Tony Romo, on a hit by Michael Boley, broke his collarbone. He will be out 10 weeks, so basically the rest of the season because the Cowboys are as good as eliminated from post-season play. Jon Kitna takes over the starting job. Kitna isn't a terrible QB as he never really had any talent around him when he started for Detroit. He just isn't good enough to bring Big D back from this sh!t storm of a mess.
The Giants would be in prime position to win the division at 5-2 even though they would only be one game up on the 4-3 Eagles and Redskins. The Skins are sneaking away with wins when other teams are making tons of mistakes and the Eagles have been extremely inconsistent; who knows if Vick will be back starting again.
The Giants have scored 17 unanswered points (and are driving) since the 'Boys took a 20-7 lead following the Dez Bryant punt-return touchdown.
Note: Great play by Mario Manningham to score the touchdown. 31-20 Giants
ESPN Analyst John Clayton came out with a list of the NFL QBs that he thinks are on the elite level, and I disagree with a lot of them. Let us break down the list and see where we stand.
Tom Brady, unfortunately, is a three-time Super Bowl champ. So clearly, he should be on the list. However, Joe Flacco has two years of experience on a team that is built primarily on the rushing game. This will be an important year for him because of all the weapons he now has on offense (i.e. Anquan Boldin/Donte Stallworth). Flacco is just too inexperienced to be given a crown yet, sorry bud.
No one will argue with Peyton Manning, end of story. Carson Palmer is on the edge for me because he is so talented, but he has yet to reach the next level. He hasn't done anything in the playoffs or put up 4,000 yard and 30 touchdown seasons every year, so this will be a make or break year for him. Top 10 yes, but not yet elite.
Phillip Rivers is definitely one of the best young QBs in the league, and if I had a top 10 list he would be on it. However, if I had an elite list, he wouldn't be on it. Roethlisberger has to be on it because he is a two-time Super Bowl champ. Schaub is a tough one though. I love this kid and all the amazing work he did for my fantasy football team last season, but given a few wasted seasons in Atlanta and then back to back injuries in 2008 and 2009, he has only put together one amazing season (4,700 yards and 29 TDs). If he can do it again, and again, he should be on the list but not yet.
Drew Brees is amazing and just continues to put down all of the critics, I absolutely love him. Favre, even though he screwed the Jets over, I can definitely admit is a great QB and most definitely elite when he is on the field. McNabb is someone you might not think about, but he only had one losing season his entire career in Philly and that should tell you something. He is a playmaker with his legs and his arm and will possibly bring some life to a dead Washington team.
Eli Manning I'm not really a fan of, but I do give him credit because he beat the Pats in the Super Bowl when people were talking about that New England team being the best of all-time. Not elite yet though...sorry. Aaron Rodgers is the man. He is a gun-slinger and reminds me of Favre. He is a playmaker and is only getting better, sitting on the bench behind Favre for a few seasons couldn't have hurt. He definitely belongs on the list.
Ever since Romo took over in Dallas he has done nothing but put up very impressive statistics, for an undrafted free agent nonetheless. The only question mark that could leave him off the list is what has he done for me lately...in the playoffs. He took it one step further last season and I think he belongs on the list because Dallas is a contender with him at QB.
Matt Ryan, see Joe Flacco.
So, in conclusion I've decided that John Clayton should be much tougher in his decisions and not just give it out to make sure the list if full. Just because a QB belongs in the top 10 doesn't mean he is elite.
Top 10: 1. Manning - The Best 2. Brees - Showed he can play with and beat the best 3. Favre - Who knows how long he'll play 4. Brady - Shown can be beaten...and embarrassed 5. Roethlisberger - Gosh he is ruining his career 6. McNabb - Sucks he hasn't won a Super Bowl...and got traded to Washington 7. Rodgers - Arguably the best young QB in the league 8. Romo - Proved he can win the playoffs...kind of 9. Rivers - Can't take over a game...yet 10. Palmer - This is his year...or he could be done
Ugh, not exactly "on" with my picks involving the NFC. This has been a pretty frustrating post-season because a team might show up one week and then just blank the very next without reason. The Cowboys were outplayed in every aspect of the game and shot themselves in the foot numerous times when they were unable to convert in their opponents territory. Tony Romo threw an interceptions and lost two of his three fumbles. Favre had another good game picking up the slack from AP. He threw for four touchdowns, three of them to Sidney Rice. They play the Saints on Sunday for the NFC crown.
New York (+7) 17 San Diego 14
My prediction: Jets 20 Chargers 24
So I was definitely on target with my Jets covering the spread, but they did one better...the won the game straight up. I'll be damned it was quite remarkable if you ask me. Down seven at half, the Jets showed poise and allowed the Bolts to make the majority of the mistakes so Gang Green could capitalize. Mark Sanchez turned the ball over for the first time in three weeks, but responded well by throwing the go-ahead touchdown pass to Dustin Keller. Shonn Greene had another great game scoring on a Jets franchise record 53-yard touchdown pass that nearly put the game out of reach. However, the game truly over when Nate Kaeding missed his third field goal of the day in an attempt to cut the lead to seven. Kaeding also missed the potential game winning field goal in a 2004 playoff game against the Jets. I guess we're his kryptonite.
The Jets head to Indy to face the NFL's MVP. Should make for a great match up.
This is an interesting game because, I can't believe it's actually true, it's playoff time and the Dallas Cowboys are red hot. Besides the Chargers I think Dallas is the hottest team in the NFL right now. Right now Tony Romo is playing very well and even Roy Williams is getting into the mix. Miles Austin is having a break out season (sucks for the Jets who chose not to sign him) and the Cowboys are using all three running backs very effectively. The defense, led by DeMarcus Ware, is playing very well as they were second in the NFL in points per game (15.6). The Vikes are winning games but not playing their best football. The defense is playing well as expected but I don't see how they can slow down the Dallas offense which is ranked in the top 10 in passing and rushing. I like Dallas to edge out the Vikes in a game that will have more offense than expected. Look for Brett the...Viking...to turn the ball over a time or two.
My prediction: Cowboys (+2.5) 27 Vikings 20
Jets (+7) at Chargers
The Jets come into this game winning six out of their last seven, impressive right? Well, it would be if the team they were facing hadn't closed out the season winning their last 11 in a row. The Chargers momentum might have been slowed due to the bye week, but that doens't mean that they aren't playing great football. They are my AFC Super Bowl pick. Unfortunately that means they will have to go through my Jets which is going to be devasting for me. I can be realistic though and and see right now that the Chargers are the better team. However, don't be surprised to see my Jets put up a hell of a fight because they match up so well. They play stellar pass defense which is San Diego's strong point. The Chargers aren't too good at stopping the run (117.8 ypg) and the Jets lead the league in rushing with over 170 yards per game. The primary match up is going to be Phillip Rivers combined with his three targets of six foot four inches or taller against Darrelle Revis and the Jets undersized defensive backs. However, also keep an eye on Mark Sanchez and his ability to pass the ball and potentially stretch the field with Braylon Edwards.
My preciction (unfortunately): Jets (+7) 20 Chargers 24
I just want to apologize to the Dallas Cowboys and their fans for the lack of faith I had in them. I do want to say I was thoroughly convinced that they can win in the playoffs now with that blow out win over division rival Philly. Not only did the Cowboys win, but they did so over a division foe for the third time this season. Beating a team three times in one season is extremely difficult to thing to accomplish.
AFC Wild-Card:
New York Jets (+2.5) 24 Cincinnati Bengals 14
My prediction: Jets 26 Bengals 17
I would say that I was fairly accurate in my prediction with this game. I said that Mark Sanchez was the difference and I was right. He completed 12 of 15 passes for 182 yards and a touchdown. More importantly, he did not turn the ball over, and he wasn't even close. Sanchez played smart football and handed the ball off like a pro. Thomas Jones had limited action due to injury, but they Jets didn't miss a beat because rookie Shonn Greene ran for 135 yards including a 39-yard touchdown. I also said the defense would have to control Benson, which they absolutely did not. I have to give Benson credit because he is the only one that showed up. He had a phenomenal game breaking the Bengals franchise post-season record for rushing yards in a single game. Carson Palmer was the lesser of the USC quarterbacks as he only completed 18 of 36 passes for 146 yards and a touchdown to ex-Jet Laverneous Coles and an interception to Darrelle Revis.
Simply, the Jets outplayed the Bengals (again) in every aspect of the game. Look for an interesting matchup next week against either the Colts or Chargers.
NFC Wild-Card
Philadelphia Eagles (+4) 14 Dallas Cowboys 34
My prediction: Eagles 30 Cowboys 23
Basically, I expected the Eagles to show up. Plain and simple, they didn't. The Cowboys dominated the entire game on both sides of the ball. Tony Romo looked as good as he's ever looked and even Roy Williams contributed. The Cowboys won their first playoff game since 1996 and have been on fire of recent. They really proved that tonight with their domination over a division rival for the second time in as many weeks. I was correct with a 40-plus yard touchdown but it was to Jeremy Maclin and not DeSean Jackson. Jackson did catch a meaningless three yard touchdown. On a note for next week's games, I love the Cowboys to upset the reeling Vikings. Minnesota has been inconsistent of recent, especially the play of Brett Favre, who thankfully didn't win MVP this year.
Just so everyone knows...it's the middle of the third quarter in the Saturday, excuse me, Thursday Night Football: Special Addition. I'm a bit upset right now for a few reasons:
1: It's not TNF, it's Saturday, which makes it Saturday Night Football. Get it right NFL Network. 2: The Saints are behind the Cowboys 24-3. Saints by seven ain't looking to hot right now...that's unfortunate but there are worse things. 3: Tony Romo is playing well?! Of course I happen to be going against Tony Romo the week he launches a 50-yard bomb to Miles Austin. A few INTs would be nice. You might be thinking, he isn't having a Peyton Manning like day so what's the big deal? The guy also has Peyton Manning and Reggie Wayne and Maurice Jones-Drew who of course all had monster days on Thursday.
One thing I did want to bring up is the fact that we finally got to enjoy a football game on Thursday night that was worth watching. The Colts and Jags battled all night trading points and the Colts beat them 35-31 to stay perfect.
Then, the Cowboys jump out and score two quick touchdowns and everyone expects this game to be great as well. But wait, the undefeated, high scoring Saints disappoint us by only putting up three points on the board at half. This is just unfortunate. Not to mention, if you're watching the game you just witnessed Devery Henderson drop a wide open touchdown on the last drive that resulted in a punt. Doesn't look like it will end well in the Big Easy, but who knows, crazier things have happened.
Hopefully this game will get better in the fourth quarter. Currently, Cowboys lead 24-3.
Hey everybody, finals week is approaching fast. This week and next week will be the last two mini editions of this segment. The rest of the season and the playoffs will be a more in depth look. Enjoy.
Week 13
The Down
Hooray, now all three first-round quarterbacks have thrown five (5) interceptions in a game this year. Matt Stafford, my very own Mark Sanchez, and most recently, Tampa Bay's Josh Freeman. He did throw for 321 yards, however, he was unable to come through in a very winnable game against division foe Carolina. Congrats to Freeman for joining the club, I'm sure Stafford and Sanchez will welcome him with open arms. Better luck next time.
The Dirty
Due to the lack of impressive performances this week, the winner of the award goes to Bruce Gradkowski of the Oakland Raiders. Yes, you heard me correctly, the quarterback of the Raiders just won this award. This is mainly because he threw for 308 yards and three touchdowns against the Pittsburgh Steelers in a 27-24 Oakland victory. However, I also want to give recognition to Tony Romo who threw for 392 yards and three touchdowns, and to Jason Witten who had 14 receptions for 156 yards in a loss to the Giants.
