Well, I still have not gotten over the Colts de-balling the Chargers laid upon them. I don't even care if that it was the Chargers who did it. They deserved to win the game (unlike their wins in the 2007 and 2008 playoffs). They were the (much) better team. Here we go, a quick version as I need to go back to studying, of the Power Rankings
32.) Carolina Panthers (1-10)
Fear not, Panthers fans. The Panthers went 1-15 in 2001. Two years later they were in the Super Bowl. So, when Super Bowl XLVII kicks off in February 2013, don't be surprised to see Matt Moore throwing lobs to David Gettis.
31.) Arizona Cardinals (3-8)
That was a despicable performance. I am very surprised that Derek Anderson's outburst to a dick of a reporter was given as much airtime as it was. Who gives a shit? The Cardinals suck. Can't their players laugh about it at least?
30.) Detroit Lions (2-9)
They might be the "best 2-9 team in NFL history" but they still are 2-9 and let a winnable game get away. Honestly, nothing was better than first seeing the score of the Pats-Lions game as 14-3 Detroit. What the hell happened, Lions?
29.) Denver Broncos (3-8)
So the Broncos get caught videotaping another teams actual practice and there is no public outcry. Even the biggest Patriots hater in, well, NYU thinks that this is unfair to the Pats. There at least needs to be one senator to ask for a congressional hearing.
28.) Cincinnati Bengals (2-9)
Eight straight losses. When they started 2-1, I really thought this team would be what I thought it was. Instead, it was worse than what anyone thought it would be. There were people who did not like the Bengals heading into the season, but even they would have thought the teams would be better than 2-9.
27.) San Francisco 49ers (4-7)
They are just one week removed from being shutout at home. Even Bill Walsh would say that the 49ers would be one of the least deserving playoff teams in the history of the NFL.
26.) Buffalo Bills (2-9)
Steve Johnson should honestly stop crying. At the end of the 2010 season, the Bills will still suck, even if Johnson caught that pass. Plus, no one will remember Johnson's drop, but remember the fact that he swung a shitload of fantasy leagues with his great season.
25.) Dallas Cowboys (3-8)
I know I am setting myself up here by putting them this low, but I still don't think they are all that good. Their defense, espeically pass defense, is still abhorrently bad, which is not good when facing Peyton Manning who might finally get some people back.
24.) Washington Redskins (5-6)
That was just a flat performance. They lose close games (apart from that clusterfuck on Monday Night a couple weeks back) which is probably more maddening for their fans. It was nice to see Albert Haynesworth do something other than eat beef.
23.) Cleveland Browns (4-7)
In Bill Belichick's first year in New England, they went 5-11, and in the second he unearthed essentially a rookie named Tom Brady. In Eric Mangini's first year in Cleveland, they went 5-11, and in the second he unearthed a real rookie named Colt McCoy. Stranger things have happened. Actually, they haven't.
22.) Jacksonville Jaguars (6-5)
If they win the division because of a hail mary to win one game and a 59-yard field goal to win another, I will never watch football again. (I am almost serious about that threat). This team's ability to stay around .500 is truly commendable.
21.) Seattle Seahawks (5-6)
What happened to that home field advantage. That division is still their's for the taking if they can win their second game over St. Louis, but holding fort at what usually is one of the league's best home fields would have helped.
20.) Oakland Raiders (5-6)
They still are a massive improvement over any Raiders team since 2002 and I will take it. Also, Darren McFadden's seems to still be affected by that injury. If he keeps putting up crap stats, I would IR him and wait till next year.
19.) Tennessee Titans (5-6)
If Rusty Smith was their starter for the rest of the year, they would be 29, not 19. Also, Chris Johnson oficially should not say another word for the rest of the 2010 season after that pathetic showing against the worst defense in the NFL.
18.) St. Louis Rams (5-6)
A 1-15 had never made the playoffs the following year until the Dolphins did it in 2008. However, they had to go 11-5 in a division with three teams over .500 and the last place team at 7-9. The 1st place team in the NFC West may be 7-9, but the Rams have a chance to be the second team in three years to make the playoffs following a 1-15 season.
17.) Miami Dolphins (6-5)
Speaking of the Dolphins. It was nice to see that vaunted running game, if only for one day, roll an opponent. On the negative side, their pass rush has really diminished the past couple of weeks.
16.) Minnesota Vikings (4-7)
I think they will be a solid team under Frazier. They seem to really love him (unlike Garrett), and there seems to be a distinct possbility that if the Vikings approach the .500 number, Frazier may be coach full time. Me thinks that Jared Allen, the Williami, and co. like that idea.
15.) Houston Texans (5-6)
My biggest fear is the Texans winning out and stealing the division from the Colts. With that in mind, I am SO happy the Texans have to be a road team for a Thursday Game. I am so not happy to hear that Roger "I Bend Over for Owners" Goodell didn't have the decency to suspend Andre Johnson.
14.) Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-4)
That was the most impressive loss of the weekend. The Bucs have now hung tough with a good team on the road twice (Atlanta as well). The Bucs used to be a mirage of a team that capitalized on an easy scheduled. Now they are a solid team that is one year away.
13.) Kansas City Chiefs (7-4)
Matt Cassel's numbers have been amazing of late. Not Dwayne Bowe amazing, but somewhere close. I really want them to win the AFC West, because I love the idea of San Diego being out of the tournament, and love the idea of one of the AFC's Big 4 (NYJ, NE, BAL, PIT) to go to Arrowhead on Wild Card Saturday.
12.) New York Giants (7-4)
Any team that has to come back from 11 down against Jacksonville on the road should be reprimanded for such behavior. That was the weakest I have seen the Giants against the run since the 2006 season.
11.) Indianapolis Colts (6-5)
I guess I don't have to worry about any "rest starters" scenarios in Week 17. Not because the team is not that good to have things locked up, but because the Colts don't have enough players to "rest" people.
10.) San Diego Chargers (6-5)
Over the next five weeks, everyone around everywhere will say "You don't want to play the Chargers in the playoffs". Of course, since they have entered the playoffs with 10, 6, 4 and 11 game winning streaks in the last four years and never even made the Super Bowl, there is always one team that very much would want to play the Chargers.
9.) Philadelphia Eagles (7-4)
Well, I think it is time to reevaluate the stance that Michael Vick is the greatest player on earth. The Bears showed that if you can cover the deep throw, and actually get a rush up the middle (not allowing Vick to step up and run forward, but force him sideways), he is beatable.
8.) Green Bay Packers (7-4)
That was a tough loss, but one that showed that they can hang with the best team in the NFC at home. The Packers are still very much a question mark to even make the playoffs, but with a win over the Eagles and them hosting the Giants, they could get some good wild card draws. Plus, the division is still possibly there's.
7.) New Orleans Saints (8-3)
Quietly, the Saints have had one of the best defenses all year long. This is not like last year, when their defense was great in a "they force a ton of turnovers and do things that are not at all sustainable." Now they are just good, and that is really scary.
6.) Pittsburgh Steelers (8-3)
Any team that needs the luck of a drop to beat a Bills team in OT, after blowing a 13 point halftime lead to that same Bills team, needs to be dealt with. They are not the 2008 Steelers at all. That team threw the hammer down against the few bad teams they played. That would have been a 31-3 thrashing if that was the 2008 Steelers.
5.) New England Patriots (9-2)
For all the orgasms about their amazing offense, they were still tied entering the 4th quarter. Sure, the Lions self-destructed, and Brady was perfect, but they were still tied entering the 4th quarter. The Patriots defense continues to suck, and as a Colts fan who has had followed teams in pretty much the same circumstances (2003, 2004), it doesn't end well.
4.) Chicago Bears (8-3)
That was the Bears team I expected all year long. That game was not close. The Eagles had good field position early, which helped them even be in that game. Cutler, taking out that Washington game, has 6 picks in 10 games, and has been playing within himself. The defense is starting to lay the smack down. They have the surest tackling defense in the NFL. Barely a missed tackle.
3.) New York Jets (9-2)
I hear all this whining from Pats fans and Jets haters that "The Jets haven't been impressive". So what. Their defense is still very good, and Santonio Holmes is getting better each week. This Monday Night game is the true test of the Jets mettle. In the Brady era, the Jets have actually had more success in Foxboro than in the Meadowlands, so it should be fun.
2.) Baltimore Ravens (8-3)
The only team with no bad losses. All on the road, all by four points or less (one with a losing TD in the last minute and the other in OT). What I love is that the Colts absolutely own this team, so any way I can sign up with a playoff game against the Ravens (whether it be in round 1 or 2) I will take it. Please, football Gods, give us Baltimore.
1.) Atlanta Falcons (9-2)
Matt Ryan is really the next Peyton Manning in terms of his ownership of the game. He will never put up the stats Manning did (or still does). But he has a control of the position I have never seen from a guy so young. He changes plays, he barks signals, he knows where to go with the ball. Most importantly, he is absolute money in two minute situations. Love the guy.
Playoff Projections
AFC
1.) Baltimore Ravens 13-3
2.) New York Jets 12-4
3.) San Diego Chargers 11-5
4.) Indianapolis Colts 10-6
5.) New England Patriots 12-4
6.) Pittsburgh Steelers 11-5
NFC
1.) Atlanta Falcons 13-3
2.) Chicago Bears 12-4
3.) Philadelphia Eagles 11-5
4.) St. Louis Rams 8-8
5.) New Orleans Saints 12-4
6.) New York Giants 11-5
