Tuesday, November 25, 2008

If it ended right now...

A quick glimpse at the playoff scenarios in both conferences:

AFC
1. Tennessee (10-1)
2. Pittsburgh (8-3)
3. N.Y. Jets (8-3)
4. Denver (6-5)
5. Indianapolis (7-4)
6. Baltimore (7-4)
OUT: New England (7-4)

Pittsburgh has the edge over the Jets for the #2 seed by virtue of a better conference record (Steelers are 7-1, Jets are 6-3). Indianapolis and Baltimore also make it over the Patriots on conference record -- Colts are 6-2, Ravens are 6-3 and Pats are 5-4.

NFC
1. N.Y. Giants (10-1)
2. Tampa Bay (8-3)
3. Arizona (7-4)
4. Chicago (6-5)
5. Carolina (8-3)
6. Washington (7-4)
OUT: Atlanta (7-4), Dallas (7-4), Minnesota (6-5)

Tampa Bay is currently in control of the NFC South due to its victory over Carolina in Week 6. Same goes for Chicago in the North, because of a win over Minnesota in Week 7. Washington is in front of the pack for the final Wild Card on conference record -- Redskins are 6-3 vs. the NFC, compared to 5-3 for the Falcons and 5-4 for Dallas.

Monday, November 24, 2008

The Day After -- Week 12

For those who may have spent their Sunday getting a jump on their holiday shopping, all you missed from yesterday's action was the NFL's remaining unbeaten team going down in flames, the re-emergence of Terrell Owens to fantasy football relevance, the Oakland Raiders actually winning a meaningful game on the road, and a certain superstar quarterback enduring the first non performance-related benching of his long and decorated career.

And plenty of scoring. Eleven teams put up 30 points or more during yesterday's slate, with Buffalo, New England and Atlanta amassing at least 45 in their Week 12 victories.

As expected, there are now a few questions in need of answering in the wake of the league's latest wild weekend:

Are the Jets the best team in the AFC? Certainly appears so, the way Brett Favre & Co. took apart the previously-unbeaten Tennessee Titans on the road yesterday. The win was the fifth in a row for the Jets, who with a relatively soft schedule the rest of the way, have a legitimate shot at wresting away the AFC's number one seed from the Titans with the tie-breaker advantage gained by Sunday's 34-13 triumph. May the premature talk of the ultimate dream Super Bowl scenario, where Gang Green would face its fellow Meadowlands tenant Giants, the unquestioned favorite in the NFC, begin as well.

Who needs Tom Brady? Matt Cassel has now accomplished a feat even Cover Boy has yet to achieve during his illustrious tenure as a Patriot, which is to throw for 400 yards in back-to-back games. Brady's understudy backed up his breakout 400-yard, three-touchdown effort against the Jets a week ago by torching Miami for 415 yards and three scores on 30-of-43 passing to trigger New England's 48-28 rout of the Dolphins on Sunday. Not only has Cassel helped keep the Pats afloat in the playoff race, but the previously-unknown quarterback may have made himself the most coveted signal-caller among the 2009 free-agent class, assuming Kurt Warner remains in Arizona for next year and beyond. Sorry Gisele, but Matt's married.

What in the world is going on in Philadelphia? Speculation of Donovan McNabb's departure from the Philadelphia Eagles has existed for two years now, but the events that unfolded during yesterday's pitiful 36-7 loss at Baltimore have clearly enhanced the possibility that No. 5 will be playing in some other city next season. McNabb was benched by head coach Andy Reid at halftime after committing three turnovers (2 interceptions, 1 fumble) and completing just 8-of-18 throws for 59 yards against the Ravens' strong D. It's the second straight weekend that Philly's longtime field general has stunk it up and had to endure some serious heat from the press afterward. McNabb threw a trio of picks in last Sunday's infamous 13-13 tie at lowly Cincinnati, then created plenty of talk-show debate with the revelation that he wasn't aware that NFL regular-season games can end in a stalemate at the conclusion of the 15-minute overtime period. Reid's reputation seems to be taking a hit as well after his hand-picked heir apparent to McNabb, second-year man Kevin Kolb, was completely ineffective after taking over in the second half.


Wednesday, November 5, 2008

Player purge in the works for Raiders?

The NFL's longest-running sitcom, better known as the Oakland Raiders, apparently will be soon debuting a brand-new episode to keep us all entertained.

According to a report in Tuesday's Contra Costa Times, the Raiders are contemplating a major roster shakeup that would include two of the team's primary offseason acquistions, cornerback DeAngelo Hall and wide receiver Javon Walker. NFL Network insider Adam Schefter recently wrote on his blog that Hall could be released as soon as this afternoon.

Cutting Hall loose would be a stunning development, even by Al Davis' standards. After all, Oakland sent Atlanta an early second-round pick in last April's draft to acquire the talkative cover man, then promptly signed him to a lavish seven-year, $70-million deal in which $24.5 million is guaranteed.

Hall has been a major bust so far, however, and it seems like Davis wants to cut his losses as soon as possible after finally seeing the error of his ways.

As foolish as Hall's signing has proven to be, Oakland's inking of the injury-prone Walker to a six-year, $55 million contract (with $16 million guaranteed) probably takes the cake as the single worst move of this past offseason. The washed-up wideout has contributed just 13 catches for 169 yards so far, although having JaMarcus Russell throw him passes hasn't helped Walker's cause.

Somewhere, Lane Kiffin is probably having a good chuckle.

Monday, November 3, 2008

Monday injury updates

Those of you who had been sorely missing the opportunity to watch Rex Grossman play quarterback (and I'm guessing the majority are Packers, Vikings and Lions fans), your wait appears to be over.

Grossman, the much-maligned former first-round pick who was under center for the Bears' Super Bowl run two years ago, will be back in the saddle for what appears to be the team's next four games following Kyle Orton's injury in Sunday's tussle with Detroit. The Chicago Tribune reported last night that Orton has a high ankle sprain that will keep the steady signal-caller out for around a month.

Steady isn't usually the first adjective used to describe the star-crossed Grossman, whose six-year tenure in the Windy City has been wrought by injuries and inconsistent play. The former University of Florida star did lead the Bears to a comeback win over the woeful Lions on Sunday, although he completed just 9-of-19 passes for 58 yards with one TD pass and an interception.

If the timetable on Orton's injury holds true, Grossman would start Chicago's next four games, three of which are on the road. The Bears visit NFC North rivals Green Bay and Minnesota during that stretch and will host the undefeated Tennessee Titans this coming Sunday.

The news seems to be a little better out of Houston, where early indications are that Texans quarterback Matt Schaub has averted serious injury to his left knee. The fifth-year pro, who sat out the second half of Houston's 28-21 loss to Minnesota yesterday, has been initially diagnosed with a knee sprain and will undergo an MRI on Monday.

Obviously, it's too early to tell whether Schaub will be healthy enough to go when the Texans host Baltimore this Sunday. The team does have a capable backup in veteran Sage Rosenfels, who put up 224 yards and two scores against Minnesota's shaky secondary in just two quarters of action.

In running back news, Kansas City's Kolby Smith suffered a season-ending injury to his right knee during the Chiefs' overtime loss to Tampa Bay on Sunday. With the Chiefs to be without primary ball-carrier Larry Johnson for at least one more week due to suspension, speedy rookie Jamaal Charles will get an extended audition to showcase his skills. The 2008 third-round selection was impressive in the Tampa loss, piling up a career-best 106 yards on just 18 carries.

UPDATE (2:30 p.m. EST): FoxSports.com's Jay Glazer has just reported that the MRI revealed a torn MCL in Schaub's left knee. Although the injury won't require surgery, it will sideline him for likely at least a month.

Sunday, November 2, 2008

The QB shuffle

As expected, the Cowboys finally pulled the plug on the Brad Johnson experiment. The aging quarterback was benched when Dallas began the second half of what's turning into an ugly loss to the reigning Super Bowl champion New York Giants.

Johnson's replacement, quintessential journeyman Brooks Bollinger, then promptly threw an interception on his first pass attempt as a Cowboy. The pick, which came from Giants safety James Butler, has just been converted into a Brandon Jacobs touchdown run for a commanding 28-7 New York lead.

Johnson was intercepted twice in the first half and completed just 5-of-11 throws for 71 yards in his latest ineffective showing in place of the injured Tony Romo.

In case you had not heard, a pair of starting signal-callers had to leave their respective games earlier in the day, both because of injuries. Chicago's Kyle Orton was carted off the field after hurting his right ankle late in the first half of the Bears' 27-23 win over Detroit, while Houston's Matt Schaub sat out the second half of the Texans' 28-21 loss at Minnesota with a gimpy left knee.

There's no word yet on the severity of either player's injury, although Orton's certainly looked pretty bad.

Witten to go for Cowboys

Just received word up here at the Meadowlands that Dallas Cowboys tight end Jason Witten will be active for today's upcoming showdown with the rival New York Giants. The Cowboys' leading receiver had been a game-time decision after he fractured a rib in his team's 13-9 victory over Tampa Bay last Sunday.

As for some of the injury news concerning some of the other 4 p.m. (et) games, looks like Michael Pittman (ribs, quest.) will be Denver's starting running back for the Broncos' battle with Miami. Backfield mate Selvin Young (groin) is inactive, however, which likely means rookie Ryan Torain will share ball-carrying duties with Pittman today.