The Agony of Defeat
By Ivette Ricco
December 5, 2005
Last season’s Super Bowl teams look anything like Champions this season.
The Eagles are being blown out on Monday Night Football as I write this. The score is 42-0 in favor of the Seattle Seahawks. Betcha T.O. is sitting home snickering at the spectacle. Iggles, ugly is as ugly does.
The Pats are hangin in but their chances of Three-Peat seem as remote as the end of the war in Iraq.
And then there are some “mediocre” teams still vying for a shot at the playoffs. The Vikings have surprised everyone, including their coach, their fans and their new owner, by winning five games in a row. But, if history has taught us anything about the Twin Cities Purple Boys, it’s that they get really hot, and then they crash and burn with regularity. It’s almost as if they can’t stand the idea of winning on a regular basis.
This season the playoff “wannabees” will have at least 10 games in the win column, whereas last season the Vikings made the cut at 8-8.
Good teams may be home by the fire with remote control in hand, watching the playoffs, in spite of very good seasons and above average records:
A few teams could miss out even if they get 10 wins.
The Chiefs, Chargers, Steelers, Vikings, Cowboys, Falcons and Bucs are all still on the bubble. The Jaguars lost Byron Leftwich but are still poised for a wild card spot.
As of the end of week 13 only the Colts (12-0) and the Seahawks (10-2) have clinched a playoff spot.
The Thrill of Victory – The Agony of Defeat
The New York Football Giants 17 Cowboys 10
The Tuna made a trip back to his Jersey roots and took his Cowboys with him. Tuna soon discovered that the Giants defense, always a mainstay of this team, is alive and well, thank you. Drew Bledsoe was harassed, hurried and harried and sacked four times. This win put the G-Men in first place in a very competitive NFC East division.
Kansas City Chiefs 31 Denver Broncos 27
You knew that sooner or later, Jake the Snake would go back to some of his old habits. He picked a hell of a time to do that. Plummer threw two interceptions while the Chiefs quarterback, steady Eddie, Trent Green got bit by the interception bug but was rescued by Larry Johnson’s strong rushing game (140 yards). The Chiefs had to win this game to stay in the playoff race. The Broncos can’t seem to win at Arrowhead, but they are still in first place and likely to win the AFC West.
Panthers 24 Falcons 6
Oh my, how the worm has turned.
The Panthers got off to a very slow start and were being given up for dead. But…not so fast. They are now in first place in the NFC South and were clearly the better team on Sunday as they contained and bewildered Michael Vick.
Vikings 21 Lions 16
The Lion sleeps tonight, and just about every night. So much for “developing the young players”. Interim coach Dick Jauron did exactly what Mariucci did and got him fired, he put Jeff Garcia in charge of the offense and sat Joey Harrington.
The Vikings are on a five game roll! Who would have laid odds on this improbable “comeback”? The Vikings have a shot at the playoffs as long as Brad Johnson is playing.
Da Bears 19 Packers 7
Can the Bears defense take them to the promise land? Well, they may get there, but they won’t last for long unless they can put some points up. The Packers are at a crossroads, do they rebuild next year with Brett or without him?
Colts 35 Titans 3
The Colts are the best team in the NFL, and in a league of their own. Without the pesky Patriots to derail them, there doesn’t appear to be another team in the league to keep them from representing the AFC in Super Bowl 40. The Titans are one of several teams in a rebuilding mode.
Hanging in the balance for the Colts is the tantalizing perfect season record.
Jaguars 20 Browns 14
The Jaguars will more than likely make the playoffs, in spite of losing Byron Leftwich to injury. They have won five games in a row with the help of a solid defense and strong running game. The Browns are making some progress under rookie head coach Romeo Crennel and rookie quarterback Charlie Frye did a good job in his first NFL start filling in for the injured Trent Dilfer but they still looking for playmakers.
Bucs 10 Saints 3
The Bucs used their defensive talent to overpower the demoralized and displaced NFL team we all know remember as the New Orleans Saints.
Patriots 15 NY Jets 3
Oh say can you see? The Jets are in a tailspin, the Patriots are looking at an early end to their season.
Redskins 24 Rams 9
The Redskins are still holding out hope for a playoff spot. But the likelihood of their getting a shot at postseason play is slim to none. The Rams are done for the year and Mike Martz may be done as a Ram coach.
Ravens 16 Texans 15
The Texans are the Poster Child for painful loses.
The Ravens are going to have to make some big changes this off-season and Kyle Boller may be the first to leave, but there are hints of Brian Billick not being too far behind. Whatever changes are made this team has got to find an offense, restore their running game and their defense. Foe the Texans it’s back to square one and that may or may not include David Carr and Dom Capers.
The Texans had this game up until the final minutes and then lost it. Ouch.
Miami 24 Bills 23
Cover your eyes Buffalo fans, this hurt.
If you went Christmas shopping at half time thinking your Bills were comfortably ahead of the up and down Dolphins, you were in for a real shock when you turned the game back on. J.P. Losman looked like the second coming of Jim Kelly and Gus Frerotte looked like anything but Dan Marino. But improbable is the name of the game in the NFL.
In the fourth quarter Gus Frerotte was injured and Sage Rosenfels took over for the Dolphins. In an amazing turn of events Rosenfels led the Dolphins on three touchdown drives erasing a 23-3 deficit in 12 minutes.
Cardinals 10 Niners 10
A for effort Alex.
The Forty Niners took the training wheels off their rookie quarterback and he managed steer clear of trouble for a while. Smith was playing behind an inexperienced line as the Niners used their rookies throughout the game. The Forty Niners were ahead going into the half, but the road got a little bumpy in the second half as the Niners defense blew their assignments on an Anquan Boldin 54 yard touchdown pass and run. The next three road games should give Alex Smith a year’s worth of experience as the Niners travel to Seattle, St. Louis and Jacksonville. Nolan and York should have a pretty good idea about their 49 million dollar baby by the end of the season.
Femmefan Season Record: 123-69
Week Thirteen Record: 12-4
FINAL |
|
MIAMI |
24 |
Buffalo |
23 |
|
FINAL |
|
Cincinnati |
38 |
PITTSBURGH |
31 |
|
FINAL |
|
BALTIMORE |
16 |
Houston |
15 |
|
FINAL |
|
INDIANAPOLIS |
35 |
Tennessee |
3 |
|
FINAL |
|
Jacksonville |
20 |
CLEVELAND |
14 |
|
FINAL |
|
NY GIANTS |
17 |
Dallas |
10 |
|
FINAL |
|
CHICAGO |
19 |
Green Bay |
7 |
|
FINAL |
|
Minnesota |
21 |
DETROIT |
16 |
|
FINAL |
|
CAROLINA |
24 |
Atlanta |
6 |
|
FINAL |
|
Tampa Bay |
10 |
NEW ORLEANS |
3 |
|
FINAL |
|
Arizona |
17 |
SAN FRANCISCO |
10 |
|
FINAL |
|
Washington |
24 |
ST. LOUIS |
9 |
|
FINAL |
|
NEW ENGLAND |
16 |
NY Jets |
3 |
|
FINAL |
|
KANSAS CITY |
31 |
Denver |
27 |
|
FINAL |
|
SAN DIEGO |
34 |
Oakland |
10 |
|
FINAL |
|
Seattle |
42 |
PHILADELPHIA |
0 |
|
Week 14 Fearless Picks
December 6, 2005
This is another week of games with playoff implications and division leads in the balance. Turn the TIVO on football fans, these are games worth watching.
Panthers (9-3) over the Bucs (8-4) – Great Division rivalry game should feature some hard hitting by both defenses. I expect this will be a low scoring affair with special teams playing a key role in the victory.
Pick Panthers
Patriots (7-5) over Buffalo (5-7) – The Patriots are still hoping to improve on their playoff position while the Bills are looking forward to next year.
Pick Patriots
Vikings (7-5) over the Rams (5-7) – The Vikings have won 5 in a row, scary isn’t it? The Rams are done for the year but could be spoilers. I see this is a real toss-up but give the Vikings the edge because of Brad Johnson’s steady hand.
Pick Vikings
Steelers (7-5) over Da Bears (9-3) – The Bears are on a roll, the Steelers are fighting to
make the playoffs. I think Da Bears will fall to a stronger offensive team.
Pick Steelers
Raider (4-8) over the Jets (2-10) – The Raider appear ready to turn the offense over to back up quarterback Marcus Tuiasosopo. With a little luck the Raiders should score enough points to take this one.
Pick Raiders
Colts (12-0) over the Jaguars (9-3) – This should be a really good game and there is a possibility of an upset. The Jags are in second place in this division and they will need every win to get in as a wild card. The Colts can coast if they want to but I suspect Tony Dungy won’t let his team look past the Jags.
Pick Colts
UPSET PICK
Houston (1-10) over the Titans (3-9) – The Texans have come agonizingly close to winning a few games. I think this will be their second win of the season.
Pick Texans
Bengals (9-3) over the Browns (4-8) – The Bengals have made believers out of and are primed for a playoff run. They still need to win their division and a victory over the Browns gets them one step closer.
Pick Bengals
Redskins (6-6) over the Cardinals (4-8) – The Redskins are hoping for a miracle and a spot in the playoffs. The Cardinals have used up all their miracles for the season.
Pick Redskins
NY Giants (8-4) over the Eagles (5-7) – Jump on that NY Giants bandwagon my friends, they look pretty darn good. The Eagles were snowed under against the Seahawks and their season is all over.
Pick Giants
UPSET PICK
Niners (2-10) over the Seahawks (10-2) – I haven’t gone against my Niners all year so there’s no reason to change now. Any team is capable of an upset, however improbable that may seem, it’s my pick and I’m sticking to it!
Pick Niners
Chargers (8-4) over the Dolphins (5-7) – The Chargers must continue to win to keep pace. The Dolphins can be spoilers. I have to stay with the hot tandem of Drew Brees and Marvin Harrison.
Pick Chargers
Broncos (9-3) over the Ravens (4-8) – The Broncos took one on the chin from the Chiefs last week and I suspect they will be ready to take out some frustration on the offensively challenged Ravens.
Pick Broncos
Chiefs (8-4) over the Cowboys (7-5) – This game features two teams who must win to keep their playoff hopes alive. I see this as a game of defense with the Chiefs being tested often and early. But the Chiefs offense will pull this one out in a very close and tough contest.
Pick Chiefs
UPSET PICK
Lions (4-8) over the Packers (2-10) – Brett Favre may not play and if he can’t go then the Packers are in a world of trouble. The Lions have talent and maybe, just maybe they will put the pieces together and win this one.
Pick Lions
Falcons (7-5) over the Saints (3-9) – I was surprised by the way the Panthers shut down the Falcons last week. With their season on the line Michael Vick and the Falcons are in a must win situation.
Pick Falcons
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