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Pregame Hype: Tennessee Titans, Arizona Cardinals most likely to succeed

By Anthony Brown | November 30, 2008 | MVN Outsider

In a surprise to no one, the Tennessee Titans (11-1) and the Arizona Cardinals (7-5) are the teams most likely to make the playoffs according to projections run by AccuScore.com.AccuScore is a sports forecasting company runs 10,000 simulations, play by play, of upcoming NFL games to assess the likely outcome of the contest. Yes, they are sports geeks who aim to project the probability of a player's fantasy performance and to handicap games. They do the math so you don't have to.After running simulations of all remaining games for all NFL teams, AccuScore ranked the conference teams most likely to make the NFL playoffs.The top six AFC teams most likely to make it and their probability:Tennessee Titans -- 99.5%Indianapolis Colts -- 82.4%New York Jets -- 75.8%Pittsburgh Steelers -- 74.6%New England Patriots -- 67.3%Baltimore Ravens -- 54.4%The top six most likely NFC teams and their probability:Arizona Cardinals -- 100%New York Giants...

Read more | Discuss | Tags: Arizona Cardinals, Baltimore Ravens, Carolina Panthers, New England Patriots, New York Jets, NFL, San Diego Chargers, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Tennessee Titans

NFL Week 13 preview: Predictions and burning questions

By Anthony Hall | November 29, 2008 | MVN Outsider

Every weekend, MVN Outsider's five NFL writers look into their crystal balls and pick the outcomes of the week's games. After twelve weeks of predictions, here's how the standings look:Patrick Patterson: 10-6 last week, 113-63 overall Anthony Brown: 10-6 last week, 108-68 overallAnthony Hall: 11-5 last week, 108-68 overall Andrew Strickert: 9-7 last week, 107-69 overall Greg Trippiedi: 7-9 last week, 102-74 overallAnd here are their predictions for Week 13 of the NFL season: Finally, we'll leave you with a few burning questions for the week:Derek Anderson gets a second chance as Cleveland's starter with Brady Quinn out for the year. Is he up to the task against Indianapolis?Can Matt Cassel keep it up against Pittsburgh's league-leading defense?Who takes control of the NFC North on Sunday night: Minnesota or Chicago?How terrible will the ratings be for the awful Monday Night Football matchup between the Jags and Texans?...

Read more | Discuss | Tags: Chicago Bears, Cleveland Browns, Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Jacksonville Jaguars, Minnesota Vikings, New England Patriots, NFL, Pittsburgh Steelers

News and notes from around the NFL

By Andrew Strickert | November 28, 2008 | MVN Outsider

Roy Williams has more to be thankful for than most in the NFL. A month ago, before he was traded to Dallas, he was stuck in the purgatory known as Detroit. On Thanksgiving, Williams' former team, the 0-12 Lions, was shellacked by the Titans 47-10. His current team, the 8-4 Cowboys, remains in playoff contention after a 34-9 trouncing of the Seahawks. Jim Haslett's bank account will be $20,000 lighter for cussing during a disputed play. Fined for cussing, are you kidding me? Cussing is a part of football, from Pop Warner all the way through to the NFL. The league claimed Haslett was cussing at an official; Haslett claimed he wasn't cussing the official, that he simply yelled, "get off the @#$%^&* ball." The league also fined Patriots T Matt Light and Dolphins LB Channing Crowder $15,000 each for fighting. I'm surprised they received equal punishment since Light seemed to be the...

Read more | 2 Comments | Tags: Chicago Bears, Cleveland Browns, Dallas Cowboys, Detroit Lions, Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Miami Dolphins, New England Patriots, New Orleans Saints, New York Giants, NFL, Philadelphia Eagles, Pittsburgh Steelers, St. Louis Rams, Washington Redskins

Pittsburgh's defense matches up well with New England offense

By James Pete | November 26, 2008 | The Steel Tradition

I gotta be honest with you all, I'm not really sure what to expect this week when the Pittsburgh Steelers face off against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough. Truth of the matter is that until a couple of weeks ago, I felt that the Steelers would either be favored in the game, or likely so close in the line that it would be negligible.It's pretty safe to say that I don't think that anymore.Matt Cassel and the Patriots have suddenly woke up on offense. Cassel has rolled out two straight 400-yard passing games in a row, and has turned the Patriots offense into a hybrid looking more like the old Dan Marino-led Miami Dolphins' teams as opposed to the Tom Brady-led, dink-and-dunk Patriots.The catch-22 of this game, of course, is that the Steelers defense is insanely good. They are tops against the run and the pass,...

Read more | 4 Comments | Tags: James Harrison, LaMarr Woodley, Matt Cassel, MVN, New England Patriots, NFL, Patriots, Pittsburgh Steelers, Steelers, Tom Brady

News and notes from around the NFL

By Andrew Strickert | November 25, 2008 | MVN Outsider

Jamal Lewis is complaining because he only got ten carries on Sunday. His complaint looks mild in comparison to LenDale White's beef. White was only on the field for three plays, with one carry for minus one yard and a short pass, which he dropped. New England LT Matt Light may face a suspension for his role in a fight with Miami LB Channing Crowder. Light punched the helmetless Crowder several times in the exchange and both players were ejected. One of Light's teammates said he got in some good shots. One more incident and he's gone? Cowboys coach Wade Phillips believes this is Pacman Jones' last chance to play football. Jones has been allowed to return to the team and will be eligible to play again December 7. Arizona attempted a 68-yard free kick for a field goal after a fair catch on Sunday. I don't know why more people aren't aware that a free kick...

Read more | 1 Comment | Tags: Arizona Cardinals, Atlanta Falcons, Baltimore Ravens, Carolina Panthers, Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns, Dallas Cowboys, Detroit Lions, Indianapolis Colts, Miami Dolphins, New England Patriots, NFL, Philadelphia Eagles, St. Louis Rams, Tennessee Titans

Patriots score crucial victory over Dolphins in the AFC East

By Beth | November 24, 2008 | The Patriot Act

If you'd told me in Week 1 that by Week 10 I'd be saying things like, "It's not that I don't want Brady to come back, it's just that I wish there was some way we could keep Matt Cassel," I'd have checked your forehead and asked if you felt all right. But that's exactly what I found myself saying today as the Patriots scored 20 unanswered points against Miami and took a key victory to stay alive in the division. They remain behind the 3-1 Jets, (who knocked off Tennessee today--ouch!) but kept their record positive at 3-2....

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Not There Yet: Patriots Top Dolphins in Offensive Shootout

By Sean Fowler | November 23, 2008 | The Phish Tank

var iamInit = function() {try{initIamServingHandler(320,222,290331,"http://cdn.pis.picapp.com/IamProd/Resources/Css/css2.css")}catch(ex){}}() The Patriots came into today's game in Miami looking for revenge for being manhandled by the Dolphins in Week 4. They also were trying to prove they were still the AFC East's best team. The Dolphins were looking for their 5th straight win, and to prove they were a playoff caliber team. It looked to be a passionate and exciting AFC East matchup, and it didn't disappoint.The Patriots took the ball first as the Dolphins once again deferred. They've won a lot of tosses lately but have used the heck out of the new defer rule. Maybe they should look into just receiving like they used to. The Patriots got good field position at their own 40 and went 48 yards in 8 plays. The Dolphins anchored down at their own 12, and the Patriots took the lead on a 30 yard field goal. 3-0 Pats.The Dolphins...

Read more | Discuss | Tags: Game Recap, Miami Dolphins, New England Patriots, NFL

Week 12: Patriots @ Dolphins Preview

By Sean Fowler | November 23, 2008 | The Phish Tank

It's been said so much, it's starting to become cliche. But when you stop to think about it, it really is amazing. A year ago, the Miami Dolphins were 1-15, and the only thing they were contending for was to join Tampa Bay as the only NFL team to have a winless season.Now, the Dolphins have won 2 more games than they have lost. After 10 games, they are 6-4. And if they beat the New England Patriots today, they will be tied for first place in the AFC East.DOLPHINS ON OFFENSE:These are two very evenly matched teams. Miami's offense holds a slight edge over the Pats defense in both rushing and passing. The edge is slightly greater in the passing game. However, the Dolphins shredded the Patriots in the running game last time. The Pats defense hasn't changed all that much, so Miami should probably focus on the run,...

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Pregame Hype: Tennessee Titans, Arizona Cardinals most likely to succeed

By Anthony Brown | November 30, 2008 | MVN Outsider

Read more | Discuss | Tags: Arizona Cardinals, Baltimore Ravens, Carolina Panthers, New England Patriots, New York Jets, NFL, San Diego Chargers, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Tennessee Titans

NFL Week 13 preview: Predictions and burning questions

By Anthony Hall | November 29, 2008 | MVN Outsider

Read more | Discuss | Tags: Chicago Bears, Cleveland Browns, Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Jacksonville Jaguars, Minnesota Vikings, New England Patriots, NFL, Pittsburgh Steelers

I'll be fortunate to tell my grandchildren one day that I saw most of the future Hall of Famers listed below. Not on TV, but in person, watching them in games with my binoculars focused on them and observing their actions. Whenever any of them are playing in the NFL stadium closest to you, I hope you'll take advantage of the opportunity to go see them. The primary criteria I used in selecting these players is not how their stats compare to others already in the Hall, but how they compare to their contemporaries. The players who were the best in their era are the most deserving to be inducted one day. This is measured best, in my opinion, by the number of Pro Bowl appearances and first-team All-Pro honors garnered. Please also note that I am measuring these players by their entire body of work. If a player's career ends today, would he be...Read more

Read more | 9 Comments | Tags: Arizona Cardinals, Baltimore Ravens, Chicago Bears, Cincinnati Bengals, Dallas Cowboys, Denver Broncos, Green Bay Packers, Indianapolis Colts, Jacksonville Jaguars, Kansas City Chiefs, Miami Dolphins, Minnesota Vikings, New England Patriots, New York Jets, NFL, Philadelphia Eagles, Pittsburgh Steelers, San Diego Chargers, San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks, St. Louis Rams, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Great Debates: Who's your pick in the AFC East?

By Anthony Hall | November 20, 2008 | MVN Outsider

Every week in MVN Outsider's Great Debate, we take a look at different sides of an ongoing debate in the NFL. MVN Outsider writers will offer key points to support either side of the issue, and we'll also ask a group of football bloggers to chime in with their thoughts on the matter. This week's Great Debate is: Who's your pick to win the AFC East?Greg Trippiedi offers up three non-Favrearian reasons why the Jets are in charge in the AFC East:Kris Jenkins = defensive MVP...The acquisition of Favre aside, it's clear that the New York Jets have won the off-season. No move has been bigger than the acquisition of a dominating 3-4 NT. Widely regarded as the most important defensive position in that defense, and one that a majority of 3-4 teams have failed to fill, much like the Jets in 2006 through 2007. All of a sudden now,...Read more

Read more | 1 Comment | Tags: Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, New England Patriots, New York Jets, NFL

NFL Power Rankings, Week Twelve

By Andrew Strickert | November 18, 2008 | MVN Outsider

1. New York Giants (9-1) The G-men ran all over the Ravens last week in a very impressive performance, which helps to make them early favorites in postseason play. 2. Tennessee Titans (10-0) Just like Ol' Man River, Kerry Collins and the Titans keep rolling on. Their average margin of victory is eleven points per game. 3. Carolina Panthers (8-2) The Panthers are very quietly having a great season. They should continue to be a force as the schedule continues heading into the postseason. 4. Pittsburgh Steelers (7-3) The Steelers defense is playing tough. If Ben Roethlisberger and Willie Parker get healthy, watch out. 5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-3) Can Jon Gruden take the Bucs to the promised land again? They're playing better than their talent says they should. 6. Washington Redskins (7-3) They've dropped a few spots after losing to the Cowboys but they still have the hosses to...Read more

Read more | 4 Comments | Tags: Arizona Cardinals, Atlanta Falcons, Baltimore Ravens, Buffalo Bills, Carolina Panthers, Chicago Bears, Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns, Dallas Cowboys, Denver Broncos, Detroit Lions, Green Bay Packers, Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Jacksonville Jaguars, Kansas City Chiefs, Miami Dolphins, Minnesota Vikings, New England Patriots, New Orleans Saints, New York Giants, New York Jets, NFL, Oakland Raiders, Philadelphia Eagles, Pittsburgh Steelers, San Diego Chargers, San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks, St. Louis Rams, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Tennessee Titans, Washington Redskins

Pregame Hype: Leon Washington, Jet Propulsion

By Anthony Brown | November 14, 2008 | MVN Outsider

New York Jets 34, New England Patriots 31Thursday Night Football finds us hyping a game already played. And what a game it was for those lucky enough to see it on the NFL Network.The Jets showed enough offensive prowess to pull off the overtime win and weren't hurt bad enough to pay for defense's inability to stifle New England's come-back. For all the acclaim heaped on Brett Favre's performance (78.8 percent pass completion rate, 119.4 QB rating), Leon Washington had the more impressive night. Washington had a hand in the Jets' first two touchdowns, a seven yard scoring reception from Favre, and a 92 yard kick return that put the Jets up 17-6 in the second quarter.Washington averaged 44.3 yards per kick return. Take away that one 92 yard return and he still averages a respectable 28 yards per return. His returns gave the Jets excellent starting points on the...Read more

Read more | Discuss | Tags: Chicago Bears, Dallas Cowboys, Green Bay Packers, Jacksonville Jaguars, New England Patriots, New York Jets, NFL, Tennessee Titans, Washington Redskins

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