NFL Quick Thoughts: Week 16

Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers keep their playoff hopes alive.

• Will the Miami Dolphins ever play well at home (1-7)?  That wasn’t the case, as the Lions scored 17 unanswered points in the fourth quarter to erase a 10-point deficit.  To cap it off, Chad Henne threw a pick six to give the game to the Lions.  The Lions have now won three games in a row.   I honestly can’t remember the last time the Lions has achieved that; hats off to them.  As for the Dolphins, it has been another short season.  I think we have come to a conclusion that this may be Henne’s last season as the Dolphins’ starting quarterback.  He hasn’t been able to get the job done, and at times looks horrendous.   It’s safe to say it’s time for a change in Miami.
• It seems as if Jay Cutler has been playing with a chip on his shoulder all season, as he continues to silence critics with another strong performance as the Chicago Bears outlasted a shoot-out against the New York Jets.  Cutler threw a pick six early but bounced back to lead the Bears to a victory.  He showed great composure and poise, which is something I’m not accustomed to seeing out of the kid.  The red-hot Cutler has accounted for seven touchdowns the past two games, four against the Jets.   It looks as if he has something to prove.  Next week’s match-up against the Green Bay Packers should be a dandy as the Packers will be playing for a Wild Card spot.
• Rumors are Mark Sanchez will be taking David Garrard out for dinner, as Garrard’s ill advised interception cost the Jaguars the game resulting in a playoff berth for the Jets.   Win-win.
• The Kansas City Chiefs are now 7-0 at home.   The trio of Matt Cassel, Jamaal Charles, and Dwayne Bowe has been absolutely deadly this season.  I’d be nervous if my team was playing at Arrow Head come Wild Card weekend.
• What happened to all the scouts who said Tim Tebow wouldn’t be an effective quarterback in the NFL?  Granted it was against the Houston Texans, but Tebow has definitely proved that he can make plays with his arm.  I have always believed that Tebow is blessed with the abilities to succeed in anything he puts his mind to.  Could this be a bright future to all Denver fans?
• I have also concluded that Jason Garrett is not the answer in Dallas.  It was the same old story Saturday night; turnovers and penalties.  The Cowboys came out flat which resulted to a quick, fourteen point deficit.   It was a sloppy and disappointing performance to a weak, Arizona Cardinal team.  Who seriously gives up a game winning drive to John Skelton?  The Dallas secondary should be embarrassed because I am, and I wasn’t even playing.
• Oh yeah, David Buehler blows.
• What concussion?  Aaron Rodgers bounced back like a stud, throwing for 404 yards and 4 touchdowns.  Most importantly, he got the W keeping the Packers’ playoff hopes alive.
• I wonder if the New York Giants are going to enjoy their one day layover in Green Bay.  Six turnovers and another nasty loss….Ouch.

Recognitions

Tom Brady has set an NFL record with most consecutive pass attempts without an interception.

Eli Manning has now thrown a career high, 24 interceptions in a single season.  How did he win a Super Bowl again?

Josh Freeman threw a career best, five touchdown passes against the lousy, Seattle Seahawks.

Ahmad Bradshaw now leads all running backs with six lost fumbles.   Good job, bro!

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NFL Sunday: Week 11 Thoughts

QB Ryan Fitzpatrick led the Buffalo Bills, scoring 35 unanswered second half points to upend the Cincinnati Bengals.

• All Raiders fans have snapped back to reality as the Steelers laid the smack down on them in a 35-3 route.  The Steelers were able to make the Raiders one dimensional as the Raiders’ rushing attack got shut down.  Because of a lack of balance in the Raiders’ offense, the Steelers were able to exploit the questionable Raiders’ passing attack.  Campbell and Gradkowski aren’t the type of quarterbacks that can carry a team on their shoulders.  They need the support of the balanced rushing attack.  They excel off of play action and keeping teams unbalanced.  Playoffs? Maybe.  Super Bowl? Not even close.
• It’s time to hang up the cleats, Brett.  He just doesn’t look the same.  He is looking old.  Favre has thrown a pick in every game, but one so far this season.  His touchdown:interception ratio is just awful.   He was shown up by his counterpart Aaron Rodgers (4 TDs: 0 INT) today, as the Vikings got dismantled by the Pack Attack at home, 31-3.  Like the Cowboys, the Vikings have been a major disappointment.  Quarterback change soon, perhaps?  Sorry Brett, but I think it’s time you shed the pads and go back to playing two-hand touch with your Wrangler friends.  You’ve had an amazing career, so what else do you have to prove?
• Speaking of old quarterbacks, Jon Kitna has been playing likes he’s in his twenties again, as he accounted for 4 touchdowns today making it a total of 7 in two weeks.  I’ve been impressed with his play thus far.  He’s been on a little hot streak since Garrett has taken over the helm.  It also helps when you got rookie, Dez Bryant, making big plays down the field each week.  He’s been proving to me why he was given number 88.  Can Dallas turn it around and make a run?  It’s a long shot, but anything is possible in the NFL, this I will say.  At the end of the season, the Dallas Cowboys will have the same record, if not, better than the Houston Texans.
• If the Texans’ defensive coordinator still has a job in the morning tomorrow, I will be dumbfounded.  What in the hell is this guy doing?  The Texan defense has been dismal down the stretch in the last 3 games.  Not to mention, they have given up game-winning touchdowns in the closing seconds in back-to-back weeks.  Time is running short on the Texans as they cannot afford any more slip-ups.  They still have three big divisional games remaining (2 vs. Titans, 1 vs. Jags).  I predict the Texans will fall short and Noobiak gets canned.  Note:  I have to give a shout out to Mark Sanchez as he led the Jets on a game winning drive in 55 seconds.  He is beginning to prove to us that the Jets can win games with his arm.
• Brian St. Pierre had a career day today as he accounted for 3 touchdowns . The downside: two of his touchdowns were pick 6’s to the Ravens.  He was able to add a meaningless touchdown as the Panthers got romped 37-13 to the Ravens.  The Panthers now have the worst record in the league at 1-9.
• The Bucs keep winning, but I am still not sold on them.  I do not think they are as good as everyone says.  They are beatable.  Teams struggle against them because of turnovers.  If you take care of the ball, you can take care of the Buccaneers.  Let’s see if I’ll be eating my words on Wildcard Sunday.
• We all almost witnessed déjà vu between the Colts and Pats, as the Pats were able to fend off the Colts after nearly blowing a 17-point lead.  I wouldn’t look into this game as much because something tells me these two teams will meet again in January.

Anyways, I am glad I am not a Bengals fans.  Who seriously gives up 35 unanswered points to the Buffalo Bills?  Well, everyone enjoy the New York Giants v. Philadelphia Eagles Sunday night game.