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KQ: (Un)lucky 13
Authored by Andrew Perna - 2nd December, 2008 - 10:20 am
Instead of looking strictly at the final score of all 42 Super Bowl games, how close was each game when you take the Trench Counter into view?
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Here's to hoping you all enjoyed the Thanksgiving holiday, or at least a little bit of time off. You know what this means, though, the Christmas season is officially upon us.
Before we advance to the December holidays, though, we need to discuss what takes place in late November each year.
I am all for tradition, don’t get me wrong. But as I’m sure you’ve heard multiple times, the three-game Thanksgiving slate of NFL games needs to change.
First of all, the NFL Network game has to go. Either that, or the Network needs to start broking deals with more cable companies across the country.
Secondly, the tradition of a Lions and Cowboys game has to be altered. It’s an unfair focus of national attention, and it can lead to some pretty bad contests as we saw on Thursday.
Tennessee/Detroit was a blowout, as was Seattle/Dallas. The evening battle between the Cardinals and Eagles was a laugher, as well, but at least the majority of the country didn’t have to sit through it.
The Downs First Down…Eagles Flying Again
Roughly four days after seeing their entire reign appear to crumble, the Eagles soared over the Cardinals on Thanksgiving night. Brian Westbrook tied a team record with four touchdowns, and Donovan McNabb’s stat line was spotless, as well. The passer, who was benched just two quarters earlier, went 27-for-39 with 260 yards and four touchdown passes.
The question is – does this one victory provide any healing? Well, Philadelphia is still in last place of the NFC East, but they are within a game (although the tie complicates things) of a Wild Card berth. A win against the Giants, no matter how unlikely, would put them in favorable position heading into a Week 15 battle against the Browns.
Second Down…Packers Slowing Falling
The Packers have lost two consecutive games, and four of their last five to fall into third place in the NFC North. They have fallen to the Titans, Vikings, Saints, and Panthers … all tough, but still winnable games. Aaron Rodgers has nine touchdowns and six interceptions in his last six games. This, after he posted eleven touchdowns and four picks in the season’s first six.
It’s been more than just Rodgers, though, as the Green Bay defense has allowed 86 points over the last two weeks. The Packers could rebound with wins over the Texans and Jaguars in the coming weeks, but they are already two games back in the division. I don’t see them making the playoffs, not with how badly their defense has been lately, but it’d be an interesting storyline to see Rodgers lead them there.
Third Down…Colts High Five
The Colts were unimpressive against the Browns on Sunday, but still managed to record their fifth-straight victory. Peyton Manning and the offense can thank Robert Mathis and his 37-yard fumble return for a touchdown for saving their butts, but that’s another story altogether.
There is a very small, nearly microscopic chance that the Colts could climb into the division race, but they would have to win out, and Tennessee would need to lose two of their next three contests. Regardless, the Colts are in great position to earn a Wild Card berth. … especially with the Bengals and Lions coming to town in consecutive weeks. I’ll be the first to say it – Manning vs. Manning Super Bowl?
Fourth Down…Steelers Thump Patriots
The Steelers absolutely embarrassed the Patriots in Foxboro on Sunday afternoon in the second half. Pittsburgh outscored New England 23-0 after the half, completely shutting down Matt Cassel and the entire Patriots’ offense. They turned the ball over four times in the second half, punting and ending the game on their two other positions.
Mike Tomlin has not-so-quietly built a team that can win in a variety of ways – with Ben Roethlisberger’s arm, the legs of whatever running back is healthy, or on the strength of their defense. The Steelers have a one-game lead over the Ravens but have battles with the Cowboys, Ravens, and Titans coming in the next three weeks. That Week 15 battle will decide the AFC North.
The ‘Who The Heck’ Statline of the Week… Tashard Choice, Dallas: 57 rushing and 6 receiving yards.
Keyboard Prediction for Week Fourteen Atlanta @ New Orleans: Sunday 1:00 PM EST
The Saints run about as hot-and-cold as a Katy Perry song while the Falcons are strong but in uncharted territory. Most of the time, New Orleans has a rather porous defense, which could be exploded by the arm of Matt Ryan and legs of Michael Turner this weekend.
Atlanta’s defense was tough against San Diego this past weekend and has yet to allow a team more than 28 points this season. Unfortunately, that hasn’t assured them much in the NFC South. Beating the Saints – and the Buccaneers next week – will definitely improve their postseason chances. It’s hard to predict how a young team (rookie quarterback, coach, and first-year starting running back) will react to such a pivotal game. They’ve shown enough ice tough, so I’ll take Atlanta.
The Keyboard Prediction: Falcons 32, Saints 21
Season Record: 8-5
My Fantasy Diary:
An absolutely crazy thing happened on Sunday night when the Bears battled the Vikings in Minnesota.
The Drew Crew, just a win away from clinching a division title, entered the Sunday night game down exactly 20 points to The Little Ponies, who stood just a game behind in the race to win the crown.
Accepting defeat, I settled in for a movie night with my lady – Reign Over Me, if you’re interested – but I decided to check the score midway through the second quarter.
In the second quarter, the only player left on my roster, Bernard Berrian, caught a 99-yard touchdown pass from Gus Frerotte that immediately spiked my heart rate. Late in the third quarter Berrian caught a meaningless (in the scope of the game) 4-yard pass that gave me a victory and a division title.
The final score?
106.25-105.85.
The Crew overcame dismal efforts from Philip Rivers (9.25 points), Joseph Addai (4.3), Chris Chambers (0.2), and Dallas Clark (2.4). And strong efforts from Tony Romo (36.95), LaDainian Tomlinson (12.6), and Baltimore (26) on the other side of the box score.
Of course, Berrian didn’t do it alone.
Thomas Jones and the Indianapolis defense, a late play over my more-established Philadelphia unit, both exploded.
Nevertheless, The Drew Crew is in the playoffs and has secured a bye in the first round of the playoffs. It all boils down to this, wins in Week 16 and 17 will win me the East Coast Pigskin championship.
Week One Record: 4-1 Week Two Record: 4-1 Week Three Record: 1-4 Week Four Record: 3-2 Week Five Record: 2-3 Week Six Record: 4-1 Week Seven Record: 3-2 Week Eight Record: 4-1 Week Nine Record: 3-2 Week Ten Record: 2-3 Week Eleven Record: 0-5 Week Twelve Record: 3-2 Week Thirteen Record: 5-0 Season Record: 38-27 (.584)
Top Ten Fantasy Starters At Each Position For Week Fourteen Based On Prior Week Performance And Matchups
Quarterbacks 1. Drew Brees, New Orleans
2. Kurt Warner, Arizona
3. Jay Cutler, Denver
4. Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay
5. Philip Rivers, San Diego
6. Donovan McNabb, Philadelphia
7. Peyton Manning, Indianapolis
8. Tony Romo, Dallas
9. Eli Manning, N.Y. Giants
10. Matt Cassel, New England
Running Backs 1. Michael Turner, Atlanta
2. Thomas Jones, N.Y. Jets
3. Adrian Peterson, Minnesota
4. Matt Forte, Chicago
5. DeAngelo Williams, Carolina
6. Clinton Portis, Washington
7. Marion Barber, Dallas (injury risk)
8. Brandon Jacobs, N.Y. Giants
9. Frank Gore, San Francisco
10. Chris Johnson, Tennessee
Wide Receivers 1. Anquan Boldin, Arizona
2. Larry Fitzgerald, Arizona
3. Greg Jennings, Green Bay
4. Roddy White, Atlanta
5. Calvin Johnson, Dallas
6. Andre Johnson, Houston
7. Randy Moss, New England
8. Steve Smith, Carolina
9. Terrell Owens, Dallas
10. Reggie Wayne, Indianapolis
Tight Ends 1. Tony Gonzalez, Kansas City
2. Jason Witten, Dallas
3. Antonio Gates, San Diego
4. Chris Cooley, Washington
5. Owen Daniels, Houston
6. Dallas Clark, Indianapolis
7. Dustin Keller, N.Y. Jets
8. John Carlson, Seattle
9. Bo Scaife, Tennessee
10. Kevin Boss, N.Y. Giants
Kickers 1. Rob Bironas, Tennessee
2. Jon Carney, N.Y. Giants
3. Matt Bryant, Tampa Bay
4. Jason Elam, Atlanta
5. Stephen Gostkowski, New England
6. Ryan Longwell, Minnesota
7. Mason Crosby, Green Bay
8. Rian Lindell, Buffalo
9. David Akers, Philadelphia
10. Jay Feely, N.Y. Jets
Defense/Special Teams 1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
2. Baltimore Ravens
3. Pittsburgh Steelers
4. Tennessee Titans
5. Philadelphia Eagles
6. New York Giants
7. Minnesota Vikings
8. Chicago Bears
9. New York Jets
10. Green Bay Packers
