JAX ALL ALONE IN 1ST, RAMS TIED, CHARGERS FLATTENED & THESE AREN'T YOUR FATHER'S COLTS
O.K. how many of you had St. Louis, Jacksonville, Kansas City & Chicago in first place in early December? I gotta tell you, I didn't, I did have the Giants, Falcons & Patriots tho. The last few weeks have been amazing, Colts losing 3 in a row, Tennessee 5 straight & the Bengals finding a way to lose 9 consecutive starts.
Jacksonville was about two weeks from doing the "el foldo", facing blackouts, the firing of coach Jack Del Rio, the benching of quarterback David Garrard, everything pointed to a last place finish. But Del Rio, Garrard & company righted the ship & currently alone in 1st place, they just might win their division. A home game with Oakland, a trip to Indy, Washington & a road game in Tennessee to end the season. Indy, the only team with a realistic chance of catching the Jags, has a home & home with the floundering Titans, Jax & a trip to Oakland. Like Kansas City, the Jaguars are hovering in the top-3 in league rushing stats. Run the ball & play smothering defense, a longtime recipe for success.
St. Louis is heading for the NFC West divisional title. Their rookie QB, Sam Bradford, has been sensational, completing over 60% of his passes, throwing 17 touchdowns against just 9 interceptions. Steven Jackson has continues to play at a very high level despite being all alone in the backfield. Bradford has little in the way of any serious threats at receiver. What he has is an accurate arm & he make good decisions. The Rams, under Steve Spagnola, have reversed their defensive fortunes. They have been among the league leaders in sacks all season. Like the Chiefs, this team is headed in the right direction. The Chiefs have better skill position players, the Rams a superior QB & the makings of a dominant defense. Currently at 6-6, the Rams have New Orleans, K.C., Frisco & Seattle left on their schedule. There's little doubt, first team to 8 wins in this horrid division, wins it. I think St. Louis can get there.
The Chicago Bears continue to win, but the remainder of their schedule is a nightmare, I think Green Bay will catch them. New England, Minnesota, the Jets & Green Bay are left for Chicago, pretty tough.
The brawling Titans & the sad-sack Bengals continue their losing ways. Both teams came into the year figuring to battle down to the wire for playoff spots, that hasn't been the case. If both lose out, which is very conceivable, both Marvin Lewis & Jeff Fisher could be canned. Serious underachieving in Nashville & Cincy.
The Jekyll & Hyde New York Giants had a good day smothering the Redskins 31-7. They ran for 197-yards while shutting down Washington's ground attack, they sucked up 6 turnovers, 4 fumbles & 2 interceptions, their stretch run, tied with Philadelphia, should be a good one. Neither team has a cake schedule which is why it will be so interesting. Giants: @ Minnesota, Philly, @Green Bay & @ Washington. The Eagles: @Dallas, @NYG, Minnesota & Dallas.
The Falcons saved the best for last in their 28-24 win at Tampa Bay. The loss essentially eliminated the Bucs from winning the division. Their wildcard chances are dwindling too, they've fallen behind Atlanta, New Orleans, Green Bay, Chicago, Philly & the Giants. Probably not going to be their year quite yet, but Raheem Morris has the Bucs playing competitive football. They still commit too many penalties, Sunday they had 9 for 102-yards, two were especially damaging down the stretch. They don't get after the passer consistently enough but their defense is certainly improved. Atlanta, 18-1 at home with Matt Ryan at quarterback, are steaming toward securing home field advantage thruout the playoffs. They will be ultra-tough to beat in the Georgia Dome.
The Chargers, the darlings of the sports' media, laid a giant egg Sunday against the Raiders. So much for their highly touted 18-0 December record under Phillip Rivers. They did little to stop the Oakland running game & despite the Raiders being flagged for 13 penalties, San Diego never really got it going today. They had a miserable day running the ball, just 21-yards, while the Raiders steamrolled over them with 251 on the ground. I was shocked at how flat the Chargers appeared. They could beat Kansas City next week, but I can't see them making up 2 games with just 4 left unless Kansas City really takes the gas. Don't say it, don't even think it.
And speaking of flat, the Colts could easily win fewer than 10-games & not make the playoffs. They have too many injuries, too many new faces that aren't familiar with the playbook & Peyton Manning's play is way below his high standard. Eleven interceptions in the past three games, four returned for touchdowns, an anemic running game & inconsistent pass protection are all to blame for the demise of your father's Colts. A team that won 12 or more games for 7 consecutive seasons, now in danger of not making the playoffs. They have been out-gained on the ground 514-135 the past three games. Having watched all three, I don't see things improving much for Manning & the Colts. Well except, they have two games with the also-fading Titans.
The Steeler-Raven game was exactly what I was expecting, only I had Baltimore winning it. Troy Polamalu is such a spectacular player & what timing huh? Nothing like waiting till the last minute. Neither team could run the ball, both had a single turnover, both got the opposing quarterback's face all night & there was a high body count. Too many guys helped off the field, both teams will feel this one for a few weeks. The hit by Raven cornerback Chris Carr on tight end Heath Miller was brutal. How no flag was thrown is way beyond my understanding. It was much worse than all but one of the hits Steeler linebacker James Harrison has been fined for, they missed a truly obvious hit. Miller was helped off the field eventually but didn't return. After watching these two defenses, I can tell you the Chiefs' team we watched today could probably play all night & half the next day & not score on either team. K.C. beat Jacksonville, should have beaten Indianapolis, but those two are a far cry from the Ravens, Steelers, Patriots or Jets & that's who they'll play first, most likely, should they win the West.
Jacksonville was about two weeks from doing the "el foldo", facing blackouts, the firing of coach Jack Del Rio, the benching of quarterback David Garrard, everything pointed to a last place finish. But Del Rio, Garrard & company righted the ship & currently alone in 1st place, they just might win their division. A home game with Oakland, a trip to Indy, Washington & a road game in Tennessee to end the season. Indy, the only team with a realistic chance of catching the Jags, has a home & home with the floundering Titans, Jax & a trip to Oakland. Like Kansas City, the Jaguars are hovering in the top-3 in league rushing stats. Run the ball & play smothering defense, a longtime recipe for success.
St. Louis is heading for the NFC West divisional title. Their rookie QB, Sam Bradford, has been sensational, completing over 60% of his passes, throwing 17 touchdowns against just 9 interceptions. Steven Jackson has continues to play at a very high level despite being all alone in the backfield. Bradford has little in the way of any serious threats at receiver. What he has is an accurate arm & he make good decisions. The Rams, under Steve Spagnola, have reversed their defensive fortunes. They have been among the league leaders in sacks all season. Like the Chiefs, this team is headed in the right direction. The Chiefs have better skill position players, the Rams a superior QB & the makings of a dominant defense. Currently at 6-6, the Rams have New Orleans, K.C., Frisco & Seattle left on their schedule. There's little doubt, first team to 8 wins in this horrid division, wins it. I think St. Louis can get there.
The Chicago Bears continue to win, but the remainder of their schedule is a nightmare, I think Green Bay will catch them. New England, Minnesota, the Jets & Green Bay are left for Chicago, pretty tough.
The brawling Titans & the sad-sack Bengals continue their losing ways. Both teams came into the year figuring to battle down to the wire for playoff spots, that hasn't been the case. If both lose out, which is very conceivable, both Marvin Lewis & Jeff Fisher could be canned. Serious underachieving in Nashville & Cincy.
The Jekyll & Hyde New York Giants had a good day smothering the Redskins 31-7. They ran for 197-yards while shutting down Washington's ground attack, they sucked up 6 turnovers, 4 fumbles & 2 interceptions, their stretch run, tied with Philadelphia, should be a good one. Neither team has a cake schedule which is why it will be so interesting. Giants: @ Minnesota, Philly, @Green Bay & @ Washington. The Eagles: @Dallas, @NYG, Minnesota & Dallas.
The Falcons saved the best for last in their 28-24 win at Tampa Bay. The loss essentially eliminated the Bucs from winning the division. Their wildcard chances are dwindling too, they've fallen behind Atlanta, New Orleans, Green Bay, Chicago, Philly & the Giants. Probably not going to be their year quite yet, but Raheem Morris has the Bucs playing competitive football. They still commit too many penalties, Sunday they had 9 for 102-yards, two were especially damaging down the stretch. They don't get after the passer consistently enough but their defense is certainly improved. Atlanta, 18-1 at home with Matt Ryan at quarterback, are steaming toward securing home field advantage thruout the playoffs. They will be ultra-tough to beat in the Georgia Dome.
The Chargers, the darlings of the sports' media, laid a giant egg Sunday against the Raiders. So much for their highly touted 18-0 December record under Phillip Rivers. They did little to stop the Oakland running game & despite the Raiders being flagged for 13 penalties, San Diego never really got it going today. They had a miserable day running the ball, just 21-yards, while the Raiders steamrolled over them with 251 on the ground. I was shocked at how flat the Chargers appeared. They could beat Kansas City next week, but I can't see them making up 2 games with just 4 left unless Kansas City really takes the gas. Don't say it, don't even think it.
And speaking of flat, the Colts could easily win fewer than 10-games & not make the playoffs. They have too many injuries, too many new faces that aren't familiar with the playbook & Peyton Manning's play is way below his high standard. Eleven interceptions in the past three games, four returned for touchdowns, an anemic running game & inconsistent pass protection are all to blame for the demise of your father's Colts. A team that won 12 or more games for 7 consecutive seasons, now in danger of not making the playoffs. They have been out-gained on the ground 514-135 the past three games. Having watched all three, I don't see things improving much for Manning & the Colts. Well except, they have two games with the also-fading Titans.
The Steeler-Raven game was exactly what I was expecting, only I had Baltimore winning it. Troy Polamalu is such a spectacular player & what timing huh? Nothing like waiting till the last minute. Neither team could run the ball, both had a single turnover, both got the opposing quarterback's face all night & there was a high body count. Too many guys helped off the field, both teams will feel this one for a few weeks. The hit by Raven cornerback Chris Carr on tight end Heath Miller was brutal. How no flag was thrown is way beyond my understanding. It was much worse than all but one of the hits Steeler linebacker James Harrison has been fined for, they missed a truly obvious hit. Miller was helped off the field eventually but didn't return. After watching these two defenses, I can tell you the Chiefs' team we watched today could probably play all night & half the next day & not score on either team. K.C. beat Jacksonville, should have beaten Indianapolis, but those two are a far cry from the Ravens, Steelers, Patriots or Jets & that's who they'll play first, most likely, should they win the West.
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