NFL 2009 Season Wrap-up

Boy, this was a crazy season, wasn't it?:

I Guess We Saw This Coming:
Indianapolis Colts
Did anyone really think things would be different this season? Sure, Jim Caldwell is in his first year as their head coach, but it isn't like they just grabbed some guy off the street. He spent the six previous seasons on the Colts coaching staff. Of course, there are those who say Peyton Manning is the real coach of the team. The may be true of how the offense plays on the field, since he makes so many adjustments and play changes at the line, but it's Caldwell and his staff that had to get this team prepared every week. He had a team that has been great every regular season, that hes been with for six seasons already, and that he simply had to prepare for every game. Going 14-0 may have been a surprise only in that they played so many close games. Really, the Colts have been the best team in their division for years, and the winningest team of the decade. As long as they keep things together, they should be expected to be the NFL's best team almost every year.

NFL Sunday Recap - Winners & Losers

Some people had a special weekend this week, and some didn't:

Winners:
Ben Roethlisberger
Seriously, at some point soon, the Steelers are going to need to realize Ben can't win every game on his own. Seven loses after winning the Super Bowl should be a wake-up call. But the call can wait another week, as Big Ben threw for a franchise record 503 yards. That and his 3 TDs are the most ever for a QB without throwing a pick. Of course, all that is just gravy to the 19-yard completion to Mike Wallace with no time on the clock that gave Pittsburgh a 37-36 win over the Packers. It was only Wallace's second reception of the game, and both were for TDs. Congrats, Big Ben! After five straight losses, you are a winner!

NFL Week 9 Wrap-up

With every team having played 8 games, here's some midseason awards!

MVP:
Peyton Manning
With his Colts once again 8-0, Manning is the leader at the half-way point. His closest competition is Drew Brees, but Manning has a better completion percentage, more yards, and two less picks. I'm thinking Brees might win this at the end of the season, but Manning has a slim lead after 8 games.
Honorable Mention: Drew Brees, Chris Johnson, Maurice Jones-Drew

NFL Week 8 Wrap-up

Coming up on the mid-point of the season, some divisions look like marathon, and other look like a run-away sprint:

Already Over?:
NFC North
The Minnesota Viking are clearly the team to beat right now in this division. Brett Favre is playing like he did the first half of last season, and no one is stepping up to challenge them yet. They are 3-0 in their division, and already swept the Green Bay Packers. The one challenger may still be the Bears, who the Vikes haven't played yet. That, and Brett Favre's age. Last season's late injury may be a sign that his body can't handle a full season any more. Only time will tell.

Friday Morning News - 9/11/09

The Pittsburgh Steelers beat the Tennessee Titans, 13-10, in overtime, to kickoff the 2009 NFL season. Steelers safety Troy Polamalu has already fallen victim to the Madden Curse, spraining his MCL on a blocked field goal. He is expected to miss 3-6 weeks. [Titans Radio]

The Oakland Raiders have denied an ESPN story stating they sent a letter to Richard Seymour demanding he report to the team in 5 days or be suspended. [The Huddle]

The NY Jets are being investigated by the NFL after Brett Farve made comments Wednesday stating the Jets knew about his torn biceps tendon, kept him off the weekly injury report, and made him play anyway. Jets GM Mike Tannenbaum has admitted to mishandling the injury, while former head coach Eric Mangini has said the injury report was filled out within the league rules. [Bleacher Report]

Richard Petty Motorsports and Yates Racing will merge teams after the current NASCAR season ends. The new 4-car team will drive Fords, last associated with Richard Petty when he drove one to nine victories in the 1969 season. [Detroit Free Press]

John Force has been fined $10,000 by the NHRA for making contact with an official during the post-race incident with Tony Pedregon. Rumors on racing message boards also say Force has shot down any chance of a $20,000 grudge match taking place at Carolinas Nationals. [Indy.com]

NFL Kickoff Preview: Titans at Steelers

The 2009 NFL Kickoff game features an interesting match-up: the Super Bowl Champion Steelers take on the Tennessee Titans, the last team to beat Pittsburgh. The Titans will look to improve on last years AFC Divisional Round loss to the Baltimore Ravens. Their solid, fully returning offensive line will certainly help, as QB Kerry Collins isn't getting any younger. But their defense, one of the leagues best last year, has me concerned. The loss of 350 lb tackle Albert Haynesworth leaves a big hole up the middle. DEs Kyle Vanden Bosch, who only played 10 games last year, and Jevon Kearse, who played a full 16 last season for the first time since 2001, are on the wrong side of 30. Pittsburgh has never been a team to shy away from the run, and with Willie Parker and Rashard Mendenhall healthy, they'll test Tennessee's linemen often. Pittsburgh also has an aging defense, but one that has many years experience playing with Pittsburgh exclusively, and is mostly young at their most improtant position, LB. Its the experience that will keep Collins from making big plays, and Lendale White from breaking big gains.

Pick: Steelers 21-Titans 13