OFFICIAL NFL Week by Week Thread:

[YoungJRNY]

It's just gotta be tough/weighing on their minds if they don't get home field. It's such an advantage forcing Peyton into the January weather in Foxborough. Granted, it's not nearly as big of a disadvantage for Brady to come play indoors, but still.

There is no "if". This is all wrapped up. The Colts have what is effectively a 4 game lead against New England. Three games in the standings and the tiebreaker due to last night's game. The AFC will go through Indy, period. I've seen Manning win a ton of games like that, so if I said I was surprised, I'd be lying. As much as that loss hurts, I think the Patriots are every bit as good, if not better than the Colts are. They weren't last night, but there aren't any trophies being handed out in November. While the Patriots lost that game last night, they also showed that they could pretty much move the ball up and down the field against their defense, so a playoff matchup in January should be interesting. I still think that the AFC Super Bowl representative will be either the Colts or the Patriots.

and the Pats were winning up until the last 13 seconds... There still a great team but the AFC has lots of good teams... if the Pats have a hangover this next week... then things will get interesting for wild card spots..

The Patriots are going to win the East. Even though the Jets beat them once already this season, they showed their true colors and the Pats remain the class of the East and will be for a little while until Sanchez matures as a quarterback. The Jets and Dolphins are certainly not out of it though (Pats 6-3, Jets & Dolphins 4-5, with each a game still to play) and this game is HUGE this Sunday for the Jets @ New England. If somehow the Jets beat N.E and somehow run off some wins then it could be another 3 way dance for the East Title, but you expect N.E to win it easily from here on out, which they should. It's the Wild Cards that's going to be shakin' up judging by how it's going, who knows which teams will land a 5th or 6th spot.

Here's the playoff picture thus far

1. Indianapolis Colts
2. Cincinnati Bengals
3. Denver Broncos
4. New England Patriots
-------------------------------
5. Pittsburgh Steelers
6. San Diego Chargers
---------------------------------
7. Jacksonville Jaguars (Dark horses)
8. Houston Texans (Dark horses)

Of course, ANY division race is far from over (aside from AFC South) and you expect some things to change coming up. (SD will probably end up edging out DEN, and the Steelers are still only a game behind Cincy) but judging by the first 6 seeds, you must expect those teams to stay, maybe the Jets or Miami kicking Denver out for the final WC spot if they continue their meltdown.

[Enigma869]

I just love all this NE/NE/Pittsburgh smack and no one here says a word about 7-2 Cincinnati, who should be 8-1 due to a fluke play against Denver. Yeah yeah, I know there is no such thing as "should be" but right now, I'll take Cincinnati over anyone. Their defense is awesome, flies to the ball and pressures the QB. Rothlisbrger didn't have a chance. Pittsburgh was clearly outplayed by a better team, period. The Colts are in the driver's seat for the playoffs, but Cincy has a lock on the divisioon, having beaten Baltimore and Pittsburgh twice. They get the Clowns again and not too tough of a schedule. Good luck as the wild card Steelers.

As for NE. They are still the best oil machine in the game and Belechik is still the best coach in the NFL. He probably figured, "make it we win." I would have punted it, but I am not in the NFL with four rings either.

While I don't disagree with much of what you say Dean, the Colts are clearly the team to beat in the AFC right now. The Bengals have made astonishing strides and in my opinion, their defense is THE REASON for that. If their defense can stop Manning or Brady, then you might be onto something. I'm simply not convinced their defense is good enough to stop the two best offenses in the AFC. Honestly, if there was a playoff game tomorrow between the Bengals and the Steelers, I'd still take Pittsburgh. Very few teams in the NFL turn themselves into a playoff team and carry themselves onto the Super Bowl. We shall see what happens in January.

[YoungJRNY]

I'm gonna go on record and say that neither the Colts nor the Pats will make the Super Bowl. Both are very good, but, I don't think either quite has the depth to make it all the way to the Big Game.

Which team in the AFC has more depth than the Colts or Patriots? Both teams have been decimated by injuries this season, and both teams are playing a whole lot of rookies. They have a combined record of 15-3. Pittsburgh certainly isn't "deep" and without Polamalu, they'll get smoked by either of these offenses! The Bengals have a defense that I think is for real but their offensive "skill" players don't scare me, even a little! San Diego is always supposedly "the team to beat" but Norv Turner is their coach, so that's not happening. There is a reason that Jerry Rice said his Pop Warner coach was a better coach than Norv Turner!

Norv Turner aside, San Diego is hitting their mid season stride and could make some noise in the playoffs. Remember, it seems as if come playoff time, it's an under dog or a dark hoarse that comes out of the wood work and puts on a magical run, regardless by which Conference, and I see San Diego sneaking up if they make the playoffs. They would possibly be the scariest team in the playoffs, but it would all be about putting it all together for SD because I can see them taking anybody down. The Colts and Pats are two similiar teams and you expect such a shootout, but if they get caught against a defense that can punch them in the mouth, then tides could turn against them. I wouldn't want to be the #1 seed since the #1 seed rarely wins the big one over the past years.

[Rockindeano]

and the Steelers are still only a game behind Cincy)

Wrong.

Pittsburgh is 2 games behind Cincy.


Who would've thought that Cincinnati at Minnesota in week 10 could be a Super Bowl preview and maybe the game of the year? Cincy has OAK, CLE before that game so 9-1 looks about right heading into that game.

[YoungJRNY]

I just love all this NE/NE/Pittsburgh smack and no one here says a word about 7-2 Cincinnati, who should be 8-1 due to a fluke play against Denver. Yeah yeah, I know there is no such thing as "should be" but right now, I'll take Cincinnati over anyone. Their defense is awesome, flies to the ball and pressures the QB. Rothlisbrger didn't have a chance. Pittsburgh was clearly outplayed by a better team, period. The Colts are in the driver's seat for the playoffs, but Cincy has a lock on the divisioon, having beaten Baltimore and Pittsburgh twice. They get the Clowns again and not too tough of a schedule. Good luck as the wild card Steelers.

As for NE. They are still the best oil machine in the game and Belechik is still the best coach in the NFL. He probably figured, "make it we win." I would have punted it, but I am not in the NFL with four rings either.

Cincy is def for real, hands down. They let the league know that and they will not be taken lightly from here on out. (They got two straight TOUGH road games coming up soon, @ Minn and @ SD) Still, as bad as the Steelers offense looked and how bad of a performance Roethlisberger had, the Bengals offense didn't really pan out too much better, if not at ALL. The Steelers, how bad they were, still outscored Cincy's offense hitting 4 field goals to their 3. The Steelers defensive effort will be over shadowed by how bad the offense was and how bad the special unit really is, but they were just as dominating as the Bengals defense was, and those were two offense's that seemed to be exploding at the time. Steelers are still in it and I'd expect a rematch in the Wild Card game at this point.

[YoungJRNY]

and the Steelers are still only a game behind Cincy)

Wrong.

Pittsburgh is 2 games behind Cincy.


Who would've thought that Cincinnati at Minnesota in week 10 could be a Super Bowl preview and maybe the game of the year? Cincy has OAK, CLE before that game so 9-1 looks about right heading into that game.

Just like 6 weeks ago people were talking an Ravens VS Jets AFC Championship. Lets not jump the gun just yet. Pittsburgh is 2 games behind Cincy when it comes to the division, if it somehow came to a head to head matchup, the Steelers wouldn't even have a SLIGHT of a prayer. But the overall standings, It's Cincy 7-2, Pittsburgh 6-3 with a ton of more games to go. Anything could happen and meltdowns or freakish things has happened in the NFL to benefit a team in Pittsburgh's situation. We'll just see how it all plays out. Should be fun to watch.

[Rockindeano]

Cincinnati's remaining games.

@ OAK W
CLE W
DET W
@ MIN T/U
@ SD T/U
KC W
@ NYJ W


12-4 seems reasonable, maybe 13-3. Easy sked if you as me. Raiders couldn't win the PAC10, the Chiefs are a USFL calibre team, and the Clowns are a Div 1A school. DET is a joke. Their kicker is their best player.

[Rockindeano]

Pittsburgh's remaining games:

@ KC W
@ BAL T/U
OAK W
@ CLE W
GB W
BAL T/U
@ MIA ??

[YoungJRNY]

Pittsburgh's remaining games:

@ KC W
@ BAL T/U
OAK W
@ CLE W
GB W
BAL T/U
@ MIA ??

I agree. I said earlier I don't expect either team to lose more than 2 games the rest of the way. But the NFL is the NFL, who knows!

[Ehwmatt]

I just love all this NE/NE/Pittsburgh smack and no one here says a word about 7-2 Cincinnati, who should be 8-1 due to a fluke play against Denver. Yeah yeah, I know there is no such thing as "should be" but right now, I'll take Cincinnati over anyone. Their defense is awesome, flies to the ball and pressures the QB. Rothlisbrger didn't have a chance. Pittsburgh was clearly outplayed by a better team, period.

Read me a few posts up man ^^^

[lights1961]

Pittsburgh's remaining games:

@ KC W
@ BAL T/U
OAK W
@ CLE W
GB W
BAL T/U
@ MIA ??

after beating the Cowboys... and the Vikes are out of the way...maybe the PACK will upset the Steelers... I like the Packers chances here, better than I did two weeks ago.

[YoungJRNY]

Pittsburgh's remaining games:

@ KC W
@ BAL T/U
OAK W
@ CLE W
GB W
BAL T/U
@ MIA ??

after beating the Cowboys... and the Vikes are out of the way...maybe the PACK will upset the Steelers... I like the Packers chances here, better than I did two weeks ago.

The Packers are Jeckle and Hyde. One week they get their ASS handed to them by a winless team, the next they beat a hot team coming in at home. I believe the Pack could also get the upset and are a dangerous team judging by which team shows up. They won't be overlooked, but that's almost a month away and who knows where either team will be by then, I'm not even THINKING about GB, it's all about KC this week. If the Steelers are for real and want to be taken for real, they beat GB as well as the rest of their games, but we'll find out soon enough. Whatever the case, I respect GB's franchise more than any other in the league.

[squirt1]

Keep typing Deano. You have it all correct. Yes,yesterdays game = 2 wins in our division !

[Rockindeano]

Keep typing Deano. You have it all correct. Yes,yesterdays game = 2 wins in our division !

Can you imagine this:

Cincinnati hotbed football town.

Bearcats win NCAA championship.
Bengals Super Bowl Champs.

Don't laugh, could happen.

[YoungJRNY]

Keep typing Deano. You have it all correct. Yes,yesterdays game = 2 wins in our division !

Can you imagine this:

Cincinnati hotbed football town.

Bearcats win NCAA championship.
Bengals Super Bowl Champs.

Don't laugh, could happen.

I could also walk out of the house and find 1 million dollars on my deck. Look, Cinci is a good team, but they aren't that GREAT to anoint them Super Bowl Champions. This season is far from over, but Cincy will likely get #2 or 4th seed if they don't Bungle out of their own way that is. The Titans won the regular season NFL championship last season. Too bad it's all about the playoffs.

[lights1961]

Keep typing Deano. You have it all correct. Yes,yesterdays game = 2 wins in our division !

Can you imagine this:

Cincinnati hotbed football town.

Bearcats win NCAA championship.
Bengals Super Bowl Champs.

Don't laugh, could happen.

I could also walk out of the house and find 1 million dollars on my deck. Look, Cinci is a good team, but they aren't that GREAT to anoint them Super Bowl Champions. This season is far from over, but Cincy will likely get #2 or 4th seed if they don't Bungle out of their own way that is. The Titans won the regular season NFL championship last season. Too bad it's all about the playoffs.

just do online gambling, the money will start flowing and then you wont have to leave the house!!



Rick

[squirt1]

Now starts basketball. Deano check out Brad Redford -Xavier Univ and all his 3 pointers on YouTube. The other night he shot a 28 footer and mouthed the words free throw.

[YoungJRNY]

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=4660283


Former Kansas City Chiefs running back Larry Johnson was en route to Cincinnati on Monday and, barring a last-minute breakdown, he expects to sign with the AFC North-leading Bengals, a source familiar with the negotiations told ESPN's Michael Smith.

A deal, if consummated, is expected to be for the prorated league minimum.

The Bengals, along with several other teams, first expressed interest in Johnson last week as depth behind Cedric Benson, who suffered a hip injury in Sunday's 18-12 victory at Pittsburgh.

If Johnson learns the offense quickly, it stands to reason he could be active for the Bengals on Sunday against the Raiders.

A sensible pickup. Benson's injury certainly paved the way for Johnson in Cinci. He could provide the team with major depth and install a threat at running back and give Palmer and that offense another weapon to contend with. Going to be a nice pick up for the long haul.

[Enigma869]

A sensible pickup. Benson's injury certainly paved the way for Johnson in Cinci. He could provide the team with major depth and install a threat at running back and give Palmer and that offense another weapon to contend with. Going to be a nice pick up for the long haul.

I'm not sure what kind of a "weapon" you seem to think Larry Johnson is. Have you watched this guy the past couple of seasons? He's been AWFUL and playing the Kansas City card doesn't work because he started sucking before the team around him did. Even if that dude comes out and scores a TD a game for the rest of the season, he's not a guy I would ever sign. Rolling the dice on a guy with Johnson's past might be worth the gamble (I would say it's never worth it) if the guy could actually still play. I've seen NOTHING out of this guy over the past 3 seasons to believe that he as anything left. At least the Bengals have a wealth of experience dealing with jailbirds

[Maui Tom]

A sensible pickup. Benson's injury certainly paved the way for Johnson in Cinci. He could provide the team with major depth and install a threat at running back and give Palmer and that offense another weapon to contend with. Going to be a nice pick up for the long haul.

I'm not sure what kind of a "weapon" you seem to think Larry Johnson is. Have you watched this guy the past couple of seasons? He's been AWFUL and playing the Kansas City card doesn't work because he started sucking before the team around him did. Even if that dude comes out and scores a TD a game for the rest of the season, he's not a guy I would ever sign. Rolling the dice on a guy with Johnson's past might be worth the gamble (I would say it's never worth it) if the guy could actually still play. I've seen NOTHING out of this guy over the past 3 seasons to believe that he as anything left. At least the Bengals have a wealth of experience dealing with jailbirds

some guys seem to literally lose it overnight...Shaun Alexander for one.....this guy seems to fit this scenario....

[Enigma869]

some guys seem to literally lose it overnight...Shaun Alexander for one.....this guy seems to fit this scenario....

Spot on observation Tom. In fact, in the case of NFL running backs, most of them lose it overnight. Look at Tomlinson over the past couple of seasons. Dude has been invisible. Priest Holmes did the same thing in KC before Johnson stole his job. I've yet to see and NFL running back lose it and then get it back. Johnson was never good enough to be the first guy to pull it off!

[Maui Tom]

some guys seem to literally lose it overnight...Shaun Alexander for one.....this guy seems to fit this scenario....

Spot on observation Tom. In fact, in the case of NFL running backs, most of them lose it overnight. Look at Tomlinson over the past couple of seasons. Dude has been invisible. Priest Holmes did the same thing in KC before Johnson stole his job. I've yet to see and NFL running back lose it and then get it back. Johnson was never good enough to be the first guy to pull it off!

I know Priest had some kind of neck injury that sped the process a little but he was slowing down...Tomlinson? Yep (and I NEVER call him LT...love him or hate him...there is only ONE LT)....

I see Marion Barber going next cuz he is so balls to the wall EVERY carry....

[Rick]

some guys seem to literally lose it overnight...Shaun Alexander for one.....this guy seems to fit this scenario....

Spot on observation Tom. In fact, in the case of NFL running backs, most of them lose it overnight. Look at Tomlinson over the past couple of seasons. Dude has been invisible. Priest Holmes did the same thing in KC before Johnson stole his job. I've yet to see and NFL running back lose it and then get it back. Johnson was never good enough to be the first guy to pull it off!

I know Priest had some kind of neck injury that sped the process a little but he was slowing down...Tomlinson? Yep (and I NEVER call him LT...love him or hate him...there is only ONE LT)....

I see Marion Barber going next cuz he is so balls to the wall EVERY carry....

He's already slowed down some. I think when they get the big contract signed, there's not as much incentive to give everything they've got. I know that's not the case with all of them, but probably so for some.

[Enigma869]

Tomlinson? Yep (and I NEVER call him LT...love him or hate him...there is only ONE LT)....

So true. There is a reason that I've NEVER once referred to Tomlinson as "LT" and the fact that I think the guy is one of the biggest pussies in the history of the NFL has nothing to do with it. I watched Lawrence Taylor's entire career, and he was definitely the only "LT" and the complete opposite of Tomlinson when it came to toughness!

Oh...and one other thing. Minnesota fans need to stop touting Adrian Peterson as "the best running back in the NFL", because he isn't! Chris Johnson is hands down the best running back in the NFL. I've been touting this guy since he came into the league last season. He is a STUD running back who is much better than Peterson and doesn't fumble half as much!

[YoungJRNY]

A sensible pickup. Benson's injury certainly paved the way for Johnson in Cinci. He could provide the team with major depth and install a threat at running back and give Palmer and that offense another weapon to contend with. Going to be a nice pick up for the long haul.

I'm not sure what kind of a "weapon" you seem to think Larry Johnson is. Have you watched this guy the past couple of seasons? He's been AWFUL and playing the Kansas City card doesn't work because he started sucking before the team around him did. Even if that dude comes out and scores a TD a game for the rest of the season, he's not a guy I would ever sign. Rolling the dice on a guy with Johnson's past might be worth the gamble (I would say it's never worth it) if the guy could actually still play. I've seen NOTHING out of this guy over the past 3 seasons to believe that he as anything left. At least the Bengals have a wealth of experience dealing with jailbirds

It all depends on what he can offer to Cincy, and how many games he can give them. (Only 7 games to go as it is.) Over the past seasons not only has he quit (like Moss did) but he hasn't played a full 16 game season due to either injury or bone headed decisions. His last 1,000 + yard season came in 2006 where his carry count was double to where the direction he went the last few years (That was also the last year he gave a 16 game season, after the '06 season, he only played 8, 12, and 7 games pretty much becoming non existent.) As far as him sucking before the team was bad, since his first start in 2004, the Chiefs went 7-9, 10-6 (Johnson's first year taking over for Holmes permanently) 9-7, 4-12, and 2-14, so I wouldn't make THAT judgment. I'm not backing up Cincy's pick because we don't know how he will pan out, but it's an opportunity for both him and the Bengirls and it could pay dividends. If he ends up sucking and shows he lost it, then that won't surprise anybody from his performances the last couple years. If he starts hitting women, then.. well.. it IS the Bengirls.

[YoungJRNY]

Cleveland's playing VERY well tonight. They are playing exceptionally well on the defense side of the ball. Impressed. I must say, what EXACTLY are these defenders supposed to do when pursuing the Quarterback? The Browns just made a helluva play on Flacco and disrupting his timing on a screen and they simply took him to the ground in a nice effort.. roughing the passer. TERRIBLE. Football isn't the same game that revolutionized the sport some centuries ago. These rules are really damaging to the game.

[S2M]

Cleveland's playing VERY well tonight. They are playing exceptionally well on the defense side of the ball. Impressed. I must say, what EXACTLY are these defenders supposed to do when pursuing the Quarterback? The Browns just made a helluva play on Flacco and disrupting his timing on a screen and they simply took him to the ground in a nice effort.. roughing the passer. TERRIBLE. Football isn't the same game that revolutionized the sport some centuries ago. These rules are really damaging to the game.

Just like last night's phantom interference call on Butler.....

[YoungJRNY]

That pass interference is going to be called EVERYTIME. Not only was the N.E defender holding his jersey the whole way downfield, but he bumped into him when attempting a jump ball, interfering with his route. It will continue to be called as well. But taking the QB to the ground is really something that just needs to happen.

[Ehwmatt]

Cleveland's playing VERY well tonight. They are playing exceptionally well on the defense side of the ball. Impressed. I must say, what EXACTLY are these defenders supposed to do when pursuing the Quarterback? The Browns just made a helluva play on Flacco and disrupting his timing on a screen and they simply took him to the ground in a nice effort.. roughing the passer. TERRIBLE. Football isn't the same game that revolutionized the sport some centuries ago. These rules are really damaging to the game.

You spoke too soon my man.

[Ehwmatt]

We are truly horrendous. Now we have likely gotten Cribbs seriously hurt as time expired for no reason... he left on a stretcher. Hollywood's best writers (not that that is saying much these days) couldn't script something more ridiculous.