NFL Rankings- Week 14

[BigServer1]

Man, this league is insane. Every week I feel like I am vindicated, only to turn around and have to take my foot out of my mouth (ie. the Jets). Well, here goes...

#1: Chargers- Wow. LDT is a man running wild, and a humble man at that. What he said directly after scoring #29: "I just couldn't wait to celebrate this with all of my teammates, something that WE accomplished." How do you not love this guy? With this offense, and Merriman back on Defense, this team is the best, most balanced team in the league. If they wrap up home feild advantage, I don't see how they can lose in the playoffs.

#2: Ravens- I still stand by them as the best Defense in the league, and with a QB that doesn't make a lot of mistakes and a good ground game, the Ravens are poised for a big playoff run. They are also now looking at a possible week one bye, and home field in their first playoff game.

#3: Chicago- Grossman finally managed a game against a decent pass D, but if you take away Devin Hester's two kick return TDs, you have a 28-27 ballgame, and a totally different story. I still feel like Special Teams and Defense are winning games for this team, and they won't play teams like the Rams, Lions, Packers etc in the playoffs.

#4: Saints- Did you see them kill the Cowboys? That wasn't a win, that was a slaughtering, and the Saints really showed that they are the best in the NFC. To think this team was 3-13 last year...

#5: Colts- Allowing 375 yards rushing is unacceptable for a playoff team. The Colts run a Tampa 2 Defense, a gaps based Defense, which works well if you want to blitz the QB. But when the opposing offensive line fills those gaps, it allows the back to hit the secondary early (due to the blitzing LBs and occasional Saftey) and go for bigger yardage than if they were to run past the line and into the Linebacking core. If the Colts continue to play like this, they are one and done in the Playoffs. 1-3 in their last 4? What happened?

#6: Bengals- Yeah, the Bengals. The team that I had written off at 4-5 is playing as well as any team right now. The Defense has been stellar since that 49-41 shootout with SD, and the offense is clicking. Their remaining schedule is tough, but they got some help this week with other AFC Wild Card contenders losing.

#7: Patriots- What did I say a few weeks ago about the Dolphins? NO ONE wants to play them down the stretch. To get shut out is bad, but the bigger concern for Pats fans might just be: Is Tom Brady healthy?

#8: Jaguars- With that rushing attack and thier defense they are set up for success in the playoffs, but with the Jags up and down play this season you have to wonder if they'll even get there.

#9: Cowboys- I love NFL analysts. "Is Romo regressing? Is it time to bench Romo?" Good lord, he had one bad game, but he wasn't out there playing Defense, RB and (trying to) catch the passes he was throwing. The 'Boys dropped a notch, obviously, but it's not time to throw the savior of your season under the bus quite yet.

#10: Seahawks- So you are in Arizona, and you have a shot to distance yourself from the pack in the NFC, and you lose to the Cardinals...Hmmm, inconsistent anyone?

#11: Chiefs- They hadn't lost at home in December since 1996, but the Ravens were just too good. The Cheifs now have to try and claw back into the Wild Card hunt, and with LJ you're never totally out of it, but they need some help from the Jags and Bengals.

#12: Jets- Dammit! The week after I'm soooooo confident in the Jets and Eric Mangini, they lose badly to the Bills. That could be it for the playoff hopes of the Jets, but they still are one of the great comeback stories this season.

#13: Broncos- Cutler! Cutler! Cutler! Okay, maybe it was too early to bring him in, or maybe the Broncos just aren't as good as everyone thought they were.

#14: Eagles- Again, I have to eat my words. After McNabb went down, I said their playoff hopes were shot. Now, with Garcia throwing 8 TDs and 0 INTs since McNabb left, the Eagles currently have a Wild Card berth. It's theirs to keep or to lose.

#15: Giants- Eli is looking better, and if the season ended today, the Giants would be in the Playoffs, but I still wonder about team chemistry and injury issues negatively affecting this team down the stretch.

#16: Falcons- Two wins in a row and they are back in the hunt. Anyone want to bench Michael Vick this week?

#17: Dolphins- If they had played like they are right now all season, they would be a big time playoff contender.

#18: Titans- Vince Young is the Rookie of the Year in my book, and the Titans have the QB of the future that everyone wants. That 39 yard TD run in OT against the Texans was spectacular, and Young is just getting started.

#19: Panthers- Boo. So much talent wasted. I wonder if Jake Delhomme was actually hurt, or if John Fox was giving Weinke a tryout.

#20: Steelers- They are playing better, sure, but I heard someone ask if they were back in the playoff picture...After I stopped laughing, I wondered who thinks 9-7 gets a spot in the AFC? No one should, that's for sure. Their Season has been over since it started, but the Steelers might enjoy playing spoiler these next 3 weeks.

The Rest: Honestly, not worth the ink or your time to read about them. No hope of the playoffs, nothing to look forward to except a good draft pick. But, I will leave you with the worst team:

#32: The Lions!!! Again, they find themselves at the bottom, and even the Cardinals have been playing better of late, so they are all alone in the cellar. Matt Millen should be happy...

Questions, Comments, Complaints? Let's go...

 

[DrewRafter8]

Here's my beef, Carolina should be dead last. Why??? I'm a big Panther fan, and it seems that the team is slowly but surely giving up on the season. Last game, you could see careless drops, lazy run blocking, and no desire at all. The team has been pretty much emotionless this year, which is disturbing.

 

[KBalla08]

my hometown team the lions... good job, maybe u can draft troy smith.... psh ya right, millen wants dwayne jarrett lol. FIRE MILLEN!!!! he sux. we shouldve drafted leinart, he got lucky lol, stupid lions....

man patriots need to turn it around, or else i dont see them getting out of the 1st round....

saints and chargers r my 2 favs right now, i think seeing them in the super bowl would be awesome, bush and LT, brees vs rivers and his old team. that would be great

 

[moist]

I wouldn't read too much into the Bears allowing that many yards or 27 points. They were up by a lot, so they dropped safeties back and allowed the underneath passes. The Rams were able to drive and score, but they wasted lots of time doing so. The Bears shut down the rams when they needed to in the 3rd quater. Also, with Vasher out, Hester ended up playing in the secondary, which he's just not ready for. They were also missing Todd Johnson, who was playing well and will be back. Tommy Harris being out for the season stinks though. Him and Mike Brown are huge losses.

Also, you say the Saints are the best in the NFC, yet you have them ranked below the Bears. Saints just seem like this weeks "anybody but the Bears" vogue pick for the NFC. I like the Bears in a matchup vs the Saints, since the Cover 2 is exactly designed to stop big play offenses like the Saints. If the Bear's offense plays like they did last night (big if, I know), I don't see how you could favor the Saints. Bears have a much better defense, and an offense with potential for ball control against a week Saints D. Add in special teams...

Of course who really knows, anything can happen.

 

[ceejay]

May I briefly ask you NFL aficionados a noob question?

After the QB passes to someone, is the receiver allowed to pass again at any point, or does he have to keep hold of the ball until that play is over?

 

[moist]

May I briefly ask you NFL aficionados a noob question?

After the QB passes to someone, is the receiver allowed to pass again at any point, or does he have to keep hold of the ball until that play is over?

Only one forward pass is allowed per play. You can however throw it sideways or behind you as much as you want (called a lateral).

 

[Kevin T]

Agree with Moist. The last 2 Rams TDs were "gimmies". Love LT but the Chargers have a very weak secondary, which a hot QB can exploit. I'll take the Bears over the Saints any day of the week. Just like Salisbury and Hodge said last night on ESPN, the game is played in 3 phases: offense, defense and special teams. The Bears take D and special teams against pretty much any team in the NFL, definitely the NFC. If Rex stays calm, they'll at least be playing in the Super Bowl.

 

[BlackSheep]

Da Bears! Da Bears

 

[Kabob190]

Only one forward pass is allowed per play. You can however throw it sideways or behind you as much as you want (called a lateral).

and that pass has to be behind the line of scrimmage

 

[BigServer1]

I wouldn't read too much into the Bears allowing that many yards or 27 points. They were up by a lot, so they dropped safeties back and allowed the underneath passes. The Rams were able to drive and score, but they wasted lots of time doing so. The Bears shut down the rams when they needed to in the 3rd quater. Also, with Vasher out, Hester ended up playing in the secondary, which he's just not ready for. They were also missing Todd Johnson, who was playing well and will be back. Tommy Harris being out for the season stinks though. Him and Mike Brown are huge losses.

Also, you say the Saints are the best in the NFC, yet you have them ranked below the Bears. Saints just seem like this weeks "anybody but the Bears" vogue pick for the NFC. I like the Bears in a matchup vs the Saints, since the Cover 2 is exactly designed to stop big play offenses like the Saints. If the Bear's offense plays like they did last night (big if, I know), I don't see how you could favor the Saints. Bears have a much better defense, and an offense with potential for ball control against a week Saints D. Add in special teams...

Of course who really knows, anything can happen.

Well, I was (am) a bit torn in the NFC. The Bears have the better record, and the better Defense and Special Teams, but they haven't beaten anyone who's that good. Their schedule has been cake, with an opponent record of 76-93, a whopping win % of .450. Their best win (opponent record wise) was Seattle without Shawn Alexander, and I think we all can see that the Seahawks aren't what they were last year. They did beat the Jets and Giants, but the Jets just lost to the Bills, and the Giants were in the throes of a horrible 4 game skid when they played the Bears. They are 2-2 against the clearly superior AFC, and I don't believe that Devin Hester can run all over good teams on Kick/Punt returns.

The Bears defense has been good, but they got gashed by Ronnie Brown and the Dolphins, Matt Leinart passed all over them in week 6, and Grossman is a liability against any Defense that likes to Blitz and apply pressure to the QB. I shudder to think what would happen to him if Shawne Merriman or Ray Lewis got to him in a game.

As for the Saints, they have a good two back system that could work well against a Bears D that has some proven holes, and Drew Brees could very well be the most accurate passer in the league right now, and an accurate passer can wear down a cover 2 by throwing over the middle, screens and quick outs. The Saints won't lose at home in the playoffs, so I guess it's a matter of whether or not the Bears win that first game and the Saints have to go to Chicago.

I don't like the Bears. I really don't. But they are tied for the best record in football, and Grossman played okay last night, so I had to give them some credit. As for the Vogue pick, I really did like the Cowboys (I still do if they rebound this week) and I do like the Saints, but I admit, it will be tough to go into Chi town in January and beat the Bears IF they can control the clock on offense, and play their game on D.

 

[10sfreak]

and that pass has to be behind the line of scrimmage

Uh, actually, it doesn't. The QB can throw downfield to a receiver, then that receiver can throw it backward (lateral) to another receiver, well beyond the line of scrimage, who can then go as far as he can with it.

 

[drakulie]

Another great analysis from our ESPN correspondent. Thanks again Big!

Man my boys got steamrolled by the Saints.

But to me, Brees and the Saints, along with LT and the Chargers are going all the way.

What about them Pats getting bageled by the Dolphins??? Like you said a few weeks ago, nobody wants to face that team right now.

 

[moist]

Uh, actually, it doesn't. The QB can throw downfield to a receiver, then that receiver can throw it backward (lateral) to another receiver, well beyond the line of scrimage, who can then go as far as he can with it.

He meant the forward pass has to be behind the line of scrimage, which is correct.

 

[ShooterMcMarco]

omfg I still can't believe we lost to the cards, ridiculous. I hope we can beat SF at home this thursday without D-Jack.

 

[BigServer1]

Agree with Moist. The last 2 Rams TDs were "gimmies". Love LT but the Chargers have a very weak secondary, which a hot QB can exploit. I'll take the Bears over the Saints any day of the week. Just like Salisbury and Hodge said last night on ESPN, the game is played in 3 phases: offense, defense and special teams. The Bears take D and special teams against pretty much any team in the NFL, definitely the NFC. If Rex stays calm, they'll at least be playing in the Super Bowl.

I agree about the Bears Defense and Special Teams, and they can win in the NFC playoffs if Rex plays like he did last night. But if he has a bad game in the playoffs, see ya, because they won't be playing teams like the Cardinals, Vikings, Lions and Packers in the playoffs.

 

[BigServer1]

Another great analysis from our ESPN correspondent. Thanks again Big!

Man my boys got steamrolled by the Saints.

But to me, Brees and the Saints, along with LT and the Chargers are going all the way.

What about them Pats getting bageled by the Dolphins??? Like you said a few weeks ago, nobody wants to face that team right now.

Thanks, buddy, I do my best, and I've got some people calling me out, which I love (seriously). Sorry about the 'Boys, as they were outclassed in every facet of the game, but they'll be okay. I still like them coming out of the East, and having a home game for the Wild Card round. I like the Saints chances too, but worry if they have to travel to Chicago for the NFC championship game. Their vertical offense (as mentioned above by moist, I believe) could have trouble against the stout cover 2 of the Bears, but Brees is so good that I still think they have a shot to win that game (if it ever happens).

As for the Dolphins, yeah I'm glad that they at least have the honor of playing spolier here and there. The Pats might be looking at some long flights if they go deep into the playoffs.

 

[BigServer1]

omfg I still can't believe we lost to the cards, ridiculous. I hope we can beat SF at home this thursday without D-Jack.

I know, that one hurt. I have a bad feeling that the Seahawks are not going far in the playoffs this year. The Defense has been bad, and the offense still hasn't grooved (tough with all the injuries, but still). I hope they can pull it together, but I am not so confident this season...

 

[drakulie]

Big, what about if the Bears have to travel to New Orleans?

With that question and those two teams in mind, which NFC Championship game would you rather see? New Orleans at Chicago? or Chicago at New Orleans?

Ohh, so many possibilities... I am going mad I tell you!! Mad!! LOL.

On one hand you would have the drama of the first NFC Championship game ever played in New Orleans, plus all the drama of the hurricane, and survival, etc.

On the other, you have traditional championship football being played in cold Chicago.

The NFC is definitely getting interesting in the last few weeks. Thank God!

 

[moist]

The Bears defense has been good, but they got gashed by Ronnie Brown and the Dolphins, Matt Leinart passed all over them in week 6, and Grossman is a liability against any Defense that likes to Blitz and apply pressure to the QB. I shudder to think what would happen to him if Shawne Merriman or Ray Lewis got to him in a game.

This true, but if you look at the overall defense they've been playing this year and last, it's pretty outstanding. No team is perfect in the NFL nowadays, so you have to look at those games as exceptions, not the rule. Also, they're never going to be number 1 in rush defense with their scheme (you could run on 2002 Bucs as well).

As for Grossman, who knows what he's going to bring. I feel like it's a waste of time speculating on how he'll play.

I certainly understand why you're torn in the NFC. You can make an argument why almost anyone in the top 5 in NFC could make a run. I also agree that whatever NFC team makes it through, they better bring their A game against the AFC or it could get ugly. Should be an exciting playoffs, no guarantees in either conference.

 

[BigServer1]

Big, what about if the Bears have to travel to New Orleans?

With that question and those two teams in mind, which NFC Championship game would you rather see? New Orleans at Chicago? or Chicago at New Orleans?

Ohh, so many possibilities... I am going mad I tell you!! Mad!! LOL.

On one hand you would have the drama of the first NFC Championship game ever played in New Orleans, plus all the drama of the hurricane, and survival, etc.

On the other, you have traditional championship football being played in cold Chicago.

The NFC is definitely getting interesting in the last few weeks. Thank God!

The only way that Chicago would have to go to NO is if they lost the rest of their games and the Saints won out. If the teams meet, I am sure it will be in Chicago. I would like to see the game in NO, however, because I think it would favor the Saints. I have admitted before that I am not a huge Bears fan, so I would like to see the Saints in Miami instead. That said, If Chicago gets okay play from Grossman and they have home field, they will get to Miami.

 

[Dashbarr]

raiders are my team. but we have nothing anymore. moss doesnt even try, and all tui and walter do is throw interceptions. i hate al davis.

 

[BigServer1]

This true, but if you look at the overall defense they've been playing this year and last, it's pretty outstanding. No team is perfect in the NFL nowadays, so you have to look at those games as exceptions, not the rule. Also, they're never going to be number 1 in rush defense with their scheme (you could run on 2002 Bucs as well).

I totally agree. The Bears defense has been outstanding, but no one is perfect.

As for Grossman, who knows what he's going to bring. I feel like it's a waste of time speculating on how he'll play.

Again, agreed, but it has to be tough for Bears fans to have little or no certainty about their QB.

I certainly understand why you're torn in the NFC. You can make an argument why almost anyone in the top 5 in NFC could make a run. I also agree that whatever NFC team makes it through, they better bring their A game against the AFC or it could get ugly. Should be an exciting playoffs, no guarantees in either conference.

I think if the Bears play well on offense, and bring that great D, they could contend with anyone, but that brings us back to discussing Grossman. I agree with you that there are no guarantees, and I like that parity factor a lot about the NFL. Last year the colts were favored heavily to win it all, but they fell very short. This year, people are saying they can't win, can't play defense (kinda true) etc etc. Who knows, they could peak and win the whole thing. One thing is for sure, anything can happen, and if it's anything like last year, something crazy will.

 

[moist]

Again, agreed, but it has to be tough for Bears fans to have little or no certainty about their QB.

Ha, this is the Bears, what's new? Considering the their history with QB's, I'm just excited they actually have a quarterback with some talent and an upside. Of course I can't help but wonder what the team would be like if they somehow had signed Brees...

At this point I like the Ravens to win it all. Experienced, tough, agressive D, and a true leader with McNair. (I'm biased a little though, I like Rex Ryan/Buddy Ryan/46 Bears defense connection )

 

[BigServer1]

Ha, this is the Bears, what's new? Considering the their history with QB's, I'm just excited they actually have a quarterback with some talent and an upside. Of course I can't help but wonder what the team would be like if they somehow had signed Brees...

At this point I like the Ravens to win it all. Experienced, tough, agressive D, and a true leader with McNair. (I'm biased a little though, I like Rex Ryan/Buddy Ryan/46 Bears defense connection )

True, true. The Bears at least have a young guy who has shown some promise and who can be good if put in the right system. I think that the AFC championship game will feature the Ravens and Chargers, and if the Ravens can contain LDT, they will indeed win it all. This team is like the 2000 team, except with a better QB, and maybe, just maybe a faster Defense, which is terrifying. One thing is for sure, if the Bears play the Ravens in Miami, it's gonna be a Defensive bloodbath.

 

[bluegrasser]

The Vikings = inigima

 

[BigServer1]

The Vikings = inigima

hahaha, yeah this team continues to be tough to watch. They were 4-1 and then...Well we all know what happened. The bright side is that they have some talent, a good Defense and if they can get a good young QB, they have a shot at the playoffs in the next couple of years.

 

[TennisBatman]

True, true. The Bears at least have a young guy who has shown some promise and who can be good if put in the right system. I think that the AFC championship game will feature the Ravens and Chargers, and if the Ravens can contain LDT, they will indeed win it all. This team is like the 2000 team, except with a better QB, and maybe, just maybe a faster Defense, which is terrifying. One thing is for sure, if the Bears play the Ravens in Miami, it's gonna be a Defensive bloodbath.

We want to see some joints popping, don't we?

I look forward to Carson Palmer making it to the Super Bowl uninjured.


Grossman redeemed himself this week, but some of the more "consistent" QBs had poor outcomes this week, at least in terms of W/L.

Things happen too randomly nowadays, and so-called "weak" teams are beating on the "strong" teams.

Romo already proved himself, but also proved that he is human.

Reggie Bush is really becoming a potent passing threat. Now the question is can his running game develop, as expected?

 

[BigServer1]

We want to see some joints popping, don't we?

I look forward to Carson Palmer making it to the Super Bowl uninjured.

Yeah me too. I hope that the injuries are at a minimum this postseason.

Grossman redeemed himself this week, but some of the more "consistent" QBs had poor outcomes this week, at least in terms of W/L.

Things happen too randomly nowadays, and so-called "weak" teams are beating on the "strong" teams.

Romo already proved himself, but also proved that he is human.

Reggie Bush is really becoming a potent passing threat. Now the question is can his running game develop, as expected?

Yeah Brady was terrible, but there's some controversy surrounding that game and a possible bootlegged tape that the Dolphins purchased involving Brady's snap count and play calls...but who knows.

Romo is indeed human, and hopefully his very human performance doesn't affect is inhuman confidence and swagger.

Reggie is doing great in the passing game and as a decoy, and he's showing that he can run if he gets to the outside. What I am waiting to see is whether or not he can get the tough yards and run between the tackles.

 

[TennisBatman]

Yeah me too. I hope that the injuries are at a minimum this postseason.

Yeah Brady was terrible, but there's some controversy surrounding that game and a possible bootlegged tape that the Dolphins purchased involving Brady's snap count and play calls...but who knows.

Romo is indeed human, and hopefully his very human performance doesn't affect is inhuman confidence and swagger.

Reggie is doing great in the passing game and as a decoy, and he's showing that he can run if he gets to the outside. What I am waiting to see is whether or not he can get the tough yards and run between the tackles.

If the tape story concerning the Patriots is true, then it will make it to the news soon. However, I don't think either the law or the NFL outlaws such things.

Reggie Bush, even if he doesn't do great between the tackles, is forming into
a new breed of NFL running back. Normally, a "fast" runner gets used as a kickoff/punt returner, and gets a minor role as a running back or WR. Reggie has the speed, but also the strength to take some bumps on the grinding plays. But he doesn't have the mass to power forward like the power backs do. He's more like a "bouncer" who bounces himself around rather than others.

 

[FitzRoy]

Reggie Bush will be fine as a full-time, full-fledged running back. His potential in that capacity is at least as high as that of Tiki Barber - Bush is probably a little larger than him and has even greater running ability. I look at him, basically, as a Tiki Barber with better receiving ability.

 

[BigServer1]

If the tape story concerning the Patriots is true, then it will make it to the news soon. However, I don't think either the law or the NFL outlaws such things.

Well it is in the news, ESPN has been talking about it for a while, and no, there are no laws or anything, but it can still be considered unethical (not that the NFL is all that ethical to begin with).

 

[BigServer1]

Reggie Bush will be fine as a full-time, full-fledged running back. His potential in that capacity is at least as high as that of Tiki Barber - Bush is probably a little larger than him and has even greater running ability. I look at him, basically, as a Tiki Barber with better receiving ability.

I think he'll be better than Tiki Barber for sure, especially because of his catching and returning ability. As for pure, downhill runners, he hasn't been the best rookie this year, as Joseph Addai and Lawrence Maroney have both been better "every down" type of backs. I think that Bush will get a lot better though, and he has by far the highest ceiling of the three. He'll be a good 20-25 carry a game back, and be good for 4-5 receptions too. Scary.

 

[Kevin T]

I have a soft spot for the Bengals, as I lived in "the nati" 2001-2002. Those were very lean times for the Bengals but Cincy always supported their team. They have some of the best fans in the pros, NFL and MLB, but have been cursed with the worst owners in sports. I would love to see the Bengals in the Bowl. When they're on, they look fantastic. Time will tell.

As for the Saints, I'm not a believer. They won 3 games last year and their only quality wins are against the Cowboys and Atlanta. Brees has been great and Bush can be dangerous but I have a hard time believing that a 3 win team from last year could win the NFC. They are playing on emotion. Can't see it lasting. Their last 3 games are against the Skins, Giants and Panthers, so they could possibly go 1-2. The Bears have the Lions, Packers and Bucs. Can't imagine Chi-town losing any of those. They'll lock up homefield in the next week or two.

As for the Dolphins play calling conspiracy, it's funny that the NFL won't invesgitage. God forbid anyone wear low socks or a funky sweatband but use a stolen tape to determine QB cadence and it's all good.

 

[BigServer1]

I have a soft spot for the Bengals, as I lived in "the nati" 2001-2002. Those were very lean times for the Bengals but Cincy always supported their team. They have some of the best fans in the pros, NFL and MLB, but have been cursed with the worst owners in sports. I would love to see the Bengals in the Bowl. When they're on, they look fantastic. Time will tell.

Great post. Ahhh the Bengals. 8 arrests has to be some kind of record, right? Even if they don't win the Super Bowl they should get some sort of Ray Ray Carruth Award for all the off the field trouble. I think this team has a shot to win it all if they get to the playoffs. They have played the toughest schedule in the league, and when they're on, they are tough to beat.

As for the Saints, I'm not a believer. They won 3 games last year and their only quality wins are against the Cowboys and Atlanta. Brees has been great and Bush can be dangerous but I have a hard time believing that a 3 win team from last year could win the NFC. They are playing on emotion. Can't see it lasting. Their last 3 games are against the Skins, Giants and Panthers, so they could possibly go 1-2. The Bears have the Lions, Packers and Bucs. Can't imagine Chi-town losing any of those. They'll lock up homefield in the next week or two.

Funnily enough, I think that the same thing could be said about the Bears last year. In 2004, they went 5-11, and no one thought they had a shot in hell of making the playoffs in 2005, but they went 11-5, won the division and had a first round bye. As for the Saints, I also thought that they were playing on emotion at first, but it seems like 14 weeks is a long time to be playing on emotion. The Saints have two quality wins over the Falcons, and put a whooping on the flavor of the month Cowboys, but yes, their struggles against the AFC (1-3) leave something to be desired. But the Bears don't really have a quality win either, beating a Seahawks team w/out Alexander, a floundering Giants team, and the Jets who just lost to the Bills.

As for the Dolphins play calling conspiracy, it's funny that the NFL won't invesgitage. God forbid anyone wear low socks or a funky sweatband but use a stolen tape to determine QB cadence and it's all good.

Hahaha, can't say it any better than that.

 

[Kevin T]

Great post. Ahhh the Bengals. 8 arrests has to be some kind of record, right? Even if they don't win the Super Bowl they should get some sort of Ray Ray Carruth Award for all the off the field trouble. I think this team has a shot to win it all if they get to the playoffs. They have played the toughest schedule in the league, and when they're on, they are tough to beat.



Funnily enough, I think that the same thing could be said about the Bears last year. In 2004, they went 5-11, and no one thought they had a shot in hell of making the playoffs in 2005, but they went 11-5, won the division and had a first round bye. As for the Saints, I also thought that they were playing on emotion at first, but it seems like 14 weeks is a long time to be playing on emotion. The Saints have two quality wins over the Falcons, and put a whooping on the flavor of the month Cowboys, but yes, their struggles against the AFC (1-3) leave something to be desired. But the Bears don't really have a quality win either, beating a Seahawks team w/out Alexander, a floundering Giants team, and the Jets who just lost to the Bills.



Hahaha, can't say it any better than that.

Very true, Bigserve. Ah, the benefits of NFL scheduling and push for mediocrity. But you can only beat who they put in front of you and the Bears have had that defensive core building for years now, along with Smith at coach for a few years. If Rex holds (Please Rex hold!!!), they can hang with any team. As for the Saints, I'm sure those players are reminded of "it" every time they walk into the stadium. I have 2 close friends in Nawleans and they say they've never seen anything like the crowds this year. Closer to a college game atmosphere than the usual NFL crowds. If the Bears weren't competing for the NFC, I'd be pulling for the Saints, for sure.

 

[bluegrasser]

hahaha, yeah this team continues to be tough to watch. They were 4-1 and then...Well we all know what happened. The bright side is that they have some talent, a good Defense and if they can get a good young QB, they have a shot at the playoffs in the next couple of years.

There games left - Jets at home = possible, Packers on the road, tough, but they got a shot, and the Rams at home - good chance. they have to win all three to get in, but then what ? get smoked in the first round ! I say lose all three and get a good receiver in the first round or do a trade, we need sombody to catch the ball big time.

 

[moist]

They shouldn't waste a first round pick on a receiver. History has shown over and over great receivers, more than any other position, can be found in later rounds. Maybe they could ask for Moss back

 

[BigServer1]

They shouldn't waste a first round pick on a receiver. History has shown over and over great receivers, more than any other position, can be found in later rounds. Maybe they could ask for Moss back

Yeah I can't agree more. Look at what happened to the Lions with their relentless drafting of WRs. Don't forget that BRAD JOHNSON is your QB, and he's about 85 years old. Maybe try to move way up and get Brady Quinn (probably not possible) or draft Troy Smith. The Saints drafted Marques Colston in the 7th round, and that guy is a stud WR.

And yeah, maybe ask for Moss back...

 

[bluegrasser]

They shouldn't waste a first round pick on a receiver. History has shown over and over great receivers, more than any other position, can be found in later rounds. Maybe they could ask for Moss back

Moss is toast, but for the first four yrs in a Viking uniform it was magic, saw him do it live on several occasions.

 

[moist]

Moss is toast, but for the first four yrs in a Viking uniform it was magic, saw him do it live on several occasions.

Oh I remember it well too. I was a Bear fan living in Wisconsin at the time, and since the Bears had no chance at beating the Packers, I loved watching Moss torch them. I remember Ron Wolfe (GM of the Packers) taking cornerbacks with their first 3 picks in the draft solely in an attempt to find someone that could defend against him.

 

[ShooterMcMarco]

ugh I can't believe we lost again to the 49ers, this is horrible.

 

[BigServer1]

ugh I can't believe we lost again to the 49ers, this is horrible.

Yeah this is getting ugly. I think we make the playoffs, but it'll be on the road for the first game and one and done if this keeps up. I'm sad...

 

[10sfreak]

Well, my 'Boys are playing the Falcons in about 1 1/2 hours. Hopefully, they'll be able to play a lot better than they did last Sunday against the Saints. Living here in Georgia, I'd rather lose to anybody but the Falcons!

 

[10sfreak]

Woo-hoo! My 'Boys beat the Falcons 38-28! Go Cowboys!