Revving the Playoff Engines: The BIG House

Revving the Playoff Engines: The BIG House

By Sam Spiegelman

Loss to The Shocker Has RMPBs Stumble Into Playoffs

            At 7-6, Ron Mexico’s Pit Bulls secured the third seed in the Blue Division and a playoff berth despite a 20-point beat-down by The Shocker, 93-73.

            It did not help that RMPBs quarterback play was average at best, but the mediocrity at that position on the team does not provide a superior option. Jay Cutler’s modest 13 points against the Lions was second-best on his team to the 14 by Joe Flacco and 12 from Donovan McNabb.

            With injuries abundant throughout the roster, Danny Woodhead and Toby Gerhart were forced into starting roles. Gerhart would have gotten some of All Day’s three touchdowns if Adrian Peterson was too injured to play, but AP’s toughness had White Thunder riding the pine. Woodhead’s 100 receiving yards, however, shows he has a role in The Hoodie’s offensive game-plan, though consistency is a question.

            On the bench, RMPBs let Sidney Rice score 22 points off a quick-developing chemistry with Tavaris Jackson. It is great to see Rice healthy again, and with Percy Harvin’s migraines putting his status in jeopardy, it is safe to lean on Rice.

            For the 8-5 The Shockers, the aforementioned All Day scored a game-high 28 points off a rebounding performance in which many questioned if he would even take the field. He was complemented well with 19 from Matt “Stump the” Schaub who was able to find holes in the stout Philly secondary, and Arian Foster who continued his breakout season with 22 points with two touchdowns of his own.

CalBears Edge Paydirt, 89—87, Earns Final Postseason Berth

            Despite a record just short of .500, the Calbears stole victory in Week 13 over Paydirt by a two-point margin, 89-87, in what solidified the final playoff berth.

            A dismal effort from Philip Rivers was overcome by another stellar outing from Michael “The Burner” Turner and a monster receiving day on the part of Greg Jennings. Speedy Stevie Johnson was held in check by the Vikings, although many thought he would have a big rebounding performance. And Thomas Jones is slowly losing carries to the superior Jamaal Charles; he went scoreless against the Broncos.

            For Paydirt, the question on their mind has to be “What if?” The Law Firm made it close Monday night against the Jets with two rushing scores, but his 19 points was not enough to overcome Peyton Manning’s quiet afternoon. Although he still put up 18 points, and in addition to Reggie Wayne’s 26, he had the capability to score even more – something you would never have thought you would hear when it came to Peyton Manning.

            It did not help that LaDainian Tomlinson was held in check by the Pats, Mario Manningham was nowhere to be found and the Ravens made sure Hines Ward would only be a factor blocking and not receiving.

First Round Playoff Decisions

PainCurve (9-4): With The Daily Show’s emergence in the Panthers’ backfield, the question is becoming whether he is the better option at RB2 alongside Maurice Jones-Drew than Matt “I’m a Man I’m” Forte. Although Forte has been dynamic as of late, and as he flourishes as does his Chicago Bears, it has to be a strictly game-to-game decision. In the Bears’ upcoming schedule, Forte is not a great matchup against the Pats, while Stewart will face the Falcons at home, a game after LeGarrette Blount had his way.

Riback (8-5): Is Todd Heap really the better option at tight end? Brent Celek was clearly someone Andy Reid tried to re-incorporate into the Philly offense Thursday night against the Texans, and someone Michael Vick targeted more and more throughout the game. Heap is always a potential touchdown, but he is also injury-prone and capable of putting up a doughnut (see Week 13). Celek truly has a higher upside.

RMPB (7-6): Should Sidney Rice crack the starting lineup? The wide-out core is terrific – Marques Colston, Jeremy Maclin and Mike Williams. All of which have been stellar in 2010, and Colston is getting hotter as the playoffs near. While Rice showed a clear chemistry with Tavaris Jackson at quarterback, and had a career-best year with Brett Favre just a season ago, it may take more than one huge game to surpass one of these studs. Let’s see him do it versus the G-Men Sunday, and let’s see how it plays out with Percy Harvin back in the lineup.

LightsOut (9-4): How to replace Dez Bryant: If Hakeem “The Dream” Nicks is healthy for the Giants, he is still the better option than Deon Branch. I know it is hard to comprehend right now, especially giving the recent play of Branch and the Pats offense. But The Hoodie has a new game-plan for the Pats each week – that is what he does. Nicks is the go-to guy for Eli Manning when he is healthy, and he will need him to make a run for the playoffs.

SHOCKER (8-5): Is it time to bench Larry Fitzgerald? It is hard to say considering Fitz is one of the best wide receiving talents in the National Football League, but with such inconsistent plays at quarterback for ‘Zona, it is too frustrating to rely on Derek Anderson to get him the ball. If healthy, The Marshall Plan is a superior option, although I never suggest to start two receivers on the same squad (especially on the Dolphins who cannot throw the ball as well – it is Chad Henne after all). Believe it or not, I am not hating Ben “Obama”-nu either.

Cal (6-7): Should we stick with Thomas Jones at running back? Ehh, no. I would not read into the Marshawn Lynch clinic he put on at home against the porous Panthers defense; I might be able to get a touchdown at Qwest against Carolina. But Mike Tolbert, despite a letdown effort against the R-R-Raiders (because they fell behind, Philip Rivers had to try and catch up via the passing game), has surpassed rookie bust Ryan Mathews as the No. 1 running back and is effective when given the opportunity.