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Comments November 26, 2009
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1/1
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Saints
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10-0
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The Saints are sitting pretty at (10-0) after running all over
the Buccaneers in Tampa. Up next, a Patriots’ squad that would
like nothing more than to undo the Saints’ perfection after
failing two weeks ago at Indianapolis.
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2/3
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Colts
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10-0
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The Colts remained perfect as many things went their way in Baltimore.
Funny how that happens to the great teams. Colts’ fans will be happy
to see that San Diego is *not* on their schedule to ruin
this year’s bid for perfection.
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3/4
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Vikings
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9-1
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Minnesota cashed as our free pick of the week. The Vikings got little
game from a Seattle team whose season essentially came to an end
with their previous week’s loss in Arizona.
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4/2
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Bengals
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7-3
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Fumbles proved costly as
the Bengals suffered their second fluke loss of the season, this time falling in
Oakland. This squad could easily be (9-1). Imagine if they still had Housh.
Earlier this season we discussed how the Bengals might be one of these
teams that plays to the level of their competition. They certainly
proved it in week 11.
The Bengals have too many quality wins to fall out of the top
5 just yet.
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5/7
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Patriots
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7-3
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Leigh Bodden picked off Sanchez all day long as the Patriots crushed the Jets.
These Patriots could just as easily be (9-1).
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6/5
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Steelers
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6-4
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Roethlisberger suffered a concussion, as the Steelers suffered
an embarrassing overtime loss in Kansas City… Our current projections
still show the Steelers making the playoffs. But they have some things
to iron out, namely kick coverage.
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7/9
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Cardinals
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7-3
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The Cardinals held on in St. Louis after
Warner took a shot to the head…
After a shaky start to the season,
the Cards are suddenly 4 games above .500.
And they’re just behind the Steelers in the rankings…
How fitting.
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8/8
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Ravens
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5-5
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New kicker Cundiff, and his missed field goal were overshadowed by Flacco’s
interception on 3rd down in the red zone– in a tough home loss to the Colts.
In my book, this is on the coaches… You run the ball in that
situation, and kick the short field goal, thus taking a 1 point lead at home.
And you hope your defense can make a big play… As you saw,
the risk of a turnover in
an obvious 3rd down passing situation, on a short field,
against a team with good pass rushers is often far too great.
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9/10
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Chargers
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7-3
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The Chargers absolutely rolled the Broncos in Denver to take command
of the AFC West.
LT reach the end zone again.
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10/6
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Broncos
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6-4
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The Broncos suffered a brutal home loss to the Chargers as Orton’s
injury has become quite problematic.
Earlier wins over the Bengals, Patriots, Chargers, and Cowboys are now
an all too
distant memory in Denver. And the playoffs may suddenly be out of reach.
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11/11
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Cowboys
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7-3
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This was the type of potential “blow a playoff spot game” that many teams lose.
The Cowboys pulled it together at the end to squeak out a victory
over Washington. But Dallas has to right their offense, especially with
remaining games against the Giants, Chargers, Saints, Eagles, and…
These Redskins again.
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12/13
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Eagles
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6-4
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The Eagles overcame turnovers and got back on the winning track
in Chicago. Their remaining schedule is not very kind.
We currently have the Eagles stuck on the playoff bubble.
Their game two weeks away in Atlanta could be for all the Wild
Card marbles.
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13/14
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Giants
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6-4
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The Giants finally broke their losing streak with a key overtime
victory over the Falcons.
Up next a trip to Denver. This contest might not be easy
as the Broncos may play with a nothing to lose attitude this
week.
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14/15
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Packers
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6-4
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Green Bay’s win over San Francisco was overshadowed by the losses of
Harris and Kampman for the rest of the season. These losses could prove
too much to overcome as
the Packers were on our playoff bubble to begin with.
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15/17
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Dolphins
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5-5
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Miami got back to .500 with a road victory in Carolina.
The Dolphins are still in the playoff hunt. It’s likely to come down
to their week 17 home game versus Pittsburgh.
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16/12
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Falcons
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5-5
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After surmounting a 14 point come back on the road versus the Giants,
Atlanta fell in OT. The Falcons need a win badly. They should get it this
week against Tampa… Then they need to keep it up if they’re
going to make the playoffs.
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17/19
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Jaguars
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6-4
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Jacksonville improved to two games above .500 with a last minute
come from behind victory over the worst 4th quarter
team in the league this season… Buffalo.
The Jaguars’ schedule gets tougher and tougher the rest of the way.
I just don’t see the playoffs in store.
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18/20
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Titans
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4-6
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The Titans remained perfect with Young
at the helm, grabbing their 4th win in a row,
upsetting the Texans in Houston.
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19/16
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Panthers
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4-6
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Carolina fell two games below .500 as they were bested at home by the
Dolphins. At (4-6)
it would take a near miracle for the Panthers to get back
to the postseason… Especially with contests against
the Patriots, Vikings, Giants, and Saints. Not just yikes.
Super yikes!
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20/18
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Texans
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5-5
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The kicking game failed to come through in the clutch, as
Houston suffered a heartbreaking loss to Tennessee on Monday night.
This loss is likely to
prove disastrous in terms of making the playoffs.
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21/21
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49ers
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4-6
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San Francisco fell back to two games below .500 as their come back bid
in Green Bay fell short… All signs are pointing to a (7-9) or perhaps (8-8)
season for the hot starting 49ers.
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22/22
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Jets
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4-6
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The Jets dropped their 3rd straight game as they were never
really in it at New England.
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23/23
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Bears
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4-6
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The Bears dropped a critical home game to the Eagles, which in all
likelihood means the Bears won’t be in the postseason this campaign.
As in the previous week, the game ended with a Cutler interception.
This is not the kind of “four” and “six” Bears fans like to
talk about.
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24/27
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Chiefs
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3-7
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Congrats to the Chiefs for pulling out a major upset
over the double digit favored champs. It was a long time
coming for a KC squad that has blown several close games
the last season and a half.
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25/28
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Raiders
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3-7
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The Raiders upset the Bengals at home– giving the Silver and Black
their 2nd shocker of the season…
“Anything can happen in the NFL”?
“Parity is back”?
In all seriousness, the Raiders might have had a decent season if they
had rolled with Jeff Garcia from the start… In steps Gradkowski
who completed 50% of his passes versus a tough Bengals’ defense–
which is probably double the percentage Russell would have completed
in this game.
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26/24
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Redskins
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3-7
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Washington’s defense played great in Dallas, but as usual their offense
failed to live up to their end of the bargain…
Perhaps there isn’t any bargain?
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27/26
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Bills
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3-7
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The Bills did it again… They blew another game in the 4th quarter,
this week’s recipient, the Jaguars… Perhaps I can write
next week’s entry in advance… “Buffalo blows 4th quarter
lead to Miami.” Now where’s my editor?
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28/25
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Seahawks
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3-7
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Seattle was hammered in Minnesota– which was pretty much expected
considering their season came to an end in the prior week.
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29/29
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Buccaneers
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1-9
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The ‘Bucs were rolled at home by the Saints. Alas, parity is not back.
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30/30
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Rams
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1-9
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The Rams fell at home to Kurt Warner (injured) and the Cardinals.
I know I’ve said this before,
but why does it seem like the Rams are always (1-9)?
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31/31
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Lions
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2-8
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In a battle of teams attempting to avoid mathematical elimination
from the Super Bowl, Detroit kept their XLIV dreams alive with a stunning,
“no time left on the clock” victory–
as Stafford erupted for 422 yards and 5 TD passes, while Cleveland’s
Super Bowl hopes were dashed.
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32/32
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Browns
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1-9
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In a battle of squads attempting to avoid mathematical elimination
from the Super Bowl, Cleveland’s XLIV hopes were crushed,
while Detroit kept their dreams alive with a shocking victory
with no time left on the clock.
Quinn had a stellar game, as did Detroit’s Stafford.
But let’s keep it real, they were both facing
college defenses.
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