Kaspers Korner

Both the Green Bay Packers, and the New Orleans Saints went into Monday Nite Football needing a win to stay in the playoff race.  The result of the game was one big freakin mess of a situation for the playoffs in the NFC.

First, commentary on the game:

Green Bay: The offense showed up to play keeping pace until halftime.  The defense on the other hand was awol when it came to rushing Saints quarterback Drew Brees.

Simply, they were not able to get to Brees, and it cost the Packers the game.  When a quarterback is hot you cannot just sit back, and let him pass at will.

New Orleans:  Brees’s passing has single handedly kept the Saints in the playoff picture.  The questions are can he keep it up, and the defense start defending the pass better?

Brees has been magical this season, and to shred the sixth rated passing defense is impressive, but he faces a challenge in the Tamp Bay Buccaneers fourth ranked passing defense next week. 

The defense has an even harder task of having to face the Buccaneers, Atlanta Falcons, and Chicago Bears the next three weeks.  All three teams have solid passing attacks, and this weeks showing agains the Packers is very alarming.

Now, the possible number of contenders still in the NFC Wild Card race is six.  If the Packers would have won the Saints would have all been likely out of the race completely. 

The Packers are out of the race for the Wild Card.  However, they are not out of the race for the division.

The Chicago Bears face division rivals Minnesota Vikings.  Then the Packers again face the Bears in a couple of weeks.  So, if the Bears beat the Vikings, and then lose to the Packers there will be again a three way tie at the top of the NFC North.

So, as every season it always comes down to the wire., so for now do not get too high, and do not get too, until something is official.

The Miami Dolphins suffered a big setback in trying to make the playoffs with a loss to the New England Patriots.  At second glance the loss is even more costlier than thought.

The Dolphins suffered injuries to two key offensive players.  Them being offensive tackle Jake Long, and wide receiver Greg Camarillo.

While the injury to Long is not known, and will not be until Sunday the way teams are, the injury to Camarillo is known.  Camarillo’s season is done as he tore his anterior cruciate ligament. 

Camarillo was the Dolphins leading receiver with 55 catches for 613 yards, and two touchdowns.  So, what happens now with Camarillo done for the season.

What it means is that the Dolphins could start a losing streak, even with three teams with bad records.  The reason is that the passing game has been carrying the team, and now will most likely start struggling.

The reason that the Dolphins will start to struggle is that teams will do two things to the Dolphins.  First they will double team wide receiver Ted Ginn Jr., which will be quarterback Chad Pennington’s main target.  Also, teams will play the Dolphins passing game aggressively, with blitzes, and man to man press coverage.

Injuries happen in the NFL, and it is better to have them early.  The reason being that they will comeback in time for crucial games.  The Dolphins are starting to get their injuries at the wrong time, which will cost them.

The Buffalo Bills were coming into Sunday’s game against the Kansas City Cheifs needing a win.  They did that, and heck of a lot more this past Sunday.

The game was simply a blowout for two simple reasons.  First, the Cheifs turned the ball over a lot.  Secondly,  Bills quarterback Trent Edwards gained his mojo back in the game slowly, but surely.

What was the reason for Edwards comeback?  Simply the play calling of Turk Schonert.

Instead of coming out passing the Bills came out running.   Five of the first eight plays on their first drive of the game was running plays, but that is not all.

After that Schonert called plays that called for some quick decisions, and that being the five step drop timed stop play that has been a staple of their offense this year.  This was a huge confidence boost as it was on a crucial 3rd down and seven as the Cheifs were leading 14 to 10.

Obviously, the team meeting helped the game before.  Along with wide receiver Josh Reed saying to put the past behind us.  Saying things is great, but it still has to show on the field.

It was that play that reminded him that he can do it.  That all he needs to do is believe in himself, and his teammates.

Yeah, there are still questions about the offensive line, as they are still hard pressed to get yards in short yardage situations.  Also, the defensive ends plainly stink, and the worst being Chris Kelsay, who was victimized, once on a huge run play by Larry Johnson, and then on a bootleg pass on their own two, and on the very next play.

However, they have a franchise quarterback in Trent Edwards, and as long as he is going well they will always be in games.

Philadelphia @ Baltimore: 

Philadelphia:  The end of the McNabb era is coming, but that is due in part to head coach Andy Reid.  Reid needs to start developing a running game, or he is going to be heading out of town.

Baltimore: Quarterback oe Flacco is not racking up a lot of yards, but he is still coming along.  The main reason is that he is not turning the ball over.  Of his last six starts the only time he has thrown a interception was the game against the Giants.

Houston @ Cleveland:

Houston: Houston fans probably cannot wait to get quarterback Matt Schaub back.  The reason is that backup quarterback Sage Rosenfels is a turnover machine.  Rosenfels has an interceptions in each of his five starts this year he has thrown an interception.

Cleveland:  Browns need to stop the crap of yanking in and out of their quarterbacks.  You have to go through the up, and the downs, of young quarterbacks.  Only another reason for the Browns owner to clean house.

Tampa Bay @ Detroit:

Tampa Bay: Dug a hole early, but they were playing the Lions, so that was a no big deal.  The defense helped out big time with two interceptions from cornerback Rhonde Barber, and two forced fumbles.

Detroit:  They are just hopeless.  Even a 17 point lead is not enough for the Lions to get a win.  They might as well as forefeit the rest of their games.

Buffalo @ Kansas City:

Buffalo:  Trent Edwards was on the top of his game today.  If the defense continues to give up that many yards, then they will not make the playoffs.  The biggest problem for the Bills is that their two defensive ends in Chris Kelsay, and Ryan Denney, stink worst than a jock strap that has not been washed in a month.

Kansas City:  They will be a tough team to deal with when two things happen.  First, the defense need to get way better.  Secondly, Tyler Thigpen needs to just get more experience.

Chicago @ Saint Louis:

Chicago: Nice day for running back Matt Forte.  For a second round pick he is looking like a steal, but as Peter King has said running back is the easiest position to transition to the pros.

Saint Louis:  Simply no quarterback Marc Bulger, and no running back Steven Jackson, equals a bad day.

New York Jets @ Tennessee:

Jets:  Farve is starting to get down the offense.  With the weapons that they have on the Jets it is starting to look like they can go a long way in the playoffs.

Tennessee:  Their running game was horrible, and if you are going to get anywhere in the playoffs you need to run.

New England @ Miami:

New England:  Their offense is once again spectacular, and looks like it maybe the end of Brady in New England, but their defense is what is ultimately will cost them a Superbowl Championship.

Miami:  They are way ahead of schedule, and with some solid drafting will get to the playoffs soon.  However, that might not be this year as starting left tackle Jake Long is injured.

Minnesota @ Jacksonville:

Minnesota:  Vikings are lucky that they got away with benching running back Adrian Peterson for the first two series.  If that was against a good team then the Vikings probably lose.

Jacksonville:  Nothing more than a mere shadow of themselves.  That is due to the same thing that has been a problem all year long, and that being they are missing their starting interior offensive linemen.

San Francisco @ Dallas:

San Francisco:  Quarterback Shaun Hill is making a good case for himself as the franchise quarterback of the future as he went 21 of 33 for a 63.6 percent passing for 303 yards and two touchdowns, with one interception.

Dallas: Not a good sign that their defense got gashed for over 300 yards passing by the 49ers.  Also, their running game stunk today, and if that continues they will miss the playoffs. 

Oakland @ Denver:

Oakland: Excellent game plan by the Raiders.  Simply win the game by running the ball, and keep Jay Cutler and the Broncos offense off the field.

Denver:  Not much an offense can do when its opportunities are limited.  Thanks to a defense that could not stop an old lady from racking up the rushing yards on you.

Carolina @ Atlanta:

Carolina:  Delhomme finally got going today after two horrible performances.  Also, if the Panthers defense continues to perform like this they may miss the playoffs completely.

Atlanta:  What can you say but wow inregards to the Falcons offense.  If they can get their defense going they will be a contender for a long time.

New York Giants @ Arizona:

Giants:  Great game by Domenik Hixon returning the ball, with over 200 yards in returns.  Also, Eli was on fire by going 26 of 33 for 240 yards passing, with three touchdowns, and no interceptions.

Arizona:  When you special teams stink, and you have no running game you are not going to win football games.

Washington @ Seattle:

Washington:  Simply ran the ball to death on the Seahawks.  If Portis is out for a significant amount of time, then forget the playoffs for the Redskins.

Seattle:  If it was not for Hasselbeck’s poor performance they may have won.  Thier defense has been bad beyond belief, but that is most likely due to them being on the field so much thanks to the offense.

Indianapolis @ San Deigo:

Indianapolis:  Peyton Manning is in top form.  Also, general manager Bill Polian has big decision to make on Harrison.  He is a mere shadow of himself, and his skills are eroding.

San Deigo:  Without outside linebacker Shawne Merriman they cannot get any pass rush.  The way they are passing the rusher they will not win many games

Green Bay @ New Orleans

Philadelphia @ Baltimore: A huge game for both teams.  Eagles need a win to have any hopes at playoffs.  Ravens need to win to keep pace with the AFC North division leading Pittsburgh Steelers.

Eagles keys:  McNabb needs to play a mistake free game for the offense to be in the game.  Defensively, the defensive line must get penetration, stop the running game, and get pressure on quarterback Joe Flacco to force him into mistakes.

Ravens keys:  Ravens need to run the ball well.  Then on defense get pressure on McNabb.

Houston @ Cleveland:  Browns are coming off a huge win on Monday Nite Football.  While the Texans have had no luck keeping quarterback Matt Schaub in the lineup.

Cleveland keys: The offense needs to run the ball, and quarterback Brady Quinn cannot make any mental errors.  Defensively, stop the running game, and get pressure on quarterback Sage Rosenfelds.

Houston keys: Defensively stop the run, and then blitz the heck out of quarterback Brady Quinn.  Offensively, establish the run, and then use playaction off of it.

Tampa @ Detroit:  What can you say that all Tampa has to do is show up.

Detroit keys:  Get pressure on quarterback Jeff Garcia, and stop the run.  Offensively, establish the run, then use it to setup the passing game.

Tampa keys:  Offensively, just let Garcia do his thing as he has been hot again this season.  Then defensively, stop the run, and then get pressure on quarterback Duante Culpepper.

Buffalo @ Kansas City: Do or die for the Bills, and another game to get closer to being good again for the Cheifs.

Kansas City: Defensively, they need to stop the running game of the Bills, and let Edwards try and figure out how to beat them.  Offensively, take advantage of a depleted Bills secondary with three step drops, and play action passes.

Buffalo: Defensively they need to do the same as last week.  Stop the run, and blitz the living day lights out of quarterback Tyler Thigpen.  Offensively, run the ball, use three step drop passing, and playaction passes.

Chicago @ Saint Louis: Bears need to win to stay on top of the NFC North.  Rams are just playing for next year.

Chicago:  The Bears need to run the ball, stop the run, and then get pressure on quarterback Marc Bulger to force him in to mistakes.

Saint Louis:  The Rams need to stop the run, and protect Bulger, so the offense can take advantage of the poor pass defense of the Bears.  The defense  needs to stop the running game of the Bears, and get pressure on quarterback Kyle Orton.

New York Jets @ Tennessee:  The matchup to watch will be Jets center Nick Mangold against defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth.

Jets:  The offense will need to control the Titans defensive tackle.  If they do that the offense should be effective.  Defensively, they need to stop the running game of the Titans, and then keep in check the Titans passing game.

Titans:  Haynesworth just needs to be dominate for the Titans defense.  The offense needs to establish the run, and use playaction off of that to open the passing game.

New England @ Miami:  Huge match up, and should be an easy win for the Patriots this time.

New England:  The defense needs to crowd the line, and not let the Dolphins get the short passing game going.  Then get pressure on Miami Dolphins quarterback Chad Pennington, when he takes deeper drops.  Also they need to stop the running game.

Offensively, the Patriots need to do what they do as always, and that is pass the ball using their aray of weapons.

Miami:  Defensively they need to get pressure on Cassel.  Offensively, they need to run the ball, and Pennington needs to take advantage of the Patriots seconday.

Minnesota @ Jacksonville:  Vikings need a win to keep in the division race, and playoffs.  The Jaguars are just looking to right the ship, and get back to winning consistently like last year.

Minnesota:  The Vikings need to get running back Adrian Petersn going, and often.  Also, quarterback Gus Ferrotte needs to minimize their mistakes.  Defensively, the Vikings need to stop the two headed moster running game of Fred Taylor, and Maurice Jones-Drew. 

Jacksonville: Get the running game for the offense, and get the passing game going.  Defensively, they need to simply stop Peterson, and get pressure on Ferrotte.

San Francisco @ Dallas:  Cowboys need to win to stay in playoff race, while the 49ers are just trying to find their way out of being a miserable team.

San Francisco:  THe defense needs to stop Owens, and the offense needs some kind of production.

Oakland @ Denver:  The Raiders themselves are just worth to watch to see what bad thing will happen.  Also, Denver’s quarterback Jay Cutler has been awesom.

Oakland:  The offense should establish running back Darren McFadden.  Defensively, find a way to stop Cutler.

Denver:  For the offense, Cutler needs to perform the way he has.  The defense needs to simply stop McFadden.

Carolina @ Atlanta:  Big game with playoff implications.

Carolina:  The offense needs to run the ball, and then get quarterback Jake Delhomme going.  Defensively, stop the running game, and get pressure on quarterback Matt Ryan.

Atlanta:  The defense needs to stop the running game, and keep wide reciever Steve Smith in check.  Offensively, establish the running game with Michael Turner, and let Ryan do what he does.

New York Giants @ Arizona:   Both teams are on cruise control in their division, and now are just trying to get to the playoffs.

Giants:  The defense needs to get pressure on quarterback Kurt Warner to force some errors.  The offense needs to run the ball to keep Warner off the field as much as possible

Arizona:  Warner must not make a mistakes for the offense.  The defense must stop the running game.

Washington @ Seattle:  Washington needs it to stay in the hunt for the division, and the playoffs.  The Seahawks are just trying to get back to winning.

Washington:  The defense needs to stop Julius Jones, and get pressure on quarterback Matt Hasselback.  The offense needs to run ball, and get wide receiver Sanatana Moss going.

Seahawks:  The Seahawks need to run the ball, and stop the run that is their best way to win.

Indianapolis @ San Diego:  It will be interesting to see how the Chargers defense stands up to Peyton Manning.

Indianapolis:  Offensively, as always the offense rests in the hands of quarterback Peyton Manning.  The defense needs to find a way to stop the running game of the Chargers.

San Deigo: Get the offense going by running going to keep Manning off the field.  Then the defense needs to find a way to get pressure on Manning.

Green Bay @ New Orleans:  Another big game with playoff implications.  Either team loses they are out of the running for the Wild card spots.

Green Bay:  The offense needs to get running back Ryan Grant going, which will help Aaron Rodgers.  The defense is the bigger key, as they need to stop one of the top passing quarterback in Dew Brees.  They do this, and the Packers will win.

New Orleans:  The defense needs to stop Grant, and get pressure on Rodgers as their secondary is hurting.  Offensively, just let Brees do his thing

The Pittsburgh Steelers on Thursday Novemeber 20th, 2008 faced the Cincinnati Bengals for the second time this season.  The Steelers defense stole the show as they dominated the Bengals again.

This time around it was the Bengals that jumped out first.  The reason being that the Steelers offense struggled to get going in the first quarter.

However, the Steelers offense does not need to show up right away.  The reason being that the Steelers defense is that good.

However, the Bengals played an extra quarter last week, and most likely tired out quicker than normal.  Also, the Bengals are a bad team, so the game wasn’t going to be that tough in the first place.

Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger solidified that he was fully back by passing for 243 yards, with one touchdown, and no interceptions.

Also, wide receiver Hines Ward got through the game in one piece.  That was after some of the other Bengal defenders stated they were looking to get Ward after knocking out rookie linebacker Keith Rivers for the season, with a clean hit.

The news is not all good for the Steelers.  That being running back Willie Parker tweaked the same knee injury that he just came back from.

The Steelers most likely now will ride the arm of Roethlisberger in to the playoffs.  Unless Parker’s injury is not that serious as first thought. 

As for the Bengals the best thing to come out of this game is that head coach Marvin Lewis means business.  Lewis deactivated wide receiver Chad Ochocinco for the game, because he violated team rules.

Also, the Bengals look like they have a complimentry weapon in Ben Utecht.  Utecht is eight games he has played has caught 15 passes for 116 yards.

That is not bad for a player who is usually the third option behind wide recievers TJ Houshmandzadeh, and Chad Ochocinco.

At least now maybe the Bengals can get back to heading in the right direction.

The Kansas City Cheifs have supposively found their franchise quarterback in Tyler Thigpen.  So, what will the Bills have to do to stop the Cheifs?

Defensively, pretty much they have to stick to the same game plan.  That being stopping the run, and blitzing the heck out of the Cheifs.

What will the defense need to improve on?  That being more pressure from their defensive ends, which will likely happen when hell freezes over at this point.

Offensively, the Bills will most likely face the same game plan as last week.  Until offensive coordinator Turk Schonert figures out how to do this, then they will face Tampa Cover Two defenses all day long.

So, what they have to do is this.  First, run the living day lights out of Marshawn Lynch.  Secondly, run play action off of that to get wide receivers more space to work with.  Finally, run some frickin three step drop plays, which is what offenses been doing to our defense.

You think that would be common sense.  Especially, after Bills quarterback Trent Edwards admitted that the coverage that they have been facing is the same Tamp Two as they run.

However, this is the Bills that we are talking about.  Common sense is running so rare that a Honus Wagner baseball card looks like a common card.

The Cleveland Browns went from a team that barely missed the playoffs last year to a miserable team this year.  Even the general manager is acting miserably.

General manager Phils Savage has confirmed to the associated press today that he sent a letter saying “Go root for Buffalo F#$* Y*&.  

The email was a response to an email from a fan that stated this regime is worst than former head coach Butch Davis.

What Savage did was down right stupid.  That what people want you to do, and this is what happens when it does.

Savage had to take the high road in this instance, but he didn’t.  In the end this should cost him his job.  Which, it looks like it possibly has.

According to Pro Football Talk.com the Cleveland Browns have approached former Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Bill Cowher.

The Browns offered a contract worth eight to nine million dollars a year.  Also, Cowher would have final say in personnel matters, and install some people he trusts at key positions.

The only thing now is for the Browns to wait for a response from Cowher.  A yes, and it is most likely bye-bye to Savage.  A no would most likely save his bacon.

With the Philadelphia Eagles tying the Cincinnati Bengals last sunday all hopes of the playoffs have disappeared for the Eagles.  Finally, fans are coming around that head coach Andy Reid’s philosophy is not working anymore.

Many fans have been turning on the Eagles head coach.  Even his most staunchest supporter in former Eagle Via Sikahema has turned on him.

Eagle fans need to step back from the ledge, and calm down.  Yes, they do not have a top wide receiver, but they are in the position they are  for several reasons.

First, running back Brian Wesbrook did not play in a close loss to the Chicago Bears.  Westbrook is by far their biggest weapon, and when he is out it hurts the offense significantly.

Secondly, the Eagles are in one of the toughest divisions in the National Football League.  If the Eagles were in a division other than the NFC East they would most likely be leading the division.

Finally, the Eagles are getting older.  McNabb is 31, Westbrook is 29, and several key starters are getting up in age in offensive tackles William Thomas, Jon Runyan, and free safety Brian Dawkins.

Simply, the Eagles this offseason need to go out, and find a veteran wide receiver that will help the team.  Once they do that they will contend again.

Arizona Cardinals:  The offense of the Cardinals may be explosive, but without a feature running back the Cardinals won’t get deep in the playoffs

Atlanta Falcons: With the offense pointed in the right direction it will be time to get the defense going next.

Baltimore Ravens:  The way the Ravens offensive, and defensive lines got dominated was very surprising.  You would have thought they would have done better than they did.

Buffalo Bills:  The Bills slide rests solely on his hands, because teams have given him the same look defensively for four weeks now, but he has yet to adjust his playcalling for this.

Carolina Panthers: Panthers need to improve their run defense if they are going to have a chance at the Superbowl. 

Chicago Bears:  The Bears better get their wide receivers into the game more if they are going to have  a chance at the division.

Cincinnati Bengals:  For Houshmandzadeh to only have one touchdown after catching 12 passes for 149 is a trajedy

Cleveland Browns:  They have nobody on defense besides Shuan Rodgers.  If they are ever going to have a chance at winning consistently they will need to improve that.

Dallas Cowboys: Huge win for them that will give them some momentum

Denver Broncos:  Jay Cutler is absolutely amazing football player.  The man is diagnosed with diabetes, and that has not stopped him at all.

Detroit Lions:  Dummies should of signed Duante Culpepper in the offseason.  If they did they might have just won a game.

Green Bay Packers:  If Rodgers stays healthy they could give the Giants a run for their money again in the playoffs. 

Houston Texans:  They gave Manning too much time.  You cannot let Manning have time like that, and expect to win against Manning.

Indianapolis Colts:  Looks like Peyton Manning is finally back after his surgery.  You cannot say the same for wide reciever Marvin Harrison his career is over.

Jacksonville Jaguars:  If you are going to beat the Tennessee Titans you quarterback cannot be that bad.

Kansas City Cheifs:  Thigpen’s emergence should alter the Cheifs offseason rebuild plans dramatically.

Minnesota Vikings:  The lack of control head coach Brad Childress has over his locker room is just embarassing.

Miami Dolphins: They were very lucky to come out with a win against the Oakland Raiders.  Anyone other than that team would have pulled off a win.

New England Patriots:  Is there any tunnel to mediocrity in sight for them?

New Orleans Saints:  They are the dark horse to get into the playoffs.

New York Giants:  Just the fact that they have three solid running backs is impressive.  Good running teams have two, but never three.

New York Jets:  As long as Brett Farve remains solid they will be in the driver’s seat in the division.

Oakland Raiders:  It looks like quarterback Jamarcus Russel may have a future in the league. 

Philadelphia Eagles:  It is the beginning of the end for head coach Andy Reid in Philly.  His lack of a running game cannot cut it nowadays.

Pittsburgh Steelers:  As long as they stay healthy they could give the Titans a run for their money.

San Diego Chargers:  Their unfortunate brutal schedule is just killing them.

San Francisco 49ers:  Good start for quarterback Shaun Hills, but can he keep it up.

Seatlle Seahawks:  They have a long road ahead of them if they are going to get back to the playoffs.

Saint Louis Rams:  If they do not protect quarterback Marc Bulger better he might be the same ever again.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Garcia’s performances just makes you wonder why they just did not leave him in as the starter in the first place.

Tennessee Titans:  If a defensive lineman, other than Albert Haynesworth, steps up in rushing the quarteback.  Then that flaw could just do them in.

Washington Redskins: Not getting Portis enough touches did them in. It is baffling that they did not give him more considering that running the ball is what got them the ball in their first game with the Cowboys.