Archive
Tuesday Afternoon Football Fever: Congratulations, Arizona, you have a home playoff game
“It’s been inevitable for weeks and overdue by decades. The Cardinals won a division title Sunday, and the sky didn’t have to fall, it’s still balmy in hell, and pigs remain earthbound. … That the division-clinching victory came against St. Louis was either ironic, coincidental or humorous, depending on your point of view.” — Kent Somers of The Arizona Republic.
The NFL’s oldest team (having opened play as the Morgan Athletic Club in 1898), as well as the franchise with the most all-time losses (by more than 100 over the Lions), finally has something to celebrate.
With Sunday’s win over the St. Louis Rams, the Cardinals clinched their first playoff appearance since 1998, their first division title since 1975 and will host their first home playoff game since 1947.
This will be just the seventh playoff appearance in team history, which dates back to the first season of the NFL (then known as the APFA) in 1920.
Here’s a comprehensive look at how those previous playoff appearances turned out for the Cardinals:
» Behind quarterback Jake Plummer, 1,000-yard back Adrian Murrell and 1,000-yard receiver Frank Sanders, the Cardinals finished 9-7 and earned a wild-card berth. The Cardinals upset the Cowboys 20-7 in Dallas before falling to the Vikings in the divisional playoffs, 41-21.
» On a team that featured quarterback Neil Lomax, running back Ottis Anderson and receivers Pat Tilley and Roy Green, the Cardinals finished 5-4 in the strike-shortened 1982 season, then lost to the Green Bay Packers, 41-16, in the first round of the NFC playoffs.
» Hall of Famers Dan Dierdorf (photo) and Roger Wherli (photo), and St. Louis Cardinals legends Jim Hart, Mel Gray and Terry Metcalf won the NFC East with an 11-3 record in 1975, but lost in the divisional playoffs to the Los Angeles Rams, 35-23.
» In just his second season as Cardinals coach, Don Coryell — still the franchise’s all-time leader in coaching victories with 42 — leads the team to the NFC East title after finishing 10-4 in 1974. The Cardinals lost to the eventual NFC champion Vikings, 30-14, in the divisional playoffs.
» The Cardinals play in back-to-back NFL championship games in 1947 and 1948 — hosting the 1947 game at Chicago’s Comiskey Park. While the Cardinals — behind Hall-of-Famer coach Jimmy Conzelman and Hall-of-Fame back Charlie Trippi (photo) — won the ’47 title game over the Eagles, Philadelphia got back at the Chicago Cardinals the following year, winning 7-0 in a blizzard.
As you can plainly see, this division championship by the Cardinals is a significant moment in franchise history. With the Cardinals finally getting to add a page to the playoff history section of their media guide, let’s see how they rate among the league’s elite teams by taking our weekly gander at how the NFL power rankings would look like if it were like the BCS (well, kinda … it has much less computer-generated controversy, only a couple user errors here or there).
Here are the latest Just-Totally-Made-Up NFL BCSTM rankings of the season (just the top 12, or the number of teams that would make the playoffs if the playoff teams were based totally on the Just-Totally-Made-Up NFL BCSTM formula, which isn’t really a formula at all because we’re not that good at math) …
1. Tennessee Titans (Previously: 2) — Titans’ magic number to clinch home-field advantage in the AFC playoffs is two.
2. New York Giants (Previously: 1) — Were thoroughly dominated by the Eagles, and now face the prospect of not even having home-field advantage in the NFC playoffs.
3. Pittsburgh Steelers (Previously: 3) — Things don’t get any easier for the Steelers following a thrilling victory over the Cowboys on Sunday. After facing a crucial divisional game in Baltimore on Sunday, the Steelers go to Nashville to face the Titans in Week 16.
4. Carolina Panthers (Previously: 5) — Looked the part of a serious Super Bowl contender in a 38-23 win over the Buccaneers on Monday Night Football.
5. Indianapolis Colts (Previously: 6) — Became latest team to administer an embarrassing loss to the bumbling Bengals.
6. Baltimore Ravens (Previously: 8 ) — Don’t sit too close to the TV when the Ravens host the Steelers on Sunday, you may wind up with a black eye.
7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Previously: 4) — Could the days of the dominant Buccaneers defense be coming to an end?
8. Minnesota Vikings (Previously: 10) — After barely beating the lowly Lions, perhaps fans should wait and see how the Vikes fare against the Cardinals in Glendale, Ariz. next week before getting too excited about this team.
9. Arizona Cardinals (Previously: NR) — Team overcame its own sad history to finally rise to prominence.
10. New England Patriots (Previously: NR) — This spot is more an indication of where we expect to see the Patriots at the end of the season — which is atop the AFC East standings — and not so much a result of their latest effort — a narrow victory over a lackluster Seahawks squad.
11. Denver Broncos (Previously: 11) — After another uninspiring effort following an impressive win, it wouldn’t be a shocker at all if the Broncos somehow manage to beat the Panthers in Charlotte next week.
12. Dallas Cowboys (Previously: 9) — Greatest Pro Bowls of all time, and other stuff still thinks that this team will make the NFC’s playoff field.
Teams in danger of relegation if the NFL were like European soccer …
30. St. Louis Rams — It’s hard to imagine how this team managed to beat two playoff contenders in consecutive weeks earlier this season.
31. Cincinnati Bengals — Just three more games away from what could be a wild offseason in Cincy.
32. Detroit Lions — Have three more games to attempt to avoid 0-16 infamy.
Week 15 predictions
Bears over Saints
Falcons over Buccaneers
Titans over Texans
Colts over Lions
Jaguars over Packers
Chargers over Chiefs
Dolphins over 49ers
Jets over Bills
Seahawks over Rams
Cardinals over Vikings
Ravens over Steelers
Panthers over Broncos
Patriots over Raiders
Cowboys over Giants
Eagles over Browns
Week 14 record: 13-3
Overall record: 125-69
Monday Madness: Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!
“Time for the weather report. It’s cold out folks. Bonecrushing cold. The kind of cold which will wrench the spirit out of a young man, or forge it into steel.” — Andrew Schneider, author.
Snow fell at Lambeau.
Heavy rain came down on many games played in the Northeast.
Heinz Field has already hosted two games during which snow fell.
‘Tis the season, as they say, and it’s the most wonderful time of the football year, too, when weather conditions can play havoc on teams’ playoff hopes. This is good for America and will be something to enjoy the rest of the season.
Four of eight division leaders — Jets, Giants, Steelers and Broncos — play outdoors and in what could be potentially cold games the rest of the season. Three more playoff contenders — Patriots, Ravens and Bears — could host meaningful games in wintry conditions.
Oh, the weather outside is frightful.
But the football is so delightful.
And since we’ve no place to go.
Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow.
While Mother Nature figures to have some fun in store for games on the gridiron, let’s take a moment to break down this week’s edition of the the Just-Totally-Made-Up NFL BCSTM rankings …
1. New York Giants (Previously: 2) — This team is so good that its best receiver can (fill in something real stupid here) and still roll to an easy victory over an inspired divisional opponent.
2. Tennessee Titans (Previously: 1) — Beating up on the lowly Lions isn’t exactly a proper barometer of how this team will recover following the pants-down spanking administered by the Jets in Week 12. Let’s see how they fare in Week 14 against the Browns … err, wait, nevermind.
3. Pittsburgh Steelers (Previously: 5) — What team in their right mind is going to want to play at loud, cold, muddy Heinz Field against this mean and nasty Steelers squad between now and the AFC Championship?
4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Previously: 8 ) — Could lose one of the NFL’s best defensive coordinators, if not one of brightest defensive minds in the game’s history, at season’s end.
5. Carolina Panthers (Previously: 3) — When in doubt, just heave it deep to Steve Smith. Exhibit A. Exhibit B.
6. Indianapolis Colts (Previously: 7) — Win wasn’t pretty, but thankfully — unlike major college football — there are no style points in the NFL.
7. New York Jets (Previously: 4) — Disappointing Week 13 effort really put to rest all that talk of a New York-New York Super Bowl.
8. Baltimore Ravens (Previously: 9) — Watch out, AFC … Ravens’ offense is evolving as the season goes along. Once known strictly for their defense, the Ravens are evolving offensively, having already scored more points than they did last season.
9. Dallas Cowboys (Previously: NR) — Say what you will about Tony Romo, but not many can question his value to Dallas’ playoff hopes.
10. Minnesota Vikings (Previously: NR) — Congratulations, Vikings, 2008 NFC North division champions.
11. Denver Broncos (Previously: 12) — Seems like teams missed the boat on which Arkansas back to draft in the first round of the draft. Peyton Hills — a seventh-round pick for the Broncos — already has as many 100-yard rushing games as Darren McFadden and Felix Jones, combined, with one.
12. Atlanta Falcons (Previously: NR) — Once upon a time, on a sports website, network or page near you, many a pigskin philosopher predicted that both NFC wild-card entries would come out of the NFC East. Then again, nobody figured the Falcons to be a major player this late in the season.
Teams in danger of relegation if the NFL were like European soccer …
30. St. Louis Rams — Maybe it might help if this team moved back to Los Angeles.
31. Cincinnati Bengals — Funny stat of the day on Sunday … Bengals backup QB Ryan Fitzpatrick — with 29 yards on three carries — wound up as the team’s leading rusher for the third time this season.
32. Detroit Lions — Making fun of this team is too easy.
Week 14 picks
Chargers over Raiders
Bears over Jaguars
Vikings over Lions
Packers over Texans
Colts over Bengals
Giants over Eagles
Titans over Browns
Saints over Falcons
Dolphins over Bills
Patriots over Seahawks
Broncos over Chiefs
Jets over 49ers
Cardinals over Rams
Steelers over Cowboys
Ravens over Redskins
Panthers over Buccaneers
Last week’s record: 9-7
Overall record: 112-66
Friday Afternoon Pro Football Banter: A healthy dose of crusty bobs
“After the first game, we were kind of embarrassed at home. We had kind of put it on the back burner until this week. Now, it’s occurring so now we have a chance to do something we didn’t do the first game.” — Patriots DT Vince Wilfork, on Sunday’s game against the Dolphins.
In Week 2, unveiling something that fans would soon learn to know as the “Wildcat,” the Dolphins administered a 38-13 pants-down spanking to the Patriots in their own backyard, Gillette Stadium.
Chances are, the Patriots — totally, and uncharacteristically, caught off guard by the “Wildcat” in Week 2 — will be ready for the Dolphins’ single-wing inspired offensive formation after being “Wildcatted” to death in Week 2.
Odds are, the Dolphins will break out some “Wildcat” again on Sunday, probably with a new wrinkle or two to throw off the masses. However, Greatest Pro Bowls of all time, and other stuff is suggesting that maybe, just maybe, Miami should consider some other offensive strategies to throw the Patriots off tilt and send them back to Massachusetts feeling more shame.
How about …
The Statue of Liberty play? Hey, it worked for Boise State in the 2007 Fiesta Bowl, why not against the Pats?
Pig in a poke? Might Greatest Pro Bowls of all time, and other stuff suggest Ricky Williams try to pull this one off?
Crusty bob? Nothing will send the Patriots back home with more shame than this slick maneuver.
Should be a fun game to watch and, conveniently, both teams appear in this week’s edition of the the Just-Totally-Made-Up NFL BCSTM rankings. Check it out …
1. Tennessee Titans (Previously: 1) — Magic number to win AFC South down to three.
2. New York Giants (Previously: 2) — Return to the scene of their most glorious victory in what could be an NFC Championship preview. Don’t laugh!
3. Carolina Panthers (Previously: 3) — Arguably the least impressive 8-2 team in NFL history.
4. New York Jets (Previously: 4) — Brett Favre has managed to go two consecutive games without throwing an interception, but will have to be extra careful with that pigskin against a Titans team that features a plus-10 turnover differential. How’s that for applied statistical analysis?
5. Pittsburgh Steelers (Previously: 8 ) — That defense looks championship-caliber. That offense? Not so much.
6. Arizona Cardinals (Previously: 9) — With a win over the visiting Giants, and a 49ers loss to the Cowboys, the Cardinals clinch their first division title since 1975 (when the team resided in St. Louis) and the first home playoff game for the franchise since 1947 (when the team played its home games in Chicago’s Comiskey Park). It’s true, you can look it up.
7. Indianapolis Colts (Previously: 11) — A Peyton vs. Eli Super Bowl matchup would be loads of fun.
8. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Previously: 12) — Likely won’t be in a very giving mood against the Lions, a team desperately hoping to get that first win, especially before a nationally televised Thanksgiving Day game.
9. Baltimore Ravens (Previously: 5) — Had that we’re-not-quite-ready-to-play-with-the-big-boys look in a 30-10 mauling at the hands of the Giants.
10. Miami Dolphins (Previously: NR) — Can really put the Patriots in a hole with a win on Sunday.
11. New England Patriots (Previously: NR) — Better hope they don’t get crusty bobbed to death by the Dolphins.
12. Denver Broncos (Previously: NR) — The AFC West is brutal, and the Broncos are taking complete advantage of that.
Teams in danger of relegation if the NFL were like European soccer …
30. Kansas City Chiefs — That 1-9 record may not show it, but the Chiefs are showing improvement behind the surprisingly productive Tyler Thigpen.
31. Cincinnati Bengals — Became a footnote in history with that tie last week.
32. Detroit Lions — Really rooting for an 11-0 team to face an 0-11 team on Thanksgiving Day.
Week 12 picks
Steelers over Bengals (nailed it!)
Ravens over Eagles
Browns over Texans
Buccaneers over Lions
Chiefs over Bills
Bears over Rams
Titans over Jets
Patriots over Dolphins
Jaguars over Vikings
Cowboys over 49ers
Broncos over Raiders
Panthers over Falcons
Giants over Cardinals
Redskins over Seahawks
Colts over Chargers
Packers over Saints
Week 11 record: 13-3 (counted that tie as a loss, given Greatest Pro Bowls of all time, and other stuff didn’t actually pick that game correctly)
Overall record: 103-59
Saturday Afternoon Pro Football Banter: Breaking news … some big games this weekend
“They are still the Dallas Cowboys. Everybody hates everybody in this league. This rivalry has gotten even more intense. They have been titled America’s Team, and they are coming to the Big Apple. So it should be fun.” — Giants linebacker Antonio Pierce, on the Giants’ opponent on Sunday.
The storyline is pretty simple here: Two losses in the last three games has the preseason Super Bowl favorite Cowboys at 5-3 and looking up at the defending Super Bowl champion Giants, who lead the NFC East at 6-1. Another loss for Dallas would be devastating for the team’s division title hopes.
Yup, devastating. Especially considerin the relative strength of all the teams in the NFC East, the best division in professional football.
This isn’t the only game America will be watching with great interest. Take, for instance, that big Monday night showdown in Landover, Md., where the Redskins hold the fate of America in their hands when they host the Steelers.
Before 2004, the Redskins had played a strange part in predicting the outcome of 15 straight U.S. presidential elections. When the Redskins lost their last home game prior to the election, the incumbent party also lost the White House. That streak came to an end in 2004, when the Packers beat the Redskins and two days later incumbent George W. Bush beat John Kerry in the election. Still, 15 of 16 elections have been correctly predicted by Redskins games. Think Obama will be rooting for the Steelers on Monday night?
Speaking of the Redskins and Steelers, these two teams are among the biggest movers in this week’s Just-Totally-Made-Up NFL BCSTM rankings.
Let’s check ‘em out!
1. Tennessee Titans (Previously: 1) — Some are already trying to break down possible Giants-Titans matchups for Super Bowl XLIII.
2. New York Giants (Previously: 2) — Could really bury a bitter division rival with a win at the Meadowlands on Sunday.
3. Washington Redskins (Previously: 6) — May just have to take one for America on Monday night.
4. Carolina Panthers (Previously: 8) — Come out of this week’s bye with games against the Raiders and Lions.
5. Pittsburgh Steelers (Previously: 3) — May have Obama in their corner on Monday night.
6. New England Patriots (Previously: 9) — Still have that look of the team to beat in the AFC East.
7. Buffalo Bills (Previously: 4) — Which is the real Bills team? The one that opened the season 4-0? Or, the one that has gone 1-2 in its last three games?
8. Arizona Cardinals (Previously: 5) — Kurt Warner going back to where all the magic began back in 1999.
9. Dallas Cowboys (Previously: NR) — Terrell Owens appears on the brink of an explosion. Stay tuned …
10. Chicago Bears (Previously: 10) — Really happy to have picked up Kyle Orton a few weeks ago for the fantasy team.
11. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Previously: 7) — Still not sure what to think of this team, especially after last week’s disappointing showing in Dallas.
12. Green Bay Packers (Previously: 12) — Will knock off undefeated Titans on Sunday (please see predictions below).
Teams in danger of relegation if the NFL were like European soccer …
30. Kansas City Chiefs — Over there last 16 games, the Chiefs have lost 15.
31. Detroit Lions — Over the last 15 games, the Lions have lost 14.
32. Cincinnati Bengals — Remember that time when the Bengals won the AFC North and made the playoffs? That wasn’t really all that long ago.
Week 9 picks
Bills over Jets
Bears over Lions
Jaguars over Bengals
Browns over Ravens
Buccaneers over Chiefs
Vikings over Texans
Cardinals over Rams
Packers over Titans
Broncos over Dolphins
Giants over Cowboys
Falcons over Raiders
Eagles over Seahawks
Patriots over Colts
Redskins over Steelers
Week 8 record: 8-6
Overall record: 72-44
Saturday Afternoon Pregame Show: Chasing history, or infamy, you decide
“The Buccaneers resembled a fraternity football team well into their third keg of beer.” — NFL Films, on the 1976 expansion Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who finished 0-14.
Last season, the New England Patriots came within one loss in arguably the most exhilarating Super Bowl ever played from completing the greatest season in NFL history.
This season, there are two teams chasing NFL history.
The Cincinnati Bengals and Detroit Lions both promise to make a run at exceeding the ’76 Buccaneers’ 0-14 infamy.
And, before you all go, “but wait second here, Greatest Pro Bowls of all time, and other stuff, it’s just Week 8 and these two teams each have 10 more games to play,” consider this …
The Lions must play the rest of their season with a backup quarterback running the offense. The Lions have already traded away their most dangerous offensive threat, dealing WR Roy Williams to the Cowboys for a collection of draft picks and a bag of new footballs (not so much the balls, really, but that might as well have been a part of the deal).
The Bengals are dysfunctional, but what may be worse is news that quarterback Carson Palmer may be out for the season.
Let’s check out the remaining schedules …
For the Lions: vs. Redskins, at Bears, vs. Jaguars, at Panthers, vs. Buccaneers, vs. Titans, vs. Vikings, at Colts, vs. Saints, at Packers. At least eight of those teams figure to be in the playoff hunt for much of the duration of the season. Even NFL Network’s Adam Schefter is getting discouraged by the Lions’ chances.
For the Bengals: at Texans, vs. Jaguars, vs. Eagles, at Steelers, vs. Ravens, at Colts, vs. Redskins, at Browns, vs. Chiefs. The most winable games in that slate are this weekend in Houston, and the finale against Kansas City.
Astute football observers will remember 2001. That year, the Lions came dangerously close to 0-16 infamy, going 0-12 before beating the Vikings in Week 14 en route to a 2-14 record. The Bengals recently went 2-14 too, back in 2002. The next April, the Bengals would draft Palmer No. 1 overall and begin a slow trek back to respectibility, which has now quickly crumbled back to pre-Palmer era dispicability.
While the Bengals and Lions are secure in their spots in the “Teams in danger of relegation if the NFL were like European soccer” drop zone, let’s check out how the the Just-Totally-Made-Up NFL BCSTM rankings fill out.
Important note!: The Just-Totally-Made-Up NFL BCSTM rankings include three very basic components: overall win-loss record, how good teams did against other good teams, and my own profound opinion. Each component will count one-third (more or less or so) of a team’s overall Just-Totally-Made-Up NFL BCSTM score in the Just-Totally-Made-Up NFL BCSTM standings.
Here are the latest Just-Totally-Made-Up NFL BCSTM rankings of the season (just the top 12, or the number of teams that would make the playoffs if the playoff teams were based totally on the Just-Totally-Made-Up NFL BCSTM formula, which isn’t really a formula at all because we’re not that good at math and don’t trust a computer with a sketchy Firewall) …
1. Tennessee Titans (Previously: 1) — Have put Colts — their opponent this week — in an unfamiliar spot … looking up at another team in the AFC South standings.
2. New York Giants (Previously: 2) — Face a Just-Totally-Made-Up NFL BCSTM-busting matchup with the Steelers in a possible Super Bowl XLIII preview.
3. Pittsburgh Steelers (Previously: 3) — An unstoppable force collides with an immovable object when the Giants’ top-ranked rushing offense meets the NFL’s top-ranked defense. Can’t wait to see how this game is going to unfold!
4. Buffalo Bills (Previously: 5) — Off to best start since 1995, but finally face a team in their own division this week.
5. Arizona Cardinals (Previously: 4) — Came back down to earth during bye week, enter Sunday’s game against the Panthers as underdogs.
6. Washington Redskins (Previously: 6) — Redskins have won 18 of the past 20 against the Lions, their Week 8 opponent.
7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Previously: 9) — Coach Jon Gruden took a break from preparing for the Cowboys by announcing the World Series Game 2 lineup for the Tampa Bay Rays.
8. Carolina Panthers (Previously: 10) — Will try to prevent the Cardinals from getting off to their best start in 32 years.
9. New England Patriots (Previously: NR) — Will Pats be the third consecutive upset victim of coach Jim Haslett’s new-look, and suddenly competitive Rams?
10. Chicago Bears (Previously: NR) — Probably didn’t really need it, but Bears get an extra week to prepare for the Lions.
11. Atlanta Falcons (Previously: 11) — Have been one of the NFL’s most pleasant surprises in the early stages of this season, don’t expect their Week 8 opponent — the Eagles — to have that warm and fuzzy feeling when they host the Falcons.
12. Green Bay Packers (Previously: NR) — Just thoroughly dominated the team formerly known as the best in the AFC South.
Teams in danger of relegation if the NFL were like European soccer …
30. Kansas City Chiefs — So desperate for help at quarterback that they’ve placed a call to the retired Daunte Culpepper.
31. Detroit Lions — Once went 34 years without winning a game against the Redskins, their Week 8 opponent.
32. Cincinnati Bengals – Here’s hope for Cincy: The Texans, the Bengals’ Week 8 opponent, have never beaten the Bengals. Of course, the two teams have only played each other three times.
Week 8 picks
Ravens over Raiders
Bills over Dolphins
Panthers over Cardinals
Buccaneers over Cowboys
Chargers over Saints
Eagles over Falcons
Jets over Chiefs
Patriots over Rams
Redskins over Lions
Texans over Bengals
Jaguars over Browns
Steelers over Giants
49ers over Seahawks
Titans over Colts
Week 7 record: 10-4 (best week yet!)
Overall record: 64-38
Tuesday Early Evening Clipboard-holding Quarterback: One crazy autumn Sunday
“I’m kind of, like, blank. I don’t know if I want to cry or laugh.” — Rams linebacker Pisa Tinoisamoa, after the Rams got their first win of the season by beating the Redskins.
During a manic 15 minutes or so, four of eight 1 p.m. ET Week 6 games were decided in the final 10 seconds. NFL.com veteran Gil Brandt said that was the first time since the merger in 1970 that as many as four games have been decided in that fashion. Brandt’s been in the game for a long time, so we’ll take his word for it.
In all, there have been 27 fourth-quarter comebacks this season in 81 games, an impressive 33 percent of the matchups.
That’s a good percentage of games that go down to the wire.
Let’s recap the mayhem of Week 6 …
The Falcons gave up what appeared to be the game-winning touchdown with 11 seconds remaining, only to kick a game-winning field goal as time expired.
In snapping an eight-game losing streak dating back to last season with a last-second field goal by Josh Brown, the Rams won despite being held to eight first downs and 200 total yards of offense.
Matt Schaub’s game-winning touchdown with three seconds remaining gave the quarterback his second career fourth-quarter comeback victory. Both of those comeback wins have come against the Dolphins.
Sure, the Vikings won with a field goal with nine seconds remaining, but much of what transpired in the previous 59-plus minutes wasn’t as appealing. Both teams combined for 11 sacks, 17 punts and just a 5-for-28 conversion rate on third downs.
Later, the Cardinals beat the Cowboys in an overtime thriller.
Those results profoundly affect this week’s Just-Totally-Made-Up NFL BCSTM rankings. Let’s take a look …
1. Tennessee Titans (Previously: 2) — Manhandled bye week, overtook Giants for top spot.
2. New York Giants (Previously: 1) — Sure didn’t look like a defending Super Bowl champion while getting roughed up by the Browns.
3. Pittsburgh Steelers (Previously: 5) — Bye week made Steelers look much better than they looked a week ago.
4. Arizona Cardinals (Previously: NR) — Became first team ever to win in overtime on a touchdown scored on a blocked punt. More importantly, Cardinals did it against the Cowboys, which would explain this rapid rise up the Just-Totally-Made-Up NFL BCSTM rankings.
5. Buffalo Bills (Previously: 8) — Move up significantly without playing … are you beginning to sense a trend?
6. Washington Redskins (Previously: 3) — Tough to pick winner in Redskins’ next game, at home versus the Browns, who are coming off an impressive win against the team that sent the 18-0 Patriots to the abyss of Super Bowl losers. The Redskins, on the other hand, lost to the previously winless Rams at home after beating three tough division opponents on the road.
7. Dallas Cowboys (Previously: 6) — Pulled off something football fans don’t see too often. No, we’re not talking about that loss to the Cardinals, silly. Dallas pulled off the rarely seen blockbuster deal at the NFL’s trading deadline by acquiring Roy Williams from the Lions.
8. Denver Broncos (Previously: 4) — How much longer can the Broncos hold off the Chargers for that top spot in the AFC West?
9. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Previously: 11) — Pushed around the Panthers, a team not known as being pushovers. They might not be really grumpy about that … watch out Saints!
10. Carolina Panthers (Previously: 7) — Could have made a real statement last week against the Buccaneers. Instead, the Panthers made the wrong kind of one, scoring their fewest amount of points since a 37-3 loss to the Steelers on Dec. 7, 2006.
11. Atlanta Falcons (Previously: 12) — Yogi Berra used to say, “It ain’t over till it’s over,” and the Falcons put that expression to good use Sunday in an alarming turnaround of epic proportions. You can watch highlights here of the absolute madness that took place in Atlanta.
12. Indianapolis Colts (Previously: NR) — Were rude hosts of the Ravens on Sunday, racking up 334 total net yards against a supposedly great Ravens defense.
Teams in danger of relegation if the NFL were like European soccer …
30. Kansas City Chiefs — Didn’t give up on season by trading Pro Bowl tight end Tony Gonzalez.
31. Detroit Lions — Totally just gave up by dealing Pro Bowl receiver Roy Williams to the Cowboys. Thankfully for my fantasy team, that can only mean more balls being thrown in the general direction of Calvin Johnson.
32. Cincinnati Bengals — Play Chiefs in Week 17 for what could be a showdown for the No. 1 overall pick.
Week 7 picks
Ravens over Dolphins
Chargers over Bills
Panthers over Saints
Steelers over Bengals
Bears over Vikings
Giants over 49ers
Cowboys over Rams
Titans over Chiefs
Texans over Lions
Jets over Raiders
Redskins over Browns
Colts over Packers
Buccaneers over Seahawks
Patriots over Broncos
Week 6 record: 7-7
Overall record: 54-34
Saturday Afternoon NFL Pregame Show: What's old is new again
“What would happen if someone came out with a single-wing offense? It would embarrass the hell out of us.” — Vince Lombardi.
The forward pass is so 2007.
The NFL’s latest craze is a twist on an offense used back when players wore helmets without facemasks.
With the Dolphins running a variation of the single-wing offense, teams will be forced to prepare for the ghosts of Jim Thorpe, Red Grange. Johnny “Blood” McNally and Bronko Nagurski. The Dolphins’ two-week “Wildcat” odyssey has pulled the sophisticated and calculated NFL back to its muddy roots.
Many have pinpointed that the Dolphins got the inspiration for the “Wildcat” offense from Arkansas, which used it successfully with running back Darren McFadden lining up at quarterback and throwing opposing defenses off guard.
Perhaps.
We here think new Dolphins GM/Grand Master Bill Parcells was watching some youth football games in his free time before returning to the NFL.
Many pee wee football teams run the single-wing offense, and perhaps a Saturday afternoon at the local park gave the Dolphins enough inspiraton. See for yourself …
Or, perhaps the Dolphins watched this football instructional film …
Whatever the case may be, it’s great to see the modern game digging into its glorious past for inspiration.
Let’s take this week’s gander at how the NFL power rankings would look like if it were like the BCS (well, kinda … it has much less computer-generated controversy).
Important note!: The Just-Totally-Made-Up NFL BCSTM rankings include three very basic components: overall win-loss record, how good teams did against other good teams, and my own profound opinion. Each component will count one-third (more or less or so) of a team’s overall Just-Totally-Made-Up NFL BCSTM score in the Just-Totally-Made-Up NFL BCSTM standings.
Here are the latest Just-Totally-Made-Up NFL BCSTM rankings of the season (just the top 12, or the number of teams that would make the playoffs if the playoff teams were based totally on the Just-Totally-Made-Up NFL BCSTM formula, which isn’t really a formula at all because we’re not that good at math and don’t trust a computer with a sketchy Firewall) …
1. New York Giants (Previously: 1) — Have not lost to the Browns in Cleveland since 1973.
2. Tennessee Titans (Previously: 6) — There are no style points in the NFL, and no team is making this point clearer than the Titans, who are off to their first 5-0 start in franchise history (which dates back to 1960, when the Houston Oilers debuted in the old American Football League).
3. Washington Redskins (Previously: 11) — Jim Zorn’s “hip, hip, hooray” cheer may be corny, but winning is totally cool.
4. Denver Broncos (Previously: 5) — Already two games up on second-place San Diego, which is struggling to string together wins.
5. Pittsburgh Steelers (Previously: 7) — Get a much-needed bye week after slugging out a win over the Jaguars.
6. Dallas Cowboys (Previously: 2) — Barely beat the Bengals (see No. 32 below), and that’s not going over very well in Big D.
7. Carolina Panthers (Previously: NR) — Have a Just-Totally-Made-Up NFL BCSTM-buster game against the Buccaneers this weekend.
8. Buffalo Bills (Previously: 4) — Really need Trent Edwards to recover from his concussion suffered early in last week’s 41-17 debacle at University of Phoenix Stadium.
9. New England Patriots (Previously: NR) — Came off a bye week strong against San Francisco.
10. Chicago Bears (Previously: NR) — Kyle Orton has Da Bears sitting atop the NFC North and looking more like the Bears team of 2006 that advanced to the Super Bowl than the 2007 team that finished a disappointing 7-9.
11. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Previously: 10) — Facing a colossus of a showdown against the Panthers.
12. Atlanta Falcons (Previously: NR) — Grew up in a hurry with a tough win on the road at legendary Lambeau Field.
Teams in danger of relegation if the NFL were like European soccer …
30. Detroit Lions — Things have gotten so bad that Detroit fans are longing for the days of Wayne Fontes.
31. St. Louis Rams — Jim Haslett replaces Scott Linehan, but has a brutal stretch ahead … at Washington, vs. Dallas, at New England.
32. Cincinnati Bengals — There’s something chicken-soup-for-the-soul heartwarming and refreshing about the Bengals being back among the NFL’s doormats.
Week 6 picks
Bears over Falcons
Dolphins over Texans
Colts over Ravens
Vikings over Lions
Saints over Raiders
Jets over Bengals
Panthers over Buccaneers
Redskins over Rams
Broncos over Jaguars
Cowboys over Cardinals
Eagles over 49ers
Packers over Seahawks
Chargers over Patriots
Giants over Browns
Week 5 record: 8-6
Overall record: 47-27
Monday Night Nose Tackle: Patriots get dose of comeuppence
“Karma is a funny thing.” — Earl Hickey, My Name is Earl.
A funny thing happened Sunday.
The Miami Dolphins administered a shocking, yet very satisfying, pants-down spanking of the New England Patriots. A team that won one game in 2007 whipped the team that had won an NFL-record 21 consecutive regular-season games.
For the record, the Patriots outscored the Dolphins 77-35 in their two meetings last season, including a 28-point second quarter in a 49-28 Week 7 win in Miami. Many accused the Patriots of running up the score.
The way the Dolphins — 0-2 going into Sunday — worked the Patriots in a 38-13 win Sunday was the clearest evidence yet that the Patriots’ problems go deeper than at quarterback.
Let’s go inside the numbers …
» In ending the Patriots’ 21-game regular-season win streak, the Dolphins ended their own 11-game road losing streak.
» The Patriots’ 22-point loss was the second-largest under coach Bill Belichick at home (Patriots lost by 24 to the Chargers on Oct. 2, 2005).
» The Patriots allowed 461 yards, the fourth-highest total under Belichick (highest since allowing 478 yards in a 35-28 win over the Bengals on Dec. 12, 2004).
» Sunday marked the first time since 1993 that the Patriots allowed four rushing touchdowns in a game. The Patriots allowed five against the Jets on Sept. 26, 1993.
» The Patriots were outgained by 245 yards — 461 to 216 — and the defense allowed 8.1 yards per play.
» The Dolphins ran six direct snap plays to Ronnie Brown at QB, and those plays resulted in four touchdowns and 119 yards.
It was written in this spot just two weeks ago that Tom Brady’s season-ending injury may also mean the end of the Patriots as we’ve known them for the past few years.
“They outplayed us. They outcoached us. They obviously deserved to win. They were the better team,” Patriots coach Bill Belichick said after the game.
While the Dolphins move out of the “Teams in danger of relegation if the NFL were like European soccer” drop zone, the Patriots fall out of the Just-Totally-Made-Up NFL BCSTM rankings.
With that in mind, let’s take this week’s gander at how the NFL power rankings would look like if it were like the BCS (well, kinda … it has much less computer-generated controversy).
Important note!: The Just-Totally-Made-Up NFL BCSTM rankings include three very basic components: overall win-loss record, how good teams did against other good teams, and my own profound opinion. Each component will count one-third (more or less or so) of a team’s overall Just-Totally-Made-Up NFL BCSTM score in the Just-Totally-Made-Up NFL BCSTM standings.
Here are the latest Just-Totally-Made-Up NFL BCSTM rankings of the season (just the top 12, or the number of teams that would make the playoffs if the playoff teams were based totally on the Just-Totally-Made-Up NFL BCSTM formula, which isn’t really a formula at all because we’re not that good at math and don’t trust a computer with a sketchy Firewall) …
1. New York Giants (Last week: 1) — Worked overtime to beat the hapless Bengals. But this isn’t like the college football polls, there are no style points in the NFL. Just get the win.
2. Dallas Cowboys (Last week: 2) — Collected their first-ever win at Lambeau Field (1-5 all-time, including playoffs).
3. Philadelphia Eagles (Last week: 4) — One series of plays in the second quarter was indicative of the frustrations experienced by the Steelers against the stingy Eagles defense. In an eight-play stretch, the Steelers gave up five sacks, committed a false start penalty and threw an interception.
4. Buffalo Bills (Last week: 7) — Up next: The 0-3 Rams.
5. Denver Broncos (Last week: 8) — This week’s “Thank You!” card goes to Martin Gramatica, who missed a potential go-ahead field goal with just under two minutes left in the game. In all, Gramatica missed two field goal attempts for the Saints.
6. Tennessee Titans (Last week: 12) — Kerry Collins’ play may give Vince Young a permanent spot on the bench.
7. Pittsburgh Steelers (Last week: 3) — Were humbled by the Eagles, and subsequently dropped in the Just-Totally-Made-Up NFL BCSTM accordingly.
8. Baltimore Ravens (Last week: NR) — Dropped rival Browns to second 0-3 start in two seasons.
9. Green Bay Packers (Last week: 6) — Have a lot of work to do before they can compete with the NFC’s best.
10. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Last week: NR) — When did the Buccaneers install the run-and-shoot offense? Brian Griese attempted 67 passes against the Bears.
11. Washington Redskins (Last week: NR) — In beating the Cardinals for the seventh consecutive time, the Redskins halted the Cardinals’ NFL-best streak of scoring 20-plus points at 10 games.
12. San Francisco 49ers (Last week: NR) — The “Greatest Show on Turf” has hit the West Coast. Faced with a fourth-and-goal situation at the Lions’ 1-yard line, 49ers offensive coordinator Mike Martz called for an end around that Allen Rossum took in for a score that gave the 49ers a pivotal late-game score.
Teams in danger of relegation if the NFL were like European soccer …
30. Detroit Lions — This may and/or may not be news, but Matt Millen’s job appears in jeopardy.
31. St. Louis Rams — Have been outscored by opponents 116-29 this season.
32. Kansas City Chiefs — Continuing with the pro football misery in Missouri, the Chiefs have lost 12 consecutive games, extending their franchise worst streak.
Week 4 picks:
Panthers over Falcons
Bengals over Browns
Jaguars over Texans
Titans over Vikings
Broncos over Chiefs
Saints over 49ers
Packers over Buccaneers
Cardinals over Jets
Chargers over Raiders
Bills over Rams
Cowboys over Redskins
Eagles over Bears
Steelers over Ravens
Week 3 record: 12-4
Overall record: 32-15
Tuesday Afternoon WILL Linebacker: Some intelligent commentary on pro football
“This was the best crew that we have had in the last 20 crews I have graded.” — Broncos coach Mike Shanahan, who showed his sarcastic side when commenting on the referees whose botched calls gave Denver a controversial victory over San Diego.
… And we thought Week 1 was totally nuts.
Sure, there were some great fourth-quarter comebacks, but what will stick out from Week 2 — and be its everlasting legacy (like that?) — will be Ed Hochuli’s botched call that gave the Broncos another shot at scoring the game-winning touchdown against the Chargers, who open this season with two heartbreaking, last-minute defeats.
That tainted win helps the Broncos vault up into the Just-Totally-Made-Up NFL BCSTM rankings. With that in mind, let’s take this week’s gander at how the NFL power rankings would look like if it were like the BCS (well, kinda … it has much less computer-generated controversy, only a couple user errors here or there).
Important note!: The Just-Totally-Made-Up NFL BCSTM rankings include three very basic components: overall win-loss record, how good teams did against other good teams, and my own profound opinion. Each component will count one-third (more or less or so) of a team’s overall Just-Totally-Made-Up NFL BCSTM score in the Just-Totally-Made-Up NFL BCSTM standings.
Here are the latest Just-Totally-Made-Up NFL BCSTM rankings of the season (just the top 12, or the number of teams that would make the playoffs if the playoff teams were based totally on the Just-Totally-Made-Up NFL BCSTM formula, which isn’t really a formula at all because we’re not that good at math and don’t trust a computer with a sketchy Firewall) …
1. New York Giants (Trend: -) — Now riding a 12-game winning streak in non-home games (including three playoff wins, and that win in Super Bowl XLII).
2. Dallas Cowboys (Trend: +) — Aaron Rodgers’ next test: Facing the talented Cowboys in front of another national TV prime-time audience.
3. Pittsburgh Steelers (Trend: +) — Proved on Sunday that they are still the class of the AFC North.
4. Philadelphia Eagles (Trend: +) — Big game for the Just-Totally-Made-Up NFL BCSTM rankings on Sunday … Pittsburgh at Philadelphia. Or, just a big game period. You decide.
5. New England Patriots (Trend: +) — How demoralizing is Sunday’s loss against the Patriots for the Jets? They spent a small nation’s gross national product on high-priced free agents this offseason, trade for future Hall of Famer Brett Favre, then see their principal rival’s super-duper star quarterback go down to a season-ending injury, only to go on to lose to his replacement, who just happened to be making his first start since high school.
6. Green Bay Packers (Trend: +) — It appears Packers management knew exactly what it was doing when it told Favre “thanks, but no thanks, we’re cool with Aaron Rodgers” when the all-time passing leader opted to unretire just ahead of training camp.
7. Buffalo Bills (Trend: +) — Beat two 2007 playoff teams to open this season. Unfortunately, they can’t make it three straight, since the Raiders come to town in Week 3.
8. Denver Broncos (Trend: +) — Referee Ed Hochuli to Chargers coach Norv Turner on Sunday, “Umm coach, uh, oopsy daisy?”
9. Indianapolis Colts (Trend: +) — It took approximately six quarters, but it appears that potent Colts passing game is back on track. Here’s some visual evidence.
10. Carolina Panthers (Trend: +) — Carolina is now 2-for-2 on fourth-quarter comebacks.
11. Arizona Cardinals (Trend: +) — Not long ago, this perennial doormat was a regular in the category below.
12. Tennessee Titans (Trend: +) — Started a season 2-0 for the first time since 1999, which, just happens to be the last — and only — time the Titans advanced to the Super Bowl.
Teams in danger of relegation if the NFL were like European soccer …
30. Miami Dolphins — Made the Arizona Cardinals look like legitimate Super Bowl contenders on Sunday.
31. St. Louis Rams — At least they still have Torry Holt.
32. Kansas City Chiefs — Got blown out by the Raiders. Let’s repeat this for effect: Got blown out by the Raiders. Again: Got blown out by the Raiders.
Week 3 predictions
Falcons over Chiefs
Bills over Raiders
Bears over Buccaneers
Vikings over Panthers
Patriots over Dolphins
Giants over Bengals
Titans over Texans
Redskins over Cardinals
Broncos over Saints
49ers over Lions
Seahawks over Rams
Browns over Ravens
Colts over Jaguars
Eagles over Steelers
Cowboys over Packers
Chargers over Jets
Week 2 record: 11-4
Overall record: 20-11
Tuesday Afternoon Middle Linebacker: Looking forward to Week 1, and the 2008 season
“Worst Prediction of the Year: Jim Reineking of Fox Sports, for a spectacular feat of multiple bad predictions.” — Gregg Easterbrook, in a column published on NFL.com on Feb. 14, 2006.
If Gregg Easterbrook can write a long-winded, diarrhea-of-the-keyboard column about pro football, so can we …
Football season officially kicks off Thursday night when the defending Super Bowl champion Giants host the Redskins for what should be a spirited game of football. This is good for America.
Let’s kick off Kickoff week by taking a look at how the NFL power rankings would look like if it were like the BCS (well, kinda … it has much less controversy).
(Of course, this is more like the preseason polls, since no games — preseason/exhibition contests don’t count, silly — have been played.)
Here are the very first Just-Totally-Made-Up NFL BCSTM rankings of the season (just the top 12, or the number of teams that would make the playoffs if the playoff teams were based totally on the Just-Totally-Made-Up NFL BCSTM formula, which isn’t really a formula at all) …
1. New York Giants: Surprising victors of Super Bowl XLII are still tops until they suffer that first loss, which could come as soon as Thursday against the Redskins.
2. New England Patriots: That 18-1 finish last season still isn’t good enough to claim the top spot in this poll.
3. San Diego Chargers: Madman linebacker Shawne Merriman vows to play with two torn knee ligaments, which should be an interesting storyline to follow this season to say the least.
4. Indianapolis Colts: It might be a bit premature to think that the “window of opportunity” is closing on these horseshoe-clad gridders.
5. Dallas Cowboys: Hard to give too much respect a team that hasn’t won a playoff game in 12 years.
6. Jacksonville Jaguars: Out to end Indy’s reign of terror in the AFC South.
7. Seattle Seahawks: Mike Holmgren hoping to go out in a blaze of glory.
8. Pittsburgh Steelers: Will face still challenge from Cleveland.
9. Philadelphia Eagles: Darkhorse Super Bowl contender in NFC.
10. Cleveland Browns: Hype machine could go into overdrive if Brownies manage a victory over the Cowboys on national television.
11. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Can an aging Jeff Garcia keep it up? Magic Eight Ball says, “Definitely.”
12. New York Jets: Brett Favre is in town, and Jerricho Cotchery and Dustin Keller are going to have huge years. We know this because all three are on our fantasy football team.
Teams in danger of relegation if the NFL were like European soccer …
30. Miami Dolphins: Bill Parcells has a lot of work to do. A lot of work.
31. Atlanta Falcons: Rookie Matt Ryan takes over where Michael Vick unceremoniously left off.
32. Kansas City Chiefs: Very definition of “rebuilding.”
For fun, let’s make some quick predictions …
Five non-playoff teams in 2007 who could make the playoffs this season:
1. Cleveland Browns: 2007 playoffs would have been more fun had Cleveland made it to the party.
2. New Orleans Saints: Drew Brees leads what should be a potent offense in the Big Easy.
3. Minnesota Vikings: Everybody’s vogue pick to unseat the Packers in the NFC North.
4. New York Jets: Favre-to-Cotchery, touchdown Jets … sounds like music to our fantasy football team’s ears.
5. Buffalo Bills: Buffalo/Toronto Bills feature a rebuilt defense, which includes first-round pick Leodis McKelvin (McLovin’?).
Five playoff teams from 2007 who could be in for a fall:
1. Green Bay Packers: A-Rod takes over for Favre, but is backed up by rookies Matt Flynn and Brian Brohm. Hope No. 12 can stay healthy.
2. Tennessee Titans: Vince Young is better at making plays with his legs than his arm, which would be OK if he were a running back.
3. Washington Redskins: That NFC East is downright tough, and some team is going to have to get left out of the postseason fun.
4. Pittsburgh Steelers: Face one of toughest schedules in NFL this season.
5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Given the relative strength of the NFC East, only one NFC South team likely will make the playoffs. With an offensively-scary Saints team and Jake Delhomme’s return in Carolina, the Buccaneers could be left out.
Week 1 predictions:
Giants over Redskins
Lions over Falcons
Bengals over Ravens
Seahawks over Bills
Jets over Dolphins
Patriots over Chiefs
Saints over Buccaneers
Eagles over Rams
Steelers over Texans
Jaguars over Titans
Cowboys over Browns
Chargers over Panthers
Cardinals over 49ers
Colts over Bears
Vikings over Packers
Broncos over Raiders
Happenings
- My ‘Tecmo Super Bowl’ player power rankings1. Bo Jackson 2. Christian Okoye 3. Bob Nelson 4. QB Eagles 5. David FulcherRHINO
- iPhone panorama: KROQ Weenie Roast RHINO
