Tuesday Night Cornerback: Week 6

The only thing I’m sure of is that I’m not sure of anything. Teams have been so inconsistent, and it’s just maddening to see teams be good one week and then look horrendous the next. So, for Week 6, here are the ten things I think I think about the NFL.

1. I think that numbers never lie, and the NFC is the superior conference this year. The NFC is 19-9 versus AFC teams so far this year. Part of this is depth no question. The NFC is far deeper than the AFC with loads of contenders from each division, but it’s not just a question of depth. Last week, two of agreed top teams in the AFC, the Patriots and the Texans, lost at the hands of two middle of the pack NFC teams, the Packers and the Seahawks. So, what is causing this dramatic tilt in the scale? I think that the depth in the NFC ultimately creates a more competitive atmosphere and gives the NFC teams consistent challenges week in and week out. It creates a bubble where the NFC teams might have a 9-7 record at the end of the year, but the road they took and the competition they faced have molded them into a far superior team. Case in point: 2012 Giants 9-7, 2012 Patriots 13-3. The Giants were 2-0 versus the Patriots last year, and their tough division and conference record hardened them and challenged them over the course of the year to help them know their strengths, indentify their weaknesses, and ultimately grasped their potential. The Patriots’ cupcake schedule at the end of the season put them into cruise control. Even their path in the playoffs was two home games against Tebow’s 8-8 Broncos and the Baltimore Ravens who they barely beat. The Giants had three road games against the Falcons, Packers, and the 49ers. By the time they got to the Super Bowl, they had been hardened by a tough schedule and the Patriots had been challenged in one close game¹. So, the NFC is the top conference this year, and we will see how this affects the entire league once we get to later in the season.
2. I think I jinxed Tom Brady and reversed jinxed Aaron Rodgers in my Thursday picks. I said Brady was better than Rodgers and should be pissed that people consider Rodgers better. Rodgers threw for 6 TDs and 0 INTs against a top defense and Brady threw for 2 TDs and 2 INTs against another top defense. My bad, Tom, my bad. More on the Patriots, it is very evident that they can’t cover anybody. Their secondary is a piece of Swiss cheese. The only good news is that there is a lot of football left and they made the Super Bowl last year with a worse secondary. It’s just discouraging that the past five years 2 first-round picks and 4 second-round picks have been spent on that secondary and it gets torched by a rookie QB who has had only one good game all year. It’s just really frustrating when if they just turned and saw the ball things would drastically improve².
3. I think that Russell Wilson had a great game, but it wasn’t enough to move up in the rankings. Ryan Tannehill was impressive again, RGIII comes through with another great game, Brandon Weeden even got his first win. The only disappointment last week was Andrew Luck who I thought would take their win over the Packers and use it as a launch pad to a great run. He and the Colts laid a turd against the Jets, but no still, no changes in the rankings. Rookie QB Rankings: 1. RGIII 2. Luck 3. Tannehill 4. Wilson 5. Weeden
4. I think the Falcons are the last undefeated team standing, and I honestly don’t think they are the best team. Their defense is questionable, their running game isn’t good, and I question their toughness. That’s all the bad. The rest is good. Matt Ryan has been great besides last week, their passing game is volatile, and their special teams unit is good. The easily could have lost the past three weeks, but they remain unbeaten and my top team. I don’t think either of these will last³.
5. I think the Texans can use this and build. Their front seven is good, their secondary is okay. It’s better than giving up 6 passing TDs and some of that has to be chalked up to Aaron Rodgers being very good, and some amazing highlight reel catches. They are still the top team in the AFC, still have a good offense, but this shows a chink in the armor. Let’s see how they respond. All the great teams will come back pissed, fix their problems, and execute next week. Let’s see if the Texans are a great team.
6. I think I’m going to quote SI’s Peter King’s Monday Morning Quarterback⁴ from yesterday here. King was writing about the Giants and their “most impressive win by any team this season, the 26-3 rout of the Niners that no one — not even Abby Manning — saw coming in its decisiveness.” With all due respect Mr. King, WRONG!! I saw this coming a mile away. This is the type of game the Giants always win. They are reeling, no one believes in them, they believe that no one believes in them, they come out and beat a top team. I saw this whole script laid out in front of me, including their loss against the Redskins this week. What can I say, I have seen the Giants do this too many times to be fooled anymore.
7. I think, cut that meat! Cut that meat! Peyton is back baby! I missed him. I missed those dumb commercials. I missed that red splotch on his head. I missed the “Manning Face.” That was a great comeback on Monday Night, and I can’t believe we are surprised by this guy anymore. So what if his deep balls have more hang time than most punts. So what if Greg Maddux threw harder than Peyton can right now. He’s still Peyton, and I think we should all be ashamed if we forgot that.
8. I think the most impressive non-QB rookie this year has been…no one has any idea how bad I want to say Chandler Jones⁵ here…Alfred Morris. What? You don’t know Alfred Morris? I didn’t either until I paid attention. Do you know what team he plays for? Do you know what position he plays? Alfred Morris is the Redskins’ starting running back, and he is fourth in the league in rushing yards and third in the league in rushing touchdowns. He was selected in the sixth round with the 173 overall pick. He makes $390,000. Trent Richardson was selected 3^rd overall and makes $20.5 million. Never, I repeat, never spend a high draft pick on a running pack, and never, I repeat, never spend a lot of money on a running back. They are indispensable.
9. I think the Browns got a win, and they made me look stupid. I should have known they wouldn’t go 0-16 and the Bengals have been going downhill all year.
10. I think the Buccaneers could easily make the playoffs. They have an easy division and can still make a run. They haven’t been bad this year. Sleeper playoff team.

I think my picks, besides hitting on the Giants and Packers, weren’t that great, and for once, I’m glad Peyton came back to win.

This week: 7-7

Overall: 45-31

Who I think the Top Ten Teams are:

1. Falcons
2. Texans
3. Ravens
4. Giants
5. 49ers
6. Bears
7. Seahawks
8. Vikings
9. Cardinals
10. Packers⁶

I think that’s all for Week 6. Check in Thursday for my picks in Week 7.

1. I hate to say this. They had no business winning. If I told you that Brady threw for 0 TDs and 2 INTs in a game no way you would think they would win, and they shouldn’t have. Thank you Myra Hiatt Kraft.
2. It just makes sense. They don’t even look. Jerod Mayo blindly flailed at the first touchdown in last year’s Super Bowl. Just look for the ball!!!
3. If my hate for the Falcons surprises you, you haven’t been paying attention.
4. Obviously this is my inspiration for this column. Peter King should get some props. Read his Monday Morning Quarterback.
5. Chandler Jones has 27 tackles 5 sacks and 3 forced fumbles by the way. Top defensive rookie by far, and I would say that if he played for any other team….maybe.
6. That’s right. No Patriots in the top ten. I said it. What? I’m not a homer. Come at me, bro!!!