Where Did It All Go Wrong

Is it just me or is there a consicous effort not to say the 'Road to Miami' this season? Maybe it's because no-one knows where it leads. Does it lead to the Superbowl or with the new changes does the Highway have to get to the Pro Bowl first? Ideas are welcome.

Back on topic, the Colts and the Saints are racing towards perfect regular seasons and yet it's the failures of the year that are the confusing issues of this season.

I'll get Chicago out of the way first (be honest, we all knew it was coming). The longer the Bears see Jay Cutler as their biggest problem the longer they'll be in trouble. We could soon see the likes of Benson, Orton, Berrian and a whole roster else playing in the postseason. If that doesn't say there's something wrong with the coaching in Chicago then i don't know what does.

How bad then does that make the 49ers? They got five picks on that Thursday night in San Fran and still nearly lost to the Bears! They also went on to beat the higher ranked Jags. If Jacksonville fail to make the playoffs they'll look back at their trip to the Stick with horror.

Who knows what to say about Houston who seem to have turned onto the road that goes straight to Radio City Music Hall. Three wins, including two against the Colts, have slipped through their grasp in as many weeks and yet with games against Miami, St. Louis and Seattle to come they're still in some kind of hunt. Opportunites don't come along forever though.

Finally, what black cat did Tom Coughlan run over? Two weeks in a row he's had to watch the Redskins throw away a fourth-quarter lead against NFC East rivals and then the Falcons minus Matt Ryan march down the field to steal the game against the Bucs. If anyone's not getting any help in the playoff picture it's him. Saying that Week 13 will soon be upon us and the Giants get the first shot at Mr December. 

There has been so many confusing stories in '09 and I've not even mentioned Baltimore, Pittsburgh and Tennessee. They are for columns to come, by which time Oakland might officially be out of the postseason hunt.

Hands up who thought the Raiders would still be on the Road to Miami come Week 13. Good job no-one knows where it ends.