The Battle of Lake Erie

On Monday NIght the Cleveland Browns took their game into Buffalo in a battle of teams that both very desperately needed a win.

The Bills opened their season 4-0, then 5-1, and seemed to be on pace to win the division with ease, especially given Tom Brady’s injury.  Then they lost to Miami.  And the New York Jets.  And the New England Patriots.  Going into Monday’s game they were 5-4 and behind both the Jets and the Patriots in the division.  This game was win or find themseles in a deep hole.

The Browns on the other hand were already in that hole.  After being a popular AFC North pick (and even Super Bowl pick) the Browns have been one of the most disappointing teams in the NFL.  In the previous two games (against Baltimore and Denver) the Browns gave up thirteen point halftime leads and lost; only the second team in NFL history to do so.

Well, the Browns won.  It was hardly a satisfying victory though.  When a team gives you four turnovers and you are winnng 13-0 there is no reason your victory should ever be in jeopardy.  It took a field goal that went Wide Right (sorry Bills fans) for the Browns to hang on to the victory.

The Browns were up 13-0 and appeared to be on easy street, except the Bills put together a tough drive making it 13-7.  A few field goals later the score was up to 16-13.  It was then that Browns running back Jerome Harrison broke a 72 yard touchdown run, opening up a 23-13 lead.  In the bag, right?  Never with anything from Cleveland.  Ever.  The following kickoff Bills special team man Leodis Mckelvin took a kickoff return back for 98 yards, putting the score to 23-20.  The Browns got another chance off of a Buffalo fumble but yet again could only manage a field goal bringing the game to 26-20.

For the third time in a row the Browns victory was in the hand of the defense, and they failed.  The Bills scored a touchdown giving them a 27-26 victory with three minute left on the clock.  Brady made a couple of passes and got within kicker Phil Dawson’s field goal range, but just within it.   Good thing he is the 5th all time in NFL History in terms of completion percentage.  The 56 yard field goal was perfect, putting the Browns up 29-27.

The Browns then had to do something that had worked to the Bills advantage all game:  Kickoff.  The squib kick was returned to around the 45 yardline and the first pass of the drive Trent Edwards completed for a pick up into field goal range.  The following three plays were conservative runs, and on fourth down the Bills settled for the 48 yard field goal.  Wide right.

In going wide right it put the Bills in a much worse position for making the playoffs and gave the Browns some hope that they still can.  Either way, no team is feeling especially good right now.  Neither’s playoff hopes are overly large, but a win is a win for Romeo’s squad.

Starting Back Up

It’s been a long time since I have blogged.  It’s time that has changed.

The NBA Season is in full swing and the NFL Season is coming to a close.  Last I wrote NBA hadn’t even begun and NFL was only four weeks in.  To open this blog back up, I’m going to lay out what I believe the final NFL seedings will look like come week 16.  Enjoy.

NFC:
1.  New York Giants
If you didn’t see this coming, you clearly never watch football.  The Giants recently demolished the best run defense in the league and have only one loss at this point in the season (to my Browns, I might gloat).  They are the best team in the NFC and in my opinion the best in the entire league.  Number one seed for sure.
2.  Carolina Panthers
This team is quietly the number two seed in the NFC, and have a very modest schedule from here on out, their biggest game being a Monday night game at home against division rival Tampa Bay.
3.  Arizona Cardinals
I’m ranking them third not because I think they will have the third best record, but because there is no doubt they will win their division and will almost certainly have a better record than the winner of the NFC North.  This isn’t to take away from their power packed offense or MVP Kurt Warner; this is a good team nobody wants to play at home.
4.  Green Bay Packers
The way the playoff seeding works is the four division leaders are the top four seeds.  The Packers will have the worst record of NFC playoff teams.  In fact, there may be an NFC East team with a better record that does not make the playoffs.  However, the Packers are in.  Bad news to the Bears and Vikings.
5.  Dallas Cowboys
The Cowboys had a big win over Washington on Sunday and that momentum will carry them through the rest of the season.  This team is far too talented to not make the playoffs, and they could be this years Giants.
6.  Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Their schedule is kind and they’re playing well anyways.  A crucial MNF game against the Panthers will help decide if they get the six seed or two seed.

AFC
1.  Tennessee Titans
This is obvious.  They are three games ahead of their closest contendor.  Don’t let this placement allow you to think they are my Super Bowl Pick.  They’re not.  I do not believe they will go undefeated and I do not believe they will get to the super bowl.  They are good however and will have home field advantage.
2.  Pittsburgh Steelers
I like Baltimore and I think they there is a chance they could make the playoffs.  They will not get ahead of the Steelers though.  The AFC North crown (sadly) belongs to them yet again.
3.  New York Jets
Originally I was going to give this spot to the Patriots, but after comparing the two teams schedule, there is no reason for the Jets to not maintain their pace to win the division.  Most games are at home against <.500 teams.
4.  Denver Broncos
Simply put, the AFC West is a bad division.  Denver is on top and will remain that way.  They will not get past the first round of the playoffs though.
5.  Indianapolis Colts
The ship is right.  Peyton is Peyton.  Once Marvin Harrison starts playing like himself this team is going to be just as good as they always have been.  They are only fifth because they won’t get ahead of Tennessee.
6.  New England Patriots
Matt Cassell is for real; he proved that Thursay night.  They have a tough schedule (Pittsburgh, Arizona, and others) remaining.  They will win just enough to get into the playoffs and God-willing will play the Jets in the first round.  I cannot think of a more exciting game.

AFC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME: New England Patriots vs. Tennessee Titans
NFC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME: New York Giants vs. Dallas Cowboys

SUPER BOWL: Rematch.  New England Patriots vs. New York Giants

These are my predictions.  Nothing too earshattering here.  As far as the AFC North is concerned, I hope I’m wrong.  Here’s to an exciting end to the season!

NFL Week 4 Picks

First I would like to apologize for the lack of posts this week.  This trend will not continue next week, I promise.  Mean while, here are my picks for Week 4 of the NFL Season.

Atlanta Falcons:  13
Carolina Panthers:  21

Cleveland Browns:  20
Cincinatti Bengals:  17

Houston Texans:  14
Jacksonville Jaguars:  24

Denver Broncos:  34
Kansas City Chiefs:  20

San Francisco 49ers:  24
New Orleans Saints:  21

Arizona Cardinals:  28
New York Jets:  20

Green Bay Packers:  28
Tampa Bay Buccs:  17

Minnesota Vikings:  17
Tennessee Titans:  14

San Diego Chargers:  31
Oakland Raiders:  10

Buffalo Bills:  24
St. Louis Rams:  14

Washington Redskins:  14
Dallas Cowboys:  27

Philadelphia Eagles:  20
Chicago Bears:  17

Baltimore Ravens:  17
Pittsburgh Steelers:  14

Earth To AFC?

For years now the AFC has held the powerhouses of the NFL.  The New England Patriots and the Indianapolis Colts have been considered the best teams in the NFL for years.  The Patriots’ dynasty is one that will go down in history.  Now where are they?  Indianpolis is 1-2 and the Patriots just got slammed by the lowly Dolphins.  ESPN recently took a poll of what people thought were the top five AFC teams.  Neither of those two teams made it.  Who was at the top?  The Broncos, Titans, and Bills.

I will repeat that.  Our nation believes that the best teams in the AFC are the Broncos, the Titans, and the Bills.  These three teams were rated above New England, above Indianapolis, above Pittsburgh, above San Diego.  What happened?

Well the answer to that question depends on which team you’re referring to.  The Patriots?  You could point to Tom Brady’s absence and call it a day, or you could go further.  The Patriots defense that looked so good last year got old in a matter of months.  In this past game, high and mighty Bill Belichick got straight up out coached.  This year’s Pats are not the ones we are accustomed to. The ones that walk into a stadium and win, no matter how badly they play.  Let’s not get too ahead of ourselves here, though.  The Patriots are still a good team.  Randy Moss is still Randy Moss.  Bill is still one of the best coaches in the league and Foxborough is going to be a lot more angry after their first loss in two years was served to them there.  Last I checked, 2-1 was still a winning record.  The Patriots are in one of the worst divisions in the league.  They have a bye week upcoming and will be taking an extra hard look at what happened Sunday.  The Patriots are still playoff contendosr.   Are they super bowl contendors?  No way.

So what about the Colts?  Well the fact that Peyton Manning didn’t play during the preseason is obviously hurting them, as they are not gelling as well on offense as they have in previous years.  Also, the loss of Bob Sanders was a big time hit on the defensive side of the ball.  The equation is simple for the Colts:  Less turnovers on offense and better defense.  The Colts are still a good team and are still very capable of making a playoff run.  Will they?  The way the season is headed right now, if the teams that are good continue to be good and the Colts don’t improve, then no.  I do not see them winning their division.  The Titans are 3-0, 2-0 against division.  That’s a steep hill to climb.  Its possible, but will be tough.  The wildcard spot is pretty up for grabs though, so I expect Indi to drag itself into the playoffs one way or another.

Another team I’d like to talk about is the San Diego Chargers.  These guys are good.  Their record is 1-2, but let’s be honest, it should be 2-1.  On Monday night they spanked the Jets.  They disrupted Bret Favre (without Shawn Merriman) and Philip Rivers looked like a probowler, as he has all year.  With Rivers playing like the best QB in the league and LT’s presence, these guys are the best team in the AFC in my opinion, especially when you look at the injuries other elite teams are facing (Willie Parker?  Vince Young? In addition Brady and Sanders).  Next week the Chargers beat Oakland and level back off at 2-2.  The Denver Broncos currently hold the division crown and may hold it for some weeks, but I expect San Diego to reclaim its place up top.

The AFC is a lot more open than many would have thought going into this year and it could be the year we see some new faces representing it in the super bowl.

Week 3 Power Rankings

I must first apologize for the lack of posts this past weekend.  I was tied down by schoolwork and performances.  Again, I apologize.  Anyways, on with business.

For my predictions I made I went a sweet 12-4.  If you notice, I forgot to write my prediction for San Francisco vs. Detroit. I would have gone with San Fran in that contest, so I am giving myself thie credit.  This brings my record for the season to 20-12.  Now on with the rankings:

1.  Dallas Cowboys
2.  New York Giants
3.  Tennessee Titans
4.  Philadelphia Eagles
5.  San Diego Chargers
6.  Buffalo Bills
7.  Denver Broncos
8.  Pittsburgh Steelers
9.  Green Bay Packers
10.  Carolina Panthers
11.  New England Patriots
12.  Tampa Bay Buccaneers
13.  Washington Redskins
14.  Indianapolis Colts
15.  Baltimore Ravens
16.  Jacksonville Jaguars
17.  New Orleans Saints
18.  Arizona Cardinals
19.  San Francisco 49ers
20.  Minnesota Vikings
21.  Chicago Bears
22.  Miami Dolphins
23.  Cleveland Browns
24.  New York Jets
25.  Atlanta Falcons
26.  Seattle Seahawks
27.  Houston Texans
28.  Detroit Lions
29.  Oakland Raiders
30.  Kansas City Chiefs
31.  Cincinnati Bengals
32.  St. Louis Rams

I will go more into detail on this ranking tomorrow when I post.  For now though, its interesting to note how high I rated the Chargers and Titans.  The Titans speak for themselves, and I beleive the Chargers deserve to be that high due to the play of Phillip Rivers and that, in all reality, they should be 2-1.

Week 3 NFL Predictions

Okay so last week I was far from spectacular with my predictions, going 8-8.  Here are this weeks predictions.  Hopefully I’ll boost my record a bit!

Kansas City Chiefs:  14
Atlanta Falcons:  27

Oakland Raiders:  10
Buffalo Bills: 24

Tampa Bay Buccaneers:  17
Chicago Bears:  24

Carolina Panthers: 24
Minnesota Vikings:  21

Miami Dolphins:  10
New England Patriots:  27

Cincinnati Bengals:  6
New York Giants:  20

Houston Texans:  17
Tennessee Titans:  27

Arizona Cardinals:  17
Washington Redskins:  20

New Orleans Saints:  20
Denver Broncos:  30

St. Louis Rams:  13
Seattle Seahawks:  14

Cleveland Browns:  24
Baltimore Ravens:  21

Jacksonville Jaguars:  21
Indianapolis Colts:  20

Pittsburgh Steelers:  31
Philadelphia Eagles:  38

Dallas Cowboys:  27
Green bay Packers: 35

New York Jets:  17
San Diego Chargers:  20

NFL Power Rankings – Week 2

The following is my Power Rankings following week 2 of the NFL regular season.

1.  Dallas Cowboys
2.  New York Giants
3.  Philadelphia Eaglse
4.  Pittsburgh Steelers
5.  Green Bay Packers
6.  Tennessee Titans
7.  Indianapolis Colts
8.  New England Patriots
9.  Carolina Panthers
10.  Buffalo Bills
11.  Denver Broncos
12.  Cleveland Browns
13.  Arizona Cardinals
14.  New Orleans Saints
15.  Jacksonville Jaguars
16.  Chicago Bears
17.  Tampa Bay Buccaneers
18.  San Diego Chargers
19.  Washington Redskins
20.  New York Jets
21.  Minnesota Vikings
22.  Houston Texans
23.  Oakland Raiders
24.  Baltimore Ravens
25.  San Francisco 49ers
26.  Atlanta Falcons
27.  Detroit Lions
28.  Cincinnati Bengals
29.  Kansas City Chiefs
30.  Seattle Seahawks
31.  Miami Dolphins
32.  St. Louis Rams

As it is early in the season I am giving some teams more credit than they deserve and some teams less credit than they deserve, but again, it’s hard to tell early on.  I expect Indi to rebound and work its way back up and the Steelers to fall a bit simply because their schedule is quite challenging.  Other teams will obviously fluxuate as well.