We’re halfway through the season and I felt compelled to try my hand
again at a weekly piece. What I plan to do here is to list off my top
five NFL teams heading into this weekend. I’ll give you my reasoning
and my general feeling about the team’s.
Then I’ll list off the top five NFL teams from the following sources:
Peter Schrager, Foxsports.com; Mike McAllister, ESPN.com; Jonathan Comey, ColdHardFootballFacts.com; and Dr. Z, SI.com.
Then I’ll combine all our rankings and develop consensus rankings.
After that I’ll probably tack on some notes with additional thoughts.
Hope you enjoy and feel free to comment.
1. New England Patriots (9-0)
The reason should be obvious. Not only are they sole remaining
undefeated team in the league they have simply been dominating in their
victories. Besides the Colts game the Patriots haven’t faced a
challenge all season. Even in Dallas once they got halfway through the
third quarter the game was over.
The Patriots have a cake schedule the rest of the way and run the
risk of going undefeated. Based on Bill Belichick’s tactics late in
games that have already be won, I wouldn’t be surprised to see Brady,
Moss, Welker, etc. playing extensively in the last several games of the
season. While that may be the right way to go undefeated if Tom Brady
gets hurt in one of those unnecessary games then the Patriots historic
season will be brought to an abrupt halt.
2. Indianapolis Colts (7-1)
The Colts had the game against the Patriots. Even without Marvin
Harrison, the Colts’ offense put up enough points to over come the
league’s highest scoring team. However, Marvin Harrison’s absence ended
up costing the Colts the game. Several times the Colts came within
striking distance but could not score a TD. On play in particular, a
Gonzalez dropped ended a promising drive.
The next time these two teams meet Peyton Manning should have his
favorite weapon. If that’s the case then the Colts could easily win
that game. But they didn’t win this past Sunday and that drops them to
a very solid number 2 (really, more like 1.b.).
3. Dallas Cowboys (7-1)
The Cowboys crushed the Eagles this weekend to assert their
dominance in the NFC East. Of course, they’ve got a far greater
challenge when they travel to Giants stadium to take on the resurgent
New York Giants. This will be the battle for number one and could have
implications of home field advantage in the playoffs.
Dallas is cruising. They seem to be curing their first quarter
scoring woes and that does not bode well for opponents. Their defense
is also coming on and it appears they will finally have both starting
corners in the lineup soon. The Cowboys seem to be improving
week-to-week and they will be awfully hard to beat.
4. Green Bay Packers (7-1)
The Pack have a tough match up this week against the Vikings. Adrian
Peterson is simply ripping the league a new one and will test the young
Packers defense. On the other side of the ball the Pack are running
more but nothing that you could call a legit run game has developed.
That’s going to be a problem (or so they’ve been saying for about 5
weeks now).
As much as I love Brett Favre it seems that he’s a ticking time
bomb. As the level of competition increases the Pack will have to
answer with a running game. If they can’t then Brett could easily slip
into “Bad Favre” and the Packers season might end before the playoffs
begin. However, they certainly seem on track for the playoffs and have
a stellar defense. If they can get their run game going then they could
beat the Cowboys later this month and supplant them as the NFC’s team
to beat.
5. Pittsburgh Steelers (6-2)
Ben Roethlisberger threw for 5 touchdowns in the first half of last
weeks game against the Baltimore Ravens. The Pittsburgh Steelers
defense is still one of the toughest in the league. The combination of
a much stronger offense and an ever powerful defense will spell trouble
for Steelers opponents.
The Steelers appear to be the only legitimate threat left against
the Patriots in the regular season. Ben Roethlisberger is playing at
high level right now and has opened up this offense. If the defense can
attack Brady I believe that the Steelers offense can score on the Pats.
I also trust AFC teams much more than NFC teams so the Steelers get the
nod over the Giants.
- This discussion of the asterisks to be placed next to the Patriots
record if they go undefeated is ridiculous. It should be a foregone
conclusion. If we’re going to consider placing an asterisks next to
Barry Bonds’ record because we think he cheated then we must place an asterisks next to the Patriots’ (read Belichick’s) record because we know they (he) cheated.
- The best way for NBC to go green is to eliminate all the extras
around their football broadcasts. I mean, have Al Michaels do
play-by-play alone. John Madden produces enough Carbon Dioxide by
himself to melt a small ice berg, he will not be missed. Bob Costas is
an embarrassment to studio hosts everywhere and Cris Collinsworth has
to be one of the worst analysts/commentators I’ve ever heard. If NBC
just got rid of all these extras, they would reduce NBC’s carbon
footprint significantly.
After failing to even post the second edition of The Morning After, I’ve gotten the crazy idea that I should try another weekly piece.
This time, I think I’ll try to rank the top five teams as of this
week. While early in the season this is an easier task, I hope to have
more controversial picks as time goes on.
Hopefully, I’ll find time this weekend to actually watch the Sunday Night game and complete a post for Monday morning.
I don’t care about any of this, “you gotta beat the champs,” none
sense. Do you really believe the Patriots aren’t the best team in the
league? I mean, the Patriots have been clicking on both sides of the
ball and have man handled their opponents almost effortlessly.
While their opponents do have a combined record of 4-12 the Patriots
performance can not be denied. The defense is as stingy as ever and the
offense is more prolific than it every has been. Statistically, this team is second in total offense (having been supplanted by Dallas only this week) and first in total defense.
The Patriots are dominating and could make a serious run at 19-0.
However, that’s highly improbable and I expect they’ll have at least
one bump along the road. That being said, until I see otherwise, the
Patriots are the team to beat.
The defending champs are undefeated and, yet, are still playing
second fiddle to the Patriots. A drubbing of the Patriots (or a grind
out win for that matter) on November 4th would go a long way to putting
them back on top. In fact, if they remain unbeaten through that game
then they’d obviously be the top team in the NFL.
But the Colts aren’t exactly dominating teams like they have in the
past. Their games are tight and they’ve had to come from behind a
couple times this season. In fact, they appear more like the Patriots a
couple years ago in their attempt to control the ball and beat the
team’s with stoic defense.
The Colts are still one of the best teams in the NFL but I can’t
deny what I see when I watch the Patriots. Until I see a chink in the
Pats’ armor, the Colts are still in their shadow.
The Cowboys have been downright prolific. Their offense is the best
in the league and Tony Romo looks like he’s been playing in the league
for years. Terrell Owens is quiet after the game but makes plenty of
noise during it. Jason Witten is also making his way back into the NFL
limelight and Marion Barber is a stud.
The defense, meanwhile, is getting better each week. In fact, they
held the Rams without a touchdown (St. Louis’ lone score coming on a
kick return). While that’s not a great feat the little things the
defense is doing are improving. Greg Ellis is back on the field, as is
Terence Newman, in a reduced role and defensive line is upping its
tempo.
The scary part about the Cowboys is they only promise to get better.
Terry Glenn is aiming for a mid season return and would add a whole new
dimension to the Cowboys stellar offense. Tank Johnson is preparing to
join the defense, with a major chip on his shoulder, and hopefully
provide some help on that d-line.
The Cowboys opponents are a combined 3-13 but they, like the Pats,
have been playing some simply outstanding football. They have the Bills
this week and once they get through that we’ll have a clash of titans
on October 14 when the Pats come to town.
Brett Favre looks like Brett Farve circa 1996. The guy has been
making plays and his young receivers haven’t let him down. He’s now the
touchdown king and more importantly the Packers are 4-0. What’s truly
impressive is that the Packers are the youngest team in the league and
they are winning with virtually no running game.
The Packers defense is proving itself as the new cornerstone of this
team. They stuff the run and play the pass well. They put plenty of
pressure on the QB and play with the fire of youth and smarts of
experience.
The Packers first real test won’t come until October 29 when they
play the Broncos and I wouldn’t be surprised if they go the longest
without a loss. The Packers are much better than we thought and now the
only question is how good are they? The sky appears to be the limit but
I really think their ceiling is lower than the Cowboys’.
Afraid I have to agree with the consensus, the Steelers are one of
the best teams in the league. They lost to Arizona in, what I consider,
a fluke game (they were without Hines Ward) and I think it was one of
the Steelers bumps this year.
Big Ben’s been looking good this year. He’s spreading the ball
around and moving like he did in their Super Bowl year. The offense has
been opened up and Roethlisberger appears to be up for the task. The
defense is still preforming well and are statistically the second best
total defense in the league.
As time goes on, they’ll still be a team to beat. Unless the injury
bug plagues them again they’ll be in this thing near the end. They
still have Seattle, New England, Baltimore, and (dare I say it)
Cleveland on the slate. If they can get by all those opponents, or at
least put on a good showing, they’ll be in this thing deep into the
post-season.
There is pretty strong consensus among the top five. The only real
dissension is whether the Colts or Pats are number one and whether the
Seahawks or Steelers belong in the fifth slot.
Well, there’s always room for debate and I’m hoping that space gets
bigger after next week. Several upsets this past weekend shook things
up some but given time and the disagreements should grow. Thanks for
checking it out and please feel free to leave your own top five.
So today was supposed to be the day when we found out whether or not Brett Favre would hang it up. Of course, the three time MVP was shocked that reports actually came to his little news conference. He explained that he still hadn't come to a decision. That he and the Packers would "make a decision at some point soon."
There's another All-Star who has done something similar to his team. I'm speaking, of course, of Roger "The Rocket" Clemens. He still hasn't told the world at large whether he plans to return to Major League Baseball at some point. Again, the Rocket is getting away with this not only because of how good he is but also because of the season he had last year.
And while the Astros aren't centered on Clemens, unlike the Packers who live and die with Brett Favre, he is a very important piece of Astros organization. And yet these two have only been moderately criticized for their utter selfishness. So could it be their greatest has given them a pass? Are they allowed to ignore their team and hold them hostage because they're so good.
No, surely not. Terrell Owens is certainly great. Yet we (myself included) have strongly criticized his selfish acts. Ron Artest was bashed because he put himself before his team numerous times. Meanwhile, the Packers are paralized because they dare not cut Favre, but they can't sign talent because they're afraid he might decide to stay if they do.
Then let me begin to harshly criticize Brett Favre. I've called him possible the greatest Quarter Back to play the game. But he's being nothing but a selfish jerk. He's keeping his team and his teammates in the dark. He's not allowing the team to move on, knowing the owners of the Packers (the fans) would never allow the team to let him go. I don't know whether or not Favre should retire but he should decide. He owes his teammates that much. That's what a team's all about. Sacrificing your own desires to help the team. He should committ one way or another and stick to his decision.
Brett Favre's being selfish and we should call him on it.
So Donovan McNabb described T.O.'s idiotic comments as, "black-on-black crime. "I tend to feel that's kind of demeaning to horrible nature of real crime but I digress. He went on to say, "It's different to say, 'If we had Michael Vick or Daunte Culpepper or Steve McNair or Byron Leftwich," McNabb said of four black starting quarterbacks. "But to go straight to Brett Favre, that kind of just slapped me in the face like, 'Wow ..."'
I got to thinking about Donovan's comments and I didn't really like them. In fact, I'm kind of offended by them. I mean weren't we outraged when that #### at the NAACP said McNabb had sold out cause he refused to run? Aren't we all trying to break down the bias that perpetuates the idea of the "black quarterback?" And now Donovan, regardless of whether or not the interviewer brought it up, says it's ok to compare you to QB's of your own race but not to other ones.
Ok, now let's say Brian Finneran* get's traded to Green Bay. And they get to the Superbowl two years ago. Then he desires a new contract and starts talking smack about Brett Favre. Stuff like the old man got tired in the Big Game. And we have the drama of the past season and he's suspended. Meanwhile, Philly's also struggling. Then Michael Irvin says if Green Bay had Donovan they'd be undefeated. To which Finneran says that's a fair assessment. Then all these months later Brett Favre replies...
"It's different to say, 'If we had Jake Delhomme or Tom Brady or Ben Roethlisberger or Peyton Manning but to go straight to Donovan McNabb, that kind of just slapped me in the face like, 'Wow...'"
From what I've seen the media's talking about Donovan's comments but not really criticizing. Maybe there just hasn't been enough time. But something tells me if Mississippi native Brett Favre had said the above the media would have a field day. We'll see what happens to Donovan after his stupid comments, something tells me we wouldn't be seeing Brett Favre in the NFL next year.
*I simply picked a white receiver who I think is good in order to keep the race of the QB and WR the same. Also, I have no idea about his character; I just modeled it after T.O.
Coming into the last two weeks of the season many teams have begun looking to next year. For a group of those teams that may include arguably the most exciting player in football: Reggie Bush. For some teams his presence will almost atuomatically catapult them into the playoffs next year. However, some teams may have such chronic problems that even Reggie would need some help.
Houston Texans (2-12): The Texans are the one team I really feel should trade the #1 pick. They should trade maybe down in the draft and for some veteran players. I think Reggie's good enough that they could pull this off. I say this because they have bigger problems then Reggie alone can fix. They have a decent back in Davis and a decent quarterback in Carr. But their offensive line is the worst in the league and their defense is rather porous. They may want to plug those holes and use Reggie as bait. However, if they feel they have enough tools now to where only a few small upgrades are neccessary or that they can afford to wait another year then scoop up Reggie!
San Francisco Forty-Niners (2-12): Many feel the 49ers are the worst team in the leauge. Even worse than the above mentioned Texans. I dissagree. Yeah, they're bad but not that bad. Second worst. If the Niners get themselves the first round pick it'll be the first time since the Browns in '99-'00 that the same team got the first round pick two times consecutively. That's turned out well. But a backfield of Alex Smith and Reggie Bush would be formidible. Sure Alex Smith hasn't exactly been the second coming of Steve Young but he hasn't been too bad. The Niners have a good enough defense to support an offense lead by Smith and Bush. The Niners should do everything in their power to grab Bush.
New Orleans Saints (3-11): The Saints have blamed the NFL and Katrina for their woes and while I can't speak for how bad it must be for the Saints I really don't think they would've done better without all these additional problems. Maybe even worse. That first game sure felt it was an emotional high for the Saints as they were playing for the whole city. The Saints should take Reggie and trade Deuce. Sure McAllister is a good back and would be a good compliment to Reggie but that's why they signed Antwan Smith, to compliment their starter. Use Deuce as trade bait and maybe get some O-linemen or maybe a tight end.
Green Bay Packers (3-11): Again a similar situation to San Fancisco's. Whether Farve returns of Rodgers steps up Reggie would immediately lift this team up. Samkon Gado has been great but Reggie Bush would be 100 times better. Sankon would be another great compliment to Bush and would make the Packers a much deeper team. Favre could return to greatness next year and retire on a high note as defenses are forced to watch Reggie. Not to mention Reggie Bush has great hands and would give them a great check-down reciever on passing downs.
These are the four teams really striving to get that first pick. Now, others might pull something off via trade but it's pretty clear one of these four will get Reggie. He'd be helpfull to any team but they've all got to decide if that's enough. Is it worth it to risk drafting him now and losing him in three years cause they couldn't assemble a team around him?
I am a FOX sports blogger because I like to talk and have opinions about pretty much anything and everything. I like pretty much any sport but I love football (basketball's a close second). The NFL is the only major sport I watch all season but I watch the others sporadically. My favorite teams are the Dallas Cowboys, Dallas Mavericks, San Antonio Spurs, Chicago Bulls, Detroit Red Wings, Atlanta Braves, and Boston Red Sox.
