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thoughts and observations |
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WEEK TWELVE REVIEW
Okay, I expounded upon Marty Schottenheimer last week, and boom, the Redskins laid an egg (again) against the Cowboys. Nine straight wins. I guess this rivalry goes way beyond Marty and his coaching ability. So let's move on to my next target and hope I don't cost him a game.
What the Patriots have done this season is nothing short of amazing. No one, including myself gave them much hope for success. In fact, I cannot recall a single preseason prediction of them finishing better than last...including me. But what Bill Billichick has done with this team, both offensively and defensively is impressive. The team has a shot at the division, and definitely a shot at a playoff berth. Like him or not, Billichick deserves Coach of the Year conisideration.
It's hard to mention the Pats without going into the Bledsoe-Brady debate. Let's face it, Bledsoe has not done that much in the past few seasons. He is almost as overhyped as Troy Aikman was. The difference is Bledsoe has won games with his arm, so you have to give him more credit. He's still not worth $110 million. The thing is, how come Brady can do so much with that offensive roster and Bledsoe cannot? Especially without Terry Glenn? And I don't care to hear about how Bledsoe could have been doing the same thing. He didn't, and I do not believe he would have. Sure, Billichick also caused some grief around media circles and with Bledsoe when he said Brady was the starter for the season, but he knew what he had, and he wasn't about to cause continuous speculation on the subject all season, so he quelled it quickly. Even though many media plaudits groused about it, it was the right move. I don't know what happened with Bledsoe, but it didn't matter because this was going to be the decision anyway. And you know what? Billichick didn't care who said what. He made his decision for his team, and the Patriots continue to play well.
The Terry Glenn saga is questionable and I really don't care to get into that. I don't know the inside story and I will not pretend to. I am sure that there is some fault on both sides, but from what I have seen, I think Billichick may be more credible.
Let's go back in time a bit. When Billichick was coach of the Browns, he was not a popular man. But he appears to have learned from it. He appears more at ease with the press, and in the organization. He still has the personality of a North Atlantic deep sea sponge, but you can only change so much. What is more important is the job he is doing is being done better. Learning from prior mistakes makes him a pretty wise man.
All in all, Billichick has made the Patriots respectable again. Bash him for his personality. Bash him on his decisions. But don't bash him on the progress he has made for his team.
A look around...
Wheels On The Bus
Don't look now, but the Steelers are starting to stumble. Sure, they're still winning, and are the best team in the AFC, in my opinion. The problems are starting to come. Jerome Bettis suffered both hip and groin injuries Sunday, and said himself he was concerned. Also, the defense is not playing as well. The sacks are not coming, and the unit is giving up a lot of passing yards. Of course, the Vikings can pass on anyone when hot, but this has been going on for a couple of weeks now. At least they still have the super efficient Kordell Stewart at the helm. Seems strange to say, huh?
Lesson Learned
For most teams, you hold on to the ball, and you win. For the Rams, you hold onto the ball, you destroy an opponent. The Rams realized they needed to protect the ball better, and did so against the Falcons proving that La Machine should slice and dice through the rest of the season provided they hold onto the ball better. Make no mistake, this team can win virtually any game with a -2 turnover ratio, but beyond that and there's problems. But don't just give credit to the offense for their spectacular play. When they don't turn the ball over, this defense can hold opponents out of the endzone. The unit has been held together by bailing wire the past week or two, but continues to hold together as a unit. This team could go down as one of the best ever if they take care of their own business.
One Tough Hombre
I've seen about everything happen to Steve McNair in a game. The guy gets the hell beat out of him on a regular basis, but hangs in about as tough as anyone at any position. I've always said he will not have a long career because of the abuse he takes, but he will always have to be respected. After taking a shot Sunday, McNair came back and threw for 244 yards and three TDs. That's nothing to sneeze at. Too bad the Titans and McNair didn't force the passing game more when Eddie George was healthy, and their defense was better. They may have had that ring.
Home of Snake
It was so easy. How come none of us figured it out? Oakland was home to the original "Snake," Ken Stabler. The modern version, Jake Plummer, goes to Oakland, and dramatically upsets the Raiders. I should have saw it coming. Dang, man...a-ding-dang-doo. Now that Plummer has a viable go-to weapon in David Boston, the Cardinals are suddenly respectable, and Plummer appears removed from that doom and gloom career path he was on. If the Cardinals can build a defense in the next year or two, this could turn out to be a pretty good team.
Ecstatic
Speaking of the Raiders, they are having a lot of trouble against the run lately. Just imagine how they will be when they lose DT Darryl Russell for the remainder of the season for testing positive for the drug Ecstacy. That hurts, and it could cost the club a trip to a title game. Let's face it, the defense is falling apart rapidly. Charles Woodson's turf toe became glaring against David Boston. It's a good thing they have the offense they do, but it's only a matter of time before it all catches up to them.
The Other Battle
Okay, now I want to know who will be the worst team. The Bills were absolutly blown out by the Niners in the Sunday night game. The Lions almost had the Bears and could have won several of their games. Then, there's the Panthers, who, like the Lions, find new and creative ways to lose. The race for the second pick (Houston has the first) in the '02 Draft is on. The Lions have the inside track, because they're a win behind the other two with zero. I just cannot believe the Lions will go winless, so let's go to the schedule. Hey, Carolina and Buffalo play this week! That will help. The winner is the loser in this here derby. And the schedule is rough for the all of them. Okay, it's looking real bad for the Lions, except they play Dallas in the final week. This should be something that really isn't worth watching.
Advice On Making Picks
This year, when in doubt, take the away team. While the win total was down by visitors, there were still seven road teams that won.
MIKE LIKES
Week Nine (Bye: Baltimore Ravens):
San Francisco at St. Louis (-7.5)
The Rams look back on track, but the Niners keep rolling along. This should be a battle royale for this great rivalry. Rams have won the last five, and should come out smoking. I really believe the Rams will expose the Niners.
Pick: Big Horned Sheep
Tennessee at Minnesota (No Line)
This should be interesting. The Vikings came on strong at the end of the game against the Steelers. Todd Bouman showed he can play in place of Daunte Culpepper. Still, the Titans are more talented, and are trying to stay on a roll.
Pick: The "T" state
Carolina at Buffalo (No Line)
1-11 versus 1-10. It's a big game on bragging rights alone. Then again, they both have Detroit. It should be a tight match-up. If the Bills offense can get on track, they can win this. It's starting to get cold in Buffalo as well. You gotta like that.
Pick: Why isn't it the Buffalo Buffalos?
Cleveland at New England (-5)
Another good game. The Patriots sure seem to have a tough schedule, and yet they keep winning. The Browns won't give it up easy, but I suspect the Pats defense will do enough to keep Tim Couch from killing them. And it looks like you can't rattle Brady.
Pick: The Proud Americans
Detroit at Tampa Bay (No Line Yet)
Well, Tampa barely squeaked by the Bengals, so will they have problems with Detroit? My guess is they should be fine, mostly because the Lions are now with the rookie quarterback, and that doesn't bode well against that defense.
Pick: The Lynch Mob
New Orleans at Atlanta (No Line Yet)
A good divisional game. The Saints can't fool around, but it looks like there will be no Chris Chandler. Michael Vick may need to rush for 100-yards to help the Falcons win this one. My guess is the Falcons are done for the year.
Pick: The Cannonized
New York Giants (-4) at Dallas
At first glimpse, you would think it's the Giants all the way. Then you recall some of their flops this year. I think this will be a tough game for the G-Men. They should win it convincingly, but the Giants like things the hard way.
Pick: The Nefilim (You know, some bibles say, "that is when giants walked the earth" and others say, "that is when the nefilim were on the earth." By the way, Nefilim does not mean giant, but that's another story...sorry for the religious reference, I was stumped)
San Diego at Philadelphia (-7)
The Eagles are trying to gain momentum. The Chargers are falling apart. The Eagles don't play as well at home, but that shouldn't stop them from taking advantage of a weaker team.
Pick: The national birds
Washington at Arizona (No Line)
The Redskins stumbled against Dallas, as usual. The Cards shocked the Raiders. This should be an interesting game. The Redskins should find the running game again. The Cardinals should have more trouble passing. By virtue of match-up abilities of each team, I make my pick.
Pick: Danny's boys
Kansas City at Oakland (-9)
The Chiefs almost stole the first one on opening day in KC. The Raiders are suddenly struggling against the run, and Priest Holmes has been one of the league's best runners. This helps the Chiefs immensely. Then, you look at the Raiders offense and figure this in for a reality check.
Pick: America's anti-Team
New York Jets at Pittsburgh (No Line Yet)
The Jets are improving against the pass, and the Steelers are starting to give that up. The key is how the Steelers offense plays against the improved Jets defense. I'm sure the Steelers will find running room. It should be a tough match, and close.
Pick: "We're bigger than US Steel"
Seattle at Denver (-6)
Another great division game. This could go a long ways on salvaging a post season spot. The Seahawks look downright mundane on offense right now, but so does the Broncos. A key will be if Rod Smith returns to the Bronco lineup. He should, and add a cold home field to that, and it should help.
Pick: Wide awake in Denver
Indianapolis at Miami (-4.5)
Aside from the fact that Miami should, by all accounts, win this game and keep control of the division, it should be fun to see if Peyton Manning throws another pick that is returned for a TD. If he does, we may get to see Jim Mora's head explode on national television. Back to the game, I just cannot find a good thing about the Colts winning this one.
Pick: Crockett and Tubbs team
Moving on...
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THINGS I KNOW:
We shall not soon forget the crappy Monday night football schedule.
The Patriots should get busy now trying to figure out how to move Drew Bledsoe in the near future.
The Rams still do not looked like they have peaked, which is bizarre to say.
The Chargers will find out what the Bills knew. That Doug Flutie is past his prime.
The Bucs need some kind of change, but what that is, is beyond me.
THINGS I CAN PREDICT:
In the next three weeks, the AFC will get more and more cloudy.
Eddie George's season is a sign of things to come in his career.
The Eagles will wind up walking away with the NFC East.
The Raiders will win the division, but miss a bye week heading into the playoffs.
The first words in Jim Mora's final press conference after the final game will be "@#$%*! *%$#@!"...so will Peyton Mannings.
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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