Super Bowl XLI: Chicago Bears vs. Indianapolis Colts

Oh yeah, in a few hours time, it’s the Super Bowl time!!! The Bears will taking on Manning and co. of the Colts. There are so many stories of match-ups, history, rivalries, and what not that you could dig out out there in the Internet that I don’t need to repeat them here. But one thing for sure, for anyone to call his team-mates an idiot, in my opinion doesn’t really deserve my support –you know who I’m talking about if you’re an NFL fan. Nevertheless, I expect a great game, defense vs. offense, a star in the team vs. the team is the star, and from my tone it’s pretty obvious I’ll be rooting for the Bears! 22 years has gone from the great ‘85 Bears team, Walter Payton has left us, but his memories stayed alive with us, and all I can say is that this Bears team has all the spirit that makes a great team. Go Lovie Smith’s team!!!

mindcubes’ longtail: The Colts defense has played its unusual role for the past 3 games, I think they’re running out of ideas and will be under pressure to re-produce this role which are not really their personalities. BEARS 31 – COLTS 25

NFL Playoffs: NE Patriots @ SD Chargers

This will be hell of a game and I can hardly wait for this! Brady, Bellichick, everyone has learnt the hard lesson to not discounting them when the game is not over yet. When you thought they’ve been down, or rather you’ve beaten them, they’ll be back when it matters. The NY Jets learnt it the hard way last week.

This week though it’ll be a little different as Chargers is the hottest team in the league now, MVP in LT, amazing defense led by Merriman, all of these courtesy of the late John Butler’s vision, executed now by his best buddy AJ Smith in the GM role. There’s a touching story on NFL.com on how amazing Butler’s work ethics and his lifelong friendship with Smith. It was a testament to Butler’s vision and quality that a 1-15 Chargers (fresh in my mind when I made the frequent trips to the Qualcomm Stadium to watch them getting beaten badly by my beloved Broncos) was turned around into a winning franchise by this guy’s vision and talent scouting amazing ability, although he’ll definitely said it was a team effort. On this memoir itself, I could find myself rooting for the Chargers (for the first time in my life).

But back to the reality of the game itself, I have doubt in Rivers’ ability in a huge playoff game on stake, especially against Brady. Added to that, Schottenheimer’s poor records in playoff, it seems like the Chargers is meeting a wrong team just when their time seems to finally come. At the end of the day though, I guess it’s a turnover’s game. If the Chargers could force Brady to make many hurries and hence, force bad throws that led to interceptions –exactly just like what the Broncos did last season, the Chargers will wear the Patriots’ defense out with LT at his best. It’ll be a tough battle, but I do think the Patriots’ has dealt with way too many adversities to come into this stage, and overcoming those away from home might not bring the best of out the Brady’s bunch.

mindcubes’ long tail: NE @ SD : 25 – 28 (OT)

Broncos Ended Their Own Season

In a game where a simple win would send them to the playoff, the Broncos once again collapsed to a 17 unanswered points after a comfortable 13-0 points lead that sent a cruel end to their season at 9-7, eliminated from the playoff contention from head-to-head records against the Chiefs (who beat the Jaguars earlier 35-30).

Cutler was hit hard in the second quarter leading to a brief off-moments, replaced by Plummer who was intercepted yet again once from his only two passes. It was a disappointing performance by the Broncos, including yet another fumble by Tatum Bell (although he managed to get the needed yardage to reach 1000 yards for the season), and the inability for either the offense to move the ball forward in the OT or the defense to hold-off Gore throughout the game (especially in the middle with the absence of Al Wilson due to back injury) . Three red-zone trips didn’t materialize with TD, and that sort of display summarized the Broncos’ night –albeit a huge credit to Cutler for rallying the team with a TD drive to fellow rookie TE Schiffler with 19 yards pass that capped the 80 yards drive which tied the score at 23 at the end of the regulation.

As Shanahan put at the press conference, with the way the Broncos playing today, even if they went into the playoffs, they wouldn’t go far. I agree with him, and I guess the Broncos need more depth in their roster. The absence of Al Wilson and safety Nick Ferguson since the season-ending injury a few weeks ago have had huge effects into Broncos’ defensive coverages. On the offense, another big play wide receiver might help them capitalize on Cutler’s strong arms.

Broncos’ season has ended, but there’s always a silver lining to each cause. At least the Broncos could go into off-season knowing they have a QB who has the chance to do something very special for the franchise, and a cornerback in Bailey who plays like a champ. That and with a few additions to the jigsaw might get the Broncos to do what the team is capable of doing.

NFL Playoff Scenario (AFC – NFC Seeding)

Going into the last week of the regular season, NFL.com has provided a comprehensive seeding scenario based on the result of Week 17. Both AFC and NFC matches are detailed.

Raiders Hold the Key to the AFC Playoff

Yes, that sounds absurd!!

But if you look at the remaining AFC teams and their records, if the Oakland Raiders do beat the Jets, there will be a four way ties at 8-7 in the AFC. If that happened, considered all other AFC teams winning, it’ll be the Broncos and the Bengals going into playoff as number 5 and 6 seed.

However, if the Bengals lost to Pittsburgh, the improbable will happen, that is the Tennessee Titans will take one of the spot — and I think that’s the first time in the NFL history that a team with a 0-5 start heads into playoff. So, really is what the Raiders can do will impact or rather mess-up the whole AFC playoff picture.

Looking at Jets record at home 3-4 (and 5-2 on road), they obviously playing better away, it doesn’t seem to be too impossible for the Raiders to pull off that possibility. But then again, Raiders is 0-7 on the road, and 1-10 in the AFC ! What a year for them! Although you never know, football is wicked, and only when it ticked to 0-0 can you know who came out on top.

Let’s watch and see!! Oh yeah!!

Race to the AFC Wild Card (UPDATED Week 16)

Tennessee Titans are on their magical way to the playoff race with an amazing 30-29 victory over Buffolo Bills, after an 0-5 start! Denver, at 9-6 meanwhile would clinch the number 5 seeds with a victory at home against the 49ers at New Year’s Eve.

Here’s the complete picture for the rest of the team at 8-7 (including Jets at 8-6 who will be playing the Dolphins on the Christmas Day’s MNF).

Bengals (8-7 overall, 6-5 in AFC, 4-3 at home, 4-4 on road)
Dec. 31 Pittsburgh (7-8 overall, 4-7 in AFC, 2-6 on road)

Jets (8-6 overall, 5-5 in AFC, 3-4 at home, 5-2 on road)
Dec. 25 at Miami (6-8, 3-7 in AFC, 4-3 at home)
Dec. 31 Raiders (2-13, 1-10 in AFC, 0-7 on road)

Jacksonville (8-7 overall, 5-6 in AFC, 6-2 at home, 2-5 on road
Dec. 31 at Kansas City (8-7, 4-7 in AFC, 5-2 at home)

Kansas City (8-7 overall, 4-7 in AFC, 5-2 at home, 3-5 on road)
Dec. 31 Jacksonville (8-7 overall, 5-6 in AFC, 2-5 on road)

Tennessee (8-7 overall, 5-6 in AFC, 4-3 at home, 4-4 on road)
Dec. 31 New England (11-4 overall, 7-4 in AFC, 6-1 on road)

Broncos (9-6 overall, 8-4 in AFC, 4-3 at home, 5-3 on road)
Dec. 31 San Francisco (6-9 overall, 1-2 against AFC teams, 2-5 on road)

del.icio.us
digg this story

BENGALS 23 – BRONCOS 24 !!!

What a game!! As Kenard Lang of the Broncos said, this only happened on PlayStation game!! Who would imagined the Bengals would’ve missed the snap on the extra point that would’ve sent the game into overtime with psychological advantage for the Bengals. Nevertheless, at 9-7 a win against the 49ers at home on the final week of the regular season would ensure Broncos a wild-card spot at the number 5 seed.

56K

300K

It was a great performance by Cutler, showing his strong arms and a better decision making, especially on when to take the sack. The defense also came up big with 2 interceptions, from both corners, Bailey who now leads the league in interceptions with 9 picks, and Darrent Williams who has his first pick of the season.

Awesome Broncos!! One more job to be done and we’re in the playoff!! Remember the Steelers last year!!!

del.icio.us
digg this story

NFL Playoffs: Who’s Your Team?

This is pretty interesting, you’ve got to choose your team to root for (in case the “unthinkable” happened to your team) based on your few personality traits. Check it out, fun stuff!

del.icio.us
digg this story

Race to the AFC Wild Card (UPDATED)

After the Colts’ convincing 34-16 victory in Monday Night Football (under a magnificent performance from Peyton Manning with 4 TDs, of which 3 of them went to the marvellous Marvin Harrison), the Bengals found themselves being one of the 4 AFC teams with 8-6, and throwing into the mix are the back into contention Steelers, Titans, Bills, and Chiefs at 7-7. This is one of the most interesting race in the recent years with teams in the contention have remaining games playing each other.

Again, Jets and the Broncos (the key game will be at Invesco at Mile High against the Bengals on Dec 24th) should’ve led the packs looking at the opponents’ records, but this is the NFL, and going into the last 2 weeks of the season with playoff at stake, only the spiral will do the talking. Let’s the game begins!!

WILD CARD AT A GLANCE

Bengals (8-6 overall, 6-3 in AFC, 4-3 at home, 4-2 on road)
Dec. 24 at Denver (8-6 overall, 7-4 in AFC, 3-3 at home)
Dec. 31 Pittsburgh (7-7 overall, 4-6 in AFC, 2-5 on road)
FOES: 15-13

Denver (8-6 overall, 7-4 in AFC, 3-3 at home, 5-3 on road)
Dec. 24 Cincinnati (8-6, 6-3 in AFC, 4-2 on road)
Dec. 31 San Francisco (6-8, 2-5 on road)
FOES: 14-14

Jets (8-6 overall, 5-5 in AFC, 3-4 at home, 5-2 on road)
Dec. 25 at Miami (6-8, 3-7 in AFC, 4-3 at home)
Dec. 31 Raiders (2-12, 1-9 in AFC, 0-7 on road)
FOES: 8-20

Jacksonville (8-6 overall, 5-5 in AFC, 6-1 at home, 2-5 on road
Dec. 24 New England (10-4, 6-4 in AFC, 5-1 on road)
Dec. 31 at Kansas City (7-7, 3-7 in AFC, 5-2 at home)
FOES: 17-11

Kansas City (7-7 overall, 3-7 in AFC, 5-2 at home, 2-5 on road)
Dec. 23 at Oakland (2-12 overall, 1-9 in AFC, 2-5 at home)
Dec. 31 Jacksonville (8-6 overall, 5-5 in AFC, 2-5 on road)
FOES: 10-18

Pittsburgh (7-7 overall, 4-6 in AFC, 5-2 at home, 2-5 on road)
Dec. 24 Baltimore (11-3 overall, 8-2 in AFC, 5-2 on road)
Dec. 31 at Cincinnati (8-5 overall, 6-3 in AFC, 4-3 at home)
FOES: 19-8

Buffalo (7-7 overall, 5-5 in AFC, 4-3 at home, 3-4 on road)
Dec. 24 Tennessee (7-7 overall, 4-6 in AFC, 3-4 on road)
Dec. 31 at Baltimore (11-3 overall, 8-2 in AFC, 6-1 at home)
FOES: 18-10

Tennessee (7-7 overall, 4-6 in AFC, 4-3 at home, 3-4 on road)
Dec. 24 at Buffalo (7-7 overall, 5-5 in AFC, 4-3 at home)
Dec. 31 New England (10-4 overall, 6-4 in AFC, 5-1 on road)
FOES: 17-11

del.icio.us
digg this story

One Positive Game, Two More to Go

FINALLY!! The losing streak is gone after the Broncos finally found another “W” by beating the Cardinals in Arizona 37-20. It was by far probably the best offensive performance from the Broncos in the season. Cutler and Walker set the game in the right tone by combining with a huge play, a 54-yard TD after a play fake to left from Cutler, who demonstrated strong arms and potential for big plays.

The defense is not disappointing as well, with Bailey having two picks, making him a joint leader with Asante Samuel of NO with 8 picks. With KC losing at San Diego, and Jaguars losing to Titans, Broncos’ playoff hopes looks much better after this week. Their fate is back to their own hand. Having said that, the game against the Bengals next week at home will make or break Broncos’ season.

One down, two more to go, and we all remember how far the Steelers went from a near-playoff-elimination to the Big One. Oh yeah!! In the meantime, enjoy the game’s highlights.