Pyle of List

Every Monday Tuesday, our very own DLamp will be taking a look at what just happened the day before in the NFL, and looking ahead back to the Monday night game(s).

Okay, sue me, I didn’t get around to doing this yesterday. We hosted a Holiday party on Sunday and I was barely functionin yesterday. Do you really want to hear “Giants lost and my head is killing me”? I didn’t think so. But now I’m feeling good and ready to look back on the week that was in the NFL.

Who’s out of a job at the end of the year?

This is the time of year when every pundit starts putting coaches on “the hot seat”. This year, even Andy Reid’s head has been called for by some people, which is crazy as Reid always has the Eagles in contention. But there are some coaches that do deserve to go. Miranelli in Detroit. I’m sorry, you don’t win a game, you’re done. Marvin Lewis needs to go. The Bengals need a complete culture change (much like Miami, Baltimore, and Atlanta did last year) and unfortunately (for Lewis) that means a new head coach. Jim Haslett. Remember when Haslett took over and the Rams upset two opponents right away? Yeah, neither does the ownership (whomever it may be by the time next year rolls around). I think Zorn gets another year to make sure this year was a fluke, but if they collapse like this next year, then he is gone fo sho.

Who’s making it, and who’s staying home?

NFC, I say Minnesota wins their division, so they’re in. Carolina wins the South so they’re in too. Then I think Dallas sneaks in (it just wouldn’t be the same without them exiting in the first round) and I’m saying Atlanta jumps over the Bucs to earn the last wild card. I’m sorry, but the Bucs just look old and slow at this point in the year. AFC, Indy and Ravens (both Baltimore franchises) are in in the wild cards, and I think Jets win their division to get the last slot. All three teams currently tied (Jets, Dolphins, Pats) win this week, thereby eliminating the Pats by tie-breakers, and I think the Jets D steps up big in the Meadowlands on the last day of the season to keep Favre’s stupid face on my TV for one more week.

How important are these games for Tennessee and New York?

Well, seeding aside (and that can be very important) I don’t want to write these teams completely off yet. Yes, neither looks as dominant as they did three weeks ago, but that’s not how the NFL works. Look at the Giants from last year and the Steelers from a few years ago. It’s all about switching it that first week of the playoffs and then riding it out till the end. How do you turn the momentum on? No clue. But it changes from week to week, so even though the Titans and Giants look super vulnerable right now, it is not an indication of how they will play in a couple weeks with playoffs start.

What about that call in Baltimore? Was it a TD?

Probably. Who really knows? All I know is that Baltimore let Pitt drive down to the red zone at the end of the game and put themselves in that precarious position. If you knock Big Ben out three and out, then they don’t get to make that controversial play at the end of the game. THAT play didn’t decide the game, the five leading up to it did.

Was Sunday retribution for San Diego?

Totally. For a team that lost so many games on last minute TDs, it must have felt really nice to be on the other side. Yeah yeah, their all but eliminated from the playoffs, but just to get one step closer to ‘even’ on close games for the year has to feel good for a team that has been a major disappointment on the year.

Fantasy Question of the Week

Playoffs in week 17: Terrible idea?

I have a league that has the league Super Bowl on week 17, a week notorious of teams resting stars and generally not caring. It’s completely terrible. You work so hard (ha!) for all season crafting the perfect team, and the league title (and all it’s bragging rights) can come down to who’s players still have something to play for and who hits the waiver wire and gets the right third string back the fastest. Commissioners that pull this crap are idiots, should give up their post, and are probably the guys who make those suspect last minute line-up changes that make you question their integrity.

Un-Perfect Season Watch ‘08!

Still un-un-beaten: Detroit

Monday Night Sneak (Preview) Attack

Cle @ Philly - What a debacle. Cleveland shouldn’t even bother to show up anymore. Ken Dorsey? Are for reals with this? And leave it up to the Eagles to always turn it on at the end of the season and make you wonder why they didn’t play like this all year.

2008 Sneak Attack record: 8-6 (same as last week since I didn’t make a pick.