No new deaths this week, although the Buccaneers aren't feeling so good.
Previously dead and buried
After firing Wade Phillips and Brad Childress, the Cowboys and Vikings are suddenly a little frisky, although the Cowboys with be without Dez Bryant for the remainder of the season, and the Vikings may be without Brett Favre.
After wins over the horrible Panthers and Cardinals, the Rams and Seahawks both got back to .500. Hooray!
Up 10 in the 4th Q against Atlanta... and couldn't close.
Once 7-3, the Bucs will now need some help. I had a rare opportunity to catch more than just a few minutes here and there of the Bucs, and I have to admit they did some things that impressed me. This is an up and coming team, but today's result puts a huge damper on their playoff aspirations.
| Opponent | Record |
|---|---|
| This week - Falcons - LOSS |
(10-2) |
| At Redskins | (5-7) |
| Lions | (2-10) |
| Seahawks | (6-6) |
| At Saints | (9-3) |
| Cumulative record of remaining teams on schedule |
(22-26) |
"Late season swoon" on hold
The Giants did to the Redskins today what they usually do - They completely dominated them. The Giants have now rattled off 5 straight over the Redskins, by a combined score of 138-50. The Giants now have the most challenging part of their schedule ahead, with a sneaky-tough game next week in Minny, followed by the Eagles at home and the Packers at Lambeau.
| Opponent | Record |
|---|---|
| This week - Redskins - WIN |
(5-7) |
| At Vikings | (5-7) |
| Eagles | (8-4) |
| At Packers | (8-4) |
| At Redskins | (5-7) |
| Cumulative record of remaining teams on schedule | (26-22) |
Looking for revenge
The Cowboys thoroughly embarrassed the Eagles in 2 consecutive weeks last year to end their season. The Eagles will get a chance for revenge on the Romo-less and Bryant-less Cowboys.
| Opponent | Record |
|---|---|
| At Cowboys | (4-8) |
| At Giants | (8-4) |
| Vikings | (5-7) |
| Cowboys | (4-8) |
| Cumulative record of remaining teams on schedule | (21-27) |
The worst 9-3 team in recent memory
The unnecessary roughness call on Ndamukong Suh on Jay Cutler was one of the worst calls of the season (no small feat). Why not just put red jerseys on the QB's already and make them untouchable? For the 2nd time this season, the Bears were beneficiaries of terrible calls that helped them beat the Lions. Three of their next four games include the Pats, Jets, and Packers - Good luck with all that.
| Opponent | Record |
|---|---|
| This week - At Lions - WIN |
(2-10) |
| Patriots | (9-2) |
| At Vikings | (5-7) |
| Jets | (9-2) |
| At Packers | (8-4) |
| Cumulative record of remaining teams on schedule | (31-15) |
Again... Not really playing all that well, but give them credit for finding ways to win
Should have lost to the lowly Bengals today, but didn't. This team will be an incredibly tough out in the playoffs.
| Opponent | Record |
|---|---|
| This week - At Bengals - WIN |
(2-10) |
| Rams | (6-6) |
| At Ravens | (8-3) |
| At Falcons | (10-2) |
| Buccaneers | (7-5) |
| Cumulative record of remaining teams on schedule | (31-16) |
Best team in the NFC
The Packers let the 49ers hang around against them for a half or so, but it was only a matter of time before they pulled away. This is the best team in the NFC right now, in my opinion.
| Opponent | Record |
|---|---|
| This week - 49ers - WIN |
(4-8) |
| At Lions | (2-10) |
| At Patriots | (9-2) |
| Giants | (8-4) |
| Bears | (9-3) |
| Cumulative record of remaining teams on schedule | (28-19) |
Not the best team in the NFC, but the Falcons will gladly settle for having the best record
With 10 minutes left in the 4th quarter and down 10 points, Eric Weems returned a kick 102 yards for a TD. It was clearly the play of the day. And yet, you'd never know it, because the only thing every post game talking head on the planet could say this evening was "Matty Ice" this, "Matty Ice" that. I fear that "Matty Ice" is the future annoying "can do no wrong" media darling of the next decade. The Falcons are 10-2, and even though there are most certainly a few teams more talented than them in the NFC, they'll be very tough to beat in that dome if they can wrap up home field throughout. Their extraordinarily easy remaining schedule will afford them a great opportunity to do just that.
| Opponent | Record |
|---|---|
| This week - At Buccaneers - WIN |
(7-4) |
| At Panthers | (1-11) |
| At Seahawks | (6-6) |
| Saints | (9-3) |
| Panthers | (1-11) |
| Cumulative record of remaining teams on schedule | (17-31) |