Alright Colts, that was impressive. No not the fact that they beat the Colts 40-21, oh by the way, 40 being the most points the Colts had ever scored against the Patriots. No I'm not talking about finally getting that monkey off of theirs, and Peyton's back. Which if the two teams meet back up in the playoffs, that Monkey will be right back in it's comfy chair, planted squarely on Peyton's back. They'll have to win in the playoffs to really get rid of that monkey.
What I'm referring to is the fact that for the first time all year the Colts looked like a Championship team. This was without a doubt the Colts biggest regular season game this year. And the Colts had their best game of the year. Good teams regularly struggle with inferior opponents. Even the Patriots of the last four years struggled with lesser teams. But the mark of a great team, is that when it needs to play it's absolute best, it does. That is exactly what the Colts did on Monday night.
Does this mean that the league should start engraving the Lombardi Trophy for
the Colts? As bad as they seemingly would like to, the answer is no. What it
does mean, is that for the very first time the Colts can be considered a
legitimate threat to capture said trophy, not just the pretenders of seasons pass.
Oh Yea About that Commercial
For a league that's supposed to be impartial, I thought that Mastercard
commercial for the Colts was a bit much. Although it was funny, it's doesn't
help the league any with many people already wondering if the league truly is
trying to favor the Colts, and Manning, to hoist the Trophy. Now I completely
understand why the NFL would want Manning and the Colts in the show. They are a
spectacular show to watch. High powered offense, league posterboy. It would be
a great situation to have them in the big game. I'm just saying that commercial
was a bit much.
Sorry for getting caught
The T.O. situation came to a head in Philadelphia this week, as the team decided
it was time to rid itself of a cancerous tumor. Owens, who once again decided
to make derogatory remarks about his team, and his Quarterback, was given a
chance late last week to apologize for his remarks, and more importantly to make
a sincere apology to QB Donovan McNabb. Owens refused to apologize to McNabb.
The Eagles suspended him indefinitely. On Monday, Owens had a meeting with
Eagles officials, was was supposedly given another chance to apologize.
Apparently he didn't, and the team announced that he would be suspended for 3
more games, the maximum allowed by the collective bargaining agreement, and then
made inactive for the rest of the year.
Well on Tuesday, the day after being told he isn't wanted, T.O. held a press
conferece and apologized for his reactions, saying it hurts him to not be a part
of the team. After making his scripted apology, he turned the mic over to his
front man Drew Rosenhaus, who proceeded to make a three ring circus out of the
situation, and played the "Poor T.O. he's unfairly targeted by the media" card,
over and over.
So here's a few questions T.O. If you are truly sorry, why didn't you apologize
when you had the chance to avoid suspension? If you are truly sorry, why didn't
you stand there like a man at your press conference and answer questions
yourself, instead of acting like a little baby and hiding behind your agent? If
you are truly sorry, why didn't you apologize for your comments, instead of for
your comments that "may" have been negative, therefore implying that it's not
your fault they were perceived as such?
T.O. isn't sorry for what he did. He's sorry for the reprecussions for what he
did. Big difference. And the Eagles smartly still don't want him.
Best Question Ever
However because of that press conference we did get to hear the best press
conference question ever. A question that even had T.O. laughing. One of the
reporters asked his agent Drew Rosenhaus "You've been his agent for about 8
months now, what have you done for him other than get him kicked off the team?"
Somebody take that man to lunch.
Wild Predictions
We are getting close to the playoff hunt, and I will occasionally make random,
sometimes wild predictions regarding said race. The first of which I will make
this week. The 4-4 St. Louis Rams travel to the 5-3 Seattle Seahawks, who lead
them in the division by two games, this week for their second game of the year.
The prediction is, whoever wins that matchup, even if it's the Rams, who would
still be 1 game behind, will win the division and make the playoffs, while the
loser of said matchup, will be on the outside looking in when the Wild Cards are
all announced.
The Conference Watch
While the AFC may have the best teams, the NFC is still proving that top to
bottom it's just as good. The conferences split their two matchups this week
making the overall records 17-17.
The Over/Under
Overrated: T.O.'s "apology"
Underrated: The feeling of relief for McNabb and everyone else in the
Eagles camp that this saga is almost over. It might be too late for 2005, but
should help them immensely in 2006.
Overrated: Randy Moss. It's funny that the last couple weeks the
Raiders have been playing better, while throwing less to Randy.
Underrated: Going for the win. It's 4th and 1, 5 seconds to play. You
are down by 3 points. 98% of the time the head coach kicks the figgie and goes
into OT, thinking if we lose at least we made it to OT. Kudos to Dick Vermeil
for going for the win. Big Kudos to the OL, and RB Larry Johnson for getting
the TD.
Overrated: Pats DE Richard Seymour. Now I know injuries are a part of
the game, But Seymour spent a good portion of last season injured, holds out of
training camp to get a new contract deal, and then has now missed 4 games this
season. What a joke.
Underrated: Bye weeks late in the season. It really sucks for those
teams who's bye weeks are week 2, or 3, or 4.
Overrated: Tampa Bay Buccaneers. So after a great start, the wheels
have come off not only Cadillac Williams, but the entire Bucs team.
Underrated: The severeness of Priest Holmes' injury. There's a good
chance he's played his last game, and a good chance it becomes official this week.
Overrated: Chicago Bears. Don't get me wrong, it's impressive what they
are doing, but that's a 4-12 team, getting helped by the worst division in the
NFL. Feel bad for Lovie in 2006, when inflated hopes, and reality set in, and
they miss the playoffs, but are still a better team than this year's squad.
Underrated: Shaun Alexander. 8 games in and he has 949 yards and 14
TD's. He's on pace for 1898 yards and 28 TD's. Not a bad season at all.
Game of the Week
Well the slide continued last week as the Colts finally proved it. This week
I'm taking the Rams over Seahawks. Mainly because I gotta show faith in my
team. But even beyond that they can actually win the game.
The Rams have had a traumatic first half of the season, where you can look at
one play in every game that was most likely the difference between winning and
losing. They have an interim head coach, who despite being without the teams
best 4 players has won two straight, one of those against a pretty decent team.
Well he gets all 4 of those players back this week. It will be an interesting
game, and the Rams season hangs in the balance.
The Top 14
1 (1) Indianapolis Colts - 8-0
Next Week: vs. Houston
Comments: Defense made huge stop just as the old "Manning vs. Patriots"
began to appear.
2 (2) Atlanta Falcons - 6-2
Next Week: vs. Green Bay
Comments: Hey Vick, you just gave the press a reason to scrutinize you
every week by telling them that last week proves you can be a good passing QB.
News for you, 1 week doesn't cut it, and now you're going to hear it even more.
3 (3) Pittsburgh Steelers - 6-2
Next Week: vs. Cleveland
Comments: This just doesn't feel like a 6-2 team.
4 (5) Denver Broncos - 6-2
Next Week: @ Oakland
Comments:
Here's betting the Broncos didn't spend their bye week looking for the real Jake
Plummer.
5 (9) San Diego Chargers - 5-4
Next Week: Bye
Comments:
Above .500 for the first time all year, and now they get a week off.
6 (6) Cincinnati Bengals - 6-2
Next Week: Bye
Comments:
Week off before they get a shot at Indianapolis, in another test game.
7 (4) New England Patriots - 4-4
Next Week: @ Miami
Comments: Injuries leaving Patriots looking like a shell of it's former self.
8 (11) Seattle Seahawks - 6-2
Next Week: vs. St. Louis
Comments: Wanna bet the Seahawks hope they can still salvage a long term
relationship with Alexander, after the tumultuos offseason.
9 (12) Carolina Panthers - 6-2
Next Week: vs. New York Jets
Comments: It's hard to call a WR an MVP simply because of the nature of
the position, but Steve Smith definitely deserves votes, and should be the
runaways Comeback Player of the Year.
10 (7) New York Giants - 6-2
Next Week: vs. Minnesota
Comments: Sorry to drop you after last week's win, but that's what
happens when two teams make a big leap.
11 (8) Dallas Cowboys - 5-3
Next Week: @ Philadelphia
Comments: This just doesn't feel like a 5-3 team
12 (10) Jacksonville Jaguars - 5-3
Next Week: vs. Baltimore
Comments: Avoided another misstep after early scare versus Texans.
13 (13) Philadelphia Eagles - 4-4
Next Week: vs. Dalls
Comments: Stay at 13 solely because of their move regarding the T.O.
situation.
14 (NR) Kansas City Chiefs - 5-3
Next Week: @ Buffalo
Comments: Gutsy gutsy call to go for the win. Gotta respect that.
The Cellar Watch
30 (NR) Arizona Cardinals - 2-6
Next Week: @ Detroit
Comments: Between the Cardinals and Vikings so many bobbleheads still
eating tons of crow.
31 (31) Green Bay Packers - 1-7
Next Week: @ Atlanta
Comments: Rumor out of Packer-land, is that despite taking Aaron Rodgers
in the first round this year, they'd seriously consider Matt Leinart if they end
up with the #1 overall pick.
32 (32) Houston Texans - 1-7
Next Week: @ Indianapolis
Comments: Houston once again in position to be a trap game.... or not.
