Week 15 Deep Outs

Week 15 is (almost) in the bag, so that means it’s time to look at the pl

ayoff situation...and really, most of it is set in Styrofoam (not quite as strong as stone). Well, the NFC anyways.

After the Vikings lost their third road game in four tries, we know the Saints are going to be the first seed in the NFC. The Vikings SHOULD hold onto the second seed, although the Philadelphia Eagles, who are currently in the third seed, are riding a 5 game win streak, and breathing down the Vikes neck. Arizona has won the NFC West, and is entrenched into the fourth seed.

In the NFC Wildcard spots, it’s basically decided already. Both Green bay and Dallas are currently two games up on the New York Giants, although the Giants will take on the Redskins on Monday night with the opportunity to inch closer to that elusive wildcard spot.

The AFC is a lot more fun!

Indianapolis is first seed, San Diego (riding an 8 game win streak) is second, and the other division leaders, New England and Cincinnati are fighting for 3rd and 4th. Neither the Pats nor the Bengals have clinched, although their magic number is 1.

And then there is the wildcard...and I emphasize the WILD in wildcard!

As of now, the Denver Broncos and Baltimore Ravens share identical 8-6 records, and hold the 2 spots. Behind them is a group of SIX teams mangled together at 7-7. Jacksonville, Miami, Tennessee, Houston, and Pittsburgh, and the New York Football Jets.

The Broncos have games remaining at Philly, and home to KC. If they drop one of those (Quite possibly the game next week, across the country against the HOT Eagles), they could quite possibly be caught by that group of sharks circling behind them. The Ravens play in Pittsburgh, and in Oakland...Two games that have proven to be difficult to play.

If either of those teams drop a game, and one of the six teams tied at 7-7 win out, tie-breaker hell could break lose! Basically, for them, the playoffs start this week. You lose, and you are out.

Let’s take a look at the 7-7 teams and see who COULD win out:

Jacksonville: @NE, @Cleve. I predict a loss in New England next week, followed by a meaningless win in Cleveland to finish 8-8

Miami: Houston, and Pit, both at home. Two very tough games, both at home. Just for sake of the experiment, I will say Miami does do the improbable, and win out.

Tennessee: San Diego, @Seattle. I think the Titans win both of these games, as the chargers have nothing to play for, and the Titans are playing for their season. Seattle has just rolled over and died, so that is a sure win.

Houston: @ Miami, NE coming to town. They lose out, and Gary Kubiak is fired on ‘Black Monday’, January 4th, 2010.

Pittsburgh: Baltimore, @Miami. I believe they beat Baltimore, and lose in Miami on week 17 to be eliminated for the playoffs.

The New York Jets: @Indianapolis, Cincinnati. Sorry Jets Fans. This just isn’t your year for the playoffs.

So as per my predictions, we will be left with Baltimore getting the first spot, and the last playoff sport between Denver, Miami, and Tennessee. And according to the NFL Tie-Breaking Procedures (http://www.nfl.com/standings/tiebreakingprocedures) I believe we will have Denver getting the spot because of their conference record.

Sheesh, what a Cluster____.

Pet Peeve of the week:

Tony Siragusa. I am not sure how this guy continues to have a job being a sideline commentator. I refuse to say sideline reporter, because sideline reporters actually shut up for most of the game, and just give updates on stupid stuff like what coaches said coming back from the half, but Siriagusa continues to throw out his two cents throughout the game, and they alllllll suck!

Line of the week:

In the first 3 quarters of the Miami-Tennessee game, Vince young had 8 completions on 19 passes for 182 yards and 3 touchdowns. That is making the best out of your limited completions!

What else I noticed on Sunday:

- Vince Young’s first pass of the day is tipped THREE times before it is intercepted by Vonte Davis. The best part is that the passer himself lays out Davis for the tackle.

- Late in the game, Michael Griffin bobbles a sure interception that is eventually grabbed by Brian Hartline for a key 57 yard gain. Bounces were just not going the Titans way today.

- Dolphins committed 3 turnovers inside the Titans 35 yard line. You don’t win games like that!

- I am sick of all the names for the Wildcat formation. The Wild’Pat’ now in Miami? The Seminole with the Jets (prior to Leon Washington’s broken leg). Just call it the Wild cat, and leave it at that.

- Love the Rams Throwback unis this week...When I see those, I think about the winning days for the Rams. It was a game they COULD have won, but they just couldn't channel the Rams of ’99.

- It still bothers me every time an announcer mentions that a player is heading to the sidelines for a ‘Blow’. Really? Am I the only one that has my mind in the gutter with this one?

- I have ALWAYS been a big fan of Steven Jackson, and seeing him, helmetless, taking on the Texans safety Bernard Pollard was awesome. Keep up with the grittiness, Steve!

- Andre Johnson had 193 yards LAST week....he felt it was necessary to one up that this week with 196 yards.

- Mark Sanchez completed just one pass in the first quarter this week. Fortunately for the Jets, it was a 65 yard touchdown to Braylon Edwards.

- Twice in the 2nd quarter, Sanchez lead the Jets down inside the red zone, and could not muster a single point. This happened again in the 4th quarter. 3 trips inside the red zone, and 3 missed FGs. That equals a loss.

- I almost used Jerome Harrison’s numbers as the Line of the week. Has there ever been a quieter 286 yard week? It’s the 3rd largest rushing game in NFL history, and no one is talking about it the man from Kalamazoo, via Wazoo!

- Kudos to Harrison as well for the Madden move with his last touchdown, running laterally with the goal line

- Matt Cassel now leads the NFL in 4th quarter TDs with 9. That is pretty impressive seeing he has just 15 TDs on the year.

- If you haven’t seen it, go watch the highlights of the Detroit-Arizona game just to see Drew Stanton’s attempt at a Lambeau Leap. It’s the second best jumping celebration, only to Gus Frerotte.

- Beanie Wells has finally taken over as the main ball rushers in Arizona. And he is looking damn fine doing it. O-H-I-O!

- Dan Deirdorf never ceases to amazing me with the things that come out of his mouth while doing color commentator: 'Fred Jackson had a tough time getting to the NFL. He did not arrive in a limo. He arrived in a car.' Thanks Dan.

- Buffalo Bills lost 124 yards due to penalties, and another 41 to sacks. That is 165 yards against your offense.

- This was the first road win for the Pats in the USA this season.

- Quick, who lead the Bengals in receiving this week? Wrong. It was J.P. Foschi with 7 catches for 81 yards.

- Carson Palmer had his first 300 yard game since November of 2007.

- It’s hard to believe that Phillip Rivers is 17-0 in December as a starter. That is VERY impressive

- There was a JP Losman sighting for Oakland this week. As he entered the game, the color man said: 'I would be surprised if JP Losman could even call a play'. Funny stuff. He went 0-1 with a VERY crappy pass thrown.

- The Raiders dropped 281 yards rushing on the #3 defence in the league. I love this sport.

- If you watched the Denver-Raiders game, there was a very strange delay in the game as a fan in the end zone was shining a laser pointer in Brandon Marshall’s eyes. Once play resumed, Tommy Kelly lost his pants on the next play. Kinda funny to watch.

- The Bronco’s have lost 6 of their last 8 games. They are the Anti-Titans.

- Not much to say about Tampa Bay Vs. Seattle. I am a huge Seahawk fan, and am disgusted on how this team has given up this season. Just disgusting.

- The last time a QB through for over 500 yards was Drew Brees in 2006. Ben Roethlisburger topped 500 this week in an awesome game.

- Almost 900 yards passing in the Packers-Steelers game. Only 125 yards rushing in that game. Who wouldn’t want to see a massive shootout between two heritage teams in the NFL! Instant Classic!

- The fans in Philly began throwing snowballs in the 4th quarter. Color man Daryll Johnson know the Philly fans well from his days in Dallas, and said the line of the day: 'I'm surprised it took this long!'

- I didn’t think I would ever see the day that Leonard Weaver would get more carries in a game than Frank Gore. Weaver was 17-52. Gore was 16-107. By the way, what happened to L. McCoy?

- Is the re-emergence of Alex Smith over? His 3 interceptions on Sunday were brutal.

- Joe Flacco had just 8 incompletion all day. In comparison, he had 4 touchdown passes. That is a pretty good day!

- Jay Cutler added 3 more picks on his quest for 30. He now sits at 25! YOU CAN DO IT, JAY!

- I caught a post game interview with Ray Rice on ESPN radio. He was asked ‘How do you prepare differently for a late game, than an early game?’, his response was ‘Well, we get to sleep in, and sleeping is healin....aww dang, the Steelers just scored!’. He was making note of the Steelers last play win. It’s nice to know the rivalry is alive and well!

- Minnesota has now lost 3 of their last 4 road games. Not a good sign for a team that just gave away home field advantage in the playoffs with this loss in Carolina.

- Steve Smith found a new BFF in Matt Moore. 9 catches for 157 is a good way to say bye to Jake Delhomme.