The NFL is Poop - Week 15

And He’s Doing It All Without Rec Specs and Jheri Curl
Adrian Peterson is having one of the most remarkable seasons in NFL history. His latest great game (212 yards, including runs of 82 and 52) leaves him with 1,812 yards for the season. The most amazing part of this is that Peterson tore his ACL last December 26th against the Redskins. He made a full recovery in only about 8 months. To be having a season like this is crazy, too being doing it so soon after such a serious injury is really something special.

Peterson needs to rush for 294 yards (147 each) in the next two games to beat the record of 2,105 set by Eric Dickerson in 1984. He actually has more yards than Dickerson did through 14 games, on fewer carries, for a much higher yards per carry average. Right now the Vikings are one of five NFC teams tied with 8-6 records. One of those teams will win the NFC East, leaving 4 to battle it out for one spot, assuming Seattle holds on to the first wild card. The next two games are very tough (if the teams are motivated) against Houston and Green Bay. Maybe Minnesota gets down early and has to pass. But if the games are close, or Minnesota has a lead I definitely think Peterson can break this record. But I know he won’t look as good doing it as Dickerson did.

The NFL Has Its Own Cabrera-Trout Debate
With everything I just said about Adrian Peterson I think it is still very unlikely that he wins the MVP Award, or even the Comeback Player of the Year. That is because Peyton Manning is having an equally remarkable season. Manning missed the entire year with neck problems that required 3 surgeries. All he has done since then is lead the Broncos on a 9-game winning streak. He’s thrown for more than 4,000 yards (with 2 games left) and has 31 TDs and a 103 QB rating. So how does that compare to what Peterson has done? I think Peyton probably deserves the nod as far as value, if only because quarterback is the most important position on the field. But it’s not like he transformed his team the way Luck or RG3 has. With a horrible quarterback last season the Broncos won the division and even won a playoff game. Now they’re 11-3 and quite possibly the best team in football. Peterson hasn’t improved the Vikings record much, but you can tell he is single-handedly winning games for them. Now if we are to agree that both players are having great seasons and both had serious injuries, how the hell do you decide who deserves to be the Comeback Player of the Year. I think I would go with Peterson here, because his season is more historic, and his injury may have been more serious and devastating and his return was so quick and so sudden, his comeback is slightly more impressive.

Half a Hundy
For the second straight weeks the Seattle Seahawks dominated and embarrassed an inferior opponent. A week after winning 58-0, Seattle took it easy on Buffalo win 50-17. The Seahawks are the first team since 1950 to score 50 points in consecutive weeks. 108 points in two games is tied for 3rd most all-time, with the Patriots who scored 59 (vs. Colts) and 49 (vs. Jets) in consecutive games earlier this year. Peter Carroll took it easy this time, taking Russell Wilson out for good with 9 minutes left (which only amounted to one more possession) and giving Marshawn Lynch only 10 carries.
This was the Bills annual game in Toronto. They did not put on a good show for the Canadian fans. But thanks to halftime entertainment from Psy, I'm sure no one left disappointed.

Picture of the Week
The New York Giants wrote the letters S.H.E.S. on their helmets in honor of the people killed at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut.

Idiot of the Week
Ok, fans wear paper bags over their heads to games all the time. It's not funny anymore, but I get it. What I don't understand is why this person needed someone to pour the beer into his mouth. Why couldn't he have done that himself?

A Brief Rant About the Redskins
It sure is nice to control one's own destiny. If the Redskins beat Philadelphia on the road and Dallas at home, at 10-6, the Redskins will be NFC East Champions. That's far from a sure thing considering RGIII may not be back, but if Kirk Cousins can repeat his performance against the Browns he will justify the Redskins selection of him, which like the trade for RGIII itself was roundly criticized.
When the game started Kyle Shanahan babied Cousins with a simple game plan, running on first down every time. Through four drives the Redskins had 3 runs for 7 yards on first down plays. And Cousins was 1 for 6 passing for 4 yards. Those drives ended punt, interception, punt, punt.
On the 5th drive, Cousins threw on first down and hit Leonard Hankerson for a 54-yard touchdown. After that Cousins got comfortable, Shanahan opened up the playbook and they carved up the Browns defense with the same play-action passes and crossing routes the Redskins have successfully used with RGIII.

Game of the Week
San Francisco 49ers 41 New England Patriots 34
Even in defeat the Patriots are amazing. They got down 31-3, thanks to 4 punts and 4 turnovers. Their next 4 drives were all touchdowns. But the 49ers held them off thanks to 4 touchdown passes by Colin Kaepernick, all 24 yards or longer.
A couple impressive streaks of December wins (13) and December home wins (20) were broken in this game, but one streak does persevere. Tom Brady has thrown touchdown passes in 46 straight games. He could pass Johnny Unitas in Week 17 and pass Drew Brees early next year.

Game of Next Week
San Francisco 49ers at Seattle Seahawks
The 49ers clinch the division with a win. The Seahawks are undefeated at home and absolutely on fire. NBC did a good job flexing Jets-Chargers out of this spot to get this game instead.

If the Super Bowl Were Played Today
Denver Broncos 31 Seattle Seahawks 27
The Texans and Falcons can no longer live off their early season successes. Even after their big wins over decent teams, I think nearly everyone would pick the Broncos and Seahawks to go on the road and beat those teams. The Seahawks dominated weak opponents, but have the chance to earn this spot next week.