So back in the springtime, one of my fellow gangstas Jim came up with the idea that my fellow Niners fans and I should trek out to Frisco to catch a Niners game. Larry, Vi, and I jumped at the chance, seeing Saturday December 15 as a home night game against Cincy. Catch the Niners during a playoff campaign! Smith and Gore vs. Ocho Cinco! Dreams coming true, as we got tickets and made flight reservations, and after a 2-0 start, we were ready to celebrate an NFC West title live on the Bay.
It'll still be a fun trip. But this has got to be the worst letdown season I've ever been part of as a fan. Of any team. Astros '00? Bucks '01-02? Avs '02-'03? UConn '04-05? Oh I'm used to playoff meltdowns or chokes or name-brand rebuilding seasons. The Niners haven't played one quality game all year. Not one, not even in the two wins. And after tonight's debacle, one thing is clear: we are the worst team in football.
Coach Nolan was doing all the right things, improving the win total each year. Smith and Gore were healthy. The schedule was ridiculously soft. The rest of the division was down. And yet, now, after ten weeks, it's completely over. We're on the clock (for Round 2 of the Draft, remember). I'll stash further ranting until the end of the season, but that's all we Niners fans have right now. Hope for next year.
Hopefully we'll get good seats next year too.
Strange week in the NFL otherwise, as nine road teams won, many of whom had no business winning. One team that did have business winning: the Cowboys, who locked up a division I thought they'd finish third in. Face it, Giants fans, this game proved (a) your six wins are overrated, (b) Eli ain't Romo, and (c) a handful of Osi sacks can't stop good offenses. But a win in Detroit against a Lions team that gave up 31 in Arizona can ease doubts of making the playoffs. And honestly, the team that loses that game still has a good shot to make the playoffs...
...because the Redskins and Saints played absolutely pitiful defense at home against two sub-.500 teams. Now N'Awlens can still win the division, especially because the Panthers have officially started to mail it in (still no home wins). But the 'Skins might have let the Eagles back into the race. Most likely not, because Philly's remaining schedule is extremely tough. Nevertheless, we know my pick of Washington to win the division is looking comical. Hilariously enough, the Bears could creep back in thanks to Rex. I don't buy it though. Gimme the Saints and Giants as the NFC wildcards as of now.
Two games really defined the AFC this week: first, the Steelers showed why they are (a) a huge threat to beat the Pats, and (b) if successful there, as likely a team as any to make a Super Bowl run. You don't just shut down a solid Browns offense in the second half like that. Very gritty, a lot of heart, and all with a first-year coach. The black-and-gold made the Leap onto the Super Bowl contenders list this week. Game #2: the Colts-Bolts game was the stuff of legends. One team with all of its weapons healthy staked out to a 23-0 lead. Another team with half of its roster on the trainer's table and a makeshift offensive line. So what do we see? Despicable coaching by Norv. Horrendous quarterbacking by Rivers. A hero in Peyton Manning. And a dramatically tragic ending with Vinatieri. It was enough to mollify criticism for Turner and Rivers, which may not be such a good thing for San Diego. Other AFC notes: the Jags are certainly capable of a first-round upset on the road, the Ravens and Chiefs proved you can't win without a QB, and something tells me Mangini and Belichick did not get together for cake and coffee during the Bye week.
Last words...Ben Roethlisberger. It's time to give credit where credit is due. This guy was picked after Eli and Phil Rivers in the 2004 draft. If not for the motorcycle accident, his career stats would be tremendous for a quarterback in his fourth season. As it is, Big Ben is known for one thing: winning. In my opinion, he is the #3 QB in the NFL. The third-most trustworthy quarterback in the entire league, behind you-know-whom. Yes, even over Favre, just because age could catch up to Favre at any instant. Even over Romo, who's had some turnover problems this season. Roethlisberger willed the Steelers to a huge comeback this week. When his 10-2 Steelers travel to Foxboro on December 9, not a single Pats fan will be comfortable watching #7 under center for the visitors.
No comments:
Post a Comment