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thoughts and observations |
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WEEK THIRTEEN REVIEW
Wow, only four weeks left to the regular season. How fast it flies. At least we are getting to see teams show their true colors now. For instance, I would be shocked if the Titans could do anything now to get into the playoffs. But I'll get to them and others later. I have other things on my mind now.
A funny thing happened in some game hype last week. All the talk about the 49ers versus Rams game was about how improved the Niners offense was since the two teams squared off in week two. What no one wanted to mention is how much better the Rams defense was. The Rams throttled the Niner offense the entire game. And don't let anyone tell you the 49ers were flat. They were beaten...plain and simple. The Rams defense is a group to be taken seriously. They are still playing without a few starters, including their best pass rusher. But they have yet to skip a beat. It's almost scary how fast they have come together. It's easy to throw nicknames at this team. They're the "Greatest Show On Earth", however, that has been changed to "Greatest Show On Turf" lately, for some reason. I've called them "La Machine" for most the season. But now, I think that defense could use its own name. How about "The Blue Swarm" for their ability to tackle in large numbers. It's a unit that deserves more recognition.
Speaking of games that weren't, the Packers completed a sweep of the Bears. Even though the Bears and Niners are greatly improved, neither really appear set to make a postseason run. When set up in their biggest games, they seem to faulter. The Packers are a tough team, although they still do not play consistently enough on a weekly basis. Still, I would not be surprised if they were playing the Rams in the NFC Championship.
Bouncing to the AFC, I would be shocked if anyone took out Pittsburgh in those playoffs. They appear to have the complete mix right now. I don't know who can really challenge them, unless it is the Ravens. I'm just not sold on anyone else.
Sure, the season is winding down quickly, but does anyone really believe the season could tilt on the teams at the top of the picture? Sure, strange things happen in the playoffs, but we can pretty much tell who will be there when those start.
A look around...
Speaking Of Falling
The Vikings have had every reason to drop off the earth this season, but they keep hanging in there. A bad loss, and then a strong showing. The Titans, on the other hand, do not have any reason to fall like they have. They have crumbled as dramatically as they rose. And they may have a long ways to go to get back to their winning ways in the future. There's some problems to deal with.
This Elevator Goes Up, This One Goes Down
That seems to be the case of two of the most heralded rookie runners, LaDainian Tomlinson and Michael Bennett. While Tomlinson burst upon the scene in the early going, he continues to drop off weekly. Bennett is now starting to "get it" and is showing his explosiveness. Now that he and the Vikings have figured out his usefulness, expect to see a lot of big games out of him.
The Kitty Principle
For two truly rotten teams, the Bills-Panthers game was pretty entertaining. The Bills are probably off the schnide now for that second overall pick in April. It comes down to the Panthers and Lions. What is it that both of these teams can find every way possible to blow a game. It's uncanny. I thought about this, and it dawned on me as I was naming this section. Think about some of the bad teams this year. You have the Lions, Panthers, Bengals and Jaguars. These are all the teams that are named for big cats. There has to be some overwhelming power that is dictating that this is not a year for big cats. Hmmm. There might be something here. Maybe one of these cities needs a visit by the Pope. Remember, the last six cities the Pope has visited has won a Super Bowl that year. Last in St. Louis in '99. Denver two years before that. Whatever it is, there must be something that cannot be discounted. It might be something to remember in the future. Maybe until a pole shift.
Keep On Keeping On
At this point in the season, I would be surprised if the Patriots did not make the playoffs. This team is dangerous. While they didn't play their best game against the Browns, they still won going away. They've beaten quality teams, and have confidence galore. Plus, they now have another weapon in Terry Glenn (until his next suspension). This team has Cinderella story written all over them, and easily could screw up a few head coaches in the playoffs.
You Mean He May Have Been Right?
The way that Quincy Carter has played the past two weeks has been nothing short of astounding. He hasn't put up big numbers, but he has played within himself, not turned over the ball and, most importantly, has won his two starts since taking the job back. Each week he appears to be getting better, and now that Dallas has gone back to keeping Emmitt Smith a key part of the offense, the Cowboys suddenly look pretty good. So, with all of that in mind, it appears that Jerry Jones may have been right about Carter. That pretty much makes Jones right about once every two hundred decisions.
Don't Look Now, But...
The Raiders are falling. Against the Chiefs they could hardly muster much offense. They still cannot stop the run. They still cannot run well. It looks as though they will have trouble going far in the postseason. Of course, they still kind of have that "Just Win Baby" mentality, because they still pretty much are on track for a first round bye. Still, I would be surprised if they became a Super Bowl team.
Advice On Making Picks
It's the stretch run, and you can now probably start relying on the good teams to win. In other words, the anomaly of the home field will probably level out now during the stretch run. Only three away teams won this weekend and it was the Bengals, Falcons and Cardinals. While each have had a strong part to their season, they are not a surprise to lose at home.
MIKE LIKES
Week Fourteen (Bye: Carolina):
Arizona at New York Giants (-5)
This is a game that you hate to pick. The Giants have fallen apart, while the Cards were looking good until losing to the Skins. No one is making plays for the Giants, and that alarms me. The Cards have David Boston, who has been virtually unstoppable. I'll take that.
Pick: Almost Maroon Birds
Oakland (-5) at San Diego
Like I said, the Raiders keep winning. One of the reasons is that they keep getting to play teams that are not going anywhere. They were surprised against the Cardinals a week ago, but that shouldn't happen against the Chargers, because as good as Tomlinson is, the line can't block for him.
Pick: Chucky's Boys
Denver at Kansas City (No Line Yet)
The Chiefs can play against about anyone, and surprise people. Uh, I don't think Denver will be surprised. It will be a tough road game for the Broncos, but there is no reason to believe the Chiefs can outman them.
Pick: The Mile Lower Team
Atlanta at Indianapolis (No Line Yet)
This should be interesting. The Falcons should have a nicer time than the past two games, because the Colts still don't have a defense, and their offense is inconsistent enough. The problem is, if the Colts get into an offensive rythm, they can take out the Falcons in grand style. I think they will.
Pick: Baby Horses
Cincinnati at New York Jets (-7)
The Bengals started off with a bang this year, but now they look like the did last year. And the year before...and the year before...and...you get the picture. The Jets are trying to stop a slide, and they need this game. They should get it.
Pick: Turbined Aircrafts
Jacksonville at Cleveland (-2)
The Browns would like to get back on track, and need this game, because the rest of the schedule is brutal. The Jags will not go down without a fight. Overall, the Browns are capable of playing consistently for four quarters more so than the Jags.
Pick: Drew Carey's Favorites
Minnesota at Detroit (No Line Yet)
No one's taking the Lions lightly, because no one wants to be the likely only team to lose to them this year. So the Vikings will be ready. The Vikings offense is looking a lot better with Michael Bennett, and it obviously won't matter who the QB is. The Lions are a field goal team now. It doesn't fit.
Pick: The Warring Norsemen
New England (-4) at Buffalo
The Patriots are in a similar situation to the Vikings. The Bills will play them tough, so they cannot let up. If they keep their heads, they should be able to dispatch the Bills relatively easily.
Pick: Glenn's sometimes team
Philadelphia (-3) at Washington
The last time these two met it was a whale of a game, and the Redskins handed it to the Eagles. The Eagles will want to avenge the game, but I'm not so sure it will be so easy. The Redskins play good fundamental football, and have the guns to win again. I think the Eagles may be in for a surprise.
Pick: The Monuments
Tampa Bay at Chicago (-3)
The Bears went to Tampa and handled the game. The Bucs just seem to struggle against everyone. Last week it was the Bengals. Sunday against the Lions. I just don't like it. The Bears will run, and the Bucs have allowed the run. Nuff said.
Pick: Grin and ---- it
Miami at San Francisco (No Line Yet)
This may be my favorite game. The Dolphins will look at how the Rams defended the Niners and look to do the same thing. It should work to an extent, because the Dolphins have the speed on defense. It will be close, and they are both fourth quarter teams. I think the Rams loss may have taken a short toll on the 49ers.
Pick: The bottle nosed ones
Green Bay at Tennessee (No Line Yet)
This could be a dangerous game for the Packers. The Titans are still trying to show pride, and this is a good game to make a point. Favre may start slow, but I suspect someone will trade banter with him and fire him up. It should be close, but the Packers should be able to pull it out.
Pick: The Cheesiest
Dallas at Seattle (No Line Yet)
Another good match-up. Dallas is playing its best ball of the season, and the Seahawks have become a conservative, and therefore, up and down team. The Cowboys will keep it honest, and will run with scattered passing. Wait, so will Seattle. The game is at Seattle, and that is the biggest edge.
Pick: The team in need of a new uniform design
Pittsburgh at Baltimore (-4)
The first time the two squared off, the Steelers had it squandered by missed field goals. The Ravens are coming off a bye, and have had a chance to gameplan more. Plus, they get the Steelers at home. I like that set-up.
Pick: Former Browns, which should be the Colts
St. Louis (-6.5) at New Orleans
The Rams haven't forgotten how they handed the first match-up to the Saints. The Saints think they have the Rams number. Hardly. I believe the Rams will want to lay it on, and believe they will.
Pick: The Blue Swarm
Moving on...
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THINGS I KNOW:
David Boston is among the league's elite receivers, and so is Joe Horn.
The Giants may need to consider a new quarterback in the near future.
The Browns miss not having an offensive line.
The Bengals miss not having a football team.
The Jets would benefit greatly by trying to throw the ball downfield with regularity.
THINGS I CAN PREDICT:
They don't say it now, but there will be a point that the Titans realize they screwed up in the Kevin Carter deal.
The Browns will finish the season 7-9 and out of the playoffs.
The 49ers, Saints and Bucs will not all three make the post season, due to brutal schedules from here on.
The Rams will finish with the best record, and should finish the season with a win.
Kurt Warner's acting is so good that he will be approached about a leading role in an upcoming movie project called "Farm Implement Prom Night".
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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