We’ve seen many unusual offenses in this crazy, mixed-up NFL season of oursthe wildcat, the run-and-shoot and the wishbone, just to mention a few.
And last week we saw yet another one, courtesy of Plaxico Burress: the shoot-and-run.
Burress is gone for the season after his nightclub escapade. Question is, how much will the Giants miss him?
What’s that? You’re right. Dumb question. The Giants, no matter who is in their lineup, always seem to find a way. They’re not just beating teams. In an era in which the salary cap has supposedly created parity, they’re dominating the rest of the league.
The G-men have been so impressive, they can clinch the NFC East with a win today against the Eagles. We’re not talking about the Cardinals clinching the woeful NFC West here. The East is so strong, the Eagles, seventh in the league in offense and defense, find themselves in last place.
Which brings us to Eli Manning. Who knew a kid named Manning picked No. 1 in the draft could be overshadowed by his team’s defense?
Not that Manning ought to be getting some love for MVP, but he’s on pace for career bests in completion percentage (62.0), passing yardage (3,499) and touchdown passes (25).
Week 14, here we come.
Week 14
Jacksonville at Chicago
11 a.m., Bears by 6 1/2
Last meeting: Jaguars won 22-3 at Jacksonville on Dec. 12, 2004.
Both teams looking to get back on their feet after double-digit losses. . . . Bears coming off a three-game road trip. . . . Jags inexplicably play better on the road than home. They’ve run for 183 yards per in three road dubyas. . . . Now for the rub: Teddy Bears have held opps to 78 yards, 3.1 per, at Soldier Field.
Prediction: Bears 27, Jaguars 16
Minnesota at Detroit
11 a.m., Vikings by 10
Last meeting: Vikings won 12-10 at Minnesota on Oct. 12.
This may be Lions’ last chance at a W, what with Saints and roadies at Indy and GB left on the sked. . . . Fine print in GM’s bailout proposal: Can you help out the Lions, too? They’ve been outgained 401-231 yards at home, with minus-5 TOs and avg. score of 38-16. . . . Adrian Peterson’s rushing totals could be measured in miles for this one.
Prediction: Vikings 22, Lions 16
Philadelphia at N.Y. Giants
11 a.m., Giants by 6 1/2
Last meeting: Giants won 36-31 at Philadelphia on Nov. 9.
Check injury report, rap sheet to see who lines up for G-men. . . . How tight is NFC East? Home favorites 4-11 vs. point spread within division. . . . Score from first meeting misleading. Giants had 19-minute TOP advantage as Eagles couldn’t handle relentless running attack. . . . Eagles in last place despite ranking seventh in Oh & D.
Prediction: Giants 24, Eagles 19
Houston at Green Bay
11 a.m., Packers by 6
Last meeting: Packers won 16-13 at Houston on Nov. 21, 2004.
First meeting on the — quick, somebody clean the slobber off Chris Berman’s tie — Frozen Tundra. . . . Texans fifth in offense, but buried in AFC South. Stuff happens when you’re minus-8 in TOs. . . . Pack 27th vs. da run. Not that, you know, rookie Steve Slaton has noticed. Dude needs 96 yards to reach 1,000.
Prediction: Packers 31, Texans 23
Cleveland at Tennessee
11 a.m., Titans by 14
Last meeting: Browns won 20-14 at Cleveland on Nov. 6, 2005.
It’s Sunday so let’s all say a prayer for Ken Dorsey. The guy will make first Not For Long start since ’05 against Titans relentless D. . . . Browns’ D 26th in the loop, but looked good vs. Indy, not allowing Colts’ offense a TD. . . . Our offensive ROY vote goes to Titans’ Chris Johnson. Forty-two more yards and he hits 1,000.
Prediction: Titans 23, Browns 0
Cincinnati at Indianapolis
11 a.m., Colts by 13 1/2
Last meeting: Colts won 34-16 at Indianapolis on Dec. 18, 2006.
Tony Dungy 5-0 career vs. Bungles. . . . Did you know? Indy D has allowed four TD passes, second best in the bid’ness to Ravens’ three. . . . Colts have won five straight this year, five straight vs. Cincy. . . . Cedric Benson since joining Bengals: 2.9 yards per. Hey, give him a break. Have you checked out Cincy Oh line? Opponents have racked up 43 sacks, 30th in the league.
Prediction: Colts 34, Bengals 9
Atlanta at New Orleans
11 a.m., Saints by 3
Last meeting: Falcons won 34-20 at Atlanta on Nov. 9.
Sean Payton says Saints gotta win out to have a shot at the postseason. No arguments here, Sparky. . . . Stuff happens when you can’t run the rock: Drew Brees on pace to go way, way, way over 5,000 yards. . . . Dirty Birds will be tested here after long trip to West Coast, where they beat Bad News Bolts. . . . Matt Ryan in first meeting: two TD passes, no picks. . . . Michael Turner tied for league lead with 13 rushing TDs — but only one has come on the road.
Prediction: Saints 34, Falcons 30
Miami vs. Buffalo (at Toronto)
2 p.m., Bills by 1
Last meeting: Dolphins won 25-16 at Miami on Oct. 26.
Bills take their act to Canada. Good thing, because they were getting tired of them in Buffalo. . . . Bills were desperate for a W last week and scored three points in home loss to Niner-Niners. Any more questions? . . . Check QB situation, but know this: At this point, Bills might be better off with backup J.P. Losman instead of erratic Trent Edwards. Prediction: Dolphins 13, Bills 10
N.Y. Jets at San Francisco
2 p.m., Jets by 3 1/2
Last meeting: Jets won 22-14 at the Meadowlands on Oct. 17, 2004.
Jets have won three straight on the road, but have struggled on West Coast, losing to Chargers and Raiders. . . . Thomas Jones leading AFC with 1,088 rush yards and ranks second with 11 rush TDs. . . . Niners minus-13 in TOs, Jets minus-1. . . . Jets had five-game W streak snapped vs. Broncos. Before that, Brett the Jet was making it look easier than playing touch football with his labs in the backyard.
Prediction: Jets 24, 49ers 17
New England at Seattle
2 p.m., Patriots by 6 1/2
Last meeting: Patriots won 30-20 at New England on Oct. 17, 2004.
Not enough coffee in Seattle to get Seahawks jacked up for this one. . . . Pats, looking to rebound from fumblefest against Steelers, have won 13 straight vs. NFC. . . . Seahawks your basic nightmare: 31st on offense, 30th on D. . . . Trends not kind to Seahawks for this one. Pats have won 10 straight roadies after a loss. . . . Coach Hoodie seeking 150th career win. Even if he gets it, postgame news conference will be more boring than soybean burgers.
Prediction: Patriots 27, Seahawks 20
St. Louis at Arizona
2:15 p.m., Cardinals by 14
Last meeting: Cardinals won 34-13 at St. Louis on Nov. 2
Rams turning going through the motions into an art form. They’re minus-9 in turnovers and losing by avg. score of 30-13. . . . Cards could wrap up division with a dubya. Nothing out of the ordinary there. Right. Last time they won their division, Gerald Ford was sitting in the White House. . . . Cards looking to rev up runnin’ game. Rookie Tim High- tower got stuffed on Turkey Day, dropping average to 2.9 yards per.
Prediction: Cardinals 37, Rams 19
Dallas at Pittsburgh
2:15 p.m., Steelers by 3
Last meeting: Steelers won 24-20 at Dallas on Oct. 17, 2004
Steelers’ D tougher than freshman calc. . . . Cowboys’ DeMarcus Ware leads the league with 15 sacks, just ahead of Stillers’ James Harrison. . . . Just wondering: How they gonna do Troy Polamalu’s Hall of Fame bust with all that hair? And make no doubt, he’s headed for Canton. Dude has a pick in three straight and rumor has it he likes to hit you a little, too. . . . Steelers plus-4 in TOs, ‘Boys minus-5.
Prediction: Steelers 16, Cowboys 15
Washington at Baltimore
6:15 p.m., Ravens by 5
Last meeting: Ravens won 17-10 at Washington on Oct. 10, 2004
Say, didn’t you used to be the Washington offense? . . . Welcome to the Beltway Bowl. You don’t suppose some political types got free ducats to those luxury suites, do you? Nah, didn’t think so. . . . Matchup of Clinton Portis, second in the loop with 1,228 rushing yards, and Ravens’ run D, which hasn’t allowed a 100-yarder in 30 games. . . . Go figure. Team with politically incorrect nickname hires an ex-quarterback as its head coach and ranks 20th in passing.
Prediction: Ravens 23, Redskins 15
Tampa Bay at Carolina
6:30 p.m. Monday, Panthers by 3
Last meeting: Buccaneers won 27-3 at Tampa on Oct. 12
So much for Carolina’s seventh- ranked running game. Panthers av’ged 2 yards per in blowout loss at Tampa. . . . Somethin’s gotta give here. Jeff Garcia has won five straight starts vs. Panthers. Jake Delhomme, meanwhile, is 7-2 vs. Tampa, 3-1 at home. . . . Coach Chucky 6-8 career vs. Panthers. . . . Julius Peppers back in gear (11 sacks) after off year in ’07. He has 11 sacks in past 12 vs. Bucs.
Prediction: Buccaneers 29, Panthers 27
Jimmy tracker
Season record: 120-71
Record vs. the spread: 94-93-4
Highlight of the week: Bucs over the Saints 24-23. Your final score from the Sunshine State: Bucs 23, Saints 20.
