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!