NFL Power Rankings: Week 9 (It’s Not Unusual to Have the Saints at #1…)

Another great week of NFL action: the Colts won (but looked human), the Saints continue to roll, and the Giants continue to spiral out of control.

It seems like every week brings more drama to the stage during what has been a very exciting season thus far that we are now halfway through.

One thing is for sure….THE REDSKINS DIDN’T LOSE THIS WEEK! (But the Browns did!)

[Editor's Note: There you go dick Myles. Keep rubbing salt in the wound jackass buddy. Keep kicking Browns fans when they're down you no talent ass clown my friend.

I can't wait until Peyton Manning retires and your one-man franchise returns to sucking and all of its fair-weather fans go away.  Go ahead, shake your head. But you know it's true.]

Now, onto this week’s Power Rankings.

… Continue Reading

NFL Betting Week 8 Odds and Picks: Bears-Browns, Giants-Eagles, Vikings-Packers

Just like the World Series odds put pressure on the Yankees, the NFL is placing the heat on several teams this week. The Bears, Giants and Vikings all have plenty to prove; we focus on them for our Week 8 NFL picks.

… Continue Reading

NFL Power Rankings: Week 8

With a another very interesting week of NFL Football in the books, the Power Rankings have decided to be like Elvis for Halloween this week….they’re “All Shook Up”.

O.K., that was terrible, but on a more serious note, it was a very interesting week with a lot of changes in the rankings. Take a look and comment; tell me what YOU think!

[Editor's note: I'll tell you what I think right now. How in the hell can you drop the Saints below the Colts after NO showed the heart of a champion on the road this past Sunday? Oh wait, that's right...I forgot that you live in Indianapolis. Never mind. Makes perfect sense. "All shook up" indeed...]

… Continue Reading

NFL Power Rankings: Top 15 for Week 6

Another interesting week of NFL football and it’s time to see how the top 15 teams in the NFL stack up.

It should come as no surprise that last week’s top two stayed in the same spots this weekend.

(Hint: both teams have Archie Manning’s sons calling the signals!)

After the jump, check out my current top 15 and then chime in with your comments/disagreements in the comment section.

… Continue Reading

Big MB’s NFL Power Rankings, Week 4

[Editor's note: Today we introduce a new weekly feature here at MSF, courtesy of Big MB, our soon-to-be renowned NFL expert and already renowned teller of "this".

Every week around this time, Big MB will be checking in with his NFL Power Rankings. He goes 1-15 and gives you the low down on the NFL's best teams.

Bold prediction: the Cleveland Browns and Miami Dolphins will not be making it into Big MB's first list.

Find out after the jump.]

… Continue Reading

Desean Jackson, Brian Westbrook Injury Update and Week 3 Status

From a fantasy perspective, no team is more mind-achingly frustrating intriguing than the Philadelphia Eagles heading into Week 3. Not only do the Eagles have what looks to be a pretty sweet matchup against the hapless Kansas City Chiefs, but Philadelphia’s most recent injury report would make for half of a pretty good fantasy starting lineup:

QB: Donovan McNabb – doubtful with rib injury

RB: Brian Westbrook – questionable with ankle injury

WR: Desean Jackson – questionable with groin injury

WR: Kevin Curtis – doubtful with knee injury

Most McNabb owners are probably not counting on him playing this weekend. Certainly they should not be. McNabb is reportedly progressing well, but there is no reason for the Eagles to play him this week and risk further injury when they have a bye week coming up next week.

As for Desean Jackson, he participated fully in Friday’s practice and should be good to go on Sunday. With Kevin Curtis likely out, and rookie Jeremy Maclin lining up opposite Jackson, I expect Desean and Brent Celek to get most of the targets from probable starting QB Kevin Kolb. The reports were pretty solid about Jackson, so he should be ready to contribute normally.

With all that said, the most compelling and influential injury issue in Philadelphia for Week 3 is Brian Westbrook.

Update 9/27: ESPN’s Sal Paolantonio just reported that Brian Westbrook is OUT for Sunday’s game.  Play LeSean McCoy.

… Continue Reading

Donovan McNabb Injury Update: Leaves Game with Broken Rib, Status Uncertain

Donovan McNabb left today’s Eagles-Panthers game with an apparent rib injury. He walked off the field under his own power and went to the locker room. No further updates available yet on his status.

Kevin Kolb is mopping up the massacre as Jake Delhomme has thrown 4 picks.

And now for some updates, as of 5:00 CT on Sunday night.

The initial prognosis and injury update on McNabb, courtesy of Pro Football Talk (via ESPN’s Chris Mortensen) is that Donovan McNabb has a broken rib. As of right now, no specific timetable is known regarding how long McNabb might be out.

A more recent post by Pro Football Talk highlights the likelihood that McNabb’s availability will hinge on his ability to withstand the pain the broken rib will provide. Additionally, the team and McNabb will have to wait until tomorrow when further tests reveal the extent of the injury and how much risk of future injury McNabb might be running by playing.

Follow the links to StubHub for great deals on Philadelphia Eagles tickets and all NFL tickets.

And, of course, there is this reality: Michael Vick is eligible to play on one more week, beginning in Week 3. It has been pretty obvious this preseason, based on the subtext of some of McNabb’s public comments, that he feels somewhat threatened by the presence of Vick. I’ll echo what the PFT guys say: Kevin Kolb may start next week, but if McNabb can walk, he’ll be on the field come Week 3.

**********

* – Donovan McNabb photo credit: NFL Freaks

Michael Vick’s Debut in Philadelphia Could be an Ominous Sign of Future Controversy

[Editor's Note: I am happy to announce Rich Brown as the newest writer for Midwest Sports Fans. Rich currently runs the website http://www.nflandcollegefootball.com/ and will be covering the NFL and college football for us here. His first effort is a good timely one, as you will read below.]

——————–

What Michael Vick brings to the table for the NFL and the Philadelphia Eagles is excitement, big plays, and lots of flash.  As football fans, we crave this like a bad drug habit.  This excitement and big play potential is why we watch the game, similar to how many NASCAR fans watch races for the crashes.  

Michael Vick will make the Eagles interesting, not just due to being a decoy and running the wildcat formation.  He will also make the Eagles interesting because we want to see how he is changed on and off the field. Plus, as we found out after last night’s, Vick’s presence in Philadelphia has created the potential for controversy between he, Donovan McNabb, and the Eagles fans as the season progresses.  

During his interview with James Brown on 60 minutes, Vick acknowledged that he was the last one on the field and the first one off it during his time in Atlanta.  He could get away with this to a certain extent because, as we all know, Vick is as nimble as a cheetah on the field and has a cannon for an arm. There is no denying his skills as an athlete no matter how much we may dislike the things he has done.  

With the media circus that surrounds Vick this year, will he be the first one on the field and the last one off it? What if Vick spends more time watching film and, in turn, is able to break down defenses not only with his legs but with his arm?  He will have six weeks to prepare for the grind that is the NFL before being able to play in the regular seson, and he will be fresh when defenses (and even his own teammates) are banged up.  

This is where things will become interesting.  

Eagles fans have this love-hate relationship with Donovan McNabb.  Things will very likely be rosy for the first seven games of the season for Philadelphia, as they can easily go 6-1 with their schedule.  Once Vick is back, however, the schedule becomes disastrous.  They will play consecutively starting November 1st: the Giants, Cowboys, at San Diego, at the Bears, Redskins, at Atlanta (to say that Falcon fans will not be happy to welcome Vick back is the understatement of the year) and at the New York Giants.  

Not that the Eagles will lose all of these games, but they will be in a “dog fight” for each one of them.  

If Donovan McNabb struggles and Vick shows signs of brilliance, what will happen then?  Do Eagle fans start to chant we want Vick?  [Editor's Note: They already have!]

What I do know is Vick was perfect with 4-4 passing in the first half of tonight’s preseason game while McNabb had a touchdown but also a fumble and a pick returned for a touchdown.  

Was last night a sign of things to come?  Only time will tell. 

**********

Keep your eye out for Rich’s next column here at MSF, and you can also follow his blog at http://www.nflandcollegefootball.com/.

* – Michael Vick photo credit: AP Photo/Matt Slocum via ESPN.com

Preview and Prediction of the Unlikely Eagles-Cardinals NFC Championship Game, After a Year of Unlikely Occurences

So did you hear the news? The crazy, wild, unbelievable news?

The Arizona Cardinals (yes, the same franchise that has never won two playoff games in the same season) are playing the Philadelphia Eagles (yes, the same franchise that tied Cincinnati earlier this season and was left for dead when they were 5-5-1) in the NFC Championship game. I suppose Philadelphia isn’t that big of a surprise when you consider their four previous NFC Championship game appearances this decade. But the Cardinals? The pathetic, moribund Cardinals? Can it really be so?

Oh, it be so — and I for one think it is going to be a great game on Sunday.

Quickly, as has become our custom in these playoff preview posts, here are the particulars to get you ready for the game:

NFC Championship Game

Philadelphia Eagles at Arizona Cardinals

• Sunday, January 18, 2009
• TV: 3:00 ET on FOX
• Announcers: Joe Buck, Troy Aikman, and Pam Oliver
• Season Series: Philadelphia Eagles 1 | Arizona Cardinals 0
• Point Spread: Philadelphia Eagles -3 1/2
• Over-Under: 47 (point spread courtesy of BetUs.com)

Now, let’s have a little fun. 2008 was a most unlikely year, with plenty of occurences that no one ever would have thought possible a 365 days before the NFC Championship game on January 18, 2008. For instance, who would have thought…

• The United States would elect a black President? It happened.
• The Miami Dolphins would go from 1-15 to AFC East champions? It happened.
• The Atlanta Falcons, behind a rookie QB and a rookie head coach, would make the playoffs? It happened.
• The Baltimore Ravens, behind a rookie QB and a rookie head coach, would make not only the playoffs, but the AFC Championship game? It happened.
• The city of Philadelphia would win a championship? It happened.
• Fans of Indiana University would seriously contemplate their team going 0-16 in the Big Ten after ethics violations in their basketball program? It is, sadly, happening right now.
• Brett Favre would be playing for someone other than the Packers? It happened.
• That I would have moved from Indiana to Dallas and started a blog about Midwest sports and then stayed up late to write a preview of a game that does not involve any teams from the Midwest? It happened.

And I could go on and on.

When you take into account all of the crazy, unlikely occurences that we have already seen during this calendar year, maybe we should not be all that surprised that the Eagles and Cardinals are playing this weekend for the right to go to the Super Bowl.

It seems to be just one of those years.

But enough of all this. The Eagles and Cardinals are playing this weekend and you, my faithful readers, are counting on me to provide you with a prediction that will most likely be proven horribly false. 99% of my other predictions have gone that way this season. (At least one thing happened that wasn’t a surprise!)

Before I get into a prediction, let’s run down the current injury status of the key players in this game:

Philadelphia Eagles Injury Updates

• Brian Westbrook is listed as probable and will play.

What, do you need to know any more about the Eagles’ injury report?

Arizona Cardinals Injury Updates

• Anquan Boldin is questionable, and says that he wants to practice a few times this week leading up to Sunday’s game. He will definitely be on the field and give it a go — we’ll have to wait and see how much he has in him.
• TE Stephen Spach is out for the season with a torn right ACL.
• The Cardinals are hopeful that Ben Patrick can serve as the #2 TE.

I’ll update this as the week goes on.

Now, let’s get down to business. Three reasons why the Eagles can win, three reasons why the Cardinals can win, and then a prediction.

Three Reasons Why the Philadelphia Eagles Can Win:

1 — Their defense is playing outstanding. The Eagles are known for their “exotic” blitz schemes and they have been harassing quarterbacks as of late. Just ask Tony Romo and Eli Manning, among others. We all know that Kurt Warner is subject to fumblitis when he gets pressure in the pocket. The Eagles are the kind of team that can do it consistently.

2 — Brian Westbrook is healthy. No, Westbrook did not have a great statistical game against the Giants, but his mere presence means everything for the Eagles’ offense. And while Arizona’s defense did a great job last weekend against Carolina, they are not a dominant unit. On the ground and through the air, Brian Westbrook will get a lot of touches. If the Cardinals cannot contain him — and remember, the Cardinals did not exactly shut down the Panthers running game, Jake Delhomme did — Westbrook could have a huge night.

3 — Asante Samuel and Donovan McNabb are capable of making game-changing plays on every snap. Samuel always seems to come up with interceptions at opportune times, and it will be strength-v-strength with him matched up on the Cardinals’ excellent receivers, a tougher match than Carolina’s DBs. And Donovan McNabb is playing some of the best football he has played in years. He is not always accurate, but he seems much more comfortable with DeSean Jackson and Kevin Curtis. With a healthy Westbrook, McNabb will have his opportunities to make plays down the field.

Three Reasons Why the Arizona Cardinals Can Win:

1 — They have the best player on the field: Larry Fitzgerald. Even with Anquan Boldin out, Fitzgerald was a man among boys last weekend. He dominated, and is capable of making big plays in double and even triple coverage. With Philadelphia sure to pressure Kurt Warner, and the old gray-beard QB being forced to get rid of the ball quickly, he will most likely look to Larry Fitzgerald early and often regardless of the coverage. Fitzgerald is capable of making it work.

2 — Ken Whisenhunt is on a roll pushing the right buttons. He chastised his team after a horrible performance against New England and they responded. He called Edgerrin James’ number early and often in the first round of the playoffs, and the Cardinals actually had a competent running game for once. Having a head coach who is perfectly in sync with his team is crucial at this point in the season, and Whisenhunt is proving to be one of the special young head coaches in the NFL.

3 — The Cardinals defense is playing its best football of the season. They contained the Falcons’ vaunted rushing attack in the the wild-card round. Then last week, they forced 412 turnovers against Jake Delhomme and — whoop! Delhomme just threw another pick as I am typing this. Donovan McNabb can be inaccurate with his throws, and the Cardinals can obviously take advantage. If they can force a few turnovers, it may help neutralize the occasional devastation their blitzing D will surely cause for the Cardinals offense.

So who wins?

I honestly have a strange, nagging gut feeling that this game is going to go into overtime. And no, it has nothing to do with the big story from earlier this year in which Donovan McNabb said he did not know games could end in a tie. It just feels like that close of a game, and it probably should considering that these two teams have nearly identical records. I think Philadelphia is a little bit better and more experienced overall, but the Cardinals are playing home.

In the end though, I can’t pick against the Philadelphia. This season just seems to be shaping up to be one of those storybook season for Donovan McNabb. He’s had plenty of adversity and is now 8 quarters away from cementing his legacy as one of the 15 or so best QBs in NFL history. After the benching fiasco, the overtime hubbub, and the poor overall play of the Eagles, to have led his team to the doorstep of a Super Bowl — well, it just seems like one of those perfect scripts that we see unfold all to often in the NFL.

I think the script continues, and that McNabb and Westbrook do enough to complement a great performance from the Philly D. Look for a Kurt Warner fumble to change the momentum of the game at some point in the second half. A big-play TD in overtime wins it for the Eagles.

Eagles-Cardinals Prediction

Philadelphia Eagles 27 | Arizona Cardinals 21

What do you think?

Who do you think will win this weekend's NFC Championship game?

• Eagles
• Cardinals

View Results

 Loading ...

Eagles-Giants Divisional Round Preview and Prediction

The Giants must be getting a little nervous.

Being the home team and the favorite in this year’s NFL Playoffs has not provided the advantage one might expect. The Titans turned the ball over twice inside the redzone in their loss against the Ravens while the Panthers and Jake Delhomme turned the ball over pretty much every time they had it.

In today’s early game, the Philadelphia Eagles travel to New York to play the GIants. The NFC East rivals split their two meeting earlier this year, and most people have been pointing to this game as the marquee matchup of the Divisional Round of the NFL Playoffs.

Below is a quick breakdown of this weekend’s Eagles-Giants NFC Divisional Round playoff game:

Philadelphia Eagles (10-6-1) at New York Giants (12-4)

• Sunday, January 11, 2009
• TV Schedule: 1:00 ET on FOX
• Announcer Pairing: Joe Buck, Troy Aikman, and Pam Oliver
• Point Spread: New York Giants -4 1/2
• Over-Under Odds: 40

Let’s run down some of the quick keys to the game real game, taken straight off the top of my head:

First, it is imperative that the Giants be able to establish a consistent passing game. Eli Manning and the passing attack of the Giants has been wildly inconsistent since Plaxico Burress was suspended following the infamous incident in which he shot himself in the leg. If you haven’t seen the hidden camera footage of the incident, or the untold story of how Plaxico was actually trying to shoot Tiki Barber, reported by Flash Sports Tonight, it’s rather interesting:

(BTW, if you can’t see the video, just head over to the FST website and watch it there.)

Anyway, guys like Domenik Hixon and Amani Toomer are going to have step up and give Eli Manning consistent targets on 3rd down — and catch the ball. Hixon has had trouble shaking the dropsies, and will need to correct that for the Giants to be able to threaten the Eagles defense in multiple ways. We know the Giants will be able to run the ball, and they have Brandon Jacobs back healthy and ready to play, but they will need balance against the Eagles D and Jim Johnson, who are playing at an extremely high level right now.

On the flip side, Philadelphia’s offense needs to be balanced as well. It goes without saying that Brian Westbrook needs to stay healthy and play the entire game for Philly to have a chance. He is the motor that makes the Eagles go and provides a dynamic threat to any defense. But he can’t beat a team like the Giants all by himself. The Eagles will throw the ball, and they will throw it a lot, and they need to threaten the Giants downfield to open up the inside running and short passes to Westbrook out of the backfield. For this to happen, Donovan McNabb needs to be accurate and they need a big game from DeSean Jackson.

A couple quick links to give you more info and better analysis that I’m capable of providing:

Giants-Eagles Preview — (Pat Kirwan, NFL.com)

Giants D-Line must pressure McNabb — (Thomas George, NFL.com)

And now, before I give you my prediction, chime in with yours:

Who will win the Eagles-Giants Divisional Round Playoff game?

• Philadelphia Eagles
• New York Giants

View Results

 Loading ...

Now, it’s time to offer up a prediction that you can take to the bank to be absolutely and terribly wrong.

The Giants have been an outstanding team all year long, and obviously have the better pedigree having won the Super Bowl last year. Philadelphia always seems to be that team that is just dangerous enough to win some games in the playoffs, but never can quite get over the hump. I like how Philly’s D is playing, and the fact that Brian Westbrook appears healthy and is providing that dynamic running/receiving threat gives them a fighting chance.

But I’m going with the defending champs. Having Brandon Jacobs back means that the great trio of Jacobs-Ward-Bradshaw and can pound away at the Eagles D and take some pressure off of Eli Manning and his undermanned received corps. I think the threat of the run, combined with play-action, will allow Eli to spread the ball around effectively to Hixon, Toomer, Steve Smith, and Kevin Boss.

I agree with Pat Kirwan of NFL.com and pretty much everyone else who thinks that this game will go down the final drive and be an outstanding, exciting viewing experience. In the end, I like the Giants to make the one or two plays that will decide the game, and to ride their running back trio into the NFC Championship game next week.

New York Giants 24 | Philadelphia Eagles 20

Maybe next year Cowboys fans. But this weekend, you’ll have to watch the two best, most consistent, and most well-run franchises in the NFC East duke it out. And it should be one hell of a game to watch.

Browns Banter: Uninspired Loss to Eagles on Monday Night Football

The Cleveland Browns lost to the Philadelphia Eagles 30-10 Monday night in what had to be the most lackluster, uninspired offensive game plan, perhaps designed to put fans to sleep and make them forget the Browns now 4-10 season – almost the reverse of the 2007 10-6 Browns.

It is not that the players didn’t try. Cornerback Brandon McDonald had two interceptions, one for a touchdown when McDonald intercepted a pass from Eagles backup quarterback Kevin Kolb in the fourth quarter. The other came just before the end of the first half when McDonald jumped in front of Donovan McNabb’s intended receiver in the end zone and ran it back 98 yards to the 7-yard line where he was tackled as time ran out. The effort was all for nothing, a fitting summation of the Browns season.

In fact, McDonald’s touchdown was the first time the Browns scored a touchdown in four games. It wasn’t the same as scoring from the Red Zone. Doing that, would be an offensive touchdown. But the Browns might have a chance on Sunday against division rival, Cincinnati. The two Ohio NFL teams are deep in the basement.

But at least the Bungals managed to tie Philadelphia in a game last month. Afterward, McNabb said he didn’t know there could be a tie. Against the Browns, McNabb showed a lot of clarity – especially in his passing attack. McNabb threw TDs of 14 yards to Kevin Curtis and 10 to Greg Lewis. McNabb was 26-of-35 for 290 yards, averaging 352 yards in his three wins against the Browns.

Beleaguered wide receiver Braylon Edwards played a great game, catching everything Ken Dorsey tossed his way, including five catches for 102 yards, including one catch sandwiched between two Eagles. Unfortunately, Braylon’s prowess Monday proved to be too little, too late.

Browns Head Coach Romeo Crennel stood on the sidelines, attempting to look involved. But Crennel knows his time with the Browns is short – and it seems offensive coordinator Rob Chudzinski is biding his time, too. With all the talk and promises of giving running back/receiver/quarterback/defensive special teams tackle Joshua Cribbs a major role, it just hasn’t happened.

A couple of times Cribbs took the snap from center and gained a few yards, running. But he has only thrown the ball for a pass twice in two games, and is 1-of-2 . That is hardly what the media and fans expected from the former Kent State University quarterback.

What is there to lose?

Here is Chudzinski’s game plan: Running back Jamal Lewis up the middle on first down; Lewis up the middle on second down. Now, it is third down and seven yards to go – and guess what, Dorsey tries to hit Edwards on the sidelines.

Real creative, Rob. That’s the way to fool Philly – and lull Browns fans to sleep.

If Chudzinski is fighting for his job or “interviewing” for a new offensive coordinator position elsewhere in the NFL, he is doing a very poor job of it. The Browns had to pay “Chud” a big chunk of change to stay, rather than try for a head coach position for another team. Is Chudzinski suffering from a sophomore jinx or was last year’s inspired and inspiring play-calling an aberration? That question could be asked of management and players.

But one thing is very clear: The Cleveland Browns were in no way or shape ready to start the 2008 season. And that lies on the coaches.

The Monday Night Football crew tried to make the game interesting. For instance, it was pointed out the Browns won the first two Monday night games with two different quarterbacks – Derek Anderson and Brady Quinn. And this was Cleveland’s chance to set a record by winning three Monday night games in one season with three different quarterbacks.

Of course you have to have a legitimate quarterback to make this happen. Browns players say Dorsey has a great football mind, can read defenses, and can call audibles at the line. But he loses his ability to reason when being mauled by defenders – and he doesn’t have the greatest arm.

The game went south in the Eagles opening drive when McNabb & Co. waltzed down the field and scored a touchdown within four minutes. That’s when house porch lights blinked out and many Browns fans went to bed. The rest would be asleep and dreaming of the Super Bowl before the final gun.
The Browns running game was almost as abysmal as the week before against the Titans when running back Jamal Lewis had seven yards for seven carries. The Eagles contained Lewis to 32 yards on 14 carries. Josh Cribbs added 25 yards on five carries.

Dorsey was 8-for-21 for 127 yards and picked off twice, with one interception returned 50 yards for a touchdown by Asante Samuel. Another by linebacker Stewart Bradley set up Philadelphia’s last score.
At one point it looked as if Browns new back-up quarterback Bruce “Zeke” Gradkowski would get in, but that might have taken too much effort for Chudzinski and Crennel. Plus, it may have delayed the end of the debacle

Field goal kicker Phil Dawson was called in when a Dorsey third-down pass banged off the hands of tight end Darnell Dinkins inside the 5-yard line. Dinkins put his head in his hands in frustration, knowing the ball had “touchdown” written all over it.

Dawson’s field-goal was the 30ththof the season – good news, if is three-pointers weren’t the consolation prizes for touchdowns.

After the final play, the Eagles swaggered off the field believing they are still in the hunt.
But Philly is going nowhere. After all, they had just beaten the Browns.

What does that prove?

Browns Banter: How the Browns Can Beat the Eagles and Win Another Monday Night Game

I may be the only sportswriter, fan, or human being in the country who believes the Cleveland Browns can take it to the Philadelpia Eagles’ in their house tonight.

Well, if not demolish the Super Bowl wannabes, the Browns can at least sneak in a victory in Philly — plus get out of town in one piece. And that includes Cleveland’s last resort quarterback, Ken Dorsey, a well-spoken young man who looks good holding a clipboard.

Why do I believe? It’s not that I am a hopeless “homer” with all things Browns, but psychologically Cleveland has the edge simply because Philadelphia desperately needs this game to be a legitimate contender for the Super Bowl.

The Browns will play hard for their coach, Romeo Crennel, and for their own jobs next year if Crennel is not around.

But the biggest factor in the Browns favor is, it’s Monday Night Football, folks. And despite all odds, Cleveland is 2-0 this season in the must-see prime time game.

On Oct. 13, the Browns beat the reigning Super Bowl champs, the New York Football Giants at Cleveland Browns Stadium, 35-14, when no one (except for Midwest Sports Fans!) gave the struggling Browns a chance. And that was before Derek Anderson, Brady Quinn and Derek, again, got hurt.

In fact, Anderson played his best game of the season against Eli Manning’s team, earning a quarterback rating of 121.3 compared to his season average of 66.5 before going down with a leg injury.

And on Nov. 17, beneath the Monday Night lights in Buffalo, Quinn led the Browns to a 29-27 win against the play-off contending Bills, with a little help from field goal kicker Phil Dawson with less than two minutes to go.

The Browns Monday night magic stuck when the Buffalo kicker missed a field goal attempt with mere seconds to go. Buffalo never recovered its playoff form.

The Browns could win this game if:

1. Dorsey stays on his feet 50 percent of the time.

2. The Browns Good Defense shows up and Shaun Rogers plays like a beast and Brandon McDonald, D’Qwell Jackson and Mike Adams play the best games of their lives.

3. Donovan McNabb plays like he did when he was benched in the second half of the Baltimore game three weeks ago.

4. Braylon Edwards catches the long ball in the end zone (for the Browns first touchdown in four games.)

5. Joshua Cribbs plays a “wildcat” role and if is Josh runs wild the whole game.

6. Eagles running back Brian Westbrook sprains his ankle while running out on the field during pre-game introductions.

“If you count only (the Browns) Monday night games, they’re astonishingly good,” ESPN analyst Tony Kornheiser told The Plain Dealer. “I believe they could become only the second team ever to win three Monday night games — and not make the playoffs.”

OK, a back-handed compliment, perhaps, but with the Browns at 4-9, I’ll take it.

Who knows? If we beat up on the Eagles, the Browns might be invited to play in three Monday Night Football games next year.

I can hardly wait.

Go, Browns!

Donovan McNabb Didn’t Know NFL Games Could End In a Tie? Really?

Heard about this on Mike and Mike in the Morning today driving into work. Yes, I do listen to them when all of the other morning shows are on commercial break. Luckily, I caught it when they were talking Donovan McNabb and the Philadelphia Eagles tying the Cincinnati Bengals yesterday.

They played audio of McNabb’s press conference in which he admitted to not knowing that NFL games could end in a tie. He compounds this egregious error by wondering aloud what the NFL will do in the playoffs or Super Bowl. Donovan…playoff games can’t end in a tie. They play another overtime. It has happened multiple times.

According to Golic, McNabb was not the only Eagles player to make such an admission after the game, which is maybe even more surprising. Donovan McNabb is not just a rogue moron, but the Eagles locker room is filled with them!

Seriously?

Do Donovan McNabb and the Eagles ever watch the NFL? How can you not know what the overtime rules are, especially when they are such a bone of contention for so many people.

Anyway, here is the video:

What do you think?

 Loading ...

I don’t think this lack of common knowledge by Donovan McNabb did anything to change the outcome of yesterday’s game. He still hurled a hail mary at the end of the game, even though he thought they would get another crack at it. I just think the fact that he didn’t know such a common knowledge rule is mind-boggling, and that he would admit it publicly is even more mind-boggling. If I didn’t know about a rule so germane to the outcome of NFL games, I’d feel horribly embarrassed. I definitely would not be admitting in the press conference and giving the Eagle’s diabolical fan base even more fodder for booing me.

Wow. If this were a rookie, I suppose the lack of knowledge and lack of media savvy could be understandable. Not really, but at least somewhat explainable. For a guy of Donovan McNabb’s experience and stature to look like such a bumbling fool…I don’t really know what to say.

I didn’t know an NFL quarterback could be so clueless.

[tags]philadelphia eagles, NFL, Donovan McNabb[/tags]

Chicago Bears: Team Effort in Victory Over Philadelphia Eagles

by Sean Kane

A second NFC east beast was toppled on Sunday. No one thought that coming out of this weekend that the Cowboys and Eagles would see losses from the Redskins and the Bears. The old adage, however, “Defense wins championships” proved true. The Skins held the Cowboys offense off the field, keeping the football in Jason Campbell’s hands for 38 minutes. The defense came up with big stops in the second half batting down balls directed at TO and getting a timely INT from Romo. They controlled the game, then grabbed a break when Sam Hurd couldn’t handle a well placed onside kick. The Skins showed a lot of good stuff and played a perfectly executed game and got the ‘W’.

Well, the Bears got the W. There was some good stuff but there was some bad stuff, too.

… Continue Reading

Chicago Bears – Philadelphia Eagles Preview

by Sean Kane

Donovan McNabb returns to Chi-City this weekend for some Sunday night football in Soldier Field. He and his Eagles have been beat up by tough weeks in both Dallas and against Pittsburgh, but they still seem to be one of the best teams in the NFC and perhaps the league. This means disaster for the Bears. I remember going into week one of the season, looking at the Bears schedule thinking, “We gotta’ get through September,” well the month is almost over and after stealing one from some rusty Colts, the Bears are looking at 1-2, some real questionable play on both sides of the ball and tough Philly team. Falling to 1-3 would be hard for this team who already has established that they can do some things well but still can’t win. Philly won’t make it easier on them.

… Continue Reading