Week 12 — Mon Nov 24 10:38:03 PST 2008
From: JeffTo: mnf@doobie.com
Date: Mon Nov 24 10:38:03 PST 2008
Subject: It's Monday...
...and have we finally seen the last of McNabb?
Yes, ladies and gentlemen, Philadelphia Eagles coach Andy Reid has finally admitted something that everyone who watches football probably already knew -- the Donovan McNabb era ended some time ago. This week, the Eagles got crushed in Baltimore 36-7, essentially ending Philly's playoff hopes. At halftime, after watching Donovan go 8-18 for a mere 59 yards, no Tds, two INTs, and a fumble, Reid finally did the right thing and benched him. The only problem? Backup Kevin Kolb didn't perform any better (10-23, 73yds, 2 INT). The cameras caught McNabb clapping after one of Kolb's interceptions -- stay classy dude. The Eagles are now 5-5-1, and will host Arizona for the Thanksgiving night game.
Arizona will make the playoffs with their next win. It is likely that they will be the first team in the NFL to clinch a spot this year. This has never happened to the Cardinals before. This week, they put up a very good stand, before finally getting beaten 37-29 by the Giants. The difference in this game was special teams -- the Cardinals allowed the Giants to return two kickoffs past the 50. It's hard to win games if the other team is only playing on half of the field. The Giants play in Washington on Sunday.
Aah, Washington. This week, the 'skins finally got their running game working again, and used it to just barely eek out a 20-17 win in Seattle. QB Jason Campbell continues to look like a developing quarterback. He can usually put the ball where he wants to, but sometimes he makes poor choices when deciding where to throw the ball. With the win, Washington climbs to 7-4, and stays in the running for an NFC wild card. The Seahawks fall to 2-9 and are headed to Dallas for the Thanksgiving afternoon game.
Dallas spanked the 49ers this week, simply by hurling the ball in the general direction of T.O. The final score was 35-22, but that doesn't really explain the lopsidedness of this game. Why did the SF secondary allow Owens to consistently get past them? San Francisco goes to Buffalo next week.
In classic San Diego fashion, the Chargers allowed the Colts to beat them 23-20 with a field goal as time expired. This knocks the Chargers down to 4-7 -- yet, because Denver also lost this weekend (31-10 to the Raiders (!!)), the Chargers aren't entirely out of the running.
I'd be remiss if I didn't mention the Jets game. This week, the Jets did what no other team in the NFL has managed to do this year: beat the Tennessee Titans. The Jets defensive line shut down the Titans running game, the secondary kept the receivers well covered all day long, and Favre and the offense were able to hold onto the ball for more than 40 minutes of the 60 minute game. It's amazing that the score was only 34-13.
A-List douchebags in New Jersey have immediately responded by making plans to fly to Tampa for a Jets/Giants Super Bowl, with halftime entertainment provided by Springsteen: "Tri-Fuckin-A-Fecta!". That's better than what the Vegas douchebags are up to: http://bit.ly/8nQP
So... where are we on the playoff front?
The NFC still looks the same: The Giants, Panthers, Bucs and Cardinals are essentially in. One of Chicago, Minnesota and Green Bay will get in. Washington, Dallas and Atlanta are going to be fighting out the last wild card.
The AFC does too: Tennessee and Denver are essentially in. The Jets, Steelers and Ravens are fighting to stay in. The Colts and Patriots are hot on their tails, with Miami and Buffalo trying to stay competitive.
And that brings us to tonight's game...
The Game:
Tonight the 5-5 Green Bay Packers go to New Orleans to take on the 5-5 Saints on the Fieldturf of the Superdome. Green Bay needs to win this game to remain in a three-way-tie at the top of the NFC North. New Orleans is already playing for the draft pick, behind the disappointing performance of QB Drew Brees.
The Line:
New Orleans is favored by one. The over/under is 51.
Last week, the Smart Money won. It's now up to 13-7 for the season, representing a 24.1% ROI. The increasingly battered S&P 500 is down 32.4% in the same timeframe. This week, the smart money takes the Packers.
The Bar:
Are there any bankers left in this town?
The Royal Exchange
301 Sacramento Street @ front street.
Steps from the 20, 41 and 1 Busses.
Within a couple blocks of Embarcadero Muni, and the 10.
Kickoff is at 5:30. See you there?
Yes, ladies and gentlemen, Philadelphia Eagles coach Andy Reid has finally admitted something that everyone who watches football probably already knew -- the Donovan McNabb era ended some time ago. This week, the Eagles got crushed in Baltimore 36-7, essentially ending Philly's playoff hopes. At halftime, after watching Donovan go 8-18 for a mere 59 yards, no Tds, two INTs, and a fumble, Reid finally did the right thing and benched him. The only problem? Backup Kevin Kolb didn't perform any better (10-23, 73yds, 2 INT). The cameras caught McNabb clapping after one of Kolb's interceptions -- stay classy dude. The Eagles are now 5-5-1, and will host Arizona for the Thanksgiving night game.
Arizona will make the playoffs with their next win. It is likely that they will be the first team in the NFL to clinch a spot this year. This has never happened to the Cardinals before. This week, they put up a very good stand, before finally getting beaten 37-29 by the Giants. The difference in this game was special teams -- the Cardinals allowed the Giants to return two kickoffs past the 50. It's hard to win games if the other team is only playing on half of the field. The Giants play in Washington on Sunday.
Aah, Washington. This week, the 'skins finally got their running game working again, and used it to just barely eek out a 20-17 win in Seattle. QB Jason Campbell continues to look like a developing quarterback. He can usually put the ball where he wants to, but sometimes he makes poor choices when deciding where to throw the ball. With the win, Washington climbs to 7-4, and stays in the running for an NFC wild card. The Seahawks fall to 2-9 and are headed to Dallas for the Thanksgiving afternoon game.
Dallas spanked the 49ers this week, simply by hurling the ball in the general direction of T.O. The final score was 35-22, but that doesn't really explain the lopsidedness of this game. Why did the SF secondary allow Owens to consistently get past them? San Francisco goes to Buffalo next week.
In classic San Diego fashion, the Chargers allowed the Colts to beat them 23-20 with a field goal as time expired. This knocks the Chargers down to 4-7 -- yet, because Denver also lost this weekend (31-10 to the Raiders (!!)), the Chargers aren't entirely out of the running.
I'd be remiss if I didn't mention the Jets game. This week, the Jets did what no other team in the NFL has managed to do this year: beat the Tennessee Titans. The Jets defensive line shut down the Titans running game, the secondary kept the receivers well covered all day long, and Favre and the offense were able to hold onto the ball for more than 40 minutes of the 60 minute game. It's amazing that the score was only 34-13.
A-List douchebags in New Jersey have immediately responded by making plans to fly to Tampa for a Jets/Giants Super Bowl, with halftime entertainment provided by Springsteen: "Tri-Fuckin-A-Fecta!". That's better than what the Vegas douchebags are up to: http://bit.ly/8nQP
So... where are we on the playoff front?
The NFC still looks the same: The Giants, Panthers, Bucs and Cardinals are essentially in. One of Chicago, Minnesota and Green Bay will get in. Washington, Dallas and Atlanta are going to be fighting out the last wild card.
The AFC does too: Tennessee and Denver are essentially in. The Jets, Steelers and Ravens are fighting to stay in. The Colts and Patriots are hot on their tails, with Miami and Buffalo trying to stay competitive.
And that brings us to tonight's game...
The Game:
Tonight the 5-5 Green Bay Packers go to New Orleans to take on the 5-5 Saints on the Fieldturf of the Superdome. Green Bay needs to win this game to remain in a three-way-tie at the top of the NFC North. New Orleans is already playing for the draft pick, behind the disappointing performance of QB Drew Brees.
The Line:
New Orleans is favored by one. The over/under is 51.
Last week, the Smart Money won. It's now up to 13-7 for the season, representing a 24.1% ROI. The increasingly battered S&P 500 is down 32.4% in the same timeframe. This week, the smart money takes the Packers.
The Bar:
Are there any bankers left in this town?
The Royal Exchange
301 Sacramento Street @ front street.
Steps from the 20, 41 and 1 Busses.
Within a couple blocks of Embarcadero Muni, and the 10.
Kickoff is at 5:30. See you there?