1. Indianapolis Colts - The Best in the AFC and the team to beat for the Superbowl (I think). Proved last week that their backups are better than Tennessee's backups. Could be huge if a massive tidal wave should hit Tennessee in the AFC Championship game and these two teams are playing each other. Not likely.
2. New York Giants - The Best of the NFC. Without Plax they have been struggling in the second half, but it could also be because of injuries and a brutal schedule. I think they will be fine in the playoffs, especially if they have the luxury of playing Arizona.
3. Tennessee Titans - Good, not great. Definitely an enigma entering the playoffs.
4. Carolina Panthers - Huge win over the Saints to lock up a first round bye. They could see Atlanta in the second round for what would make for an exciting game (They split the season series).
5. Pittsburgh Steelers - I don't even know where to start. Should Ben have been playing more than a quarter last week? With his injuries, and tons of experience, I say no. Why would a guy who is throwing to receivers he has been throwing to for at least 3 years need a tune up? All he needs is rest, and that is the opposite of what he got. Blame Tomlin for this one, even though I'm sure Ben was begging to play. He needs to learn to take a step back sometimes...
6. Baltimore Ravens - They just keep plugging along. The fact that this team finished 11-5 with a rookie head coach and QB, you have to put Harbaugh at the top of coach of the year I think. Oh, and they also had the 8th toughest schedule this season, compared to another 11-5 team, the Dolphins, who had the 27th toughest schedule. Doesn't look good for the 'phins in Round 1.
7. Atlanta Falcons - I think Mike Smith finishes second in coach of the year behind Harbaugh. He had more weapons weapons with Ryan > Flacco, R. White > Mason/Clayton, Turner > McClain/McGahee/Rice, and so on. But still, a great job. Their SOS was #29, so advantage Ravens again.
8. New England Patriots - What was a bigger blow to this team this year - Tom Brady's knee, or the tiebreaker system? Boohoo.
9. Miami Dolphins - An amazing turn around from 1-15 to 11-5. It's hard to believe they topped the Pats even with Cassel starting. Thank them for the return of the Wildcat offense...the only play I saw my high school team run that is actually used in the NFL.
10. Minnesota Vikings - Tavaris Jackson spells doom for the Vikes. Unless Adrian Peterson gets 45 carries for 306 yards and 5 tds, that is.
11. San Diego Chargers - The two teams that nobody wants to play right now in the AFC are thankfully playing each other in Round 1. At least only 1 of these offensive powerhouses will be taking on the Steelers...I for one desperately hope San Diego pulls it out, because I'd love to see them get crushed in a cold and windy Heinz Field.
12. Philadelphia Eagles - With all their problems this year - Westbrook injuries, McNabb's benching, Eagle fans - it's hard to believe they were able to sneak in. I hope Tony Romo got a nice Christmas card from Andy Reid and co.
13. Arizona Cardinals - Honestly they could be ranked as low as 21, but they have the potential to get past Atlanta in Round 1. Random note, the cards have only beaten 2 winning teams this season - the Dolphins and the Cowboys.
14. Dallas Cowboys - Something needs to change here. Perhaps expectations, because either they choke from too much pressure, or they choke from not being good. Either way, Wade Philips needs to go. On a side note, the Lions are considering hiring Jason Garrett, offensive coordinator for a team that didn't even make the playoffs, as their head coach. Good luck with that.
15. Tampa Bay Bucs - Uninteresting.
16. Chicago Bears - Ditto.
17a. Denver Broncos - I'm going to come up with a new term - The 2008 Broncos pulled a "Mets".
17b. New York Jets - They didn't quite pull a "Mets", but we're damn close. Sadly, this team would have been better sans Brett Favre. His legacy is dying with every game he plays.
19. New Orleans Saints - At times looked like the team everyone thought they would be, but just not often enough. Next year we'll all be predicting them to be a playoff team again I'm sure. On a side not, did anyone watch the final play of the game? Drew Brees threw probably his worst pass of the season to fall short of Marino's single season record, but I have to give them credit for going for the record instead of winning the game. Besides, if you win you get a worse draft pick, so who cares, right?
20. Houston Texans - All I can say is that I totally called their win over the Bears. Credit Houston with a good season even with a very difficult schedule. If they improve on the road, this is a team that could find themselves at the top of the AFC South in a few years.
21. Washington Redskins - From 6-2 to considering firing their head coach. What more can you say?
22. Buffalo Bills - Awful finish makes you forget they once sat at #4 on the power rankings.
23. Jacksonville Jaguars - It's the little things in the NFL that can change a team from a playoff team one year, to a cellar dweller the next. Vice versa for others, i.e. Atlanta/Baltimore/Miami.
24. Green Bay Packers - Inexplicable how a team with this talent finishes 6-10. When earlier in the year everyone was touting the Favre trade as a win for both teams, now are eating their words. Both teams were made worse...much worse.
25. San Francisco 49ers - I was a Ted Nolan fan, but after he got fired these guys really turned it around. I don't think they are a better team than the Cardinals, but they are pretty dang close. Bring Singletary back next year.
26. Seattle Seahawks - They will be winning a not-so-promising award as you read on.
27. Oakland Raiders - Maybe they do have some offense? Who knows, they are still a mess and will struggle to improve next season.
28. Cincinnati Bengals - Shocklingly, they went 4-3-1 in November and December. Something to build on for next season? Oh, and they had the 3rd toughest schedule. Hmm. With Palmer back next year, and Benson maybe living up to his promise, the Bungals could challenge for the division, or at leat a wildcard. Every year a team or 2 (this year 3) rise from the bottom to make the playoffs. I nominate Cincy.
29. Kansas City Chiefs - I do not nominate the Chiefs. Will somebody please fire Herm Edwards? Why is this guy still coaching in the NFL?
30. Cleveland Browns - Good news Romeo Crennel, you just saved 75% by switching to Geico.
31. St. Louis Rams - The best team in the Western United States this year finished 9-7. Maybe there really is a timezone factor here...probably not though. St. Louis and Kansas City aren't really that far West...
32. Detroit Lions - 0-16. Nice. Will be in a tight contest at the ESPY's with the '09 Pirates for worst team in history.
MVP Race Candidates (don't forget to vote!)
1. Adrian Peterson
2. Michael Turner
3. Kurt Warner
4. Drew Brees
5. Peyton Manning
6. Philip Rivers
Post Season Awards
| Team Spent Most at Top: Tennessee Titans |
| Team at top to end Season: Indianapolis Colts |
| Team Most at Bottom: Detroit Lions |
| Team at bottom to end Season: Detroit Lions |
| Toughest Schedule: Cleveland Browns (.572) |
| Easiest Schedule: San Francisco 49ers (.447) |
| Most Disappointing: Seattle Seahawks (dropped 19 spots) |
| Most Overachieving: Atlanta/Miami (gained 22 spots) |
| Most Consistent: Cincinnati Bengals |
| NFL MVP: ? |
Colts over Chargers
Ravens over Dolphins
Falcons over Cardinals
Eagles over Vikings
Thanks for reading, and don't forget to join my ESPN Fantasy Playoff Group!!
5 comments:
Nice way to round out the end of the season...Top 3 MVP's
1.Peyton Manning
2.Michael Turner
3.Kurt Warner
So, Obviousy I vote for Peyton manning. I tried to think of the best deserving player who did not have a stout defense to define their good play all season. Adrianne Peterson isn't up there simply because Minnesota's defense is damn good when it comes to the assist in the ball control element, and his fumbling troubles have cost his team a game or 2.
My comeback teams for next year from worst to first are as follows: Bills(if they don't fire Dickie), Bengals(if palmer is healthy), and Chiefs(they draft well, and will win next year in spite of herm edwards)
Playoff predictions round 1:
Baltimore over Miami
Indianapolis over San Diego
Philly over Minny
Atlanta over Arizona
Offord...we are making that a new saying "They pulled a Mets."
I was talking to this girl last night at the bar, she was definitely into me, and then I pulled a Mets and she went home with some other guy.
Is that a true story or a real life example? And what could you have possibly done that was bad enough to blow it?
if it's a true story, doesn't that mean it's also a real life example?
Good point. I thought of that when I was typing it, but oh well.
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