New Orleans, San Francisco and my beloved Packers are all still showing the world why they are the superior teams while every team behind them (Dallas, Detroit, Chicago, New York and Atlanta) all lost.
Dallas
Dallas had what seemed to be the easiest week of all of them. Having what would seem to be a sensational tandem hot rookie running back DeMarco Murray and the Cowboys former starter Felix Jones (who was back from injury) and a healthy Dez Bryant, the Cowboys on paper are a far superior team. But for the people who actually watch Dallas games, this is only half true.
It seems that these cowboys aren't the same old America's team that they used to be. It's hard to compare to Aikman, Irvin and Emmit Smith but this isn't even close (btw the greatest show on the turf has fell even harder).
The Cardinals have upset the cardinals twice times since 2008 and this is the third. Kevin Kolb and Bennie Wells are both disappointing and will never live up to the hype. They are having a bad year and even though they are still in the playoff picture their hopes are bleak.
The Cowboys had a huge opportunity to create some space between themselves and the Giants. Sure they might be up 1 game, but now it'll clearly be decided between the two meetings with the Giants. If the Giants go down to the final seconds with the undefeated Packers and Dallas can't even beat the Cardinals. If momentum counts Dallas is in trouble.
Verdict- The Cowboys couldn't get their run game going which has been their strong point the last couple of weeks. Tony Romo managed an entire game without an interception. If I was told this I would of assumed that Dallas won but only by a possession. The blame lies on bad coaching. Timeouts before a field goal are to freeze the other teams kickers (and that tactic isn't very useful anymore because everyone has done it), but to do it to your own kicker is as strategic as jumping out of a plane without a parachute.
New York Giants
Talk about a close one. They had a tough challenge and they almost accomplished it. The Giants hosted and almost beat the Green Bay Packers. As a Packers fan I was holding my breath until the last second.
They played well and are the only team in the entire NFC Wildcard race and the NFC East that has any momentum.
Victor Cruz is having a remarkable rookie season. He seems to make big plays throughout every game.
It will surprise me if the Giants don't reach the playoffs this year. So I would like Jimmy Johnson to remove that fork and stick it into the last team I'm talking about.
Atlanta
Wow.
To be honest at the beginning of the year I wanted Atlanta, Phili, San Diego and the Jets to miss the playoffs. San Diego and Atlanta's players have talked way to high of themselves and Rex Ryan is getting old.
As for the Eagles I'll talk about them in my next blog.
Yes, I wanted Atlanta to fail, but I never thought they would. This has been a very surprising season. I thought besides Green Bay and New Orleans , that Atlanta would be the next best in the NFC.
Verdict- It seems that they're chokers. I don't have much else to say. That game against the Saints in overtime, against the Bears earlier in the year and that terrible (although "hyped") game against the Packers. Matt Ryan, Mike Smith and the defence seem to all be chokers which is too bad.
Do I think they will reach the playoffs? Yes.
Do I think they will go far? No.
Chicago
While being a Packers fan, I also have a lot of respect towards the Bears, well the franchise and defence at lease.
The team just makes bad decisions on offence. Picking up Jay Cutler is still a questionable one but here are some of the obvious ones.
-Using Hester as a wide receiver
-Signing an out of shape and underachieving Roy Williams when you have many other options (btw if they wanted controversy and skill they could of picked up Chad Johnson or Terrel Owens)
-Not ever improving their wide receivers throughout the years
-Not picking up James Jones this off season
- Letting Lovie Smith call your defensive plays (he doesn't anymore)
-Not giving Matt Forte the contract he deserves
-Not putting a shutdown corner on the other side of Tillman
-All of Lovie Smiths challenges
- Keeping Lovie Smith as your coach after all these years
-Starting Hanie two weeks in a row
-Not going after David Garrard
And they are going to make another one by not hiring McNabb
Verdict-With this lack of good decision making, they will not pursue McNabb and I truly believe that Da Bears have given up playoff hopes.
Detroit
Finally the Lions. Feel the Roar....or is it Suh's foot, or Titus Youngs right hook or the fact that Jim Schwartz has no control over his locker room.
The Lions are lose cannons and need a tough coach to control them. Is coaching all of the problem? No, but it is probably the greater aspect of it.
For years management has been disgracing this franchise and with the exception of Steve Mariucci, all the coaches have along with them.
I will have a post at the end of the season (if Green Bay chooses to play their starters against the Lions), why the Lions missed the playoffs, but for now lets talk about them right now.
Suh has massive issues, apparently going way back. It's obvious that no one will step up to him in the locker room. Don't comment that Vanden Bosch does because he isn't. The coach doesn't. The locker room is probably all scared of him.
I have nothing against the Lions but living in Windsor, Ontario I get a lot of overly proud Lions fans telling me why they are the best team all of the time.
I like Vanden Bosch and Schwartz, both coming from Tennessee (my next favourite team), but they obviously don't step up like the leaders we all thought they were. Maybe Schwartz should sit behind a tough coach for a couple of years to understand how to control a team. Cowher would be a good option.
BTW didn't they get rid of Shaun Rodgers because of his bad locker room influence.
Verdict- Detroit doesn't have the mental discipline to make it through an entire season. Things must change and Suh's self control better be a major part of that.
Better luck next year.
Seattle and Arizona
I will not consider entertaining the idea of Seattle or Arizona reaching the playoffs.
NFC Playoff Predictions
Seed 1 Green Bay
Seed 2 San Francisco
Seed 3 New Orleans
Seed 4 New York Giants
Seed 5 Bears if they pick up a QB, Atlanta otherwise
Seed 6 Atlanta if the Bears pick up a QB, if not Toss a coin between Dallas and the Bears and watch that team get knocked out in the first round of the playoffs.
Next post will be concentrated on the Philadelphia Implosion.
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