Eric Heise dot Com ~ The Monday Analysis 2 January 2006 ~ A Writer's March

The Patriots non-starters kept pace with the Miami starters with a 28-26 loss, but let's hope these guys don't play much during the playoffs.

Before Tom Brady left the game to sit on the sidelines, he tossed an interception and a touchdown pass. He didn't even bother with the pre-game warm ups he usually does two to three hours before the game, giving an indication that he was going to keep his starting streak going, but that was all.

Corey Dillon was out, as was Tedy Bruschi and a slew of other starters. Some, like Deion Branch and Richard Seymour played, but saw limited time.

Doug Flutie saw one play, a drop kick for an extra point. Not familiar with that? That's expected, since it has not been done since the NFL championship game in December 1941. Flutie lined up like he was going for a two-point conversion, dropped deep in the shotgun, the ball came to him, he let it bounce on the turf, then kicked it through the uprights. You never saw such a celebration. Evidently, he'd practiced this a lot in Canada and even at Boston College.

Matt Cassell saw the majority of action at quarterback, going 11-20 for 168 yards, 2 TDs, and a 116.3 rating.

For Miami, Ricky Williams played well, rushing 28 times for 108 yards and a touchdown.

Head coach Bill Belichick, despite all his musings during the week, was more interested in keeping starters healthy and playing everyone on the bench than winning on Sunday.

Steve Mariucci was fired from the Lions back in Week 12. Lions President Matt Millen really should be let go soon, as well. Dick Jauron filled in, but he will most likely be looking for assistant coaching positions elsewhere in 2006.

Dick Vermeil notified just about everyone before the game against the Bengals that he would retire at the end of the season. The end of the season is here for the Chiefs. Enjoy retirement, Coach.

Vikings owner Zygi Wilf notified Mike Tice following the win over Chicago that he was out as the Vikings head coach.

The Texans fired head coach Dom Capers after a 2-14 season that included beating up David Carr for the past four seasons.

The Rams fired Mike Martz, who has been on leave with a heart ailment since Week 6. Interim coach Joe Vitt is not expected to keep the head coaching job permanently.

Bills Owner Ralph Wilson told the Associated Press on Sunday that "there are going to be some changes," speculating GM Tom Donahue's job is in jeopardy. Wilson plans to meet with Donahue and head coach Mike Mularkey in the next coming days.

The Packers fired head coach Mike Sherman after Green Bay finished 4-12, their worst season since 1991.

Cardinals head coach Dennis Green fired two assistants: the offensive line coach and the special teams coach, plus the defensive line coach retired.

The Monday Analysis POWER Rankings

The Playoff are here and the picture is clear.

1. Indy (14-2). No matter what, they will play the rest of the season indoors. Talk about modern era football.

2. Seattle (13-3). Congrats Seattleites. This is your moment in the sun, which is kind of funny since Seattle gets about nine months of rain.

3. Chicago (11-5). If the Defense can carry the team, and Rex Grossman can stay healthy and productive, the Bears have a chance to run through the playoffs.

4. Denver (13-3). They can stop your run and run all over you. It's stopping your passing game that Denver has problems with.

5. New England (10-6). If the New England team from the past six weeks shows up in the playoffs, no team wants to play the Patriots.

6. Cincinnati (11-5). High powered Offense, but the Defense is suspect, and needs to stop the run in the post season. They allowed 115 yards rushing per games.

7. Carolina (11-5). Back in the post season since their run to Super Bowl XXXVIII.

8. Tampa Bay (11-5). First playoff appearance since winning Super Bowl XXXVII, and man doesn't it feel good, Jon Gruden.

9. Pittsburgh (11-5). Squeezed in on the last day. If nothing else, the Steelers will beat you up by the middle of the fourth quarter.

10. NJ Giants (11-5). First playoff appearance in a dog's age. Now Tom Coughlin has to figure out how to make Manning No. 3 product (hint hint: give the ball to Tiki).