The Final Stretch, The NFL Top 15
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by SSreporters
So as we reach the last 4 games of the regular season, we've seen the Pats almost lose twice, and then blow out Pittsburgh, we've seen Seattle's defense save the dumb play calling of Walrus Holmgren in St. Louis and Philly, and then blowing out the Cardinals. We've seen the Colts get back to usual form with a 44-20 romp over the Ravens. Many close calls, it's time for the final few weeks of this series. A new feature as well, the Almost Ready For Primetime Players. That will be the 5 teams rounding out the top 15.
1. New England Patriots. Yeah......
2. Dallas Cowboys. If they had lost to the Lions, then the idea of another late season collapse would start climbing up the ladder. Not this year's team.
3. Green Bay Packers. The Packers have a running game, a kick return man, a Brett Favre, great receivers, maybe they can hope for a Dallas collapse and have the NFC Title Game likely come through Lambeau.
4. Indianapolis Colts. They were running up the score, how dare they.
5. Seattle Seahawks. Actually.....how dare I put them on my top 10? They've beaten banged up teams and barely beat the Rams! Overrated, their offense is crap, the defense is worse, Cardinals for a division title!! Oh wait.....they've won 5 in a row and may win out??
6. Pittsburgh Steelers. I was ready to rank the Steelers ahead of Seattle because of their dominance in their earlier meeting, but they are regressing, and their inability to win on the road, unlike the other teams ahead of them, is going to kill them. Remember, they are still only 1 (virtually 2) games ahead of the Browns. Pittsburgh has to face the Jaguars, at the Ravens, and at the Rams. Save for the Ravens, the Rams game and the Jags game are not gimmes.
7. Jacksonville Jaguars. Fred Taylor is running like a freaking beast! Popping runs of 80, 50, 20, you name it. David Garrard should be in the Pro Bowl with just one interception in 9 games he has started. Actually, if there is any team I believe that can contend with the Patriots, the Jaguars have to be mentioned with their great defense, and their now more potent offense.
8. Cleveland Browns. Saved by the Mangenius and his awful coaching skills in a game just for pride if you are the Jets. Jamal Lewis is running much better, and Derek Anderson is having a remarkable year. If they beat the Bills this Sunday, they are in good shape for the playoffs.
9. San Diego Chargers. I'd figure a Norv Turner team would self destruct. Not this team, they are playing much better, but even so, they'll probably face Jacksonville in the playoffs, and they've already lost to them. I smell another home playoff loss.
10. New York Giants. They continue to win ugly and so unconvincingly. They have lost 3 out of their 4 games at home, and in a stretch that includes the Redskins, Bills, and Patriots, this is probably the making of another collapse. In all likelihood, Seattle could be their opponent in the playoffs, and we know what happens when Eli and that crap offensive line go to Qwest Field.
The Almost Ready For Primetime Players
11. Minnesota Vikings. You can't win. If you stop Adrian Peterson, Chester Taylor is going to chew you up. And they are running efficiently with Steve Hutchinson anchoring the O-line.
12. Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Pathetic performance against a 5-7 Texans team, they'll win the division, but goodness, they need some offense.
13. Arizona Cardinals. Yes they were banged up, yes no one wants to believe that this Cardinals team is not a contender at all. Yes, they lost to the San Francisco 49ers twice, which is going to be the key factor if they can't get the wild card spot.
14. Tennessee Titans. Season is over, Vince Young I believe is still injured, and that is why he is not running as often as he should. He needs players around him, he's only a 2nd year player.
15. Buffalo Bills. Yep, I said it. They are good enough to make the top 15.....but they have to stop the Browns to have a remote chance at the playoffs.
Sound off everyone, I'm ready for my weekly bashing.
