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With one pen, any man can rule...

A Word from The Writer:

The Monday Analysis - 5 January 2005

All done, folks. The regular season is history and we're now on to the Playoffs.

Patriots Win Ugly, Finish 14-2

For the second straight season the Patriots finished a franchise best 14-2 with a very ugly 21-7 win over the hapless San Francisco Forty-Niners.

The Patriots had three turnovers, two at the hands of Corey Dillon (a fumble and a failed catch for an interception), and it looked bad in the first quarter.

''Oh, man, it was a terrible start. I'm not proud of that,'' Dillon said. ''I just can't start like that. I was lackadaisical.'' Dillon had 14 carries for 116 yard and a touchdown, giving him 1,635 yards on the season, a personal and franchise best that earned him an additional $375,000.

But, as the head coach Bill Belichick said, ''we settled down and played a pretty solid game.''

''There's a lot of good teams still left in these playoffs, so we're going to have to play a lot better than what we played today to win games in the playoffs,'' said linebacker Mike Vrabel. Vrabel two-timed on offense as a tight end, and caught a touchdown.

Bethel Johnson had a punt return for a touchdown that was called back for a holding call on Earthwind Moreland. Tom Brady was relieved in the fourth quarter, going 22-30 for 226 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT, and a QB rating of 102.9. Rohan Davey managed the game without giving it away, that was about it.

Regular season is over, folks. We're off to the playoffs!

The Monday Analysis POWER Rankings
Only the best get on this list.
1. Pittsburgh (15-1). The road to Jacksonville goes through Heinz Field.
3. New England (14-2). Or maybe it'll go through Gillette Stadium.
2. Philadelphia (13-3). And it will go through Lincoln Financial Field.
4. Indy (12-4). Peyton Manning is ready to throw a few dozen touchdowns.
5. San Diego (12-4). These guys were the worst team last year. Worst to First Award.
6. Atlanta (11-5). If there is no Vick, there is no victory.
7. Green Bay (10-6). Brett Favre is back in the playoffs and hungry for some wins.
8. NJ Jets (10-6). Backed into the playoffs. It might have been better if you guys missed them.
9. Denver (9-6). Blew away a Manning-less Colts team to get here, need to beat a Manning-full team to stay.
10.  Seattle (9-7). Barely got in, and may get past the first round.
11. St Louis (8-8). Won't get past the first round.
12. Minnesota (8-8). The 12 Spot Team. Last one in, first one to go out.

Weekend Break Down

Steelers (15-1) 29, BILLS (9-7) 24 - FINAL: Even without Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh prevails. The poor Bills just miss the win, and miss the playoffs.

REDSKINS (6-10) 21, Vikings (8-8) 18 - FINAL: Anyone surprised the Vikes would try and screw up their chance for the playoffs by losing the last game? Lucky for the numbers they get to back into the Playoffs. Joe Gibbs is 8-0 lifetime against Minnesota.

Packers (10-6) 31, BEARS (5-11) 14 - FINAL: Favre leads his team to a big season ending win. And he barely played through the second quarter.

PATRIOTS (14-2) 21, 49ers (2-14) 7 - FINAL: Patriots do enough not to spoil their holidays; San Fran does little enough to not spoil their number 1 spot in the draft.

TITANS (5-11) 24, Lions (6-10) 19 - FINAL: The only thing settled in this one is who picks in the draft first.

RAMS (8-8) 32, Jets (10-6) 29 - FINAL/OT: Oh and the Rams pull out a last minute playoff berth! The Jets are still in, but they backed in.

Bengals (8-8) 38, EAGLES (13-3) 10 - FINAL: Not a great way to end the season, Philly. Marvin Lewis finishes at .500 again.

Browns (4-12) 22, TEXANS (7-9) 14 - FINAL: Wow! The interim-coached Browns get Terry Roebiski his win! And on the road! See ya next year, folks!

Saints (8-8) 21, PANTHERS (7-9) 18 - FINAL: Carolina shuts down, misses the playoffs. And the .500 Saints make the playoffs. What?!

RAVENS (9-7) 30, Dolphins (4-12) 23 - FINAL: Baltimore was looking for a miracle, didn't get it, but they did win.

CARDINALS (6-10) 12, Buccaneers (5-11) 7 - FINAL: Jon Gruden's job is officially on the ropes.

SEAHAWKS (9-7) 28, Falcons (11-5) 26 - FINAL: Seattle takes care of business, wins the NFC West.

Jaguars (9-7) 13, RAIDERS (5-11) 6 - FINAL: Jax gets a win, but it doesn't help them get to the dance.

BRONCOS (10-6) 33, Colts (12-4) 14 - FINAL: A Manning-less Colts is a pathetic Colts; Denver gets into the playoffs.

CHARGERS (12-4) 24, Chiefs (7-9) 17 - FINAL: San Diego continued their dominance.

Cowboys (6-10), GIANTS (6-10) - FINAL: What a finish! Near to the last play of the season, and Tiki Barber breaks the Giants single season rushing record, this after getting the Giants all-time rushing number. Giants come from behind win. Whoa! And these guys had nothing to play for!

Preliminary April Draft Order

Losers...

San Francisco (2-14): Since they don't want a quarterback, they should trade down for more picks.
Miami (4-12): The Dolphins believe Nick Saban is the answer. Let's hope Saban has a few answers.
Cleveland (4-12): A disaster. In need of everything.
Oakland (5-11):  Norv Turner was not the answer, and now players want out.
Tampa Bay (5-11): You stink, Jon Gruden.
Tennessee (5-11): Time for rebuilding, Jeff Fisher.
Chicago (5-11): Lovie Smith is going back to the drawing board.
Washington (6-10): Joe Gibbs ends on a win, but little else.
Arizona (6-10):  Denny Green isn't used to losing. We'll have to see how he rebounds.
Detroit (6-10): Maybe Detroit is too much headache for Mooch.
New Jersey Giants (6-10): That Eli Manning trade/draft isn't looking so good.
Dallas (6-10): This season had a big toll on Parcells.
Kansas City (7-9): The best running back in the league can't get them there.
Houston (7-9): Looking stronger. Need more weapons.
Carolina (7-9): Too much losing early in the season.
Cincinnati (8-8): Marvin Lewis has some defensive problems to settle.
New Orleans (8-8): They should just move the Saints to an area that wants to win.
Buffalo (9-7): Just missed a playoff spot. Now what?
Baltimore (9-7): That Raven mystique is fading.
Jacksonville (9-7): The Jaguars are looking worse and worse.

Playoff Line Up

After 17 weeks of blood, sweat, and crybaby speeches, here's what we were watching about.

NFC Playoff Teams

1. Philly (13-3): Home field throughout the playoffs, and going in with zero momentum.
2. Atlanta (11-5): Number two seed with a banged up Mike Vick.
3. Green Bay (10-6): A fired up Brett Favre is a good thing to have in January.
4. Seattle (9-7): Pathetic how they won the NFC West.
5. St. Louis (8-8): Pathetic entry to the playoffs.
6. Minnesota (8-8): An even more pathetic entry to the playoffs.

AFC Playoff Teams

1. Pittsburgh (15-1): Home field throughout the playoffs with a banged up Roethlisberger.
2. New England (14-2): Number two seed, and in need of some healing power.
3. Indianapolis (12-4): Manning is throw seven touchdowns in January.
4. San Diego (12-4): A very hot playoff team. Just to remind folks, they had the first pick int he draft, drafted crybaby Eli Manning ("I don't wanna play for your team."), traded him for the Giants' first pick at number 4 Phillip Rivers for way more than Manning is worth, and look at them now.
5. New Jersey Jets (10-6): Got in with a Buffalo loss. Lucky.
6. Denver (10-6): Took care of biz, but too banged up to get very far.

The Odds

Here are the betting odds for the playoffs and the Super Bowl.

St. Louis Rams 60-1
New England Patriots 7-2
Philadelphia Eagles 9-2
Indianapolis Colts 9-2
Green Bay Packers 16-1
Denver Broncos 65-1
Minnesota Vikings 65-1
Atlanta Falcons 14-1
Seattle Seahawks 35-1
New York Jets 45-1
Pittsburgh Steelers 13-5
San Diego Chargers 14-1

Lines courtesy of Sportsbook.com.

Wild Card Weekend and the Playoff Schedules

WILD CARD

Saturday, January 8

Rams (8-8) at Seahawks (9-7) -- 4:30 ET, ABC
Jets (10-6) at Chargers (12-4) -- 8 ET, ABC

Sunday, January 9

Broncos (10-6) at Colts (12-4) -- 1 ET, CBS
Vikings (8-8) at Packers (10-6) -- 4:30 ET, FOX

DIVISIONAL PLAYOFFS

Saturday, January 15

AFC Divisional -- 4:30 ET, CBS
NFC Divisional -- 8 ET, FOX

Sunday, January 16

NFC Divisional -- 1, FOX
AFC Divisional -- 4:30 ET, CBS

CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIPS

Sunday, January 23

NFC Championship -- 3 ET, FOX
AFC Championship -- 6:30 ET, CBS


Super Bowl XXXIX
Sunday, February 6, 6 ET FOX

Patriots News

Je'rod Cherry was resigned to the 53-man roster...CB Ty Law and DE Richard Seymour were inactive for Sunday's game...Safety Omare Lowe re-joined the practice squad.

League News

San Francisco placed QB Tim Ratty on Injured Reserve, the 11th player for the 49ers to go on IR.

Signs of the Apocalypse

Eli Manning's fourth quarter touchdown pass to David Tyree was the first (first!) touchdown pass to a Giants wide receiver ALL SEASON! Holy God!

Notes & Quotes

I thought it was a good solid game. I am glad we ended up on top and ended up with a 14-2 record. I thought the players deserved that for what they have done this year.

- Head Coach Bill Belichick after the 21-7 season ending win over the 49ers.

The Patriots scored 437 points this season, four less than the franchise high in 1980.

Top Ten List of the Week

1. Happy New Year!

2. It's been a very long season, but the playoffs are here! Welcome, January Play!

3. The Patriots need this Bye week, badly. Their Bye was Week 4, a very long time ago. The Boys need some rest.

4. Pathetic how 8-8 teams are in the playoffs, but it goes to show us how weak the NFC is this season.

5. I love how Carolina just missed the playoffs. Looks like they really did peak in August during Super Bowl II.

6. Too many teams just backed into the playoffs, or more like it crawled into the playoffs. Those who lost this week will probably have a hard time next week, regardless of who started or not.

7. Beware bad coaches. Black Monday has arrived!

8. Last game of the season, and Tom Brady passed to 10 different receivers. For all the Patriots' weaknesses, their strengths are still over powering.

9. I don't understand why some teams just gave their last game away. Playoffs settled or not, that's sloppy.

10. One month until the Big Game! Here's hoping we see the Patriots go after another title.

ejh

5 January 2005

   

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