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thoughts and observations |
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WEEK ELEVEN REVIEW
Say what you want about Redskins coach Marty Schottenheimer. He's a winner. The job he has done in Washington has been nothing short of amazing. Of all the offensive changes he went through while coaching the Chiefs, Schottenheimer went back to what found him success in his early years in Kansas City and Cleveland. A pounding running game and tough defense.
When the Redskins started 0-5, my thoughts were the game had probably passed Schottenheimer by. I'll admit, I thought the same thing of Dick Vermeil in his first two seasons with the Rams, but he proved me wrong. So did Schottenheimer. I was shocked, because Schottenheimer was always fielding fundamentally sound teams. And then there were the veteran players not helping matters. And by veterans, I mean mostly Bruce Smith.
Now, the Redskins look like a playoff team, and I would venture to guess they probably will be...or close. And if they make the playoffs, we will all get to hear about Schottenheimer not being a playoff coach and how he cannot get to the Super Bowl. While he won't this year, he really deserves more credit than he gets about this topic.
First, consider he took the Browns to two straight AFC Championship games, and was victim to a Ernest Byner fumble, and John Elway's "The Drive." In Kansas City, he never really had the superior AFC team. But he still was within striking distance a few times.
You see, Schottenheimer's problem is that he makes can make a team a playoff contender quickly. Probably too quickly. When you reach the playoffs with any lack of talent, you then have to suffer from lower draft picks, which can preclude you from acquiring the talent to push you over the top. In the case of the Redskins, he may have enough core talent to change his luck. Only time will tell. But this much is certain; Schottenheimer can coach. And you can imagine where he will have the Redskins when he can weed out the malcontents and gather more of his type of players.
A look around...
Road Kill
Away teams won ten games Sunday. That's two weeks in a row in double-digits for the road teams. How can teams like the Eagles, Colts and Vikings lay such big eggs at home? It's perplexing, but as I said last week, it should make for some interesting playoffs.
Soaring
Did you know that if the playoffs started next weekend the Falcons would be in? That's right, they're 6-4, and if you discount the two losses to the 49ers, each of which they could have won, this team would be getting a lot more recognition. Of course, they still have to play the Rams twice. We'll see where they are then. By the way, have you noticed that as the Falcons have been in the thick of things that we've seen less Michael Vick playing time?
Sore-ing
What has happened to the Colts? So their defense isn't really any better than last year. So they lost Edgerrin James. They still have the rest of the offense intact, and Dominic Rhodes has taken up James slack. Consider that Peyton Manning has thrown a bazillion interceptions, six of which have been returned for touchdowns. That's mind boggling. When it gets to that point, you have to wonder how much the offensive coaches play into that. I guess that doesn't really matter, because I would be shocked to see Jim Mora back at the helm next year.
Surprise, Surprised
How do some things get your attention and not others? For instance, we haven't missed that the Jets are 7-3. We haven't missed that the Patriots are 6-5. What shocked me most was looking at the Dolphins and seeing them at 7-3. They just got shellacked by the Jets last week, and have lost two to them. Then, they are blown out by the Rams earlier this season. It just seems that they have lost more than three games. I dunno. I guess all that talk surrounding Jay Feidler made me believe it was worse.
Grab The Fork and The Fat Lady
Guess who is done? Yeah, yeah, we know who won't be going further than the regular season finale in most cases, but who are the ones I think are done that were playoff contenders? Well, let me tell you. The Giants are one. They just are not good. After watching Kerry Collins move up in the pocket right into the pass rush last week against the Vikings, you just sort of know. Speaking of the Vikings...done. They have about as much chemistry as a microbial. This is written prior to the Monday nighter, but the Bucs problems are much greater than when they have made surges the past two years. Done. The Titans just don't have it. Their stars are showing wear and tear, and the defense has dropped off. Done. Then there's the Saints. Their Jeckyl and Hyde routine does not help. Done. There they are. That's my thoughts.
Order Your Postseason Tickets
Who's in, that I see? The Rams will be playing at home in the NFC Championship, and it should be against the Bears or 49ers. The Falcons will get close. The Skins will make a run, and the Eagles will squeeze in. The Packers will be there, and could surprise and be playing the Rams. The AFC will see the Raiders or Steelers hosting the Championship, probably against each other. The Dolphins and Jets should be around. You have to like the Ravens chances, though I'm not sold on this team. The Browns, Broncos, Patriots and Seahawks will be battling for the final two spots. I like the Patriots and Broncos. There's your strong teams.
My Picks Last Week
I'm still picking, but let's face it. Instead of some little blurb about the prior picks, maybe I'll just cover something else. Like, now do you believe me about Alex Van Pelt? Add Rob Johnson to that "Jilted Quarterback Club".
MIKE LIKES
Week Nine (Bye: New York Giants):
Philadelphia (-3) at Kansas City
All indicators are that the Eagles will win this game, but that was the case when Seattle came to Arrowhead last week. The Chiefs will play them tough, and looked much better after their bye. The Eagles are the better team, and should prove it, but don't be surprised if the Chiefs upset them.
Pick: Eaglets
Denver at Miami (-3.5)
Considering the success of road teams the past few weeks, and Terrell Davis and Rod Smith could return, the Broncos could play well in this game. The Dolphins are not world beaters, but do just enough to win games. If Smith plays, I like the Broncos. I'm just not sold on the Dolphins.
Pick: Horse Heads
Indianapolis at Baltimore (-7)
Until the Colts show they can play four quarters of a football game again, I cannot favor them. Even if it is the Ravens, whose offense usually only plays one full quarter. The defense should give Manning all kinds of fits in the second half, and could outscore their own offense.
Pick: The purple guys with the funny looking numbers
Carolina at New Orleans (-10.5)
The Panthers will probably play this game close. They always do. The problem is they always lose, too. The Saints will start slow, like usual, and then Aaron Brooks will hit a rythm and take care of business.
Pick: Fleur de lis' (that's that funny emblem on the side of the Saints helmets)
New England at New York Jets (-3)
This should be a fun one. For all the improvement the Jets have had, so has the Patriots. The Patriots always come with a defensive gameplan, so the Jets will not go off on offense (like they would anyway). The key is the Pats offense, which has to avoid turnovers. I like their chances.
Pick: The Brady Brigade
Tampa Bay (No Line Yet) at Cincinnati
Well, even after a tough Monday night game, the Bucs should be capable of going to Cincy and beating a team whose offense has gone MIA (missing in action, not Miami). The Bengals should defend the Bucs offense decently, so it will not be too bad. Still, it probably will not be pretty.
Pick: Bruce's former bunch (Buccaneer Bruce was the name of that guy the Bucs used to have on their helmet. I'm starting to feel like Dennis Miller here.)
Tennessee at Cleveland (No Line)
This should be a good game, and since the Browns have the home field, I like them. They are bound to slip on one of these power teams in their divisions sooner or later, but the Titans can lose games with the best of them. If the Browns can win this one, they are in great shape for the playoffs.
Pick: Think Paul and Jim
Detroit at Chicago (-7.5)
The Lions sure know how to scare some teams. They don't know how to win, but they can put a scare out. The Bears are surging, and should give the Lions offense a tough time. That is all it takes, as the Lions defense is worse than bad.
Pick: That toddlin town
San Diego at Seattle (-3.5)
The Chargers are reeling as of late, but the Seahawks just hit a speed bump on their way to getting some momentum. I believe the Seahawks are in much better shape than the Chargers, and the Chargers won't stop Shaun Alexander like the Chiefs just did. Not even close.
Pick: Squawks
Arizona at Oakland (-13.5)
The Raiders have pretty much torn through the teams they have been expected to. The Cardinals are one of those teams. It doesn't take much math to figure that this should be a romp. But not so fast. That seems like a big point spread. Oh, I forgot, it's the Cards. Nevermind.
Pick: The Invading Pirates
St. Louis (No Line Yet) at Atlanta
I guess we will get to see how ready the Falcons are for a return to the playoffs. They do get the Rams on the road after a big Monday night game. Like it matters. The Rams have a tendency to really light up the Falcons secondary. The line could be upwards around ten, but that may not be safe.
Pick: La Machine
Dallas at Washington (-8.5)
The Cowboys have won a bunch in a row against the Redskins, but things are different right now. And I really don't believe Schottenheimer cares about that streak. The Cowboys will likely play a good game, but the Redskins have too much momentum to lose another.
Pick: The politically offensive
Buffalo at San Francisco (-9)
The Bills have played much better offensively, but week after week find a way to lose a heartbreaker. This game will likely be no different. I get the feeling that the 49ers will get tripped up here pretty quickly, but this doesn't seem like the game for it.
Pick: Miners
Green Bay (-3) at Jacksonville
The Packers are playing pretty good football this year, but have had some ups and downs. The Jaguars, like several other teams, like to lose the heartbreakers. So if there is a trend, the Jags will play it close, only to lose in the fourth quarter. Somewhere around the spread. Of course, the Packers could take it to them. It's hard to tell. The Packers should win either way. Let's hope it's decent, because there have been a lot of sucky Monday nighters.
Pick: Meat Processers
Moving on...
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THINGS I KNOW:
If Garrison Hearst does not win "Comeback Player of the Year", they shouldn't give out the award.
Ron Dayne was overrated coming out of college, and the Giants were the last to know.
It's scary to think that Kordell Stewart is a better quarterback right now than Peyton Manning.
If you wanted to torture me, you could tie me to a chair, hold my eyelids open and make me watch a game between the Panthers and Lions.
The words "giants" and "titans" means the same thing...hmmmm.
THINGS I CAN PREDICT:
Miami rookie Chris Chambers is the best rookie receiver this year, but he won't be the best of this class.
After the Colts fire Jim Mora, they will consider 49ers defensive coordinator Jim Mora...Jr.
The Raiders and Steelers will meet in the playoffs, and the game will be just like their match-ups in the '70's.
The league will start reviewing tapes of the Browns defense to determine if those takeaways they are amassing are real. It will be inconclusive.
There will be a spinoff by Players, Inc. and the Quarterback Club called "The Jilted Quarterback Club". It will be founded by Drew Bledsoe. Members will include Jeff George, Trent Dilfer, Charlie Batch and several others.
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.
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