NFL Week 15: What's the Morrall to the story?

Oh Sam quit it. The Panthers have no marquee names so clearly they deserve no credit for last night.

I'd chalk up the awe-inspiring performance to fatigue on the Bucs' part, except the Panthers were gashing them badly in the first three quarters, too.

Believe me: I was more impressed by the Panthers than I was disappointed by the Bucs, if that makes any sense. And Smith caught LITERALLY everything thrown his way, which makes them far more dangerous than most teams with 2,500 yards rushing.

 

I don't know, I got intrigued the moment the Patriots lost Brady for the season. There wasn't going to be a storyline like the Patriots this season, but there's been enough to keep me interested.

 

There's not a significant difference between the No. 6 team and the No. 7 team most years. It wouldn't prolong the season any, just add two games to the opening playoff weekend.

Tampa Bay will be fine, unless they somehow amazingly lose out. They might be a wild card instead, but so what? I'd like their chances playing in Arizona, Chicago or Minnesota. 10-6 gets you in!

 

I really hope all of you understand the point of that original post was to explain why the Carolina/Tampa game was not the football radar of most people headed into last weekend.

I could be really mean to Sam and ask him with the imploding Charlotte financial infrastructure, will the Panthers even be in North Carolina in 10 years?

I'm kidding of course, but I do think we will see a franchise of a major sport go belly up in the next few years.

 

You're right, the gap between 6 and 7 generally is very small. And I don't know how many times a 9-7 record gets you into the playoffs, but in my book that's a perfect description of mediocrity, and as I've said in college football bowl threads, being average shouldn't qualify you for anything special.

 

10-6? No.

10-5-1? Yes.

 

Sam, sorry if that read like I wasn't giving the Panthers any credit. No question they have a great running game. You were right with the point earlier. They made the commitment to have that kind of team in the offseason. I was pissed when they traded up for Otah because that is exactly what I thought the Steelers should have done.

I just think you have to at least question the Tampa Bay defense a little bit after a game like that. The Bucs have a good defense, but I think that game tells you they don't have a great one. Do you think they could do some similar to the Giants, Titans, Ravens or Steelers?

 

We're not taking the Beagles. Not that they'd get 10 wins to begin with, so it moot.

 

Mike Phipps never gets any love.

The Eagles aren't making the playoffs; they'll find a way to screw things up in a game they should win. The Falcons will earn a WC if they beat the Bucs on Sunday.

 

Jerry Richardson, owner of the Carolina Panthers, is on the heart transplant list:

http://www.charlotteobserver.com/104/story/407019.html

:'( :'( :'(

 

The Colts got the ball run up their ass late in the season two years ago and won the whole thing.

 

Matt Cassel took a leave of absence from the Patriots due to the passing of his father. The Pats do not know if he'll play Sunday against the Raiders.

http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/8922586?MSNHPHCP&GT1=39002