NFL: 9 Things To Know Going Forward

I feel like we need a brand new list like this one every single week.  2011 has supplied us with more surprises than that I can remember for most seasons.

A curveball is thrown into the equation weekly.  Take, for instance, the injuries we've seen to quarterbacks Matt Schaub and Jay Cutler. 

We can also take into account the year's surprise teams, the Cincinnati Bengals and Detroit Lions, among others.  Despite all of the surprises 2011 has seen, we've approached a time where we can figure things out—finally.

We're in Week 12, and these are the nine things you must know as the NFL moves further down the home stretch.

The Colts Will Be 0-16

You can't help but feel bad for Peyton Manning.  However, we all know now just how valuable he is to the Colts' organization.

Horrid play in every aspect of the game have given us no reason to believe they will win a single game.  The rest of the way doesn't get easier.

They play Carolina at home this week, which may be their best chance.  Unfortunately for Indy, the Panthers' offense has been explosive in 2011, and against the Colts' awful defense, that's bound to continue through Week 12.

After that, the Colts travel to New England and Baltimore, followed by home games against Tennessee and Houston, then they finish in Jacksonville.  Again, Jacksonville is a game that can be won, but the Jaguars beat the Ravens, so I'll give them the proper credit. 

I think even the 2008 Lions could take down a Manning-less Colts team.

Buffalo Overpaid Ryan Fitzpatrick

In general, this slide could just feature the Bills as an overhyped team.  However, a lot of credit can be give to Ryan Fitzpatrick.

Through three games in 2011, the Bills were 3-0.  Ryan Fitzpatrick had thrown for over 800 yards and had nine touchdowns.  The Buffalo Bills rewarded Fitzpatrick with a new six-year deal worth nearly $60 million.

In the seven games since then, he's totaled seven touchdowns, 11 interceptions and has only reached 200 yards three times.  He has simply fallen apart.  Fitzpatrick lacks basic quarterback patience in the pocket—not that he can be blamed, as the Buffalo offensive line isn't worth bragging about.

Got to wonder what the Bills' management is thinking of that deal now.

Arian Foster and Ben Tate Are the Texans' Only Hopes

It's true that the Houston defense is playing top-notch football, but it's unrealistic to believe that they will continue to play at the level they're playing on.  In terms of yardage allowed per game, the Texans are the best in the league.

Now, Matt Schaub is on injured reserve and the Texans are suddenly in trouble.  There's some consolation in Andre Johnson's return to the field, but Houston is left to decide between Matt Leinart and newly-signed Kellen Clemens at quarterback.

Yeah, that's an issue.

This means that 90 percent of Houston's offensive attack needs to come from Ben Tate and reigning rushing champion Arian Foster.  The two combine to be one of the most formidable two-headed rushing attacks in the game.

Both Leinart and Clemens have proven they just aren't starters in the NFL.  If the Texans aim to beat the Titans in the AFC South, they'll need to lean on the running game to do it.

Chicago Must Bring Back Kyle Orton

Kyle Orton really isn't a bad quarterback.  It's true that 2011 wasn't exactly a great start for Orton, but let's examine his 2009 and 2010 seasons in Denver.  He threw for over 3,800 yards in 2009 and over 3,200 in 2010 (13 games). 

During those two seasons, Orton threw for 41 touchdowns and 21 interceptions. 

With that being said, Chicago is without the very man they traded Orton for, Jay Cutler.  Love Cutler or hate him, he's a good quarterback.  If you need proof, his NFC title game appearance last season and 7-3 record this year will help. 

Chicago cannot leave what has been a very impressive campaign in the hands of Caleb Hanie.  Hanie's performance against Green Bay in the NFC championship wasn't bad, but he isn't ready for a starting job.

Kyle Orton can be a top 20 quarterback in the NFL and has been before.  The Bears need a seasoned veteran like Orton.

**Naturally, the second I finished writing this, I saw the update that Orton was signed by the Chiefs.  Every time you see "Kyle Orton," you may insert "David Garrard."  Josh McCown is not the answer to the Bears' problems.**

Detroit Isn't Ready for the Postseason—Yet

There's no denying the season that Matthew Stafford and Calvin Johnson have had in 2011.  They've led Detroit to a 7-3 record.

Of course, that 7-3 isn't as impressive when you recall that the Lions began the year 5-0.  That backs up my statement quite a bit. 

Detroit has decent victories, but they haven't been able to beat that one defining team that would show the Lions can get it done in the playoffs.  They'll get their chance tomorrow afternoon against Green Bay.

Detroit definitely has a stellar passing attack, but the issue is that they rely too heavily on it.  The running game is too uncertain right now, although I'll give Kevin Smith his due after last week.

In addition, the defense isn't very strong.  They've allowed over 20 points in seven games this year.

It won't happen for Detroit in 2011, but this team is going to be strong for years to come.

Tim Tebow Will Win Some Ball Games—Maybe Even the West

Let's just take a look at some of the things that Tim Tebow has been criticized for:

He's too big to be a quarterback.  He's a "runner."  His throwing motion is long and sloppy. 

That's just three things and there are no expectations for Tebow to be a successful quarterback.  Despite all of that, Tebow is 4-1 this year and has the Broncos one game behind the Raiders in the West.

To start, he's thrown for seven touchdowns and only one pick.  That's not entirely effective, but it's certainly efficient.  Plus, he's run for three touchdowns.

Denver is a team that knows what its identity is, which is a big thing in the NFL.  They know that they're good at running the football, so that's what they do.  San Diego and Kansas City are basically taking themselves out of contention week by week.

Tebow's main competition is going to be Oakland.  He may not be great, but he wins.

The Cincinnati Bengals Aren't Pushovers

The Cincinnati Bengals were heavily criticized during their five-game winning streak for having a soft schedule.  This may be true, but their last two games have been very telling.

They played the Steelers and Ravens, and played them both tough.  Cincinnati lost both games by seven points, and were driving to tie the game towards the end.  You have to admit—the young Bengals held tough with two of the AFC's best teams.

Andy Dalton is still having a few growing pains, and it became clear against Baltimore how much he needs A.J. Green on the field.  Dalton managed 373 yards in the game, but was still baffled at times as to who to throw to.

With a solid defense and improving offense, this team could wind up winning 10 games. 

The New York Jets Won't Be Back to the Playoffs

You got to wonder how Rex Ryan will feel about sitting at home watching the NFL postseason.  Who will he have to talk crap to?

It's clear that there's a growing rift between Ryan and Jets' quarterback Mark Sanchez.  Ryan clearly doesn't trust his quarterback and that's going to cause massive issues on the offense.

Not only is Sanchez an incompetent quarterback in the first place, but the running game isn't great either.  LaDainian Tomlinson is hurting, leaving the running game in the incapable hands of Shonn Greene and Joe McKnight.

The defense still has some talent, but it's not good enough to get the Jets into the postseason.  At this point, I've figured they'll be around 9-7, finishing behind the Ravens, Bengals and maybe even the Titans.

16-0 Is Likely in Green Bay

A perfect regular season in Green Bay isn't just possible anymore—it's likely.

I'm aware that they still have home games against Oakland, Chicago and Detroit, which are all decent teams.  However, given how good the Packers are, I don't consider home games to be tough ones.

That leaves the other three games remaining, which are in Detroit, New York and Kansas City. 

Those two road games against the Lions and the Giants are going to be the last two real challenges the Packers have en route to 16-0.  I don't believe the Lions can win because the Lions play as a mainly offensive team.  They rely on winning the shootout, which they will not do against Green Bay.

The Giants are different, as they will have defensive talent trying to get to Aaron Rodgers.  Still, the Packers' offense is going to be too much for anyone to handle.  They're too explosive and the receivers are too fast.

16-0 will look nice right next to the Lombardi trophy and Aaron Rodgers' MVP award.