When Winning Become Losing.......

The 2011 Minnesota Vikings came into this season with high hopes to return the status they had back in 2009, when they when 12-4 and was one costly turnover away from the Super Bowl. Those days seem far and beyond nowadays. Going into the Christmas Eve game against the Washington Redskins, having a 2-12 and a shot at landing the #1 pick in the upcoming draft, one would think that the Vikings would hit rock bottom for this season. That is until yesterday......

Vikings traveled to D.C. to play the Redskins in consecutive years, although the Vikings won a pretty interesting game between two teams who had no playoff hopes, this win was costly, VERY COSTLY. 

The last thing and I mean THE LAST THING the Vikings wanted to worry about was losing their $100 million man to a injury. Adrian Peterson sprained his ankle a month ago, but the injury he suffered on Saturday makes that high ankle sprain look like an owie. It has been confirmed, well the video did enough convincing, that AP did indeed tear his ACL in his left knee. That may not be the only thing he tore, he may have MCL tears and possible structural damage.

With the Vikings already having holes to fill on the roster, this may be the ultimate blow to a team that may have to start thinking "completely rebuilding" for the first time since 2006. Now for the record, I believe that AP will make a full recovery and be back in time for the 2012 season. However, there are conflicting reports that say this could be a career-ending or career-altering injury. Vikings fans seen this before, i.e. Daunte Culpepper in 2005, the Vikings have not recovered from that injury to this date. Culpepper was also the Vikings $100 million man when he suffered his knee injury. Culpepper was the Vikings franchise QB, and to this day the Vikings haven't found his replacement yet. Could AP injury mean that the Vikings will be searching for a RB to replace maybe the best RB in the sport today?

Lets consider some positives and negatives behind all of this:

Positives

• Robert Smith: the guy who AP is behind as Vikings All-time leading rusher, had two ACL injuries in his 8 year career as a Viking and statistically had his best years after those injuries.
• Willis McGhee: who destroyed his knee during his last game in college, has come back to play a decent career as an NFL RB, currently with the Denver Broncos.
• Jamal Lewis: who torn his ACL in 2001, after the Ravens Super Bowl season, came back two seasons later and ran for 2,000 yards in 2003.
• Edgerrin James: tore his ACL in 2001, but was able to come back and rush for 5 1,000 yard seasons.

Negatives

• Terrell Davis: Won back-to-back Super Bowls in 1998-99, but in 2000 tore his knee and was never the same after. Retiring shortly after.
• Jamal Anderson: Had a great year in 1998, leading the Atlanta Falcons to the Super Bowl, but tore his ACL the following season. He tried to come back a few times, but never regained his top form.
• Deuce McAllister: Was the Saints work-horse from his rookie season in 2001 until his tore his ACL in 2005. The Saints drafted Reggie Bush in the draft and Deuce's years were numbered, as he never regain his pro bowl status.
• Olandis Gary: Was the replacement for the aforementioned Terrell Davis, had a great rookie season and the Broncos had high hopes for their future at RB. But the following season, he tore his knee up never recovered and his short career came to an end.

So for Vikings fans, there are some hope that AP can return to top form, while there are others who think this could be the beginning of the end for a career which could of been beyond promising for one Adrian Peterson. 

Go West Young Man, Go West?

Week 15 could be the tell all for where the road to Indianapolis (Super Bowl) will go through. I'll focus a lot on the AFC (Since the Packers have the NFC locked down) and I'll look at 3 teams today who all will travel west of the Mississippi. In the AFC, four teams are 10-3, with the Texans leading the way through tie-breakers. But of those four teams, the Texans are the only ones that are at home and have clinched their division. The Patriots, Ravens, and Steelers all are on the road and all have huge games that could have meaning in the playoff race. 

Lets start with the big game of the weekend, Patriots at Broncos. This game could be huge, not because of the Tebow-ism that's taken over the league right now, but this game puts the 10-3 Pats against the 8-5 Broncos. This game could be for tie-breaking purposes as well as can the team of the decade beat the rising phenomenon named Tebow and the Denver Broncos. Could today be the "changing" of the guard? Over the last 10 years, the Pats have been the darlings of the NFL, but if "Tebow-ism" beat the Pats today, could all of that finally change? 

I'll get on that topic later, but the reason why I am doing this entry is because of the huge impact this game could deliver for this year's AFC postseason picture. If the Pats pull off this victory, many people would be happy because the Tebow-mania would subside for a week and for Pats fans this could put them closer to having home-field in the AFC. But, if the Broncos were to pull out the win, this could give them the AFC West title and at least position this team for a possible run at the #1 or #2 seed in the AFC. Which leads me into the next AFC game.

Ravens at Chargers tonight could be a huge test for a Ravens team that's trying to make themselves the #1 top dog in the AFC. Ravens may have exercise their demons in the Steelers this season (winning the season series between the two) but seem to have mental breakdowns against teams they have NO business losing too (i.e. Jaguars, Seahawks and Titans). The Ravens don't want to repeat the last trip they made to the west-coast. As for the Chargers, making late season runs is their MO. However, this could be the final nail in the coffin that's known as the 2011 NFL season. The Chargers would have to win out and get help in order to make the playoffs, but winning their last two game is a good symbol for this team that's use to winning in the month of December.

If the Ravens can hang on the win this game, this would pretty much give the Ravens at least the #2 seed in the AFC and would very much wrap up the AFC North (with the Browns and Bengals left on their schedule). If the Chargers win, this would extend their other-wise not so good season by another week. Noteworthy to the Raven faithful, WIN THIS GAME TONIGHT!!!! Put the pressure on the Steelers!!! Which leads me to the final game of week 15.

Steelers at 49ers, this game has HUGE meaning on both teams who are in heated races within their respective conferences. This hurdle for the Steelers could be a tough one, being without the suspended James Harrison and having Big Ben injured and questionable to play in this game, the Steelers have to play the 49ers short-handed. As for the 49ers, who lost to the other AFC North top dog the Ravens a few weeks ago, will play a similar team in the Steelers. 

If the Steelers win this game, two things could happen: 1.) they could be leading the AFC North (if Ravens lose) or 2.) they could have locked down the #5 seed as a wild-card. The Steelers will go into Monday Night knowing the results of both the Pats, Ravens, and Texans games. If the 49ers win this game, this could lock down the #2 seed in the NFC and thus the 49ers would have two weeks plus a bye week to prepare for their first playoff game in 9 years.

So lets just say that the Super Bowl picture could be settled in the Wild, Wild West this week. Well I had to use something for the theme "Go West Young Man, Go West". We'll see what happens. Destination Super Bowl!!!!

2011 Packers vs 2007 Patriots

The "perfect season" has only been successfully accomplished once in the NFL, 1972 Miami Dolphins. Over the last 15 years this feat has been challenged several times, unsuccessfully of course with the most recent being the 2007 New England Patriots. Could 2011 be the season that a team goes undefeated in an NFL season ,counting both Regular and Post-Seasons? Many believe so, but I'm writing this blog in relation the last two teams who have challenged this feat: 07 Patriots and current Packers.

I will not compare the whole season of these two teams, as the 2011 season isn't completed, but I'll compare the two teams as to their position as if the Week 14 within their respective seasons.

2007 Patriots: 

The Pats were coming off the lost in the 06 AFC Championship game against the eventual Super Bowl Champs the Indianapolis Colts. The Pats upgraded their Wide Receivers with a huge trade for Randy Moss, who was with the Raiders and former Dolphins WR Wes Welker. These two pick up proved to be key to the Pats 2007 season. With the help of these two players, the Pats started off 2007 by scoring 24 or more points and each of its first 9 games (30 or more in 8 of those games). The only team that could of possibly beaten the Pats where the Colts and they played week 9 of that season, otherwise known as Super Bowl 41&1/2. This would be the first time the Pats played the Colts since that classic AFC title game, and this game lived up to the hype and some. Pats won this game 24-20 and thus started the "undefeated" talks that would plague the rest of their season.

However, I'll limit this for another blog in the near future, but I want to talk about a game in week 13 against the Baltimore Ravens. This game was the final true test that stood in the way for the Pats as their quest for the undefeated season. This was a Monday Night game and everyone was watching, as the Ravens game it their all against this juggernaut.

2011 Packers:

Coming off their Super Bowl win against the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Pack started off their season against the previous Super Bowl champs the New Orleans Saints. The Pack wasn't so dominate in their first half of the season, but they won every game by at least 6 points. That is until week 13 match up against the New York Giants. This game, as to date, is considered to be the Packers final test in their quest to go undefeated in a season.

Now on to the real reason for this blog, I wanted to compare the two teams and their week 13 match-ups. Both teams were on the road and faced two teams who were capable of beating these two powerhouse teams.

It was strange when I saw the Packers win this game against the Giants because it reminded me so much of when the Patriots defeated the Ravens, as both games were had its share of controversial calls from the refs. 

12 vs. 12:

Both QB's, Aaron Rodgers for the Packers and Tom Brady for the Patriots, play beyond great in these respective years. Rodgers could be putting up the stats that would be considered the best ever when it comes to single-season performances. I remember hearing about this same thing 4 years ago, oh yea I did, in Tom Brady.

Aaron Rodgers: As of week 13 in '11: 3,844 yards with 37 TD's and 5 INT's . 70.6 comp%  and a 125.3 QB rating. 

Tom Brady as of week 13 in '07: 3,696 yards with 41 TD's and 5 INT's. 71.5 comp % and a 121.8 QB rating. 

Pats vs Pack Super Bowl Match-up?
There are some comparisons to the two that are highly striking and the ironic thing is that with both teams on a possible collision course for the Super Bowl. Picture this: Could it be the Patriots, who had their streak ended in Super Bowl 42, stop the undefeated streak of the Packers in Super Bowl 46 this season? Less than 2 months away, it would be very interesting game if this were to play out.

Monday Quarterback

Week 13 Recap


Philadelphia 14 at Seattle 31
This is the final, and I mean final nail in the coffin for the "Dream Team" in 2011. This could also mean the beginning of the end for one Andy Reid. With this win, Seattle keeps it's very slim playoff hopes alive.

Carolina 38 at Tampa Bay 19
Tampa QB Josh Freeman was scratched from this game before kickoff due to an injury, and the Panthers just went to task on the short-handed Bucs. Cam Newton sets the QB record for most rushing TD's in one season.

Cincinnati 7 at Pittsburgh 35
Young Bengals team just can't hang with the vets from the black & gold immortality known as the Pittsburgh Steelers. Mistakes did the Bengals in, as they lose another game against the "big boys" of the AFC North.

Atlanta 10 at Houston 17
T.J. Yates first start was successful, however it could of come with a price. WR Andre Johnson re-aggravated that hamstring injury again. As for the Falcons, missed a huge opportunity to lay claim to one the wild-card spots and keep up with the Saints in the NFC South.

NY Jets 34 at Washington 19
Jets scored 21 points in the 4th Quarter behind 3 TD's from Shonn Greene and good QB play from Sanchez as the Jets scored a huge win in DC.

Indianapolis 24 at New England 31
The Colts came to play in this "rivalry of the century". This game didn't turn out as bad as the 20-point spread that was on this game by the odd-makers.

Oakland 14 at Miami 34
Well I am not sure what the issue was here, the Raiders picked the WRONG time to have a let down game. It could of been because of the West Coast to East Coast travel, but what ever it was this game could be costly down the road. As for Miami, this team is playing the hardest and could be the biggest spoilers to playoff teams they play from here on out.

Denver 35 at  Minnesota 32
Tim Tebow does it again. Well with the help of his old college rival, Christian Ponder, who's 3 turnovers accounted for 13 points including the game-winning FG.

Tennessee 23 at Buffalo 17
Chris Johnson finally got his legs back underneath him, he ran for another 100+ yard day and Titans are keeping up with the Texans in the AFC South race.

Kansas City 10 at Chicago 3
Ugly game, but a huge injury could derail one team while this win could propel another. Matt Forte went out with an knee injury and could be missed for the remainder of the season. Difference in this game was a hail mary from Tyler Palko to Dexter McCluster before the half to give the Chiefs a 7-3 lead and the win.

Arizona 19 at Dallas 13 (OT)
Playing a game in Arizona against the Cowboys always equals to a weird win by the Cardinals. Over the last few games have come down to either game-winning kicks or Overtime TD's. All by the Cardinals. Jason Garrett iced his own kicker as Cowboys Kicker Dan Bailey kicked a game-winning kick. With that, Bailey had to re-tee and kick again, and this time he missed the kick. Cardinals scored a TD in overtime as they won against the Cowboys again.

San Francisco 26 at St. Louis 0
Niners clinched the NFC West for the first time in 9 years with this victory.

Detroit 17 at New Orleans 31

The Lions had 11 penalties that killed a lot of opportunities for the Lions as they lost against the Red Hot Saints who could be gearing up for a late season push for home-field advantage.

Its Beginning To Look A Lot Like 2007??

I was just looking back at some history with the NFL and I happen to see a comparison of some sorts that I wanted to discuss. This blog will be cover the New York Giants as I compare the 2007 and 2011 seasons. Now why did I pick just these two season for? Well as you know, the Giants are in the midst of another 2nd half collapse, but I'll focus more on the good things and not bad.

Looking at the two seasons, I see some similarities in it. At this time in 2007, the Giants were 7-4 and behind the Cowboys in the NFC East race. This season, the Giants are 6-5 and behind the Cowboys in the NFC East race. Well only a game difference between the two seasons, but more similarities to follow. In 2007, the Giants ended the month of November with a blowout lost to the Minnesota Vikings at home 41-17. Just this past week (the last Monday Night game in November) the Giants lost to the Saints 49-24.

Questions arose from the New York media after both games, and doubt was put into people's head as to question will the Giants go to the playoffs? Should Coach Tom Coughlin be fired? One thing about the Giants under Coughlin is that they respond to criticism well when it comes to situations like this. The game following that Vikings loss in 07, the Giants played another NFC North team the Chicago Bears. They won in Chicago 21-16, a game in which most picked the Bears to dominate the Giants. Fast forward to 2011 and this weekend's game against another NFC North team, the undefeated Green Bay Packers. This game, like the game in 2007, could very well be for the Giants season, in which if they lose this could give the Cowboys a 2 game lead in the NFC East and would put the Giants behind a few teams in the NFC Wild Card race.

We'll keep the Green Bay Packers in mind, the 2007 team played them as well (lost) and played them again in the NFC Championship game (won in OT). The 2011 team could very well see this team again in a few weeks (Considering that they win on Sunday), at the same place and possibly have the same seed they did in 2007. Now I do somewhat believe in divine intervention, but for Giants fans who though that they're season is over with, may need to just relax. 2011 Giants are just as talented as the 2007 Giants team, but Eli Manning as grown more over the years. Remaining schedule doesn't look too good for the Giants (Packers, Cowboys, Redskins, Jets and Cowboys), but with their backs against the wall, they usually respond.

Could this be a repeat of Super Bowl 42 (2007) against the Giants and Patriots? Remember these two teams played this year as they did in 2007. If the Giants make the playoffs as a wild-card team, they'll face the NFC South winner, as they did in 2007 against the Bucs. If they win that game, they could possibly face off against the winner of their division the Cowboys, as they did in 2007 (Considering if the Cowboys win out and the 49ers lose some games). With the showdown at Lambeau Field against the Packers, for whom they would of have already played them in the regular season, just as they did in 2007. Get where I am going with this now Giants fans?

Of course all of this isn't what's going to happen, but then again who's to say that divine intervention can't run it's course again. I mean the Giants are collapsing again in the 2nd half of the season for a second year in a row right? Right? Only time will tell.

Is it that time of the year again?!?!?!?

Well as we turn the calendar to December, we note that a few things usually (Over the last 5 years) happen around this time. For instance, NFL teams making their run to a championship, the New York Giants collapsing, and a team that's either trying to go 16-0 or 0-16. But for the purposes of this blog entry, I'll be talking about one person in particular that everyone knows who has a December collapse. That one guy being: Tony Romo. 

If the month of December has never done a man in, this man right here would say otherwise. Tony Romo is a career 19-2 as a starter in the month of November, but December he's 8-10 for his career. For the last five Thanksgiving games, Romo goes into those games hotter than the turkey stuffing you had last week. After those games is when the wheels come off of the Romo express and the Cowboys go south.

This season is no different, with the Cowboys leading the NFC East by one game to the Giants (whom they play twice in the next 5 weeks). Could 2011 be different then any of the other years (2009 being the last time they won the division and withstood the collapse). The schedule-makers this season gave the Cowboys a HUGE break. Lets take a look at the last couple of Cowboys December's with Romo at the helm.

2006: Romo first year, as he took over for Drew Bledsoe and won 4 of his first 5 starts heading into December of 2006. The Cowboys were in a division dead-heat with the Eagles, and played them on Christmas at, then Texas Stadium. The Eagles won this game and the division, and this was the big Jessica Simpson game (Romo's Ex-girlfriend). Cowboys finished losing 3 of 5 and having to travel to Seattle for a playoff game with the Seahawks. End Result: This is the infamous "Botched Field Goal game" with Romo mishandling the snap from center with him trying to run it in and was stopped short of the goal-line, to preserve the Seahawks 21-20 victory.

2007: Cowboys were rolling this season, winning 11-1 in their first 12 games and another winning November from the Cowboys. After dismantling the Jets and Packers, people started looking at this as Super Bowl contenders. As December rolled around, a new year, they can't hit the brick road soon right? Yes they could and did. Cowboys lost again to the Eagles and the Cowboys lost the last two games to lose home-field to the Packers. This would hurt the Cowboys as they fell to the #2 seed, and had to play the Giants coming off their 1st Round win against the Bucs. Romo was unable to lead his team to a come-from-behind victory. On 4th down with less than half a minute and no timeouts left, Romo threw the ball into the end-zone, but it was intercepted, ending the Cowboys hopes for another championship.  End Result: Cowboys lost at home to the Giants 21-17, as the Giants would become the eventual Super Bowl champs.

2008: This marked the final season at Texas Stadium for the Cowboys and how fitting that in December, they lost their final game to the Baltimore Ravens. This was a huge lost because it set up a key match up in Philly against the Eagles with the winner going to the playoffs. This game was the game that the Cowboys just flat out laid down and got the doors blown off them 44-6. Romo committed three turnovers in the game and went 21-39 for 183 yards and no touchdowns. End Result: Cowboys at 9-7 missed the playoffs after being 8-4 and in control of the wild card at the beginning of December 2008.

2009: This season was one in which the Cowboys bucked the trend. After losing it's first two games in December 09, the Cowboys we're 8-5 and the critics were once again coming out on the Cowboys and their December collapses. However, the Cowboys woke up. Winning it's next three games and winning the NFC East, they hosted another playoff game against the Eagle (whom they played a week earlier). Cowboys won that game behind a great game from Romo. Romo had a 104.9 passer rating in a 34-14 win of the Philadelphia Eagles in the first round of the playoffs, earning the first play-off win in 13 years for the Cowboys, and his own first career post-season win. End Result: However the following week in the NFC divisional round against Minnesota Vikings, Romo had three fumbles (losing two), an interception and was sacked six times in the 34-3 loss at the Metrodome.

2010: This was not a good season for the Cowboys or Tony Romo. Romo suffered a broken left clavicle in a game against the Giants. With a few months of rehab, the Cowboys placed Romo on Injured Reserve on December 21, 2010. End Result: Cowboys finished with Jon Kitna at QB and had a record 6-10.


2011: Which leads us today (As of December 2nd, 2011) what will the Cowboys and Romo do this year? Having the Cardinals, Giants, Bucs, Eagles, and Giants in that order, can the Romo lead the Cowboys to a perfect December this year? End Result: Check back with me in a few week.....only time will tell!!!