Three Point Stance 11.21.08 Two perfect NFL teams, Fans Forum answers and a new question, plus Predictions for Week 12!

Posted by Cody Dalton on 11.20.2008

411mania’s Cody Dalton talks about the two perfect teams in the NFL, Fans Forum answers and a new question, plus Predictions for Week 12 in the NFL in this edition of the Three Point Stance!

Welcome back everyone to the always entertaining Three Point Stance! Last week, I talked about the 49ers blown call, your Fans Forum, and my predictions for Week 11. This week, there is more of the same and we'll start with two perfect teams looking for history…

STREAKING FOR HISTORY



With the weeks winding down in the NFL season, there remains two perfect teams in the NFL. The Tennessee Titans are 10-0 and looking to make a Patriots-esk type run to the Super Bowl. However, there is also another perfect season in the NFL. The Detroit Lions remain the leagues only winless team at 0-10. So the ultimate question remains, "Which is more likely – Titans going undefeated or the Lions going winless?". Let's take a further look at this…

REMAINING SCHEDULES

TENNESSEE TITANS (10-0)



11/23 – vs. Jets

This should prove to be one of the Titans tougher tests against the veteran Favre. However, a lack of experience for the Jets and a mistake prone Brett Favre will cost the Jets.

11/27 – @ Detroit

These two teams will clash in what looks to be unbeaten vs. winless. This is a no brainer, as the Titans should easily roll by the Lions. Beware though. There have been games that look to be in hand, but turn out to be much closer. This could be one of those games.

12/7 – vs. Cleveland

A lot of things will depend on how this game is. Will Brady Quinn be healthy? Will the Browns get into a rhythm offensively? This should be an interesting game, but I look for Tennessee to win strongly.

12/14 – @ Houston

The Texans always seem to put up a fight regardless of who they are playing and when. A few years ago, it was Rob Bironas who was hero when he connected on 6 field goals. Will this be a similar game?

12/21 – vs. Pittsburgh

Out of all the games remaining, this will be the toughest test. The Steelers bring an interesting package to the table. They run the ball well, throw a little bit, and have a good defense. Sound familiar Tennessee? That's because they are almost a carbon copy of your team. If the Titans do lose one game, I think that this might be the one.

12/28 – @ Indianapolis

Finally, you have the two heated rivals in the AFC South. This will likely be a sit out game if the Titans lock up home field advantage. I'll say that Tennessee loses here, but who knows. Vince Young will probably get playing time, so there is still a chance that they win.


And to the other side of the spectrum….

DETROIT LIONS (0-10)



11/23 – vs. Tampa Bay

Tampa is a tough and interesting team. This could be a win if the cards play to their favor. I think it might be close, but the Lions will go down.

11/27 – vs. Tennessee

The Lions are going to need to have everything go right in this game and I just don't see that happening. Chalk up another loss.

12/7 – vs. Minnesota

No defense at all + trying to defend Adrian Peterson = another Lions loss.

12/14 – @ Indianapolis

Playing Peyton Manning is tough enough, but playing him when your team is losing all the time and the Colts needing wins to get into the playoffs is even worse. Here will be another loss for the Lions.

12/21 – vs. New Orleans

The Lions play their final home game against MVP candidate Drew Brees and the powerful Saints. They may be one of the bottom teams in the NFC South, but they are a great offensive team. I think this will be another loss.

12/28 – @ Green Bay

The Lions conclude against division rival Green Bay. Detroit hasn't won in Wisconsin since 1991 and that doesn't bode well for them. That also haven't beaten the Packers since September 11, 2005. Will this be their time? I don't think so.


FINAL CONCLUSION : The Titans will probably lose first before the Lions win a game. The Lions do have more home games, but some tougher overall opponents. Tennessee's biggest games are this week against the Jets, and the final two games against Pittsburgh and at Indianapolis.

FANS FORUM: YOUR CHOICE

I'll start with the question this week and then give your answers. Which do you think is more likely now that you've seen the whole picture…

By seasons end, is it more likely that the Titans go undefeated or will the Lions go winless?

Post your answers below in the comments section or send me an email to [e-mail]. Answers will be posted next week. Speaking of answers….


FANS FORUM: THE ANSWERS

Shockmaster (a regular) had this to say….

"No way in HELL should more teams be let into the playoffs. We don't need it to turn into the damn NBA where losing teams get in and good teams have to go through the formality of dispatching an inferior opponent hoping all the while no one gets hurt. Yeah upsets happen, but the NFL regular season is the most exciting in major sports because each game actually matters. The point of a regular season is to determine who DESERVES to be in the playoffs, not to merely establish seeding for the top half of the league. I also love the bye for the top two in each conference because even when a playoff berth is clinched teams still have an incentive to win. Would you want to see the Titans shut it down and rest guys around Week 14 waiting for the inevitable? I have yet to watch an NBA game this season despite being a fan because it just doesn't matter. The Super Bowl is so huge because it's one game, winner take all. No seven game series can compete with that excitement. The playoffs overall are the same way, don't water them down."

Guest#4804 had this to say…

"The NFL playoff system is practically perfect. The division winners all get in, and you have two wild cards. With anymore wildcards, it's practically just like letting all of the 1st and 2nd place teams in. The top two teams of each conference are rewarded for their records with a bye, and the Superbowl, the championship game, is held on neutral grounds. Nothing needs to be changed about the NFL playoffs. If anything, other sports leagues should use the NFL's as a model for their own playoff format."


I agree with you both. I think the NFL playoff system is fine right now. I think that the regular season does set the table for who qualifies and who does not. You have 6 teams from each conference out of a possible 16 competing. I could see an expansion to two more teams, meaning half of the teams in the conference are in and half are out. It's fine the way it is now though.

James had this to say….

"Eddie Royal went to my highschool and was in my graduating class the year Sean Glennon was QB and we won states. Westfield HS of 2004 could have beat the SF 49ers of 2008 and I'm a SF fan so that hurts me to say :("

Well, at least your team isn't as bad as Cincinnati or Detroit. Things could always be worse my friends.

Pedro had this to say…

"I quick note on the whole deal with Tony Romo returning to Dallas. I think people need to realize something: Dallas was 1-2 right before Romo got injured. They have been 1-2 since he got hurt. I'd say that while Brad Johnson has been shitactular as QB, Dallas has been a mediocre team for awhile now."

I have no freaking idea what you are talking about. Romo was injured in the game against the Cardinals, which was Week 6 against Arizona. The Cowboys record at that point was 4-2 and they were one of the top tier NFC teams. Then Romo had to sit out and the Cowboys lose to the Rams, beat Tampa by shear luck, and lose badly to New York before having their bye week. He comes back last week and they beat the Redskins. Clearly, he makes a different in their team. They aren't a mediocre team. Last time I checked, they won the NFC East last year and finished 13-3. Your team would be mediocre too if your quarterback was either Brad Johnson or Brooks Bollinger.




Last week's award went to Adrian Peterson, who single-handedly put the Vikings on his back and carried them to an important victory over Green Bay. The Vikings remained in the race for the division, as well as the playoffs. Here are this year's winners thus far…

WEEK 1: Michael Turner, RB, Atlanta Falcons –
(220 rushing yards, 2 touchdowns (franchise record in win over Lions))

WEEK 2: Tony Romo, QB, Dallas Cowboys –
(21-30, 312 yards, 3 touchdowns in win over Eagles)

WEEK 3: Ronnie Brown, RB, Miami Dolphins –
(113 rushing yards, 5 touchdowns (1 passing, 4 rushing) in win over Patriots)

WEEK 4: Brett Favre, QB, New York Jets –
(24-34 for 289 yards and 6 touchdowns in 56-35 win over Cardinals)

WEEK 5: Ben Roethlisberger, QB, Pittsburgh Steelers –
(26-41 for 309 yards and 3 touchdowns in win over Jaguars)

WEEK 6: Drew Brees, QB, New Orleans Saints –
(26-30 for 320 yards and 3 TDs in 34-3 win over Oakland)

WEEK 7: Steven Jackson, RB, St. Louis Rams –
(25 rushes for 160 yards and 3 TDs in 34-14 win over Dallas)

WEEK 8: Brian Westbrook, RB, Philadelphia Eagles –
(22 carries, 167 yards, 2 TDs in 27-14 win over Atlanta)

WEEK 9: Peyton Manning, QB, Indianapolis Colts
(21-29 for 254 yards and 2 TDs in 18-15 win over New England)

WEEK 10: Adrian Peterson, RB, Minnesota Vikings
(30 carries for 192 yards and game-winning TD in 28-27 win over Green Bay)

This week, there are no previous winners on the contender list, meaning we will have another new winner this week. Here are the candidates….

The Candidates:

Matt Cassel, QB, New England Patriots
30-51 for 400 yards and 3 TDs in 34-31 OT loss to New York Jets

Anquan Boldin, WR, Arizona Cardinals
13 catches for 186 yards in 26-20 win over Seattle

Kurt Warner, QB, Arizona Cardinals
32-44 for 395 yards and a TD in 26-20 win over Seattle

Kerry Collins, QB, Tennessee Titans
13-23 for 230 yards and 3 TDs in 24-14 win over Jacksonville

Peyton Manning, QB, Indianapolis Colts
30-46 for 320 yards and 2 TDs in 33-27 win over Houston

And the winner is….










KERRY COLLINS, QB, TENNESSEE TITANS



Collins came up big for the Titans when the needed him. Down 14-3 in the first half, Collins came back to lead the Titans to a 21-0 run in the second half. The win helped Tennessee move to 10-0 on the season and keep their perfect run in tact. Congrats Kerry!



Last week, Eddie Royal took home the ROTW award for his 164 rushing yards. It marked the first time that he has won the award this year. Here are this season's winners thus far….

WEEK 1: Matt Forte, RB, Chicago Bears –
(123 rushing yards and a TD in 29-13 win over Colts)

WEEK 2: Jonathan Stewart, RB, Carolina Panthers –
(14 rushes, 77 yards, and 2 TDs in 20-17 win over Chicago)

WEEK 3: Steve Slaton, RB, Houston Texans –
(18 rushes, 116 yards, TD in loss against Titans)

WEEK 4: Chris Johnson, RB, Tennessee Titans –
(17 rushes, 61 yards, 2 TDs in win against Minnesota)

WEEK 5: Matt Ryan, QB, Atlanta Falcons
(16-26 for 194 yards, 2 TDs in win against Green Bay)

WEEK 6: Matt Ryan, QB, Atlanta Falcons
(22-30 for 301 yards and a TD in 22-20 win over Chicago)

WEEK 7: Chris Johnson, RB, Tennessee Titans
(18 rushes for 168 yards and a TD in 34-10 win over Kansas City)

WEEK 8: Donnie Avery, WR, St. Louis Rams
(6 catches, 163 yards, TD in 23-16 loss to New England)

WEEK 9: Chris Johnson, RB, Tennessee Titans
(24 rushes, 89 yards, 6 catches for 72 yards in 19-16 win over Green Bay)

WEEK 10: Eddie Royal, WR, Denver Broncos
(6 catches for 164 yards and a TD in 34-30 win over Cleveland)

Every new week brings new challengers for the award. Here are the candidates….

The Candidates:

Steve Slaton, RB, Houston Texans
14 carries for 156 yards and a TD in 33-27 loss to Indianapolis

Jonathan Stewart, RB, Carolina Panthers
15 carries for 130 yards and a TD in 31-22 win over Detroit

Kevin Smith, RB, Detroit Lions
24 carries for 112 yards in 31-22 loss to Carolina

Peyton Hillis, RB, Denver Broncos
10 carries for 44 yards and 2 TDs, 3 catches for 26 yards in 24-20 win over Atlanta

Jerod Mayo, LB, New England Patriots
Career-high 20 tackles in 34-31 loss to New York Jets




And the winner is…








PEYTON HILLIS, FB, DENVER BRONCOS



Hillis was explosive for the Broncos at the fullback position. He scored two touchdowns on the ground and also came out of the backfield for some tough catches. Looks like Mike Shanahan has found yet another running back to add to his arsenal. Congrats Peyton!


PLENTY O' PREDICTIONS: WEEK 12

Last week, I had a 4-1 record and only missed the Chicago-Green Bay game. That puts me at 34-23 (.596). That means I predict 3 out of every 5 games right every week. We'll see if I can do just that with this list of tough games…



I've got the Titans moving to 11-0 with an impressive defensive game against the Jets. Look for Tennessee to balance their run and pass, while Brett Favre will make mistakes that cost the Jets.

Indianapolis and San Diego should wage a war against each other. Indy will get revenge for a home playoff loss last year and help improve their chances of making the playoffs.

I don't see Miami sweeping New England and that's why I have the Pats winning. This will help them keep pace with the Jets and the Titans win will help them.

I'll take the defensive Baltimore to knock off Philadelphia in the "Battle of the Birds". This game really could go either way and both teams will have playoff implications on the decision.

Finally, Carolina will beat Atlanta in a NFC South match up. The Panthers will hold rookie quarterback Matt Ryan and running back Michael "Burner" Turner down, while managing the game.

Well, that's it for the latest edition of the TPS. I appreciate you all for reading my column. Don't forget to send me an email to [e-mail] or post a comment below with the answer to this week's question or any feedback you might have.


Until then…



Cody Dalton's book on sale now! "Sideline Warriors: The Greatest Sports Coaches and Managers of All Time" – http://www.lulu.com/content/2003212