The Denver Broncos lost at home 31-10 to the Raiders, and the next week they beat the Jets 34-17 on the road. The Jets kill the Titans on the road, then lose to the Broncos at home. The Raiders destroy the Broncos in Denver, then come home and lose to the Chiefs. It makes no sense. The Buffalo Bills score 54 points one week, then the next week at home against the 49ers they score 3. And Matt Cassel comes off two of the best weeks ever for a QB and goes 19 for 39 with 2 interceptions. And Donovan McNabb gets benched, his career obituary is written, then he throws 4 touchdowns and Eagles fans love him agian. Hard to figure.
Road-Field Advantage
I always say the home-field advantage is vastly overrated in the NFL, especially by those who set point spreads and those who wager on them. But to see 10 of 11 road teams win on Sunday afternoon surprised even me.
The Giants Are Awesome
Too bad they laid that stinker against the Browns on Monday Night earlier this season otherwise they could very well be headed for a perfect 19-0 sesaon. Over the last two years they have lost Tiki Barber, Jeremy Shockey, Michael Strahan, Osi Umenyiora and now Plaxico Burress and they are playing better than ever. They quickly excised the Plaxico distraction with a suspension and they seem to have receivers (Steve Smith, Domenik Hixon). I really don't see anyone beating this team the rest of the year and I fully expect them to win their second straight Super Bowl. And that's not an attempt at a reverse jinx.
A Brief Rant About the Redskins
This week the Redskins just got beat by a better team. But what happened to the strong ball control offense the Redskins used to run off a 6-2 record to start the season? They could hardly get a first down in this game. They only had the ball for 24 minutes in this game, but that's only because they had it for the last 6 minutes. Before the Giants stopped playing it was 36 to 18 in time of possession. Jim Zorn needs to open the playbook a little and let Campbell pass more on first down. The offense is too predictable.
The Redskins have to win all 4 of their remaining games to make the playoffs, which is unlikely. If they only win they'll need some help from the Falcons and Cowboys.
And Shaun Suisham should be cut.
Game of the Week
Carolina Panthers 35 Green Bay Packers 31
The Packers actually outplayed the Panthers in this one but they settled for three Mason Crosby field goals, whereas the Panthers got it in each time, scoring on 5 1-yard touchdown runs (four from DeAngelo Williams). The third Mason Crosby field goal gave the Packers a 31-28 lead with 1:57 to go. Some have said the Packers should have gone for it on 4th and goal from the one knowing they couldn't stop the Panthers. But I think they made the right move on 4th down (could have tried a pass on 3rd down though). Unfortunately for them the Panthers got a big kick return, a big pass play, and then the game-winning touchdown.
Game of Next Week
Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Carolina Panthers
Both of these teams sit at 9-3 and the winner can essentially lock up the 2 seed in the NFC playoffs. The Bucs are perennially overachieving, and the Panthers are prone to underachieving but the matchup of styles here should be an interesting one. And it comes on Monday Night so it should get good ratings even though neither of these teams necessarily has a high-profile among NFL fans.
Cheerleader of the Week
Lindsey Dudley of the Denver Broncos Cheerleaders
Lindsey is in her second year on the squad and when she's not cheering or working she likes to take baths, paint her nails and nap. I'm with her on two out of three of those. But I hate bathing. She describes herself as dedicated, genuine and sassy. A sassy black woman, I like it.
If the Super Bowl Were Played Today
New York Giants 31 Tennessee Titans 14
I knew the Jets weren't going to stay here long but they dashed hopes of an all-New York (subway?) Super Bowl. Right now there is no team out there that can beat the Giants and I don't expect that to change over the course of the next four weeks.
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