PM

Monday's Games

Washington Redskins (5-2) @ Dallas Cowboys (0-7) l 8:30 PM

BYE WEEKS: NY Giants, San Francisco

[patriotway]

While the scouting department was disappointed with what they found last week, the complete opposite occurs this week. Some promising defensive backs have been scouted and so far, the results aren't too bad. Shamare Stone out of Penn State kick return ability also stands out.

[patriotway]

Media Reaction
Mike Clay - @MikeClayEA: The Jets D is about as weak as they come. Start every Bills player you have this week.
Mark Schlereth - @MarkSchlerethEA: Every week is another week to prove something.
Skip Bayless - @SkipBaylessEA: At some point you have to look at Mike Pettine and expect him to make adjustments for the Browns.
Mark Schlereth - @MarkSchlerethEA: Set my DVR so I could take a close loo at St. Louis when they play the Kansas City Chiefs.
Chris Mortensen - @mortreportEA: Will Hill has been released by the #Ravens, per sources.
Skip Bayless - @SkipBaylessEA: J. Pierre-Paul has been practicing all week so no reason to believe he won't play this week.
Mark Schlereth - @MarkSchlerethEA: Lions will have one less active roster spot to fill with Riley Reiff returning this week.
Adam Schefter - @AdamSchefterEA: Panthers updated their injury report. Folks should expect to see M. Tolbert this week.
Ross Tucker - @rossTuckerEA: It's always all hands on deck in the NFL so getting back Donald Penn will help this week.
Chris Mortensen - @mortreportEA: Texans are more than a little thrilled to get Arian Foster back.
Mark Schlereth - @MarkSchlerethEA: In the locker room, you get a little boost seeing somebody like M. Roos come back.

[patriotway]

Week 8 Power Rankings
RK (LW)	Team	Record	Next Game
1 (1)	Atlanta Falcons	7-0	vs. Detroit Lions
2 (2)	Pittsburgh Steelers	7-0	vs. Indianapolis Colts
3 (3)	Seattle Seahawks	6-0	@ Carolina Panthers
4 (5)	Buffalo Bills	6-1	@ New York Jets
5 (6)	New Orleans Saints	5-1	vs. Green Bay Packers
6 (9)	Green Bay Packers	5-1-1	@ New Orleans Saints
7 (10)	San Diego Chargers	5-2	@ Denver Broncos
8 (4)	Indianapolis Colts	5-2	@ Pittsburgh Steelers
9 (12)	Washington Redskins	5-2	@ Dallas Cowboys
10 (7)	St. Louis Rams	4-2	@ Kansas City Chiefs
11 (8)	Kansas City Chiefs	4-2	vs. St. Louis Rams
12 (15)	New York Giants	4-3	BYE
13 (11)	Tennessee Titans	4-3	vs. Houston Texans
14 (14)	Detroit Lions	3-3-1	@ Atlanta Falcons
15 (20)	Oakland Raiders	3-3	@ Cleveland Browns
16 (21)	Cincinnati Bengals	3-3	vs. Baltimore Ravens
17 (13)	Arizona Cardinals	3-3	vs. Philadelphia Eagles
18 (16)	Philadelphia Eagles	3-3	@ Arizona Cardinals
19 (24)	New England Patriots	3-4	vs. Chicago Bears
20 (18)	Baltimore Ravens	3-4	@ Cincinnati Bengals
21 (23)	San Francisco 49ers	3-4	BYE
22 (17)	Jacksonville Jaguars	3-4	vs. Miami Dolphins
23 (19)	Miami Dolphins	2-4	@ Jacksonville Jaguars
24 (22)	Denver Broncos	2-4	vs. San Diego Chargers
25 (25)	Carolina Panthers	2-5	vs. Seattle Seahawks
26 (26)	Houston Texans	2-5	@ Tennessee Titans
27 (27)	Chicago Bears	2-5	@ New England Patriots
28 (28)	Cleveland Browns	1-5	vs. Oakland Raiders
29 (29)	Dallas Cowboys	0-7	vs. Washington Redskins
30 (30)	Tampa Bay Buccaneers	0-6	vs. Minnesota Vikings
31 (31)	Minnesota Vikings	0-7	@ Tampa Bay Buccaneers
32 (32)	New York Jets	0-7	vs. Buffalo Bills

[patriotway]

Matchup Preview *|* October 26, 2014
	@
Chicago Bears (2-5, 1-3 Away)		New England Patriots (3-4, 2-1 Home)
Offensive Stats Comparison 2522 (7th) Total Offensive Yards 3015 (1st) 2029 (3rd) Passing Yards 2422 (1st) 493 (22nd) Rushing Yards 593 (14th) 20.0 (20th) Points Per Game 28.9 (5th) 10 (Tied - 11th) Passing TD 19 (1st) 4 (Tied - 17th) Rushing TD 2 (Tied - 27th) 120 (Tied- 7th) First Downs 155 (1st) 19 (Tied - 21st) Red Zone Attempts 32 (2nd) 9-7 Red Zone TD-FG 17-7 84% (Tied - 6th) Red Zone Percentage 75% (Tied - 16th) Defensive Stats Comparison 2629 (31st) Total Yards Allowed 2261 (20th) 1777 (27th) Passing Yards Allowed 1294 (3rd) 852 (31st) Rushing Yards Allowed 967 (32nd) 26.8 (Tied - 29th) Points Per Game 25.8 (Tied - 28th) 15 (Tied - 5th) Sacks 28 (1st) 2 (Tied - 20th) Fumble Recoveries 3 (Tied - 18th) 5 (26th) Interceptions 6 (Tied - 19th) 24 (23rd) Red Zone Attempts 22 (Tied - 17th) 13-7 Red Zone TD-FG 15-6 83% (Tied - 25th) Red Zone Percentage 95% (32nd) Injury Report K. Long/Quad Tear (On IR - To Return) K. Arrington/Dislocated Elbow (1 Week) S. Paea/Dislocated Ankle (2 Weeks) Game Notes It looks like Sunday's game between the Chicago Bears and the New England Patriots will be a shootout. Like other teams have, the Bears may find most of their success on the ground against the Patriots. If that's the case, then New England will have to score points quickly to keep up. If New England is able to get an early lead, that could force Chicago to rely on their passing attack more, which New England has defended well this season.

Media Raction
LaVar Arrington - @LArringtonEA: Want to see an offensive showcase This'll be a clinic. #Patriots

[patriotway]

Chicago Bears at New England Patriots
Oct 26, 2014	1ST	2ND	3RD	4TH	SCORE
Chicago Bears (2-6)	14	3	17	0	34
New England Patriots (4-4)	6	14	0	17	37

Team Stats Comparison
	CHI	NWE
Total Offense	344	423
Rushing Yards	92	166
Passing Yards	252	257
First Downs	17	24
Punt Return Yards	17	20
Kick Return Yards	17	69
Total Yards	378	512
Turnovers	4	3
3rd Down Converstion	4	8
4th Down Conversion	0	0
2-Point Conversion	0	0
Red Zone Touchdowns/Field Goals	2/1	1/1
Penalties	2-10	2-20
Posession Time	25:44	34:16

Chicago Bears PASSING C/A YDS TD INT J. Cutler (RAT: 78.3) 23/35 (65%) 273 3 4 RUSHING ATT YDS AVG TD M. Forte 21 91 4.3 1 K. Carey 1 1 1.0 0 RECEIVING REC YDS AVG TD A. Jeffery 6 112 18.7 1 M. Bennett 5 56 11.2 1 B. Marshall 4 38 9.5 0 S. Holmes 2 10 5.0 0 D. Rosario 2 24 12.0 1 M. Forte 2 19 9.5 0 K. Carey 1 2 2.0 0 J. Morgan 1 12 12.0 0 BLOCKING PANCAKE SACK R. Garza 0 1 C. Leno Jr. 0 2 DEFENSE T-A SACK INT TD T. Jennings 11-0 0 1 0 S. McCmanis 8-0 0 0 0 S. McClellin 7-1 1 0 0 K. Fuller 6-0 0 0 0 D. Williams 6-0 1 0 0 R. Mundy 6-0 0 0 0 L. Houston 4-0 1 0 0 L. Briggs 4-0 0 0 0 A. Dixon (FF, FR) 3-0 0 0 0 C. Conte 2-1 0 0 0 D. McCray 2-0 0 0 0 J. Allen (FR) 2-0 0 0 0 D. Sharpton 1-0 0 0 0 E. Ferguson 1-0 1 0 0 J. Ratliff 1-0 0 0 0 KICKING FG XP PTS LONG R. Gould 2/2 4/4 10 47 PUNTING NO YDS AVG IN20 P. O'Donnell 5 263 52.6 0 KICK RETURN RET YDS AVG TD S. Holmes 1 17 17.0 0 PUNT RETURN RET YDS AVG TD S. Holmes 2 17 8.5 0

New England Patriots PASSING C/A YDS TD INT T. Brady (RAT: 99.1) 29/40 (72%) 292 2 1 RUSHING ATT YDS AVG TD S. Ridley 23 143 6.2 0 S. Vereen 5 23 4.6 0 RECEIVING REC YDS AVG TD J. Edelman 13 95 7.3 1 R. Gronkowski 6 111 18.5 1 D. Amendola 6 50 8.3 0 B. LaFell 2 19 9.5 0 S. Vereen 2 17 8.5 0 BLOCKING PANCAKE SACK B. Stork 0 1 D. Connolly 0 1 DEFENSE T-A SACK INT TD D. Revis 6-1 0 1 1 P. Chung 6-0 0 1 1 J. Mayo 6-1 0 0 0 D. Hightower 4-0 0 0 0 R. Ninkovich 4-0 1 0 0 Cha. Jones (FF) 3-0 2 0 0 D. McCourty 3-1 0 0 0 L. Ryan 3-0 0 0 0 B. Browner 2-1 0 2 0 V. Wilfork 2-0 1 0 0 S. Siliga 2-0 0 0 0 J. Collins 1-0 0 0 0 M. Butler 1-0 0 0 0 J. Davis 1-0 0 0 0 T. Wilson 0-1 0 0 0 KICKING FG XP PTS LONG S. Gostkowski 3/3 4/4 13 52 PUNTING NO YDS AVG IN20 R. Allen 4 136 34.0 0 KICK RETURN RET YDS AVG TD D. Amendola 3 69 23.0 0 PUNT RETURN RET YDS AVG TD J. Edelman 4 20 5.0 0

For the first time in the 2014 season, the New England Patriots have a winning streak. Not only that, but the Patriots have also managed to reach .500 for the first time since Week 2. While these aren't any achievements the Patriots or their fans will celebrate, it is something worth noting. This season has been a struggle since the first game despite what the numbers say about their offense. Speaking of offense, there was plenty of it in this game.

Mistakes on special teams and offense were quickly converted into toucdowns by the Chicago Bears in the first quarter.

The Chicago Bears' three-and-out on it's opening possession wouldn't lead anyone to believe that they scored as many points as they did, but something else seemed to spark the offense. A special teams turnover. The usually sure-handed Julian Edelman muffed a punt, recovered it, then immediately fumbled the ball after being hit by backup safety Ahmad Dixon. Just like the Patriots have been all season long, the Bears showed how inconsistent they were as well. Two second quarter interceptions by Darrelle Revis and Patrick Chung were returned for touchdowns, erasing the Bears lead in an instant. Luckily for the Bears, the Patriots were unable to do much on offense during the first half.

Patrick Chung had one of the Patriots two interceptions in the second quarter that were returned for a touchdown.

At the start of the third quarter, the Patriots found themselves in an unfamiliar place. They had a lead. The 20-17 lead didn't last long, as the Bears' went on to score 17 points in the third. With a commanding 34-20 lead and a Patriots offense that was largely ineffective until that point, the situation looked grim in New England.

Rob Gronkowski makes it into the endzone on a 52 yard reception from Tom Brady.

The Patriots had found themselves in similar situations all year long. In fact, the Patriots have trailed heading into the fourth quarter of four of their games this season. What they weren't able to accomplish in three of those four games, they somehow managed to accomplish in this one. The Patriots matched the 17 points that the Bears scored in the first quarter to take a 37-34 lead late in the fourth quarter. The Patriots would go on to win by that score.

While the Patriots showed toughness coming back from a two touchdown deficit, being in that position in the first place is what the problem is. They won't have that opportunity to get back into and even win a game against better opponents. Winning like that is something they can't rely on going forward. Next weeks game against the Denver Broncos should be a good measuring stick for where the Patriots are, despite Denver's record.

Media Reaction
Larry Ridley (Sports Reporter): It's been an up and down first half for your team, what do you expect in he second half of the season?
I truly believe we'll level out and then take off in the second half. I want to see this team in the Super Bowl, and I think we can get there.

[patriotway]

Week 8 Scoreboard
Thursday's Games	Hi Passing	Hi Rushing	Hi Receiving
Denver 23, San Diego 17	(DEN) P. Manning - 284	(SDO) R. Matthews - 46	(DEN) E. Sanders - 94
Sunday's Games	Hi Passing	Hi Rushing	Hi Receiving
Atlanta 30, Detroit 9	(ATL) M. Ryan - 220	(ATL) S. Jackson - 85	(ATL) E. Weems - 78
Tampa Bay 26, Minnesota 12	(TAM) M. Glennon - 231	(TAM) D. Martin - 80	(TAM) M. Evans - 112
Buffalo 24, NY Jets 13	(NYJ) G. Smith - 240	(BUF) C. Spiller - 70	(NYJ) D. Nelson - 108
New England 37, Chicago 34	(NWE) T. Brady - 292	(NWE) S. Ridley - 143	(CHI) A. Jeffery - 112
Seattle 21, Carolina 14	(SEA) R. Wilson - 225	(SEA) M. Lynch - 108	(CAR) K. Benjamin - 70
Miami 20, Jacksonville 17	(MIA) R. Tannehill - 265	(MIA) K. Moreno - 47	(MIA) M. Wallace - 79
Cincinnati 24, Baltimore 17	(BAL) T. Taylor - 310	(CIN) G. Bernard - 73	(CIN) M. Jones - 108
Houston 30, Tennessee 13	(HOU) R. Fitzpatricl - 189	(HOU) A. Foster - 88	(HOU) G. Graham - 51
Kansas City 30, St. Louis 26	(STL) S. Hill - 299	(KAN) J. Charles - 122	(KAN) D. Bowe - 113
Philadelphia 24, Arizona 21	(ARI) D. Stanton - 291	(PHI) L. McCoy - 76	(PHI) L. McCoy - 109
Pittsburgh 17, Indianapolis 6	(PIT) B. Roethlisberger - 271	(PIT) L. Bell - 92	(IND) R. Wayne - 92
Oakland 17, Cleveland 3	(CLE) B. Hoyer - 177	(OAK) M. Jones-Drew - 72	(CLE) A. Hawkins - 82
New Orleans 21, Green Bay 20	(NOR) D. Brees - 355	(GNB) E. Lacy - 101	(NOR) R. Meachem - 129
Monday's Games	Hi Passing	Hi Rushing	Hi Receiving
Dallas 30, Washington 27	(DAL) B. Weeden - 342	(WAS) A. Morris - 84	(DAL) D. Bryant - 140
BYE WEEKS: NY Giants, San Francisco

Media Reaction
Adam Shefter - @AdamSchefterEA: Bills QB E.J. Manuel gets the job done, tosses 3 TDs in win over Jets.
Robert Flores - @RoFloEA: Mike Glennon exuding confidence this week. 3 TDs before he reigned it in. #Buccaneers
Chris Mortensen - @mortreportEA: #Cowboys staff are thriled with L. Dunbar after he ran over the Redskins this week.
Susannah Collins - @SCollinsEA: Did you see Nick Foles' last TD strike? In a ZONE!!!
Matt Miller - @MattMillerEA: Multiple scores by Maurice Jones-Drew, multiple headaches for the Browns defense.
Susannah Collins - @SCollinsEA: Everybody appreciates a tight game because then every play matters! #Jaguars #Dolphins
Matt Miller - @MattMillerEA: And the game ball goes to... Andy Dalton. Big surprise, right? #Bengals
Chris Mortensen - @mortreportEA: A solid, hotly contested win for the Eagles against the Cardinals.
Ross Tucker - @RossTuckerEA: Don't want to lose an undefeated season at home -- Steelers cut it close.
LaVar Arrington - @LArringtonEA: D. BRees throws for 355 yards in win. #Saints
Ross Tucker - @RossTuckerEA: The game in Dallas this week is how a great rivalry should play out. Clean football but heated football.
Skip Bayless - @SkipBaylessEA: Bengals just seem to look better at home.