Is the NFL becoming bi-polar nature becoming a problem?

As a entity that tries to pay attention to all aspects of the football spectrum, from stats to betting lines, and one thing that jumps out is the discrepancy between the top and bottom teams this year. In previous years, when you saw a 14-point plus line it was cause for trepidation and fear of a ‘bear trap’, but this year the dogs just aren’t barking and there’s no harbinger that shows that they won’t continue to be tamed. Last week alone three favs laid over two touchdowns and covered easily (Pat, Colts, Packers) and the Jets proved to be a steal at -10. Approaching the mid-way point in the season and still no “Dog Day Afternoon” where the battered and beaten rise up against the powerful. Unfortunately for dog lovers and the NFL in general it appears that for the first time in years there is a real continental divide between the best and the worst, the gap is substantial, and widening faster than a California fault line. Speaking of California, one of the culprits are the Raiders, whose management is so bad there is talk of having Al ‘Don’ Davis ruled incompetent. Sticking with bad management, the Redskins have proven that money can not buy happiness, as they still have not mastered the art of currency exchange, while trying to convert US Dollars to US wins. Ironically, these are not the most critical patients. 20% of the league has one or no wins, making for a ton of games that no one wants to see either because there’s nothing at steak or the inevitable blowout like last weekend. This is something the league has to consider any time the subject of salary cap comes up as although it’s not an 162 game season, you’ve already got games being blacked out and teams eliminated from playoff contention and we haven’t even handed out candy or cut the turkey yet. And if you support one the afore mentioned clubs, you may be entitled to a 50% refund on your NFL Sunday Ticket because it may not be used come November. Is the good/bad situation in the NFL serious? Can you see some of the bad teams making their season respectable? Let us know here and in any of the quick links.
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Will the real contenders please stand up?

This far this year we’ve had plenty of story lines to keep things more than interesting and it actually started in the pre-season with the JC drama out of Denver and into Chi-Town (and now with a contract extension!), but now it’s time for the real contenders to step up and take their respective divisions and put the pretenders to bed. Please note this warning does not hold true for the following teams: New Orleans, Minnesota, Indianapolis, and Denver, yes Denver. All of the afore mentioned clubs have beaten everyone they’ve put in front of them and as we approach the mid-way point in the season look like they deserve to host one and perhaps two games. But we’ve talked about them before. This is about any team that with a blemish or two on their record but wants to play with the big boys, starting with the defending World Champion Pittsburgh Steelers (4-2), tied for first and winners of 3 straight, but the upcoming stretch of Vikings, Broncos, Bengals will truly show if they are ready to step up to the “Steel City” teams of the 70’s and compete for back to back rings. Thus far they have been inconsistent and have not been able to put teams away once they’ve had them down. New England Patriots (4-2), we still don’t think you’re all the way back and a 59-0 drubbing over a winless team with a banged up secondary doesn’t change anything. The Pats have lost two of their three biggest test this year with (Jets, Broncos, and Ravens) but have another one coming up with the Colts in a game that used to decide home field for the AFC Championship in the past, but right now the Pats haven’t shown the consistency to be in the same class as the unbeaten Colts. Atlanta Falcons (5-1) if they didn’t have to deal with the Saints they would be screaming about a trip to Florida come February, but unfortunately New Orleans does reside in the same division and is currently unbeaten, but don’t worry Black Bird fans as your chance to pull the mutiny will come soon enough in two weeks as long as you don’t get caught looking ahead. Lastly, the Jets are now 3-3, Sanchez has come back down to earth (5 picks in his last start) and the Jet-Mets have no where to turn for sports as they can’t watch baseball either. If Sanchez is not have a come-to-earth experience then teams have begun to scheme for him and he’d better start looking defenders off and mixing things up or he will soon suffer ‘pine disease’ like his predecessor Matt Leinart. Are any of the second-tier teams for real?

It's time to eat like a man and give credit where credit is due

It’s time to give credit where credit is due

We formally apologize to the Denver Broncos for calling them the worst 4-0 team in history, not just because they won a tough overtime game against a good team, but because they have shown a pattern of doing so, and that’s what good teams do. Starting the with “immaculate deflection”, to “Marshall’s Miracle”, and ending with “D-day” when they shut out the high powered New England offense in the second half leading to a 20-17 victory, vindication of the student over the mastermind, an undefeated 5-0 record, and ‘crow ala king’ for various pundits across the NFL including us. It may seem like last year’s news but a month and a half ago, the city of Denver was ready to burn the Josh ‘McDaniels, “the Patriot infiltrator”, at the stake, after letting pro-bowler Jay Cutler go to Chicago in “Pau-Gasol like” fashion not seeming to get anything in return, then citing Brandon Marshall for conduct detrimental and threatening to keep him on the pine. However, 6 weeks later, the Broncos are 5-0 for the first time in 11 years, they have 10 productive rookies on their 40-man roster, and have shown copious amounts of intestinal fortitude in the final minutes of games to steal victories in situations that Shanny let slip away over the past 3 years. Ok, apology accepted? Now it’s time for the cynic to rear his ugly head. Let’s not forget this is a team that has not been 2 games over .500 since 2005, Kyle Orton is 16th in passing percentage (Denver is 15th overall), and they have a BRUTAL schedule up coming where 5 of their next 6 opponents have winning records (SD, Pitt, Bal, NYG) and four teams are ranked in the top 10 defensively ( Pitt, Bal, Wash, NYG). I’m not sayin’, I’m just sayin’ it’s not beyond the realm possibility that they could be 5-5 come Thanksgiving. We’re not predicting this, but it we wouldn’t be surprised. I guess we were still hungry because we’ve put ourselves in line for a second helping. When do you think the Bronco’s ride will finally end? What do you think their record will be at the end of the season?

Injuries could play major role in NFL matchups

Pats at Broncos – A (3-1) vs (4-0) match up with the undefeated home team as a 3-point dog. This game has been pegged as the “mentor vs. the master” as Josh and Bill lock horns for the first time, but the truth is that each team knows what the other is going to try to do, therefore it’ll comes back to who can execute. In that regard, the Broncos not having the services of Correll Buckhalter will make a difference. On the other side of the ball the Pats WILL have the services of Jerrod Mayo making their defense even better on top of the fact that they broke in to the 10 in the league last week. Pats win on the road.

Fortunately for some of the majors riddled by injuries should be able to give them a rest.
Colts at Titans – Bob Sanders is doubtful for the Colt’s matchup with the winless Titans who are desperate to get their first win of the season. The Colts get a break as the Titans still have/and will continue to have quarterback issues and the lack of consistency at that position will be the difference in this one. Colts win, but closer than you think.

Steelers at Lions – The World Champions lose one starter on each side of the ball as TP is doubtful for the defense and Parker is out for the offense. The good news, their playing the worst team in football over the past two years, the Lions. Regardless of where this game is played the Steelers will still have enough to outscore the Lions by 1 and get the victory. A fat line of 10.5 may be another story though. Steelers by 7.

Cowboys at Chiefs – No Roy Williams could end up to be a bigger factor than most people think as Tony Ro’mantic’ has been struggling to find receivers when it counts. The pressures is mounting game by game and he needs a breakout Sunday to get him off the hot seat. Winless teams are always dangerous particularly at home. We’re going off the board and taking the ‘Chefs’ as our upset special.

Oakland at Giants – Eli is a “game time decision” but in all probability he’s not going to play so the GMen will be going with David Carr (who is not a bad back-up) going up against the Raiders backup Jamarcus Russell (who should be a back-up) so I’ll that matchup all day. Giants rest Eli, stay unbeaten, an get ready for stretch that includes the Saints and Eagles.
Who should be on upset watch this weekend? Will any winless team get a win>
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