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).
Well, that was fun.
With the NFL regular season ending yesterday, we can fondly look back at what a great time it was, while Green Day’s Good Riddance (Time of Your Life) plays in the background.
This season gave us some truly memorable events: a 2,000 yard rusher, two teams going 14-0, and the Lions actually winning a game. But most importantly, the NFL gave us a reason to sit around and drink and eat on Sundays. It gave us things to argue over with friends. It gives us fantasy drafts, which are one of the most fun things on the planet.
I’m sure some of you will watch the playoffs with half passion because your team didn’t make it in (hi, Bronco fans!), but never forget how much fun you had during the past few months. NEVER FORGET!
Did you like week 17?
Then you are going to love the first round of the playoffs! Three of the four games in the wild card round are exact rematches of Sunday’s games. True, only one of them (Eagles/Cowboys) had both sides playing at 100%, but I just think it’s crazy how that worked out. I’m also interested to see if teams the rested players (Arizona, Cincinnati) and took the loss now have a mental hurdle they have to overcome.
Do you love snow games?
I love snow games. Even when the game isn’t that good, like this past week’s Indy/Buffalo tilt, I still like it. For some reason, it just feels right to see guys running around in the snow like that. Like we’ve been transported back in time, to a day when men were men and everyone played in the snow. Before these wimpy domes kept teams protected year-round.
Wait, is that graphic correct?
During the Bengals/Jets night game, it got so boring that they had Texans QB Matt Schaub call in and talk with the announcers. I’ve never seen that happen during an NFL game before. Just getting some random other player to call in. But NBC flashed a graphic that said that Schaub’s passing yards this season (all 4,770 of them) were the 6th most in NFL history. What the what?! How did that fly under the radar? Well, fly under no more! I’m here to give it up to Schaub for delivering a great season (even though his team just missed the playoffs). Hip hip, hooray!
Who’s the next coach to go?
With Zorn already gone from Washington and the entire Bills coaching staff fired this morning, we’re left to wonder who will be the next head to rest under the coaching guillotine. Unfortunately, it’ll probably be some first year coach like Mangini in Cleveland or Morris in Tampa Bay. But why is no one talking about Tom Coughlin getting the axe? Probably because he won a Super Bowl two years ago. That usually buys you some street cred with ownership. But his is the only team that quit on his coach at the end of the season. Bad teams like the Browns, Bucs, and even the Raiders still remained competitive long after their season was over. The Giants quite before they were even officially done! All I’m saying is, Super Bowl win or not, Coughlin deserves to have his control over his team questioned.
Really, Atlanta, never?
Well then, good for you. It’s hard to believe that a team has never had back to back winning seasons in the NFL, but until they beat the Bucs yesterday, the Falcons had that distinction. Even teams that are newer (Carolina, Jacksonville) have done that. But now Atlanta can stop worrying about that kind of continued ineptitude, and can now just focus on the young pieces they have in their system and getting them all to mature and *gasp* now try to make the playoffs in back to back years.
Fantasy Question of the Week
Who were the best this year?
Below I’ll break down the top 5 performers in each fantasy position for the last year. Use this if you’re, like me, already thinking about your drafts in ’10. (scoring is standard Yahoo)
RB
1.Chris Johnson
2. MJD
3. Adrian Peterson
4. Ray Rice
5. Thomas Jones
QB
1. Aaron Rogers
2. Drew Brees
3. Peyton Manning
4. Matt Schaub
5. Brett Favre
WR
1. Andre Johnson
2. Randy Moss
3. Desean Jackson
4. Miles Austin
5. Reggie Wayne
TE
1. Vernon Davis
2. Dallas Clark
3. Antonio Gates
4. Brent Celek
5. Jason Witten
DEF
1. Jets
2. 49ers
3. Green Bay
4. New Orleans
5. Philadelphia
K
1. Nate Kaeding
2. David Akers
3. Ryan Longwell
4. Rod Bironas
5. Mason Crosby
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): Rams, Eagles, Bengals
“Hey, there’s always next year” – here’s how the top ten of the 2010 NFL Draft is going to play out.
1. Rams
2. Lions
3. Bucs
4. Redskins
5. Chiefs
6. Raiders
7. Seahawks
8. Browns
9. Bills
10. Bears
Monday Night Playoff Sneak (Preview) Attack
Since there are no more Monday night games (ahem, a little cred for my 12-5 record of picking Monday night games, please.) I’ll be previewing the upcoming playoff match-ups in this section.
NYJ @ Cin – Even tough the Jets demolished my Bengals this week, I like the tigers to bounce back now that the game means something to them and they’re back at home. Pick: Bengals
Phi @ Dal – That loss was ugly for Philly. And they have no excuses (i.e. resting starters). Even though they say it’s very hard to beat the same team three times in a year (Dallas is already 2-0 against the Eagles) I think Romo and Wade get that first playoff win monkey off their backs. Pick: Cowboys
Bal @ NE – No Welker? No problem. I like the Pats to repeat their victory from earlier in the season over the Ravens. Pick: Patriots
GB @ Ari – This one, I think, is going to be a very close game. Both offenses can light up a scoreboard, and both defenses are very good. When it comes down to it, I like the team with the Super Bowl winning QB and home field advantage. Pick: Cardinals