Ten Things We Learned On The NFL’s Thirteenth Sunday

Added on Dec 06, 2010 by Scott in

NFL

NFC Wild Card Game: Atlanta Falcons v Arizona Cardinals

It was a bit of a mixed bag yesterday in the NFL. Seven games were decided by four points or less, while the other seven were decided by double-digits. The Bengals lost their ninth straight, the Titans dropped their fifth in a row and Indianapolis fell for the third consecutive game. Meanwhile, the Bears remain undefeated since their bye and the Chiefs exacted vengeance on the Broncos for a Week 10 blowout. There was much to be learned on the thirteenth Sunday of the season. Ten things to be exact.

10. The Bengals are gullible – Maybe a better word would be stupid. Leading by three late in the game versus New Orleans, the Bungals jumped offsides on a 4th and 2 at their own seven-yard line. The next play Drew Brees tossed the winning touchdown to Marques Colston. 2-10 teams are a lot of things — being smart isn’t one of them.

9. Jay Cutler has stopped making mistakes – During his last two starts, Jay Cutler has thrown five touchdown passes with zero interceptions. He did lose a fumble yesterday, but for the most part he has put a halt to boneheaded decisions and critical turnovers. If he can keep this up, the Bears will be tough to beat come January.

8. Champ Bailey is still a beast – Nobody was hotter than Dwayne Bowe entering the week. He had racked 13 scores over the last seven games. On Sunday he went toe-to-toe with one of the league’s few remaining shutdown corners, Champ Bailey. Bowe was held without a catch for the first time since his rookie season in 2007. The Broncos might stink, but Bailey has never been better.

7. Tarvaris Jackson is still alive – The cynical Vikings fans will tell you Jackson should have been under center long before old man Favre got his shoulder crunched against the Bills. It was a typical Jekyll-Hyde performance for Jackson: two touchdowns to Sidney Rice, three picks (one returned for a score). Interim coach Lezlie Frasier says Favre is the starter if healthy. Does it really matter?

6. Mike Shanahan is overrated – For undisclosed reasons, Shanahan deactivated big baby Albert Haynesworth for the showdown with the Giants. Brandon Jacobs and Ahmad Bradshaw proceeded to rush for 200 yards and four touchdowns. Haynesworth isn’t exactly the picture of dominance, but I think he probably could’ve helped a little defending the run. Shanahan hasn’t won ten games since 2006. He’s coached one postseason victory without John Elway. Just sayin’.

5. The Titans are finished – Since Randy Moss arrived, Tennessee is 0-4, they’ve lost their starting quarterback for the season and Chris Johnson has found the end zone only once. I’m not suggesting Moss is the root of all evil, but he sure as hell hasn’t been the harbinger of good. Methinks Randy won’t be in Titans uniform in 2011.

4. The Chargers are still the Chargers – San Diego was favored by 13 at home versus Oakland. For a 6-5 team, that’s a whole lotta points to give. Evidently the Raiders agreed because they smacked the Bolts around and won by 15. Vegas was smoking some wacky tobacky when they set that line.

3. Peyton Manning is scrambling – He’s tossed 15 picks on the year; 13 have come in the last five games; four have been returned for touchdowns. Dallas Clark was his security blanket. Joesph Addai was the run game. Without both, Manning is pressing like crazy. He has three division games left, so hope is not lost. However, he must cease and desist with the giveaways.

2. The Falcons have that look – The Super Bowl look. It wasn’t easy, but the Dirty Birds took care of business in Tampa Bay and control their own destiny for home field advantage in the NFC. A Week 16 battle with the defending champion Saints will likely decide the NFC South crown. I can’t wait.

1. Troy Polamalu always finds a way – The Steelers looked dead in the water trailing 10-6 late in the fourth quarter. Then all-world safety Troy Polamalu drilled quarterback Joe Flacco for a sack/fumble inside the Ravens ten-yard line. Three plays later Big Ben zipped the winning touchdown pass to Isaac Redman. Elite players just know how to get it done.