My take on Week 11

Giantsfan · 11-21-2005, 04:49 PM

Had you asked prior to week one of the NFL season who should be victorious in Sunday’s Bears Panthers game at Soldier Field the answer surely would have been the Panthers, and comfortably. Had you asked that same question just before their game on Sunday then you would have received the same answer from many in the NFL’s media circus.
Despite their 6-3 record, the Chicago Bears had proved nothing in the first nine weeks of the season other than that they could beat Detroit (twice), Minnesota, Baltimore, New Orleans and San Francisco, not exactly the most impressive of resumes. In their two games against teams at or above .500, Washington and Cincinnati, the Bears lost both times.
The Panthers meanwhile were emerging as potentially the team to beat in the NFC. Atlanta was slumping, the Buccaneers looked to be falling away and the Giants had been beaten at home by the Vikings, enough said there. In fact, with the Seahawks still flying way under the radar in the Pacific Northwest, the Panthers at 8-2 would be the legitimate favourites to represent the NFC in the Superbowl for the second time in three seasons. Of course, in the NFL, even when you expect the unexpected, you still get shocked.
With one win, the Bears have changed from a fraudulent team into a legitimate contender who is running away with its division. Instead of wondering which pathetic franchise would steal the automatic playoff berth from the NFC North, the Bears at 7-3, and with a suffocating defence, can be forgiven for thinking of a first–round bye, after all, they did just beat Carolina, the NFC favourites in waiting.

The Panthers loss to the Bears left the door open for the winner of the Falcons Buccaneers game in Atlanta, and for the second time in two weeks Michael Vick’s team were upset at home. Vick has every right to fire back at his critics when he wins games, as he did earlier in the year, but when you drop two games at home and fall to third place in your division, your critics have a chance to speak once more. Vick can make the dramatic game-breaking play, and he can do it through the air or by running the football, but as to whether he can play that style of football and win, the question remains unanswered. The Falcons scored 27 points in their loss yesterday, and may be it would unfair to blame Vick and ignore their defensive performance, but one thing is sure in my mind, Tom Brady does not fumble the ball with a chance to lead a game-winning two minute drive against a divisional rival, he wins the game.

The Cincinnati Bengals may have lost to the Colts at home on Sunday, but in doing so they managed to show a tremendous amount of heart to stay with a Colts team that is firing on all cylinders. It can still be contended that the Bengals are not quite all that their 7-3 record suggests, but with Pittsburgh’s loss to the Ravens they stay in a first placed tie in the AFC North and performed much better on the national stage than they did in week seven against the Steelers. By winning out at home, against Baltimore, Cleveland and Buffalo, the Bengals can ensure a ten-win season, and probably a trip into the post-season for the first time in 15 long years.
On the other hand, the Colts should start thinking about much more than just the playoffs, and more than just securing home field advantage throughout. There is still plenty of regular season football to play, and the Seahawks, Steelers and Jaguars are all going to be gunning for Peyton Manning and his group, but this is an offence that cannot be stopped and a defence that does enough to win football games. Having seen the Colts play this season, it seems that when Manning gets protection from his offensive line, and he usually does, he will make a completion. If then somehow you manage to force them into a number of third down situations (as did New England and Cincinnati) Manning will still find away to pick you apart. The Colts are also incredibly deep. We know about their crop of receivers, but even Edgerrin James can have some of the load taken off his shoulders with the running of Dominic Rhodes. 16-0? Surely, it is not possible, but to stop it from happening, some one has to beat these Colts, and it is very hard to see that happening at the minute.

Quick Hits
• No Mike Martz and no playoffs for the St. Louis Rams. Just how much they are missing their oft-criticised Head Coach is debateable, but the Rams followed up a tough loss in Seattle by mailing it in against the Arizona Cardinals at home. St Louis gave up 22 fourth quarter points against a previously winless Cardinals team on the road.
• The Seahawks quietly moved into first place in the NFC with a win in San Francisco, but they will not be disappointed about this game not receiving national attention. 49ers quarterback Ken Dorsey threw for 249 yards and a 13-0 fourth quarter pulled the plucky 49ers within two points of a big upset. Luckily for Mike Holmgren, Seattle just about held on for the win.
• The Giants and Cowboys both won home games to move to 7-3 and stay tied atop the NFC East, while the Washington Redskins went down at home against the Oakland Raiders. At 5-5, the Redskins are now two games out of the division, and although they would have jumped at the chance to finish ahead of Philadelphia before the season, all that could mean now is third place for Joe Gibbs and his team.

bigphesta · 11-21-2005, 05:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Giantsfan

Had you asked prior to week one of the NFL season who should be victorious in Sunday’s Bears Panthers game at Soldier Field the answer surely would have been the Panthers, and comfortably. Had you asked that same question just before their game on Sunday then you would have received the same answer from many in the NFL’s media circus.
Despite their 6-3 record, the Chicago Bears had proved nothing in the first nine weeks of the season other than that they could beat Detroit (twice), Minnesota, Baltimore, New Orleans and San Francisco, not exactly the most impressive of resumes. In their two games against teams at or above .500, Washington and Cincinnati, the Bears lost both times.
The Panthers meanwhile were emerging as potentially the team to beat in the NFC. Atlanta was slumping, the Buccaneers looked to be falling away and the Giants had been beaten at home by the Vikings, enough said there. In fact, with the Seahawks still flying way under the radar in the Pacific Northwest, the Panthers at 8-2 would be the legitimate favourites to represent the NFC in the Superbowl for the second time in three seasons. Of course, in the NFL, even when you expect the unexpected, you still get shocked.
With one win, the Bears have changed from a fraudulent team into a legitimate contender who is running away with its division. Instead of wondering which pathetic franchise would steal the automatic playoff berth from the NFC North, the Bears at 7-3, and with a suffocating defence, can be forgiven for thinking of a first–round bye, after all, they did just beat Carolina, the NFC favourites in waiting.
.

Only people who "read" about the bears and didn't actually "watch" them thought they were a fraudulent team. The defense has been this good from the start, the running game has been there since pre-season, only the QB was in question, and Kyle Orton was supposed to be a #1 pick out of Purdue two years ago until he stayed for his senior year and got hurt, dropping him down to round 4.

Astros33Resurrected · 11-21-2005, 06:07 PM

I still think the Cowboys will be the team to beat.

three staR · 11-22-2005, 04:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Astros33Resurrected

I still think the Cowboys will be the team to beat.

I think the Giants are better than the Cowboys. The Giants really have a good team. A good quarterback (except that game against Minnesota), a great running game (go with Barber in short yardage and goal line situations!), a good receiving group (Shockey, Burress, Toomer) along with a very solid defense.

Also, their special teams is doing fantastic this year. I really think this Giants team is the strongest it's been in a while and it will only get better. The coaching staff just needs to figure things out before the playoffs.

messenjah · 11-22-2005, 05:32 PM

Giants are good, and they will get better, but this is not their year. I still say it's the Seahawks and the record shows it. If Dallas does happen to pick up TO however, that's a different story, but for right now, I go with the seahawks. THe best offense in the league by far, and a solid defense.

Giantsfan · 11-22-2005, 10:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigphesta

Only people who "read" about the bears and didn't actually "watch" them thought they were a fraudulent team.

Thats a fair point to make - i havent actually had the chance to watch a Bears game so far this year - so i consider myself put in my place

11-21-2005, 04:49 PM	#1
Giantsfan Minors (Single A) Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 50	My take on Week 11 Had you asked prior to week one of the NFL season who should be victorious in Sunday’s Bears Panthers game at Soldier Field the answer surely would have been the Panthers, and comfortably. Had you asked that same question just before their game on Sunday then you would have received the same answer from many in the NFL’s media circus. Despite their 6-3 record, the Chicago Bears had proved nothing in the first nine weeks of the season other than that they could beat Detroit (twice), Minnesota, Baltimore, New Orleans and San Francisco, not exactly the most impressive of resumes. In their two games against teams at or above .500, Washington and Cincinnati, the Bears lost both times. The Panthers meanwhile were emerging as potentially the team to beat in the NFC. Atlanta was slumping, the Buccaneers looked to be falling away and the Giants had been beaten at home by the Vikings, enough said there. In fact, with the Seahawks still flying way under the radar in the Pacific Northwest, the Panthers at 8-2 would be the legitimate favourites to represent the NFC in the Superbowl for the second time in three seasons. Of course, in the NFL, even when you expect the unexpected, you still get shocked. With one win, the Bears have changed from a fraudulent team into a legitimate contender who is running away with its division. Instead of wondering which pathetic franchise would steal the automatic playoff berth from the NFC North, the Bears at 7-3, and with a suffocating defence, can be forgiven for thinking of a first–round bye, after all, they did just beat Carolina, the NFC favourites in waiting. The Panthers loss to the Bears left the door open for the winner of the Falcons Buccaneers game in Atlanta, and for the second time in two weeks Michael Vick’s team were upset at home. Vick has every right to fire back at his critics when he wins games, as he did earlier in the year, but when you drop two games at home and fall to third place in your division, your critics have a chance to speak once more. Vick can make the dramatic game-breaking play, and he can do it through the air or by running the football, but as to whether he can play that style of football and win, the question remains unanswered. The Falcons scored 27 points in their loss yesterday, and may be it would unfair to blame Vick and ignore their defensive performance, but one thing is sure in my mind, Tom Brady does not fumble the ball with a chance to lead a game-winning two minute drive against a divisional rival, he wins the game. The Cincinnati Bengals may have lost to the Colts at home on Sunday, but in doing so they managed to show a tremendous amount of heart to stay with a Colts team that is firing on all cylinders. It can still be contended that the Bengals are not quite all that their 7-3 record suggests, but with Pittsburgh’s loss to the Ravens they stay in a first placed tie in the AFC North and performed much better on the national stage than they did in week seven against the Steelers. By winning out at home, against Baltimore, Cleveland and Buffalo, the Bengals can ensure a ten-win season, and probably a trip into the post-season for the first time in 15 long years. On the other hand, the Colts should start thinking about much more than just the playoffs, and more than just securing home field advantage throughout. There is still plenty of regular season football to play, and the Seahawks, Steelers and Jaguars are all going to be gunning for Peyton Manning and his group, but this is an offence that cannot be stopped and a defence that does enough to win football games. Having seen the Colts play this season, it seems that when Manning gets protection from his offensive line, and he usually does, he will make a completion. If then somehow you manage to force them into a number of third down situations (as did New England and Cincinnati) Manning will still find away to pick you apart. The Colts are also incredibly deep. We know about their crop of receivers, but even Edgerrin James can have some of the load taken off his shoulders with the running of Dominic Rhodes. 16-0? Surely, it is not possible, but to stop it from happening, some one has to beat these Colts, and it is very hard to see that happening at the minute. Quick Hits • No Mike Martz and no playoffs for the St. Louis Rams. Just how much they are missing their oft-criticised Head Coach is debateable, but the Rams followed up a tough loss in Seattle by mailing it in against the Arizona Cardinals at home. St Louis gave up 22 fourth quarter points against a previously winless Cardinals team on the road. • The Seahawks quietly moved into first place in the NFC with a win in San Francisco, but they will not be disappointed about this game not receiving national attention. 49ers quarterback Ken Dorsey threw for 249 yards and a 13-0 fourth quarter pulled the plucky 49ers within two points of a big upset. Luckily for Mike Holmgren, Seattle just about held on for the win. • The Giants and Cowboys both won home games to move to 7-3 and stay tied atop the NFC East, while the Washington Redskins went down at home against the Oakland Raiders. At 5-5, the Redskins are now two games out of the division, and although they would have jumped at the chance to finish ahead of Philadelphia before the season, all that could mean now is third place for Joe Gibbs and his team. Last edited by Giantsfan; 11-21-2005 at 05:14 PM.

11-21-2005, 06:07 PM	#3
Astros33Resurrected Hall Of Famer Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Lufkin, TX Posts: 2,213	I still think the Cowboys will be the team to beat.

11-22-2005, 05:32 PM	#5
messenjah All Star Reserve Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Washington State Posts: 565	Giants are good, and they will get better, but this is not their year. I still say it's the Seahawks and the record shows it. If Dallas does happen to pick up TO however, that's a different story, but for right now, I go with the seahawks. THe best offense in the league by far, and a solid defense.