Thursday Night Football - NFL Week 10

Thursday Night Football opens up this week in the NFL with the Atlanta Falcons taking on the Baltimore Ravens. This is a great matchup of two of the young-superstar quarterbacks that came out of the 2008 NFL Draft.

Baltimore Ravens @ Atlanta Falcons (PICK) - Matt Ryan is 17-1 in 18 career starts in the Georgia Dome. That is an absolutely outstanding statistic to point out for tonight's game. The Falcons clearly "get-up" more for home games and the record shows. It is a short week for both teams, I give the advantage to the Ravens here as the veteran team can handle the short week much better than I would expect the Falcons to. However, this is a game the Falcons have to treat as the regular season Super Bowl. A win over a top 3 team in the NFL would solidify the fact that the Falcons are a legit contender this season. Matty Ice and Roddy White will show up big tonight and the Falcons get it done at home in a high scoring affair.

PICK: ATLANTA 27 - BALTIMORE 24

Thank You For Participating - Dallas Cowboys

Monday, Jerry Jones fired Wade Phillips. A move the club should have made after the 2008 season. It will do little to help at this point and fails to address the real problem that Jones will remain the General Manager of the club.

Much to the delight of Cowboys haters across the nation, the season in which Dallas will host the Super Bowl will go down as one of the worst in the franchise’s storied history. As a child, I sat with my grandfather and watched Dallas go 1-15. Jerry Jones had just bought the team and summarily fired Tom Landry. Many fans of America’s Team hated the move. Of course, 3 Super Bowls in 4 years rightfully gave Jerry a long grace period. By the end of the 90’s, the triplets were old, the talent base had eroded and a series of Jones’ puppet coaches failed to bring the team back to glory.

Jones, frustrated with futility, relinquished much of his influence and control to Bill Parcels. Parcels filled the team with good young talent and a few trusted veterans. Of course, Jones could not stop himself from bringing in T.O. Owens had a few solid statistical years, but his arrival sealed the deal for Parcels. Parcels left for Miami, and took with him many of the ancillary players and coaching staff. Jones had a stocked cupboard of coaching talent ( ex. Sean Payton, Todd Haley, Tony Sparano) but looked outside the Parcels regime. He brought in inexperienced Dolphins QB coach Jason Garrett to head up the offense. (whenever you can go out a sign the QB coach of a 1-15 team, you have to pull the trigger) Jones then set out to find his next puppet. Jones found his Huckleberry in Wade Phillips, a respected defensive coordinator but failed in two prior head coaching stints.

Phillips’ easy going style, Jones’ ineptitude along with the insufferable offense of Garrett mixed like a frat party cocktail, and in 2010, the roofies kicked in.

Entering this season, the biggest question marks on this team were the aging offensive line, the aging inside linebackers, and the safety position. Jones stood pat with the offensive line resulting in Jon Kitna now taking snaps and no running game. Jones traded Bobby Carpenter for Alex Barron. Carpenter is not great but he played well in nickel packages and on special teams. The result: 35-year-old Keith Brooking playing every snap, Alex Barron holding onto anything within 3 feet, terrible special teams, and Carpenter playing a contributing role with the Dolphins. Jones cut the corpse of Ken Hamlin prior to the season after giving him a 39 million dollar extension 2 unproductive years earlier, leaving Dallas with no viable option on the roster. The team converted Alan Ball from corner to Safety. The result: Alan Ball plays like Roy Williams (former Dallas Safety) without the ability to hit hard. Jones elected to cut ties with established veterans such as Safety Pat Watkins and Reciver Patrick Crayton. Both served as very good special team’s players and starters as needed. The result: terrible special teams and no viable Safety candidates. You cannot make these types of moves if you fail to draft adequate replacements. Dez Bryant is the only draft pick of the last few years making any real contribution to this team.

Jones’ firing Phillips represents yet another personnel mistake. Every GM makes mistakes, but Jones has done so repeatedly for years with no repercussions. Jones brought Jason Garrett to this team, he signed Ken Hamlin to a huge deal after 1 decent season, he gave Barber a big time contract after 1 good season as a complimentary back, he traded away 1^st and 3^rd round picks for Roy Williams, he decided to go on the cheap and release proven vets for undrafted rookies, brought in T.O. essentially poisoning the team. This is a man who once traded 2 first round draft picks for Joey Galloway, a man who thought it wise to give Ryan Leaf another chance, and a man who made Barry Switzer a NFL head coach

The failure of this Cowboys team begins and ends with Jerry Jones. He revels in the thrill of victory, yet refuses to share in the agony of defeat. It has been 15 years since Dallas last hoisted the Lombardy and the grace period is over.

Danny's Week 9 Selections

Record: Danny (68-49 SU / 59-53-4 ATS)

Chicago (-3) @ Buffalo *(in Toronto) - Bears 27 - Bills 17

San Diego @ Houston (+3) - Texans 34 - Chargers 30

New Orleans @ Carolina (+7) - Saints 20 - Panthers 16

Arizona @ Minnesota (-8) - Vikings 31 - Cardinals 17

Tampa Bay @ Atlanta (-8.5) - Falcons 30 - Buccaneers 13

New York Jets (-4) @ Detroit - Jets 24 - Lions 17

Miami @ Baltimore (-5) - Ravens 30 - Dolphins 20

New England (-5.5) @ Cleveland - Patriots 28 - Browns 14

New York Giants (-7) @ Seattle - Giants 31 - Seahawks 10

Kansas City @ Oakland (-1) - Raiders 20 - Chiefs 17

Indianapolis (+3) @ Philadelphia - Eagles 30 - Colts 28

Dallas (+8) @ Green Bay - Packers 24 - Cowboys 20

Pittsburgh (-5) @ Cincinnati - Steelers 23 - Bengals 13

Eric's Locks of Week 9

Record: 10-4-1

Tampa Bay (+8.5) @ Atlanta

The NFC is wide open and Atlanta looks like they have as good a chance as anyone to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl. They’ve got a steady QB, a top flight running back, an aging but still effective tight end and a very good receiving corps. Defensively, they have some questions, especially in the secondary. They’ve well enough to pull out wins and with the exception of the Eagles game, have looked like the better team. For some reason though, I’m simply not sold. I can’t trust Matty Ice to deliver a game winning drive under pressure and Michael Turner has had some durability issues. Sure, Atlanta will go to the playoffs and may win a game but no way they reach the Super Bowl.

Tampa Bay, on the other hand, looks bad on paper. Statistically, they rank in the middle for every major category except for opponents rushing yards, which they come in at 30^th. Again, on paper, this would appear to play right into the hands of Atlanta. Josh Freeman looks confident and better than most thought at his early point in his career. Mike Williams provides him with a reliable target and Lagarrette (French for “The Garrette") Blount just had a breakout game last week against Arizona. Defensively, this team loaded up with young talent. They’re more than a year away from becoming serious contenders for the division crown but they’ve got a friskiness to them I like.

Atlanta will win this one. They’re the better team, I just don’t think they’re more than 8 points better. Mike Williams and Lagarrette Blount both have solid games and keep the Bucs in this one. I like Tampa Bay to cover but the Falcons to win.

PICK: TAMPA BAY +8.5

Kansas City (+3) @ Oakland

Odds makers must have put a lot of stock into these past two weeks by Oakland. Oakland has looked like a premier team. Darren McFadden, Jason Campbell, and Darrius Heyward-Bey played to their first round draft pick pedigree resulting in some of the best offensive output in franchise history. However, let’s add a little perspective. Yes, the Raiders got very very hot but they also played against two teams that were reeling. The Broncos have looked absolutely terrible over the past few weeks and Seattle overachieves at home and bombs on the road. Oakland may be playing its best football in a decade but that doesn’t say a whole lot.

Kansas City has benefited from an easy schedule. You could argue they’ve lost to the only quality teams they’ve played (Indy and Houston). However, the Chiefs play steady and make the most of what they have. Kansas City runs the ball well, makes just enough throws and plays solid defense. I like Chiefs’ Defensive Coordinator, Romeo Crennel, against Jason Campbell. No way Heyward-Bey has a repeat performance. Raider's corner Nnamdi Asomugha is listed as Questionable and may not play. Without him, the Raiders will lose the flexibility he brings. The Chiefs are 3 point dogs but I see them winning outright and cooling the Raiders off.

PICK: KANSAS CITY +3

Week 9 - Start 'Em / Sit 'Em

START 'EM

QB's
1. Joe Flacco (BAL) - Coming off of the bye week, the Ravens have a good matchup at home against the Miami Dolphins. The Dolphins have been tremendous on the road this season, but after a big win in Cincinnati last week, I think the Ravens come out firing and catch them off guard.
2. Michael Vick (PHI) - Vick is an absolute mis-match for the Colts defense. Freeney and Mathis will penetrate the Eagles offensive line, but Vick's quickness will out do the Colts defense and be able to extend the plays. Vick could have a huge day in what should be a high scoring affair.

---Sit 'Em
1. Josh Freeman (TAM)
2. Chad Henne (MIA)


START 'EM

RB's
1. Lesean McCoy (PHI) - Vick is going to be too much for the Colts defense, they will be on their heels. Tosses and draws will gain huge yards for McCoy, I expect big things from him Sunday.
2. Brandon Jacobs (NYG) - Goal line machine. If you need a fill-in RB this week or need an option guy at a flex spot, Jacobs is a great option. The Seahawks will be overmatched by the larger and well rested Giants offensive line.

---Sit 'Em
1. Beanie Wells (ARI)
2. Cedric Benson (CIN)


START 'EM

WR's
1. Steve Smith (NYG) - The Giants are coming off the bye week and the Seahawks lost their quarterback in a bad loss. I smell a blow out and you know Eli will be slingin' the ball all over the field.
2. Mike Wallace (PITT) - The downfield threat for the Steelers should have a big day against a beaten up and disgruntled Bengals defense. Wallace should have a big score this weekend.

---Sit 'Em
1. Percy Harvin (MINN)
2. Dez Bryant (DAL)

Week 9 - POWER RANKINGS

Here are my Power Rankings heading into Week 9

1. Baltimore Ravens
2. New England Patriots
3. Pittsburgh Steelers
4. Indianapolis Colts
5. New York Giants
6. New York Jets
7. Atlanta Falcons
8. New Orleans Saints
9. Philadelphia Eagles
10. Kansas City Chiefs
11. Green Bay Packers
12. Houston Texans
13. Miami Dolphins
14. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
15. Tennessee Titans
16. San Diego Chargers
17. Oakland Raiders
18. St. Louis Rams
19. Seattle Seahawks
20. Minnesota Vikings
21. San Francisco 49ers
22. Jacksonville Jaguars
23. Chicago Bears
24. Washington Redskins
25. Arizona Cardinals
26. Denver Broncos
27. Cincinnati Bengals
28. Cleveland Browns
29. Detroit Lions
30. Dallas Cowboys
31. Buffalo Bills
32. Carolina Panthers

The Good, The Bad, The Ugly - Week 8

The Good:

The Colts. Normally, I reserve praise for Manning and Company simply because it’s a given. However, they’re proved especially resilient this season. GM Bill Polian did a phenomenal job stocking this team with talent. The Colts offense featured Mike Hart and Jacob Tammie in the starting lineup last night and didn’t miss a beat against the Texans. Peyton Manning receives so much praise that it’s become cliché to do so but when key members of the offense go down and the he doesn’t miss a beat, he deserves every word of it. If the Colts defense keeps opposing offenses to a dull roar, Indy could find itself in Dallas come February.

The Bad:

The Washington Redskins. Losing to the Lions isn’t as bad as it seems. The Raiders and Lions have both shown us this year that if you get top 10 draft picks for a decade, you will improve. The Lions have a lively offense and a few nice defensive pieces. However, the Redskins showed zero faith in McNabb by benching him in favor of Rex Grossman. McNabb is a streaky player. He always has been. Shanahan pulled him and likely created some tension in his relationship with his quarterback. Reid benched McNabb once before, but they had many years together along with the requisite trust. At this stage in his career, McNabb knows he isn’t a part of the team’s long term plan. I think Shanahan gave McNabb reason to look over his shoulder, which could result in poor decisions from McNabb trying to make plays that aren’t there.

The Ugly

I’d go with the Cowboys but I don’t want to waste perfectly good internet on them. However, the Vikings looked the ugliest coming off another loss but the true ugly stems from the release of Randy Moss. The Moss acquisition created a lot of buzz and should have given Brett Favre the downfield threat Sidney Rice’s injury created. However, the Vikings failed to see that New England’s willingness to part with their big name receiver in the middle of a playoff push represented a huge ominous red flag. Randy’s skill set no longer appears to justify the troubles he brings along. The Vikings took a shot and missed badly. Moss will surely find another team and another paycheck but the Vikings will not get back the 3^rd rounder they dealt away.