I will make no excuses for the lack of production on this blog. As Babcock said, we have all been "limping to the finish" in what is always the busiest time of year. We will pick back up to our normal rate starting on December 26th.
Much Respect To:
The Giants and Titans: There have been a lot of doubts swirling over the past few weeks, and these two teams took care of business against the best competition that their respective conferences had to offer. I was particularly proud of the Giants, because Carolina could not have played better. Justin Tuck had the flu. Barry Cofield and Brandon Jacobs were limited with knee injuries, and the Panthers brought their A game. And yet, the road through the NFC playoffs will run through New York.
Philip Rivers: I hate to do this, because I hate Philip Rivers. But, the Chargers have been left for dead over and over again. Just a few weeks ago, they were sitting at 4-8. Have they benefited from playing in a weak conference? Of course. But, nevertheless, they have earned the right to play for a playoff appearance more than any other team (except maybe New England) and they've gotten to this point on the shoulders of Rivers. Note here: Rivers should be in the pro bowl instead of Brett Favre. Rivers and Cutler hate each other (I'm on Cutler's side). It should be a great game on Sunday night.
New England: I am in total awe of this team. Tom Brady, Adalius Thomas, Rodney Harrison, Laurence Maroney, and I'm sure I'm missing many more. If it were not for the historic turnarounds in Miami and Atlanta, Bill Belichick would be up for coach of the year (personally, I still think he should win it). I don't think they could be a major factor in the playoffs because they would have to go on the road and I don't think they can hang with Pittsburgh or Tennessee, but just the fact that they might be a playoff team is testament to the strength of this organization.
Atlanta: This is for the Falcons and the Hawks. In my season preview, I predicted that the Falcons would be the worst team in the NFL. I said that I hoped Matt Ryan would be able to keep all the sacks and losses in perspective and use the fact that playing in the NFL was his dream to persevere to better days. Clearly this rookie was lightyears ahead of where I thought he was. As for the Hawks, they have twice taken the Celtics down to the wire (and once without Josh Smith). And, despite the fact that I hate Mike Bibby, I can't help but be excited when I watch them.
The Grizzlies: They play in the NBA. At this point, they are only 9-18. But, they have been looking much stronger as of late, and I think their future is bright. Rudy Gay, Marc Gasol, and OJ Mayo are all looking like the kinds of players you can build a successful future around. When you consider they got Kwame Brown's expiring contract, Marc Gasol, and two first-round picks, that trade the Grizz made with the Lakers last year doesn't look so bad now.
LeBron James: I am terrified of this man.
Rajon Rondo and Kendrick Perkins: Nobody can say that these Celtics are all about the big 3. Rondo and Perk are finally getting some respect from the media this year, as both are playing at an all-star level. Rondo's signature fake pass has actually caused me to black out on occasion (it was so sick when he pulled it on Mike Bibby last week). In an Eastern Conference that is shallow at point guard, Rondo should be an all-star. Perk won't be, because the game is all about offensive flash, but what he does defensively cannot be ignored. This team needs both of these guys to repeat.
Step it Up:
Brett Favre and Eric Mangini: Favre continues to be the most overrated player in the NFL, and so he will come under little heat for what has happened to the Jets. This team has totally collapsed, and frankly they are completely undeserving of a playoff spot. Perhaps too much was made of their victory at Tennessee, both in the media and in their own locker room.
The Cardinals: Sunday's loss at New England was the most insulting and offensive display of football I have ever seen. The Lions are winless, and we expect that the weight of their losses might be crushing them at this point. But, the Cardinals? They are division champions. Now, I didn't expect them to win in the snow, because I don't think they are a legitimately good team. But, to lose in that fashion to a team that has been totally decimated by injuries? It was a waste of everyone's time. This team doesn't deserve to be in the playoffs. Something has to change. That performance rendered the NFC West inferior to the AFC West in my mind. I have no problem with either the Chargers or Broncos making the playoffs. But, if that godawful display was the best that the NFC West has to offer, then they should lose their right to send a representative to the postseason.
Dallas and Philadelphia: The Giants are pulling their weight, and yet these two teams seem hell-bent on dragging down the division. Dallas looked terrible in the final game at Texas Stadium (I'd push the button on the dynamite if they'd let me). While the Eagles finished "one yard and one timeout short" which really sums up their season. Andy Reid is the worst in-game coach in America. Marvin Lewis seems to be the worst coach in America during the rest of the week. Babcock and I debated which of these two were worse several weeks ago, and we decided on Lewis. Apparently Jim Zorn felt left out, but his victory over Reid on Sunday kept him out of the running.
Jerry Jones: Lately, the Cowboys have been looking more like the Jerry Springer show then the Jerry Jones show. This team is a complete circus, and the coach that Jones is so committed to is completely incapable of managing them.
The Lakers: I don't care what anybody says, this team is still soft. They were soft last year, and the return of Andrew Bynum hasn't been the shot in the arm that even I thought it would be. They don't play defense every night, and I expect Rajon Rondo to toy with them on Christmas. On the other end of the court, I expect to see the return of what Babcock called "twelve feet or further", which means that the Lakers will stay outside of the paint on offense all night. My prediction: Celtics by double digits.
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