Very Narrowly Scoped NFL Week 17 Recap

Week 16 & 17 Media Gaffe(s)

• Russ Salzberg of the UPN network was apparently so excited to interview defensive tackle Ted Robbins after Saturday Night's game that he announced the final score of Patriots vs Giants as 25-23.
  


• For the record Keyshawn Johnson - The Cowboys and Packers play in the NFC, not the other conference. I know that can be confusing.

New England @ New York Giants

The New York Perspective

"There's nothing but positives about tonight, no negatives come out of this game.'' - Coach Tom Coughlin

I agree with the sentiment, and the sentiment alone of Coach Coughlin's quote. Moving forward to the first round of the playoffs the Giants can take a world of positives away from playing the now 16-0 Patriots as tough as any opponent has played them all season. And the confidence gained from those many positives may prove to be invaluable when the Giants face-off against the Buccaneers, in a little under a week.

But there were negatives, albeit negatives we who watch the Giants week in and week out already knew, but nevertheless negatives. There's also the fact that 3 Giants starters were injured against the Patriots - but I certainly will not fault Tom Coughlin in that I believed playing New England with the intent of winning was in the best interest of the team and the game of football.

But as a neutral observer that has thought about the implications of this game as thoroughly as possible, I'm afraid to say that this game did not change my opinion of the Giants chances in the playoffs, at all.

My critique of the Giants in a nutshell has essentially been that they have an extremely talented roster that in the end, is ultimately doomed by their tantalizing quarterback and a defense that has a history of disappearing when the chips are down. In other words, this roster is good enough to play with any team in the NFL - and they proved that Saturday night, but is just too flawed to ever accomplish their ultimate goals, as they proved Saturday night.

Beginning with the quarterback, I chose the word "tantalizing" in the previous paragraph for a reason. We know Eli Manning can make every throw. We know that when Eli Manning "puts it all together" he looks as good as any quarterback in the NFC. But sadly, we know he cannot be trusted for extended periods of time and that he will kill the collective hopes of Giants fans at the drop of the hat. He's like the subjects of the A&E documentary show Intervention. At each episode's conclusion, when the audience is given the follow-up of the drug addict or alcoholic's progress after the intervention, nine times out of ten we find out that the person has checked themselves out of rehab and is living in a car some place, still using crystal meth. Similarly, just as Giants fan think they're franchise quarterback has had some type of personal epiphany and figured everything out - Manning "relapses" back to throwing terribly timed interceptions, wounded duck passes, or fumbling snaps.

Eli Manning was brilliant for 90% of the Saturday's game. He was playing so well in fact, that I was on record during the game believing that this was the night the perfect season was going to be derailed. It just felt that way. And how good did Manning look running the no-huddle offense? But quietly, Eli - though not totally culpable for the Giants loss - played a major part in killing the Giants chance of a historic victory. It wasn't just the interception he threw to Ellis Hobbs, though that was a killer. It was his horrendous clock management in the 4th quarter. It was taking sacks late in the game for tremendous losses. It was fumbling a snap on the final drive. All the mistakes that Tom Brady DOESN'T make. The irony is that this was actually an uncharacteristic game for Manning by his standards. He was terrible at the end of the game and brilliant for most of it, when usually he makes up for 3 quarters of incompetence with a solid 4th quarter effort. Now the defense.

I certainly cannot praise Giants defense after Saturday nor can I give them a pass for allowing 38 points, because they treated the Patriots like a playoff opponent. In other words, at least from my perspective, this was a HUGE game for the Giants - a game that they wanted desperately to win from both an egotistical and historical standpoint. So then I guess you can say that the chips were down. And when the chips were down in a big game the Giants defense folded - to the tune of 22 2nd half points allowed and 38 points total - just as they have always folded in the most pivotal of situations throughout the last decade. But really, its not the fact that the Giants allowed 38 points that is disheartening. It's the fact that they couldn't get a single stop when they really needed one - that difference, and that difference alone is why I can praise the New England defense in a lackluster effort and chastise the New York defense. When the Patriots need a stop at the end of a game they get it. Just watch their near defeats to Indy, Baltimore, Philly, and of course The Giants.

I understand the Giants were playing the most statistically dominant offense in NFL history. BUT it is almost unfathomable to me how

1. Randy Moss can run untouched down the sideline and score a 65 yard touchdown AFTER he dropped a bomb the previous play. Fool me once shame on you, Fool me again shame on me. You'd think the Giants would pay more attention to the greatest deep threat in NFL history bolting down the sideline than little Wes Welker camped 11 yards down the field next to the 1st down marker.
   


2. The vaunted Giants defensive line managed just ONE sack of Tom Brady in a game where he dropped back to pass 42 times and where the crowd noise was at times, deafening.

Listen.

I applaud the Giants for their effort against the mighty Patriots. I am grateful they gave the football watching nation such an extraordinarily exciting night of football during a lackluster end of the season.

But it's not the fact that the Giants lost that irks me or should scare any Giants fan. It's the fact that the Giants played at their highest possible level and lost NOT necessarily because their opponent was playing better BUT because of the same fatal flaws that have been hampering this team all season:

Manning showed his #1 overall pick potential but ultimately came up short. (Sidenote: He looked completely defeated on the sideline after his interception.)

The secondary was again, horrendous.

The most dominant pass rush in the NFC WAS NOT A FACTOR - A flashback to Week 10 against the Cowboys.

The only thing that was missing off the annual Giants checklist of disappointment was an abundance of killer penalties and dicey coaching decisions - unless you call not sticking with the no-huddle offense and not giving a speedy Ahmad Bradshaw a single touch against a slow New England defense dicey.

Again, the way I interpret Saturday night's game was that I didn't see anything from the Giants that would give me more or less hope for them heading into the postseason. That's not to say that this game was not a huge confidence builder and/or step in the right direction. It's not to say they won't defeat the Bucs in the first round of the playoffs. I just think that at this point, they are what they are and we'll see how far it gets them in January.

Looking Forward - Finding The Silver Lining

Because the Giants didn't change my mind about their chances of advancing (deep) into the playoff, that doesn't mean it didn't change theirs. They should have their confidence bolstered by the fact that:

They had a 16-0 team on the ropes. The Giants now know for certain that they have enough talent to compete with any team in the NFL, especially the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

The running game behind Brandon Jacobs has the potential to be dominant. It amazed me how often he was able to bounce off the initial would-be tackler and continue for extra yardage against New England.

Plaxico Burress hadn't looked as good as he did Saturday since Week 1. When he's healthy, this giraffe is a top-flight deep threat and bona fide Pro Bowler. The offense just isn't the same without him at the top of his game.

Kevin Boss is providing Eli Manning something that Jeremy Shockey hasn't been able to - a dependable safety valve down the field, almost like Amani Toomer. Manning seems to benefit more from Boss's aptitude for getting open when the play breaks down than from Shockey's potential for big plays.

Eli Manning DID throw for 4 touchdowns against the Patriots and engineered a few beautiful drives. If he can forget his shortcomings, maybe, just maybe he can carry this team beyond the Tampa Bay game.


Setting the Record (Book) Straight

As we all know, Tom Brady broke Peyton Manning's record of 49 touchdown passes in a single season. Brady's mark of 50 TD passes is now 1st all-time and his 117.2 Quarterback Rating for the season is the 2nd best all- time to Peyton Manning's 121.1 rating in 2004.

SO why are Brady's 2007 statistical achievements considerably more amazing than Peyton Manning's 2004 season? Because Brady achieved his record setting year under much tougher conditions. Peter King actually touched on this in his Monday Morning Quarterback column and I would to take the the opportunity to expound.

Tom Brady plays 8 games each season in a bad weather stadium (Gillette Field), but in 2007 he also played 2 games in the treacherous Meadowlands, a game in Cincy, a game in Buffalo, and a game in a blizzard-ridden Ravens Stadium. He played 3 games this season (vs. Jets, @ Ravens, vs Miami) in virtually un-throwable conditions. And he still managed to throw 50 touchdown passes!

On the other hand, Peyton Manning plays 8 games each season in a controlled environment (RCA DOME) and also plays in a warm weather division - the AFC South, where road games are hosted by Jacksonville, Houston, and Tennessee.

This is not to take anything way from Manning's brilliance. He can throw for 30+ TDs on the Moon.

But the difference in the conditions Brady and Manning play in is similar to the difference between Miguel Cabrera hitting in the spacious Dolphins Stadium and Ryan Howard hitting in Citizen Bank Ballpark. Both are great hitters - but one's numbers are inflated by a ban-box while the other's are mitigated by the sheer size of his now former, home park.

You have to love how even in an NFL column, a Mets fan can still get his digs in against the Phillies.


My 2007 NFL Awards Section


MVP - Tom Brady

Runners up - #2 Bret Favre, #3 Tony Romo, #4 Peyton Manning, #5 Randy Moss, #6 LaDainian Tomlinson


Defensive Player of the Year - Albert Haynesworth

Runners up - #2 Mike Vrabel, #3 Bob Sanders, #4 Jared Allen, #5 Kerry Rhodes


Offensive Player of the Year - Tom Brady

Runner up - Randy Moss


Coach of the Year - Bill Belichick

Runners up - #2 Mike McCarthy, #3 Wade Phillips, #4 Romeo Crennel, #5 Jack Del Rio, #6 John Gruden


Offensive Rookie of the Year - Adrian Peterson

Runners up - #2 Joe Thomas, #3 Marshawn Lynch, #4 Dwayne Bowe



Defensive Rookie of the Year - Patrick Willis

Runners up - Amobi Okoye

2007 - Against the Spread Totals


Week 16 & 17 (14-16-2) - Season Total (127-114-12)

The Holiday Coffee Compilation

Coffee holds a different significance for each of us.

We love it. We're addicted to it. We enjoy it. We need it to function in a dog-eat-dog world.

It stained your teeth, ruined your shirt, burned your arm, or gave you indigestion.

You drank it with her on your first date, or before the big job interview, while studying for that Bio final, to get over a hangover, or after a rough day.

Maybe you don't even enjoy the taste all that much, but you love it just because it's that one reprieve - the one hiatus you have from a day of monotony and frustration.

Everybody drinks coffee for their own purpose. Everybody takes it a different way. But most importantly, almost everybody drinks it - but unlike water, soda or juice, coffee assumes a more pivotal role in the drinker's life than the other ubiquitous beverages. It's not for quenching thirst, biological survival, or for your daily recommended dosage of vitamin-C.

It's a way of life.

So without further ado, the First Annual Holiday Coffee Compilation. As your host, I will conclude the coffee forum with the final entry.

Enjoy!

-Zach Napolitano



Holidays In A Mug - By Avery Thompson

As if Christmas wasn’t enough, now even ZachNapolitano.com’s Coffee Talk has been overcome by the corporate world, (ahem, Starbucks, ahem...excuse me, I had something in my throat). Therefore, in the interest of our reader, on a sociological and philosophical level all corporate influence has been eradicated for this holiday post. Let us all gather like the shepherds of yore, for a holiday post of biblical importance.

Home Brewing: Regardless of your religion the institution of family is vital to the human spirit. With this in mind, let us explore four common forms of home brewing. After all, nothing brings a family together like a strong cup of joe.

Drip-Coffee: The most common form of brewing in America, these handy machines balance performance with ease. They are a vast improvement over the former king of American coffee making, percolators, for numerous reasons, none more important than actually allowing some flavor into the party. If the coffee’s from drip, it’s worth a sip. Product best for: Chatter, set it, forget it, and find out how everyone’s week has been.

Espresso Machine: The 90’s weren’t simply about extreme sports and gangster rap. Espresso machine fanatics reached cult like status not long ago. With a stronger brew and more intense flavors it is hard to knock these shiny contraptions except for their initial cost and more complicated nature. And though their hype has diminished, its likely that just as Biggie and 2Pac will remain on our airwaves, the espresso machine will never be removed from the kitchens of upper-middle class java fiends. Product best for: People into ultimate performance or those who need a conversation piece. “So you have an espresso machine...” (cue).

French-Press (Press Pot): This lesser seen form of coffee brewing is the James Bond of coffee brewing with its timeless style and humble strength, not to mention, it is extremely easy. Sorry, it just fit in so well. Since this variation is the least common, perhaps it deserves some explanation. Simply, a French-press is a cylinder, often of glass or metal, in which coffee grounds are placed in, then boiling water poured in. The press part of the name comes from the plunger apparatus that fits snugly in the cylinder and when pressed down, condenses the coffee grinds, thus brewing. Product best for: From the hip to traditionalists, anyone who isn’t afraid of a little elbow grease in exchange for a solid cup.

Instant Coffee (Soluble Coffee): Last for a reason. Instant coffee is most often found in homes of strict tea drinkers or those that don’t imbibe in any hot caffeinated beverages (yes, they do exist). It involves mixing a spoonful of dehydrated coffee granules with boiling water. Unfortunately this variation of brewing leaves most of the flavor and rousing experience behind. But, it is coffee, and for that reason can not be spoken in too ill a manner. Instant coffee serves its purpose as a good last resort. So when on an expedition or in the home of the less informed, be thankful. Product best for: Non-coffee drinking pantry stockers, explorers, and those who decided to only read the first and last paragraphs of this article.

Enjoy the holidays, and save a cup for me.

*This week’s edition of Coffee Talk was an editorial contribution of charity. If you would like to make a donation resulting in more articles of this caliber, please contact its writer at AveryHThompson@gmail.com to determine best method of donation.


A Personal Account on Espresso - By Rory Heenan

Espresso can be used in a variety of ways and for a variety of purposes. I come to work most days tired, and off a night of drinking and/or four hours or less of sleep, so I have a need for a boost.

I find it useful to combine three or four “servings” of espresso in a cup, with 2 sugars, 2 creams, and a third of a hot chocolate powder serving.

This process is generally repeated at least 5 times in a business day, giving me a grand total of 15-20 espresso shots daily. I am fortunate enough to have an espresso machine in my office, making it free of charge. Most do not have this luxury. Espresso shots are generally priced between 1-2 dollars and are added to an existing coffee-type beverage. If espresso is not readily available, I recommend getting the strongest bean of coffee nearby and condensing a normal serving size into a 4 ounce creation.

I can honestly say that, without espresso, I would most likely be on the unemployment line.


A Coffee Christmas Story - By Jack Allen Duhamel

When I heard about the Holiday Coffee Edition, I couldn't resist sharing my most enjoyable Coffee tale.

Let me take you back to Christmas Eve, 2005. I was in the center of town, spreading the Christmas spirit with friends and family. Carol after Carol, we serenaded the town throughout the magical night, patiently awaiting St. Nick and the celebration of baby Jesus' birthday. Just as we were about to turn it in for the night, i glanced over to my left to see a poor homeless man, clearly shaken by the winter chill. Feeling generous, I approached the man and handed him a crisp $100 bill.

Walking away I thought to myself, this man is now extremely wealthy by bums standards, but has he been fully taken care of? After a brief deliberation, I came to the conclusion that my $100 offering was LESS than the priceless Christmas cheer i had spread to others through caroling. My journey then shifted over to the local Dunkin Donuts, where I ordered a large decaffeinated (not wanting to keep this poor man awake all night) holiday blend, 2 sugars, 2 creams.

Toothy grin and all, I trotted back to the bum's location. When I got there I was stunned. There were two other bums with him, which wasn't the problem. The problem was all the money I had given him was clearly spent on booze and drugs. Frantically trying to hide his pipe, the bum welcomed me back and introduced me to his sidekicks. Having to go from the best of the best (holiday cheer and caroling) to the dregs of society (back alley swindling addicts) was shocking, causing what I later decided was temporary insanity. I took the Large decaf holiday blend, uncapped it, and threw it at the feet of the bums. Luckily they were wearing shoes which prevented any serious burns, but I clearly let my emotions get the best of me in this situation.

Merry Christmas to all, and long live the Holiday Coffee Edition!


Sins of the Coffee Aficionado - By Daniel Perrone

There are generally two levels to anything that may be the object of enjoyment. The first is what I will call the casual level. I, for instance, exist within these parameters when we’re talking about wine or coffee. It’s enough for a cup of coffee to provide me with gratification. I don’t need to know the specifics – the soil from which its beans grew, the subtle resemblances it may or may not have to other identifiable flavors. I waste enough time thinking about things that in the grand scheme have no bearing on my self. I simply can’t afford to be anything more than a casual fan of coffee.

The next stage of pleasure is what I’d like to focus on. It is the level of the connoisseur. For the connoisseur, it is not enough to derive gratification from a cup of coffee. He must understand the coffee. The sadist gets his rush from hurting others. The connoisseur gets his rush from fooling himself into believing that something exists beyond the basic realm of gratification. If that sounds nihilistic, it is.

The coffee industry is a big one, and most consumers stick to the first level. A cup of Dunkin Donuts coffee, light and sweet, serves as liquid courage for so many of us. It is no exaggeration to say that coffee keeps our world bustling and economy spinning.

But there’s an industry underworld, not in the sense of coffee gangs and violent wars over espresso makers, but in the sense of luxury and extravagance whose existence you would never even begin to consider had I not pointed it out. An example:

The Kopi Luwak is a coffee exported from Indonesia. It is made from berries that have passed through a monkey’s intestines, which manufacturers, connoisseurs, aficionados, and susceptible status seekers claim give the coffee a distinct, delicious taste unrivaled anywhere on Earth.

For the plantation workers, this means spending long hours sifting through monkey excrement so that Japanese businessmen can pay upwards of 50 USD for a cup (sales estimates range from 120-600 USD per pound). I’ve yet to try Kopi Luwak, but I can’t help but wonder who came up with this idea, and whether he or she experimented on various digestive systems before settling on the monkey's.

So what do we take from all this? Self-recognition, of course. We who modestly seek our coffee will always be the backbone of the coffee culture. We're the ones who view this elevation of the coffee bean as a brutal perversion of our moral laws. We're the ones who are satisfied with Dunkin Donuts in the morning. We couldn't afford a cup of this monkey excrement, and to be honest, we wouldn't want it anyway. Here’s to us!


"Macchiato, per favore!" - By Ryan Creamer

Since beginning my studies in Rome, I have grown to appreciate coffee much more than when I was in America. Here in Italy, coffee is about the only thing that is done correctly. Furthermore, its done scientifically. Accordingly, the normal order for a coffee, "caffe," translates to a small cup that we would call 'espresso.' From that point on, there is a veritable panoply of selections which differ based on the amount of coffee, milk, sugar, and alcohol that will be put into each different sized glass. While I was a fan of the cappuccino (frothy milk mixed with coffee in a large cup), I now prefer and in fact depend upon the "caffe macchiato," simple coffee ("caffe or espresso") with a simple quick shot of foamy milk in the typical 'espresso' cup. The taste is a spectacular one, combining fierce caffeination with a subtle edge.

The Italian educational system is a wonderful one: At the Pontifical Gregorian University of Rome, the Jesuit capital of the world, students are intellectually nurtured on 45 minutes of Italian language in Theology and Philosophy then permitted a 15 minute break, at which point they all crowd downstairs and shout out their order at the crowded university 'bar.' From 7:30am to 12:15pm, while my Italian, German, and Spanish professors sip beer, I and good number of my classmates faithfully shout out, "macchiato, per favore!"


There´s No Place Like Home - By Mike Renganeschi

I recently moved from New York to Barcelona, Spain and have been enjoying some of the most delicious espresso in the world. No matter where you go in this city you can find great coffee for a good price. My favorite as of now is called a ¨Cafe Cortado¨ and is espresso with just a bit of milk. Throughout the days and nights here the cafes are full of people enjoying their coffee, a cigarette, and a good conversation. I have always thought of coffee in this way. Not only as a delicious drink but also as a creative stimulant and a catalyst for conversation. My confession is that despite the atmosphere and taste of coffee abroad, I miss a 24oz. Dairy Barn coffee, too hot, black as night, and horribly bitter.


A Lifetime of Coffee - By John Napolitano

M love affair with coffee started at a very youg age, around eight years old. My sister and I would have Rice Krispies cereal mixed with our coffee every morning. That's right...not exactly the breakfast of champions. It was also a tradition for our family to have coffee and cake every night. Gee...no wonder why I was considered a little hyper active---I chased my sister around the house like a lunatic. Oh well, those were the good old days. Today the love affair continues, with coffee every morning, every afternoon, and every night, before and after every mountain bike ride, and every business appointment. As a matter of fact, I'm drinking a cup(loving it) right now as I'm writing this entry. So go ahead..call me an addict, but I've always felt the "need for speed."

I Love All Things Coffee…Except Coffee - By Holly

For as long as I can remember, I have always disliked the bitter taste of coffee. I’ve tried to “make it taste good” in so many ways: creamers, brown sugar, white sugar, sugar cubes, Splenda, Equal, Sweet n’ Low, whole milk, 2% milk, skim milk, cinnamon, cool whip, and even “iced coffee” and cookies- but none of them ever worked. I am a tea drinker by nature, but oddly enough, I have always enjoyed the aroma of coffee, and the taste of anything “flavored” coffee- coffee ice cream, coffee yogurt, and coffee flavored hard candies. I enjoy the aroma of coffee perking, coffee grinds, coffee beans, and coffee scented candles; they all remind me of so many wonderful things. I can just smell a cup of coffee and suddenly a stream of vivid memories flashes through my mind. With just one hint of coffee in the air, I am reminded of:

Early childhood: The sound of coffee perking in the kitchen just before we gather for breakfast on Sunday mornings.

Childhood: Being too old to believe in Santa Clause, but too young to “stay up with the adults,” sitting awake in my bed, in the dark, and listening to the sound of laughter echoing from the dining room as the adults gather to share their memories of the night’s Christmas party, and “when they were younger…”

Adolescence: Ditching class to go to the local 7-11 to hang out, smoke cigarettes, and talk about anything that isn’t school related. Or…buying my first period teacher (Mr. O’Brien) a 16 0z. cup of coffee “light and sweet” and a jelly donut so I could be marked “present” on those days when I felt like going to the beach instead…

Young Adulthood: Being an undergraduate and watching my boyfriend walk out from the deli with a large cup of coffee (with whole milk) and a little surprise- black tea for me.

My Early 20s: The smell of being in the faculty room. I am now a teacher, and an adult…and I still watch people smile as they take that first sip of the bitter energizer that suddenly puts them in the greatest mood, ready to face the day, and able to continue to work in the greatest profession in the world, being an educator.

The Test - By Zach Napolitano

In the film A Bronx Tale, the young protagonist Cologero is offered a piece of unique dating advice from his idol Sonny, who also happens to be the local mob boss - operating his “business” out of the restaurant next to Colergo’s family’s apartment. . Sonny informs Cologero that while on a first date with any particular woman, if she does not reach over to unlock the driver’s side car door for you, after you have chivalrously opened her door, then she is to be dumped immediately. But if she is in fact courteous enough to unlock your door; Then she has the potential to become “one of the greats” in your life and henceforth is a keeper.

I also used a test of sorts to determine if the girl I had began seeing would be “one of the greats” - Only my test was not premeditated nor was it so simple to administer. But like Cologero, this tale did end in the Bronx.

We decided to stop at Starbucks before my family, the girl in question, and I took the one hour drive from my home in Long Island to her’s in Westchester. A sort of a group drop-off, if you will. Because I have a personal policy to NEVER, under any circumstances order a coffee or coffee based beverage under 20 ounces, I went with the ‘Venti’ sized Mocha Latte - which contains enough chocolate, caffeine, and whipped cream to upset the digestive balance of even the most veteran java consumer. Since the Mocha latte was mistakenly served at around room temperature, I was able to gulp it down well before we even made it to the expressway.

In Lynbrook I had the chills. In Queens my stomach was rumbling. By the time we approached the exits for the Bronx on I-95, I was in full-on panic mode; A state of intestinal emergency! It was to the point where I had no choice but risk the utter embarrassment and possible long-term consequences of admitting in front of the girl I had just began dating, that if my dad didn’t pull over soon, things would get really ugly...or messy.

I don’t remember much of what happened between the time I demanded that my dad exit the highway as soon as possible, and when I was in the treacherous bathroom stall of a McDonald's in the Bronx. I guess I was too focused on not allowing my sphincter to contract. But I do remember how I felt walking back to the car after I had….fixed the problem; embarrassed, nervous, unsure of what her reaction would be. But the beauty of the situation was that there was no situation. We joked about what had happened and moved on. She wasn’t disgusted, she didn’t think any less of me - And she shouldn’t have. But we all know that people can be overly judgmental of or turned-off of by the most insignificant human flaws and fallacies. Needless to say she passed my test, one I didn’t know I was giving and one she didn’t know she was taking. And I have coffee to thank for helping me find “one of the greats.”


Week 16 - In the league where they play for pay...

Pittsburgh (-11) OVER ST LOUIS

Dallas (-11) OVER CAROLINA

CLEVELAND (-3) OVER Cincinnati

Green Bay (-9) OVER Chicago

Houston (+7) OVER INDY

DETROIT (-5) OVER Kansas City

BUFFALO (+3) OVER New York Giants

OAKLAND (+14) OVER Jacksonville

Philadelphia (+3.5) OVER NEW ORLEANS

ARIZONA (-10.5) OVER Atlanta

Tampa Bay (-6) OVER San Francisco

Miami (+22) OVER NEW ENGLAND

New York Jets (+8.5) OVER TENNESSEE

SAN DIEGO (+9) OVER Denver

Washington (+6.5) OVER MINNESOTA

SEAHAWKS (-10.5) OVER Ravens

Last Week (9-7-0) - Season Total (113-98-10)

Narrowly Scoped Week 15 Recap

Quote(s) of the Week: The "Hoody" Edition

• "Awesome" - What Bill Belichick said to Eric Mangini after he said "Good game" when they met at mid-field for their post game handshake. Sense a tinge of sarcasm in that quote?
  
  
• "Good to win in the division. Good to sweep the Jets" - It's not the actual quote per se by Coach Belichick that amused me - It's the way he said it, momentarily stepping outside of his infamous monotone to relish in a victory over a now 3-11 team. Extra emphasis placed on his quote's second sentence.

Jets @ Patriots

If we know one thing about the Patriots after their victory over the Jets, its that they're hanging on every word Al Gore has warned us about regarding the environment. Tom Brady has probably studied An Inconvenient Truth as much as he has broken down opposing game film. Coach Belichick is urging every player to buy themselves and family members a Hummer, and has mandated that all forms of car pooling are now in direct violation of team policy. Owner Bob Craft has decided it may be in their best interest to leave the lights on in Gillette Stadium 24/7.

In other words: If the Patriots want to continue their dominance, or more importantly sustain their winning streak throughout the latter stages of January, then they better do everything in their power to speed up Global Warming. The New England offense was at its best benign against the Jets, and that's not because the Jets suddenly morphed into the '85 Bears on defense. I mean David Harris is good, but he's still a far cry from Mike Singletary. Actually, the Patriots didn't even try to be dynamic offensively in the face of adverse weather conditions on Sunday; which is not to say that if they were faced with extremely inclimate conditions in the playoffs they wouldn't be successful on offense. What it does say is that certain weather conditions can greatly limit their playbook, thus potentially transforming them into strictly a run-first team. And though the Patriots proved they could successfully run the ball on Sunday against the Jets, they were far from being impressive enough to convince me they could win a game in which they were forced to run the ball 25+ times against the Jaguars, Colts or Steelers. That's why New England's road to the Super Bowl - all games played in the frozen tundra that often is Gillette Stadium - will be much tougher than the actual Super Bowl played in the friendly confines of a warm weather arena. Then again, if Al Gore is vindicated and the New England weather remains relatively calm on the two Sundays in January when the Patriots play football THEN you can start engraving their 4th Lombardi Trophy.

Another way of looking at Sunday's Jets @ Patriots game is that New York didn't lose to the 2007 Patriots. They actually lost to the 2001 Patriots.

The New England victory was relatively unimpressive compared to their usual 17+ point routes.The 2007 Patriots dominance is predicated on fast-paced offensive dominance which results in the opposing team becoming fatally one-dimensional as they attempt to keep pace with Brady and company. On the other hand, the pre-2007 Patriots would by modest point differentials - with confusing defensive schemes, opportune special teams plays, an effective run attack, and just the right dosage of quarterback game management and 4th quarter quarterback heroics to eke out a 3 point win - regardless of the opponent. And that's how they won Sunday. SOoO, in reponse to my newly acquired question marks about New England's ability to win in harsh January weather conditions, I think a New England fan with strong written and/or verbal skills could successfully persuade me 1) Sunday's new offensive low-point against the Jets was merely a blip on the radar AND more importantly 2) That the 2007 Patriots are really not a facsimile of the pre-Super Bowl Colts AND still have the moxy, saavy, grit, and coaching advantage to beat any opponent in a grind-out game, though it may only be by a field goal. BUT until I meet that Patriot fan who also happens to be captain of his college debate team and can thus convince me the 2007 Patriots are built for January, or just until the Patriots prove to me otherwise, I'll still choose the Patriots to win the Super Bowl, but not without a significant amount of of newly acquired skepticism.

Enough about the Patriots. Let's talk some Jets...

As much as I want to, I will not disillusion myself into believing the Jets defense is a force... yet. I'll chalk up a good portion of their success defensively against the New England offense to inclimate weather and Mangini knowing the enemy. Still, the Jets defense has improved leaps and bounds in recent weeks AND they did successfully stymie the Patriots record setting offense better than any other defense did in 13 previous weeks! The defensive nucleus is in place:

Kerry Rhodes: ELITE Safety and biggest Pro Bowl snub of 2007. Again, E L I T E .

David Harris: Quietly turning into the bargain version of Brian Urlacher. Harris is all-ova-da-place!

Darelle Revis: He'll make one coverage error each week, but this rookie is holding his own at corner against the likes of Terrell Owens, Braylon Edwards, and Randy Moss.

Factor in: The other improving pieces on defense, a top-4 Pick in a 2008 NFL Draft loaded with defensive talent, a potential abundance of draft picks in the same defense-loaded draft from possible Jonathan Vilma and Chad Pennington trades.

I'll take my chances with this defense in 2008 and beyond, though I understand the larger issue(s) at hand for the Jetropolitans:

The reason why Kellen Clemens missing the remainder of the Patriots game after only 2 plays from scrimmage is alarming is not because he was seriously injured OR because we should begin to question his toughness. His rib is fine and from what I've seen of Clemens I can tell he's a tough kid. The bigger issue is that Clemens probably could have returned against the Patriots but Coach Mangini decided to hold him out in favor of Chad Pennington. And the move made sense - Pennington's intelligence and experience gave the Jets the best chance of winning against a Belichick-led defense, and Chad did a fine job - he actually had better statistics than Tom Brady on Sunday. BUT now the question that is begged is whether or not Clemens has what it takes to be a franchise quarterback; a quarterback that you can build around. I've heard more than one NY sports radio personality express doubts about Clemens future since this past Sunday and just the expression of those doubts scares the life out of me as a Jets fan, for the simple fact that an NFL team is going nowhere without a dependable quarterback that can make all the plays. Just ask the Giants.

BUT despite the whispers of Clemens doubters and his recent hardships at the helm, I'll remain with my original prognostication of his future. He can make every throw. I like his pocket awareness. I like the way he exudes confidence. I like that he can make plays with his legs when need-be. Once he goes through an entire training camp as a starter, gains complete command over the playbook, and matures in his decision making and his progression of defensive reads, he'll be just fine.

What I didn't like about the Jets Sunday

1. Justin McCareins dropping another TD pass in a HUGE spot
   
   
2. Justin McCareins dropping a punt in coverage that would have pinned the Patriots inside their own 2 yard line.
   
   
3. The fact that Justin McCareins is still donning the Green and White.
   
   
4. I understand Mangini wanted to use the 'every trick in the book' approach against a far superior Patriots team, BUT this is the NFL and I can only see Brad Smith run an unsuccessful option so many times without throwing up in my mouth.
   
   
5. The Jets poor offensive line play. They allowed 5 sacks against New England and mind you that Pennington isn't taking too making 7 step drops. The fact of the matter is that blue chip OT prospect D'Brickishaw Ferguson has actually taken a step backwards in his sophomore season, like backwards as in an opposing Defensive End blowing him backwards off the snap of the ball for a sack. That and the Jets badly miss Pete Kendall at guard.

I did love the palpable hate for Belichick that Mangini displayed in the subtext of his of his post game press conference - the first time I've seen those feelings surface publicly. When that reporter asked Mangini what Belichick said to him after the game, you can sense that it took every bit of his strength NOT to say "Who gives a s*** what that cheating bastard said."

Redskins @ Giants

You know things aren't going well for your team, when while on the sidelines your coach seems to be mimicking my exact mannerisms and behavior of when I was a young boy watching Hulk Hogan lose both his WWF title and perception of immortality against the Undertaker and his devastating Tombstone Pile Driver.

But hey, this is the new Tom Coughlin. He's more laid back, more even-keeled. Anyway...

I'm not going to write the same commentary I do every week about the Giants. I mean, how many different ways can I evaluate Eli Manning's incompetence, allude to a collapse, call-out the defense to make a stand when it matters, or harp on the vulnerabilities of the secondary? Probably several hundred ways, but that's beside the point, I'll save the spiel for another day. The facts are simply:

1) Manning played poorly again, but gets a small break because...

2) His receivers played the worst game of any receiving corps I've seen in recent memory. Every time Manning would begin showing signs of life a Giants receiver would drop a ball that hit him the numbers.

3) The defense was solid but it still gave up 22 points to a 3rd string QB in freezing conditions and on its home field. You can compare this performance to a pitcher getting a loss after giving up 4 earned runs and losing the game 4-2. Sometimes only allowing 4 runs is enough to win BUT sometimes another pitcher pitches better than you and your team loses. Though the Giants defense put forth a decent effort the fact remains that they were "out-pitched" by the 'Skins. The Washington defense was better Sunday than the Giants defense.

4) The Giants did not run the ball nearly enough on Sunday.

Now the Giants need to think about seeking the counsel of Mike Vick, Pernell Peace and other Bad Newz Kennels collaborators because its going to dog fight the next 2 weeks. A loss to Bills this upcoming Sunday, which is not inconceivable considering the potential result of an already inaccurate Eli Manning throwing for his team's playoff livelihood in subzero temperatures up North, and the Giants will head into Week 17 in what could be a MUST-WIN game against the Patriots. Bill Belichick game-planning for the right to go 16-0 and against Eli Manning sans Jeremy Shockey is not a winning combination, any way you slice it.

OR.. The Giants can beat Buffalo and relax.
OR.. Lose to Buffalo, Lose to New England, and pray for mathematical help.

Remember, this is the NFC - don't be surprised if the latter happens. It's would be the fitting end of another promising season in the Tom Coughlin Era. It wasn't too long ago we were talking about 12 wins for the Giants.

I'm an Idiot because...

1. I'm on record, on this very website, admitting the Vikings were a bad team when I was an early believer. I even have a Vikings hat as a keepsake from a 2005 trip to the Land of 10,000 lakes.

I'm a Genius because...

1. I'm also on record, on this very website, predicting a Miami win OVER the Ravens. Congratulations Cleo Lemon.

I'm Angry Because...

1. Zero Jets were selected to the AFC Pro Bowl roster. Kerry Rhodes should have been a lock at safety, especially with Troy Polamalu having a sub par year (by his standards) AND Leon Washington needed to be part of the AFC Special Teams in some capacity. And can somebody throw Center Nick Mangold a bone.

What to look for @ ZN.com this week:

• Week 16 NFL Pick
  
• A Special Holiday Coffee Edition, with contributions from a multitude of diverse writers. Email last minute contributions to znapolitano@gmail.com.

The Mitchell Report & NFL Week 15 Picks

Is it possible for the impact of the Mitchell Report to be under-rated?

The consensus opinion of writers, analysts, and fans seems to be that the names that appear in Senator Mitchell's investigation aren't as shocking or juicy as they would have liked. And I would tend to agree. There are obviously some names missing.

But when ESPN.com broke down the report in terms of categories such as MVPs, CY Youngs, Home Run Titles, and All-Star appearances among many other achievements by Mitchell Report "honorees', the numbers were overwhelming. So my point is, though the report had fewer surprises and mega-stars than expected, the disappointing sentiment resulting from the report may be unjustified. Let's not forget, the undisputed greatest hitter of his generation (Barry Bonds) and arguably the greatest pitcher of his generation (Roger Clemens) were fingered in this report, along with just what seemed like the entire 2000 New York Yankees World Series roster.

For example, below is my 2007 ALL-Mitchell Team, by position. When all of these players were in their collective HgH/Anabolic Steroid "Primes," I dare you to tell me you wouldn't win a World Series with this roster 9 out of 10 years.

DH: Jason Giambi, Mo Vaughn

C: Benito Santiago, Todd Hundley, Paul Lo Duca
1B : Raphael Palmeiro
2B: Brian Roberts, Chuck Knobloch

3B: Troy Glaus, Matt Williams, Ken Caminiti
SS: Miguel Tejada
OF: Barry Bonds, Len Dykstra

OF: Gary Sheffield, Gary Matthew Jr.
OF: Jose Canseco, David Justice

SP: Roger Clemens
SP: Andy Pettite
SP: Kevin Brown
SP: Denny Neagle
SP: Paul Byrd

RP: Scott Schoenweis
RP: Derrick Turnbow
RP: Mike Stanton
RP: Brendan Donnelly
C: Eric Gagne

I can't imagine how good this team would be if we knew every steroid user. I know for a fact the All-Mitchell roster would have upgrades at both catcher and first base, if you catch my drift.

Clemens and Pettite:

If Bill Belichick has an Uma Thurman in Kill Bill sized vendetta against his former close friend Eric Mangini for Spygate, then I can only imagine how Roger Clemens will feel about his best friend Andy Pettite for destroying any chance he had at salvaging his legacy.

If you didn't hear, Andy Pettite admitted today, that he did in fact use Human Growth Hormone. So how does this affect The Rocket?

Clemens, through a statement issued by his attorney, categorically denied the validity of the Mitchell Report's accusations that he used steroids. Of course he's not filing a law suit, but he is denying the charges nevertheless. So being that Clemens, Pettite, and Knobloch shared a trainer, AND being that Pettite admitted to using HGH and Knobloch is yet to deny using steroids, it now becomes completely unreasonable to believe that the trainer that Clemens shared with his former Yankee teammates, gave Pettite and Knobloch steroids but never gave Clemens a banned substance. Or in other words, Clemens wants us to believe that trainer Brian McNamee told the truth about supplying steroids/HGH to two of his clients but was fabricating everything he testified about Clemens. He also wants us to believe his 2nd prime at the ages of 40 and beyond was due to his 'legendary' workouts, that Roid Rage didn't cause him to throw a bat at Mike Piazza, and that he wasn't one of the players connected to the Jason Grimsely debacle.

Rocket, your credibility is falling faster than the Challenger Space Shuttle. And for the record, I'm not buying that Andy Pettite only used HgH twice.

David Justice & Fernando Vina:

My two favorite players to show up on the list. Both Justice and Vina are studio analysts, the latter for Baseball Tonight, the former for the YES Network. If these two don't resign or get canned, it will be entertaining to say the least seeing how they handle future steroid conversations on the air. Now I know why Vina has been sticking up for Barry Bonds all year. And as for Justice, you are no longer just the playoff hero that was stupid enough to beat up Halle Berry. You are now the cheating playoff hero that was stupid enough to beat up Halle Berry.


Hank Aaron

I must say, I'm very disappointed in The Hammer - who is still undoubtedly a legend and a gentleman. Not only did he blindside us all by honoring now federally indicted Barry Bonds via video message after home run 756, but now he sends a letter on Mike Vick's behalf to the judge responsible for his sentencing. Mr. Aaron, sometimes its better to just say nothing!


Week 15 - In the league where they play for pay...

49ers +9

Cardinals +4

Falcons +13

Dolphins +3.5

Bills +6

Packers -8.5

Jaguars +3.5

Jets +21

Seahawks - 7.5

Chiefs+4

Colts -11

Chargers -10

Eagles +11

Redskins +5

Bears +11

Last Week (9-7) - Season Total (104-91-10)

Narrowly Scoped Week 14 Recap

Weekend Media Gaffe

• Did CBS really need to have "Steelers will clinch AFC North with a win and a Cleveland loss" on their bottom of the screen crawl when the Patriots were up 21 on Pittsburgh late in the 4th quarter and while Cleveland had their foot on the Jets' throat?

Annoying Media Trend in Week 14

• I fully understand the Patriots were extra motivated to embarrass Steelers safety Anthony Smith this Sunday. But Smith's guarantee was blown out of proportion to the point that analysts were openly insinuating that this was the reason New England played so well and was able to beat up on the Steelers. How about the fact that the Pats are coming off of consecutive lackluster weeks, are playing for the right to be considered the best team ever AND have an extraordinarily heated rivalry with Pittsburgh. Just a thought.

Week 14 in Review...

My Narrowly Scoped NFL recap is usually centered around the 2 local markets - Giants and Jetropolitans- and the Patriots since any team with hopes to win the Lombardi Trophy is going to have to figure out a way to knock them off. Access to the New England games has been surprisingly convenient in most weeks since they've played on national television with such frequency, with Week 14 being one of the few exceptions.

So what did I learn about these 3 teams in week 14 that didn't already know? A superficial analysis would start with these observations:

1. The Giants continue to compile victories, but unconvincingly and against mediocre opponent.

2. The Jets showed again why they aren't quite ready to win in the NFL.

3. The Patriots demonstrated their clear-cut superiority over the rest of the NFL.

4. The Giants continue to win in spite of their quarterback.

5. Thanks to Anthony Smith, the Patriots offense really exploded!

Now I'll indulge the surface level observations by extricating on each above statement, while providing what I also felt were the important things learned about these teams, but did not necessarily make it into the headlines. And as far as observation #5 is concerned - I have already explained my feelings on that topic. I mean if Anthony Smith didn't make that guarantee New England probably would have played conservatively and tried to eke out a close game in the waining minutes of regulation.

Addressing Points 1 & 4:

I promise you - I am not trying be a hater by bringing up the fact that the Giants have not beaten a single team in 2007 that currently possesses a winning a record. Nor do I have a vendetta against Eli Manning, the Giants defensive secondary, nor the rest of the Giants defense for that matter, though I'm more than aware that it appears that I do. I point out their fatal flaws each week because the goal for the G-men this year is to win, or at least make it to the Super Bowl. The objective is not to make it to the first round of the playoffs, they've done that already. They didn't give the Chargers a king's ransom for Eli Manning to never have the opportunity to represent the NFC in February. The Giants are for the most part a veteran squad and the window each team has to legitimately contend for a title, especially in the salary cap era, is a small one. That's why I put this team under a microscope seemingly every week - even in victory - because I'm trying to figure out whether or not they can ever get their act together as a unit for an extended period of time, and make a serious run at the Lombardi Trophy.

Quick Sidenote: I still find it hilarious that Citizen Watches actually has a commercial in which they say Eli Manning is unstoppable. It was already an incredibly disillusioned belief OR just a poorly researched statement by Citizen to begin with, but I love how they continue to run the ad even after Manning's performance against the Vikings.

Anyways, a passionate/optimistic Giants fan would probably make the following argument in the face of their naysayers or on the message board on this very website:

We're 9-4 overall with a more than impressive 6-1 record on the road. On any given Sunday we have the most dominant pass rush in the NFL - Strahan has been playing lights out for what seems like 2 straight months, Umenyiora is in the mix for the league lead in sacks, and Justin Tuck has proven to be a force as well. Offensively, we have 3 running backs with unique skill sets - any of which can rush for 100 yards in a given game. We also have an excellent blend of pass catchers: Burress is one of the top 'home run' threats in the NFC, Toomer as uncanny connection with his quarterback and is top notch possession receiver, and Shockey from the tight end position is an extremely difficult match up for both safeties and linebackers and is menacing after the catch. Say what you want about Eli Manning, he's admittedly a good but not great quarterback BUT he has the magic touch when we need a game-winning 4th quarter drive - and not a lot of QB's in this league have that ability.

My response would be that there is a lot of truth to that argument. I like the fact that the Giants can be truly disruptive on defense because of their potential of a dominant pass rush. I like their blend of offensive talent. I like that in the face of tremendous adversity and hardship, Eli Manning can still lead his team to a win via 4th quarter comeback.

But remember; We're talking about making it to the Super Bowl. I understand the Giants can only beat who is on their schedule, so I am not attempting to discredit their 9 wins through 13 games.

But does a potential Super Bowl representative, or even an NFC Championship game representative usually find a way to win impressively and show their true potential against mediocre competition? Yes. Would a potential Super Bowl representative usually have at least one signature victory during the regular season? With the exception of the 1972 Dolphins, Yes. If the Giants were truly a potential Super Bowl representatives would they have found a way to beat at least ONE of the following 3 NFC opponents on their home field - Cowboys, Packers, or Vikings? YES. Should you be impressed that I can spell Umenyiora without looking? YES.

The one rhetorical question the Giants do have in their favor:

Do Super Bowl contenders ever employ a starting quarterback with self-destructive tendencies? As a matter of a fact, YES - Rex Grossman started in the Super Bowl just last year!

There is hope for Eli Manning after all.

Addressing Point #2

The Jets showed again why they aren't quite ready to win in the NFL.

The Browns showed again whey they are the Cardiac Kids.

No need for me to go crazy with analysis about a 3-10 team, though I'm tempted to considering that my Jets paraphernalia is second in quantity only to my Mets paraphernalia as far as sports related bedroom adorning paraphernalia is concerned. We'll save the key strokes about the Jets for when its time to write a 2008 NFL draft preview.

This past weekend's game in a nutshell for me is that Kellen Clemens just doesn't have enough command of the offense yet to sustain drives that are long enough for touchdowns. I still love his potential - both in his raw physical ability and mental approach to the game, though I would be fibbing if I said he's impressed me much the last 3 weeks. AND I still think Coach Mangini and/or Offensive Coordinator Schottenheimer call way too many pass plays that involve fade routes and jump ball scenarios.

But before I chastise Mangini about his 4th quarter clock management, here's what I like about the Jets going forward.

• Even with a 3-9 record going into Sunday's game against the Browns, the Jets played with passion and a sense of purpose - a product of good coaching, good team character, and an overall belief in the coach's system. For example: Lavarneus Coles, who's ankle was visibly ailing him Sunday, who's suffered numerous nagging injuries and a concussion this season, could have easily sat this game out. Maybe he should have. He couldn't even jump over a phone book against the Browns in attempts to catch a few of those aforementioned jump balls, but he was still out there battling the entire game. And did you see Brad Smith put his body on the line to recover that onside kick at the end of the game?
  
  
• Rookie CB Darelle Revis - Sure, he's been smoked by both Terrell Owens and Braylon Edwards for touchdowns in 2 of the last 3 weeks. But our franchise cornerback has played very well this season and he's getting invaluable experience, week in and week out, competing against the NFL's elite for four quarters every sunday.
  
  
• List of the game's best safeties (random order): Troy Polamalu, Ed "I can barely" Reed, Bob Sanders, KERRY RHODES. The latter was a B-E-A-S-T in coverage and against the run this Sunday. And our rookie linebacker "Just" David Harris isn't looking to shabby either - The "Just" nickname is based on the film Mystic River and it's pivotal character "Just" Ray Harris, in case you were wondering.
  

Anyway, by the time I publish this NFL entry it will be around 1:30 am Wednesday morning. What can I say about Eric Mangini's end of game management against the Browns that hasn't already been said? It was bad, illogical, asinine. But I'm not going to lose sleep over it, the Jets are 3-10. SO instead...

{Paste as promised, acerbic chastising of Coach Eric Mangini here}

Addressing Points 3 & 5:

I actually want to talk about the Steelers first.

1) The Steelers reconfirmed that their woes on the road this season were not a fluke.

2) The Pittsburgh defense allowed Tom Brady to complete 6 straight passes on one drive to Wes Welker. I was "watching" this game on ESPN.com's gamecast, which basically just tells what happened on the previous play. As a veteran user of the gamecast function, mostly for fantasy sports purposes, I must say this was the single most memorable experience I have using it.

3) In an earlier column I talked about hubris, or excessive pride that ultimately leads to one's downfall, in connection to the Patriots pass game. I acutally got this hubriscent feel from Coach Mike Tomlin against the Patriots, mind you that I didn't actually see this game and that I just made up the word hubriscent. Tomlin LOVES the power run game that has been the cornerstone of the Steelers franchise for decades. Loves it. Loves talking about it. He's known for pre-game quotes such as We're gonna have some beautiful 3 yard runs today! The only person that loves a smash mouth run attack more than Tomlin is ESPN's Meryl Hodge - a former Steeler.

Everybody, including myself thought the Pittsburgh power running attack would be the key to them giving the Patriots a run for their money, especially in the December weather. And they did run the ball very effectively Sunday afternoon (5.7 yards per carry). The problems is that Tomlin stuck with the ground attack even as the Patriots began to improve their lead by more than a touchdown, even when it was evident in the 3rd quarter that they needed to turn the game into a track meet and hope to have the ball last.

In other words, the Steelers ran the ball the same exact amount of times they passed the ball in a game in which they lost by 21 points!!! For the record that's 32 rushes and 32 pass attempts. Ben Roethlisberger is arguably the 3rd or 4th best quarterback in the NFL. There was nearly no wind in Foxboro on Sunday. Tom Brady threw for 399 yards and completed 70% of his passes. How does a quarterback only throw for 187 yards in an entire game in which his team lost by 3 touchdowns. When the Dolphins lost to the Patriots by 21 points Cleon Freaking Lemon threw for 236 yards! Not only did the Steelers not call enough pass plays BUT they apparently didn't call passes very far down the field either.

Patriots Perspective

- The defense showed up in a big way on Sunday. Very impressive. There's a chance the Pats can get picked off in the playoffs if there defense performs the way it did against Philly and Baltimore.

- Fourth wide receiver Jabbar Gaffney had a huge impact for the 2nd game in a row. The thing to remember about Gaffney - He was one of Brady's go-to-guys in the playoffs last year along with Reche Caldwell, and he got the job done. You know things are good when your 4th wide receiver has playoff experience as a # 1 option.

- The one thing that amazes me most about the Patriots is the trust the coaching staff has in Tom Brady. With the absence of a consistent run game, Brady is asked to throw the ball in clock milking downs late in games, where every other team hands the ball off to a tailback. ONE mistake, ONE pick-6 in the other direction, and the Patriots could have more than one loss this year. Remember, they were losing to the Cowboys, Colts, Eagles, and Ravens in the 2nd half. An ill-timed interception for a touchdown in any of those games changes their win-loss record.

- Maybe the Patriots got lucky that there was no wind on Sunday.

Random Observation I'm Surprised Nobody Mentioned...

Do you remember the last time somebody threw for 399 yards in a game? Think hard... Brett Favre threw for 399 yards against the Raiders on Monday Night Football, the night after his father passed away.


Sign of the Apocalypse

I made a run to the supermarket on Sunday and the cashier ringing me up was watching his cell phone with a keen eye to keep track of the score of the Cowboys game. I asked him "Cowboys fan?" and he replied "Not really, just a big TO fan!" The cashier was 18 years old and African-American. In the 5 years TOPS this kid has been able to watch football and understand what's actually happening, he has seen Owens make disparaging homophobic comments to Jeff Garcia, get thrown off the Eagles for utterly dividing their locker room, have all types of issues with the Cowboys, and live up to his billing as the biggest narcissist/self promoter in the sport. How does one become a "big TO fan" without actually being a fan of the team he plays for? The scary thing is, with the current sports climate the way it is - This kid's decision to be exclusively a TO fan didn't surprise me at all. I think I can write 100 pages on this topic.


A Few Random Football Thoughts ...

- I can't help but wonder that if on Mike Vick's rap sheet under "aliases" it lists Ron Mexico. Yes, there's a story behind this one too. Google it, that's what its there for.

- It was nice to see so many Falcons players support Mike Vick with all types of pre-game acknowledgements of their fallen former teammate on Monday Night. Apparently, they share the belief with their former QB that it is OKAY to kill numerous dogs with your bare hands in some of the most brutal ways imaginable.

- Even after being drubbed by the Bills, I'm sticking with my prediction that the Dolphins will defeat the Ravens and go 1-15. Either that, or finish 16 games behind the Patriots in the AFC East.

- What if the Patriots really do draft Darren McFadden?

- I really hope the Vikes make the playoffs. Its must be a nice luxury when their blue chip running back Adrian Peterson rushed for only 3 yards on 14 attempts Sunday and the guy behind him on the depth chart rushes for 12.6 yards...... Per Carry!

I'm an Idiot Because...

1. I tried to convince myself that Carolina vs Jacksonville would play out like a rivalry game. BLOWOUT.
   

I'm a Genius Because...

1. My "contrarian" pick of the Vikings to cover 9.5 on the road.
   
   
2. My it's difficult to get the emotional level up after playing a tough game with nothing to so for it theory for both the Eagles and the Ravens.

NFL Week 14 Picks

On a personal level, it was a huge Saturday for me.

I enjoyed a cup of Starbucks coffee, when usually on the occasion where I stray away from my go-to brew of Dunkin' Donuts, for its stronger and more bitter tasting rival, I could hardly tolerate the difference. I look at this as a pivotal moment in my young coffee drinking career and would liken it to a karate student achieving a new belt. Its a general consensus that Starbucks is the strongest of any mainstream brew; the ability to enjoy their regular coffee with only a modest amount of cream and sugar demonstrates you have acquired a veteran tongue in the java drinking world. The day you can legitimately enjoy a cup of Starbucks coffee, served black, is the day you have achieved your "black belt."

But in the meantime, its a 20 ounce Dunkin' Donuts brew served with one sugar and half & half - with absolutely no desire to reach a new belt.

Week 14 - In the league where they play for pay...

Carolina @ Jacksonville

My rule of thumb is to always throw point spreads out the window in heated rivalry games - though I don't think these former expansion brethren have been considered rivals in quite some time, nor is this match up heated. But for this one week, with the Jaguars possibly looking ahead, and former Jaguars legend Tony Boselli acting a little too smug (about the Jags) on a recent radio appearance with Mike and the Mad Dog, I'll forget the fact that Vinny Testaverde is starting and Marcus Stroud is returning, remember that Carolina is much, much better on the road, and pretend that the Panthers are still the physical force they once were. In other words, I'm asking you to disillusion yourself into believing this is still a rivalry game and to conveniently forget, remember, and pretend, randomly, cherry-picked half-truths can somehow lead you to a successful pick against the spread. (Panthers +11)

Dallas @ Detroit

To remain consistent, in the game where there really is blood in the water between these two teams, I will throw the point spread out window and gladly accept 11.5 points on the Lions behalf. Plus, Dallas' secondary is more than suspect and if Kitna and those wideouts can get hot - it could be a long day for the Cowboys defense. I recognize the fact that the Cowboys have looked sharper than ANY NFL team in recent weeks. But I still refuse to believe Dallas is going to end up 15-1. The only thing that scares me is that Roy Williams is injured this week for the 'Boys. That should actually fortify their secondary against the pass. (Lions +11.5)

Miami @ Buffalo

I believe the 'phins will win ONE game this year, just not this week. Look for them to get of the schneid against the Ravens. For this week, I just can't see rookie John Beck leading an 0-12, warm weather team to a victory in a COLD weather city - in December. (Bills -7)

Oakland @ Green Bay

Da Raiders are 1-9 in their last 10 games played in December. JaMarcus Russell and company: Welcome to the Frozen Tundra that is Lambeau Field. (Packers -11)

San Diego @ Tennessee

The Chargers are playing to regain credibility.

The Titans are playing to to remain in that playoff mix.

Here's the deciding factor, other than the home field advantage and coaching advantage held by the Titans. Five times this season the Chargers have lost, with 4 losses against statistically solid run defenses - the Jags, Packers, Vikings, Patriots - whose average NFL rush defense ranking is 7th place. The Titans are the 7th ranked run defense in the NFL (93.9 yards per game), and would be considerably higher if their anchor Albert Haynesworth hadn't missed considerable time the last 3 weeks. (Titans +1.5)

New York Giants @ Philadelphia

Even with New York banged up and on the road against one of their biggest rivals, I still don't think the Eagles are equally as good as the Giants- which Vegas seems to believe, by making them 3 point favorites at home. And if I was a Philly fan, I wouldn't like the fact that my team played back to back games down to the wire with nothing to show for it - that's never good for morale. Maybe McNabb will prove me wrong OR maybe he'll get sacked 12 times again. Which leads to the question, if Osi Umenyiora only gets 5 sacks this week against the Eagles, do we have to say that the Eagles improved their pass protection? (Giants +3)

St. Louis @ Cincinnati

I know the Rams are 3-9. I know the Rams are starting a 3rd string quarterback. But last time I checked, 4-8 is only one game better than 3-9 and should not equate to a team being a 10 point favorite under any circumstances. (Rams +10)

Arizona @ Seattle

Cardinals:

MINUS Larry Fitzgerald
MINUS Anquan Boldin
PLUS Qwest Field
PLUS December

Equals - An Unmitigated Disaster (Seahawks -7)

Minnesota @ San Francisco

Minnesota being favored by 9.5 on the road has quickly become the outrage of the century for the gambling public and an automatic pick of 49ers +9.5. This is my impersonation of a contrarian. (Vikings -9.5)

Pittsburgh @ New England

The Case for the Patriots:

1. Undefeated.
   
   
2. Home.
   
   
3. They have owned the Steelers for a decade.
   
   
4. Belichick versus a rookie coach.
   
   
5. Pittsburgh has been a terrible road team this year.

The Case for the Steelers:

1. Their physical brand of football is better suited for freezing conditions.
   
   
2. New England is coming off a short week and also were given a day off during a regularly scheduled practice day.
   
   
3. New England has struggled defensively in consecutive weeks.
   
   
4. With each victory, the laws of probability are slowly tipping in favor of the Patriot opponents.
   
   
5. The Steelers were the team to end the Patriots 21-game winning streak.

If I had to pull a lever, push a button, or had a gun to my head, I'd say the Patriots win a close one. (Steelers +10.5)

Cleveland @ New York Jets

In a game where the consensus believes the outcome will be very close, I bring in the X-Factor to the table that makes it even tighter. Eric Mangini and "Where art though my" Romeo Crennel are very close friends and former colleagues on the New England coaching staff. It seems that as of late, the pupil has had the advantage over the teacher - as exhibited by Sean Payton OVER Parcells last year, Mangini OVER Belichick last year, and Ken Whisenhunt OVER the Steelers this year. (Jets +3)

Indianapolis @ Baltimore

Like Carolina @ Jacksonville, another should-be rivalry game - because the Colts used to play in Baltimore -that currently isn't a rivalry game. Ever so quietly, Indianapolis is hitting it's stride as the playoffs approach. I can see it being hard for Baltimore to get the necessary emotional level back up after coming so close with nothing to showing to for it against the Patriots. Don't underestimate the impact of a short week off a brutal, hard fought loss either. Did the Ravens ever think they'd have a tougher loss to swallow than the one they had taken away from them against the Browns?? (Colts -10)

Strangely Apathetic

Kansas City (+7) @ Denver

Tampa Bay (-3) @ Houston

Justifiably Apathetic

New Orleans (-3.5) @ Atlanta

Last Week (5-11) - Season Total (95-84-10)