Quick Thoughts on the Season

Well, the NFL season is now over. As far as my picks go, my streak of double digit right picks ended this week, with a 9-7 performance for a season total of 158-98. Not too bad. In the Yahoo Pro Pick'Em contest, that gets me in the 95th percentile. I will continue to make my picks in the post-season.

I really like what Cris Carter had to say about the Eagle approach to the last two weeks:

I really believe the Eagles went about the last two weeks the wrong way. They suffered back-to-back, very lopsided losses, and it's not easy to turn it on when you get into the playoffs.

Of course, the Eagles will be heavily favored when they begin the playoffs, but they could've gotten a good test from Cincinnati to answer some questions about their run and deep-pass defenses. Also, Donovan McNabb could've gotten some reps with the team's young receivers, Greg Lewis in particular, to see what kind of chemistry they might have. I think this is going to come back and haunt the Eagles.

I wrote something similar last week. The last time the starting Eagle offense was on the field for extended play, they did not look good against the Cowboys, only mustering 12 points. That offense needed the last couple of games to work on their chemistry in preparation for the playoffs. Without it, the Eagles will come out rusty and underprepared in the divisional playoff game, so do not be surprised to see an early exit for the Eagles.

The Steelers look truly dominating. Playing primarily backups, they easily handled what looked like a playoff team in Buffalo. The backup defense did a great job against what has been a powerful offense, and the backup offense did a pretty good job against one of the better defenses. This team is going to be hard to beat in the playoffs.

This is the second straight year the Vikings have started strong and then endured a 3-7 record to close out the season. If it's any consolation to the Viking fans, look at San Diego. They followed the same pattern for two years, followed those with a truly disastrous 2003, but then look at 2004. I really cannot say why the Vikings don't do better. They have all the offensive weapons they need, though I note they are one of the most highly sacked teams in the league. Everyone knows their defense stinks, but neither Green Bay nor Indianapolis are blessed with great defenses either, and they win. Both those teams have difference making players on the defensive line, KGB for the Packers and Freeney for the Colts. The Vikings don't have anyone up front. I don't know that that's the difference, but it is noteworthy. Earlier in the season, I referenced a stat from Monday Night Football that showed the Vikings are very bad at making comebacks. Based on that, one would expect to see a team hovering around .500, which they have the last two seasons. One also has to note the Viking struggles against weaker teams. They just don't get up for games a lot of the time, and they lose.

I'm amazed at Bronco fans. They have been booing Jake Plummer often this season. Yet, Plummer has set a franchise record for total yardage and tied the record for touchdown passes. The legendary John Elway never had a season as good as Plummer's, in those statistical categories. Don't misunderstand me. I'm not saying Plummer is in Elway's league. Come on. Elway is one of the two or three best quarterbacks of the last quarter century. But, it's not like Plummer is stinking up the place either. He's still too inconsistent, making bad decisions that result in 20 interceptions (tied for fifth most in the league). One has to question whether he will ever overcome those bad habits at this stage of his career, where things are pretty deeply ingrained. But, come one. Two straight seasons in the playoffs for the first time AE (after Elway) and franchise records in production this year. Give the guy a little break. He isn't that bad.

The Redskins are not in as bad a shape as their 6-10 record appears. They won 3 of their last 5, and the two losses were by a total of 6 points. In the three wins, they put up a minimum of 21 points. (That for a team that had put up a maximum of 18 over the first 11 games.) The have one of the best defenses in the league, and Clinton Portis as the starting running back. Joe Gibbs' biggest mistake was making Brunell the starter, a mistake compounded by his refusal to acknowledge the failure that decision was, staying far too long with Brunell. With Ramsey as the starter from training camp on next year, the 'Skins can be competitive, especially in a sad NFC.

The playoffs should be exciting. All four division winners in the AFC have a realistic shot at making the Super Bowl, though I noted above the dominance of the Steelers. With the Eagles being brought back to Earth, the NFC is wide open. My first take would be that the Eagles, Falcons, and Packers all have realistic chances of making the big game. But the AFC will still take it in the end.