December 30, 200817 yr I wouldn't even consider Tampa a decent team. They failed to make the playoffs because they couldn't beat OAKLAND at home. They are not good. I don't think they're that good either, but they did win 9 games...I'm still not sure how, but they did.
December 30, 200817 yr San Diego crushed New England earlier this year. They also crushed the Jets. They played horrendously in Pittsburgh and lost by a point. They lost to the Colts on a last-second field goal. They lost to Carolina by a point. The Chargers have played horrendously at times this year, but they have played a lot of tough teams this year and I'm not sure the question of "deserve" really comes in to play. I certainly don't see Indy's defense holding them to 17, particularly when they gave up 20 to them midseason when the Chargers couldn't beat eggs. Never let it be said I don't defend my team. I would expect nothing less. I'm just not buying... They crushed New England when the Patriots had been on the west coast for over a week and were playing their second straight game out there. And, they were still adjusting with Cassel. They also crushed the Jets in Week 3 before they started to play good for a brief stretch. The close loss to Carolina was in Week One. The Panthers are much better now...and they have Steve Smith in the lineup now. They barely beat the Chiefs not once, but twice. Stopping a 2-point conversion once and then benefitting from one of the all-time collapses the second time. I'll agree...the two most impressive weeks on their schedule are the back-to-back close losses to Pitt and Indy. But, when your high point is losses...
December 30, 200817 yr I will take the Colts by 10 since LT is not 100%. What does that matter? He hasn't been the LT of old all season...he's cracked 4 yards per carry 6 of 16 games this season. He got over 5 yards per carry 3 times. They're not going to win in Indy unless they can warp the 2007 versions of LT and Shawne Merriman through a time machine... But, like I said, I'll be cheering for them. I'd love to be wrong about this game.
December 30, 200817 yr What does that matter? He hasn't been the LT of old all season...he's cracked 4 yards per carry 6 of 16 games this season. He got over 5 yards per carry 3 times. They're not going to win in Indy unless they can warp the 2007 versions of LT and Shawne Merriman through a time machine... But, like I said, I'll be cheering for them. I'd love to be wrong about this game. Not in Indy
December 31, 200817 yr What does that matter? He hasn't been the LT of old all season...he's cracked 4 yards per carry 6 of 16 games this season. He got over 5 yards per carry 3 times. They're not going to win in Indy unless they can warp the 2007 versions of LT and Shawne Merriman through a time machine... But, like I said, I'll be cheering for them. I'd love to be wrong about this game. It matters because he is the one of the best players in the NFL.
December 31, 200817 yr This is going to be a great game I think. I'm can't wait for it! LT had probably his best game of the year last week before he got hurt. Colts lost Bracken I think it was today to a broken leg or something. This hurts them even worse.
December 31, 200817 yr I would expect nothing less. I'm just not buying... They crushed New England when the Patriots had been on the west coast for over a week and were playing their second straight game out there. And, they were still adjusting with Cassel. They also crushed the Jets in Week 3 before they started to play good for a brief stretch. The close loss to Carolina was in Week One. The Panthers are much better now...and they have Steve Smith in the lineup now. They barely beat the Chiefs not once, but twice. Stopping a 2-point conversion once and then benefitting from one of the all-time collapses the second time. I'll agree...the two most impressive weeks on their schedule are the back-to-back close losses to Pitt and Indy. But, when your high point is losses... You're really going to use that as your arguement against the Chargers when the Colts have come from behind to win nearly all their games this year? They beat the Browns by 4 because of a late defensive TD. They beat the Texans twice, came from behind in both, once in one of the "all-time collapses". They had to rally to beat Jacksonville on a defensive TD. They had to rally to beat Minnesota on a last second FG. They beat NE & SD both by a mere FG. They also had to rally to beat Pitt. They allowed the god-awful Lions to have the score knotted 21-21 with under 10 to play. They've had 2 games all year (last week not included), where they didn't have to battle in the 4th to win. (Baltimore & Cincinnati)
January 1, 200917 yr Not in Indy I keep forgetting that the division winners get a home game regardless of records...that's a ridiculous rule. It's bad enough that an 8-8 team makes the playoffs over an 11-5 squad, but to get a home game against a team that is 12-4 just because they won the weakest division in football. Note to the commish: I can live with the division winner thing, but for goodness sake can we at least go by records when we're seeding the playoff teams and awarding home games. So, never mind my prediction. The game being on the West Coast changes things quite a bit in my mind.
January 1, 200917 yr You're really going to use that as your arguement against the Chargers when the Colts have come from behind to win nearly all their games this year? They beat the Browns by 4 because of a late defensive TD. They beat the Texans twice, came from behind in both, once in one of the "all-time collapses". They had to rally to beat Jacksonville on a defensive TD. They had to rally to beat Minnesota on a last second FG. They beat NE & SD both by a mere FG. They also had to rally to beat Pitt. They allowed the god-awful Lions to have the score knotted 21-21 with under 10 to play. They've had 2 games all year (last week not included), where they didn't have to battle in the 4th to win. (Baltimore & Cincinnati) Interestingly, there are no losses on your list. I suppose I just find 9-game win streaks in the NFL more impressive than most people do. When I compare the two...I see a .500 team that is amazingly lucky to be in the playoffs thanks to a combination of 1) an all-time collapse by the Chiefs to keep them alive, 2) playing in the worst division in football and 3) Denver's inability to seal the deal by winning just one of a handful of "winnable" home games. They have a HOF RB that seems to have lost it overnight. And, the defense without Merriman doesn't scare anyone and can't make big plays the way can with him. On the other side, I see a team that struggled early with injuries, found ways to win a few games, then started to come around a little and next thing you know they're in the playoffs at 12-4, riding a 9-game winning streak and they have the best QB in the league (this year minus Brady) leading their team. Really, why on earth would I see any difference in those two teams?
January 1, 200917 yr It matters because he is the one of the best players in the NFL. Allow me to correct part of that... He was one of the best players in the NFL. In 2008, he hasn't been the game changer that scares teams that he was in the past. Rivers and the passing game carry the Chargers. 1110 yards and 11 TD's on 3.8 yards per carry. Not bad by any stretch, but it's not the LT of old. Don't kid yourself. If he's able to play at 75-80% then I'd say you're going to get something very close to what you've got this whole season from him. Of players with at least 100 rushing attempts this season, LT rates #41 in yards per carry. His career yards per carry was 4.5 heading into this season...so he dropped 0.7 ypc from his career average. Heck, LenDale White averaged 3.9 ypc. One interesting note... Michael Turner - 1699 yards, 4.5 avg, 17 TD Did San Diego keep the wrong back?
January 3, 200917 yr Author Mike Pollak out for Indy, this will affect any run game. LT's groin and Gates' foot injured again. Both will play but be not full strenght. One interesting thing people have ignored, what about the Darren Sproles factor? Awesome, awesome player.
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