How We Saw Week 11

THE MICHAEL JORDAN OF FOOTBALL
Michael Vick is playing like we have never seen another quarterback play before, doing things we've never seen anyone do before.  He's not the Michael Jordan of football - he's better.  He made a throw on the run today the likes of which I've never seen - Jordan did some amazing things, but nothing as new and groundbreaking as this kid has been showing since he was at Va Tech.

MARTYBALL RULES
There are few coaches in the last 15 years who know how to get a team motivated and focused on a game plan (in the regular season) like Marty Schottenheimer.  Suddenly looking "shaky" after two straight losses, Marty's Chargers put up a come-from-behind victory the likes of which we saw him orchestrate with Montana in Kansas City.  Funny that no one is talking about the Super Bowl being IN San Diego this year . . .

"THE GUNS"
Still one of the most-discussed physiques in the NFL is that of referee Ed Hochuli. Phil Simms mentions Ed's great bod every time he calls one of his games; Sunday night was no different, in the Raiders-Pats game, with the guys in the booth gasping at Eddy's bulging bicpes.  The guy looks like he should have a linebacker's number on; not stripes.

THE PATRIOTS ARE 5-5
Just where they were last year at this time.  The difference:  the direction they're headed.  They've lost five of their last six games, Tom Brady looked more like a rookie against the Raiders than he ever has, and their defense is getting shredded (except by the Bills).  

WHO RULES THE AFC EAST?
Every year, this is the division with the biggest question mark at the top:  who will win it?  Four weeks ago, you would have said, "anybody but the Jets;" now, with the Dolphins having righted their ship and the Jets on a sudden tear, it's "anybody."  Three weeks from now, the Bills will have made their case: they play their division rivals consecutively from weeks 12-14; I've got the feeling we'll be counting them out after those three weeks.

B-O-O-O-R-I-N-G
The same old boring teams are still the same old boring teams:  New York Giants, Tampa Bay, Carolina, Philadelphia (yawn).  Hell, when Martyball is more exciting to watch than what you're doing, it's time to make some changes in the gameplan.

FANTASY BACK TO NORMAL
While we were in Australia, our fantasy league went upside down:  Jim was killing his opponents, and I was taking my lumps.  Finally, back in the states, Jim is sweating a nailbiter going into Monday night, and I'm putting away my opponents with a healthy does of the Priest and Gannon.  Ah, it's good to be back.

VIKES TOPPLE FAVRE
I counted at least seven interceptions thrown by Brett Favre today - of course, the lame Vikings defense only caught three of them.  Favre's performance was reminiscent of his game at St. Louis in last year's Divisional Round of the playoffs.  What does this game mean about the Vikings?  Nothing - they'll lose to the Pats this week.  What does it mean about the Packers?  Something positive - they're now in a fight.  I think it would have done them a disservice to clinch a playoff spot in Week 11.  Now, they'll have a fight for the homefield to the wire.  

TONY DUNGY SHOULD STAY AWAY FROM OFFENSE
With one wave of his magic want, Tony Dungy has sucked the life out of the Colts' offense.  Last week, it looked like Peyton Manning was finally allowed to sling the ball, averaging 13.9 yards / attempt. Then, this week, back to dink and dunk: 6.6 yards / attempt.  KEEP THE BALL IN PEYTON MANNING'S HANDS AND LET HIM THROW DEEP, for God's sake (until you're in the playoffs, that is.)

MY TOP FIVE
To me, there is a clear-cut #1 right now - a team that, RIGHT NOW, is playing at a level above everyone else:
1) Atlanta - Yes, they lost to Tampa Bay; but, that was 5-0-1 ago;
2) Green Bay - The loss Sunday meant little about this team;
3) San Diego - Huge win over the 49ers should catapult this team to bigger things;
4) Tampa Bay - Their defense is looking like it did in '99; their offense is looking even better;
5) Tennessee - They've won their last five games; no one else can claim that.

--The worst thing about the NFL is the large number of serious injuries; you don't see that in any other sport. On Sunday alone, Pennsylvania lost its two starting quarterbacks--Tommy Maddox of Pittsburgh and Donovan McNabb of Philadelphia. McNabb, the electric Eagle, is done for at least six weeks and Philly's Super Bowl chances likely are kaput. As for Maddox, who was carted off on a stretcher, we can only hope it looks more serious than it is.

--This is the weirdest season I can remember. There are no teams that are dominant, so predicting playoff seedings are next to impossible. In the NFC, Green Bay, Tampa Bay, New Orleans, Atlanta and San Francisco look strong. I would include Philadelphia if McNabb was healthy. In the AFC, only Houston, Cincinnati and Baltimore look to be hopeless; as for the rest, put their names in a hat and pick--that's how wide open the playoff race is.

--San Diego was clutch in coming back from 10 down in the fourth to beat San Francisco in overtime. Drew Brees continues to show maturity not normally seen in a second-year quarterback. He overcame a terrible end zone interception to lead the Chargers to the last 13 points of the game.

--ESPN analyst Joe Theismann is annoying. He's a blowhard who loves to hear himself talk. And he loves stating the obvious, over and over. It's too bad Lawrence Taylor didn't break Theismann's tongue instead of his leg.

--I love Dick Enberg as an announcer. He's the only one who could use "ebullient" while calling a play and make it sound good.

--Green Bay got its annual swoon in Minnesota over with. Brett Favre is 2-9 lifetime in the Metrodome and he was shaky in the Pack's 31-21 loss on Sunday. The Packers will win the division, but they need home field advantage to make any noise in the playoffs. A huge game looms next week: Green Bay at Tampa Bay, with each being 8-2.

--The Bengals are the Bengals. Down by 7, the Bengals failed on consecutive downs to punch in the tying score from Cleveland's 1-yard line late in the fourth quarter. It likely didn't matter since they probably would have missed the extra point.

--What has happened with Tennessee? At 1-4 I had them written off. Now, after five straight wins, the Titans are tied for the division lead and are playing with a lot of confidence.

--The Atlanta Falcons are the Titans of the NFC. They started 1-3 and are now 5-0-1 in their last six. To repeat a cliché, the Falcons are the one team no one wants to play because of the amazing quarterback Michael Vick.

--Buffalo lost to Kansas City, 17-16, in a game they should have won. The Bills dominated the time of possession early but played way too conservatively on offense. Twice the Bills had 15-play drives that ended in field goals instead of touchdowns. For some reason, they've reined in Drew Bledsoe and the passing game are trying to play ball control. It hasn't worked and the Bills at 5-5 are stuck in last place when they should be tied for first.

--I am not picking my Top 5 any more, since it's meaningless given the wackiness of the season. However, a Bottom 5 is worthy of consideration. 32. Cincinnati (it's nice to know some things are reliable). 31. Houston (they hustle and play hard each week). 30. Dallas (the league's worst offense). 29. Chicago (last year's 13-3 really was a fluke). 28. Minnesota (they'd be 16-0 if they got to play the Pack at home each week).

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