Have the Saints exposed the truth that Peyton really hasn’t changed?

 

In a game that resembled the 2001 upset of the St. Louis Rams, the Saints had their shell shocked moments early then proceeded to punch the favorite Colts in the mouth taking risk and coming out on top. By now you’ve either seen the game or read two or three articles from different points of view about how it went down, but one thing I noticed when watching the game that may have been hidden by all of the confetti and umbrellas is that for all of the amazing regular season stats that he’s put up, Peyton Manning has really only delivered ONCE in the post season. Now wait a minute before you close the browser window, hear me out. Prior to the Super Bowl win over Chicago, Peyton was known as the “the best regular season quarterback that could never win the big one” he and the Colts were the Patriots beotch and there was ‘bust’ rumblings in Indy. C’mon, think back to halftime and what the commentators were saying as they trailed the Pats by 11 points after he threw a pick 6 to give them the 18-point lead. They had all but written him off as a guy who folded under pressure and wasn’t in Brady’s category yet. And say what you want, if the Patriots don’t get called for PI in the 4^th quarter, they win that game and Peyton doesn’t get an opportunity to beat a BAD Bears team and get the “monkey” off his back and now where would we be? I’ll tell ya. We’d be talking about how Peyton had the opportunity to make a play to tie the score and send the Super Bowl into overtime for the first time in history but threw ANOTHER pick-6 instead (after all his playoff record is only 9-9). For having the best regular season record over the past decade they sure don’t have a lot of rings to show for it. All I’m saying is does he have Hall of Fame stats, yes, but is he that quarterback that you want to lead you for the winning score in a “non regular season game”? Probably not. Now I would be remised if I didn’t give a huge amount of credit to Saints, the coaching staff and ‘Cool Brees’ who played even cooler than his name. The truth is that they did put Manning in ‘Dare to be Great’ if not “Dare you to make me pay for my arrogance” and never had to walk up to cashier. The 4^th down makes perfect sense because of the time left to go in the half and the field position to start with. It actually worked out even better because they got the 3 points anyway and never offered an advantageous field, but the onside kick to start the half is another story. You can say all you want about the on-side recovery percentages but even Belichick had more respect for Manning than that. That is pure huevos rancheros and making a statement that we’re rolling the dice and we really don’t think you’ll go up two scores if we come up snake eyes. Before you comment on my blasphemy about perfect Peyton, as yourself which coach in previous SB games would do that to the Montana, Elway, or Brady? The other Payton wasn’t crazy, he may have just seen something that has been there all along.

 

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This Super Bowl has all the components of out shining the last two

 

David Tyree’s ‘super catch’, the “Holmes’ Stretch”, over the last two years the Super Bowl has more than lived up to and delivered on the hype by providing fans worldwide with a spectacular event that justifies its name. Even with all of that momentum never in the history of the sport has their been a 1 vs. 2 matchup like we have this year (and no computers were needed), where the top 2 that have lead the field the entire season met for all the marbles in the show. No ‘terrific’ Tom Brady or Brett ‘I don’t need no stinkin’ Viagra’ Favre? No problem, we’ve got a “Cool Brees”, a “Perfect Peyton” and an incredible story of an entire city and state that defines the word comeback, that just might caravan all the way to Miami to support their club. Although last year’s game was one of the top 5, you wouldn’t have known from the matchup or the atmosphere in the two weeks prior as all of the energy was utilized in pumpin’ up a game that no one really wanted to see. As it turns out, it was able to overcome the masses that assumed they’d be looking for alternative programming at half-time, and the game had the most nationwide views in SB history. And what about the biggest upset the year before as the little team from the Biggest City in the world proudly stood in the way of perfection. This year has both of those beat on merit, as the game itself doesn’t need to be pimped, because it is the game everyone has wanted to see since week 3. Now all the game has to do is be close, at least until The Who smash a guitar, and it should easily surpass last year’s mark. Not to mention the international viewers, which has become an important component to the success of the event. Now that the pomp & circumstance is out of the way, the ligaments torn round’ the world making more noise than Brady’s a couple years back, Dwight Freeney will play but I can’t so he’ll be effective since he comes from the strong side and if you can’t plant and drive with speed then there’s no need chip him with Darnell Dinkins or Reggie Bush meaning that’s another weapon Brees will have at his disposal running routes and keeping the chains moving. The Saints rush D is a concern as Colt’s surprised everyone by out rushing the NFL leaders (Jets) in the AFC Championship game, and Peyton running the hurry up to keep the Saints off balance wreaks of a double-digit lead. However the great equalizer might be the least of everyone’s concerns and that is the field itself. Although the rain is supposed to be long gone come kickoff, it will be thick turf, possibly moist, and for both teams who used to playing indoors, this may not be a very fast track. Injuries or no injuries, grass or turf, rain or shine, these teams have never tried to fool anyone that offense wouldn’t be the order of the day and I suspect it will be on Sunday. And that’s what everyone wants to see.

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Rex only one shocked, Saints march, and Farve Remembers

 

While the Colts may have shocked Rex Ryan they surely didn’t shock anyone else, particularly those outside of the New York area who laid the 9 points but they certainly put a scare into the top seed as the Jets held a 17-6 lead (although it only last 2 plays) and played the top-seed to only a 3-point game going into the 4^th quarter. The Colts said before the game that they knew it would be a ‘grind it out’ game going in and they looked like they ready as when crunch time came they were the team making all the plays. I think Sexy Rexy learned a valuable lesson about poking the bear as his pre-game chatter must have helped the Colts dig deep when they found themselves in a hole down 11, and this is another Lane Kiffen example of it’s probably better just to let the final score do the talking as at the end of the fight there’s one guy left standing and that’s how you know who won. Apologies to the “worst run defense in the NFL” as they seemed to get the better of the “top rushing team in the NFL” as they held them to under 100 yards which was the difference as they put the rookie in the position where he had to make plays and not just wait for the opposition to make mistakes, and that’s the rub when you get to this level, the good teams don’t. So, once Rex gets through his shock therapy he’ll find that one positive for the Jets was the play of the Rookie Sanchez who held his own against Perfect Peyton going 17/30, for 257 including the longest scoring play in Jets’ history with an 80 yard touchdown pass. Now can he build off of this going into next year will be a hot topic during a long hot summer in NYC. As for the (Indy)Colts they had back to the state where they won their only Super Bowl. I’ll tell you this, similar weather and a slow track will suit them just fine.

 

The Shootout at the Bourbon Street Corral was all that and a bag o’ chips as the Headline finally outshined the undercard in one of the most exciting Championship Games since the Ice Bowl. Rest assured they will be talking about this game for the next 41 years, particularly if the Vikings don’t get back for a while, especially if Brett does not. Favre mentioned that the pick against the GMen had been with him since that cold day in Green Bay as he didn’t want to go out that way, well now he better plan on playing for another 3 years because he repeated the feat as, for all the spectacular plays he made this year, the one that will be remember by Vikings fans is the play where he should have tucked in under and slid for a +10 and field goal range rather than trying to make the superman throw and serving up the last interception of the Minnesota season. It would be a shame if that was the play that was remembered because the Vikings made more that there share of miscues in a game that they should have had well sowed away in regulation let alone overtime. Five turnovers (2 red zone) will normally be more than enough to ensure a long flight home, but the Purple Gang came back more times than Beatrice Kiddo and the game was theirs for the taking in OT. Naw’lins tried to do their share of charity work as well but the Vikes were not quite as accepting, only capitalizing on 1 of the three offered fumbles. The Vikings out gained the league’s top offense 475 to 257, stopped them on 3^rd down (3 of 12), and held the ball 37% longer, which was supposed to be the recipe for beating the Saints, but the Saints will keep marching on, all the way to Miami. You can’t just look at what the Vikes didn’t do, but must look at the preparation of the Saints D that knew Minnesota was keen to putting the skin on the turf, and looked to strip at every opportunity. Moreover although they got pushed around on the defensive end they made the big play when they had to and that’s what championship teams do. So if Favre got them “ready for Peyton” then they had better study lots of film because the Colts will not be so giving this long after Christmas.What did you think of Championship Sunday?

 

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Both Championship Games Have Something to Offer 

Although most of the time you reach “Final Four”, regardless of the sport, they’re pretty good matchups, at least on paper, and you don’t need an act of God to have a close game or an upset. This year’s NFL final four is no different as on one end we have the #1 vs. #2 that everyone has been waiting to see on one end and the “payback game” 41 years in the making on the other. It could be the second layer of a great post-season cake that the NFL has cooked up, as the first round, including “Dog Day Afternoon” wild-card weekend was a hit with fans, drawing the most viewers for the divisional round of the playoffs in 16 years, with an average of 33 million per game and Sunday's Cowboys-Vikings game attracted 37.7 million viewers, the most-watched program on television since last February's Super Bowl. So the table is set, now how will the games stack up?

NFC (Vikings vs. Saints) – All year these two teams have been leading the pack in offense, 29.4 ppg vs. 31.9, as well as excitement and if there is a bigger story in the NFL this year other than the Brett ‘fine wine’ Favre who at 40 has had his best year as a pro with only 7 INTS and 33 TD’s on the year for a 107 QB rating? Now pit him against Drew “cool” Brees 11 INTS, 34TD’s, 109 pr and the scoring machine that was pushing the 07’ Perfect Patriots reg-season record for much of the season, and you’ve got all the makings of an Championship Game that could be one of the best ever. There was a Reggie Bush sighting, and a big one, in the Divisional as he was the X-factor they always hoped he would be when they took him #2. If he contributes to contribute like he did in last week and not how he did during the regular season, that may be too many weapons for Vikings to handle. The Vikings will need everything they have offensively to hang with Naw’lins and the fackt that Percy Harvin missed practice on Friday and is listed as questionable could be the deciding factor as they need him to 100%. Now if the Vikings find themselves down by 2 scores to we see the resurrection of the “duck and chuck” Favre that tries to make plays when there aren’t any to be made or the more conservative Brett (how’s that for an oxymoron) that will take a sack an avoid the catastrophe? One thing is fo’ sho’, AD had better have one of his best games as a pro as this is the stage, the time, and the situation when the great players step up and show why they are Icons. Smacchat Pick – Saints march in their first ever NFC Championship to a city that needs it.  

AFC (Jets vs. Colts) The Jets are looking to party like it’s 1969 and rest assured if they pull off this upset on Sunday, they will have two of the biggest upsets in the last 100 years. Meanwhile the Colts (although they technically are not from the same city) would like to avenge the biggest upset in Super Bowl history and get that monkey off the nickname’s back. Oh yes, there is still a matter of a week 15 loss. On paper it looks like a similar miss match, Manning vs. Sanchez, the seasoned vet and future Hall of Famer vs the good looking (esthetics only) rookie QB that statistics wise, isn’t even in the top 10 but does just enough to get the W and doesn’t make the mistakes that warrant an L. What the J-E-T-S do have is the top rated defense in the NFL to match the top rushing attack, which if utilized, can make up for a multitude of deficiencies. In the New York pass rush can put some pressure on Peyton, particularly on the ends, this may be a long afternoon for the Blues (please see Jets vs. Patriots). On the other side of the ball, if the Jets can get the rushing game going and control the clock, you may not see that vaunted Colt “rhythm” offense as much as you normally do, and when they’re ‘out of sinc’ they are a shell of themselves. The line is half what it was back in 69’ and we expect this one to be much closer than people think, but if you don’t take our word for it you just have to ask ‘Sexy Rexy’. Just the same the Smacchat pick are the Colts to end the dream.

Statline Vikings vs. Saints
Vikings		TEAM		Saints
29.4		PTS FOR		31.9
19.5		PTS AGNST		21.3
9.9		DIFF.		10.6
259.8		PASS YDS		272.2
119.9		RUSH YDS		131.6
218.4		PASS D		235.6
87.1		RUSH D		122.2
-0.4		TO DIFF		-0.7

 

 

Statline Jets vs. Colts
Jets		TEAM		Colts
21.8		PTS FOR		26.0
14.8		PTS AGNST		19.2
7.0		DIFF.		6.8
148.8		PASS YDS		282.2
172.3		RUSH YDS		80.9
153.7		PASS D		212.7
98.6		RUSH D		126.5
-0.1		TO DIFF		-0.1

 

 

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Favre and Sanchez both refuse to act their age 

Brett Favre officially left all of the negative baggage regarding his retirement that checked in with him when he landed at St. Paul International Airport, has he has led the Vikings to brink of their first Super Bowl since the disco era. The Ca’boys rode into the game as the team no one wanted to play, but it was Romo who was on his horse most of the day trying to evade the ‘purple people eaters’, then they became the same ol’ Cowboys of the past decade and we’re out of town, and the playoffs, by sundown. On the other sideline it was Favre who was playing the sheriff in his own game of cowboys and Indians, refusing to act his age, scrambling, throwing on the run, but not falling referring back to his penchant for mistakes instead kept his streak of not more than one int. per customer and if he’s not making mistakes the Vikes are tough to beat. Now the ageless one packs his bags for one more road show, but this time the town folk won’t be so happy to see masked man as they move to Naw’lins for the 1 vs. 2 matchup we all wanted to see. With AD running the ball the way he is and Favre plying like he’s in this twenties the Vikings just may take us back to the day when they were face of the NFC and a guy named Fran was throwing on the run. One more victory and get your 8-track and platforms out.

 

Another quarterback that wouldn’t conform was the was the petulant child Mark Sanchez who showed the poise and knowledge of a seasoned vet, understanding that it wasn’t his job to make huge plays in order to win the game, but more so that his team had the talent to win a ‘war of attrition’ and just do make the mistake that puts them in a situation where they don’t have the opportunity to win the game. He didn’t, and the Jets seized their opportunity when it came, and in the end it was the mistake of the playoff veteran Phillip Rivers that opened the hanger for the Jets to fly through. The 9 point line was totally reflective of a the fact that the Chargers had the longest winning streak in the NFL, and a defense that would but pressure on the rookie and force him into situations where he would have to make a big play but it never happened. I’ll tell ya, it was similar to Tom Brady back in 2000 when he never made a pass over 25 yards against the Rams but he didn’t need to as a strong running game left them in 3^rd and short most of the game, and if don’t trail by more than a touchdown at any one point there’s no need to open things up beyond your comfort level. Much like the Pats in 00’ the Jets recovered form a one score deficit to take the lead and then just smoked them out and let the nerves of a heavy favorite provide just enough rope. Now it may not be the same stadium but the teams are the same and the Jets will attempt to party like it’s 1969, but surely the rookie will be exposed when he goes to the ruckus of the RCA Dome right? Well, I’m done picking against the Jets even though all the signs point to them coming back down to earth. Then again, Sanchez isn’t listening to the adults anyway. How will the Vikings and Jets do next week? Let us know here and in any of the quick links.

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Home teams hold serve and look good in the process, will Sunday be the same?

 

Ok, so much for Indy not making the right decision in resting starters, can we put that argument to bed please? Indy routed a team that routed the Patriots, that was a bad 4^th down call from beating the Colts at RCA. Now they are one home win away from getting back to show and Peyton finally has a .500 playoff record. Of course, they still have a mountain to climb if San Diego can accomplish the same feat tomorrow, and on top of that there will be someone much more formidable than the ;offenseless’ Chicago Bears waiting for them in the promised land, but things are looking good so far. Meanwhile on Bourbon Street the party is still going as the Naw’lins will host it’s first NFC Championship in the history of the Superdome and it ain’t gonna’ be fun for whomever decides to show up to derail destiny. The Cards scored on their first play from scrimmage and it was looking a lot like 09’ then the Saints immediately took back control of the game by sustaining a long drive and went on apply a “woodshed” on the defending AFC champs and sent KW into retirement with a reminder on why he was going. This was the Saint team that was forcing D-Coordinators to update resumes the first 13 weeks of the season. Even Reggie Bush had that statement game to help prove he wasn’t the “Sam Bowie” of the NFL and if he can continue to be that consistent threat then the Saints will have more weapons than anyone will be able to handle. Now two more big questions remain for Sunday Home Teams. Can Favre resurrect the magic one more time, get playoff win number 23, and set up an amazing 1 vs. 2 for the NFC Championship? And what about the SuperChargers, who are arguably the hottest team coming into the second season? They’ve proven they can win big games indoors, and in Indy so they have to be thinking this is their ticket to Miami tomorrow. Will LT repair his “street cred” the same way Reggie did? In about 18 hours we’ll have the answers to all of those questions and the slate for a great day of Championship games next weekend. Will the home teams complete the sweep? Let us know here and in any of the quick links:

 

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‘Wildcard Weekend” doesn’t follow the script

 

The “rules of thumb” that normally hold true when it comes to playoff football seemed to out the window in the first round of the NFL playoffs, making it a rough day for sports writers across the country, particularly for the pundits and prognosticators (even our own Nicky the Fish) who love to quantify the numbers as the law of average was repealed. It portends that the big favorites (3 teams are 7 or more) going into the divisional round should proceed with caution.

 

“It’s real tough to beat a team three times in one season” – Confucius…. Well, not only did the Cowboys beat the Eagles, they beat them down three times in one season. If the week 17 stats were seen as an aberration (Philly had 7 drives than ended punts, 2 TOs, 1 missed FG, 0 scores), then the Wild Card Playoff proved to be confirmation that the Ca’Boys are for real because the stats were not a lot different (5 punts, 3 fumbles, 2 TO on downs). Moreover how about that Dallas pass defense?? Take away Vick’s big play and the Cowoys only allowed the Eagles 200 yards per game. They will be put to the test come Sunday when they visit Fabulous Favre in his new home and we all know about Brett’s record in playoff games, but I think we’ll throw those out the window.

 

“New England is the only unbeaten team at home this year Brady/Belichick combination has never lost a home playoff game” – Proverb…… We may have just witnessed the end of an era. The “Perfect Patriots”, the “Patriot Dynasty”, the “team of the decade” etc. among other alias that have been assigned to them over the previous years helped build up a stigma and reputation of invincibility that every visitor was reminded of when the visited ‘The Razor’ and viewed the 3 Super Bowl Banners and Perfect Season banner. Unfortunately for Patriot Nation, the Ravens are made up of team of personalities that don’t intimidate easily, and left New England with a bad taste in their mouths after a week four loss, and it wasn’t the chowder, it was a 4^th down gone array late in the 4^th quarter as they were less than 20 yards from victory. The Ravens looked and played like an angry team that had something taken away from them, and punched the Pats in the mouth on the first play of the game and didn’t look back, they didn’t even need to bring a quarterback as they only had 34 passing yards. Now, they take their anger to Indy to take on Peyton Manning and the Colts, viewed as the toughest team in the AFC who also have unbeaten streak and reputation of their own, but something tells me the Ravens don’t really care much about that.

 

“The Packers are the hottest team in football, winners of 7/8 including a 33-7 win over the Cardinals, we’re heading for a Favre vs. Packers rematch” – Nostradamus….Didn’t we see this same movie last year? The Cards come into the game as an HOME DOG, against a team that is destined for greater things, and in an overtime shootout come away with a victory that builds a wave of momentum that they ride all the way…….. ok, we’ll hold off on acts 2 thru 4 for now but I thought I was watching a Broadway play that I’d seen before, the one that was rejected by Hollywood for being too unbelievable.

 

The only stat that did follow the script last weekend was the “92% of home teams that win the turnover margin win the game” statistic that unfortuneatley the Packers tempted to their own demise. The two first quarter turnovers that lead to Arizona scores not only got them off to the start that they needed but also got the sold out crowd believing they were in the balcony. Kurt Warner just refuses to fade away into oblivion, and instead will go out guns a blazin’. Next week the company moves the show to Minnesota with a guest star on the playbill. If you like offense then you were treated to the best playoff game in the history of the NFL, if not then you probably think the Cards don’t play enough defense to advance, and if the Packers can put up 45 then the Saints (#1 offense in the league) will surely drop a fiddy’ spot on them, and send them home, well that sounds like the soundtrack to the play we were talking about.

 

“Rookie quarterbacks make too many mistakes to win playoff games” -  Homer….For those waiting for Sanchez to self-destruct and take the Jets with him last week may have witnessed his coming out party instead. When compared to other top-pick QB’s like Aikman, Mannings 1 & 2, even Elway. all of which had disastrous first seasons, Sanchez is already ahead of the curve. After easing the pressure of winning his first playoff game don’t be surprised if Sanchez is even better in his second. It might be difficult as he completed 80% of his passes for 182 yards and a TD, albeit he only threw 15 times and will need to do much more than that to beat the SuperChargers who are playing arguably the best football in the AFC going into the second season. Either way, if someone would have asked Jets fans if they would have taken advancing in the playoffs in the first round then go into round two as “the favorites to win the whole thing” I think they would have taken it.

 

Will this weekend play more true to form or are we in store for more unfulfilled prophecies?

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“Wild Card Weekend” shaping up to be just that

For the first time since the inception of the Wild Card, three of the four teams playing in the first round played the previous week, and all four matchups are re-matches of games played in the same year. Now, where things really get interesting is fact that all three of those matchups were blowouts so the team that got beat down will certainly have their pride, on top of Super Bowl aspirations to play for. Here’s how we see the first weekend shaping up.

Ravens at Patriots – A rematch of the week 4 match up won by New England in week 4 27-21, a game where every score in the game alternated except one, and it took two 4^th down stops by the Pats to secure the win. It’s no secret and the stats don’t lie, the Pats are a different team without Wes Welker, in fact without W2 on the field Moss has not caught a TD pass when he hasn’t played and his loss will be deeply felt. Although Julian Edleman filled in like a trooper making a season high 10 catches in the win, but knowing you don’t have to prepare for the “slot machine” in a playoff game is something entirely different. That said, the Pats are the only unbeaten team at home in the NFL this year and we look for that to continue, Pats by 3 in a game even closer than the score.

 

Statline Ravens at Patriots
Ravens		TEAM		Patriots
24.4		PTS FOR		26.7
16.3		PTS AGNST		17.8
8.1		DIFF.		8.9
213.7		PASS YDS		277.3
137.5		RUSH YDS		120.1
207.3		PASS D		209.7
93.3		RUSH D		110.5
-0.6		TO DIFF		-0.4

 

 

Eagles at Ca’Boys – Ok, here ya go, “it’s really tough to beat a team 3 times in one season”, everyone has heard it and now that it’s out of the way let’s look at the game based on its merits. The Eagles have pretty much been the Cowboys beotch this year taking the first two games although the first game (20-16) was much closer in Philly, but it’s also when it became appearent that the Eagles have problems scoring touchdowns against Dallas. In the first game they settled for field goals on three of four trips into the Cowboy red zone. It the second game 7 of their 11 drives ended in punts, 1 to, 1 missed fg, and a stop on downs. In two games they have showed no inclination that they have the capability of putting the ball in the end zone against the Cowboy D and we can’t see what’s going to change. If you can get this at a field goal it’s a gift, lay the points Dallas looks as if they can represent the NFC in Miami.

Statline Eagles at Cowboys
Philly		TEAM		Dallas
26.8		PTS FOR		22.6
21.1		PTS AGNST		15.6
5.8		DIFF.		6.9
255.6		PASS YDS		267.9
102.3		RUSH YDS		131.4
216.4		PASS D		225.4
104.7		RUSH D		90.5
-0.9		TO DIFF		-0.1

Packers at Cardinals – The Arizona Cardinals, aka the Philadelphia Phillies of the NFL (.500 at home and 6-2 on the road) are still applying ice and gauzes to the wounds inflicted by the same perpetrators that decided to stay in town to loot UOP Stadium for a second time after the insurance money replaces the stolen items from last Sunday, mainly the hearts of the cardinal players. After a 33-7 drubbing things don’t look much better going into this week, as the Cards will hope to rebound without the help of Anquan Boldin who will likely miss the game due to injury. This story is all too familiar to Cards fans as they rode the negativity train all the way to the Super Bowl but this year is different, just ask the team that derailed the same train last year. Meanwhile the wolfPackers are planning their Winter vacation to include three cities, next up they plan to visit an old friend and crash at his new pad for a weekend. We like the Pack to repeat the feat of last week.

 

Statline Green Bay vs. Arizona
Packers		TEAM		Cardinals
28.8		PTS FOR		23.4
18.6		PTS AGNST		20.3
10.3		DIFF.		3.1
261.3		PASS YDS		251.0
117.8		RUSH YDS		93.4
201.1		PASS D		233.7
83.3		RUSH D		112.8
-1.5		TO DIFF		0.4

Jets at Bengals – The third in the “woodshed trilogy” of teams that got whacked in week 17 only to have fate give them a shot at redemption in the first round of the playoffs only this game will be in the ‘tigers den’ instead of the scrapyard in Jersey. The big cats do have some injury issues but all are expected to play. However this game is a series of countermeasures and question marks. Which Bengal team will show up remains to be seen, the club that was among the best in the NFL at 7-2, or the team that finished the season at 3-4 with their only victories coming over the Browns, Lions, and Chiefs? Conversely, how will the rook handle his first taste of NFL playoff football as those are 18 year olds trying to chase him down from behind but grown men that out weigh him by 100 pounds and a pretty smart guy scheming to expose him on the other sideline. The X factor will be if the Bengals will use the tragic passing of Henry as catalyst to galvanize the team or if it weighs on them during preparation. We believe the Bengals will come out on top, we’re not sold on their epiphany but we’re less sold on Sanchez’s ability to make more big plays than mistakes.

 

Statline Jets vs. Bengals
NY Jets		TEAM		Bengals
21.8		PTS FOR		19.1
14.8		PTS AGNST		18.2
7.0		DIFF.		0.9
148.8		PASS YDS		180.6
172.3		RUSH YDS		128.5
153.7		PASS D		203.1
98.6		RUSH D		98.3
-0.1		TO DIFF		0.0

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Complete NFL Playoff Senarios as of Week 17
AFC East
	N.Y. Jets can clinch a playoff spot with: a win (vs. Cincinnati)
	Miami can clinch a playoff spot with: a win (vs. Pittsburgh) and a N.Y. Jets loss (vs. Cincinnati) and a Baltimore loss (vs. Oakland) and a Houston loss (vs. New England) and a Jacksonville loss or tie (vs. Cleveland)
AFC North
	Baltimore can clinch a playoff spot with: a win (vs. Oakland)
	Pittsburgh can clinch a playoff spot with: a win (vs. Miami) and a Houston loss or tie (vs. New England) and a N.Y. Jets loss or tie (vs. Cincinnati) OR a win and a Houston loss or tie and a Baltimore loss or tie (vs. Oakland) OR a win and a N.Y. Jets loss or tie and a Baltimore loss or tie and a Denver loss or tie (vs. Kansas City)
AFC South
	Houston can clinch a playoff spot with: a win (vs. New England) and a N.Y. Jets loss or tie (vs. Cincinnati) and a Baltimore loss or tie (vs. Oakland) OR a win and a N.Y. Jets loss or tie and a Denver loss or tie (vs. Kansas City) OR a win and a Baltimore loss or tie and a Denver loss or tie
	Jacksonville can clinch a playoff spot with: a win (vs. Cleveland) and a Pittsburgh loss (vs. Miami) and a Baltimore loss (vs. Oakland) and a Denver loss (vs. Kansas City) and a Houston loss (vs. New England) OR a win and a Pittsburgh loss and a Baltimore loss and a Denver loss and a N.Y. Jets loss (vs. Cincinnati) OR a win and a Pittsburgh loss and a Baltimore loss and a Houston loss and a N.Y. Jets loss OR a win and a Pittsburgh loss and a Denver loss and a Houston loss and a N.Y. Jets loss OR a win and a N.Y. Jets loss and a Denver loss and a Houston loss and a Baltimore loss
AFC West
	Denver can clinch a playoff spot with: a win (vs. Kansas City) and a N.Y. Jets loss loss or tie (vs. Cincinnati) and a Baltimore loss or tie (vs. Oakland) OR a win and a N.Y. Jets loss or tie and a Pittsburgh loss or tie (vs. Miami) OR a win and a N.Y. Jets loss or tie and a Houston win (vs. New England) OR a win and a Baltimore loss or tie and a Pittsburgh loss or tie OR a win and a Baltimore loss or tie and a Houston win OR a Pittsburgh loss and a Baltimore loss and a Houston loss and a Jacksonville loss (vs. Cleveland) OR a Pittsburgh loss and a Baltimore loss and a Houston loss and a N.Y. Jets loss OR Pittsburgh loss and a Baltimore loss and a Jacksonville loss and a N.Y. Jets loss OR Pittsburgh loss and a Houston loss and a Jacksonville loss and a N.Y. Jets loss OR Miami loss or tie (vs. Pittsburgh) and a N.Y. Jets loss and a Baltimore loss and a Houston loss and a Jacksonville loss or tie
NFC East
	Philadelphia can clinch the NFC East Division with: a win or tie (vs. Dallas)
	Philadelphia can clinch a first-round bye with: a win (vs. Dallas) OR a tie and a Minnesota loss or tie (vs. N.Y. Giants)
	Dallas can clinch the NFC East Division with: a win (vs. Philadelphia)
	Dallas can clinch a first-round bye with: a win and a Minnesota loss (vs. N.Y. Giants) and an Arizona loss or tie (vs. Green Bay)
NFC North
	Minnesota can clinch a first-round bye with: a win (vs. N.Y. Giants) and a Philadelphia loss or tie (vs. Dallas) OR a tie and a Philadelphia loss
NFC West
	Arizona can clinch a first-round bye with: a win (vs. Green Bay) and a Minnesota loss (vs. N.Y. Giants) and a Philadelphia loss (vs. Dallas)

Teams That Have Clinched
AFC East
	New England clinched the AFC East Division (Week 16)
AFC North
	Cincinnati clinched the AFC North Division (Week 16)
AFC South
	Indianapolis clinched the AFC South Division (Week 12) and a first-round bye and home-field advantage throughout the AFC playoffs (Week 14)
AFC West
	San Diego clinched the AFC West Division (Week 15) and a first-round bye (Week 16)
NFC East
	Philadelphia clinched a playoff spot (Week 15)
	Dallas clinched a playoff spot (Week 16)
NFC North
	Minnesota clinched the NFC North Division (Week 15)
	Green Bay clinched a playoff spot (Week 16)
NFC South
	New Orleans clinched the NFC South Division (Week 13) and a first-round bye (Week 14) and homefield advantage (Week 16)
NFC West
	Arizona clinched the NFC West Division (Week 15)

 

And if you REALLY want to get into it, here are the tie-breakers. Warning a MBA in Quantum Physics is a pre-req, for this

AFC Playoff tiebreakers

• New England earns the No. 3 seed over Cincinnati based on strength of victory (.433 to Bengals' .403).
• Denver earns the No. 5 seed over N.Y. Jets and Baltimore based on strength of victory (.513 to Jets' .492 and Ravens' .387) and conference record over Houston (6-5 to Texans' 5-6).
• N.Y. Jets earn the No. 6 seed over Baltimore based on strength of victory (.492 to Ravens' .387) and conference record over Houston (6-5 to Texans' 5-6).
• Baltimore finishes ahead of Houston based on conference record (6-5 over Texans' 5-6).
• Houston finishes ahead of Pittsburgh based on common games (3-1 over Steelers' 1-3).

Divisional tiebreakers

• Baltimore finishes ahead of Pittsburgh based on divisional record (3-3 over Steelers' 2-4).

AFC non-Playoff tiebreakers

• Miami finishes ahead of Jacksonville based on head-to-head (1-0).
• Oakland finishes ahead of Buffalo based on conference record (4-7 over Bills' 3-8).
• Jacksonville finishes ahead of Tennessee based on division record (3-3 to Titans' 2-4).

NFC Playoff tiebreakers

• Philadelphia earns the No 2 seed over Minnesota based on conference record (9-2 to Vikings' 8-3).
• Green Bay earns the No. 5 seed over Dallas based on head to head (1-0).

NFC non-Playoff tiebreakers

• N.Y. Giants finishes ahead of Atlanta based on head to head (1-0).
• Carolina finishes ahead of San Francisco based on conference record (7-4 to 49ers' 6-5).

AFC eliminations

• Cleveland (Week 12), Kansas City (Week 13), Oakland (Week 14), Buffalo (Week 15), Tennessee (Week 16)

NFC eliminations

• Detroit (Week 12), St. Louis (Week 12), Tampa Bay (Week 12), Washington (Week 13), Chicago (Week 14), Seattle (Week 15), Carolina (Week 15), Atlanta (Week 15), San Francisco (Week 15), N.Y. Giants (Week 16)

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NFC playoff train sold out, AFC still has a couple of seats available 

The conundrum that was the AFC playoff picture last week has gotten a bit more vivid after Sunday’s action but far from decided as there are still dozens of scenarios that can come to fruition. What can be confirmed is that the Colts are the 1 and will host until they lose or make the Super Bowl, the SuperChargers are the 2 and looking as good as any in football after 10 straight wins. The Pats control their opportunity to improve their playoff chances tremendously as they’re the only unbeaten team at home this season and can also make Robert Kraft very happy by stuffing is already overflowing pockets with more cash by hosting a home game if they can go into Houston and get a win which won’t be easy as the Texans have something to play for, but if the Pats falter then the Bengals should be right there to pick up slack as they take on the Raiders and a victory sends that game to Cincy. Outside of that, all bets are off but here is how the rest can shake out in the AFC. 

Win and they're in:

Jets – Ok, so much to their own chagrin the Jets still will take their P & Q’s from the New England because if the Pats win then the Bengals have nothing to play for and will probably be resting people, however if NE loses then the Bengals can get a home game. Either way, Jet fans all owe a debt of gratitude to the Colts and should address all donations to the new Jet football as the old one was vacated by the Giants Sunday.  

Ravens – Despite dropping a game they should have won the Ravens are in pretty good shape as they travel to the Nasty Raiders where a win gets them in, as long as the Raiders don’t stir up old memories of a Tony Saragoosa cheap shot on Rich Gannon that cost the Raiders a trip to the Super Bowl at the beginning of the decade. 

Need some love –

Denver- 8-7 – They are the only team that can lose and still get in but they should be next in line if the afore mentioned Jets don’t take care of biznis’ as the Broncos host the Chiefs but then again they hosted the Raiders two weeks ago and that’s why they’re in the position they’re in today.

Texans 8-7 – Host the Pats who will want to win this one to get a game at the Razor so it won’t be easy but the Texans are a good home team and will be playing with heart.

Steelers 8-7 – The defending champs try not to become another statistic of defending champs that don’t make the playoffs the next year but it doesn’t look good. They travel to Miami to take on the fish who all but choked away their playoff hopes last weekend against the Texans but a win in “Leisure Village” won’t be enough on it’s own the Steel City is gonna need some help.   

Need Robert Plant (whole lotta’ love)

Dolphins 7-8 – This roadmap to the playoffs is so complicated that my Garmin can figure out how to get there, but it can happen, and if it does every Dolphin fan should never buy a lotto ticket for the rest of their lives because their luck is all used up.

Jaguars 7-8 – We talked about this weeks ago, they were sitting pretty at 7-5 but we knew their last four games were “the gauntlet” and sure enough they’ve gone 0-3. Their beat Cleveland but it won’t be enough

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Simply the best weekend in the NFL this year.

 

Wow, even fans that like the enthusiasm of college football more than the pros had to admire the football played this weekend, by far the most exciting of the season thus far and with two games still remaining more teams are statistically eligible than any other time since the induction of the wild card. Why this weekend was so good in a nutshell;

Drama of the Unbeatens – How great was that having both the Colts and Saints as the opening act? Prior to the rest of the league, both unbeatens were showcased on separate nights in games with playoff significance. The Colts answered the call and the Saints did not, of course the real winner may not be known for over a month as perhaps some of the Saints players will get some much needed rest prior to the second season when all the records are erased. Meanwhile the Colts, who have a long injury list, try to match the Dolphins and Pats.

 

Last second wins that kept playoff hopes alive – Steelers and Falcons. The defending World Champions are fighting for their playoff lives after overcoming a ‘Belichick’ from Mike Tomlin and getting a last second drive from Big Ben to complete the last second victory and keep the season alive. It still may not be enough after 5 consecutive losses but if this game was the official ‘nail in the coffin’ for Pittsburgh the ledger would have been almost balanced even after winning the rings last year. The Falcons went into a frozen Giants Stadium and upset the J-E-T-S on the last play of the game to keep their faint playoff hope alive while almost putting the Jets to bed. The Falcons need to run the table and get all kinds of help to get in while the Jets are one of SIX teams with a 7-7 record that will not be sorted out until final whistle of the final game in the AFC.

 

Upsets that pulled teams that were out of the fray back in – Denver and Minnesota. How the Raiders went into Mile High as a 14-point dog, with a 3^rd team QB, and a coach on his way out, and got a win I still don’t know. The biggest upset of the year now has a Bronco team that was flying above the swamp within reach of the many predators that inhabit the murky AFC playoff picture. Now at 8-6 they’re only one loss away from some 5^th or 6^th tie-breaker deciding their fate. Did I mention they’re on the road at division leading Philly next week? Now the Vikings are not going to sweat not making the playoffs after getting upset by an inspired Carolina Panther team, but once a shoe-in for home field are only one game up on the Eagles with two games to play. As good as Favre has been, and how unstoppable AD has looked, this team is only 4-3 on the road this year and is looking at traveling to Philly if they don’t close out 2-0, and it won’t be easy, Chicago on a Monday night then traveling to New Yawk’ to face a Giant team who’s entire season will be riding on one game. Pack your bags Brett, you’re going on the road.

 

What game did you think was the best over last weekend? Let us know here and in any of the quick links.

 

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Cowboys leave everyone asking who was ‘dat’ last night?

 

At the beginning of the season Dallas was picked by many to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl, however despite getting out to a 6-2 start the ether began to fade as the chinks in the armor grew to the size as canyons and they dropped 3 of 5, including a 7-6 win against the Skins’ that could have gone either way. Going into the game with the Saints the Ca’Boys were 8-5 and in danger of watching the playoffs from home. Notwithstanding, all of the focus, stories, and attention was on the Saints and their quest for the perfect regular season. In fact, the cowboys we viewed as the last possible speed bump on the way to folk lore and another in a long line that had totaled 13 opponents that were “tryin’ to beat dem’ Saints’. But a strange thing happened on the way to the record books the Cowboys from week 9 showed up, looking like the team that just beat Philly to lead the division rather than the team that had lost two straight. Romo was on point, going 22/34 for 294, stealing the thunder and the game from Cool Brees and the offensive juggernaut that has become New Orleans offense. So now, the questions come pouring in; Did Dallas provide the ‘blueprint’ on how to beat the Saints, stop them on 3^rd down (1-7), don’t allow any big plays (0 over 40), and make them come from behind. Another question is weather this will be the Cowboys we can expect going into the playoffs? Lastly, is losing the perfect season exactly what the Saints needed to relax, focus on the playoffs, and get to the Super Bowl? They still have some work to do to hold off the Vikings, and it’s only one loss so they still have to be favs to come out of the NFC. What do you think was the impact of the game on both teams? Let us know here and in any of the quick links.

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Colts answer the call and send a message in the process

 

Ok, Naw’lins you’re up! The Colts were on a short week, with a large injury list, on the road, and playing a team in a ‘must win’ situation. Not to mention a team that always plays them close, but they answered the call and sent a message to the rest of the league in the process. Any thoughts of the Colts down shifting despite the fact that they have already clinched home field throughout is greatly overstated. But can you possibly overstate the performance of Peyton Manning? In case you missed it, he put some serious ink on that stat sheet, 23/30 for 308, 4 TD’s, and for good measure a 134.4 passer rating. In a war that had alternating scores throughout game, Manning sealed the deal with a 65-yarder to Reggie Wayne with 5 minutes to play. Now the scene shifts to New Orleans, as the Saints face a very similar situation although they don’t have to into such hostile territory as the Ca’Boys come to town, also in a must win, and the Saints playing for nothing but a perfect season and momentum. There will much compare and contrast after this week and I for one am beginning to look forward to a battle of unbeatens in the show. Do you think the Colts and Saints are the best teams in their respective conferences? Let us know here and in the in-game chat rooms.

NFL betting lines…….NFL schedule…..LIVE Chat Rooms for every game on the schedule   

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Saints and Colts can finally see the finish line

 

The unbeatens will get the weekend started as they’re the first two teams to play as the NFL moves to the shortened schedule. The Colts will be working on five days rest as they take on the Jags in what has become a must win for JVille. On Saturday the Saints will host the Ca’Boys who are also in a must win situation. Regardless of what’s at steak for the opponents, both the Colts and Saints can finally see the finish line, the journey through the desert of 1000 miles that began with one step, now has an oasis on the horizon. To go down as only the third/fourth team to finish a regular season unbeaten. The good news for both is that their toughest games are behind them, the bad news is the question of is it really worth it? Both can be getting really healthy over the next three weeks and go into the playoffs with no injury concerns and home field throughout, but not for the afore mentioned journey. However perhaps they both should take notice from the ‘Perfect Patriots’ of 07’ that slowed down considerably as the season went on, especially in the playoffs, after setting an NFL record during the regular season for potency. However these are different teams and this is a different time. The Saints stand to benefit the most from home field as they play in a dome and no dome team has ever won the Super Bowl, and the Colts need to get some people healthy. All that said the NFL would love to see a battle of two unbeatens in the Super Bowl for the first and certainly last time in history, the two weeks of fodder prior to kickoff would be unlike anything fans have ever seen, and I for one would enjoy every bit of it. For once a Bowl that couldn’t be over-hyped, and wouldn’t need to be. Will both the Saints and Colts go unbeaten? If not which one will go down and when? Let us know here and in any of the quick links.

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Bubble will get smaller for several NFL teams this weekend

Many of the teams on the playoff bubble will find that it’s getting much smaller if it hasn’t popped already as it did on Thursday for the defending Super Bowl Champs. However it’s not just the 6-6 clubs that need a victory this weekend several other teams had better recognize how close they are to mire: 

New England – After a crushing loss at Miami last week that should have been put on ice in the 3^rd quarter, now they find out that Tom Brady is questionable for Sunday and as most people, I don’t even know who the NE backup is or if he can play. What we do know is that Carolina’s season is over if they don’t get a victory and they be playing like it. In the back of their minds has to be that they do have the tie-breaker over the Jets (right now) but NOT the fish, so they need to stay one up on them. In their favor is a schedule that is the least daunting of the three.

 

Dallas– I’m not sure if there can be such a thing as an 8-4 team on the bubble but if there can be then the Cowboys are it. To begin with they face the toughest schedule of any remaining team in the NFL, as 3 of their 4 games are against playoff teams (Chargers, Eagles, Saints) and a forth on the road against a heated rival that they only beat by a point at home in their last meeting. Tied with Philly for the division lead going into this weekend, with the Gmen only 1 game behind the Ca’Boys could find themselves on the outside looking in and needing some help real soon. On the other hand, if they can go .500 they could be looking at home field.

 

Philly – Please see Dallas above. Although Philly controls their own destiny as they have games with both the CaBoys and Gmen, , but BOTH are on the road and will be all out wars. Through in the mix a Bronco team that will be needing a victory to stay in the Wild Card Hunt, particularly if JVille gets a win this weekend and it makes for four nail-biting weekends.

 

Jacksonville – the Jags will need to beat one three teams that they will be underdogs to (Miami, Indy, New England) as you have to figure they will take care of business with the Browns even though Pittsburgh couldn’t. A big question for the Jags is how much will Indy have to play for when they meet, as they may catch a break if the Colts are trying to get healthy. Otherwise, the last game of the year with the Pats could be a “winner take all” for the last playoff spot in the AFC.

 

Who will get left out in the cold? Let us know here and in any of the quick links:

 

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NFL's Must Win Sundays

NY Giants hosting Cowboys – The G-Men are truly up against it this time and it’s going to take a similar run to the 2000/01 run that ended in a Super Bowl ring, the year Tom Coughlin guaranteed NY would run the table and make the playoffs. Step one is this Sunday as they host the Ca’Boys, where a loss puts an end to the season and officially declares the beginning of Winter and the end of the Super Bowl Champion era. However the good news for the Giants is that Dallas is 3-7 against them away from the confines of the “cowboy compound”. 

Pittsburgh and Jacksonville - both these teams have games they should win at home as the Steelers host the Nasty Raiders and the Panthers welcome the Texans. A loss puts an end to playoff hopes and moves Tomlin from the penthouse to the outhouse and makes an incredible fall from grace for the defending champs. Meanwhile the Jags host a good Texan team that has let their last two games slip away when it looked like they were in control of the games. The Texans are by no means a ‘gimme’ but one has to question their state of mind after losing a 20-7 lead last week that could have included them in the playoff picture but at 5-6, now must also run the table to be considered in the very competitive AFC. 

Miami Dolphins – this is probably the biggest of the ‘must wins’ because of the potential of the turn around. If the fish can manage to hold serve at home and beat the Pats without the services of Ronnie Brown they can pull back into the playoff picture (however on the outside looking in) because they pick up a full game on the division leaders. Conversely, a loss to the division leaders puts them three back with four to play. More good news, the Pats are 1-5 their last 6 games on the road. However with no Brown the “Wildcat” which is known to give New England so much trouble is more like a “pussycat” and betting on Bill and Tom losing two in a row has been a losing proposition.

 

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Is the NFC’s best only as good as #3 in the AFC? 

Tonight’s Monday Night’s Football matchup between the Pats and Saints is being billed as the best vs. the best as the top two offenses get on the same field. What is surprising is how the pundits are claiming this is the litmus test for the SAINTS, not the Pats. Although New Orleans is unbeaten the skinny has been that they play in a weak division, and their 10 wins have been built on victories over sub .500 teams. Philly has the best record of any of the Saints victims at 7-4, and the Pats are only one better at 7-3 but have more ‘street cred”. Furthermore despite the records (Saints #1 in NFC/Pats #4 in AFC), the home field advantage, this game is being viewed as an even matchup with the betting line moving the Pats way which started at 3 is now down to 1.5. Is this a lack of respect to the Saints that they are not a more prohibited favorite? Perhaps we’re giving the Pats too much credit for their past body of work? Not really, as this game will be a example of the power shift in the NFL, as we think the AFC #4 will go into the house of the NFC #1 and get a victory, thus signaling that any of the top 3 AFC teams (Colts, Bengals, Chargers) would beat the NFC rep in the Super Bowl. Does this victory mean more for the Pats who are fighting to take a stranglehold on the AFC East and get a home playoff game or the Saints who despite being unbeaten seem to still be looking for respect?

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Time for the 50-50’s to make their stand

 

We’re just over the mid-way point in the season and several teams have yet to find their identity or hit their stride, but some do have a little momentum working and the next two or three games will decide if they have an opportunity to extend their season. There plethora of teams treading water at even money including the; Jags, Ravens, Falcons, Giants, Packers, and Eagles, where heads will roll depending on how they close out the month. The Jacksonville Jaguars come into their ‘very winnable’ game against Buffalo at 5-4, winners of 2 straight, and in the mix for the last wild card spot in AFC as the division was so nicely gift wrapped for the Colts by the Pats on Sunday night. The Ravens, minus Terrell Suggs courtesy of a cheap shot by Brady Quinn, will attempt to derail the Indy juggernaut as they have already defeated one unbeaten team on the season, as they initiated the downturn of the Broncos. The Colts are still depleted in the secondary, but if Brady couldn’t exploit it enough to beat them, don’t expect the Ravens to. Then there are the three ‘death matches’ in the NFC, Atlanta 5-4 at NYG 5-4, San Francisco 4-5 at Green Bay 5-4, and Philly 5-4 at Chicago 4-5 where the loser is all but out of the race as even if they win 70% (almost as many as they have won all season thus far) of their remaining games they would still end the season 8-8 and on the outside looking in. Tomorrow there are two games that will either clinch the division (Pats/Jets) and (Chargers/Broncos) or throw it up for grabs. In both games the team with the upper hand is also at home. If the Pats can bounce back and take out their anger on the Jets, they would open up a 3 game lead with 6 to play and the greater New England area and Bill can be friends again. After the Chargers pummel the Broncos and backup Chris Simms the SuperChargers will have the one-game lead, tie-breaker, and looking to host a first round game as there is no one left in the AFC Weak to stand in their way. Which teams will survive the Steel Cage Death Match?

 

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Was it a roll of the dice or fear? 

Now that the dust has settled and we’ve had an opportunity to hear both sides of the argument, analyze endless statistics such as; the Patriots 4^th down completion percentage vs. the Colts (74.8%) as opposed to the percentage of times opponents had gained the necessary 4^th down yardage against the Colts (60%), we’ve decided to refer to an older formula to resolve the argument weather Bill’s decision was the right one. Ours may date back to the 14^th century but if Bill would have followed it the Pats would probably be 7-2, a half game behind the Colts (tie-breaker) and in front of the Begals, Broncos, and Chargers for the best record and home field throughout. Occam’s Razor states that "entities must not be multiplied beyond necessity" or loosely translates to the “simplest explanation is usually the best one”. The genius simply out thought himself this time and made a situation way  more complicated than it needed to be. Peyton and the Colts scored on their last two possessions true, however that was with no time constraints and a full array of the playbook, including set-up plays at their disposal. It’s quite a different animal when you have to complete the task inside 2 minutes and travel 60-70 yards in the process. Instead Bill opted not to trust his defense, and put the game in the hands of the top offense in the league. Ok, make your argument about the status of the Colt D with their injuries, but then again Brady didn’t even throw at one of the rookie corners. Or retort with the percentage argument, but I’ll ‘trump’ you by pointing out that if you don’t make the first down the game is surely over, and therefore you get one play to make where Peyton would have to string together at lest 4 or 5 without a mistake. Bottom line is the ‘rule of thumb’ is a there for a reason, because all things being equal (Cēterīs paribus if you want to stay in the 14th century) the Pats would have been better off punting the ball and forcing a tired Colt offense to string together a last second drive against the 14^th ranked defense. But then again what do we know, as we’re just simple minded spectators that sometimes come up with a solution is the best one. What do you think about Bill’s decision? Let us know here and in the Patriots/Colt chat room or quick links.

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NFL mid-season report

 

On the brink of the second half of the NFL season we wanted to take stalk on where the season has been and where it’s headed. 

Biggest surprise Denver Broncos – We realize they’ve lost two games in a row, but even with that said, who would have thought the Broncos would be in first place in the AFC west with a game lead, and a victory over two division opponents? Of course things can change but right now it’s looking like the Broncos got the better end of the deal with Chicago, in their off-season quarterback exchange. Even more surprising than Orton’s performance has been the Bronco D, which has only allowed 13.8 points per game. The Broncos still have another game with the bolts, plus games with the G-men, Colts, and Eagles in the second half so nothing will come easy. 

Biggest disappointment Tennessee Titans – Hard to believe this team was 13-3 last year with home court throughout. Not only did they take a first game exit, but they will not even make it back to the playoffs this year. QB controversy is among the problem list in the Music City. After an executive management intervention Vince Young took the helm and led them to their first victory of the season. Now he has to regain the trust of his teammates and coaching staff to prove that he’s worthy of the first pick, that fat contract, and can lead them into the future. Three upcoming games with the Bills, Texans, and Cards could make the season respectable. 

Co-MVPs Peyton Manning and Drew Breese – You can’t lean one way or the other on this one as both Qs have lead their teams to 8-0 records and in position to clinch home field throughout the playoffs. Both have put up Pro-Bowl numbers, Peyton is 221-313, for 2535 and 16 TDs, while Drew is 181-265, for 2336 and 17 TDs. However if Peyton can manage to keep the Colts on top of the AFC you would have to swing the MVP vote his way because of the gauntlet of a schedule they face. The marquis game this week with the 3-time Super Bowl MVP Brady, then with matchups with the Ravens, Texans (they always play the Colts tough), Broncos, and Jets. On the other hand the Saints have a legitimate shot to run the gauntlet and go unbeaten. Their two major hurdles New England and Dallas are in the Dome, the rest are with sub-500 teams and can easily be won. Truth be told, if  DB can complete the 16 game feat hand him the hardware after where that franchise has been.

Casper the Ghost award for being transparent Terrell Owens – I can’t remember when someone has come to a team with so more hype and turned out to be all sizzle and no steak. Although he wasn’t expected to turn the franchise around, it was anticipated that he would improve the offense but they’re actually worse this year, and TO stats? 23 reps for 231 yards and 1 TD, not a misprint, he’s not even the top receiver on the team let alone a top receiver in the league.  

 

Who is your biggest surprise, disappointment, and MVP? Let us know here and in any of the quick links:

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Is the bi-polar nature of the NFL becoming a problem?

As a entity that tries to pay attention to all aspects of the football spectrum, from stats to betting lines, and one thing that jumps out is the discrepancy between the top and bottom teams this year. In previous years, when you saw a 14-point plus line it was cause for trepidation and fear of a ‘bear trap’, but this year the dogs just aren’t barking and there’s no harbinger that shows that they won’t continue to be tamed. Last week alone three favs laid over two touchdowns and covered easily (Pat, Colts, Packers) and the Jets proved to be a steal at -10. Approaching the mid-way point in the season and still no “Dog Day Afternoon” where the battered and beaten rise up against the powerful. Unfortunately for dog lovers and the NFL in general it appears that for the first time in years there is a real continental divide between the best and the worst, the gap is substantial, and widening faster than a California fault line. Speaking of California, one of the culprits are the Raiders, whose management is so bad there is talk of having Al ‘Don’ Davis ruled incompetent. Sticking with bad management, the Redskins have proven that money can not buy happiness, as they still have not mastered the art of currency exchange, while trying to convert US Dollars to US wins. Ironically, these are not the most critical patients. 20% of the league has one or no wins, making for a ton of games that no one wants to see either because there’s nothing at steak or the inevitable blowout like last weekend. This is something the league has to consider any time the subject of salary cap comes up as although it’s not an 162 game season, you’ve already got games being blacked out and teams eliminated from playoff contention and we haven’t even handed out candy or cut the turkey yet. And if you support one the afore mentioned clubs, you may be entitled to a 50% refund on your NFL Sunday Ticket because it may not be used come November. Is the good/bad situation in the NFL serious? Can you see some of the bad teams making their season respectable? Let us know here and in any of the quick links. 

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Will the real contenders please stand up? 

This far this year we’ve had plenty of story lines to keep things more than interesting and it actually started in the pre-season with the JC drama out of Denver and into Chi-Town (and now with a contract extension!), but now it’s time for the real contenders to step up and take their respective divisions and put the pretenders to bed. Please note this warning does not hold true for the following teams: New Orleans, Minnesota, Indianapolis, and Denver, yes Denver. All of the afore mentioned clubs have beaten everyone they’ve put in front of them and as we approach the mid-way point in the season look like they deserve to host one and perhaps two games. But we’ve talked about them before. This is about any team that with a blemish or two on their record but wants to play with the big boys, starting with the defending World Champion Pittsburgh Steelers (4-2), tied for first and winners of 3 straight, but the upcoming stretch of Vikings, Broncos, Bengals will truly show if they are ready to step up to the “Steel City” teams of the 70’s and compete for back to back rings. Thus far they have been inconsistent and have not been able to put teams away once they’ve had them down.  New England Patriots (4-2), we still don’t think you’re all the way back and a 59-0 drubbing over a winless team with a banged up secondary doesn’t change anything. The Pats have lost two of their three biggest test this year with (Jets, Broncos, and Ravens) but have another one coming up with the Colts in a game that used to decide home field for the AFC Championship in the past, but right now the Pats haven’t shown the consistency to be in the same class as the unbeaten Colts. Atlanta Falcons (5-1) if they didn’t have to deal with the Saints they would be screaming about a trip to Florida come February, but unfortunately New Orleans does reside in the same division and is currently unbeaten, but don’t worry Black Bird fans as your chance to pull the mutiny will come soon enough in two weeks as long as you don’t get caught looking ahead. Lastly, the Jets are now 3-3, Sanchez has come back down to earth (5 picks in his last start) and the Jet-Mets have no where to turn for sports as they can’t watch baseball either. If Sanchez is not have a come-to-earth experience then teams have begun to scheme for him and he’d better start looking defenders off and mixing things up or he will soon suffer ‘pine disease’ like his predecessor Matt Leinart.

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It’s time to eat like a man and give credit where credit is due 

We would like to take this opportunity to formally apologize to the Denver Broncos for calling them the worst 4-0 team in history, not just because they won a tough overtime game against a good team, but because they have shown a pattern of doing so, and that’s what good teams do. Starting the with “immaculate deflection”, to “Marshall’s Miracle”, and ending with “D-day” when they shut out the high powered New England offense in the second half leading to a 20-17 victory, vindication of the student over the mastermind, an undefeated 5-0 record, and ‘crow ala king’ for various pundits across the NFL including us. It may seem like last year’s news but a month and a half ago, the city of Denver was ready to burn the Josh ‘McDaniels, “the Patriot infiltrator”, at the stake, after letting pro-bowler Jay Cutler go to Chicago in “Pau-Gasol like” fashion not seeming to get anything in return, then citing Brandon Marshall for conduct detrimental and threatening to keep him on the pine. However, 6 weeks later, the Broncos are 5-0 for the first time in 11 years, they have 10 productive rookies on their 40-man roster, and have shown copious amounts of intestinal fortitude in the final minutes of games to steal victories in situations that Shanny let slip away over the past 3 years. Ok, apology accepted? Now it’s time for the cynic to rear his ugly head. Let’s not forget this is a team that has not been 2 games over .500 since 2005, Kyle Orton is 16^th in passing percentage (Denver is 15^th overall), and they have a BRUTAL schedule up coming where 5 of their next 6 opponents have winning records (SD, Pitt, Bal, NYG) and four teams are ranked in the top 10 defensively ( Pitt, Bal, Wash, NYG). I’m not sayin’, I’m just sayin’ it’s not beyond the realm possibility that they could be 5-5 come Thanksgiving. We’re not predicting this, but it we wouldn’t be surprised. I guess we were still hungry because we’ve put ourselves in line for a second helping. 

When do you think the Bronco’s ride will finally end? What do you think their record will be at the end of the season? Let us know here and in any of the quick links:

 

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Injuries could play major role in NFL weekend matchups

 

Pats at Broncos – A (3-1) vs (4-0) match up with the undefeated home team as a 3-point dog. This game has been pegged as the “mentor vs. the master” as Josh and Bill lock horns for the first time, but the truth is that each team knows what the other is going to try to do, therefore it’ll comes back to who can execute. In that regard, the Broncos not having the services of Correll Buckhalter will make a difference. On the other side of the ball the Pats WILL have the services of Jerrod Mayo making their defense even better on top of the fact that they broke in to the 10 in the league last week. Pats win on the road.

 

Fortunately for some of the majors riddled by injuries should be able to give them a rest.

 

Colts at Titans – Bob Sanders is doubtful for the Colt’s matchup with the winless Titans who are desperate to get their first win of the season. The Colts get a break as the Titans still have/and will continue to have quarterback issues and the lack of consistency at that position will be the difference in this one. Colts win, but closer than you think.

 

Steelers at Lions – The World Champions lose one starter on each side of the ball as TP is doubtful for the defense and Parker is out for the offense. The good news, their playing the worst team in football over the past two years, the Lions. Regardless of where this game is played the Steelers will still have enough to outscore the Lions by 1 and get the victory. A fat line of 10.5 may be another story though. Steelers by 7.

 

Cowboys at Chiefs – No Roy Williams could end up to be a bigger factor than most people think as Tony Ro’mantic’ has been struggling to find receivers when it counts. The pressures is mounting game by game and he needs a breakout Sunday to get him off the hot seat. Winless teams are always dangerous particularly at home. We’re going off the board and taking the ‘Chefs’ as our upset special.

 

Oakland at Giants – Eli is a “game time decision” but in all probability he’s not going to play so the GMen will be going with David Carr (who is not a bad back-up) going up against the Raiders backup Jamarcus Russell (who should be a back-up) so I’ll that matchup all day. Giants rest Eli, stay unbeaten, an get ready for stretch that includes the Saints and Eagles.

 

 

Unbeatens look to hit the crucial 4-0 milepost

 

Historically over 80% of the teams that have started the season 4-0 have reached the post season. That is the dangling carrot in front of the seven remaining unbeaten teams but a couple have a shot not only getting to 4-0 but well beyond. Teams in the best position:

 

NY Giants – Actually the GMen will go to 5-0 before they’re tested. A nice draw with the weakest division in football as their counter division (AFC West) will help them throughout the year, and the next two weeks are a prime example, as they are hosting the 'Chefs', going to the Raiders, prior to their litmus test with Saints.

 

Indy Colts – Have a golden opportunity to take pole position in the race for the best record in the NFL and home field throughout. Indy’s next 3 games are against teams with a combined record of 1-8 (Seahawks, Titans, Rams) although desperate, not enough talent to hang with Peyton & Co. look for them to be 6-0 and looking down at the rest of the AFC.

 

Shifting gears the toughest road over the next three games, Ravens next three games are with teams with a combined record of 7-2 (Pats, Bengals, and Vikes) with 2 of them on the road, the defense has been carrying the load for the Baltimore for years but they’ll need a balanced attack if they want to get to 6-0.

 

Along the same lines are the Saints who will take on the “Boardwalk and Parkplace” of the NFL as they hit the big apple to face the Giants and Jets then if there is anything left, they’ll try to avoid a letdown when they face the Dolphins.

 

The Jets and Vikings could do worse than their schedules but the Vikings will play in the highly watched football game in the history of Monday Night Football in the first ever “Favre Bowl” even thought the game is at home it’ll be no picnic. If the J-E-T-S can get by New Orleans then they get the weakest end of their division with the Bills and Fins. If the rookie Sanchez can hold it together NYJ will be -4 under par at the turn and looking to close out the East.

 

Ok, Denver is 3-0 but I don’t think anyone reading this believes they will be after next week. In fact they will at best be 4-2 and probably 3-3 after dates with the CaBoys, Pats, and Bolts. Then the rookie coach finds out how the other half lives. Who do you think will be the last undefeated team standing? Let us know here and in any of live chat rooms or team rooms. Also check out the quick links to get all the info you need of the NFL weekend.

 

 

 

Top seeds find the change of seasons not to their liking

Last year Tennessee started the season 10-0 and there was talk of a perfect season, they ended the season 13-3. This year they begin the season 0-2 and the talk is all about the percentages of making the playoffs when you drop your first 2 games. Collins may have had his swan song last year but over the last 3 games (playoffs included) it looks like the Titan Offense in not fooling anybody. Then there’s the Chargers, now famous for the dubious honor of being the only .500 team that won both a division and playoff game. LT’s out with injury, again, they were the benefactor of a terrible booth review or they would also be 0-2. The favorites in Vegas to win the AFC (New England/Pittsburgh) have hit stumbling blocks en route to the Championship game as they may not even be the best teams in their respective divisions. The Pats, formerly known for an offense that could not be tamed, failed to score a touchdown in their loss in New York. The Jets mind you, will be the best team in the division if rookie QB Mark Sanchez continues to show improvement. Meanwhile the kicking game cost Pittsburgh a win at Chi-town and now the Steelers are also 1-1 on the young season, but now that the Ravens have some O, to go with their D, are they the heir apparent?  The only change is in the NFC where it could be the 80’s re-visited, as the last time the NFC list of division leaders read this way, Duran Duran was the number one band in country, Joe Montana, was leading the Niners to their first Super Bowl victory, and Parcels had put together the meanest defense in the league behind Lawrence Taylor. The 49’ers, Giants, Vikings, and Falcons sit atop their respective divisions all with drama stores that had skeptics questioning them in the off season. The Niners’ had, and continue to battle with Crabtree, the Vikings were trying to sign and get Favre to come to practice, the Falcons did not convince anyone they had moved back to the playoff level they were with Vick at the helm, and Giants couldn’t turn on a tv, radio, or computer without hearing about Plax’s legal issues. Now we’ll see how they handle some positive press. Who is the biggest disapointment of the early season? Let us know here and in the individual chat rooms and team rooms.

 

Quarterbacks take center stage as the 09/10 season debuts

As far as the NFL is concerned the 09’ summer will be known of the summer for QB controversy as most of the top off-season stories involved the key position and week one did not provide many answers, and perhaps, posed even more questions.

Was signing Brett Favre a good move? – Early returns are positive but it could be fools gold as the Vikings did get the win on the road, BUT it was against a sub-par Browns squad, Brett only had 110 yards passing, and AP carried the load on offense. Grade C

Will Mark Sanchez make a good starting QB? Did he leave too early? – Actually as opposed to his fellow Trojan who struggled when the lights came on in Arizona, Sanchez had a good debut throwing for 272 with 2 TD’s and one Int. On the positive side he proved he can handle the speed of the game and read the coverage. On top of that, he did it on the road against a defense that was coming after him all day. Now if he drops 200 plus on the Pats next week then we’ll crown him as “arrived”. Grade B+

Who will come out better in “wife swap”? Cutler and da Bears won round 1 with a meaningless pre-season game victory, but you have to give round 2 to the Broncos and Orton because at the end of the day it’s Denver who is 1-0. In regards to the Q’s themselves, Orton did what he could not do in Chi-town, “not give the game away” only 243 yards passing but NO PICKS! Cutler, 277 yards and count em’ 4 PICKS. Grades D

How will Tom Brady play after sitting out a year?  Well, you can look at this two ways, from a negative that despite playing in the pre-season the Patriots timing was way off, Brady missed and threw behind open receivers most of the night and severed up a huge pick-6 to give the Bills the lead in a game where points were hard to come by. On the positive side the last 5 minutes looked like he never missed a snap, leading the Pats to two touchdowns, on great passes to win the game in final minute. We’ll have to wait and see how he does against the Jets next week. Grade C

How much will Michael Vick Contribute to the Eagles this year? Well now that question takes on a whole new meaning as McNabb suffered a bruised rib on a cheap shot in the end zone on Sunday. Out for an indefinite time, Philly broke out the ol’ dependable “Volvo Vet” in Jeff Garcia to pass the time until DMac returns. So this question will be answered by week 3 as Philly has immediately activated Vick to give him some snaps in practice. Can you say Wildcat?

 

So most of the QB’s passed but only Sanchez had a Phi Beta performance. For most the jury is still out, and there will be many more tough exams to come. Which QB had the best week 1 performance? 

On the eve of kickoff, did the pre-season offer any insight to who will be playing in Feb 2010?

Well, if you put any validity in the NFL pre-season then you would have to assess that the same familiar faces will be dueling it out for the AFC title and the NFC is up for grabs. Of course that’s a big ‘IF’ as the pre-season has never meant much after the first series of downs, but this year could be the exception as many familiar names that normally have the mysterious ‘hamstring’ or ‘active reserve’ injuries have taken the field and, with something to prove. Names like Brady, Tomlinson, Manning, Vick, and Favre all hit the field with a purpose. The result? Every division winner from last year on their respective division in the pre-season in the AFC en route to sending a message. While in the NFC 3 of the 4 division winners finished dead last, once again sending a message, because those 3 teams that won the pre-season division were not playoff participants last year, including the defending NFC champion Arizona Cardinals who not only failed to even win a contest, but got outscored by 47 points, the largest margin of any team. How important this is great fodder for odds makers and pundits alike but don’t be surprised if it all goes out the window by Tuesday. Does the pre-season many anything? What team showed the most or least over the last month? Let us know here and all of the site quick links, including live chat rooms for every game on the NFL schedule.
 

NFC North not “black n’blue” any more

The NFC North which Chris Burman coined as the NFL “Norris Division” will not look the same for years to come beginning this year’s crop of quarterbacks. In fact don’t be surprised if Burman is calling it the WAC before long. Starting with the acquisition of the off-season (for the second year in a row) Brett Favre now a Viking coupled with number one draft choice Percy Harvin promises to keep teams from going ‘8-in-the-box’ to stop Adrian Peterson. Suddenly the Vikings have their version of the three amigos. Keeping in the subject of number one picks, Detroit seems to have a winner with Matthew Stafford after years of fruitless top choices. He looks like he can come in and bring an instant aerial attack to Detroit, as he too will be armed with a potent and explosive receiving core. The “bitter ex” soap opera of the off season was the Jay Cutler divorce from Denver as JC now finds himself in ‘Chi Town’ Da Bears may finally an offense to accompany their perennial tough defense. Like everyone else in this division, Chicago believes they now have the components to take them to the show. Lastly, the team that started this whole transformation, the Pack, when they opted for youth and Aaron Rodgers over experience and let Brett walk out the door and to the lights of NYC, well now he’s back and the Sunday night matchup between old flames promises to be messier than an LA divorce, but great for ratings, as it will easily be the highest watched game in the history of ESPN football telecast to this point. It appears all four teams can make an argument for why they’ll be division champs, but that is why the NFC (WAC) won’t be subject of complaints when CBS makes it the network game of the week. Can Favre stay healthy enough to lead Minnesota back to the Bowl? Are they now the team to beat? Is Cutler the missing link for the Bears? Can Rodgers bring back the Pack? How good is the rookie Stafford? Let us know here and in the NFL Chat rooms and Individual Team rooms.

 

NFL Pre-Season officially gets under way as four games are on the slate this week in addition to some interesting storylines.

Vick will be signed to an NFL club by the end of the week – It appears that finally Vick has some straight up people in his corner as Tony Dungy has come up big in recent days vouching for his character. This has made all the difference as MV was given no chance of playing in the NFL two weeks ago and now a roster spot seems imminent. MV will appear on 60 minutes this Sunday in further attempt to illustrate his degree of change. In addition to Vick, Stallworth is awaiting his ‘sentence’ from Roger Goodell who seems to have gotten off easy in regards to jail time (he also has massive community service and an 8 year probation) as when all was said and done he only spent 24 days behind bars as opposed to the 18+months Vick served. As far as people who will actually be PLAYING, Brady will be behind center for the first time in nearly a year as the Pats take the field against the Eagles on Thursday. Officially one month away from the start of the season and there are several teams who have some major decisions to make on will be taking snaps on opening day. Starting with the Vikings who have a major QB riff even now that Favre is not in the mix. Nether Tavaris Jackson or Sage Rosenfels has set the world on fire thus far according to reports, but the only true litmus test can against other competition so Thursday may be the first exam. Also in the NFC ‘black n’ blue’ division the Lion’s first round draft choice may not be such an obvious choice to start on opening day as the crafty vet Daunte Culpepper has dropped 30lbs and is playing as well as he has in recent years. Despite the hype and his quick learning curve, it may be wise for Detroit to let the rookie watch the first couple of games from the comfort of the sideline. Speaking of hype, when are the Raiders going to reap any dividends from J-Russ? Tom Cable may be on the hot seat before the weather cools down if Russell doesn’t show vast improvement over the end of last year. After his holdout to start his career, you can’t say the pressure put on Jamarcus isn’t justified and the added pressure may hinder that progress. Are you taking notes Michael Crabtree? Who has the biggest question to be answered at Quarterback? Let us know in the NFL chat rooms, team rooms, and NFL Blog.