NFL Week 14 Report Cards: Worst of the Worst From the NFL
The worst of the NFL came out early on Sunday, 5 a.m. CST, when the Metrodome roof collapsed. But that was just the beginning of very bad things on what turned out to be a very ugly Sunday for a lot of teams.
The theme for a lot of teams this week wasn't just to lose, it was to lose ugly.
U-G-L-Y.
With only a few weeks to go until the playoffs, some teams already look like they're packing it in and playing for the higher draft pick.
So don't eat while you're reading this, here are some of the worst parts of Sunday's action.
Worst Homefield Advantage: Minnesota Vikings
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The Vikings' season hasn't gone anywhere near where the Vikings expected it to be this year. Very little has gone their way, and now their own stadium has turned against them.
With the Metrodome's roof collapsing under the weight of all the snow, the Vikings now get to play a "home" game in Detroit. If they're lucky they can play at the University of Minnesota next week.
Worst Use of Homefield Advantage: Chicago Bears
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The Bears were playing at home, in the snow and have one of the best records in football.
Bill Belichick does not care about the snow, the Bears' record, how good their defense is, or if the fan seated in seat 32C has the sniffles.
The Patriots put the game away in the first quarter, and the Bears would've done everyone a favor if they would've just went out and shot themselves. (Thanks, Lou!!)
Worst Offensive Game Plan: Cleveland Browns
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Against the Buffalo Bills, a team that's not very good and finds ways to lose games, the Browns managed a whole six points.
After the Bills adjusted to the Browns' game plan in the first series, that being give Peyton Hillis the ball and run him between the tackles, the Browns didn't have much else to show for their past week of practices and meetings.
The Browns didn't even cross midfield in the second half.
It is quite clear head coach Eric Mangini does not trust Jake Delhomme and that the Browns receivers aren't very good, but why Delhomme wasn't benched and why the Browns didn't even attempt to stretch the field are questions that there are no good answers for.
And don't let Mike Holmgren off the hook; he's the one who signed Delhomme in the first place.
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Worst Quarterback of the Week: Mark Sanchez
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It's a difficult thing naming the worst quarterback of the week, so let's run it down.
Jake Delhomme: 86 yards, one interception.
Jimmy Clausen: 107 yards, one interception.
Mark Sanchez: 216 yards, zero touchdowns, one interception, completely ineffective in the fourth quarter.
There's higher expectations with the Jets, so Sanchez gets the prize.
Worst Quarterback Who Used to be Good: Carson Palmer
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Can someone tell me when the league authorized the trade of Carson Palmer to the Steelers in the middle of a game?
Palmer had more touchdown passes to the Steelers than Ben Roethlisberger. It was like watching Super Bowl XXX when Neil O'Donnell got traded to Dallas at halftime because I swear O'Donnell threw more passes to the Cowboys than he did to the Steelers that day.
I guess this evens out the midgame trades for the Steelers, though.
Worst Backup Quarterback of the Week: Tie Between Croyle and Flynn
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Neither Brodie Croyle or Matt Flynn have job security going into next season. Neither quarterback could lead their respective teams to a touchdown.
Both teams have great offenses, but it's a moot point when the guy in charge can't handle the responsibility.
Worst Injury at the Worst Time: Aaron Rodgers
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The Packers' playoff hope apparently rested squarely on the shoulders of Aaron Rodgers because once he left the game, it looked like the rest of the offense decided to go as well and just wait until next year.
Worst Performance in a Division Game: Seattle Seahawks
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Pete Carroll has his work cut out for him this offseason. This team has no offense or defense worth speaking about, but other than that how was the play, Mrs. Lincoln?
The Seahawks, amazingly enough, were fighting to keep their share of the division lead, but with a loss to the 49ers, they not only lose their edge to the Cardinals, but they lose another divisional game to a team that may be drafting a first-round quarterback in the spring.
Worst Statement by an Owner: Bud Adams
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Tennessee Titans owner Bud Adams, showing incredibly poor judgment, said he was going to evaluate Jeff Fisher after the season despite Vince Young's self-destruction, other injuries hindering the team, Kerry Collins now playing poorly, Randy Moss not contributing, etc.
It seems Jeff Fisher is the least of the Titans' problems at this point, but good luck with that.
Worst Performance From a New Coach: Eric Studesville
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If you want proof the Cowboys and Vikings were underperforming under their old head coaches, look no further than Eric Studesville.
There's no doubt that Wade Phillips and Brad Childress had lost their teams, and that's evident by how well they're playing now.
Denver didn't get that same luck as they were dominated on both sides of the ball, and Studesville now is stuck coaching a bad team with limited talent at the moment.
Worst Super Bowl Pretender: New York Jets
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The Jets backed into the playoffs last year when the Colts took a dive the last two weeks of the season. For a good six weeks this year, the Jets were starting to look like the real thing, even if there were some cracks that honest watchers of the team would admit were there.
Bill Belichick widened those cracks, and the Dolphins ran through the breaks in the dam this week. The Jets' holes have been exposed, and while they still may make the playoffs, don't get your hopes up for a Super Bowl run.
Worst Extra-Point Unit: Washington Redskins
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Not only did Graham Gano miss some kicks, but his holder, Hunter Smith, let a high snap on the game-tying extra point sail right through his hands.
You'd think with Albert Haynesworth gone that the Redskins could put the unnecessary drama behind them and play some better football.
Nope.
Worst Loss: Oakland Raiders
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The Raiders blew a 10-point halftime lead to drop to 6-7 and fall out of playoff contention in AFC West, one week after putting themselves back in it with a big win over Chargers.
Part of being a winning team is seizing the opportunities given to you. The Raiders have been given plenty of opportunities this season and squandered every single one of them.
Since this is the Raiders and Al Davis is the owner, the official "Tom Cable Fired" watch can begin.
Worst Milestone Day: Peyton Hillis
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Peyton Hillis, who topped 1,000 yards rushing for the first time in his career with 108 yards versus the Bills, should be sitting home tonight celebrating his achievement.
But Hillis also fumbled three times, losing one of them in the Browns' 13-6 loss to the Bills.
Worst First Play From Scrimmage: Carolina Panthers
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Jimmy Clausen is a rookie quarterback who is trying to learn the pro game on the field. But he's in the same position as Sam Bradford, Colt McCoy and Matthew Stafford last year.
None of those guys fumbled the first play from scrimmage, which was recovered by Atlanta and led to a touchdown and a 31-10 Falcons win.
The Panthers now should have a lock on the No. 1 overall pick in next year's draft.
Andrew Luck, anyone?
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