"Best Players Never in The Super Bowl" Team

USA Today's got an article out about the best players to never play in the Super Bowl and it makes a starting 53-man team out of those guys. It is sad to see this list of legends, mostly retired, some active, that never got to taste the big game. Whether it was bad teams, or bad timing, or bad luck, or any number of reasons, this superstar list of 52 never made it.

Some names stick out for me:

Randall Cunningham

Barry Sanders

LaDainian Tomlinson

Deacon Jones

Dick Butkus

Derrick Thomas

Champ Bailey

Ed Reed

And who knows how many of today's players might some day reach this list?

Will Adrian Peterson ever make it?

Drew Brees?

Zach Thomas? (i think)

Nnamdi Ashomuga

Matt O covered a similar topic earlier this month and did a fine job (for a Cowboys fan, we all know they have smaller, weaker brains)

Lions Coaching Position

As we all know, the Detroit Lions had the worse season in NFL history. And the funny thing is, every NFL fan was rooting for the Lions the lose! Anyway, it was no surprise that the Lions coach, Rod Marinelli was fired on Black Monday. So who is going to be the next Lions coach? Besides the fact that I think no one in the world should take the job, someone has.

That brave soul is Jim Schwartz. Schwartz was the former defensive coordinator for the Tennessee Titans until he decided to take the role of Captain America, and try to aid this pathetic Lions football team.

"After an extensive search that included several highly qualified coaches, we are thrilled that Jim Schwartz will become our team's head coach," team president Tom Lewand said in a statement. "[General manager] Martin [Mayhew] and I believe that Jim's qualifications and vision will lead this organization on the field toward our goal of becoming a championship football team."

Let me analyze this little quote I found on ESPN: ARE YOU SERIOUS!? A CHAMPIONSHIP FOOTBALL TEAM? HAHA!

I know why Schwartz took this job; he felt he was ready to branch out in the NFL and become his own man and a head coach. Good for you Jim, but the can is only a year or 2 away.

LeBron Playing in the NFL?

Recently, you may have seen the new LeBron commercial where he announces that he has a "big announcement" coming this Sunday, the 18th. Here it is, if you haven't seen it.

And more recently, there have been some leaked photos that give some clues:

I think that this is a great marketing idea for LeBron. Pretending to pull an "MJ" and change sports mid-way through his prime should make for a great commercial. Debating how LeBron would fare in the NFL is wildly interesting to think about. I can already see Asante Samuel shitting himself trying to figure out how he's going to tackle him.

Just for fun, let's imagine what this 6'9, +270 lbs athlete who most likely runs a 4.4-4.6 would do in the NFL. Wide Receiver would be a natural choice for LeBron. He's most likely got fantastic hands and his ball skills and body control are exceptional. Couple that with the fact that he's 9 inches and 70 pounds heavier than nearly ever defensive back, it'd take atleast 2 guys to bring him down everytime. Tight End would work pretty well too, becaue with that size, he's bigger than any defensive end in the league and would do fine in the blocking game.

Any other position would be a waste of his abilities. He probably doesn't have the ferocity to play defense in the NFL and tackle on a consistent basis. Also, at Quarterback he'd do well seeing over the lineman, but most likely doesn't possess the accuracy for that level (Then again he is one of the best passers in the NBA!).

As for an NFL comparison, think of Anquan Boldin, plus 8 inches and 70 pounds. He is already one the best run after the catch receivers in the game, LeBron would take it to another level just as he has in the NBA.

What to Watch For: Ravens @ Titans

Ravens @ Titans

The Ravens defense has been stingy and exceptional most of the season. Miami had major trouble moving the ball for most of the game at Baltimore and the defense forced 5 turnovers against a Dolphins squad that led the league in least committed turnovers. The Ravens offense wasn't exactly stellar, but as usual, they got the job done.

The Titans are your prototypical successful playoff team. The run the ball and stop the run. And they do both of these things very, very well. They're very similar to the Ravens, except their defense isn't quite as good, but they have a much better rushing attack. It seemed as if they weren't as good as their hot start indicated, but they took down the Steelers at the end of season to solidify the top spot.

What I'll be watching for when they face-off:

• Kevin Mawae is out for the Titans and his absence will definitely have an affect on the Titans run game. The question is how much? If the Titans are going to win, they need to be successful running the ball and missing interior linemen is not a good start.


• Chris Johnson and LenDale White are the best running one-two punch in the league and you can be sure that the Ravens are going to be loading the box on most downs. I think Chris Johnson is phenomenal and the better back, but he needs LenDale to soften the Ravens up so he can find some holes. If I was Jeff Fisher, I'd lean on LenDale heavy in the first half and hope that Johnson runs wild in the second half.


• The only way to best a great defense is to attack it. The Ravens thrive on controlling the tempo of the game with their defense, so if Tennessee is tenative out of the gate they're going to have their hands full early.


• It is important for Tennessee to grind it out and avoid an early deficit. If Kerry Collins starts throwing the ball a lot, Ed Reed is going to have a field day. And he's consistently shown that if he gets his hands on it, he's taking it for six, almost everytime. It has gotten to the point that I'm wondering how he would fare with a few offensive touches. He's shown the ability to follow blockers, read tacklers, and make the right cut to get to the endzone. Why not send him on a toss and run him behind an overload of pulling blockers? It's slightly unorthodox, but what have you got to lose?


• Joe Flacco has his hands full against this defense. He's going to have to make some plays because he can't rely on Ed Reed to put up points for him every week. Willis McGahee and LeRon McClain do a nice job on the ground and Derrick Mason, Mark Clayton and Todd Heap are find in the receiving game, but none of them are good enough to take over and take it off Flacco's shoulders. At some point in the game, he's going to have to lead them down the field and get a score, or they're not gonna win the game.


• Most importantly about Flacco, I think it should be necessary to yell his name is your best New York accent: JOE FLACCO!


• Ray Lewis gets a lot of credit, but it's pretty obvious that he's not the best player on this defense anymore. He's the emotional leader, but it's Reed, Suggs, and McAllister who have to make the plays.


• Albert Haynesworth should wreak havoc on the Ravens O-line, but I think they'll find a way to get aroudn him.

Prediction Time: Ravens 17, Titans 16

This one was just a hunch, but I think the Ravens are going to sneak away with a win. Flacco was 9/23 passing last week and I think he'll be slightly better this time around, maybe a 15/25 type performance. Also, I don't think Collins is going to play mistake free and possibly a running back fumble is going to lead to defensive points (most likely by Ed Reed). I'm not expecting a ton of scoring in this one, but I think Chris Johnson is the X-factor. If he runs wild, they win. If he doesn't, they lose.

What to Watch For: Chargers @ Steelers

Here's the second game of our playoff preview (here's the first):

Chargers @ Steelers

The Chargers scratched and clawed their way into the playoffs and squeaked into the playoffs at 8-8, on top of the AFC West. I think it's embarrasing that a .500 team made the playoffs, but they more than proved their worth by taking down mighty Peyton Manning and the Colts in the Wild Card Round. It took overtime for them to get the win, but if it wasn't for a sneaky touchdown by the Colts in the hurry-up, they would've taken it outright in regulation. Darren Sproles was the gambreaker that the Chargers needed without Tomlinson and made a big splash on the playoff scene last week.

The Steelers faced one of the toughest schedules in league and still came out as the #2 seed in the AFC. James Harrison took home the Defensive Player of the Year award and Troy Polamalu was exceptional all season. The defense in general was best in the league and carried them to where they are now. They have a huge home-field advantage because of the backyard swamp conditions of their field that only helps them play the game more to their style. Slow it down, grind it out.

Here's what I'll be watching for this playoff Sunday:

• How big of an impact will L.T. have on the game? Personally, I think the more he plays, the worse off the team is. L.T. is very hurt and with such a capable back-up in Sproles, there is no reason for Tomlinson to be wasting carries at 2 YPC. This Steelers D is not one that I would want to be playing hurt against. This is most likely going to be a dogfight and the Chargers can't afford to waste possessions with L.T. on the field.


• Antonio Gates needs to be effective for the Chargers to get down the field. If he's hobbled and useless, it'll give Polamalu free-reign to hawk all over the field and wreak havoc on Phillip Rivers and Sproles.


• Ben Roethlisberger is recovering from a "light" concussion and will that affect Big Ben this weekend? Concussions are very serious injuries that the NFL seems to be largely ignoring. The Chargers defense isn't exactly suffocating, but their are an accomplished, veteran defense that will capitalize if Roethlisberger falters and makes mistakes.


• For the Chargers to win, Sproles needs to carry the rock atleast 20 times and he needs to do it well, which is highly unlikely. The Steelers allow less than 80 YPG on the ground and I don't know if Sproles is big enough to handle the beating he is going to take. James Harrison might break Sproles in two if he catches the wrong way. But Sproles proved last week (and all season) that he is a gamebreaker and you know the Steelers do not want him in open space.


• I really can't stand Phillip Rivers. I understand that off the field he may be a personable and engaging gentleman. But on it, he seems like a douche. He's annoying and arrogant and I really don't like him. But he's talented and there's no disputing that. He's got to make some big plays for the Chargers to advance.

Prediction Time: Steelers 20, Chargers 13

I don't know that the Chargers can overcome all of their injuries to take down the powerful Steelers in this one. I think the Steelers are the most complete and playoff ready team in the NFL and it would take a healthy L.T. and Gates and Merriman for the Chargers to take it down. The only way the Chargers win this one is if they get a score defensively and Roethlisberger shits the bed. Which is possible. If I'm Mike Tomlin I give the Chargers a healthy dosage of Willie Parker and Mewelde Moore and take my win and move on.

FedEx BCS National Championship

The BCS National Championship is almost finally here after a long season of controversy (whats new?) and thrills. The game features #1 Oklahoma vs. #2 Florida. It seems to be a thrilling match up in the making. There has been much hype about this game going in, especially with the 2 previous Heisman winners squaring off with each other.

I think the BCS system definitely got it right this time. Many people, including me do not agree with how college football is ran. There is the BCS system, which is used now to pick the bowl games, but many feel there should be a playoff system, that of the NFL.

Regardless, this championship game looks to be a good one. Sam Bradford, Tim Tebow: what more can you ask for right now? And the scary thing is, there are probably 20+ players combined that can be drafted this year, or make an NFL roster.

Both sides of the ball on both teams are stacked with talent, and gamers. From Gerald McCoy of Oklahoma, to Brandon Spikes of Florida, there are some great play makers that can make all the difference to this game from he defensive side. This game will be decided in the trenches, and ultimately how Tebow and Bradford preform.

Bradford must be flawless and allow his wide recievers and tight ends to recieve the ball in open spaces to make plays. These set of recievers include stand outs such as Juaquin Iglesias, Jermain Gresham, and Manual Johnson. Not to mention, Chris Brown, and DeMarco Murray, two 1000 yard rushers for Oklahoma are dangerous in every which way.

Tebow too must be just as flawless, if not more to beat Oklahoma and Bradford. Tebow will utilize his agressive running style on short yardage plays, but he must get to the ball to his playmakers. Louis Murphy, and Percy Harvin will be used to their fullest. Even though Harvin is only said to be 90 percent, he will still be used on most of the downs, including running plays.

Oklahoma is coming into the FedEx Championship Bowl with four straight BCS losses. This games looks to be a good one, but dont be surprised if it gets one sided and stays that way. Both teams have the ability to make that happen in this game, but with these strong defenses, it is not very likely. Stay tuned: Thursday, January 8th, at 8 pm on FOX.

Look Who is Coming to New York

A few weeks ago, I made the prediction that the Miami Dolphins will go into the last game of the season with a chance for a division title against the New York Jets in the Meadowlands. At the time, the Dolphins had an easy road, but still needed to execute. Well here they are, winners of 8 out of their last 9 and one of the hottest teams in football.

This game is definitely something to watch next Sunday. There are so many unbelievable stories about this game. Miami QB Chad Pennington has a shot to go back to New York, against the team that dumped him after last season, and take his surging Dolphins to the playoffs. There is no doubt about it, Pennington wants to win this game more than any other game he has ever played in his career.

On the flip side, the Jets organization can look like total idiots if they lose. They gave up draft picks to acquire Brett Favre. There is a chance that this could be the worst move the Jets have ever made. Imagine if the Jets get beat, don't make the playoffs, and Favre retires after the season? Then they would have given up a ton just to go 10-6 and have Favre on their team. What an embarrassment this would be to them. They better hope they can pull this out.

Another great story is the Miami season itself. A team who struggled to win 1 game a year ago and gave up their best player (Jason Taylor) is on the verge of a 10 game turnaround and stealing the division. Even if they don't win next week, it is arguably the best turnaround of any NFL franchise ever.

I am neither a Dolphins or a Jets fan and this game is extremely interesting to me. My prediction is that the fish pull off a 23-20 win. Not only are they one of the hottest teams but the Jets are so inconsistent, I don't have faith in them showing up. Especially after an embarrassing loss in Seattle. So although many teams are going to be fighting for a playoff spot next week, make sure you keep an eye on this one, it's sure to be an amazing game.

Steelers Defense Dominant

Listening to the radio today, I heard a stat about the Pittsburgh Steelers defense that only furthers my feeling that the Steelers are going to win the Super Bowl. It is easy to see that their defense is fantastic but check out this statistic:

In the last 6 weeks, the opposing teams have been called for ZERO holding penalties against the Steelers defense.

If you watched the Steelers/Ravens slugfest last week, you saw the holding all over the field. I don't know why their hasn't been any called, but nonetheless it's only even more impressive. The Steelers defense has been terrific and Ben Roethlisberger only needs to manage the game for the team to get the win every week.

The Steelers have played a murderer's row of teams this year, especially recently. The Steelers play the NFC East and the AFC South. But they're at the end of a tough stretch where they won at New England, beat Dallas, and won at Baltimore and now they play at Tennessee. They're currently 11-3 and getting impressive win after win. They're going to be grueling in the playoffs because there's a good chance that all roads lead through them.

James Harrison is making a strong case for Defensive Player of the Year with almost 100 total tackles, 15.5 sacks, and 7 forced fumbles! Also Troy Polamalu has been tremendous, as usual. If they can get healthy, they should be the favorite to represent the AFC in the big game.

Eagles Playoff Hunt Starts Tomorrow

I've got to admit, I was wrong about the Eagles a few weeks ago when I ranted about McNabb and Reid. However, I am not surprised by their recent run of success. It was obvious at the beginning of the season that this team had enough talent to make a run at the Super Bowl and that was before we discovered DeSean Jackson's abilities. The Eagles have a pro-bowl QB, an accomplished coach, a stout defense and a superstar running back. Other than a top-notch wide receiver, what is this team missing?

Then, as the season progressed, the Eagles continued to let game after game slip away. Winnable games against inferior opponents constantly got away from us and ended in a loss. Brian Westbrook and Shaun Andrews got hurt, Andy Reid got predictable in the playcalling, and Donovan McNabb's happy feet and bouncing passes returned. The tie against the Bengals was rock bottom.

Who honestly saw the wins against the Cardinals and Giants coming? The Eagles were a team in disarray and now they're 7-5-1 with a good chance to make the playoffs if they run the table and win the rest of their games against the Browns tomorrow night, the Redskins the next week, and the Cowboys at home to finish the season. In my opinion, 10-5-1 is good enough to make the wild card in the NFC this year.

So tomorrow begins the playoff hunt for the Eagles. I think that everything up until this point is irrelavant. The highs and lows of this season are in the past and have to stay there. The McNabb benching, the 3rd and 4th & 1 woes, the injuries have to remain in the rearview mirror or this team won't be able to push this season to another level and make the playoffs.

And to make the playoffs, the Eagles are going to have to ride their surging defense which has been stifling as of late. Asante Samuel and Sheldon Brown have been playing great on the corners and Brian Dawkins has rediscovered his youth this season and has been the ball-hawking safety that we all love. But leading this team has been Stewart Bradley. You only need to watch the games to see how Bradley is all over field and in on every tackle. Trent Cole has been great again this season and the rest of the D-Line has been playing well too. They basically pitched a shut-out against the Giants last week if it wasn't for a garbage-time TD while they were in the prevent and a blocked field goal that was returned for a TD.

During that Giants game, McNabb managed the offense and didn't make any mistakes. It's true that he didn't do anything phenomenal, but he did everything we needed him to do. Westbrook took advantage of the newfound commitment to the run and ran all over one of the best defenses in the NFC. Keeping the ball on the ground and turning McNabb into a game manager is another way that this team is going to be successful as the season gets late. McNabb is still a good QB, however he isn't good enough to throw it 40-50 times a game anymore.

Against the Browns, if the Eagles control the line of scrimmage and stay tough on defense, they should roll against the lesser opponent. It really shouldn't be much of a game and the Eagles should be on cruise control by the middle of the third quarter.

It'll be interesting to see how the Eagles perform to finish the season because if they sneak into the wild card, they'll definitely be the team that no one wants to play in the first round. However, if they don't make the playoffs, it will also be interesting to see what changes come, if any for next season. There will be a post on the Eagles possible changes coming soon, if they stumble down the stretch.

What is K-Rod Thinking?

Francisco Rodriguez, who just signed a 3 year, $37 million contract with the New York Mets has already inserted himself in the N.L. East rivalry between the the Mets and Phillies. K-Rod recently proclaimed that his Mets were the team to beat in the East.

"Of course, we're going to try to win the division. Of course, we're going to be the front-runner. Of course, we're going to be the team to beat".

Obviously K-Rod hasn't been keeping up on this division the past few years while he was in California. Two years ago Philadelphia Phillies shortstop Jimmy Rollins said that they were the team to beat in the N.L. East. Last year, Carlos Beltran said during spring training, “Tell Jimmy Rollins we are the team to beat.”

Now I understand that K-Rod has always had a cocky attitude like he's better than everyone, celebrating every save like he just closed out game 7 of the World Series. And I understand that he wants his team to be confident and wants to be part of the team, but after the Mets back to back collapses there is NO WAY that he should be saying stuff like that. How can the Mets possibly be the team to beat after the Phillies just won the World Series? That would be like somebody saying the Giants aren't the team to beat in the NFL or the Celtics in the NBA. Although the Mets have made tremendous moves so far this off season to improve their bullpen, they have no room to talk until they win the division. Carlos Beltran looked like an idiot when he said it last year, but Rodriguez looks like more of an idiot for his comments. These words could come back to haunt him and the Mets as they look to blow a division lead for the 3rd year in a row.

Fantastic Reading: YardBarker Player and Athlete Blogs

If you've never been there or even head of Yardbarker, it's time to go there. I couldn't tell you what the purpose of the website is, however I frequently go there to read their Athlete blog section. Player/Athlete blogs are phenomenal reading because if the blogger is dedicated you get great insider information and behind the scenes stories you would never normally hear. Curt Schilling and Gilbert Arenas are two players whose blogs are very popular and definitely worth checking out at places other than Yardbarker. However, Curt Schilling is a self-absorbed, media whore and Gilby doesn't blog all too often, or atleast not very recently.

On Yardbarker, there is a slew of player blogs to check out and they are updated pretty regularly with interesting new posts to look at. They have athletes from the NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, MLS, Olympic, etc. for your enjoyment, whoever you are.

Greg Oden has a great blog and is consistently insightful and full of cool information about the team, himself, and being on the road. He does a great job of posting interesting things and rarely disappoints. For instance, last week he talked about how cool it was to be in New York and see all the scenes from one of his favorite shows, Gossip Girl. If he didn't blog it, how the hell else would we know such fantastic information.

Donovan McNabb and Chris Cooley give great blogs and are definitely worth checking out. Derrick Ward, Santonio Holmes, Rajon Rondo, Vernon Davis & Kevin Slowey are some others, just to name a few. There are bunches and bunches of athletes, you're bound to find someone you like.

However, the best blog by far, is by Buffalo Bills Running Back Marshawn Lynch. Marshawn Lynch writes his blog in a language that can barely be called english. He uses a crazy mix of internet shortcuts, slang, phonetic spelling, and a bunch of other things that I've never heard before. Here's some dynamite excerpts from Marshawn's awesome blog:

• "yb i been thinkin these pass couple days bout dis chargers game cumming up dis weekend. im ready 2 hit dat field fast. i ben practicing hard beastin it out looking 4ward to trent pullin thru gettin bac active. we "da bills" took ah loss n arizona lookin pass dat getting ready 4 da next. lovin da fan attitude they holdin us down wining or losing and dats whats up!... feels good 2 be back n da yard again... holla bac and talk to yah boi.... gone fast like ah nass car. beaasssst mooooode!"


• "i cant find da words to say how happy i am 4 beatin dem bay boys da 1st time i played dem. it was a fun and hella close game..."


• "wha it do YB? two words... BEAST MODE! we did are thang against dem chief. i had hella fun again playin wit my teammates gettin that W! i jus wasnt feelin dat late hit but its all good. U feel me tho? lmao. shots out to dah fans dats been supportin my beast mode clothin line i thank u. i seen those dat had dem on. Dats whaz up!... its ah new week cumming up gotta get ready for dem 49ers. lookin 4ward to another W... hold ya chin up.....nuh nuh nuh gone"

Before I go, here's a fantastic Marshawn clip to brighten your day:

NFL Playoff Scenario Generator

Check out this NFL Playoff Scenario Generator from Yahoo Sports. The feature allows you to change the results of each game and see how that impacts the playoff picture. Right now they have a projected 12 team field, but that can quickly change with a few clicks of the mouse.

Vote for the Redskins

If pro bowl voting ended today, the game would feature 24 Redskins, including 20 starters. Its almost laughable to consider:

• The entire starting Offensive Line is Redskins
• The top 3 Outsider Linebackers are Redskins (even though only 2 start for the actual team)
• 4 out of the top 10 vote getters are Redskins
• Khary Campbell, Rock Cartwright, Mike Sellers, Kedric Golston, Rocky McIntosh, and Ryan Plackemeir would all appear in their first pro bowl. Some are solid players, but none of them are remotely close to pro bowl caliber
• The Redskins are a 3rd Place team

I can't even get angry when I read these ridiculous results, because I actually find it funny. I loved it last year when not a single player in the NFC South made the pro bowl, while the Cowboys (who failed to win a playoff game) sent 13 players. Its becoming clear that fan voting in the NFL does not work, and this is the last straw.

But these results gave me a great idea. Do the Washington Redskins a favor and continue to vote for them in record numbers. Lets get the entire roster voted into the pro bowl, and expose the failure of fan voting. How great would it be if the pro bowl was literally the Redskins vs. the AFC? I actually think that would draw higher ratings than last years pro bowl.

Week 12 Power Rankings

1. Giants (10-1) – I hate to say this, but the Giants could be a dynasty in the making.

2. Titans (10-1)- They are who we thought they were!…an above average team

3. Jets (8-3)- I’m still not convinced the Jets are the best team in the AFC, but the Giants proved last year that the best team doesn’t always win. They’ve won six straight.

4. Buccaneers (8-3)- Three straight divisional games will decide the Bucs fate. They are guaranteed at least the 2 seed if they win out.

5. Steelers (8-3) – The #1 run defense, #1 pass defense, and #1 defense overall. If Willie Parker ever gets healthy this team will be scary good.

6. Cowboys (7-4) – When Tony Romo and T.O. are healthy, there isn’t a better combination in the league. Of all the potential wild card teams, Dallas has the best shot to make a playoff run.

7. Colts (7-4) – You heard it here first, the Colts will represent the AFC in the superbowl. Peyton Manning means business.

8. Patriots (7-4) – Tom who? Matt Cassel has officially earned a chance to be a starting QB in 2009. The only question is where.

9. Panthers (8-3) – This defense, much like the entire team, is very overrated.

10. Cardinals (7-4)- The final score didn’t accurately reflect the beating the Giants put on the Cards. They are a solid team, but clearly not elite.

11. Falcons (7-4)- Without a doubt the second best team in the NFC South. This may not be their year, but the future is incredibly bright.

12. Redskins (7-4)- They face a huge test this week vs. the Giants. If they can pull out a win I’ll be impressed.

13. Saints (6-5)- When this offense is clicking, it’s scary. The NFC South race is far from over.

14. Ravens (7-4)- The Ravens defense is partying like its 1999. That was serious domination.

15. Vikings (6-5) – The spin move by Chester Taylor in the 1^st Quarter was one of the best I’ve ever seen. You gotta love watching the Vikes run the ball.

16. Dolphins (6-5) – Losing Greg Camarillo is a bigger blow than most people realize. Time for Ted Ginn to step up.

17. Bears (6-5) – It’s a shame that they can’t give rookie of the year honors to Matt Ryan and Matt Forte.

18. Broncos (6-5) – If I were a doctor, I would diagnose the Broncos with bipolar disorder. How do you beat New Orleans, Tampa, San Diego, and Atlanta, but lose to Oakland and Kansas City?

19. Packers (5-6) – They’re still right in the thick of the NFC North race, but the defense really let them down on national TV.

20. Bills (6-5) – Entering desperation mode, the Bills finally got the performance out of Trent Edwards they had been waiting for.

21. Eagles (5-5-1) – Classic Eagle fan stupidity. They’re either the best team in the league or the worst team in the league. Listening to talk radio in Philly you’d think they were talking about the Lions. Bottom line: the Eagles are an average team in a difficult division. They will bounce back this week with a big win vs. Arizona.

22. Chargers (4-7) – I think it’s time for the Chargers to admit that firing Marty Schottenheimer was a mistake. The Chargers are extremely talented, but they find ways to lose. That’s the mark of a bad team.

23. Jaguars (4-7) – Once again, I don’t even know where to begin with the Jags. Immensely talented, but they can’t buy a win. I have to point the finger at the head coach.

24. Browns (4-7) – With the Brady Quinn era on hold, it’s time for Derek Anderson to accumulate some trade value.

25. Raiders (3-8) – Outstanding team effort this week. I gotta give the Cable guy credit.

26. Texans (4-7) – I don’t know how it’s possible for a team with such dynamic playmakers to be so boring to watch.

27. 49ers (3-8) – The 3-8 Niners are in second place in the NFC West. Unbelievable.

28. Seahawks (2-9) - They had a good shot to engineer a comeback victory against a good Washington team, but Matt Hasselbeck blew it.

29. Chiefs (2-9) – Herm Edwards has some explaining to do. Larry Johnson starts out with 3 carries for 80 yards, and they only give him 4 more carries all game?

30. Bengals (1-9-1) – It’s hard to believe this team was a playoff contender just 2 years ago.

31. Rams (2-9) - At first I thought Jim Haslett was going to keep this job in 2009. Now I’m not so sure.

32. Lions (0-11) – Those poor, poor Lions fans. Here’s a question…would the Lions dare draft another 1^st Round receiver (Crabtree)? That would be a deadly combination.

Week 11 Power Rankings

1. Giants (9-1) - It’s pretty hard to not put Tennessee #1, but is there a more balanced team in the NFL? Championship football teams run the ball and play strong defense. The Giants do both with ease.

2. Titans (10-0)- I really like Tennessee, so I hate to use the “who have they played?” card, but they have only beat one team with a winning record (Indianapolis).

3. Steelers (7-3) – Will the real Ben Roethlisberger please stand up? If Big Ben can figure out a way to protect the football, the Steelers will be dangerous come January.

4. Buccaneers (7-3)- This may come as a shock to some people, but the Buccaneers offense is ranked 9^th in the NFL. So why are they only averaging 21.9 ppg? The Bucs rank last in redzone offense.

5. Panthers (7-3) - Two straight pathetic performances by Jake Delhomme. The Panthers are entering a very tough stretch of games. I wouldn’t be shocked if they missed the playoffs.

6. Jets (7-3)- As long as you have Brett Favre behind center, your team is pretty damn good.

7. Cardinals (7-3)- No matter how the rest of the season plays out, its clear that Kurt Warner belongs in the hall of fame.

8. Colts (6-4) - Their week 10 victory over Pittsburgh may have saved their season, but I’m still not sold on the Colts. We’ll see how well Peyton Manning’s knee holds up down the stretch.

9. Cowboys (6-4) - I firmly believe that Tony Romo is the best quarterback in the NFL. If he can shake off the rust, the Cowboys may have a shot to win their first playoff game since 1996.

10. Redskins (6-4)- After nearly setting an NFL record for consecutive attempts without an interception, Jason Campbell has thrown at least 1 INT in back to back weeks.

11. Patriots (6-4) - I’m gonna go on record and say this. The Patriots WILL NOT make the playoffs.

12. Broncos (6-4) - The colder the weather gets, the more dangerous Denver becomes.

13. Ravens (6-4)- The Ravens backfield confuses me. One week its McGahee, then its Ray Rice, then its LeRon McClain. They need more consistency if they want to make the playoffs.

14. Falcons (6-4)- Thank you Matt Ryan, for slamming the door shut on the Mike Vick era.

15. Dolphins (6-4) - I really like the Dolphins. They are unconventional, and creative. Between the wildcat, exotic blitz packages, and Chad Pennington, the Dolphins are not your average team. But they make it work.

16. Packers (5-5) - That was a statement victory. The NFC North is wide open, and I like the Pack.

17. Eagles (5-4-1) - Mark my words, Andy Reid and Donovan McNabb will not return in 2009.

18. Bills (5-5) - That brought back flashbacks to Scot Norwood’s wide right. I feel for Bills fans.

19. Saints (5-5)- The Saints are a great team in Madden, but that’s about it.

20. Bears (5-5) - What the hell was that? Forget the quarterback issues, I think the biggest problem is the head coach

21. Vikings (5-5) - I got a chance to watch a full game of Adrian Peterson for the first time and Sunday, and this kid is the real deal. He has the best moves I’ve seen since Barry Sanders. But similar to those old Lions teams, he doesn’t have much of a supporting cast.

22. Chargers (4-6) - How many more times chances does Norv Turner get to prove he's not a head coach. Also, with stars all over the field, is it simply underachieving and inconsistency or is time to move the team in another personnel direction?

23. Jaguars (4-6) - I firmly believe that the Jaguars are far better than their record shows, but the biggest problem for Jacksonville is surprisingly their defense. The Jaguars have the 23^rd ranked offense, and the 18^th ranked defense. That makes winning difficult.

24. Browns (4-6) - Brady Quinn is going to be a stud. But Braylon Edwards needs to remember how to catch the ball again for this offense to be prolific.

25. 49ers (3-7) - You gotta give Mike Singletary credit. If nothing else, he has injected passion into the organization.

26. Texans (3-7) - Two of my favorite players in the NFL: Andre Johnson and Steve Slaton. Its unfortunate that Houston is holding them hostage.

27. Seahawks (2-8) - They finally get Matt Hasselbeck healthy, and he plays one of the worst games of his career. This team is a mess.

28. Chiefs (2-8) - Tyler Thigpen gives Chiefs fans a reason for hope. I think this kid is gonna be a star

29. Bengals (1-8-1) - Good effort against a struggling Eagles team, but how painful was it to lose like that?

30. Rams (1-9) - At first I thought Jim Haslett was going to keep this job in 2009. Now I’m not so sure.

31. Raiders (2-8) - Is it too early to call JaMarcus Russell a bust? I say no. One thing is clear Al, the problem was not Lane Kiffin.

32. Lions (0-10) - I really feel for Rod Marinelli, because I think he has a good career ahead of him. But this Lions team will make history and go 0-16.

Scot Green's 64 Million Dollar Mistake

When referee Scot Green incorrectly overturned Troy Polamalu's game clinching TD as time expired, he did more than create the first ever 11-10 score in NFL history. The slip-up cost gamblers an estimated $64 million, based on estimates from the San Diego Union-Tribune.

According to the Tribune, 66 percent of the estimated $100 million that was bet on the game was in favor of Pittsburgh, with the spread ranging between -4.5 and -5. The puzzling call wiped away a touchdown which would have brought the score to 17-10, enough for Pittsburgh to cover. According to Green, an illegal forward pass occured prior to Polamalu's touchdown, resulting in a dead ball. This would be a logical explanation if a.) there actually was a forward pass, and b.) the ball had hit the ground. Since the ball never hit the ground, according to NFL rules, it is not a dead ball, and the penalty can be declined. After the game, the NFL contacted Green and informed him that he had misinterpreted the rule.

I'm hoping this is an isolated incident, but I'm worried that its not. I don't want to say that the NFL is fixed, but sometimes I really wonder. This is the second similiar incident that has occured this season with the Chargers involved. Last time, a mistake by Ed Houchili cost gamblers millions of dollars. Coincidence? Maybe. Is it also a coincidence that Pittsburgh commited 13 penalties to San Diego's 2? (Including a horrible holding call which negated another Pittsburgh TD)

The bottom line is that the NFL is fueled by gambling, whether they want to admit it or not. I really don't think its that far-fetched to imagine the NFL influencing calls. At the very least, Roger Goddell needs to address the way referees handle the last two minutes of the game. It all starts with making referees more accountable for their actions. Especially with millions of dollars riding on the outcome.

Warning: Hot Seat May Cause Severe Burn

In the NFL, parity is king and spreads like wildfire every week. There are so few dominant teams talent-wise that wise coaching becomes even moreso important on the field. Coaching has more impact on the NFL than any other sport because of their direct impact on every nuance of the game. Aside from actually throwing the pass, the coach may do everything from calling the play to tell the QB which read he should look for. There's often no surprise to which teams are perennial winners or losers if you just look at the Head Coach. Here's what i'm thinking about coaches from around the league:

• Mike Singletary will be a great coach. He's a little excited right out of the gate, but he knows the mindset and discipline a team needs to succeed and he will force his players to buy in, or get the hell out. All the great coaches do this, Singletary has just been a little loud in doing so.
  
• Bill Belichick is just reinforcing the belief that he is a genius by keeping the Pats in the hunt for the division despite losing the best QB in football. Matt Kassell isn't going to be Tom Brady, Kurt Warner, or any of the other back-up superstar stories, so Belichick is basically on his own.
  
• Andy Reid. What can be said about the disaster he continues to unfold in Philly. The playcalling has been atrocious. I don't know the numbers, but this has to be the worst short yardage team in football. And that is with a 6'4" 240 lbs. pro bowl QB in Donovan McNabb and one of the best RBs in the NFL in Brian Westbrook. And don't forget, one ofthe biggest O-Lines in football. Something has to give, the rest of the league has caught on to what the Eagles do and Reid has refused to adapt. It really is sad, because the Eagles are an immensly talented football team.
  
• How does Marvin Lewis still have a job. I realize that the team has no defense and that is dificult to overcome, but didn't he bring those players in? The team has no discipline and a ton of distractions. They are an embarrassment to a league that is trying to clean up its act. This team was a playoff favorite three years ago, now they're a joke.
  
• I love Mike Smith and Tony Sparano. Both guys coach young, overachieving teams that play the game right and go hard on every snap. These teams are a direct extension of the coaches who continue to make the right moves and learn from the wrong ones. Atlanta is awesome to watch and the Dolphins continue to sneak wins and stay in the hunt. Both coaches seem to be keepers who their players really respond to.
  
• I never liked Tom Coughlin however I admire how he has handled Plaxico Burress this season. He doesn't cater to the whinning superstars bloated ego and he keeps his team focused and prepared for the next game. Sometimes a cancer like Plax can ruin a team from the inside out (a la T.O. obviously), but Coughlin continues to get the job done. As much as I hate to say it, this team looks poised to make a serious run at repeating.
  
• There's also the man who has quickly become my favorite NFL coach: Jeff Fisher. Did you know he's been coaching the Titans for 15 years! That is unheard of in today's game and a testament to the Tennessee organization. Fisher always has the game under control and how often do you hear of malcontent coming from this team? Yeah, they had their Vince Young fiasco, but that was hardly his fault. This team is solid top to bottom, offensively and defensively, and Fisher gets the most out of every guy in that locker room.
  
• I'm not on the Jim Zorn bandwagon just yet. For some reason i just can't buy into him. And i don't think he'll be sticking around too long. That's just a gut feeling and maybe it has more to do with Dan Snyder and less to do with Zorn, but i think it nonetheless.
  
• Mike Tomlin was a strange hiring at the team and he does some unorthodox things in the lockerroom and on the field, but he gets it done. It helps that he has great veteran leadership, but he commands respect from his players and the media and then goes out and earns it with how he handles the sideline. Barring a total meltdown, he should be a Steelers staple for years to come.
  
• You know who sucks? Herm Edwards, Romeo Crennel, Tom Cable, and Lovie Smith. Lovie may not belong but that ongoing three year QB disaster was embarrassing. He's lucky Kyle Orton bailed him out or it probably would've got him canned.

As for all the others, I just don't have any interesting thoughts on them. So i'll spare you the time. It'll be interesting to see the rollover into next season for a lot of these guys. Who knows? We may see Bill Cowher and the Chin again real soon.