NFL 2006-2007 season

[escobert]

So, second week in and things are starting to get good. I've gotta say the Bears are looking good so far, yes both green bay and Detroit aren't that great but the Bears completely destroyed both teams. And the Lions put up a pretty good fight against Seattle last week. So what do ya think?

[I Took the Red Pill]

The Bills are my team. They looked good the first game even with the loss, and did great today. The defense is finally living up to expectations. The Losman no-long-passes formula works for me. :)

[Raistlin]

Go Steelers!

[escobert]

Boo Hiss!

[Kirobaito]

Redskins suck.

[Raistlin]

Redskins suck.

Only slightly more than Dallas.

I'm rooting for the Steelers, and I think they're going to do well again this year. However, I think the Giants, Eagles, Bengals, and Falcons also have really good chances of doing well this year.

EDIT: Oh, and the Raiders. *snickers*

[El Bandito]

Chargers are looking great. If Shawn Merriman has his way, they'll become one hell of a dominant defense. Then there's still those LT and Gates guys on the offense. I hear they're pretty good.

And screw the NFC East and South, the AFC North is the best division race so far. The games between the Bengals/Ravens/Steelers will be some great battles.

[Raistlin]

San Diego has amazing talent, and their defense is capable of doing really well. But they've played Tennessee and Oakland so far, two of the bottom 5 teams in the league. I'll wait to see how they perform weeks 4 and 5 against Baltimore and Pittsburgh before I consider them serious contenders.

[Tavrobel]

I want Eli Manning's blood. And TO's head on a pike.

[edczxcvbnm]

Since I am a Packers fan....

Here is what will happen. The Bears will start Grossman when they play the Vikings and he will get injured on that field and send the Bears Superbowl hopes to <img src="/xxx.gif"><img src="/xxx.gif"><img src="/xxx.gif"><img src="/xxx.gif">.

I am interested to see how Detroit does as this season goes on. I saw a lot of potential in their first two games. That game against the Bears wouldn't have been so bad had they not made stupid penalties at the worst time.

Also the refering has not gotten better since last year. I have already seen too many late flag throws. I look forward to another complain-a-thon come post season.

[Doomie]

The Giants have easily played the most entertaining games so far. Manning vs. Manning, and then the COMEBACK against the Eagles. Oh yay.

[El Bandito]

Man, I've always loved the quiet awesome that the Jaguars display. There's no big names on that team other than Marcus Stroud (and people only remember him for his dreds), I loved the comment Tony Kornheiser made that only people that truly know football realize how good they are. I can't wait for next week's game vs. Indy.

[eestlinc]

man the dolphins sucked it up against Buffalo. I hope the offense gets it together soon. it was nice to see the Jags shut out the Steelers though.

The Seahawks have been pretty crappy but their opponents have been even worse. It'll be tough to beat the Giants, except they will have the advantage since NY has to fly cross country and play at Qwest.

[Strider]

I'm happy the 49ers beat the Rams on Sunday. I don't think St. Louis is that great, but we'll see how we measure up against Philly this weekend.

[Raistlin]

I'm not worried about the Steelers. Last year on Roethlisberger's first game back from injury, they were stomped on by the Colts (week... 8? or something like that). Roethlisberger got more healthy and they beat the Colts in the playoffs (despite a call so bad, after a review even, that the NFL had to apologize for it).

[bipper]

Go Vikings! :( They are supposed to suck, yet they are 2 - 0. Thier new song "Bring on the Horns" Is the most disturbing thing to enter the NFL - evar.

I hope the Jags stay in it this year :)

[Madame Adequate]

GOOOOOO RAIDERS! *rabid*

[bipper]

GOOOOOO RAIDERS! *rabid*

hah! What do you think of ol Randy Moss now that he is the raider's problem 'dances'

[Tavrobel]

GOOOOOO RAIDERS! *rabid*

hah! What do you think of ol Randy Moss now that he is the raider's problem 'dances'

He's actually been relatively quiet and unhyped while on the Raiders. Who knows why, but for most people, I think it's not only a better thing for us, but for him, as well. I hope he does well for the rest of the time he is there, despite my hatred for everyone and everything that is not Eagles.

[bipper]

His ego would go great along side TO. He was actually openly critisizing his current QB staff (all of em) for not passing him the ball enough.

[Raistlin]

His ego would go great along side TO. He was actually openly critisizing his current QB staff (all of em) for not passing him the ball enough.

Well... they don't. Their offensive coordinator is a joke (hasn't worked in football in something like 10 years).

Randy Moss is capable of being a top-5 receiver (among the likes of Chad Johnson, Larry Fitzgerald, etc.) and is so tall and such great hands that he can catch pretty much anything thrown his way, even in double-coverage (just watch him when he was a Viking).

The only criticism you can have of him on the field is that he slacks off they're down big or he knows the ball's not coming to him. I hated Owens, but one good thing I have to say about him is that he busts his ass on the field.

Anyway, Randy Moss has been surprisingly quiet as a Raider (he was a complete ass as a Viking).

Um... I forget where I was going with this. Carry on.

[bipper]

haha, I agree raist. I really do. His ankle injury did nothing to his game. He slowed down a little for a while, but he seems to be up to back up to par this year, and last.

My comment about T0 _ moss was just focused on watching the egos clash, and seeing if it brings them to higher levels, or tears the team apart :D

[Del Murder]

Moss would be better on a good team. Great receivers still need a QB to throw them the ball.

Oakland is just terrible. My preseason pick was Carolina but they have looked bad too. AFC has some good teams. Add to the already good Steelers, Patriots, Colts, Jags, Broncos, and Bengals you now have San Diego and Baltimore who look good as well. The NFC isn't that great. Besides Seattle and the Bears there are no real fearsome teams. I think the Giants are good though.

[PeTeRL90]

Being in North Carolina, I root for the Panthers, and I'm not giving up on them.

They have the Bucs this Sunday, followed by the Saints, so there's a good chance to go 2-2. Their toughest part of the schedule is near the end of the year. Weeks 12-16 I believe. I need to take a look at the schedule again to make sure.

[Raistlin]

Del: Atlanta looks really good.

[Del Murder]

I haven't seen much of them, but yeah they can put out a good team. With Vick as your starter you will always be inconsistent though.

[eestlinc]

Del: Atlanta looks really good.
Jim Mora Jr is a bad coach and that will inhibit the Falcons from winning it all. But their defense works very hard and they run the ball better than anyone. The main question is whether their receiver corps is improved enough to balance their attack. And of course how Mora will screw it all up.

[PeTeRL90]

I think the Falcons may have something this year with the addition of John Abraham. Though he has that groin injury (not too sure if it's still there or not), he's going to prove that he's a valuable asset to the team, and make them glad that they got him.

[El Bandito]

I still don't think the Falcons are up to par with the two main contenders of NFC (Bears and Seahawks). It's a shame there's not a single regular game between Atlanta and either of them.

Can't wait for the Sunday Night Game with the Bears vs. Seahawks. Should be a war.

[Raistlin]

The Bears are overrated as usual. They struggled against Minnesota, and won't be able to pass the Seahawks again.

[escobert]

You will see!

[Raistlin]

Well, the Bears have a much better shot of beating Seattle this next matchup with Alexander out. But they still won't go too far in the playoffs. If Grossman keeps averaging multiple TDs a game, I may change my story.

[escobert]

I'm really hoping he plays well, even if we don't got far it will give me some good feelings for next season. And hell we already beat green bay so the seasons over in my mind! :D

[edczxcvbnm]

Fuck the bears.

I have had some high hopes that by the end of this season Detroit will finally become a decent football team. I really like their new head coach and I think he can get the job done. Why couldn't my Greenbay Packers have gone with a decent coach? Mike McCarthy will probably be worse than the Mike we just got rid of.

[El Bandito]

So, the Bears, holy crap. I don't care if I end up drinking the Kool-Aid, that was really impressive.

And who would've thought the Ravens would be the last undefeated team in the AFC North. That 4th quarter comeback was some good stuff. I still think the Chargers will take the West with Denver taking a Wild Card.

[Del Murder]

Baltimore and Chicago have certainly shown that defense can win you games.

[Raistlin]

Anybody see the Saints making the playoffs? Anyone?

The Ravens play great football, but they can be so inconsistent. Also, San Diego has horrible coaching when they take leads.

Chicago looks great, though. Seattle's defense isn't top-notch, but it's not as bad as the teams Chicago has played so far. I can see them winning the NFC, especially in the horrible division their in and they're easy schedule. The only winning teams they have left to play are the Patriots and the Rams, and the latter won't be winning by the time they play Chicago. I still don't see them in the Super Bowl, though. But hey, that offense sure is rolling right now.

[Kirobaito]

The Bears will win the regular-season NFC crown but the Cowboys will go to the Super Bowl.

[Del Murder]

The Cowboys aren't the best team in the NFC.

The Raiders, however, might be the worst team in the AFC.

[Bloodline666]

Well, turns out the Titans' defense totally sucks. They just got blown out 45-14. HOW 'BOUT THEM COWBOYS?!

And how 'bout T.O.? He just bounced back from this latest drama involving his trip to the hospital, with 5 passes caught for 88 yards, including a 46-yard gain on one of those.

Next week: Dallas Cowboys vs Philadelphia Eagles! Anyone gonna watch? It would be just another game if T.O. hadn't defected from one team to the other.

[Kirobaito]

The Cowboys aren't the best team in the NFC.

The Raiders, however, might be the worst team in the AFC.
Well, I don't really think the Steelers were the best team in the NFL last year, either, but they did what they had to do when they had to do it to win.

I was so excited when the Raiders actually scored an offensive touchdown.

[Del Murder]

The Cowboys are a good team and can make the playoffs, but Owens, Jones, and Bledsoe have a history of disappearing late in the season, for whatever reason, and I don't know if Glenn, Romo, and Barber can take a team to the Super Bowl. The defense is not good enough to carry them like other recent Super Bowl teams had.

[Bloodline666]

Speaking of the Cowboys/Titans game, I'll be watching and waiting to see what Albert Haynesworth's fate is. I'm certain he'll be suspended. How many games...we'll just wait and see... It was VERY stupid of him to stomp on Andre Gurode's head. That's the worst show of unsportsmanlike conduct I've seen since Jason Terry hit Michael Finley in the nuts, or since Raja Bell clotheslined Kobe Bryant (both in the NBA Playoffs THIS YEAR). If that's not suspension-worthy, like the other two incidents mentioned, then I don't know what is.

[El Bandito]

The Raiders, however, might be the worst team in the AFC.

I'd say the league. When you have Randy goddamn Moss on your team and he has less than 100 yards total in THREE GAMES, something is seriously wrong. I would be suprised to see them win 3 games at this point.

And yeah, the Ravens are inconsistent, but they seem to step it up when it matters. Same kind of ugly, but effective football that won them XXXV.

[edczxcvbnm]

Did anyone see that last play in the Jets/Colts game? That was some crazy <img src="/xxx.gif"><img src="/xxx.gif"><img src="/xxx.gif"><img src="/xxx.gif"> the Jets tried to pull off and it had me on the edge of my seat the whole time it was going down. Talk about going out with a bang.

[Raistlin]

Last year, Pittsburgh's defense was excellent and their offense was tough and consistent. Dallas has none of those things.

[Kirobaito]

Last year, Pittsburgh's defense was excellent and their offense was tough and consistent. Dallas has none of those things.
Well, considering they've played three games and in two of them their offense has bordered on dominating, I don't think you can say much of anything yet.

EDIT: 2nd in ppg, 7th in opponents' ppg, 6th in ypg, 5th in opponents' ypg. I don't see how you can draw any conclusions but good ones based on three games.

Haynesworth should be suspended for the rest of the season, and should be prosecuted for assault.

[Denmark]

The Bears are overrated as usual. They struggled against Minnesota, and won't be able to pass the Seahawks again.

lolz raist is a funny

the Bears could go undefeated this year, at least in the regular season. you heard it here first.

as for my Giants, I'll be happy if they make the playoffs. they don't have much of a realistic chance of super bowling it this year, although there's the slight possibility. but the NFC east is tough, and they have one of the toughest schedules.

go ahead boys, rip me apart.

[Ender]

the Bears could go undefeated this year, at least in the regular season. you heard it here first.

The Bears' next four games are Buffalo, @Arizona, SanFran, and Miami.

They should be 8-0 heading into New York to face the Giants and then the Jets the following week. After that they play @New England. It'll be tough to get through that three-game road stretch without a loss, but if they do, their last five games are really easy. Minnesota, @St.Louis, Tampa, @Detroit, Green Bay. In addition, the fact that the defense might be playing for a number of records might even encourage them to play out the season rather than rest for the playoffs (that's overrated anyway...look what happened to Indy last year).

I'm thinking 13-3, but with the schedule 16-0 isn't impossible...it's not like Indy last year who was playing Jacksonville, San Diego, and Seattle at the end of the season.

Go Bears!!!

[Bloodline666]

Last year, Pittsburgh's defense was excellent and their offense was tough and consistent. Dallas has none of those things.
Well, considering they've played three games and in two of them their offense has bordered on dominating, I don't think you can say much of anything yet.

EDIT: 2nd in ppg, 7th in opponents' ppg, 6th in ypg, 5th in opponents' ypg. I don't see how you can draw any conclusions but good ones based on three games.

Haynesworth should be suspended for the rest of the season, and should be prosecuted for assault.

Yep! Those stats are those of a pretty well-balanced team on both ends of the field.

As for Haynesworth, I totally agree with you. He should also get the maximum fine. Not surprisingly, it appears there's a minor update on his situation (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2006/writers/don_banks/10/02/penalty/). While they have yet to disclose his suspension and/or fine, one thing is certain; he WILL get the book thrown at for stomping on Gurode's helmetless head. We're talking a pretty stiff punishment here. We're looking at a four game suspension at the very LEAST! I wouldn't be surprised if he gets banned for life from the NFL (which is kinda stiff, but a message MUST be sent to all football players of all levels, nonetheless, as well as all other atheletes). And what he said in his apology about disgracing the team is an understatement; he didn't just "disgrace his team". He did more than just that; his actions cost his team the game!

[Kirobaito]

Last year, Pittsburgh's defense was excellent and their offense was tough and consistent. Dallas has none of those things.
Well, considering they've played three games and in two of them their offense has bordered on dominating, I don't think you can say much of anything yet.

EDIT: 2nd in ppg, 7th in opponents' ppg, 6th in ypg, 5th in opponents' ypg. I don't see how you can draw any conclusions but good ones based on three games.

Haynesworth should be suspended for the rest of the season, and should be prosecuted for assault.

Yep! Those stats are those of a pretty well-balanced team on both ends of the field.

As for Haynesworth...it appears there's a minor update on his situation (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2006/writers/don_banks/10/02/penalty/). While they have yet to disclose his suspension and/or fine, one thing is certain; he WILL get the book thrown at for stomping on Gurode's helmetless head. We're talking a pretty stiff punishment here. We're looking at a four game suspension at the very LEAST! I wouldn't be surprised if he gets banned for life from the NFL. And what he said in his apology about disgracing the team is an understatement; he didn't just "disgrace his team". He did more than just that; his actions cost his team the game!
I wouldn't say his actions cost the team the game - Tennessee got their asses kicked throughout, with the exception of the final two minutes of the first half.

[Bloodline666]

Last year, Pittsburgh's defense was excellent and their offense was tough and consistent. Dallas has none of those things.
Well, considering they've played three games and in two of them their offense has bordered on dominating, I don't think you can say much of anything yet.

EDIT: 2nd in ppg, 7th in opponents' ppg, 6th in ypg, 5th in opponents' ypg. I don't see how you can draw any conclusions but good ones based on three games.

Haynesworth should be suspended for the rest of the season, and should be prosecuted for assault.

Yep! Those stats are those of a pretty well-balanced team on both ends of the field.

As for Haynesworth...it appears there's a minor update on his situation (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2006/writers/don_banks/10/02/penalty/). While they have yet to disclose his suspension and/or fine, one thing is certain; he WILL get the book thrown at for stomping on Gurode's helmetless head. We're talking a pretty stiff punishment here. We're looking at a four game suspension at the very LEAST! I wouldn't be surprised if he gets banned for life from the NFL. And what he said in his apology about disgracing the team is an understatement; he didn't just "disgrace his team". He did more than just that; his actions cost his team the game!
I wouldn't say his actions cost the team the game - Tennessee got their asses kicked throughout, with the exception of the final two minutes of the first half.

But remember, Haynesworth is probably the Titans' best defensive player. Had he not gotten himself ejected, he could've at least put pressure on Bledsoe. Perhaps the Titans wouldn't have been blown out as badly as they were. Which is why I say Haynesworth not only cost his own team the game, but did so BIG TIME!

As for the offense, well, what it all boils down to is rookie mistakes made by Vince Young. Sure, he almost single-handedly brought the Longhorns to victory over the Trojans in the Rose Bowl (in a come-from-behind victory, too) despite various injuries to the Horns' defensive team...but this ain't the NCAA! This is the NFL, and Vince Young wasn't up against an ameteur team; he was up against one of the BEST defensive teams in the league. Though I did see some stuff reminiscent of his play from last season with the Longhorns, (such as one play where he came DANGEROUSLY close to being sacked, only to exploit a hole in the defense and blitz forward just past that yellow line for a 1st down), again, he made some rookie mistakes, and it was his first NFL start, so I think it was expected that he was going to screw up. However, I think his most phenomenal play of that game came when he rushed for the two-point conversion HIMSELF! Now I think that's only foreshadowing the type of quarterback he'll become in the years to come.

Edit: This just in: Suspension update! Haynesworth is suspended for 5 games, which is an NFL record suspension for an on-the-field incident. (http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/news/breaking_news/15662345.htm)

[m4tt]

Also, San Diego has horrible coaching when they take leads.

Martyball FTL! It's obvious Marty doesn't trust Rivers in those tight situations. Tomlinson may be the best back in the league, but you can't run him on every down. If that's his game plan he should be using Turner a lot more so he doesn't wear out LT.

[escobert]

yay for the Bears win, that was fucking awsome!

[eestlinc]

go Dolphins, way to lose to Houston. Put in Harrington!

oh, but the Dolphins will beat the Bears. They have the perfect record to protect.

[Bloodline666]

Is it just me, or are the Cincinnati Bengals slowly becoming the Jail Blazers of the NFL? (And if you've been following the NBA for the last few seasons, then you know who the Jail Blazers are) It appears that some of the players are getting into legal trouble lately (with regards to both lawsuits and arrests). Here's a short list of the players in legal trouble so far:


Chris Henry: marijuana charges, charged with pulling a gun on a group in Orlando, speeding and drunken driving, charged with providing alcohol to minors, over the course of several months in 4 different incidents over that time.
Odell Thurman: suspended for the first four games of the 2006-2007 regular season due to a drug-test related suspension which Odell stated was due to him skipping a test, not failing one. He chalked it up to being immature. In addition to Thurmans's drug-related suspension, he was also arrested for drunk driving early in the morning on September 26 after the Bengal's victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers. His suspension was extended to the remainder of the season as a result.
Frostee Rucker: charged with two counts of spousal abuse and vandalism
A.J. Nicholson: charged with burglary; previously arrested twice on suspicion of alcohol-related offenses
Matthias Askew: subdued by a taser after refusing to move his allegedly illegally parked car (Askew was cut from the team during the preason games. He is currently seeking legal action against the officers responsible for his being tasered in a lawsuit worth $50 million after the charges were proven unfounded).
Eric Steinbach: charged with boating under the influence.


This remind you of the NBA's Jail Blazers? Let's just hope it stops there before it gets out of hand, like what happened with the Portland Trail Blazers of the NBA, which got them the nickname of the "Jail Blazers".

[escobert]

go Dolphins, way to lose to Houston. Put in Harrington!

oh, but the Dolphins will beat the Bears. They have the perfect record to protect.

Actually, I am a bit worried about miami. They could pull it out of their asses. Go Bears, stomping on the Bills! :D

[Bloodline666]

And the Dallas Cowboys' blue jersey curse lives on...the Cowboys lost their second game today. And it just so happens that they were wearing their blue jerseys.

Normally, Dallas only wears their blue jerseys in road games against teams that traditionally wear their white jerseys at their home games, such as the Washington Redskins, the Miami Dolphins, the Houston Texans, the Carolina Panthers, and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. And the Cowboys, themselves, wear their white jerseys at their home games. Dallas almost NEVER wears their blue jerseys except either when they're on the road against the aforementioned teams, or when their opponent deliberately picks their white jerseys in an effort to jinx them.

Well, the latter was certainly the case today.

It's interesting to note that BOTH times the Cowboys lost this season, they were wearing their BLUE jerseys. The other game they lost was against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Almost every time the Cowboys wear their blue jerseys, they almost always LOSE! Is this a jinx? I believe so...their overall winning percentage in the blue jerseys is lower than in the white jerseys.

Some of you may or may not believe in sports curses, but believe it or not, they do exist. Just take a look at the Madden Cover Curse involving the video game. Ever since NFL players started appearing on the cover of the Madden NFL games, something just had to happen to either the player on the cover, or that player's team, that ends up screwing up their season, all starting with the first game featuring an NFL player on the cover, Barry Sanders. He ended up retiring the same season he showed up on the cover, and his team went downhill from there. That particular curse, unfortunately, has continued, with Shaun Alexander, who is on the cover of Madden 07, injured and missing about 4-6 games.

[Kirobaito]

And the Dallas Cowboys' blue jersey curse lives on...the Cowboys lost their second game today. And it just so happens that they were wearing their blue jerseys.

Normally, Dallas only wears their blue jerseys in road games against teams that traditionally wear their white jerseys at their home games, such as the Washington Redskins, the Miami Dolphins, the Houston Texans, the Carolina Panthers, and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. And the Cowboys, themselves, wear their white jerseys at their home games. Dallas almost NEVER wears their blue jerseys except either when they're on the road against the aforementioned teams, or when their opponent deliberately picks their white jerseys in an effort to jinx them.

Well, the latter was certainly the case today.

It's interesting to note that BOTH times the Cowboys lost this season, they were wearing their BLUE jerseys. The other game they lost was against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Almost every time the Cowboys wear their blue jerseys, they almost always LOSE! Is this a jinx? I believe so...their overall winning percentage in the blue jerseys is lower than in the white jerseys.

Some of you may or may not believe in sports curses, but believe it or not, they do exist. Just take a look at the Madden Cover Curse involving the video game. Ever since NFL players started appearing on the cover of the Madden NFL games, something just had to happen to either the player on the cover, or that player's team, that ends up screwing up their season, all starting with the first game featuring an NFL player on the cover, Barry Sanders. He ended up retiring the same season he showed up on the cover, and his team went downhill from there. That particular curse, unfortunately, has continued, with Shaun Alexander, who is on the cover of Madden 07, injured and missing about 4-6 games.
I'd say Bledsoe being his usual dumbass self lost the game more than the jerseys did.

[Del Murder]

I thought Dallas was the Jail Blazers of the NFL. That's how all the old jokes go, anyway.

[Bloodline666]

I thought Dallas was the Jail Blazers of the NFL. That's how all the old jokes go, anyway.

Ten years ago, they probably were, given that there were some players on the team getting arrested, most notably Michael Irvin. Though part of the blame should fall on Barry Switzer, the head coach at the time of Michael Irvin's arrest, as Barry Switzer didn't give the Cowboys enough discipline, unlike his predecessor, Jimmy Johnson.

Now, it's the Cincinnati Bengals. Those people arrested this year alone (5 in the off-season included) should raise some alarms. The most recent incident happened just this past week, when Chris Henry was suspended by the league for 2 games for violating the league's personal conduct and substance abuse policy. I believe this week is the Bengals' bye week, so next Sunday and the following Sunday, he won't suit up. He was benched the last game for "guilt by association" in Odell Thurman's arrest, meaning he will have missed three consecutive games.

EDIT: It appears I have finally stumbled on a nickname to describe the Bengals' recently-rising arrest rate: The Cincinnati Gangles! (someone referred to them as such here. (http://www.sportingnews.com/yourturn/viewtopic.php?p=1010278))

[escobert]

The bears win tonight was CRAZY!! like just insane...

[Del Murder]

So far everything is going right for the Bears.

[Mr. Mojo Risin]

So far Devin Hester in the 2nd is the best pick of the draft.

[El Bandito]

Goddamn, I feel for Leinart. They placed the game on his shoulders against the freakin' Bears without their #1 WR and he almost came out with a victory. If they could fill a few holes, that team is talented and young enough for them to be a huge threat.

And Grossman needs to learn to calm down and stop playing the Jake Plummer game. Every pass doesn't need to be 15+ yards just because you're down.

[escobert]

Oh and this is the best picture EVER http://myspace-127.vo.llnwd.net/00372/72/18/372758127_l.jpg

[El Bandito]

Hmm, it looks like the Broncos are gonna quietly slip into the playoffs again. It's funny how little coverage they get since the whole team is so humble and quiet. They don't play pretty, but they win. Next week against the Colts will be a real test.

[Bloodline666]

It appears there is quarterback controversy brewing in Dallas...actually, said quarterback controversy has been brewing for quite some time, perhaps since Quincy Carter got cut from the team for testing positive for weed a few years back.

But this latest quarterback controversy's been going on since the Pre-Season! Whether you're a Cowboys fan (like Kirobaito and myself) or not, I present the following question; is Dallas better off with Tony Romo as starting quarterback, or Drew Bledsoe?

Given Bledsoe's tendency to get sacked and throw interceptions at critical moments (his age could very well be a factor in that; players' skills do deteriorate with age in most cases, you know), I would have to go with the more mobile Romo. If Bill Parcells decides to elevate Romo to starting QB, I would presume Bledsoe would be very unhappy. But then again, Bledsoe should be expecting something like this, as this will not be the first time something like this has happened (the last time I remember him losing his starting job, he lost it to Tom Brady; that year, the Patriots won the Super Bowl).

Now, some of you may be all like, "What are these low-ass numbers Tony Romo has?" Well, those aren't his season stats; those are his CAREER stats, and they're low because he hasn't gotten much playing time in his career; this is his fourth year in the league, and now, he's got his opportunity to prove himself.

[Kirobaito]

The Cowboys are better off with Tony Romo. Bledsoe is a 34-year-old former first overall pick, and makes rookie mistakes. People question Romo's arm strength, but I kind of equate him with Drew Brees as far as arm strength goes, and Drew Brees is doing pretty good for himself.

[escobert]

Bledsoe should have retired when he left the Pats.

[Raistlin]

Dallas is definitely better off with Romo. Hell, even this season. Bledsoe is just getting worse.

Watching the game on Monday, having Romo out there allowed Dallas to get Witten more involved in the passing game, and Romo was able to use his feet. Yeah, he still got sacked because there is absolutely no protection, but the team looked better.

That being said, I expect Dallas to end up 3rd in the division this year.

[Bloodline666]

I have to agree with everyone else here about the quarterback controversy; Romo is the man for the job. Bledsoe needs to retire. And as for Bill Parcells and Jerry Jones? They need a new back-up quarterback. But first, they need to fix that offensive line.

EDIT: It's official; Tony Romo will be the Cowboys' starting quarterback on Sunday against the Carolina Panthers. (http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/stories/MYSA10252006._cowboysromo.en.72eb0c41.html)

[El Bandito]

So...how about that LaDainian Tomlinson? He's doing pretty good I guess. :P

Broncos - Chargers is gonna be sweet. I'm gonna have to try and grab some tickets for the November game at Invesco.

[Cipher]

Ooh, an NFL thread. I didn't even know there was one to be found here. =|

All this talk about the Cowboys, I feel I oughta sing a little song...

Hail to the Redskins
Hail Vic-to-ly
Braves on the Warpath
Fight for old DC!

Run or pass and score -- we want a lot more!
Beat 'em, Swamp 'em,
Touchdown! -- Let the points soar!
Fight on, fight on 'Til you have won
Sons of Wash-ing-ton. Rah!, Rah!, Rah!

Hail to the Redskins
Hail Vic-to-ly
Braves on the Warpath
Fight for old DC!

...ahem. With that in mind...Miami beats the otherwise Bears 31-13? How'd that happen? :confused: :confused:

[Del Murder]

The Colts are good.

[El Bandito]

I don't even make the slightest yelp anymore when Peyton throws a perfect pass to Reggie Wayne or Marvin Harrison and they make some ridiculous catch. If any other reciever would have made that one crazy TD catch that Harrison made, there would be a hugh "OHHHH!". With Harrison, I just blinked and went, "yep".

I just expect it to happen.

Though the defense still hasn't proven they can't get trampled on the run. Was very un-Belichick how their gameplan wasn't to just run it down the throats of the Colts and exploit their weakness. There's no doubt in my mind Maroney and Dillon would've gotten it done.

[edczxcvbnm]

Take that Chicago. The Spirits of the 72 Dolphins took over the current team to destory the Bears. RAR!

[Bloodline666]

If the recent Bengals/Chargers game has told us anything, it's that some teams just don't know how to play defense properly. Somewhere close to 900 total yards + 90 total points scored the whole game = weak defense on both teams, regardless of how exciting the game may have been.

As for my own favorite team, I hate to say it, but this Sunday, they're screwed. Cowboys vs. Colts...Regardless of how great Tony Romo's been playing since getting the starting QB position, there's no way he's gonna out-quarterback Peyton Manning. Of course, I'm not at all convinced that Peyton Manning's the mighty QB his stats make him out to be, because he's known to choke in the post-season. And it'll be an upset if the Cowboys snap the Colts' undefeated streak. And besides, no team since the 72 Dolphins has won a Super Bowl on an undefeated season, let alone go undefeated since the Regular Season was extended to 16 games. Therefore, you can count on the Colts' undefeated winning streak being snapped sometime this season, whether it's during the regular season, or in the post-season.

[Raistlin]

The Colts don't have a solid defense, a solid running game, and have not proven that they can win in the playoffs. I don't expect them to be able to beat a Denver or San Diego in the playoffs. That being said, they'll get home field advantage and first week bye again (which is probably bad for them), and they're the best team in this regular season. They might even go undefeated. Dallas can beat them if they can get to Manning. That's how San Diego and Pittsburgh beat them last year. However, Dallas's defense is not Pittsburgh's of last year, so it's unlikely to happen.

And yeah, the Bengals can't play defense. And San Diego's defense has gotten a lot worse.

[El Bandito]

The Colts already expressed they don't care about records. Believe me, once they get guaranteed homefield advantage, they'll rest their starters. Thus it's pretty much impossible for them to go undefeated unless Jim Sorgi suddenly got amazing enough to overcome their terrible run defense like Peyton is.

On your other point, the Chargers have a good defense, Carson Palmer was just a man on fire. Though, I don't think I can say the same about Cincinatti. When the Broncos lost to the Colts in a shootout, it didn't make me doubt the Broncos D any. Peyton is just a beast and they didn't pressure him enough. No matter how good you are, if a good QB has time, he'll find cracks. I think more credit ought to go to the O-Line of the Bengals for blocking an impressive front seven (even without Merriman) quite effectively.

[escobert]

I couldn't belive the Bears pulled that win out over NY Giants, I went to bed sure that they would lose and that grossaman needed his arms chopped off in a timely manner. Bears are going all ther way, Miami beat them and that's an omen :D

[Jigsaw]

I think the Buffalo Bills are underrated.

[Bloodline666]

Talk about an upset; the Dallas Cowboys have snapped the Colts' undefeated winning streak.

The Colts are no longer undefeated.

[Raistlin]

And they did it by getting to Manning, who chokes when he's pressured. Those two passes in the endzone were WAY overthrown.

[Del Murder]

Talk about an upset; the Dallas Cowboys have snapped the Colts' undefeated winning streak.

The Colts are no longer undefeated.
Actually, Dallas was favored in the game.

[escobert]

yes and it was awsomeness! :D GO DALLAS!
Oh and the Bears won woohoo! although Rex did very little, he had no turnovers! and Thomas Jones Rushed for over 100 yards again. Nice to see him back into it. He really is a good back.

[Bloodline666]

yes and it was awsomeness! :D GO DALLAS!

HOW 'BOUT THEM COWBOYS?!

And the Madden video-game cover and Campbell's Soup curses strike yet again, simultaneously involving the same player for the second straight season; Donovan McNabb, who was on a Campbell's Soup commercial some while back, as well as on the cover of last year's Madden NFL 06 and got injured last year as well (his injury from last year was eclipsed by the T.O. saga, especially his feud with him), suffered a torn right ACL in the Eagles' loss to the Titans, and is out for the season. The Eagles' Loss, coupled with the Cowboys' win, moves Dallas to second in the NFC East, trailing the Giants in the division by half a game (Giants play the Jaguars tomorrow night).

[Del Murder]

Never heared of the soup one.

[Kirobaito]

Talk about an upset; the Dallas Cowboys have snapped the Colts' undefeated winning streak.

The Colts are no longer undefeated.
Actually, Dallas was favored in the game.
I still don't quite understand that logic.

[Del Murder]

Well, obviously people knew what they were talking about (not me, I picked the Colts).

[zimdoomyday]

I've been really into the NFL this season. Maybe because my local team, the Seahawks, are actually doing well and got to the Super Bowl last year (and were ROBBED by penalties and bad ref calls). They've been screwed over by injuries though. So my teams I'm rooting for this year are the Broncos and the Cowboys. They've both been my favorites for a while, even though the Cowboys always seem to lose. But they're both winning this week, and if you ask me, the Broncos may go to the Super Bowl, if they can just beat the Colts. (They lost by a field goal when they played them last :mad2:)

[Raistlin]

Denver is good. If they win tonight, that'll put them behind the Colts for best team in the AFC. Since the Colts always choke eventually, I can see Denver going all the way.

[Kirobaito]

Before LaDainian Tomlinson is done, he will be known as the greatest back in the history of football.

[Del Murder]

Unless he gets injured, but yeah I agree. Simply amazing.

[Kirobaito]

Unless he gets injured, but yeah I agree. Simply amazing.
And I'll be able to lay claim to him because I go to college in his hometown (Baylor, Waco) and he went to college in my hometown (TCU, Fort Worth).

[Del Murder]

I don't even want to know what that means.

[Bloodline666]

To say that the Cowboys/Colts game is a Super Bowl preview is an overstatement (even though the two teams played each other in Super Bowl V, during Tom Landry's heyday). There's no telling how consistent the Cowboys will be throughout the rest of the season, but Tony Romo's performance ever since grabbing the starting job should give them a bit of confidence as they go through the last six games of the season, and possibly into the Playoffs. The Colts, on the other hand...same story as before; they'll choke come playoff time, and even if they do make the Super Bowl for the first time since Super Bowl V, they'll probably choke then.

To say the least, I look at this game as a statement game for the Cowboys; it shows everyone in the league that if the "inconsistent" Cowboys are capable of beating the undefeated Colts, they're certainly capable of beating anyone.

Now as for Mike Vanderjagt...there appears to be rumors that Parcells is growing impatient with him, as he missed two field goals today. My opinion is, I think he was so eager to beat his former team that it kinda clouded his focus.

[Del Murder]

To say the least, I look at this game as a statement game for the Cowboys; it shows everyone in the league that if the "inconsistent" Cowboys are capable of beating the undefeated Colts, they're certainly capable of beating anyone.

At home at least. I'm pretty sure the Colts would have stomped on them in the RCA Dome.

[Kirobaito]

Now as for Mike Vanderjagt...there appears to be rumors that Parcells is growing impatient with him, as he missed two field goals today. My opinion is, I think he was so eager to beat his former team that it kinda clouded his focus.
Really? I just think he sucks. He was great in Indy, turning 21-10 leads into 30-10 leads. That's not what he's here for, though.

[Raistlin]

Vanderjagt really does suck now. He was really good in Indy, but he seems to have lost all of his ability in the move. But Dallas has been good. I'll wait to see their game in two weeks at NYG before I start calling them "consistent," though.

LT is amazing. The best player in football right now, and if he stays healthy I can definitely see him as the best RB ever.

So there goes Denver tonight. They're not out of it by any means, but San Diego now looks like the team to beat in the AFC. Baltimore also has a nice little win streak going.

[El Bandito]

I know so far, the MVP talks have basically been a Peyton lock, but I honestly could see LT sneaking up and stealing it from him.

Don't get me wrong, both are having monster seasons, but I think sportscasters have to at least start mentioning LT in future talks.

On Denver, they're still 7-3 and still have one game to go against the Chargers. They really have to win this next game at Kansas City however. Also, I don't think Plummer will keep starting next year. As awesome as he was last year, the old super-inconsistent Plummer is starting to show again. Honestly, Denver's lucky their defense is so damn stingy. Unless he leads them to a superbowl, I think he's done. Me and the rest of Colorado are looking forward to the Cutler era.

[zimdoomyday]

I'm still completely shocked and pissed that Denver lost.

I give up on football until the playoffs now.

Now I gotta find something else to do on Sundays.

Time to go back to composing on my synths!

[escobert]

LT is freaking awsome. But what about Brees throwing up over 500 yards yesterday. yes they lost but still 500 friggen yards!

[Raistlin]

Drew Brees is nice. He may actually get the start over Palmer for me in fantasy next week. He's already passed 3000 yards passing. =o

[Del Murder]

Drew Brees is a mystery. Everyone thought he was terrible a few years ago but all of a sudden he's taking SD to the playoffs and completely turning around the Saints. Talk about a good learner.

[Alex151]

well I won't lie, I'm pretty pissed that McNabb is now out for the season. Eagles season goes down the drain again unless Garcia plays great

[Raistlin]

hahaha, Garcia.

And I would've definitely started Brees for this next week, but Palmer had his second hot week in a row. Now I have a tough decision to make. :(

[Alex151]

I have too many bad memories of Garcia at the browns so I don't expect much from him.

Who do Brees and Palmer play this week

[Raistlin]

Palmer at Cleveland (not as sucky as they used to be on defense) and Brees at Atlanta (very sucky pass defense lately). So Brees is tempting. But Palmer is Palmer.

And Eli Manning sucks. This game is ugly.

[Alex151]

Yeah I'd go with Palmer, though it is kinda tough, Leigh Bodden is nails at CB, overall browns are starting to pick it up and are in need of a win, so you never know. I'd probably still go with Palmer even though Brees and Colston against atlanta is a great matchup

[Del Murder]

Palmer at Cleveland (not as sucky as they used to be on defense) and Brees at Atlanta (very sucky pass defense lately). So Brees is tempting. But Palmer is Palmer.

And Eli Manning sucks. This game is ugly.
Even big brother doesn't usually do much against Jacksonville, but I can't believe Fresno was right again!

[Bloodline666]

Well, Dallas is now atop the NFC East, and in 2nd place in the entire NFC, but only by half a game, since every other 6-4 NFC team still has to play on Sunday (except Seattle, who plays on Monday) (plus, the playoff picture in the NFC is still blurry, save for Chicago, probably won't be clear until about Week 15, at the earliest). It's funny how only a few weeks ago, the G-men seemed to have that division clinched; but injuries eventually took their toll on them, and Eli's been disgracing his family name by choking lately. Not to mention that Philly's been struggling even before McNabb went down. Washington's sucked all season.

The Giants have to get back on track immediately, despite injuries to key players, otherwise they will collapse big time, and Tiki Barber's career will end in total and complete embarrassment.

As for the Seahawks, they have a good chance to regain momentum, now that Matt Hasselbeck and Shaun Alexander are back from their respective injuries. They'll probably start off a little rusty on Monday Night's game against the Packers (Brett Farve will probably be just as rusty, as I don't think he'll be at 100%, given his minor injury from last week), but I have no reason to doubt that Hasselbeck and Alexander will be back in form by next week.

The playoff picture in the AFC, on the other hand, looks a bit clearer.

And is it just me, or is the head coach wearing a suit at a game considered a good-luck charm? Last week, 2 coaches wore suits, and they both won. Are they trying to copy Tom Landry, Vince Lombardi, and every NBA head coach? And does anyone think the NFL head coaches should wear suits at the games (considering the league's rules allow head coaches to only wear suits at two games a season)?

[escobert]

I don't care if they wear a suit or not, my football coatches never wore suits. A suit doesn't make a good coach. and once the Bears KILL New England, my season is over :D. Actually, no :p Chiciago's going all the way. but beatting NE has always been up there with shutting out the Packers. Which we did this year :D and are looking to again.

[El Bandito]

So my pre-season prediction of Dallas winning the NFC East is starting to look good again. Though I never expected Tony Romo to be the one leading the charge.

And holy crap, the Broncos lost again. I mean, San Diego has that division pretty much locked, but this is starting to get scary wild card-wise. There's no doubt they'll switch to Cutler now (especially after seeing the holiday massacre that Romo put on Tampa Bay). I can only hope Cutler can do better than Leinart and Young (he's definitely on a better team). Everyone in Colorado would explode if the Broncos don't make the playoffs after going 7-2.

[Kirobaito]

And holy crap, the Broncos lost again. I mean, San Diego has that division pretty much locked, but this is starting to get scary wild card-wise. There's no doubt they'll switch to Cutler now (especially after seeing the holiday massacre that Romo put on Tampa Bay). I can only hope Cutler can do better than Leinart and Young (he's definitely on a better team). Everyone in Colorado would explode if the Broncos don't make the playoffs after going 7-2.
Well, to be fair to Cutler, Romo isn't exactly a rookie. The preparation that he's been going through for the past four years is truly mind-boggling. Plus, ya know, Tampa Bay sucks.

Now, yeah, Cutler should be starting now, but it's because he's the better choice at this current point in time.

[The Captain]

Whomever is Drew Bledsoe's next backup QB, assuming he plays somewhere else, will be thanking their luck stars Drew came to town.


Take care all.

[Kirobaito]

What an absolute collapse by the Giants. I love it. :D

And the Bears lost for good measure. Only two games back for the NFC crown! :)

Now the Eagles need to lose so they can be put to bed.

EDIT: Oh, the Panthers lost, too. Things are shaping up at least for a first-round bye.

[escobert]

fucking Patriots.

EDIT: YES DILLON FUMBLED! WOOHOO!!!!!!
FUCK Grossman throws and interception. GOD DAMN GROSSMAN!

[Tavrobel]

Now the Eagles need to lose so they can be put to bed.

No, we don't. We are already sleeping.


smurfing Patriots.

EDIT: YES DILLON FUMBLED! WOOHOO!!!!!!
smurf Grossman throws and interception. GOD DAMN GROSSMAN!

Nine turnovers, please.

[Raistlin]

That Bears-Patriots game was pathetic. Turnover after turnover after turnover. Grossman especially stunk up the place.

The Snake's gotta go for Denver. They need to do something before they completely squander this great start.

And is it just me, or is Dallas starting to appear as the best team in the NFC? O_o Well, we'll wait to see how the Seahawks do with Hasselbeck and Alexander returning to form.

[Del Murder]

The NFC is a joke. According to NFL.com standings, AFC is 40-20 against NFC this season.

[Kirobaito]

The NFC is a joke. According to NFL.com standings, AFC is 40-20 against NFC this season.
Only two teams (Cowboys and Panthers) have winning records against the AFC.

[Raistlin]

The proof for the NFC sucking is that San Francisco has a shot to <i>win their division</i>. And it's past week three!

[escobert]

And in 5 years or so the AFC will suck. :p

[Bloodline666]

Snowy wheather + a QB who JUST came back from injury and was a bit rusty as a result = not a good combination for the Seattle Seahawks...at least it wasn't for the 1st Half.

Now it looks like Matt Hasselbeck's gotten back into a rhythm, and the snow's pretty much melted. Now it looks like the Seahawks could engineer quite a comeback.

[El Bandito]

I don't think the Seahawks' defense is good enough to hang with the Bears or Cowboys. I'd say they could maybe win one game in the playoffs, but no more.

But who knows? Maybe they'll turn me around if they play on fire the next 5 weeks.

[Bloodline666]

Well, looks like four weeks of rest has certainly paid off for Matt Hasselbeck. At first, I thought he choked in the first half of last night's game due to being a bit rusty, since he missed four and a half games due to injury, and just returned. Now, I think the weather was a factor (since the weather improved in the 2nd half). And, the Seahawks aren't used to playing their home games in the snow, seeing as how this was their first home game in franchise history to be played in the snow.

And whoever was wearing the zebra-striped shirts in last night's game needs to be fired. I saw two bull<img src="/xxx.gif"><img src="/xxx.gif"><img src="/xxx.gif"><img src="/xxx.gif"> calls in that game. You can call them cancelled-out calls, since one bad call went favored one side, and the other one favored the other side, but that doesn't change the fact that both calls were bad.

First bad call, a roughing-the-passer penalty against Cullen Jenkins. Problem was, that was CLEARLY not roughing-the-passer. If you look closely at the replay, his hand hit Hasselbeck's back, and the only contact to Hasselbeck's head was when Jenkins' hand slid to the helmet. I believe that was on a 3rd down play, and the pass was incomplete. The Seahawks would've had to punt that one away had it not been for that penalty.

The second bull<img src="/xxx.gif"><img src="/xxx.gif"><img src="/xxx.gif"><img src="/xxx.gif"> call I saw was on that same drive, I think. It was 3rd and short (probably 3rd and 4 or something like that). The Seahawks had to cross the Packers' 25 yard line for the First Down. The Refs marked Shaun Alexander down between the Packers' 26 and 25 yard lines. However, it was crystal clear that Alexander's body crossed the 25 yard line right when he was brought down. Mike Holmgren made the right decision when he threw that red flag. Here's where the bull<img src="/xxx.gif"><img src="/xxx.gif"><img src="/xxx.gif"><img src="/xxx.gif"> about that play comes in; the replay clearly shows that Shaun Alexander was down at the Packers' 24. Yet, the refs, upon reviewing the play, decided that the ruling on the field stands, resulting in 4th and inches. Holmgren went for it on 4th and inches in the opponents territory, as any smart coach would've done. Fortunately for the Seahawks, the ensuing play negated the consequences of that bull<img src="/xxx.gif"><img src="/xxx.gif"><img src="/xxx.gif"><img src="/xxx.gif"> call.

Now the Playoff picture's getting a bit clearer in the NFC.

If the Playoffs were to start today, here's what the playoff standings would look like:

AFC
Indianapolis Colts (10-1)
Baltimore Ravens (9-2)
San Diego Chargers (9-2)
New England Patriots (8-3)
Kansas City Chiefs (7-4)
Denver Broncos (7-4)
The AFC West would hold not one, but BOTH Wild Card teams.
Kansas City owns the tiebreaker over Denver by virtue of Division Record (KC's 3-1 Division Record vs. Denver's 3-2).
Baltimore owns the tiebreaker over San Diego by virtue of a head-to-head win (Week 4).

On the outside looking in...

New York Jets (6-5)
Jacksonville Jaguars (6-5)
Buffalo Bills (5-6)
Miami Dolphins (5-6)

Meanwhile, in the NFC...
Chicago Bears (9-2)
New Orleans Saints (7-4)
Seattle Seahawks (7-4)
Dallas Cowboys (7-4)
Carolina Panthers (6-5)
New York Giants (6-5)
New Orleans holds the tiebreaker over both Dallas and Seattle by virtue of Conference Record (New Orleans' 6-1 Conference Record vs. Seattle's 6-3 and Dallas' 4-3).
By the same virtue, Seattle holds the tiebreaker over Dallas (Seattle's 6-3 Conference Record vs. Dallas' 4-3).
Carolina holds the tiebreaker over the New York Giants by virtue of Conference Record (Carolina's 5-2 vs. the New York Giants' 4-4).

On the outside looking in...
Minnesota Vikings (5-6)
Philadelphia Eagles (5-6)
San Francisco 49ers (5-6)
Atlanta Falcons (5-6)
St. Louis Rams (5-6)


Any team with a 4-7 record or worse, you can consider them out of playoff contention at this point. I'm not certain whether or not the 4-7 teams are mathematically eliminated from the playoffs, though.

[Del Murder]

I'm pretty sure it's too early for them to be mathematically eliminated, but yeah they don't got a shot.

[Bloodline666]

I'm pretty sure it's too early for them to be mathematically eliminated, but yeah they don't got a shot.

I guess those teams need to ask the incumbent Kansas City Chiefs head coach why they play football (after all, he told us why we play football when he was the New York Jets head coach).

[Bloodline666]

We already saw one quarterback controversy result in not only a QB switch for one team, but a rise in momentum for said team.

Of course, we also saw the Broncos bench Jake Plummer in favor of Jay Cutler, but it failed to produce the Tony Romo results on Sunday against the Seattle Seahawks.

Now, the Chicago Bears have a QB Controversy.

However, I question the Bears' coach's decision to keep Rex Grossman as his starting QB. A QB rating of 1.3 in a single game is unacceptable. The Bears are clearly gambling with their decision to keep Grossman as their starting Quarterback. They may have clinched the NFC North, and they may have an easy-enough schedule to clinch a first-round bye, or even home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. Their defense and special teams are good enough to pick up the offensive slack that Rex Grossman has created, but the Bears' decision to keep Rex Grossman at starting QB may come back to bite them in the ass come playoff time. They were VERY lucky to have won that game yesterday!

In the NFC right now, there is a 4-way tie for the two wild card spots between the New York Football Giants (aka, the "Gee-Men"), the Atlanta Falcons, the Carolina Panthers, and the Philadelphia Eagles, the result of an Eagles win over the Panthers on Monday Night Football. Personally, I think the Falcons and Panthers have a better chance than the Eagles and Giants.

And talk about a momentum change in the NFC East; the team known for over 2 and a half decades as "America's Team" has been on fire since their Monday Night Football loss to the Giants, while the Giants, on the other hand, have been struggling since then (of course, the injury bug greatly factors into this, too). Sunday's game between the two made it all but made Dallas' lead over the NFC East official (the Giants can still grab the NFC East, but it's unlikely); Dallas can clinch the NFC East as early as Week 15. All I have to say about that is this; HOW 'BOUT THEM COWBOYS?!

And while I'm on the subject of the Giants, I have one simple question; why the HELL did the Giants draft Mathias Kiwanuka to begin with?! He made two costly mistakes on two consecutive games. First, he tries to sack Vince Young on 4th and 10 (obviously with the Titans going for it on 4th and 10, taking a huge risk), then he just lets him go, and allows him to run, all because he's scared of that infamous "roughing the passer" penalty. HELLO?! This isn't flag football! This isn't touch football! This is the National friggin' Football League. That means you're not supposed to be playing like a wuss. Tom Coughlin yelling at Kiwanuka for that botched sack was obviously warranted. Lawrence Taylor would've sacked the hell out of Vince Young, maybe even sent him to the emergency room, if he was still playing! Guess what the result of that aborted sack is? 1st Down! Had Kiwanuka not been such a dumbass, the Giants would've not only gotten the ball by virtue of turnover on downs, they also would've protected the 7-point lead they had. One week later, Mathias Kiwanuka picks off Tony Romo...only to fumble the damn ball and give possession right back to the Cowboys immediately afterward. The sad part about that? Like the game before, the Giants were up by a touchdown when he screwed up, only it happened in the 1st quarter. Of course, Kiwanuka was just one of many Giants to have cost that team the game; another factor that sealed their fate was PENALTIES! That also includes FOUR PERSONAL FOULS. And if I'm not mistaken, you get fined for a personal foul penalty in the NFL. This ain't the NBA, where personal fouls are tame in comparison. Like, over 900 yards, as well as the game, down the drain for the Giants, all because of stupid penalties. If they continue to play like this, the Giants certainly won't win the NFC East, let alone make the playoffs.

And yes, I know the Giants have injury problems. I can understand how that can affect a team in the long-run if they start piling up, like they have in the Giants' case. That's one thing. But when the players who are healthy start playing sloppy, that's something else. And put those two together, and you've got yourself a horrible combination. Such is the case with the Giants. The injuries, obviously, are beyond the Giants' control. The Giants just have to suck it up and wait for guys like Michael Strahan to get healthy and back in the line-up. Some players, such as LaVar Arrington, are out for the season. But sloppy play from the likes of Eli Manning and Mathias Kiwanuka, along with *cough*costly penalties*cough*...that is NOT beyond the Giants' control. And I'm beginning to question how disciplined the Giants are, which, in turn, leads me to question Tom Coughlin's ability to coach the team.

And I thought the legal troubles for the Cincinnati Bengals were over. Apparently not. (http://abcnews.go.com/Sports/wireStory?id=2699135) Rookie wide receiver Reggie McNeal was arrested in Houston for resisting arrest after being denied entrance to a night club. In a nutshell, he was refused entrance because the club was closing, and he got unruly with the cops. He allegedly elbowed one of the cops in the chest. Thus, McNeal proved that the Bengals are STILL the Jail Blazers of the NFL. Something tells me that it's only a matter of time before Chad Johnson and Carson Palmer fall into that trap...

[escobert]

Hester get 2 returns for TDs giving him 6 this season (NFL record) :D Grossman throws for 200 yard and 2 TDs NO INT :D :D And they have liek 170 rushing yards. Hell yes offense was on tonight. Defense didn't play as well but, as usual lots of injurys. But I love it. Super bowl shuffle baby.

[Bloodline666]

Hester get 2 returns for TDs giving him 6 this season (NFL record) :D Grossman throws for 200 yard and 2 TDs NO INT :D :D And they have liek 170 rushing yards. Hell yes offense was on tonight. Defense didn't play as well but, as usual lots of injurys. But I love it. Super bowl shuffle baby.

Hester also tied a record this season, as well; longest play in NFL History (108 yards, originally set last season by Nathan Vasher). That play, like Vasher's 108 yarder, was a missed field goal return.

[escobert]

Yeah I know, Hester is tearing :skull::skull::skull::skull: up on special teams.

[El Bandito]

First, he tries to sack Vince Young on 4th and 10 (obviously with the Titans going for it on 4th and 10, taking a huge risk), then he just lets him go, and allows him to run, all because he's scared of that infamous "roughing the passer" penalty. HELLO?! This isn't flag football! This isn't touch football! This is the National friggin' Football League. That means you're not supposed to be playing like a wuss. Tom Coughlin yelling at Kiwanuka for that botched sack was obviously warranted.

No, Tom Coughlin had no right to yell at Mathias Kiwianuka at all. You already have the answer on why he was so afraid of roughing the passer. It was 4TH AND 10! If Vince indeed had thrown the ball and he took Vince down afterwards, that (under these bs protect the QB rules) would've definitely been roughing the passer. You know what that gives? An automatic 1st down! If that's what had happened, then Tom Coughlin has the right to yell at Mathias. If LT had done it, then he would've looked like a fool too. Letting him go was the correct decision and the lesser of two evils in his circumstance. It's the refs fault for calling so many stupid roughing the passer calls and getting D-lineman scared to hurt their team, especially on 3rd and 4th downs.

Speaking of Vince Young, coming back home and running that 39-yard TD run to win the game in overtime couldn't have been any sweeter. What the hell were the Texans thinking calling an all-out blitz? Between him and Reggie Bush having absolutely monster games, I'm sure the Texans GM isn't going to get many friendly Christmas cards.

Also, god Indianapolis needs to pull themselves together. Granted, Jacksonville is a hugely underrated team, but that was just plain out sad. Could you imagine the havoc having a back like Ladainian Tomlinson , Larry Johnson, or even Jamal Lewis/Rudi Johnson facing that run D would create? The Colts are in a freefall right now.

To end it, ever since I saw a young Ladainian Tomlinson at TCU, I knew he was going to be special. I'm looking forward to talking about him and Peyton Manning to my kids thirty years from now. He truly deserves to be my generation's LT.

[escobert]

San Fran upset Seattle!? wow nice one guys :p

[The Captain]

The Alex Smith project might finally be looking up. I know I actually started him for a few weeks this year. Then again, I also started Plummer for a while....


Take care all.

[Kirobaito]

No, Tom Coughlin had no right to yell at Mathias Kiwianuka at all. You already have the answer on why he was so afraid of roughing the passer. It was 4TH AND 10! If Vince indeed had thrown the ball and he took Vince down afterwards, that (under these bs protect the QB rules) would've definitely been roughing the passer. You know what that gives? An automatic 1st down! If that's what had happened, then Tom Coughlin has the right to yell at Mathias. If LT had done it, then he would've looked like a fool too. Letting him go was the correct decision and the lesser of two evils in his circumstance. It's the refs fault for calling so many stupid roughing the passer calls and getting D-lineman scared to hurt their team, especially on 3rd and 4th downs.
Personally, I think he thought Young had already thrown the ball, because as soon as he let go, what did he do, celebrate? No, he turned around to see where the play had gone. This whole "scared of roughing the passer" thing is just an excuse for him making a stupid mistake.
Do I think Coughlin should have yelled at him? No, because Kiwanuka knew exactly what he had done (potentially lost them the game). But this whole scared of getting called for roughing the passer charade, I think is just an excuse for Kiwanuka thinking VY had already let go of the ball.

[escobert]

Well, it you think they have let go of the ball then you aren't going to hit him...I mean that's just how I've always seen it and how I always played.

[escobert]

Redskins over Saints? Who saw that comming? I know I didn't. Or the Eagles over the Giants! that was nice.

[The Captain]

Boy, the Chargers sure look like the best team in football right now. I'm not high on any team in the NFC right now, but I guess the Bears are the team to beat because of home field advantage, however, how do you let Tampa Bay score 31 points against you?!

The Cowboys, eh, once they realize that TO isn't worth the trouble, then maybe I'll root for them more. I can guarantee Parcells is hoping he's gone after this year, especially after that disgusting interview with Irvin.

The Saints, they're interesting, but up and down still. Brees has been brilliant and I think they could be dangerous, but I'm still a little concerned about their D.

The Seahawks, I dunno. They too are way too up and down.

Everyone else is a grab bag, Eagles, Giants, Falcons, none of them seem like they have a full 4 game playoff run in them.


Elsewhere in the AFC, tonight's game will go a long way to sure things up: If the Bengals beat the Colts, I think they're in the playoffs and the Colts are in serious trouble because almost all of the playoff bound teams have good run attacks. If the Colts right the ship on the other hand, the Bengals will have a tough fight with the Jags, Jets and Broncos still in the mix. The Jets have the easiest schedule and could sneak in as a 6 seed, but they are by far the worst of the teams left. I think in the end it'll be the Bengals as the 5 seed and the Jets, though the Broncos, if they can beat the Bengals next week end with San Fran and could find their way in. In the end, I think the Chargers come out because LDT is too much to handle.

The other two teams not mentioned, the Ravens and Pats have questions too. Without McNair I can't believe fully in the Ravens and I always give the Pats a chance with Brady, but they seem mediocre overall and I don't see them getting all the way back, but a couple of wins in the postseason might not surprise me.

Take care all.

[Strider]

I will stick with Cincinnati until they are eliminated or I am right.

The dream is still alive! It's not outside the realm of possibility that Seattle could lose to San Diego and Tampa Bay in the next week, especially since the Bucs showed a little fiestiness (behind my boy Tim Rattay) and put a scare into Chicago. In the meantime, we have winnable games against Arizona and Denver. And to think, we'd get a home playoff game if we pulled it off!

We'll see if Marty won't coach the second round playoff game with both hands around his neck. His conservative play in the last two minutes of their last postseason trip in 2004 killed the Chargers, we'll see if he's learned from his mistakes.

The Ravens are beginning to look an awful lot like their championship team from 2000, but is Kyle Boller going to manage them to another title or shoot them in the foot with mediocre play? My money's on the latter.

[Del Murder]

Redskins over Saints? Who saw that comming?
Anyone who had predicted this game before the season started probably. :)

[Bloodline666]

Ironically, the Redskins helped their own hated rivals get closer to first-round bye by defeating the Saints.

And Week 15 saw some records get broken, as well. They include:


Morten Andersen becoming the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar of the NFL (meaning, he's now the NFL's all-time leading scorer)
LaDainian Tomlinson breaking THREE records (single-season scoring record, rushing TD record, & consecutive games with two or more touchdowns). He's obviously a strong MVP candidate.
Brett Farve breaking one of Dan Marino's numerous passing records (in this case, the career completed pass record)


And on a more sad note, I would like to take the opportunity to mourn the loss of Kansas City Chiefs owner Lamar Hunt. He is an important figure in the modern era of the NFL. Not only did he found the NFL's then-rival league AFL, but he was also instrumental in the merger of the AFL and the NFL. And unlike most league mergers, in which the smaller leagues lose franchises, the AFL was so successful that not a single franchise in that league folded; in fact, the AFL actually had expansion franchises between the time it was founded, until the merger. It is also noteworthy that Lamar Hunt was the man who coined the term "Super Bowl". After the merger, the NFL's conference alignment was arranged into what it is today, with all of the AFL's franchises, along with the NFL's then-Baltimore Colts, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Cleveland Browns becoming the AFC, and all the other pre-merger NFL teams becoming the NFC (divisional alignment would remain unchanged until the 2002 expansion of the Houston Texans). Without Lamar Hunt, a lot of what we see in the NFL today would not exist, especially the Super Bowl. May he rest in peace.

[Strider]

Plus, Terrell Owens breaks his own record for being a jackass.

What?

[Bloodline666]

Plus, Terrell Owens breaks his own record for being a jackass.

What?

He was slapped with a $35,000 fine earlier today. It's a strange coincidence that his spitting incident happened on the same day the fight broke out in a Nuggets-Knicks game. Looks like that day was a day of unsportsmanlike conduct. Similarly, I heard that a fight broke out at a college football game the day after the Pacers-Pistons Brawl at the Palace of Auburn Hills.

[Kirobaito]

I'd say TO was out of line, except I despise that overrated thug DeAngelo Hall and think he deserved it. Anyone that awful who still manages to never shut up should be spit upon.

[The Captain]

I think TO should be fined for what he said during his interview with Irvin, that he essentially pulls a Moss and doesn't try on every play. Fined by the team mind you, but Jerry Jones loves him too much to do that.


Take care all.

[Bloodline666]

The jersey DeAngelo Hall now wears should have been retired a long time ago by the Atlanta Falcons in honor of Deion Sanders. If I'm not mistaken, Prime Time pretty much owned the Georgia Dome, not only in his first five years in the league, when he was with the Falcons, but also in his first game there as a member of a visiting team.

[El Bandito]

Eh, I am not a fan of Deion Sanders. Essentially he created the term "cover corner" since he couldn't tackle worth anything. He was fun to watch, but I'm sure gave his coordinator fits with his sissy pushes. That's why I love Champ Bailey. He'll still knock the crap out of you.

Also, I hope the Broncos are able to squeeze in the playoffs. I know we're one and done at best, but the newspapers would not shut up the entire offseason if we miss them. It's actually looking pretty good too considering how much improvement Cutler is showing. With more experience for him and more conditioning both physically and mentally for our defense, we'll be a great young team (especially if we can nab a good #2 WR in the draft/free agency

And DeAngelo Hall is just really fast. He's spoiled in coverage because he has amazing catch-up speed. He's still got a way to go in actually playing the ball though.

[Bloodline666]

Eh, I am not a fan of Deion Sanders. Essentially he created the term "cover corner" since he couldn't tackle worth anything.

That's primarily because stealing passes (my fancy way of describing interceptions) were his specialty.

[Del Murder]

I'd say TO was out of line, except <b>he plays for the Cowboys</b>.
Fixed. :D

[Bloodline666]

As for his interview with former WR of America's Team, Michael Irvin, I think I have a good idea as to who the snitch in the Cowboys organization is. It should be obvious that T.O. has a history of not getting along with quarterbacks and coaches. I don't seem to see any friction between T.O. and Bill Parcells, and Parcells, according to his press conferences, seems to handle every T.O. situation very well. So I think that eliminates Parcells. Which leads to Tony Romo. T.O. seems to get along with T.R. a LOT better than he got along with Jeff Garcia and Donovan McNabb, so I think that narrows the snitch down to one person; Drew Bledsoe.

[Strider]

According to Deadspin (http://www.deadspin.com/sports/dallas-cowboys/woody-paige-fingers-terry-glenn-222395.php), Woody Paige of Around the Horn fame had his commentary bleeped out concerning who the snitch was, but that people seemed to conclude it was Terry Glenn.

[Kirobaito]

I'd say TO was out of line, except <b>he plays for the Cowboys</b>.
Fixed. :D
Potato, potaato.

[El Bandito]

Eh, I am not a fan of Deion Sanders. Essentially he created the term "cover corner" since he couldn't tackle worth anything.

That's primarily because stealing passes (my fancy way of describing interceptions) were his specialty.

Eh, he got paid waaay too much money to be a ballhawk (and not even an elite ballhawk at that). As I said, he was fun to watch, a fan favorite, and was a pretty good shut-down corner, but ultimately was way too selfish to get much respect from me. If you insist on being that big a burden on your teams salary cap I expect that you take the time to be more balanced defensively.

Oh, and he was a really mediocre to bad baseball player.

[Bloodline666]

Well, the Pro Bowl selections have been made; I'm excited that the new hero of America's Team, Tony Romo, was selected. However, I am pissed that someone who got caught juicing (Shawne Merriman) was voted in; ANYONE who tests positive for steroids should be BANNED FOR LIFE from the league, regardless! It's clearly cheating! And if that's not reason enough to not take steroids, let's look at former Raiders lineman Lyle Alzado. He did steroids. Look where he is now as a result of it?! He's DEAD!

[escobert]

I agree, that's BS he made it >:(

[Bloodline666]

I agree, that's BS he made it >:(

Everyone who voted in "Lights Out" should be ashamed of themselves; players, coaches, and FANS alike! I'm glad I voted in Ray Lewis instead.

[Strider]

Frank Gore and Larry Allen ftw.

Brian Jennings should totally have been the Pro Bowl long snapper again, though. I remember meeting that guy at 49ers training camp and asking him what Hawaii was like. Everyone was tellin' him they'd vote him back. xD

[escobert]

Lance Briggs ftw! I'm glad Lance got selected :D He is one of the best linebackers and not well known.

[El Bandito]

Er, you couldn't have voted in Ray Lewis instead. Ray Lewis is a middle linebacker and Merriman is a left outside linebacker.

And yes, finally Adrian Wilson made the Pro Bowl. Every year he didn't get voted in was a travesty.

And DeAngelo Hall over Al Harris is a joke. Harris has been left on an island almost all year and has been getting the job done quite consistently. I mean, the guy shut down Torry friggin' Holt.

[Kirobaito]

Er, you couldn't have voted in Ray Lewis instead. Ray Lewis is a middle linebacker and Merriman is a left outside linebacker.

And yes, finally Adrian Wilson made the Pro Bowl. Every year he didn't get voted in was a travesty.

And DeAngelo Hall over Al Harris is a joke. Harris has been left on an island almost all year and has been getting the job done quite consistently. I mean, the guy shut down Torry friggin' Holt.
If you want to get into cornerbacks, Terence Newman should have made it. Last Saturday, he gave up his first touchdown in a year and a half. He doesn't have the countable stats (picks) because the ball is NEVER thrown his way. But he's, imo, the best cornerback in the NFC. DeAngelo Hall got his interceptions because he's continually beaten and the QB just underthrows it. Hall is an awful cornerback.

[escobert]

Tillman ftw although he didn't make it.he shut Burres down pretty well and he ran his mouth all that week about Tillman.