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  • Backyard Banter Podcast
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 54: Kyle Crabbs - Build my own chair at the table
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 53: James Koh - Divorce the information from emotion
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 52: Will Brinson - That's how it'll have to be
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 51: Charles McDonald - Not an escape from reality
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 50: What you've learned - For you, by you
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 49: Jourdan Rodrigue - Let's see what you think then
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 48: Justin Twell - Long process to come back
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 47: Justin Lonero - It's time to relearn life
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 46: Scott Bischoff - Life presented the greatest challenge possible
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 45: Al Zeidenfeld - Little steps along the way
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 44: Jason Romano - Just a different dream
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 43: Matt Harmon - But here we are (Season 1 finale)
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 42: Gregg Rosenthal - I have to make it work or else
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 41: Jon Moore - Determiner of what I want
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 40: Uncle Chaps - Just have fun with it
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 39: Bob Harris - The best addiction I've ever had
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 38: Scott Fish - Everybody working together to make this big
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 37: Jene Bramel - Ask the questions you want answered
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 36: Mike Tagliere - Never going to leave this candy store
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 35: Ben Cummins - Starting at ground zero
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 34: Field Yates - It's the nature of what we do
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 33: Chris Heil - I gave it everything I had
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 32: Sal Stefanile - Just make them notice you
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 31: Adam Levitan - Accept an alternate lifestyle
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 30: Matthew Freedman - It's not built for everyone
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 29: George Kritikos - If your heart's not in it people notice
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 28: Marcas Grant - Certainly never expected this
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 27: Steve Palazzolo - I understand the questions that come
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 26: Matt Miller - To build bridges not burn them
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 25: Graham Barfield - A human game played by humans
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 24: Pat Daugherty - I just said yes to everything
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 23: Eric Galko - There's always work to be done
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 22: TJ Hernandez - In some roundabout way
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 21: Alex Gelhar - Homework for the rest of your life
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 20: The Fantasy Footballers - Because we were fans
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 19: Jessica Kleinschmidt - The scariest person you deal with is yourself
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 18: Evan Silva - A willingness to work hard
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 17: Jeff Risdon - It's hard to be in the middle
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 16: Cecil Lammey - Because I didn't ask for anything
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 15: Patrick Claybon - If you shine people will see you
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 14: Denny Carter - People want to know you
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 13: Adam Rank - Honestly just don't go away
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 12: Adam Pfeifer - Being happy is doing this
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 11: Mark Schofield - You get one drive in this life
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 10: Liz Loza - Ride the horse in the direction it's going
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 9: Matthew Berry - I've done it without being negative to anyone
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 8: Matt Franciscovich - Persistence is a huge deal
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 7: Matt Williamson - I got lucky, but I made my own luck
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 6: Eric Stoner - Passions are best left as hobbies
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 5: Josh Norris - You don't have to have an opinion on everything
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 4: Rumford Johnny - Elevate somebody or get out of their way
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast episode 3: JJ Zachariason - No one cares because you're not established
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast episode 2: Matt Waldman - Popular doesn't necessarily make it good
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast episode 1 - Sigmund Bloom
  • Fantasy Hipsters
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 28: We''l see you in a bit.
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 27: "Ehhh how about you people relax with that one"
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 26: Mail Satchel - Davante Adams debate & "friends of the show"
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 25: NFL Network's Top 100 Players This or That
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 24: Mail Satchel - Surviving without Charlie and Tight Ends to Watch
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 23: Jeremy Maclin reaction, news recap and did Harmon pull off that hat?
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 22: Mail satchel - WE ARE THE PODCAST OF THE PEOPLE
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 21: Reception Perception review of sleepers, breakouts and surprises
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 20: Evan Silva destroys our MFL10 hopes and dreams
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 19: Mail satchel - Will Brandon Marshall thrive with the Giants in 2017?
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 18: We Are Pretty Mad
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 17: Mail satchel - Rompers, clean eating and the 2007 NFL Draft class
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 16: NFL depth chart breakdowns and being sick of bad Eddie Lacy jokes
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 15: Mail satchel - Drafting too many rookies, breakouts and bell-cow RBs
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 14: French press vs. pour over coffee & mock draft review with James Koh
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 13: Mail satchel - Los Angeles Chargers the hipster's team of 2017?
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 12: NFL Draft rookie fits and a cast iron running back with Matt Waldman
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 11: NFL Draft preview and drumset vomit with Josh Norris of Rotoworld
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast Episode 10: Mail satchel - Dynasty debate, bad impressions and hipster bands
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 9: Perfect Prospect Parings — identifying NFL fits for draft prospects
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 8: Corey Davis, DeVante Parker and what to drink at your draft
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 7: Carlos Hyde, Laquon Treadwell and NFL Draft rookie big board part 3
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 6: Valuing Jordan Howard for 2017 and NFL Draft rookie big board part 2
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 5: NFL Draft rookie top-12 big board and in-depth beer interview
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 4: Kaepernick saga, Harmon shaves his beard and Franchise gets roasted
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast Episode 3: Eddie Lacy, Free Agency, music & beer and picking best QB roommate
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 2: Early Free Agency Fallout, Combine Standouts & Mailbag
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 1: NFL Scouting Combine preview and washed vets
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast: Teaser episode introduction
  • Reception Perception: 2017
    • Reception Perception: Investigating any correlation between the results and draft prospect age
  • The 2016 Reception Perception Project
    • Reception Perception: 11 flags planted for the 2016 season
    • Reception Perception: Nelson Agholor can bounce-back in Doug Pederson's offense
    • Reception Perception: Improved technician Donte Moncrief is set to explode in 2016
    • Reception Perception: Only one concern can hold Sammy Watkins back from his ceiling
    • Reception Perception: Bruce Ellington has a chance to flash this season with the 49ers
    • Reception Perception: Albert Wilson and the Diary of a Truther
    • Reception Perception: Willie Snead built an impressive resume we must not ignore
    • Reception Perception: Welcome the ascending Tyler Lockett to rarified status
    • Reception Perception: Kamar Aiken is the answer to the Ravens receiver riddle
    • Reception Perception: DeSean Jackson and Josh Doctson make the Washington wide receivers a strength
    • Reception Perception: Browns make a refreshing first pick in Corey Coleman
    • Reception Perception: The fruitless search for fatal flaws with Laquon Treadwell
    • Reception Perception: Why there will never be a cumulative or overall grade
    • Reception Perception: The changing variables for Torrey Smith point to a rebound
    • Reception Perception: 2016 media appearances
    • Reception Perception: Rashard Higgins - never tell me the odds
    • Reception Perception: Keyarris Garrett is a unicorn in this draft class
    • Reception Perception: Malcolm Mitchell is a top-10 receiver in the 2016 NFL Draft
    • Reception Perception: 2016 NFL draft prospects results
    • Reception Perception: Golden Tate won't be able to replace Calvin Johnson
    • Reception Perception: Jeff Janis, trump cards and sorting through the noise
    • Reception Perception: Top-four college receiver primer
  • The 2015 Reception Perception Project
    • Reception Perception Based Media Appearances
    • Reception Perception: Steve Johnson is the Surest Sleeper Around
    • Reception Perception: Target and Contested Catch Data for Sophomore WRs
    • Reception Perception: Success Rate vs. Coverage Scores for the Sophomore Wide Receivers
    • Reception Perception: Why we Must Consider the Entire Range of Outcomes for Sammy Watkins
    • Reception Perception: Data Results from Year 1
    • Reception Perception: Scanning Through the Dolphins Receiving Corps for Fantasy Answers
    • Reception Perception: Allen Robinson is Quietly on the Precipice of a Massive Breakout
    • Reception Perception: Michael Crabtree is Exactly What the Raiders’ Passing Game Needs
    • Reception Perception: Justin Hunter and Wisely Shopping the Clearance Bins
    • Reception Perception: How Kevin White Began His Ascension to the Top
    • Reception Perception: Sammie Coates Falls Along a Dangerous Archetype
    • Reception Perception: A Video Rundown of the Data
    • Reception Perception: New Browns Receiver Dwayne Bowe Bring Value to a Depleted Pass Game
    • Reception Perception: Expectations and an Odd Coupling Doomed Mike Wallace in Miami
    • Reception Perception: Andre Johnson Still has Plenty Left to Offer the Colts
    • Reception Perception: Randall Cobb Made the Right Call Sticking With the Packers
    • Reception Perception: Where Do We Go From Here, Percy Harvin?
    • Reception Perception: Devin Smith and The Value of a Trump Card (FBG)
    • Reception Perception: The Siren Song of Dorial Green-Beckham (FBG)
    • Reception Perception: Impending Free Agent Michael Crabtree
    • Reception Perception: Amari Cooper Under the Microscope (FBG)
    • Reception Perception: Sammy Watkins and Cordarrelle Patterson
  • Matt Harmon's in-season film review blog
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    • Reception Perception: Cordarrelle Patterson and a Developing Story
    • Reception Perception: Jordy Nelson and Mastering the Little Things
  • Ramblings
    • Rebuilding a broken house: losing weight, changing my lifestyle and never looking back
    • Fighting through negativity bias and a wide receiver's drops
    • Saying Goodbye to Dixie
    • The #FreeAustinTice Campaign
    • My Reaction to Adrian Peterson and The Cycle of Abuse
    • Steve Smith: A Lesson in the Dangers of Emotional Football
    • The Arizona Cardinals Will Make the Playoffs
    • The Redskins Better Not Blow This Thing Up
    • The Commodification of NFL Players
    • Digging Deeper: Why Josh Freeman Failed with the Buccaneers
    • The Fall of Aaron Hernandez and the Patriot Way
    • Washington Redskins Injury Concerns
    • Carolina Panther's Draft Bungles
    • Stubbornness the Silent Coaching Killer
  • The Fantasy Gameplan Podcast
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  • The Eye in the Sky
    • The Eye in the Sky: The St. Louis Rams Should Commit to Sam Bradford for 2014
    • The Eye in the Sky: Why the Cardinals Struggle Against Tight Ends
    • The Eye in the Sky: Uncovering a Diamond in the Rough, Mike Brown
    • The Eye in the Sky: Uncovering a Diamond in the Rough, Brandon Bostick
    • The Eye in the Sky: E.J. Manuel's Improvement All-22 Breakdown
    • The Eye in the Sky: Why Defending the Colts Offense is too Easy All-22 Breakdown
    • The Eye in the Sky: Picking Apart the Jets Defense All-22 Breakdown
    • Eye in the Sky: Texans vs. Chiefs (Week Seven) All-22 Breakdown
    • The Eye in the Sky: Redskins vs. Cowboys (Week Six) All-22 Breakdown
    • The Eye in the Sky: Panthers vs. Cardinals (Week Five) All-22 Breakdown
    • The Eye in the Sky: Colts vs. Seahawks (Week Five)
  • 2014 Free Agent Profiles
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  • BYOB Forums (Bring Your Own Banter)
  • 2014 NFL Free Agency Position Breakdowns
    • 2014 Quarterback Free Agent Breakdown
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  • 2014 NFL Draft Content
    • 2014 NFL Draft Tiered Prospect Big Board (Top 75)
    • 2014 Tiered Colored Position Board
    • 2014 NFL Draft Tiered Prospect Big Board (Top 32)
    • 2014 NFL Draft Top 10 Quarterback Ranking
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    • 2014 NFL Mock Draft--Post Free Agency
    • 2014 NFL Mock Draft--Pre Free Agency
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  • Sunday Mornin' Comin' Down
    • April 27th Sunday Morning Coming Down
    • April 13th Sunday Morning Coming Down
    • April 6th Sunday Morning Coming Down
    • March 30th Sunday Morning Coming Down
  • 2013 NFL Power Rankings
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    • 2013 Season Preview Edition/Week One
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  • Week in Review 2013
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Week Fifteen in Review

Thursday Night:

The Major Story Lines
  1. Did either defense step up in this game? The Chargers defense sure did. The pass defense that was ranked 32nd in the league by Football Outsiders more than held their own against the vaunted Broncos offense. Forcing Manning and company to three consecutive three and outs before the first half was huge. Chargers defensive coordinator John Pagano came up with a masterful pressure package backed by two deep safety looks. This defense has rightfully taken flack all season, so their performance tonight was stunning. The Broncos defense, on the other hand, had by far their worst game. They could not stop the run, and consistently failed to get off the field on third downs. Von Miller too often disappeared, and many of the players looked out of sync with one another. This defensive line has been a nice unit all season, but they were completely blown off the ball tonight. Do not let the “Peyton Manning can’t play in the cold” narrative take the spotlight from a marvelous effort by the Chargers defense. 
  2. The preview article laid out for you a number of ways the Chargers could exploit some holes in the Broncos defense. The Chargers took none of those avenues to success. Instead, the Chargers pounded the ball with Ryan Mathews. Mathews was completely left for dead by just about every analyst this summer, but is turning in a stellar season. Tonight was the highest note of his young career. Mathews ran with great vision, determination, and burst. The Broncos had a good run defense coming in, but Mathews consistently darted through gaps on his twenty-nine carries. He powered through defenders for extra yards. Give a lot of credit to Ken Whisenhunt for putting the young running back in position to finally look like the player he was coming out of school a few years ago. The way the Chargers played ball control offense, and the contributions of their defense, negated the need to put up forty plus points.

Reviewing the Biggest Matchup to Watch
Keenan Allen vs. Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie
  • The self-validating Keenan Allen hype train was chugging all over Twitter during the game. Allen only had two catches, but both went for touchdowns. Even more impressive, they both came on third downs. His two scores really showed all the positive traits highlighted about Allen in the preview section for this game. His explosiveness in short areas helped him race to the goal line on his first touchdown, while his fast breaks and good hands helped him net his second. Even though he only had two catches, his impact was felt. 
  • Rodgers-Cromartie actually had some success on Allen; after all, the rookie only had two catches. Though some of that was due to a lack of a need for the downfield passing game by the Chargers. Allen’s first score came on a crossing route across the entirety of the zone defense. His second one came when he beat fellow third-round rookie Keyvon Webster in the end zone. The rest of the defense did not match DRC’s performance, and the Chargers were wise to avoid him for most of the evening. 


Whipping Around the Weekend:

The Major Storylines
  1. The Lions did indeed fail to hold onto their division lead. With their losing on Monday night, the Lions will now be completely eliminated from playoff contention if the Bears and Packers win next week. For more on their fall from grace, check out the Monday Night Game Review below. 
  2. Kirk Cousins was something of a mixed bag today. He did some incredibly impressive things, but also showed the flaws that should make any team very nervous about sending a premium pick for him in a trade. Cousins showed great pocket presence, and stood tall in the face of the rush. You will likely hear many media outlets wonder why the offensive line suddenly improved with Cousins under center. There really was not much of a difference in regards to the line play. At this point in their respective careers, Cousins is much more advanced in the pocket, and does not create pressure for himself like Robert Griffin does. The former Michigan State quarterback also uncorked a number of phenomenal deep balls, which was pretty shocking. On the negative side, on his two interceptions Cousins showed how his limited physical skill set will always hold him back. Perhaps this was the best possible result for Washington. Cousins may have shown just enough to trick some team into sending them a high draft pick, but not so much to have Redskins fans ludicrously clamoring for him to be the future starting quarterback. 
  3. For the second time this season, Matt Flynn turned things around at the half and played out of his mind to carry the Packers to a win. Flynn tossed four touchdown passes to come back from a 26-3 deficit at halftime. He was, however, greatly assisted by the Cowboys atrocious defense and an all too familiar Tony Romo fourth quarter bungle. Nevertheless, Flynn did what was needed of him to keep his team above water for another week. If Superman comes back to rescue this team next week, Flynn can rest knowing he did the Packers well. 
  4. The Miami Dolphins did indeed pull off the upset over the Patriots. Ryan Tannehill played very well against the sinking Patriots defense, and his own stop-unit harassed Tom Brady. When the Dolphins took the lead late with less than three minutes remaining, it felt like Tom Brady mounting a game winning drive was a forgone conclusion. Brady took the Patriots into the red zone, but threw a costly interception on the final play of the game. The Dolphins put themselves in a nice position for a playoff spot, if everything else breaks their way. 
  5. When Jay Cutler threw two first half interceptions, it certainly looked like Marc Trestman’s call at quarterback was going to blow up in his face. Cuter’s footwork was a nightmare on both of his interceptions. Trestman’s coaching was not apparent, and the time off looked to have allowed old habits to reemerge. However, jumping to conclusions in the NFL is never smart. Cutler was lights out in the second half and showed why, when at his best, he is the best option for this team at quarterback. He will only get better as time wears on. Good move, quarterback whisper.

The Best Matchups to Watch
1)    Torrey Smith vs. the Lions corners
  • Torrey Smith was held to a somewhat modest 69 yards on four catches. Smith's catches were not of his deep bomb specialty, but came more from when he ran over the middle. The Lions clearly respected his deep ball ability. Smith has worked very hard to be become a complete player, but his work has been overshadowed by the lack of other options in this offense. The late season sputter he is in has helped show that he is simply too easy for opposing defenses to take away. 
  • The Lions still played a lot of off coverage when dealing with Smith, but it worked pretty well. Giving him such a cushion did allow him to make some of this catches over the middle, but it did prevent him from going over the top. Rashean Mathis in particular, displayed great technique when he prevented Smith from grabbing a big catch down the sideline. Mathis stay disciplined and did not bite on a nice double move by Smith. The Lions pass rush in the second held also helped to negate any chance Joe Flacco had of finding Smith deep. 
2)    Hakeem Nicks vs. Richard Sherman
  • Richard Sherman snaring an Eli Manning interception was an easy call. The fact he grabbed two really was not all that surprising either. For some reason, Manning continually tested Sherman’s side of the field, and paid the price. In addition to his own set of picks, Sherman was really the driving force behind Earl Thomas’ interception in the end zone; tipping the pass into the air for Thomas to secure. Sherman was at his absolute best against the Giants today.
  • Hakeem Nicks predictably fell back to Earth against Sherman and the Seahawks. He once again showed that he does not yet have the physicality necessary to fight for 50/50 balls. Not so coincidentally, Nicks was the target on the majority of Eli Manning’s five interceptions. 
3)    Jordan Todman vs. Kiko Alonso
  • Jordan Todman may well have secured the starting running back job for the 2014 Jaguars. Todman looked quick, explosive, and much more adept at squeezing through the small holes the offensive line opens up. Also a capable receiver out of the backfield, there is little Todman cannot do for this offense. MJD has had a better season than his stats indicate, but Todman presented a visible upgrade over the vetean running back.
  • Kiko Alonso really struggled to get off blocks against the Jaguars. On Denard Robinson’s almost touchdown run, he was completely washed out of the play. In a bit of a twist for a young linebacker, Alonso is so much better going in reverse than coming downhill. He can make a quick-twitch move to recover from a play action fake, and that is very impressive. However, his struggles against the run are beyond disturbing. 
4)    Browns running backs vs. Bears front seven from my Roto Rants column
  • NFL.com’s Marc Sessler accurately predicted that the earth would be forced to collapse into itself when these two teams met. With the Browns running backs being incapable, and the Bears run defense being a sieve, it was not pretty. The Bears still got blown off the ball, but the Browns runners were so slow to the hole, it did not matter. Edwin Baker rose from the ranks of anonymity to lead the Browns with eight carries for 38 yards. From the fantasy perspective, as was predicted in the Roto Rants piece, this was always a situation to avoid. 

Parting Shots
  • Matt Ryan was pretty unimpressive today. He put up some decent numbers against a porous Redskins secondary, but those stats lie in a way. Usually a well-oiled machine, Ryan made several mechanical mistakes and poor decisions. He has done nothing to dispel the notion that he is not an elite player without top weapons around him.
  • Conversely, the Falcons running back looked good. Steven Jackson is still one of the toughest runners in the NFL and plowed over several defenders. Running back should not be an offseason target for the needy Atlanta Falcons.
  • More Andy Dalton inconsistencies. He has passes batted down far too often and throws what might be the worst out route amongst starting quarterbacks. Luckily for him, he cannot take all the blame for this loss. The entire Bengals team looked to be asleep in the first half. Falling down 24-0 against the average Steelers is damning to any hope that the Bengals are not just the same old Bengals of the last two seasons.
  • The NBC commentators were determined to make the Steelers out to be a better team than they truly are. As Chris Collinsworth rattled off excuse after excuse for this team, he might as well have just said "you have to wonder what the Steelers could have been if they just played better!" The truth is, the Steelers roster and coaching has deteriorated and they are just an average team. They are capable of beating teams like this, but just as capable of losing them as well. 
  • The Saints have put themselves in an awkward position. Losing to the Rams only validates the concerns many have about them as a road team. Everything from Drew Brees to the defense underperformed for the Saints on Sunday. Just like against the Jets several weeks ago, the Saints allowed an inferior, but more physical, team to push them around. The Panthers can absolutely beat them that same way when the Saints come to Carolina next week. They must do so to steal the NFC South crown, and prove they are legit. 
  • The Eagles caught a lucky break today. They lost a game they should have won to the Vikings, but were fortunate that Dallas also squandered a win. The Eagles retained first place of the NFC East, but they must tighten up a defense that had been looking very good prior to this week.
  • The man who picked apart that Eagles defense, Matt Cassel, was once again very solid. Quietly Cassel has put up a few quality performances when called upon. The Vikings would be wise to bring him back as a bridge to a rookie quarterback.


Monday Night Game:

Baltimore Ravens- 18 at Detroit Lions- 16
Reviewing the Game:
  • Frankly, neither team was all that impressive in this game. The Ravens once again could not run the ball a lick, and their pass protection completely crumbled in the second half. The Ravens needed six field goals from their kicker to win this game. It will be hard to be succesful with that formula if they get into the playoffs. The Lions saw two of their best players Matt Stafford and Calvin Johnson turn in pretty bad performances. In the end, the conclusion of this game really summed up both teams pretty well. The Ravens did just enough to win, and the Lions completely folded in the clutch. 
The Lions Perspective:
  • This is the type of loss that gets people fired, and rightfully so. The Lions were their typical undisciplined selves all game, but were painfully bad in the biggest moments. Their best player dropped three passes, and one that would have netted a crucial two-point conversion. This team lacks composure and has now all but choked away the easiest path to winning their division they will ever be granted. That all comes back to their head coach. It’s usually never wise to feel this way, but Jim Schwartz must be shown the door in the wake of this atrocity. 
  • Matthew Stafford is in the middle of another regression. Part of it has to do with the team’s ridiculous insistence to throw the ball way too often, despite having two talented running backs. However, his decision-making was atrocious tonight. He side-armed another interception and threw away the game on the final drive. 
The Ravens Perspective:
  •  It is never pretty for the Ravens, but they got the job done once again. They owe most of this win to their defense and kicker. The defense put just enough heat on Stafford to pressure him into some bad throws, and wiped out the running game after the first quarter. Justin Tucker nailed six field goals, including the game winning sixty-yarder, and was the MVP on the night. He only improved his standing with America when he gave a postgame shout out to all his fantasy football owners.
  • The way the Ravens played tonight, it is hard to believe they would do much if they managed to fall ass-backwards into the playoffs. Of course, that was pretty much the same feeling you had with them last season. There does seem to be an unquantifiable aspect with this team that gives them the presence to calmly win big games.  
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