The Detroit Lions hosted the San Francisco 49ers in a big game for two teams who have been historically bad lately. The media was making plans for the Lions to beat the 49ers and be on their way for an undefeated vs. undefeated match-up on Thanksgiving Day with the Green Bay Packers. But the Lions couldn’t put away the 49ers on Sunday. However, the big story wasn’t the game or the outcome because of what happened after.
After the game was over and the 49ers were victorious, head coach Jim Harbaugh excitedly hopped around the field, pulled out his shirt, congratulated a player and gave Lions’ coach Jim Schwartz a stiff hand shake and a heavy pat on the back. It wasn’t calm and cool like Bill Walsh, that’s for sure. But that’s Harbaugh. Jim Schwartz didn’t take kindly to Harbaugh’s happiness. After reacting like Harbaugh hurt his feelings, he raced down the field to chase him and a melee broke out. Watch the video below:
If you’ve ever watched Jim Schwartz argue with referees, talk trash with opposing players, and have the best sense of where the camera is that I’ve ever seen from a head coach, you would think that he wouldn’t have taken Harbaugh’s mirth so negatively. In fact, maybe you’ve seen his reaction after beating the Vikings earlier this season.
I think when Schwartz watches the video back, he’ll probably feel a little foolish, or maybe not. Maybe he’ll still be bothered that Harbaugh gave him his first loss of the year. Kevin Seifert has his perspective on Jim Schwartz here: Jim Schwartz’s passion approaches lunacy.
1. The top team in the NFC (and all of the NFL in my book) is the Green Bay Packers (who rolled the Rams predictably 24-3). And they’re probably the top team by far. But who would’ve picked that the 49ers and Lions would be right behind them in the conference?
2. The Dallas Cowboys had the New England Patriots on the verge of their second loss of the season. But they gave Tom Brady too much time to drive down the field in the 4th quarter to win the game. Yep, they gave him a whole 2 minutes and 31 seconds. The Cowboys’ defense did a great job with 3 sacks and 2 interceptions, but the guy who is the closest thing I’ve ever seen to Joe Montana hit Aaron Hernandez with just 22 seconds left to win the game.
3. Josh Freeman had a huge comeback performance to lead the Tampa Bay Buccaneers over the New Orleans Saints and into a tie atop the NFC South. The Bucs had to do so without starting running back LeGarrette Blount. Before you were wondering if Earnest Graham was still alive, the answer is yes, he’s alive and well. Graham ran for over 100 yards in the victory.
4. No, Tim Tebow didn’t have a game today. But that didn’t stop Hulk Hogan from cutting a promo on him this week. Hulk would make his knees freeze.
5. Maybe the most back and forth game of the day was between the New York Giants and the Buffalo Bills. It turned out to be a game that showcased Fred Jackson for the Bills and Ahmad Bradshaw for the Giants. Jackson had the more gaudy yard per carry average and the highlight reel touchdown, but Bradshaw moved the chains and put the ball in the end zone 3 times. The Giants pulled it out on a Lawrence Tynes field goal and stuffed the Bills on their last drive to ice the game.
6. The Eagles have been the NFL’s biggest disappointment so far and while they didn’t win very impressively in Washington, they still beat a tough defense and one of the NFL’s biggest surprises so far. The Eagles staked themselves to a 20-0 lead, but didn’t score in the second half. The Redskins got to within 7 points in the second half, but couldn’t get any closer. Rex Grossman was replaced late in the game after throwing 4 picks, allowing John Beck to get his first regular season snap in 4 years. He even scored on a quarterback keeper. Is there a quarterback controversy in Washington? When the pickings are slim, I’m not sure if it can actually be a controversy.
7. The 49ers aren’t the only Bay Area team playing good football. Out in the East Bay, the Oakland Raiders moved to 4-2 after beating the Cleveland Browns 24-17 in Oakland. However, they might’ve lost starting QB Jason Campbell for the season after he broke his collarbone early in the game. Kyle Boller finished the game for the Raiders, but it was punter Shane Lechler who threw their only touchdown pass on a fake field goal attempt.
8. Cam! Oh Cam! Teddy’s Cam for me! Oh, it’s Teddy’s Jam? Sorry Teddy Riley. Well, the Atlanta Falcons shut down Cam to the tune of picking him off 3 times in their home victory. They made a 4th quarter deficit disappear with 17 straight points to close out the Panthers.
9. And the rest… Not sure if you know this, but Andy Dalton is 4-2 as a starter after the Cincinnati Bengals beat the Andrew Luck Colts 27-17. The Pittsburgh Steelers slept walked through their victory against the Jacksonville Jaguars 17-13. I imagine fans probably fell asleep watching them sleep walk. The Baltimore Ravens showed some separation between teams who are good and teams who are supposed to be good in beating the Houston Texans. And hey, Ricky Williams scored a touchdown. Run, Ricky, Run! On Sunday night, the Chicago Bears destroyed the Minnesota Vikings 39-10. Donovan McNabb completed nearly 80% of his passes, but it wasn’t enough to not get pulled late in the game for Christian Ponder who was seen running all over the field like a chicken with it’s head cut off.
10. The only thing you need to know about Monday Night Football is that Matt Moore is the starting quarterback for the Miami Dolphins. That’s it. Take the Jets. I’m looking to see if Brandon Marshall gets kicked out of the game like he promised, or if he’s just a liar.
My goal is to get thrown out midway through the second quarter. I’m serious. They want to fine me, it’ll probably be like a $50,000 fine. But I’m going to play. That quarter and half I’m out there, I’m going to play like a monster.
So the game should be interesting for a quarter and a half.