Turkey Day is right around the corner. RSS is going to give you a spread worthy of such a great holiday. We'll give you a Special Hot off the Grill tomorrow with a preview of all of the Thursday/Friday Thanksgiving action around the world of sports before our Friday Grill article takes a look at the weekend's football action. But, before we go ahead, we must look back at the week that was in the National. Football. League.
Overrated Story of The Week: Maybe The Saints And Colts Aren't The Best Team In Football?!?
You know, this was bad enough of a story when I had to cut off my ears Van Gogh style while listening to Skip Bayless and Jemele Hill debate this pointless "story." This is the thing with our current sports culture, we always have to find stupid things to debate. One of my personal favorites is: "Team X is really better than Team Y, even though Team Y has a better record." If Team X was really better... than logic should dictate that they would have the better record, no? Instead of appreciating what perhaps all-time great teams like Indy and New Orleans are doing in the same season, we have to invent idiotic reasons to say they aren't the best teams in their respective conferences. Exhibit A is something I came across this morning by some guy named Vinnie Iyer of the Sporting News. Vinnie argues that the Vikings and Chargers (wait, not even New England?) are the best teams in their conferences. Yes, the Sporting News is still in existence, and yes, I'm going to tear Vinnie apart.
Why the Vikings are the NFC's best:
1. A better defensive line. New Orleans has wilted against strong running teams, but the Vikings' Williams Wall continues to stuff ballcarriers. Then when opponents try to pass on Minnesota, Jared Allen cleans up the quarterbacks.
This must be what Vinnie is thinking: I'll just pick 1 position group out of 10 to cement my argument that one team is better than the other. Brilliant. OK, Vinnie, but who has the better secondary? The Saints lead the NFL in Turnovers and Interceptions. In fact, they've created 13 more turnovers than the Vikings. Darren Sharper and Jabari Greer are cinch Pro-Bowlers and Roman Harper leads the team in tackles. Who has the better WR corps? The better O-Line? The better punter? The better quality control assistant...
2. A better lead back. The Saints' three-man committee has been effective, but it's hard to see their front seven containing Adrian Peterson in a playoff game, be it in the Superdome or Metrodome.
It is hard to see the Saints containing Adrian Peterson. But, hmmm, let's take 3 seconds and research some stats... the SAINTS HAVE RUSHED FOR 30 MORE YARDS PER GAME AND 6 MORE TOUCHDOWNS THAN THE VIKINGS!! So, let's see... great running back vs 3 really, really good RB's. Let's not talk about how the Saints backs are more balanced, offer a more diverse attack, will be fresher, or, gee, I don't know, maybe might actually be better??
3. An equally good QB. For as much attention Drew Brees receives, Brett Favre might be playing at a level we've never seen from him. It also should be remembered that Favre has won before on the biggest stage.
This is such a strong closing argument. Wow, I am so impressed. Let's all try to follow Vinnie's logic step by step. For all the attention Brees receives (which is next to none compared to #4), Brett Favre is somehow having a fantastic season under the radar. Our friend Vinnie is implying that Favre hasn't had enough attention this season you see. Oh, and Favre has won on the biggest stage, a Super Bowl... 13 years ago! I was 10! And about his recent performances... don't mention the 6 INTs he threw in St. Louis in '02, the 4 INTs against Minny in '05, or his choke job in the NFC Championship in '08. Ok, so in spite of that, according to Vinnie, Favre this season is equal to Brees which implies Minnesota is better than New Orleans. Wow, this sportswriting thing is easy!
Why the Chargers are the AFC's best
1. A better running game. Both San Diego and Indianapolis feature mostly one-dimensional passing offenses, but it's the Chargers who have improved on the ground — see the 203 yards rushing Sunday at Denver.
Peyton. Manning.
2. A better defensive bill of health. The teams each sustained a big loss — Chargers NT Jamal Williams, Colts S Bob Sanders — but San Diego is jelling into the better unit. The Colts' fill-in secondary doesn't match up well with Chargers' receivers.
Jelling into the better unit?? What does that even mean?? While San Diego is a smidge ahead of the Colts in total yards on D, the Colts lead the NFL in what some consider an important defensive category: POINTS ALLOWED PER GAME! That "jelling" San Diego unit? 15th. Oh, and Jackson and Gates are good, but let's see who leads the NFL in receiving yards for WRs and TEs... oh, wait! It's Reggie Wayne and Dallas Clark of... the Colts! Again, 3 seconds of research can go a long way people!
3. A better track record. The Chargers have won four of the last five games against the Colts, including playoff games the past two seasons. Philip Rivers also has the confidence to outduel Peyton Manning.
Yes, that Super Bowl that the Colts won a couple years back? Yea, we're going to forget that happened for the sake of this argument. Phil Rivers has the confidence to outduel Manning?? I'm sure Peyton and the Colts are shaking in their boots. Yes, SD has been good against Indy, but how many Super Bowl appearances do they have in the Norv Era... riiiight... ZERO!
Here's our lesson today friends. Just write 3 or 4 dumb statements without doing any research that might sound nice to fit into your argument instead of objectively looking at facts... then you can write for a national sports publication! You know, if it were Favre and Brady who were 10-0, I doubt we would see any stories proclaiming any other teams the best in football. Again, we here at RSS are here to look out for you that you don't fall victim to the sensationalizing, hypocritical mainstream sports media. Rant over.
Underrated Story Of The Week: Silly Season Begins
-With Dick Jauron's firing, silly season has officially started in the NFL. And, even though we are in the midst of a thrilling regular season, for many strugglers this could be the most important offseason in a long time. There are an insane number of proven winners out there whether they come in to coach or run a front office. Look at the names: Shanahan, Cowher, Holmgren, Gruden (maybe?), Schottenheimer, Dungy. All of these guys are available to coach and/or turn a program around. Teams like Buffalo and Cleveland are smart to aggressively go after one of these guys now. Cowher reportedly turned down the Bills, while Holmgren may be interested in the Browns front office (here's a hint: fire Mangini). Watch this space throughout the rest of this season. Your favorite team just might want to pull the trigger on a huge coaching move.
3 Stars:
3rd Star: Wes Welker (WR-Pats)
-15 catches for 192 yards against the Jets means that Welker is officially back as Tom Brady's go to guy. As guys like Welker get back into the groove, this team will get better and better offensively.
2nd Star: Matthew Stafford (QB-Lions)
-I won't go all Peter King and say that Stafford's performance was "one for the ages," but I was impressed with his guttiness in going out for the last play and throwing his 5th TD against Cleveland. But, before we start anointing this guy, remember he threw for 422 and 5 TDs against Cleveland.
1st Star: OK, deep breath... Br... Brett F.. F... Favre, God that was hard (QB - Vikings)
-For all of the hate we give the Favre worshipping media (and Favre himself sometimes), we here at RSS are men enough to finally give it up for the old man. Yes, he dinks and dunks, yes he's become a game manager, but he's doing a darn good job of it. 22/25 for a modest 213 yards, but more importantly, 4 TDs and 0 INTs. I'm still waiting for the other shoe to drop and leave Favre and the media crying at the end, but I respect how he has performed... so far.
Fab 5:
1. New Orleans
1. Indy
3. Minny
4. San Diego
5. Cincy
-A thought about our rankings: Sunday was a little less stressful with my Saints able to pull away from the Bucs. They rise to #1 while the Colts... stay at #1? It's getting too hard to separate these teams, and both deserve the top spot. Minnesota is a country mile ahead of anybody else at 9-1 after an easy win. SD and the Bengals flip flop after the Bolts beat up the Broncos. We're still bullish on the Bengals as the best 3 loss team in football, in spite of that slip up in Oakland.
11 Random Observations:
1) With the talk of the "classic" between now 2-8 Detroit and 1-9 Cleveland, it's easy to get caught up in the hype that Stafford and Quinn might be legitimate. While the performances are encouraging, lets see it happen against a team with more than 2 wins.
2) Although our dear mother is a Browns fan, I have to say that the ridiculous ending in Detroit was the most hilarious thing I have seen all NFL season. First, the PI penalty to end all PI penalties, second Mangenius calling a timeout to let Stafford back in the game, and third Mangini's priceless face walking off the field after another defeat. Brilliant!
3) What I'll remember most from the Saints game on Sunday? The brilliant Fox analyst Tim Ryan trying to explain his way through an instant replay decision. I won't bore you with the details, but it was like trying to listen to Mike Tyson explain nuclear physics.
4) A question for Josh McDaniels... why start Chris Simms if Kyle Orton is able to come in and play? Now Brandon Marshall and Knowshown Moreno are fighting on the sidelines? Has any 6-0 team fell faster than this bunch.
5) Thank you Jay Cutler for coming oh so close to nailing our upset pick. At least you threw only 1 INT Sunday night... that's an improvement, right? It would be nice to be able to rebuild through the draft for Chicago, but Jerry Angelo enjoys selling off all his 1st and 2nd round picks. I hear Mike Shanahan is available...
6) The Bengals loss to the Raiders might not be of Heidi Bowl proportions, but this team was due for a letdown. Remember Philly lost at Oakland just a couple weeks ago. The Raiders actually look like a respectable bad team with Bruce Gradkowski at QB.
7) Speaking of bad: How Bout Them Cowboys!
8) Good for Vince Young and the Titans. Don't look now, but they're on a 4 game winning streak at 4-6. This team might just have what it takes to complete the most miraculous playoff run in NFL history.
9) I almost forgot 1 more thing about the brilliant Browns! The dumbest coaching decision I have ever seen (and that includes Yale and Les Miles) occurred Sunday. It's 4th and 9 from the Detroit 22 with 11 seconds left in the 1st half. What's the rational decision? Of course, it's Eric Mangini calling a fake FG to gain 11 yards only on the next play to... KICK A FIELD GOAL!!
10) Rex Ryan lost another point this week whining about the Pats throwing deep late in the game in a blowout on Sunday. Rex, you were the one that started this thing, so man up and take your beating like a man. Maybe you and your star QB can have a good cry together over a now lost season.
11) I love that everyone at ESPN hype their MNF showdown between the Saints and Pats as the game to end all games. Low-profile teams like the Saints are only worth caring about when they need ratings on the ESPN "family of networks."
What Happened In Week 10 That Will Change The Season: Baltimore Blows It
-While most of the attention in this one went to Indy's sideline and their narrow escape, the real story might be that Baltimore blew their season. It wasn't that they lost to the Colts, but how which is devastating for the Ravens. Unable to get a TD after several chances, Baltimore somehow still found themselves in the game in the 4th quarter. But, the worst was still to come as Baltimore choked away the game, and possibly the season. First, driving for a field goal late in the game, Joe Flacco threw an unforgivable INT in range for the win. Then, John Harbaugh wasted a critical timeout with a dumb replay challenge which left the Ravens with close to zero time. Finally, Ed Reed made a boneheaded lateral that turned the ball over in range for a hail mary. Lost in the Week 11 shuffle might is that at 5-5, the Ravens season may be done after an epic choke.
Check back for the continuation of the Top 10 Games of the Decade Countdown and our Thanksgiving sports coverage! Bye for now...
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