Fire from the Hip: Thoughts on Sports & Real Life

RECORD
Week 12: 12 - 4
Overall: 86 -57

Two weeks ago following a devastating loss in which his team blew a 21 point lead, Bengals WR Chad Johnson challenged his team to overcome the adversity of losing four out of five games. He, and his team have responded emphatically with a two game winning streak coming into tonight's key divisional game with the Baltimore Ravens. In his last three games, Johnson has 573 receiving yards and five touchdowns. Following a crushing loss in which the Giants blew a 21 point lead in the fourth quarter, Michael Strahan issued a similar proclamation this week. More particularly, he questioned the effort of WR Plaxico Burress who failed to make a real attempt at preventing an interception against the Titans on Sunday. Strahan has missed the last three games, all losses, and is listed as doubtful for Sunday's showdown with the Cowboys. Like the Bengals, at home against the division-leader, the Giants must win this week. If Strahan can go, it would bolster a pass rush that was unable to seal a victory during the fourth quarter against Tennessee, enabling Vince Young to rally the Titans. In a broader scope. we'll see if either of these two teams can take a definitive step towards the playoffs in Week 13.

Baltimore Ravens at Cincinnati Bengals - Bengals

So I am back on board with this squad. But unlike the fools who seem to think Cincinnati's defense is suddenly dominant based on last week's performance turned in against the woeful Browns, I like the Bengals tonight based on their offense. In particular, the passing game is clicking right now. Three and a half weeks ago, I took the Bengals in Baltimore based on their big play capability. I am sticking with that reasoning here because the Ravens defense remains susceptible to the vertical passing game of the Bengals, especially when Cincinnati goes with their three receiver formations. Billick is bound to lose sometime, right?

Detroit Lions at New England Patriots - Patriots

The Lions may have reached a new low on Thanksgiving, losing to the Dolphins who were led by former Lions first-round pick, QB Joey Harrington. It gets even worse for the Lions who were ripped this week by the national media for their mean-spirited introduction of Harrington during pre-game warmups. So Matt Millen, how exactly do you still have your job? Without dragging politics into this column, I will just say that the relationship between Matt Millen and William Clay Ford Jr. must be something comparable to that of Donald Rumsfeld and President George Bush. There might be more to this actually. Millen and Rumsfeld came on the scene eleven days apart in January 2001. One down, the other has to fall soon. There is a limit to how much poor leadership a team or country can endure.

New York Jets at Green Bay Packers - Packers

For the last few minutes, I have been trying to justify picking the Jets in this game because they are statistically the better team. I then remembered they lost to the Browns. So that cinched it for me. Packers it is. Green Bay played a whale of a half against the Seahawks. Let's see if they can play like that for a full game this week. The thing about the 2006 Jets is that they don't really have a strength. It's amazing really; they are rated in the bottom half of the league in Rushing, Passing, and Total Offense and Defense. How does this team have a winning record? For getting six Ws in eleven weeks when most thought this team would contend for the first pick in the 2007 draft, Head Coach Eric Mangini deserves consideration for Coach of the Year.

Kansas City Chiefs at Cleveland Browns - Chiefs

Here is something humorous for you: Peter King picked the Browns to beat the Chiefs. I can tell you a million reasons why the Browns will lose this game. However, I will give you just one: I will be unable to view this game as I am traveling to New York City this weekend. The rest of this preview was going to be dedicated to John Tait, the Chiefs offensive lineman who ended up with the ball during the last play, the second to last play I should say, in the Dwayne Rudd game. However, he now plays for Chicago. So I'll just make this wish: here is hoping that somewhere in a plush living room on Sunday, Dwayne Rudd is forced to see his bone-headed play over and over and over again. Ohh by the way, you might have heard that the Browns laid an egg last Sunday and suddenly, the team appears undisciplined, disinterested, and HORRENDOUS.

Indianapolis Colts at Tennessee Titans - Colts

What a job Jeff Fisher does year after year with the Titans. No matter the situation, whether a lack of talent or besieged by injuries, he always gets maximum effort from his team. The Titans refusal to quit against the Giants and stunning fourth quarter comeback ought to be reason enough for Owner Bud Adams to bring Fisher back for a twelvth season. This week, the Colts come to town, which presents a difficult task for Tennessee. However, they surprised everybody in Week 5 with a gutsy effort against the Colts, losing 14-13 on a late fourth quarter touchdown drive engineered by Peyton Manning. It will be close but c'mon.

Arizona Cardinals at St. Louis Rams - Rams

The Rams finally rewarded my faith in them with a hard-fought victory over the 49ers last week. The Cardinals put forth a heck of an effort in the Metrodome last week in a 31-26 loss to the Vikings. I like the Rams to win this game because the Cardinals have one victory this season for a reason. However, I think it means something when I can honestly say that I think the Cardinals have more reasons for optimism than Cleveland. Matt Leinart is playing better of late, which is in direct relation to an offensive line that has allowed just two sacks in the last three games. A side note: I have finally given up on the Rams ever trying to get the ball downfield to Torry Holt who I traded for Texans WR Andre Johnson. Talk about desperate but Scott Linehan has built the Rams offensive scheme around Stephen Jackson, not the down-field ability of the St. Louis receivers.

Atlanta Falcons at Washington Redskins - Falcons

Do you really think we have heard the last of the Falcons? The beauty of the NFL in recent years is the fact that you can count on fifteen teams still being mathematically alive for a playoff spot in Week 17. Mark my words. In the NFC, teams like Green Bay won't be eliminated until Week 16. The Falcons will find a way to rally around Michael Vick and put together a decent defensive effort against Jason Campbell who is making his third straight start for the Redskins. The entire NFC is a great snapshot of parity at its finest. Yeah, the Bears are good and the Seahawks and Cowboys are pretty good but is anyone 100% confident in picking any from this trio to win each week? This week is a great example. Looking at trends, the Cowboys should take care of the Giants, but really? And the Bears hosting the Vikings? I could see 5 turnovers from Grossman and a Minnesota W. Seattle at Denver who is starting a rookie QB? Last time I checked, Denver was the favorite! There you go...

San Francisco 49ers at New Orleans Saints - Saints

Although I picked the Rams last week, I was a bit disappointed to see the 49ers lose last week on the road in St. Louis. I think this team is close to turning the corner. Although, maybe Mike Nolan is the next Butch Davis. Davis always got the most out of his teams when they were young and impressionable but proved unable to manage expectations or figure out how to take the next step. The 49ers will need a momentous effort from their defense to steal this game from the Saints. With Carolina's loss last week in Washington, they have once again exhibited their penchant for mediocrity. They have opened the door for the Saints to regain control of the division and I am not sure the Saints will relinquish the division lead again.

Minnesota Vikings at Chicago Bears - Bears

The Bears will go as far as Rex Grossman takes them. The Vikings have a very solid rush defense but their secondary is pretty ordinary. Grossman's receivers (Berrian, Muhammed, et al.) will find open spaces and I suspect the Bears QB will turn in a steady performance. The Vikings offense lacks the potential for the big play and the Bears aren't a team that gives up many sustained drives. Chester Taylor will be hard pressed to duplicate the 136 yards he put up last week versus the Cardinals.

San Diego Chargers at Buffalo Bills - Chargers

For the first time in as long as I can remember, I wished for CBS to cut coverage of the Browns game against the Bengals. And for a split second, my wish was granted. With a minute left in the Jaguars/Bills game, the game suddenly appeared as David Garrard scrambled to the Bills eight yard line. A split second later, I was watching Chuck Frye throw another incomplete pass. Long story short, the Bills played well against a playoff-caliber team in Jacksonville, pulling the upset on a last second field goal. Rumor has it that during their current two game winning streak, J.P. Losman has played pretty well. Didn't somebody say the same thing about Michael Vick after those two games against the Bengals and Steelers? We'll see how he holds up against the Chargers who will have Shawne Merriman back following his four game suspension for steroids. Tough break, J.P.

Jacksonville Jaguars at Miami Dolphins - Dolphins

The Dolphins continue to justify why I picked them as my second half team to watch. But more importantly, the Jaguars continue to show the inconsistency that will ensure an interesting final week of the season in the AFC. I swear Denver and Jacksonville are determined to keep every five win team hanging around in the conference. The only difference I see between Jacksonville and Carolina right now is the fact that the Panthers still have a chance at the NFC South division crown. But each team's inability to win on the road against bottom-feeders in the league is astonishing. Neither team had any business losing against Washington and Buffalo last week who had a combined record of 7-13 before last Sunday. Two of my four losses came as a result of those games so you can understand my bitterness.

Houston Texans at Oakland Raiders - Raiders

Well, this game and the Texans meeting with the Browns at the end of the season could go a long way in determining who will have the number 1 pick next April. The Texans have surprised me a little in back to back losses against New York and Buffalo the last two weeks. I thought they were really starting to put things together and I was thinking of somewhere around six to seven wins. That now seems out of reach. I know that picking the Raiders is a bold statement but they are playing hard for Art Shell of late. Tough losses against Kansas City and San Diego show that the team hasn't quit on him. Perhaps, they manage to win this weekend at home.

Dallas Cowboys at New York Giants - Giants

So last week, I predicted that New York would rebound from all the adversity with a win against Tennessee. Well, they were close. Unfortunately, they blew a 21 point lead in the fourth quarter. It was a monumental collapse and this week, more adversity faces the Giants. DE Michael Strahan called out Plaxico Burress, and followed that up by berating a reporter when asked about his comments. To put it bluntly, the team is a mess. Some are saying that the team has lost confidence in Head Coach Tom Coughlin. Well, I don't know if Tom Coughlin has anything to do with Eli Manning's struggles but the team has looked flat at crucial times the last few weeks. With their season on the line against the archrival Cowboys, I have a hunch the Giants will bring their A game. If Eli can regain his composure and let the game come to him, the Giants offensive weapons will start producing. Shockey, Barber, and Burress have been quiet the past few weeks. At least on the field. What about the Cowboys you ask? Dallas is playing well right but they haven't played a close game recently. I don't like their kicking situation and I like it even less now with Mike Vanderjagt gone. On top of that, this season has been filled to the brim with drama and I expect a loss at New York to continue that trend. They have to lose just to maintain the unpredictable nature the team seems to enjoy. And then they will win the division. Follow me?

Tampa Bay Bucs at Pittsburgh Steelers - Steelers

And to think, the Browns could have been the ones to extinguish the playoff aspirations of the Steelers. I wonder if the Bucs have peaked and are now just waiting for the season to end. It wouldn't surprise me. They got off to a rough start from which they were never really able to recover. For the Steelers, I am curious to see how they perform now that the team is officially done. Will the veteran team pack it in as they are used to playing for something in December? What about Bill Cowher's future? I think how the team plays will give us a good idea on the approach Bill Cowher is taking towards the long-term future. Will the team coast to the finish as he retires to North Carolina with his family? We'll have to wait and see.

Seattle Seahawks at Denver Broncos - Broncos

With ten days to prepare for the Seattle, I can't imagine Mike Shanahan having a game plan that won't produce some point on offense. I imagine he'll will renew his commitment to the running game in an attempt to protect Jay Cutler. Cutler, the first rounder out of Vanderbilt, will be making his first career start in place of the ineffective Jake Plummer. This is a big decision for the Broncos as they hold a tenuous grip on one of the two wild card spots in the AFC. Seattle, on a short week after their win on Monday night, will have a difficult time of it in boistrous Mile High. The Seahawks are just getting healthy again with Matt Hasselbeck and Shaun Alexander, showing flashes of their 2005 forms against the Packers. But I am going with the Broncos in this one. Rookie QBS have had a surprising amount of success this year and perhaps, Cutler will continue the trend.

Carolina Panthers at Philadelphia Eagles - Panthers

The Eagles present me with a difficult challenge the rest of the year: by starting Jeff Garcia, I am not sure I can pick them the rest of the season. He is that bad. Did you watch him Sunday night? I said it here last week that he can't throw the ball more than fifteen yards. I guess completing 19-23 swing passes is impressive. Jake Delhomme has not played up to par this season. But if he can just turn it on the next six weeks, Carolina fans will quickly forget about his struggles. This is a team that will only go as far as their quarterback. He must find a way to cut down on turnovers and do a better job of getting the ball to their receiving threats: Keyshawn Johnson and Steve Smith.


NOTE: Though this article has posted after the start of the Raven/Bengal game, you needn't worry because my picks have been uninfluenced. Let's be honest here, the games on NFL Network can be seen in what, 40 million homes? If I were the NFL, I would be concerned because they are alienating a large number of fans with this line in the sand they have taken with broadcasting companies. Needless to say, I wish I could watch the Baltimore/Cincinnati game right now...So there are my picks for Week 13.