SUNDAY'S WINNERS & LOSERS
THE WINNERS:
New England
The Patriots shouldn't surprise anyone by this point, they're the best team in the league right now. They clinched a playoff spot in snowy, wind-swept Soldier Field today, bashing the Bears 36-7. The weather didn't affect the Pats in any way, shape or form, they hammered out 475-yards to Chicago's measly 185. Tom Brady was brilliant, 27 of 40 for 369-yards & 2 scores. Deion(who needs Randy Moss?) Branch caught 8 passes for 151-yards & a score while Wes Welker also grabbed 8 of Brady's throws for 115-yards. The Bears' toothless attack managed just 47-yards on the ground & QB Jay Cutler was, well he was the "bad Jay Cutler." He had more incompletions than completions, no scores & two picks. The 11-2 Patriots have separated themselves from everyone else in the AFC except maybe Pittsburgh.
Jacksonville
The Jaguars clawed their way back from two 10-point deficits to beat Oakland 38-31. The game was a highlight reel on it's own. It featured three 100-yard rushers, Oakland's Darren McFadden(123), Jacksonville's Rashad Jennings(109) & Maurice Jones-Drew(101). Not a lot of defense with 861-total yards by the two teams. There was a 76-yard TD pass, 48-yard TD pass, 51-yard TD run, 74-yard TD run, 36-yard TD run & a 30-yard TD run. The game was huge for the jags as it kept them in first place, leading the Colts by a game in the AFC South. They play in Indianapolis next Sunday in a game that will go a long way towards crowning that division's champion.
Pittsburgh
The Steelers maintain their one-game lead in the AFC North with a 23-7 win over hapless Cincinnati. Carson Palmer contributed to the Steelers win by throwing 3 interceptions, two returned for scores. If you didn't see the pick-6 by Troy Polamalu, it was a thing of beauty. What a player. I think Pittsburgh should seriously consider using most of their draft picks on offensive linemen. If anyone doubted Ben Rothlisberger's toughness, you didn't see this game. He was hit repeatedly, a couple of them could draw fines from the league, he suffered an ankle sprain but never missed a play. Their offense wasn't too effective with just 3 field goals to show for their afternoon, but Rothlisberger was unreal. I question how far they can go in the playoffs with their below average offensive line play.
Philadelphia
The Eagles went into Dallas & came out with a hard-fought 30-27 win. Michael Vick & WR DeSean Jackson hooked up 4 times for 210-yards & a score. RB LeSean McCoy had a big night as well, rushing for 149-yards on just 16-carries. Philly suffered a major loss when middle linebacker Stewart Bradley sustained a dislocated elbow. Makes you cringe to think about it right? The Giants will need a win over Minnesota Monday night to stay with the Eagles. The two tangle next Sunday for sole possession of first place in the NFC East.
The Giants
New York spent the night in Kansas City Saturday night as they couldn't fly into storm-ravaged Minneapolis. The league moved the game to Detroit in light of the Metrodome's roof having several large holes in it. Moving to a neutral site is far better than the noisy home crowd of the Vikings. As long as they don't look ahead to Sunday's game with Philly, they should handle Minnesota easily.
San Diego
The Chargers kept their slim playoff hopes alive with a 31-0 beatdown of the punchless Chiefs. San Diego will now become scoreboard watchers in hopes of Kansas City losing another game, giving them an opening to squeak into the playoffs.
New Orleans & Atlanta
Both winning handily, with the Falcons maintaining their 1-game lead in the NFC South. With their schedules, I can't see New Orleans overtaking Atlanta but they'll make the playoffs.
THE LOSERS:
Kansas City & Oakland
Tho they lost in very different ways, the bottom line is they both lost. More on Kansas City right below this post.
The Jets
Failing to score a touchdown for the second game in a row, losing to the "Road Warriors" from Miami. The Dolphins are 6-1 on the road this season but just 1-5 at home. I said this was my toughest pick of the week & the Jets laid their second egg in less than a week. They showed very little after being humiliated on Monday Night Football by the Patriots, 45-3. They dropped passes, missed tackles, gave up six sacks, they were awful. Tho Mark Sanchez was 17 of 44 with a pick & a lost fumble, the real embarrassment of the afternoon came when Jets' strength & conditioning coach, Sal Alosi, while standing on the sideline, stuck his leg out to intentionally trip Miami's Nolan Carroll, who was covering a punt. It was truly disgraceful, even for a Rex Ryan team. The league should come down hard on Alosi & the Jets for such a reprehensible act. With a game in Pittsburgh next Sunday followed by a trip to Chicago(the Jets are certainly no better than the Bears), the Jets could miss the playoffs altogether.
Green Bay
Beaten by the Lions 7-3 is not what the Packers envisioned before kickoff, but their play warranted the loss. For much of the day, they looked as tho they were just going thru the motions. Poor effort & even worse execution doomed the Pack. QB Aaron Rodgers suffered a concussion on a 2nd quarter scramble. Matt Flynn subbed, but Green Bay just couldn't get it done. With New England, the Giants & Chicago left on the schedule, Green Bay's playoff chances looked pretty dim after today's loss in Detroit.
Washington
I picked the Redskins to upset Tampa in the Office Pool Picks & honestly, Washington should have led by at least 17-points at half. Kicker Graham Gano banged one field goal attempt off the left upright from 34-yards out & then hooked another wide left from just 24-yards. Cornerback DeAngelo Hall dropped a sure pick-6 in the second quarter. The clock management before half exhibited by Mike Shanahan was reminiscent of Herm Edwards' worst. McNabb was obviously disappointed by leadership coming from his bench. RB Ryan Torrain had 158-yards rushing at halftime but the Skins lead was just 10-3. Later in the third quarter, Washington LB London Fletcher dropped another sure pick-6. It was raining, but Tampa's Josh Freeman & Donovan McNabb had little trouble throwing for nearly 500-yards. McNabb threw a 6-yard touchdown pass to Santana Moss with just 9-seconds remaining in the game to potentially send the game to overtime. But on the point after attempt, holder Hunter Smith had the snap go thru his hands, so no extra point. Skins lose 17-16.
Denver
You know you're running bad when a 3-9 Arizona team hangs 43 points on you. The Broncos became the only team to fire their coach & not win for the interim guy. Denver was as lifeless as Kansas City & they kicked in 6 turnovers. The 43 points equaled the Cards' output in the previous 4 games combined. Rookie QB John Skelton was hardly brilliant in his NFL debut, 15 for 37. But that was a helluva lot better than Kyle Orton, who had his 2nd straight dreadful passing performance with a 19 of 41 passing day & 3 picks & a lost fumble. The Broncos are close to signing John Elway to oversee the entire franchise, many believe he could be Matt Millen II.
New England
The Patriots shouldn't surprise anyone by this point, they're the best team in the league right now. They clinched a playoff spot in snowy, wind-swept Soldier Field today, bashing the Bears 36-7. The weather didn't affect the Pats in any way, shape or form, they hammered out 475-yards to Chicago's measly 185. Tom Brady was brilliant, 27 of 40 for 369-yards & 2 scores. Deion(who needs Randy Moss?) Branch caught 8 passes for 151-yards & a score while Wes Welker also grabbed 8 of Brady's throws for 115-yards. The Bears' toothless attack managed just 47-yards on the ground & QB Jay Cutler was, well he was the "bad Jay Cutler." He had more incompletions than completions, no scores & two picks. The 11-2 Patriots have separated themselves from everyone else in the AFC except maybe Pittsburgh.
Jacksonville
The Jaguars clawed their way back from two 10-point deficits to beat Oakland 38-31. The game was a highlight reel on it's own. It featured three 100-yard rushers, Oakland's Darren McFadden(123), Jacksonville's Rashad Jennings(109) & Maurice Jones-Drew(101). Not a lot of defense with 861-total yards by the two teams. There was a 76-yard TD pass, 48-yard TD pass, 51-yard TD run, 74-yard TD run, 36-yard TD run & a 30-yard TD run. The game was huge for the jags as it kept them in first place, leading the Colts by a game in the AFC South. They play in Indianapolis next Sunday in a game that will go a long way towards crowning that division's champion.
Pittsburgh
The Steelers maintain their one-game lead in the AFC North with a 23-7 win over hapless Cincinnati. Carson Palmer contributed to the Steelers win by throwing 3 interceptions, two returned for scores. If you didn't see the pick-6 by Troy Polamalu, it was a thing of beauty. What a player. I think Pittsburgh should seriously consider using most of their draft picks on offensive linemen. If anyone doubted Ben Rothlisberger's toughness, you didn't see this game. He was hit repeatedly, a couple of them could draw fines from the league, he suffered an ankle sprain but never missed a play. Their offense wasn't too effective with just 3 field goals to show for their afternoon, but Rothlisberger was unreal. I question how far they can go in the playoffs with their below average offensive line play.
Philadelphia
The Eagles went into Dallas & came out with a hard-fought 30-27 win. Michael Vick & WR DeSean Jackson hooked up 4 times for 210-yards & a score. RB LeSean McCoy had a big night as well, rushing for 149-yards on just 16-carries. Philly suffered a major loss when middle linebacker Stewart Bradley sustained a dislocated elbow. Makes you cringe to think about it right? The Giants will need a win over Minnesota Monday night to stay with the Eagles. The two tangle next Sunday for sole possession of first place in the NFC East.
The Giants
New York spent the night in Kansas City Saturday night as they couldn't fly into storm-ravaged Minneapolis. The league moved the game to Detroit in light of the Metrodome's roof having several large holes in it. Moving to a neutral site is far better than the noisy home crowd of the Vikings. As long as they don't look ahead to Sunday's game with Philly, they should handle Minnesota easily.
San Diego
The Chargers kept their slim playoff hopes alive with a 31-0 beatdown of the punchless Chiefs. San Diego will now become scoreboard watchers in hopes of Kansas City losing another game, giving them an opening to squeak into the playoffs.
New Orleans & Atlanta
Both winning handily, with the Falcons maintaining their 1-game lead in the NFC South. With their schedules, I can't see New Orleans overtaking Atlanta but they'll make the playoffs.
THE LOSERS:
Kansas City & Oakland
Tho they lost in very different ways, the bottom line is they both lost. More on Kansas City right below this post.
The Jets
Failing to score a touchdown for the second game in a row, losing to the "Road Warriors" from Miami. The Dolphins are 6-1 on the road this season but just 1-5 at home. I said this was my toughest pick of the week & the Jets laid their second egg in less than a week. They showed very little after being humiliated on Monday Night Football by the Patriots, 45-3. They dropped passes, missed tackles, gave up six sacks, they were awful. Tho Mark Sanchez was 17 of 44 with a pick & a lost fumble, the real embarrassment of the afternoon came when Jets' strength & conditioning coach, Sal Alosi, while standing on the sideline, stuck his leg out to intentionally trip Miami's Nolan Carroll, who was covering a punt. It was truly disgraceful, even for a Rex Ryan team. The league should come down hard on Alosi & the Jets for such a reprehensible act. With a game in Pittsburgh next Sunday followed by a trip to Chicago(the Jets are certainly no better than the Bears), the Jets could miss the playoffs altogether.
Green Bay
Beaten by the Lions 7-3 is not what the Packers envisioned before kickoff, but their play warranted the loss. For much of the day, they looked as tho they were just going thru the motions. Poor effort & even worse execution doomed the Pack. QB Aaron Rodgers suffered a concussion on a 2nd quarter scramble. Matt Flynn subbed, but Green Bay just couldn't get it done. With New England, the Giants & Chicago left on the schedule, Green Bay's playoff chances looked pretty dim after today's loss in Detroit.
Washington
I picked the Redskins to upset Tampa in the Office Pool Picks & honestly, Washington should have led by at least 17-points at half. Kicker Graham Gano banged one field goal attempt off the left upright from 34-yards out & then hooked another wide left from just 24-yards. Cornerback DeAngelo Hall dropped a sure pick-6 in the second quarter. The clock management before half exhibited by Mike Shanahan was reminiscent of Herm Edwards' worst. McNabb was obviously disappointed by leadership coming from his bench. RB Ryan Torrain had 158-yards rushing at halftime but the Skins lead was just 10-3. Later in the third quarter, Washington LB London Fletcher dropped another sure pick-6. It was raining, but Tampa's Josh Freeman & Donovan McNabb had little trouble throwing for nearly 500-yards. McNabb threw a 6-yard touchdown pass to Santana Moss with just 9-seconds remaining in the game to potentially send the game to overtime. But on the point after attempt, holder Hunter Smith had the snap go thru his hands, so no extra point. Skins lose 17-16.
Denver
You know you're running bad when a 3-9 Arizona team hangs 43 points on you. The Broncos became the only team to fire their coach & not win for the interim guy. Denver was as lifeless as Kansas City & they kicked in 6 turnovers. The 43 points equaled the Cards' output in the previous 4 games combined. Rookie QB John Skelton was hardly brilliant in his NFL debut, 15 for 37. But that was a helluva lot better than Kyle Orton, who had his 2nd straight dreadful passing performance with a 19 of 41 passing day & 3 picks & a lost fumble. The Broncos are close to signing John Elway to oversee the entire franchise, many believe he could be Matt Millen II.
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