Fire from the Hip: Thoughts on Sports & Real Life

1. Enough is enough. I don’t care what kind of excuses Bill Simmons is making; there is absolutely no reason for Tom Brady to be in a 38-0 game at home against a completely overmatched Redskins team. That aside, this is one of the greatest teams ever. The numbers that Tom Brady and many others on the offensive side of the ball are putting up will never be matched. Gaudy doesn’t even begin to describe the numbers of the video game-like Pats offense. Brady has 30 touchdowns and two interceptions!!!

2. Philadelphia got a big win in Minnesota this week, but they’ll need next week’s game at home against Dallas as well if they are going to be a player in the playoff hunt. The East is by far the most complete division in the NFC, with one of the two wild cards most certainly emerging from that division.

3. I can’t get over how desperate the quarterbacking situation in the NFL has become. Look at some of the guys who started or played in Week 8: Gus Frerotte, Vinny Testaverde, David Carr, Kelly Holcomb, Cleo Lemon, Brian Griese, Quinn Gray, and Sage Rosenfels. Their combined efforts led to a 1-6 record with 4 touchdowns and 7 interceptions thrown. Throw the numbers of Vince Young, Daunte Culpepper, and Alex Smith into the mix and that’s some terrible quarterbacking.

4. Let’s talk for a minute about the nascent race for wild card berths in the AFC. Halfway through the season, the Colts and Patriots find themselves in control of their respective divisions. After a slow start, the Chargers are finally starting to play to their talent level, and their division lead should only grow in the second half. Meanwhile, the favorite in the AFC North has to be the Pittsburgh Steelers with an intimidating defense and a smash-mouth offense. Despite the Steelers and Colts, the AFC South and AFC North each hold three teams capable of winning at least 9 games. Eyeballing the AFC North race, the Ravens have already played the soft part of their schedule. Visits to Pittsburgh, Seattle, and San Diego await them as well as home dates against the Colts and Patriots. Meanwhile, the Browns still have the Jets, 49ers, Bills, Cardinals, and Texans on their schedule. If Derek Anderson can continue his Pro-Bowl-caliber play behind center for Cleveland, I like their chances to stay in contention for the final playoff spot in the AFC. However, the Broncos, Titans, and Jaguars are also solid candidates for the Wild Card. If the Browns don’t make the playoffs, the defensive will be to blame.

5. Mighty content on this Sunday to see the Saints win their third straight game. It looks as if their 0-4 start didn’t doom them at all. They find themselves just one game behind the first place Panthers, led by David Carr. Remember three weeks ago when I said the Saints weren’t dead yet, that prediction went well. If I am a Saints fan, I sleep pretty well this week, knowing that my team still has a very dynamic offense and more importantly, New Orleans resides in the AFC South.

Labels: NFL, Week 8

Last Week: 8 - 6
Overall: 62 - 40

So I am feeling pretty good after my prediction of the Saints revival. Some other games didn't exactly go my way last week but sometimes, you have to ruffle some feathers. Picking Week 8 starts now!

Detroit Lions at Chicago Bears - Bears

Bears are on their way to an 8-8 season, which means 4-4 is halfway there.

Pittsburgh Steelers at Cincinnati Bengals - Steelers

Everyone is on the Steelers case this week and discussing this game as a potential upset. Think again. The Bengals defense is horrendous.

Oakland Raiders at Tennessee Titans - Titans

Even if Vince Young plays poorly, the Titans defense is good enough to shut down the one-dimensional Raiders offense.

Cleveland Browns at St. Louis Rams - Browns

Browns win two in a row for the first time since 2003. Impressive streak.

New York Giants at Miami Dolphins - Giants

This game is in London. I wonder if people will eat fish and chips at the game instead of hot dogs. Giants are happy not to be playing at the dump that is the Meadowlands.

Philadelphia Eagles at Minnesota Vikings - Eagles

Taking the Eagles is an iffy proposition considering a loss here would be appropriate for the most disappointing team in the NFC. And yes, that includes the Saints and Bears.

Indianapolis Colts at Carolina Panthers - Colts

Who do you take Vinny Testaverde or Peyton Manning? Colts it is.

Buffalo Bills at New York Jets - Jets

The Jets are bad but the Bills are terrible even with their win over Baltimore at home last Sunday. Jets win the turnover battle and move into a tie for second place in the AFC East at 2-5.

Houston Texans at San Diego Chargers - Chargers

Chargers beat the struggling Texan by a wide margin.

Jacksonville Jaguars at Tampa Bay Bucs - Bucs

Quinn Gray = terrible. Jaguars can't win with him at QB. Bucs by default.

Washington Redskins at New England Patriots - Patriots

Does anybody give the Redskins any chance to cover the spread??? Let alone win the game.

New Orleans Saints at San Fransisco 49ers - Saints

Trent Dilfer is to Tim Rattay is to Vinny Testaverde is to Brian Griese is to Kelly Holcomb. Bad.

Green Bay Packers at Denver Broncos - Broncos

Broncos win on a last second field goal by Jason Elam...again.