NFL Week Fifteen Thoughts

This is the week the Bears won the NFC North, it is a good week indeed!

San Diego Chargers def. San Francisco 49ers


I think it's going to be bye-bye Singletary after this season, though they could still make the playoffs (yikes!)

Baltimore Ravens def. New Orleans Saints

There's nothing I hate more than not knowing whether or not the good team or bad team is going to show up on Sunday, Ravens have that dynamic.

Carolina Panthers def. Arizona Cardinals

Arizona should be mightily embarrassed.

Cincinnati Bengals def. Cleveland Browns

The Bengals are coming on at the end of the season.  I haven't been very high on Mangini as a head coach since he was in New York, I think the Browns would be better off with Mike Holmgren running the show.

Dallas Cowboys def. Washington Redskins

Rex Grossman didn't look half bad, perhaps he's finally landed in a system he fits in.  That Dallas defense is looking impressive late in the year, they could be due for a resurgence next year.

Indianaplois Colts def. Jacksonville Jaguars

The Jaguars missed some key opportunities here, but the Colts finally came out and proved they could get past their team troubles and finish a game.  They look like they could be contenders if they make it in to the postseason, but I'm not so sure they can win out.

Buffalo Bills def. Miami Dolphins

Oh Miami, how did you let this one slip away?  I'm starting to think they don't even want to win at home.

Philadelphia Eagles def. New York Giants


Jacksonville last week, Philly this week, seems I can't help but get burned by big punt returns at least once a week.  That fourth quarter breakdown does not look good for the Giants heading into the playoffs, though they have gone from disappointing at the end of the season to playoff monsters in the past.

Kansas City Chiefs def. St. Louis Rams

This Chiefs team is looking pretty impressive, if they can have a good offseason we could be looking at new long-term favorites in the division.

Detroit Lions def. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

I got this one right, but it played out just the opposite of what I thought it would.  Detroit's run defense got torched (LeGarrette Blount is a beast), and Drew Stanton lit up the field.  That Tampa defense is very young, too young for this team to be a legitimate contender, but a good draft and they could be back in contention.  You know how it goes in the NFC South, every year they have a new division champion.

Tennessee Titans def. Houston Texans

I made the cardinal mistake of evaluating the Texans this year, never underestimate how atrocious their defense is.

Atlanta Falcons def. Seattle Seahawks

Atlanta is a hot team, the Seahawks are slumping.

Oakland Raiders def. Denver Broncos

Those Broncos are in dire straights, whoever they bring in as coach and/or to run personnel had better have their act together.

New York Jet def. Pittsburgh Steelers

Polamalu didn't play, but I am a little surprised at how easily Sanchez was able to handle their D.  I think the Steelers got robbed by a no-call late in the fourth, but they still didn't get it done on subsequent plays.
New England Patriots def. Green Bay Packers
I'm a bit surprised at how well Matt Flynn did, although this Pats' defense can have sort of a Jekyll and Hyde dynamic to it.

Chicago Bears def. Minnesota Vikings

Okay, I know Webb was in there for a full half, but we played them damn well the whole game.  No matter who was in the pocket we took them to the ground, we generated five turnovers, Hester set a new NFL record for return touchdowns (congrats!), and this offense took advantage where they could.  Jay Cutler looked especially impressive, and I think things are looking up for this team.  No matter what happens in the postseason, this season has been a success.  With that being said, we're division champs and on the way to the playoffs, go Bears!