The Crystal Ball 2008 Week 15

As I watch the snow falling outside my window and think of the holidays rapidly approaching, my mind wanders to the wonderful gifts bestowed upon me, a beautiful wife, a fat and affectionate cat, a fun and loving puppy and a wicked defense. Could a boy ask for much more?


Opening Kickoff

Penn State fans who remember 1994 turned to their Longhorn brethren this week and said, See what we’ve been complaining about for 14 years? No better is the BCS? Now do you believe us when we bellow playoffs?


Recap

The Arizona Cardinals clinched their division and now will host at least one playoff game. And somewhere where warmth used to be a constant, the Devil asked a minion to put a few more logs on the fire.

The New York Giants also clinched their division despite losing at home. How did they accomplish this feat? By virtue of the Cowboys losing, of course. Oh, and Giant fans, you’re welcome.

The Tennessee Titans clinched their division and secured at least a first round bye. Somewhere, Peyton wept.

Funny, with three weeks to go Titans can step back and relax a bit. But Pittsburgh, holding onto the 2nd seed, still needs to play lights out just to keep ahead of the surging Ravens and the other barbarians at the gate. A scary thought to think that one screw up could lead us to losing the division and potentially the playoffs. Please, NFL, next season can we play a few other crappy teams other than the Browns and Bungles? Maybe the Lions or Rams?

The two teams from Texas each played in cold weather climates with only one ending in predictable results. Green Bay, where have you gone?

Jared Allen can complain all he wants about Gosder Cherilus’ hit. But that’s just karmic payback for that pseudo mullet hairstyle and a head band. Come on Allen, this isn’t 1985. And really, can a man who’s been fined as much as he has been this season, and his career, really complain about a hit, especially one that was legal?

Seriously Marinelli? A quarterback sneak against the best tackle tandem in the league? No wonder the Lions are 0-13.

When is Eric Mangini going to learn how to call plays that accentuate what Favre has left in the tank and disguise what he no longer has in his arsenal? Yes it’s a hard mix, but after 14 games one should be able to figure it out. Even McCarthy did.

Oh, by the way, to all future Jet opponents here’s a tip. Brett’s arm strength is gone. Stuff 8 in the box to stop Jones and Washington and keep the coverage short. Then you force Brett to throw long and then pick him off underneath. You’ll do fine. And to think they got rid of Pennington because of the arm strength issue.

Oh, cookie of the week to Jason David of the Saints! After an interception against the Falcons, David leapt up from being tackled and proceeded to perform an excellent Carlton Banks dance. Easily it was the most entertaining celebration of the year so far.


The Steel Pit

What is the sign of a great team? A great team overcomes numerous problems and poor performances and still finds a way to win. Sunday showed everyone a great team and breakthrough performance. I managed to make it through the entire Cowboys/Steelers tilt, which was far closer than I hoped, without going postal and destroying the television despite the fact that I had to listen to Joe Buck for three hours. That’s greatness realized, kids.

Pittsburgh showed some signs of that greatness Sunday, overcoming a less than exciting offensive start and overcoming a desperate yet fracturing Cowboys team. Here is some of the highlights and lowlights I noted while trying to drown the ringing echo of, “you’re absolutely right Joe.”

Big Ben makes his bones by his improvisational skills. But he can be hot or cold and some games, like this one, it drove me insane. Ben, sometimes it’s ok to just throw the ball away and regroup.

And Ben and Heath had a legitimate point on the interference call, and all the interference non calls on Dallas, but complaining will not get you anywhere but frustrated. Just regroup and hit them again.

Nate Washington has come a long way, but some of those easy passes show me he still has a long way to go.

Speaking of Nate, I still have trouble believing he got up from that disturbing tackle by Ken Hamlin, who worked hard to twist Washington’s leg off. First, that was just dirty. It may not have gotten called, or fined, but everyone watching could see he purposely twisted Nate’s leg, not just tried to pull him down. Hamlin should have been thrown from the game and should be thrown for the season. Second, what was that Ken, trying to get some payback for your former team, Seattle, choking in Super Bowl XL? You feel better this week trying to exact revenge with a dirty play? I can’t see how you would, because Nate was fine, your Cowboys lost and your Seahawks still choked. Deal with it.

If Santonio Holmes keeps making clutch catches, I’ll go cruising around the Burgh with him any day.

Really guys, you’re getting gouged by Rashard Choice? Good gravy. The only bad thing the defense did all day, but it could have made the game much worse.

That’s not true; the pass rush from the interior line seemed a bit stale this week too. Although I shant complain since James Harrison showed once again he’s a man amongst boys. I hate to mention it, much like talking to a pitcher during a no hitter, but there has been talk of Harrison for MVP. Now that would be huge. Ok, I’ll shut up now.

The defensive good equaled 5 total takeaways including 3 interceptions, a shutdown of the Cowboy offense in the 4th quarter and the winning points. Not bad.

One thing I’ve noticed, especially since the defense has been directly responsible for winning at least two games this season, is that they do their job exceptionally well. Ok, no surprise or insight there, but they do more than impose their will on opposing offenses. The Steeler defense keeps the team in the game long enough for the offense, which has started slow numerous times, to catch up and get the team ahead.

I kept hoping all day that Ryan Clark would nail TO like he did Wes Welker. The funny thing is Deshea Townsend nailed TO without even touching him. And God bless Deshea Townsend, the man may be ninety, but good gravy he can still play.

Oh, I just loved the sight of TO yapping his gums bitching incessantly on the Dallas sidelines. It was just such a treat. TO, do you want to know why Romo would look elsewhere at the most critical juncture of a game? See your lazy route running at the beginning of the game that led to a Polamalu interception. And by the way, happy birthday TO.

Steeler fans should thank him though. Troy would have never had that super easy interception if Owens didn’t dog it on that route and pass. Thanks TO!

The offense despite poor running and too many floaters was ok; they did mount a comeback and put themselves and the team in a position to win.

Some might complain it was stupid, but I loved the idea of going for it on 4th and 1, even though we got nothing out of the drive. Look, when you make those tough calls, you put the onus to win on your offense. Plus, you show the defense how much confidence you have in them to stop the other team if things fail. That’s a beautiful thing. But until the team really starts assigning those tough yards to Gary Russell and building him up as a power short yardage back, it’s not going to work often. And it hasn’t since Pittsburgh is 2 for 11 on short yardage 4th down attempts this season.

After the Steelers scored their only offensive touchdown, the cameras showed Dan Rooney in the owners box say go for two then chuckle a bit. Dan did you see the offense all day?

I love Gary Russell and Mewelde Moore for the simple reason that they run like men who need a job. They play inspired and fearless, and we need more of that in the running game. Willie Parker used to run like that, but now he seems tentative and does not have the speed to hit the corners. Perhaps his knee is not quite right, or perhaps he just doesn’t trust it yet, but he’s not the same Parker. It would be in the best interest of the team, especially since the running game needs some help, to just send out Russell and Moore and occasionally throw in Parker.

Well, Willie Parker seems to feel the running game needs help as well, and vented to the press his feelings on the issue. Parker feels the team is getting away from Steelers football, and a lack of commitment to the run will hurt them come playoff time. He also complained that the two tight end set is not conducive to the power running game. It would seem Fast Willie misses a full back to plow the road for him. Considering the state of the running game lately, I can understand his frustration. Everyone would prefer to see Pittsburgh with a strong running game and the ability to run over opposing defenses. But he has two things wrong. One, those are big words from a man who has looked like a shadow of himself. Not a shadow of last year’s self, but a shadow of the man who started at running back at the beginning of this season. And two, airing your issues in the press is never a good idea.

And two was born out a few days later as Tomlin responded rather tersely to questions regarding Parker’s comments. He said he comes to work and walks past 5 Lombardi trophies, not 5 rushing titles. Maintained that the important thing is winning football games, and did agree that the running game needs to improve but so it can contribute to the team’s winning ways, which is the bottom line. And he also went on to say that Parker should watch what he says so as not to have his comments misconstrued as selfish.

"He needs to be a little more careful with things he says and how he says it because it can be misinterpreted as uninformed or selfish, of which he is neither,"

The threat was veiled, but it was there. Keep your pie hole shut and do your job.

The thing is they both have a point. Tomlin is right; the most important thing is coming away with a victory. But Parker is correct too, the most successful teams have a strong running game. Not just because it makes the offense multi dimensional, but also because if you can use the running game to keep the ball and the offense on the field, you eat up clock and let your defense rest. That makes the other unit stronger as well. Parker’s concerns are legitimate, but he should know where to voice them. Leave the bitching about the running game to those of us who watch the games. We’ll keep you covered. You just concentrate on running that ball.

And this week, you and your mates had best be hyper focused.


NFL The Alternative Universe

Oh, the weirdness of the NFL has been almost epic this week. It’s like Christmas came early. The only question, where to start?

The NFLPA has decided it would be in their best interest to appeal the fine and suspension levied by the Giants upon Plaxico “sweatpants” Burress. Hey NFLPA, have you ever heard of the axiom the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few? It seems lately you’re working harder on the needs of the few, players punished for misbehaving or breaking team and league rules, than the needs of the many, getting a viable CBA worked out before 2010. Good work guys; keep strangling that golden goose.

Fox pulled a huge boner, or at least a flaccid, this week. In an attempt to get the news we all want, specifically Vikings owner Zygi Wilf presenting a game ball to Brad “periodic table” Childress in the Minnesota locker room, Fox cameras accidently got a shot of Vikings tight end Visanthe Shiancoe only partially covered by a towel. The cameras broadcast Shiancoe in all his partially exposed glory, much to the embarrassment of Fox and the NFL. At least Vikings fans can finally cheer that Shiancoe is now making some sort of impact on the team.

Kicker and all time NFL leading scorer Mort Anderson officially retired this week at the age of 48. Now if he does not make the Hall of Fame, we’ll know the selection committee is completely biased and full of crap.

The NFL announced this week that because of the impact of the current economic situation in the country, they would be cutting approximately 10 percent of their league staff. I guess now that Spy Gate is settled, Goodell doesn’t really need the added manpower.

Adam “I’m still Pacman despite my protestations otherwise” Jones may be out for the remainder of the season due to a neck injury sustained in Sunday’s Cowboys/Steelers collision. Awww, just when he was finally pulling his life together.

The loquacious Joey Porter shared more of his unique take on life, love and the NFL this week, this time chiming in on his opinion of the Plaxico Burress situation. According to Joey, who feels that Plaxico is like a brother to him that Plaxico is being treated unfairly in the media and that NFL players that carry a gun is more about safety than a toughness standpoint. Joey has a more personal view on such things from being shot in the past outside a club, and I will not question nor begrudge his opinion because of that. But really Joey is Plaxico being treated unfairly? He had an unregistered, unlicensed handgun in his possession. When he shot himself, which was an accident, he then implored a teammate to dispose of it illegally, thus implicating said teammate, and lied about his identity to medical professionals required to report such incidents to the police. That’s a massive amount of stupidity, is he really being treated unfairly? And if that doesn’t convince you otherwise, remember this. He was at a nightclub wearing sweatpants! What I really want to know is how soon until someone gives this man his own talk show? ESPN, you surely have some airtime that could use some ratings.

Everybody’s favorite former running back and felon O.J. Simpson was sentenced this week to at least nine years in prison. Simpson was sentenced to the maximum of 33 years in prison, but could be eligible for parole in 9 years. Despite his pleas for mercy from the court, even invoking his children, the judge threw the book at him. I have heard that his sentence was gratuitous and merely payback for his lack of conviction in his murder trial. Yeah, I can see that reasoning. Perhaps those who maintain this point are correct. You know what, I don’t care. I say lock him up until the end of time. He’s a punk and a jerk and as far as I’m concerned he can rot in prison. Goodbye Juice, it’s been long overdue.

I thought O.J. would be my favorite story, but I was wrong. No, my favorite story is that of everyone’s most loved malcontent Terrell Owens. According to more than a few reports, Owens is upset with how things are progressing in Dallas. NO! I know you are just as shocked as I am!

The rub for TO, according to reports, apparently lies in the relationship between Tony Romo and tight end Jason Witten. It would seem that TO is angry at Romo and jealous of Witten, who has been the more productive receiver for the Cowboys this season in TO’s mind. TO feels that Romo and Witten are holding private meetings and concocting plays for game days while excluding the greatest receiver of all time in his mind, TO.

Looking at the numbers, TO has 55 catches and has been thrown to 105 times for 848 yards and 9 touchdowns. Witten has 64 catches and has been thrown to 88 times for 771 yards and 3 touchdowns. Ignoring the fact that TO leads Witten and the Cowboys in yards, attempts and touchdowns, I guess TO be ego demands he cry about the fact that he is trailing in actual receptions. Hmmm, why might this be? Could it be because Witten actually tries to catch every ball thrown in his direction unlike TO who only catches the easy ones, rarely puts himself physically on the line and is more interested in personal statistics and not the team good? Now you tell me why Romo might trust Witten just a tad more?

First, what the heck is this, the NFL or The Hills? Second, who’s surprised by this? Certainly not 49er or Eagles fans, who expected something of this nature eventually to happen. And definitely not me, who even said it two years ago after the Cowboys first signed TO. As a matter of fact, here’s what I said verbatim.

“TO will quickly lose his good teammate image he is desperately trying to show us and slide right back into TO, locker room cancer. As soon as he starts feeling like he is getting short changed, look out. Dallas, you have been forewarned.”

Just call me Nostradamus. Owens may have the stats for the Hall of Fame, but he’s a terrible teammate and an egomaniacal narcissist. If things are going well and he’s getting attention and the ball, he’s as happy as a clam. If anything deviates from the TO show, then he’s always at DEFCON 5 ready to melt down faster than Chernobyl. And as soon as the team’s fortune starts going south, here is exactly what TO does. He starts complaining about not getting the ball enough, then starts complaining about his teammates, then calls people out, then yells at people on the sideline, then starts tanking plays or taking them off blatantly, then when the team hits a losing streak he throws people under the bus especially the quarterback. If you doubt this, ask Jeff Garcia or Donovan McNabb if any of this sounds familiar. Look over the past few games with this checklist in mind and I beg you to show me how it does not fit. Did anyone see the tire marks on Romo in his post game interview? I did. The funniest part of all this? TO’s tearful press conference last year “defending” Romo. Oh, what heady innocent days they were.

TO however is only one part, significant as it may be, of the Cowboys’ current issues. Their problem is they are a collection of names, faces, and infamy instead of an actual team. Now who would have thought that amassing a collection of me first, egotistical head cases with talent would have eventually backfired causing a colossal internal team meltdown in today’s 24/7 media world? Oh, I don’t know, maybe EVERYBODY? Well, everybody except for Al Davis.


Upon Further Review

The federal judge reviewing the suspension of six players for violating the NFL’s anti-doping policy extended his injunction, which allows each of the players to play for the remainder of the season. One player is on injured reserve and would not play anyway but it does clear the path for three Saints players and Minnesota Vikings defensive tackles Kevin and Pat Williams to suit up each week.

As has been reported, each player tested positive for a banned diuretic that can be used as a masking agent for steroids. While it may have been used for it, when it comes to the Williams boys I believe it was really used as a weight loss tool, as both players have weight clauses in their contracts.

The federal judge has asked the lawyers for both the NFL and the players union to propose a schedule for further proceedings and an eventual hearing, a process that could take months. What is at stake here is a four game suspension for each player.

Two things bother me about this situation. One, these substances were discovered in random tests in training camp. Why did it take until last month for the NFL to merit punishment on these players? Should they not have been sitting out the first 4 games of the season? I have this same question about the Matt Jones suspension as well. I’m not saying Matt didn’t deserve his suspension for being arrested on cocaine charges because he did. I want to know why did it the suspension come so late in the season when the arrest happened last summer.

The other thing that bothers me, and I know I’m taking a gigantic leap here, is the judge reviewing this case. Perhaps I’m too jaded, cynical, or a half glass empty sort of guy, but I think I’ve seen enough scandal in my lifetime to know that if I smell smoke, somewhere two sticks are rubbing together. And it’s this sort of internal alarm that has been shrieking in overdrive since I heard the federal judge overseeing this case is a U.S. district judge based in Minneapolis.

Mind you, I am accusing this man of nothing. Nor has he shown thus far any reason to be investigated or even questioned. But it does make me wonder why suspensions for two key Vikings defensive players would be suspended, at least temporarily, by a judge based in Minnesota when said Vikings are in a dog fight for their division and the playoffs.

I’m willing to take things as they are playing out at face value. But if this process which has now been said to take months suddenly accelerates rapidly as soon as the Vikings season ends, either by missing the playoffs or by being eliminated in the post season, I’m screaming rat as loud as I can and will seriously begin to wonder about the integrity of the NFL and the NFLPA. I already question it after Spy Gate, this will make me outright question Goodell and how he runs things.

And three and finally, why is no one else making this potentially nefarious connection? Last year anyone with a word processor was more than happy to find evil in anything the Patriots did. But this situation, where it does smell at least a bit suspicious, goes unnoticed? If something does come of this I must say I will be more than overly disappointed in the supposed journalists that actually cover the NFL for a living have not found it at least worthwhile to make a phone call or two to follow up on what could be the scandal of the year. Seriously, why does no one employ me to cover the NFL?


He Said He Said

"In my 11 years, this is probably the worst team, emphasize the word 'team,' that I've been on. We have some outstanding players, but the mix is bad. We can't really find that chemistry that we need. ... We don't have that mix and it's just tough right now." – Jaguars RB Fred Taylor

It must be bad, if Fred is now injured to the point where he cannot play three games. Is he?


"What a beautiful game, and I mean that. I just told the team that. People are too preoccupied with style points. That was a beautiful football game because we displayed mettle and we hung together." – Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin

Ok, I’ll agree parts of it were beautiful, fair enough?


"I've heard about the billboards. I don't rush out to pillory myself and look at them.'' - Bengals owner, president and GM Mike Brown, on four billboards put up around Cincinnati by a protesting group of fans.

Wait, Bungle fans are organized?


"It's a pleasure to be in the presence of so many Giants' fans, all of whom I believe are unarmed.'' – NBC News anchor Brian Williams at a March of Dimes luncheon

How did he know, was no one wearing sweat pants?


"Not until we win that first game will I feel good about anything.'' – Detroit LT Jeff Backus

If the game comes next season will it still feel good?


“Paul's immense drive to come back, the movement he has forced into his right arm and leg, the ability to make us understand he is all there, his humor intact. He is a superhero, as one of our daughters calls him. That statement alone would send him reeling in pain, so don't tell him I actually said that in print!” – Linda Zimmerman

That sounds about right. Keep fighting back Dr. Z. I would have loved to hear what you had to say about the Steelers the last two weeks. The victories seem a tiny bit empty without your analysis, even though I know you would have blasted Pittsburgh’s anemic offense.


“The Lions haven't won since the presidency of James K. Polk.'' – NBC’s Keith Olbermann

Now Keith, that’s an exaggeration. You know they’ve won as recently as the Truman administration.


“The bylaws of the Hall of Fame mandate that players be considered for enshrinement based on on-field accomplishments only. I'm opposed to rewriting the rules and including some sort of morals clause. Murder or participation in an armed heist is certainly more serious, obviously. But it is not our job as a Hall of Famer board of selectors to sit in moral judgment of a man. If it is, then 44 members of the football news media should not be the only arbiters for entry to the Hall. We'd need a couple of moral compasses in the room. Is that how we want to elect Hall of Famers? It's not how I think we should do it”. – SI.com’s Peter King

That’s a good point Peter. But tell me this, if this stance you put forth is true, then why was Michael Irvin not a first ballot Hall of Famer much like his celebrated teammates? It seems his delay was more of a punishment for off the field behavior in his career. Standing on that moral block you’ve carved only makes sense when you can show consistency in how you evaluate potential Hall of Famers. For that matter, it would seem to be a good idea to have other input than the current 44 members of the football news media. Perhaps some outside influence would help get linemen and kickers elected instead of the almost constant parade of running backs, receivers and quarterbacks.


“He can play with that injured toe. He can play with the soreness and a combination of those things. I see nothing that led us to believe he couldn’t.” – Cowboys owner Jerry Jones

Jones predictably backtracked later in the week. Why not just tell the truth Jerry instead of blowing smoke? You were pissed you lost the game in Pittsburgh, pissed you spent so much on this flagging team and pissed the chances you took on some wacky head cases was not paying off and all you could think of was what might have been if you had Barber so you lashed out at him. Now was that so hard?


"Ten and three, that's what it means to me." – Steelers safety Troy Polamalu when asked what it meant to him to lead the league in interceptions.

If only TO thought the same way.


"There's only one ball to go around. Yes, we all want the ball, but right now we don't need to have distractions. It's all about the team. We're 10-3, and whatever we rank in offensive stats, we got to put all that aside with egos.” - Steelers WR Hines Ward

Ok, be honest. Who does not want a Hines Ward on their team? From a football player standpoint, receiver standpoint and leadership standpoint, he might be the best player in Steeler history, with the exception of course of Mean Joe Greene. Man I’m so lucky to have a Hines jersey. Who’s house????


“I am now actively rooting against the Steelers after Ryan Clark's Jack Tatum-esque cheap shot on Wes Welker. If that had been done to a quarterback, he would have been handcuffed on the spot, thrown in jail and banned from professional football. The Karma Police are coming for you, Ryan Clark. You just wait” – ESPN.com’s Bill Simmons

Oh really Bill? I guess you would be an expert on Karma, considering the Patriots season thus far.


Idiot of the week

I love weeks like this, when idiots just line up for the title. I had so many to chose from I almost fell into a paralysis of analysis. Between Ken Hamlin, Rob Marinelli, Jerry Jones, Pacman Jones and possibly even Barnaby Jones, so many people just wanted to be an idiot before Christmas. But this week we go with one of my favorite writers, ESPN.com’s Bill Simmons.

Simmons garners this week’s dishonor for maintaining the Karma Police will come after Steelers safety Ryan Clark for his vicious, yet completely legal, hit on Wes Welker. Now Simmons is an unabashed Patriots fan, and that’s fine. I am an unabashed Steelers fan, and that is fine too. I just wanted to throw those facts out for full disclosure before going any further.

Now yes if that were Hines Ward and Rodney Harrison nailed him coming across the flat, I’d be pissed too. I was pissed when Santonio Holmes got tattooed in the Bungles game. But just because you do not like the hit don’t go crying about it. This is what I hate most about Boston fans. When they do something, it’s perfectly fine. But as soon as someone else inflicts the same punishment upon them, they cry faster than a PETA member watching Free Willie. And that’s exactly what Simmons is doing right now, crying and whining.

There was nothing wrong with Clark’s hit. As a matter of fact, that’s the kind of football we should be seeing more of instead of pansy lawyer ball where we challenge and question every play. But because it was against his beloved Patriots, Simmons took a huge exception to it. He didn’t accept it as a part of football, a part he surely cheered over the past few years when the above mentioned Harrison was the one inflicting the punishment. He automatically went into whiner mode and cried about it. Never mind his Patriots were getting their asses handed to them in the game; no just blame the other team for being “dirty”.

But I have to ask Bill a few questions. First, did you ever think that perhaps Clark’s hit was just Karma inflicting a little more punishment on the Patriots for 7 straight years of cheating? No? So then Tedy Bruschi’s injury in the Seattle game was just the normal circumstances of a game and not karmic payback. You can’t have it both ways. Ok, well if you really believe in the power of Karma then tell me have you seen Tom Terrific lately? No? That’s a shame.

Look Bill, your Pats got whooped by a better team, plain and simple. I know it hurts like a mother. Come on your Pats have had my Steelers number for years now and every time it’s hurts, and especially did in the two AFC Championship games. But just because you got bested once doesn’t mean you go screaming foul. So for being a whiny, crying, bitching, poor sport, you know a typical Boston fan, Simmons you are an idiot.


On Tap This Week

Cool, a sweet week.

Last week 12 – 4
Season to date 132 – 84

Oh, wait; others had an even sweeter week. Drat.


Thursday

New Orleans (7-6) at Chicago (7-6)

It’ll be cold in Chicago. The only way to win will be to stay warm. Its times like these when you need a neck beard.

Bears over Saints


Sunday

Tampa Bay (9-4) at Atlanta (8-5)

Now here’s a test for Matt Ryan. Ok, after watching last week, I think it’s more of a treat for Michael Turner. And since no NFC South team has won a division game on the road yet this season, I do not feel good about the Bucs without Jeff Garcia.

Falcons over Buccaneers


San Francisco (5-8) at Miami (8-5)

It may be time to take Singletary seriously. He has his charges playing tough. And to think we thought it was ridiculous to drop trousers but a few weeks ago.

Dolphins over 49ers


Seattle (2-11) at St. Louis (2-11)

Hello worst game of the week. Hello another Ram loss at home.

Seahawks over Rams


San Diego (5-8) at Kansas City (2-11)

Ok, so the under achieving team with a terrible coach, or the crappy team with a terrible coach? Decisions, decisions…

Chargers over Chiefs


Buffalo (6-7) at New York Favres (8-5)

Eh, I guess the Favres here. Yeah they tanked the last few weeks, but Buffalo has been tanking longer and better. Always follow the hot hand.

Favres over Bills


Washington (7-6) at Cincinnati (1-11-1)

Do you get the feeling the Bungle faithful haven’t been screaming bloody murder over this season is because the team has finally reverted to a familiar and comfortable mediocrity?

Redskins over Bungles


Tennessee (12-1) at Houston (6-7)

I like Houston’s moxie right now. And Jeff Fisher’s boys really have little left to play for except the number one seed. I think that will be enough.

Titans over Texans


Green Bay (5-8) at Jacksonville (4-9)

Now come on, Green Bay’s defense should be able to stop a tanking Jacksonville team. Right?

Packers over Jaguars


Detroit (0-13) at Indianapolis (9-4)

Man, I wish Pittsburgh had the late season schedule Indy has. Hello cake walk.

Colts over Lions


Minnesota (8-5) at Arizona (8-5)

Yes, the Williams boys will be playing. But Arizona doesn’t run the ball, they pass. And would you trust Tarvaris Jackson on the road?

Cardinals over Vikings


Pittsburgh (10-3) at Baltimore (9-4)

Here it is kids, the game of the week for all the marbles winner possibly taking the division and maybe the number 2 seed. The Steelers have not won in Baltimore in years. As a matter of fact, Roethlisberger’s worst games have come in M&T Stadium. And now they face the NFL’s second best defense as well as a rookie phenom at quarterback. It’s like facing themselves. If you looked in the mirror, could you answer the tough questions and come away with the answers you want? Oh I surely hope so. Yes I want to win my pool, but more importantly, I want my team to win. And we’re overdue for a victory in Maryland.

Steelers over Ravens


Denver (8-5) at Carolina (10-3)

Denver is on their 7th running back this season, having now lost 6 to injuries. Add to that a defense that wouldn’t stand up to a herd of cats. How, exactly, are they 8-5?

Panthers over Broncos


New England (8-5) at Oakland (3-10)

Beli-cheat decided to let his charges stay on the West Coast this week instead of excessively traveling. Come on, like it would make that big a difference.

Patriots over Raiders


New York Giants (11-2) at Dallas (8-5)

So, do you go with the team with no running back and a huge off field distraction, or the team with no running back and a huge off field distraction? Hmmm, how about the home team? Sure, why not?

Cowboys over Giants


Monday

Cleveland (4-9) at Philadelphia (7-5-1)

I still maintain I cannot trust any team who cannot beat the Bungles in 5 quarters. But I trust this. Once Andy Reid and Donavan McNabb realize they’re still in the playoff hunt and could potentially make the post season, they will find a way to choke away this season. Ask any Eagle fan, they’ll tell you the same.

Eagles over Browns