If the NFL handed out the Lombardi Trophy in November, the Indianapolis Colts would the two-time defending champs. Fortunately for the other 20 or so legitimate playoff contenders, that's not the case. But after a Sunday where the Bears lost and the Colts won, the best team in the NFL right now resides in Indianapolis.
The case can not be made for any other team at this point. In what was the two-game stretch on any teams schedule this year, the Colts went into Denver, and then into New England, and won both games. Even the biggest Colts' nay-sayer has to admit that what the Colts have done in the 8 days is impressive.
Why the Patriots lost (in order):
1. Tom Brady wasn't Tom Brady. No quarterback will look good after a 4-INT game, which is about the way Tom Brady is just like every other QB. He didn't look sharp or decisive, his throws sailed on him a bit and the Colts took advantage. Hey, it happens.
2. Bill Belichick wasn't Bill Belichick. New England runners carried the ball 22 times for 97 yards in the 1st half. That's 4.4 yards per carry. In the 2nd half, New England ran the ball 11 times for 51 yards. That's 4.6 yards per carry. So why were the runs so few and far between? New England was never trailing by a margin wide enough to abandon the running game, so why throw the ball 30+ times against a team that cannot stop the run?
Yes, the officials were lousy, but they didn't cost the Patriots the game. The only egregiously poor call was Troy Brown's taunting penalty, but that didn't hamper the Patriots at all. The officials did make up for that call when a similar penalty was called on Marvin Harrison. Trust me, Troy Brown and Marvin Harrison are not guys who ever taunt opponents. They have far too much class for something like that. Brown appeared to be flipping the ball to the ref, and it hit a Colt player in the head. It happens. Harrison was spiking the ball after (another) miraculous touchdown reception, and the ball bounced into Mike Vrabel. Again, it happens.
Mac's Game Balls
Offense: Javon Walker, Denver Broncos - After Walker's three touchdown performance in Heinz Field yesterday, it's looking more and more like the Broncos got a bargain for him.
Defense: (tie) Jason Taylor, Miami Dolphins, and Champ Bailey, Denver Broncos - Jason Taylor singlehandedly dominated the Chicago Bears offense in what could be the upset of the year, and Champ Bailey contined to be brilliant at cornerback. The difference between Bailey and 2nd best CB in the NFL gets wider and wider with each game. Any QB stoopid enough to throw to that side of the field deserves the interception.
Special Teams: Phil Dawson, Cleveland Browns - Yeah, the Browns lost, but Dawson was fantastic. Dawson was 6-6 on field goals, and accounted for 19 of the Browns 25 points.
Fearless Monday Night Prediction
The Jet City forecast calls for plenty of rain and wind, so I don't expect to see Andrew Walter having a lot of success throwing deep to Randy Moss and Jerry Porter. Actually, I wouldn't see that even if it was sunny and clear.
Seahawks 35, Oakland 6
2 comments:
I agree, it was weird seeing Marvin Harrison get called for taunting but I didn't think of it as that so much as a delayed reaction after the late TD signal. If that's the case, then guys should get flagged for throwing the ball into the stands after a TD. But I played this cell phone game with this guy in my fantasy league called AirPlay. You can predict offensive plays as they happen on the field and get points. So now you can finally put your skills to the test to see if you know as much as you say you do. I'm out!
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