Who Should Be Flexed Into SNF In Week 18?

It's that time to guess what Week 18 will be flexed into the Final Game of the season -- the NBC's Sunday Night Football slot. It is typically a game that means something with the hope that both teams have something to play for. Now, the NFL is set up a little bit different this season as there will be two Saturday games, the Sunday Night game and then the rest on Sunday afternoon. Presumably the two Saturday games will matter to seeding or two games that matter to each other.

Anyway, which game could it be?

IT DEFINITELY WON'T BE

Jets at Patriots: Two teams that have already moved on to the 2024 season.

IT LIKELY WON'T BE

Chiefs at Chargers: While there is some seeding implications for the Chiefs, the AFC West should be locked up for them and the NFL doesn't want their final game to be where the Chargers are playing in it. LA has already fired their coach and is playing with a backup QB.

Buccaneers at Panthers: Tampa could have the NFC South already locked up and this game is sort of a throwaway. Even if Tampa Bay doesn't have the division locked up, this will be dependent on the Falcons-Saints game and Carolina shouldn't be on that type of stage.

Jaguars at Titans: The Titans are done, and the Jags could have the division won by then. If they don't, it still gets tied up with the Texans-Colts game which would determine the division champ ... or who makes the playoffs. As you'll read later, that game could have more importance.

Lions at Vikings: There's seeding to play for by the Lions. The Vikings are on the outside looking for the playoffs. That's not a likely contender for the SNF spot. 

Bears at Packers: Chicago is out and Green Bay is on the outside looking in. While this could be a very entertaining game to watch, it isn't worthy of SNF. 

Broncos at Raiders: There is an outside chance that a playoff berth could be on the line, but it probably won't be. 

IT'S IN THE CONVERSATION

Browns at Bengals: If the Bengals beat the Chiefs this week and have a win-and-in status for an AFC playoff spot, then this could get the nod. The issue is the Browns. Cleveland could have that No. 5 seed wrapped up and therefore no need to play their starters for this game. The NFL doesn't want that on its prime time showcase.  

Cowboys at Commanders: Look, TV loves the Cowboys and that's why this game gets placed here. Last season, Washington beat Dallas in a game they really needed in the regular season finale in Sam Howell's first start. The NFC's race for the top seed is an interesting battle with the Eagles and Niners. More than likely, this game and the Eagles-Giants game will be played concurrently. If they put them both a 4:30pm, they can also bring in the Niners game.

Eagles at Giants: If you read the Cowboys-Commanders reasoning, you get a lot of the same things here. Like I said, it would make more sense for the NFL to run the two NFC East games against each other on Sunday, or ... for FOX's ratings ... have the Dallas-Washington game at 1pm and the Philly-Giants game at 4:30pm for maximum viewership numbers. 

Falcons at Saints: This could be for the NFC South championship. Or maybe not. If the Saints beat the Buccaneers in Week 17 and the Falcons beat the Bears, this could be for the division. The problem is that the Buccaneers would still be alive as well, and it's hard to schedule this game in such an important spot and not be sure that it will matter. This likely will run Sunday alongside the Bucs-Panthers game. 

Seahawks at Cardinals: This barely gets bumped up to this category and not in the "likely not" just because of Seattle's status as holding on to the NFC's 7th seed right now. Depending on what happens in Week 17, this could be a game where the Seahawks are a key to the playoff race. But that would involve a lot of things happening at once and NBC believing the Cardinals will make this an interesting game. The NFL will have better options. 

A GOOD SHOT (OR BEING THE SATURDAY GAME)

Steelers at Ravens: The Steelers could also be in a win-and-in territory and be playing against the MVP frontrunner in one the league's better rivalries. Depending on what happens in the Ravens-Dolphins game this week, this game could be really important for Baltimore or they could have the top seed wrapped up. Like the category name, this could really be a Saturday game if the Ravens and Steelers need it.

Rams at Niners: There's a lot that can be moved around in Week 17, but this game could be a real important game in Week 18. Right now, the Niners hold the NFC's top seed, but are tied with the Cowboys, Lions and Eagles in wins. The Rams are holding one of the final spots in the playoffs, so this could be a win-and-in game for Los Angeles. It also could be for the top seed for the Niners. So this could be a game where various parts of the country (either Philadelphia or Dallas, whomever is trying to sneak into the playoffs) will be living on what the Rams do.

STRONG CASE

Bills at Dolphins: If the Bills win in Week 17 and the Dolphins lose, this game will be for the AFC East championship. If that's the case, this will be the game put on NBC. The weather will be nice is South Florida, it is one of the NFL's great rivalries and it has Josh Allen and Tua Tagovailoa going against each other. Even if the Bills falter to the Patriots, this game could be for Buffalo's playoff lives. If Miami beats Baltimore this week, this still could be for hanging on to the AFC's top seed. This is the favorite to be that final game.

Texans at Colts: Depending on what happens in Week 17, this could be your classic game where the winner is in the playoffs and the loser is out. The game could also be for the AFC South title. It could also tie in for either the Bengals, Steelers or Bills are interested in the result to see if they are in the playoffs. While lacking the star power of Bills-Dolphins, if this is directly for a playoff spot, the NFL rather have this. Plus having CJ Stroud, one of the great rookie debuts in history, and the Indianapolis Colts, one of the great surprises this season, on center stage would be outstanding. 

Looking Back At My 49 STOPS TO SUPER BOWL XLIX

Looking back at my 49 Stops To Super Bowl XLIX, let's see where those trends I included hit on the actual game:

#46-AFC LOVES FEBRUARY: The Super Bowl will be held on February 1st. Since the first February Super Bowl in 2002, the AFC is 7-5 in those games held in the calendar's shortest month ... though the NFC has won four of the last five:

Well, the AFC won again, making them 8-5 in February Super Bowls.  

#45-SCORE EARLY AND OFTEN: The team who scores first in a Super Bowl is 32-16. 
*Teams who score at least 30 points are 25-2.  Only the Cowboys (SB XIII) and the 49ers (SB XLVII) scored at least 30 points and lost.  
*Teams that score the first TD are 35-13.
*Teams leading at the half are 36-10 (there have been two ties)

The Patriots scored first, so that makes the record 33-16 in Super Bowls.  Also, teams that score the first TD are now 36-13.  This was also just the third halftime tie in Super Bowl history.  

Patriots Become Third Team To Win Super Bowl After Being Down Double-Digits

The New England Patriots bucked one of the Super Bowls biggest trends.  They became just the third team in history to win a Super Bowl after being down 10 or more points in the game.

The Patriots were down 24-14 in the fourth quarter.  They would score two touchdowns to pull out the championship with a 28-24 victory.  They join the 1987 Washington Redskins and 2009 New Orleans Saints as teams to do that.

The Washington Redskins went down 10-0 to the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl XXII.  However, the Skins would go on to score 42 unanswered points, including 35 points in a wild second quarter alone, to win 42-10.  The Saints were also down 10-0 to the Indianapolis Colts in Super Bowl XLIV before scoring 13 straight points to take the lead.  The Saints would go on to win 31-17.

That is the big difference and what makes this comeback special.  The Redskins and Saints made their moves in the 2nd quarter ... while New England was down 10 points in the 4th quarter.  Amazing.

The Redskins and Saints not only were down 10 points in that Super Bowl, they also would lead (and win) by more than 10 points.  These Patriots won by just 4.  Still, it is a win.

I Still Hate The Pro Bowl ... Just Not As Much

Look, I've made no bones about the fact that I wish the Pro Bowl would go away.  The football is weak, the players have either been sitting for a month or just come off a tough playoff loss so they aren't in to it.  If it went away, I wouldn't care.

However, the NFL still has it on life support and ... well, I'm coming around to some of the ideas.  It could still go away for all I care, but if it has to be, at least they are changing things up.

I rolled my eyes with the whole "fantasy draft" aspect of it originally since it reeked of desperation.  But in its second season, I actually enjoyed watching the draft (though Chris Rose sure look tired are ragged hosting it).  I like the fact that not only were the guys drafting (this year Michael Irvin and Cris Carter) into it and had some sort of homework they were doing when constructing their rosters but the players themselves were there and would go up on stage to join their new teams.  That was pretty cool.

49 Stops To Super Bowl XLIX

Every year since Super Bowl XL, I have used this blog for my "Stops To Super Bowl" list.  Every year, I create a list of smart, dumb, inane and chat worthy items for you to use in any banter leading up to and during the Super Bowl.

This year, it is 49 Stops to Super Bowl XLVIX and I'm back with some more (and some of the same) little items for you about the upcoming big game.

#49-BY THE TIME I GET TO ARIZONA:  The Phoenix area will be hosting their third Super Bowl.  Their first one was SB XXX, at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, when the Cowboys beat the Steelers, 27-17.  They hosted it again for SB XLII, this time at the University Of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, for the immortal Giants 17-14 win over the Patriots that ended New England's perfect season.
Super Bowl XXVII was supposed to be held at Sun Devil Stadium as well, but when the state chose not to observe the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday, the NFL backed out of the site and held the game in Pasadena.  In that game, the Cowboys pummeled the Bills, 52-17.

#48-WE'RE NOT NEIGHBORS:  Seattle and Foxborough, MA are 2,488 miles apart, making it the third longest distance between Super Bowl opponents in history.  Only the 49ers-Dolphins (Super Bowl XIX) and Raiders-Eagles (Super Bowl XV) were further apart.  As you can see, the west coast team won both previous games.  

#47-BELICHICK KNOWS SUPER BOWLS:  Bill Belichick ties Don Shula with his sixth Super Bowl appearance as a head coach.  Belichick has taken the Patriots to the big game each time.  Shula took the Dolphins to five Super Bowls and the Colts to one.
Belichick was also the defensive coordinator for the Giants in Super Bowls XXI and XXV and an assistant head coach for the Patriots in Super Bowl XXXI.  That's nine Super Bowls he's coached in.

Amazingly, in his 15 seasons as the Patriots head coach, Belichick has taken his team to 9 AFC Championship games.  

49 Stops To Super Bowl XLIX (#1-9)

Every year since Super Bowl XL, I have used this blog for my "Stops To Super Bowl" list.  Every year, I create a list of smart, dumb, inane and chat worthy items for you to use in any banter leading up to and during the Super Bowl.

This year, it is 49 Stops to Super Bowl XLVIX and I'm back with some more (and some of the same) little items for you about the upcoming big game.

#9-STILL HAVEN'T WON ONE: There are now four franchises that have never appeared in a Super Bowl (Lions, Browns, Jaguars and Texans). But there are nine others that have never won the Super Bowl in any of their appearances. They are the Buffalo Bills, Cincinnati Bengals, Tennessee Titans, San Diego Chargers, Philadelphia Eagles, Minnesota Vikings, Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers and Arizona Cardinals. The Bills and Vikings have lost four games apiece; the Bengals and Eagles have each lost two. The rest lost on their only trip.

And while the Jaguars (1995) and Texans (2002) haven't been to the big game, they don't have quite the drought as some other franchises. The Jets haven't been to the Super Bowl since the 1968 season. The Chiefs went to two of the first four Super Bowls but their last appearance was after the 1969 season.

It's been a while since the Vikings (1976), Dolphins (1984), Bengals (1988) and Redskins (1991) have been there as well.

There's a Lot Of People Counting On This New York Super Bowl Working

Didja here!?!? The 2014 Super Bowl is in New York.

I've been on the fence on this for years. I don't mind a Super Bowl in a cold weather city at all. It will be 72 degrees in my house no matter if the Super Bowl is in Alaska or Hawaii. Will the play suffer in a cold weather city? I don't think so unless it is a snowy game. There have been many good NFC and AFC Championship games in freezing conditions. Still, there should be concerns about how this will go over.

Naysayers point to the fact that the people who went to the Super Bowls in Minneapolis and the Detroit area (three Super Bowls in all) weren't glowing of the stuff surrounding the game. Remember, most of the people visiting the Super Bowl city won't be actually going to the game. They will go to sell stuff, go to the parties and events and just take part of the entire Super Bowl experience. New York certainly has the ability to pull that off despite the weather. Again, this ain't Minneapolis or Detroit.

So who, besides New York and the NFL, will benefit from a successful Super Bowl?

Well, it opens up a ton of possibilities if this is pulled off. The NFL could then look at putting a Super Bowl in Washington, DC. Not only is it the nation's capital, but it is the second largest stadium in the NFL and a football hotbed. The NFL could look at Philadelphia, which has a lovely stadium and a great city to visit. Maybe the NFL takes a shot at Chicago, one of the oldest franchises in the league as well as a historic stadium in a great city. The NFL would love that. Then there is the interesting Foxboro/Boston market.

Next in line will be those cities who aren't necessarily "cold weather" cities, but ones who aren't in the warm zones or in domes. Cities like Charlotte, Kansas City, Nashville and the Bay Area. If the game in New York is pulled off, then the concerns over weather in those cities will be minimized.

It will certainly be an interesting moment for New York and the NFL. Here's hoping it goes well!

John Madden Retires

John Madden has announced his retirement from broadcasting. While this news may be shocking to some, it shouldn't be a huge surprise. Last year, he broke a 476-week string by taking a week off in October.

For 30-somethings like me, Madden was NFL broadcasting. In the beginning, he was the fun guy who was excitable during the game and made noises to describe action ("boom").

He first was on CBS (1979-1994) where he quickly became their number one analyst. He was pared with Pat Summerall, who was an icon in his own right. Both moved to Fox (1994-2002) where his legend grew. When Summerall retired after Super Bowl XXXVI, Madden moved on to ABC's Monday Night Football (2002-2006) and pared with Al Michaels. The two moved to NBC's Sunday Night Football together in 2006.

His style became the norm for the business. Analysts suddenly became more empassioned in their calls. Attention to lineman grew. He was the only sportscaster to work for each of the "big four networks".

He was the "touch actin' Tinactin" guy. He was the Ace Hardware guy. He did Miller Lite and Rent-A-Center commercials.

But he also was a brand name. His Madden football video games have been part of my life for over two decades. I had Madden on Super Nintendo, Sega Genesis, Playstations 1, 2 and 3. I remember the days where all the players looked alike and the only differences was the color of the uniform. Now Madden has become nearly lifelike and one of the top selling video games in the world.

Yeah, Madden could be grating at times and sometimes turned into a characture of himself. But I've always felt strongly about his contributions to the game I love and its popularity.

I Don't Like the NFL Screwing With the Schedule

I said it once at FanHouse and I'll say it again here: I don't like that the NFL is going to screw with the 16-game schedule.

The current schedule is awesome. It divides easily into quarters, the byes are done at a quick pace and the actual construction of the schedule is perfect. You play the other three teams in your division twice (6 games), one entire division in your conference (4 games) that rotates in a three year cycle, one entire division in the other conference (4 games) that rotates in a four year cycle and then the two teams who finished in the same place in the divisions in your conference that you aren't set to play (2 games).

I like it this way. But I also know that things change.

It seems as if their mind is already made up. 2010 will probably be the last year of the 16-game season. May it rest in peace. The NFL will vote whether to have a 17 or 18-game season starting in 2011. However many games they add on to the regular season, they will take games off the preseason.

Okay! Since this is going to happen, let me look at the positives.

It is better for season ticket holders. NFL teams make their fans pay for two preseason games at full price despite the games being meaningless. Instead of paying out the booty for two preseason snoozers, fans would now get a game that actually counts.

Fantasy football gets better! A longer NFL season would mean a longer fantasy football season. Instead of the typical 13 or 14 week season, now we can fool around for up to 16 weeks. With the extra week or two of games, byes should be spread out a little more evenly (now there are two weeks of the season where six teams are on a bye).

Still, where will the add the games? Maybe one week earlier (around Labor Day) and one a week later (first week of January)? I don't like pushing the Super Bowl back to much since it would then move in on college basketball territory.

Also, how will they schedule the extra opponents? My best guess would be that instead of playing the two teams who finished in the same place as you in those divisions, you just play another entire division.

Let's use the Redskins for an example. Every year, they will play the Giants, Cowboys and Eagles twice apiece. They will also play one entire division in the AFC (let's use the AFC West for this exercise). In the current format, they would play one entire division in the NFC (that would be the NFC South). That is a total of 14 games. To get to 18, they may as well let the Redskins play another entire division in the NFC. Rotate it in a three year cycle to what division you DON'T play each year.

2009-Don't play the NFC West
2010-Don't play the NFC South
2011-Don't play the NFC North

That would be somewhat fair.

Still, I hate that it has gotten to this point. I love my NFL the way it is right now and I don't like seeing things tweaked that seem fine.

Cowboys Cut Terrell Owens

Wow. I really, really, really didn't think that Jerry Jones had it in him. I can't believe that he actually cut Terrell Owens.

ESPN.com is reporting that they did just that.

Of course, there will be several teams lining up for T.O.'s services (unfortunately, methinks that my beloved Redskins could be one of them). There is usually a team or two that is desperate enough to look past anything to sign a guy. Just wait and see when Michael Vick becomes available.

What does this mean for Owens? Well, it looks as if his shot at winning a Super Bowl ring is over. He had a decent shot in Dallas and I can't see another legit contending team going after him. He has blown opportunities in three cities where the franchises were playoff-caliber teams. Why would anyone give him a shot unless you're the Detroit Lions?

Stephen A. Smith says that he'd be interested in going to a team like the Colts, Giants or Patriots. Well of course he does. What receiver wouldn't want to catch a pass from a Super Bowl MVP quarterback who has a great shot at a Super Bowl every year? The issue is that he doesn't fit in any of those places.

Can you really see T.O. as a Colt? That is a team that Peyton Manning is God and what he says goes. When is the last time you saw anyone yell back at Peyton after he goes off on them? I don't see how Owens can deal with that. As for Peyton's brother Eli, well the Giants are trying to rid themselves of Plaxico Burress. So why dump Burress for Owens? If you want a problem player, keep the one that has been there and known for being an ass and not known for imploding teams. The Patriots? Think Belichick and Brady will deal with that mess? Could T.O. and Randy Moss co-exist on the same team?

The Cardinals don't need him; Seahawks just signed Houshmandzadeh; Steelers won't touch a guy like that; Philly is obviously out; Washington doesn't have the money; Green Bay is too small for him and they'd be scared that he'd devour Aaron Rodgers; Tampa doesn't have a QB; Carolina doesn't need him; Neither does Denver, New Orleans or many of the top dogs; That leaves teams like the Chargers, Vikings, Bears, Jets and the bottom feeders.

Maybe he will just go away.

OMG! I Get It!!! The Redskins Have a Bad History With Free Agents!

So, I go to work today feeling pretty good about the Redskins reeling in Albert Haynesworth from the free agent pool. I had my Redskins hat and jacket on (it was kinda cool today in the 'Nati area) and ready for the "ooohs" and "aaahhhs" that may come my way.

Remember, I just said I live in the Cincinnati area. These people root for a team where their next big free agent signing will be their first. Last season, they signed Haynesworth's former teammate Antwan Odom to the biggest free agent deal in franchise history. Their team is sitting back and watching Stacy Andrews leave for Philly and T.J. Houshmandzadeh and Cedric Benson courting other teams.

Those Bengal fans were all over my Redskins.

"They are just trying to buy a championship!" one said. Um, yeah. "Haynesworth ain't worth $100 million" another said. I can get with that but I also understand that it will probably be a cold day in hell before Haynesworth actually sees all of that $100 million. The way NFL contracts work (which no one fully understands; but many are clueless) the Redskins and Haynesworth may rework this deal or trash it all together before the contract ends in 2015. And if Haynesworth does make it those seven years and get all that $100 - $115 million? Well, I guess he played up to it.

Then I heard the same thing that I read on blogs and message boards: "Here comes another Redskins bust." That is unfair and untrue.

Unfair because many, many teams have overspent on guys. Sure, my Redskins have done it more than most. But to pin it all on Washington isn't right. I watched as people reeled off names like Bruce Smith, Deion Sanders, Jeremiah Trotter, Adam Archuleta and Dana Stubblefield. No one mentions London Fletcher, Shawn Springs (who was cut earlier today), Andre Carter or that trade/signing of Clinton Portis. Again, you can say that is picking nits but to say that every single free agent signing has been perceived as a bust is unjust.

Untrue because none of that has anything to do with what happened today. What do those failures have to do with Haynesworth? Most of those busts were past their primes; Haynesworth is climbing up his. He drew strong support to be the defensive player of the year last season (some were putting him in MVP categories) and turns 28 in June. He has many, many great games in front of him.

Like someone wrote today, if the Redskins hadn't signed him, someone else would have broken the bank for him.

Albert Haynesworth is a Redskin!

I'm fairly excited today. The Washington Redskins have made the first big free agent splash by signing DT Albert Haynesworth to a 7-year, $100 million contract.

Of course, the Redskins haven't had the greatest history with "big time" free agent acquisitions during the Daniel Snyder era. The only one that comes to mind that worked out fantastically was bringing in London Fletcher a couple of years ago. We do overspend on guys (like the huge deal we gave D'Angelo Hall earlier) and this could start a domino effect of cuts or restructured deals (word is that the Skins have already released Shawn Springs). Remember there is another huge name that will be playing down the line in Jason Taylor.

But I love this move! Yes, the Redskins already had one of the better defenses in the NFL ... but they did so without making too many big plays. They rarely intercept any passes, they rarely sack the quarterback and they rarely get any pressure on the QB. With Haynesworth (and, maybe, a healthy Taylor) that can happen.

Now, if we can figure out how to bring in a couple offensive lineman that can keep guys off Campbell and ... maybe ... a possession receiver and we could have something here!

Pro Football Hall Of Fame Hasn't Gotten It Right

First off, all the people that made it into the Hall Of Fame deserve to be there. Somehow, two others missed the cut again.

Rod Woodson, Bruce Smith, Randall McDaniel and Derrick Thomas were the best at their positions during the last 1980s and 1990s. Smith and Woodson were no-brainers for the Hall while McDaniel and the late Thomas finally got in.

Bob Hayes also finally got in after years of just missing out. Ralph Wilson Jr has been of of the NFL's best contributors and was one of the best owners.

But how is Chris Carter and Shannon Sharpe not in?

I can get Sharpe a bit. It is rare that tight ends get that kind of love right off the bat. I'm sure there were several voters that didn't want to make him a first-ballot Hall of Famer.

But I still don't get why Carter isn't in. Eight Pro Bowls, two first team All Pro selections and NFL's All Decade team for 1990. Jerry Rice was the only man to catch more passes than Carter (Marvin Harrison passed him this year). Carter also trails only Rice for receiving TDs.

I'm sure he will get in, but why will it take so long?

LenDale White Doesn't Like Getting 'Swagger-Jacked'

Great video making its way around the internets is the whole "Smash and Dash" battle between the Panthers DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart and the Titans LenDale White. Enjoy this banter between the three on FoxSports' "Best Damn Sports Show Period".