The New Orleans Saints saw their chance at an undefeated season go down the drain on Saturday night with a 24-17 loss to the Dallas Cowboys. This loss may be the best thing to happen for them as they won’t have the media all over them asking questions about resting players for the playoffs, their thoughts about going undefeated, and maybe most important of all, they now know what it feels like to lose. Now they can get on with getting to where they want to go and that is to the Super Bowl. They also caught a break when Minnesota lost also so they still have a two game lead for home field advantage throughout the playoffs. A win on Sunday over Tampa Bay at home and they can rest their players in Week 17 if they so choose. That would be three weeks off before they have to worry about playing a game that means something. Three weeks to get their secondary healthy. Three weeks to get over any bumps and bruises they may have. Three weeks to game plan for their next opponent.
The Denver Broncos, remember them, they got off to a 6-0 start are in a lot of trouble if they lose to the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday. They would be 8-7 and could be tied with up to six other teams depending upon the outcome of their games. That would lead to all sorts of tiebreakers to determine who would advance on to the playoffs, and if Pittsburgh were to defeat Baltimore on Sunday, that could leave up to seven teams with identical records fighting for the last two spots. You have to love the end of the season in the NFL.
The Titans are one of those 7-7 teams in the AFC and they may have the toughest road to travel as they have to play the San Diego Chargers on Christmas Night. True it’s a home game, but as hot as the Titans are the Chargers are hotter and still need to win a game to clinch the second spot and a first round bye. The Titans will need to win their last two games to have a shot at the playoffs and it’s a safe bet we will see a whole bunch of running back Chris Johnson who is on his way to a record breaking season. Quarterback Vince Young has revitalized the team. He’s a serious threat to the defense because they know he can win games with his legs, but lately he has been able to win them with his arm as the three touchdowns on Sunday can attest to.
Why do the Atlanta Falcons continue to trot running back Michael Turner onto the field when he is not ready? For the second time in a few weeks Turner barely played before reinjuring his ankle. The first time you can understand as the Falcons needed to win to stay in the playoff chase, but on Sunday the Falcons were already eliminated and had nothing left to play for but pride. Why risk further injury to your franchise back? As a fantasy owner hopefully you didn’t get burned by starting him. What’s that old saying, fool me once shame on you, fool me twice shame on me.
You have to wonder how much more the Cincinnati Bengals can take this season. They have played much better than anyone had predicted, dealt with the death of defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer’s wife, and now have to deal with the deal of wide receiver Chris Henry. Sooner or later that last straw is going to hit and the building will collapse.
Is Kansas City running back Jamaal Charles a keeper in fantasy leagues? You have to believe he is. He has been outstanding for the Chiefs and you have to wonder what kind of season he could’ve had if he was the starter all season and not once fellow running back Larry Johnson mouthed his way out of town.
What’s going on in Oakland? Quarterback JaMarcus Russell comes in late in the game on Sunday against hated rival Denver, and leads the Raiders to a last minute win. Even after doing this the Raiders announce that Charlie Frye will start on Sunday against Cleveland. Makes you think that Russell won’t be in Oakland next season.
Former Seattle and Green Bay coach Mike Holmgren has signed on to be the new head of football operations for the Cleveland Browns. Holmgren seemed to be holding out for the same job in Seattle, but when they didn’t offer him the position he accepted the job with the Browns. This is a good move for Cleveland as they needed a reason for their fans to get excited. Holmgren has a great name and reputation and will look to do for Cleveland what Bill Parcells has done for Miami. His first two orders of business will be to figure out if Eric Mangini should remain as head coach, and if Brady Quinn is indeed their franchise quarterback. While the jury may still be out on Quinn, it would be a shock if Mangini is kept on.
That was a pathetic performance the Seahawks put up at home against the Buccaneers on Sunday. It’s time to wonder if Matt Hasselback can still lead a team for an entire season at quarterback.
You had to know the Pittsburgh-Baltimore rematch was going to mean something. Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger missed the first game but will be ready and able for the encore. If Pittsburgh wins both teams will be 8-7 but Baltimore would earn the tiebreaker because they didn’t lose to Cleveland.
I know Dolphins and Jets fans are all upset about their teams being 7-7 and probably on the outside looking in when it comes playoff time, but I think fans should be happy about the direction each team is heading. Both teams are starting first year quarterbacks, Chad Henne for Miami, Mark Sanchez for the Jets. Both quarterbacks have had their ups and downs which can be expected from rookie quarterbacks (I know Henne is technically not a rookie, but this is his first year as a starter), not every rookie is going to have a dream first season like Matt Ryan or Joe Flacco, and both teams have seen their rookie quarterbacks have their problems with interceptions, but that being said, both teams have to be happy with the progression of each QB, and how they both look like true NFL signal callers and will be with their respective teams for the next decade.
You have to love the NFC East. Philadelphia clinched at least a wildcard berth with their win on Sunday. They can finish anywhere from second through sixth in the NFC. If Dallas wins their next two games they will win the East, that is the only guarantee. It’s looking like the winner of the Dallas-Philadelphia game in Week 17 will determine who wins the NFC East and has a home playoff game in the first round.
If I were the Colts I think I’d play my starter for at least a half this week against the Jets and play it by ear after that.
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