I just lost about 1200 words because I accidentally refreshed the page before posting. Feel like making a home video addition to Thornbury's blog. It's too bad the Titans don't face the Jets later this season - dying to see what would happen in a Randy Moss-Darrelle Revis rematch. Speaking of which - does anyone have film on the Titans the last two games? Is Moss still being double covered and opening up opportunities for Nate Washington and Chris Johnson? Or is that just a myth, and there's no reason the Titans are paying half his salary since they're not targeting him. Vince Youngacted unprofessionally after hurting his thumb, but why did Jeff Fisher say Young would have been benched next week even if he weren't out for the year? Young has an 8.0 YPA with 10 TDs and 3 picks, and he was 12-of-16 for 165 yards (10.3 YPA) on Sunday before he got hurt. When you consider Fisher refused to play Young over Kerry Collins last year until the Titans were 0-6 (and only at the behest of owner Bud Adams), it's probably not due to on-field performance. I can't see Young and Fisher co-existing in Tennessee next year, but unlike Charles Robinson who wrote the linked article above, I'm not convinced Young is solely at fault for the split. Peyton Manning made one of the worst decisions I've seen in the last couple years, throwing a ball into tight coverage from an odd angle while under pressure with his team in FG range down three and seconds left on the clock. Of course, the announcers immediately absolved Manning, saying the pressure caused the pick. You can't let facts get in the way of a narrative. Manning did get 393 yards, but it took him 55 passes (7.6 YPA), and now he's up to 7.0 on the season. After the three picks, Manning is now 11th in QB rating among qualified players as well.
Speaking of the Texans', watching them give away the game to the Jets on plays by Braylon Edwards and Santonio Holmes, even though the Jets had no time outs, needed the TD and couldn't run or throw short passes was surprising even by their standards. And those standards (109.1 QB rate, 25 TD, 6 INT, 8.4 YPA) are low. In fact, the average QB against the Texans is better than Philip Rivers (103 QB rate, 19 TD, 8 INT, 8.9 YPA) against an average defense. (Rivers' stats through Sunday). When you think about how bad they are (and also Jacksonville 8.8 YPA, 103.9 QB rating), it's shocking that Manning's having the worst statistical season since his rookie year despite 30 percent of his games being against those two. Eli Manning falling on his face and fumbling for no reason with the game on the line was one of the most unathletic things I've ever seen an adult do. And I don't mean an NFL-playing adult. Once in a while you'll see an uncoordinated eight-year old do something like that, but even then it's rare. The Giants defense had played great against Michael Vick in the second half to that point, too. Has Richard Seymourbeen watching too much "Dexter" lately? By the way, this season has easily been the best yet. A friend of mine suggested a month ago that the writing in "Dexter" was in some respects better even than "The Sopranos," and I dismissed it. But after Sunday's episode, I'm seeing his point. Somehow in my six leagues, I missed the boat on Dwayne Bowe, Steve Johnson, Terrell Owens, Peyton Hillis, Brandon Lloyd, Kyle Orton and Michael Vick. I am heavily invested in Randy Moss, Ryan Mathews, Beanie Wells, Steve Smith (CAR) and Jay Cutler, however. Consider the odds before the season of Buffalo (Terrible QB, 3 quality RBs) heading into Cincinnati (AFC North division winner based on running and defense) and not only winning, but combining for 80 points. You might want to remember that next year before saving teams in survivor or drafting players based on their playoff schedules. If any of you are parents of a star high-school running back, rest assured Thomas Jones will steal carries from your son when he reaches the NFL. Chris Ivory leads rookie running backs in rushing. What seemed like one of the best rookie classes in years at the position has been one of the worst. Incidentally, Ivory's the only Saints running back I'd want to own right now. With Hakeem Nicks out for at least three weeks, and Steve Smith for two, the Giants' No. 1 WR is Mario Manningham, and their number two is Derek Hagan (who signed six days ago). That's because Domenik Hixon, Ramses Barden and Victor Cruz are on IR. Eli Manning goes from near automatic starter to very borderline. The Packers and Eagles are the two best teams in the NFC and probably the entire league. Brad Childress' firing was a welcome development - it was only two years too late.
