 The Good, The Bad, & The Ugly (Week 11) This was a heck of a week for the NFL, as it featured some of the most entertaining games I’ve seen. Even though the Redskins couldn’t get the job done in Dallas, it was one of the better games of that rivalry ever. We also saw a Ravens/Browns game that came down to the “Immaculate Deflection.” When you play as bad as the Ravens have and lose a game to the Browns on a crazy, never before seen, field goal attempt, just mail the season in. I mean, it looks like the Packers and Ravens traded karma in the off-season. On another note, my pre-season prediction of Denver winning the AFC West isn’t looking so stupid now. They are 5-5 and don’t face a team with a winning record for the rest of the season. That’s why I get paid the big bucks, folks. I write ‘em, you read ‘em. Without further ado, this week’s rankings… Blondie (The Good) 1. New England Patriots: Does anyone outside of New England watch all 4 quarters of a Pats game anymore? 2. Dallas Cowboys: You know that really big, fast guy that wears # 81? Yeah, it might be a good idea to cover him. 3. Green Bay Packers: Now that it seems the Packers have a running game to compliment their underrated defense and deceivingly quick receivers, I sure wouldn’t want any part of this team come January. 4. Indianapolis Colts: It really would be a shame if these Colts injuries were the only reason we don’t see a rematch of Colts/Pats in the AFC Championship. 5. Jacksonville Jaguars: Because Jags/Pats doesn’t have the same ring to it. 6. Pittsburgh Steelers: What happened to that run defense? I wouldn’t say I’m worried about Pittsburgh but an elite AFC team in the hunt to knock off the Pats doesn’t lose to the Jets. 7. NY Giants: We’ll see how the Giants overcome the loss of Kiwanuka for the season. That is a huge hole at LB to fill. 8. Cleveland Browns: Welcome to the top 10, Cleveland. I have a feeling you’ll be around for the rest of the season based on the rest of your schedule. 9. Seattle Seahawks: Now that Maurice Morris is running the ball, their receivers are healthy, and Hasselbeck is his old accurate self, Seattle is in good shape to run the NFC West table. 10. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Just when it looked like Atlanta might sneak up on Tampa in the NFC South race, the Bucs put a dagger in their back. They twisted that dagger too… man that was an ugly beating. Angel Eyes (The Bad) 11. San Diego Chargers: Even if the Chargers make the playoffs, they won’t play one home game in January. Not good news for a team with a 1-4 road record. 12. Tennessee Titans: Vince Young had a big day but not enough to match Denver’s big plays that all resulted in scores. 13. Philadelphia Eagles: It’s looking good for McNabb’s ankle as he’ll likely start on Sunday. It’s not looking good for the Eagles though. They are 23 ½ point underdogs. 14. Denver Broncos: Add Andre Hall to the list of no-name running backs that Mike Shanahan has turned into highlight reels. 15. Arizona Cardinals: You have to be impressed with the way Ken Whisenhunt has transformed the “same ‘ol Cardinals” to a real NFC playoff contender. 16. Washington Redskins: Watching Jason Campbell develop has been frustrating as a Redskins fan, but considering he’s playing behind a makeshift offensive line, he’s done a great job the last two games. 17. Detroit Lions: I read a stat that the Lions have 7 rush yards in the last two weeks. They have also lost two weeks in a row. I’m no genius, but anyone else see where I’m going here? 18. Buffalo Bills: Don’t feel bad Buffalo. You’re just another brick in New England’s wall en route to perfection. 19. Kansas City Chiefs: Indy is a tough place to play. I don’t care if the Colts had their 2nd and 3rd string guys in there. Peyton Manning was still running their offense and the Chiefs hung tight. Had they had a more aggressive game plan, they probably could have won. 20. New Orleans Saints: The Saints are going in the wrong direction, but they are still only 2 games out of first place in the NFC South. 21. Chicago Bears: Again I’m not a mathematician, but looking at the way the NFC is going, the Bears are going to have to win out the rest of the way to have a shot at the playoffs. 22. Houston Texans: At 5-5, Houston has their best record at the 10 game mark in franchise history. You have to start somewhere, so congrats. 23. Minnesota Vikings: Not to take away from the rookie year AP has put together, but Chester Taylor, who is an average running back, having such a big day proves the Vikings awesome running attack is a result of their superior O-line. 24. Baltimore Ravens: That was a huge game the Ravens gave the Browns. On that fateful kick Phil Dawson sneaked through the uprights, there was a changing of the guard on the best teams in the AFC North. 25. St. Louis Rams: I’m sure Rams fans are glad their team waited until Week 11 to put a winning streak together. Hopefully you are picking up my sarcasm. 26. Carolina Panthers: Time for Carolina to start playing for next year and start looking for what college QB they want to draft. Tuco (The Ugly) 27. Cincinnati Bengals: The once potent offense of the Bengals is a shell of its former self. I mean, even Chad Johnson only has 3 touchdowns this year. 28. NY Jets: Based on the few games he’s played in, Kellen Clemens is looking like the answer the Jets have been looking for at quarterback. 29. Atlanta Falcons: I just don’t get why you start Byron Leftwich. Harrington has not played as bad as most people and his stats suggest. Many of his interceptions are the result of his receivers dropping passes or running the wrong routes. 30. Oakland Raiders: Now that the Raiders have lost six in a row, I’m sure I’m not alone in saying give JaMarcus Russell a shot. 31. San Francisco 49ers: How do you spell “Bust?” A-L-E-X-S-M-I-T-H 32. Miami Dolphins: Hearing that Ricky Williams is coming back to Miami reminded me of the classic Homer Simpson quote. Allow me to paraphrase: “Ah, Ricky Williams… the answer to and cause of all our problems.”
|
Print
E-mail
Del.icio.us
Digg
