The 2 Minute Drill - Week Fourteen
It's beginning to feel a lot like playoffs every..where you go..

By Ivette Ricco

It's that time of year when we are eating too much and drinking too much.

Yes it's beginning to feel a lot like Playoffs.

And, yes, there's also a little thing called Christmas, as well.

But, as Jim Mora said, "Playoffs, Playoffs?" "No stinkin' playoffs here!"

A part of me says, okay, so what, it means I can relax and watch the blood-letting with nary an emotion high or low. My pragmatic self didn't want to spend another couple hundred bucks on playoff tickets. But the assertive, competitive, football crazy woman in me secretly hoped the 49ers would actually have a shot at a playoff spot. Yes, even visions of sugar-coated Division Champions danced in my head.

But the team I love is not ready for prime time that was painfully obvious after Reggie Bush ran them over and Brett Favre fed them a slice of humble pie, at home.

My expectations for the 2006 season were low, a possible 5-9 or maybe 6-10 record, so I don't have much to complain about.

However, there are other fans in the NFL world might feel as if the Grinch slapped them upside their head in December - Playoffs? Ho-Ho-Ho.

 

The Colts
Another year - another slide. It's the defense showing its flaws yet again. Tony Dungy has got to upgrade his defensive unit. Things are quickly going south as the Colts hang on to try and get a first round bye.

The Patriots
Frustration has grown to the point where even Mr. Poise, Tom Brady blew his top at his teammates. The Pats are a good team but are inconsistent. They are still very dangerous and will win the AFC East but they need to establish momentum before the playoffs begin.

The Seahawks
The Seahawks have had their injury problems, but they should be better as the season ends. Still, they aren't the strongest team in the NFC, the Saints are and they could struggle in the playoffs.

The Panthers
Here's a team many picked to be in the Super Bowl. They are still in position for a playoff spot but hardly scare anyone.

The Giants
Oh where to begin. It should have been Eli's official crowning as the NYC King. But instead the G-Men have gotten inconsistent play from Lil Manning and injuries in the defense. With a weak NFC they are still contenders, but won't last long they way they are playing now.

The Broncos
Things are heating up in the Rocky Mountains . Mike Shannahan has been around a long time and the owners have been rock solid behind him - but - he didn't develop Brian Griese, hasn't been able to get the expected production from Jake Plummer, and now he is starting rookie Jay Cutler. Shannahan is hoping Cutler will provide the spark the team needs, but more than anything he was feeling the heat from the fans and the media, and perhaps Pat Bowlen. Much as some other rookie quarterbacks (first as the starter in the NFL) making an impact, Matt Leinart, Vince Young, Tony Romo, Jason Campbell, David Garrard, Philip Rivers are examples.

The team that's red hot in the AFC? The Chargers. The one that could sneak up? The Baltimore Ravens.

The Bears are the number one seed, but they still appear unbalanced. The Saints are the Cinderella pick in the NFC, although the Cowboys and the Seahawks are in the running.

And now for my right from the heart assessment of the SF 49ers.

 

Offense:

Alex Smith still tries to force the ball on critical third downs. He seems to hold the ball too long as he waits to decide to whom he should throw. Another year under his belt, more time with Norv Turner's offense and perhaps two healthy tight end and he will be an effective and productive quarterback, in the mold of Tom Brady.
Frank Gore, the shining beacon over the SF Bay Area and that's goes for both NFL teams. He has been tremendous. But the offense needs some variety to keep defenses from stacking the line against the run.
Offensive Line:

The big boys are getting tired as the season progresses. They've done a heck of a job opening holes for Frank Gore, and keeping Alex Smith upright most of the time. But this is an aging line and the team needs to spend some money in the off-season with some young and experienced back-ups.

 

Defense:

The defense is still a concern. Injuries seem to reduce the corners to people off the street at the end of every season. The defensive line still hasn't been able to consistently pressure the quarterback. The line-backing corps is starting to get dinged up more often. This is another area in need of depth and some youth.

The Forty Niners have shown flashes, and Vernon Davis could be a beast if they could pair him up with Eric Johnson. But Johnson has been hurt much too often to allow for a two tight end formation. The 49ers have enough picks in the 2007 draft to be able to pick up some young talent, defensively.

 

Week Fifteen
My Picks are in Purple

 

Thursday, Dec. 14
GAME	TIME
San Francisco at Seattle	8:00 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 16
GAME	TIME
Dallas at Atlanta	8:00 p.m.
Sunday, Dec. 17
GAME	TIME
Cleveland at Baltimore	1:00 p.m.
Detroit at Green Bay	1:00 p.m.
Houston at New England	1:00 p.m.
Jacksonville at Tennessee	1:00 p.m.
Miami at Buffalo	1:00 p.m.
N.Y. Jets at Minnesota	1:00 p.m.
Pittsburgh at Carolina	1:00 p.m.
Tampa Bay at Chicago	1:00 p.m.
Washington at New Orleans	1:00 p.m.
Denver at Arizona	4:05 p.m.
Philadelphia at N.Y. Giants	4:15 p.m.
St. Louis at Oakland	4:15 p.m.
Kansas City at San Diego	8:15 p.m.

 

Week 14 record 9-7

Season record 118-90

 

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