Who-Dey!!! Bengals Back in the Playoffs
It wasn't the way the Bengals wanted to get into the playoffs, but they'll take it. A 24-16 loss to the Baltimore Ravens at home was seemingly meaningless, as former Cincinnati Bengals QB Carson Palmer's new team, the Oakland Raiders, lost to the San Diego Chargers, clinching the final wild card spot for the Bengals.
"HOLY CRAP" PERFORMERS
Offensive explosion at Lambeau: 86 points were scored and 1,125-yards of offense were put up by the Lions and Packers on Sunday, and Aaron Rodgers didn't even play. Lions QB Matthew Stafford was 36/59 for 520-yds, 5 TD, 2 Int, and Stafford joined the 5,000-yd club as a result. Megatron had a big day too with 11 receptions for 244-yds and a touchdown.
As for the Packers, QB Matt Flynn replaced Rodgers at quarterback and he did something that no other quarterback in Packers history (one that includes Rodgers, Brett Favre and Bart Star), had ever done before, throw for 480-yds and 6 TD passes in a single game. Flynn finished 31/44 for 480-yds with 6 TD and an Int. Quite an audition for the free agent to be and I expect him to be a starting quarterback somewhere in September. WR Jordy Nelson also continued his breakout season with 9 receptions for 162-yds and 3 TD in the Packers 45-41 win. These two teams are going to be fun to watch in the playoffs, but their defenses need to play better if either team is to make a run.
San Francisco 49ers: I did not give the 49ers much of a chance this season, but I gotta give Jim Harbaugh a lot of credit. With the 34-27 win over the St. Louis Rams, San Francisco clinched a first-round bye and finished the season an impressive 13-3. Also noteworthy, kicker David Akers, who already set the 49ers single-season points record, threw a 14-yd touchdown pass in the win on Sunday, and you don't see a kicker throw a touchdown pass very often in the NFL. Great season for Akers and the 49ers, who may have the best defense in this year's playoffs.
Patriots Tight Ends: What a season for the Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez. The two combined for 15 receptions, 146-yds, and 3 TD on Sunday. As for the season, Hernandez finished with 72 receptions, 910-yds and 7 TD. Gronkowski's numbers were even more impressive with 90 receptions, 1,327-yds (which broke the record for most receiving yards in a season by a tight end), and a league leading 17 TD.
TE Jimmy Graham, Saints: Hernandez and Gronkowski weren't the only tight ends to have great seasons. Graham had 8 receptions for 97-yds and a touchdown on Sunday bringing his season total to 99 receptions, 1,310-yds, and 11 TD. He also broke the single-season receiving record for tight ends, but he fell 17-yds behind Gronkowski for the all-time record.
WR Marques Colston, Saints: Colston finished off a great season with 7 receptions for 145-yds and 2 TD. I don't think there is a defense in the playoffs that can stop the Saints offense and I hope they make a run in the playoffs, because their offense is one of the best I've ever seen.
RB Ray Rice, Ravens: Rice ran wild Sunday against the Bengals with 24 carries for 191-yds and 2 TD as the Ravens clinched the AFC North and a first-round bye.
RB Maurice Jones-Drew, Jaguars: Here's what SI's Peter King had this to say about MDJ. "With 25 carries for 169 yards against a line that was stacked to stop him most of the game, Jones-Drew, who has fought since 2006 to prove he was better than his draft stock, broke the team's single-season rushing record and won the NFL rushing title. No back deserves it more."
DE Randy Starks, Dolphins: And they say big guys have no hands. Starks not only recorded two tackles and a sack, but the 305 lbs. lineman showed off his pass catching skills with two interceptions in the Dolphins 19-17 win over the New York Jets.
WR Vincent Jackson and TE Antonio Gates, Chargers: The Raiders had no answer for Jackson and Gates who combined for 12 receptions, 233-yds and 2 TD, as the Chargers knocked the Raiders out of playoff contention.
WR Darrius Heyward-Bey, Raiders: 9 receptions for 130-yds and a touchdown for Heyward-Bey in the Raiders final game of the season.
RB Michael Turner, Falcons: Turner would have his best game of the season, 17 carries for 172-yds and a touchdown, after my fantasy football team was out of it.
Interim Head Coach Romeo Crennel, Chiefs: Might as well remove the interim tag, because after taking over three weeks ago, the Chiefs finished the season 2-1, knocking off Rodgers and the Packers, and Tebow and the Broncos in the process.
WR Larry Fitzgerald, Cardinals: Larry and the Cardinals ended the season on a high note with a 23-20 overtime victory against the Seahawks in which Fitzgerald caught 9 passes for 149-yds and he did most of this with a bruised lung.
New York Giants: Win or go home for the G-Men Sunday night and they refused to be denied a trip to the playoffs by the arch rival Dallas Cowboys. Eli Manning led the charge once again for the Giants throwing for 346-yds and 3 TD, but he was not the only Giant to have a big game. Pro Bowl snub WR Victor Cruz continued his breakout year with 6 receptions for 178-yds, including a 74-yd TD catch in the first quarter.
But maybe the biggest reason for the Giants victory was the play of the defensive line. The d-line had 6 sacks on the night and 7 hits on the quarterback. If the defensive line can get pressure on the quarterback like they did in their 2007 Super Bowl run, the Giants are going to be a dangerous team in the playoffs.
"Holy Crap" Performances of the Year
QB Drew Brees, Saints: Statistically, it was one of the best seasons a quarterback has ever had. Brees and the Saints lite up the scoreboard again Sunday with 45 points and 617-yds of total offense, setting the NFL record for most total yards by a team in a season.
Brees broke the NFL record for completions (468), completion percentage (71.2%), and passing yards (5,476) and he threw 46 TD passes and had a quarterback rating of 110.6. Is that enough to win him the MVP award? Or will it go to the next guy...
QB Aaron Rodgers, Packers: Rodgers threw for 4,643-yds, 45 TD, a quarterback rating of 122.5 in 15 games this season, and led the Packers to a 15-1 record and home-field advantage throughout the playoffs.
Tough decision between Brees and Rodgers for MVP, but I'd give the edge to Rodgers for three reasons. Rodgers beat Brees in Week 1, 42-34. Rodgers threw fewer interceptions (Rodgers - 6, Brees - 14), and the Packers had a better record 15-1, than the Saints at 13-3. It will should be a close race, but I think Rodgers will walk away as league MVP. Don't forget about Peyton Manning though.
QB Tom Brady, Patriots: Brady also broke Dan Marino's single-season passing record with 5,235-yds and he had 39 TD passes, as the Patriots clinched home-field advantage throughout the playoffs.
WR Calvin Johnson, Lions: Megatron had an outstanding season for the Lions with 96 receptions for 1,681-yds and 16 TD. Johnson is one of the best receivers in the league and he played a major part in the Lions making the playoffs for the first time since 1999.
DE Jared Allen, Vikings: 5 total tackles, 3 tackles for loss, 4 hits on the quarterback, and 3.5 sacks on Sunday gave Allen 22 sacks for the season, just one sack short of breaking Michael Strahan's record of 22.5 sacks.
This is just a small sample of "Holy Crap" performers for the 2011 NFL season and a complete list of both "Holy Crap" performers, as well as the handing out of awards, will be posted during the Pro Bowl in late January.
"C'MON MAN" PERFORMANCES
St. Louis Rams: Head coach Steve Spagnuolo and general manager Billy Devaney were fired on Monday after the Rams very disappointing 2-14 season. Who will the Rams take with the second pick in April's draft? Luck if he is available or maybe RGIII?
New York Jets: There were a lot of disappointing teams in the NFL this season and besides the Philadelphia Eagles, the New York Jets were the league's most disappointing team. Every year, head coach Rex Ryan talks in the preseason about going to the Super Bowl and this year the Jets failed to even make the playoffs.
They controlled their own destiny two weeks ago, but losses to the Giants and Dolphins knocked them out of playoff contention and raised some major questions going into the off-season. QB Mark Sanchez continues to struggle and after going 21/32 for 207-yds, 2 TD, and 3 Int on Sunday, many have to wonder how much longer he will be the quarterback of the Jets. Also, something must be done with Santonio Holmes, who was held without a catch Sunday, and was benched late in the fourth quarter with the Jets trying to come back after getting into a war of words with OT Wayne Hunter.
QB Joe Webb, Vikings: Webb had played well when coming in for Christian Ponder this season, but not this past Sunday. Webb was 17/32 for 200-yds and 2 Int, as the Vikings finished the season 3-13.
QB Ryan Fitzpatrick and the Buffalo Bills: The wheels eventually fell off the wagon for the Bills after their hot start to the season and things did not end well Sunday in Foxborough. They were up 21-0 on the New England Patriots and failed to score another point the rest of the game. The Patriots scored 49 unanswered points and Ryan Fitzpatrick threw 4 interceptions, one of which was returned for a touchdown. After their bye week in Week 7, the Bills finished the season 2-8.
Philadelphia Eagles: The Dream Team's season came to a disappointing end on Sunday, as the Eagles finished the season 8-8. Many, including me, had the Eagles going to the Super Bowl, but they just never could put a winning streak together early in the season. Philadelphia did end the season on a four game winning streak and with a healthy Michael Vick next season and improvements on defense, the Eagles could have a very good team in 2012. But as for 2011, "C'mon Man!"
Indianapolis Colts: It was not the season the Colts expected to have when the lockout finally came to an end in July. They were forced to play without Peyton Manning, who never could come back from neck surgery, which led to a 2-14 season, and the first overall pick in the NFL Draft. Will the Colts take Andrew Luck or Robert Griffin III? And will Peyton Manning be there to mentor them? Let the debate begin.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Tampa didn't look ready to play on Sunday in their 45-24 loss to the Atlanta Falcons and one could argue that they weren't ready to play all season. The Buccaneers lost 10 consecutive games to end the season resulting in head coach Raheem Morris being fired and the rest of his staff being dismissed on Monday.
If losing 10 straight wasn't reason enough to get fired, Peter King gives another great reason for the Buccaneers firing Raheem Morris. "Points allowed, Tampa, last eight games: 37, 35, 23, 38, 41, 31, 48, 45. A disgrace is what it is. How does a head coach with a defensive background allow that to happen?"
Oakland Raiders: The Raiders made one of the biggest moves this season trading for Carson Palmer in hopes he could lead them to the playoffs for the first time since 2002. All they had to do was beat the San Diego Chargers at home after Denver lost to Kansas City, but the Raiders could not stop Philip Rivers and the San Diego offense. I expect the Raiders to be a playoff team though in 2012.
Also of note, the Raiders set the NFL record for penalties this season with 163 for 1,358-yards. A complete list of the penalties is on Joe Posnanski's column on SI.com.
QB Tim Tebow, Broncos: As Bill Simmons said on Twitter, "6 for 22, 60 yards, 1 turnover, 3 points... good enough for the AFC West title! Teeeeeeeeeeeee-bowwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww!!!!" As Simmons said, despite the loss the Broncos still won the AFC West with the Raiders loss, but Tebow and the Denver offense must find a way to put up some points next week against the Steelers.
Dallas Cowboys: America's team fell short once again Sunday as the Cowboys lost a winner take all game to the Giants, 31-14. Dallas made a game of it after being down 21-0 at halftime, but it was not enough as the Cowboys missed the playoffs for the second straight season. Jerry Jones' team lost a lot of close ballgames this season, especially in the fourth quarter and that's something that must be fixed going into next season. Also, QB Tony Romo continues to struggle in clutch situations and he must find a way to not only get the Cowboys back to the playoffs, but win once they get there.
It was a very entertaining 2011 NFL Regular Season, one that fans won't soon forget, and I expect the playoffs to be even more exciting, yet again when aren't they? My predictions for Wild Card Weekend will be out later this week, so stay tuned.
| A sellout crowd, only the second of the season, was on hand Sunday to see the Bengals clinch their second playoff berth in the last three seasons. (The Enquirer/Jeff Swinger) |
I know it's not the way head coach Marvin Lewis and the players wanted to get into the playoffs, a loss by former teammate Carson Palmer and the Raiders, but who cares how you get in. The fans really don't care how their team gets in, as long as the Bengals are in the playoffs, and that's all that really matters. A win on Sunday would have been nice though and fans would feel a lot better about Saturday's playoff game.
The Bengals failed to find any consistency during the game Sunday on both sides of the ball and never led at any point during the game. The defense gave up touchdown runs of 70 and 51-yds to Ray Rice and the offense failed to make the big play they need to shift the momentum of the game in the Bengals favor. TE Jermaine Gresham also had a costly fumble in the fourth quarter with the Bengals driving, and at times Sunday, this team did not look worthy of going to the playoffs.
However, by the Ravens winning, they clinched the AFC North which kept the Pittsburgh Steelers from getting a first-round bye and forces them to fly to Denver and take on Tim Tebow and the Broncos without RB Rashard Mendenhall, who tore his ACL on Sunday. I think the Bengals face a much easier matchup against the Texans in Houston than the Steelers face in Denver and I'll have more thoughts on that later in the week.
I know the Bengals didn't play well on Sunday and they have struggled playing an entire 60 minutes of good football at times, but they are in the playoffs. Going into the season, the over/under on the Bengals win total was probably set around 3 or 4 games and many people probably took the under.
But think about what the Bengals did this season compared to last season. They won 9 games in the NFL, which is no easy task, with two of their best players being rookies, and they did it in an off-season that featured no minicamp, no OTAs, and very little practice time. Their 7 losses were all to teams that made the playoffs and 6 of those losses were by 8 points or less. That's quite an accomplishment for a team some people said would be lucky to win one game this season.
Last season was probably the most disappointing season in team history, there was the whole Carson Palmer saga, and the "Press Conference from Hell" with Mike Brown defending the decisions of the organization and announcing that Marvin Lewis would be back. Remember how terrible all of that was? A year later, we are talking about the Bengals playing a playoff game on Saturday and that's pretty damn exciting.
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| On back-to-back days, Mike Brown and the Bengals took out a full page ad in The Cincinnati Enquirer to thank the fans and the city for their support. |
The Bengals had a great 2011 and exceeded everyone's expectations this season. Marvin Lewis deserves to win Coach of the Year and Andy Dalton and A.J. Green are deserving of Rookie of the Year for their efforts, but they won't win. However, their is one person that deserves to win GM of the Year for his job this past season and that person is Mike Brown.
Mike Brown decided to keep Marvin Lewis around for another season, which ended up being a wise choice. He listened to what others in the organization had to say and drafted A.J. Green and Andy Dalton instead of going with his own judgement. He gave away free tickets to season ticket holders for the final game of the season, so it would sell out and be seen on local television. He even took out a full page ad in The Enquirer to thank the fans and the City of Cincinnati for their support of the team. I don't know what's come over the owner of the Cincinnati Bengals, but I like what I'm seeing. And here's to hoping it continues in the foreseeable future.
I think 2012 can be a very good year for the Bengals and it could get off to a great start with the Bengals winning their first playoff game since 1990 on Saturday in Houston. I still can't believe we are even talking about this. Who-Dey!
Offensive explosion at Lambeau: 86 points were scored and 1,125-yards of offense were put up by the Lions and Packers on Sunday, and Aaron Rodgers didn't even play. Lions QB Matthew Stafford was 36/59 for 520-yds, 5 TD, 2 Int, and Stafford joined the 5,000-yd club as a result. Megatron had a big day too with 11 receptions for 244-yds and a touchdown.
As for the Packers, QB Matt Flynn replaced Rodgers at quarterback and he did something that no other quarterback in Packers history (one that includes Rodgers, Brett Favre and Bart Star), had ever done before, throw for 480-yds and 6 TD passes in a single game. Flynn finished 31/44 for 480-yds with 6 TD and an Int. Quite an audition for the free agent to be and I expect him to be a starting quarterback somewhere in September. WR Jordy Nelson also continued his breakout season with 9 receptions for 162-yds and 3 TD in the Packers 45-41 win. These two teams are going to be fun to watch in the playoffs, but their defenses need to play better if either team is to make a run.
San Francisco 49ers: I did not give the 49ers much of a chance this season, but I gotta give Jim Harbaugh a lot of credit. With the 34-27 win over the St. Louis Rams, San Francisco clinched a first-round bye and finished the season an impressive 13-3. Also noteworthy, kicker David Akers, who already set the 49ers single-season points record, threw a 14-yd touchdown pass in the win on Sunday, and you don't see a kicker throw a touchdown pass very often in the NFL. Great season for Akers and the 49ers, who may have the best defense in this year's playoffs.
Patriots Tight Ends: What a season for the Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez. The two combined for 15 receptions, 146-yds, and 3 TD on Sunday. As for the season, Hernandez finished with 72 receptions, 910-yds and 7 TD. Gronkowski's numbers were even more impressive with 90 receptions, 1,327-yds (which broke the record for most receiving yards in a season by a tight end), and a league leading 17 TD.
TE Jimmy Graham, Saints: Hernandez and Gronkowski weren't the only tight ends to have great seasons. Graham had 8 receptions for 97-yds and a touchdown on Sunday bringing his season total to 99 receptions, 1,310-yds, and 11 TD. He also broke the single-season receiving record for tight ends, but he fell 17-yds behind Gronkowski for the all-time record.
WR Marques Colston, Saints: Colston finished off a great season with 7 receptions for 145-yds and 2 TD. I don't think there is a defense in the playoffs that can stop the Saints offense and I hope they make a run in the playoffs, because their offense is one of the best I've ever seen.
RB Ray Rice, Ravens: Rice ran wild Sunday against the Bengals with 24 carries for 191-yds and 2 TD as the Ravens clinched the AFC North and a first-round bye.
RB Maurice Jones-Drew, Jaguars: Here's what SI's Peter King had this to say about MDJ. "With 25 carries for 169 yards against a line that was stacked to stop him most of the game, Jones-Drew, who has fought since 2006 to prove he was better than his draft stock, broke the team's single-season rushing record and won the NFL rushing title. No back deserves it more."
DE Randy Starks, Dolphins: And they say big guys have no hands. Starks not only recorded two tackles and a sack, but the 305 lbs. lineman showed off his pass catching skills with two interceptions in the Dolphins 19-17 win over the New York Jets.
WR Vincent Jackson and TE Antonio Gates, Chargers: The Raiders had no answer for Jackson and Gates who combined for 12 receptions, 233-yds and 2 TD, as the Chargers knocked the Raiders out of playoff contention.
WR Darrius Heyward-Bey, Raiders: 9 receptions for 130-yds and a touchdown for Heyward-Bey in the Raiders final game of the season.
RB Michael Turner, Falcons: Turner would have his best game of the season, 17 carries for 172-yds and a touchdown, after my fantasy football team was out of it.
Interim Head Coach Romeo Crennel, Chiefs: Might as well remove the interim tag, because after taking over three weeks ago, the Chiefs finished the season 2-1, knocking off Rodgers and the Packers, and Tebow and the Broncos in the process.
WR Larry Fitzgerald, Cardinals: Larry and the Cardinals ended the season on a high note with a 23-20 overtime victory against the Seahawks in which Fitzgerald caught 9 passes for 149-yds and he did most of this with a bruised lung.
New York Giants: Win or go home for the G-Men Sunday night and they refused to be denied a trip to the playoffs by the arch rival Dallas Cowboys. Eli Manning led the charge once again for the Giants throwing for 346-yds and 3 TD, but he was not the only Giant to have a big game. Pro Bowl snub WR Victor Cruz continued his breakout year with 6 receptions for 178-yds, including a 74-yd TD catch in the first quarter.
But maybe the biggest reason for the Giants victory was the play of the defensive line. The d-line had 6 sacks on the night and 7 hits on the quarterback. If the defensive line can get pressure on the quarterback like they did in their 2007 Super Bowl run, the Giants are going to be a dangerous team in the playoffs.
"Holy Crap" Performances of the Year
QB Drew Brees, Saints: Statistically, it was one of the best seasons a quarterback has ever had. Brees and the Saints lite up the scoreboard again Sunday with 45 points and 617-yds of total offense, setting the NFL record for most total yards by a team in a season.
Brees broke the NFL record for completions (468), completion percentage (71.2%), and passing yards (5,476) and he threw 46 TD passes and had a quarterback rating of 110.6. Is that enough to win him the MVP award? Or will it go to the next guy...
QB Aaron Rodgers, Packers: Rodgers threw for 4,643-yds, 45 TD, a quarterback rating of 122.5 in 15 games this season, and led the Packers to a 15-1 record and home-field advantage throughout the playoffs.
Tough decision between Brees and Rodgers for MVP, but I'd give the edge to Rodgers for three reasons. Rodgers beat Brees in Week 1, 42-34. Rodgers threw fewer interceptions (Rodgers - 6, Brees - 14), and the Packers had a better record 15-1, than the Saints at 13-3. It will should be a close race, but I think Rodgers will walk away as league MVP. Don't forget about Peyton Manning though.
QB Tom Brady, Patriots: Brady also broke Dan Marino's single-season passing record with 5,235-yds and he had 39 TD passes, as the Patriots clinched home-field advantage throughout the playoffs.
WR Calvin Johnson, Lions: Megatron had an outstanding season for the Lions with 96 receptions for 1,681-yds and 16 TD. Johnson is one of the best receivers in the league and he played a major part in the Lions making the playoffs for the first time since 1999.
DE Jared Allen, Vikings: 5 total tackles, 3 tackles for loss, 4 hits on the quarterback, and 3.5 sacks on Sunday gave Allen 22 sacks for the season, just one sack short of breaking Michael Strahan's record of 22.5 sacks.
This is just a small sample of "Holy Crap" performers for the 2011 NFL season and a complete list of both "Holy Crap" performers, as well as the handing out of awards, will be posted during the Pro Bowl in late January.
"C'MON MAN" PERFORMANCES
St. Louis Rams: Head coach Steve Spagnuolo and general manager Billy Devaney were fired on Monday after the Rams very disappointing 2-14 season. Who will the Rams take with the second pick in April's draft? Luck if he is available or maybe RGIII?
New York Jets: There were a lot of disappointing teams in the NFL this season and besides the Philadelphia Eagles, the New York Jets were the league's most disappointing team. Every year, head coach Rex Ryan talks in the preseason about going to the Super Bowl and this year the Jets failed to even make the playoffs.
They controlled their own destiny two weeks ago, but losses to the Giants and Dolphins knocked them out of playoff contention and raised some major questions going into the off-season. QB Mark Sanchez continues to struggle and after going 21/32 for 207-yds, 2 TD, and 3 Int on Sunday, many have to wonder how much longer he will be the quarterback of the Jets. Also, something must be done with Santonio Holmes, who was held without a catch Sunday, and was benched late in the fourth quarter with the Jets trying to come back after getting into a war of words with OT Wayne Hunter.
QB Joe Webb, Vikings: Webb had played well when coming in for Christian Ponder this season, but not this past Sunday. Webb was 17/32 for 200-yds and 2 Int, as the Vikings finished the season 3-13.
QB Ryan Fitzpatrick and the Buffalo Bills: The wheels eventually fell off the wagon for the Bills after their hot start to the season and things did not end well Sunday in Foxborough. They were up 21-0 on the New England Patriots and failed to score another point the rest of the game. The Patriots scored 49 unanswered points and Ryan Fitzpatrick threw 4 interceptions, one of which was returned for a touchdown. After their bye week in Week 7, the Bills finished the season 2-8.
Philadelphia Eagles: The Dream Team's season came to a disappointing end on Sunday, as the Eagles finished the season 8-8. Many, including me, had the Eagles going to the Super Bowl, but they just never could put a winning streak together early in the season. Philadelphia did end the season on a four game winning streak and with a healthy Michael Vick next season and improvements on defense, the Eagles could have a very good team in 2012. But as for 2011, "C'mon Man!"
Indianapolis Colts: It was not the season the Colts expected to have when the lockout finally came to an end in July. They were forced to play without Peyton Manning, who never could come back from neck surgery, which led to a 2-14 season, and the first overall pick in the NFL Draft. Will the Colts take Andrew Luck or Robert Griffin III? And will Peyton Manning be there to mentor them? Let the debate begin.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Tampa didn't look ready to play on Sunday in their 45-24 loss to the Atlanta Falcons and one could argue that they weren't ready to play all season. The Buccaneers lost 10 consecutive games to end the season resulting in head coach Raheem Morris being fired and the rest of his staff being dismissed on Monday.
If losing 10 straight wasn't reason enough to get fired, Peter King gives another great reason for the Buccaneers firing Raheem Morris. "Points allowed, Tampa, last eight games: 37, 35, 23, 38, 41, 31, 48, 45. A disgrace is what it is. How does a head coach with a defensive background allow that to happen?"
Oakland Raiders: The Raiders made one of the biggest moves this season trading for Carson Palmer in hopes he could lead them to the playoffs for the first time since 2002. All they had to do was beat the San Diego Chargers at home after Denver lost to Kansas City, but the Raiders could not stop Philip Rivers and the San Diego offense. I expect the Raiders to be a playoff team though in 2012.
Also of note, the Raiders set the NFL record for penalties this season with 163 for 1,358-yards. A complete list of the penalties is on Joe Posnanski's column on SI.com.
QB Tim Tebow, Broncos: As Bill Simmons said on Twitter, "6 for 22, 60 yards, 1 turnover, 3 points... good enough for the AFC West title! Teeeeeeeeeeeee-bowwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww!!!!" As Simmons said, despite the loss the Broncos still won the AFC West with the Raiders loss, but Tebow and the Denver offense must find a way to put up some points next week against the Steelers.
Dallas Cowboys: America's team fell short once again Sunday as the Cowboys lost a winner take all game to the Giants, 31-14. Dallas made a game of it after being down 21-0 at halftime, but it was not enough as the Cowboys missed the playoffs for the second straight season. Jerry Jones' team lost a lot of close ballgames this season, especially in the fourth quarter and that's something that must be fixed going into next season. Also, QB Tony Romo continues to struggle in clutch situations and he must find a way to not only get the Cowboys back to the playoffs, but win once they get there.
It was a very entertaining 2011 NFL Regular Season, one that fans won't soon forget, and I expect the playoffs to be even more exciting, yet again when aren't they? My predictions for Wild Card Weekend will be out later this week, so stay tuned.
The only credit mike brown deserves is finally realizing the city of Cincinnati is fed up with his lack of by football sense, and made tickets but one er one free. Now season tickets are going like hot cakes for next year because Cincinnati is the queen of bandwagon jumpers. Smart financial decision brown. Only thig better he can do is quit.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the comment Joe, glad you read my blog, really appreciate it cuz. No doubt Brown made a great financial decision, I mean the guy continues to make millions of dollars with a terrible organization every single year. Whether he has really changed his ways or did what he did (from the newspaper ad, to free tickets) to increase season tickets sales for next year, we will have to wait and see. But he has done a great job as a general manager this season too, which is something I never thought I would say.
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