NFL WEEK 12 UPDATE

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!!  I hope you all have a great day with family and friends!!  While it's true one can eat too much on Thanksgiving, there's no limit to how much football one can watch on Turkey Day.  That's why the NFL has given us 3, yes 3, games on Thanksgiving!!  So, be safe, have fun and give thanks for the NFL!!

For my Week 12 update, I'm going to try and predict how I think each team will finish the season.  Anyway, here we go....

AFC STANDINGS

AFC EAST

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS  (9-2)
Remaining Games: @ GB (L), @ SD (W), Mia (W), @ NYJ (W), Buf (W).
Final Record: 13-3

MIAMI DOLPHINS  (6-5)
Remaining Games: @ NYJ (W), Bal (W), @ NE (L), Min (W), NYJ (W).
Final Record: 10-6

BUFFALO BILLS  (6-5)
Remaining Games: Cle (W), @ Den (L), GB (L), @ Oak (L), @ NE (L).
Final Record: 7-9

NY JETS  (2-9)
Remaining Games: Mia (L), @ Min (L), @ Ten (L), NE (L), @ Mia (L).
Final Record: 2-14

AFC NORTH

CINCINNATI BENGALS  (7-3-1)
Remaining Games: @ TB (W), Pit (W), @ Cle (L), Den (L), @ Pit (L).
Final Record: 9-6-1

BALTIMORE RAVENS  (7-4)
Remaining Games: SD (W), @ Mia (L), Jax (W), @ Hou (W), Cle (W).
Final Record: 11-5

PITTSBURGH STEELERS  (7-4)
Remaining Games: NO (W), @ Cin (L), @ Atl (W), KC (W), Cin (W).
Final Record: 11-5

CLEVELAND BROWNS  (7-4)
Remaining Games: @ Buf (L), Ind (L), Cin (W), @ Car (L), @ Bal (L).
Final Record: 8-8

AFC SOUTH

INDIANAPOLIS COLTS  (7-4)
Remaining Games: Was (W), @ Cle (W), Hou (W), @ Dal (L), @ Ten (L)
Final Record: 10-6

HOUSTON TEXANS  (5-6)
Remaining Games: Ten (W), @ Jax (W), @ Ind (L), Bal (L), Jax (W).
Final Record: 8-8

TENNESSEE TITANS (2-9)
Remaining Games: @ Hou (L), NYG (L), NYJ (W), @ Jax (L), Ind (L)
Final Record: 3-13

JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS  (1-10)
Remaining Games: NYG (L), Hou (L), @ Bal (L), Ten (W), @ Hou (L).
Final Record: 2-14

AFC WEST

DENVER BRONCOS  (8-3)
Remaining Games: @ KC (W), Buf (W), @ SD (L), @ Cin (W), Oak (W).
Final Record: 12-4

KANSAS CITY CHIEFS  (7-4)
Remaining Games: Den (L), @ Ari (L), Oak (W), @ Pit (L), SD (W).
Final Record: 9-7

SAN DIEGO CHARGERS  (7-4)
Remaining Games: @ Bal (L), NE (L), Den (W), @ SF (L), @ KC (L).
Final Record: 8-8

OAKLAND RAIDERS  (1-10)
Remaining Games: @ STL (L), SF (L), @ KC (L), Buf (W), @ Den (L).
Final Record: 2-14

NFC STANDINGS

NFC EAST

PHILADELPHIA EAGLES  (8-3)
Remaining Games: @ Dal (L), Sea (L), Dal (W), @ Was (W), @ NYG (L).
Final Record: 10-6

DALLAS COWBOYS  (8-3)
Remaining Games: Phi (W), @ Chi (L), @ Phi (L), Ind (W), @ Was (W).
Final Record: 11-5

NY GIANTS  (3-8)
Remaining Games: @ Jax (W), @ Ten (W), Was (W), @ STL (L), Phi (W).
Final Record: 7-9

WASHINGTON REDSKINS  (3-8)
Remaining Games: @ Ind (L), STL (L), @ NYG (L), Phi (L), Dal (L).
Final Record: 3-13

NFC NORTH

GREEN BAY PACKERS  (8-3)
Remaining Games: NE (W), Atl (W), @ Buf (W), @ TB (W), Det (W).
Final Record: 13-3

DETROIT LIONS  (7-4)
Remaining Games: Chi (W), TB (W), Min (W), @ Chi (W), @ GB (L).
Final Record: 11-5

CHICAGO BEARS  (5-6)
Remaining Games: @ Det (L), Dal (W), NO (W), Det (L), @ Min (W).
Final Record: 8-8

MINNESOTA VIKINGS  (4-7)
Remaining Games: Car (L), NYJ (W), @ Det (L), @ Mia (L), Chi (L).
Final Record: 5-11

NFC SOUTH

ATLANTA FALCONS  (4-7)
Remaining Games: Ari (L), @ GB (L), Pit (L), @ NO (L), Car (L).
Final Record: 4-11

NEW ORLEANS SAINTS  (4-7)
Remaining Games: @ Pit (L), Car (L), @ Chi (L), Atl (W), @ TB (W).
Final Record: 6-10

CAROLINA PANTHERS  (3-7-1)
Remaining Games: @ Min (W), @ NO (W), TB (W), Cle (W), @ Atl (W).
Final Record: 8-7-1

TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS  (2-9)
Remaining Games: Cin (L), @ Det (L), @ Car (L), GB (L), NO (L),
Final Record: 2-14

NFC WEST

ARIZONA CARDINALS  (9-2)
Remaining Games: @ Atl (W), KC (W), @ STL (W), Sea (L), @ SF (L).
Final Record: 12-4

SEATTLE SEAHAWKS  (7-4)
Remaining Games: @ SF (L), @ Phi (W), SF (W),  @ Ari (W), STL (W).
Final Record: 11-5

SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS  (7-4)
Remaining Games: Sea (W), @ Oak (W), @ Sea (L), SD (W), Ari (W)
Final Record: 11-5

ST. LOUIS RAMS  (4-7)
Remaining Games: Oak (W), @ Was (W), Ari (L), NYG (W), @ Sea (L).
Final Record: 7-9

There are my predictions for how all of the 32 teams in the NFL will fair over the final 5 weeks of the season.  Check back next time, where I'll reveal my 3rd Quarter Edition of the Pittman's Power Rankings.  Until next week....

NFL WEEK 11 UPDATE

Just when you think you might have things figured out in the NFL, something like Week 11 happens.  I believe Week 11 can be summed up best by the immortal words of Vince Lombardi, "What the hell is going on out there?!"  With that said, here's a few quick observations from the 11th week of the NFL Season.

THURSDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL GAME

BUFFALO BILLS  9    MIAMI DOLPHINS  22

Don't look now, but the Miami Dolphins are looking like a serious playoff contender.  The Buffalo Bills on the other hand, are looking like the same team that we've seen for the last few seasons; start the season fast and fizzle down the stretch.

SUNDAY FOOTBALL GAMES

HOUSTON TEXANS  23    CLEVELAND BROWNS  7

Is J.J. Watt for real?  The Texans defensive star caught a touchdown pass on Sunday and it wasn't an easy, wide open touchdown either.  Lost in all of the Watt hysteria was Houston quarterback, Ryan Mallett, getting his first career start and victory.  Although the Browns are still in good shape at 6-4, it's still got to be a little troubling that in 2 of Cleveland's losses, they've only scored a total of 13 points against the Jaguars and Texans, two teams allowing a combined 48.6 points per game.

SEATTLE SEAHAWKS  20    KANSAS CITY CHIEFS  27

After an 0-2 start, the Chiefs have really turned their season around.  Including Sunday's win over the Seattle, Kansas City has won 7 of their last 8 and are now tied with Denver for first place in the AFC West.  Meanwhile, following a 3 game winning streak, it looked like the Seahawks had gotten back on track.  However, with their loss on Sunday to the Chiefs, Seattle has fallen to 6-4 and are in real danger of missing the playoffs.

CINCINNATI BENGALS  27    NEW ORLEANS SAINTS 10

Bengals quarterback, Andy Dalton, certainly bounced back from last week's horrible performance.  Against the Saints, Dalton only had 6 incompletions and threw 3 touchdown passes.  New Orleans has to be wondering what is going on.  The Saints used to be unbeatable at home and now they've lost 2 games in a row at the Superdome.  The good news for New Orleans is even with a 4-6 record, they're still tied atop the NFC South.  I have a quick message to the 4 teams in the NFL's worst division.  Just because it's called the NFC South, doesn't mean your record has to be "south" of .500, OK?

DENVER BRONCOS  7    ST. LOUIS RAMS  22

The most confusing loss of Week 11 was the Broncos falling to the Rams.  However, St. Louis has defeated some formidable opponents this season.  In Week 7, the Rams beat the Seahawks, in Week 9, they defeated the 49ers and on Sunday, they dominated the Broncos.  Those 3 teams are a combined 19-11.  Besides losing the game, Denver lost 3 key offensive weapons too.  Tight end, Julius Thomas, wide receiver, Emmanual Sanders, and running back, Montee Ball, all left Sunday's game with injuries.  For Ball, this is the second time this season he has sustained an injury that will keep him out for a period of time.  As great as Peyton Manning is, not even he can win games by himself.

DETROIT LIONS  6    ARIZONA CARDINALS  14
When Cardinals quarterback, Carson Palmer, went down last week with a season ending knee injury, many believed Arizona's chances of winning a Super Bowl went down with him.  With back-up quarterback, Drew Stanton, at the helm, Arizona jumped out to a quick 14-0 lead against Detroit.  The Lions came into the game with the #1 ranked defense in the NFL, but it was the Cardinals defense that shined on Sunday, holding the Detroit offense to just 262 total yards.  If the Arizona defense can continue to play like they did versus Detroit and the offense can limit their mistakes, the Cardinals could be hoisting the Lombardi Trophy at season's end.

PHILADELPHIA EAGLES  20    GREEN BAY PACKERS  53

Is there any team hotter than the Green Bay Packers?  For the first time in their storied history, the Packers scored over 50 points in 2 straight home games.  Green Bay quarterback, Aaron Rodgers, is playing the best football of his career, as the 10 year veteran threw 3 more touchdowns against the Eagles.  Even though it's just one game, Philadelphia suddenly looks extremely vulnerable.  After next week's game against the Tennessee Titans, the Eagles play the Cowboys twice, with the Seahawks sandwiched in between.  Those 3 games will define the Eagles 2014 season.

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS  42    INDIANAPOLIS COLTS  20

If the Packers aren't the hottest team in the NFL right now, the New England Patriots are.  Following their humiliating defeat to the Chiefs in Week 4, the Patriots have won 6 straight games by an average score of 41-21.  Against the Colts on Sunday night, New England found yet another weapon on offense in running back, Jonas Gray.  The undrafted player out of Notre Dame, carried the football 38 times for 199 yards and 4 touchdowns Sunday night.  As impressive as the Patriots have looked over the last 6 games, we've all seen this before.  New England will look unstoppable during the regular season, winning 13 or 14 games, and then come playoff time, all of that magic seems to go out the window.  Remember, as dominate as New England has been over the years, the Patriots haven't won a Super Bowl since 2004.

MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL GAME

PITTSBURGH STEELERS  27    TENNESSEE TITANS  24

Can anyone figure out the Pittsburgh Steelers?  Coming into Monday night's tilt against Tennessee, Pittsburgh had defeated the likes of the Indianapolis Colts and Baltimore Ravens, but also lost to the lowly Tampa Bay Buccaneers and NY Jets.  Since the Steelers have shown a history of playing down to their opponent's level, it was not surprising at all to see the 2-7 Titans have a 24-13 lead entering the 4th quarter.  What was surprising was the manner in which Pittsburgh responded over the final 15 minutes of the game.  With quarterback, Ben Roethlisberger, continuously under pressure from the Titans defense, the Steelers turned to running back, Le'Veon Bell, to get the job done Monday night.  Bell ran for 204 yards on 33 carries plus a touchdown as Pittsburgh scored the game's final 14 points to escape with a 27-24 victory.  As unpredictable as the Steelers have been this season, they still find themselves at 7-4 going into their bye week and right in the thick of the AFC North race.

Well, that completes my Week 11 update.  It's been a wild and crazy ride so far and with 6 weeks still to go and more than half of the teams in the NFL with winning records, it's only going to get better!!  Until next week....

NFL WEEK 10 UPDATE

Here are some headlines from Week 10 of the NFL Season.

THURSDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL GAME

CLEVELAND BROWNS  24    CINCINNATI BENGALS  3

BROWNS BULLY BENGALS AS CLEVELAND CLAIMS TOP SPOT IN AFC NORTH.

SUNDAY FOOTBALL GAMES

PITTSBURGH STEELERS  13    NY JETS  20

JETS FLY BY BIG BEN AND SCHIZOPHRENIC STEELERS STOP LOSING STREAK AT 8.

MIAMI DOLPHINS  16    DETROIT LIONS  20

LIONS LATE TD DOWNS DOLPHINS GIVING DETROIT NFC NORTH BEST 7-2 RECORD.

DALLAS COWBOYS  31    JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS  17

COWBOYS LEAVE JAGS IN A LONDON FOG AS ROMO RETURNS THROWING 3 TDs.

SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS  27    NEW ORLEANS SAINTS  24  (F/OT)

NINERS TAKE OT THRILLER DOWN IN THE BAYOU THANKS TO TURNOVER BY BREES.

ST. LOUIS RAMS  14    ARIZONA CARDINALS  31

CARDINALS RALLY PASSED RAMS FOR 8TH WIN BUT LOSE QB PALMER FOR SEASON.

NY GIANTS  17    SEATTLE SEAHAWKS  38

SEAHAWKS SOAR OVER G-MEN WITH FRANCHISE RECORD 350 YARDS RUSHING.

CHICAGO BEARS  14    GREEN BAY PACKERS  55

PACKERS PUMMEL BUMBLING BEARS LED BY ROGERS RIDICULOUS 6 TD 1ST HALF.

MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL GAME

CAROLINA PANTHERS  21    PHILADELPHIA EAGLES  45

EAGLES SANCHEZ ELIMINATES DOUBTS AS PHILLY POUNDS PATHETIC PANTHERS.

Those are some of the headlines from Week 10.  Please join me again next time as we close in on the 3rd quarter of the 2014 NFL Season.  Until next week....

NFL WEEK 9 UPDATE

Here's a quick look at some of the games from Week 9 of the NFL Season.

THURSDAY NIGHT GAME

NEW ORLEANS SAINTS  28    CAROLINA PANTHERS  10

Despite both teams entering the game with losing records (Saints 3-4, Panthers 3-4-1), the winner would claim the top spot in the NFC South.  As the Saints continue to look more and more like the team most expected heading into the 2014 season, the Panthers look nothing like the 2013 team that won the division and clinched a first round bye in the postseason.  Carolina quarterback, Cam Newton, played possibly the worst game of his career last Thursday night, completing just 10 of 28 passes for 151 yards.  On the flip-side, New Orleans quarterback, Drew Brees, threw for 297 yards, but the biggest factor to the Saints victory was the play of running back, Mark Ingram.  The former Heisman Trophy winner ran for 100 yards and 2 touchdowns, giving him 272 yards and 3 touchdowns over the last 2 games.

SUNDAY FOOTBALL GAMES

ARIZONA CARDINALS  28    DALLAS COWBOYS  17

With the news that Cowboys quarterback, Tony Romo, was not going to play because of a back injury sustained in the previous game, Dallas knew they would need to rely on running back, DeMarco Murray, in order to defeat the Cardinals.  Unfortunately for Dallas, Murray was held in check for much of the game, finishing with just 79 yards on 19 carries.  It was the first time this season that Murray did not eclipse the century mark and as a result, the Cowboys lost their second straight game.  As for the Cardinals, they continue to be the surprise team of 2014.  Arizona quarterback, Carson Palmer, threw for 249 yards and 3 touchdowns to help lead the Cardinals to their 7th victory in 8 games.  Could the Cardinals become the first team ever to play in the Super Bowl at their own stadium?

PHILADELPHIA EAGLES  31    HOUSTON TEXANS  21

The Philadelphia Eagles are extremely lucky to have Mark Sanchez as their back-up quarterback.  I never thought I'd write that sentence.  During the first quarter of the Eagles game against the Texans, Philly quarterback, Nick Foles, landed hard on his left shoulder, resulting in a broken clavicle.  That's when Mark Sanchez, the much maligned quarterback, took the field in a regular season game for the first time since December 30, 2012.  While Sanchez wasn't perfect, he did throw 2 picks, he did enough to keep the Houston defense honest.  Eagles running back, LeSean McCoy, chipped in with 117 yards rushing, giving him 2 100+ yard performances in the last 3 games.  If Philadelphia can keep running the football like they have in recent weeks, it'll take the pressure off Sanchez to win the game himself.

SAN DIEGO CHARGERS  0    MIAMI DOLPHINS  37

What in the world has happened to the San Diego Chargers?  After starting the season 5-1, San Diego has lost 3 in a row, with Sunday's shutout loss to Miami being the most humiliating.  As they head into their bye week, San Diego better find a way to recharge or any hopes of making the playoffs will be defused rather quickly.  Miami on the other hand is quietly becoming a legit contender in the AFC.  Including Sunday's win, the Dolphins have won 3 straight games and remain just one game behind the Patriots for the lead in the AFC East.

DENVER BRONCOS  21    NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS  43

Speaking of the Patriots, Tom Brady and the New England offense completely trampled over a Denver defense that came into the game among the best in the league.  Brady finished with 333 yards and 4 touchdowns as New England captured their 5th straight victory.  Meanwhile, Broncos quarterback, Peyton Manning, had a decent day statistically, 438 yards and 2 touchdowns, but the Denver running game was completely shut down, accumulating just 43 yards on 17 carries.  The good news for Manning and company is that a year ago the Broncos lost to the Patriots in Foxboro and still went on to reach the Super Bowl.

BALTIMORE RAVENS  23    PITTSBURGH STEELERS  43

Aside from the Broncos/Patriots game, the marquee match-up of Week 9 was the Baltimore Ravens traveling to Pittsburgh to take on the Steelers in a clash of AFC North rivals.  Coming off a tough loss to the Cincinnati Bengals, the Ravens were trying to avoid not just their second straight defeat, but also their third loss in the division.  As for the Steelers, they were looking to continue their momentum on offense and at the same time avenge their Week 2 loss to these Ravens.  The game got off to a sluggish start, especially for Pittsburgh.  Trailing 7-0 in the second quarter, the Pittsburgh defense forced a Baltimore fumble that seemed to awaken quarterback, Ben Roethlisberger, and the entire Steelers offense.  By the time the game reached halftime, Baltimore's 7-0 lead had turned into a 22-10 deficit.  In the second half, Roethlisberger continued to find holes in the Ravens defense and when it was all said and done, Pittsburgh secured their 3rd victory in a row.  In addition to their win, Big Ben became the first quarterback in the history of the NFL to throw 6 touchdowns in consecutive games.

MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL GAME

INDIANAPOLIS COLTS  40    NY GIANTS  24

There has been a debate in recent weeks about what player would you pick if you were starting an NFL team.  A majority of people said they would select Colts quarterback, Andrew Luck.  After watching Luck's performance against the Giants on Monday night, it's not hard to understand why he would be many people's choice.  Luck finished the game with 354 yards passing, his 8th game throwing for 300+ yards this season, and 4 touchdowns.  While what Andrew Luck is doing is impressive, let's not forget that the combined records of the 6 teams the Colts have beaten is 20-30 while the 3 teams they have lost to are 18-7.  Now, the Giants would be happy to beat anyone at this point.  After starting the season 0-2, the Giants won their next 3 games only to turn around and drop their next 3 contests.  While we've heard the "Fire Tom Coughlin" chants before, I think if the Giants fail to make the playoffs for the third year in a row, those chants will become reality.

That does it for Week 9.  Until next week....