Right now there are two dominant teams in the NFL, the Giants and the Titans. They are 19-1 combined this season. And they seem destined to play each other in the Super Bowl. Other than one hiccup agains the Browns, there doesn't seem to be a team capable of beating the Giants. And though the Titans seem beatable, they certainly are not. They have shown the ability to win a bunch of different ways. Both these teams are set to lock up homefield throughout the playoffs. Now the last thing to worry about is how they will play down the stretch. The Titans could very well be 14-0 heading into two meaningless games against the Steelers and Colts. The Giants credit playing tough against the Patriots last year for their amazing playoff run. Will they attempt to duplicate that effort even with nothing at stake this year?
Point Spreads are Only for the Gamblers Right?
One of the craziest plays you will ever see has cost gamblers millions. The Pittsburgh Steelers should have covered the spread by beating the Chargers 18-10. The final touchdown came with no time left as Troy Polamalu recovered an errant backward lateral. After calling the play correctly, reviewing it, and upholding it, the officials somehow disallowed the touchdown. They ruled a forward pass (an illegal one) hit the ground, ending the play. First of all, none of the laterals were forward, and the one that fell to the ground certainly wasn't. I'm not sure quite sure how, but the mistake cost gamblers millions. According to SCZA, there was a betting imbalance with the action going 2-to-1 for the Steelers. I thought spreads were designed to keep the action even, but oh well. So it seems the incorrect call, earned casinos an extra $32 million, instead of costing them $32 million. The NFL admitted the call was made in error, but they won't fix their mistake. One can't help but wonder if their refusal to do what is right comes at the behest of casinos which have already paid out winning Chargers tickets.
What Are They Teaching Those Guys at Syracuse?
Donovan McNabb, in his postgame press conference after an embarrassing tie with the Cincinnati Bengals confessed he didn't even know ties were allowed in the NFL. I know there hadn't been one since 2002 (he was in the league back then) but still, it's inexcuseable for him not to know that. And shouldn't that be one of the things you don't confess to once you do find out, just nod and say nothing. Like I did the time I found out fingernails grow from the bottom, not the top. Oh yeah, I knew that, sure I did. And one more point. Against McNabb's Eagles Eli Manning apparently encouraged Tom Coughlin to challenge a call because he knew the rule regarding a forward pass was that if any part of the passer's body is behind hte line of scrimmage, then the pass is legal. Manning knew that, but McNabb didn't know there were ties.
Game of the Week
Cleveland Browns 29 Buffalo Bills 27
Even though this game was poorly played (mostly by Trent Edwards) a number of things made it the most exciting game of the weekend. For three quarters it was just your average sloppy game but business picked up in the 4th quarter. In the first 30 seconds Cleveland scored on a Jerome Harrison 72-yard touchdown run and Leodis McKelvin returned the kickoff 98 yards to get the Bills back in striking distance. And it ended with a furious finish as Phil Dawson nailed a 56-yarder for the lead, and Rian Lindell missed a game-winner, wide right.
Game of Next Week
New York Jets at Tennessee Titans
This would be a huge statement game for the Jets. They already emerged with a big win over the Patriots, knocking off the undefeated Titans would be an incredible two in a row. But most interesting about this matchup is Tennessee's ball-hawking defense against the Jets' turnover prone quarterback.
A Brief Rant About the Redskins
The Redskins took an early season advantage and a favorable schedule and they blew it. For the second game in a row they had chances early and didn't take advantage of them. By the time this game turned around in the second half the Redskins should have been up by at least 14 points. Instead, they failed on so many chances, and gave the Cowboys the opportunity to get back in it. But really it all came down to the Redskins not making that one play to get them over the hump on offense. I don't blame the defense, they got worn down and pounded in the fourth quarter, but the offense curled up and died for the second week in a row.
Cheerleader of the Week
Lauren Rasys of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Cheerleaders
She is a 22 year-old rookie who does interior design when she's not dancing for Bucs fans.
If the Super Bowl Were Played Today
Tennessee Titans 24 New York Giants 21
This game is impossibe to pick but as long as the Titans are undefeated, they deserve the top spot. Neither team is going to be fell from this spot unless they should lose in the playoffs.
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