Here we are two thirds of the way through an NFL season that almost wasn’t. With five weeks remaining on the schedule and with playoff pictures slowly taking shape, the only think that is clear is that the NFC, at least for this season, has surpassed the AFC as the dominant conference in the NFL. Beyond that, I’m not sure what to make of it. Tebow is winning, the Texan’s are atop the AFC with third stringer/rookie T.J. Yates set to start, and the Lions are regressing due in part to their inability to keep a running back healthy. With so many uncertainties, let’s stick to what we know. I’ll hit some hot topics and tell you what punch I’m drinking, and what I wouldn’t touch.
Tim Tebow
Anyone surprised to see him on this list? Ok, probably not. He’s one of the most polarizing NFL figures since Mike Vick and Brett Favre. Retired NFL QB Jake “The Snake” Plummer was recently quoted saying “I think that when he accepts the fact that we know that he loves Jesus Christ then I think I'll like him a little better”. How should that figure into your opinion of him? Well, it shouldn’t but I do think he speaks for a lot of Tebow haters. Let’s throw out some numbers. The Bronco’s are giving up 8 fewer points per game with Tebow in the starting lineup. Maybe it’s the lack of turnovers or maybe Denver’s defense simply decided to step up. Broncos with Orton and Brandon Lloyd : 1-4. Bronco’s with Tebow and they’re professional impersonation of a NCAA offense: 5-1. Concerning yardage, they are 31st with the pass (153 yards/game), 1st with the run (160 yards/game), 17th against the pass (235 yards/game), and 18th against the run (121 yards/game). So what the verdict? DRINK UP! If Tebow is serving it, I’m taking seconds without asking questions. Set aside the fact that they have managed to go from 1-4 to 6-5 with a quarter back averaging a 45.5 completion percentage and 80.5 QB rating. I know the wins look good but the completion and qb rating is nasty. Consider the fact that his touchdown to turnover ratio isn’t shabby at 11 to 3. Compare this to Orton’s ratio of 8 to 9. The guy doesn’t turn the ball over. I bet that stat isn’t news to his defense. This offense is probably a fad like the wildcat (I know its still ran, but is it nearly as effective anymore?). The way he commands his team and wills a win late in the game must be comforting to the other 10 men in the huddle. Is he the future? Maybe not. Can he become a “true” NFL QB? He already is. He wins and leads his team. I’m pretty sure that’s high on his job description. Bottom line is they are winning here and now and Tebow has his team set to make a play off push. Drink up doubters!
Bob Costas’s half time report
If you saw the Sunday night game, and held your bladder through halftime, I’m sure you took notice of the montage depicting many of the infamous TD “celebrations” of recent years. Don’t get me wrong, I love a good celebration. There is certainly a time in the game when some sweet dance moves are acceptable. Many would argue that the NFL is a “no fun” league since they are chipping away at the acceptable celebrations. Stevie Johnson’s celebration was flagged, not because it was in poor taste, but because he went to the ground during the celebration. Jared Allen’s hogtie sack dance faced an alteration when league officials made it known last season that he would be penalized if knelt during the celebration. So how do I feel about Costas’s words regarding celebration dances? DRINK UP! I’m not saying don’t celebrate, but there is a time and place for it. Sure the “what’ll he do next” aspect is fun and I fancy a player with a flair for the dramatic, but there is something about the way they had the clips strung together that made me step back and say “what a clown”. Brown’s receiver, Josh Cribbs, interacts often with fans. He recently had a dance planed, and had his fans tuned in. Did it happen, no. Why? Cribbs later tweeted, “Sorry no dance had to get ready for kickoff”. Here is a player that seems to get it. Stevie’s celebration was definitely in poor taste, and I know I’m not the first to draw attention to the implications of his infraction, but I won’t be the last. Not only was it distasteful, but it was poor timing. It gave the Jets a short field as they prepared to take it in for the second half. Who scored the ensuing touchdown?… none other than Plaxico “Cheddar Bob” Burress. Icing on the cake? A four point win. I wonder if anybody is thinking about the difference a first half-ending field goal would have made. When you plan your celebration around the opposing players troubled past, it leaves you little time to reflect on how many big drops, and big mistakes you have made. Let’s save some time and tell you how I feel about Stevie Johnson and his apology, POUR IT BACK! There are many more big drops by Stevie still to come, a fitting end to a disappointing season thus far. The kids has potential and lots of it, but right now he is known more for his big drops than his big catches. Hey, Stevie, “Why so serious”?
New York Jets
J-E-T-S, Jets, Jets, Jets! Another win and they’re in second in the AFC. With a corner that you dare not throw against in Derell Revis, and a great defensive football mind like Rex Ryan, you would think they would be better than 6-5. No they are not out of it, far from it. Will they win their division, probably not, seeing as the Pats are 8-3 with no signs of stopping. Do they have to win their division to make the play off this year? No, the AFC is down this year. As it sits, they are behind Pittsburg and Cincy in the AFC wild card picture, and are tied with Tennessee and Denver at 6-5. Yet, the offense moved this week, with Sanchez throwing 4 touchdowns to his lowly one interception and a 90.5 QB rating. A team with a .defense like the Jets have (on paper) does not need a great quarterback. Let’s stop Rex before he takes the podium to promise another AFC title game. DON’T DRINK THAT!!! Sanchez threw the ball thirty five times, and the jets only ran it twenty three times. Is this the same Jets team that made a living on the ground last season? The same team whose coach said he would get back to the ground game. Evidently in the toe sucking, cryptic world Rex lives in GQ=QB. I see no reason to think the Steelers and Ravens won’t both make the play offs. I’m not crazy about the Titans, nor do I think the Bengals will make it (that would make a great story though). I’ll take the field on this one.
Dwayne Bowe
The kid was great at LSU, and he’s great in KC. He’s had plenty of moments we could point to and say “this kid is really something”. We won’t though. Did you see the last play of KC’s final drive Sunday? Say it with me, DON’T DRINK THAT!!! Yea Palko isn’t Brady, nor is he Tebow. Those guys win late. You know what though; their receivers make plays for them. Well, in Tebow’s case it might be a down field block. Bowe’s performance on the final play spoke volumes. Did Palko miss his spot, yes. If it’s on target is Bowe hung out to dry with a target on his ribs, yes. Did Bowe throw his arms up in an attempt to at least bat down the ball, no. Do something, please! If you don’t want to go down with the likes of James Thrash step it up and don’t be Downy soft. In a league inundated with technology, and a world where we can YouTube Chase Daniel’s eating his boogers on the Mizzou sideling, Bowe’s young career hardly needed a blemish like this. Was he set to get rocked; most assuredly so. The game was on the line though. Down 13-6, the Chiefs needed a touchdown on a last effort drive and Bowe threw his hand up like he was open. He went up, but evidently didn’t feel the pass was worthy as he held his arms close to his side. His grade for the game? I can’t even be cheesy and say “E for effort”, the kid gets an F. F for the foul taste it left in the viewers’ mouths.
As always, hate it or love it let us know. We’re my stats wrong? I’ve been wrong before, let me know. We’re my opinions wrong? Don’t be silly, but feel free to respond. Here at TryThePunch, we welcome all responses. We’ll admit when were wrong, but don’t hold your breath. As always, grab a cup and take a seat.
