Fire from the Hip: Thoughts on Sports & Real Life

RECORD
Last Week: 7-9
Overall: 93 - 66

Just when you thought that this year couldn't get any stranger, it did. The Panthers and Giants again managed to prove their ineptitude losing late against the Eagles and Cowboys respectively. Jeff Garcia kept the Eagles faint playoff hopes alive with a spectacular game, throwing for 312 yards and three touchdowns. The Jets surprised me with their effort in Lambeau, but I still think you can't consider them a serious playoff contender. And how about the Tennessee Titans? So before this season, there had been four field goals in NFL history of sixty plus yards. In the last ten weeks, there have been two sixty plus yards to win games in the final seconds. A crazy season that just keeps getting more and more bizarre. I offer you my abridged rundown of the games this week.

Cleveland Browns at Pittsburgh Steelers - Steelers

This game is one of the more difficult that I have been faced with in recent weeks. I can't help but believe in the Browns. It would be so fitting for them to find a way to win this game behind the play of likely starter, Derek Anderson. Charlie Frye remains questionable with a severely bruised wrist and if he can't go, Anderson will make his first NFL start. The second year QB out of Oregon State stepped in for Frye last Sunday and rallied the Browns to a dramatic 31-28 victory over the Chiefs. However, it will be a much different atmosphere under the lights at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh Thursday night.

Oakland Raiders at Cincinnati Bengals - Bengals

This game looks like a mismatch on paper. I think the score might bear a striking resemblance to the paper.

Tennessee Titans at Houston Texans - Titans

The Titans have been amazing recently going 5-2 over the last seven weeks. Vince Young seems to be turning the corner and suddenly, Jeff Fisher is the most underrated head coach in the league. With their remaining schedule, finishing with a five hundred record is not inconceivable. Who would have believed that after five consecutive losses to start the season?

New England Patriots at Miami Dolphins - Patriots

Well, the Dolphins finally came back to Earth last week with their showing against the Jaguars. Those tricky Jaguars keep finding ways to hurt my record. I should go and take a look at what my record is in games involving the Jaguars. That actually would be quite a little experiment. Anyway, the Patriots continue to win in very underwhelming fashion. They squeak by the Lions last week in the fourth quarter? Unimpressive. But I like them here and they have played well in Miami in recent years. I could see an overtime touchdown pass from Brady to Troy Smith like the one two or three years ago. 19-13 Pats.

Minnesota Vikings at Detroit Lions - Vikings

Does anybody have any idea which week the Vikings are most likely to show up ready to play? Although, you can't really blame them for losing to a better team last week at Soldier Field. However, they certainly had their opportunities to make that game interesting. What a horrendous game fans were treated to last week between the Vikes and Bears last week. Seven interceptions combined between the starting quarterbacks? This matchup has boring written all over it. The Lions are certainly capable of winning this game but I will stick with the favorites...if they are indeed favored.

Philadelphia Eagles at Washington Redskins - Redskins

I know it sounds crazy but I like Washington in this game. I am not sold on Garcia whatsoever and I think Ladell Betts will find running room against the Eagles defense. If there is any discernible trend this season, it is a letdown by playoff hopefuls the week after a big win.

Baltimore Ravens at Kansas City Chiefs - Ravens

Here is a game that the Ravens will steal. Whenever people get down on the Ravens and their offense, Steve McNair does just enough to restore the faith, inspiring pundits to fawn over Baltimore as dark-horse Super Bowl contenders.

New York Giants at Carolina Panthers - Panthers

To write off a team like the Giants is a risky proposition. However, their incompetence last week was mind-boggling. They steal the momentum away from Dallas with a brilliant scoring drive, seemingly sending the game to overtime. Then, their defense gets caught flat-footed and gives up a huge pass play to the Cowboy tight end, Jason Witten. What a disaster this team is. Although, not much more can be said for the Panthers. It is a battle of the two most inconsistent teams in the NFC. Which team will hand the other the game at the last possible second? I think the Giants can manage that operation.

Indianapolis Colts at Jacksonville Jaguars - Colts

The Colts seem to have the Jaguars number. Indianapolis has major defensive issues and are most certainly vulnerable against the Jaguars rushing attack. But Peyton Manning will find a way to win this game and clinch the division. And let's be honest, last week aside, the Jaguars have not given many reasons with their play recently to produce speculation about this game.

Atlanta Falcons at Tampa Bay Bucs - Falcons

The Falcons win this game to keep their playoff hopes alive. But really, who cares? This contest has uninteresting stamped on it.

Green Bay Packers at San Francisco 49ers - 49ers

This game is the matchup of the week...ten years ago.

Seattle Seahawks at Arizona Cardinals - Seahawks

The Seahawks are returning to their 2005 form. They seem like the only team capable of being called a Super Bowl team out of the NFC. I am sorry but I won't consider a team whose QB throws for 34 yards and three interceptions. That is embarrassing. When will we see Brian Griese in Chicago?

Buffalo Bills at New York Jets - Jets

Two teams that could be decent in 2007 play in December 2006. Why you ask? Because these two teams play twice a year, believe it or not.

Denver Broncos at San Diego Chargers - Chargers

Remember a few weeks back when this game was for the division. My, how the Broncos have fallen. I had to remind myself to put in the Chargers defense in fantasy football against the Jay Cutler-led Broncos.

New Orleans Saints at Dallas Cowboys - Cowboys

The Cowboys may be the best team in the NFC right now. What a name Tony Romo has made himself in less than two months? Simply amazing.

Chicago Bears at St. Louis Rams - Bears

Rams are done. Bears continue to stumble towards the number one seed in the NFC with a disastrous quarterback situation. I don't think the Bears realize how much trouble they are in. Ohh well, they will find out in mid-January.