Um, Is Beating Tampa Worth Six Wins?
Lot of mixed emotions in Philly on Monday. The Eagles ended an agonizing losing streak with an exciting (if you can look at one play in a vacuum) last second win. I think most fans were happy to see an end to the losing streak, but others lament lost draft position and a possible Andy Reid rally. But, what struck me about the game was how happy Andy Reid was after that final play. I don’t know if I ever remember seeing so much joy on the field from the large fella. I think it shows a couple of things. First, this year has probably been harder on the coach than the fans, despite their constant laments. And, it’s even more clear now that Reid needs a break. If you have this kind of outburst over what amounts to a meaningless win then maybe you shouldn’t even be in the game. This would be like someone on the PGA Tour celebrating on the range for getting a SW airborne. Anyway, the standings…
NFL Pick ‘Em Standings:
- JCK, 40-29-1
- Big Dub, 39-29-2
- DC, 39-30-1
- Nichols, 39-31
- Kraft, 36-33-1
- Grossy, 32-35-3
The “Dodgers Payroll,” Pick of the Week: Big Dub/Nichols (Seattle -10)
I’ve proven this year that I don’t really know much, but I’m pretty sure when you cover a game by 48 points that qualifies as a solid pick. The Cards have lost 9 in a row, but had won 2 of 3 against the spread prior to Sunday. What will the oddsmakers do with the Cardinals for the rest of the season? This game was an intersection of Arizona being on a historically bad run offensively, and Seattle being at home where they play like the best team in the NFC. The Seahawks are 6-0 overall and 6-0 ATS at home. That’s a pretty bankable stat. Two remaining home games against St. Louis and San Francisco–should we all go there? Anyway, not sure how four of us didn’t have this one, but nice effort boys. Special tie-breaking acknowledgment for Dub’s 5-0.
The “Ben Revere’s Arm,” Awful Pick of the Week: Kraft (KC +6.5)
I really enjoyed Kraft’s picks this week, but we all know picking Chad Henne gives you immunity for this prize and KC’s “near miss,” aka, 3TDs short of the cover seemed to be the next most glaring thing on the board. There was some justification, who is Cleveland to be giving 6 points to anyone, but then again if anyone is going to get blown out in Cleveland–it’s certainly the Chiefs. Romeo Crennel vs. Pat Shurmur is like Dwight Howard having a free throw contest with Brian Okam. A game like makes me wonder, should Vegas even put point spreads on games like this? Wouldn’t it be good PR for them to say, “You know what? NO. I’m not going to let you do it.”
The Definitive, Yet Arbitrary Top-10
1. New England, 10-3. Is there a team in the AFC with enough defense to make the Pats sweat? It certainly isn’t Houston.
2. Denver, 10-3. Home field only quest left for Denver after 8 straight wins.
3. Atlanta, 11-2. You can explain away Sunday with some division road game drivel.
4. New York Giants, 8-5. Woke up again for a big time opponent/QB.
5. San Francisco, 9-3-1. I’m not sure Smith or Kaepernick is good enough to finish the job this season.
6. Houston, 11-2. That was Houston’s biggest regular season game in recent memory. Total embarrassment.
7. Green Bay, 9-4. Packers are winning sloppy, which puts them in elite company in the NFL.
8. Indianapolis, 9-4. The Colts aren’t good. Not really. But, they’ve won 9 games.
9. Baltimore, 9-4. Two straight losses. Could lose out.
10. Seattle, 8-5. Russell Wilson reminds me of Alex Smith, so he’ll probably get benched next year.
3-PT D.A. of the Week: Helter Skelton.
Check out the D.A. tab to get a look at the final D.A. Standings, the semi-final matchups, and a quick recap of exactly how embarrassing the Cardinals are in every facet of the game.
3-Putt Territory 
There has to be concern in Houston- 2 losses at the hands of two great QBs. Not just defeats though, you got shredded. And Schaub hasn’t won a playoff game. Someone let Gary Kubrick know this morning that the #1 seed doesn’t mean you get a bye and then play Arizona twice to get to the super bowl
Don’t get me wrong- I like Houston’s team, since the eagles will be scouting the combine like never before I wouldn’t mind seeing Houston win the whole thing. But they have to hitting the oh shit button. Somewhere along the line they are going to have to beat a manning, Brady, Skelton….
Haha, I totally see what you’re saying. Houston looks like a different team against the best offenses. That includes their own offense, which seems prone to make more mistakes. I don’t think Kubiak has any idea how to win big games.
They get behind early and then their offense can’t do what they do best: run with foster, mix in some pass when they want to…
What I meant to say is they’ve only defeated 1 elite QB: Chad Henne, and that took OT
i had this dream last night, the Penn State coach was replaced by a guy named Matt Geoff (pronounced Goff). i was so shaken, perhaps this was survivor pride guilt from the Pats Monday night win.
it always comes back to the Pats.
i felt as awful as when the Pats lost to the Giants the second time.
i am already getting that sick feeling. i don’t know if i can face a 3rd.
i need to change my dreams to the firing and hiring of Eagles coaches, i suppose.
yeah, Matt Geoff – look him up, quite a record.
Q