NFL: The 5 Best Moments of 2008
Written by Hopper, Wednesday December 31 2008
Every team in the NFL had its highs and lows this season. Teams such as the Dolphins and the Falcons came soaring out of the gates, while teams like the Broncos had epic collapses. So, which moments were the best of '08?
5. Pennington Beats Favre
It was the question of the week heading into Week 17. "Which quarterback would you rather have starting for you: Pennington or Favre?" Well, Favre struck first, but Pennington struck more. And ultimately, Pennington got the last laugh, throwing 2 touchdowns and no interceptions(compared to Favre's 1 TD, 3 INT game), leading his team to a 24-17 win over his old team. To answer your question, I'll take Pennington, thanks.
4. No Party In Texas
This wasn't so great for Cowboy's fans. But on the night of Texas Stadium's final game, the Dallas Cowboys' defense ultimately forgot to show up. The Baltimore Ravens lead for virtually the entire game. Late in the 4th, Dallas scored a touchdown to come within 2 points of the Ravens. On Baltimore's ensuing possession, it took only one 70-yard Willis Mcgahee touchdown run for the Ravens to go up by 2 possessions. Dallas took it back down the field and scored, but on Baltimore's ensuing possession, running back LeRon McClain took it another 70 yards for a touchdown, which ultimately ended all hopes of a Dallas victory in Texas Stadium's final game. The win would push the Ravens to a playoff spot, while Dallas would proceed to lose the next week against Philadelphia, and miss the playoffs.
3. In Your Face, Kornheiser
Every Monday night, Tony Kornheiser tries with his utmost ability to annoy the living daylights out of the American people with unnecessary, off-the-wall comments about random players. In the final week of ESPN's Monday Night Football of 2008, Chicago Bears vs. Green Bay Packers, Kornheiser and collegue Ron "Jaws" Jaworski were bashing Bears' quarterback Kyle Orton and the entire Chicago offense. Kornheiser went to the extent of saying "Bears' fans aren't even booing because they're so used to the ineptitude of the Bears' offense." Timeout. Did you really have to go there? Saying things like that about a .500 team? It's not like they were winless or something. Anyway, the Packers were driving late in the game. When Mason Crosby attempted a field-goal that ultimately would have won them the game, the Bears came up with a block. The game went into overtime(keep in mind that the inept Bears' offense came from 11 points down at halftime to tie the game). Kyle Orton would lead his inept offense down the field, and kicker Robbie Gould won it for 'em in overtime for the second week in a row. Tony had nothing to say after the game. In your face Kornheiser!
2. "I Want Winners"
I can just see this being a sound bite for one of those Coors Light commercials. The San Fransisco 49ers had just fired head coach Mike Nolan, and brought in former player Mike Singletary as the interim. Singletary took charge immediately, benching star tight end Vernon Davis after he committed a 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty. He was clearly unhappy with Davis, and after an embarrassing loss said "I would rather play with 10 people, than play with 11 and have one not care about the team. You can't win with 'em. You can't play with 'em. You can't coach with 'em. I want winners!"
Now, besides this eventually making a really funny commercial, it also got a point across to the whole team. Mike Singletary is not going to put up with you garbage no matter what your name is. He's a coach first, and a darn good one. And it showed late in the season as the 49ers ended at 7-9 after struggleing early in the season. For 49ers' fans, that may have been the best moment of the decade.
1. "He Lives In Atlanta!"
That was the call in the FOX booth after Atlanta Falcons' quarterback Matt Ryan had just thrown his first career pass, a 68-yard touchdown strike to wide receiver Michael Jenkins. Although Lions' fans will remember that pass as the first blow of what would be many in a winless season, Falcons' fans will remember it as the start of a new era. Ryan, as well as first-year head coach Mike Smith and the rest of the orginization, would lead the Atlanta Falcons to their first playoff berth since 2004. And fans in Atlanta finally have a reason to be excited for the future of the orginization because, for the first time in a long time, they have one.
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3 comments
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The blocked punt for a TD in OT by Arizona vs. Dallas at home was a real turning point for that team. It was basically their statement to the league that they weren't going anywhere and were a force to be reckoned with. While they finished the season a bit lame, that moment surged them forward to having a very decent season by Cardinals standards.
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Thanks. If anyone has a moment they believe should be in there, please feel free to chime in.
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I like your breakdown, good job!