NFL Furious Seven – Week 15
How exactly do you grade a loss to a turnaround team? That’s exactly the situation we’re facing when trying to figure out if the Giants were exposed by the Eagles, or if it was just one of “those” games for Eli Manning. The Titans take over the top spot again since they have the better record, but the rest of the rankings are as muddled as my drunk grandmother trying to clip coupons using a butter knife.
1. Tennessee Titans (12-1)
Tennessee got a gift wrapped Christmas present when they faced Ken Dorsey last weekend, allowing zero touchdowns against the Browns and posting 28-points en route to clinching the AFC South title. The Titans have been the best bet in football going 11-1-1 ATS thanks to a questionable passing game that makes it impossible to grade them steeply. Plus, who would’ve thought that LenDale White and Kerry Collins would ever be the tag-team for an improbable Superbowl Contender?
Next Matchup: Tennessee -3 vs. Houston
2. New York Giants (11-2)
The Giants put up a maddening loss to the idiots in Philadelphia, but are still the second ranked team in the league. My big question is how much they’re actually going to miss Plaxico Burress. Sure he’s a bit of a cancer and a damn fool for not hiring a bodyguard instead of carrying the gun on his person but he’s a 6-foot-4 nightmare for cornerbacks, their best scoring threat and impossible to cover. You’re not going to miss this guy at all? Not even a little? That’s pretty arrogant, he won the Superbowl for the Giants!
Next Matchup: NYG vs. Dallas -3
3. Pittsburgh Steelers (10-3)
As beloved as Tony Romo is, he can’t seem to win a big game when it counts. As loathed as Ben Roethlisberger is by number-crunching nerds, all he does is win big games, hence the Superbowl, AFC Championship and victories over the Patriots and Cowboys. Going undefeated thus far against their own division has the Steelers poised for the playoffs but if they really want to prove how talented they are, they’ll have to get past Ed Reed and the Ravens.
Next Matchup: Pittsburgh vs. Baltimore
4. Indianapolis Colts (9-4)
Still doubting the Colts? What’s funny about the Colts is that they are that team that is currently ready to “peak” and blowout the competition. Notching a five game winning streak and outscoring the state of Ohio 45-9 in the past two weeks, they now head into Motown to face the winless Detroit Lions. Talk about a momentum builder! They get the Lions, then the Jaguars and a big finish in Week 17 at home against the Titans.
Next Matchup: Detroit vs. Indianapolis -16.5
5. Carolina Panthers (10-3)
The reports of Jake Delhomme’s demise seem to have been too early and over exaggerated as the Panthers stand as Kings of the NFC South, which hurts to say quite frankly. With the Falcons and Bucs right on their heals, the Panthers will be in tough as the Broncos come to town ready to upset some NFC pretenders. I just don’t see it in Carolina. I just don’t.
Next Matchup: Denver vs. Carolina -7
6. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (9-4)
Jeff Garcia and the Bucs were embarrassed by the Panthers in a week 14 NFC South matchup that had the division lead on the line. Despite the loss, I still like the Bucs because of a strong overall team. A big part of their game is the running attack as they like to move methodically down the field , so its crucial to get Cadillac back up and running if they want to be effective. Despite being 2-5 ATS in their last 7 games, they get the Hawks this weekend, a team they are 6-2 SU and ATS when playing in Atlanta. Nice timing. It’s two birds and one stone this week as they give themselves a chance to steal the division back from the Panthers, while pulling away from Atlanta. This is crunch time, Gruden. Get your grimace on!
Next Matchup: Tampa Bay vs. Atlanta-3
7. Baltimore Ravens (9-4)
Ed Reed. Ed Reed. Ed Reed. Is there a better safety out there? Perhaps. His name is Troy Polamalu and the matchup between these two epic playmakers highlights the board for me this weekend. Let’s find out just how good these upstart Ravens are…
Next Matchup: Pittsburgh vs. Baltimore
