Around the world of the NFL faster than a Richard MarshallPick Six Special, Crappafoni Pictures brings you the fan, in living color, the NFL's version of the spaghetti western, The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly. And away we go!!
THE GOOD
Carolina Panthers: it's been a LONG time since I've been able to put the Cats in the Good category. For the first time all season, the defense showed up and BALLED. Coming into the game, the Panthers forced only 10 turnovers. Today, they forced SIX turnovers, including the Pick Six Special that turned the game around. The defense harassed Trent Dilfer and the 49ers all game long, causing four picks and recovering two fumbles. Throw in six sacks, and you have a complete game by the Panthers' defense.
Oakland Raiders: for beating their archnemesis, the Denver Broncos. Justin Fargas was once again the star, rushing for 146 yards on 33 carries. The Raiders as a team rushed for 175 yards. This game also marked the NFL debut of the first pick in the draft, JaMarcus Russell. He was 4 of 7 for 56 yards. Simply put, they put a good old-fashioned beatdown on the Broncos.
Dallas Cowboys: even though this game was played last Thursday, they are in this category because they are the best team in the NFC. Tony Romo was stellar again, throwing 4 TD passes. Terrell Owens was superb, grabbing 7 of Romo's passes for 156 yards and a TD. They did what they had to do to win. Now they have the inside track for home field advantage throughout the NFC playoffs. At 11-1, the Cowboys are off to the best start in the franchise's storied history.
Minnesota Vikings: don't look now, but they are one of the hottest teams in the NFC right now. The two-headed beast of Chester Taylor and Adrian Peterson is clicking on all cylinders. The Vikings have the inside track to the playoffs right now. They would be a #6 seed if the season ended today. Another bright spot was rookie Aundray Allison. Allison, filling in for an injured Troy Williamson, set a Vikings' franchise record with a 103-yard kickoff return for a TD.
Seattle Seahawks: this was a HUGE win for the Hawks. Any time you can beat the Eagles IN Philly, you'll be put into the Good category. The Hawks' defense rose to the occasion, picking off A.J. Feeley four times, three by Lofa Tatupu. Tatupu was all over the field, amassing 11 tackles in addition to the three picks. Good win by the Hawks. This puts them in the driver's seat in the NFC West.
THE BAD
San Francisco 49ers: simply put, they played WORSE than the Dolphins, and that's saying something. Dilfer had the game from hell, Frank Gore was MIA, and the Niners' "skill" players had a severe case of the dropsies. Patriots Nation was rooting HARD for the Panthers. (The Patriots have the Niners' first round draft pick in next year's draft, and they'll probably draft Darren McFadden, rendering them unbeatable for the next decade. Imagine McFadden behind the Pats' O-line--I can see him becoming the NFL's first 300-yard rusher in a single game)
Miami Dolphins: the streak is alive! Zero and 12 and counting! They could well become the first team in history to lose 16 straight games in the regular season. At least you'll have Glenn Dorsey next year.
Detroit Lions: what kind of effort was that? Kiss your playoff aspirations bye-bye. I'm convinced that unless the Ford family sells the team, the Lions will continue to foster the culture of losing.
Atlanta Falcons: or more specifically, Joey Harrington. Harrington was pulled for Chris *(*#@&*(*^@ Redman. Being pulled for Redman will get you in the Bad category every single time. Joey, take comfort in the fact that you weren't pulled for a QB with NO experience, like last week, when David Carr was pulled for Matt Moore.
THE UGLY
New York Jets at Miami Dolphins: this game is the only reason San Francisco at Carolina wasn't included in the Ugly category. As one who lives on the West Coast, I'm glad I wasn't subject to this game. The Jets got their third win of the season at the expense of the hapless Dolphins.
Cincinnati Bengals at Pittsburgh Steelers: it was a sloppy game, the weather and the turf being great equalizers. At the same time, it was old-school football, lining 'em up and smashing them in the mouth.
Those are my nominations! Your nominations are more than welcome.
"The Ugly" may coincide with Seattle's victory in Philadelphia today. A.J Feeley was TERRIBLE. Perhaps "Beyond Ugly" is a category reserved for the Dolphins.
I honestly believe the Cowboys are two players away from being as dominant as the Patriots. I'm not entirely sold on the Vikings just yet, but if they can run the ball like they have, and control the clock, who knows.
The Ugly - The reff for not giving the Browns the touchdown on the last play ! I know they got a call before that during the game and that was that. But the force out rule was put in for this reason on this type of play.
BTW - Did they change the rule with how many players on offenes that can move after the QB starts his snap count ?
" The ref for not giving the Browns the touchdown on the last play ! I know they got a call before that during the game and that was that. But the force out rule was put in for this reason on this type of play."
Interestingly enough, that was nearly the exact same play as "TOUCHDOWN?!?!?!..........NOOOOOOOO OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO OOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" in '03 that knocked the Vikings out of the playoffs. Obviously not exactly the same since they gave Poole the pushoff call on the one and ignored the other.
What was more disturbing was the back judge who couldn't get out of the way and cost the Browns at least 10 seconds on that drive, plus DA almost ran into him.
Most of all what's the worst is you're going to hear nothing but "well if the Browns didn't have a personal foul............", as if that bad play by someone who has a hand in deciding the outcome somehow excuses a bad call by someone who shouldn't.
Bad omen: The new Bud Light commercial with the tackling official being on every other break.
Hey jon... Yeah Detroit's ugly loss (or was it the Vikings impressive win)opened the door for a lot of teams chasing that wild card berth. Vikings are young and learning to win together. Got to keep an eye on them.
Seattle is finally getting it together at the right time - a few weeks before the playoffs.
Can't understand Miami. It defies logic for a team to be that bad. A first round pick won't help them much.
Forensic, I put that call in BOTH the Bad AND Ugly categories. To answer your question, I'm not sure.
Handler, that Browns-Cardinals game was very poorly officiated. You know when some players have off games. Well, the refs had an off game, to put it mildly.
Hey Midnite, that's why I put Minny in the Good category and Detroit in the Bad category. I think Minny's going to make the playoffs. I agree that Seattle is getting it together at the right time. I can see them possibly going into Dallas and beating them, but it's not likely. Miami has talent, but it defies explanation about them being winless. And thanks for the compliment.
I am from Central California. I am passionate about sports, particularly the NFL and NASCAR. My favorite teams are: Panthers (NFL), Lakers (NBA), Flyers (NHL), and Dodgers (MLB). I am also a Kevin Harvick fan in NASCAR. I am a Fresno State honk. (I'll admit it!) And I am also a fan of MMA. Jackie Robinson to this day represents what is right about baseball. I also enjoy discussing the relevant (and sometimes irrelevant) issues of the day pertaining to sports. I will never understand why televised poker is so popular. Who wants to see a bunch of people sitting around a table, muttering to themselves? I do my best to keep politics out of my sports discussions. That is why I recently created a nonsports blog, cencalscribe. blogspot.com. That is where I post my nonsports topics.
