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 hope you’re starting to think about your Super Bowl plans.

If you haven’t started already, start today! Figure out who, amongst your group of friends, is hosting. Figure out what kind of food and booze you guys want to have. Know what you’re responsible for bringing. And of course, have your driving/crashing on a couch situation well scouted.

I say this because I know the sting of not having good SB plans. A few years ago, I wasn’t proactive, and ended up settling. When everyone settles, no one wins. I ended up not with my core group of football fans, and the food situation was no good. I also couldn’t get hammered because I had to drive myself home. Those are all poor choices that I deeply regret.

I know it may seem early, but this coming up week is the last week of games before the big game. And without weekly football to remind you, you might forget. So this Sunday, when you have everybody sitting around watching the conference championships, make sure you nail down those plans!

What happened to the  Chargers?

The only upset to happen this weekend happened in the last game, when the second seeded Chargers (who had won 11 in a row and looked basically unstoppable) lost to the 5th seeded Jets. When the Chargers scored early to go up 7-0, it looked like a rout was on. The Jets didn’t get a first down until midway through the second quarter, and the Chargers were moving the ball fairly well (but weren’t putting points up thanks to Nate Kaeding). Then the second half started and everything went topsy turvy. The Jets running game started taking over, and San Diego couldn’t do anything with the ball. And when the did, Kaeding just kept missing field goals. No one is picking the Jets to upset the Colts again this weekend, but if I’m Indy, I’m very scared of this New York team. They have that formula of stout defense that good running game that breeds hot runs to the Super Bowl

Who replace Reggie Bush with that android?

Because there is no way that was the same Reggie Bush we’ve been seeing in the pros so far. He was fast, elusive, and even physical all game long. It’s not that we’ve never seen flashes of those things from Bush in the pros, but never all at the same time for an extended period. That has to be the scariest part about this Saints team, is the number of weapons they have. How do you gameplan for Brees, Meachum, Colston, Henderson, Shockey, Bell, Thomas, AND Bush. It’s too much. And whichever guy you assume isn’t going to hurt you ends up being the one that crushes you.

Has Kurt Warner played his last game?

I hope not. Even though I’m not a Cardinals fan, and wasn’t a Rams fan when he was winning with them, I think Kurt Warner is good for the league. For one, his story is as fairy tale as they come. I’m sure you’ve heard it by now, how Warner was bagging groceries and playing in the Arena League when the Rams brought him in as a backup. Then Trent Greene gets hurt, and Warner comes in and lights up scoreboards around the league. Hollywood couldn’t script it better. The other reason I want him to stick around is because it keeps Leinart on the sidelines. There is just something about seeing high USC draft picks wallow in misery (I’m sure he wallows every night on his bed of money) in the pros that gets my Bruin blood going!

Speaking of Warner, did you see that hit?

Oof! After throwing his only pick of the day in the second quarter, Warner got absolutely obliterated by a Saints lineman on the return. I thought it was a little “Hines Ward Rule”, but there was no flag. As soon as it happened I turned to my friend (who is an avid Cards fan) and said “Kurt Warner’s dead”. I know it’s a little soon to joke about stuff like that in the wake of the Gaines Adams death, but still. Those are the kinds of hits that show you why these guys make so much money. You could read Kurt’s lips on the ground saying “I’m fine” but part of me wants to believe he was telling his coaches right then and there “I’m done. I’m retiring right now, in the middle of this game.” And when he went into the locker room two minutes before the half, it started to look a little more true.

Does the Jets win against Indy in week 16 help them in the AFC championship game?

No really. They beat Curtis Painter (note: I’m not even sure that’s his first name, but he’s so bad it’s not even worth me looking it up), not Peyton Manning. I’m sure Rex Ryan will use it to motivate his men, as he should, but when it comes down to it, they were losing to a full strength Colts offense. I think the Jets will come in fired up and with a great coaching plan, but in the end Manning and all his weapons (not to mention Mathis and Freeney playing on the defensive side) will end this miracle run.

Fantasy Question of the Week

Who will be the better Jackson in 2010: DeSean or Vincent?

Tough choice here. They each have their positives. Vincent has really put his name into the running for stud WR. His size, and his team’s penchant for throwing the ball deep, make him a threat for 20 points every week. And he’s the undisputed WR1 on his team, which is about the only knock on DeSean, who some people think will be usurped by Maclin any day now. But Vincent doesn’t return kicks, something DeSean does very well. I say, if your league counts kick return TDs, then Desean is the way to go. Otherwise, Vincent is your man.

Monday Night Playoff Sneak (Preview) Attack

NYJ @ Ind - In the midst of Farve and Brees and the Jets and all the story’s being written about them, Manning and his 4th MVP award seem to be flying a bit under the radar. Right now Manning is on fire, and the defense is playing inspired ball. Besides, they just dismantled a Jets clone (Baltimore) last week. On the run, in the dome, I take the Colts all the way. Pick: Colts

Min @ NO - Call it a heart pick, and not a head pick, but I just don’t see Favre making it to the big game. I know the Vikings are very good on both sides of the ball (they wouldn’t be here if they weren’t) but the Saints are playing for the first Super Bowl birth in franchise history, and I like them to achieve that. Pick: Saints

Playoff Prediction Record: 3-5