The Crystal Ball Week 9

Originally Posted on Quick Thoughts on November 1, 2006


Hello all and welcome to another week of football fun. Yes, we are up a bit early this week, and hey, that is the kind of time provided to one on vacation. It just throws your schedule right off. I plan to keep it short this week, no crazy long piece. I think I will save that for next week with some sort of mid season look at how things have progressed thus far this year in the NFL. I am really not sure what I will come up with in terms of a mid season report, but I have a few ideas. I guess we will all have to just wait and see what comes out when I sit down at the ol’ laptop. Technically, I should do that this week, but I think it will be best served after everyone has 8 games under their belt. Plus, spending time with the family is definitely taking up all my time, and I could not be more delighted about it. Despite Pittsburgh losing on Sunday, I had a blast watching the game with my Dad, spending time with my Mom and helping around the house, with the topper thus far being a great family dinner with my Mom, Dad and my little bro. It might have been one of the best family dinners we have had in many a year.

The NFL last weekend had a few great barn burners, with Atlanta outlasting Cincinnati and Indianapolis topping the Broncos. This weekend, there will be more than a few big tussles that will go down, and I for one am excited for all of them. One game in particular will be the one to watch, but more on those later.

So, I thought after last column that I was sick of losing. Now, well, I may be getting used to it. I am not sure. After the loss to Raiders, I have found a calm place inside myself regarding losing, a Zen outlook on the season. Yes, we stink. Yes, we keep playing games and making horrible mental errors. Yes, this season is probably in the tank. It is not official, but let’s be honest; the Steelers have to run the table just to match last year’s record at this point. But you know what? We still won the Super Bowl last year, and that is still pretty wonderful. And for the most part, the team is still good enough to do it again, but it seems as though it will not be this year. But as Cubs fans say every August, there is always next year.

However, Roethlisberger should not have played last week. It was pretty obvious that he was not ready to go. He looked like he did in his first week back from the appendectomy. He was slow to move, his decisions did not come quickly and he seemed fearful of taking a hit. I shudder to think what Denver will do to us this week. I will still watch. This is the time for true fans to come out. Yes, our team is doing very badly this year, but they are still our team. Stand up and cheer them, if for no other reason than as a thank you for the wonderful year they gave us last year, a decent showing this year, and a better one next year. Everyone gets up for the game against the Super Bowl champs more than other games, maybe next year when we are not the champs, as it looks now they will not be, it will be a little better. Plus, after the Patriots won their first Super Bowl, they did not make the playoffs the next year and then reeled off two more Super Bowl wins. I, myself, could live with that.

One bit of vindication I have seen lately is finally people are starting to notice the key problems that I have mentioned ad nausea here. Poor offensive line play, turnovers and finally, the biggest one, the Cowher situation. I read this morning in a local PA paper someone finally bring up the fact that Cowher’s status for next year and beyond as Pittsburgh’s head coach could be causing a distraction. Mark my words, it will not be one, it is one.

Unfortunately, now we are getting bit by the injury bug. Verron Haynes and Arnold Harrison have been lost for the season, and Jeff Hartings is out for an indeterminate amount of time. These are the residual damage from the loss to Oakland. Hopefully, everyone will now realize what is happening and put up a good showing against Denver. Win or lose, they are still the World Champions until someone is crowned champion. Of course, I did not think elimination would come upon us so soon. There are still nine games left; perhaps there is still time for a little magic. I know I for one will be watching to see what happens. I encourage all true fans to join me.

So there was one positive thing that did come out of the weekend. For the first week, I won the pick em pool that I participate in with some friends. Yes, that is right; finally I had a good enough week to pull off the victory. I actually gained a couple of spots on the overall leader as well. That is a very good salve for losing to a super crappy opponent. Plus, the win was extra sweet because going into the Monday Night game, I was in a five way tie with four other participants, and it came down to the total point tie breaker. All five of us had the following point totals, 32, 38, 42, 46 and 47. I had 38, and the final score was New England 31, Minnesota 7. Right on the money was my guess, and it catapulted me to victory. Of course, since New England scored their final points right at the end of the third quarter, I had to sit and sweat out the whole fourth quarter, and it was close. Minnesota managed to drive within the New England red zone in the last minute, and then mercifully threw an interception, that frighteningly was almost run back for a score. It was a tense few minutes, but luckily, everything worked out, and I can feel good about winning a week.

Last Week: 9-5
Season to Date: 66-48

Not a bad record either, but let us see if I can do two in a row, or at least get another win this season.

This week Arizona, Carolina, N.Y. Jets and Philadelphia have the bye. Arizona, well, its over, you have taken the mantle from Oakland as the worst team in the league, although I think Miami is fighting you for that. Carolina needs the week off to figure out how they collapsed so badly against the Cowboys. The Jets can use a rest for sure, since they lost a game against Cleveland they should have won. Hopefully they can use the week to recharge and come out again playing over their heads. And Philadelphia needs to step back and find out where everything is going wrong. They came out early in the season looking so strong and unbeatable, and then just began dropping games like coins into a fountain. The boo birds were in full force Sunday in Philly, and if the Eagles do not turn things around quickly, they will only get worse.

Atlanta at Detroit

Atlanta flexed their road muscle big time in Cincinnati, showing they can win on the road with Vick operating as a viable passing threat. I am not sure where this came from, perhaps Vick just needed to be reminded he was once a stellar college quarterback. Detroit had the week off to rest, but I doubt it will help.

Atlanta over Detroit


Cincinnati at Baltimore

A huge AFC North match up that will have ramifications on who wins the division this year. Baltimore is resurgent and showed some resiliency last week by coming out and pasting the Saints on the road. Cincinnati showed their woes of late by failing to close out a tough opponent at home. For me, the preferable option would be for the Bengals to pull off the victory at home, keeping both of them close to Pittsburgh, relatively, in the standings. However, the logical side says the Baltimore defense has a big day. I will go with Baltimore, that way if Cincy wins and I lose this pick, I can still feel good about it.

Baltimore over Cincinnati


Dallas at Washington

The Cowboys had a stirring comeback against a collapsing Panther team last week, with Tony Romo showing great poise and, something not seen in Big D for some time, mobility as he directed the second half comeback on the road. Stellar start for the new signal caller. One thing that stuck out to me was the incredible time of possession that Dallas maintained, wearing down the Carolina defense until they could walk through them like tissue paper. That kind of ball control game will take a team far, and Dallas looks poised to start the second half of the season on the right note. Washington, on the other hand, looks as though they keep sinking deeper and deeper into a void with no answers on how to get out. This huge NFC East match up, at least on paper, seems rather one sided. But, as they say, that is why they play the games. Regardless, I know who I am going with in this game.

Dallas over Washington


Green Bay at Buffalo

Are there signs of life in Green Bay? It sure seems that way. Perhaps Brett Favre was right when he said this was the most talented team he has played with in his career. Perhaps they just needed some experience and a bit of seasoning. Or maybe The Pack has just been playing some crappy teams and taking advantage of the situation. Either way, there is something to cheer about in Cheeseland. Considering how there is so little to cheer about in Upstate New York, I think the Pack will keep on rolling this week.

Green Bay over Buffalo


Houston at N.Y. Giants

The G-Men keep on rolling, this time right over Tiki’s brother. It definitely was not the most exciting game that happened all week, but a good win for the Giants. If you can win the games you are supposed to, and one or two you are not, then you are doing well. That is how the Giants are rolling this year, and I see it continuing in the Meadowlands this weekend as well. Houston, well, they still have a long way to go. Yes, they are on the right track, but it is hard to overcome a culture of losing. Just ask Marvin Lewis, he is still battling it in some ways.

N.Y Giants over Houston


Kansas City at St. Louis

A few weeks ago, this game would have looked like a rollover. This week, well, I am not so sure. Kansas City has been playing inspired ball. Sure, they faced Seattle without Hasselbeck and Alexander, but the Seahawks are still a tough team. Plus, they beat a fully loaded San Diego team, who last week beat, you guessed right, the Rams. So who do you pick? Well, until KC can prove to me they can put together an excellent performance away from Arrowhead, I am going with the home dome Rams on this one.

St. Louis over Kansas City


Miami at Chicago

Ok, so not every game can be a world beater. Considering what Da Bears did to the 49ers last week, I am expecting much of the same this week. Of course, during the 86 season, the only team to mar Chicago’s record that year was, the Dolphins. Could history repeat itself? Since that Dolphins team had Dan Marino in his prime, and this one has Joey Harrington in what I guess is his prime, I say no, not even close.

Chicago over Miami


New Orleans at Tampa Bay

Are the Saints returning to Earth? Is the dream over? Are the Ravens just that good? I am not sure about any of those questions. Although I do know this, even good teams have bad days. Perhaps that is what the Saints had. We will know more this Sunday. Tampa Bay has been playing better, but it has been with some luck, smoke, mirrors, rubber bands and paper clips. If the Saints are for real, then they will win. I believe they are the real deal.

New Orleans over Tampa Bay


Tennessee at Jacksonville

Tennessee is showing how good their future will be with Vince Young, but the team still seems to be in too much turmoil. Way too much for one coached by Jeff Fisher, in my opinion. They had a good win over Houston last week, but do they have enough to keep it going? The Jaguars are a mystery to me. How do you hold the defending champions to 0 points, then a few weeks later get pasted by the Texans on the road? Especially after outlasting the Redskins on the road? It makes no sense. This one is a bit of a toughie too, but the Jags are a good team, and while home field is not much of a jump for them as it is for other teams, I think it will make a difference.

Jacksonville over Tennessee


Minnesota at San Francisco

Let’s just say it; Brad Childress has done a great job thus far in Minnesota. He has managed to come in and right the ship, jettisoning people detrimental to the team, those that are scandal hounds and distractions and those who do not want to do the work needed to win. I know he is saddled for the time being with Brad Johnson, who is not bad just well past his prime. But if he could get a better quarterback and some improvements on defense this team will go far. Yes, they got pasted on MNF, but let us not overlook how far he has come with this team in a short amount of time. Even with Chicago running away with their division, I see this team making the playoffs. As for the 49ers, well, it is still a long road ahead. It will only get longer this week.

Minnesota over San Francisco


Cleveland at San Diego

Shawne Merriman has decided not to appeal his four game suspension, and just take it starting this week. He, and his lawyer, still maintain that the positive test result came from tainted supplements, but he does not want to be a distraction. I call BS on this. First, it is already a distraction, too late for that. Second, how would supplements that any cat can buy in any GNC be tainted with enough steroids to show up on a random drug test, let alone be tainted at all? And third, his decision to take the suspension sure comes at a convenient place in the Chargers schedule. Here are their next 4 games that he will miss, Cleveland, at Cincinnati, at Denver and Oakland. Two games against cupcakes, one against a tough division foe, and one on the road against a team they can beat. Gee, how convenient. Unfortunately, as much as they drive me nuts, I want them to win this week. Pittsburgh needs some separation from the bottom of the division. And, well, I am also pretty sure they can handle Cleveland.

San Diego over Cleveland


Denver at Pittsburgh

Speaking of Pittsburgh, do the Steelers even stand a chance against the Bronco defense this week? Of course they do. Remember what they did to them last year in the AFC championship game in Denver. Of course, the last time Denver played in Pittsburgh was the 1997 AFC championship game which the Broncos won 24-21. Of course, at that time they had a guy behind center named Elway, so things could be different this time around. Yeah, they could get creamed, especially since Denver will be jacked about losing to Indianapolis last week. But the Steelers are still tough, and there is still pride in that locker room. Personally, I had hoped that this might be the game of the week for the casual fan, but Pittsburgh has had a bit of trouble this year holding up their end of the bargain regarding big games. For me, though, it will be THE game of the week. But you know me; there really is no objective opinion when it comes to the Steel City.

Pittsburgh over Denver


Indianapolis at New England

Easily this will be the game of the week. This is the game to watch. If you are a casual fan, this will be the one to tune in for and soak in the football experience. Now, I hate saying things like that, because just about anything Boston or New England related drives me insane. But, the truth is we have a 7-0 Colts team fresh of a great victory in Denver traveling to Foxboro to face the 6-1 Patriots who, scarily, have found their rhythm and comfort zone yet again with a bunch of no names and has beens. This will be the collision of the day. Peyton finally found out that he can win in Foxboro, but the Pats always win there, and are not scared of Manning and Company in any way. On a short side note, how come it always seems that these games are played in New England? How come they never seem to be played in Indy? Think there might be something up about that? Yeah, I do too. Anyway, this one will be tight, but I think the Pats flex their muscle and knock off one of the last two unbeaten teams in a barn burner.

New England over Indianapolis


Oakland at Seattle

Do not let Oakland’s performance over the last two weeks fool you. First, they beat up on a still shell shocked Cardinal team that were still trying to figure out how they lost to the Bears. And last week, well, they merely capitalized on two dumb ass plays by the Steelers. There offense only managed 6 total points and 98 total yards. That is it. Their defense had more yards than that. The crowd at Qwest field will be at extra decibels to help make up for the absence of Hasselbeck and Alexander, and even without them, the Hawks will take care of business.

Seattle over Oakland