Tuesday Night Cornerback: Week 9

There might be more important things going on tonight, but some people (like my friends) don’t care who wins. So, it is up to me to entertain them as nothing good is on TV tonight, but I do care. So, it’s going to be an abbreviated one. (My friends will also like this because they don’t like to read). So, Week 9 is done and here are the five things I think I think about the NFL on this election night.

I think….Andrew Luck. Wow. He threw for a rookie record 433 yards and beat the Miami Dolphins to propel the Indianapolis Colts to a 5-3 record and into the playoff race. Luck didn’t do enough to gain on RGIII in my Rookie QB ratings, but it is damn close. The way he played, it was unlike any rookie I have seen. Granted, I haven’t been around that long, but Luck looked very much like the veteran pocket-passer everyone thought he was. RGIII is a one-of-a-kind athlete that happens to play QB, but Luck is a one-of-a-kind QB prospect. He is miles ahead of the rookie learning curb. If he gets the Colts into the playoffs he will easily be on top of my rankings, but for now, it’s still RGIII. Rookie QB rankings: 1. RGIII 2. Luck 3. Tannehill 4. Wilson 5. Weeden
I think the Steelers got the signature win they needed to propel them into the playoff discussion. We’ll see how the Ravens respond to all their injuries on defense. The Ravens had a bye and we’ll see how they respond this week. So, the Steelers have a chance to overtake the NFC North. We’ll know more next week.
I think the acquisition of Aqib Talib will look to sure up the Patriots secondary, but I think the health of safeties Patrick Chung and Steve Gregory will ultimately mean more. If the Patriots can have all four: Talib, Chung, Gregory, and Devin McCourty, then the Patriots defense can recover and become adequate enough to carry them through the playoffs. With their front seven back to full health with the Dont’a Hightower, the Patriots will be able to become a more balanced team, not just the offensive juggernaut that has to win by outscoring you¹.
I think the game of the week is easily the 7-1 Bears at the 7-1 Texans. This is the game that the AFC needs to rise to the challenge and show they are equally as good as the NFC. I think this game comes down to Jay Cutler, and I haven’t made up my mind yet which way he’ll play.
I think the Dolphins are out of the playoffs. I think if the Ravens completely fall apart, they have a chance, but that is the only way they can sneak in.

I think my picks were pretty good this week. Good, not great. Still waiting on that perfect week.

This week: 9-5

Overall: 71-46

I think these are my Top Ten Teams this week: