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After a brief break from the writing scene, and shortly returning with an effort level that only Allen Iverson can appreciate, I’m back in full force just in time for football season to be over. I figured for the safety of my friends and family that I put my frustrations back into writing, instead of those profanities being thrown at the Bears every Sunday. I felt a change of scenery was a good start. Having posted at NFLSpot for a bit, I decided to make the move. It helps that the Spot sounds like an actual sports website, and less like a gentlemen’s club. Don’t get me wrong I love those guys over there, it just sounds a bit raunchy.
For those of you new to the show, I like to think I’m Bill Simmons, and since I am, in fact, not ol’ Bill, I make several unnecessary references to him. I have met Bill though. Great guy. I talk way too much about the Bears, though it’s almost never positive. You try being a Chicago fan. I avoid talking about Brett Favre, because he’s old and annoying, and tend to not mention the Steelers because I don’t like thugs. I’ve been on the Texans bandwagon for some time now, and will plug them every chance I get.
Now time for some positive things about me…I hate Brett Favre, I hate the Steelers, and have undying support for Jay Cutler for whatever reason. Above all else, I’m realistic. If the Bears suck, I let them know. I respect most teams, except the Steelers…and Minnesota, and am pretty good about losing, mostly because I expect it.
I guess we’ll do the rest of our getting to know each other on the run as there was football to be played this weekend. For the first time in my life, I’m going to pretend the Bears didn’t play. Yes, they got killed. Yes, they’re awful. No, it’s not ALL Cutler’s fault. New coaches, new linemen, receivers who can run routes, and Cutler wouldn’t be at 20 picks already. That’s as much as I’m going to say about that.
The big showdown of the weekend was the clash down south on Monday night in New Orleans. What was supposed to be the Saints’ biggest challenge of the season, turned out to be a shellacking of Tom Brady and the boys from New England. Drew Brees for MVP? I think so. The Vikings would still be a playoff team without You-Know-Who, but where on Earth would the Saints be without Brees?
Probably in the lowly depths of the NFC South with Carolina and Tampa. As for the Pats, they’re not a bust by any calculation. They’re going to win their division pretty easily, and it’s hard to bet against Bill Belichek come January.
One team that I’ve loved watching for the last, say, five weeks, has been the Tennessee Titans. They’ve been in-Vince-able (see what I did there?) since dropping their first six games with Kerry Collins at the helm. Chris Johnson is running like nobody’s business and Vince Young’s got his head on right.
They’ve quickly become the team nobody wants to play and have a big showdown with Indianapolis on Sunday. Predictions on that game will be around later. It was especially sweet coming against the Cardinals. Living in Tempe for school, I’m surrounded by the worst fans in the sports world. All of the fans that came crawling out of the woodwork during the Cards’ Super Bowl run have all gone back, and the only time I’ve seen them is when they beat my Bears. Go Titans!
I know I hate Pittsburgh, but I have to plug my boy Dennis Dixon for a second. The former Oregon Duck (I’m a big fan), was decent in his first career start. Hell, we can call it his first career action, having only thrown one pass before Sunday night. It’s hard enough making your first career start. It’s another thing starting when you get under center and Ray Lewis is staring right at you. Dixon was just under 50% in his completion rate, for about 150 yards and a score. His one foul up was the overtime pick, which was mostly an athletic play by Paul Kruger. Hopefully he gets a chance to start somewhere, or at least maintain a backup job, because he’s got some skill.
Coming off what was a boring week, there are a ton of games on the slate to look forward to for next weekend. I don’t have to worry too much about the Bears, as they’ll be playing in the Toilet Bowl against St. Louis. I’m already boycotting them for the rest of the year. Lose that game and it may be an indefinite boycott, the first of many Bears fans if such a thing happens.
Division showdowns highlight the Week 13 lineup. The Cowboys play in a big rivalry game against the reeling Giants, who really need a win to keep their playoff hopes alive. Eli Manning’s foot is a mess, and the Cowboys, dare I say, look strong so far. It’s still early though. Plenty of time for Tony Romo to choke the season away. I think the Giants get a much needed win, in a low scoring affair.
Game of the week is without question that showdown in Indy between the undefeated Colts and the hot, hot Titans. Peyton Manning is always cool as the other side of the pillow, but the Titans intensity may be too much for the Colts. They’ve played some close ones recently, and I think this is the team that won’t let the late lead get away. I think the Titans bring down the Colts for a week and creep even closer to the playoffs, mostly behind Chris Johnson, and a game managing game from Vince Young.
That may be the most excitement we get all weekend. Sunday night should be a pure beatdown in Glendale, which would be nice and all, if only it wasn’t the Vikings doing it. Nonetheless, there’s some good matchups this weekend. Be pumped for my full return to Tuesdays next week. Stay tuned folks.
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