One more week is in the books and the playoff picture is arguably less clear than a week ago. Indy is in, so is New Orleans as is Minny. San Diego is not mathematically, but is for all practical purposes. All four took care of business and have established their credentials for a post season run. The rest still have work to do, to one degree or another.
Philly took a major step forward, aided by the fact it is December in Cowboyland. New England held serve, albeit in an uninspiring manner. Green Bay did what it needed to in Chicago to tighten their grasp on an NFC wild card slot. Miami stayed in the hand. Baltimore and the Jets had byes, scrimmaging with a bunch of tackling dummies dressed in Lions and Bucs uniforms.
Cincy didn’t help their cause, although it was hardly a must-win game. The Giants virtually ceded any claim to the NFCE, as we mentioned, it is December in Dallas and Pittsburgh all but said, “good night, Gracie.”
There really are no surprises this week in our ranks. A few teams fell from Good to HM due to the fact they were unopposed this week, which is a little like winning an election with only one candidate. They still distinguished themselves.
All that leaves us with a very interesting week 15. Several teams face must-win situations and some games feature two teams that should approach the contest as must-win.
Many thanks to the GBU contributors (Team Ugly): Any, Arj, Ben, GFC, Hannah, Stig, and Ward. And many thanks to you for taking a helping.
The Good
Houston – We’ll say this much, the Texans are never dull. They bounce between Good, Bad and Ugly on a regular basis. This week they lit up the Seahawks early and often. Matt Schaub did his best Dan Fouts impersonation, with over half of his 365 passing yards (193 to be exact) going to Andre Johnson. That passing total was over 80 yards more than the entire Seahawk offense.
Indianapolis – The Colts won their 22nd consecutive regular season game which passes the previous record set by the Patriots of 06-08. They also became the winningest team of a decade in NFL history. Further, they clinched the number one seed in the AFC playoffs. Peyton had four touchdowns and passed Warren Moon to take fourth place in all-time passing yardage. The defense held on despite a banged up secondary that almost had to put Pierre Garcon in at cornerback. Now the Colts only have to focus on the playoffs.
Miami – This was not a glamorous win. But it was a win against a team that had control of one of the remaining AFC playoff spots. The Dolphins have found a QB in Henne. He had a solid game, throwing for 220 yards and completing 21 of 29 passes. Ricky Williams contributed 108 yards on the ground, helping the Dolphins outgain the Jags by almost 140 yards. In addition to holding the Jags offense to an anemic yardage total, the defense only allowed 10 first downs. Despite a slow start the Phins are still in contention for a playoff spot. They have a tough road to get there but they have had one of the toughest schedules all season.
Minnesota – This was not a must-win game for either of Vikings or the Bengals. That aside, the Vikes made a statement after last week’s misstep by controlling this game, particularly on defense puting a beatdown on the AFC North leader Bengals. Carson Palmer was held to under 100 yards passing. Adrian Peterson ran for two TD’s and America added another. The Vikes have now secured a place in the playoffs and work toward a bye.
Philadelphia – This was a huge win by the Eagles. They managed to go to the Meadowlands and drag the Giants into a shootout. That offense is just sick. The stats lie, showing the Giants outgained the Eagles by over 130 yards and the Eagles held the ball for 9:30 less. Those numbers are tainted by an Eagle punt return TD and a defensive TD on a long fumble return. The Eagles won the turnover battle 4-1. They even gave up the lead briefly in the third quarter, only to take it back on an effortless 60-yard bomb from McNabb to DeSean Jackson on the first play after the kickoff. Jackson finished with 178 yards in 6 receptions. If they get their defense in order, nobody will want to face them in the playoffs.
San Diego – They went into Dallas and made Jerra Jones cry. Not that that is an aberration in December, but it still warrants a spot in the good category. Rivers remains on fire and the defense seems to be picking up steam. The Chargers defense stuffed the Cowboys 3 times from the 1 in the second quarter, and then took charge of a tie game in the fourth. The Chargers look like a good bet for the second seed in the AFC.
The Bad
Dallas – It is a re-run of the same old show. It is December and the Cowboys have entered hibernation. This week they even entered the fourth quarter at home tied with the Chargers and played them fairly evenly. Alas, the story was probably written in the final four minutes of the first half, when trailing 10-3, the Cowboys failed to score in three attempts from the Charger 1 and then on a subsequent drive missed a 42-yard FG. Then, in the fateful fourth quarter with the game up for grabs, the Cowboys got out possessioned over 11-4 minutes, out gained 153-21 yards (until the final, futile 2 minute drive) and gave up 10 consecutive points. The killer was a 7+ minute drive in the final 9 minutes that led to the clinching FG. They aren’t terrible, they just aren’t good enough. The remaining schedule is daunting and could mean another January without “America’s team”. HAHAHAHAHAHAHA
Jacksonville – The “you never know what you are going to get” team wastes another opportunity. If they lose this week to the Colts, they won’t make the playoffs.
The Ugly
Arizona – Losing to the 49ers in San Francisco is not enough to warrant a Bad or Ugly, even when you lose by 15. Coughing the ball up 7 times almost creates a new category. That is exactly what the Cards did, which was more than enough to offset 11 first downs and 245 yards of offense. That type of production is more than enough to lose even without the turnovers. The defense also allowed almost 190 yards on the ground at 5.2 yards a clip. This was not Good. It was not merely Bad. It almost made Ugly an understatement.
Detroit – 48-3? Why even show up?
Oakland – A second half implosion allowed this team to get smoked by the Redskins. Not surprisingly, the implosion coincided with an injury to Gradkowski. Jamarcus Russell…wow, just wow. There really isn’t much more to say.
Pittsburgh – We knew they were in trouble, but laying an egg against the Browns? The Steelers all but threw in the terrible towel with this miserable performance. Steeler faithful will look back at this season as a year they lost to the Raiders, Chiefs and Browns.
Tampa – 124 yards of offense will usually land a team here. It did. Horrid performance.
Honorable Mention
Baltimore – It was tempting to put the Ravens in the Good based on the sheer magnitude of their win. Unfortunately, that win was against the hapless Lions, so they get a pat on the head here. The Ravens are still in the picture and not completely out of the NFCN race yet.
New York Jets – A timely performance by the New Yorkers keeps them in the playoff hunt. The mitigating factor keeping them out of the Good was the opponent was Tampa.
Tennessee – The Titans used the Rams as a punching bag. That is probably no great shakes, but it was a bad enough whipping that Kerry Collins looked a little like Dan Marino when Vince Young hobbled off with a hamstring injury. It may well be too little, too late, but recovering from 0-6 to 6-7 with the only loss in that run being to the Colts is pretty impressive.
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Week 14: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly
December 16, 2009 - 11:15 am · 0 comments
by Zack Kelberman
in Community Commentary, Weekly Segments
One more week is in the books and the playoff picture is arguably less clear than a week ago. Indy is in, so is New Orleans as is Minny. San Diego is not mathematically, but is for all practical purposes. All four took care of business and have established their credentials for a post season run. The rest still have work to do, to one degree or another.
Philly took a major step forward, aided by the fact it is December in Cowboyland. New England held serve, albeit in an uninspiring manner. Green Bay did what it needed to in Chicago to tighten their grasp on an NFC wild card slot. Miami stayed in the hand. Baltimore and the Jets had byes, scrimmaging with a bunch of tackling dummies dressed in Lions and Bucs uniforms.
Cincy didn’t help their cause, although it was hardly a must-win game. The Giants virtually ceded any claim to the NFCE, as we mentioned, it is December in Dallas and Pittsburgh all but said, “good night, Gracie.”
There really are no surprises this week in our ranks. A few teams fell from Good to HM due to the fact they were unopposed this week, which is a little like winning an election with only one candidate. They still distinguished themselves.
All that leaves us with a very interesting week 15. Several teams face must-win situations and some games feature two teams that should approach the contest as must-win.
Many thanks to the GBU contributors (Team Ugly): Any, Arj, Ben, GFC, Hannah, Stig, and Ward. And many thanks to you for taking a helping.
The Good
Houston – We’ll say this much, the Texans are never dull. They bounce between Good, Bad and Ugly on a regular basis. This week they lit up the Seahawks early and often. Matt Schaub did his best Dan Fouts impersonation, with over half of his 365 passing yards (193 to be exact) going to Andre Johnson. That passing total was over 80 yards more than the entire Seahawk offense.
Indianapolis – The Colts won their 22nd consecutive regular season game which passes the previous record set by the Patriots of 06-08. They also became the winningest team of a decade in NFL history. Further, they clinched the number one seed in the AFC playoffs. Peyton had four touchdowns and passed Warren Moon to take fourth place in all-time passing yardage. The defense held on despite a banged up secondary that almost had to put Pierre Garcon in at cornerback. Now the Colts only have to focus on the playoffs.
Miami – This was not a glamorous win. But it was a win against a team that had control of one of the remaining AFC playoff spots. The Dolphins have found a QB in Henne. He had a solid game, throwing for 220 yards and completing 21 of 29 passes. Ricky Williams contributed 108 yards on the ground, helping the Dolphins outgain the Jags by almost 140 yards. In addition to holding the Jags offense to an anemic yardage total, the defense only allowed 10 first downs. Despite a slow start the Phins are still in contention for a playoff spot. They have a tough road to get there but they have had one of the toughest schedules all season.
Minnesota – This was not a must-win game for either of Vikings or the Bengals. That aside, the Vikes made a statement after last week’s misstep by controlling this game, particularly on defense puting a beatdown on the AFC North leader Bengals. Carson Palmer was held to under 100 yards passing. Adrian Peterson ran for two TD’s and America added another. The Vikes have now secured a place in the playoffs and work toward a bye.
Philadelphia – This was a huge win by the Eagles. They managed to go to the Meadowlands and drag the Giants into a shootout. That offense is just sick. The stats lie, showing the Giants outgained the Eagles by over 130 yards and the Eagles held the ball for 9:30 less. Those numbers are tainted by an Eagle punt return TD and a defensive TD on a long fumble return. The Eagles won the turnover battle 4-1. They even gave up the lead briefly in the third quarter, only to take it back on an effortless 60-yard bomb from McNabb to DeSean Jackson on the first play after the kickoff. Jackson finished with 178 yards in 6 receptions. If they get their defense in order, nobody will want to face them in the playoffs.
San Diego – They went into Dallas and made Jerra Jones cry. Not that that is an aberration in December, but it still warrants a spot in the good category. Rivers remains on fire and the defense seems to be picking up steam. The Chargers defense stuffed the Cowboys 3 times from the 1 in the second quarter, and then took charge of a tie game in the fourth. The Chargers look like a good bet for the second seed in the AFC.
The Bad
Dallas – It is a re-run of the same old show. It is December and the Cowboys have entered hibernation. This week they even entered the fourth quarter at home tied with the Chargers and played them fairly evenly. Alas, the story was probably written in the final four minutes of the first half, when trailing 10-3, the Cowboys failed to score in three attempts from the Charger 1 and then on a subsequent drive missed a 42-yard FG. Then, in the fateful fourth quarter with the game up for grabs, the Cowboys got out possessioned over 11-4 minutes, out gained 153-21 yards (until the final, futile 2 minute drive) and gave up 10 consecutive points. The killer was a 7+ minute drive in the final 9 minutes that led to the clinching FG. They aren’t terrible, they just aren’t good enough. The remaining schedule is daunting and could mean another January without “America’s team”. HAHAHAHAHAHAHA
Jacksonville – The “you never know what you are going to get” team wastes another opportunity. If they lose this week to the Colts, they won’t make the playoffs.
The Ugly
Arizona – Losing to the 49ers in San Francisco is not enough to warrant a Bad or Ugly, even when you lose by 15. Coughing the ball up 7 times almost creates a new category. That is exactly what the Cards did, which was more than enough to offset 11 first downs and 245 yards of offense. That type of production is more than enough to lose even without the turnovers. The defense also allowed almost 190 yards on the ground at 5.2 yards a clip. This was not Good. It was not merely Bad. It almost made Ugly an understatement.
Detroit – 48-3? Why even show up?
Oakland – A second half implosion allowed this team to get smoked by the Redskins. Not surprisingly, the implosion coincided with an injury to Gradkowski. Jamarcus Russell…wow, just wow. There really isn’t much more to say.
Pittsburgh – We knew they were in trouble, but laying an egg against the Browns? The Steelers all but threw in the terrible towel with this miserable performance. Steeler faithful will look back at this season as a year they lost to the Raiders, Chiefs and Browns.
Tampa – 124 yards of offense will usually land a team here. It did. Horrid performance.
Honorable Mention
Baltimore – It was tempting to put the Ravens in the Good based on the sheer magnitude of their win. Unfortunately, that win was against the hapless Lions, so they get a pat on the head here. The Ravens are still in the picture and not completely out of the NFCN race yet.
New York Jets – A timely performance by the New Yorkers keeps them in the playoff hunt. The mitigating factor keeping them out of the Good was the opponent was Tampa.
Tennessee – The Titans used the Rams as a punching bag. That is probably no great shakes, but it was a bad enough whipping that Kerry Collins looked a little like Dan Marino when Vince Young hobbled off with a hamstring injury. It may well be too little, too late, but recovering from 0-6 to 6-7 with the only loss in that run being to the Colts is pretty impressive.
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Tagged as: afc, gbu, nfc, nfl, week 14