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Comments December 31, 2009
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1/1
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Colts
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14-1
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I feel let down as an NFL fan.
If the Colts were going to have their streak broken,
I wanted to see that with
their starters on the field. Naturally, if the Colts were going to
go perfect, I also wanted to see that
with their starters on the field…
This Colts’ team had a chance to do something special.
Something no team
has ever done… Go (19-0)… Whereas, the “Super Bowl” has been won
43 times in the past. Sure it’s special to win it all.
And if the Colts win it all this season, it will still
be a special moment.
But not nearly as special as what the Colts
might have accomplished if they had gone a perfect
(19-0), cementing themselves in history
as achievers of the ultimate season.
For those who argue the Colts were simply worried Manning could
get injured in the second half, were you not worried
in the first half? Seriously, why play at all?
Could the locker room
become divided because of this decision? I believe Caldwell’s choice
to attempt to maximize Indy’s chances of winning a Super Bowl by
resting players at this potentially special point in history may end up costing
the Colts the Super Bowl this season, just by the sheer energy spent
by players reacting to and thinking about
this controversial decision. We shall see.
Life is short. Greatness is rare. Pursue it, and go for it if you
have that rare chance… Back to the rankings– clearly the Colts are
still #1.
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2/3
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Chargers
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12-3
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The red hot Chargers rolled the Titans and have a first-round
bye.
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3/2
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Saints
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13-2
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The Saints were shocked at home by the Buccaneers, but clinched home
field thanks to the Vikings losing at Chicago… Better to get poor
play out of the way before the playoffs begin.
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4/6
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Eagles
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11-4
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The Eagles hung on against Denver and are a victory away in Dallas
from becoming the NFC’s #2 seed. Center
Jamaal Jackson out for the year.
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5/4
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Vikings
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11-4
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The Vikings lost in overtime in Chicago, and now need help from Dallas
to clinch a first-round bye.
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6/5
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Bengals
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10-5
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Cincinnati grabbed their 10th win, a home victory over the Chiefs,
and have the AFC North locked up.
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7/9
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Packers
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10-5
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The Packers crushed Seattle for win number 10, and will enter the playoffs
as the NFC’s 5th or 6th seed.
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8/7
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Cowboys
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10-5
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Dallas shutout Washington, and can take the NFC East with
a win versus Philadelphia at home in week 17.
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9/10
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Cardinals
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10-5
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Arizona topped St. Louis for win number 10.
With the NFC West wrapped up, the Cardinals have
an extremely slim chance to grab the 2 seed.
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10/11
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Patriots
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10-5
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The Patriots rolled the Jaguars for their 10th victory.
With the AFC East locked up, New England will enter
the playoffs as the 3rd or 4th seed.
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11/13
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Ravens
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8-7
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Penalties got the best of the Ravens in Pittsburgh.
However, all the Ravens have to do to make the playoffs
is to win at Oakland… It’s reminiscent
of last season’s Buccaneers’ squad needing a home
win in week 17 versus Oakland to make the playoffs…
The ‘Bucs failed in that quest.
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12/14
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Steelers
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8-7
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The Steelers kept their slim playoff hopes alive
with a victory over division rival Baltimore.
But they need a lot of help, and theories abound
that a few playoff bound teams would be happy to lose to keep
the Steelers out (New England & Cincinnati).
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13/15
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Dolphins
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7-8
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The Dolphins’ playoff hopes were dealt a serious blow when they
lost at home to Houston… This Miami team blew some big games
this season including contests versus Indianapolis and New Orleans…
And arguably at San Diego too. This squad is much better than
their record shows… There’s one every year.
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14/18
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Jets
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8-7
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I previously stuck a fork in the Jets. Heck, so did coach Ryan. But the Jets
are still alive for a playoff spot, thanks in part to Coach Caldwell’s
infamous decision to pull Indy’s starters with a perfect season
on the line… Let’s give the Jets credit– as they were definitely
in the game prior to Colts’ starters being yanked…
A home win versus Cincy and the Jets are in.
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15/8
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Broncos
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8-7
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Denver was game at Philadelphia, but fell short.
The playoffs once appeared a lock for this club,
now they need help.
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16/17
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Falcons
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8-7
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The Falcons got back above .500 with a throttling of the Bills.
But there’s no back to back playoff appearance in Atlanta.
Will there be back to back winning seasons?
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17/19
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Panthers
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7-8
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Matt Moore and the Panthers are playing some great football,
and they pummeled the Giants in their last home game at
Giants Stadium. Hope for next season abounds.
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18/21
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Texans
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8-7
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Houston mildly upset the Dolphins in Miami to keep their
playoff hopes alive. But they need a lot of help to get in.
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19/12
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Giants
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8-7
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The Giants were embarrassed at home by Carolina in their
final game at Giants Stadium, and were also eliminated from
contention for a playoff spot in the process.
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20/16
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Titans
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7-8
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Tennessee’s playoff hopes were extinguished thanks to
losing at home to the Chargers.
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21/20
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Jaguars
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7-8
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The Jaguars season essentially cam to an end in the prior
week when they turned the ball over late
with a chance to beat the Colts… In week 16 they
were hammered in New England.
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22/23
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49ers
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7-8
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The 49ers pulled to within one game of .500 with a 14 point
victory over the #32 ranked Lions.
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23/25
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Bears
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6-9
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In a disappointing season, the Bears won their Super Bowl, topping
the Vikings in OT on Monday night.
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24/22
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Raiders
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5-10
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The Raiders picked up loss number ten,
falling by 2 TD’s in Cleveland.
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25/27
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Browns
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4-11
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Cleveland continued their improved play down the stretch as they topped
Oakland for win number four.
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26/29
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Buccaneers
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3-12
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Thar she blows. You gotta love week 16.
Tampa pulled off the upset in overtime at New Orleans.
We didn’t need any of those 14 points we were getting.
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27/24
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Bills
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5-10
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The Bills picked up their 10th loss, falling in Atlanta.
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28/26
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Redskins
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4-11
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The Redskins were shutout at home by the Cowboys on Sunday night.
What a dreadful season.
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29/28
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Seahawks
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5-10
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The Seahawks were blown away once again, this time in Green Bay.
Little surprise there.
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30/30
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Chiefs
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3-12
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The Chiefs gave Cincinnati a tough game before falling late
by a touchdown for their twelfth loss.
I don’t know which is hardest… Saying “twelfth”, spelling
it, or losing twelve games.
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31/31
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Rams
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1-14
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The Rams picked up loss #14 in Arizona.
Who would have ever guessed the Rams
would be (1-14) at this point?
Um, actually, we did. Then again, it wasn’t
much of a limb to go out on.
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32/32
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Lions
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2-13
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The Lions picked up their thirteenth loss as Drew Stanton
tossed 3 interceptions versus
San Francisco.
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