You Play To Win The Game

This very well could be the most overused phrase in sports.

It's also the #1 goal of every NFL player when he steps onto the football field. When they slip on their pads, uniform, and helmet in the locker room, they know nothing else. This mantra is what propels these athletes to relinquish all accessible firepower while down in the trenches and out in the open field of each gridiron battle.

All coaches will tell you that this is the bedrock where their coaching philosophies are built. Every strategy and nugget of information that is taught to the players is for the sole purpose of winning every game that they play.

But, in recent history, it has become customary by many coaches to scale back and take a different approach to the last one or two games of the season when their team has clinched the playoffs and cannot alter its current position in the upcoming post-season. That strategy involves resting starters for all or a certain percentage of the game.

While I understand the common-sense approach that produced this decision, I simply don't agree.

Yes, I get it --- There's nothing else to play for so why start your star players and run the risk of them getting hurt and being out for the playoffs? Here's a thought. Don't they run the risk of getting hurt every time they step on the field? What's worse: Tony Romo getting hurt in Week 10 and, as a result, Dallas missing the playoffs or Romo getting hurt this week in Washington and having a Super Bowl-winning QB in Brad Johnson taking over? Give me the former.

The Cowboys are pretty deep all around the board so an injury to a player who has started all or most of the season is going to be treated like any other injury. You simply bring in the back-up and trust that he's ready to perform to the max as he would in any game of the season.

If someone is nursing an injury like T.O., Terence Newman, etc. then I can understand developing a game plan without them, but if I was Wade Phillips, I would start Romo, Barber, Witten, etc. and give it 120%!

Why wouldn't you want to end the season on a high note with a ton of momentum knowing that you have the next two weeks off to rest from all the aching muscles or minor injuries?

Personally, I'm more concerned if Romo doesn't play this Sunday. That would mean that he would not play for three weeks and then you have to look at the issue of him not being rusty. I simply see this game vs. the Skins as a tune-up for the playoffs; an opportunity to hone your game and work on some things that you may think is a detriment right now. And, who better to be out there than the same personnel that is going to be used in the playoffs? The last time I checked, if you lose one game in the playoffs, then you get to stay home for 7 months.

I don't think it's old-school thinking when you play all of your starters for every regular season game regardless of what your goals are for that game. It's called respecting the integrity of the game by giving it your all for 16 games.

As a head coach, when you start looking at whether to start your regulars, how long they should play, etc., then you are communicating the notion that if the team loses, it doesn't matter. You've met all your goals for the regular season so let's "baby it" the last game and be very conservative.

If you do that, then you aren't taking what's worked for you before and simply not playing to win.

NFL 2007 Forecast: Week 17

Playoffs. Pride. Perfection.

One of these or a combination of the three is the goal for each of the NFL teams this weekend as this 2007 NFL season hangs up its "CLOSED" sign.

There are a couple of teams that control their own destiny if they want to play in January as they must win in order to play next weekend. One team needs to win while someone else loses, and yet another needs to win and also have divine intervention.

The pride factor is going to be prevalent among several teams who are looking to next season while others will be going for team or individual records if it doesn't jeopardize their health going into the playoffs. The "Pride" games can also be seen as auditions for upper management to help them determine what course of action they need to take in the off-season to put themselves in a better position this time next year.

Forget Spygate. Forget Belichick's arrogance. You cannot discredit the magnificent machine that is the New England Patriots as they head to NY standing at the portal of pure greatness. To go undefeated in today's NFL is unthinkable. It's like someone not having a cell phone; it's possible, yet rare, and you just can't wrap your mind around it.

Regardless of what happens this week, one thing is very certain. If the 2007 NFL regular season is any indication of what we can expect in the 2008 playoffs, then you better create a "Do Not Disturb" sign for your front door, screen your calls, and be ready to dial 9-1-1 for physical assistance.

• New England Patriots (15-0) at NY Giants (10-5): NFL Network/NBC/CBS, 8:15pm EST, Saturday Night - Commissioner Goodell's passion for the game strikes again in deciding to let all of America watch NFL history by simulcasting the game on NBC and CBS. What an extraordinary year for the Patriots. EDDIE'S PICK - NEW ENGLAND
• Seattle Seahawks (10-5) at Atlanta Falcons (3-12): FOX, 1pm EST - A turbulent season is finally over. EDDIE'S PICK - SEATTLE
• New Orleans Saints (7-8) at Chicago Bears (6-9): FOX, 1pm EST - A win AND a Skins and Vikings loss will get the Saints into the playoffs, but I think their season will end where it did last year. EDDIE'S PICK - CHICAGO
• Detroit Lions (7-8) at Green Bay Packers (12-3): FOX, 1pm EST - Expect the Packers to give some starters some much-needed rest and the Lions to lose their 16th straight game in Lambeau. EDDIE'S PICK - GREEN BAY
• Carolina Panthers (6-9) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (9-6): FOX, 1pm EST - A date with the NY Giants next weekend will be the only thing on coach Gruden's mind as he rests his starters again. The Panthers will look to give rookie QB Matt Moore his first NFL win. EDDIE'S PICK - CAROLINA
• San Francisco 49ers (5-10) at Cleveland Browns (9-6): FOX, 1pm EST - It doesn't matter what happens at the Dawg Pound vs. the fragile Niners as the Browns' destiny lies in Indy where the Titans must lose for Cleveland to cap off this amazing year with a playoff berth. EDDIE'S PICK - CLEVELAND
• Cincinnati Bengals (6-9) at Miami Dolphins (1-14): CBS, 1pm EST - New VP of football operations, Bill Parcells, will be on hand to watch his new investment take on a Benglas team that has won one road game this year. Oh, why not ---- EDDIE'S PICK - MIAMI
• Jacksonville Jaguars (11-4) at Houston Texans (7-8): CBS, 1pm EST - It's tune-up and rest time for J-town as they prepare for their next road game vs. Pittsburgh or San Diego. EDDIE'S PICK - HOUSTON
• Buffalo Bills (7-8) at Philadelphia Eagles (7-8): CBS, 1pm EST - This is the ultimate Pride Bowl as each team strives to finish at .500. EDDIE'S PICK - PHILADELPHIA
• Pittsburgh Steelers (10-5) at Baltimore Ravens (4-11): CBS, 4:15pm EST - Don't expect the Steelers to play all their starters for the whole game, but I'm not sure it will matter against a horrible Ravens team trying to avoid their 10th straight loss. A win and San Diego loss gives the Steelers the #3 seed and a chance to avoid New England for an extra week. EDDIE'S PICK - PITTSBURGH
• San Diego Chargers (10-5) at Oakland Raiders (4-11): CBS, 4:15pm EST - Look for Pittsburgh to get a swing at New England first. EDDIE'S PICK - SAN DIEGO
• Kansas City Chiefs (4-11) at NY Jets (3-12): CBS, 4:15pm EST - Coach Herm Edwards returns to his old stomping grounds for the first time, and should experience the same ole' routine. EDDIE'S PICK - NY JETS
• Dallas Cowboys (13-2) at Washington Redskins (8-7): FOX, 4:15pm EST - A win would give Dallas its franchise-record 14th victory for this season, but a win by the Skins gives them an improbable playoff berth. A vehement crowd and the spirit of Taylor should be enough to give this laborious season a Hollywood ending. EDDIE'S PICK - WASHINGTON
• St. Louis Rams (3-12) at Arizona Cardinals (7-8): FOX, 4:15pm EST - Win or lose, the city of St. Louis will breathe a large sigh of relief when the gun sounds ending their migraine season. EDDIE'S PICK - ARIZONA
• Minnesota Vikings (8-7) at Denver Broncos (6-9): FOX, 4:15pm EST - Minnesota's focus in some ways might depend on what Washington does, but in other ways, it simply comes down to this being one lame Broncos team. EDDIE'S PICK - MINNESOTA
• Tennessee Titans (9-6) at Indianapolis Colts (13-2): NBC, 8:15pm EST - Every square inch of pressure is on Tennessee as they come into the RCA Dome to face an Indy team that will mostly play their second team. If the Titans win, they're in. A loss hands the playoff slot to Cleveland. EDDIE'S PICK - INDIANAPOLIS

STANDINGS

Cris Collinsworth: 11-5, 164-76

Bob Costas: 10-6, 160-80

Cris Carter: 12-4, 158-82

Dan Marino: 11-5, 158-82

Eddie Chinn: 10-6, 157-83

Chris Mortensen: 10-6, 151-89

Sean Salisbury: 10-6, 150-90

Week 16 Reflections

When Sean Taylor died on November 27th, the Washington Redskins season went into a tailspin.

They had just lost their third straight game two days prior to Tampa and were sitting at 5-6 including a 1-3 record against their rivals in the NFC East which was being dominated by the Dallas Cowboys at 10-1. Five days later, the Skins lost their fourth in a row to Buffalo at home with Sean still on everyone's mind. The next day, he was buried.

Vince Lombardi once said, "Success demands singleness of purpose."

Washington, now 5-7, had only three days to prepare for Chicago on Thursday night, and they couldn't ask for a better leader in the midst of this emotionally unstable crisis than Joe Gibbs. Their beloved head coach reeks of success and has the fortitude and character to pilot this team through such a storm. The crux of the moment was if the players would respond and rally behind the one who knows all about "singleness of purpose."

The Skins came out focused and full of fervor in front of their home fans, and Chicago had no chance losing 24-16. The price was high though as QB Jason Campbell was lost with a dislocated knee cap. Backup QB Todd Collins became the field general that led the team to victory.

The schedule called for Washington to travel to NY next to face the rival Giants, and the team came together and won convincingly 22-10. Up next was another road game in the thundering Metrodome to face the Minnesota Vikings last week, and the result was the same as Washington cold-cocked the host 32-21 and left them seeing stars and their playoff dreams fading.

These last three wins have shown one thing about this Washington Redskins team: They have singleness of purpose thanks to their head coach who gives the credit to the team and its on-field leaders, "I don't know of a team - I haven't been a part of one - that's overcome this much ... It's almost like they're going to overcome whatever's out there. It's also caused a certain camaraderie and chemistry."

Well, the Dallas Cowboys are what's "out there" next, and something tells me this Skins team will be ready and impregnated with electricity as they face their hallowed foe in a must-win situation.

Gibbs summed it up just right, "Everything that we've worked for, for 15 weeks, goes on the line this weekend."

And, don't you know that the spirit and memory of their fallen comrade will be on their hearts and minds as they clamor to take their successful journey to the next level --- the playoffs.

Win or lose, it's very clear that Joe Gibbs needs to be here for the very near future.

Getting Back On The Road

Personally, there's nothing more aggravating than not reacting quick enough or simply misjudging a dip in the road and expecting to see your muffler in the rear view mirror laying in the middle of the road. The fact is that most depressions in the road are supposed to be there. They are designed to be a speed deterrent, and each vehicle hits them at various rates of speed at different times with a variety of side effects.

The roads that NFL teams travel down are also full of dips, pot holes, and ruts including the streaking New England Patriots. They approached some potentially-dangerous cavities facing Indy, Baltimore, Philadelphia, and the NY Jets but they've been able to avoid the hazards and maintain their course flawlessly with some great vehicle maneuvering.

Dallas has found the road this season also full of stumbling blocks. There was the Patriots declivity that caused Dallas to blow a tire and pull over for a change. That had been the only loss, but you can't ignore the scary pot hole in Buffalo and the near collision with a barricade in Washington. Who can forget the stalled semi in their lane that caused Bid D to swerve and fly through a fence in Detroit "Griswold-style" only to land in the parking lot of one of their destinations, Playoff Park?

Things seemed rosy when they got back on the highway and approached Philadelphia.

I don't know if it was something (or someone) that distracted them or if something else was on their mind, but the steep slope in the road called Eagles Gulch left Dallas woozy and feeling whiplash. They're OK despite some scrapes, bent fenders and side panels, and a shredded tire, but this got their attention. For some reason, they typically have trouble along this stretch of road in December which in years past has led to them suffering enough colossal damage that they had to cancel the rest of their trip.

Tonight, they approach Carolina and something tells me that last week's wake-up call will have them focused like a hungry hawk spotting a mouse in a desert. The Panthers are starting Matt Moore, who was Dallas' 3rd-string QB this past pre-season, so that has to be in the Cowboys favor since they've had success this year against freshman QB's. A dilapidated offense ranked 29th in the league shouldn't find much room to move the ball efficiently if Dallas can keep constant pressure on Moore and stop the run.

I simply don't see the warning signs in Pantherland of Dallas bottoming out as they take one step closer in securing home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. This will become reality if Green Bay is derailed in Chicago and Dallas takes care of business at this rest stop in Carolina.

NFL 2007 Forecast: Week 16

What a majestic weekend that lays before us! The spirit of Christmas is in high gear as families are wrapping up their shopping, touring neighborhoods looking for that "Griswold" house, baking, and setting up their fantasy football teams....ok, maybe that's just me.

The spirit of the NFL playoffs is also boiling as several teams should find out this weekend (barring any ties) if they get to play next month or will be home taking down the lights and raking the yard.

Here's a breakdown of the playoff picture as it looks now and what needs to happen for those "clinging on":

AFC EAST: New England has the crown, first round bye, and home-field advantage.

AFC NORTH: Pittsburgh can clinch the division with a win and CLE loss or a playoff berth with a win OR a TEN loss OR a Pitt & TEN tie.

Cleveland can clinch a playoff berth with a win OR a TEN loss OR a CLE & TEN tie.

AFC SOUTH: Indianapolis has clinched the division and a first-round bye.

Jacksonville clinches a playoff berth with a win or tie OR a TEN loss or tie OR a CLE loss.

Tennessee can clinch by winning the next two games and prayer.

AFC WEST: San Diego has won the division.

NFC EAST: Dallas has won the division and a first-round bye. They can obtain home field advantage with a win AND Green Bay loss.

NY can clinch a playoff berth with a win or tie OR a WAS loss or tie + a NO loss or tie.

NFC NORTH: Green Bay has won the division and a first-round bye.

Minnesota clinches a playoff berth with a win AND a NO loss.

NFC SOUTH: Tampa Bay has won the division.

New Orleans is still in the running but simply must win vs. Philly or else the season is over.

Carolina is mathematically in the running, but that's like saying Stephen Colbert is still in the running for the Presidency.

NFC WEST: Seattle has won the division.

Enjoy the weekend, football fans, and I want to wish all of you a very Merry Christmas!

• Pittsburgh Steelers (9-5) at St. Louis Rams (3-11): NFL Network, 8:15pm EST, Thursday Night - If this Steelers defense doesn't shore itself up, this Rams team has what it takes to pull of the upset and play spoiler. Plus, the Steelers have struggled on the road. EDDIE'S PICK - ST. LOUIS
  
• Dallas Cowboys (12-2) at Carolina Panthers (6-8): NFL Network, 8:15pm EST, Saturday Night - Forget the talk surrounding Jessica Simpson and Romo's thumb. I'm guessing she won't be there after the media crucifixion from last week. Dallas has not lost on the road this season, and they know what is at stake. EDDIE'S PICK - DALLAS
• Cleveland Browns (9-5) at Cincinnati Bengals (5-9): CBS, 1pm EST - I can't believe I'm typing this...but...the NFL playoffs this season will include the Cleveland Browns. EDDIE'S PICK - CLEVELAND
• Kansas City Chiefs (4-10) at Detroit Lions (6-8): CBS, 1pm EST - Make a gingerbread house. EDDIE'S PICK - DETROIT
• Houston Texans (7-7) at Indianapolis Colts (12-2): CBS, 1pm EST - Indy is 10-1 vs. Houston, and coach Dungy has said that he is not resting any starters. Do the math. EDDIE'S PICK - INDY
• Oakland Raiders (4-10) at Jacksonville Jaguars (10-4): CBS, 1pm EST - Call 9-1-1. EDDIE'S PICK - JACKSONVILLE
• Green Bay Packers (12-2) at Chicago Bears (5-9): FOX, 1pm EST - Green Bay is packing some serious heat while the Bears are playing like cubs. EDDIE'S PICK - GREEN BAY
• NY Giants (9-5) at Buffalo Bills (7-7): FOX, 1pm EST - Steve Everett, who suffered a severe neck injury paralyzing him and nearly taking his life, will be at Ralph Wilson Stadium following a miraculous journey that might include him walking onto the field. You don't need much more karma than that. EDDIE'S PICK - BUFFALO
• Philadelphia Eagles (6-8) at New Orleans Saints (7-7): FOX, 1pm EST - A victory keeps the Saints in the playoff picture, and Philly is already out. I expect the home crowd to be on fire. EDDIE'S PICK - NEW ORLEANS
  
• Tampa Bay Buccaneers (9-5) at San Francsico 49ers (4-10): FOX, 4:05pm EST - The Niners have won seven straight home games against the Bucs and are 14-3 overall in their series. EDDIE'S PICK - SAN FRANCISCO
• Atlanta Falcons (3-11) at Arizona Cardinals (6-8): FOX, 4:05pm EST - Atlanta's tumultuous season, including getting spurned by Bill Parcells to shape up the team, continues in the desert. EDDIE'S PICK - ARIZONA
• Miami Dolphins (1-13) at New England Patriots (14-0): CBS, 4:15pm EST - I expect Miami's new VP of football operations, Bill Parcells, will be in attendance to see his former team steamroll closer to perfection. EDDIE'S PICK - NEW ENGLAND
• Baltimore Ravens (4-10) at Seattle Seahawks (9-5): CBS, 4:15pm EST - Seattle has never beaten Baltimore in their two previous meetings. It's time to change that. EDDIE'S PICK - SEATTLE
• NY Jets (3-11) at Tennessee Titans (8-6): CBS, 4:15pm EST - Forgive me, Titans fans, but this looks about as exciting as the Music City bowl. EDDIE'S PICK - TENNESSEE
• Washington Redskins (7-7) at Minnesota Vikings (8-6): NBC, 8:15pm EST - Will the spirit of Sean Taylor be enough to keep the playoff hopes alive? Can the Vikings continue their amazing comeback after a dismal start on the shoulders of Adrian Peterson? This should be a great battle. EDDIE'S PICK - MINNESOTA
• Denver Broncos (6-8) at San Diego Chargers (9-5): ESPN, 8:30pm EST, MNF - No one seems to be talking about them, but could San Diego be the dark horse team in this year's playoffs? EDDIE'S PICK - SAN DIEGO
  

STANDINGS:

Cris Collinsworth: 9-7, 153-71

Bob Costas: 10-6, 150-74

Eddie Chinn: 8-8, 147-77

Dan Marino: 11-5, 147-77

Cris Carter: 10-6, 146-78

Chris Mortensen: 12-4, 141-83

Sean Salisbury: 9-7, 140-84

Week 15 Reflections

My Dad taught us kids growing up that a gift should represent yourself. When you give it to someone, you are offering them a piece of yourself that you think will resonate with their own enthusiasms and pursuits.

He loves reading, music, and movies so, for his 60th birthday, we asked his friends and family to bring a book, CD, or DVD that they like very much. This allowed him to read, view, or listen to something that gave him a window into their lives and enabled him to get to know them better.

Where's the excitement in opening a gift when it's something that was on your list or you've been begging for for the last nine months? You might as well just have someone drive you to the store and have them buy it for you. Why go through all the trouble in wrapping it when they won't be real surprised anyway when they open it since they've been expecting it?

The real thrill and charge in opening a gift is when you have no expectations.

Every Sunday during the NFL season, each of the games are like presents offered to us by the National Football League. Before kickoff, we have no expectations due to the unpredictable and eccentric nature of this institution. As time passes, the mystery of the game is unwrapped, and we find ourselves either dozing off much like after receiving another tie that lights up from Aunt Ruby or having chill bumps, tears, and heart failure when we get the keys to Grandpa's '57 Ford pickup he's been promising.

Regardless, being an NFL enthusiast requires you to not make lists each week because you are more than likely not going to get anything on there in the form that you think you're going to get it. You will find yourself witnessing or learning something that you would have never expected and that can only lead to appreciating the NFL more than ever.

Let's take a look at what was under the tree in Week 15:

• A blizzard in Cleveland produced the first 8-0 score in the NFL since 1929 when the Chicago Cardinals defeated the Minneapolis Red Jackets. Cleveland is now tied with Pittsburgh for the AFC North lead...Yes, that Cleveland.
  
• Matt Moore is a 23-year-old undrafted rookie who was signed by Dallas this past off-season. He entered training camp as the #3 QB. He was then cut and picked up by Carolina who gave him his first start last Sunday and watched him lead the Panthers to a rare home win vs. NFC West champion Seattle. Moore starts Saturday night vs. Dallas.
• Speaking of Dallas, their offense was throttled by Philly at Texas Stadium. For the first time since 2004, Dallas did not score a TD as things did not go the Cowboys' way. Makes you wonder if winning the home-field advantage is necessarily an advantage for Big D who is undefeated on the road this year.
• Miami won a game. They beat Baltimore in OT on a 64-yard TD pass from Cleo Lemon to Greg Camarillo. Players dog-piled each other. Fans fainted. Babies were thrown in the air. You would have thought Miami had just won the AFC title.
• Tom Brady threw 0 TD's and completed 14 passes vs. the hapless Jets through very blistery conditions at New England. I would have never thought that weather would be the one entity to slow down Brady and Co...oh, and they're still undefeated. Amazing!
• It took 32 years ---498 games to be exact--- for a Tampa Bay Buccaneer to return a kickoff for a TD. Michael Spurlock scorched Atlanta (not hard to do) for 90 yards and the score.
  
• The Steelers had not lost at home all season and had the league's 2nd best rush defense as they welcomed Jacksonville to Heinz Field. J-town exploded for 224 total rushing yards and beat Pitt 29-22.
  
• The predictable implosion of the Detroit Lions continued after a 51-14 thrashing at the hands of the San Diego Chargers giving them their sixth straight loss. Matt Millen should do himself a favor and watch the rest of the games from his living room.
• There is not another team out there right now with more heart than the Washington Redksins. Their 22-10 vs. the Giants in NY in bad weather led by a carrier back-up QB in Todd Collins speaks volumes of their passion and focus in the midst of tragedy. It also says a ton for their coach Joe Gibbs who has this team thinking playoffs.
  
• Brett Favre became the NFL's all-time leader in passing yards. Surprised?

HERE'S A LOOK AT THE KEY GAMES FOR WEEK 16:

GREEN BAY AT CHICAGO, HOUSTON AT INDIANAPOLIS, NY GIANTS AT BUFFALO, PHILADELPHIA AT NEW ORLEANS, CLEVELAND AT CINCINNATI, PITTSBURGH AT ST. LOUIS, WASHINGTON AT MINNESOTA, DENVER AT SAN DIEGO

NFL 2007 Forecast: Week 15

Due to last week's very hectic schedule for me at work and at home in addressing my wife's health needs, this will be a short forecast and not as in-depth as I typically post.

I will say though that if you can't feel the adrenaline and heat from the swelling and heated NFL playoff races by now, then I would consult your physician.

• Denver Broncos (6-7) at Houston Texans (6-7): NFL Network, 8:15pm EST, Thursday Night - Very critical game for both teams if they want to make the playoffs. Texans coach Gary Kubiak faces his former mentor Mike Shanahan. EDDIE'S PICK - DENVER
• Cincinnati Bengals (5-8) at San Francisco 49ers (3-10): NFL Network, 8:15pm EST, Saturday Night - I'd rather hear Boy George sing Christmas carols. EDDIE'S PICK - CINCINNATI
• Tennessee Titans (7-6) at Kansas City Chiefs (4-9): CBS, 1pm EST - Is Vince Young overrated? KC in December can be haunting. EDDIE'S PICK - KANSAS CITY
• Baltimore Ravens (4-9) at Miami Dolphins (0-13): CBS, 1pm EST - Why stop now? EDDIE'S PICK - BALTIMORE
• NY Jets (3-10) at New England Patriots (13-0): CBS, 1pm EST - "...like a lamb that is led to the slaughter..." EDDIE'S PICK - NEW ENGLAND
• Buffalo Bills (7-6) at Cleveland Browns (8-5): CBS, 1pm EST - A meaningful game in December between Buffalo and Cleveland? Has time stopped? EDDIE'S PICK - CLEVELAND
• Jacksonville Jaguars (9-4) at Pittsburgh Steelers (9-4): CBS, 1pm EST - The Game of the Week. The Steelers are in the playoffs with a win and will get a division crown if Buffalo prevails in C-town. EDDIE'S PICK - PITTSBURGH
• Seattle Seahawks (9-4) at Carolina Panthers (5-8): FOX, 1pm EST - Matt Moore could be the fourth starting QB for Carolina this year if he gets the nod at game time. Seattle's hot and the Panthers at home are not. EDDIE'S PICK - SEATTLE
• Arizona Cardinals (6-7) at New Orleans Saints (6-7): FOX, 1pm EST - Both teams are hanging from a cliff on Mt. Playoffs by their pinkie. EDDIE'S PICK - NEW ORLEANS
• Atlanta Falcons (3-10) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-5): FOX, 1pm EST - Could things go worse in Atlanta? Vick's dog care, QB carousel, injuries, Vick in a zebra suit, and then their head coach walks out on them to take the Arkansas post without saying a word to the players except for an 86-word letter left in their locker. EDDIE'S PICK - TAMPA BAY
• Green Bay Packers (11-2) at St. Louis Rams (3-10): FOX, 1pm EST - Paramedics are standing by. EDDIE'S PICK - GREEN BAY
• Indianapolis Colts (11-2) at Oakland Raiders (4-9): CBS, 4:05pm EST - Put the kids in their room. This one is rated R. EDDIE'S PICK - INDY
• Detroit Lions (6-7) at San Diego Chargers (8-5): FOX, 4:15pm EST - We all saw what Marion Barber did to the Lions defense last week. Imagine what L.T. is going to do. EDDIE'S PICK - SAN DIEGO
• Philadelphia Eagles (5-8) at Dallas Cowboys (12-1): FOX, 4:15pm EST - Home-field advantage throughout the playoffs is at stake, and Dallas just keeps finding ways to win. EDDIE'S PICK - DALLAS
• Washington Redskins (6-7) at NY Giants (9-4): NBC, 8:15pm EST - Tom Coughlin appears to miraculously saved his job for at least another season as the Giants clinch a playoff berth with a win. It's going to be a raucous environment for Todd Collins and Co. EDDIE'S PICK - NY GIANTS
• Chicago Bears (5-8) at Minnesota Vikings (7-6): ESPN, 8:30pm EST, MNF - It doesn't look like Chicago is going to make the cut to the NFL Playoff Open and starting Kyle Orton in a eardrum-busting Metrodome is like hitting it in the lake on the final hole. EDDIE'S PICK - MINNESOTA

STANDINGS
Cris Collinsworth: 13-3, 144-64
Bob Costas: 12-4, 140-68
Eddie Chinn: 13-3, 139-69
Cris Carter: 13-3, 136-72
Dan Marino: 15-1, 136-72
Sean Salisbury: 14-2, 131-77
Chris Mortensen: 11-5, 129-79

Week 14 Reflections

As I was reading about last weekend’s high-octane games, a quote by LaDainian Tomlinson following the overtime victory over Tennessee exploded off the computer screen and circled back like a boomerang and hit me in the back of the head. He was asked by reporters if he thought LB Shawne Merriman’s injury was the result of a dirty play.

“I don’t know what you classify ‘dirty’ as. I don’t know. I think it was a competitive game. I think sometimes throughout a competitive game things happen. Guys go to extra distance to make a play, make things happen.

“But understand something — that’s the way the game was played a long time ago, when guys like Deacon Jones played,” Tomlinson said. “I think sometimes we forget it’s football and guys before us played the game harder than the way we play it now. There’s so many rules; you can’t do this, you can’t do that. And so when things like yesterday happen, people always say, ‘Well it was a dirty game, dirty play.’ I don’t know. It’s behind us now. This ain’t the only time we’re going to get played like that. We’re going to have to face it again.”

My respect and admiration for L.T. has officially skyrocketed to new heights.

I thought I was reading a quote from John Madden, Randy White, or Mike Ditka rather than a modern-day running back flourishing in an NFL that is comprised of several athletes magnetized towards entertainment and massaging their egos.

Then, I began wondering, “What would Vince Lombardi think of today’s game?”

Are today’s players soft compared to the those who played in the 50’s-80’s era? Is it the league who’s gotten too cozy? There are now rules on where and when you can hit, block, or touch another player? I’m sure some of these have raised Coach Lombardi’s blood pressure as he looks down from his silk-covered recliner. I can just see him, after hearing the ref call illegal contact by a defender within 5 yards, roll his eyes and say, “What the hell is going on down there?”

I can also imagine him cussing while watching today’s gridiron athletes parade themselves in front of cameras flaunting their ability and hoping that their million-dollar smile gets them endorsements. Don’t you know that, even in heaven, he gets so damn nauseous when these wealthy and talented men start gyrating and convulsing like kids when they make a simple tackle or knock down a pass. Every time I see a clip of Ravens LB Ray Lewis performing his seizure dance when he’s introduced before a home game, I picture Lombardi reaching a breaking point and looking down while chomping on his cigar and loading his rifle.

The truth is that Lombardi would not last in today’s game because it’s all about business and entertainment. The hardcore foundation of what the game of football is about is still there, but it’s covered in dollar bills, gold teeth, earrings, Hollywood smiles, business transactions, voluptuous cheerleaders, and tangible investments.

Therefore, there are now NFL by-laws protecting players like you’ve never seen before.

Lombardi once said, “You never win a game unless you beat the guy in front of you. The score on the board doesn’t mean a thing. That’s for the fans. You’ve got to win the war with the man in front of you. You’ve got to get your man.”

Today’s NFL has just about stripped that ability away from the players. Oh, there’s still brain-smashing hits and bodies slamming into each other at high rates of speed along with biting, stomping on heads, and poking out eyes.

But, I wonder how different the game would be if Lombardi’s wisdom of focusing with every fiber and molecule in your body on the task before you was in every player’s mind and got carried out in his actions?

I’m glad there are guys like L.T. in the league and am grateful for men like Lombardi who were instrumental in showing us what this game can do to men and today’s culture on and off the field.

Doltish Detroit

Football wisdom and excellent business rationality have gone M.I.A. from the city of Detroit for many years, but you can't avoid the seven-year abyss that has engulfed the city since President and CEO Matt Millen took over. Since then, these fundamental principles that are essential to surviving in today's NFL have been a steady drip giving the Lions a blown gasket every season.

Millen developed a very strong passion for wide receivers by drafting 4 out of the last 5 drafts while passing up unbelievable talent for other critical positions (like QB) where they lacked. They also did not have any consistency or drafted well at quarterback. During most of his tenure in the Motor City, Millen has had Joey Harrington and he was not developed well. Harrington is now with Atlanta on the bench after a pit stop in Miami. The Lions have also defied NFL logic by abandoning the running game since the retirement of Barry Sanders. The names that they've brought in have either struggled through injuries or were simply not gifted.

I could go on, but the bottom line is that Matt Millen went from a NFL linebacker to a radio/TV color guy in the broadcast booth and then straight to the top of the Detroit Lions right under owner William Clay Ford.

And, it's shown.

From 1991 to 2000, the Detroit Lions made the playoffs six times. Then Millen took over in 2001. Since then, they have not made the playoffs once and compiled a 30-78 record including 8-46 on the road.

Coincedence? Not so much.

The Lions also have a rich history during this horrible stretch of getting off to good start and then floundering in the end. This season, they began the year with a 6-2 record and had one of the most explosive passing games in the league. Eyes were beginning to turn and hearts were starting to believe. Then, the balloon popped, and they have no lost four straight while showcasing a dismal defense and extremely porous offensive line.

In addition, their superstar WR Roy Williams is out for the year, their running game is last in the league, and they lead the league in sacks allowed at 51. On top of that, QB Jon Kitna is eating his words after last season's win vs. Dallas when he proclaimed LB Bradie James and CB Terence Newman soft and ineffective. You just don't say things like that because they are seeds sown that will, one day, grow.

Now, Detroit finds themselves welcoming these same Dallas Cowboys who, along with QB Tony Romo, are simply smoking. They are 11-1 and have clinched a playoff berth. Their offense continues to scorch any playing turf, and the defense is proving to be quite ferocious.

This is what you would call "not a good combination." Plus, Dallas is one win away from clinching the NFC East.

It's like a shark being put in a tank with a bloody sailfish, or a Lamborghini racing a BMW...

With a blown gasket.

NFL 2007 Forecast: Week 14

As an NFL fan, you've already felt your your blood stream through your veins at an abnormally fast pace when Sunday afternoons roll around. It's the fact that anything can happen in any game on any Sunday that injects the adrenaline into your system as the hour hand approaches 12:00 noon.

Beginning night, you just might find yourself in an unhealthy cardiac environment if you continue to submit yourself to these NFL battles as December commences which can only mean one thing.

It's getting down to the wire to decide who gets to play next month as we are down to the last four games of the season.

As the league enters the final quarter of the season, here's a breakdown of how the playoff-clinching scenarios look for this Sunday:

AFC East: New England has won this division (which to many fans took place in September.)

AFC North: Pittsburgh can win the crown with a win and a Cleveland loss. They can clinch a playoff berth with a win and a Tennessee loss.

AFC South: Indianapolis can take the crown with a win and a Jacksonville loss plus a Tennessee loss or tie. The Colts will clinch a playoff berth with 1) a win plus a Cleveland, Jacksonville, OR Tennessee loss or tie. 2) Tennessee loss plus a Buffalo or Cleveland loss or tie.

AFC West: San Diego wins the division with a win and Denver loss. It's not possible for them to clinch a berth only this week.

ELIMINATED - MIAMI AND NY JETS

NFC East: Dallas has clinched a playoff berth but can win the division with a win OR a Giants loss. A first round bye is also possible if the Cowboys win plus a Seattle and Tampa loss or tie.

NFC North: Green Bay takes the division if they win OR a Detroit loss. They clinch a playoff berth with an Arizona loss.

NFC South: Tampa Bay wins the division with a win OR a New Orleans and Carolina loss.

NFC West: Seattle clinches the division with a win.

ELIMINATED - No one (yes...Atlanta, St. Louis, and San Francisco are not mathematically eliminated). And, you wonder why they call the AFC the stronger conference.

Believe me, the above scenarios will look much different next week after the following wars have been fought.

• Chicago Bears (5-7) at Washington Redskins (5-7): NFL Network, 7:15pm EST, Thursday Night - It's been a tender week for the Redskins after a heart-crushing loss to Buffalo last Sunday and then laying Sean Taylor to rest the next day. Now, three days later, they face a Chicago team that is fighting for playoff survival as well. It is hard to predict how this tragedy is going to play out on the field for the Skins. EDDIE'S PICK - WASHINGTON
• St. Louis Rams (3-9) at Cincinnati Bengals (4-8): FOX, 1pm EST - Mathematically, both teams are in the wild-card hunt. Realistically, these squads are playing for pride and preparing for the 2008 draft. EDDIE'S PICK - CINCY
• Dallas Cowboys (11-1) at Detroit Lions (6-6): FOX, 1pm EST - The Dallas eruption and Detroit implosion continues. EDDIE'S PICK - DALLAS
• Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-4) at Houston Texans (5-7): FOX, 1pm EST - This is only the second time these two teams have met, and I'm guessing that the Texans will hit a brick wall. EDDIE'S PICK - TAMPA BAY
• Carolina Panthers (5-7) at Jacksonville Jaguars (8-4): FOX, 1pm EST - These two 1995 expansion teams are looking for the playoffs, but the road is so much tougher for Carolina and it stops in J-town who leads the AFC wild-card race by three games with four left against losing squads. EDDIE'S PICK - JACKSONVILLE
• NY Giants (8-4) at Philadelphia Eagles (5-7): FOX, 1pm EST - The G-men are leading the NFC wild-care race by two games and face an Eagles team that must win to have a chance of the playoffs. QB Donovan McNabb should be back behind center, but I'm not sure that's a good thing. EDDIE'S PICK - NY GIANTS
• Oakland Raiders (4-8) at Green Bay Packers (10-2): CBS, 1pm EST - Lambeau. 30% chance of snow and 26 degrees with wind. 250th straight start by Brett Favre. Let's move along. EDDIE'S PICK - GREEN BAY
• Miami Dolphins (0-12) at Buffalo Bills (6-6): CBS, 1pm EST - Still moving... EDDIE'S PICK - BUFFALO
• San Diego Chargers (7-5) at Tennessee Titans (7-5): CBS, 1pm EST - If the Chargers will follow the same game plan as last week---unleashing L.T.---then this will be a great matchup to watch vs. this Tennessee defense. QB Vince Young vs. the Chargers linebackers isn't anything to avoid either. EDDIE'S PICK - SAN DIEGO
• Arizona Cardinals (6-6) at Seattle Seahawks (8-4): FOX, 4:05pm EST - If the playoffs started today, Arizona would be in with the final wild card spot so this is a critical game for the Cards to stay in the hunt, and the 'Hawks are division champs with a win. EDDIE'S PICK - ARIZONA
• Minnesota Vikings (6-6) at San Francisco 49ers (3-9): FOX, 4:05pm EST - RB Adrian Peterson vs. the league's 26th-ranked rush defense could result in another historic day for A.P. as the Vikings can smell the playoff aroma and are starving. EDDIE'S PICK - MINNESOTA
• Kansas City Chiefs (4-8) at Denver Broncos (5-7): CBS, 4:15pm EST - Denver is 9-3 vs. KC at home under Mike Shanahan, but that includes a 6-0 dominance at Invesco Field which opened in 2001. EDDIE'S PICK - DENVER
• Cleveland Browns (7-5) at NY Jets (3-9): CBS, 4:15pm EST - The Jets are eliminated so they have nothing to lose, and Cleveland has everything to lose as they badly need a win to stay in the wild-card hunt. EDDIE'S PICK - CLEVELAND
• Pittsburgh Steelers (9-3) at New England Patriots (12-0): CBS, 4:15pm EST - The last two games for the Pats have revealed their apparent mortality, and Pittsburgh has what it takes to be New England's kryptonite. EDDIE'S PICK - PITTSBURGH
• Indianapolis Colts (10-2) at Baltimore Ravens (4-8): NBC, 8:15pm EST - Last week, the Ravens almost pulled off the stunner vs. New England, but completely disintegrated in the closing minutes. The sting of that loss is not going to feel any better with Manning coming to town. EDDIE'S PICK - INDIANAPOLIS
• New Orleans Saints (5-7) at Atlanta Falcons (3-9): ESPN, 8:30pm EST, MNF - ...... crickets chirping.....EDDIE'S PICK - NEW ORLEANS
  
  STANDINGS
  Cris Collinsworth: 11-5, 131-61
  Bob Costas: 10-6, 128-64
  Eddie Chinn: 9-7, 126-66
  Cris Carter: 10-6, 123-69
  Dan Marino: 11-5, 121-71
  Chris Mortensen: 8-8, 118-74
  Sean Salisbury: 10-6, 117-75

Week 13 Reflections

Sean Taylor. Adrian Peterson's return. A JaMarcus Russell sighting in Oakland. San Diego remembering L.T. still played for them. Self-destruction demonstrations in New Orleans and Baltimore. Another soggy Pittsburgh win and an even more despondent state-of-affairs in Miami...again..

There was a lot happening in the NFL this weekend, but one can't overlook what transpired in The Stadium Where God Can Watch His Favorite Team --- and I'm not necessarily talking about the NFC clash that lived up to its hype when Dallas reached the playoffs by ransacking the Pack. I'm referring to the chief denizen of the broadcast team in the NFL Network booth. If you don't get the station and missed the game, I'm sorry for bringing up painful memories.

Bryant Gumbel deserves to be calling NFL games about as much as KISS is entitled to sing the National Anthem. Teaming him with Cris Collinsworth is like pairing Nick Nolte with Tiger Woods in a golf tournament.

I watched this game listening to a man who must have been thinking about whether he set his TiVo to record CSI or paid his water bill or should have bid on that pair of skiis on Ebay.

As the Cowboys were coming out of the tunnel right before kickoff, Gumbel proclaims, "And here come the Green Bay Packers...I mean Dallas Cowboys...onto the field." Hey bud! What is it about the BLUE and WHITE uniforms with a big BLUE star on the helmet that reminds you of the GREEN Bay Packers? I figured he might have been glancing down at a piece of paper and saw the Packers name just as he was introducing the Cowboys and just slipped. We've all done it.

Not long into the game, Collinsworth began heaping praise on Cowboys RB Marion Barber by talking about his elusiveness, power, etc. Bryant "Gumball" reinforced the point by proclaiming something along the lines of, "Coach Mike McCarthy called him the heart and soul of the Packers offense." I know I didn't just hear that. And, what's worse is that he didn't even correct himself! Hearing silence from Collinsworth spoke volumes.

Here's another one. They began talking about the Sean Taylor tragedy and Gumbel said something like, "Several players from some of the teams will be wearing the "21" patch on their helmets this Sunday." I stared so long into the TV set paralyzed with bewilderment that my head just about imploded. Hey, Gumby! It's really more like ALL the players on EVERY NFL team will be wearing the patch this Sunday --- and TONIGHT, too.

Why is Bryant Gumbel representing the NFL on Thursday Nights? I can't believe that the NFL Network interviewers looked at everyone who auditioned and thought, "Oh my God, this is our guy!" His voice carries no volume. His presence does not command respect and admiration. He strikes me as a substitute teacher who got called in at the last minute and is trying to go through the curriculum on the fly.

Then, I heard something that made me want to drive my fist through his teeth and not stop until I reached his stomach. When the game was over, he mentioned that after the break that their sideline reporter would get some comments about the game from Rick Romo. The hair on the back of my neck stood up as I just waited for lightning to strike the television during my vocal tirade. You can't make this up and be taken serious! There is not one executive, coach, or player on the Dallas Cowboys team named Rick. I was speechless.

If there's a silver lining in all of this, it's the fact that there's hope on Thursday nights for all you TV addicts who are stressed over the writer's strike affecting your favorite shows. If you get NFL Network, grab a beer or four and sit down with the family and listen to the incomprehensible Bryant Gumbel call an NFL football game. The laughs will rival Seinfeld, Cheers, or any classic sitcom.

Oh, and as a side note (I'm not making this up): I passed a couple of guys in the break room at work talking about the game and mentioning the Gumbel-Collinsworth call of the game. One of the guys actually asked me, "Do you really think Gumbel is that bad? I mean what about Bob Costas?"

He should be out of ICU in two days.

Game 12 Reflections: Loving The View

In the winter of 2001, I went camping and hiking with my cousin in Colorado at Taylor Reservoir Park in San Isabel National Forest. We set up camp in one of most beautiful spots on the planet at 11,400 feet next to Mirror Lake at the base of the Sawatch mountain range including Fitzpatrick Peak which soared in front of us reaching 13,114 feet.

One morning, we came up with the idea to hike a snow covered road that took you to the top of Tin Cup Pass right at 12,000 feet. From the base camp, it was quite daunting to look up at our destination and picture myself up there wondering what I would have to do and encounter as "steps" to get to the top.

Sure enough, our trek included several road hazards and last-minute decisions that just had to happen in order for us to make it. There were snow drifts to walk through; some of which were deeper than they appeared and a nice icy cold surprise at the bottom that kept my boots soaked. Tall weeds and brush were unavoidable as was the thick mud that they hid. Steep inclines (at least steep to me) allowed me to feel burning, piercing pain in my thighs and calves that made me tear up like a 9-year-old boy falling off his bike and landing on a cactus. There was no way I was going to cry as my pride and manliness came to the rescue. I wasn't about to let all of this stop me as my goal was crystal clear.

And then, I turned around just short of the peak.

Becoming a father, nailing a very important interview, and buying your first home are well-deserved feelings of accomplishments, but I have to admit that this sensation is ranked way up there as I looked over what appeared to be half the state. Our tent looked like it belonged on a miniature scale of a Civil War battlefield. The lake that we were camped near was a pool of drool, and the trees seemed like a blanket of clover leaves.

The view was more than breathtaking. It just about knocked me backwards.

When the 2007 season began, the Dallas Cowboys had their sights set on the ultimate goal which was a trip to Glendale, AZ to compete for a world championship. In order to reach that pinnacle, they would have to go to war sixteen times while experiencing all kinds of weather, injuries, and intense pressure in the midst of executing plays and looking for opportunities to lasso a "W."

Along the way, they would obviously have to reach certain points just before the peak to give them a sense of accomplishment.

One of those heights was taken last Thursday when they mastered the Green Bay Packers and reached an unforeseen 11-1 record for the first time in team history.

To their benefit, the Pack came out with an odd gameplan as they went to the air looking for the big pass play over and over without trying to establish a running game. The result was an offense that couldn't get in sync and created turnovers for the Cowboys defense, the last of which proved very costly in more than one way to Green Bay. Brett Favre took a licking by Nate Jones that knocked him out of the game early and denied all who were in attendance and able to watch it on TV an all-out battle between two of the best field generals in the league this season.

Aaron Rodgers provided some fireworks, but it was Tony Romo's night to shine as he blasted the Cowboys single-season TD pass record by throwing 4 of them and reaching 33 for the year breaking Danny White's 29.

The Dallas defense also dominated and took advantage of Rodgers inexperience while showing the rest of the league and the Cowboys faithful that they are much better than they were the beginning of the season.

Combined with the Cowboys running game, which kept the clock running and made it difficult for the Green Bay offense to stay on the field consistently, Dallas notched another victory and clinched that playoff plateau that is one of the "stops" on the way to the peak.

From where they stand now, there's an overwhelming sense of accomplishment, but there's six or seven games to go including playoffs so in order for it to take their breath away they'll have to reach Glendale.