Message Board Classics: 2003 NFL Season
Man, going back through this one I was astounded. Just one AWFUL prediction after another
The Vikings looked ok in their preseason opener against the Jags. The starters did well on both sides. The D was good, and didn't give up a TD. None of the running backs impressed me much.
Packers lost Gilbert Brown and Bryant Westbrook. The division could be the Vikes for the taking if their D is indeed better.
Packers lost Gilbert Brown and Bryant Westbrook. The division could be the Vikes for the taking if their D is indeed better.
Season Predictions:
NFC
East:
Philly's gonna take a step back for sure, but nobody here can take the division away. I do not believe in the Giants, who ALWAYS take a step back following a playoff appearance. If Patrick Ramsey can step up, the Redskins could be a surprise team. Parcells will make Dallas a little more respectable, but they have zero offense.
Eagles 10-6
Redskins 8-8
Giants 7-9
Cowboys 5-11
North:
Green Bay is still basically the default pick here. They're already having the same injury problems that killed em last year, but Favre alone can get em the divison. If Bennett was gonna come back for sure, the Vikes would be the pick. As it is, they'll improve a little but they can't run the ball and the D will still be just ok. Kordell Stewart will prove to be a great acquisition and make the thin Bears a contender. Losing Colvin is big though. Mooch will help the Lions more down the road than this year.
Packers 9-7
Vikings 8-8
Bears 8-8
Lions 5-11
South:
Tampa dominated last year at the end, and this year the offense will be better. A repeat is not only likely, but nearly a lock. Eventually the Saints have to hold on at the end to make the playoffs, and the Vick injury probably helps them most of all. Atlanta will be in the mix, but Vick pobably won't be the same even after he comes back. Carolina's got a great defense, but still no QB.
Buccaneers 13-3
Saints 10-6
Falcons 8-8
Panthers 7-9
West:
If Holmgren is ever gonna do it in Seattle, this'll be the year. The Rams need to prove it to me. I believe opponents have simply figured out Martz's style, and he's too egomaniacal to change. San Fran deserves to flounder this year after screwing Mooch, and they will, especially with Garcia nicked up. Arizona went 4-0 in the preseason, but I'd be stunned if they even win that many during the season.
Seahawks 10-6
Rams 9-7
49ers 7-9
Cardinals 2-14
Wild Cards: Saints, Rams
Wild Card Playoffs:
Seahawks over Rams
Packers over Saints
Divisional Playoffs:
Buccaneers over Packers
Eagles over Seahawks
NFC Championship:
Buccaneers over Eagles(again)
AFC
East:
Tough division. The Patriots are gonna be better than they were 2 years ago. Buffalo's really improved on defense, especially if they get Milloy(cheap ass Vikes shoulda grabbed him). Miami at least has a competent backup for Fiedler, and added Seau. The Jets were the weakest here even with Pennington. Now they have no chance.
Patriots 10-6
Bills 10-6
Dolphins 10-6
Jets 6-10
North:
Pittsburgh will learn that the defense, not Kordell, was their problem. Maddox will not have another dream season. I don't like the Ravens starting Boller, but their defense(with Ray Lewis back strong) is so tough that it may not matter. They could also get real hot as the year goes on, as Boller gets more experience. Cleveland has a good offense, but the defense is pathetic and assures no return playoff appearance. Cincy won't win lots of games, but they won't get run over every week either. For once they'll be respectable most weeks.
Ravens 9-7
Steelers 8-8
Browns 7-9
Bengals 6-10
South:
Dungy will get the Colts D to improve more, and Edgerrin will be back at full strength. Titans will be strong again, but can't afford another bad start. Jags will bottom out this year, but Leftwich will show promise. Houston still has no offense, but a nice defense.
Colts 10-6
Titans 10-6
Jaguars 4-12
Texans 4-12
West:
Best divison in football w/o a doubt. KC will have enough improvement on defense to make the playoffs this time. Jake Plummer WILL flourish in Denver, with real players around him for once. San Diego's a hard luck team, still stuck behind better teams, but they'll improve too and won't collapse at the end. Oakland's taking a step back. Losing teams in the super bowl tend to fall back a lot the next year. Injuries will get em this time.
Chiefs 10-6
Broncos 10-6
Raiders 8-8
Chargers 8-8
Wild Cards: Bills, Broncos
Wild Card Playoffs:
Chiefs over Broncos
Bills over Ravens
Divisional Playoffs:
Colts over Bills
Chiefs over Patriots
AFC Championship:
Colts over Chiefs
SUPER BOWL XXXVIII
Buccaneers over Colts
East:
Philly's gonna take a step back for sure, but nobody here can take the division away. I do not believe in the Giants, who ALWAYS take a step back following a playoff appearance. If Patrick Ramsey can step up, the Redskins could be a surprise team. Parcells will make Dallas a little more respectable, but they have zero offense.
Eagles 10-6
Redskins 8-8
Giants 7-9
Cowboys 5-11
North:
Green Bay is still basically the default pick here. They're already having the same injury problems that killed em last year, but Favre alone can get em the divison. If Bennett was gonna come back for sure, the Vikes would be the pick. As it is, they'll improve a little but they can't run the ball and the D will still be just ok. Kordell Stewart will prove to be a great acquisition and make the thin Bears a contender. Losing Colvin is big though. Mooch will help the Lions more down the road than this year.
Packers 9-7
Vikings 8-8
Bears 8-8
Lions 5-11
South:
Tampa dominated last year at the end, and this year the offense will be better. A repeat is not only likely, but nearly a lock. Eventually the Saints have to hold on at the end to make the playoffs, and the Vick injury probably helps them most of all. Atlanta will be in the mix, but Vick pobably won't be the same even after he comes back. Carolina's got a great defense, but still no QB.
Buccaneers 13-3
Saints 10-6
Falcons 8-8
Panthers 7-9
West:
If Holmgren is ever gonna do it in Seattle, this'll be the year. The Rams need to prove it to me. I believe opponents have simply figured out Martz's style, and he's too egomaniacal to change. San Fran deserves to flounder this year after screwing Mooch, and they will, especially with Garcia nicked up. Arizona went 4-0 in the preseason, but I'd be stunned if they even win that many during the season.
Seahawks 10-6
Rams 9-7
49ers 7-9
Cardinals 2-14
Wild Cards: Saints, Rams
Wild Card Playoffs:
Seahawks over Rams
Packers over Saints
Divisional Playoffs:
Buccaneers over Packers
Eagles over Seahawks
NFC Championship:
Buccaneers over Eagles(again)
AFC
East:
Tough division. The Patriots are gonna be better than they were 2 years ago. Buffalo's really improved on defense, especially if they get Milloy(cheap ass Vikes shoulda grabbed him). Miami at least has a competent backup for Fiedler, and added Seau. The Jets were the weakest here even with Pennington. Now they have no chance.
Patriots 10-6
Bills 10-6
Dolphins 10-6
Jets 6-10
North:
Pittsburgh will learn that the defense, not Kordell, was their problem. Maddox will not have another dream season. I don't like the Ravens starting Boller, but their defense(with Ray Lewis back strong) is so tough that it may not matter. They could also get real hot as the year goes on, as Boller gets more experience. Cleveland has a good offense, but the defense is pathetic and assures no return playoff appearance. Cincy won't win lots of games, but they won't get run over every week either. For once they'll be respectable most weeks.
Ravens 9-7
Steelers 8-8
Browns 7-9
Bengals 6-10
South:
Dungy will get the Colts D to improve more, and Edgerrin will be back at full strength. Titans will be strong again, but can't afford another bad start. Jags will bottom out this year, but Leftwich will show promise. Houston still has no offense, but a nice defense.
Colts 10-6
Titans 10-6
Jaguars 4-12
Texans 4-12
West:
Best divison in football w/o a doubt. KC will have enough improvement on defense to make the playoffs this time. Jake Plummer WILL flourish in Denver, with real players around him for once. San Diego's a hard luck team, still stuck behind better teams, but they'll improve too and won't collapse at the end. Oakland's taking a step back. Losing teams in the super bowl tend to fall back a lot the next year. Injuries will get em this time.
Chiefs 10-6
Broncos 10-6
Raiders 8-8
Chargers 8-8
Wild Cards: Bills, Broncos
Wild Card Playoffs:
Chiefs over Broncos
Bills over Ravens
Divisional Playoffs:
Colts over Bills
Chiefs over Patriots
AFC Championship:
Colts over Chiefs
SUPER BOWL XXXVIII
Buccaneers over Colts
Thursday night opener (which Britney performed before btw, debuting a then Madonna-free "Me Against The Music"):
Redskins 16, Jets 13
This pretty much confirmed that the Jets are gonna have a rough go w/o Pennington, but the Skins should've won big. They were sloppy.
This pretty much confirmed that the Jets are gonna have a rough go w/o Pennington, but the Skins should've won big. They were sloppy.
Week 1:
Folks, brace yourselves for the triumphant return to the playoffs of my Vikings. Just like they did in 98 at Lambeau, they stomped the Pack and showed that they're the new team to beat in the division. Holy shit their pass rush was awesome. Couple that with a curiously listless game from Favre and good offense and instantly they showed that they can become one of the NFC's best.
Green Bay is done. Again they get injuries, and bad ones (I guess Driver's ok though), and their D is bad. Ahman Green was bad today too. Detroit's no real division threat, though Harrington looked great. As for Chicago, well, Kordell has ZERO weapons. Dick Jauron will be fired pretty soon.
HAHA SUCKA PATSIES!!!! 31-DONUT! Bledsoe finally beats Brady and Belichick and Milloy gets sweet revenge. The Bills definitely have the chance for a super bowl run.
KC looked awesome, killing a Charger team that's actually not bad. The Raiders fall to the Titans. Indy won ugly. Oh yeah, Kelly Holcomb is the savior. Stupid Browns fans.
Miami WTF??? How do they lose to Houston? (which knocked me out of survivor football real quick btw) Wannstedt better make the playoffs this year, or this game'll be the reason he's fired.
I see Mike Martz is still the worst coach in the NFL. 9 carries for Faulk? When that fragile has been Warner has bells ringing? He clearly learned nothing from last year. And no more Kurt excuses. he wasn't doing a thing pre-concussion either. The guy is DONE. He was a 3 year wonder and now it's over.
Seattle looked good. Atlanta played better than I expected. Carolina found a QB, which makes them serious contenders now. Denver looked shaky. Please tell me the Bengals aren't gonna be the same doormats AGAIN. Steelers ripped the Ravens.
And can we please get Rush Limbaugh off of ESPN? He's dull and clearly has no idea what he's talking about.
Green Bay is done. Again they get injuries, and bad ones (I guess Driver's ok though), and their D is bad. Ahman Green was bad today too. Detroit's no real division threat, though Harrington looked great. As for Chicago, well, Kordell has ZERO weapons. Dick Jauron will be fired pretty soon.
HAHA SUCKA PATSIES!!!! 31-DONUT! Bledsoe finally beats Brady and Belichick and Milloy gets sweet revenge. The Bills definitely have the chance for a super bowl run.
KC looked awesome, killing a Charger team that's actually not bad. The Raiders fall to the Titans. Indy won ugly. Oh yeah, Kelly Holcomb is the savior. Stupid Browns fans.
Miami WTF??? How do they lose to Houston? (which knocked me out of survivor football real quick btw) Wannstedt better make the playoffs this year, or this game'll be the reason he's fired.
I see Mike Martz is still the worst coach in the NFL. 9 carries for Faulk? When that fragile has been Warner has bells ringing? He clearly learned nothing from last year. And no more Kurt excuses. he wasn't doing a thing pre-concussion either. The guy is DONE. He was a 3 year wonder and now it's over.
Seattle looked good. Atlanta played better than I expected. Carolina found a QB, which makes them serious contenders now. Denver looked shaky. Please tell me the Bengals aren't gonna be the same doormats AGAIN. Steelers ripped the Ravens.
And can we please get Rush Limbaugh off of ESPN? He's dull and clearly has no idea what he's talking about.
Monday night opener:
If the Eagles had a mental thing over Tampa in the past, it has totally swung the other way. Philly is just afraid of the Bucs D (and rightly so, as they may be the greatest since the Steel Curtain), and that leads that PUSSY Andy Reid to play it embarassingly conservative. I couldn't blame the fans for booing(though Philly fans boo all the time). I liked the fake FG idea, but the throw was pathetic.
Philly's D is still real good though, so they'll reach the playoffs. Then they'll get stomped by the Vikings! Yeah!
And if anyone still doubts that Tampa will repeat, they're crazy. They've got 14-2 or 15-1 written all over them. Maybe the Saints'll get em again to prevent an undefeated season.
Philly's D is still real good though, so they'll reach the playoffs. Then they'll get stomped by the Vikings! Yeah!
And if anyone still doubts that Tampa will repeat, they're crazy. They've got 14-2 or 15-1 written all over them. Maybe the Saints'll get em again to prevent an undefeated season.
Week 2:
The Vikings are 2-0! Yeah, they struggled with the lowly Bears and Daunte again had fumble-itis, but the game was never really in doubt. What a drive to put it away at the end. 9 1/2 minutes and 93 yards. Beautiful.
Packers got a win, but they still don't look quite right to me.
The Eagles are finished. Sorry, but McNabb is terrible (except when they let him run). The D is still good, but such a weak offense gives them no chance. A bye and then at Buffalo means they won't win til October.
Carolina pulled the upset over Tampa. That division may be the league's best, now that the Chargers look so lousy.
The Colts really whooped the Titans. If they can do THIS, my super bowl pick will come true.
Jamal Lewis breaks the single game rushing record, and now he's being put up there with Namath as far as guarantees. Gimme a break! Players make boasts like that every week. So he happened to actually do it. Big deal.
Hey Browns fans, I see your savior Holcomb hasn't done shit for 2 weeks. Are you regretting treating Tim Couch like you did?
Bills looked awesome again. KC tore up the Steelers. Pats got back on track against pathetic Philly. Oakland barely beats the Bungles. Denver crushes San Diego. Saints beat the Texans.
The Rams almost blew it, but that dopey receiver cost the Niners. I wonder if it was Germaine Crowell. Martz is still an ass.
The Skins upset Atlanta, as I predicted. Seattle killed the putrid Cardinals. Just imagine how few people they'll have by their December home games. Miami beat the Jets, who really suck badly.
Through 2 weeks, I'd say the most surprising things have been just how bad the Eagles have been, and how good the Vikings defense has played.
Packers got a win, but they still don't look quite right to me.
The Eagles are finished. Sorry, but McNabb is terrible (except when they let him run). The D is still good, but such a weak offense gives them no chance. A bye and then at Buffalo means they won't win til October.
Carolina pulled the upset over Tampa. That division may be the league's best, now that the Chargers look so lousy.
The Colts really whooped the Titans. If they can do THIS, my super bowl pick will come true.
Jamal Lewis breaks the single game rushing record, and now he's being put up there with Namath as far as guarantees. Gimme a break! Players make boasts like that every week. So he happened to actually do it. Big deal.
Hey Browns fans, I see your savior Holcomb hasn't done shit for 2 weeks. Are you regretting treating Tim Couch like you did?
Bills looked awesome again. KC tore up the Steelers. Pats got back on track against pathetic Philly. Oakland barely beats the Bungles. Denver crushes San Diego. Saints beat the Texans.
The Rams almost blew it, but that dopey receiver cost the Niners. I wonder if it was Germaine Crowell. Martz is still an ass.
The Skins upset Atlanta, as I predicted. Seattle killed the putrid Cardinals. Just imagine how few people they'll have by their December home games. Miami beat the Jets, who really suck badly.
Through 2 weeks, I'd say the most surprising things have been just how bad the Eagles have been, and how good the Vikings defense has played.
Week 3:
The Vikings are now 3-0 AND up 2 games in the NFC north! They weren't amazing today in beating Detroit, but the defense continues to impress. Daunte got hurt, but thankfully Gus Frerotte came in and did a solid job. First throw and he goes 71 yards to Moss.
The divison is already theirs to lose, since the Packers are a disaster. How do you lose to the absolute worst team in the league? I hate to say it, but Favre has lost it. He's not a great QB anymore, and he'd barely qualify as good at this point.
Most of the undefeated teams remained. Seattle came back and beat the Rams, who lose Faulk and that surely makes Martz happy. KC killed Houston. The Colts were just ok. They're a lot like the Vikes so far, unbeaten but not overly impressive.
Miami basically dominated the Bills. Travis Henry goes out (my fantasy team is suddenly in shambles) and the Bills OL played like a bunch of sissies. The Skins made a comeback, but the Giants ended up winning this time. Patrick Ramsey's pretty good though.
Somehow the Niners choked their asses off against the Browns. Vikes could bury them next week. Bucs came back strong and killed the Falcons, who really look sorry w/o Vick. Nice dance, Sapp.
Patriots beat the sorry Jets, though they didn't look good doing it.
Steelers beat Cincy, but struggled. I actually picked Cincy to pull the upset. Titans had an easy time with the rather sorry Saints. Ravens won again. I don't get why the Chargers are so bad. I caught the end of that game, and saw David Boston quit on a play worse than anything Moss ever did. That guy is just a gutless player. The Ravens get an INT cuz of it, killing any hope of a comeback.
The divison is already theirs to lose, since the Packers are a disaster. How do you lose to the absolute worst team in the league? I hate to say it, but Favre has lost it. He's not a great QB anymore, and he'd barely qualify as good at this point.
Most of the undefeated teams remained. Seattle came back and beat the Rams, who lose Faulk and that surely makes Martz happy. KC killed Houston. The Colts were just ok. They're a lot like the Vikes so far, unbeaten but not overly impressive.
Miami basically dominated the Bills. Travis Henry goes out (my fantasy team is suddenly in shambles) and the Bills OL played like a bunch of sissies. The Skins made a comeback, but the Giants ended up winning this time. Patrick Ramsey's pretty good though.
Somehow the Niners choked their asses off against the Browns. Vikes could bury them next week. Bucs came back strong and killed the Falcons, who really look sorry w/o Vick. Nice dance, Sapp.
Patriots beat the sorry Jets, though they didn't look good doing it.
Steelers beat Cincy, but struggled. I actually picked Cincy to pull the upset. Titans had an easy time with the rather sorry Saints. Ravens won again. I don't get why the Chargers are so bad. I caught the end of that game, and saw David Boston quit on a play worse than anything Moss ever did. That guy is just a gutless player. The Ravens get an INT cuz of it, killing any hope of a comeback.
Week 4:
Any doubts I had remaining about my Vikings are gone. I actually thought they'd lose to the Niners, but instead they dominated them like the Vikes haven't dominated a team since at least 2000. But the Moss extravaganza was straight out of the time vault from 1998.
Frerotte is not Daunte, but I do think he throws the deep ball better. Moss totally showed up that whiny little bitch T.O. No debate anymore as to who's the better receiver. The Vikes OL has to be the best in football. My GOD, if they had Bennett to give that breakaway speed they'd be literally invincible on offense. And the defense is easily the best its been since the early days of Tony Dungy. The Vikings are now clearly one of the top 5 teams in the NFL, and they are a contender for home field.
As for the Niners, they deserve every loss and every T.O headache after screwing Mooch like they did. And Mooch's solid Lions come to SF next week!
My other prognosticating brain freeze was me picking the Saints over Indy. Ooops! 55-21! The Saints have already quit. Haslett may not last the season. Indy is looking amazing (oh yeah, REALLY dumb that I picked em for the super bowl), and they did it w/o Edgerrin.
KC only scraped by the Ravens (Dante Hall is CRAZY!), but this one impressed me the most of their wins so far. They proved they can win w/o huge offense, though I coulda used a few Trent Green TDs (stupid fantasy team). Denver won their donut game w/o Portis.
Philly got back on track a little. The Bills better find a running game fast or their season is over. Sadly, the Bills look like a major fraud.
The Jets are the worst team in the NFL. 4 pathetic displays. The Raiders save themselves with a rally. I hate that the Chargers are 0-4.
Dom Capers gets major props for going for the TD at the end, and then getting it. Of course, it would've made him an idiot if it failed, but guts like that are rare.
Carolina's D is crazy. Atlanta is done w/o Vick. Vikes will destroy them next week.
Patriots aren't doing much. Skins are a quiet 3-1. Titans whooped the Steelers, who make no sense to me.
Tim Couch did not help the Brownies, who lose to the Bengals, who ARE much improved. The Rams win big, but it WAS Arizona.
Frerotte is not Daunte, but I do think he throws the deep ball better. Moss totally showed up that whiny little bitch T.O. No debate anymore as to who's the better receiver. The Vikes OL has to be the best in football. My GOD, if they had Bennett to give that breakaway speed they'd be literally invincible on offense. And the defense is easily the best its been since the early days of Tony Dungy. The Vikings are now clearly one of the top 5 teams in the NFL, and they are a contender for home field.
As for the Niners, they deserve every loss and every T.O headache after screwing Mooch like they did. And Mooch's solid Lions come to SF next week!
My other prognosticating brain freeze was me picking the Saints over Indy. Ooops! 55-21! The Saints have already quit. Haslett may not last the season. Indy is looking amazing (oh yeah, REALLY dumb that I picked em for the super bowl), and they did it w/o Edgerrin.
KC only scraped by the Ravens (Dante Hall is CRAZY!), but this one impressed me the most of their wins so far. They proved they can win w/o huge offense, though I coulda used a few Trent Green TDs (stupid fantasy team). Denver won their donut game w/o Portis.
Philly got back on track a little. The Bills better find a running game fast or their season is over. Sadly, the Bills look like a major fraud.
The Jets are the worst team in the NFL. 4 pathetic displays. The Raiders save themselves with a rally. I hate that the Chargers are 0-4.
Dom Capers gets major props for going for the TD at the end, and then getting it. Of course, it would've made him an idiot if it failed, but guts like that are rare.
Carolina's D is crazy. Atlanta is done w/o Vick. Vikes will destroy them next week.
Patriots aren't doing much. Skins are a quiet 3-1. Titans whooped the Steelers, who make no sense to me.
Tim Couch did not help the Brownies, who lose to the Bengals, who ARE much improved. The Rams win big, but it WAS Arizona.
OK, here comes the power poll, since we're now a quarter of the way through the season (after the Packers win tonight, which STILL has me worried for them):
TEN BEST
1-Colts-beating the Titans is the most impressive win so far
2-Chiefs
3-Buccaneers-a blocked kick from 3-0
4-Vikings-I don't see any way they do less than 12-4
5-Panthers
6-Seahawks
7-Titans
8-Broncos
9-Dolphins
10-Redskins
TEN WORST
1-Jets-what a fall
2-Bears-I pity Kordell
3-Jaguars
4-Chargers
5-Browns
6-Cardinals
7-Falcons
8-Saints
9-Bengals-getting better each week under Marvin Lewis
10-Lions
TEN BEST
1-Colts-beating the Titans is the most impressive win so far
2-Chiefs
3-Buccaneers-a blocked kick from 3-0
4-Vikings-I don't see any way they do less than 12-4
5-Panthers
6-Seahawks
7-Titans
8-Broncos
9-Dolphins
10-Redskins
TEN WORST
1-Jets-what a fall
2-Bears-I pity Kordell
3-Jaguars
4-Chargers
5-Browns
6-Cardinals
7-Falcons
8-Saints
9-Bengals-getting better each week under Marvin Lewis
10-Lions
Week 5:
The Vikes are now 5-0! I dare say their offense is better than the 98 team. Hopefully when Daunte comes back after the bye, he can get it to Moss like Gus has. That one TD catch Moss made was SICK. That was classic CC-style footwork. The first half was sloppy. It looked like Atlanta was gonna save their season (granted, they HAVE played all good teams so far), but then the 2nd half came and the Vikes just demolished them. The D once again went crazy, and got TWO safeties.
The argument could be made that the Vikes have fattened their record with mediocre opponents, but I think they're legit. After the bye they play Denver. That'll be a hell of a game.
I can't recall ever being just baffled by games so much. How can anyone accurately predict games? Who could predict the Pack would rip Seattle like that? Or that Chicago would beat Oakland? Or that the Browns would rout Pittsburgh?
Looks like the Pack may be getting back in the game. I guess that Arizona loss woke em up. The Raiders are messed up. I'm glad Kordell got a win though. Funny how Maddox isn't doing a thing this year. But yeah, the Steelers failings were all Kordell's fault. Couch ripped em. The Browns have some winnable games now, and could get back in this.
Dante Hall wins another one for the Chiefs. That TD was one of the best returns I've ever seen. Denver proved themselves too though.
Carolina stayed unbeaten. Buffalo barely beat Cincy. So much for them being a super bowl contender. Miami looks like they're all the way back. Giants got crushed.
The Philly Iggles did their best to blow it at the end, but the underrated McNabb gets them back in the race. Dallas took care of business. They really are a solid team. Nice move stickin with Quincy Carter.
Niners beat Mooch, but Mooch is still way better than Erickson. Patsies beat the Titans. That's another one that makes no sense. Jaguars get their first win. Leftwich is pretty good already. I don't get why the Chargers are playing so bad. They're better than this.
The argument could be made that the Vikes have fattened their record with mediocre opponents, but I think they're legit. After the bye they play Denver. That'll be a hell of a game.
I can't recall ever being just baffled by games so much. How can anyone accurately predict games? Who could predict the Pack would rip Seattle like that? Or that Chicago would beat Oakland? Or that the Browns would rout Pittsburgh?
Looks like the Pack may be getting back in the game. I guess that Arizona loss woke em up. The Raiders are messed up. I'm glad Kordell got a win though. Funny how Maddox isn't doing a thing this year. But yeah, the Steelers failings were all Kordell's fault. Couch ripped em. The Browns have some winnable games now, and could get back in this.
Dante Hall wins another one for the Chiefs. That TD was one of the best returns I've ever seen. Denver proved themselves too though.
Carolina stayed unbeaten. Buffalo barely beat Cincy. So much for them being a super bowl contender. Miami looks like they're all the way back. Giants got crushed.
The Philly Iggles did their best to blow it at the end, but the underrated McNabb gets them back in the race. Dallas took care of business. They really are a solid team. Nice move stickin with Quincy Carter.
Niners beat Mooch, but Mooch is still way better than Erickson. Patsies beat the Titans. That's another one that makes no sense. Jaguars get their first win. Leftwich is pretty good already. I don't get why the Chargers are playing so bad. They're better than this.
The Manning MNF comeback:
You will NOT see a more unbelievable game this year.
The Colts, down 35-14 with about 4 minutes left, rally against the greatest defense I have ever seen, and win 38-35 in OT.
I'm watching this game, and I see some Colt DB dope fumble away an INT that gets taken in for a Tampa score. I see no Edgerrin James. And yet I see the Colts playing respectable. Even down 35-14 they'd showed me they're for real, cuz of course one TD was the dope play, and one was an INT during catch up time (which wouldn't have been needed if not for the dope, Doss I think).
The bashing of Peyton Manning as a QB who isn't big time must stop right now. Yeah this wasn't a playoff game, but it was a MNF road game against the best defense in football. It's about the closest equivalent. The throws he made during the rally were like peak level Favre, and the receivers made clutch catches. And this wasn't garbage time, cuz Tampa doesn't let up.
Yes, along with the drama and craziness, this was also one of the worst officiated games I can recall. Three horrible calls late in the game. A Tampa player was ruled in bounds, when he clearly got out. This cost them a chance for a shorter FG at the end of regulation. Whre were these refs during the Patriots-Rams super bowl.![]()
In OT, Tupa punts, but then Tampa keeps the ball after a horrid running into the kicker penalty. Awful call. The guy was just laying there and Tupa moved into him.
Then, on the liquored-up idiot kicker's FG try, he shanks it, but Simeon Rice is called for a weird penalty, where they said he landed on someone's body or something??? I didn't get that, but he didn't propel himself using someone else's body, and when he landed the ball was already on its way. If that ruling is correct, it is dumber than the tuck rule.
Then the idiot kicker hits the upright and it goes in to win. And I have another 7-7 picks week. However, I did pick Indy for the super bowl. If they can solve the Tampa D, they can solve anyone.
The Colts, down 35-14 with about 4 minutes left, rally against the greatest defense I have ever seen, and win 38-35 in OT.
I'm watching this game, and I see some Colt DB dope fumble away an INT that gets taken in for a Tampa score. I see no Edgerrin James. And yet I see the Colts playing respectable. Even down 35-14 they'd showed me they're for real, cuz of course one TD was the dope play, and one was an INT during catch up time (which wouldn't have been needed if not for the dope, Doss I think).
The bashing of Peyton Manning as a QB who isn't big time must stop right now. Yeah this wasn't a playoff game, but it was a MNF road game against the best defense in football. It's about the closest equivalent. The throws he made during the rally were like peak level Favre, and the receivers made clutch catches. And this wasn't garbage time, cuz Tampa doesn't let up.
Yes, along with the drama and craziness, this was also one of the worst officiated games I can recall. Three horrible calls late in the game. A Tampa player was ruled in bounds, when he clearly got out. This cost them a chance for a shorter FG at the end of regulation. Whre were these refs during the Patriots-Rams super bowl.
In OT, Tupa punts, but then Tampa keeps the ball after a horrid running into the kicker penalty. Awful call. The guy was just laying there and Tupa moved into him.Then, on the liquored-up idiot kicker's FG try, he shanks it, but Simeon Rice is called for a weird penalty, where they said he landed on someone's body or something??? I didn't get that, but he didn't propel himself using someone else's body, and when he landed the ball was already on its way. If that ruling is correct, it is dumber than the tuck rule.
Then the idiot kicker hits the upright and it goes in to win. And I have another 7-7 picks week. However, I did pick Indy for the super bowl. If they can solve the Tampa D, they can solve anyone.
Week 6:
No Vikings? No problem!
The Chiefs remain unbeaten with a major comeback win over the Packers. Trent Green FINALLY provides my fantasy team with a huge game (only guy on my team to do anything, d'oh!). KC can win games any way they need to. The Pack are gonna be in the wild card hunt, but they oughta be 5-1 right now, not 3-3.
The Colts had a hangover from MNF and got beat by 5-0 Carolina. The Panthers are legit. Indy still is too, and proved again they could comeback against a great defense.
I don't understand why the Bills are so bad. Gregg Williams is gonna get fired after the season if he can't get this team to the playoffs. Glad to see the Jets get a win though.
Philly's Iggles blew one to Dallas. The Cowboys have that divison right now. Dallas plays Tampa in a couple weeks though, and we'll see they're good, but not great. Philly can't afford to lose again for a while.
The Bucs took it to the Skins, who are poster children for mediocrity. Btw, Warren Sapp is an idiot. Calling the NFL the "slave master"? Uh, last I checked, slaves were not paid millions of dollars.
Miami beats Jacksonville kinda sloppy-like. Pats beat the Giants really sloppy-like.
The Raiders are a damn disaster. They're more of a joke right now than the Rams were this time last year. The Browns remain weird, but they're very much in the division hunt.
Denver edges Pittsburgh, even w/o Plummer or a big game from Portis. The Steelers aren't good. Maddox is showing himself to be a fluke. Hmmm, thought Kordell was their whole problem. I'll never let em off the hook for that.
Baltimore beats Zona in front of dozens. I should head down there for the Vikes week 17 game. Could probably get 50 yard line seats!
Saints beat da Bears. Seattle beat the Niners.
The Chiefs remain unbeaten with a major comeback win over the Packers. Trent Green FINALLY provides my fantasy team with a huge game (only guy on my team to do anything, d'oh!). KC can win games any way they need to. The Pack are gonna be in the wild card hunt, but they oughta be 5-1 right now, not 3-3.
The Colts had a hangover from MNF and got beat by 5-0 Carolina. The Panthers are legit. Indy still is too, and proved again they could comeback against a great defense.
I don't understand why the Bills are so bad. Gregg Williams is gonna get fired after the season if he can't get this team to the playoffs. Glad to see the Jets get a win though.
Philly's Iggles blew one to Dallas. The Cowboys have that divison right now. Dallas plays Tampa in a couple weeks though, and we'll see they're good, but not great. Philly can't afford to lose again for a while.
The Bucs took it to the Skins, who are poster children for mediocrity. Btw, Warren Sapp is an idiot. Calling the NFL the "slave master"? Uh, last I checked, slaves were not paid millions of dollars.
Miami beats Jacksonville kinda sloppy-like. Pats beat the Giants really sloppy-like.
The Raiders are a damn disaster. They're more of a joke right now than the Rams were this time last year. The Browns remain weird, but they're very much in the division hunt.
Denver edges Pittsburgh, even w/o Plummer or a big game from Portis. The Steelers aren't good. Maddox is showing himself to be a fluke. Hmmm, thought Kordell was their whole problem. I'll never let em off the hook for that.
Baltimore beats Zona in front of dozens. I should head down there for the Vikes week 17 game. Could probably get 50 yard line seats!
Saints beat da Bears. Seattle beat the Niners.
Week 7:
I cannot complain about my Vikes now being 6-0, but they were exposed quite a bit against a battered Bronco team.
For one, one of the TDs was that fluke improv by Moss (the best WR in the NFL, and it is not even a discussion). Also, Steve Beuerlein was beyond pathetic, just standing there and letting the boys sack him. But then once the much more mobile Kanell came in, Denver began cruising. They WOULD have tied the game, if not for one of the worst play calls ever. 3rd & 10 at about the Viking 40 with under a minute and no timeouts...and they run a little draw right into the line for no gain, thus having to rush a 4th down play. What were they thinking?? This was the first time all year the Vikings were given a win, rather than getting it themselves.
Now then, nit-picking aside, the Vikings are a virtual lock for home field advantage. I see only one certain loss on the schedule, at the Rams in about a month or so. And the Rams may have a 100% Faulk by then and could be in the home field hunt too. Carolina is also a contender, but not Dallas and not Seattle.
The Packers are on life support. 3-4 and with the Vikings after their bye. And they do NOT win in the dome, so they WILL be 3-5.
The Iggles of Phillet got lucky. McNabb needs to sit. This is one of the worst slumps ever by a good QB. It has to be that he's hurt. The Giants are basically done after the Vikes chew em up next week. Dallas is winning their easy games. The Tampa game will be VERY revealing. The Redskins are on the way out. The Lions are terrible, and the Bears may be worse.
Tampa's loss really surprised me, but then SF was the desperate team. Sapp is acting like a 2 year old child right now, acting out to get attention. Of course, he never does anything ON the field anymore, so I guess he needs to get his press other ways. The Niners may not be done yet.
Carolina got creamed, but the Titans are one of the top 5 in the league for sure. McNair IS the MVP right now. Few teams will beat the Panthers like that, or at all.
The Saints have woken up, beaten a couple dogs, and are somewhat back in it. I feel really bad for Dan Reeves, but maybe he shouldn't have hitched everything to Vick.
Seattle stumbles along, but won.
The Dolphins again show themselves as frauds, just earlier. The Pats are in first somehow. The Bills finally get a nice win, and a big game from Henry. The Jets may not be done, especially with Pennington back soon.
The Bengals are in the divison race. Oh yes, they are. And frankly, they've played as good as anyone there. Cleveland is wildly up and down. Pittsburgh is weak, and the Ravens are ok, but far from great. Cincy CAN win this division, which is the worst in NFL history.
I'm glad the Chargers got a win, cuz they are not THAT bad. Bad, but not winless bad.
As for Denver, their good season is going down the tubes fast. Call Jeff George. He's out there and can throw. Unless they really wanna rely on Kanell(who until yesterday I didn't know was still in the league).
For one, one of the TDs was that fluke improv by Moss (the best WR in the NFL, and it is not even a discussion). Also, Steve Beuerlein was beyond pathetic, just standing there and letting the boys sack him. But then once the much more mobile Kanell came in, Denver began cruising. They WOULD have tied the game, if not for one of the worst play calls ever. 3rd & 10 at about the Viking 40 with under a minute and no timeouts...and they run a little draw right into the line for no gain, thus having to rush a 4th down play. What were they thinking?? This was the first time all year the Vikings were given a win, rather than getting it themselves.
Now then, nit-picking aside, the Vikings are a virtual lock for home field advantage. I see only one certain loss on the schedule, at the Rams in about a month or so. And the Rams may have a 100% Faulk by then and could be in the home field hunt too. Carolina is also a contender, but not Dallas and not Seattle.
The Packers are on life support. 3-4 and with the Vikings after their bye. And they do NOT win in the dome, so they WILL be 3-5.
The Iggles of Phillet got lucky. McNabb needs to sit. This is one of the worst slumps ever by a good QB. It has to be that he's hurt. The Giants are basically done after the Vikes chew em up next week. Dallas is winning their easy games. The Tampa game will be VERY revealing. The Redskins are on the way out. The Lions are terrible, and the Bears may be worse.
Tampa's loss really surprised me, but then SF was the desperate team. Sapp is acting like a 2 year old child right now, acting out to get attention. Of course, he never does anything ON the field anymore, so I guess he needs to get his press other ways. The Niners may not be done yet.
Carolina got creamed, but the Titans are one of the top 5 in the league for sure. McNair IS the MVP right now. Few teams will beat the Panthers like that, or at all.
The Saints have woken up, beaten a couple dogs, and are somewhat back in it. I feel really bad for Dan Reeves, but maybe he shouldn't have hitched everything to Vick.
Seattle stumbles along, but won.
The Dolphins again show themselves as frauds, just earlier. The Pats are in first somehow. The Bills finally get a nice win, and a big game from Henry. The Jets may not be done, especially with Pennington back soon.
The Bengals are in the divison race. Oh yes, they are. And frankly, they've played as good as anyone there. Cleveland is wildly up and down. Pittsburgh is weak, and the Ravens are ok, but far from great. Cincy CAN win this division, which is the worst in NFL history.
I'm glad the Chargers got a win, cuz they are not THAT bad. Bad, but not winless bad.
As for Denver, their good season is going down the tubes fast. Call Jeff George. He's out there and can throw. Unless they really wanna rely on Kanell(who until yesterday I didn't know was still in the league).
Power poll/Vikings predictions (yeesh):
I'd rank the best teams like so:
1-Chiefs
2-Colts
3-Vikings
4-Titans
5-Panthers
The Vikes still lack that major impressive win. KC's played almost all good teams. Indy had the huge comeback over Tampa, plus routing the Titans. The Titans crushed the Panthers.
So far the only Viking wins of real note are:
Green Bay (when GB was absolutely pathetic, and even it wound up close)
San Fran (when they were in disarray and T.O. was whining)
Denver (who did not have Plummer and had just lost Ian Gold, and they still nearly beat em with Kanell)
Of course, the Vikings don't have a tough schedule at all, at least until a few more weeks away.
Giants-HOME--should be a rout
Packers-HOME--Favre goes haywire in the dome every year
Chargers-ROAD--pesky, but they should win this one.
Raiders-ROAD--The Raiders could have things fixed by then, so this could be a tough one, but they could still be lousy.
Lions-HOME--easy one, though they gave em a bit of a game in Detroit.
Rams-ROAD--The only game I wouldn't pick em to win. They can outscore the Vikes, and Faulk will be back well before this game.
Seahawks-HOME--Seattle embarassed em last year, but that won't happen again.
Bears-ROAD--They always struggle at the Bears, and it could be snowy by then, but this still should be a win.
Chiefs-HOME--Possible super bowl preview. Their toughest home game, and possibly their lone home loss. I'd still favor them.
Cardinals-ROAD--Maybe a loss if only cuz they could have everything wrapped up by then.
So I see at WORST 4 losses (KC, Rams, Oakland and maybe Chicago). Provided they get home field, I see them reaching the super bowl, but the AFC champ will likely be better.
1-Chiefs
2-Colts
3-Vikings
4-Titans
5-Panthers
The Vikes still lack that major impressive win. KC's played almost all good teams. Indy had the huge comeback over Tampa, plus routing the Titans. The Titans crushed the Panthers.
So far the only Viking wins of real note are:
Green Bay (when GB was absolutely pathetic, and even it wound up close)
San Fran (when they were in disarray and T.O. was whining)
Denver (who did not have Plummer and had just lost Ian Gold, and they still nearly beat em with Kanell)
Of course, the Vikings don't have a tough schedule at all, at least until a few more weeks away.
Giants-HOME--should be a rout
Packers-HOME--Favre goes haywire in the dome every year
Chargers-ROAD--pesky, but they should win this one.
Raiders-ROAD--The Raiders could have things fixed by then, so this could be a tough one, but they could still be lousy.
Lions-HOME--easy one, though they gave em a bit of a game in Detroit.
Rams-ROAD--The only game I wouldn't pick em to win. They can outscore the Vikes, and Faulk will be back well before this game.
Seahawks-HOME--Seattle embarassed em last year, but that won't happen again.
Bears-ROAD--They always struggle at the Bears, and it could be snowy by then, but this still should be a win.
Chiefs-HOME--Possible super bowl preview. Their toughest home game, and possibly their lone home loss. I'd still favor them.
Cardinals-ROAD--Maybe a loss if only cuz they could have everything wrapped up by then.
So I see at WORST 4 losses (KC, Rams, Oakland and maybe Chicago). Provided they get home field, I see them reaching the super bowl, but the AFC champ will likely be better.
Week 8:
The Vikings were dealt their first loss by the Giants, in a game that was one of the worst played on both sides that I've seen in a long time.
The Vikes have regressed as the season's gone on. The team that whipped the Pack and Niners has had to struggle to beat the Falcons and Broncos and now have been beaten by a Giant team that is beyond pathetic. The Giants shoulda won this by 3 touchdowns, but they made countless mistakes.
The Vikes did not deserve to win either. They could not run. The pass D was frighteningly similar to the 2000 NFC championship. Dumb penalties. Daunte's INT-free streak ends, but he and Moss still had good games.
Just one loss, but they've been exposed more and more the last few games. They are not the best team in the NFC, that's for sure.
The NFC's best is still Tampa, who clobbered Dallas as expected. Then there's the Rams, who beat up the Steelers. Both are superior to the Vikes.
The Panthers eeked out a win over the Saints. Seattle indeed did lose to the Bengals, who ARE in the division race. The Eagles played a solid game against the Chad-led Jets. Suddenly they're back to 4-3, a game out of first. The Niners illogically lost to Zona.
KC destroyed the Bills. Indy sleepwalked by the scrappy Texans. Titans skated by the Jags. There's your top 3 teams in the NFL.
The Pats won ugly, against the Browns, who should get rid of both QBs at this point.
Denver is finished. Too bad. The Steelers are also finished. The Kordell fan in me is happy.
The Vikes have regressed as the season's gone on. The team that whipped the Pack and Niners has had to struggle to beat the Falcons and Broncos and now have been beaten by a Giant team that is beyond pathetic. The Giants shoulda won this by 3 touchdowns, but they made countless mistakes.
The Vikes did not deserve to win either. They could not run. The pass D was frighteningly similar to the 2000 NFC championship. Dumb penalties. Daunte's INT-free streak ends, but he and Moss still had good games.
Just one loss, but they've been exposed more and more the last few games. They are not the best team in the NFC, that's for sure.
The NFC's best is still Tampa, who clobbered Dallas as expected. Then there's the Rams, who beat up the Steelers. Both are superior to the Vikes.
The Panthers eeked out a win over the Saints. Seattle indeed did lose to the Bengals, who ARE in the division race. The Eagles played a solid game against the Chad-led Jets. Suddenly they're back to 4-3, a game out of first. The Niners illogically lost to Zona.
KC destroyed the Bills. Indy sleepwalked by the scrappy Texans. Titans skated by the Jags. There's your top 3 teams in the NFL.
The Pats won ugly, against the Browns, who should get rid of both QBs at this point.
Denver is finished. Too bad. The Steelers are also finished. The Kordell fan in me is happy.
Week 9:
Make it 2 losses in a row, and three bad defensive games in a row. Favre finally had a great game in the dome, Ahman Green shredded the overrated Viking D and the Packers best the Vikings 30-27. It was not that close.
The Vikes still should win the division, but they're really just an average team. Their defense, which looked so great when the opposing QBs were the Steve Beuerleins and Doug Johnsons and Joey Harringtons of the NFL is now getting ripped again, just like previous years. And the run D is in major decline too, which is bad news since LaDanian Tomlinson is next up.
The offense for the Vikes was fine. Bennett was back and played well. The problem was the Packers actually did a real good job taking Moss out of the game. I don't think he caught a pass in the 2nd half. And the Pack made plays to hold em to field goals a couple times.
Now the Vikes are in a 4-way tie for the NFC's best record.
But who can guess what'll happen? This was another of those weeks where nothing made sense.
How do the Tim Rattay-led Niners destroy the Rams, just when they were starting to look like the 99 Rams again?
How do the Saints again beat Tampa? How do the Raiders sink so low that they get stomped by the Lions? How do the Bengals, who'd seemingly finally turned the corner, lose to Arizona? How do the Texans beat Carolina?
With most teams having played 8 games, here's how I see the divisons finishing:
NFC EAST
Eagles
Cowboys
Giants
Redskins
Philly's back. McNabb's playing very good again. Dallas is fairly legit, but the Giants are still too shaky. Skins are a mess.
NFC NORTH
Vikings
Packers
Bears
Lions
Vikes lead will hold up, since the Pack will find ways to lose winnable games.
NFC SOUTH
Buccaneers
Panthers
Saints
Falcons
Tampa's bound to get on a roll, despite their struggles. Panthers are due to slump. Saints could still take off, but its unlikely.
NFC WEST
Seahawks
Rams
49ers
Cardinals
Seattle and the Rams will battle. Niners are the most up and down team in the league.
AFC EAST
Patriots
Dolphins
Jets
Bills
Pats just keep winning. Fish can't keep losing close home games. I'm fed up with the Bills mediocrity, and the Jets are playing better now with Chad.
AFC NORTH
Ravens
Bengals
Browns
Steelers
Ravens will be a very dangerous playoff team.
AFC SOUTH
Colts
Titans
Texans
Jaguars
Indy may hold the edge over the Titans, but both are super bowl contenders.
AFC WEST
Chiefs
Broncos
Raiders
Chargers
KC's gonna wind up with the league's best record, but not 16-0. Denver needs Plummer back fast or they won't make the playoffs.
NFC PLAYOFF TEAMS: Eagles, Vikes, Buccaneers, Seahawks, Panthers, Rams
AFC PLAYOFF TEAMS: Patriots, Ravens, Colts, Chiefs, Dolphins, Titans
SUPER BOWL: Bucs over the Colts. Hey, why back off the pick now?
The Vikes still should win the division, but they're really just an average team. Their defense, which looked so great when the opposing QBs were the Steve Beuerleins and Doug Johnsons and Joey Harringtons of the NFL is now getting ripped again, just like previous years. And the run D is in major decline too, which is bad news since LaDanian Tomlinson is next up.
The offense for the Vikes was fine. Bennett was back and played well. The problem was the Packers actually did a real good job taking Moss out of the game. I don't think he caught a pass in the 2nd half. And the Pack made plays to hold em to field goals a couple times.
Now the Vikes are in a 4-way tie for the NFC's best record.
But who can guess what'll happen? This was another of those weeks where nothing made sense.
How do the Tim Rattay-led Niners destroy the Rams, just when they were starting to look like the 99 Rams again?
How do the Saints again beat Tampa? How do the Raiders sink so low that they get stomped by the Lions? How do the Bengals, who'd seemingly finally turned the corner, lose to Arizona? How do the Texans beat Carolina?
With most teams having played 8 games, here's how I see the divisons finishing:
NFC EAST
Eagles
Cowboys
Giants
Redskins
Philly's back. McNabb's playing very good again. Dallas is fairly legit, but the Giants are still too shaky. Skins are a mess.
NFC NORTH
Vikings
Packers
Bears
Lions
Vikes lead will hold up, since the Pack will find ways to lose winnable games.
NFC SOUTH
Buccaneers
Panthers
Saints
Falcons
Tampa's bound to get on a roll, despite their struggles. Panthers are due to slump. Saints could still take off, but its unlikely.
NFC WEST
Seahawks
Rams
49ers
Cardinals
Seattle and the Rams will battle. Niners are the most up and down team in the league.
AFC EAST
Patriots
Dolphins
Jets
Bills
Pats just keep winning. Fish can't keep losing close home games. I'm fed up with the Bills mediocrity, and the Jets are playing better now with Chad.
AFC NORTH
Ravens
Bengals
Browns
Steelers
Ravens will be a very dangerous playoff team.
AFC SOUTH
Colts
Titans
Texans
Jaguars
Indy may hold the edge over the Titans, but both are super bowl contenders.
AFC WEST
Chiefs
Broncos
Raiders
Chargers
KC's gonna wind up with the league's best record, but not 16-0. Denver needs Plummer back fast or they won't make the playoffs.
NFC PLAYOFF TEAMS: Eagles, Vikes, Buccaneers, Seahawks, Panthers, Rams
AFC PLAYOFF TEAMS: Patriots, Ravens, Colts, Chiefs, Dolphins, Titans
SUPER BOWL: Bucs over the Colts. Hey, why back off the pick now?
Week 10:
Yes, the Vikes are in MAJOR meltdown mode right now. The defense has shockingly reverted back to being just as putrid as it was from late 2000 through most of 2002. They cannot stop anybody right now. Doug Flutie, 40 years old, hadn't started a game in a year or more, and he looked like Michael Vick. David Boston, the most lazy and selfish player in football, looked like Randy Moss.
The offense is being shutdown just enough too. 28 points yesterday, but one TD was during prevent defense time, and that Burleson TD was a flat out blown call. He did not have both feet in. So, during the part of the game where the San Diego D was actually going full steam, the Vikes scored only 14 points. Moss is being contained just enough, and Bennett had a killer fumble.
Now if the Packers win tonight, the division lead is only one game. If the Vikes do not turn their defense around immediately, they will indeed be lucky to make the playoffs. Even if they do make it in, they'll never survive a team like the Rams or Panthers or Cowboys. Hell, they may not be able to handle Rick Mirer next week.
I guess we can stop hearing any talk of George O'Leary being a head coach candidate anytime soon.
Elsewhere...
KC keeps going. They WILL lose 2 or 3 games still, cuz they may have home field clinched with 2 or 3 games left, and it'd be stupid to jeopardize a super bowl run by playing starters the whole game to go undeafeated.
The Colts and Giants each lose shockingly. I guess the Colts were due for a dud game, but it has now cost em home field. The Giants one is really puzzling.
Titans killed Miami. Can we please have some respect given to Jay Fiedler now? Fact is they win with him, and lose with everybody else.
Carolina has basically clinched their divison now, meaning Tampa will have to scrap for a playoff berth(but 8-8 may do it in the NFC). The Skins are still in it, and Seattle can't win on the road.
The Rams game was weird as hell. The Ravens have the best defense in football, not Tampa. But the Rams make the plays to win, and they still have a legit shot at home field.
Dallas beats the utterly pathetic Bills. I'm so sick of the mediocrity displayed by the Bills. With Miami and Denver collapsing, the Bills could've put themselves back in the playoff hunt, but instead they can't even get a play off half the time.
Oakland loses again, but at least they have the Vikes coming to town next week. If the Jets had gotten Chad back sooner, they'd have made the playoffs.
Cincy beats Houston, and are still in this thing. I'd love to see the Bengals make it.
The offense is being shutdown just enough too. 28 points yesterday, but one TD was during prevent defense time, and that Burleson TD was a flat out blown call. He did not have both feet in. So, during the part of the game where the San Diego D was actually going full steam, the Vikes scored only 14 points. Moss is being contained just enough, and Bennett had a killer fumble.
Now if the Packers win tonight, the division lead is only one game. If the Vikes do not turn their defense around immediately, they will indeed be lucky to make the playoffs. Even if they do make it in, they'll never survive a team like the Rams or Panthers or Cowboys. Hell, they may not be able to handle Rick Mirer next week.
I guess we can stop hearing any talk of George O'Leary being a head coach candidate anytime soon.
Elsewhere...
KC keeps going. They WILL lose 2 or 3 games still, cuz they may have home field clinched with 2 or 3 games left, and it'd be stupid to jeopardize a super bowl run by playing starters the whole game to go undeafeated.
The Colts and Giants each lose shockingly. I guess the Colts were due for a dud game, but it has now cost em home field. The Giants one is really puzzling.
Titans killed Miami. Can we please have some respect given to Jay Fiedler now? Fact is they win with him, and lose with everybody else.
Carolina has basically clinched their divison now, meaning Tampa will have to scrap for a playoff berth(but 8-8 may do it in the NFC). The Skins are still in it, and Seattle can't win on the road.
The Rams game was weird as hell. The Ravens have the best defense in football, not Tampa. But the Rams make the plays to win, and they still have a legit shot at home field.
Dallas beats the utterly pathetic Bills. I'm so sick of the mediocrity displayed by the Bills. With Miami and Denver collapsing, the Bills could've put themselves back in the playoff hunt, but instead they can't even get a play off half the time.
Oakland loses again, but at least they have the Vikes coming to town next week. If the Jets had gotten Chad back sooner, they'd have made the playoffs.
Cincy beats Houston, and are still in this thing. I'd love to see the Bengals make it.
Week 11:
This one's mostly on Daunte. This was a very bad throwback to the Daunte of 2001-02, the one who not only makes huge mistakes, but who does things like fumble without being touched (what was he DOING there?).
I think what it is is now he's feeling so much pressure to make the plays and rack up points, since this defense has been riddled now for really 5 straight weeks. He NEEDS to deliver 30+ points every time.
This defense is beyond pathetic at this point. 21 points(coulda been in the 30's easily) given up to a team w/o any ability to throw. Rick Mirer was pathetic, yet he still barely threw any incompletions. True, one TD was a 1 yard drive, but there was never any point where the D looked like it could make a stop if needed. The only ones who stopped the Raiders were the Raiders(the fumbles, the inexplicable Tim Brown drop, the short runs on 3rd and long). The Raiders, the WORST team in football(at least the AFC), did everything they could to give the Vikes this game and the Vikes still couldn't do a thing.
This is no longer a slump. They have been completely exposed, and the Vikes coaches are not good enough to adapt. Can you imagine what the Rams are gonna do in 2 weeks to this defense? They may score 70 points!
The Packers got a MAJOR win in Tampa, basically eliminating Tampa. I'm amazed they won that, but that lessens the sting of the MNF game and now with just a game difference and a much easier schedule left, the Packers should win the division. Only another Arizona-like slip-up will keep the Packers from winning the division.
Maybe Tice(sporting a not so lucky beard now) will guarantee another win this week, but bad as Detroit is, even they could smoke this defense.
I think what it is is now he's feeling so much pressure to make the plays and rack up points, since this defense has been riddled now for really 5 straight weeks. He NEEDS to deliver 30+ points every time.
This defense is beyond pathetic at this point. 21 points(coulda been in the 30's easily) given up to a team w/o any ability to throw. Rick Mirer was pathetic, yet he still barely threw any incompletions. True, one TD was a 1 yard drive, but there was never any point where the D looked like it could make a stop if needed. The only ones who stopped the Raiders were the Raiders(the fumbles, the inexplicable Tim Brown drop, the short runs on 3rd and long). The Raiders, the WORST team in football(at least the AFC), did everything they could to give the Vikes this game and the Vikes still couldn't do a thing.
This is no longer a slump. They have been completely exposed, and the Vikes coaches are not good enough to adapt. Can you imagine what the Rams are gonna do in 2 weeks to this defense? They may score 70 points!
The Packers got a MAJOR win in Tampa, basically eliminating Tampa. I'm amazed they won that, but that lessens the sting of the MNF game and now with just a game difference and a much easier schedule left, the Packers should win the division. Only another Arizona-like slip-up will keep the Packers from winning the division.
Maybe Tice(sporting a not so lucky beard now) will guarantee another win this week, but bad as Detroit is, even they could smoke this defense.
KC finally got beat, but I'm glad it was Cincy, with their biggest win in over a decade. But anyone who focuses on Chad Johnson's guarantee, as if it meant anything, is an idiot. KC will be fine. They'll have that pressure gone, and will roll onto home field.
Tampa is really finished. They can't win the division, and would need to overtake Philly, Seattle, Green Bay and the Saints to get a wild card.
The Eagles are as good as any NFC team right now, and McNabb is headed for the pro bowl given how he's been playing. Funny how McNabb's season took off right when Limbaugh went into rehab. The Dolphins eek out a win over the Ravens, in spite of the continued awfulness of Griese.
Denver gets Plummer back and flips a switch, killing the Chargers. Denver can now roll onto a playoff berth.
The Rams win a tough one, oddly enough due in large part to Martz, who finally started running Faulk, and went for a couple 4th downs.
Indy beat the Jets. Colts will make the playoffs, but certainly they are a notch below the Chiefs and Titans, and even the Patriots, who are WAY better than they were 2 years ago.
Dallas is still headed for the playoffs too. Carolina's getting better as the season goes on. Delhomme's becoming one of the best 4th quarter QBs.
Buffalo's depressing collapse continues. I don't often call for coaches' heads, but Gregg Williams should be fired. No excuse for that team being so awful.
Tampa is really finished. They can't win the division, and would need to overtake Philly, Seattle, Green Bay and the Saints to get a wild card.
The Eagles are as good as any NFC team right now, and McNabb is headed for the pro bowl given how he's been playing. Funny how McNabb's season took off right when Limbaugh went into rehab. The Dolphins eek out a win over the Ravens, in spite of the continued awfulness of Griese.
Denver gets Plummer back and flips a switch, killing the Chargers. Denver can now roll onto a playoff berth.
The Rams win a tough one, oddly enough due in large part to Martz, who finally started running Faulk, and went for a couple 4th downs.
Indy beat the Jets. Colts will make the playoffs, but certainly they are a notch below the Chiefs and Titans, and even the Patriots, who are WAY better than they were 2 years ago.
Dallas is still headed for the playoffs too. Carolina's getting better as the season goes on. Delhomme's becoming one of the best 4th quarter QBs.
Buffalo's depressing collapse continues. I don't often call for coaches' heads, but Gregg Williams should be fired. No excuse for that team being so awful.
A "what do the Vikings need" post:
A. The LBs are slow, which is a large reason why teams have figured out that running outside is the way to go. Biekert doesn't have much left.
B. I think the DBs are solid, but again when they play 10 yards off the receivers, they have no chance. That's a coaching thing. They should have the DBs right up on the WRs.
C. The DL is fine, but they too have trouble with the run. But I like Kevin Williams a lot too. Hovan's overrated though.
D. I know he screws up sometimes, but I wish Kelly Campbell was used a lot more. He always makes big plays. And Daunte needs to take more chances to get it to Moss, even if he's covered. Or they need to run Moss on reverses or something.
I don't think Daunte should be benched for Frerotte, but there's no escaping how Gus gets the ball deep to Moss MUCH better. But it was just one bad game, and he's still improved too much over last season to give up so quick.
B. I think the DBs are solid, but again when they play 10 yards off the receivers, they have no chance. That's a coaching thing. They should have the DBs right up on the WRs.
C. The DL is fine, but they too have trouble with the run. But I like Kevin Williams a lot too. Hovan's overrated though.
D. I know he screws up sometimes, but I wish Kelly Campbell was used a lot more. He always makes big plays. And Daunte needs to take more chances to get it to Moss, even if he's covered. Or they need to run Moss on reverses or something.
I don't think Daunte should be benched for Frerotte, but there's no escaping how Gus gets the ball deep to Moss MUCH better. But it was just one bad game, and he's still improved too much over last season to give up so quick.
Various NFL topics post:
I think the Browns and Vikings are having a competition to see who can have the most off the field distractions.
Kevin Williams and Mixon each get drunk driving arrests. And yes, they were only WIs or UIs, since the Vikes have no D. McCombs calls a respectable loss to the Giants humiliating, and keeps dropping hints that he'll move the team to LA, which only a stupid old man like Red actually believes can happen. As if the NFL would let the Vikes move ahead of a team like San Diego, Arizona or Indy.
The Keyshawn era in Tampa comes to an end. "Me"shawn is a blowhard, but this smells like Gruden finding a scapegoat for a 4-6 record. I guess if he'd done this to Sapp, Sapp would've called him a slave master too. It must just KILL Sapp to realize that the all-time great defense currently on display is in Baltimore.
Kevin Williams and Mixon each get drunk driving arrests. And yes, they were only WIs or UIs, since the Vikes have no D. McCombs calls a respectable loss to the Giants humiliating, and keeps dropping hints that he'll move the team to LA, which only a stupid old man like Red actually believes can happen. As if the NFL would let the Vikes move ahead of a team like San Diego, Arizona or Indy.
The Keyshawn era in Tampa comes to an end. "Me"shawn is a blowhard, but this smells like Gruden finding a scapegoat for a 4-6 record. I guess if he'd done this to Sapp, Sapp would've called him a slave master too. It must just KILL Sapp to realize that the all-time great defense currently on display is in Baltimore.
Week 12:
The Vikings had only one way to show they had gotten their shit together on Sunday: rout the pathetic Lions.
They did not do that. Instead, they played such a pathetic, incompetent game, that 30 other teams would have beaten them, most with ease. Lucky for them (and all it was was luck), they played the only team capable of putting up an even MORE incompetent effort.
Honestly, I think the Michigan Wolverines could beat the Lions. This was seriously one of the 5 worst performances I have ever seen given by an NFL team. It was like watching a football follies tape. Joey Harrington I once thought would be good, but he's terrible. Those 2 TD picks were absolute gifts. The Lions running game does not exist. They have no receivers, other than other teams castoffs like Az Hakim and Schroeder. They don't have a single player on defense worth a damn, except Dre Bly.
And yet, with 2 minutes and change to go, it was 7-7. The Vikings proved absolutely nothing to anyone not watching through purple tinted glasses. The offense was atrocious again, as Daunte is sadly reverting back to medocrity. Tice coddles Daunte, but Frerotte is not such a crazy idea. The Vikes defense seemed better, but hello! It was the incompetent Lions. Detroit didn't even try running outside.
And how about the comical penalties. That delay of game! That offensive interference (bad call, but still)! I'm sick of the homers whining about Moss too. Yeah right, every time a DB breathes on him it HAS to be interference, but when Moss drags a guy down, how dare they flag him. And that unsportsman-like foul was 100% justified. Spiked it right at the guy. I can't even listen to the radio broadcasts anymore cuz of the whining homerism of Joe Senser.
So, 7-4. And not an easy game left. Next week the Vikes may lose by 30 points to the Rams.
Green Bay is coming. Good win over the Niners. Dallas may finally have erased the doubts. Philly keeps rolling. The Rams win against the Cards, who are very good at home. Seattle blows one against the Ravens. If the Ravens have found an offense, they will win the super bowl. You heard me.
KC barely beats Oakland. Titans barely beat Atlanta. Colts barely beat Buffalo. Pats barely beat Houston.
Cincy is 6-5. Any NFL fan with a soul should be rooting for them.
Tampa wins, as Fassell puts the nail in his own coffin.
Cleveland blows it again. Denver REALLY blows it, and costs me a perfect week of predictions. Miami has Fiedler back, and they win. Why is Fiedler's reliability so hard for Wannstedt to grasp?
They did not do that. Instead, they played such a pathetic, incompetent game, that 30 other teams would have beaten them, most with ease. Lucky for them (and all it was was luck), they played the only team capable of putting up an even MORE incompetent effort.
Honestly, I think the Michigan Wolverines could beat the Lions. This was seriously one of the 5 worst performances I have ever seen given by an NFL team. It was like watching a football follies tape. Joey Harrington I once thought would be good, but he's terrible. Those 2 TD picks were absolute gifts. The Lions running game does not exist. They have no receivers, other than other teams castoffs like Az Hakim and Schroeder. They don't have a single player on defense worth a damn, except Dre Bly.
And yet, with 2 minutes and change to go, it was 7-7. The Vikings proved absolutely nothing to anyone not watching through purple tinted glasses. The offense was atrocious again, as Daunte is sadly reverting back to medocrity. Tice coddles Daunte, but Frerotte is not such a crazy idea. The Vikes defense seemed better, but hello! It was the incompetent Lions. Detroit didn't even try running outside.
And how about the comical penalties. That delay of game! That offensive interference (bad call, but still)! I'm sick of the homers whining about Moss too. Yeah right, every time a DB breathes on him it HAS to be interference, but when Moss drags a guy down, how dare they flag him. And that unsportsman-like foul was 100% justified. Spiked it right at the guy. I can't even listen to the radio broadcasts anymore cuz of the whining homerism of Joe Senser.
So, 7-4. And not an easy game left. Next week the Vikes may lose by 30 points to the Rams.
Green Bay is coming. Good win over the Niners. Dallas may finally have erased the doubts. Philly keeps rolling. The Rams win against the Cards, who are very good at home. Seattle blows one against the Ravens. If the Ravens have found an offense, they will win the super bowl. You heard me.
KC barely beats Oakland. Titans barely beat Atlanta. Colts barely beat Buffalo. Pats barely beat Houston.
Cincy is 6-5. Any NFL fan with a soul should be rooting for them.
Tampa wins, as Fassell puts the nail in his own coffin.
Cleveland blows it again. Denver REALLY blows it, and costs me a perfect week of predictions. Miami has Fiedler back, and they win. Why is Fiedler's reliability so hard for Wannstedt to grasp?
Thanksgiving:
Brett Favre may be my favorite player of all time.
But his sorry ass needs to be benched.
Seriously, any other QB who plays as terrible as Favre has this season would have been benched. The last 2 Packer losses have been HIS fault. That broken thumb makes him useless. What a sickening display on national TV, throwing pathetic picks to the worst team in the NFL. And fumbling again. This time Ahman Green wasn't able to bail him out. If Favre were anywhere near the QB he once was, he'd have easily strapped the team on his back and led them to victory. Again, Detroit was trying to give the game away, but Favre blew it over and over. He has now cost them 2 huge games, and this one really bails out the Vikings, cuz its a division loss. Now the only way the Pack can win the division is if the Vikes lose in Chicago.
Frankly, neither one of these teams deserve to make the playoffs, but none of those Viking losses was as inexcusable as this.
Elsewhere, Miami is back, and storming for the playoffs. Denver has no chance, and whoever fails to take the north will be out as well.
But his sorry ass needs to be benched.
Seriously, any other QB who plays as terrible as Favre has this season would have been benched. The last 2 Packer losses have been HIS fault. That broken thumb makes him useless. What a sickening display on national TV, throwing pathetic picks to the worst team in the NFL. And fumbling again. This time Ahman Green wasn't able to bail him out. If Favre were anywhere near the QB he once was, he'd have easily strapped the team on his back and led them to victory. Again, Detroit was trying to give the game away, but Favre blew it over and over. He has now cost them 2 huge games, and this one really bails out the Vikings, cuz its a division loss. Now the only way the Pack can win the division is if the Vikes lose in Chicago.
Frankly, neither one of these teams deserve to make the playoffs, but none of those Viking losses was as inexcusable as this.
Elsewhere, Miami is back, and storming for the playoffs. Denver has no chance, and whoever fails to take the north will be out as well.
Week 13:
1999...2000...2003
It was like watching the same game all over again, as once more a fraudulent Viking team strolls into St. Louis and gets their heads blown off. Only this time they didn't get garbage points to make the score more respectable.
Nothing in this game surprised me. You knew Bulger would right himself. You knew Faulk would have his best game of the year. You knew Bruce and Holt would have a field day.
I can't really blame Daunte on this one. Yeah, the fumble was a disaster, but it's obvious the Rams would've driven the ball down for a TD anyway. I cannot believe how this defense gets destroyed the exact same way every year when they play good offenses. The one INT they got was only cuz of a lousy Bulger throw.
The Rams were stupid in the first half on defense. It appeared they had no idea who Randy Moss is, or that Daunte is maybe the biggest threat to run among all QBs. But once they began blitzing...OMG! You don't think every other team will see that and copy it?
So, 7-5. I cannot believe this JV operation was once 6-0. Seems like years ago. Of course, the Packers will bail the Vikes out again and again. At this point, the best team in the division is clearly Chicago. And while it is absurd, the Bears actually do have a shot at the divison, since they play both teams in the next 2 weeks. I think the Vikes will beat Seattle, but it'll be a shootout, as Hasselbeck is going nuts. If he can rack up 44 on the Ravens, he can a least match that on the Vikes. But it is even more clear than ever that if the Vikes do back into the playoffs, they'll be gone very quickly.
Elsewhere....
While I agree the Pats are better this year, they got help on that stand today. I really didn't like what the Colts did there. They rushed up to the line to hurry up and run draws up the middle. Plays like that cannot work when you're hurrying. Guys can't get their blocks set, which is why the whole Patriot DL was bursting through. Too bad. Indy almost completed another crazy comeback against an elite defense.
Philly just keeps rolling, as the Panthers are falling back a bit. Now Philly can basically clinch the division next week.
Cincy makes another big comeback to keep pace with the Ravens. Again though, if the Ravens really do have an offense, they WILL go to the super bowl.
Denver stays alive for another week, as do the Saints.
Tampa Bay loses again, to the Jaguars of all people. That's it for Tampa. Keyshawn's laughing. Leftwich is gonna be great.
The Niners are also gone. Mariucci's laughing.
The Giants have really packed it in, assuring Fassell will be fired.
Vick shows up for the first time. Falcons can finish well.
The Chiefs again kinda stumbled along, which worries me. They still have the best record, but the AFC is too good to win on that alone. They need to play better.
It was like watching the same game all over again, as once more a fraudulent Viking team strolls into St. Louis and gets their heads blown off. Only this time they didn't get garbage points to make the score more respectable.
Nothing in this game surprised me. You knew Bulger would right himself. You knew Faulk would have his best game of the year. You knew Bruce and Holt would have a field day.
I can't really blame Daunte on this one. Yeah, the fumble was a disaster, but it's obvious the Rams would've driven the ball down for a TD anyway. I cannot believe how this defense gets destroyed the exact same way every year when they play good offenses. The one INT they got was only cuz of a lousy Bulger throw.
The Rams were stupid in the first half on defense. It appeared they had no idea who Randy Moss is, or that Daunte is maybe the biggest threat to run among all QBs. But once they began blitzing...OMG! You don't think every other team will see that and copy it?
So, 7-5. I cannot believe this JV operation was once 6-0. Seems like years ago. Of course, the Packers will bail the Vikes out again and again. At this point, the best team in the division is clearly Chicago. And while it is absurd, the Bears actually do have a shot at the divison, since they play both teams in the next 2 weeks. I think the Vikes will beat Seattle, but it'll be a shootout, as Hasselbeck is going nuts. If he can rack up 44 on the Ravens, he can a least match that on the Vikes. But it is even more clear than ever that if the Vikes do back into the playoffs, they'll be gone very quickly.
Elsewhere....
While I agree the Pats are better this year, they got help on that stand today. I really didn't like what the Colts did there. They rushed up to the line to hurry up and run draws up the middle. Plays like that cannot work when you're hurrying. Guys can't get their blocks set, which is why the whole Patriot DL was bursting through. Too bad. Indy almost completed another crazy comeback against an elite defense.
Philly just keeps rolling, as the Panthers are falling back a bit. Now Philly can basically clinch the division next week.
Cincy makes another big comeback to keep pace with the Ravens. Again though, if the Ravens really do have an offense, they WILL go to the super bowl.
Denver stays alive for another week, as do the Saints.
Tampa Bay loses again, to the Jaguars of all people. That's it for Tampa. Keyshawn's laughing. Leftwich is gonna be great.
The Niners are also gone. Mariucci's laughing.
The Giants have really packed it in, assuring Fassell will be fired.
Vick shows up for the first time. Falcons can finish well.
The Chiefs again kinda stumbled along, which worries me. They still have the best record, but the AFC is too good to win on that alone. They need to play better.
Week 14:
The Vikings actually won a game on their own merit. For the first time since beating Atlanta they won because they played well, not because the other team handed the game to them.
Granted, Seattle showed conclusively why they are 1-5 on the road, and why they will NOT be making the playoffs(Green Bay will at least catch them).
The dome field advantage hasn't been there as much this year, but today it was. Seattle looked like scared children, and the Vikes made some big plays. The first deep one to Moss was Mays-like, though all the Seattle DBs needed to do there was put a hand up and it'd be no TD. It still amazes me that teams seem surprised at what Moss can do. Loved the Campbell TD. Loved seeing Michael Bennett dominate.
I'm not convinced this team has turned the corner. It would not shock me one bit if they lose at Chicago next week, and now it is assured the Chiefs WILL need that game in 2 weeks. Plus Arizona is pesky at home.
The NFC only has 2 teams that really matter: Philly and St. Louis. Carolina blew one tonight (god its fun to watch Vick again!), and Dallas is fading. Green Bay got the win today, and they really would have to screw up again (very possible) to miss the playoffs. Seattle is a joke on the road, and will lose at the Rams and Niners, so as long as the Packers win 2 of 3, they catch Seattle for a wild card, and possibly set up a playoff game in the dome, which would be NUTS! They could still catch the Vikes, but only if they lose to the Bears next week. Vikes win next week and the divison race is over. Tampa is still in it, as are the Saints, but both need to stil make up 2 games, with fewer tiebreaker advantages than the Packers.
Over in the AFC, I once again say that the if the Ravens can score like this, they are a lock for the super bowl. Nobody wants them there (I HATE Billick), but it'll happen. New England wins in the snow, signaling another Miami collapse, which brings Denver back into it. I know Portis did most of the damage today, but people need to understand that Jake Plummer is finally a great quarterback. The Chiefs have the look of a team that will exit the playoffs very quickly. They haven't played a good game since they were still unbeaten. Lucky for them they get the Lions next week.
C-O-L-T-S! Indy finally took the step to become an elite team. They now own that divison over the reeling Titans (who could be looking at a losing trip to Baltimore in the playoffs). Indy can beat any of these AFC teams. I was letdown by how the Bengals got crushed. It's just a fairytale, but I still hoped they could keep it going. But they have little hope for a wild card. Miami can still make it, but given their history it is unlikely.
Right now, if I made a super bowl pick, it would be Colts-Eagles. But the Ravens could make it. I figure eventually the Patriots luck will end.
Granted, Seattle showed conclusively why they are 1-5 on the road, and why they will NOT be making the playoffs(Green Bay will at least catch them).
The dome field advantage hasn't been there as much this year, but today it was. Seattle looked like scared children, and the Vikes made some big plays. The first deep one to Moss was Mays-like, though all the Seattle DBs needed to do there was put a hand up and it'd be no TD. It still amazes me that teams seem surprised at what Moss can do. Loved the Campbell TD. Loved seeing Michael Bennett dominate.
I'm not convinced this team has turned the corner. It would not shock me one bit if they lose at Chicago next week, and now it is assured the Chiefs WILL need that game in 2 weeks. Plus Arizona is pesky at home.
The NFC only has 2 teams that really matter: Philly and St. Louis. Carolina blew one tonight (god its fun to watch Vick again!), and Dallas is fading. Green Bay got the win today, and they really would have to screw up again (very possible) to miss the playoffs. Seattle is a joke on the road, and will lose at the Rams and Niners, so as long as the Packers win 2 of 3, they catch Seattle for a wild card, and possibly set up a playoff game in the dome, which would be NUTS! They could still catch the Vikes, but only if they lose to the Bears next week. Vikes win next week and the divison race is over. Tampa is still in it, as are the Saints, but both need to stil make up 2 games, with fewer tiebreaker advantages than the Packers.
Over in the AFC, I once again say that the if the Ravens can score like this, they are a lock for the super bowl. Nobody wants them there (I HATE Billick), but it'll happen. New England wins in the snow, signaling another Miami collapse, which brings Denver back into it. I know Portis did most of the damage today, but people need to understand that Jake Plummer is finally a great quarterback. The Chiefs have the look of a team that will exit the playoffs very quickly. They haven't played a good game since they were still unbeaten. Lucky for them they get the Lions next week.
C-O-L-T-S! Indy finally took the step to become an elite team. They now own that divison over the reeling Titans (who could be looking at a losing trip to Baltimore in the playoffs). Indy can beat any of these AFC teams. I was letdown by how the Bengals got crushed. It's just a fairytale, but I still hoped they could keep it going. But they have little hope for a wild card. Miami can still make it, but given their history it is unlikely.
Right now, if I made a super bowl pick, it would be Colts-Eagles. But the Ravens could make it. I figure eventually the Patriots luck will end.
Dan Reeves fired:
DAN REEVES GOT SCREWED
There's no doubt about it. This is on par with what the Niners did to Mariucci. What was Reeves supposed to do? Vick goes down and the season was over with right then. What hurt him was everyone thinking Vick would only miss 6 to 8 games. But with Vick back, they could still manage 5-11, and obviously they'll be in the playoffs next year with a healthy Vick. Reeves should not have been fired because of a player's injury.
I wonder if Denny Green might get this job. This and San Diego are the two he always gets mentioned with.
There's no doubt about it. This is on par with what the Niners did to Mariucci. What was Reeves supposed to do? Vick goes down and the season was over with right then. What hurt him was everyone thinking Vick would only miss 6 to 8 games. But with Vick back, they could still manage 5-11, and obviously they'll be in the playoffs next year with a healthy Vick. Reeves should not have been fired because of a player's injury.
I wonder if Denny Green might get this job. This and San Diego are the two he always gets mentioned with.
A very bad prediction post:
Maybe the Vikes ARE gonna be some kind of blessed team this year. The Bears are giving up and starting Rex "All Florida QBs suck in the pros" Grossman tomorrow. So the Vikes do not have to prove that their defense(the whole team really) is anything worth following in the playoffs. The Seattle game was a fluke at best. Of course they'll crush the Bears tomorrow, and win the division. And they'll still not have proven anything.
Week 15:
The Vikings are a flat out joke. Clearly the game last week was the aberration, cuz this team has been a parody the last 2 months. They're supposed to be a team making a playoff push, yet they get done by a team that had packed it in and was starting a rookie QB.
The Vikings proved beyond a doubt that they need teams to hand games to them to win, and it looked like the Bears were gonna do the same. The whole 4th quarter the Bears were begging to lose, but then Tillman made one of the best DB plays I've ever seen to rob Moss of the winning TD.
Onterrio Smith had a great game, then got hurt. Moss had a weird game. Good numbers, but he blew the final play and quit on another pass. Learn to take a hit. Daunte couldn't run like usual. The Vikes rarely did anything to Grossman, and Eddie Johnson botched yet another punt. And if Tice has such little faith in Aaron Elling, why not just cut him?
The Vikings have now been caught by the Packers, who once again almost blew it. When it was 21-17 I was ready to trash my Favre jersey forever in disgust. But once again they pulled away and won. Now the Packers have it all there for themselves. Win twice and they're at least a wild card, and gimme a break, there is no chance in hell the Vikes beat KC on Saturday.
The Rams clinch the west, and now Seattle HAS to win a road game to make the playoffs. Dallas is still a good bet for the playoffs. Tampa is barely alive. Carolina barely won. The Panthers will lose their playoff opener, no matter who they play.
In the AFC, the big news is that the Bengals are still alive, very much so after winning in the snow and the Ravens inexplicably lose to the Raiders. Maybe the Ravens are another team that's great at home and roadkill on the road.
Denver stays alive by beating Cleveland. Shanahan screwed up big time though and maybe lost Portis. Shoulda kicked the FG a couple plays sooner.
New England wins again, and the Chiefs BOMB Detroit. Colts crush the Falcons. Manning IS the MVP, no question. Titans win barely w/o McNair.
I hope the Vikings fall out of the playoffs. They've been a fraudulent team all year. At least Green Bay has had a couple wins that were legitimately impressive. The only strong Viking wins were over the Niners and Seahawks, both trainwrecks on the road. Either way, the Vikes are an absolutely mediocre football team.
The Vikings proved beyond a doubt that they need teams to hand games to them to win, and it looked like the Bears were gonna do the same. The whole 4th quarter the Bears were begging to lose, but then Tillman made one of the best DB plays I've ever seen to rob Moss of the winning TD.
Onterrio Smith had a great game, then got hurt. Moss had a weird game. Good numbers, but he blew the final play and quit on another pass. Learn to take a hit. Daunte couldn't run like usual. The Vikes rarely did anything to Grossman, and Eddie Johnson botched yet another punt. And if Tice has such little faith in Aaron Elling, why not just cut him?
The Vikings have now been caught by the Packers, who once again almost blew it. When it was 21-17 I was ready to trash my Favre jersey forever in disgust. But once again they pulled away and won. Now the Packers have it all there for themselves. Win twice and they're at least a wild card, and gimme a break, there is no chance in hell the Vikes beat KC on Saturday.
The Rams clinch the west, and now Seattle HAS to win a road game to make the playoffs. Dallas is still a good bet for the playoffs. Tampa is barely alive. Carolina barely won. The Panthers will lose their playoff opener, no matter who they play.
In the AFC, the big news is that the Bengals are still alive, very much so after winning in the snow and the Ravens inexplicably lose to the Raiders. Maybe the Ravens are another team that's great at home and roadkill on the road.
Denver stays alive by beating Cleveland. Shanahan screwed up big time though and maybe lost Portis. Shoulda kicked the FG a couple plays sooner.
New England wins again, and the Chiefs BOMB Detroit. Colts crush the Falcons. Manning IS the MVP, no question. Titans win barely w/o McNair.
I hope the Vikings fall out of the playoffs. They've been a fraudulent team all year. At least Green Bay has had a couple wins that were legitimately impressive. The only strong Viking wins were over the Niners and Seahawks, both trainwrecks on the road. Either way, the Vikes are an absolutely mediocre football team.
Week 16 (Saturday):
The Vikings and Chiefs were the last two unbeaten teams this year. Now, with the playoffs on the horizon, both teams, frankly, suck. Do not let the 45-20 score fool you. If this game had been played at Arrowhead, it is certain the score would've been the same, only with the Chiefs winning.
These two teams are among a handful of playoff contenders who are just atrocious on the road. Seattle has gotten most of the attention, but hey, these two teams are just as bad now when on the road. There is also St. Louis, Miami and even Baltimore. These teams are all able to look like the new version of the 72 Dolphins when at home, but on the road they play like the Rich Kotite Jets. None of these teams are anything resembling a playoff threat, except the Rams and only cuz they could have more than one home playoff game.
The Vikings will probably win the division. Even if they DO win at Arizona (which I do not expect), what does that prove? Green Bay will probably bail the Vikings out again, as they have all season, and hand the Vikes the division. But after one home game (probably against Dallas or Green Bay), it will be off to St. Louis or Philly and thus, certain slaughter. The defense is not legit. And KC hilariously played Moss as if they had never heard of the man before.
As for KC, they will now fall behind the Colts (a team that CAN win road games), and may be headed for an opening week game against Denver, who just got through running them off the field in disgrace. Or it could be the Ravens, meaning Jamal Lewis would eat them alive.
These two midwest teams are nothing but pretenders.
Elsewhere, the Patriots just keep doing it. That team also knows how to win on the road. I'd love to see them play Moss. I bet they wouldn't do man on man coverage every play.
Tampa Bay is put out of their misery by the Falcons. I almost passed out from shock when I saw it was 30-7.
Speaking of being put out of one's misery, my fantasy team had a day that could only be described as a DISASTER. I'm so glad I benched Charles Lee for Kelly Campbell. Thank you Trent Green and Chad Pennington for dooming me on both fronts with career worst games.
These two teams are among a handful of playoff contenders who are just atrocious on the road. Seattle has gotten most of the attention, but hey, these two teams are just as bad now when on the road. There is also St. Louis, Miami and even Baltimore. These teams are all able to look like the new version of the 72 Dolphins when at home, but on the road they play like the Rich Kotite Jets. None of these teams are anything resembling a playoff threat, except the Rams and only cuz they could have more than one home playoff game.
The Vikings will probably win the division. Even if they DO win at Arizona (which I do not expect), what does that prove? Green Bay will probably bail the Vikings out again, as they have all season, and hand the Vikes the division. But after one home game (probably against Dallas or Green Bay), it will be off to St. Louis or Philly and thus, certain slaughter. The defense is not legit. And KC hilariously played Moss as if they had never heard of the man before.
As for KC, they will now fall behind the Colts (a team that CAN win road games), and may be headed for an opening week game against Denver, who just got through running them off the field in disgrace. Or it could be the Ravens, meaning Jamal Lewis would eat them alive.
These two midwest teams are nothing but pretenders.
Elsewhere, the Patriots just keep doing it. That team also knows how to win on the road. I'd love to see them play Moss. I bet they wouldn't do man on man coverage every play.
Tampa Bay is put out of their misery by the Falcons. I almost passed out from shock when I saw it was 30-7.
Speaking of being put out of one's misery, my fantasy team had a day that could only be described as a DISASTER. I'm so glad I benched Charles Lee for Kelly Campbell. Thank you Trent Green and Chad Pennington for dooming me on both fronts with career worst games.
Sunday:
I was really surprised the Eagles lost, especially after TO was hurt. Now they've likely cost themselves home field (unless the Rams lose to the Lions, which, uh, WON'T happen), though I do think they could win in St. Louis. They just better make sure to win on saturday, or else Dallas could still get the division.
That Saints finish was one of the craziest ever! Thank god for bonus football so I could see it. My jaw dropped when Carney missed the kick. What an ill-timed choke job. Its not like the Saints were gonna make the playoffs anyway, but to be eliminated like that stings.
Now the NFC playoffs are down to three teams: Vikes, Packers, Seahawks.
The Vikes may win at Arizona next week, but as bad as the Cardinals are it is no lock.
I was sad to hear about Favre's dad. I guess he's still gonna play tonight, which surprises me. Who knows how that may affect his play. Green Bay needs to win this MNF game, though I don't think the Denver game will be that hard, since Denver won't have anything to play for.
Seattle has a very potential loss at the Niners on saturday. They'll need to win and have the Packers lose both to get in.
In the AFC, the no-effort giving, mailing it in Browns let the Ravens kill them. Cincy fought hard but lost at the Rams, so now the Bengals need luck. They should be able to beat the sorry ass quitter Browns, and the Steelers could potentially upset the Ravens in the regular season's final game. I don't want the Bengal ride to end.
Denver is in. The Titans are in. Miami is out again, even though they won. Denver's got the look of a team that could make a run. I'd like to see them take on the Chiefs, and kick their ass. The Colts still have a run in them too, but they just got dominated last night.
That Saints finish was one of the craziest ever! Thank god for bonus football so I could see it. My jaw dropped when Carney missed the kick. What an ill-timed choke job. Its not like the Saints were gonna make the playoffs anyway, but to be eliminated like that stings.
Now the NFC playoffs are down to three teams: Vikes, Packers, Seahawks.
The Vikes may win at Arizona next week, but as bad as the Cardinals are it is no lock.
I was sad to hear about Favre's dad. I guess he's still gonna play tonight, which surprises me. Who knows how that may affect his play. Green Bay needs to win this MNF game, though I don't think the Denver game will be that hard, since Denver won't have anything to play for.
Seattle has a very potential loss at the Niners on saturday. They'll need to win and have the Packers lose both to get in.
In the AFC, the no-effort giving, mailing it in Browns let the Ravens kill them. Cincy fought hard but lost at the Rams, so now the Bengals need luck. They should be able to beat the sorry ass quitter Browns, and the Steelers could potentially upset the Ravens in the regular season's final game. I don't want the Bengal ride to end.
Denver is in. The Titans are in. Miami is out again, even though they won. Denver's got the look of a team that could make a run. I'd like to see them take on the Chiefs, and kick their ass. The Colts still have a run in them too, but they just got dominated last night.
Monday:
THAT is why Brett Favre is my favorite player of all time. THAT is why he's at least in the running for the greatest QB of all time.
What an unbelievable performance. That first half was one of the most amazing things I've ever witnessed. Yes, the receivers made some great catches (Walker had a career game), but Brett was zinging the ball like he hasn't in several years.
Brett would not have been the least bit rippable had he struggled. Instead, he went out there and honored his dad by showing what a champion he raised. Wow!
As far as the playoffs go, I guess this is what must happen for the Packers to make the playoffs:
-beat Denver
-Cowboys win
-Seattle loses
The last two are not each needed. But I guess if those 3 teams end up tied, the Packers lose out because of a strength of victory tiebreaker, but I guess if the Steelers lose to the Ravens, the Packers still make it.
I think these will be irrelevant. I think the Niners will beat Seattle, and I think Dallas will win. And I'm going back and forth on the Vikings game. Green Bay could still win this divison. Denver will not have any reason to play hard or play starters this week.
And let me assure you, if the Packers do make it in, and Favre plays anywhere close to where he did tonight, they will make life very difficult for the Rams or Iggles.
What an unbelievable performance. That first half was one of the most amazing things I've ever witnessed. Yes, the receivers made some great catches (Walker had a career game), but Brett was zinging the ball like he hasn't in several years.
Brett would not have been the least bit rippable had he struggled. Instead, he went out there and honored his dad by showing what a champion he raised. Wow!
As far as the playoffs go, I guess this is what must happen for the Packers to make the playoffs:
-beat Denver
-Cowboys win
-Seattle loses
The last two are not each needed. But I guess if those 3 teams end up tied, the Packers lose out because of a strength of victory tiebreaker, but I guess if the Steelers lose to the Ravens, the Packers still make it.
I think these will be irrelevant. I think the Niners will beat Seattle, and I think Dallas will win. And I'm going back and forth on the Vikings game. Green Bay could still win this divison. Denver will not have any reason to play hard or play starters this week.
And let me assure you, if the Packers do make it in, and Favre plays anywhere close to where he did tonight, they will make life very difficult for the Rams or Iggles.
Week 17 (Saturday):
Sunday will now be quite the nailbiter, since the stupid Niners let Seattle off the hook and blew that game. What WAS that 4th down play?
So now the pressure is on the Vikes and Packers. Both need to win, and have Dallas win. And if Dallas loses, the Packers would then need the Steelers to lose. Denver WILL be taking it easy on this one, so I think the Pack will have a comfy win (but you never know). I'm starting to think the Vikes will roll the Cards, but that's far from a lock. The Vikes can NOT make the playoffs as a wild card now. Honestly, who wants Seattle in the playoffs? You just know they can't win a road game against a good team. What if they end up coming back to Minny again? Why even play the game?
Green Bay deserves the division more. Comparing both who they beat, how they beat them, and when they did it, the Packers have easily the better track record.
The Iggles win the east, but lose Westbrook. At least they get two weeks to rest.
As for the Bills, what a disappointing team they were. A 31-0 loss is appropriate. Aside from Tampa Bay, no team fell farther short of my expectations. No way a team with that talent should be unable to make the playoffs.
GO PACKERS!
GO VIKES...I suppose
GO DALLAS!
GO BENGALS!
GO STEELERS!(unless Green Bay needs them to lose)
GO COLTS!
So now the pressure is on the Vikes and Packers. Both need to win, and have Dallas win. And if Dallas loses, the Packers would then need the Steelers to lose. Denver WILL be taking it easy on this one, so I think the Pack will have a comfy win (but you never know). I'm starting to think the Vikes will roll the Cards, but that's far from a lock. The Vikes can NOT make the playoffs as a wild card now. Honestly, who wants Seattle in the playoffs? You just know they can't win a road game against a good team. What if they end up coming back to Minny again? Why even play the game?
Green Bay deserves the division more. Comparing both who they beat, how they beat them, and when they did it, the Packers have easily the better track record.
The Iggles win the east, but lose Westbrook. At least they get two weeks to rest.
As for the Bills, what a disappointing team they were. A 31-0 loss is appropriate. Aside from Tampa Bay, no team fell farther short of my expectations. No way a team with that talent should be unable to make the playoffs.
GO PACKERS!
GO VIKES...I suppose
GO DALLAS!
GO BENGALS!
GO STEELERS!(unless Green Bay needs them to lose)
GO COLTS!
Sunday (it was a different time, that's all I'll say):
CARDINALS 18
VIKINGS 17
Stick a fork in the frauds. The Vikes got exactly what they deserved. They did not deserve to go to the playoffs. Not after what they've done the last 2 months.
I rooted HARD for Green Bay on this day. The Packers did deserve the title. And everything this whole weekend seemed to be conspiring against Green Bay.
Seattle wins one over the choking Niners.
Dallas gives its worst effort of the year and loses to the Saints.
And then, the sorry ass Cardinals let the sorry ass Vikings stay in the game. Had the Vikes been playing a competent team today, they'd have been blown out by at least 3 TDs. Josh McCown may look like Jeff Garcia, but he's a dismal QB. The guy has zero pocket presence, and fumbled more than Daunte ever has in one game.
So, once again, there were the Vikings, needing their opponent to play like shit to have any chance to win. I was disgusted when it went 17-6. Green Bay is ROLLING Denver, and the Vikes are pulling their typical act of playing down to a bad team's level. Then the Cards start to come back, and I knew they wouldn't come back to win. McCown has a couple pathetic plays where he stands there and allows sacks.
Then, in possibly the most improbable play I've seen in 15 years of NFL fandom, he flings it, and TOUCHDOWN! Justice is served! I've never celebrated a Viking loss (at least not post-Denny), but I was running around screaming!
Green Bay goes to the playoffs. The Vikings stay home. For the Vikings, this loss will help them next year. They will be a stronger, smarter team next year. They will remember games against lousy teams that a team simply MUST win if they want to be taken seriously, games they blew. They will not let this happen again. Next year they will deserve a playoff berth.
As for the Packers, can they make noise in the playoffs? Hell yes they can. They are peaking right now. Seattle will be a win. No way will they lose home playoff games 2 straight years. Then they'd possibly get Philly, who cannot stop the run. You think Ahman Green can't carve them up again? And Favre would not have nearly as bad a game.
The Iggles have home field now since the Rams inexplicably lose like dogs at Detroit. These Rams have proven they are not the old Rams. They can be beaten. Either Philly or Green Bay will be the NFC super bowl representative.
In the AFC, GOD DAMN YOU CLEVELAND! They don't even put forth an effort last week, then decide to spoil the Bengals ride. Still, it was fun having Cincy matter again.
Indy got their shit together and won, but Denver will kill them again next week. Sorry Peyton. Titans will go to Baltimore. What a DOG finish for Tampa. After that opener, I'd have wagered a huge sum on them repeating.
Lets get to the playoffs!
VIKINGS 17
Stick a fork in the frauds. The Vikes got exactly what they deserved. They did not deserve to go to the playoffs. Not after what they've done the last 2 months.
I rooted HARD for Green Bay on this day. The Packers did deserve the title. And everything this whole weekend seemed to be conspiring against Green Bay.
Seattle wins one over the choking Niners.
Dallas gives its worst effort of the year and loses to the Saints.
And then, the sorry ass Cardinals let the sorry ass Vikings stay in the game. Had the Vikes been playing a competent team today, they'd have been blown out by at least 3 TDs. Josh McCown may look like Jeff Garcia, but he's a dismal QB. The guy has zero pocket presence, and fumbled more than Daunte ever has in one game.
So, once again, there were the Vikings, needing their opponent to play like shit to have any chance to win. I was disgusted when it went 17-6. Green Bay is ROLLING Denver, and the Vikes are pulling their typical act of playing down to a bad team's level. Then the Cards start to come back, and I knew they wouldn't come back to win. McCown has a couple pathetic plays where he stands there and allows sacks.
Then, in possibly the most improbable play I've seen in 15 years of NFL fandom, he flings it, and TOUCHDOWN! Justice is served! I've never celebrated a Viking loss (at least not post-Denny), but I was running around screaming!
Green Bay goes to the playoffs. The Vikings stay home. For the Vikings, this loss will help them next year. They will be a stronger, smarter team next year. They will remember games against lousy teams that a team simply MUST win if they want to be taken seriously, games they blew. They will not let this happen again. Next year they will deserve a playoff berth.
As for the Packers, can they make noise in the playoffs? Hell yes they can. They are peaking right now. Seattle will be a win. No way will they lose home playoff games 2 straight years. Then they'd possibly get Philly, who cannot stop the run. You think Ahman Green can't carve them up again? And Favre would not have nearly as bad a game.
The Iggles have home field now since the Rams inexplicably lose like dogs at Detroit. These Rams have proven they are not the old Rams. They can be beaten. Either Philly or Green Bay will be the NFC super bowl representative.
In the AFC, GOD DAMN YOU CLEVELAND! They don't even put forth an effort last week, then decide to spoil the Bengals ride. Still, it was fun having Cincy matter again.
Indy got their shit together and won, but Denver will kill them again next week. Sorry Peyton. Titans will go to Baltimore. What a DOG finish for Tampa. After that opener, I'd have wagered a huge sum on them repeating.
Lets get to the playoffs!
Wild Card playoff picks:
Saturday games:
Ravens over Titans
-the Raven D is almost unbeatable at home, and McNair will be rusty
Cowboys over Panthers
-Cowboys stumbled last week, but Carolina's been iffy for quite a few weeks now.
Sunday games:
Packers over Seahawks
-won't be a blowout like the regular season game, but the Pack's miracle run will continue
Broncos over Colts
-I picked Indy for the super bowl, but Portis will probably go for 200 on em. Should be a shootout.
Ravens over Titans
-the Raven D is almost unbeatable at home, and McNair will be rusty
Cowboys over Panthers
-Cowboys stumbled last week, but Carolina's been iffy for quite a few weeks now.
Sunday games:
Packers over Seahawks
-won't be a blowout like the regular season game, but the Pack's miracle run will continue
Broncos over Colts
-I picked Indy for the super bowl, but Portis will probably go for 200 on em. Should be a shootout.
Wild Card Saturday:
TITANS 20, RAVENS 17
Aside from who won, this game went exactly as predicited. McNair DID play very rusty. The Ravens D WAS outstanding. Nice job Vikings. Oh yeah, we didn't need Gary Anderson. Elling couldn't hit anything over 35 yards, and Gary hits 2 from 45 plus in the 4th quarter to win the game. Gary, you couldn't have done that in 98 you bastard?
PANTHERS 29, COWBOYS 10
This game confimred one thing: Bill Parcells was the coach of the year. He got this far with THAT team? Carter played himself right out of a job for next year, as did the running backs. Corey Dillon and Mark Brunell might be wearing Cowboy colors next year. I really like Delhomme. He's got some Favre in him.
And I may be 0-2, but I still got 6 of the 8 divison champs right, and got 9 of 12 playoff teams right. So nyah! Plus both went the way I wanted. I shoulda picked with my heart
Aside from who won, this game went exactly as predicited. McNair DID play very rusty. The Ravens D WAS outstanding. Nice job Vikings. Oh yeah, we didn't need Gary Anderson. Elling couldn't hit anything over 35 yards, and Gary hits 2 from 45 plus in the 4th quarter to win the game. Gary, you couldn't have done that in 98 you bastard?
PANTHERS 29, COWBOYS 10
This game confimred one thing: Bill Parcells was the coach of the year. He got this far with THAT team? Carter played himself right out of a job for next year, as did the running backs. Corey Dillon and Mark Brunell might be wearing Cowboy colors next year. I really like Delhomme. He's got some Favre in him.
And I may be 0-2, but I still got 6 of the 8 divison champs right, and got 9 of 12 playoff teams right. So nyah! Plus both went the way I wanted. I shoulda picked with my heart
Wild Card Sunday:
SEAHAWKS 27 IN OT
I can't take any more games like this one.
What a maddening game to watch. If I were Sherman, I'd have probably benched the entire secondary at the start of OT. That was a display as bad as anything the Vikes have put up. After that absolutely PERFECT drive to go up 27-20, those bums let Hasselbeck go right down the field without any trouble and tie it. What was with the 10 yard cushion on every play?
I figured that once Seattle won the coin toss it was over right there (Hasselbeck did too). But they stop em once. Then Favre neary hits Ahman down the sidelines. Then Al Harris saves the day! The first play a Packer D-back made all day.
Favre was just brilliant. Since that Thanksgiving game he's been his old masterful self again. I'm LOVING Javon Walker this season.
Hasselbeck was good too (though I could hit receivers THAT open). Both teams had drops. Freeman killed one drive with a drop. David Martin blew a TD with a horribly ill-timed jump. Those kinds of mistakes cannot happen.
The Packers are gonna run over, through and past the Iggles next week. I don't know yet if they'll win, but the Iggles better bring their A game.
COLTS 41, BRONCOS 10
Look out KC, cuz your season is about to end. Man, I really should've just picked who I WANTED to win this week. I'd have been 4 for 4. What a domination. Denver never had a chance. No more unfair complaints about Manning. He torched a good defense, and now he gets to play a terrible one.
I can't take any more games like this one.
What a maddening game to watch. If I were Sherman, I'd have probably benched the entire secondary at the start of OT. That was a display as bad as anything the Vikes have put up. After that absolutely PERFECT drive to go up 27-20, those bums let Hasselbeck go right down the field without any trouble and tie it. What was with the 10 yard cushion on every play?
I figured that once Seattle won the coin toss it was over right there (Hasselbeck did too). But they stop em once. Then Favre neary hits Ahman down the sidelines. Then Al Harris saves the day! The first play a Packer D-back made all day.
Favre was just brilliant. Since that Thanksgiving game he's been his old masterful self again. I'm LOVING Javon Walker this season.
Hasselbeck was good too (though I could hit receivers THAT open). Both teams had drops. Freeman killed one drive with a drop. David Martin blew a TD with a horribly ill-timed jump. Those kinds of mistakes cannot happen.
The Packers are gonna run over, through and past the Iggles next week. I don't know yet if they'll win, but the Iggles better bring their A game.
COLTS 41, BRONCOS 10
Look out KC, cuz your season is about to end. Man, I really should've just picked who I WANTED to win this week. I'd have been 4 for 4. What a domination. Denver never had a chance. No more unfair complaints about Manning. He torched a good defense, and now he gets to play a terrible one.
Divisional Round picks:
Saturday games:
Panthers over Rams: The Rams DO NOT impress me. These are not the Rams of years past. Bulger is shaky. Martz has proven in his tenure that his offensive skills wilt whenever he faces a great defense. Who cares about the home winning streak? Carolina has the D to spring the upset, and I think they will.
Patriots over Titans: This is not a lock. If any team can go into a chilly night in New England and win, Tennessee is that team. Their D will keep it close, but Brady just does not make mistakes in big games.
Sunday games:
Colts over Chiefs: No team enters the playoffs less impressively than the Chiefs. Of course they can score, but does dominating Rex Grossman really prove anything? I still don't think the defense is fixed. Peyton and Edgerrin will torch the Chiefs. This may be something like 49-35. Plus, all the pressure is now off Peyton.
Eagles over Packers: OMG do I wanna pick the upset. I SO want this ride to keep going. But the Packers WERE very lucky last week. Their pass D was pathetic last week. McNabb doesn't have as good a WR core, and Westbrook's a huge loss, but the Eagles still should be able to score in the 20's. On the other side, Ahman Green will have a huge game, and hopefully won't fumble the game away like he did in the first meeting. Favre is peaking. If Green bay wins this I will not be too surprised, but this HAS to be Philly's year, doesn't it? My gut tells me that determination wins out over destiny.
COACHING STUFF
Denny Green takes the high road to Zona. He gets some player control, so Cardinal fans can count on not having a defense for the next five years. I wonder if he'll pull the same crap he did during his Viking career, like running away after a playoff failure. Nothing was ever his fault, you know.
Joe Gibbs comes back. Hey, it worked for Vermeil. I just don't know if a Dan Snyder team will ever succeed.
Tom Coughlin to the Giants. I don't get why he's so in demand. Players end up hating him. He underachieved with some great Jaguar teams (they were the best team in the NFL the year they blew it against the Titans), and the last few years were absolutely mediocre. How is he better than Fassell? At least Fassell got a team to the super bowl.
Panthers over Rams: The Rams DO NOT impress me. These are not the Rams of years past. Bulger is shaky. Martz has proven in his tenure that his offensive skills wilt whenever he faces a great defense. Who cares about the home winning streak? Carolina has the D to spring the upset, and I think they will.
Patriots over Titans: This is not a lock. If any team can go into a chilly night in New England and win, Tennessee is that team. Their D will keep it close, but Brady just does not make mistakes in big games.
Sunday games:
Colts over Chiefs: No team enters the playoffs less impressively than the Chiefs. Of course they can score, but does dominating Rex Grossman really prove anything? I still don't think the defense is fixed. Peyton and Edgerrin will torch the Chiefs. This may be something like 49-35. Plus, all the pressure is now off Peyton.
Eagles over Packers: OMG do I wanna pick the upset. I SO want this ride to keep going. But the Packers WERE very lucky last week. Their pass D was pathetic last week. McNabb doesn't have as good a WR core, and Westbrook's a huge loss, but the Eagles still should be able to score in the 20's. On the other side, Ahman Green will have a huge game, and hopefully won't fumble the game away like he did in the first meeting. Favre is peaking. If Green bay wins this I will not be too surprised, but this HAS to be Philly's year, doesn't it? My gut tells me that determination wins out over destiny.
COACHING STUFF
Denny Green takes the high road to Zona. He gets some player control, so Cardinal fans can count on not having a defense for the next five years. I wonder if he'll pull the same crap he did during his Viking career, like running away after a playoff failure. Nothing was ever his fault, you know.
Joe Gibbs comes back. Hey, it worked for Vermeil. I just don't know if a Dan Snyder team will ever succeed.
Tom Coughlin to the Giants. I don't get why he's so in demand. Players end up hating him. He underachieved with some great Jaguar teams (they were the best team in the NFL the year they blew it against the Titans), and the last few years were absolutely mediocre. How is he better than Fassell? At least Fassell got a team to the super bowl.
Divisional Round:
Panthers 29
Rams 23
What a crazy, absurd game.
Up until about the last 2 minutes, I LOVED how the Panthers played. Then they went into a shocking meltdown, and were bailed out by Mike Martz, proving once again that he is one of the WORST coaches in the league.
At that point, the Panthers were finished. They had lost all ability to play defense, and Martz lets the clock run down, and he plays for a tie. Meanwhile everybody watching the game knew the Rams were guaranteed a winning TD if they ran another couple plays.
OT was just hilarious and wacky. Both teams miss field goals (btw, Fox was a MORON for trying a 50+ FG up 11 points), Bulger gets picked.
I didn't even know how a double OT worked. I thought it would start all over again, so I was wondering what the Panthers were doing. Hey, I'd never seen a double OT before. Then Delhomme hooks up with Smith and its over. Wow!
Delhomme is the new Favre. He is just clutch all the way. I loved watching the Panthers run blocking. I loved seeing Faulk carry the Rams back into the game (once again though he did not get enough carries).
They will be a VERY tough task for Philly or Green Bay next week.
Rams 23
What a crazy, absurd game.
Up until about the last 2 minutes, I LOVED how the Panthers played. Then they went into a shocking meltdown, and were bailed out by Mike Martz, proving once again that he is one of the WORST coaches in the league.
At that point, the Panthers were finished. They had lost all ability to play defense, and Martz lets the clock run down, and he plays for a tie. Meanwhile everybody watching the game knew the Rams were guaranteed a winning TD if they ran another couple plays.
OT was just hilarious and wacky. Both teams miss field goals (btw, Fox was a MORON for trying a 50+ FG up 11 points), Bulger gets picked.
I didn't even know how a double OT worked. I thought it would start all over again, so I was wondering what the Panthers were doing. Hey, I'd never seen a double OT before. Then Delhomme hooks up with Smith and its over. Wow!
Delhomme is the new Favre. He is just clutch all the way. I loved watching the Panthers run blocking. I loved seeing Faulk carry the Rams back into the game (once again though he did not get enough carries).
They will be a VERY tough task for Philly or Green Bay next week.
Well, the Titans flat blew that one. It was there for the taking the whole 2nd half. Why'd they lose? Let me count the ways.
1. McNair. I will not ever question his skills or his toughness (he's one of my favorite QBs), but he was just mediocre at best in the 2 playoff games. What was he thinking on that play where he dove out of bounds rather than tossing it away? And what a huge mistake to get called for grounding.
2. Craig Hentrich. Lousy punts all game long. And that last punt he tanked all but guaranteed that Vinatieri was gonna get the winning FG.
3. The run defense. Yeah they did ok, but they destroyed Jamal Lewis last week and in this one it seemed like Antowain Smith was getting at least 5 every time. Plus after the one good punt they immediately let Smith burst for 17.
4. Drew Bennett. Tough catch, smough catch. Yeah he made a couple big plays, but you simply MUST make that catch on 4th down. He should've had it secured before the DB even hit him.
The Titans are just that team that will never make it. We'll see if the Eagles are their NFC equivalent. They have shown though that the Patriots can be beaten. They are not invincible by any means. I think the Colts-Chiefs winner will have a chance next week.
1. McNair. I will not ever question his skills or his toughness (he's one of my favorite QBs), but he was just mediocre at best in the 2 playoff games. What was he thinking on that play where he dove out of bounds rather than tossing it away? And what a huge mistake to get called for grounding.
2. Craig Hentrich. Lousy punts all game long. And that last punt he tanked all but guaranteed that Vinatieri was gonna get the winning FG.
3. The run defense. Yeah they did ok, but they destroyed Jamal Lewis last week and in this one it seemed like Antowain Smith was getting at least 5 every time. Plus after the one good punt they immediately let Smith burst for 17.
4. Drew Bennett. Tough catch, smough catch. Yeah he made a couple big plays, but you simply MUST make that catch on 4th down. He should've had it secured before the DB even hit him.
The Titans are just that team that will never make it. We'll see if the Eagles are their NFC equivalent. They have shown though that the Patriots can be beaten. They are not invincible by any means. I think the Colts-Chiefs winner will have a chance next week.
Eagles 20
Packers 17 in OT
Not since the 98 NFC championship have I been left so completely crushed by the outcome of a football game.
The team of destiny dreams dashed. Favre throwing the worst pass of his whole career at the worst possible time. A 4th and 26 choke job that is just inexcusable. Mike Sherman making a couple of calls so doomed that you just knew it was gonna cost them the game. The Packers should be planning their trip to Carolina right now.
I stil cannot believe they blew this game. I'll root for Philly next week, but fact is this is a game the Packers GAVE away, NOT one the Eagles took.
4th and goal at the 1. You just got zilch on 2 straight running plays, and so you try another off tackle run and come up short. That FG would've won the game for em down the line. Its the same thing that came back to haunt the Vikes against Arizona. Then Sherman doesn't go for the 4th and 1 late in the game. Why? It was blatantly obvious that the Eagles were gonna get the tying FG no matter where they got the ball. And unlike the first half, the Eagles could not stop Ahman in the 2nd half. A first down there and the game is over.
So Bidwell more or less shanks a punt (what was the net on it? maybe 25 yards?), but then the D looks like it may come up big for the 2nd straight week. 4th and 26. Impossible. Guess not. Wide open for 28 (with a ludicrous spot, but he did get the 26 at least). I do not miss the irony that a 4th and a mile play is what got the a Pack to the playoffs in the first place. And after that the defense basically gives up, letting the Eagles get the FG quite easily. What a horrible defensive letdown. Aside from McNabb's running, the D was way better than last week. Then they let it all slip away.
And there could not be a worse, or more unfair way for this to end than to have Favre make the final mistake. I don't know what he was thinking. Why not come out running, when Ahman was carving them up? It makes me ill that the Packers run had to end because of that play. Why did it have to be Favre?
Yes they were very lucky to get where they got to. But they had this game, and blew it. I do hope the Eagles now will get to their super bowl (and I hope they play the Colts), but they should not have been given the chance.
Packers 17 in OT
Not since the 98 NFC championship have I been left so completely crushed by the outcome of a football game.
The team of destiny dreams dashed. Favre throwing the worst pass of his whole career at the worst possible time. A 4th and 26 choke job that is just inexcusable. Mike Sherman making a couple of calls so doomed that you just knew it was gonna cost them the game. The Packers should be planning their trip to Carolina right now.
I stil cannot believe they blew this game. I'll root for Philly next week, but fact is this is a game the Packers GAVE away, NOT one the Eagles took.
4th and goal at the 1. You just got zilch on 2 straight running plays, and so you try another off tackle run and come up short. That FG would've won the game for em down the line. Its the same thing that came back to haunt the Vikes against Arizona. Then Sherman doesn't go for the 4th and 1 late in the game. Why? It was blatantly obvious that the Eagles were gonna get the tying FG no matter where they got the ball. And unlike the first half, the Eagles could not stop Ahman in the 2nd half. A first down there and the game is over.
So Bidwell more or less shanks a punt (what was the net on it? maybe 25 yards?), but then the D looks like it may come up big for the 2nd straight week. 4th and 26. Impossible. Guess not. Wide open for 28 (with a ludicrous spot, but he did get the 26 at least). I do not miss the irony that a 4th and a mile play is what got the a Pack to the playoffs in the first place. And after that the defense basically gives up, letting the Eagles get the FG quite easily. What a horrible defensive letdown. Aside from McNabb's running, the D was way better than last week. Then they let it all slip away.
And there could not be a worse, or more unfair way for this to end than to have Favre make the final mistake. I don't know what he was thinking. Why not come out running, when Ahman was carving them up? It makes me ill that the Packers run had to end because of that play. Why did it have to be Favre?
Yes they were very lucky to get where they got to. But they had this game, and blew it. I do hope the Eagles now will get to their super bowl (and I hope they play the Colts), but they should not have been given the chance.
(Somehow I neglected to post about the Colts-Chiefs punt-less shootout)
Championship Game picks:
Colts over Patriots
I should probably know better. If one inescapable truth has been proven over and over in the NFL the last few years, its that a great defense ALWAYS dismantles a great offense. So why do I think this will be different? Well, Manning has been beyond hot the last 2 weeks, and while the Pats will slow him down, maybe a lot, he's not gonna fall so far that he stinks up Gillette Stadium. Why should the cold have any effect on him? Hell, if not for a dropped pass by "Stonehands" Bennett, the Pats might not even be playing this week at all. Also, while Indy gave up 31 to KC, uh, that was KC...in Arrowhead. They could score on anybody in that stadium. The Pats have no running game, and while Brady is tough and solid, I still don't buy into his mystique. Indy will not give up a lot of points in this game. It will be close, but if anything, the over-achieving Pats are due to lose.
Eagles over Panthers
I'm certainly not counting out the Panthers. I like the way they played most of last week, Delhomme is becoming a star, and after shutting down the Rams for much of the game, they should see the inferior Eagle offense as a nice change. BUT...the Eagles cannot possibly lose here again. This is the weakest of these Eagle teams, but also they're the guttiest. Granted, they shouldn't even BE here. We should be 60 minutes from the coronation of a Packer NFC championship. 4th and 26...oy. Well anyway, this has to be their year. If anything, their division is gonna be much tougher next year (Cowboys, Giants and Skins all should improve), so getting home field again will be virtually impossible. This is really it for them. So the pressure is on them, which is when McNabb seems to thrive.
I should probably know better. If one inescapable truth has been proven over and over in the NFL the last few years, its that a great defense ALWAYS dismantles a great offense. So why do I think this will be different? Well, Manning has been beyond hot the last 2 weeks, and while the Pats will slow him down, maybe a lot, he's not gonna fall so far that he stinks up Gillette Stadium. Why should the cold have any effect on him? Hell, if not for a dropped pass by "Stonehands" Bennett, the Pats might not even be playing this week at all. Also, while Indy gave up 31 to KC, uh, that was KC...in Arrowhead. They could score on anybody in that stadium. The Pats have no running game, and while Brady is tough and solid, I still don't buy into his mystique. Indy will not give up a lot of points in this game. It will be close, but if anything, the over-achieving Pats are due to lose.
Eagles over Panthers
I'm certainly not counting out the Panthers. I like the way they played most of last week, Delhomme is becoming a star, and after shutting down the Rams for much of the game, they should see the inferior Eagle offense as a nice change. BUT...the Eagles cannot possibly lose here again. This is the weakest of these Eagle teams, but also they're the guttiest. Granted, they shouldn't even BE here. We should be 60 minutes from the coronation of a Packer NFC championship. 4th and 26...oy. Well anyway, this has to be their year. If anything, their division is gonna be much tougher next year (Cowboys, Giants and Skins all should improve), so getting home field again will be virtually impossible. This is really it for them. So the pressure is on them, which is when McNabb seems to thrive.
Championship games:
AFC
That was one of the more miserable games I've ever seen. Forget the final score being close. This game was completely over in the first quarter. I will NOT hear all the blame go to Manning on this one. Yes he was dreadful, but not one Colts player did anything to get rid of these annoying Patriots.
The defense lost the game for them on that first drive. Brady never got touched. Mediocrities of receivers got wide open on every 3rd down play. Smith ran all over them. Once it went 7-0, it was already about done.
Then Manning began fucking the game up too. Then that moron Colt DB dropped an INT that cost em 3 points. Then the idiot snapper sends the ball flying over the punter's head. Manning should not have been in a position of playing catch-up all game long.
Are these Patriots good? Yes. Is their defense anywhere close to the Raven and Buc defenses of recent years? No. Not even close. More or less, this team piggybacks on playing at home, and in the elements. If this had been played in Indy, or a neutral field, things would have been very different. But they earned home field. Brady is so overrated though. Any QB can look like a genius when his team is never behind, and he's never getting touched. Has a defense ever come after him and kicked his ass?
Nothing ever goes against the Patriots. You know what happened the one time they faced some adversity? They got blown out 31-0 by the Bills. One of these days, and it may not come til next year, something will go against this team. They will stop getting every single break known to man.
NFC
Again, let's be real about the blame game. Anyone who bashes McNabb on this one is a fucking idiot. If anything, the guy once and for all proved himself in these playoffs, and in this game proved his toughness.
The hit that injured him btw, was not a cheap shot. Clearly the guy did not know how McNabb had hit the ground, just that he was laying there.
Indeed, this game was lost by those Philly receivers. Drop, drop, drop, stupidly run rout, etc. He had no chance.
This was easily the weakest Eagle team anyway, and the Panthers were just far better. I really love these Panthers and how they play. Their defense is a total opposite of the Colts defense. Pass rush all day. Good d-backs.
The Eagles run is over. At the very least, all three of their division rivals will be better next year, so winning it will be harder.
The Colts will be back. Just spend all the focus on improving that defense.
As for this super bowl, well, hopefully the halftime show will be good, cuz this game will be a rout, with the Patriots destroying Carolina. Great playoffs leading to a Patriots title? Talk about a great big waste.
That was one of the more miserable games I've ever seen. Forget the final score being close. This game was completely over in the first quarter. I will NOT hear all the blame go to Manning on this one. Yes he was dreadful, but not one Colts player did anything to get rid of these annoying Patriots.
The defense lost the game for them on that first drive. Brady never got touched. Mediocrities of receivers got wide open on every 3rd down play. Smith ran all over them. Once it went 7-0, it was already about done.
Then Manning began fucking the game up too. Then that moron Colt DB dropped an INT that cost em 3 points. Then the idiot snapper sends the ball flying over the punter's head. Manning should not have been in a position of playing catch-up all game long.
Are these Patriots good? Yes. Is their defense anywhere close to the Raven and Buc defenses of recent years? No. Not even close. More or less, this team piggybacks on playing at home, and in the elements. If this had been played in Indy, or a neutral field, things would have been very different. But they earned home field. Brady is so overrated though. Any QB can look like a genius when his team is never behind, and he's never getting touched. Has a defense ever come after him and kicked his ass?
Nothing ever goes against the Patriots. You know what happened the one time they faced some adversity? They got blown out 31-0 by the Bills. One of these days, and it may not come til next year, something will go against this team. They will stop getting every single break known to man.
NFC
Again, let's be real about the blame game. Anyone who bashes McNabb on this one is a fucking idiot. If anything, the guy once and for all proved himself in these playoffs, and in this game proved his toughness.
The hit that injured him btw, was not a cheap shot. Clearly the guy did not know how McNabb had hit the ground, just that he was laying there.
Indeed, this game was lost by those Philly receivers. Drop, drop, drop, stupidly run rout, etc. He had no chance.
This was easily the weakest Eagle team anyway, and the Panthers were just far better. I really love these Panthers and how they play. Their defense is a total opposite of the Colts defense. Pass rush all day. Good d-backs.
The Eagles run is over. At the very least, all three of their division rivals will be better next year, so winning it will be harder.
The Colts will be back. Just spend all the focus on improving that defense.
As for this super bowl, well, hopefully the halftime show will be good, cuz this game will be a rout, with the Patriots destroying Carolina. Great playoffs leading to a Patriots title? Talk about a great big waste.
Super Bowl pick (with a prescient halftime show comment too):
Honestly, I barely care about this game at all. I can think of only 2 Super Bowls since I started watching them (the first was XXII) that I have approached with a comparably level of apathy. One was XXIV when I knew Frisco would kill Denver (didn't even watch that one), and the other was XXIX, again with Frisco against the clearly unworthy Chargers.
I know the hated, and yes folks, STILL overrated Patriots will win, and that they will win in a rout, in a very boring game. It isn't that I think the Patriots are a great team, or even that Carolina is so awful. But fact is, nothing ever goes against these Patriots the last few years. They even get to now face the winner from the weakest NFC field in history.
Tom Brady is a good QB. I don't deny that. But I've grown instantly sick of people comparing him to Joe Montana. Are they nucking futs? Montana won games. Brady is the starting QB for a team whose defense wins games. A better QB to compare him to would be somebody like Jim McMahon, who made some plays occasionally, but who rode a great defense. But I have a really hard time lavishing praise upon a QB who is never behind and who never gets touched. You never get sacked and you probably are gonna win most of the time.
My hope for the game (aside from the faint hope for an upset), is just that the Panthers D-line knocks Brady on his ass a few times, just so he knows what it feels like. I want Julius Peppers to piledrive him into the turf.
The Patriots have crushed offenses far better than the Panthers. Yes, they've piggybacked on the weather several times (btw it is WAY colder here than it was in Foxboro a few weeks ago...-14 last I saw), but they're undeniably good. My guess is they crush Stephen Davis, and that gutty as he is, Jake Delhomme cannot best this defense on his own.
I can't see the Pats scoring big on Carolina, but the last couple super bowls have had defensive teams scoring big (34 for Baltimore, 48 for Tampa). Ty Law or someone will probably run a pick back.
Patriots 30
Panthers 9
I'll at least keep watching til halftime, to check out Janet's always tight abs.
There's always next year.
I know the hated, and yes folks, STILL overrated Patriots will win, and that they will win in a rout, in a very boring game. It isn't that I think the Patriots are a great team, or even that Carolina is so awful. But fact is, nothing ever goes against these Patriots the last few years. They even get to now face the winner from the weakest NFC field in history.
Tom Brady is a good QB. I don't deny that. But I've grown instantly sick of people comparing him to Joe Montana. Are they nucking futs? Montana won games. Brady is the starting QB for a team whose defense wins games. A better QB to compare him to would be somebody like Jim McMahon, who made some plays occasionally, but who rode a great defense. But I have a really hard time lavishing praise upon a QB who is never behind and who never gets touched. You never get sacked and you probably are gonna win most of the time.
My hope for the game (aside from the faint hope for an upset), is just that the Panthers D-line knocks Brady on his ass a few times, just so he knows what it feels like. I want Julius Peppers to piledrive him into the turf.
The Patriots have crushed offenses far better than the Panthers. Yes, they've piggybacked on the weather several times (btw it is WAY colder here than it was in Foxboro a few weeks ago...-14 last I saw), but they're undeniably good. My guess is they crush Stephen Davis, and that gutty as he is, Jake Delhomme cannot best this defense on his own.
I can't see the Pats scoring big on Carolina, but the last couple super bowls have had defensive teams scoring big (34 for Baltimore, 48 for Tampa). Ty Law or someone will probably run a pick back.
Patriots 30
Panthers 9
I'll at least keep watching til halftime, to check out Janet's always tight abs.
There's always next year.
A follow up post on why I felt the Patriots were overrated:
Let me clarify a bit.
I've been hearing a lot of people talking about this team as being one of the very best EVER. EVER.
14 (maybe 15) straight wins is impressive to be sure, but it is a one-dimensional team. If their defense suddenly became mediocre, the team would disappear cuz they do not have an offense that's that good. Teams that are so skewed to needing one side of the ball to win games for them cannot be considered among the all time greats.
People are being blinded by the win streak, many of which came against vastly inferior teams (and yes, they did also beat a lot of good teams too). But just off the top of my head, a couple of the wins were against Denver (during the stretch where they had no QB), Miami (where they lose if Mare doesn't blow a couple kicks) and Indy (where the play calling on the goal line stand GAVE them the game). That goes back to my previous point, that they get EVERY SINGLE BREAK. If Drew Bennett holds onto a 4th down pass, they may have ended up losing their opening playoff game. They are nowhere near the level of domination that I think is mandatory to say a team is an all time great. I don't think they even can touch the Tampa and Baltimore teams of recent years that won it all.
And winning this game will not convince me either, because Carolina emerged from the absolute worst NFC crop that I have ever seen. And the Panthers are largely a one-sided team as well.
I've been hearing a lot of people talking about this team as being one of the very best EVER. EVER.
14 (maybe 15) straight wins is impressive to be sure, but it is a one-dimensional team. If their defense suddenly became mediocre, the team would disappear cuz they do not have an offense that's that good. Teams that are so skewed to needing one side of the ball to win games for them cannot be considered among the all time greats.
People are being blinded by the win streak, many of which came against vastly inferior teams (and yes, they did also beat a lot of good teams too). But just off the top of my head, a couple of the wins were against Denver (during the stretch where they had no QB), Miami (where they lose if Mare doesn't blow a couple kicks) and Indy (where the play calling on the goal line stand GAVE them the game). That goes back to my previous point, that they get EVERY SINGLE BREAK. If Drew Bennett holds onto a 4th down pass, they may have ended up losing their opening playoff game. They are nowhere near the level of domination that I think is mandatory to say a team is an all time great. I don't think they even can touch the Tampa and Baltimore teams of recent years that won it all.
And winning this game will not convince me either, because Carolina emerged from the absolute worst NFC crop that I have ever seen. And the Panthers are largely a one-sided team as well.
Hall of Fame class:
The new hall of famers:
John Elway-best QB ever, or at least top two or three
Barry Sanders-one of the best runners in history, would own the all time yardage record by a mile if he'd kept playing
Bob Brown-an offensive lineman
and...
CARL ELLER! Yay! Another one of the purple people eaters in the hall! Jim Marshall should've gotten in there too.
John Elway-best QB ever, or at least top two or three
Barry Sanders-one of the best runners in history, would own the all time yardage record by a mile if he'd kept playing
Bob Brown-an offensive lineman
and...
CARL ELLER! Yay! Another one of the purple people eaters in the hall! Jim Marshall should've gotten in there too.
Super Bowl 38:
PATRIOTS 32
PANTHERS 29
I loved this NFL season. My favorite in several years. These playoffs (the opening 2 weeks anyway) were maybe the greatest of all time. And the super bowl was without a doubt one of the finest ever.
But with the hated Patriots once again hoisting the Lombardi Trophy, it all feels like one giant waste.
For me, this one hurts way more than 2 years ago, way more than when the Bills fell to the Giants, and maybe even more than when Montana led the Niners over the Bengals.
This game began just as expected. The only unexpected development was Vinatieri missing twice. But again the Patriots were crushing an offense that played into their hands. The Panther D held on for dear life.
Then, once Delhomme fumbled and the first TD came, I thought that was it right there. But all of a sudden, Carolina began to crush the mystique of the Pats D. Jake drops a perfect throw into Smith and they got it nodded again, and since their own D was playing great, that was good news.
Uh....
The next drive featured the first of a maddening series of Panther choke jobs on defense, the likes of which even the Vikings don't often commit. They just let Brady go right down the field, leaving receivers wide open all over the place. 14-7. Crap. Thankfully the squib kick let em get a gift 3 for halftime (I'll get at the Janet-Groperlake fiasco in the Mandy thread).
Then everyone took another quarter off. 4th quarter comes, and the Pats go up 21-10. Again I figure its over. I spent the whole game in a perpetal state of waiting for the inevitible failure, and would be proven right.
But then Foster busts one (where WAS he most of the game?) and its 21-16. Btw, I 100% agreed with going for 2 there. You make it and the next possession you only need a FG to tie. As it played out, it would've been better to get the easy XPs, but at that time I was in complete agreement with Fox. Plus, you knew the D was gonna step up now.
uh....
Ok, again the Pats go right down the field with no resistance. Thankfully they pressure Brady and he throws a pick. Carolina's still alive.
Then Jake launches it to Muhammad and I'm through the roof excited. 22-21. Carolina leads! Now with a lead, you KNEW the defense would step up and clinch the game.
Uh....
Nope, Brady again gets to go right down the field with no resistance, and goes back ahead. This was the worst choke job of them all. I don't wanna hear about being tired. It is the god damn super bowl. There is no such thing as tired. And why would the d-backs be tired anyway after just standing around all quarter long?
So again the game's over. 29-22. Ah, but then my boy Jake comes up big again. He zings it to Proehl, then hits him again for a TD. Tie game. But uh-oh, a minute left to go. We could have a deja vu situation. Oh, but no way. There's less time than there was 2 years ago. No way will Brady get em into FG range this time.
Uh....
John Kasay makes what is absolutely the single worst mistake in Super Bowl history. What WAS that? You see it? It went out of bounds at like the 30 yard line. Great job idiot, you just guaranteed the Pats the winning FG. Once again, the Patriots get EVERY BREAK.
But hey, maybe this time the Panthers will make a play on defense. Oooh, an offensive interference call. That helps. Certainly this game will go to OT.
Uh....
The Panthers defense was an absolute travesty one final time, letting the WR get wide open to make it a short FG for the greatest clutch kicker in NFL history. You knew there was no possible way he'd miss again. And he makes it, and the hated Patriots win another Super Bowl, and Jake Delhomme is left with nothing but the knowledge that he is THE MAN.
During these playoffs, the Panthers became a beloved team for me. Delhomme has become one of my favorite QBs. Steve Smith is incredible (those 2 back to back plays he made tonight were astounding). I wanted them to win SO badly, all the more so cuz of who they were playing.
The Pats were clearly the NFL's best team this year. This year's team was clearly better than the one 2 years ago. However, this game validated everything I say against them. That defense? Exposed tonight. Away from their home and their snow, they showed no ability to rattle Jake once he got the jitters worked out. They proved their defense is totally inferior to the shutdown Tampa and Raven D's.
And Brady? Again he showed me that he can complete passes when he has nobody anywhere near him, and he's ever getting touched. Big whoop. He deserved this MVP (as opposed to his previous fraudulent win) in that the game evolved to where the winning QB was gonna win the MVP, but the Montana comparison is a joke. Brady led his team to 2 FGs. Montana won his super bowls with TD drives, and against Cincy led em to a TD. Oh wow, Brady led em 40 yards on a short field. Brady's a great QB, but he still has a LOT to prove.
My MVP choice would've been Antowain Smith. Which leads me into the game's goat (aside from Kasay): the Panthers defensive line. Yeah the d-backs were awful (where did Ricky Manning go?), but the non-existent pass rush was absolutely infuriating. Brady barely got touched the entire game. No sacks, only a couple knockdowns. So ok, maybe you don't pressure the passer, but at least you then stop the run. But no, Smith and Faulk ran over them. What a joke. In the first half, I'd have given the lameballs to the offensive line for never giving Jake even a second and for horrible blocking for Davis, but the defensive line is most responsible for Carolina's loss.
Where does this Super Bowl rank all time? Everyone has their own list, but for me this does not equal the Denver-Green Bay game (which may never be matched for its combo of good play, good storylines, and drama) or Bills-Giants. I'd put it 3rd. No doubt it had the best 4th quarter. From my perspective it had one of the worst outcomes.
I feel like the Panthers do, like I came a long way for nothing. I want next year's Super Bowl to go MY way. I want Green Bay or the Vikings or Buffalo or Carolina or Indy or Atlanta to win it all, or just anybody but the Patriots. Sadly, they're probably a decent bet to repeat.
Better luck next year.
PANTHERS 29
I loved this NFL season. My favorite in several years. These playoffs (the opening 2 weeks anyway) were maybe the greatest of all time. And the super bowl was without a doubt one of the finest ever.
But with the hated Patriots once again hoisting the Lombardi Trophy, it all feels like one giant waste.
For me, this one hurts way more than 2 years ago, way more than when the Bills fell to the Giants, and maybe even more than when Montana led the Niners over the Bengals.
This game began just as expected. The only unexpected development was Vinatieri missing twice. But again the Patriots were crushing an offense that played into their hands. The Panther D held on for dear life.
Then, once Delhomme fumbled and the first TD came, I thought that was it right there. But all of a sudden, Carolina began to crush the mystique of the Pats D. Jake drops a perfect throw into Smith and they got it nodded again, and since their own D was playing great, that was good news.
Uh....
The next drive featured the first of a maddening series of Panther choke jobs on defense, the likes of which even the Vikings don't often commit. They just let Brady go right down the field, leaving receivers wide open all over the place. 14-7. Crap. Thankfully the squib kick let em get a gift 3 for halftime (I'll get at the Janet-Groperlake fiasco in the Mandy thread).
Then everyone took another quarter off. 4th quarter comes, and the Pats go up 21-10. Again I figure its over. I spent the whole game in a perpetal state of waiting for the inevitible failure, and would be proven right.
But then Foster busts one (where WAS he most of the game?) and its 21-16. Btw, I 100% agreed with going for 2 there. You make it and the next possession you only need a FG to tie. As it played out, it would've been better to get the easy XPs, but at that time I was in complete agreement with Fox. Plus, you knew the D was gonna step up now.
uh....
Ok, again the Pats go right down the field with no resistance. Thankfully they pressure Brady and he throws a pick. Carolina's still alive.
Then Jake launches it to Muhammad and I'm through the roof excited. 22-21. Carolina leads! Now with a lead, you KNEW the defense would step up and clinch the game.
Uh....
Nope, Brady again gets to go right down the field with no resistance, and goes back ahead. This was the worst choke job of them all. I don't wanna hear about being tired. It is the god damn super bowl. There is no such thing as tired. And why would the d-backs be tired anyway after just standing around all quarter long?
So again the game's over. 29-22. Ah, but then my boy Jake comes up big again. He zings it to Proehl, then hits him again for a TD. Tie game. But uh-oh, a minute left to go. We could have a deja vu situation. Oh, but no way. There's less time than there was 2 years ago. No way will Brady get em into FG range this time.
Uh....
John Kasay makes what is absolutely the single worst mistake in Super Bowl history. What WAS that? You see it? It went out of bounds at like the 30 yard line. Great job idiot, you just guaranteed the Pats the winning FG. Once again, the Patriots get EVERY BREAK.
But hey, maybe this time the Panthers will make a play on defense. Oooh, an offensive interference call. That helps. Certainly this game will go to OT.
Uh....
The Panthers defense was an absolute travesty one final time, letting the WR get wide open to make it a short FG for the greatest clutch kicker in NFL history. You knew there was no possible way he'd miss again. And he makes it, and the hated Patriots win another Super Bowl, and Jake Delhomme is left with nothing but the knowledge that he is THE MAN.
During these playoffs, the Panthers became a beloved team for me. Delhomme has become one of my favorite QBs. Steve Smith is incredible (those 2 back to back plays he made tonight were astounding). I wanted them to win SO badly, all the more so cuz of who they were playing.
The Pats were clearly the NFL's best team this year. This year's team was clearly better than the one 2 years ago. However, this game validated everything I say against them. That defense? Exposed tonight. Away from their home and their snow, they showed no ability to rattle Jake once he got the jitters worked out. They proved their defense is totally inferior to the shutdown Tampa and Raven D's.
And Brady? Again he showed me that he can complete passes when he has nobody anywhere near him, and he's ever getting touched. Big whoop. He deserved this MVP (as opposed to his previous fraudulent win) in that the game evolved to where the winning QB was gonna win the MVP, but the Montana comparison is a joke. Brady led his team to 2 FGs. Montana won his super bowls with TD drives, and against Cincy led em to a TD. Oh wow, Brady led em 40 yards on a short field. Brady's a great QB, but he still has a LOT to prove.
My MVP choice would've been Antowain Smith. Which leads me into the game's goat (aside from Kasay): the Panthers defensive line. Yeah the d-backs were awful (where did Ricky Manning go?), but the non-existent pass rush was absolutely infuriating. Brady barely got touched the entire game. No sacks, only a couple knockdowns. So ok, maybe you don't pressure the passer, but at least you then stop the run. But no, Smith and Faulk ran over them. What a joke. In the first half, I'd have given the lameballs to the offensive line for never giving Jake even a second and for horrible blocking for Davis, but the defensive line is most responsible for Carolina's loss.
Where does this Super Bowl rank all time? Everyone has their own list, but for me this does not equal the Denver-Green Bay game (which may never be matched for its combo of good play, good storylines, and drama) or Bills-Giants. I'd put it 3rd. No doubt it had the best 4th quarter. From my perspective it had one of the worst outcomes.
I feel like the Panthers do, like I came a long way for nothing. I want next year's Super Bowl to go MY way. I want Green Bay or the Vikings or Buffalo or Carolina or Indy or Atlanta to win it all, or just anybody but the Patriots. Sadly, they're probably a decent bet to repeat.
Better luck next year.
Pro Bowl:
Yeah, Andy Reid actually won his last game of the season for once!
I didn't watch much of the game. I guess Daunte got taken out really soon. The liqoured-up kicker misses the FG at the end. Lots of points. Bulger wins MVP.
Bleh. Its the same as a competitive preseason game. Maybe kinda entertaining, but completely meaningless and therefore not very good.
I'm still bitter about the super bowl. I imagine I will be until at least August.
I didn't watch much of the game. I guess Daunte got taken out really soon. The liqoured-up kicker misses the FG at the end. Lots of points. Bulger wins MVP.
Bleh. Its the same as a competitive preseason game. Maybe kinda entertaining, but completely meaningless and therefore not very good.
I'm still bitter about the super bowl. I imagine I will be until at least August.
Some free agency posts:
AJ Feeley to the Dolphins? Dumb. Fiedler's a good QB. He wins, though every year there's that 3 or 4 weeks where he's hurt and the backup kills them. They just need a reliable backup.
I love how the Skins are loading up for next season. Brunell is gonna be comeback player of the year. If they can get Portis from Denver they'll be an offensive machine. They're gonna lose Bailey anyway.
The Vikings might go after Troy Vincent. Could it be? Could they actually sign a top level free agent?
I love how the Skins are loading up for next season. Brunell is gonna be comeback player of the year. If they can get Portis from Denver they'll be an offensive machine. They're gonna lose Bailey anyway.
The Vikings might go after Troy Vincent. Could it be? Could they actually sign a top level free agent?
Two days in and already TONS of big moves.
First the Vikings. They resigned Kleinsasser, who's a little overrated, but they had the money. It looks like they might get Antoine Winfield after all. They STILL should go after Troy Vincent. It looks like they're going after Marcus Robinson to be the guy opposite Moss. Also coming in maybe will be Mark Bruener, a TE who can catch. That's the one thing this offense hasn't had the last couple years.
Moss is NOT on the trading block. However, the rumored trade would be Moss to Miami for Ogunleye(sp?), Sam Madison, Chris Chambers and picks. Miami would never do that, but I'd make that trade in a second.
elsewhere...
The Iggles go out and get The Freak. With all the blame placed on the WRs, their D was not that great this past year either. But if he's healthy they go right back to the top.
But they have failed to get Terrell Owens. He goes to Baltimore, and if he doesn't act a fool(unlikely), the Ravens instantly become favorites in the AFC. Lewis could run for 2,500 with Owens taking some heat off him.
Ted Washington goes to Oakland. Hey, anything to weaken the Patriots. That'll hurt their run D, in a conference loaded with stellar backs.
Panthers get Jesse Armstead. Seahawks get Grant Wistrom, another guy I hoped the Vikes could get.
The Browns may be after Jeff Garcia? Horrible idea. Jeff, go to Dallas and lead Parcells back to the super bowl. He can throw to Keyshawn, and they'll get a 1st round RB. Even all the Skins moves won't be enough.
First the Vikings. They resigned Kleinsasser, who's a little overrated, but they had the money. It looks like they might get Antoine Winfield after all. They STILL should go after Troy Vincent. It looks like they're going after Marcus Robinson to be the guy opposite Moss. Also coming in maybe will be Mark Bruener, a TE who can catch. That's the one thing this offense hasn't had the last couple years.
Moss is NOT on the trading block. However, the rumored trade would be Moss to Miami for Ogunleye(sp?), Sam Madison, Chris Chambers and picks. Miami would never do that, but I'd make that trade in a second.
elsewhere...
The Iggles go out and get The Freak. With all the blame placed on the WRs, their D was not that great this past year either. But if he's healthy they go right back to the top.
But they have failed to get Terrell Owens. He goes to Baltimore, and if he doesn't act a fool(unlikely), the Ravens instantly become favorites in the AFC. Lewis could run for 2,500 with Owens taking some heat off him.
Ted Washington goes to Oakland. Hey, anything to weaken the Patriots. That'll hurt their run D, in a conference loaded with stellar backs.
Panthers get Jesse Armstead. Seahawks get Grant Wistrom, another guy I hoped the Vikes could get.
The Browns may be after Jeff Garcia? Horrible idea. Jeff, go to Dallas and lead Parcells back to the super bowl. He can throw to Keyshawn, and they'll get a 1st round RB. Even all the Skins moves won't be enough.
Well, so much for T.O. to Baltimore. He's bitching about the trade and may never show up, since he supposedly had a deal worked out with Philly. I have a hard time believing he's being wronged like this. He's just a whiner.
I also cannot believe Justin Frikkin McCareins nets the same in a trade that Owens does. A #2 pick for McCareins, who was only McNair's #3 option? The Jets are nuts.
I also cannot believe Justin Frikkin McCareins nets the same in a trade that Owens does. A #2 pick for McCareins, who was only McNair's #3 option? The Jets are nuts.
"Shut down CB" is a term that someone invented w/o a definition. Hardly any DBs can completely take a WR out of the game. Winfield paired with Brian Williams, with Russell and Chavous does make the secondary pretty good though. I'd say its easily the best since the Dungy days.
The best news is they still HAVE to spend almost $20 million just to reach the sal cap minimum. One good lineman and maybe a LB and they're set.
I think they can absolutely be major NFC factors next year. I think the whole conference is gonna make a major comeback from last year. Dallas could get Tim Couch. Vick will be back all year. Philly still might add T.O. The Skins have been loading up. You know Tampa's gonna come back strong. And then you still have the Rams, Panthers, Packers and Seahawks. Almost any of them could be valid super bowl picks by the start of the season.
The best news is they still HAVE to spend almost $20 million just to reach the sal cap minimum. One good lineman and maybe a LB and they're set.
I think they can absolutely be major NFC factors next year. I think the whole conference is gonna make a major comeback from last year. Dallas could get Tim Couch. Vick will be back all year. Philly still might add T.O. The Skins have been loading up. You know Tampa's gonna come back strong. And then you still have the Rams, Panthers, Packers and Seahawks. Almost any of them could be valid super bowl picks by the start of the season.
Yeah, I don't really get why Garcia would go to Cleveland, when those asshole fans will simply turn on him no matter how well he plays.
The winner in this move is clearly Tim Couch. Couch, a solid QB despite the way his career has gone, now can go to Dallas, and give the Cowpokes the efficient QB they need to make the step up to super bowl contender.
Duce Staley goes to...Pittsburgh? Who already have the underrated Zeroue and resigned Bettis? Another guy who should've gone down to Big D. Dallas will probably get their runner in the draft. If they were smart, they'd try to get the Vikes to trade them Michael Bennett.
The Vikes get Marcus Robinson. Hopefully he won't become a no effort giving bum like Derrick Alexander did.
The winner in this move is clearly Tim Couch. Couch, a solid QB despite the way his career has gone, now can go to Dallas, and give the Cowpokes the efficient QB they need to make the step up to super bowl contender.
Duce Staley goes to...Pittsburgh? Who already have the underrated Zeroue and resigned Bettis? Another guy who should've gone down to Big D. Dallas will probably get their runner in the draft. If they were smart, they'd try to get the Vikes to trade them Michael Bennett.
The Vikes get Marcus Robinson. Hopefully he won't become a no effort giving bum like Derrick Alexander did.
Yeah, I don't get why Sapp went to Oakland. Though with him and Ted Washingon, they should have a pretty good defense. I think they still have some draft picks from losing Gruden, so maybe they can rebuild pretty quick. If Gannon returns healthy I could see them competing for the playoffs.
I wish he'd gone to Cincy. It could've been just like when the Packers were just beginning their resurgence with Favre. Then Reggie White signs there and they become an elite team for years.
Broncos signed John Lynch. Hell of a secondary now with him and Bailey. They may sign Kordell Stewart as their backup QB. But then I'd have to root for Plummer to get hurt.
The Keyshawn-Galloway trade went through. Dallas is still being foolish by not getting a QB. Carter won't get them to the next level and I'd bet Drew Henson will be a bust. Just cuz a guy played at Michigan doesn't mean he's Tom Brady. Tim Couch is there for the taking.
Vikings kept active, signing Jermaine Wiggins, which finally gives them a TE who can catch. They also got Darren Bennett to punt. Denard Walker might get traded. I'm tellin you, if they have another strong draft they are right up there with the best in the NFC. Tice will have no excuse for missing the playoffs next year.
I wish he'd gone to Cincy. It could've been just like when the Packers were just beginning their resurgence with Favre. Then Reggie White signs there and they become an elite team for years.
Broncos signed John Lynch. Hell of a secondary now with him and Bailey. They may sign Kordell Stewart as their backup QB. But then I'd have to root for Plummer to get hurt.
The Keyshawn-Galloway trade went through. Dallas is still being foolish by not getting a QB. Carter won't get them to the next level and I'd bet Drew Henson will be a bust. Just cuz a guy played at Michigan doesn't mean he's Tom Brady. Tim Couch is there for the taking.
Vikings kept active, signing Jermaine Wiggins, which finally gives them a TE who can catch. They also got Darren Bennett to punt. Denard Walker might get traded. I'm tellin you, if they have another strong draft they are right up there with the best in the NFC. Tice will have no excuse for missing the playoffs next year.
Couch to the Packers sounds good, since Favre can't be sticking around more than 2 more years. I'm still thinking Dallas wants to get him, but maybe they're holding off to see if the Browns just cut him. I cannot imagine Dallas being foolish enough to go with Quincy Carter again, with a team so close to the super bowl.
The Rams signed Chris Chandler, which proves Martz is a lunatic. They've already got Bulger and are keeping Warner (btw, would you want a QB who so willingly lets himself ride the bench? Doesn't sound like much competitive fire to me). Why have a 35-something year old as a third string? I'd have liked to see him sign here as the backup, assuming we don't resign Frerotte.
The Rams signed Chris Chandler, which proves Martz is a lunatic. They've already got Bulger and are keeping Warner (btw, would you want a QB who so willingly lets himself ride the bench? Doesn't sound like much competitive fire to me). Why have a 35-something year old as a third string? I'd have liked to see him sign here as the backup, assuming we don't resign Frerotte.
The draft:
I switched shifts at work today, which gave me the chance to catch most of the first round (and later thankfully helped me miss most of the Wolves embarassing effort out in Denver...it's gonna happen for the 8th straight year, I can feel it)
The Vikings thankfully went all defense. I'm not gonna pretend like I know anything about Kenechi Udeze, Dontarious Thomas or Darrion Scott, but they're all on D, and they've had good drafts for defense the last couple years. Woulda liked Will Smith or DJ William, but Udeze's not bad.
Green Bay also wisely went defense, getting a CB. 4th and 26. Oy! They strangely took a punter in round 3. WTF?
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That punk ass little bitch Eli Manning is going to New York. It will be so much fun seeing this whiny baby demolished twice a year by Dallas, Philly and Washington. And the Chargers flat out fleeced the G-men. The Giants WILL suck this year and that #1 pick will be top ten for sure.
Some things never change. Denny Green takes his buddy's kid Larry Fitzgerald. Meanwhile the Cards already have Boldin. Green must have some kind of chemical inability to pick a defensive player in round 1.
The Steelers get Roethlisberger. The Browns take Kellen Winslow really high, even though few tight ends ever have been worthy of a top ten pick. The Lions get Roy Williams and Kevin Jones, and are starting to get pretty loaded on offense.
I don't get Dallas at all. They skip a shot at Steven Jackson, then take Julius Jones. The Bills are even more puzzling. They take Lee Evans from Mousehunt, and then trade up to take a QB that I don't think anyone had going that early.
The Rams get Jackson. Again they seem to be going for the offensive dominance. The Bengals take Chris Perry, even though last time I checked Rudi Johnson was great last year.
The Vikings thankfully went all defense. I'm not gonna pretend like I know anything about Kenechi Udeze, Dontarious Thomas or Darrion Scott, but they're all on D, and they've had good drafts for defense the last couple years. Woulda liked Will Smith or DJ William, but Udeze's not bad.
Green Bay also wisely went defense, getting a CB. 4th and 26. Oy! They strangely took a punter in round 3. WTF?
That punk ass little bitch Eli Manning is going to New York. It will be so much fun seeing this whiny baby demolished twice a year by Dallas, Philly and Washington. And the Chargers flat out fleeced the G-men. The Giants WILL suck this year and that #1 pick will be top ten for sure.
Some things never change. Denny Green takes his buddy's kid Larry Fitzgerald. Meanwhile the Cards already have Boldin. Green must have some kind of chemical inability to pick a defensive player in round 1.
The Steelers get Roethlisberger. The Browns take Kellen Winslow really high, even though few tight ends ever have been worthy of a top ten pick. The Lions get Roy Williams and Kevin Jones, and are starting to get pretty loaded on offense.
I don't get Dallas at all. They skip a shot at Steven Jackson, then take Julius Jones. The Bills are even more puzzling. They take Lee Evans from Mousehunt, and then trade up to take a QB that I don't think anyone had going that early.
The Rams get Jackson. Again they seem to be going for the offensive dominance. The Bengals take Chris Perry, even though last time I checked Rudi Johnson was great last year.
I remember watching that Vikings Packers game when Driver got hurt. I was finishing up college and pretty much everyone on 4th floor was watching the game, it went from cheers to dead silence. Weird things you remember from 17 years ago.
ReplyDeleteAnd I also thought why did I miss the Britney performance because I had senior seminar skipping class is not a good idea.