The Crystal Ball Week 12

Boy seems this week’s offering is feeling a bit light and showing a lack of proper effort. Well, that’s what happens when you’re weighed down with approximately 10 tons of turkey and stuffing. It was worth it though, those leftovers are still delicious. And hey, it’s not like there’s nothing good in here this week. Come on in, make a turkey sandwich and enjoy.

Opening Kickoff

Did everyone watch the primetime game Thursday night at Denver? Josh McDaniels said a swear…..

The Way It Was

Overtime is the word is the word.

Well that and missed field goals. Was it just me or did it seem kickers were choking left and right? And not just ones named Brown.

Boy, it’s a bad time to be in Houston and named Kris Brown. Or Chris Brown for that matter either.

Was I surprised about Terrell Owens scoring a 98 yard touchdown? No. Was I surprised I haven’t heard about it all week? Yes.

Really Dallas? At home against a Washington team without Betts and Portis as offensive threats and the best you can muster is one touchdown?

I give Singletary credit; the 49ers were down big but fought back to within one score with 6 minutes left in Green Bay. They didn’t have enough to go over the top, but they’re still fighting.

And Green Bay had best find some fight, especially since they’ve lost Al Harris and Aaron Kampman for the season.

I don’t know if I should give Atlanta credit for fighting the Giants into overtime, or say New York stinks for needing overtime to finish the Falcons off.

Denver brings in Orton off the bench for a Willis Reed moment. Although it only worked for a moment as the Chargers proceeded to discect Denver.

Another Charger/Bronco game, another big red zone call. Where’s ed Hochuli when you need him?

I’m glad the Eagles kept Westbrook on the shelf and hope they continue to do so. The man’s long term health is at stake. Unfortunately, they should have done that sooner.

Ok, which is more fun? That the Colts defense won the game for them, instead of the offense, by limiting the Ravens to field goals, that a missed field goal by the Ravens doomed them or that the winning field goal points for the Colts were scored by Matt Stover, the long time Raven who was cut in the off season? I’m going with all three.

The best game of the season was played last week in Detroit, and no one saw it. 9 touchdown passes between Brady Quinn and Matt Stafford and a thrilling last second victory for Detroit. Just the highlights alone were worth the price of admission. Plus, Stafford coming back in after having his non throwing shoulder crushed to finish off the win, how great was that? I’m telling Detroit fans right now, with Stafford behind center you will win at least one more game this season. You’ve got a gamer there.

The Steel Pit

Steelers 24 – Kansas City 27 OT

Ok, this one is on me. I forgot to launder my jersey after the Bungles loss, and the stink of that one hung around for a second week. Please note I’ve laundered this week so…..

I’m not breaking this one down. If you saw it, you know who’s fault the loss hangs on, everyone. The team looked unprepared, played poorly, executed sloppily and in general just looked as though they felt showing up would be enough to garner victory. It was not.

The team played lackadaisical and took mindless, undisciplined penalties. And if looking terrible and losing the game weren’t enough, then the real indignity and damage occurred. First, Big Ben took a knee to the head and suffered a concussion. And while all week he passed the appropriate tests, he suffered headaches later on and now will be sitting out Sunday. No problem, right, we have Charlie Batch! No we don’t. Batch went into the game, his first regular season action in 2 seasons, and promptly breaks his wrist.

Now we go into Baltimore, where they’re still pissed over last season and in general, with 3^rd string Dennis Dixon starting and recently signed CFL player Tyler Palko as his back up. As the saying goes, you make hay while the sun shines. Well, the sun was shining against the Bears, Bungles and Chiefs and the barn remained empty. Now, the clouds are forming and what is the team going to do?

I want to know one thing; no one has Jeff Garcia’s number?

Only In Faux NFL Reality…

The venerable Pontiac Silverdome was sold at auction last week for $583,000. If I had known the price would be so low, I’d have broken into my change jar.

It’s safe to say I’m an Alyson Hannigan fan. I think she’s funny and quite the cutie. But I don’t want her stealing air time in my Peyton Manning commercials! There’s so few this season as it is, I want all the Peyton I can get!

And I’m glad we’re finally seeing some new commercials.

Bill Cowher turned down a request for interview from the Bills, but did express interest in coaching the Bears or Texans. Come on Bill, just get over it and head to Cleveland.

Mike Shanahan had a two day interview in Buffalo. I think Mike could do some good in Buffalo, but with the cold weather how would he maintain his year-round tan?

Why did Andy Reid spend the entire Bears game with a towel around his neck? Was he suffering from meat sweats or something? I suppose it’s better than his usual flop sweat.

In The Merry Old Land Of Oz

One, measly, stinking lousy point. I lost by one point. The winning streak and the comeback were abruptly halted by one point. All I needed was someone to generate one point and all would have been right with the world. Alas, that was not to be.

This week, I go up against the cat with Drew Brees who tore me a new one at the beginning of the season. What will I learn this week? History repeats itself, I fear.

Upon Further Review

With all the movement in the last two weeks, it would appear the NFL is finally taking the issue of concussions seriously. Goodell has been on a mission to get the word out and make necessary changes. He’s brought up having players evaluated by independent neurosurgeons and neurologists, mandating better helmets and getting new leadership on the medical counsel for the NFL that sets policies on concussions. Goodell spoke on the NFL Network saying he wants players to stand up and say when they do not feel right to keep them safe. Well Goodell should be ecstatic this week as he finally has his poster boy, Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger.

Big Ben’s situation is exactly what Goodell wanted, and what the league needs. Roethlisberger took a knee to the head in last week’s overtime loss to Kansas City, and showed signs of a concussion. Although after the game he seemed lucid and said he was fine. Early in the week, he passed all post concussion tests, maintained he felt fine and was expected to play. But after practice on Wednesday and Thursday, Roethlisberger developed headaches and became concerned. Although he passed the tests, he did not feel right.

So he stood up and said so. The Steelers coaching and medical staffs, to their credit, said if you don’t feel right, then we ride without you and you get yourself healthy. I for one am happy as all get out about it. I know, that sounds odd to say a person is happy their franchise quarterback will spend a vital division game in civilian clothes but it’s true.

Yes, it hurts Pittsburgh’s chances for victory this week. But a long term healthy Big Ben helps them immeasurably for years to come. And I’d rather have one loss in the short term than a permanent one in the long term. And in the macrocosm of the NFL, this move will lead the way for many other players. If guys who don’t feel right can look at Roethlisberger, a big name player, as a role model then they may not be so hesitant to stand up as well and say they do not feel right. They won’t be so afraid to talk candidly with their team about their condition or feel pressured to rush back before they’re healthy. This could lead to many great players extending their careers because they are properly healed, instead of seeing them either shorten their careers, or play too long and spend retirement in a punch drunk state.

Kudos to Goodell for finally addressing this issue properly and helping develop a culture in which players can come forward, kudos to Big Ben for standing up and being the first big name to say I don’t feel right and kudos to the Steelers for listening and taking appropriate action. Let’s hope this spark turns into a bonfire to light a healthier and safer future in the NFL. And I hope Kurt Warner would follow the same lead, but it would appear he is not. Change takes time, but at least finally the NFL is on the same track.

He Said He Said

"I take responsibility for that performance. I have to have this football team better prepared to play." – Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin

Then get cracking, because time is ticking. And nice job taking responsibility. It’s always refreshing having a coach who says the buck stops here. It’s a concept Cleveland fans are unfamiliar with.

“Lawrence Tynes had a nice long field goal” – Giants head coach Tom Coughlin after the loss at Denver.

Boy that's reaching for something positive.

“It's the NFL Network, it doesn't surprise me.” – Broncos head coach Josh McDaniels’ reaction to the NFLN broadcasting him swearing on the sidelines

It doesn't change the fact that you used a swear josh, and a really naughty one! For shame, FOR SHAME! Ok, I didn’t care, actually I found it hilarious. But you know someone had a hissy fit about it.

“Ed Hochuli’s got some guns on him” – Vikings defensive end Jared Allen

Duh!

"It takes a tremendous amount of energy, but there is a certain appeal there." – Mike Holmgren on the possibility of working in some capacity for the Browns

What, exactly, would that appeal be Mike?

"We are capable of much more than that. That is not us and it won't be us.” – Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin

Show me.

Idiot of the week

Easily the winner here has to be Eric Mangini. I guess the guy enjoyed winning so much he came back for more.

This one is too easy. With Detroit’s wunderkind quarterback sidelined on the last play of the game, Mangini called a time out to bitch to the referees about the obvious pass interference call on the previous play that put Detroit on Cleveland’s 1 yard line for an untimed end of the game play. Stafford before the time out had left with an injury, and Detroit faced trying to win the game with the cold Daunte Culpepper under center as no player can return to the game from injury for at least one play or unless either team calls a time out. Detroit was out of them, but Cleveland was not. Unfortunately for Cleveland fans, who I’m sure started drinking rat poison at this point, Mangini obliged, Stafford streaked back onto the field and threw the game tying touchdown.

Why exactly did Mangini call that time out? All it did was give the Lions a chance to put Stafford back on the field and win the game. He would have been better off saving his complaints for after the game and letting Detroit proceed with Culpepper who has not played at all. But there is only one reason why Mangini called that time out. Because Eric Mangini, you are an idiot.

On Tap This Week

Finally, FINALLY, I got back on track…

Last week: 13-3

This week: 2-1

Season to date: 117-49

That’s a sweet looking number! Now I stand but one game out of first place with just a scant 6 weeks to go. Thank you Mr. Cowboy I’ll take it under advisement. Hit it again.

Sunday

Miami (5-5) at Buffalo (3-7)

Yeah, I’m gonna go with Miami, although something tells me whomever I pick will be wrong.

Dolphins over Bills

Washington (3-7) at Philadelphia (6-4)

Perhaps Philadelphia can do better than Dallas against a crappy team at home.

Eagles over Redskins

Tampa Bay (1-9) at Atlanta (5-5)

Ok Atlanta, this is where you turn things around. And if you don’t, it’s all over.

Falcons over Buccaneers

Seattle (3-7) at St. Louis (1-9)

Ewww.

Rams over Seahawks

Carolina (4-6) at New York Jets (4-6)

These two teams are exactly the same. Whenever I pick them, they lose and when I don’t they win big. I give up.

Panthers over Jets

Cleveland (1-9) at Cincinnati (7-3)

I’d like to see the Bungles lose, but come on, it’s the Browns.

Bungles over Browns

Indianapolis (10-0) at Houston (5-5)

Sorry, I see good things in Houston, and I was going to give them a chance. But no, Peyton is on a roll and with new commercials out, fired up.

Colts over Texans

Kansas City (3-7) at San Diego (7-3)

Pittsburgh beat San Diego and Kansas City beat Pittsburgh, so KC should beat San Diego, right? Wrong.

Chargers over Chiefs

Jacksonville (6-4) at San Francisco (4-6)

I feel bad for Mike Singletary, but his team just doesn’t have the horses yet. Yet.

Jaguars over 49ers

Chicago (4-6) at Minnesota (9-1)

Hmmm, how many picks will Cutler throw in this one? If it’s over 4, can we finally stop the Cutler is a franchise quarterback talk, please?

Vikings over Bears

Arizona (7-3) at Tennessee (4-6)

I don’t think Warner should be playing, at all. The Tennessee freight train picks up more speed.

Titans over Cardinals

Pittsburgh (6-4) at Baltimore (5-5)

I still maintain the Baltimore defense is merely a shell of itself. Two losses in a row mean massive disrespect for the defending super bowl champions. And now both of Pittsburgh’s leaders are on the shelf with injuries. This is a game where the men are separated from the boys.

Steelers over Ravens

Monday

New England (7-3) at New Orleans (10-0)

Easily this is the game of the week. And no, I am not hopping off the Saints band wagon. It’s just getting good on here!

Saints over Patriots