He Did It!!!
Congrats to Calvin Johnson for taking down 1 of Jerry Rice’s 10,000 NFL records! But this one was a biggie. While most people wondered if he could make it or not, he calmed any fears by getting the final 200+ yards in one game! Now he basically needs a decent game to break 2000 yds. People have diminished the record, saying they are “garbage time yards” or since the Lions aren’t winning, it’s not as impressive. But it just proves that teams know who the ball is going to, and still can’t stop him. Next up? Eric Dickerson’s record.
Weekly Surprise:
Each week in the NFL, there is a huge surprise with a team that has no business winning a game. This week, it was definitely the Vikings going into Houston and snagging a win against the #1 team in the AFC. And this even happened with them shutting down Adrian Peterson. The Vikes needed the win, and they pulled it off.
Stat of the Week:
Peterson needs 208 yds to beat Dickerson’s all time record. He had 210 the first meeting this year against the Packers.
Avid Reader Stat of the Week #2:
Since a certain something was legalized in Washington and Colorado, the Seahawks and Broncos are a combined 13-1.
Stolen Stat of the Week #3:
Kansas City gained 507 yards on offense at home, including a 262-yard edge in yards rushing, and lost- TMQ
Stat of the Week #4:
The Chiefs had 352 yds rushing on Sunday, including a 3rd quarter whopping 165yds by Jamal Charles!
Stat of the Week: #5:
The Redskins have won 6 in a row, Broncos have won 10.
Chuck Pagano:
Easily the best story in the NFL this year has been that of Chuck Pagano, the Colts head coach diagnosed with Leukemia. In his absence, Bruce Arians went 9-3 as an interim coach, and brought the team to the playoffs. He was the first interim coach in 50 years to take a team to the playoffs. The team has been rallying behind Chuck all season, but it’s been Bruce’s team. Amazing story, hope the Colts can go far in the playoffs, and maintain their momentum under essentially a new coach.
Thought of the Week:
Texans can secure #1 seed at Indy. Sounds easy except they are 0-10 at Indy all time.
Thought of the Week #2:
Tony Gonzalez has never won a playoff game- TMQ
Crystal Ball:
It seems like the most recent trend in the past 10 years are hot teams barely making it to the playoffs go much farther than established teams who have lost a few games towards the end of the season. Look for the Ravens and 49ers to falter early this year even with high seeds, and for teams like the Redskins, Seahawks, Broncos, and Colts to continue their runs.
Work Quote of the Week:
“Tebow to the Vikings!” Mickey
“Why the hell would you want to do that?!?!” Random Shred-It guy who had been quiet for 2 minutes
Quote of the Year!
“Are you going to root for the Vikings this weekend?” FFMQB
“Yeah…I’m starting to really like them, it’s fun living in the city and having them here” FMQB
“I agree” FFMQB
“But, you have to promise me one thing, that I will NEVER become a hard-core Vikings fan. That would just be horrible” FMQB
Week of Redemption:
Realistically, there are only 15 teams that have anything to play for this week. But after being benched for poor performance and likely on their way out, 2 QB’s this week will have a chance to play for redemption and to show the league that they still have something left in the tank. With Greg McIlroy getting a concussion, Mark Sanchez is back for his final game (at least with the Jets presumably, wouldn’t doubt if it’s of his career). He needs to put up a strong showing to prove to any other team that he still has a morsel of talent. Michael Vick is in the same predicament. With Nick Foles’ hand hurting, Vick has a shot to redeem himself against a Giants team trying to make the playoffs. Put up a decent showing and we could see Vick as a starting QB in Arizona, Minnesota, Jacksonville, or Miami.
QB Situations:
Tim Tebow is heading to Jacksonville next year! At least that seems to be a 98% chance. I personally still think Tebow is a winner even if his stats are awful. But this is more of a PR stunt for a team that notoriously only sells 30% of their seats. When the Jets were in Jacksonville this year, they sold out with Tebow on the bench! Just because fans wanted a glimpse of their Florida Favorite.
I have been saying it around the office for the past month, but if the Vikings make the playoffs, there is zero chance that Ponder is gone. All the buzz in the Cities is how Ponder will be replaced by Vick, Alex Smith, or Matt Flynn this offseason. I just don’t see it happening if he leads them to the promise land. On the other hand, I would say that Ponder and Frasier’s jobs are definitely in jeopardy.
Playoff Predictions:
The AFC is pretty close to locked up, with the only seeding changes coming at the top of the spectrum and who gets homefield advantage. Denver and New England should have easy wins, so the only tossup is the Texans at Indianapolis. I see the Texans bringing their A game and pulling off the win, which creates the following picture:
AFC:
1) Houston
2) Denver
3) New England
4) Baltimore
5) Indianapolis
6) Cincinatti
The NFC is a much different and exciting story. Only 2 teams are locked up (Falcons for #1, Seahawks for #5). Otherwise the first round bye, the NFC East, and the final Wild card are all up for grabs between 6 teams. Chicago should defeat the Lions, and I see the Giants taking care of business against the Eagles. That puts it all down to the Vikings Packers game. With the 49ers having an extremely easy closing game against the Cardinals, the Packers need to win this game to lock up a first round bye. However, the Vikings need to win the game to make the playoffs. It was a close game back in Lambeau, and the Vikings are a hot team right now. I see the Vikes pulling it out and squeaking into the playoffs. This will knock the Bears and Giants out of it. I also see the Cowboys essentially “pulling the upset” and getting in as well.
NFC:
1) Atlanta
2) San Francisco
3) Green Bay
4) Dallas
5) Seattle
6) Minnesota
Playoffs:
This is ESPN’s annual playoff machine, where you can pick the winner’s and it will show the results. Very cool!
FMQB 