Pyle of List

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

I have a bit of a confession to make: I turned off the Giants-Panthers game at the half last night. I know, I know, how can I write a blog about the NFL after I turned off one of the best games of the season, a game that I was very into?! I have no excuse. I was watching the game while drinking and wrapping presents when my girl started getting fidgety and wanted to watch Season 2 of Dexter. I fought a little bit, but we all know how those fights end: “Yes, dear.”

Later that night, while watching Sportscenter, I saw that the game went to OT. I immediately hung my head and shame and knew I would have to face the music on here today. So go ahead, let it rip…

Why does Fox hate us?

Fox is the devil, that’s why! As I sat on my couch yesterday morning, the Patriots were absolutely destroying the Cardinals. 31-0 at the half, and 44-0 at the start of the fourth quarter. Good God, we even had a Matty “Ice” Leinart sighting! But Fox refused to cut away to either of the games that were close and had playoff implications (Dolphins/Chiefs and Steelers/Titans). I have no idea why they do this to the fans. They should have seen the score, and when they cut to the halftime show (it’s the same halftime show no matter which game is on) they should have switched all the feeds to better games. There would have been some slight confusion as to why different games were on, but when everyone saw the scores no one would have been upset (except the Massholes in Boston who want to watch Welkah return punts).

Will the real Houston Texans please stand up?

Unfortunately, this is their identity: an absolutely maddening team who can beat the AFC’s #1 seed (Tennessee) one week and turn right around and get blown out by the Raiders the next week. They are still a relatively new team, so they still need some time to establish themselves. They’ve got some great groundwork laid, especially on the defense, but they are missing that one pivotal piece: the franchise QB. They thought they had it when they signed Schaub away from the Falcons, but he has been just as inconsistent as this team’s record. Just ask Atlanta and Baltimore what a difference a QB makes.

Where did the Chargers come from?

Or is it more of a matter of ‘where did the Broncos go’? Either way, San Diego, a team most of us had written off weeks ago, is a home win away from the playoffs. As much of an asshole as Rivers is (and by all acounts, he’s a pretty major one) he has been playing lights out the last month and has his team on the verge of one of the most unexpected playoff spots in a long time. But don’t get too excited about them taking the momentum all the way: if the Chargers were to make it in their first round opponent would be the equally hot Indianpolis Colts.

The Jets are done, but is Favre done too?

Yes. Yes! God, yes!! I’ve been saying that Favre has been done for years. When people pointed to last year I told them I didn’t buy it. The defense played out of it’s mind and they had a strong running game. Now it’s become apparent to everyone that the old man should just ride off into the sunset, as he was underthrowing receivers left and right in Seattle yesterday. And, for me, it’s not just about his skills diminishing, it’s about me being done with Favre in general. I’m tired of it all. The media fawning, the ‘will he or won’t he’ retirement talk. All of it. Just get this guy out of here, let Fox sign him to a bazillion dollar contract to be on their pregame show and let’s call it a day.

Better feel good story of the year: Atlanta or Miami?

Atlanta at the moment, just because they’ve come full circle and already clinched a playoff spot. If Miami wins next week and makes it in, then I think they take the honor. As much as the Falcons have erased a lot of the Mike Vick bad taste from last year, the Dolphins only won one freaking game. And it took overtime to do it! To resurrect the entire franchise (and a QB’s career in the process) in just one season is really astounding, and I’m really really happy for them.

Fantasy Question of the Week

How did I do this year?

I’m not talking about my personal fantasy teams, as I’ve already covered that sore subject. I’m talking about my giving of fantasy advice in this very column. Most leagues are done at this point, so this will be the final installment of this feature, so I thought we’d go through and look at some of my high and low points of the season.

Week 1 - “Palmer I feel will work out the kinks, maybe not to the extent I expected when I drafted him, but certainly better than this week’s under 100 yard performance.” - Eh, not so much. Turns out Palmer’s elbow was pretty messed up and he missed almost all of the season. I’m a Bengals fan, shouldn’t I have some sort of inside information?

Week 3 - “…realized that Brown is the real play maker on the team. So expect his diet of carries and catches to increase from the first two weeks, but it will never be week 3 again.” - Woot! Got one right! Brown had some decent games, but he never created that magic of the first Wildcat game.

Week 5 - In regards to DeAngelo Williams -”No. Yeah, that’s a nice game, but you can’t rely on him week after week. He’s still in a timeshare with Jonathan Stewart and you never know which back is going to have the big game week in and week out.” - Eek the cat! I was way way way off on this one. Williams ended up having a monster of a season and being a real beast. Many owners owe their league trophy to him. And I told you not to play him…

Week 13 - ” I am a big proponent of the first theory and sticking by your guys.” - Boom! I advised many friends in this same manner, and those who listened were happy, and those who didn’t were not. For me, when it comes down to it you just don’t put guys like Westbrook or LT on your bench unless they are not going to suit up.

Un-Perfect Season Watch ‘08!

Still un-un-beaten: Detroit

Monday Night Sneak (Preview) Attack

GB @ Chi - Chicago is not mathematically eliminated yet, but they’re gonna need some help. I say with the season on the line, and the sour taste of their last meeting still in their mouth, the home team pulls it out. Plus, Green Bay is terrible.

2008 Sneak Attack record: 8-6