Here are the 10 teams that I expect to win BCS berths...
ACC: Wake Forest
Big East: Louisville
Big 10: Ohio State
Big 12: Oklahoma
Pac 10: USC
SEC: Florida
At-large: Michigan, Boise State, Notre Dame, LSU
Frequent 5er
Song: Joseph Arthur, "Slide Away"
Word: concerted
Random/Obscure Sports Reference: Remember those "Lil' Penny" commercials? Those were great.
Random/Obscure Non-Sports Reference: "King of the Hill" was--and continues to be, via reruns--one of the most sharply intelligent, uniquely funny programs on television.
Quote: The self is not something ready-made, but something in continuous formation through choice of action. [John Dewey]
12.02.2006
12.01.2006
Frequent 5er
The Frequent 5er will include various recommendations, recognitions, and references concerning music, vocabulary, philosophy, and so on. It will introduce non-sports-related subjects to "The Catapult," and will henceforth be appended semi-frequently to regular postings.
Song: Silver Jews, "Random Rules"
Word: decadence
Random/Obscure Sports Reference: Remember when the University of Tennessee won a football national championship with Tee Martin at quarterback, despite not winning one with Peyton Manning? That was weird.
Random/Obscure Non-Sports Reference: Nancy Grace's nightly program is nothing more than a television tabloid, the hostess herself nothing more than a dirtmonger. Over the past several days, her show has included stories about a microwaved infant, a celebrity paternity case, and the apparently widespread usage of crystal meth by bosses across the United States. Now that's real, relevant news!
Quote/Quip: If we spoke a different language, we would perceive a somewhat different world. [Ludwig Wittgenstein]
Song: Silver Jews, "Random Rules"
Word: decadence
Random/Obscure Sports Reference: Remember when the University of Tennessee won a football national championship with Tee Martin at quarterback, despite not winning one with Peyton Manning? That was weird.
Random/Obscure Non-Sports Reference: Nancy Grace's nightly program is nothing more than a television tabloid, the hostess herself nothing more than a dirtmonger. Over the past several days, her show has included stories about a microwaved infant, a celebrity paternity case, and the apparently widespread usage of crystal meth by bosses across the United States. Now that's real, relevant news!
Quote/Quip: If we spoke a different language, we would perceive a somewhat different world. [Ludwig Wittgenstein]
Weekend Forecast (NFL)
NFL
Minnesota v. Chicago: The Vikes are fresh off a victory against the lowly Cardinals, while the Bears last week came out on the losing end of a low-scoring TurnoverFest in Foxboro. Chicago's defense will surely maintain its intensity at home, but no one knows what to expect on the offensive side of the ball. Still, even if Grossman continues to struggle, expect Urlacher and crew to carry the day.
[20-10, Chicago]
Kansas City v. Cleveland: The Chiefs' season began with a scary episode involving Trent Green, and with two tough opening losses against Cincinnati and (at) Denver. Since their bye week, however, Herm Edwards and company are 7-2, having logged wins over Seattle, San Diego, and Denver (all at Arrowhead). With successive critical games against Baltimore and San Diego coming up, the Chiefs can ill afford a slip-up against the miserable Browns. Expect K.C. to improve to .500 on the road.
[27-17, Kansas City]
San Diego v. Buffalo: Ahh, no one--and I mean no one--is developing a bandwagon quite like the Buffalo Bills! OK, so maybe that's an exaggeration. Still, the Bills have won two straight, and were mere minutes away from beating the Colts in Week 10, which would have put their current streak at four. J.P. Losman, Willis McGahee, and Lee Evans (stud!) are beginning to mature together, and could very well evolve into a dangerous offensive core. As much as I'd love to pick Buffalo--especially since they are playing at home--I simply cannot bet against the San Diego... actually, forget trendy sensibility! Call the family! Tell the kids! It's a HUGE Upset Special!
[24-21, Buffalo]
Indianapolis v. Tennessee: Vince Young has compiled a 4-4 record as a starter, which includes last week's miraculous comeback against the tailspinning Giants. He appears poised to put to rest his many naysayers and their misgivings about his technique and how he "fits" in the NFL. Nonetheless, Peyton Manning is Peyton Manning, and he's likely looking to resume his aerial assault on the NFL record books. After all, Joseph Addai loudly claimed the spotlight for one game--and enough is enough. We can't let the Colts suddenly decide to develop a running game!
[31-20, Indianapolis]
New York Jets v. Green Bay: The Jets are 3-2 on the road; the Packers are 1-4 at Lambeau. The Jets have five winnable games left (and could potentially go 11-5), with their most difficult remaining contest coming in Week 16 at Miami; the Packers are... done. Expect the Jets to bring their A-game as they look to win back-to-back games for only the second time this season.
Atlanta v. Washington: The hard-to-figure Falcons, who have matched road victories against Carolina and Cincinnati with losses to Detroit and Cleveland, are mired in a four-game backslide. If they are to salvage any degree of respectability for this season, they must find a way to right the ship and win should-be gimmes at Washington and at Tampa Bay. If they drop one or both of these games, they run the risk of ending the season on an epic losing note, with tough games against the Cowboys and Panthers yet to be played. Washington managed to steal a win last week at home against Carolina, but are otherwise thoroughly mediocre; there's simply little to say about the 'Skins.
[14-10, Atlanta]
Detroit v. New England: While this may not be Belichick and Brady's most talented squad, the '06 Patriots stand at a relatively quiet 8-3. Their remaining opponents--Detroit, Miami, Houston, Jacksonville, and Tennessee--pose little threat to a potential 13-3 season. Heck, even 12-4 might end up being good enough for a #2 seed in the AFC. Under such circumstances, N.E. would only need to win one road playoff game to make it to the Super Bowl. Does this sort of scenario ring a bell? The seemingly third- or fourth-best Patriots hit their stride at the right time and make an impressive playoff push, much to the bewilderment of fans and pundits who could have sworn that the "system" had finally fallen flat on its face. Hmm.
[31-10, New England]
Arizona v. St. Louis: Rams, by default.
[28-10, St. Louis]
San Francisco v. New Orleans: San Francisco, while much improved, has won only once on the road--and that victory came in Detroit. At 5-6, the lovable Niners have several difficult games left, including road journeys to Seattle and Denver. An 8-8 season would certainly make for an impressive feat, but there are just too many roadblocks for Mike Nolan's guys. The Saints, who have surrendered 125 points in their four losses, could arguably be the best team in the NFL if they had even a halfway respectable defense. Fortunately for them, the 49ers also give up lots and lots of points.
[33-21, New Orleans]
Houston v. Oakland: Hmmm.
[17-10, Houston]
Jacksonville v. Miami: Jacksonville = ?!%$. Miami has won four in a row, including consecutive triumphs over Chicago and Kansas City. Look for Saban's team to keep the streak alive against the road-challenged Jaguars (who, by the way, = !@#^&).
[17-10, Miami]
Dallas v. New York Giants: This NFC East showdown, along with Seattle @ Denver, perhaps stands to be the week's most interesting game. The Giants' organization has become a well-covered circus, with coach Tom Coughlin and star defensive end Michael Strahan among the most recent figures to have thrown team members under the proverbial bus (and rather publicly, I might add). Add this to Eli's ongoing struggles, and it's easy to see that the Giants absolutely cannot afford to fall to 6-6, which would put them a full two games behind Dallas in the NFC East. (Fortunately for the G-men, and unfortunately for fans, the Wild Card spots in the pathetic NFC may well go to teams who are 8-8 or worse, so even with a loss New York will still have a legitimate chance to make the playoffs.) While I haven't yet climbed aboard the Tony Romo Super Bowl bandwagon, I can't see the Giants beating a streaking, confident Cowboys team.
[28-20, Dallas]
Tampa Bay v. Pittsburgh: This is a battle between the NFC team that I predicted would reach the Super Bowl and the AFC team that numerous pundits picked to repeat as conference champions. Boy, were we dead wrong or what? The Bucs and Steelers sit at a combined 7-15, which includes a shameful 1-10 road record. I'll give the edge to Pittsburgh, solely because they are playing at home.
[20-7, Pittsburgh]
Seattle v. Denver: This Sunday Night game provides an intriguing matchup of 7-4 teams that are looking to define their seasons. Mike Shanahan and his recently humbled Broncos, losers of two straight, will place this year's hopes on the arm of rookie QB Jay Cutler. With games still to play against the Chargers and Bengals, Denver's '06 campaign could easily turn from riches to rags. The newly healthy Seahawks, meanwhile, appear ready to climb the depleted NFC standings in hopes of potentially earning the #2 seed. Look for Matt Hasselbeck (injured finger and all), Shaun Alexander, and crew to wield their opportunistic swords and pull off an upset in Denver.
[20-14, Seattle]
Carolina v. Philadelphia: Without McNabb, the Eagles (sadly) are toast. The Panthers have yet another chance to prove themselves--but don't expect too much, lest you be greatly disappointed.
[13-10, Carolina]
Minnesota v. Chicago: The Vikes are fresh off a victory against the lowly Cardinals, while the Bears last week came out on the losing end of a low-scoring TurnoverFest in Foxboro. Chicago's defense will surely maintain its intensity at home, but no one knows what to expect on the offensive side of the ball. Still, even if Grossman continues to struggle, expect Urlacher and crew to carry the day.
[20-10, Chicago]
Kansas City v. Cleveland: The Chiefs' season began with a scary episode involving Trent Green, and with two tough opening losses against Cincinnati and (at) Denver. Since their bye week, however, Herm Edwards and company are 7-2, having logged wins over Seattle, San Diego, and Denver (all at Arrowhead). With successive critical games against Baltimore and San Diego coming up, the Chiefs can ill afford a slip-up against the miserable Browns. Expect K.C. to improve to .500 on the road.
[27-17, Kansas City]
San Diego v. Buffalo: Ahh, no one--and I mean no one--is developing a bandwagon quite like the Buffalo Bills! OK, so maybe that's an exaggeration. Still, the Bills have won two straight, and were mere minutes away from beating the Colts in Week 10, which would have put their current streak at four. J.P. Losman, Willis McGahee, and Lee Evans (stud!) are beginning to mature together, and could very well evolve into a dangerous offensive core. As much as I'd love to pick Buffalo--especially since they are playing at home--I simply cannot bet against the San Diego... actually, forget trendy sensibility! Call the family! Tell the kids! It's a HUGE Upset Special!
[24-21, Buffalo]
Indianapolis v. Tennessee: Vince Young has compiled a 4-4 record as a starter, which includes last week's miraculous comeback against the tailspinning Giants. He appears poised to put to rest his many naysayers and their misgivings about his technique and how he "fits" in the NFL. Nonetheless, Peyton Manning is Peyton Manning, and he's likely looking to resume his aerial assault on the NFL record books. After all, Joseph Addai loudly claimed the spotlight for one game--and enough is enough. We can't let the Colts suddenly decide to develop a running game!
[31-20, Indianapolis]
New York Jets v. Green Bay: The Jets are 3-2 on the road; the Packers are 1-4 at Lambeau. The Jets have five winnable games left (and could potentially go 11-5), with their most difficult remaining contest coming in Week 16 at Miami; the Packers are... done. Expect the Jets to bring their A-game as they look to win back-to-back games for only the second time this season.
Atlanta v. Washington: The hard-to-figure Falcons, who have matched road victories against Carolina and Cincinnati with losses to Detroit and Cleveland, are mired in a four-game backslide. If they are to salvage any degree of respectability for this season, they must find a way to right the ship and win should-be gimmes at Washington and at Tampa Bay. If they drop one or both of these games, they run the risk of ending the season on an epic losing note, with tough games against the Cowboys and Panthers yet to be played. Washington managed to steal a win last week at home against Carolina, but are otherwise thoroughly mediocre; there's simply little to say about the 'Skins.
[14-10, Atlanta]
Detroit v. New England: While this may not be Belichick and Brady's most talented squad, the '06 Patriots stand at a relatively quiet 8-3. Their remaining opponents--Detroit, Miami, Houston, Jacksonville, and Tennessee--pose little threat to a potential 13-3 season. Heck, even 12-4 might end up being good enough for a #2 seed in the AFC. Under such circumstances, N.E. would only need to win one road playoff game to make it to the Super Bowl. Does this sort of scenario ring a bell? The seemingly third- or fourth-best Patriots hit their stride at the right time and make an impressive playoff push, much to the bewilderment of fans and pundits who could have sworn that the "system" had finally fallen flat on its face. Hmm.
[31-10, New England]
Arizona v. St. Louis: Rams, by default.
[28-10, St. Louis]
San Francisco v. New Orleans: San Francisco, while much improved, has won only once on the road--and that victory came in Detroit. At 5-6, the lovable Niners have several difficult games left, including road journeys to Seattle and Denver. An 8-8 season would certainly make for an impressive feat, but there are just too many roadblocks for Mike Nolan's guys. The Saints, who have surrendered 125 points in their four losses, could arguably be the best team in the NFL if they had even a halfway respectable defense. Fortunately for them, the 49ers also give up lots and lots of points.
[33-21, New Orleans]
Houston v. Oakland: Hmmm.
[17-10, Houston]
Jacksonville v. Miami: Jacksonville = ?!%$. Miami has won four in a row, including consecutive triumphs over Chicago and Kansas City. Look for Saban's team to keep the streak alive against the road-challenged Jaguars (who, by the way, = !@#^&).
[17-10, Miami]
Dallas v. New York Giants: This NFC East showdown, along with Seattle @ Denver, perhaps stands to be the week's most interesting game. The Giants' organization has become a well-covered circus, with coach Tom Coughlin and star defensive end Michael Strahan among the most recent figures to have thrown team members under the proverbial bus (and rather publicly, I might add). Add this to Eli's ongoing struggles, and it's easy to see that the Giants absolutely cannot afford to fall to 6-6, which would put them a full two games behind Dallas in the NFC East. (Fortunately for the G-men, and unfortunately for fans, the Wild Card spots in the pathetic NFC may well go to teams who are 8-8 or worse, so even with a loss New York will still have a legitimate chance to make the playoffs.) While I haven't yet climbed aboard the Tony Romo Super Bowl bandwagon, I can't see the Giants beating a streaking, confident Cowboys team.
[28-20, Dallas]
Tampa Bay v. Pittsburgh: This is a battle between the NFC team that I predicted would reach the Super Bowl and the AFC team that numerous pundits picked to repeat as conference champions. Boy, were we dead wrong or what? The Bucs and Steelers sit at a combined 7-15, which includes a shameful 1-10 road record. I'll give the edge to Pittsburgh, solely because they are playing at home.
[20-7, Pittsburgh]
Seattle v. Denver: This Sunday Night game provides an intriguing matchup of 7-4 teams that are looking to define their seasons. Mike Shanahan and his recently humbled Broncos, losers of two straight, will place this year's hopes on the arm of rookie QB Jay Cutler. With games still to play against the Chargers and Bengals, Denver's '06 campaign could easily turn from riches to rags. The newly healthy Seahawks, meanwhile, appear ready to climb the depleted NFC standings in hopes of potentially earning the #2 seed. Look for Matt Hasselbeck (injured finger and all), Shaun Alexander, and crew to wield their opportunistic swords and pull off an upset in Denver.
[20-14, Seattle]
Carolina v. Philadelphia: Without McNabb, the Eagles (sadly) are toast. The Panthers have yet another chance to prove themselves--but don't expect too much, lest you be greatly disappointed.
[13-10, Carolina]
11.30.2006
Red, Red Whine
Disagreement surrounding this year's MLB MVP awards continues to stir, with the most recent round of sulking coming from World Series winner and NL runner-up Albert Pujols. The St. Louis first baseman, who many consider to be the best all-around player in the game, was recently quoted as saying that a player who does not take his team to the playoffs (i.e., Ryan Howard) should not be voted his league's Most Valuable Player.
The relationship between team success and individual accolades has been well documented and debated, with particularly well-reasoned commentary coming from my aforementioned brother-in-arms Mike, whose blog (http://mao-musings.blogspot.com) is well worth a gander. (His primary emphasis surrounds MVP winners and World Series appearances, rather than the postseason in general.) While league MVP's do not often come from LCS winners, they do generally play for contenders. However, with A-Rod winning the award several years ago as a member of last-placed Texas, and in light of Ryan Howard's recent victory, questions persist as to whether or not a Most Valuable Player "should" come from a playoff team.
If we are to take the honor at its name--the Most Valuable Player award--then it is patently illogical and indefensible to assert that the MVP "must" play for a postseason team. A player's discernible value to his team cannot rightfully be measured purely in terms of his team's overall standing. In other words, if (for example) Player X were to hit 65 HR and compile 190RBI next season for an 88-win team, say Baltimore, that missed the Wild Card by 1/2 a game, it would be wrong to insist that he should not be the MVP simply because the Orioles would miss the postseason. Anyone who posts league-high numbers and brings an otherwise mediocre team to the brink of the playoffs is, without a doubt, valuable.
Enter Ryan Howard. The guy played on a Phillies team that traded its most proven hitter (Bobby Abreu) and one of its most capable pitchers (the late Cory Lidle) because playoff contention seemed nothing more than a pipe dream. Nonetheless, Howard posted ridiculous numbers--.313, 58HR, 149RBI--while nearly leading a no-name group of players to a Wild Card shocker. He led the NL in homers and runs driven in, and his team won more games than Albert Pujols's Cardinals. Stick the Redbirds in the NL East with the runaway Mets and see if they make the playoffs.
Speaking of the Cards... let's consider their roster. First, there's ace pitcher Chris Carpenter, a Cy Young winner who is a full-fledged #1 starter. Then, there are underrated center-fielder Jim Edmonds and world-class 3rd-bagger Scott Rolen--two guys who could hit 3rd and 4th for nearly any team in the Majors. Remove Pujols from this equation and replace him with a so-s0 .280-30-100 guy, and you still find yourself with a solid core of a team, perhaps even a contender. Take Howard away from Philly, however, and what do you have? Overhyped leadoff man Jimmy Rollins? Up-and-coming yet still maturing Chase Utley? Heck, without Ryan Howard the Phillies may have won 15-20 fewer games and remained light years away from contention. With his dynamite performances and clutch hits, though, they nearly made the postseason.
Here's another key point: Being on a last-placed team and winning the MVP, a la Alex Rodriguez, is somewhat different than playing for a legitimate contender, as was the case with Howard and the Phillies. It's extremely difficult (though perhaps completely viable) to argue that a player from a cellar-dwelling team is indeed the league's most valuable. People are not generally swayed by "With him they won 70; without him they'd have won 40" arguments. The difference between 65 and 85 wins, however, is extremely significant, even if 85 wins are not quite good enough to make the playoffs.
Indeed, Albert Pujols's whining falls flat on two counts. First, there's the line of argument presented above, which illustrates that team success and individual achievement are, while related, not inseparable. Secondly, there's a more general, sportsmanship-driven argument. If team success is the barometer by which great players are to be measured, then Pujols should shut his yapper and celebrate the fact that he's a World Series champion. Remember the World Series? It's the title for which every team competes, and its trophy stands as a symbol of team excellence. The MVP is an individual award, to be given to the player who is most valuable to his team. If we start awarding it based upon a team's final standing--or, as some people would have it, start voting on it after the postseason is over--then we risk turning it into a Best Player On The Best Team award, or a Had A Good Postseason honor.
Albert Pujols and his misguided bandwagoners need to stop their tasteless whining; in fact, Pujols should even apologize for his unwarranted criticism of Ryan Howard's achievement. There are indeed arguments to be made in favor of Pujols, but there are no arguments to be made against Ryan Howard. "Most Valuable" means just that--most valuable--and no one can sensibly claim that Ryan Howard does not deserve such billing.
The relationship between team success and individual accolades has been well documented and debated, with particularly well-reasoned commentary coming from my aforementioned brother-in-arms Mike, whose blog (http://mao-musings.blogspot.com) is well worth a gander. (His primary emphasis surrounds MVP winners and World Series appearances, rather than the postseason in general.) While league MVP's do not often come from LCS winners, they do generally play for contenders. However, with A-Rod winning the award several years ago as a member of last-placed Texas, and in light of Ryan Howard's recent victory, questions persist as to whether or not a Most Valuable Player "should" come from a playoff team.
If we are to take the honor at its name--the Most Valuable Player award--then it is patently illogical and indefensible to assert that the MVP "must" play for a postseason team. A player's discernible value to his team cannot rightfully be measured purely in terms of his team's overall standing. In other words, if (for example) Player X were to hit 65 HR and compile 190RBI next season for an 88-win team, say Baltimore, that missed the Wild Card by 1/2 a game, it would be wrong to insist that he should not be the MVP simply because the Orioles would miss the postseason. Anyone who posts league-high numbers and brings an otherwise mediocre team to the brink of the playoffs is, without a doubt, valuable.
Enter Ryan Howard. The guy played on a Phillies team that traded its most proven hitter (Bobby Abreu) and one of its most capable pitchers (the late Cory Lidle) because playoff contention seemed nothing more than a pipe dream. Nonetheless, Howard posted ridiculous numbers--.313, 58HR, 149RBI--while nearly leading a no-name group of players to a Wild Card shocker. He led the NL in homers and runs driven in, and his team won more games than Albert Pujols's Cardinals. Stick the Redbirds in the NL East with the runaway Mets and see if they make the playoffs.
Speaking of the Cards... let's consider their roster. First, there's ace pitcher Chris Carpenter, a Cy Young winner who is a full-fledged #1 starter. Then, there are underrated center-fielder Jim Edmonds and world-class 3rd-bagger Scott Rolen--two guys who could hit 3rd and 4th for nearly any team in the Majors. Remove Pujols from this equation and replace him with a so-s0 .280-30-100 guy, and you still find yourself with a solid core of a team, perhaps even a contender. Take Howard away from Philly, however, and what do you have? Overhyped leadoff man Jimmy Rollins? Up-and-coming yet still maturing Chase Utley? Heck, without Ryan Howard the Phillies may have won 15-20 fewer games and remained light years away from contention. With his dynamite performances and clutch hits, though, they nearly made the postseason.
Here's another key point: Being on a last-placed team and winning the MVP, a la Alex Rodriguez, is somewhat different than playing for a legitimate contender, as was the case with Howard and the Phillies. It's extremely difficult (though perhaps completely viable) to argue that a player from a cellar-dwelling team is indeed the league's most valuable. People are not generally swayed by "With him they won 70; without him they'd have won 40" arguments. The difference between 65 and 85 wins, however, is extremely significant, even if 85 wins are not quite good enough to make the playoffs.
Indeed, Albert Pujols's whining falls flat on two counts. First, there's the line of argument presented above, which illustrates that team success and individual achievement are, while related, not inseparable. Secondly, there's a more general, sportsmanship-driven argument. If team success is the barometer by which great players are to be measured, then Pujols should shut his yapper and celebrate the fact that he's a World Series champion. Remember the World Series? It's the title for which every team competes, and its trophy stands as a symbol of team excellence. The MVP is an individual award, to be given to the player who is most valuable to his team. If we start awarding it based upon a team's final standing--or, as some people would have it, start voting on it after the postseason is over--then we risk turning it into a Best Player On The Best Team award, or a Had A Good Postseason honor.
Albert Pujols and his misguided bandwagoners need to stop their tasteless whining; in fact, Pujols should even apologize for his unwarranted criticism of Ryan Howard's achievement. There are indeed arguments to be made in favor of Pujols, but there are no arguments to be made against Ryan Howard. "Most Valuable" means just that--most valuable--and no one can sensibly claim that Ryan Howard does not deserve such billing.
11.28.2006
Sequel in Seattle?
As I made clear yesterday, three of the NFC's preseason heavyweights--Carolina, Atlanta, and New York--currently find themselves in the midst of season-killing meltdowns, each seemingly unable to forge a consistent identity. Without a doubt, numerous folks stand to benefit from this plague: division leaders Dallas and New Orleans, who now effectively control their own destinies; 5-6 teams such as the 49ers and Eagles, who now have reason to believe that wild card spots lay within reach; and wanna-be pundits such as myself, who now have a host of targets at which to fire. Who, though, is the biggest potential reward-reaper of all? Answer: the newly healthy (and defending NFC champion) Seattle Seahawks.
Due largely to a slew of key injuries, Mike Holmgren's 7-4 team has practically flown under the mainstream radar. Most NFC-related coverage, for that matter, has focused on the previously mentioned struggling teams; Super Bowl talk, when it does peek its head from beneath the cloud of disappointment, generally centers around either the defense-will-win-it Bears or the newly resurgent Cowboys and their substitute-turned-savior, Tony Romo. Clearly, the quiet, left-coast Seahawks sit in an advantageous position.
First, let's consider their remaining schedule. They still have games left against Arizona, San Francisco, and Tampa Bay, all of whom are inferior opponents. They face the increasingly sexy Chargers on Christmas Eve in Seattle, where the Seahawks have lost only once all season (Week 7 against Minnesota, the game in which Hasselbeck was injured). The only other difficult game that Seattle has left is next week's Sunday-night showdown at Mile High--and a win there isn't unthinkable, considering that the Broncos will be starting Jay Cutler, a rookie, at quarterback. Thus, the Seahawks could realistically finish the year at 11-5, which may well be good enough to earn the NFC's #2 seed. (The Bears, with five should-win's left on their schedule, should retain the #1 seed rather easily, unless they utterly collapse.)
More important than the schedule is the recent return to health of Seattle's two most important players, QB Matt Hasselbeck and reigning NFL MVP Shaun Alexander. Hasselbeck, who admittedly was not playing his best football before getting hurt, nonetheless delivered strong performances in key early-season wins against the Giants and Rams. Having established himself as one of the league's most reliable field generals, his return will certainly catalyse the whole of the Seattle organization.
Similarly, Shaun Alexander's return is a much-welcomed gift for the Seahawks. Although he struggled in the early part of the season, Alexander seemingly discovered his edge on Monday night, carrying the ball 40 times for 201 yards in a win over Green Bay. That being said, his return to the lineup serves as more than a mere statistical jolt. Alexander, much like Hasselbeck, lends the Seattle offense a measure of trust and confidence. He has repeatedly shown his ability to carry the offensive load (20-30 times per game), and everyone around him will surely feel more confident now that they can operate with a renewed sense of balance.
If this all sounds a bit silly to you, you need only step back and look at the overall NFC picture. Assuming (albeit optimistically) that the Bears maintain the #1 seed and the Seahawks earn the #2 spot... who is capable of going to Qwest Field and leaving with a win? The Giants? (Riiight.) The Falcons? (Hardly.) The Saints? (Maybe... if they can manage, for once, to score 35 points and not surrender 42.) The Cowboys? (Yes, they are the red-hot media darlings of the moment, and perhaps deservedly so. But before we crown them champions, let's see Tony Romo go into the hostile environs of Seattle and perform in the clutch.)
Even if the Seahawks are able to jump all these (manageable) hurdles and make it to the NFC title game, presumably in Chicago, they will still have their work cut out for them. Remember, though, that they defeated an incredibly talented Carolina team to reach the Super Bowl last season. Moreover, disrupting Rex Grossman and the frequently invisible Chicago offense appears to be a relatively easy undertaking; 17 points may be enough to beat the Bears.
Obviously, this scenario is by no means a done deal--it's simply one of numerous possibilities in the up-for-grabs NFC. The Panthers could yet turn things around; Eli and his Giants may soon right their ship; perhaps the Bears will prove us all wrong. Until these things happen, though, watch for the Seattle Seahawks to mount another quiet charge.
Due largely to a slew of key injuries, Mike Holmgren's 7-4 team has practically flown under the mainstream radar. Most NFC-related coverage, for that matter, has focused on the previously mentioned struggling teams; Super Bowl talk, when it does peek its head from beneath the cloud of disappointment, generally centers around either the defense-will-win-it Bears or the newly resurgent Cowboys and their substitute-turned-savior, Tony Romo. Clearly, the quiet, left-coast Seahawks sit in an advantageous position.
First, let's consider their remaining schedule. They still have games left against Arizona, San Francisco, and Tampa Bay, all of whom are inferior opponents. They face the increasingly sexy Chargers on Christmas Eve in Seattle, where the Seahawks have lost only once all season (Week 7 against Minnesota, the game in which Hasselbeck was injured). The only other difficult game that Seattle has left is next week's Sunday-night showdown at Mile High--and a win there isn't unthinkable, considering that the Broncos will be starting Jay Cutler, a rookie, at quarterback. Thus, the Seahawks could realistically finish the year at 11-5, which may well be good enough to earn the NFC's #2 seed. (The Bears, with five should-win's left on their schedule, should retain the #1 seed rather easily, unless they utterly collapse.)
More important than the schedule is the recent return to health of Seattle's two most important players, QB Matt Hasselbeck and reigning NFL MVP Shaun Alexander. Hasselbeck, who admittedly was not playing his best football before getting hurt, nonetheless delivered strong performances in key early-season wins against the Giants and Rams. Having established himself as one of the league's most reliable field generals, his return will certainly catalyse the whole of the Seattle organization.
Similarly, Shaun Alexander's return is a much-welcomed gift for the Seahawks. Although he struggled in the early part of the season, Alexander seemingly discovered his edge on Monday night, carrying the ball 40 times for 201 yards in a win over Green Bay. That being said, his return to the lineup serves as more than a mere statistical jolt. Alexander, much like Hasselbeck, lends the Seattle offense a measure of trust and confidence. He has repeatedly shown his ability to carry the offensive load (20-30 times per game), and everyone around him will surely feel more confident now that they can operate with a renewed sense of balance.
If this all sounds a bit silly to you, you need only step back and look at the overall NFC picture. Assuming (albeit optimistically) that the Bears maintain the #1 seed and the Seahawks earn the #2 spot... who is capable of going to Qwest Field and leaving with a win? The Giants? (Riiight.) The Falcons? (Hardly.) The Saints? (Maybe... if they can manage, for once, to score 35 points and not surrender 42.) The Cowboys? (Yes, they are the red-hot media darlings of the moment, and perhaps deservedly so. But before we crown them champions, let's see Tony Romo go into the hostile environs of Seattle and perform in the clutch.)
Even if the Seahawks are able to jump all these (manageable) hurdles and make it to the NFC title game, presumably in Chicago, they will still have their work cut out for them. Remember, though, that they defeated an incredibly talented Carolina team to reach the Super Bowl last season. Moreover, disrupting Rex Grossman and the frequently invisible Chicago offense appears to be a relatively easy undertaking; 17 points may be enough to beat the Bears.
Obviously, this scenario is by no means a done deal--it's simply one of numerous possibilities in the up-for-grabs NFC. The Panthers could yet turn things around; Eli and his Giants may soon right their ship; perhaps the Bears will prove us all wrong. Until these things happen, though, watch for the Seattle Seahawks to mount another quiet charge.
11.27.2006
SCQ: Losing Touch
Before I step under center and assume the role of Swivel Chair Quarterback, I must take a moment to toot my own winner-picking horn. If the Seahawks take care of business tonight against the visiting Packers, I'll close the weekend at a 10-3 mark--not bad at all. (Particularly rewarding, by the way, were the Buffalo and Tennessee picks. The Giants, whose utter implosion I duly anticipated, are FINISHED.)
Those New York "Football" Giants were hardly alone in the "Uh-Oh" category this weekend. In fact, today's SCQ is all about statement-making losses:
Buffalo 27, Jacksonville 24
Statement: We, the Jacksonville Jaguars, no longer deserve to be considered a legitimate AFC contender. Despite a healthy dose of early-season hype, we have begun to show our truest colors--which happen to be camouflage. Our defense, the supposed anchor of our team, could not even hold a 4th-quarter lead against the mostly average Buffalo Bills. What's more, we can't win on the road. With a 6-5 record, we have no chance of gaining home-field advantage and thereby contending the playoffs. Heck, at this point, we have little hope of even making the postseason. Oh, how far we've fallen.
Baltimore 27, Pittsburgh 0
Statement: We, the defending Super Bowl champions, are now officially a non-factor. Our QB has pulled a complete tank-job, our tried-and-true RB retired at the end of last season, and our coach may well be on his way to N.C. State. Were it not for the presence of class-act wide receiver Hines Ward on our roster, there would be absolutely no reason for anyone to pay even the slightest bit of attention to us.
New Orleans 31, Atlanta 13
Statement: We, the perennially disappointing Atlanta Falcons, and our quarterback (well, sort of) Michael Vick, hereby resign all future right to hang our helmets on the overused "Hey, he led us to a playoff victory at Lambeau" defense. It is readily apparent that we lack all of the following: NFL-worthy wide receivers, the slightest vestiges of a defense, general direction, and a discernible identity. Half the people "out there" swear that we're a few tweaks away from being a legit Super Bowl contender; the other half believe that we're a few weeks away from requiring a complete overhaul. At this time, we plead the 5th.
Washington 17, Carolina 13
Statement: To all those pundits and prognosticators who predicted that we would represent the NFC in the Super Bowl, we, the Carolina Panthers, formally say, "Haaaaaaa!" Despite the fact that our team includes the league's best receiving combo and its scariest defensive end, our running game continues to be anemic, and our tackling is...well, horrible. We simply cannot figure out how to parlay a great coach and considerable on-field talent into wins. But hey, there's always next year.
New England 17, Chicago 13
Statement: Despite standing at 9-2 and remaining at the top of the NFC shuffle, we, the Chicago Bears, will continually fail to garner respect until we demonstrate two things: 1) that our offense consists of something more than a sometimes-Peyton, sometimes-Eli quarterback, and 2) that we can post a bona fide signature win. If we fail to do these things, we will bring to mind the New York Giants, circa Super Bowl XXXV, being summarily whipped by a superior AFC opponent. Some will go so far as to argue that we would not even earn a playoff spot were we in the AFC, despite the fact that we may very well win the sterile NFC.
Tennessee 24, New York Giants 21
Statement: We, the Giants, are currently in a state of turmoil. Our coach has lost all control of the team. Our soon-to-be-retired running back continues to lodge (justified) complaints about his lack of inclusion in the offense. And, most disturbingly, our handpicked #1 quarterback is...for lack of a better word...awful. We hereby forfeit our Super Bowl aspirations, as well as our claim to the NFC East crown. Henceforth, we shall fight in earnest to salvage a playoff spot. Oh, and while we're here, we'd like to invite everyone to Tom Coughlin's farewell party. Bring dip!
Minnesota 31, Arizona 26
Statement: Goodbye, Dennis Green. Hello, high draft pick. We, the Cardinals, would love to sit and chat, but we're off to plan for next season's "Maybe 10-6, Probably 6-10" parade.
Those New York "Football" Giants were hardly alone in the "Uh-Oh" category this weekend. In fact, today's SCQ is all about statement-making losses:
Buffalo 27, Jacksonville 24
Statement: We, the Jacksonville Jaguars, no longer deserve to be considered a legitimate AFC contender. Despite a healthy dose of early-season hype, we have begun to show our truest colors--which happen to be camouflage. Our defense, the supposed anchor of our team, could not even hold a 4th-quarter lead against the mostly average Buffalo Bills. What's more, we can't win on the road. With a 6-5 record, we have no chance of gaining home-field advantage and thereby contending the playoffs. Heck, at this point, we have little hope of even making the postseason. Oh, how far we've fallen.
Baltimore 27, Pittsburgh 0
Statement: We, the defending Super Bowl champions, are now officially a non-factor. Our QB has pulled a complete tank-job, our tried-and-true RB retired at the end of last season, and our coach may well be on his way to N.C. State. Were it not for the presence of class-act wide receiver Hines Ward on our roster, there would be absolutely no reason for anyone to pay even the slightest bit of attention to us.
New Orleans 31, Atlanta 13
Statement: We, the perennially disappointing Atlanta Falcons, and our quarterback (well, sort of) Michael Vick, hereby resign all future right to hang our helmets on the overused "Hey, he led us to a playoff victory at Lambeau" defense. It is readily apparent that we lack all of the following: NFL-worthy wide receivers, the slightest vestiges of a defense, general direction, and a discernible identity. Half the people "out there" swear that we're a few tweaks away from being a legit Super Bowl contender; the other half believe that we're a few weeks away from requiring a complete overhaul. At this time, we plead the 5th.
Washington 17, Carolina 13
Statement: To all those pundits and prognosticators who predicted that we would represent the NFC in the Super Bowl, we, the Carolina Panthers, formally say, "Haaaaaaa!" Despite the fact that our team includes the league's best receiving combo and its scariest defensive end, our running game continues to be anemic, and our tackling is...well, horrible. We simply cannot figure out how to parlay a great coach and considerable on-field talent into wins. But hey, there's always next year.
New England 17, Chicago 13
Statement: Despite standing at 9-2 and remaining at the top of the NFC shuffle, we, the Chicago Bears, will continually fail to garner respect until we demonstrate two things: 1) that our offense consists of something more than a sometimes-Peyton, sometimes-Eli quarterback, and 2) that we can post a bona fide signature win. If we fail to do these things, we will bring to mind the New York Giants, circa Super Bowl XXXV, being summarily whipped by a superior AFC opponent. Some will go so far as to argue that we would not even earn a playoff spot were we in the AFC, despite the fact that we may very well win the sterile NFC.
Tennessee 24, New York Giants 21
Statement: We, the Giants, are currently in a state of turmoil. Our coach has lost all control of the team. Our soon-to-be-retired running back continues to lodge (justified) complaints about his lack of inclusion in the offense. And, most disturbingly, our handpicked #1 quarterback is...for lack of a better word...awful. We hereby forfeit our Super Bowl aspirations, as well as our claim to the NFC East crown. Henceforth, we shall fight in earnest to salvage a playoff spot. Oh, and while we're here, we'd like to invite everyone to Tom Coughlin's farewell party. Bring dip!
Minnesota 31, Arizona 26
Statement: Goodbye, Dennis Green. Hello, high draft pick. We, the Cardinals, would love to sit and chat, but we're off to plan for next season's "Maybe 10-6, Probably 6-10" parade.
11.26.2006
Trojan Tidbits
Depending upon the results of the SEC and Big 12 championship games, and assuming that Notre Dame is invited to play in either the Sugar or Rose Bowl, USC could potentially lay claim to having tallied three non-conference victories against BCS-bound teams: Arkansas (50-14, in Fayetteville), Nebraska (28-10), and the Fighting Irish (44-24).
Michigan, despite losing only once in an already-classic heartbreaker at #1 Ohio State, hardly boasts such an impressive body of work. They do hold victories over the otherwise undefeated Wisconsin Badgers and the 10-win Irish; however, Wisconsin's own cupcake schedule and Notre Dame's lack of a signature win do little to bolster the Wolverines' resumé.
So long as the Trojans dispose of their L.A. rivals next week, there's no question that they belong in the national title game.
(I loathe the BCS, but I nonetheless want to ensure that its so-called Championship Game does, in fact, fulfill its charge of featuring the nation's two best teams.)
Michigan, despite losing only once in an already-classic heartbreaker at #1 Ohio State, hardly boasts such an impressive body of work. They do hold victories over the otherwise undefeated Wisconsin Badgers and the 10-win Irish; however, Wisconsin's own cupcake schedule and Notre Dame's lack of a signature win do little to bolster the Wolverines' resumé.
So long as the Trojans dispose of their L.A. rivals next week, there's no question that they belong in the national title game.
(I loathe the BCS, but I nonetheless want to ensure that its so-called Championship Game does, in fact, fulfill its charge of featuring the nation's two best teams.)
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