NFL Week 8 Review

I'm jumping on the Week 8 Review a bit early this time for a couple of reasons.  First, I have an orthodontist appointment tomorrow during the time I generally write these things.  I'm there because I threw out my retainer again, which by the transitive property means I threw out $200.  Second, I've been accepted to write for the online blog site Bleacher Report, so from now on, I'll be focusing my writing there (I haven't written any articles yet, but this is my page. Do me a favor a become my fan? Thanks!).  If I find the time, I'll continue to post my weekly NFL reviews here.  Anyways, without further ado, here are your winners and losers from Week 8.

Winners

1. LeSean McCoy:  The Eagles' running back carved up the Dallas Cowboys' top ranked run defense for 185 yards on the ground, which was almost triple the average allowed by the 'Boys on the season.  McCoy added two touchdowns to his stat line, which seems to be getting meatier and meatier as the season goes on.  With 28 carries in week 6 against the Redskins and 30 carries yesterday against the Cowboys, it appears that McCoy is becoming a more consistently important part of the high-powered Eagles offense.  This is good news for the Eagles - Philly is 3-1 when McCoy rushes for over 100 yards and 0-3 when he rushes for less.

2. Cincinnati Bengals:  We've already talked about the surprising effectiveness of Andy Dalton and A.J. Green as well as their massive return on the Carson Palmer trade.  What we (and nobody else, really) have not talked about is that they're in serious playoff contention right now.  Their record is 5-2, which is the same as teams such as the New England Patriots, Baltimore Ravens, Buffalo Bills, and New York Giants.  Only a bye weeks seperates them from the Pittsburgh Steelers and Detroit Lions.  However, Cincy still has to play the Steelers and Ravens twice, so things could get bumpy for them down the road.  Or maybe they'll prove me wrong and turn out to be the class of the AFC North.

3. Kansas City Cheifs:  They started out 0-3 and immediately everyone wrote them off as a Suck for Luck contender.  Well, we blinked, they won four straight, and now they're tied with the Chargers for a share of first place in the AFC West.  If you missed the Monday Night game that concluded a couple of hours ago, then take it from me that the Cheifs are back and ready to defend their division championship from last year.  They don't have an easy schedule to round out the year, but neither do the Chargers.  This will be fun to watch down the stretch.


Losers

1. Tebow Nation:  All of us non-believers finally have a game to point to and say "look, here's why Tebow won't be a successful NFL quarterback."  There were few good plays by Tebow and a myriad of bad ones.  Some things we can take away from his performance against the Lions: First, he can't throw under pressure.  Second, his throwing motion is still two time longer than any other NFL quarterback's.  Third, intangibles can only take you so far.  You still need skill.  I'll give Tebow one more season before he's gone for good as an NFL quarterback.

2. Rob Ryan:  The Ryan family talks a lot, and they generally do a good job of backing it up.  Not this time.  The Cowboys' Defensive Coordinator spoke up way back in traning camp and proclaimed that his Cowbows would turn the Eagles' Dream Team into a nightmare.  Instead, the tables were turned and the Eagles put up 34 points on what was one of the best defenses in the league.  Now Ryan is left apologizing and taking the blame for an embarrassing loss

3. San Diego Chargers:  The Chargers always do this to us - they pretend to be really good, then prentend to be really bad, then pretend to be really good again just enough to make another disappointing playoff run.  This time is different though, because all of a sudden, Phillip Rivers can't get his act together.  Rivers was always at least good statistically, but with 7 touchdown passes and 9 interceptions on the season, he doesn't even have that going for him.  Add to that his last-minute fumble that cost his Chargers a victory this weekend and one of the leagues toughest remaining schedules and the San Diego faithful could be looking at a long season.

BONUS - New Orleans Saints: They lose to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, beat the life out of the Indianapolis Colts, then hand the St. Louis Rams their first win of the season.  Does anybody know what is going on with these guys?

BONUS - Chris Johnson: There were a lot of losers in the NFL this week, and Johnson was a big one.  After signing a gigantic contract, CJ2K has done nothing but disappoint thus far.  Everyone though going up against Indianapolis' 31st-ranked rush defense would turn his season around, but he still failed miserably, rushing 14 times for only 34 yards. That's an average of 2.4 yards per carry.  If he's on your fantasy team, trade him to the ignorant owner in the league.  There's always one of them.

Top Five

1. Green Bay Packers (7-0):  It turns out a bye week is the only way to stop Aaron Rodgers.
2. Pittsburgh Steelers (6-2): Maybe this defense isn't as old and tired as we initially thought.
3. New England Patriots (6-2): As long a Tom Brady can avoid more bad days, they'll be fine.
4. San Francisco 49ers (6-1): I'm waiting for them to prove themselves against a good team one more time before I move them up.
5. Baltimore Ravens (5-2): The Tale of Two Flaccos had a happy ending as the Ravens just got by the Cardinals this weeked.

Playoff Teams

AFC
East: New England Patriots
North: Pittsburgh Steelers
South: Houston Texans
West: San Diego Chargers
Wild Card: Buffalo Bills
Wild Card: Baltimore Ravens

NFC
East: Philadelphia Eagles
North: Green Bay Packers
South: New Orleans Saints
West: San Francsico 49ers
Wild Card: New York Giants
Wild Card: Detroit Lions

Commentary: I know I just bashed the Chargers, but they're loaded with talent and bound to figure it out before it's too late.  Also, I'm done holding the Raiders a playoff spot when there are more impressive teams fighting for the same spot.  As far as the NFC goes, I haven't been so sure of my picks this whole season.  The Eagles are back in form, Eli Manning is doing a great jobs with the Giants, and the Lions ended their losing skid.  If you can believe it, New Orleans is the only team that I'm starting to doubt.