Photo: FoxSportsHouston.com
Another week closes in the NFL, and another come from behind Tim Tebow win, another Dallas Cowboys collapse and much more! We now have two division winners, in the San Francisco 49ers and Green Bay Packers, and the playoff picture continues to take form.Troy Ballard and Adam Parker hit the questions, breaking down the biggest names, news, and teams from all around the NFL in week 13 fact or fiction!
10. The San Francisco 49ers Are a Legitimate Threat To The Green Bay Packers in The Postseason..
Troy: FICTION - As well as the 49ers have played this season under Jim Harbaugh, the Green Bay Packers have been even better. Green Bay, as of week 13, is still undefeated, and will carry that momentum straight into the postseason, and I don't see them losing. San Francisco has been good this season, but not on the same level as the Packers.
Adam: FICTION - I think it's definitely possible at this point. Their defense has been playing amazing all season, and after what the Giants were able to do to Green Bay Sunday, despite still losing the game, I think San Francisco's chances of upsetting the Packers are considerably high with Frank Gore as the workhorse back. As long as Alex Smith takes care of the ball, San Francisco has a chance to take advantage of Green Bay's porous run defense and come out on top.
9. After Another Fourth-Quarter Win, And an Oakland Raiders Loss, The Denver Broncos Will Win The AFC West..
Troy: FACT - It really doesn't make any sense how the Denver Broncos continue to win games, but they are. The Raiders lost to a hot-Miami Dolphins team, but for a squad that was supposed to be able to lock-up the rest of the season, it didn't look good. Denver has all the momentum in the world, and apparently Tim Tebow is being considered for the NFL MVP Award, making it look like Broncos can win-out the AFC West.
Adam: FACT - I wouldn't have said this earlier in the season, but looking at Denver's remaining games, I honestly don't see them losing at all the rest of the season. Combine San Diego's struggles throughout the season and Oakland's loss to Miami, and it's hard to bet against a Denver team with a solid defense and Tim Tebow fourth quarter magic on their side.
8. Cam Newton Can Lead The Carolina Panthers To a Winning Record Next Season..
Troy: FACT - I think that if the Panthers defense would have not been plagued by so many injuries, Cam Newton may have been able to pull off the winning record this season. Newton has been electric since coming into the NFL, and now holds the record all-time for most rushing touchdowns by a quarterback in one season. This dude is money, and the Panthers made a great pick.
Adam: FACT - Cam Newton is a great young quarterback and my pick for Rookie of The Year. Yes, you heard me right. I'm all aboard the Cam Newton bandwagon, especially for next season with a full season under his belt. As long as the Panthers can continue to surround him with talented receivers and solve their terrible run defense by getting some interior defensive line help, I see no reason why Newton can't carry this team to greater heights.
7. Terrell Owens Should Just Retire, as Now Team Will Offer Him a Job..
Troy: FACT - Honestly, at this point I thought Terrell Owens would have found a new home. The fact that he hasn't, when there are so many wide receiver desperate teams in the NFL, proves that his career is over. The puzzling thing to me is that Chad Ochocinco, who had worse numbers that Owens last season, somehow still has a starting job.
Adam: FACT - You hate to see this, but I think it might finally be time for T.O. to call it quits. He's clearly a first-ballot Hall of Fame talent, but no team is looking to sign a 38-year old wide receiver who these days only appears in the highlights because of his childish sideline antics, not for his touchdown catches.
6. After Consecutive 150-Yard Games, Chris Johnson Can Be Considered an Elite Running Back..
Troy: FICTION - No. I don't think CJ2K will ever be able to redeem himself in my eyes. After getting a massive contract, he does nothing but lay an egg for the first 11 weeks of the season. With the Colts totally non-existent, the Titans had a shot at the playoffs, but he blew it.
Adam: FICTION - I wouldn't say he's back among the elite quite yet. He's had two nice back-to-back games, but these are the types of performances we expected from Johnson all season. The fact that he's just now starting to find his groove is a concern indeed. Hopefully, Tennessee finally has the 'old' CJ2K back, and he can keep this momentum going and possibly get the Titans to the playoffs.
5. The Cincinnati Bengals Are Who We Thought They Were..
Troy: FICTION - I thought the Bengals were a contender. I was wrong. I actually thought they may be able to best the Steelers and the Ravens and have a magical playoff run, but no dice. Give this team a few years and they will be a serious threat.
Adam: FACT - I never bought into the hype surrounding this young team. Bengals rookies Andy Dalton and A.J. Green have provided some fireworks, but now that they've hit the hard part of their schedule, the 'Bungles' have shown their true stripes. Their still too young to compete with the big boys of the AFC, and more than likely they'll need another season or two before the Ravens or Steelers should be worried about them competing for the division.
4. The Miami Dolphins Late Season Surge Has Saved Head Coach Tony Sparano's Job..
Troy: FICTION -The Miami Dolphins have managed to salvage what was once thought to be a win-less season, and actually look really good in a few games. However, Sparano is not getting the Dolphins in the playoffs, and given the miserable start to the season, I think the organization will look to clean house.
Adam: FACT - I can't believe I'm saying this, but it very well could. After a horrendous start, the Dolphins have really turned things around thanks to the play of Matt Moore and their great team defense. I'm still not sold on Moore as the long-term answer at quarterback in Miami, but I think Sparano's job might be saved if the Dolphins can finish out the season strong.
3. Donovan McNabb Will Find a Home By Next Week..
Troy: FICTION - I thought that the moment that the Vikings released McNabb, he would be on the next flight out to Chicago. As it turns out, the Bears and Lovie Smith aren't all that interested in his services. That leaves Houston, who had an excellent game from their rookie TJ Yates, and don't seem to need a veteran like McNabb. Leaving McChunky out of a job.
Adam: FICTION -Like his old teammate T.O., it may be time for Donovan McNabb to call it a career. I can't explain why his skills diminished so rapidly after Philadelphia moved on from him, and I can't believe how much his free agent stock seems to have fallen in recent seasons. Something's gonna have to give though, he's not getting much interest around the league, even as a veteran backup, but McNabb still believes he has quite a bit of football left in him. It should be an interesting story to watch unfold.
2. TJ Yates Could Lead The Houston Texans To A Franchise-First Playoff Win..
Troy: FACT - For being a really late draft pick, and for someone who was never even supposed to see the field this season, he looked really good last week. TJ Yates looked sharp against the Atlanta Falcons, and played without Andre Johnson for the better part of the game. If Arian Foster can keep his current play up, than it's quite possible that Yates could win against a lower-seeded team in a generally weak AFC this year.
Adam: FICTION - Do I think the Texans can win in the playoffs? Absolutely. Do I think T.J. Yates will be the starting quarterback in those wins? Definitely. But if you ask me if I think he will 'lead' them in the way that he'll be one of the big reasons they win? Then no. That team is built around defense and the running game of Arian Foster and Ben Tate. Yates has done some nice things, but as a late-round rookie quarterback, I can't imagine him having much more responsibility than handing the ball off to the two backs if the Texans can help it.
1. The San Diego Chargers vs. Jacksonville Jaguars is The Worst Monday Night Football Game of The Season.. Troy: FACT - This is a really bad game. I feel like ESPN really got the shaft this season with their Monday Night Football coverage, and they haven't had too many good games. This one continues the trend, as there is one head coach that was just fired, and the other who will be fired soon. Two teams that have severely disappointed, and really have nothing to look forward to aside from the draft. Adam: FACT - It very well could be. Philip Rivers has played like trash this season and Jacksonville is a complete mess from top to bottom of the organization. The only people that will be watching this game: fans of the two teams, fantasy football owners who drafted Maurice Jones-Drew, the Monday Night Football crew at ESPN because they're getting paid to, and of course, the 20 or so fans that will be in the stands. This one's going to be a snoozer. Be sure to follow Beard and Stache on Twitter @BeardAndStache, and also Troy @TroyBallards and Adam @Adam_Parker43, Like our Facebook page HERE!
