Colts over Titans
Adam: -Playoffs? The Colts can talk about playoffs now with this win, which wasn't as close as the score indicates, and an upcoming matchup with division-leading Jacksonville.
-The Jaguars, Raiders, and Titans remain on Indy's schedule; those are all extremely winnable games. Only the Raider game is on the road, and I see the Colts finishing 10-6 on a bit of a hot streak.
-Who is going to want to play Peyton Manning in the playoffs, especially considering that if Indy makes the postseason they will play their first game at home?
-The Titans are done and Jeff Fisher looks like Golem after about 100 years hanging out with the ring of power. He's a great coach but he's got disruptive players and no quarterback. Come to San Fran, Jeff. The weather's fine.
Eric: -Two teams on the slide met up in this one, but it was Peyton who didn't let his team drop a fourth straight game. The Titans have now lost six in a row.
Patriots over Bears
A: -Now I think everyone knows where they stand. The Bears are pretenders as Super Bowl candidates. The Patriots are Super Bowl favorites. New England has beaten the Ravens, Chargers, Steelers, Colts, Jets, and Bears this year. This is the best team in football.
-Tom Brady is incredible with 19 touchdowns and no interceptions in his last eight games and a 29-4 touchdown-to-interception ratio on the year. He's the MVP, no questions asked.
E: -The look of this game reminded me an awful lot of a snowy day in Foxboro last year when the Patriots whupped on the Titans to the tune of a 59-0 win.
-With this win, the Patriots became the first team in the NFL to clinch a playoff berth.
Steelers over Bengals
A: -The Steelers had a mid-season lull but are right where they wants to be at 10-3. The Jets come into visit next week.
E: -Cincinnati's lost ten straight. What's the likelihood that they win even one more game on the season? The Browns come to Cincy this week, followd by San Diego, and then they travel to Baltimore. Looks like the Bengals might have to go into that all too familiar phase, rebuilding mode.
Lions over Packers
A: -With remaining games against the Patriots, Giants, and Bears, the Packers certainly can control their own destiny, but they also could have really used this win with such a difficult upcoming slate. This loss could be the kind of game that derails the playoff hopes for Green Bay. Hopefully Aaron Rodgers will be back next week, otherwise this team is doomed.
-The Lions proved they have a very nice defensive foundation, especially with their front four.
E: -With no running game to speak of and no Rodgers, it's pretty easy to see how the Packers only put up 3 points on the Lions.
-Led by Ndamukong Suh, Detroit's tenacious front four dominated the Packers' offensive line all day and threw off any rhythm the Packers attempted to build.
Giants over Vikings
A: -Historically, this game will be remembered as the first time Brett Favre couldn't answer the bell. 297 consecutive regular season starts is the most impressive streak in the history of sports. When you consider that the average NFL career is about three years long and that many guys never start for one single season, you have to credit Favre's unbelievable longevity. This is the most violent American sport, and the quarterback gets hit on nearly every play. For Favre to survive this position for eighteen years of unfettered starts truly defies description. Not only did Favre endure massive hits, but he avoided the freak injuries like falling awkwardly on an elbow, planting wrong and tearing a knee ligament, or separating your shoulder—or he just flat out played through them. He was on the field playing for his team or his self for the better part of two decades. I can't stand Favre personally, but I have nothing but respect for his accomplishment and the resolve and toughness required to put together such a streak. His career is likely over, and now it's simply a matter of arguing over his place in the pantheon of all-time greats.
-The game itself between the Giants and Vikes is relevant this season only for the NFC East. New York kept pace with Philly, and now gets set for a monster matchup with the Eagles this coming weekend.
-The Giants were able to rack up well over 200 rushing yards and controlled the game throughout. What happened to the vaunted Vikings rush defense? The Giants absolutely pushed Minnesota all over the field.
-To make matters worse, Tarvaris Jackson was unable to develop any rhythm with the offense.
E: -Craziness.
Jaguars over Raiders
A: -If the Jags beat Indy this coming week, they claim the division because they will have nine wins, which Indy would have to win out to equal, and they will have beaten the Colts twice. Amazing.
-The Raiders likely lost their way out of the AFC West race with this loss.
E: -I do not give the Jacksonville Jaguars enough credit for being a good football team. Well, here you go Jacksonville: you get my mad props. ~Eric
-The Jags find ways to win, whether it's in a shootout, a grind-it-out defensive battle, or just something completely insane happens. That's why they lead the AFC South with a chance to clinch the division this Sunday with a win against the Colts, whom they already beat once this year.
-Darren "Run DMC" McFadden is fantastic; there's a reason why Al Davis always drafts the most ridiculous athlete he can find.
Bills over Browns
A: -This was an important game for Eric Mangini. 6-7 would have been downright respectable for this Cleveland team, but 5-8 doesn't have a great ring to it.
-The Bills have been really competitive over the second half of the season. Since Week 7, four of the Bills five losses have come by a combined 12 points, and they've also won three ball games. While the Bills will likely go for a quarterback in the first round next year, Ryan Fitzpatrick is plenty good to start for a year or two while the draft pick incubates. Fred Jackson, CJ Spiller, and Stevie Johnson are a decent young corps of offensive players.
E: -Both of these teams have played slightly better than their records would indicate, so in a pretty even matchup, the home team came out on top.
Buccaneers over Redskins
A: -The Bucs found a way to win, or really, let the Redskins lose.
-Tampa welcomes the Lions and Seahawks in the next two weeks, and then close at New Orleans. Detroit just won a game and will be on the road next week. How likely is it that Detroit will not only win on the road, but also win two in a row? Next to impossible. So that's a win for the Bucs, and they should be heavily favored to take care of Seattle. That would set Tampa at 10-5 with perhaps a chance to take a playoff spot away from New Orleans on the last week of the season.
-Raheem Morris is the coach of the year.
-The Redskins are done, and despite signing a five-year contract extension earlier this season, Donovan McNabb may very well be one-and-done in Washington.
E: -Graham Gano-Good. God, I'm clever.
Falcons over Panthers
A: -This game went exactly to plan; it was never close.
-The Falcons go to Seattle, host the Saints, and then get the Panthers again, this time at home. They may not even have to beat New Orleans to claim the division and the NFC's number one seed.
-Andrew Luck for Carolina? Are they invested in Jimmy Clausen at all? I don't have any idea.
E: -Was there ever any doubt?
Saints over Rams
A: -The young Rams were not ready for this environment or this level of competition.
-The Saints have won six straight. If they run that mark to eight, then they are Super Bowl favorites, as they will have won at Atlanta and at Baltimore. And they host the Bucs Week 17. This is a tough stretch for the defending champs.
E: -This is the type of performance we expected to see every week from a team that started 13-0 a season ago.
49ers over Seahawks
A: -This was Alex Smith's best game as a 49er: no turnovers, pretty accurate, and he got the ball down the field.
-The Niners are still right in the mix in the NFC West with games remaining against the Chargers, Rams, and Cardinals. If they can win those two division games they will likely tie Seattle, St. Louis or both at the end of the season, and would own the tiebreaker between either squad.
- The Seahawks continue their maddening inconsistency. Matt Hasselbeck was horrible, and his receivers are dropping like flies. It's not good when Ruvell Martin is your leading wideout.
E: -San Francisco threw up 40 points and returned the favor of Seattle's blowed out win Week 1.
Dolphins over Jets
A: -The Dolphins are 6-1 on the road, and 1-5 at home. Huh?
-Mark Sanchez held the Jets back in this game, and this team hasn't really played well in weeks. Yes they had a four game win streak a few weeks back, but they didn't beat any impressively. Then they got blasted by the Pats and looked awful against the Dolphins.
E: -The Jets are now on a two-game slide with both losses coming to AFC East opponents, not good after starting out 3-0 in the division.
-Woops.
Cardinals over Broncos
A: -The Broncos have to be awful to get blown out by Arizona.
E: -Jay Feely is a BEAST.
-I plead complete ignorance on this one; I had no idea that Josh McDaniels got fired. Eric Studesville loses his first game as the Broncos' interim head coach.
Chargers over Chiefs
A: -Matt Cassell deserves some "most valuable" consideration after seeing how bad his team played without him. Brodie Croyle, I know that was a tough spot, but my god man.
-The Chargers made the AFC West very cozy yesterday. San Diego gets the 49ers, Bengals, and Broncos to finish the year; that could easily be 10-6.
E: -San Diego's charging hard (God, I'm clever) and with this win is just one game behind the division-leading Chiefs.
Eagles over Cowboys
A: -Jerry Jones needs to back off. What is he doing on the sidelines besides making every last person in that organization fear for their jobs?
-The Eagles held on in a game they really needed. They are in a tight race with the Giants. The Eagles obviously want home field advantage in the playoffs, but I honestly think they might do better playing at Atlanta, New Orleans or another dome/warm weather environment. Vick needs a fast track and a nice field to be fully effective.
Adam: -Playoffs? The Colts can talk about playoffs now with this win, which wasn't as close as the score indicates, and an upcoming matchup with division-leading Jacksonville.
-The Jaguars, Raiders, and Titans remain on Indy's schedule; those are all extremely winnable games. Only the Raider game is on the road, and I see the Colts finishing 10-6 on a bit of a hot streak.
-Who is going to want to play Peyton Manning in the playoffs, especially considering that if Indy makes the postseason they will play their first game at home?
-The Titans are done and Jeff Fisher looks like Golem after about 100 years hanging out with the ring of power. He's a great coach but he's got disruptive players and no quarterback. Come to San Fran, Jeff. The weather's fine.
Eric: -Two teams on the slide met up in this one, but it was Peyton who didn't let his team drop a fourth straight game. The Titans have now lost six in a row.
Patriots over Bears
A: -Now I think everyone knows where they stand. The Bears are pretenders as Super Bowl candidates. The Patriots are Super Bowl favorites. New England has beaten the Ravens, Chargers, Steelers, Colts, Jets, and Bears this year. This is the best team in football.
-Tom Brady is incredible with 19 touchdowns and no interceptions in his last eight games and a 29-4 touchdown-to-interception ratio on the year. He's the MVP, no questions asked.
E: -The look of this game reminded me an awful lot of a snowy day in Foxboro last year when the Patriots whupped on the Titans to the tune of a 59-0 win.
-With this win, the Patriots became the first team in the NFL to clinch a playoff berth.
Steelers over Bengals
A: -The Steelers had a mid-season lull but are right where they wants to be at 10-3. The Jets come into visit next week.
E: -Cincinnati's lost ten straight. What's the likelihood that they win even one more game on the season? The Browns come to Cincy this week, followd by San Diego, and then they travel to Baltimore. Looks like the Bengals might have to go into that all too familiar phase, rebuilding mode.
Lions over Packers
A: -With remaining games against the Patriots, Giants, and Bears, the Packers certainly can control their own destiny, but they also could have really used this win with such a difficult upcoming slate. This loss could be the kind of game that derails the playoff hopes for Green Bay. Hopefully Aaron Rodgers will be back next week, otherwise this team is doomed.
-The Lions proved they have a very nice defensive foundation, especially with their front four.
E: -With no running game to speak of and no Rodgers, it's pretty easy to see how the Packers only put up 3 points on the Lions.
-Led by Ndamukong Suh, Detroit's tenacious front four dominated the Packers' offensive line all day and threw off any rhythm the Packers attempted to build.
Giants over Vikings
A: -Historically, this game will be remembered as the first time Brett Favre couldn't answer the bell. 297 consecutive regular season starts is the most impressive streak in the history of sports. When you consider that the average NFL career is about three years long and that many guys never start for one single season, you have to credit Favre's unbelievable longevity. This is the most violent American sport, and the quarterback gets hit on nearly every play. For Favre to survive this position for eighteen years of unfettered starts truly defies description. Not only did Favre endure massive hits, but he avoided the freak injuries like falling awkwardly on an elbow, planting wrong and tearing a knee ligament, or separating your shoulder—or he just flat out played through them. He was on the field playing for his team or his self for the better part of two decades. I can't stand Favre personally, but I have nothing but respect for his accomplishment and the resolve and toughness required to put together such a streak. His career is likely over, and now it's simply a matter of arguing over his place in the pantheon of all-time greats.
-The game itself between the Giants and Vikes is relevant this season only for the NFC East. New York kept pace with Philly, and now gets set for a monster matchup with the Eagles this coming weekend.
-The Giants were able to rack up well over 200 rushing yards and controlled the game throughout. What happened to the vaunted Vikings rush defense? The Giants absolutely pushed Minnesota all over the field.
-To make matters worse, Tarvaris Jackson was unable to develop any rhythm with the offense.
E: -Craziness.
Jaguars over Raiders
A: -If the Jags beat Indy this coming week, they claim the division because they will have nine wins, which Indy would have to win out to equal, and they will have beaten the Colts twice. Amazing.
-The Raiders likely lost their way out of the AFC West race with this loss.
E: -I do not give the Jacksonville Jaguars enough credit for being a good football team. Well, here you go Jacksonville: you get my mad props. ~Eric
-The Jags find ways to win, whether it's in a shootout, a grind-it-out defensive battle, or just something completely insane happens. That's why they lead the AFC South with a chance to clinch the division this Sunday with a win against the Colts, whom they already beat once this year.
-Darren "Run DMC" McFadden is fantastic; there's a reason why Al Davis always drafts the most ridiculous athlete he can find.
Bills over Browns
A: -This was an important game for Eric Mangini. 6-7 would have been downright respectable for this Cleveland team, but 5-8 doesn't have a great ring to it.
-The Bills have been really competitive over the second half of the season. Since Week 7, four of the Bills five losses have come by a combined 12 points, and they've also won three ball games. While the Bills will likely go for a quarterback in the first round next year, Ryan Fitzpatrick is plenty good to start for a year or two while the draft pick incubates. Fred Jackson, CJ Spiller, and Stevie Johnson are a decent young corps of offensive players.
E: -Both of these teams have played slightly better than their records would indicate, so in a pretty even matchup, the home team came out on top.
Buccaneers over Redskins
A: -The Bucs found a way to win, or really, let the Redskins lose.
-Tampa welcomes the Lions and Seahawks in the next two weeks, and then close at New Orleans. Detroit just won a game and will be on the road next week. How likely is it that Detroit will not only win on the road, but also win two in a row? Next to impossible. So that's a win for the Bucs, and they should be heavily favored to take care of Seattle. That would set Tampa at 10-5 with perhaps a chance to take a playoff spot away from New Orleans on the last week of the season.
-Raheem Morris is the coach of the year.
-The Redskins are done, and despite signing a five-year contract extension earlier this season, Donovan McNabb may very well be one-and-done in Washington.
E: -Graham Gano-Good. God, I'm clever.
Falcons over Panthers
A: -This game went exactly to plan; it was never close.
-The Falcons go to Seattle, host the Saints, and then get the Panthers again, this time at home. They may not even have to beat New Orleans to claim the division and the NFC's number one seed.
-Andrew Luck for Carolina? Are they invested in Jimmy Clausen at all? I don't have any idea.
E: -Was there ever any doubt?
Saints over Rams
A: -The young Rams were not ready for this environment or this level of competition.
-The Saints have won six straight. If they run that mark to eight, then they are Super Bowl favorites, as they will have won at Atlanta and at Baltimore. And they host the Bucs Week 17. This is a tough stretch for the defending champs.
E: -This is the type of performance we expected to see every week from a team that started 13-0 a season ago.
49ers over Seahawks
A: -This was Alex Smith's best game as a 49er: no turnovers, pretty accurate, and he got the ball down the field.
-The Niners are still right in the mix in the NFC West with games remaining against the Chargers, Rams, and Cardinals. If they can win those two division games they will likely tie Seattle, St. Louis or both at the end of the season, and would own the tiebreaker between either squad.
- The Seahawks continue their maddening inconsistency. Matt Hasselbeck was horrible, and his receivers are dropping like flies. It's not good when Ruvell Martin is your leading wideout.
E: -San Francisco threw up 40 points and returned the favor of Seattle's blowed out win Week 1.
Dolphins over Jets
A: -The Dolphins are 6-1 on the road, and 1-5 at home. Huh?
-Mark Sanchez held the Jets back in this game, and this team hasn't really played well in weeks. Yes they had a four game win streak a few weeks back, but they didn't beat any impressively. Then they got blasted by the Pats and looked awful against the Dolphins.
E: -The Jets are now on a two-game slide with both losses coming to AFC East opponents, not good after starting out 3-0 in the division.
-Woops.
Cardinals over Broncos
A: -The Broncos have to be awful to get blown out by Arizona.
E: -Jay Feely is a BEAST.
-I plead complete ignorance on this one; I had no idea that Josh McDaniels got fired. Eric Studesville loses his first game as the Broncos' interim head coach.
Chargers over Chiefs
A: -Matt Cassell deserves some "most valuable" consideration after seeing how bad his team played without him. Brodie Croyle, I know that was a tough spot, but my god man.
-The Chargers made the AFC West very cozy yesterday. San Diego gets the 49ers, Bengals, and Broncos to finish the year; that could easily be 10-6.
E: -San Diego's charging hard (God, I'm clever) and with this win is just one game behind the division-leading Chiefs.
Eagles over Cowboys
A: -Jerry Jones needs to back off. What is he doing on the sidelines besides making every last person in that organization fear for their jobs?
-The Eagles held on in a game they really needed. They are in a tight race with the Giants. The Eagles obviously want home field advantage in the playoffs, but I honestly think they might do better playing at Atlanta, New Orleans or another dome/warm weather environment. Vick needs a fast track and a nice field to be fully effective.
E: -Philadelphia moves to 9-4 and has a big showdown with the 9-4 New York Giants this coming Sunday.
Ravens over Texans
A: -When it was 28-7 in favor of the Ravens, I stopped watching. Woops. The Texans did what they and the Bengals do best, make a frantic comeback and then lose in the closing moments of the game. Houston forced overtime and even stopped the Ravens offense only to have Matt Schaub throw a pick six on his first pass of the extra period.
-The Ravens looked shaky; the pass defense has to be a concern in Baltimore. Even Ed Reed looked mixed up.
-The offense is talented for Baltimore, but they can be unpredictable, and sometimes they can't sustain drives. They have some big play ability, but I'm not sure they are steady enough to score consistently in the playoffs.
E: -Schaub gave it one hell of an effort with a 21-point comeback in the second half, but his arm did in the Texans in overtime, throwing a Ravens pick six for the win.
"Jerry Jones needs to back off."
ReplyDeleteWhat do you expect from Jerry Jones on a team that's 4-9? Everyone's job should be on the line.
I don't expect him to do anything different. I just don't think it does any good for him to stand on the sideline.
ReplyDeleteFalcons owner Arthur Blank is on the sidelines all the time. Do you have a problem with that?
ReplyDeleteYeah I do. I really don't like it. But I don't think Arthur has quite the, "I will fire your ass and hang you in the town square" vibe that Jerry gives off. I know they own the team, so clearly they have the right to be there, but they aren't helping anything, and they are probably making guys nervous. Owners are out of place on the sideline, thats how I feel, it's as simple as that.
ReplyDeleteAlso, like you said, Arthur Blank is down on the sideline all the time. Conversely Jerry seems to show up only when people's heads are on the chopping block, or when the Cowboys are in a big game/ playoff time situation. In both situations, I view his presence as a detriment.
ReplyDeleteWhen has T Jack every developed a rhythm he's a good athlete terrible qb...i think you guys should write a segment on what the viks should do with their qb situation for rest of season and beyond even though u both despise the team
ReplyDeleteKurt Warner? I think he's about the right age to be a Vikings quarterback.
ReplyDeleteI'll play QB, if we can do something about those purple uniforms.
ReplyDelete