January 21, 2010 by
Paul Preibisius |
49ers,
atlanta,
Bears,
Broncos,
carolina,
chicago,
Denver,
Dolphins,
falcons,
Football,
Giants,
houston,
Jacksonville,
Jaguars,
Miami,
New York,
NFL,
Panthers,
pittsburgh,
Playoffs,
san francisco,
Steelers,
tennessee,
Texans,
Titans
With several teams falling just short of the playoffs this year, it begs the question, what of these teams can find a way to secure the two or three extra wins necessary to take themselves into the playoffs. This mid-range covers all 7-9 and 8-8 teams, as well as the 9-7’s that fell short of a wildcard berth.
Chicago Bears
The Bear narrowly avoided entrance to the first list by way of back to back wins to close out the year. A preseason darling for a deep postseason run, Chicago lands itself as one of the biggest disappointments of the year.
Why They Can: Defensive emotional leader Brian Urlacher was gone for the year. With him back the team will have more fire and swagger. Jay Cutler may be turnover prone, but he can air the [...]
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The Minnesota Vikings have many reasons to be optimistic going into Sunday’s NFC Championship game. They have a hall of fame quarterback who knows how to earn a ring. They have a great running back and potent array of offensive weapons. They also have a fearsome pass-rush that demolished Dallas by sacking Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo six times while holding the Cowboys to just three points.
One concern going into the weekend however, is health. Half of the team’s starting defensive line in Ray Edwards and Kevin Williams missed two straight practices with knee troubles. Edwards especially proved dominant in the team’s first playoff game, netting three of the team’s sacks himself while being a disruptive force all day.
Wide receiver and kick returner Percy Harvin [...]
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When the Chargers went to face the Jets, they were a hot team looking to advance to face an opponent they had historically fared quite well against. Something happened in between the start of the playoffs and that date with Indianapolis however. The Jets.
Vincent Jackson, expected to be shut down by Darrell Revis had seven catches for 111 yards. Phillip Rivers put up nearly 300 yards. Mark Sanchez was held to being perfectly average, with just 100 yards on 12 of 23 passing with a TD and a pick. Thomas Jones was even stuff for less than three yards a carry and the attacking Jets defense only managed two sacks.
On paper most of what the Chargers wanted to happen would have seemed to. But in a game of inches, the team was buried on three plays.
The first goes to Nate [...]
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December 25, 2009 by
Craig Santucci |
2009 rookie of the year,
Eli Manning,
Football,
Hakeem Nicks,
Kevin Boss,
Mario Manningham,
New York Giants,
NFC East,
NFL receivers,
steve smith,
Tom Coughlin
Has anyone taken the time to appreciate Eli Manning this year?
Sure, No. 10 is flying below the radar, and I'm sure everyone likes it that way, but we should at least muster up a round of applause or a pat on the back for Mr. Eli Manning.
Yes, it's not over...but what an impressive campaign to date!
What do Nicks, Boss, Manningham, Smith, Hixon, Hagan, Bradshaw, Beckum, Jacobs, and Pascoe all have in common?
They all caught passes from Eli Manning in the thumping of the Washington Redskins on Monday Night Football. That's nine different receivers!
Yes, Eli Manning is having a career year, and his grasp of this offense and his personnel have matured through spreading the ball around.
Eli currently has career highs in completion percentage and yards per attempt, and by [...]
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