Sports, in the grand scheme of things, is one of the great distractions of human life. Distractions from the hardships, drama, and pure craziness of humanity.
This past week, for those in the tri-state area, was no exception. Hurricane Sandy devastated New Jersey and Long Island, leaving thousands homeless, millions without power, and several dead. Many still do not have power. Gas lines still permeate the roads of Long Island and some parts of New Jersey. In other affected areas, life is still getting back to normal.
My family was deeply affected by this storm. Many that will read this feel the same.
But for me personally, getting to sit down and watch football on Sunday, especially the Steelers-Giants game, took my mind completely off the Sandy aftereffects for at least a few hours.
This is why sports is one of the greatest things in the world. Most consider it entertainment, others consider it bigger than that. Just ask baseball fans after 9/11. Ask Met fans that witnessed Mike Piazza hit that home run. Sports has that power.
And now, to give those affected by this awful storm a chance to be distracted for at least a few minutes, here's the Week 9 Five Things, followed by a couple of midseason predictions.
1. Andy Reid will be fired as Eagles head coach. Before the season ends.
The Eagles' problems are beyond repair right now. Michael Vick simply cannot be elite anymore, and has become a turnover machine. The birds entered the red zone four times in New Orleans four times Monday night, and only came away with one touchdown. If I am Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie, I give Reid, who has done so much for his team for so long, his release right now. He's a lame duck coach anyway, so why let him twist in the wind? The Eagles won't make the playoffs in 2012.
2. The Steelers have found their run game. They will be the AFC's most dangerous second half team.
The defending Super Bowl champions made the Steelers' third string running back, Issac Redman, look like Franco Harris Sunday. Imagine when Rashard Mendenhall and Jonathan Dwyer come back healthy. This running game will be lethal if it gets performances like it did Sunday. Plus, Troy Polamalu will presumably come back healthy, and Ben Roethlisberger is vertical and healthy for now. The swagger is back in Steel town. Where will it lead them?
3. The Bears defense is good enough, a la the '85 version, to take them all the way this year.
Granted they played a bad team in the Titans Sunday, but when you force seven, yes, SEVEN turnovers in the first half of a game, you're pretty damn good. All they need is for Jay Cutler to stay consistent, namely throw the ball to Brandon Marshall. Plus get Matt Forte his requesite carries. I was skeptical about Da Bears. Now I'm convinced about them.
4. Write it down. Sean Payton will be the head coach of the Dallas Cowboys next year.
Jason Garrett will more than likely be fired if the 'Boys don't make the playoffs. Payton's deal with the Saints was voided. Payton owns a home in Dallas and used to be a Cowboys assistant. Jerry Jones cares about making splashes. Jerry Jones loves big names. All the pieces fit. You put them together.
5. The Giants will be just fine. No need to worry. Yet.
The G-Men are in a "slump" but are 2-1 in their last 3 games. Where have we seen this before? No cause for concern. That being said, if Eli Manning only shows up in the fourth quarter, how long will the Giants survive on that?
Joe Namath/Mark Messier guarantee special Super Bowl matchup: Pittsburgh vs Chicago
Top 5
1. Atlanta
2. Houston
3. Chicago
4. Baltimore
5. San Francisco
Bottom 5
32. Jacksonville
31. Kansas City
30. Cleveland
29. Tennessee
28. Oakland
BONUS! NFL Midseason predictions
1. Andrew Luck will edge out Robert Griffin III for Rookie of the Year.
2. Tim Tebow will start at least one game for the Jets.
3. The Chiefs, like the Eagles, will also clean house before the season ends.
4. The Falcons will lose their first game next week to the Saints, who in turn, will make a valiant second half run.
5. My preseason AFC Champion pick, the Texans, will win Super Bowl XLVII. They will defeat the Bears in New Orleans.
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