It's more than a number in the "L" column. It's more than the low end of the final score. As the sports shrink said in The Natural, losing is a state of mind that can be just as lethal as a raging virus. It's like a hungry termite colony in a lumber yard. Remember the body odor in Jerry Seinfeld's car?
When this epidemic reaches a fervor, the fingers start pointing. Media, fans, and even players feel the freedom to become pragmatic and deliver verdicts on the cause and solutions for such "corruption."
In most of these atrocities, it's always easier to place the cross hairs on the head coach.
Sometimes, these allegations are unfounded and born out of hysterical emotion. Other times, the reasons have sharp teeth and are draped with common sense. Either way, head coaches and their statuses have become very popular at water coolers, in chat rooms, and the subject of many...web articles.
To prove my point, I'm going to give my two cents on each NFL coach's standing as of now while looking at each game this week. What are your thoughts?
- Miami Dolphins (4-5) at Carolina Panthers (4-5): NFLN, 8:20pm EST, Thursday Night - Removing Tony Sparano has not even entered Bill Parcells' mind, and John Fox will be back next year barring a Panthers meltdown. Carolina is 10-2 in their last 12 regular-season home games. Fins RB Ronnie Brown is done for the year.
- Indianapolis Colts (9-0) at Baltimore Ravens (5-4): CBS, 1pm EST - If it's not broke, don't fix it. The state of affairs in Baltimore are just fine despite the record. Jim Harbaugh is entrenched on the Ravens sideline for many years to come. As far as Indy, well...nothing else needs to be said...except that their poor running attack and defense will catch up with them.
- Cleveland Browns (1-8) at Detroit Lions (1-8): CBS, 1pm EST - A swarm of vultures are already descending upon Browns headquarters as Eric Mangini's flesh sizzles. Jim Schwartz is safe in Detroit.
- Buffalo Bills (3-6) at Jacksonville Jaguars (5-4): CBS, 1pm EST - Losing has claimed its first victim this season as the Dick Jauron era passed away in Buffalo. DC Perry Fewell is interim coach, but owner Ralph Wilson is visiting with Mike Shanahan. Meanwhile, Jack Del Rio seems safe in J-town although nothing seems certain until they get a clear picture of the franchise's future.
- Pittsburgh Steelers (6-3) at Kansas City Chiefs (2-7): CBS, 1pm EST - Removing Mike Tomlin from Pittsburgh's grasp is a futile effort while Todd Haley should be fine in KC unless his anger continues to get the best of him...which very well could happen when his marshmallow run defense faces RB Rashard Mendenhall.
- Washington Redskins (3-6) at Dallas Cowboys (6-3): FOX, 1pm EST - It doesn't take a Harvard professor to figure out what Snyder has planned for Jim Zorn. He's already removed is play-calling duties, respect, and dignity. Wade Phillips's head is above water, but December isn't here yet. Missing the playoffs will be his death blow.
- San Francisco 49ers (4-5) at Green Bay Packers (5-4): FOX, 1pm EST - Regardless of this year's finish, Mike Singletary isn't going anywhere. Things are also quite kosher in Green Bay for Mike McCarthy. The Pack should be able to ride the momentum wave from last week and control the Niners at home.
- Seattle Seahawks (3-6) at Minnesota Vikings (8-1): FOX, 1pm EST - This is the first year for Jim Mora, Jr. so the grace will be there for at least 2010. Brett Favre-persuader Brad Childress is on the verge of a well-deserved contract extension.
- Atlanta Falcons (5-4) at NY Giants (5-4): FOX, 1pm EST - Both of these teams are currently underachieving, but it's not enough to conjure up rumors regarding the impatience of both GM's towards Mike Smith and Tom Coughlin. This is a critical game for Atlanta if they want to stay in the playoff hunt.
- New Orleans Saints (9-0) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1-8): FOX, 1pm EST - Rookie head coach Raheem Morris obviously needs more time to prove himself especially now that he's found a reliable QB in Josh Freeman. I don't need to talk about Sean Payton.
- Arizona Cardinals (6-3) at St. Louis Rams (1-8): FOX, 4:05pm EST - Much like Tampa's Morris, Rams coach Steve Spagnuolo needs more time with this team which is playing their heart out. Ken Whisenhunt's future in Arizona is pristine. Kurt Warner thrives when he faces his former team.
- San Diego Chargers (6-3) at Denver Broncos (6-3): CBS, 4:15pm EST - Every year, Norv Turner has his own lynch mob, but he always finds a way to calm the storm by getting his team to make a second-half turnaround. The Chargers are hot as they head into Mile High to face a Broncos team that seems to actually be in good hands with Josh McDaniels.
- NY Jets (4-5) at New England Patriots (6-3): CBS, 4:15pm EST - Despite "The Call Heard 'Round The World", Belichick hasn't lost his handle on the Pats and will be around until he leaves on his terms. Rex Ryan showed an emotional side of himself that the Jets had never seen after last week's loss. At least he's no Mangini.
- Cincinnati Bengals (7-2) at Oakland Raiders (2-7): CBS, 4:15pm EST - Remember the days when Marvin Lewis was under fire in Cincy? Those days are a distant memory as the Bengals have gotten everyone's attention. For Tom Cable, not so much...except from the N.O.W.
- Philadelphia Eagles (5-4) at Chicago Bears (4-5): NBC, 8:20pm EST - It's pretty safe to say that Andy Reid isn't going anywhere, but I'm not so sure about Bears head coach Lovie Smith. Chicago is destroying lofty expectations despite the trade for Jay Cutler who, in all fairness, still has no lethal targets.
- Tennessee Titans (3-6) at Houston Texans (5-4): ESPN, 8:30pm EST, MNF - It might take a trip to the playoffs for the first time in team history to save Gary Kubiak's job, while Jeff Fisher appears to be safe once again after switching to Vince Young and leading the Titans to three straight wins.
STANDINGS
Keyshawn Johnson: 12-3, 100-44
Peter King: 9-6, 98-46
Chris Mortensen: 8-7, 97-47
Adam Schefter: 9-6, 97-47
Cris Carter: 9-6, 96-48
Eddie Chinn: 8-7, 93-51
Mike Ditka: 9-6, 90-54
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