We aren’t going down without a fight (but we ARE going down, obviously), and this week we’ll take our own advice. Enough, already, with the crazy upsets.
In the meantime, this missive arrived from the NFL office in New York this week: “Hey, if you’re an NFL fan, don’t give up on your favourite team just yet. History proves that teams at 3-5 still have a chance to make the playoffs. Since 1990, five 3-5 teams have advanced to the postseason: the 1990 New Orleans Saints, the 1994 New England Patriots, 1995 Detroit, the 1996 Jacksonville Jaguars and the 2002 New York Jets. So there is still hope for Cleveland, Jacksonville, Houston and San Diego.
But not much hope for us. We’re halfway home this season and still, almost nothing is clear.
Only one club is undefeated, the Tennessee Titans at 8-0 with a four-game lead in the AFC South. Right behind them are the 7-1 New York Giants, who lead the NFC East by a game and a half. One division – the AFC East – is tied at the top. Carolina leads Tampa by half a game in the NFC South. And one game separates the top two clubs in three other divisions – the AFC North, AFC West, NFC North.
Now that we’ve reached the midpoint of the season, there’s lots going on. Houston has won three out of four while the New York Jets have won four of five. Carolina at 6-2 is one game within matching its victory total of last year. And Miami at 4-4 has already quadrupled its win total of last season.
Those numbers should give us a few hints.
Let’s take a close look at Week 10…
THURSDAY NIGHT
Denver Broncos (4-4) at Cleveland Browns (3-5)
The Brady Quinn Era begins in Cleveland. Denver is a huge disappointment.
Take Cleveland
SUNDAY AFTERNOON
Green Bay Packers (4-4) at Minnesota Vikings (4-4)
The Vikes are in the Dome. It’s going to be one hell of a weekend in the Twin Cities.
Take Minnesota
Tennessee Titans (8-0) at Cincinnati Bengals (1-8))
The Bengals won last week, but Tennessee is significantly better than Jacksonville.
Take Tennessee
Buffalo Bills (5-3) at New England Patriots (5-3)
Buffalo’s loss at home to the Jets was a bigger clue than New England’s loss on the road at Indy.
Take New England
St. Louis Rams (2-6) at New York Jets (5-3)
Could be a big week for Brett against that dreadful St. Louis defence.
Take NY Jets
Seattle Seahawks (2-6) at Miami Dolphins (4-4)
Miami is for real. Seattle is not.
Take Miami
Jacksonville Jaguars (3-5) at Detroit Lions (0-8)
Daunte Culpepper joins the Lions. It can’t be any worse than it was with Dan Orlovsky. The Lions will win one game this year. This is it. And after all, won’t the milestone be wonderful when the Jacksonville Jaguars become the first team in NFL history to lose back-to-back games to 0-8 teams?
Take Detroit
New Orleans Saints (4-4) at Atlanta Falcons (4-4)
I’m a Matt Ryan/Michael Turner believer. Especially at home
Take Atlanta
Baltimore Ravens (4-4) at Houston Texans (3-5)
Baltimore’s defence is way too much for Sage Rosenfels. And Joe Flacco is legit.
Take Baltimore
Carolina Panthers (6-2) at Oakland Raiders (2-6)
Took the Raiders last week and won’t make that mistake again.
Take Carolina
Indianapolis Colts (4-4) at Pittsburgh Steelers (6-2)
Pittsburgh’s defence could be the best in the AFC and Roethlisberger is a winner at home.
Take Pittsburgh
Kansas City Chiefs (1-7) at San Diego Chargers (3-5)
The Chiefs blew a big lead at home last week. They won’t get the lead on the coast.
Take San Diego
SUNDAY NIGHT
New York Giants (7-1) at Philadelphia Eagles (5-3)
This is the game of the week. The defending champion Giants are as good on the road as they are at home.
Take the Giants
MONDAY NIGHT
San Francisco 49ers (2-6) at Arizona Cardinals (5-3)
Even with Mike Singletary and his crazy eyes coaching the Niners, that’s just a bad team. Arizona, now first in the NFC West, proved last week in St. Louis that they’re in for the long haul.
Take Arizona
Last week: 7-7
Season: 70-60
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