TUESDAY TIDBITS: "There's Always a Will, and There's Always a Way"

By TJ Troup

The standings in the NFC West have three teams tied for first at 5-2; that said would relish hearing from any and all of you out there in "football land" to share which team will win the west, and why? Years ago, Paul Lionel Zimmerman and I would try to establish a player who was so much improved and playing so well, he might actually catch the eyes of all who watched the game. 

Many times, for me, it would be a linebacker, and this year is no different. As we approach the halfway point of the season, Nate Landman stands out with his pursuit and tackling skills with the Rams. All the pertinent questions can be asked: Why did Atlanta let him go? Did they not realize how to "use" his talents? 

Nate Landman

Landman is a player to watch, and since the Rams will be in so many key games the rest of the season; he figures to be a key figure in the success of the Rams defense, and a defensive coach that is making his "mark" in Chris Shula. 

The Colts this season have scored 232 points in seven games and this is the most for a Colts team since 1964, when the BALTIMORE Colts under the leadership of Johnny Hightops and Don Shula won the Western Conference Crown. 

Since there are many games yet to be played this season, would be folly to state that the NYG vs. Broncos game this past Sunday is the game of the year, yet what an incredible game to watch! The performances, the twists & turns in this compelling drama; especially the final six minutes of the game. 

Read online that there have been 1,062 teams that led by as much as 26-8 with under six minutes in the game left, and all of those teams won, TILL Sunday. Did NYG lose due to the failure of its defense or the Broncos' offense? Possibly a combination of both? Brian Burns of the Giants was apoplectic with the consistent decision by Coach Cohen to drop eight and rush just three. So many quarterbacks can find the open receiver with so much time to throw, knowing where the pass defenders are, and gain the necessary yards to have such a dramatic comeback! 

Bo Nix of Denver is the first quarterback to run for two touchdowns and throw for two touchdowns in the final quarter of a game. Will the Giants continue to find a way to lose games? Their opponent this coming Sunday are the Eagles in Philadelphia (who they upset earlier this year), and the law firm of Smith & Brown just might find room to maneuver through the Giants' secondary. 

Since I mentioned the Eagles will end this saga with my weekly journey back in history to October 26th, 1980 when Philadelphia defeated Chicago 17-14. Down the stretch in 1979 the Eagles won five of their final six regular-season games to earn a second consecutive wild-card berth in the playoffs. 

Their opponent in the wild-card game was the "red hot" Chicago Bears and in a stirring battle, the Eagles outlasted the Bears 27-17. Again fighting Dallas for the NFC East title in '80, the Eagles have started strong and with a victory at home in the rematch with the Bears can stay in first place with a 7-1 record. Even without standout running back Wilbert Montgomery, the Eagles were able to achieve victory on the late field goal by Tony Franklin.