FanNation - The Republic of Sport

Another week in the books and most of the divisional races are still close. Even the Arizona Cardinals could not close out their division due to a rare San Francisco 49ers' win and their own Thanksgiving lost. This coming weekend pits a few matchups that could end up deciding who is eliminated from playoff contention. And I haven't even mentioned the Lions' pursuit for imperfection. Is this exciting or what?!

1. New York Giants- record: 11-1 (rank last week (1) opponents' winning % .458: defeated Redskins, 23-7)

Good teams dominate when there are no distractions. Great teams dominate despite distractions.

2. Tennessee Titans- record: 11-1 (rank last week (2) opponents' winning % .327: defeated Lions, 47-10)

Two more games against cupcakes (Browns and Texans) before they have a chance to wrap up home field advantage, throughout the playoffs, against the Steelers.

3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers- record: 9-3 (rank last week (4) opponents' winning % .451: defeated Saints, 23-20)

Could this be Monte Kiffin's last year?

4. Carolina Panthers- record: 9-3 (rank last week (6) opponents' winning % .469: defeated Packers, 35-31)

An impressive come from behind win at Lambeau Field. Next week's game against the Bucs could decide the division champ.    

5. Indianapolis Colts- record: 8-4 (rank last week (7) opponents' winning % .519: defeated Browns, 10-6)

Somehow ‘the Colts' and ‘defensive win' in the same sentence sounds really strange. On the other hand, statements like ‘Robert Mathis with the sack' and ‘Dwight Freeney with the sack' are becoming a routine theme of late.

6. Pittsburgh Steelers- record: 9-3 (rank last week (5) opponents' winning % .469: defeated Patriots, 33-10)

If the Steelers' could do this WITH Brady at quarterback, then I would be impressed.

7. Dallas Cowboys- record: 8-4 (rank last week (9) opponents' winning % .466: defeated Seahawks, 34-9)

After three straight wins, seems like the sky as stopped falling in Big D. Now that Tony Romo has had two scrimmages (49ers and Seahawks) to get back into rhythm, they should give the Steelers a good game.

8. New York Jets- record: 8-4 (rank last week (2) opponents' winning % .462: lost to Broncos, 17-34)

The Jets dominated an undefeated Titans' squad in Tennessee last week and then get dominated against a suspect Broncos' team at home. Go figure. 

9. Baltimore Ravens- record: 8-4 (rank last week (11) opponents' winning % .485: defeated Bengals, 34-3)

The Ravens have won six out of their last seven games. But their next three games (Redskins, Steelers and Cowboys) could knock them out of playoff contention.

10. Atlanta Falcons- record 8-4 (rank last week (13) opponents' winning % .455: defeated Chargers, 22-16)

So much for the four-year rebuilding plan. This team is ready to compete now. And I am not basing this just on the Chargers' game, either.

11. Minnesota Vikings- record: 7-5 (rank last week (15) opponents' winning % .515: defeated Bears, 34-14)

By the very definition of Most Valuable Player, Adrian Peterson makes the strongest case for the title. Without A.D., the Vikings are a two or three win team at best.

12. New England Patriots- record: 7-5 (rank last week (12) opponents' winning % .496: lost to Steelers, 10-33)

Hey Cassel, just a little advice. Do not start throwing multiple interceptions during games until AFTER you score your huge free agent contract.    

13. Washington Redskins- record: 7-5 (rank last week (10) opponents' winning % .523: lost to Giants, 7-23)

The Redskins' lose was worse than the score would indicate. If they want to salvage their season, they may want to start against the Ravens.

14. Arizona Cardinals- record: 7-5 (rank last week (8) opponents' winning % .515: lost to Eagles, 20-48)

It would seem like the Cardinals were ill-prepared to endure Donovan McNabb's wrath.  

15. Miami Dolphins- record 7-5 (rank last week (16) opponents' winning % .474: defeated Rams, 16-12)

I suggested in last week's blog that the Dolphins should try and play defense. And what do you know, they listened!

16. Denver Broncos- record: 7-5 (rank last week (18) opponents' winning % .459: defeated Jets, 34-17)

And this was the same team that was blown out at home last week against the Raiders???

17. New Orleans Saints- record: 6-6 (rank last week (17) opponents' winning % .504: lost to Bucs, 20-23)

The Saints seriously need to balance out their offense. Brees' is a very good quarterback, but it is hard not to throw interceptions when there is no threat of a running game.

18. Chicago Bears- record: 6-6 (rank last week (14) opponents' winning % .492: lost to Vikings, 14-34)

The Bears let a perfect opportunity slip away against the Vikings, because they will not make the playoffs as a wild card team.

19. Philadelphia Eagles- record: 6-5-1 (rank last week (21) opponents' winning % .508: defeated Cardinals, 48-20)

Let's see: the Eagles lose and McNabb is standing on the sidelines in the fourth quarter. The Eagles win, and McNabb is standing on the sidelines in the fourth quarter. I guess there is no winning with Andy Reid, huh??? <just joking, in case you hadn't caught on>

20. Houston Texans- record 5-7 (rank last week (22) opponents' winning % .485: defeated Jags, 30-17)

And just think that not too long ago we (the fans) were mocking the Texans for drafting Mario Williams with the first overall pick instead of Matt Leinart, Vince Young or Reggie Bush. With three sacks last night and eleven sacks on the season, looks like he is having the last laugh.

21. Green Bay Packers- record: 5-7 (rank last week (19) opponents' winning % .556: lost to Panthers, 31-35)

The Packers' playoff chance has pretty much ended with their lost against the Panthers. It's a shame, considering their remaining opponents to finish out the season are the Texans, Jags, Bears and Lions.

22. Buffalo Bills- record: 6-6 (rank last week (20) opponents' winning % .391: lost to 49ers, 3-10)

The Bills has fallen so far, they do not even make a good spoiler team.

23. San Francisco 49ers- record 4-8 (rank last week (27) opponents' winning % .462: defeated Bills, 10-3)

I know they just beat the Bills, who is seated above them, but let's not get too carried away. It's hard to imagine them staying this high with the humbled Jets' coming into town. Hard to imagine, but not impossible.<upset alert?>

24. San Diego Chargers- record: 4-8 (rank last week (23) opponents' winning % .556: lost to Falcons, 16-22)

I'm betting the Chargers' fans wished they still had Michael Turner. Now that I think about it, they probably wished they still had Marty Schottenheimer, too!

25. Cleveland Browns- record: 4-8 (rank last week (23) opponents' winning % .568: lost to Colts, 6-10)

Second quarterback out in consecutive weeks. If it wasn't for bad luck, this team would have NO luck.

26. Jacksonville Jaguars- record: 4-8 (rank last week (25) opponents' winning % .508: lost to Texans, 17-30)

From playoffs to just pathetic in just one season. Sad.

27. Kansas City Chiefs- record 2-10 (rank last week (30) opponents' winning % .571: defeated Raiders, 20-13)

Let's see, the Chiefs beat the Raiders, who just beat the Broncos. The Chiefs have also beaten the Broncos earlier this season and will play them again this weekend. Yep, all of those teams suck.

28. Oakland Raiders- record: 3-9 (rank last week (26) opponents' winning % .504: lost to Chiefs, 13-20)

Read Chiefs:

29. Seattle Seahawks- record: 2-10 (rank last week (29) opponents' winning % .530: lost to Cowboys, 9-34)

Since the Seahawks have mentally forfeited this season, would any really be upset if they physically forfeited???

30. Cincinnati Bengals- record 1-10-1 (rank last week (28) opponents' winning % .629: lost to Steelers, 10-27)

Read Seahawks:

31. St. Louis Rams- record 2-10 (rank last week (31) opponents' winning % .568: lost to Dolphins, 12-16)

They are obviously more competitive with Steven Jackson on the field. But they are clearly out-matched in every game.

32. Detroit Lions- record 0-12 (rank last week (32) opponents' winning % .564: lost to Titans, 10-47)

On the other hand, I do not want the Lions to forfeit the rest of this season. They've work so little to get to this point; they might as well complete imperfection!

Five notes from week Fourteen:

1. Well, apparently Donovan McNabb does not take too kindly to being benched and then being asked a million questions about it during the short week. We all knew McNabb had this kind of game in him. The frustrating part is getting it out of him consistently (or for him to actually last a full season)!        

2. The Colts' extremely small, but extremely quick, bookend defensive ends have combined for 8.5 sacks and three forced fumbles over the last four weeks. And with the Bengals and the Lions coming to the fast track known as Lucas Oil Field (you can tell I'm from Naptown, right) both players should end up with double-digit sacks apiece (for the season, not those two games. But then again, you never know).

3. First Brady Quinn, now Derek Anderson. The Browns, whose offensive have been non-existent before the injuries, will now have to rely on Ken Dorsey against the Titans. I'm glad I have the Titans' defense on my fantasy football team!!!

4. Now I will get back on my Adrian Peterson for MVP chant again, especially after witnessing how hard he ran against a normally stout Bears' defense. I know that AD. ALWAYS run hard and that is why he was hurt all the time in college, but he seem to be more durable in the Pros (so far, knock on wood). And let's be honest, WITH A.D. the Vikings have a good chance of winning their division. Without A.D., they would be challenging for a top 5 pick in next year's draft.

5. And while I am on the subject of post-season awards, the hardest award to decide will be the coach of the year. But I am willing to bet it will go to a rookie head coach, if Tom Coughlin does not receive it.