Every Monday, our very own DLamp will be taking a look at what just happened the day before in the NFL, and looking ahead to the Monday night game(s).
One of my favorite part of the holiday season is all the leftovers I get. Everyone ends up cooking too much, which means doggie bags for yours truly from each family event. Lasagna, sausages, sandwiches. My refrigerator is teeming with delicious goodies. Some of them, like the lasagna, are even better the second time around.
How does this pertain to the NFL? Well, sometimes teams that are discarded can come around to be a treat for fans. Teams like the Panthers, Bucs, and Chiefs got to take a turn in the microwave and provide football sustinance for us fans.
It’s a Christmas miracle!
Am I allowed to root against the Colts now?
Because I’m going to. I don’t care how you slice it, pulling your starters midway through the third quarter to blow a perfect season is unacceptable. There is no justification for playing the game that way. You want to rest them? Then let them play a series before you sit them. Not two and half quarters. What is the point of that? And what changed between yesterday and ten days ago, when you went all out to beat the Jags in a game that didn’t matter. The Colts, as a franchise, should be embarrassed. The Patriots, for however much I hate them, at least realized what they were facing, historically, in 2007 and went all out to achieve it. So, sorry, Colts, you just made my shit list.
Do you believe in the ‘first loss hangover’ yet?
I’ve been talking about this for a while: after a team goes deep into the season without losing, they will lose the game AFTER their first loss. It happened earlier in the season with the Broncos. It happened with the Vikings. And it happened with the Saints. Want an easy bet? Bet against the Colts next week. Their resting of starters does nothing to undemine my theory!
Did Charlie Frye just lead the league in passing for week 16?
According to Yahoo, he did. That is unacceptable, NFL. In the same week you essentially had a team (the Colts) throw a game, you have one of your worst players (bottom 3 starting QB for sure) be the best? You can try to spin this as “you never know who’s going to step up” propaganda, but I just see it as “you never know who’s going to roll over” truth. Seriously, we fans shell out so much money for your product every year, the least you can do is put a good product on the field. Cmon. Charlie Frye?! Nadir.
What has gotten into the Panthers?
The real answer is to why the Panthers have upended much better teams (Vikings and Giants) over the past two weeks is what has gotten OUT OF the Panthers. Namely, Jake Delhomme. Matt Moore has thrown 7 TDs over the past two weeks against 0 INTs. When was the last time Jake had a run like that? If I’m the ownership of Carolina, item #1 on my offseason ‘to do’ list is to make sure I have a coach in there that will not annoint Jake Delhomme the starter next year. Wether it’s Moore, a free agent, or a rookie taken in the first round, Delhomme needs to not be the guy under center when the Panthers break camp next year.
What are you waiting for, AFC?
The NFC has completely their playoff picture. Maybe the seeding hasn’t been decided, but at least we know who’s going to the dance. The AFC, however, seems like it is just going to drag it’s feet. Hey, hurry up! Stop slouching! Don’t give me that look! Seriously, all the Broncos had to do was beat the Raiders last week and the Chiefs next week and they were golden. Instead, they dropped the game to the Raiders and now need a win and some help to get in. Same with the Ravens. I guess it’ll be nice to give some excitement to more games next week, but if you don’t want to be at my party, then don’t bother showing up!
Fantasy Question of the Week
Is it weird when the commish wins the league?
Yeah, it is a little weird. But who cares, I’m the champion, baby! Even though MJD didn’t have a great day, Donnie Mac, Beanie Wells, and new edition Jerome Harrison propelled me to a 40 point victory in the league I run. Would I have beat either guy in the third place game? Of course not. But who’s the man with the belt?! WOOOOOO!
Un-Perfect Season Watch ‘09!
Each week we will hilight the lowliest of the NFL landscape. Why? Because it’s fun to laugh and point at other people’s misfortune.
Bottom of the barrel (teams that failed to score an offensive TD in the past week): Bills, Raiders, Lions, Redskins
“Hey, there’s always next year” – here’s how the top ten of the 2010 NFL Draft would play out if it were held today.
1. Rams
2. Lions
3. Chiefs
4. Bucs
5. Redskins
6. Browns
7. Bears
8. Bills
9. Raiders
10. Seahawks
Monday Night Sneak (Preview) Attack
Min @ Chi – Minnesota has been struggling lately, but I still like them to win this game. They still have something play for (seeding) and probably have a little something to prove against this division rival. I think their offense just proves to be too much to handle for a Bear’s defense that isn’t what she used to be.
2009 Sneak attack record: 12-4