Last week: 12-2
Season total: 106-54
A few leftovers from American Turkey Day before I get to my picks:
In writing about the Detroit Lions in my season preview, I wrote, “...even though they have a lot of talent in their defensive front, their best player, Ndamukong Suh, is one or two more body-slams away from getting suspended.” Well, although it wasn’t a body-slam, it has come to pass, and the league has only itself to blame. I’ve seen several Lions’ games this year, and at least once or twice a game, I find myself wondering, after a dirty or late hit by Suh (sometimes even after the whistle), “Why didn’t he get flagged for that?” He’s been doing this thuggish crap all season, and he hasn’t been called on it nearly enough. Under normal circumstances, you’d expect the team to rein a player like this in, but not the Lions. I thought that the statement that the team released after Suh’s stomp was pitiful, stating that, “The on-field conduct exhibited by Ndamukong Suh that led to his ejection from yesterday's game was unacceptable and failed to meet the high level of sportsmanship we expect from our players.” Note the last word: players. Not coaches. This is the team, after all, whose head coach chased after an opposing team’s coach after he got upset because the other coach didn’t shake his hand properly or some such childish bullshit. The league chose not to fine or suspend Lions’ coach Jim Schwartz for that ridiculous display. This set a dangerous precedent. Now, don’t get me wrong; Suh is 100% responsible for his own actions. However, the league should have taken care of this mess a lot earlier. Detroit is the dirtiest team in the league. Their buffoonery is a disgrace. What Suh did, on one of the highest-profile days of the NFL season, shamed the league, as it became the biggest story of the day. The NFL prides itself on its public image. This incident should never have happened. Things never should have been allowed to get that bad in Detroit. Now the league has to send a message. It had better be a powerful one.
As for the other games played this past Thursday:
Dallas seems poised to take over the NFC East. Cowboys’ fans shouldn’t be too worried about the difficulty their team had in dispatching the Dolphins. Miami has been playing very well of late, and they are pushovers no longer. The Cowboys’ offence managed a couple of touchdowns against a defence that hadn’t allowed one in almost three full games prior to this one. With the struggles that the Giants are having, as well as their tough schedule, Dallas looks like they’re in the driver’s seat in their division.
The Ravens once again look like the team to beat in the AFC. If their defence, particularly their pass rush continues to play like it did against the 49ers, they can beat anyone.
Now, the rest of the week’s picks:
Bills at Jets
Didn’t we just see this game? Oh yes, I remember. They played a couple of weeks ago, when the game was billed as a potential deciding matchup for the AFC East title. Now, the Jets are fighting for a playoff spot, while the slumping Bills are hoping to avoid last place and wondering what went wrong. I don’t see the result being much different than the last time these two played each other. Winner: Jets
Panthers at Colts
It’s no secret that the Colts organization has given up. QB Curtis Painter is terrible, and might not even be on an NFL roster next season, and yet Indianapolis didn’t even make a waiver claim for Kyle Orton. Carolina may not be having the best season, but they can score points in bunches, and will do so this weekend. Practically every team does against the Colts. Winner: Panthers
Vikings at Falcons
Minnesota is another team having a terrible season, and they’re dealing with injuries as well. Atlanta is in the thick of a playoff race, and can’t afford a letdown. Winner: Falcons
Buccaneers at Titans
Tennessee has to make a stand this week. Time is running out for them to make a run at the division title. I’ll be surprised if they don’t give a good effort in this one. Their defence is not the issue; it is the offence that has been inconsistent. They should be able to handle the Bucs’ offence, but the Titans’ offence has to move the ball effectively, or their season could be over. Winner: Titans
Browns at Bengals
Despite losses to Pittsburgh and Baltimore, Cincinnati still has a very good shot at a wild-card spot. They should be able to handle a Cleveland team that, although they have played well on defence, have struggled mightily on offence, and will have loads of trouble against the Bengals’ stingy defence. Winner: Bengals
Cardinals at Rams
There seems to be at least one of these games every week, between two teams that are going nowhere. Since I have to pick one, I will. Winner: Cardinals
Texans at Jaguars
It will be interesting to see how well Houston performs on offence now that Matt Leinart is the starting QB. The Texans have been winning with a strong running game and a vastly improved defence. If Leinart can avoid costly mistakes, they should be ok for the time being. Jacksonville isn’t good enough to mount a serious challenge. Winner: Texans
Bears at Raiders
Having watched Chicago play several times this season, I understand how important Jay Cutler was to what they were doing on offence. I’ve heard a lot of talk this week about how he’s not the Bears’ best player on offence, and how they shouldn’t experience much of a drop-off with Caleb Hanie under center. Don’t believe it. I’ve watched Cutler, week after week, make throws that few other QBs, if any, could make. You just don’t move on from that. Oakland has gotten back to consistency on offence now that Carson Palmer has settled in. I expect a close game here. Winner: Raiders
‘skins at Seahawks
Seattle has shown improvement on offence, particularly with their running attack, and their defence has gotten better as the season has progressed. Washington is sinking fast. No matter which terrible QB starts for them this week, they will have trouble with the 12th man at CenturyLink Field. Winner: Seahawks
Patriots at Eagles
Philadelphia is desperate for a win. New England seems to be playing more consistently on defence in recent weeks. The Eagles will have a plan in place to try and slow the Pats’ passing attack. The key will be in-game adjustments. Andy Reid is one of the worst game coaches in the league. That should be just the edge New England needs. Winner: Patriots
Broncos at Chargers
Tim Tebow and Denver’s throwback offence takes on another underachieving team this week. Good coaching would be a huge asset for the Chargers in a situation like this, but hey, we’re talking about Norv Turner here, the guy who added to a long list of career coaching gaffes last week by burning two timeouts on the same play in a game in which San Diego was behind in the fourth quarter. Phillip Rivers continues to struggle with inaccuracy and poor decision-making, and won’t have an easy time of it against the Broncos’ aggressive pass rush. Winner: Broncos
Steelers at Chiefs
After a brief surge, Kansas City has settled back into mediocrity. They should be no match for playoff-bound Pittsburgh. Winner: Steelers
Monday Night
Giants at Saints
The Giants are one of the more confusing teams in the league. Just when you think they’re one of the elite teams, they falter. Just when you think that Eli Manning is a top QB, he looks horrible. Then, when you start to count them out, they come roaring back. You pretty much know what you’re getting with the Saints. I don’t think that New York can match New Orleans touchdown for touchdown. Winner: Saints
Season total: 106-54
A few leftovers from American Turkey Day before I get to my picks:
In writing about the Detroit Lions in my season preview, I wrote, “...even though they have a lot of talent in their defensive front, their best player, Ndamukong Suh, is one or two more body-slams away from getting suspended.” Well, although it wasn’t a body-slam, it has come to pass, and the league has only itself to blame. I’ve seen several Lions’ games this year, and at least once or twice a game, I find myself wondering, after a dirty or late hit by Suh (sometimes even after the whistle), “Why didn’t he get flagged for that?” He’s been doing this thuggish crap all season, and he hasn’t been called on it nearly enough. Under normal circumstances, you’d expect the team to rein a player like this in, but not the Lions. I thought that the statement that the team released after Suh’s stomp was pitiful, stating that, “The on-field conduct exhibited by Ndamukong Suh that led to his ejection from yesterday's game was unacceptable and failed to meet the high level of sportsmanship we expect from our players.” Note the last word: players. Not coaches. This is the team, after all, whose head coach chased after an opposing team’s coach after he got upset because the other coach didn’t shake his hand properly or some such childish bullshit. The league chose not to fine or suspend Lions’ coach Jim Schwartz for that ridiculous display. This set a dangerous precedent. Now, don’t get me wrong; Suh is 100% responsible for his own actions. However, the league should have taken care of this mess a lot earlier. Detroit is the dirtiest team in the league. Their buffoonery is a disgrace. What Suh did, on one of the highest-profile days of the NFL season, shamed the league, as it became the biggest story of the day. The NFL prides itself on its public image. This incident should never have happened. Things never should have been allowed to get that bad in Detroit. Now the league has to send a message. It had better be a powerful one.
As for the other games played this past Thursday:
Dallas seems poised to take over the NFC East. Cowboys’ fans shouldn’t be too worried about the difficulty their team had in dispatching the Dolphins. Miami has been playing very well of late, and they are pushovers no longer. The Cowboys’ offence managed a couple of touchdowns against a defence that hadn’t allowed one in almost three full games prior to this one. With the struggles that the Giants are having, as well as their tough schedule, Dallas looks like they’re in the driver’s seat in their division.
The Ravens once again look like the team to beat in the AFC. If their defence, particularly their pass rush continues to play like it did against the 49ers, they can beat anyone.
Now, the rest of the week’s picks:
Bills at Jets
Didn’t we just see this game? Oh yes, I remember. They played a couple of weeks ago, when the game was billed as a potential deciding matchup for the AFC East title. Now, the Jets are fighting for a playoff spot, while the slumping Bills are hoping to avoid last place and wondering what went wrong. I don’t see the result being much different than the last time these two played each other. Winner: Jets
Panthers at Colts
It’s no secret that the Colts organization has given up. QB Curtis Painter is terrible, and might not even be on an NFL roster next season, and yet Indianapolis didn’t even make a waiver claim for Kyle Orton. Carolina may not be having the best season, but they can score points in bunches, and will do so this weekend. Practically every team does against the Colts. Winner: Panthers
Vikings at Falcons
Minnesota is another team having a terrible season, and they’re dealing with injuries as well. Atlanta is in the thick of a playoff race, and can’t afford a letdown. Winner: Falcons
Buccaneers at Titans
Tennessee has to make a stand this week. Time is running out for them to make a run at the division title. I’ll be surprised if they don’t give a good effort in this one. Their defence is not the issue; it is the offence that has been inconsistent. They should be able to handle the Bucs’ offence, but the Titans’ offence has to move the ball effectively, or their season could be over. Winner: Titans
Browns at Bengals
Despite losses to Pittsburgh and Baltimore, Cincinnati still has a very good shot at a wild-card spot. They should be able to handle a Cleveland team that, although they have played well on defence, have struggled mightily on offence, and will have loads of trouble against the Bengals’ stingy defence. Winner: Bengals
Cardinals at Rams
There seems to be at least one of these games every week, between two teams that are going nowhere. Since I have to pick one, I will. Winner: Cardinals
Texans at Jaguars
It will be interesting to see how well Houston performs on offence now that Matt Leinart is the starting QB. The Texans have been winning with a strong running game and a vastly improved defence. If Leinart can avoid costly mistakes, they should be ok for the time being. Jacksonville isn’t good enough to mount a serious challenge. Winner: Texans
Bears at Raiders
Having watched Chicago play several times this season, I understand how important Jay Cutler was to what they were doing on offence. I’ve heard a lot of talk this week about how he’s not the Bears’ best player on offence, and how they shouldn’t experience much of a drop-off with Caleb Hanie under center. Don’t believe it. I’ve watched Cutler, week after week, make throws that few other QBs, if any, could make. You just don’t move on from that. Oakland has gotten back to consistency on offence now that Carson Palmer has settled in. I expect a close game here. Winner: Raiders
‘skins at Seahawks
Seattle has shown improvement on offence, particularly with their running attack, and their defence has gotten better as the season has progressed. Washington is sinking fast. No matter which terrible QB starts for them this week, they will have trouble with the 12th man at CenturyLink Field. Winner: Seahawks
Patriots at Eagles
Philadelphia is desperate for a win. New England seems to be playing more consistently on defence in recent weeks. The Eagles will have a plan in place to try and slow the Pats’ passing attack. The key will be in-game adjustments. Andy Reid is one of the worst game coaches in the league. That should be just the edge New England needs. Winner: Patriots
Broncos at Chargers
Tim Tebow and Denver’s throwback offence takes on another underachieving team this week. Good coaching would be a huge asset for the Chargers in a situation like this, but hey, we’re talking about Norv Turner here, the guy who added to a long list of career coaching gaffes last week by burning two timeouts on the same play in a game in which San Diego was behind in the fourth quarter. Phillip Rivers continues to struggle with inaccuracy and poor decision-making, and won’t have an easy time of it against the Broncos’ aggressive pass rush. Winner: Broncos
Steelers at Chiefs
After a brief surge, Kansas City has settled back into mediocrity. They should be no match for playoff-bound Pittsburgh. Winner: Steelers
Monday Night
Giants at Saints
The Giants are one of the more confusing teams in the league. Just when you think they’re one of the elite teams, they falter. Just when you think that Eli Manning is a top QB, he looks horrible. Then, when you start to count them out, they come roaring back. You pretty much know what you’re getting with the Saints. I don’t think that New York can match New Orleans touchdown for touchdown. Winner: Saints
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