Tuesday Morning Overreactions: Solidifying Outcomes

Just might be time to shut it down.

Philadelphia QB Donovan McNabb has been playing most of the season with a Sports Hernia. He wants to be there for his team, wants to gut it out till the end of the season. But watching him last night he doesn't have the same mobility, and can't quite get the same torque in his body when passing. With the Eagles dropping to 4-5 last night, in a Conference where 10-6 might very will miss the playoffs, it's looking like McNabb might want to shut his season down, get his surgery, which will give him more time to recover for next year, and come back healthy in 2006. McNabb has been playing hard to gut it out, but it's getting close to the point where he's doing more harm by playing than good.

Now that's a trend I can get behind

Last week, with 5 seconds left, and down by a figgie, the Kansas City Chiefs had the ball on the Oakland 1 yard line. Rather than put the fate of the game on the outcome of a coin flip, Head Coach Dick Vermeil decided to go for it. The Fates smiled as Larry Johnson crossed the goal line for a TD.

This week, after scoring a TD, and getting a penalty on the extra point attempt, that was block, Buccaneers Head Coach John Gruden found his team down by one, at the Washington 1 yard line, with a decision. Kick the extra point, tie the game and go to OT, or go for two.

Though this outcome was more controversial, the fates once again smiled on Gruden for going for the win.

Coaches going for the win, is a trend that this Sideshow, would love to see happen more often in the NFL.

Conference Showdown

While at this point I'd only pick one team from the NFC to actually give the AFC a game in the Superbowl, the overall NFC has taken the lead in the season series back after winning the only matchup this week. It's now 18-17.

The Over/Under

Overrated: Mike Nolan's Offensive Playcalling. If Nolan ever wants his team to be successful he's got to learn to be more aggressive. I realize that the wind in Chicago was wicked, but only 2 pass attempts in the first half is a bit ridiculous. If only the lack of passes, or consistent 2-5 yard routes were a one time thing. They are starting to be a constant thing in SF gameplans.

Underrated: That Wind. Now we know why Chicago is called the Windy City. I've never seen a football completely reverse direction in mid kick.

Overrated: Jesse Jackson, and Ralph Nader weighing in on the T.O. situation. Or for that matter any politician/activist who tries to pressure the Commish or a team to make a decision.

Underrated: Red Zone Offense. It's no coincidence that successful teams score TD's in the Red Zone. Coaches should teach their teams that settling for a figgie in the Red Zone should be considered -4 points. Especially if their team is one of the top three offensive teams in the NFL by yardage, and used to be called “The Greatest Show on Turf”.

Overrated: ESPN Sunday night crews making every player sound like they are the best thing since sliced bread. Serioulsy guys, some players are just average.

Underrated: Bengals WR Chad Johnson. For all the talk how prima donna many WR's are, Chad Johnson is one I can respect. Johnson is outspoken, but usually backs up his game. Johnson usually gives a list to the press of things he's going to do in each game, two weeks ago prior to the Bengal game against the Ravens, head coach Marvin Lewis replaced Johnson's list with a more sensible one that included, Study game film, make my teammates better. Instead of throwing a fit like some WR's Johnson quietly listened to Lewis. This past week while talking to SI's Peter King about the upcoming tilt against Indianapolis, Lewis told King that in order to get his teammates fired up he was thinking of guaranteeing a victory. When asked why he was waiting, Johnson responded he had to go ask Coach Lewis if it was okay. It's pretty easy to guess what Marvin Lewis' response would be, but you gotta respect a guy who puts his team first, even when trying to promote himself.

Overrated: Running away from punts. Either get the heck away from a punt before it bounces or fair catch, don't try to run away and let it hit you and cause a fumble.

Underrated: Going for the win. Gotta love the aggressiveness.

Overrated: Faking a field goal after a timeout. On the second drive the Rams faced 4th down inside the Seattle Red Zone. The Rams came out and attempted to draw the Hawks offsides, when that didn't work they called timeout. After the timeout they faked the figgie, which was promptly stuffed by Seattle. Now I have no problem with the fake, but do it before the timeout. By trying to draw Seattle offsides, it was clear that the Rams wanted a TD. By calling the timeout they game Seattle a chance to prepare for it.

Underrated: Shaun Alexander. First player ever to have 5 consecutive seasons of 15 TD's. He's threatening to break into the 2000 yard club, and is the MVP so far this year.

Game of the Week

The slump continues as my prediction went up in smoke, like so many Red Zone opportunities this past week. But I will keep going trying to come back from my current 3-7 record, I predict that the Panthers continue their winning streak while the Bears winning streak comes to an end.

The Top 14

1 (1) Indianapolis Colts – 9-0 Next Week:@ Cincinnati Comments: The Colts upgrade to legitimate competition starting this week.

2 (2) Denver Broncos – 7-2 Next Week: vs. N.Y. Jets Comments: Could Denver be thinking about some payback for their last two playoff exits?

3 (3) Pittsburgh Steelers – 7-2 Next Week: @ Baltimore Comments: Should really think about moving WR Antwaan Randle-El up on that QB depth chart. Tommy Maddox looks atrocious.

4 (9) Carolina Panthers – 7-2 Next Week: @ Chicago Comments: Panthers just keep on winning, even when Team MVP Steve Smith is kept out of the end zone.

5 (8) Seattle Seahawks – 7-2 Next Week: @ San Francisco Comments: Sweeping Rams all but locks up division, now they can start working on first round bye.

6 (5) San Diego Chargers – 5-4 Next Week: vs. Buffalo Comments: Could easily be the best team left out of the playoffs this year.

7 (7) New England Patriots – 5-4 Next Week: vs. New Orleans Comments: Might not be the best team anymore, but that heart of a champion shown through vs. Miami.

8 (6) Cincinnati Bengals – 7-2 Next Week: vs. Indianapolis Comments: Beating the Colts could mean more than the '72 Dolphins popping the Champagne. A Victory would legitimize the Bengals.

9 (2) Atlanta Falcons – 6-3 Next Week: vs. Tampa Bay Comments: Though his numbers passing looked good, Mike Vick needs to find away for a WR to be one of the top 4 receivers on his team instead of RB's, and TE's.

10 (11) Dallas Cowboys – 6-3 Next Week: vs. Detroit Comments: Dallas keeps finding ways to win the all important Divisional games. Except against Washington.

11 (12) Jacksonville Jaguars – 6-3 Next Week: @ Tennessee Comments: Is Fred Taylor the most fragile player in the NFL?

12 (10) New York Giants – 6-3 Next Week: vs. Philadelphia Comments: Elisha just happy that horrible special teams helps take away from his lousy day.

13 (NR) Tampa Bay Buccaneers – 6-3 Next Week: @ Atlanta Comments: Bucs try to re-establish themselves as contenders with big game against Vick and Co.

14 (14) Kansas City Chiefs – 5-4 Next Week: @ Houston Comments: Only still here because I can't respect the Bears yet.

The Cellar Watch

30 (31) Green Bay Packers – 2-7 Next Week: vs. Minnesota Comments: The New Nigerian Nightmare, Samkon Gadu.

31 (NR) San Francisco 49ers – 2-7 Next Week: vs. Seattle Comments: Niners couldn't have been happy to hear news out of Houston that the Texans will bring David Carr back next year.....

32 (32) Houston Texans – 1-8 Next Week: vs. Kansas City Comments: .... Since that means the Texans will probably lean towards Reggie Bush.