Is it me, or is officiating getting worse across the board in every sport? The NBA is at times unwatchable due to inconsistent officiating. The NHL might be the worst of all the sports. MLB strike zones are a complete crapshoot.
And the NFL…don’t get me started on the NFL. From the Vrable no-hold holding call to the “You can’t advance a fumble” no-touchdown in the Steelers game, NFL officials had another pretty bad week last week.
The Steelers didn’t have too much time to complain about the stolen touchdown (yes, they won the game…but in theory it could impact a tie-breaker), as the NFL has them playing a scrimmage against the Bungles in this week’s edition of Thursday Night Football.
CIN @ PIT
So, I go to a bar expecting to watch the football game, but something like two bars in the entire state of New Hampshire have the NFL Network. So, I didn't get to watch the game.
I did, however, watch the Celtics destroy the Pistons...for whatever that's worth.
Apparently, the Steelers won 27-10. Not exactly unexpected.
As for this weekend’s games…
HOU @ CLE
The Browns are coming off an emotional win against the formerly good Buffalo Bills. Of course, you could also say that they were a 56 yard field goal away from losing to the formerly good Buffalo Bills, and they’re the only team the Bills have been able to run the ball on all season.
But they didn’t quit!
Houston should be able to score against the Browns’ defense. And with Brady Quinn nursing a broken finger, I’m not expecting much out of the Browns’ offense.
TB @ DET
Here’s a prediction. By this time next week, you’ll be reading all about the resurgent Tampa Bay offense. The “experts” will tell you how good Jeff Garcia has been. Cadillac Williams will look like a pro-bowler, and the “experts” will declare him healthy and ready to lead the Bucs to the playoffs.
Then you’ll come here, and I’ll remind you that they were playing the Detroit Lions. Talk about a buzz-kill.
CHI @ STL
Sometimes you have to look hard for reasons to want to watch a game (assuming you’re not a fan of either team). Under most circumstances, this would be one of those games. But I have Kyle Orton starting for my fantasy team against the first place team this week. And he’s playing the hapless Rams’ defense.
I’m actually excited to watch….
BUF @ KC
Marshawn Lynch blew up last week, rushing for over 100 yards for the first time this season. It’s amazing how bad the Bills running game is considering how good their running back is.
My gut tells me the Bills will blow out the Chiefs. My head reminds me that the Bills stink and the Chiefs appear to have learned how to score points.
Then again, my head tells me never to bet on Herm Edwards.
MIN @ JAC
When I guaranteed the Jags would lose last week, some of their fans got a little upset. Apparently, the only team that’s guaranteed to lose every week is the Lions. I should have mentioned that the Jags had at least a small chance of winning.
So, with that in mind, this week the Jags have at least a small chance of winning.
PHI @ BAL
A tie game last week? Seriously? A tie? Against the Bengals? 13 points against the Bengals defense over 5 quarters of football? Are you kidding me?
Baltimore will finally put the Eagles out of their misery, as a loss this week will basically drop them out of playoff contention. And thank God. If I have to hear from one more Donovan McNabb apologist I will not be held responsible for how I respond!
NYJ @ TEN
Hope the Jets enjoyed their one-week stint alone in first place. After this week, they’ll be tied with someone. Either the Pats or the Fins. Because they’re not beating the Titans.
Favre was spectacular last week. If he played like that every week, the Jets would be a force. Unfortunately, Favre doesn’t play like that every week.
NE @ MIA
Gut-check time for the Patriots. Regardless of what the loud-mouthed Dolphins linebacker has to say, the Patriots are a better team than the Dolphins. They need this win. If they lose, they’re likely out of the playoffs. If they win, they’re back in the AFC East driver’s seat.
The Fins are just happy to be playing meaningful games in November. The Patriots, and their potentially franchised this offseason quarterback, need to put the Dolphins back in their place.
SF @ DAL
Wait a minute…if the Cowboys feed the ball to their all-world running back, they can actually win games? Who knew?!?!? The 49ers destroyed the Rams last week, the Rams beat the Cowboys earlier this year. I smell upset.
OAK @ DEN
If you’re a fantasy football player, and statistics show that most of us are, then you need to go find yourself a running back from either the Broncos or the Raiders and pick him up for this weekend. If both teams were smart enough to hand the ball off every down, neither team would be stopped all night.
The only team more pathetic against the run than Denver is Oakland…
NYG @ ARI
I’m not sure the Giants are getting the attention they deserve. They won the Super Bowl last season, now they’re destroying the NFL this season. Yes, they had that one blip against the Browns, but outside of that game they’ve been tremendous.
Arizona will put up a fight, but can you really envision their defense stopping the Giants’ running game? Me either.
CAR @ ATL
The 8-2 Panthers face the 6-4 Falcons in what will probably be the best, more entertaining, and most meaningful game of the weekend. The Falcons, Mike Vick’s old team, and the Panthers, who had Vinny Testaverde for a large chunk of last season.
My how the times have changed.
The Falcons are fantastic at home. I think they pull off the upset, which means the Panther and Bucs will likely be tied at 8-3, with the Falcons right behind them at 7-4.
Could the NFC South put three teams into the playoffs?
WAS @ SEA
Remember when the Seahawks had one of the best home field advantages in the NFL? Not anymore. This season, they’re 1-4 at home. They’re also 1-4 on the road. How symmetrical.
Just when you think the Redskins are competitors, they go and lose two games in a row. If they lose this week, which admittedly is unlikely, they’re probably on the outside looking in come playoff time.
IND @ SD
The Dolphins, Patriots, Ravens, and Colts are all 6-4 and tied for the two wild card spots in the AFC. The Bills are right behind them at 5-5. The Jags, Browns, and Chargers are all two games back at 4-6.
Translation: If the Chargers lose to the Colts, they are DONE. D-O-N-E, done.
That’s right. I put the kybosh on the whole thing back in August when I said they were the best team in the AFC. You’re welcome, rest of the AFC.
GB @ NO
These two teams expected to be far better than 5-5 coming into this game. Fortunately for the Packers, 5-5 means first place in the NFC North. Unfortunately for the Saints, 5-5 means season’s probably over in the NFC South.
The Packers have a better defense and a better running game. The Saints have a marginally better passing game. I’m not seeing how the Saints will be able to hang on to whatever slim hope they have for making the playoffs.
The Packers should roll….
Sean Crowe covers the New England Patriots for Examiner.com and writes a bi-weekly column for Sports-Central.org.
He is a Senior Writer and an NFL Community Leader at Bleacher Report. You can email him at scrowe@gmail.com. His archive can be found here.
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about 1 month ago
i picked pitts that was hard duh! , i m taking cleveland anyway this week call me crazy but houston sucks on the road this year! tampa bay seems like a no brainer,, but..... who know s Tampa bay by 8-10 pts. fell better im taking chicago to and i m the hottest pick guy the last 3 weeks on this site! lol,,,,im taking buffalo but their lack of punch on offense had me worried a bit being in arrowhead,,but that does not seem to be a factor like tears past. used to be a tough place for visitors to win. not anymore. i have minnesota to run well and win in jacksonville against the boring jags. i had them too last week one of my two losses yes only 2 the other being atlanta!!! another agreement on baltimore. phillies are on a dying gasp! ravens to win,,,,ummmm sean? guess what? jets win jets win,, rememeber i called this game! lol im taking the home teams with miami and san diego hoping for a split cause those are two that are hard to put a finger on, so home teams one out of two should hold up,,,,,,Dallas is going to beat the niners and i was born in san fran so i m a 49er homer but im honest about my team this year,,,they still suck! Dallas needs win after win,,,they will play well! denvers an easy pick!!! shanahan hates the raiders,,,, arizona will get a playoff preview and lose to the defending super bowl guys,,,,,washington wins in seattle,, carolina in atlanta is a very hard choice but i ll go with the running game of the panthers to beat atlanta with time management....and green bays so on again off again im taking the saints at home!!!
last 3 weeks 10-4 11-3 13-2 1 lets see how they fall! thomas
from about 1 month ago
I'm not so sure about the Jets...other than that, good picks!
about 1 month ago
Good picks this week Sean, and I couldn't agree more about the Bucs/Lions situation. Also, people did the same with Brady Quinn when he had a great game against Denver who was without five starters and still ranks among the leagues worst in stats.
from about 1 month ago
Thanks Sayre.
about 1 month ago
Put the 'Fins back in their place? Are you kidding me with that? The Dolphins have been playing Incredibly. They deserve the place of First, or at least second in the division. And, I wouldn't quite count the Jets out of Winning the Division.
from about 1 month ago
It's not that the Dolphins are a bad team, it's just that they're not as good (talent wise) as the Patriots. Their place is below the Pats in the standings.
My point was that if the Patriots feel like they're a potential Super Bowl team (and they certainly do feel that way) they need to take care of business this weekend. The Fins are a great story, but they're not a great team.
Also, I'm not counting the Jets out....I just don't think they're going to win.
about 1 month ago
I think you need a little more faith in the chargers i mean come on use your resources you have L.T.
from about 1 month ago
They've had LT all season, yet they're still barely hanging in the playoff race....
about 1 month ago
Enjoyed the read Sean. As a fellow NH resident I know your pain in trying to watch the Thursday night game. it even prompted me to comment on it.
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/83974-my-first-experience-watching-the-thursday-night-game-on-nflcom-left-me-spastic
from about 1 month ago
Thanks man. I'll check out your article in a few...
about 1 month ago
“You can’t advance a fumble” no-touchdown in the Steelers game, NFL officials had another pretty bad week last week.
The head of NFL officiating explained it pretty well on the NFL network Wednesday night. LT did a illegal forward pass which was clearly shown on the review and not the last lateral on the play. That meant the play was over at that point. The review official didn't explain 'which lateral' was the forward pass; thus leading to the confusion.
from about 1 month ago
There was an illegal lateral, but the ball never hit the ground. The only time the play is supposed to be whistled dead is if the illegal forward pass hits the ground. In that situation, the play is dead as soon as the ball is recovered. If the illegal forward pass is caught, a flag is thrown and the play continues.
The fumble occurred on a legal backwards pass. The defense should have been allowed to recover and advance.
The officials got the call wrong. The NFL admitted as much the next day.
about 1 month ago
miami and new england have the same record and miami waxed the patriots last time so technically miami is a better team til sunday at least lol thomas
about 1 month ago
Excellent article. Good informed opinions, and backed up by lots of info.
I think the Cardinals have a better shot at an upset than the Jets this weekend.
The disproportionate number of New York fans are giving the Jets too much credit for beating a struggling defense in New England last week. The Jets will be lucky to score 14 points this week.
The Colts are starting to look dangerous. They'll smoke the Chargers.
And I hope Miami manages to beat New England, but somehow I don't believe in them just yet.
And I'm not sure what the officiating had to do with your picks, but the NBA officiating is so bad that it really does ruin some games for me when I try to watch. Charging, blocking, phantom travel calls, no-calls on superstars, and there are always a few outright terrible calls that shock everyone at their randomness.
Good job on the write-up. Much better than most.
about 1 month ago
Well written. I think the Jets and Titans will have a great game, but I agree with mot of your picks. Nice job.
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