HIGHLIGHTS
CHICAGO BEARS DEFENSE- I know fans of the ’85 Bears go on and on about how great this team was, but I really want to know how they are better than this 2012 Bears squad, at least on Defense. This defense has been absolutely suffocating, because not only do they shut teams down from scoring points, it is them who are the ones scoring points. And while they are tremendous as a unit, the biggest playmaker of them all has to be Charles Tillman. Not only has Peanut Tillman got the interceptions (and returned two of them for touchdowns), but in the Titans game alone he had four forced fumbles to bring is league leading total up to 7 though 8 games(which is astounding for a defensive back). This Bears team actually reminds me of the Ravens team that won the Superbowl in the early 2000s because of the way they their defense sets up big plays and seems to score points at will. The only difference between these two squads is that this Bears team has tremendous special teams play (led by the best return man in the game in Devin Hester) and a half-way decent offense (sorry Trent Dilfer). I know it has only been 8 games but if things keep going like this, the only team mutli-dimentional enough to stop them from going to the Superbowl is maybe the Giants.
COLTS WIN AGAIN- I cannot say enough good things about Andrew Luck. I know he does amazing things week after week, but until I am satisfied that he is the unanimous choice for rookie of the year I will continue to plead his case. On Sunday, Luck not only did the most important thing he could which was win the game (please take note hype-hogs Cam Newton and RG3), but he did so while setting a rookie passing record against a Miami Dolphins team many had picked to get into the playoffs. Luck has not only managed to rejuvenate the careers of his downward spiraling teammates like Reggie Wayne and Donald Brown, but he has totally rejuvanted the entire franchise and its fanbase. I have said it once and I’ll say it again, if Luck can take his team into the playoffs (or gets them to 9 wins) he should not only win rookie of the year, but MVP as well. Not even Peyton Manning turned this franchise around quick.
DOUG MARTIN’S BIG DAY- I know there was some hype around Doug Martin to start the year, but even the biggest Martin fan could not have imagine that he would have a game like this in his entire career let alone his rookie year. But alas, the league’s new Ray Rice found a way to put up 251 rushing yards and 4TDS on a much improved Raiders defense (or at least it was before this game). And while Carson Palmer and his critical turnovers were helpful in Martin getting the big opportunities he did, Martin has looked solid all season and this game might have been his coming out party. The Bucs spent big money this offseason on revamping their squad, but their best decision to this point has been taking the little man out of Boise state with the 31 pick in the draft. The Bucs play another suspect AFC West team this weekend, so there is a very good chance he’s able to keep the gravy train rolling.
LOWLIGHTS
EAGLES GROUNDED- I must have been off my rocker to think the Eagles were going to pull this game out (or at least cover the spread), but of course the Eagles blew the last chance to save their season in epic fashion last night. Not only was Andy Reid absolutely brutal with his playcalling as usual (how does a team that was averaging 7.6 yards per carry pass the ball 41 times in a game???), but also like clockwork Michael Vick turned the ball over at the worst possible instance with that redzone pick-6 that went for 99 yards. If the Eagles could not win a must win game against a 2-5 team with a brutal pass defense in a dome I do not know who they are going to beat for certain this year (although I have a feeling they will still trounce my beloved Cowboys on Sunday). On paper this was the Eagles’ year, but somehow they have carelessly tossed away their last great shot at glory. However, given Reid’ coaching and the way he carelessly tosses challenge flags this should come as no surprise to anyone.
BENGALS BUNGLE ANOTHER ONE- This game was right there for the Bengals. Despite big plays against them, like Trindon Holidays’ 105 yard kickoff return for a touchdown, they Bengals hung in there, made the smart plays when they had to, came back from 17-3 down and were actually up 20-17 against the heavily favoured Broncos at the start of the 4th quarter. However, just as they always do the Bengals found a way to lose, with a combination of bad play calling, terrible defense, unnecessary (albeit suspect) penalties and a back-breaking turnover at the worst possible time via Dalton’s pick by Champ Bailey which set up the final Denver touchdown. The Bengals looked good to start the season, but have lost the last 4 in a row. I am not saying things are over for the Bengals, but in a division that includes the Ravens, they had better pick up the slack quick if they want a shot at one of those wildcards.
WASHINGTON REDSKINS SKINNED AT HOME- Due to the fact that I refuse to address the Cowboys and their issues this week, I will turn my attention elsewhere in the division. And since everyone, else in the division save the Giants is 3-5, finding fault is not hard to do. However, while everyone in this division except for the world champions have underperformed this season, no one takes underperforming more seriously than the Washington Redskins. As disturbing as their on-field performance was in losing to a hapless Panthers team at home, the most egregious thing about the Redskins this week has stemmed for their coach Mike Shanahan. For a change though it is not his playcalling which has people in the Washington area calling for his job, but rather his mouth (And really, if he’s not getting fired for having his concussed franchise quarterback open himself up to taking another brutal hit as a wide receiver he is probably not getting fired for playcalling anytime soon). It takes a lot for an overrated big mouth like Shannahan to get himself into trouble, but when you announce to the world that you are essentially giving up on the season half way in, you kind of open yourself up to getting axed (especially since, you know his terrible play calling kind of had something to do with them being where they are). However, in the spirit of taking buffoonery to the next level, Shanahan flip-flopped and said that he hadn’t actually given up on the season even though he had said he was now simply evaluating players for next year less than 24 hrs ago. Truly, epic coach Shanahan, and by that I of course mean epic fail.
