The 3 teams that were battling for the final playoff position in the NFC, the Saints, Vikings, and Redskins has been decided. The Saints lost earlier, cutting off their chances completely. The Vikings showed some promise by sending their game into overime, but the Redskins defeated their rival the Dallas Cowboys fairly impressively, as the Cowboys didn't take out their starters until the 3rd Quarter after all seemed lost anyway. We already knew that the Cowboys sealed Homefield advantage when Green Bay lost against Chicago last week, so it's hard to determine whether they were playing as hard as they could. I have to say that the Redskins defense was pretty impressive, holding the Cowboys to a total of 1 yard on the ground. If the Redskins can keep up this kind of momentum against Seattle next week, who knows, we may see them playing the 'Boys again. I'm rooting for Seattle, but it won't be an easy game.
Now, we're waiting for the tonight to see if the Titans can give the Colts another hard time. The Titans have a good team and have done well against the Colts, so I imagine in a game that doesn't really matter too much to the Colts, the Titans have a good chance to pull this one off, but we'll have to see how things pan out. This race is a little easier to understand: The Titans win, they're in; they lose, the Brown's go through. That's the picture as we see it now.
Sunday, December 30, 2007
NFL So Far
It's Sunday, December 30th, 2:30 PM. The Patriots just went 16-0, and Brady and Moss both got their two touchdowns, breaking the records I spoke of in the previous blog. The Browns won, but that is irrelevant because the Titans will determine their own fate tonight versus the Indianapolis Colts.
To my amazement, the Redskins are out in front against the Cowboys, and even more amazing is that the Vikings are getting beaten by the 6-9 Denver Broncos. If they lose that game they don't really deserve to be in the playoffs anyway. The Saints already lost, so if the Vikings lose it won't matter if the Redskins win or not, as they would have clinched the playoff spot by either winning against the Cowboys or both the Saints and Vikings losing. It looks as though, it will be the Redskins... at this point in the picture.
To my amazement, the Redskins are out in front against the Cowboys, and even more amazing is that the Vikings are getting beaten by the 6-9 Denver Broncos. If they lose that game they don't really deserve to be in the playoffs anyway. The Saints already lost, so if the Vikings lose it won't matter if the Redskins win or not, as they would have clinched the playoff spot by either winning against the Cowboys or both the Saints and Vikings losing. It looks as though, it will be the Redskins... at this point in the picture.
Monday, December 24, 2007
1 week to go
Week 16 is almost over and there is one week left to go; there's one game left, but the playoff fate for tonight’s two teams has already been determined.
The playoff picture is about the same as I described last week in the NFL Rant blog, but the Jaguars, Steelers, and Giants Fates have been sealed; they are in to the playoffs (or wild-card). The Panthers have no shot as I expected. Things have gotten a little complicated with the Cleveland Browns unexpectedly losing to the Bengals in a rivalry game. They lost, now they need the Titans to lose next week... the Titans are in control; if they lose, they are NOT in the playoffs, and if they win they ARE... that simple. The Browns however, can win or lose, and they have no control over their own destiny, they've royally screwed themselves against a struggling Cincinnati team, but that's the excitement of the playoff picture.
In the NFC, The Redskins now control their destiny as well... Minnesota lost control last night when they were annihilated by the Redskins in what looked pretty pitiful as they couldn't get anything going on the ground or in the air. It looks as though their one sided offense can be stopped pretty easily. The Vikings now have to win with the Redskins loss. The Saints can still get in with a win, and a Vikings and Redskins loss. Things are looking a little bleak, but with the Vikings past performance and their single threat offense, I don't know how great their chances are; luckily, for them they are playing Denver.
Luckily for the Browns and Minnesota, they both have two abysmal teams to defeat... the Browns are playing the 49ers (although showing hope with a 2 game winning streak behind QB Shaun Hill and 3 out of their last 5) and the Broncos are playing against the Vikes, so these should be wins or they don’t really deserve to be in the playoffs anyway. And as long as the Vikes win they don't have to worry about the Saints, and the Redskins are playing the tough Dallas Cowboys who seem to be falling out of their groove in the past few weeks. Even though home field advantage has been locked up for the boys in Dallas, they may play tough against the Redskins to get back into the flow of things before the playoffs since they have a bye that first week. If by chance all the blocks fall into place and the Vikings and Redskins both Lose, the Saints would still have to win against Chicago.
However, for the Browns (win or lose) they have to hope the Titans lose. Luckily for the Browns, the Titans are playing the Indianapolis Colts, but we'll have to see how much of an effort the Colts will actually put in against this team with the bye already locked up for the first week of playoffs. It’s hard to say how hard the Colts will play, but I’m hoping that they understand the importance of playing tough.
Well, good luck to all your favorite teams as mine is out… part of me wants the Browns to make it, and the other part of me wants my 49ers to crush them even though it does no good for my team, but it does stick one to Patriots (who have their first round draft pick due to a trade).
Back to watching the Record Books... Randy Moss and Tom Brady both need two touchdowns a piece to break the single-season records for most TD's in a season. Moss is at 21 Reception TD's and needs 1 to tie Jerry Rice and two to hold the record. Brady is at 48 TD's tying Dan Marino, but needs 1 more to tie Peyton Manning and two to take the Record.
The playoff picture is about the same as I described last week in the NFL Rant blog, but the Jaguars, Steelers, and Giants Fates have been sealed; they are in to the playoffs (or wild-card). The Panthers have no shot as I expected. Things have gotten a little complicated with the Cleveland Browns unexpectedly losing to the Bengals in a rivalry game. They lost, now they need the Titans to lose next week... the Titans are in control; if they lose, they are NOT in the playoffs, and if they win they ARE... that simple. The Browns however, can win or lose, and they have no control over their own destiny, they've royally screwed themselves against a struggling Cincinnati team, but that's the excitement of the playoff picture.
In the NFC, The Redskins now control their destiny as well... Minnesota lost control last night when they were annihilated by the Redskins in what looked pretty pitiful as they couldn't get anything going on the ground or in the air. It looks as though their one sided offense can be stopped pretty easily. The Vikings now have to win with the Redskins loss. The Saints can still get in with a win, and a Vikings and Redskins loss. Things are looking a little bleak, but with the Vikings past performance and their single threat offense, I don't know how great their chances are; luckily, for them they are playing Denver.
Luckily for the Browns and Minnesota, they both have two abysmal teams to defeat... the Browns are playing the 49ers (although showing hope with a 2 game winning streak behind QB Shaun Hill and 3 out of their last 5) and the Broncos are playing against the Vikes, so these should be wins or they don’t really deserve to be in the playoffs anyway. And as long as the Vikes win they don't have to worry about the Saints, and the Redskins are playing the tough Dallas Cowboys who seem to be falling out of their groove in the past few weeks. Even though home field advantage has been locked up for the boys in Dallas, they may play tough against the Redskins to get back into the flow of things before the playoffs since they have a bye that first week. If by chance all the blocks fall into place and the Vikings and Redskins both Lose, the Saints would still have to win against Chicago.
However, for the Browns (win or lose) they have to hope the Titans lose. Luckily for the Browns, the Titans are playing the Indianapolis Colts, but we'll have to see how much of an effort the Colts will actually put in against this team with the bye already locked up for the first week of playoffs. It’s hard to say how hard the Colts will play, but I’m hoping that they understand the importance of playing tough.
Well, good luck to all your favorite teams as mine is out… part of me wants the Browns to make it, and the other part of me wants my 49ers to crush them even though it does no good for my team, but it does stick one to Patriots (who have their first round draft pick due to a trade).
Back to watching the Record Books... Randy Moss and Tom Brady both need two touchdowns a piece to break the single-season records for most TD's in a season. Moss is at 21 Reception TD's and needs 1 to tie Jerry Rice and two to hold the record. Brady is at 48 TD's tying Dan Marino, but needs 1 more to tie Peyton Manning and two to take the Record.
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
NFL Rant
It will be New England, Indianapolis and the Chargers in the AFC playoffs for sure. The Jaguars, Steelers and Browns will most likely all make it as well, but the Titans have a small chance for the wild-card, so unless a miracle happens for Tenessee, it will be the Chargers, Jaguars, Steelers and Browns in the wild card. If Tenesse loses 1 game, the Jags, Steelers and Brown clinch a spot. Here's what needs to happen for the Titans to get a spot, they have to win both games, and possibly if Jacksonville loses both games, but since they would have the same conference records and same head-to-head records, I think that the Jaguars would win in this scenario in a tie-breaker. The Titans real hope is that either the Steelers or Browns lose both of their next two games, if they both lose both their games the Steelers will clinch their division due to tie-breaker, and then the Titans would have to win both games against the Jets and Colts (unlikely) to oust the Browns. I don't see the Browns losing against Cinci or San Fran, so if they win their games, then they have to hope that the Steelers lose both their games and then we are in another tie-braker situation. If the Titans lose 1 game, then the AFC playoff picture is pretty much as I stated above, the only difference will be who plays whom.
In the NFC, Dallas, Green Bay, Tampa Bay, and Seattle have all clinched a spot. Dallas and Green Bay are sure bye's that first week. The NY Giants are set for a wild-card spot, the Vikings have a great chance, but the Saints and Redskins aren't out of the picture yet. This race is a little closer, since Minnesota and Washington play each other next week; so if the Saints win their remaining games (agains Philly and Chicago), and the Redskins beat out the Vikes next week, the Saints will have the spot over both the Redskins and the Vikes due to Conference Records. The Panther's only chance is if Washington beats Minnesota since Minnesota has the better record, and then Washington loses to Dallas (pretty likely), but the Panthers would have to win both their games against Dallas and Tampa Bay (very unlikely), then in this case the Panthers have a shot because even though their records are tied, their conference record would beat out both Washington and Minnesota, assuming that Minnesota loses to both Washington and Denver, but unlikely. However, there is a great chance that Washington can beat Minnesota, and will lose to Dallas, so for all you Panther fans out there... start praying, their schedule isn't looking promising though. The Redskins need to win against both Minesota and Dallas, and the Saints will have to lose one of their remaining games against the sub-par Chicago and Philly teams, so even if Minnesota wins against Dallas, the Redskins would get the spot due to the head to head game (if they win next week). If Minnesota wins just one game against the Skins or Dallas then the Skins can't get in, but Minnesota will only clinch if the Saints lose one of the following 2 games, because the Saints would win in a tie-breaker against Minnesota.
Brett Favre just broke Dan Marino's career record for most passing yards in a career, but it doesn't look like he nor Tom Brady have a shot to steal his record of most yards in a season of 5084; Brady would have to average 425 ypg in the final two to take that record. Tom Brady also needs 5 more TD's to steal the record from Manning of 49 TD's in a season (that record was 48, previously held by Marino until 2004), but Brett Favre already has the record for Most TD's in a career that he took earlier this season and now has over 440, which is 20 more than Marino, and continues to make it harder for anyone else to come close over their lifetime.
It doesn't look as though Peterson has a shot to break the rookie record for rushing in a rookie season, but he already holds the all time record for most yards in a game of 296, so who's complaining? He's 3rd in the standings for total yards this season right below Willie Parker and LT even after missing 2 games due to injury, and IMO is a sure-fire win for Rookie of the Year honors. On the Defensive end, my man Patrick Willis has to be a top candidate for the Defensive Rookie of the Year.
In the NFC, Dallas, Green Bay, Tampa Bay, and Seattle have all clinched a spot. Dallas and Green Bay are sure bye's that first week. The NY Giants are set for a wild-card spot, the Vikings have a great chance, but the Saints and Redskins aren't out of the picture yet. This race is a little closer, since Minnesota and Washington play each other next week; so if the Saints win their remaining games (agains Philly and Chicago), and the Redskins beat out the Vikes next week, the Saints will have the spot over both the Redskins and the Vikes due to Conference Records. The Panther's only chance is if Washington beats Minnesota since Minnesota has the better record, and then Washington loses to Dallas (pretty likely), but the Panthers would have to win both their games against Dallas and Tampa Bay (very unlikely), then in this case the Panthers have a shot because even though their records are tied, their conference record would beat out both Washington and Minnesota, assuming that Minnesota loses to both Washington and Denver, but unlikely. However, there is a great chance that Washington can beat Minnesota, and will lose to Dallas, so for all you Panther fans out there... start praying, their schedule isn't looking promising though. The Redskins need to win against both Minesota and Dallas, and the Saints will have to lose one of their remaining games against the sub-par Chicago and Philly teams, so even if Minnesota wins against Dallas, the Redskins would get the spot due to the head to head game (if they win next week). If Minnesota wins just one game against the Skins or Dallas then the Skins can't get in, but Minnesota will only clinch if the Saints lose one of the following 2 games, because the Saints would win in a tie-breaker against Minnesota.
Brett Favre just broke Dan Marino's career record for most passing yards in a career, but it doesn't look like he nor Tom Brady have a shot to steal his record of most yards in a season of 5084; Brady would have to average 425 ypg in the final two to take that record. Tom Brady also needs 5 more TD's to steal the record from Manning of 49 TD's in a season (that record was 48, previously held by Marino until 2004), but Brett Favre already has the record for Most TD's in a career that he took earlier this season and now has over 440, which is 20 more than Marino, and continues to make it harder for anyone else to come close over their lifetime.
It doesn't look as though Peterson has a shot to break the rookie record for rushing in a rookie season, but he already holds the all time record for most yards in a game of 296, so who's complaining? He's 3rd in the standings for total yards this season right below Willie Parker and LT even after missing 2 games due to injury, and IMO is a sure-fire win for Rookie of the Year honors. On the Defensive end, my man Patrick Willis has to be a top candidate for the Defensive Rookie of the Year.
Sunday, December 16, 2007
49ers pull off another win
Okay, so the Bengals aren't really doing all that well this season either, and the win was by one touchdown (that the Bengals almost had), but it was a win none-the-less. The win doesn't really help, but it doesn't hurt the 49ers either. Who is this Shaun Hill guy? A rookie? No, he's been in the NFL for 6 seasons, but hasn't played but one game (and another in 2002 that looks as though all he did was kneel) and that was last week in which he didn't start. He's got 1 start and 3 total games under his belt now, but I'm sure he's very experienced by now being in the league for so long. It's a little late now, and maybe too early to tell about Shaun Hill, but he is getting his chance to prove himself. Alex Smith is over-rated in the 49ers eyes, and I'm hoping Shaun Hill is more than meets the eye.
Wednesday, December 5, 2007
Gas Stations in Oregon
I live in Oregon now, and I'm just getting the hang of the idea that I have to let people pump my gas for me. My wife's car has the gas cap on the drivers side and mine is on the passenger, but this morning I wasn't thinking and pulled in on the wrong side up to the pump. The attendant says to me, "You need to turn your car around." So, I do. I get out of the car and stand there for 2 to 3 minutes before a different attendant walks up. It's actually not permissable to pump your own gas, I don't know what would happen if I just did, but I was getting pretty upset waiting there. As a different attendant walks up, he says, "What can I get you?" Obviously, my answer was, "Gas!" I was pretty upset, but all I could do was laugh after I said that. I didn't get the nicest response, but I deserved it. Anyways... I could've pumped my gas and gotten out of there before the attendant even came up and talked to me (the second time), but I guess it's good for the Oregon economy as it gives some people jobs.
Tuesday, December 4, 2007
Another team gives the Patriots a run for their money
Are the Patriots heads getting too big? Did they even prepare for this game? They were behind and chasing the Ravens the whole game, but the Ravens offered them a helping hand every time they were down. Tom Brady throws an interception... here have it back Tom Brady. 4th Quarter 10 minutes left, Ravens up by a score... here you go Pats, as Boller puts his lead in jeopardy with a long bomb that's intercepted. I'll admit, the game was a nail biter down to the very last second. Two weeks in a row now a sub-par team has given the Patriots a horrible time, but somehow the Patriots pull out the win.
The 49ers lose again after putting up was a hopeful turn-around last week. Adrian Peterson keeps his lead as the leagues leading rusher after missing out 2 games due to injury. LT pulls off an astounding 170 something yards and 2 TD game over the Cheifs to close in on AP. Tom Brady now has 41 TD's this season and only needs 9 more to break the record, that's a little over 2 TD's per game for the last 4; he could also possibly break the record Dan Marino set for total passing yards in a season, but he would have to throw over 350YPG in his final 4, and Favre also has a chance too. In order for Adrian Peterson to break the Rookie rushing yards in a single season needs to average over 150 yards per game to break that record in his final 4 games. He will be hands-down the Offensive Rookie of the year, and San Francisco's Patrick Willis will probably be the Defensive Rookie of the year. (Stats and Records received from www.nfl.com)
The 49ers lose again after putting up was a hopeful turn-around last week. Adrian Peterson keeps his lead as the leagues leading rusher after missing out 2 games due to injury. LT pulls off an astounding 170 something yards and 2 TD game over the Cheifs to close in on AP. Tom Brady now has 41 TD's this season and only needs 9 more to break the record, that's a little over 2 TD's per game for the last 4; he could also possibly break the record Dan Marino set for total passing yards in a season, but he would have to throw over 350YPG in his final 4, and Favre also has a chance too. In order for Adrian Peterson to break the Rookie rushing yards in a single season needs to average over 150 yards per game to break that record in his final 4 games. He will be hands-down the Offensive Rookie of the year, and San Francisco's Patrick Willis will probably be the Defensive Rookie of the year. (Stats and Records received from www.nfl.com)
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