Around 3 PM CST on Sunday, I've got Baltimore driving for the winning score, Colts/Jets with three TDs in the final 2:30, New Orleans down three with an onside kick, Miami for a two-point conversion to tie, and Minnesota trying to get a stop on defense to get the ball back. If you don't have the NFL Sunday Ticket, I feel sorry for you. It was NCAA tournament-style remote action.
Here's what we learned from Week 4:
1. That Colts' run defense has "one and done in the playoffs" written all over it. Corey Simon better come back close to full strength or they could be in trouble starting Week 7 (Washington, at Denver, at New England).
2. I'm telling you — Charlie Frye is good.
3. The Jacksonville defense is worn down after consecutive slugfests against Pittsburgh, Indianapolis, and Washington. I'd be a little weary picking them this week against the Jets.
4. Santana Moss, Brandon Lloyd, and Antwaan Randle El are way better than Eddie Kennison, Johnny Morton, and Dante Hall. Al Saunders has the Washington offense clicking, and it may be even better than his best Chiefs teams. That's scary stuff.
5. Don't believe the final score. Atlanta did not play a great game against Arizona. That's just how bad Kurt Warner is.
6. First Denver, now New England. Just when you think they're done, they come back to beat the crap out of somebody. Remember that when picking the Steelers/Chargers game.
7. Quote from Marvin Lewis on whether he saw a difference without deactivated WR Chris Henry: "I did notice a difference, actually. I didn't have anybody taunting, in anybody's face or anything like that. That's where I noticed the difference: guys doing it the way they're asked to do it. I didn't have to worry about the guy taking off his helmet on the field and things like that." Damn, Marvin. Take it easy on the guy.
8. I don't care how popular he is. I'm sick of Dane Cook.
9. Can you imagine if Joe Buck had called the Titans/Cowboys game? Would he have survived his own moral outrage? I don't think so. Too bad, too. Now I have to listen to him call the baseball playoffs.
10. Watch out for Baltimore's offensive line. News that Edwin Mulitalo is out for the year is a serious blow to a rushing offense that was already less than spectacular (95.8 ypg, 23rd in the league).
On to the bye report for Week 5: Atlanta, Cincinnati, Houston, and Seattle get some rest. Anybody want to guess which Bengal gets arrested while "just being at the wrong place at the wrong time?" I've got my money on Frostee Rucker.
Atlanta Falcons
(3-1 overall, 2-1 AFC South, tied for first)
Overview — I'm adding Michael Vick to my list of quarterbacks I will never bet on if my life depends on it. The Falcons are converting only 28.6 percent on third down, third worst in the league. Of Atlanta's six first-half drives on Sunday, all but one got into Arizona territory. They got four FGs and threw an interception in the end zone. Their only touchdown "drive" on offense was a second-half one-play, 78-yard run by Jerious Norwood. This was at home against the Cardinals.
Impact of the Bye — At this point, it's a waste. If I'm a Falcons fan, I'm worried they go into the week off feeling more confident than they have a right to be. With the Giants, Steelers, and Bengals up after the week off, they better not lose their edge. Otherwise, this could get a little bit ugly. Bad time for a bye.
Outlook — In a weak NFC, they can survive for a while without a passing game, but against Chicago or Philadelphia in a playoff game, that's not going to fly. All the addition of WR Ashley Lelie seems to have accomplished is to give them three first-round busts for Vick to not see instead of two. With the exception of St. Louis, this is the worst 3-1 team in the league.
Cincinnati Bengals
(3-1, 2-0 AFC North, second place)
Overview — I'm inclined to give their offense a pass for the debacle against the Patriots. Bad games happen, especially against Bill Belichick defenses. Their defensive problems, on the other hand, are a concern. With Odell Thurman now not coming back at all this year, and injuries to a bunch of guys on that side of the ball, depth is wearing pretty thin. I'm not worried about their playoff chances just yet, but there are issues to be addressed.
Impact of the Bye — With a potent six-pack coming up after the bye (at Tampa Bay, Carolina, Atlanta, at Baltimore, San Diego, at New Orleans), this is a good time to step back and assess. Carson Palmer and the offense will be fine as long as Chris Henry is involved. The three wide-receiver set of Chad Johnson, T.J. Houshmandzadeh, and Henry may be the best in the league (quote from Marvin Lewis above not withstanding). Having an extra week to stew on the beating by New England may be what coach Marvin Lewis needs to get this team finally focused. Perfect time for a bye.
Outlook — With a tough six weeks after the bye, and a closing stretch of Indianapolis and Denver on the road, then at home in the finale against Pittsburgh, the Bengals are going to have to earn any success they have this season. You need a good defense to get through a schedule like that, and I'm not sure they have what it takes. 344 yards allowed per game (144 rushing) is just too many.
Houston Texans
(1-3, 0-1 AFC South, third place)
Overview — Hey, did you see that game against Miami? The Texans won! No, really. I swear! And you know what else? Mario Williams had a sack! I'm not even kidding! You know, maybe they were right to take him instead of Reggie Bush...
Impact of the Bye — When your team is bound for top-10 draft status, you want to get as much pleasure as you can from every win. If I'm Gary Kubiak, I'm taking the whole team to Hedonism. Party it up, boys, only 10 days until you get blasted by the Cowboys.
Outlook — Headline from 2007 draft: "Texans Take Bush!" Too bad it's Michael Bush from Louisville. (No. I will not let this go. At least not this week.)
Seattle Seahawks
(3-1, 1-0 NFC West, tied for first)
Overview — Well, that wasn't exactly what I was expecting. I don't know if it was the absence of Shaun Alexander, the emotion of the crowd, or just plain not being good enough to fight it out with a team like Chicago, but they just crapped all over themselves on national TV. Matt Hasselbeck got pulled for Seneca Wallace out of mercy, for Christ's sake. It was embarrassing to watch. Still, don't go jumping off the Space Needle just yet. This is far and away the class of the division. They'll be fine.
Impact of the Bye — Kind of along the lines of Cincinnati, maybe it's not the worst thing in the world to have to stew on a beat down. Deion Branch gets an extra week to acclimate to the system, plus it's one less week they have to play without Alexander and TE Jerramy Stevens. (What happened to Itula Mili, by the way? Wasn't he good at some point?) Heading into a road match against St. Louis (arguably their toughest division game of the season), this bye week will come in pretty handy.
Outlook — We may not have a chance to find out what this team is about until Week 13 at Denver. They have one of the most pronounced home-field advantages, and perhaps the weakest division in football. That'll hide any weaknesses until late in the season.
Playlist of the Week
1. Ball and Biscuit - The White Stripes
2. Dear Mr. Fantasy - Traffic
3. Fu-Gee-La - The Fugees
4. November Has Come - Gorillaz
5. Get it Together - Beastie Boys f/ Tribe Called Quest
6. King Without a Crown - Matisyahu
7. Pushin' Too Hard - The Seeds
8. Caress - The Brian Jonestown Massacre
9. Shadow of Grief - The Greenhornes
10. Institutionalized - Suicidal Tendencies
Leave a Comment