|
| AFC North |
 |
 |
 |
 |
AFC East |
 |
 |
 |
 |
AFC West |
 |
 |
 |
 |
AFC South |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| NFC North |
 |
 |
 |
 |
NFC East |
 |
 |
 |
 |
NFC West |
 |
 |
 |
 |
NFC South |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
|
|
thoughts and observations |
| |
WEEK TEN REVIEW
Before I start, I would like to wish everyone a safe and Happy Thanksgiving holiday. Eat well, watch football, take a nap and start stressing over Christmas.
Okay, here we go again. A week ago, the Packers come off a big victory over the Bears, and I read that the Packers could challenge the Rams in the NFC, and the Bears could start to find hard times with the upcoming schedule. Then what happens? The Pack lays an egg at home against the Falcons, and the Bears proceed to take it to the Bucs in Tampa.
Oh, and there was more talk. The Ravens were looking like their old selves. After a quick start, the Browns were sliding. Then the Browns completes a season sweep of the Ravens.
So don't be surprised to see all the writing and talk this week going towards the Bears challenging the Rams in the NFC, and the Browns becoming a legit playoff contender.
But what is really happening? The Packers are a good team, but I have been skeptical all season. There's too many up-and-down performances there. The Bears are solid, and now that they have found the deep passing game again, they are downright scary. But as far as the NFC, the 49ers have a lot of momentum, and look like they will be there all the way through. La Machine is the class, and unless injuries keep coming, there likely will be little challenging them down the stretch.
The AFC is still all about the Raiders and Steelers. The Steelers just win, while the Raiders win well (after overcoming a hiccup or two). I cannot see anyone challenging them on the way to the AFC Championship, except the Jets. Yes, the Jets. They are getting better weekly, and are one of those teams that could shock a lot of people in the playoffs.
Other than that, it would take quite a surprise to see any changes in the current makeup. What is intriguing is things looked more like normal football. I didn't see one highlight of a trick play.
A look around...
Who Owns These Stadiums?
The big stat of the week is 10-4. That's the record visiting teams compiled. All season there has appeared to be a disparity for home teams that has not been there before. The Packers lost to Atlanta at Lambeau! Is that odd enough for you? The Dolphins were shut out at home. The Ravens and Broncos were beaten. While this stat may seem a bit odd and out of whack right now, it should make for some interesting games come playoff time.
Scaredy Fish
We know the Dolphins are a good team. We know the Jets are an up-and-comer. But how can the Jets stretch a win streak out to eight games against the Fish? Talk about your mental blocks. There is no other reason I can come up with. The Jets walked into Miami and took it to them the entire game. Then again, maybe the Dolphins are a bit overhyped. Their three losses were the two to the Jets and a blowout loss to the Rams. They have won a couple of big games, most notably against the Raiders, but this is a team known to faulter down the stretch, and I would not be surprised to see it again.
Passing Fancies
Remember the theme of week nine? All the running backs that ran wild? Shaun Alexander, Marshall Faulk, Curtis Martin, etc., etc.? Well, for all the talk of the running games last week, there should be equal talk of the passing games of Sunday. Eight quarterbacks threw for over 300 yards. Two of which threw for over 400, and another with 399. Much has been made in past weeks about leading passers losing their games, but only four of those players lost. Three more were close to winning. Of course, nothing has been said, but I thought it was worth mentioning.
16-Minute Rice
Just when you think his fifteen minutes are up, Jerry Rice has a big game and extends it. We know he's a step slower, and not the player he once was, but if you watched any of his catches Sunday, you would think it was the Rice of old. A pretty amazing game by Rice.
Withering Heights
There were a few blowouts Sunday. Dallas was one of them. However, how bad can things get for Carolina, Buffalo and Detroit. The Panthers had the 49ers on the ropes, the Bills lose by three after a solid game and the Lions blew a ten point lead, scored 38 points and still lost. While the Lions will still battle to avoid an 0-16 season and try to find some self respect, the same cannot really be said for the Panthers and Bills. The Panthers latest loss was really disparaging, and could be the final blow to a team that may be going through the motions down the stretch. The Bills are the best team with a record like theirs, but they cannot buy a win. Heavy bummer for all these teams.
Withering Heights, Part II
While the down teams continue to struggle, the season is on the verge of collapse for the Bengals, Colts, Chargers, Broncos and Bucs. The Bengals cannot step up when the need to. Too much has happened to the Colts to pull out the season. The Chargers just are not good enough yet. None of those team will likely challenge for a playoff spot. The Broncos and Bucs still could, but it's doubtful. The Bucs get to travel to St. Louis next week for a Monday night game. The Broncos miss Ed McCaffrey too much, and no Rod Smith is on a gimpy ankle. What's really funny for the Broncos is of all those great backs, none of them seem to be able to get on track this season.
My Picks Last Week
First, let me apologize for leaving in the Atlanta-Cleveland game. That was supposed to be the Falcons at Packers. I must have typed it wrong when laying it out. I screwed up, so I won't count it. As far as the real picks, I came out pretty good, landing ten of the thirteen prior to Monday night. I don't think many people actually called the Browns win. Let's go for some more.
MIKE LIKES
Week Nine (Bye: New York Jets):
Green Bay (-6) at Detroit
The Packers are not winning the games they are supposed to every week, and the Lions keep getting close. Sooner or later, the Lions will break through, and I believe they could on Turkey Day. Still, it's too hard to call their name right now.
Pick: Packers
Denver (-7) at Dallas
I have this strange feeling that this could be a better game than it looks, too. The Broncos are really struggling, and with Rod Smith's ankle hurting and no time to stay off it before Thursday it could spell trouble. The Denver defense will probably be the heroes.
Pick: Broncos
Miami (-5) at Buffalo
That Jets loss hurts the Dolphins, and it could linger. The Bills played better, and I like Alex Van Pelt, who no one ever notices. It's going to be close, but again, I cannot call this upset.
Pick: Dolphins
Pittsburgh at Tennessee (-2)
The Steelers blew them out in the first match-up, but this one should be closer. There should be plenty of field goals. The Titans have played skittish all season, and the Steelers will keep it low-scoring.
Pick: Steelers
San Francisco at Indianapolis (-3)
This is going to have to be a high scoring game for the Colts to win. The problem is the Colts offense is not clicking with all the problems there. The 49ers will probably win it in overtime. They like it that way.
Pick: 49ers
Seattle at Kansas City (-1.5)
I'm not sure why the Chiefs are favored. Arrowhead is a great home field, but the Seahawks are playing better and are in better shape. Holmgren doesn't fare well in KC, but the Chiefs are way down.
Pick: Seahawks
Washington at Philadelphia (-8.5)
The spread is a bit lop-sided for me, but the Eagles are winning with style right now. Both offensively and defensively. It's hard to tell what is going to happen at quarterback for the Redskins. This one will likely prove to be too much for Washington.
Pick: Eagles
Atlanta (-2.5) at Carolina
The Falcons are probably better than they get credit for...especially with Chris Chandler at the helm. Considering that, and the fact that the Panthers probably don't have much left in the tank, and it's hard to go against the Falcons.
Pick: Falcons
Cincinnati at Cleveland (-6)
The Bengals took the first one in Cincy, but the Browns are the better all around team right now, and plays like they're on a mission. The Bengals have a chance to provide a challenge and even win, but have not been consistent enough.
Pick: Browns
New Orleans at New England (No Line)
The Saints are getting ready to find out what the Rams just did...that the Patriots can play. Tom Brady will probably still be the starter, and the Saints will have their hands full. The Saints appeared to hit stride against the Colts, but I believe this can go either way. I'll pick based on overall talent.
Pick: Saints
Arizona at San Diego (-7)
This should be a good game. The Chargers are the better team, but the Cardinals can get hot and provide problems. The Chargers are not playing as well on defense as earlier in the season, but they should still have enough.
Pick: Chargers
Tampa Bay at St. Louis (-10)
This was a high scoring affair last year, but we all know the Rams defense is much, much better. The Bucs are really struggling to do anything on a consistent level. These teams don't like each other, but I don't feel there is much the Bucs can do for 60-minutes that will give them the win.
Pick: Rams
Moving on...
| | |
THINGS I KNOW:
If Terrell Davis could stay healthy, he could find some job security...and his way back into his soup commercials.
The Dallas Cowboys need a quarterback.
If Bears coach Dick Jauron is fired at season's end, it's a big mistake.
The talk of Kurt Warner's thumb should now be put to rest.
Rich Gannon has played well enough to be MVP, but probably will not get it.
THINGS I CAN PREDICT:
The Dolphins will go searching for a new running back in the offseason.
Jerry Rice's TD record will be virtually unreachable by the time he retires.
The Lions will catch and surpass the Panthers in wins by season's end.
It will be several more games before Drew Bledsoe sees the field again.
Emmitt Smith will not break Walter Payton's rushing record, even if he plays all of next season.
Mike owns and publishes SkillPositions.Com, along with a big, expensive, and talented staff. Don't use this work without permission in writing. Mike has been known as the world's only living heart donor. He also thinks morals are paintings on walls, and scruples are money in Russia.
|
|
| | | |
