NFL Week 14 in Review
Records in Indy, Dallas Nose Dive, Eagles Soar, Dolphins Stay a Float, and the Pitt’s
Week 14, A Week Where Losers Still Won:
• The Indianapolis Colts got ahead by 21 and stamped an NFL record 22 consecutive regular season win Sunday. Despite struggling from the 2nd quarter on, the Colts used a 7-minute 4th quarter drive to close out the victory. The Denver Broncos got a record setting performance from Brandon Marshall and despite being overwhelmed early they controlled the game until the Colts final drive. With wins in San Diego and Cincinnati early this year, Denver has to feel good about its potential road journey ahead in the wildcard round.
• I didn’t like the sound bite by Roy Williams about Dallas’ December problems. Then they played like it. San Diego is on fire and probably playing the best football right now so a loss was to expected and so will one this weekend against New Orleans. Still Dallas controls its playoff fate. If they’re going to win in January they’ve got to do something in December.
• The Eagles took control of the NFC East with their win in the Meadowlands. I’m starting to see why Eagles fans boo (minus being obnoxious). With the way they played the last two road games, how can they lose to Oakland and barely escape Washington? But they’re peaking at the right time and DeSean Jackson is becoming the game’s best home run threat.
• If the Miami Dolphins make the playoffs Tony Sporano should get coach of the year consideration. Their schedule has been brutal. They lost their quarterback and their star running back and yet somehow some way they’re in it. Chad Henne is developing into a big time player and their victory in Jacksonville keeps them in the AFC East and wildcard race. That 0-3 start seems like last year.
• I wondered last week how the Steelers could blow a game to Oakland. After losing to Cleveland, I’m not. They’ve hit rock bottom, evident by Hines Ward’s postgame tears. Even if they somehow regroup, run the table, and finish 9-7, that won’t make it (see Baltimore tie-breaker). We will see a new champion and no Terrible Towels in mid January.
Divisional quick hits:
AFC East
* Patriots (8-5): It pretty obvious Randy Moss was disinterested. That happens to him though. Up Next: at Buffalo
* Dolphins (7-6): Their fans helped Jacksonville’s attendance and the win helped them stay in the playoff race. Up Next: at Tennessee
* Jets (7-6): Did what they had to. If they win this week they’re serious playoff contenders. Up Next: vs. Atlanta
* Bills (5-8): As I’m typing this they intercepted Matt Cassel again. Up Next: vs. New England
AFC North
* Bengals (9-4): They couldn’t do anything on offense and we’re blown away in the second half. Still the game against the Chargers is for a bye. Up Next: at San Diego
* Ravens (7-6): They played like a team with an open window thanks to the Steelers loss and just hammered Detroit. Up Next: vs. Chicago
* Steelers (6-7): Take away the name and first half and let’s say a team is winless with losses to Oakland, KC, and Cleveland. Would you call them the worst team in the league? Up Next: vs. Green Bay
* Browns (2-11): 8 sacks on defense and they played inspired football. Up Next: at Kansas City
AFC South
* Colts (13-0): Now that everything is clinched do they play for undefeated? Up next: at Jacksonville
* Jaguars (7-6): That’s a huge loss. Now they have must win games against the Colts and Pats. They can’t split that. Up Next: vs. Indianapolis
* Texans (6-7): They don’t know it but that victory was for season ticket holder David Kemper. My buddy has an ex-girlfriend from Seattle that he still hates. Up Next: at St. Louis
* Titans (6-7): Everybody likes it when the Rams come to town. Up Next: vs. Miami
AFC West
* Chargers (10-3): That’s a huge road win. They’ve won 7 in a row since the bye, 16 straight in December, and now they can all but clinch a bye this week. Up Next: vs. Cincinnati
* Broncos (8-5): Brandon Marshall’s 21 catches were unreal but it’s not wise to spot the Colts 21 points. Up Next: vs. Oakland
* Raiders (4-9): If Charlie Frye starts over JaMarcus Russell this week, you can pretty much put an end to his Raider tenure. Up Next: at Denver
* Chiefs (3-10): How’s that Matt Cassel investment looking? Up Next: vs. Cleveland
NFC East
* Eagles (9-4): They made more big plays and made up for their defense being shredded. Up Next: vs. San Francisco
* Cowboys (8-5): Uh oh it’s December. You have to wonder if the team is starting believe this stuff. Up Next: at New Orleans
* Giants (7-6): They won’t win the division but they have a very good shot at running the table and claiming the last playoff spot. Up Next: at Washington
* Redskins (4-9): The ultimate spoiler. They’ve actually been playing well and get to mess with divisional opponents. Up Next: vs. NY Giants
NFC North
* Vikings (11-2): That was a nice regroup. They can get a bye and start to rest some starters. Up Next: at Carolina
* Packers (9-4): Solid road win within the division and Ryan Grant and Aaron Rodgers provided some laughs. Up Next: at Pittsburgh
* Bears (5-8): 22 interceptions and counting for Jay Cutler. Up Next: at Baltimore
* Lions (2-11): I’d say that’s playing out the string. Only three more to go. Up Next: vs. Arizona
NFC South
* Saints (13-0): It seems like they would almost be better served to lose a game. Granted back to back road games is always tough. Up Next: vs. Dallas
* Falcons (6-7): They gave the Saints all they could handle without their two best players. Close but not enough. Up Next: at NY Jets
* Panthers (5-8): So if you knew your game plan to take away Moss was working, why not make an adjustment on Wes Welker? Up Next: vs. Minnesota
* Buccaneers (1-12): At least the weather was nice. Up Next: at Seattle
NFC West
* Cardinals (8-5): When they play bad they don’t sugar coat it. Seven turnovers means they’re all but locked into the 4 seed. That worked out last year though. Up Next: at Detroit
* 49ers (6-7): They probably won’t make the playoffs but they definitely let the Cards know they’re coming for them next year. Up Next: at Philadelphia
* Seahawks (5-8): At least Jim Mora wanted to see some fight from/with/against his team. Up Next: vs. Tampa Bay
* Rams (1-12): Null, nil, awful. Up Next: vs. Houston