Three primetime games are on tap for Week 13, but 13 turns out to be an unlucky number for two of those three networks.
On Thursday Night, the NFL Network will feature the 4-7 Eagles playing the 4-7 Seahawks. I suppose it will be pitched as a high-intensity, must-win game for both teams. In truth, it’s just a couple of also-rans who are competing for the title of “most disappointing team in 2011.” The Seahawks, you recall, went to the second round of last year’s NFC playoffs, and the Eagles were being heralded as this year’s “dream team.” Instead, the conversation will be all about the speculations surrounding Vince Young, Michael Vick, and Andy Reid.
On Monday Night, meanwhile, ESPN will boast the 4-7 Chargers visiting the 3-8 Jaguars. San Diego is also in the running for the “most disappointing” award, while Jacksonville is now all about potential coaching candidates for 2012. It’s the hot seat vs. the empty seat on Monday Night Football. Woo-hoo!
By contrast, the Sunday Night game on NBC is arguably the best game of the week. It’s the Lions in New Orleans -- two teams in the thick of the NFC playoff race; two teams who, in different ways, both need this win; and yet two teams that are in very different places. After a super-hot start, the Lions have been spiraling downward, and now they’re without their best defensive player for two punitive weeks. The Saints, meanwhile, are looking like a championship-quality team. Detroit needs it more, but the Saints are at home and playing better.
In a way, the Lions and Giants are in parallel positions. Both are NFC playoff hopefuls, but both have been losing more than winning of late. And now they swap opponents.
Last week, the Lions were dominated by the high-power Packers, while the Giants had their doors blown off by the high-power Saints. Now, this week, the Giants host the Packers while the Lions visit the Saints. In a sense, neither team needs to do a ton of additional preparation this week: they’re just facing more of the same.
Another parallel pair is the Chiefs and Bears. Both have lost their starting QBs, both have suffered through abysmal performances by their back-ups, and both have defenses that still keep them in each game. And now they play one another. Should be fascinating, and it will probably come down to which QB throws fewer INTs.
Tim Tebow should be able to notch another win in Minnesota. The Colts and Patriots is going to be a bitter reminder to Indy fans how far they have fallen. And the Bengals and Steelers will be a huge AFC North battle with tremendous playoff implications.
Meanwhile, in the NFC playoff race, the Cowboys should take a step forward against the 3-7 Cardinals. Likewise, the 49ers should return to the winner’s circle against the 2-8 Rams. The Falcons, on the other hand, face a tougher (though hobbled) opponent in Houston.
Finally, the Packers head to New York. Naturally I’m a bit worried, for the Giants are notorious for ruining perfect seasons. Also, they have the potential to be a great team, and Eli Manning is showing his excellence. On the other hand, it’s short week vs. long week and it’s cold vs. hot. Plus, the Giants will be without Osi Umenyiora. And Aaron Rodgers is right: they haven’t found the recipe for beating this Packer team yet.
I have reproduced below an updated chart reflecting the playoff picture for the NFC’s serious contestants. And here is a helpful explanation of where everyone stands and what can happen this weekend.
| TEAM | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | % |
| GB 11-0 | NYG 6-5 | OAK 7-4 | KC 4-7 | CHI 7-4 | DET 7-4 | .564 |
| SF 9-2 | STL 2-9 | ARI 4-7 | PIT 8-3 | SEA 4-7 | STL 2-9 | .364 |
| DET 7-4 | NO 8-3 | MIN 2-9 | OAK 7-4 | SD 4-7 | GB 11-0 | .582 |
| CHI 7-4 | KC 4-7 | DEN 6-5 | SEA 4-7 | GB 11-0 | MIN 2-9 | .491 |
| NO 8-3 | DET 7-4 | TEN 6-5 | MIN 2-9 | ATL 7-4 | CAR 3-8 | .454 |
| ATL 7-4 | HOU 8-3 | CAR 3-8 | JAX 3-8 | NO 8-3 | TB 4-7 | .472 |
| DAL 7-4 | ARI 4-7 | NYG 6-5 | TB 4-7 | PHI 4-7 | NYG 6-5 | .436 |
| NYG 6-5 | GB 11-0 | DAL 7-4 | WASH 4-7 | NYJ 6-5 | DAL 7-4 | .636 |
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1 comment:
That Eagles/Seahawks game was a real mess. Would not be surprised if Andy Reid is shown the door before the end of the season. It seems clear that the Eagles are a rudderless ship right now despite their talent.
This probably happened after your wrote this, but where do you think McNabb lands? In a QB poor league right now, he has a surprisingly long list of opportunities despite his decline as a talent. If he goes to Chicago, he will become one of my new favorite players as he finds a way to submarine two different NFC North teams in one season.
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