A somewhat disappointing ending to a decent week in the NFL. The Monday night game has just finished as I write this; New England lost to Carolina after a potential penalty in the end zone was picked up. The Pats had a horrific defensive lapse that allowed Carolina to score the game-winning TD. So that was disappointing.
Otherwise, things went much like I thought they would. Although I'm a bit annoyed that Cincinnati isn't in full collapse mode as the Miami loss might have suggested. Then again, despite them being 7-4, I refuse to include them in my top 10. Call it bias or whatever else; they're not getting back in this season unless they really show me something. Considering that they still have Dalton at QB...I'm not holding my breath.
Denver won a game it probably needed to have. I don't think they're feeling a whole lot of trepidation about facing New England or playing KC in Arrowhead. KC doesn't have enough on offense to compete and their defense wasn't exactly successful in slowing down Manning. The Pats are a question mark on offense and their defense can be had, even by a sub-par QB.
Seattle and New Orleans both look fairly sharp. I was a bit concerned about how much trouble Drew Brees had with the 49ers defense. And let's be honest, that last call against Brooks was a pure "let's defend the QB" thing by the refs. I'm glad the Saints won, but it's not like it was all skill like the week before. Seattle might actually be getting stronger offensively. I guess having their O-line intact is important to them playing better. Who knew?
Here are the Rankings for Week 11:
Otherwise, things went much like I thought they would. Although I'm a bit annoyed that Cincinnati isn't in full collapse mode as the Miami loss might have suggested. Then again, despite them being 7-4, I refuse to include them in my top 10. Call it bias or whatever else; they're not getting back in this season unless they really show me something. Considering that they still have Dalton at QB...I'm not holding my breath.
Denver won a game it probably needed to have. I don't think they're feeling a whole lot of trepidation about facing New England or playing KC in Arrowhead. KC doesn't have enough on offense to compete and their defense wasn't exactly successful in slowing down Manning. The Pats are a question mark on offense and their defense can be had, even by a sub-par QB.
Seattle and New Orleans both look fairly sharp. I was a bit concerned about how much trouble Drew Brees had with the 49ers defense. And let's be honest, that last call against Brooks was a pure "let's defend the QB" thing by the refs. I'm glad the Saints won, but it's not like it was all skill like the week before. Seattle might actually be getting stronger offensively. I guess having their O-line intact is important to them playing better. Who knew?
Here are the Rankings for Week 11:
1.) Denver (9-1) [+1]
Manning didn't get hit. Not surprisingly, the Broncos won and made it look...not incredibly difficult. They probably weren't at their best, necessarily, but given how the Chiefs offense is run, I'm not sure they had to be.
Manning didn't get hit. Not surprisingly, the Broncos won and made it look...not incredibly difficult. They probably weren't at their best, necessarily, but given how the Chiefs offense is run, I'm not sure they had to be.
2.) Seattle (10-1) [+1]
Let's all jump on the Percy Harvin bandwagon. Nevermind, that's not my thing and it never will be. Russell Wilson is turning into a player, but at the same time, he's not at the MVP level just yet. Not when Manning and Brees are doing what they're doing week in and week out.
Let's all jump on the Percy Harvin bandwagon. Nevermind, that's not my thing and it never will be. Russell Wilson is turning into a player, but at the same time, he's not at the MVP level just yet. Not when Manning and Brees are doing what they're doing week in and week out.
3.) Kansas City (9-1) [-2]
Let's slow down with the "fraud" talk. Everyone and their mother should have known this was going to happen. Things may be different in Arrowhead, and if they are I'm sure people will then overreact to what they see there. If it wasn't already abundantly clear, there is a ceiling to Alex Smith.
Let's slow down with the "fraud" talk. Everyone and their mother should have known this was going to happen. Things may be different in Arrowhead, and if they are I'm sure people will then overreact to what they see there. If it wasn't already abundantly clear, there is a ceiling to Alex Smith.
4.) New Orleans (8-2) [+1]
It never hurts to be lucky. And it never hurts to play against a team that makes dumb mistakes like running into a guy who called for a fair catch. Still, I thought the Saints played far too conservatively for a team who routinely performs so well at home.
It never hurts to be lucky. And it never hurts to play against a team that makes dumb mistakes like running into a guy who called for a fair catch. Still, I thought the Saints played far too conservatively for a team who routinely performs so well at home.
5.) Carolina (7-3) [+1]
Still not buying that they're a contender. Getting lucky on a screen pass isn't the kind of thing that impresses me.
Still not buying that they're a contender. Getting lucky on a screen pass isn't the kind of thing that impresses me.
6.) Indianapolis (7-3) [+3]
Playing last Thursday means the Colts are a bit lost in the shuffle as it were. They still look like they're among the better teams in the AFC.
Playing last Thursday means the Colts are a bit lost in the shuffle as it were. They still look like they're among the better teams in the AFC.
7.) New England (7-3) [-3]
Despite the record, this is a seriously flawed team. 20 points scored against a team that's not really that great, plus a lack of coverage on a screen pass. I'm not sure what to think and it's not like there have been a ton of games where Brady's been on and you think it's his year again. This is definitely not one of those years. But maybe something will happen in the playoffs.
Despite the record, this is a seriously flawed team. 20 points scored against a team that's not really that great, plus a lack of coverage on a screen pass. I'm not sure what to think and it's not like there have been a ton of games where Brady's been on and you think it's his year again. This is definitely not one of those years. But maybe something will happen in the playoffs.
8.) Detroit (6-4) [-1]
Idiotic fake field goal call and no scoring in the second half leads to a loss to one of the worst teams in the league. Pathetic.
Idiotic fake field goal call and no scoring in the second half leads to a loss to one of the worst teams in the league. Pathetic.
9.) San Francisco (6-4) [-1]
Kaepernick still can't throw and the offense is pedestrian as a result. Not that I expected them to beat New Orleans in the Big Easy...but they did put in a game effort, at least. Now if only people would shut up about Crabtree; he's not the Lord and Savior of this team, people.
Kaepernick still can't throw and the offense is pedestrian as a result. Not that I expected them to beat New Orleans in the Big Easy...but they did put in a game effort, at least. Now if only people would shut up about Crabtree; he's not the Lord and Savior of this team, people.
10.) Chicago (6-4) [-]
A rough win, but a win nonetheless. Green Bay is falling off the face of the earth and Detroit looks like they can be had despite being so prolific offensively. The Bears are making headway, but they have to win the division outright; they can't bet on tiebreakers saving them. Cutler or McCown? I'd stick with the hot hand until the petulant whiner is healthy. Even still, Cutler's not a franchise QB and shouldn't be treated as such. Nor should he be paid as such.
A rough win, but a win nonetheless. Green Bay is falling off the face of the earth and Detroit looks like they can be had despite being so prolific offensively. The Bears are making headway, but they have to win the division outright; they can't bet on tiebreakers saving them. Cutler or McCown? I'd stick with the hot hand until the petulant whiner is healthy. Even still, Cutler's not a franchise QB and shouldn't be treated as such. Nor should he be paid as such.
Three Games to Watch (Week 12):
Saints @ Falcons (NFL Network)
Colts @ Cardinals (CBS)
Broncos @ Patriots (NBC)
Saints @ Falcons (NFL Network)
Colts @ Cardinals (CBS)
Broncos @ Patriots (NBC)
That's all for this week. See you next week.
I'm not looking forward to the Saints having to play Seattle on the road. They'll have a lot time to prepare for that game, but I'm pretty sure they'll lose that game. I've been dreading it all season.
ReplyDeleteI have no idea who to pick.
ReplyDelete