Behind the Numbers 01.18.08: The NFL Week in Review

Posted by Chris Widner on 01.18.2008

This week we take a look at the main stories leading up to the conference finals

Now that the regular season is good and done and we're down to 4 teams, this will probably be the last of my football-only articles. Before we cover the stories of this week, let's take a look at the feedback from my All Pro Team. I must say I'm a little surprised that the majority of the comments were about Tom Brady. You silly PHU people...

I think the debate between Brady and Payton hasn't been put to rest. This year, Bradty had a overwhelming better core of receivers while Payton this year didn't. One has a record breaking year and just because his rival topped him this time doesn't mean anything. By all means, according your standards, Brett Farve is the best QB of all time, it's easily debatable. (Guest)

By my standards, Brett Favre is the best QB of all time? I'm not quite following your logic there. As I said, Brett Favre is most valuable to his team, which is what an MVP award supposedly stands for. I couldn't agree with you more about one season not changing anything. People were on the fence about Brady/Manning until Manning won the big one last year, then he became the #1 QB. I don't think that one year makes a difference. Brady is the best, period. And as for your comment about Brady's receivers vs Manning's, I'll simply answer with another bit of feedback:

Manning didn't have a good receiving core this year? I think some guys named Harrison, Wayne, Gonzalez, Clark, and Addai would beg to differ... (Brady Owns Manning)

Some more Brady/Manning talk...

"The Brady/Manning debate can finally be put to rest. He's the best in the game today." What a ridiculous statement. They're both great QBs and only history will decide this debate. One AMAZING year doesn't settle anything. Brady's better because he threw one more TD than Manning in his record breaking 2004 season? Please. Manning could've had more but he threw all of 2 passes in the final game of the season. (Jim)

You're right, one season doesn't settle anything. Brady was the best 2 years ago, he's just showing it again. And for the record breaking season, records are based on an entire season not for the number of games a coach and his player decide he'll play. He didn't play much in the 16th game so the record is Brady's. I'm not taking anything away from Manning at all, he's awesome, but Brady is the man. While history will ultimately decide my bet is on Brady.


Why is it on all pro teams they always add two tailback but no fullbacks? And 4 Lb's I guess you had to find a way to put in another Patriot. (Msyy)

Actually the All Pro team typically does have a fullback on it, Lorenzo Neal got the official award this year. But the All Pro Team has 4 linebackers because many teams use that many, or at least that's my guess. As for adding another Patriot, you clearly haven't been reading my articles. I'm a Cowboys fan (sucks to be me this week) so while I live in New England and watch the Patriots with my family on a weekly basis, I'm far from a fanboy. Do you really think Vrabel is undeserving? If so, keep an eye on him the next time you see the Patriots play.

Westbrook had 71 more receptions and 500 more total yards than Adrian Peterson... he also didn't come up small when his team needed him most (B-West)

I don't take the feedback personally at all, but this comment stuck in my head for a few days and I've gotta say... you're right. I was thinking about the impact that AD had on his team, but the Eagles would be nothing without Westbrook. So if I were to be allowed one mulligan for my All Pro Team I'd drop AD and put Westbrook on it.

I really appreciate the feedback and hope to get more. If you want to pull a Philip Rivers on me for my response to your comments, let me know. Thanks again!

Speaking of Philip Rivers, is this guy a punk or what? Jawing at Jay Cutler and a few weeks later he's running it at the Colts' fans. Show some class buddy. You're really not that good, so keep your mouth shut and develop your game. Then again, the Colts' fans deserve quite a bit of crap for their little stunt booing a 14 year old girl the Punt-Pass-Kick awards. While I'm sure she's probably a Patriots fan, she HAD to wear that jersey because she was representing the New England region. Hate the Pats all you want, but she's 14 for crying out loud. I've seen some message boards where people said that Patriots' fans would do the same thing and, sadly, you might be right. Boo the adults on the field, not some kid for wearing their jersey. At least she handled it well. She smiled then and she'll be smiling when she does the coin toss this weekend. Plus she'll be smiling when she's doing the same thing that all you Colts' fans will be doing come February... watching the Patriots in the Super Bowl. I'm sorry, but that showed a serious lack of class on their part.

I should bring this one up quickly before I get accused of being a Colts' hater. One of the bigger stories this week is whether or not Tony Dungy will be coming back next year. As classless as the fans were last week, Tony is that much more full of class. What a great guy. As much as I hear the experts say he's out, I'm guessing he has one more year left in him. Management wants him there to open the new stadium and the Colts have a great shot at another title next year. Regardless of his decision he will leave a great legacy behind. You can see that his players respect him and that his attitude has set the tone for the entire organization. While I'm reaming the Colts' fans out in this article I have nothing but good things to say about Coach Dungy and his players.

Speaking of coaching changes there was talk about Pete Carroll going to the Falcons as long as he could get full control over personnel. While I have no problem with him requesting such power, I can't understand why he'd want to leave USC, especially for the Falcons. That is a team in shambles. It's going to be a long process to get that team turned around. Personally I can't understand why a coach would want to leave a place where he is so well paid and loved. The work schedule is easier, the job is more secure. But then again, I'm writing about coaching instead of doing it.

Another coach that spoke with the Falcons is Cowboys' offensive coordinator, Jason Garrett. This week he turned down the Falcons and the Ravens to take a $3 million/year deal to stay with the Cowboys. For awhile people have been saying that he is being groomed to run the Cowboys some day. So far I like what I see and have no problem with that. Plus he's Jason Freaking Garrett. Unless you're a Cowboys fan you just don't understand.

Unfortunately the Cowboys didn't keep Assistant Coach, Tony Sparano, as he left to coach the Dolphins with a 4 year deal worth around $10 million total. As bad as the Dolphins were this year I don't think they're in as bad of shape as most people would think. I could be wrong on this one, but I see them improving quickly over the next 3 years. Plus they have a chance for Glen Dorsey with the first pick. He is a man beast and is going to make somebody's d-line VERY strong. Conventional wisdom says they trade the slot for multiple picks, however, so we'll see in a few months.

Marvin Lewis has come out again and said that the Bengals will not trade Chad Johnson. While I'm a little surprised I think this is the right move. The offense is clicking so "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" and they can beef that defense up somehow. Or at least the Bengals' fans hope so. Plus his end zone celebrations just look better in the orange and black.

So PacMan was accused of assault again this week, but then the "victim" recanted her story. Who knows what happened there, but for goodness' sake PacMan... STAY OUT OF THE STRIP CLUBS. The internet is full of porn and you're rich enough to hire your own private dancer. But as one of my co-workers pointed out "she'd never leave there alive probably." Randy Moss is also being accused of assault by a "lady friend" but is calling it extortion on her part. He's been on his best behavior this season, so it's a shame to hear this, especially during the playoffs. It'll have to play out in the courts. But if anyone thinks that it's a distraction for the team, they're just wrong. If anything it's more motivation, especially while they play the Chargers, a team that whined hard when Spy Gate broke.

This weekend will decide who goes to Arizona and who stays home. Vegas favors a rematch of Super Bowl XXXI between the Packers and Patriots and I'm not going to disagree on that one. The Chargers definitely have the right weapons to beat the Patriots but with Rivers being injured I don't see it happening. I just get the feeling that he is a serious head case and while he's played well recently I don't see him able to lead his team to victory in the biggest game of his life. They'll have to play error free to pull this one off. While Eli Manning has been playing very well this offseason I don't see him with the W this weekend. It's going to be cold and snowy in Green Bay and Ryan Grant has shown he can play in all elements so my vote goes to the Packers. For a more detailed look at the conference finals take a look at Matt McEwen'sFourth and Long article.

Well that's it for this week. As always I look forward to your feedback. [e-mail]