Top Ten Moments of 2011: 1. Eric LeGrand Leads Rutgers Onto The Field

The average football fan might not know the name Eric LeGrand. No, Eric LeGrand did not score the game winning touchdown in the Super Bowl. No, Eric LeGrand did not kick the game winning field goal in the BCS title game. No, Eric LeGrand did not make the must-see, YouTube worthy catch of the year. Eric LeGrand did, however, help make the best moment in football from 2011. On a snowy day in Piscataway, New Jersey, former Rutgers defensive lineman Eric LeGrand led the Scarlet Knights onto the field for their game against West Virginia. Although it might sound like an ordinary event, the story behind LeGrand's opportunity to lead Rutgers onto the field is what makes this such an amazing football moment and one that won't be forgotten.


LeGrand was a top recruit out of Colonia High School in New Jersey and fielded scholarship offers from various Division 1 schools before deciding to attend Rutgers University. After seeing limited action during his true Freshman year, LeGrand played in all 13 games in 2009, recording 33 tackles as a defensive tackle. LeGrand continued to get playing time on defense and special teams during the first five games of his Junior season going into the October 16th game with Army. October 16th would be the day that would change Eric LeGrand's life forever. On a routine kickoff in the 4th quarter of a tied ball game, LeGrand collided with Army's Malcolm Brown when attempting to tackle him. LeGrand was unable to get up after his collision with Brown and laid on the floor for several minutes without movement. LeGrand appeared frozen on the 25 yard line, the crowd silent in fear. Fans and teammates began to realize the severity of injury when LeGrand was unable to give the usual thumbs-up when being carted off the field, still motionless from the hit. LeGrand was taken to the intensive care unit at Hackensack University Medical Center, where doctors determined that he was paralyzed from the neck down. At the young age of 20, Eric LeGrand, it appeared, would never walk again. 


Of course, if you know anything about Eric LeGrand then you know this remarkable young man would accept nothing less than perfection. And so he pushed on. LeGrand was transferred to world renowned Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation to undergo intense spinal cord rehabilitation in hopes of gaining movement and feeling in the areas under his neck. LeGrand announced in January of 2011 that he had regained sensation throughout his body and even movement in his shoulders. By July of this past year, LeGrand was able to stand upright during rehabilitation and began to regain movement in his arms. After proving that he can one day regain full control of his upper body, LeGrand continues to focus on regaining movement in his lower body. LeGrand believes he will one day walk again and, knowing his determination and courage, so do I. 

After spending the 2011 season as an analyst for the Rutgers radio network, LeGrand remained an integral part of the football program. Just over a year after LeGrand's career ending injury, head coach Greg Schiano asked LeGrand if he would lead the Scarlet Knights onto the field for their contest with West Virginia. LeGrand graciously accepted. LeGrand was met with a standing ovation from the Rutgers faithful who realize, like thousands of others across America, how courageous and remarkable Eric LeGrand is. LeGrand's entrance with the Scarlet Knights stole the show that day, overshadowing Rutgers' 41-31 loss and even earning Sports Illustrated's moment of the year. What a moment it was. LeGrand teaches us the importance of good character and moral fortitude and what young people can do when faced with tremendous adversity. Although he won't be scoring any touchdowns or making any third down tackles in the near future, Eric LeGrand is the type of role model that the game of football needs. Eric LeGrand is the type of man I look up to. The word "bELieve" is the motto for LeGrand's recovery, with the "E" and "L" emphasized for LeGrand's initials. I, like thousands of others, believe in Eric LeGrand. If this past year was any indication, 2012 will be a very good year for Eric LeGrand. Let's keep believing.

Top Ten Moments of 2011: 2. Tebow Time!

The second best moment of 2011 is more of a string of moments than a single one. Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow captivated the nation with five late game comeback victories, defying the media's low expectations on a weekly basis. Tebow's miraculous performances have polarized the nation, as fans are divided on whether or not Tebow is a legitimate NFL starting quarterback. Tebow's opposition have numerous arguments against his success, including his throwing motion, his performance in the first three quarter of games, and his success on third downs. While some of the arguments against his play on the field are legitimate, the ridiculous attacks against his expression of his Christian faith prove that Tebow's critics will go to any length to try to bring him down. On the other side, Tebow fans have the best argument of all: he wins games. Tebow is 7-3 as a starter this season after taking over for Kyle Orton in Week 7. One thing is for sure: people won't stop talking about Tebow anytime soon.

Tebow's magical run began on October 23rd against the Dolphins in Miami. On the day when the Dolphins were honoring Tebow's 2008 national championship Florida squad at halftime, Tebow stole the show in the fourth quarter. He would go 10 of 19 for 137 yards and two touchdowns in the fourth quarter and lead the Broncos to an overtime victory after trailing 15-0 with under five minutes remaining. After a blowout loss to the Detroit Lions that brought the Tebow haters out in full force, Tebow answered back with a huge 38-24 road victory over the Oakland Raiders. Tebow would run for 118 yards and throw for two touchdowns, an unconventional box score that would be criticized heavily by football analysts everywhere. The fact of the matter is, frankly, the guy wins.

Mr. Fourth Quarter would have another late game winning drive against the Chiefs the following week. And then against the Jets the next week. And then against the Chargers. And the Vikings. And the Bears. Right when his critics began to quiet down, two consecutive losses against the Patriots and Bills have led to even more criticism of Tebow and his chances in the NFL. But Tebow remains unfazed. A devout Christian, Tebow has always remained positive when faced with adversity and has ignored the constant criticism thus far. He has been the class act that the league and its players have needed after receiving a lot of heat from the media and fans alike over the lockout and Lions' star Ndamukong Suh's repeated classless on-field acts. And with 1669 passing yards, 644 rushing yards, 18 total touchdowns, and first place position in the AFC West, Tim Tebow isn't too bad of a quarterback, either. 

Top Ten Moments of 2011: 3. NFL Lockout Ends!

The NFL lockout was a scary moment for football fans across America. The mystery. The fear. The dread. Could there be no NFL season in 2011? With the NFL Players Association (NFLPA) and the NFL owner disagreeing on such issues as revenue splitting, rookie salaries, and retired players' health insurance, it seemed as if a new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) wouldn't be signed until the 2011 season was lost. NFLPA President DeMaurice Smith and NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell led opposing sides in the battle for a new CBA but their stubbornness towards compromising put the NFL on the brink of losing millions of fans by the time summer came.

These worries and fears all came to a sudden end on July 25th when, out of nowhere, the NFLPA and owners came to an agreement on a new CBA and began preparations for the 2011 season. On this glorious Monday afternoon Roger Goodell gladly proclaimed, "Football is back!" Training camps for all 32 teams were opened by the end of the week and it was back to business as usual. General managers, owners and coaches quickly went to work to try to improve their teams during what would become the most wild and crazy free agency in NFL history.

As for the specifics of the new CBA deal, as in most deals, both sides won and loss. The revenue split was previously 50/50 but both sides agreed to a 53/47 split in which the owners would receive 53 percent of all revenue earned and the players would earn the remaining 47 percent. As part of that deal, the owners are required to spend 99 percent of the salary cap for the next two seasons, allowing as much money as possible to go to the players. The cap itself was dropped to $120.4 million, a near five percent decrease from last year. As for some other topics, the owners won the rookie wage scale battle, as both sides agreed to get rid of high salaries and guaranteed money for rookies who have yet to play an NFL snap. Also, the players shot down the owners' proposed 18 game schedule, citing an increase in the likelihood of injuries and a decrease in the importance of the regular season.

All things considered, the best moment of lockout's final days was the one shared between Colts center Jeff Saturday and Patriots owner Robert Kraft. Saturday embraced Kraft with a hug in front of the media and thanked him for all that he had done for the NFL during the negotiations. Kraft was present and vocal during the final CBA meetings despite losing his wife Maya to ovarian cancer a week earlier. Saturday's gesture was a fitting end for the lockout, as he was able to show the NFLPA's gratitude towards the Kraft family and all they have done for the league. As Saturday noted, the Krafts "helped save football."

When the dust was all settled, everything seemed to go back to normal. Fans began talking trash to opposing fans. SportsCenter began talking about NFL players and finally stopped blabbing on about the lockout. Fantasy football players began strategizing and drafting their teams. Talks of Brett Favre making a comeback surfaced. All these key ingredients were crucial in bringing back the culture of football that the lockout nearly tarnished. Unlike the NBA four months later, the NFL owners and NFLPA were able to put their egos aside and make a deal to save the NFL season and please the league's growing fan base.

Top Ten Moments of 2011: 4. Packers, Rodgers win Super Bowl XLV

Some games define a season. Some performances define a career. Super Bowl XLV was that game for the Green Bay Packers and quarterback Aaron Rodgers. The Packers won their fourth Super Bowl and first since 1996 this past February after defeating the Pittsburgh Steelers in Super Bowl XLV. Rodgers shined the last six games of the season and came through big in the title game with 304 yards and three touchdowns through the air to help the Packers win 31-25.

 The Packers started the game hot with a Rodgers touchdown pass to Jordan Nelson, followed 24 seconds later by a Nick Collins 37 yard interception return for a touchdown. Down 21-3 with two minutes left in the first half, the favored Steelers drove down the field with poise and finished the drive with an eight yard touchdown pass from quarterback Ben Roethlisberger to veteran receiver Hines Ward to make it 21-10 at halftime.

The Steelers carried the momentum into the second half with an early Rashard Mendenhall touchdown run to put them within four points of Green Bay. After a quiet third quarter from the Packers, Rodgers connected with Greg Jennings to start the fourth quarter to extend their lead to 28-17. Mike Wallace and the Steel-show answered back with a touchdown of their own with 7:34 remaining in the game before a reverse to Antwaan Randle El on the conversion put them within a field goal. The Steelers appeared to have the game in hand after holding the Packers to a Mason Crosby field goal to be down by only six points with 2:07 remaining. The late stop would be the last bright spot for Pittsburgh, though, as the Packers defense would force a turnover on downs with 49 seconds remaining to clinch the game and the Super Bowl.

The Packers performance legitimized the franchise for the first time in over a decade and proved they could win the big games without legendary quarterback Brett Favre behind center. The game was just as big for Rodgers, who earned game MVP honors and finally escaped from Favre's shadow. The Packers hot streak would continue into 2011, as they are currently 14-1 since winning the Super Bowl and sit atop the rankings as the best team in the NFL today and for many years to come.

NFL Power Rankings: Week 17

1. (1) Green Bay Packers (14-1) – The Packers did what they had to do against the Bears and secured that the road to the NFC Championship will be run through Lambeau Field. 

2. (2) New Orleans Saints (12-3) – Congrats to Drew Brees on the new NFL Passing record! That being said this offense, despite being picked off twice, seems unstoppable at this point.    

3. (3) New England Patriots (12-3) – The Patriots looked horrible in the 1^st half but got it together and pulled out the win. I’m still fearful of their defense when the playoffs begin.


4. (4) San Francisco 49ers (12-3) – The 49ers have won two very physical games in a row despite some speed bumps along the way. Their defense lost the TD and 100 yard record to Lynch, but the 49ers got the last laugh. 1 win away from having a first round bye.

5. (6) Pittsburgh Steelers (11-4) – Even without Big Ben the Steelers took care of business and kept pace with the Ravens in the race for the AFC North Title.  

6. (5) Baltimore Ravens (11-4) – Inconsistency is the key here. If the Browns had half a brain in game management they would’ve beat the Ravens. Their defense doesn’t look the same.

7. (8) Detroit Lions (10-5) – Congrats to the Lions for making the playoffs for the first time since I can remember my time on this earth. They have to mature quickly though in order to win.

8. (12) Cincinnati Bengals (9-6) – Thanks to Early Doucet’s stumble the Bengals escaped with a win. The biggest story was Jerome Simpson doing a front flip into the end zone and landing it!

9. (7) Atlanta Falcons (9-6) – Unfortunately the Falcons ran into Drew Brees on Monday night and got ran over. This is still a very good team that can be dangerous in the playoffs.

10. (13) New York Giants (8-7) – Eli has set the stage for an NFC East showdown against the Cowboys. Winner gets into the playoffs, loser goes home. Doesn’t get any better than this!

11. (10) Dallas Cowboys (8-7) – Unfortunately the Cowboys had to play without Tony Romo in a game they needed to win. Hopefully he will be back for the NFC East crown showdown!

12. (9) Houston Texans (10-5) – The wheels have finally come off in Houston like we thought they would when they lost Schaub, Leinart, AJ and Super Mario. Where is the defense?

13. (11) New York Jets (8-7) – The Jets have proved to be all talk with not very much walk. Brandon Jacobs said it best after the game, go watch his interview!

14. (18) Philadelphia Eagles (7-8) – With all the talk of how horrible of a season the Eagles are having, they have a legitimate chance of going .500. That scares me for the years to come….

15. (14) San Diego Chargers (7-8) – So much for the Chargers fire, their inconsistency killed them again as the Lions handled San Diego and destroyed their playoff dreams.   

16. (19) Tennessee Titans (8-7) – The Titans will need some help to make the playoffs despite their win vs. Jacksonville. If only they hadn’t lost to the winless Colts….if only….

17. (15) Denver Broncos (8-7) – Tebow forced way too many throws against the Bills and looked awful. If he can beat his former teammate Kyle Orton he will be in the playoffs though!

18. (16) Seattle Seahawks (7-8) – Even though the Seahawks have been eliminated from playoff contention, this team looks to be heading in the right direction under the direction of Pete Carroll.

19. (21) Oakland Raiders (8-7) – The Raiders walked away with a win in KC thanks to Richard Seymour blocking 2 FG’s himself. Oakland will need help to make the playoffs though. 

20. (17) Arizona Cardinals (7-8) – The Cardinals were oh so close to beating the Bengals and probably should have if Early Doucet didn’t trip on his own feet wide open in the end zone.

21. (20) Kansas City Chiefs (6-9) – A devastating loss to the Raiders where they had two FG’s blocked has to hurt. But Kyle Orton and the Chiefs have a chance to play spoiler again this weekend against Tebow and the Broncos.

22. (24) Carolina Panthers (6-9) – The Panthers have to be excited about their future with Cam Newton as their QB. If they can build a solid defense, this team could be very dangerous.  

23. (22) Miami Dolphins (5-10) – The Dolphins had Tom Brady and the Patriots in their grasp in the first half and then decided to let go for whatever reason. This team looks better, but is still finding ways to lose football games.

24. (26) Buffalo Bills (6-9) – The Bills got back to their winning ways by forcing turnovers and taking advantage of them on offense. It worked in the beginning of the year and will work now.  .  

25. (23) Chicago Bears (7-8) – The Bears actually played the Packers well in the 1^st half and then killed themselves with a few costly turnovers that Aaron Rodgers quickly turned into points. 

26. (25) Washington Redskins (5-10) – The Redskins not only lost to the Vikings, but they took both AP and Ponder out of the game. As Dave Damashek would say, “SHAMEEEEEE!!!!!”  

27. (28) Jacksonville Jaguars (4-11) – Literally the only good thing about Jacksonville is MJD. Teams know MJD will be getting the ball and he still manages to put up great numbers. 

28. (29) Cleveland Browns (4-11) – The Browns have finally gotten Peyton Hillis going again, but they can’t seem to manage a football game and it cost them a win against the Ravens.

29. (27) Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-11) – I don’t know what is going on in Tampa Bay. This team has been extremely disappointing; I just hope Raheem Morris doesn’t take the blow.

30. (30) Minnesota Vikings (3-12) – The Vikings won but at what cost? They lost Adrian Peterson, Christian Ponder and also a shot at the #1 overall 2012 draft pick.



31. (31) St. Louis Rams (2-13) – The Rams got shutout again this season. The only good thing about this is that if the Colts keep winning St. Louis may end up with the #1 overall pick.


32. (32) Indianapolis Colts (2-13) – THE COLTS WIN AGAIN! 2 IN A ROW!!! Dan Orlovsky for MVP! (Okay maybe the last one was a little crazy.) If the Colts keep this up, they may not get the chance to draft Andrew Luck. Settle down Indianapolis!

Top Ten Moments of 2011: 5. War Eagle Soars!

In yesterday's post we described the LSU-Alabama game on November 5th as "the best college football game of the 2011 season." In today's post we will discuss the best college football game of the 2010 season, which fortunately for this list took place in 2011. The game, played on January 10th, featured the Auburn Tigers, then 13-0, against the Oregon Ducks, 12-0, in the BCS National Championship. This would be the first time the champions of the Pac-10 and SEC would meet up in the BCS title game and the first championship game appearance for both schools. Networks advertised the game as the ultimate offensive showdown, as both Auburn and Oregon had high powered offenses that could score at will. Auburn was led by Heisman winning quarterback Cam Newton and Freshman tailback Michael Dyer, who ran for 1093 yards and 5 touchdowns in his first season as a Tiger. Oregon's spread attack was led by Heisman finalist and All-Pac 10 running back LaMichael James and Sophomore quarterback Darron Thomas. Both offenses would live up to their hype but it would be Auburn's ability to control the line of scrimmage on defense that would ultimately lead to their victory.

After a scoreless first quarter, a Rob Beard field goal gave Oregon the 3-0 lead before Cam Newton drove the Tigers into the end zone with a 35 touchdown pass to Kodi Burns. LaMichael James got onto the board only a minute later after an 8 yard touchdown pass from Thomas but would be safetied later in the quarter to give Auburn all the momentum. Auburn would add to their 16-11 halftime lead in the 3rd quarter after a Wes Byrum field goal to give them a 19-11. After being shut down in the third and most of the fourth, Thomas led Oregon to a touchdown with less than 3 minutes left with a pass to James, tying the game at 19. Although he caught two touchdowns, James was shut down on the ground, running for only 49 yards on 13 carries. Auburn's Nick Fairley and the rest of their front seven are to thank for the domination of Oregon's running attack. Oregon's late comeback effort would fall short in the end, as Byrum would kick a game ending field goal to give Auburn the victory and National Championship. Although Oregon's neon and cobalt uniforms will be missed, I can only hope that this year's championship game between LSU and Alabama will feature a few more touchdowns than last year's affair. Here's to wishful thinking!

Top Ten Moments of 2011: 6. LSU Beats Alabama in OT

The Tigers and Crimson Tide squared off in the game of the year in college football on November 5th in front of a sold out crowd in Tuscaloosa. The game pitted the No. 1 ranked LSU Tigers (8-0) against the No. 2 ranked Alabama Crimson Tide (8-0) in what many labeled, albeit far too early, the "Game of the Century." The game featured two Heisman finalists, LSU's Tyrann Mathieu and Alabama's Trent Richardson, and two of the top coaches in college football, LSU's Les Miles and Alabama's Nick Saban. Although everyone knew that the winner would have the straight shot to the SEC Championship game, nobody thought that the loser of the game would have a serious shot at the BCS National Championship, as a rematch seemed impossible. LSU's overtime victory not only captivated a nation, but also started a controversy on the topic of who deserved to play LSU in the National Championship game. Many fans would call for Big 12 Champion Oklahoma State, but their wishes fell short when the BCS committee announced that LSU and Alabama would meet again in the title game on January 9th. The title game will be the first rematch in BCS National Championship game history and will be a classic if it lives up to their first contest.

As for the November 5th game, fans across the country expected a low scoring, back and forth contest that would probably end in the final minute of regulation or overtime. Well, it was back and forth. And it did end in overtime. As for the low scoring, well, let's just say the Tigers and Crimson Tide exceeded expectations. Both defenses shined, each allowing only 15 total points and no touchdowns, and LSU would eventually win 9-6 on a game winning Drew Alleman field goal. The story of the game was not the defense, though, but rather Alabama's poor kicking. The Crimson Tide offense was shut down in the red zone but was able to get in field goal range several times throughout the game. Alabama Junior Jeremy Shelley went 1 for 2 in the first half but was replaced by Sophomore Cade Foster in the second half. Foster struggled to say the least. He went 1 for 4, including a missed 52 yard field in overtime that would have helped the Tigers defense later in extra period. Despite both teams' struggles, I expect the National Championship game to be one of the closest games national title games to date and one of the best games of 2012.

Top Ten Moments of 2011: 7. RG III Wins Heisman

Merry Christmas from our family to yours. We hope you're enjoying this fine Sunday with your family and friends. Unlike Thanksgiving, Christmas is dominated by professional basketball rather than football. That being said, the Bears and Packers play later tonight in what should be a classic Christmas Day game. We are continuing our countdown of the best moments of 2011 and our list travels south to Waco, Texas to honor Baylor Quarterback Robert Griffin III, a class act worthy of being honored on this Christmas Day. Again, we wish you and your family a Merry Christmas and safe travel as we enter 2012. Cheers!

In a year of dominant college quarterbacks, including Stanford's Andrew Luck, Oklahoma State's Brandon Weeden, and Houston's Case Keenum, one stood above the rest as the best quarterback in 2011: Baylor quarterback Robert Griffin III. Not only was he the top quarterback in 2011, Griffin also won the Heisman Trophy earlier this month, the award given to the nation's most outstanding player. Although many criticized the Heisman committee's decision to award Griffin with the honor, he let his performance on the field do the talking, as he threw for 3998 yards and 36 touchdowns and ran for 644 yards and 9 touchdowns in 12 games. Griffin led a good, not great, Baylor team to a 9-3 record, good enough for 3rd place in the Big 12 and a bid in the Alamo Bowl.

Not a serious Heisman candidate before the season, Griffin needed a "welcome to the party" game to get his name in the Heisman discussion. It didn't take long for him to have one of those games. Griffin shined as he led Baylor to a thrilling 50-48 victory over defending Rose Bowl champions TCU. Griffin threw for 359 yards and 5 touchdowns on the Friday night game that was watched by almost every college football fan. After three mid-season losses, Griffin's Heisman stock was falling fast and it didn't look like his Baylor Bears had enough to help him get over the edge. This all changed on November 19th when the Bears played the No. 5 Oklahoma Sooners. Griffin was clutch in the back-and-forth contest, throwing for 479 yards and 4 touchdowns. Griffin's touchdown pass with 8 seconds left gave the Bears the 45-38 upset that shocked the college football world.


Besides his rocket arm and excellent running ability, Griffin's best quality might be his humbleness. Griffin used his Heisman acceptance speech to thank his teammates, family, and God without giving any credit to himself and his work ethic. Griffin is a testament to what hard work and faith can lead to in life and should be a role model for young athletes everywhere. We wish Robert Griffin III the best of luck in his future endeavors, whether that includes being drafted in the first round or winning back-to-back Heisman Trophies.

Top Ten Moments of 2011: 8. Lynch, Seahawks Go "Beast Mode"

The upset of the year took place on January 8th at Qwest Field, the site of the NFC Wild Card matchup between the Seattle Seahawks and the New Orleans Saints. The Seahawks entered the playoffs as the joke of the NFL because of their 7-9 record, making them only the third team in league history to enter the playoffs with a losing record. After limping through the weak NFC West, the Seahawks were faced with the tall task of playing the defending Super Bowl champion New Orleans Saints in the Wild Card round of the playoffs. Led by veteran quarterback Matt Hasselbeck and fifth year running back Marshawn Lynch, the Seahawks had an offense with the potential for the extraordinary but usually settled for the mediocre. On this cool winter night in the Pacific Northwest, the Seahawks played one of their finest games in franchise history and, with the help of Lynch, reached their potential.

The Seahawks led the game 34-20 entering the fourth quarter, a shock to almost every football fan. A Julius Jones touchdown run and a Garret Hartley field goal to start to the quarter brought Saints within 4 points with 9:13 remaining and the Seahawks and their began to see their upset dreams fading quickly. After two short drives that ended in punts for both teams, the Seahawks got the ball back with under five minutes remaining and were desperately trying to hold onto their 34-30 lead. Then, the unbelievable happened. On the second play of the drive, Lynch made one of the greatest plays by a running back in football history. After receiving the handoff, Lynch broke through the left side of the offensive line after fighting off defensive lineman to break up the middle. Lynch would cut the field to the right side and break six more tackles, including one nasty stiff arm to cornerback Tracy Porter, on his way to a 67 yard touchdown run that would put the game out of reach. 

The play, which launched the famous "Marshawn Lynch - True Meaning of Determination" video on Youtube, single handedly crushed the Saints' spirits and reenergized the Seahawk franchise. The game was Hasslebeck's final home contest as a member of the Seahawks but it helped launch Lynch as one of the premier tailbacks in the NFL. The Seahawks 41-36 victory is a classic example of why we play the games, even when its the defending champions against an under .500 squad. Although the Seahawks clutch defense and the poor play of Saints quarterback Drew Brees are both strong reasons used to explain the upset, nobody can deny that Lynch's "beast mode" run late in the fourth quarter changed the scope of the game and football history.

Top Ten Moments of 2011: 9. Barkley Is Coming Back

In a rare football occurrence, the effects of the the ninth best moment in football from 2011 will occur next year in 2012. University of Southern California quarterback Matt Barkley rocked the world of college and professional football yesterday afternoon when he announced that he would be returning for his senior season. Barkley, coming off a strong Junior campaign, had the opportunity to forego his Senior year of college and enter the 2012 NFL Draft. A likely top five pick, Barkley passed up millions of guaranteed dollars to play a senior season in which he will be a favorite to win the Heisman Trophy and break multiple USC passing records. Most importantly, Barkley's return makes the 2012 version of the Trojans the favorite to win the National Championship and return USC to national prominence. 

Barkley was slighted earlier this month when he wasn't chosen as a finalist for the 2011 Heisman, a moment that confused analysts and inspired the Junior quarterback. The Newport Beach native threw for 3528 yards and 39 touchdowns in 12 games this past season, leading the Trojans to a 10-2 record and a first place finish in the Pac-12 South. The Trojans, who will also have All-Pac-12 safety T.J. McDonald returning for his senior season, will be loaded with a mixture of veteran leadership and young talent, as underclassman receivers Robert Woods and Marquise Lee stole the show in 2011. Barkley will have these weapons and more at his disposal in 2012, as the Trojans will add currently redshirting Freshman receiver Victor Blackwell and 4-star recruit Darreus Rogers. 

Barkley was shaky early in the season but turned it around in the last six games, including a 38-35 upset of Oregon and a 50-0 blowout of UCLA. A rough start won't be acceptable next year, as the expectations will be as high as they've ever been for a USC quarterback. Barkley won't get any breaks in a large media market like Los Angeles but has consistently proved he can deal with the pressure. A class act by all measures, Barkley was impressive in his speech yesterday and sent the right message to USC players and fans. His speech was compared to that of Andrew Luck's earlier in the year but Barkley's announcement was more significant because he will be returning to a legitimate, proven team and a tested coach in Lane Kiffin. Expect a "top moment of 2012" next year when we discuss Barkley's Heisman and USC's future national title.

Top Ten Moments of 2011: 10. Harry Welch Does It Again

With only ten days remaining in 2011, we here at All Football thought we should use these last few days to honor the best moments in football from this past year. 2011 had its fair share of memorable moments that we will talk about for years and it seems fitting that we compile a list of the ten best moments from the world of football from 2011. Our list will feature the best moments from Southern California high school football, college football, and professional football. We hope you enjoy reliving the best moments and feel free to provide your own input on what you think ten best football moments from 2011 were. Thank you!

Over his 38-year coaching career, Santa Margarita head coach Harry Welch has proved that he knows how to win the big games. Whether at Canyon Country Canyon, San Juan Capistrano St. Margaret's or Santa Margarita, Welch has created a culture of excellence and taken his teams to the highest level possible: CIF State Championships. Welch cemented his legacy as one of the greatest coaches in California high school football this past weekend after leading Santa Margarita to a 42-37 victory over San Jose Bellarmine Prep to win the Division 1 State Championship. Welch's Eagles finished the year 13-2, which included a CIF Pac-5 Division Championship and a second place finish in the tightly contested Trinity League. In a year when Santa Margarita was a questionable pick to make the playoffs, Welch guided the young Eagles through a difficult regular season schedule and close playoff duels to finish the season as state champions.

Welch is as true a winner as there has ever been. He was the head coach at Canyon for five seasons, where he won the Division 1 State Championship in 2006, five CIF titles, and a remarkable 46 games in a row. Welch left Canyon in 2007 to become the head football coach at St. Margaret's, where he was able to move closer to the rest of his family. Welch led the small private school to the Small School State Championship in 2008 and three CIF titles during his three year stay. Welch switched schools once again in 2010 when he took the head coaching job at Santa Margarita High School, a large Catholic school that competed in the difficult Trinity League and Pac-5 Division. The task was tall and the doubters were numerous, but it took Welch only two years to lead the Eagles to the promised land and claim the school's first state title.

An English teacher by day, Welch's games play out like true epics that would make Homer and Virgil proud. The Eagles came from behind in their Sectional semi-finals game against Mission Viejo and the State Championship contest against Bellarmine Prep. In both contests, the Eagles were either tied or losing with less than two minutes remaining and 80 yards to go. Welch, who also took over the role of quarterbacks coach this year, has built Junior quarterback Johnny Stanton into one of the premier high school quarterbacks in the nation and Welch's teachings were evident in these late game scenarios. In both contests, Stanton drove the Eagles down the field and ran the ball in for a touchdown to win the games. In the State Championship game, Welch even went for it on 4th and 1 on the 1 yardline. The play: a quarterback sneak with Stanton. The result: a State Championship. It's the "little" things like a 4th and 1 call with the state title on the line that make Welch a superior coach and strategist. He has faith in his players and believes they will execute when needed.

With three state titles in six years, it is surprising that Welch hasn't made the move to the college game. With numerous Division 1 jobs opening up over the past month, it seems hard to believe that a winner and class act like Harry Welch hasn't received a phone call or two from a big program looking to "reload" rather than "rebuild" (Welch's famous motto). UCLA's much discussed coaching vacancy was filled last week by former NFL coach Jim L. Mora, but the move has been criticized by many as the wrong one for the Bruins. In actuality, UCLA didn't have to turn to the NFL to find their head coaching solution. He was in their backyard, just down the 405 freeway, in an English classroom.

NFL Power Rankings: Week 16

1. (1) Green Bay Packers (13-1) – Yes, the Packers pursuit of perfection is over. And to all the Packers fans that are saying this could be a good thing, shut your face! You are still the best team in the NFL, but don’t start making excuses.

2. (3) New Orleans Saints (11-3) – The Saints continue to keep their hot streak rolling. I am not sure if anyone is going to be able to slow down Drew Brees.    


3. (5) New England Patriots (11-3) – Brady is Tebow’s kryptonite! The Pats defense looked decent after the 1^st quarter which is good to see heading into the playoffs.


4. (6) San Francisco 49ers (11-3) – The 49ers stepped up on the national stage to knock the Steelers lights out. They have a great shot at the #2 seed in the NFC with 2 division games left.      

5. (2) Baltimore Ravens (10-4) – The Ravens proved yet again how inconsistent they truly are. One week they look like a super bowl team and the next a team who forgot what defense is.  

6. (4) Pittsburgh Steelers (10-4) – Big Ben is human! The Steelers lost a tough game on the road but still have a chance for the division thanks to Baltimore.  

7. (9) Atlanta Falcons (9-5) – The Falcons offense seems to be clicking at the right time of the year as they demolished the Jaguars. This is a dangerous team that can still win the NFC South.

8. (11) Detroit Lions (9-5) – Somehow the Lions pulled out another late win against the Raiders. I’m concerned with their defense and lack of a running game come playoff time.

9. (7) Houston Texans (10-4) – The Texans were finally exposed by the Panthers? What shocked me most was how their defense gave up so many points to rookie QB Cam Newton.

10. (13) Dallas Cowboys (8-6) – The Cowboys showed that they can still win games without Murray in the backfield. They control their destiny from this point on so let the Romo show begin!

11. (10) New York Jets (8-6) – So much for Rex and his defense. The Eagles ran all over the Jets and Sanchez went back to his old ways turning the ball over. New Meadowlands showdown this weekend though!

12. (14) Cincinnati Bengals (8-6) – The Bengals did win but barely against the Rams led by 3^rd string QB Kellen Clemens. But this is the style of play they are built for. 2 big games down the stretch will determine their playoff lives.

13. (8) New York Giants (7-7) – Eli Manning looked of old with his 3 turnovers. This team is way too inconsistent to be a lock for the playoffs. Good luck against Rex and the boys!

14. (16) San Diego Chargers (7-7) – The Chargers are continuing their trend of catching fire late in the season. I think they can win the AFC West if they keep playing at this high of a level on both sides of the ball.   

15. (12) Denver Broncos (8-6) – Tebow just….couldn’t get it done. He played well in the 1^st quarter and declined from there on out. I still think this team can win the AFC West.

16. (17) Seattle Seahawks (7-7) – Seattle has quietly hung around in the playoff picture and could end up with a better record than last year and NOT make the playoffs!

17. (19) Arizona Cardinals (7-7) – Just like the Seahawks, the Cardinals are hanging around in the playoff picture. Their defense has emerged as one of the best out of nowhere.

18. (21) Philadelphia Eagles (6-8) – The Eagles continue their hot and cold streak with a HUGE win against the Jets. This may sound crazy, but I believe they will win the NFC East.

19. (15) Tennessee Titans (7-7) – The Titans are now the joke of the NFL after being once considered a possible playoff contender. That is all. P.S – Play Jake Locker!

20. (22) Kansas City Chiefs (6-8) – Fitting that this team would be the one to take down Aaron Rodgers. Countless injuries across the board, fired head coach of course they would! Congrats!

21. (18) Oakland Raiders (7-7) – The Raiders had their division in a choke hold a few weeks back but have managed to go backwards while every other team is driving forward. Put a fork in em!

22. (23) Miami Dolphins (5-9) – Reggie Bush looks like the USC RB we all marveled over and that is propelling this team to new heights. Just a month back they were considered to be just as bad as the Peyton Manningless Colts…

23. (20) Chicago Bears (7-7) – The Bears clearly and understandably are struggling without Cutler and Forte on offense. Scary accident with Johnnie Knox as well, my prayers go out to him.  

24. (25) Carolina Panthers (5-9) – Carolina showed what they are capable of doing when they play defense. Not good defense, but just any defense in general.  

25. (28) Washington Redskins (5-9) – After nearly outdueling Tom Brady, Grossman put Eli to shame despite 2 early INT’s. Grossman guarantees the playoffs…yeah that didn’t happen.  

26. (24) Buffalo Bills (5-9) – The Bills hot streak at the beginning of the year has completely faded away and is going in the opposite directions. Anti-Chargers much?   

27. (27) Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-10) – This team looks lost from last year and can’t seem to find their stride. Sad story because this team has a lot of young talent with a good young head coach.

28. (26) Jacksonville Jaguars (4-10) – Yay we destroyed the Buccaneers 41-14! Ah dang we lost to the Falcons 14-41. What is with the 1’s and 4’s, that’s what I’m interested in?

29. (29) Cleveland Browns (4-10) – Seneca Wallace nearly got the Browns a win, until he got injured. If anything at least Wallace had them in a close game that could’ve gone either way.

30. (30) Minnesota Vikings (2-12) – The Vikings hung with the Saints for a while there, but showed that they have a serious lack of depth and talent on this team.

31. (31) St. Louis Rams (2-12) – The Rams injury woes continue to haunt them as they lost yet again this week. Boo-hoo! At least you have a World Series ring! Not Pujols though…

32. (32) Indianapolis Colts (1-13) – THE COLTS WIN, THE COLTS WIN! Dan Orlovsky has been playing well and Donald Brown sealed the deal with a BEASTLY run into the endzone at the end of the game. Everyone in Indianapolis can breathe a sigh of relief! No defeated season here! But don’t win too many games; you still want Luck I MEAN the #1 overall selection in the 2012 NFL Draft.  

NFL Week 15 Predictions

Top Games:

1) NE vs. DEN – At the beginning of the year there is no way that I would be marking this game on my calendar as a “must watch.” But after what Tim Tebow has done in Denver, this game could come down to one last 4^th quarter drive led by either Brady or Tebow to win it. Brady and the Pats get a chance to silence the Tebow Mania while Tebow and the Broncos get an opportunity to further their case for Tim Tebow. The Patriots have a great offense but their defense has been relatively bad, especially against the pass. The Broncos defense has been their mainstay while their offense continues to be stagnant until the 4^th quarter. I do believe this game will come down to one final drive. My gut tells me I’m making a huge mistake here, but I am going to take the Patriots to win this one. WINNER = THE BRADY BUNCH!

2) NYJ vs. PHI – This game is actually quite the opposite scenario as the game listed above. Before the season began this game looked like two teams with Super Bowl potential and aspirations. The Jets are now fighting for their playoffs lives and the Eagles are trying to salvage what has been an extremely disappointing season. Both of these teams are inconsistent, but both have also looked better on as of late. The Jets have got their running game going on offense and Sanchez is playing much better. The Eagles offense has been wrecked with injuries but with everyone back healthy they are dangerous just like we imagined they would be. The tie breaker for me here is the play of the defenses. The Jets defense is hitting their stride while the Eagles defense proves that talent doesn’t mean instant success. I look for this to be a close game, but the Jets defense will get a crucial turnover to seal the deal for Rex. WINNER = J E T S JETS JETS JETS!

Sidenote – Could this matchup set an NFL record for most pounds combined between opposing head coaches?

3) PIT vs. SF – Everyone knew at the beginning of the year that Pittsburgh would be doing good, but no one envisioned the 49ers doing what they have so far. (Not even me, a diehard 49er fan!) Unfortunately, 3 stars will be off the stage Monday night with James Harrision gone for suspension, Patrick Willis out with an injury and Big Ben sitting down with his respective injury. It is no secret that both of these teams pride themselves on being able to play defense and run the ball. The Steelers have shown they can also pass with Wallace and Brown making a deadly fast combination. The 49ers have shown glimpses of their ability to throw the ball, but ever since their Turkey Day matchup with the Ravens haven’t had much success doing so. The Steelers are fresh off a Thursday night win with lots of rest. The 49ers on the other hand are coming off a loss to their division rival Cardinals. I may be a homer, but I think the 49ers pull this one out because they get to come back home and get a lot of love from their home crowd. WINNER = SANTA CLARA 49ERS!

Remaining Games:

(Thursday)

JAC vs. ATL = ATL (ATL won)

(Saturday)

DAL vs. TB = DAL (DAL won)

T.J Yates (pictured above) QB of the Houston Texans
gets another chance to lead his Texans to their 11th
win on the season against another rookie QB Cam Newton.

(Sunday)

MIA vs. BUF = MIA

SEA vs. CHI = SEA

CAR vs. HOU = HOU

TEN vs. IND = TEN

GB vs. KC = GB

NO vs. MIN = NO

WAS vs. NYG = NYG

CIN vs. STL = CIN

DET vs. OAK = DET

CLE vs. ARI = ARI

BAL vs. SD = BAL

State Championship: Open Division Preview

The final high school football in California in 2011 is upon us and it couldn't be a sweeter way for an unbelievable year of football to end. The contest pits the North Coast Section Division 1 Champions Concord De La Salle (12-1) against the Southern Section Northern Division Champions Westlake (14-0). De La Salle came to the Home Depot Center last year and destroyed undefeated Pac-5 champion Servite 48-8 in muddy conditions. Although not muddy, expect some rain tonight in Carson when the Spartans of De La Salle and the Westlake Warriors take the field. De La Salle's veer offense has become nearly unstoppable over the years and the trend continued this year, as De La Salle is averaging 261 rushing yards per game. The Spartans are led by senior quarterback Bart Houston, who has thrown for 1818 yards and ran for 292 more, and junior running back Tiapepe Vitale, who has ran for 1180 yards and 18 touchdowns through 13 games. Westlake is led by Junior quarterback Justin Moore, a running quarterback that has proved the critics wrong with strong throwing performances this season. Moore has freakish numbers this year, with 2330 yards and 27 touchdowns in the air and 1052 yards and 13 touchdowns on the ground. Moore and the Westlake offense have yet to play a stout defense like the one belonging to De La Salle, which has only given up an average of 5.6 points per game. Expect a dominant performance from head coach Bob Ladouceur's Spartans in a dominant victory over Westlake. PICK: De La Salle

High School Football Repot: Final Rankings

With Southern Section play in the books, I have compiled the final rankings for the 2011 high school football season. 2011 was a fantastic year for high school football in Southern California. From Santa Margarita quarterback Johnny Stanton's emergence as the best quarterback in Southern California to Tesoro's wild upset of top-ranked Servite, this season was filled with its fair share of unbelievable story lines. We will provide a preview of the State Championship bowl games tomorrow but, for now, here is the list of the best 25 high school football teams in the Southern Section in 2011.

1. Santa Margarita (12-2) - Pac-5; Division 1 State Championship vs. San Jose Bellarmine (12-1)

2. Westlake (14-0) - Northern; Open Division State Championship vs. Concord De La Salle (12-1)

3. Vista Murrieta (9-5)* - Inland; Inland Division Champions

4. Narbonne (11-3) - City; L.A. Section Division 1 Champions

5. San Clemente (12-2) - Pac-5; Pac-5 Division Runner-ups

6. Corona Centennial (12-2) - Inland; Inland Division Runner-ups

7. Oaks Christian (11-3) - Northern; Northern Division Runner-ups

8. Upland (12-1) - Inland; Inland Division Semi-Finalists

9. Mission Viejo (10-3) - Pac-5; Pac-5 Division Semi-Finalists

10. Servite (10-2) - Pac-5; Pac-5 Division Quarterfinalists

11. St. Bonaventure (10-3) - Northern; Northern Division Semi-Finalists

12. Arroyo Grande (13-1) - Western; Western Division Champions

13. Rancho Cucamonga (11-2) - Inland; Inland Division Semi-Finalists

14. Rancho Verde (14-0) - Central; Central Division Champions

15. San Pedro (12-1) - City; L.A. Section Division 1 Semi-Finalists

16. West Covina (13-1) - Southeast; Southeast Division Champions

17. Carson (8-6) - City; L.A. Section Division 1 Runner-ups

18. Redlands Easy Valley (11-1) - Inland; Inland Division Quarterfinalists 

19. Long Beach Poly (10-2) - Pac-5; Pac-5 Division Quarterfinalists

20. Lompoc (14-0) - Northwest; Northwest Division Champions

21. Summit  (13-1) - Eastern; Eastern Division Champions

22. Dorsey (11-2) - City; L.A. Section Division 1 Semi-Finalists

23. South East (13-1) - City; L.A. Section Division 2 Champions

24. Sierra Canyon (14-0) - East Valley; Division 4 State Championship vs. Le Grand (12-0)

25. St. John Bosco (8-4) - Pac-5; Pac-5 Division Quarterfinalists

* Vista Murrieta forfeited their first 5 games due to CIF sanctions

Fantasy Football Playoffs Part 2!

It’s Week 2 of the Fantasy Football Playoffs for many of you! I hope that everyone had a good first week and is off to an early lead heading into this weekend. Last week I touched on the must have “Handcuffs” at the RB position and many of them performed extremely well. If you haven’t picked up any of those RB’s listed do so now! This week I want to advise you to be weary of teams that have clinched playoff spots possibly benching star players. This is because teams don’t want their studs being injured, ***Cough Demarco Murray & Greg Jennings Cough*** That being said, here are some must adds:  

Must adds:

QB Jake Locker (TEN) – Matt Hasselbeck went down with an injury this week and Locker took over without skipping a beat. He nearly led the Titans to a win against the Saints. But more importantly, he is a good fantasy QB because he has the ability to run.

RB Felix Jones (DAL) – Demarco is officially out for the year so if Felix Jones is available, you must add him whether or not you were a Murray owner. Great matchup this week against the Buccaneers who gave up 34 fantasy points to MJD.

RB Chris Ivory (NO) – Mark Ingram’s injury varies on a week to week basis but it is clear that the Saints like to get Ivory the ball when Ingram isn’t in. Add him to your team before someone picks him up and uses him against you.

WR Donald Driver (GB) – Greg Jennings got injured this Sunday against the Raiders so the Pack will now rely on their veteran WR more than ever. Nelson becomes the #1 and Jones/Driver will have to play big for Rodgers.

WR Michael Crabtree (SF) – Despite the 49ers offense struggles, Crabtree is beginning to flourish coming off his injury. He is clearly Alex Smith’s favorite WR.

WR Jabar Gaffney (WAS) – The Redskins with Rex Grossman under center can throw the ball. (Mainly because of Roy Helu running so well not Grossman’s arm) Santana Moss is the clear #1 which leaves Gaffney with a lot of opportunities.

TE Jermichael Finely (GB) – Finely is probably owned in nearly all leagues, but he has been a huge disappointment as of recent. Look for him to be big and get more targets with Jennings out.

Good plays this week (Outside of your studs):

QB T.J Yates (HOU) – T.J Yates had a big breakthrough game this past weekend against the good defensive team in the Bengals. This guy can make some plays and has a great matchup against the Panthers this week.

QB Andy Dalton (CIN) – Dalton seems to be a bit up and down, but whenever A.J Green is in he has a chance to get some big plays. He also has a great matchup against the Rams.

RB Kevin Smith (DET) – We will never be able to predict when this man will be hurt, but we do know two things: 1) This man can run the ball when he is in and 2) The Raiders just gave up 21 fantasy points to Ryan Grant. Enough said.

RB Shonn Greene (NYJ) – Greene has been coming on of late with some big games. He does split carries with L.T but Greene showed us he can be involved in the passing game as well this past weekend. He has a favorable matchup against the Eagles non-existent rush defense.

RB Ahmad Bradshaw (NYG) – Bradshaw has been injured for a while now and same minimal actions against the Cowboys. I think Bradshaw will be back in his dominant role this weekend with a great matchup against the Redskins.

RB/WR C.J Spiller (BUF) – The Bills are playing the Dolphins this weekend which is a good matchup for Spiller. He is so valuable because you can play him at WR and he gets RB carries along with receptions. PICK HIM UP!

WR Miles Austin (DAL) – Austin is a stud yes, but he has been hurt. Don’t let that keep you from playing him against the horrid Tampa Bay defense.

WR Julio Jones (ATL) – Jones had a big week last week and will have a chance to have another this weekend when the Falcons go against the Jaguars will their depleted secondary.


TE Kellen Winslow (TB) – If there has been one bright spot for the Buccaneers this year it is Winslow. Dallas gives up a lot of points to opposing TE’s, look for Winslow to a TD or two.

TE Owen Daniels (HOU) – Daniels has been stepping his game up recently and I am no longer worried about T.J Yates being able to get him the ball. That paired along with his matchup against the Panthers could mean a big fantasy day.

Cardinals D/ST – Not only do you get the possibility of a Patrick Peterson special teams TD, but this defense is playing with a passion! They may just have a field day against the Browns.

Titans D/ST – I would be lying if I put any reason for making this selection above their matchup against the Colts. I don’t see the Titans blowing out the Colts, so not a lot of junk yardage and points will be put up by the Colts.

Good luck in your fantasy playoffs everyone! If your season is done, start preparing for next year. If I was the reason your fantasy team lost, then I question why you listened to me in the first place? I don’t get paid for this or anything, just saying. Keep up the good work in fantasy and keep scraping to make the championship!

NFL Power Rankings: Week 15

1. (1) Green Bay Packers (13-0) – The Packers continued their pursuit of perfection against the Raiders. Their defense is tightening up which will be vital going into the playoffs. Rodgers and the crew will continue to do their thing, watch the Greg Jennings injury though.

2. (2) Baltimore Ravens (10-3) – The Ravens took care of business against the Colts in a game that they were supposed to win. If the Ravens can keep Torrey Smith going this offense could lead them deep into the playoffs.

3. (3) New Orleans Saints (10-3) – The Saints had a scare in Tennessee but pulled out the win. The Saints seem to be a different team away from home but found a way to get it done with Ingram and Graham injured through Marques Colston’s re-emergence.  

4. (4) Pittsburgh Steelers (10-3) – Big Ben seems to be indestructible and continues to lead the Steelers to wins. They will get a nice test on Monday night when they head into San Francisco.

5. (6) New England Patriots (10-3) – The Patriots are always in games because of #12, but their defense has to be a concern giving up 27 points to the Grossman led Redskins. The Patriots may continue to win games in the regular season, but their defense needs to step up in the playoffs.  

6. (5) San Francisco 49ers (10-3) – The 49ers seem to be exposed ever since their game Thanksgiving night at Baltimore. John Harbaugh has totally exposed his brother Jim’s offensive issues.      

7. (7) Houston Texans (10-3) – T.J Yates threw for 300 yards against a great Bengals defense. This emergence of Yates could open up the box for the run game that they had when Schaub was at QB. The Texans really haven’t skipped a beat with Yates which is a little surprising. 

8. (8) New York Giants (7-6) – The Giants found themselves in another close game this Sunday night and found a way to win against division rival Dallas. This was a much needed win for Eli and the Giants to stay in the division race.

9. (9) Atlanta Falcons (8-5) – The Falcons looked horrible in the first half against the Panthers but found a way to win through Julio Jones coming back onto the scene. 

10. (15) New York Jets (8-5) – The Jets have got their running game back and it is showing on the scoreboard. Not only that, but Mark Sanchize looks confident and ready for a playoff run.

11. (13) Detroit Lions (8-5) – The Lions pulled a complete 360 from what they were known for which was coming back in the 2^nd half of games. Instead, they nearly gave the game to the Vikings and got away with a facemask at the end which could’ve swayed the outcome.

12. (14) Denver Broncos (8-5) – TEBOW JUST WINS! The Broncos pulled out another ugly win, but the win is all that matters. The Broncos are in 1^st place in the AFC West and control their own destiny from here on out.

13. (12) Dallas Cowboys (7-6) – The Cowboys offense looked great Sunday night against the Giants but their defense let them down once again. Not only that, but they continue to lose close games by breaking down on simple things. (Timeouts and FG’s)


14. (11) Cincinnati Bengals (7-6) – The Bengals defense was a disappointment giving up 300 yards passing to rookie QB T.J Yates. If the Bengals want to win games they have to get back to playing great defense and pounding the rock with Cedric Benson.

15. (16) Tennessee Titans (7-6) – The Titans played a gutsy game against the Saints and nearly pulled off the win with backup QB Jake Locker. This team needs to start winning if they hope to make the playoffs, close isn’t good enough.

16. (18) San Diego Chargers (6-7) – The Chargers are also going against the grain of what they usually do, which is start hot and die off near the end of the year. Instead they started slow and are now getting hot. This could be a 3 team race coming down the stretch in the AFC West. 

17. (19) Seattle Seahawks (6-7) – Marshawn Lynch has literally turned on his beast mode and is making life much easier for the improved Tavaris Jackson. We all know what this defense can do.

18. (10) Oakland Raiders (7-6) – The Raiders problems are a lot worse than the result of their game against the Packers. Their offense needs to find themselves or they could be in trouble with the Broncos streaking right now.

19. (21) Arizona Cardinals (6-7) – The Cardinals defense has stepped up to the challenge and their offense found a way to beat the strong 49ers defense. Even with Kolb out, Skelton threw for 250+ yards and they snapped a 5 game losing streak to the 49ers.

20. (17) Chicago Bears (7-6) – The Bears became the latest victim of Tebow Mania this weekend. Their defense continues to play well but Caleb Hanie clearly cannot get the job done in Chicago.

21. (24) Philadelphia Eagles (5-8) – One week the Eagles play horrible and the next week they come out and have glimpses of being the dream team. This team is still far away from reaching their potential, which is a scary thought.

22. (22) Kansas City Chiefs (5-8) – The Chiefs lost again this week to the Jets and fired Head Coach Todd Haley on Monday. I’m not sure who will take over for him, but this cannot be good for the future of the Chiefs. 

23. (20) Miami Dolphins (4-9) – The Dolphins were on a hot streak and unfortunately ran into the Eagles who got healthy this week with Vick and Maclin back. They had their chances but couldn’t convert their opportunities into points.

24. (23) Buffalo Bills (5-8) – The Bills got thrashed by the red hot Chargers this Sunday. Their hot start to the season has completely faded away and Ryan Fitzpatrick doesn’t seem like the same QB without Fred Jackson in the backfield. 

25. (25) Carolina Panthers (4-9) – All Carolina had to do against the Falcons was take care of the ball and play some defense to steal a win. Nonetheless, the Panthers blew a huge lead in the 2^nd half due in part to some Cam Newton INT’s and some terrible defense.

26. (29) Jacksonville Jaguars (4-9) – The Jaguars got their first win under their interim head coach, congratulations! It was the MJD show on Sunday, why isn’t it like this every week?

27. (26) Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-9) – Josh Freeman has to be the biggest disappointment in the NFL this season. The Buccaneers got blown out by the Blaine Gabbert led Jacksonville Jaguars, I don’t know what else to say about how bad this defense is.

28. (27) Washington Redskins (4-9) – Grossman nearly outdueled Tom Brady on Sunday, but just like the classic Redskins, they found a way to lose.

29. (28) Cleveland Browns (4-9) – The Browns can’t seem to get their offense going with McCoy at QB. Something has to change because their defense is actually pretty good.

30. (30) Minnesota Vikings (2-11) – The Vikings nearly were able to beat the Lions with backup QB Joe Webb replacing Christian Ponder. This is the story of the Vikings season, they get close but can never find a way to win.

31. (31) St. Louis Rams (2-11) – The Rams didn’t look much better with Bradford back at QB. If you get 5+ attempts from the 1 yard line and can’t score there is something seriously wrong.

32. (32) Indianapolis Colts (0-13) – The Colts offense ran into a brick wall when they faced the Ravens defense on Sunday. I like what Orlovsky is doing on offense, but it just isn’t enough to beat the Ravens veteran defense.