The NFL is Poop - Week 12

Make a Tackle
The San Diego Chargers are once again cementing their status as a perennial disappointment. After winning 3 of their first 4, they have lost 6 of 7 since. The latest one an epic collapse against the Ravens punctuated by a humiliating 4th and 29 conversion. After a holding penalty, and a 9-yard loss on a sack, the Ravens faced 4th and 29 at their own 37. Flacco threw a short pass to Ray Rice who weaved through the entire Chargers defense and came down with just enough yardage for the first down (the initial ruling was overturned on review). It was the longest 4th down conversion (non-penalty) since Rob Johnson hit Peerless Price for a 40-yard touchdown on 4th-and-34 in 2001. Baltimore got a last-second field goal on that drive to tie, and eventually won in overtime.

I Can't Make Up My Mind About This
The Atlanta Falcons won again, beating the ExpensiveCornPrices 24-23 to improve their record to 10-1. A controversial decision by Greg Schiano may have helped them. Many people are killing him for it, but I am really undecided. Here's the situation: 4th and 7 from the Atlanta 38. 3:30 left, 3 timeouts. Schiano sent his kicker out for a 56-yard try which missed. Should he have punted instead and tried to play defense? Unless you get a perfect punt, chances are they're going to take over from their own 20. After a missed FG, they took over at the 46. So would you trade 26 yards of field position for a field goal attempt. I think you have to try. Because even if you miss, and you stop them on 3 downs and make them punt, you still get another goo offensive possession. As it turned out, the Falcons picked up two first downs and pretty much salted the game away.

It Happens to the Best of Them
I think the percentage of teams that win when they allow a defensive touchdown is about 15-20%. Allowing two defensive touchdowns is probably a death sentence. And so it was for the Saints against the 49ers. The first one was a real game-changer. The Saints had just picked off Kaepernick, and had the ball around midfield, right before the end of the first half. A couple first downs and a field goal would have meant a 17-7 halftime lead. Instead it was 14-14. The second one pretty much ended it. The 49ers scored on their first possession of the second half and then Brees threw the INT on second down. 3 touchdowns in 4 minutes of game time.

And to the Worst of Them
The Cardinals started off 4-0 and haven't won since. Their latest horrible quarterback, John Lindley, threw 4 interceptions total, 2 of them returned for touchdowns by Janoris Jenkins. Jenkins started off his college career at Florida but was arrested twice in 2009 for bar fights, and cited by police twice in 2011 for marijuana. He was dismissed from the team and played one season at the University of North Alabama. He was taken with the 39th pick in the draft, despite clearly having first round talent. He seems to be well on his way to repaying the Rams for the faith they placed in him.

Worst Game of the Week
Cleveland Browns 20 Pittsburgh Steelers 14
Just an incredibly embarrassing and poorly played game. The Steelers were starting their 3rd string quarterback, Charlie Batch. But he is a 16-year veteran, they treated him like he was a rookie. They ran on almost every down, except obvious passing situations. By the middle of the second quarter they opened it up a little and he passed for 52 yards (and got another 25 on a pass interference call) on a touchdown drive that gave Pittsburgh a 14-13 lead at the half. Too bad they had to play the second half. The Steelers had the ball 8 times in the second half: punt, interception, punt, interception, punt, interception, fumble, fumble. 5 turnovers in the second half, 8 in all, 3 more fumbles that the Steelers either recovered or went out of bounds.

Worst Game of Next Week
Carolina Panthers at Kansas City Chiefs
I actually think the Panthers should be big favorites here, even though they're on the road. As much as Cam Newton has regressed, he's better than anyone Kansas City can throw out there.

Game of Next Week
New York Giants at Washington Redskins
The Giants can really announce themselves as reborn and on their way to another incredible Super Bowl Run with a win here. The Redskins can announce themselves as playoff contenders, which considering the injuries, the cap hit and the lack of talent in year 1 of the RGIII era would be an amazing accomplishment.

Picture of the Week
The sprinklers go off in the middle of the Dolphins-Seahawks game.

Cheerleaders of the Week
Megan Meadors & Crystal Anne LastNameWithheld of the Indianapolis Colts Cheerleaders Megan promised to shave her head in solidarity with cancer-stricken coach Chuck Pagano if fans raised $10,000 for the IU Simon Cancer Center. They raised $22,000 so Crystal Anne offered up her hair as well.

If the Super Bowl Were Played Today
Atlanta Falcons 24 Houston Texans 23
Neither of these teams was particularly impressive and they both got lucky (Houston especially) to win. But so far Baltimore and San Francisco haven't done enough to dethrone them.