Sorry for the short post this week, but FMQB goes on vacations too!
Vince Young:
I remember before the season started, FMQB predicted that Michael Vick would get injured, and Vince Young would come in and cause a quarterback controversy. Well Young didn’t have the best game last week against the Giants, throwing 3 INT’s, but he did one thing that FMQB always likes; he did what it took in the clutch to win the game. He drove the Nightmares on a 9 minute 4th quarter drive to put them ahead, the defense did the rest. This was a must win game for the Nightmares, one more loss basically guarantees they miss the playoffs. Whether Vick or Young starts on Sunday will be big when the Patriots come to town, but Young extended their season one more week.
Stat of the Week #1:
Packers could clinch a playoff birth this weekend, only Week 12!
Stat of the Week #2:
The San Diego Chargers started off the season 4-1, and at one point held the #2 seed in the AFC. Since then they have lost 5 in a row.
Combo Platter:
Because of family traditions, this was probably the first time in 10 years that FMQB was able to watch Thanksgiving football. I was excited to see a great Combo Platter of games this year, with the Lions finally in a meaningful late November game, the resurging Dolphins were playing the Cowboys, and the game of Brotherly Love between the 49ers and Ravens was a potential Super Bowl preview. I was hoping in 3 games that there would be some excitement, but I’m not going to lie I was a little disappointed in the outcomes. The Dolphins Cowboys game was the most exciting of the 3, but was probably the worst game on paper coming in. I figured the 49ers and Ravens would be a defensive battle, but 6-6 at halftime was a little ridiculous. Also wanted an offensive showdown between the Lions and Packers, but only 7 points were scored in the first quarter.
Quote of the Week:
“If it wasn’t for the Rams, the Dolphins would be my favorite team. I like their outfits.” MOFMQB (Mom of FMQB)
Playoff Machine
Interesting predictor on ESPN right now, go ahead and try it yourself because it’s fun! You pick the winners of each game, and after you’re done it calculates what the playoff picture would look like. See how close you get to mine.
http://espn.go.com/nfl/playoffs/machine
AFC: Baltimore, New England, Oakland, Houston, Steelers, Bengals
NFC: Packers, 49ers, Saints, Cowboys, Falcons, Bears.
What’s interesting about my picks, is that even with the most turmoil, I have the AFC remaining pretty much intact (only swaps between the 1 and 2 seeds, and 3 and 4 seeds. But my NFC is completely jumbled up. The Giants aren’t even in it anymore, Cowboys leap everybody to have a home game, Lions don’t have a prayer either. Packers stayed 16-0 though!
What I liked about Week 11:
The Broncos beating the Jets, very impressive!
The Eagles vs Giants game, thank you for an exciting SNF game finally!
Cutler or Schaub:
Which team has a better chance of making the playoffs with their starting QB’s out of the lineup down the stretch? Jay Cutler went out and is having surgery on his broken thumb, can the Bears hold off the Falcons or Lions for the final Wild Card spot? The Texans had a great record, but have lost Schaub for the season. But with Andre Johnson coming back, it may be enough to let Matt Leinart lead the team to a 3-3 finish and still make the playoffs. My guess is that the Texans make it, Bears will come down to Week 17 but sneak in with a victory over the Vikings.
FMQB will be back in full force next week! Happy Thanksgiving!
FMQB 