There's 11:28 left in the 4th quarter. We're coming off of a 10-15 minute delay where Cowboys' LB DeMarcus Ware was scrapped to a board with a neck brace and carted off the field. The crowd is cheering so loud it causes a 5 yard false start penalty when play resumes. The defense is getting pumped to make a stop for their fallen leader.
What happens next?? The Chargers use 2 plays to score a touchdown and deflate the Cowboys confidence and momentum on their way to a 20-17 victory.
Why do I mention that?? Its because the Chargers are heartless. Yeah, they were happy Ware was okay, but they were about to within the emotional boost and handle business. That element is gonna be key Sunday as they play the Bengals after the Chris Henry tragedy. Yeah, San Diego will sympathize with Cincy before the game, but once the clock starts its all business.
Another thing, football is a game of focus, and I'm not sure how focused the Bengals are right now. This isn't a coach's wife dying, its a teammate, one of your peers. Its not as easy to get your mind off of. Even with the #2 seed and a playoff bye week hanging in the balance. Chargers winners, Bengals losers.
2) Giants (7-6) @ Redskins (4-9)
This is truly my game of the week. If the Giants win this game, the Cowboys are essentially done.
Now, what I'm about to say is a bit of a stretch, but hear me out: the Redskins should take a serious look at helping the Cowboys by winning this game and losing next week if they want Mike Shanahan coaching them next season. Look, if the Cowboys make the playoffs and make some noise, Wade Phillips will remain in Dallas. More importantly, Mike Shanahan won't be replacing him and will likely take the job in Washington. If we miss the playoffs, obviously Wade is a goner and I'm sure Shanahan would rather coach the Cowboys than the Redskins. See, Redskins fans, you kinda need us to make the playoffs and the only shot we have is if the Giants lose this game and we beat the you guys next week. All I'm saying is think about it.
With that being said, I think the Skins do do my Boys a favor and eliminate the G-Men in D.C. this Monday night. Redskins winners, Giants losers.
3) Dolphins (7-6) @ Titans (6-7)
The big story in this game isn't even football related, its race related. No, not black-white race, on the playground with no shoes race. Evidently Chris Johnson challenged Tedd Ginn Jr. to a foot race down Ocean Drive over the summer and Teddy didn't show.
I'm more so in the Jason Taylor on PTI the other day school of thought, because this is stupid. Its a lose-lose-lose for Ginn. If he raced CJ and lost he'd be deemed slow, if he doesn't show he looks like he's scared, and if he races and gets hurt everybody is calling him a moron. He can't win for losing.
As far as the game goes, I have really no idea who's gonna win, or even who has the upper hand. As of right now, I'm gonna take the Titans since they're at home, but that is definitely subject to change because we still don't know if Vince Young is gonna go. Titans winners, Dolphins losers.
4) 49ers (6-7) @ Eagles (9-4)
The 49ers are coming off of an improbable win over the Cardinals Monday, but this week everything is going against them. They're a west coast team going east for a 1pm game in 30° weather on a short week. Not exactly the ingredients for a upset win. It'd be nice if they did win...but they won't. Eagles winners, 49ers losers.
5) Packers (9-4) @ Steelers (6-7)
This should be a good game, but I'm taking a week off from picking the Steelers after they burned me 3 of the past 4 weeks (only reason it was 4 for 4 was because I picked the Ravens in Week 12). Plus, any team coming off a back to back loses against the Raiders and Browns don't deserve my pick.
I'd also like to see the stat on win/loss percentage for teams the week after one of their players rips their own fans. I'm sure its not encouraging. Packers winners, Steelers losers.
6) Patriots (8-5) @ Bills (5-8)
The only places the Patriots have won this season are in New England and Old England (note that their Week 7 game against the Bucs was played across the pond).
I feel like this game could go either way. Tom Brady is hurt, and Randy Moss may have given up on the season. If its cold and windy enough this game could turn into a field possession running contest. I'll give the Pats a slight edge. Patriots winners, Bills losers.
7) Raiders (4-9) @ Broncos (8-5)
Lets play a game of "JaMarcus Russell is so bad..." with Raiders head coach Tom Cable. Take it away coach.
Tom Cable: "Okay, JaMarcus Russell is so bad Bruce Gradkowski broke both of his knees and I rather start some loser named Charlie Frye who's evidently on our roster somewhere."
Me: "Nice. My turn. JaMarc... [interrupted by coach Cable]"
TC: "No wait, I got another one. It'll be quick. Okay, okay, JaMarcus Russell is so bad, we just signed J.P. Losman for insurance in case that Frye kid gets hurt! Boom! I'm on fire tonight!"
Me: "You're a stone cold dude Mr. Cable."
TC: "Yes, I'm a bad, bad man...not as bad as JaMarcus Russell of course."
Me: "That goes without saying. Aight, JaMarcus Russ... [interrupted by Cable once again]"
TC: "Wait, wait, I got one more!"
Me: "Damn homie, its my got damn turn!"
TC: "What?! Is that a threat??"
Me: "Threat? Huh, wha... No!"
TC: [Stands up, stares angrily for .5 seconds and lands a right hand punch.]
Me: "What the fuck coach??"
TC: [Points to Randy Hanson huddle silently in the corner in the fetal position.]
Me: "Enough said, thanks for playing coach."
Denver winners, Raiders losers.
8) Bears (5-8) @ Ravens (7-6)
I don't think the Bears could beat anybody at or over .500, and the Ravens are on a mission. Bad mix. Ravens winners, Bears losers.
9) Vikings (11-2) @ Panthers (5-8)
It feels like the NFL probably should've flexed this game out of the Sunday night slot. They couldn't find any other game with playoff implications to sub for this?? (Bengals @ Chargers anyone??)
I guess anything could still with Brett Favre playing out in the cold, but there's no way the Vikings lose this game. Vikings winners, Panthers losers.
10) Falcons (6-7) @ Jets (7-6)
Don't take that performance again New Orleans last week the wrong way, without Matt Ryan and Michael Turner Atlanta is mediocre at best. Mark Sanchez should be back for the Jets as well so as long as it doesn't a) slide head first or b) throw 5 INTs, the Jets should be fine. Jets winners, Falcons losers.
11) Cardinals (8-5) @ Lions (2-11)
Uhh, yeah. Cardinals winners, Lions losers.
12) Texans (6-7) @ Rams (1-12)
Okay, let me get this straight: St. Louis missed practice this week due to swine flu?? And they're gonna let this team take the field Sunday??
I say lets just cancel the game, give the win to the Texans, and move on. Seriously, the only thing to be determined in this contest is how many touchdowns will Houston win by. Texans winners, Rams losers.
13) Buccaneers (1-12) @ Seahawks (5-8)
Josh Freeman the past 2 weeks: 0 touchdowns, 8 interceptions. Add that to the long trip from Tampa to Seattle and I say the 'Hawks get their 6th win. Seahawks winners, Bucs losers.
14) Browns (2-11) @ Chiefs (3-10)
This game should be delightful, you know in a "I wish I was Ralphie from A Christmas Story so I could shoot my eyes out with an official Red Ryder, carbine action, two-hundred shot range model air rifle" kind of way. Chiefs winners, Browns losers.
Thursday Game
1) Colts (13-0) @ Jaguars (7-6)
I guess the NFL was expecting another Jaguars offensive lineman to get gunned down before the season and be well enough to come back for this game to give his team an emotional boost. That's all I could come up with as an explanation as to why we're getting Colts at Jags 1 year after we got it last year. (Side note: its actually its 364 days but hell, close enough). Colts winners, Jaguars losers.
Saturday Game
1) Cowboys (8-5) @ Saints (13-0)
Nobody really thinks the Cowboys stand a chance, do they?? I mean, yeah, the Saints have been shaky lately, but that was on the road. This game is in New Orleans.
The Saints' average margin of victory in the Superdome is 15.3 points. Expect a blowout. Saints winners, Cowboys losers.
This Week: 8-8 (.500)
Overall Record: 142-81 (.637)
Last Week: 13-3 (.813)
