Tuesday Morning Overreactions: Laying an Egg

The Chargers, apparently feeling that one of the hardest schedules in football wasn't enough, decided to make their season even more difficult by losing it's first two games, and leaving them in a big hole they were stuck in until this two weeks ago when the Steelers lost, and finally gave the Chargers a heads up in the playoff rest.

Then comes this last weekend against Miami when the Chargers came out and looke absolutely flat against the Dolphins. The Chargers, although in the game at the very end were absolutely dominated by the Dolphins. The egg that was layed now leaves the Chargers as the eight seed in the AFC. Only 6 teams make it.

Then there's also Carolina. The Panthers also started the season sloppily by going 1-2 to start the year. They fought back and were leading the toughest division in football, and could have gotten a stranglehold in the divisional race. Instead they Panthers joined the Chargers in laying an egg by getting dominated by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Luckily the Panthers have a better chance than the Chargers to make the playoffs.

Which team will be the next to undo an entire season by laying an egg in the next three weeks?

Keep the Champagne Corked

Every season the 1972 Miami Dolphins get together and wait for the final undefeated team to lose. Once this happens they share a bottle of champagne in remembrance of the only undefeated season in NFL history.

By beating the Jacksonville Jaguars the Colts became the 4th team in NFL history to start a season 13-0, and only the 2nd since the '72 Dolphins.

Since the Colts have now reached rarified air, it is time to unveil the “Keep The Champagne Corked Countdown” The countdown is currently at 6 games. The 3 left this season, and the 3 the Colts will have to face in the postseason. Because afterall if the Colts manage to go undefeated during the regular season but lose in the post season, they will be legendary. But they'll be a legendary joke.

Going for the win, always the best bet

Another thing the Colts managed to do by winning this past week, was they clinched the #1 seed in the AFC. They technically have nothing more to play for, so the question arises should Dungy go for perfection or rest his starters.

The best decision is to always play to win. Not only that but the real reason why the Colts shouldn't rest their starters is they are a rythym offense. Look at all their games, there's usually a point where they get in a groove and then can't be stopped. Screwing up that rythym for a long time, and 4 weeks would be a long time in the NFL, it could cause major problems. Especially when you consider that as of right now their first playoff game would be against an old foe by the names of Brady and Belichick.

The Conference Watch

As inter-conference games become fewer and fewer, each win is important for the conferences. Fortunately for both they split the two matchups this past weekend, and now sit at a 24-23 record, for the AFC.

The Over/Under

Overrated: Non football people butting their noses into the NFL. First it was Rush Limbaugh taking a shot at McNabb, then Jessie Jackson stuck his nose into the T.O. situation. Now the head of the Pennsylvania chapter of the NAACP is sticking his nose where it doesn't belong and taking shots at McNabb. STAY OUT OF MY NFL!

Underrated: The Barbershop. Sirius NFL Radio's weekly show that features the NFL's Barber Brothers, New York RB Tiki, and Tampa Bay CB Rhonde. Both of these players are having great years as part of great careers (Rhonde just became the first CB in NFL history to have 20 sacks and 20 interceptions). It is refreshing to hear about the game from an insider perspective, and both of these players are very knowledgeable and charismatic. However that doesn't excuse...

Overrated: Their overreaction to Philly icing the kicker this past weekend. Giants kicker Jay Feely has had a rough try of it, missing 4 of 5 Fieldgoals including an OT kick in Seattle. With the game against the Eagles all tied up and in OT, the Giants brought in Feely to attempt the game winner. The Eagles, of course, tried to ice him by calling a timeout. They then proceeded to show Feely's recent “highlights” on the big screen during the timeout. On Wednesday during the Barbershop, both Barber brothers were acting like Joe Buck, and lamenting the outrage of it. I'm sorry but the Eagles did wasn't wrong. It was, however, a great idea to ice the opposing kicker. Besides Feely nailed the kick.

Underrated: The Cleveland Browns. They won't win much this year, and will probably be struck by tragedy again in the offseason, but under Charlie Frye as their QB, this team is a bit frisky.

Overrated: Chargers fans blaming AJ Smith for them missing the playoffs because he suspended Gates in week 1. Yes the Chargers are probably going to miss the playoffs by one game, and yes they did lose that week one game. But they've also lost 4 other games that had they won any of them they would make the playoffs. Besides if you want to look at any game and say it's the one that knocked them out of the playoffs, look to their loss against Pittsburgh, which will be the team to take the playoff spot instead of the Chargers.

Underrated: Injuries to Vick. The QB is injured again, and yes again it's another minor injury, but he gets hurt a lot, sooner or later they'll add up.

Overrated: The Dallas Cowboys. When you have to rely on trickery, and prayer to win an important late season game, you know you are in trouble.

Underrated: Washington Redksins. If the giants lose on Saturday, the Skins are in control of their own destiny for the playoffs. Take that Gibbs doubters.

Overrated: Daunte Culpepper. Brad Johnson may be the worst thing to happen to Culpepper's career.

Underrated: Football on Saturday. Another day of football means more possible viewing.

Game of the Week

Although in the long run it won't mean anything as they will still miss the playoffs, this week I'm choosing that the Chargers will pop the corks for the '72 dolphins. The Chargers are now fighting for their playoff lives. The Colts will relax, even if ever so slightly.

Last week my Rams were absolutely embarassed as they were trounced by the Vikings making me 4-9 on the season.

The Top 14

1 (1)Indianapolis Colts – 13-0 Next Week: vs. San Diego Comments: 13-0 is impressive, and has only been done 3 other times, so why does this team just not feel as dominant as their record suggests?

2 (2)Denver Broncos – 10-3 Next Week: @ Buffalo Comments: Recent struggles suggest Denver peaked a bit too early.

3 (3)Seattle Seahawks – 11-2 Next Week: @ Tennessee Comments: Speaking of not feeling as dominant as their record suggests

4 (5) Cincinnati Bengals – 10-3 Next Week: @ Detroit Comments: Good job avoiding a trap game there Cincy.

5 (6) New England Patriots – 8-5 Next Week: vs. Tampa Bay Comments: Can clinch their division this week with a win.

6 (4) San Diego Chargers – 8-5 Next Week: @ Indianapolis Comments: Chargers should have waited till Monday to start thinking about game vs. Colts.

7 (9) Jacksonville Jaguars – 9-4 Next Week: vs. San Francisco Comments: Does anyone have any idea what to make of this team?

8 (9) Tampa Bay Buccaneers – 9-4 Next Week: @ New England Comments: Never folded like I suspected after defeat to San Francisco.

10 (8) Carolina Chargers – 9-4 Next Week: @ New Orleans Comments: NFC South really really interesting now.

11 (10) Pittsburgh Steelers – 8-5 Next Week: @ Minnesota Comments: When I saw Sunday morning that it was snowing in Pitt, I knew Chicago had no chance.

12 (7) Chicago Bears – 9-4 Next Week: vs. Atlanta Comments: The though of having to come from behind in the playoffs scare Bears fans.

13 (NR) Kansas City Chiefs – 8-5 Next Week: @ New York Giants Comments: Yea I know they lost last week, but I've had them too low for a while.

14 (12) New York Giants – 9-4 Next Week: vs. Kansas City Comments: Elisha and company have been struggling as of late. It will probably continue this week.

The Cellar Watch

30 (NR) New York Jets – 3-10 Next Week: @ Miami Comments: Removed themselves from the Reggie Bush sweepstakes with vicotry this past weekend.

31 (30) San Francisco 49ers – 2-11 Next Week: @ Jacksonville Comments: Still have a chance to defend last year's title as worst team...

32 (32) Houston Texans – 1-12 Next Week: vs. Arizona Comments:... but I think the Texans are actively trying to lose now.