LeBron's No Big Shot

When LeBron James bolted Cleveland to "Take his talents to South Beach", he must have left his Tiger Blood behind. Now 61-games into his first season with the Miami Heat, LeBron has become the ultimate numbers guy. On a team that includes Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh, he's only 1-point off his career scoring average, and his rebounds and assists are both slightly up. But ask him to hit a shot in the clutch, and LeBron morphs from King James into the Court Jester.

Exhibit A:Feb, 13th at Boston...Trailing 83-81 with 12-seconds remaining, LeBron gets fouled by Paul Pierce. However, he makes just 1 of 2-free throws and the Heat lose 85-82 dropping them to 0-3 against the Celtics this season.

Exhibit B:Feb, 24th at Chicago...Down 92-89 with 11-seconds to go, LeBron's off the mark on a three point attempt. The Heat fall to the Bulls 93-89.

Exhibit C:Feb, 27th vs New York...Trailing 87-86 with 7-seconds left, LeBron's driving lay-up attempt is blocked by Amare Stoudemire. James gets another chance though with 2-seconds remaining and the Heat now behind 89-86. But his three pointer is no good as the Knicks beat Miami 91-86.

Exhibit D:March, 3rd vs Orlando...Down 99-96 with 3-seconds to go, LeBron misses a three pointer and the Magic knock off the Heat.

Exhibit E:March, 6th vs Chicago...LeBron once again has the ball in his hands with the game on the line. Trailing 87-86 with 5-seconds remaining, his driving lay-up comes nowhere close. This time Dwayne Wade pulls down the offensive rebound, but he can't hit a desperation jumper as the clock runs out.

During the post game press conference after Sunday's loss to the Bulls, LeBron said "I told my team I'm not going to continue to fail them late in games." The question is, why does he keep getting the opportunity? Insert whatever line you want here, and there are several that apply. Those who don't learn from history are doomed to repeat it...or how about...The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results.

In the last month James has missed more shots in the clutch than Michael Jordan did in his entire career. Yet somehow he's still their go to guy at the end of theses game. When Pat Riley put the hard sell on this off-season, he told LeBron he would be Magic, Wade would be Kobe and Chris Bosh would play the role of Kevin Garnett. Under that scenario, it should be Wade who takes the final shot. He is the only one of the unholy trinity with a ring after all, and has been known to deliver in crunch time. Apparently, head coach Erik Spoelstra never got the memo. When the game's on the line, give your championship player the damn ball. Because there's a better chance of Charlie Sheen turning down a suitcase full of cocaine and room full of strippers these days then there is of LeBron knocking down a big shot.

The 15-Play Drive

15 thoughts on Super Bowl XLV...

1. Fitting that Green Bay overcame injuries to key players like Charles Woodson and Donald Driver Sunday night to capture the Vince Lombardi trophy. This was after all the same team that was forced to place a league high 15-players on injured reserve this season.

2. It doesn't take a genius to figure out that turnovers killed the Steelers. Ben Roethlisberger's two interceptions and Rashard Mendenhall's fumble directly led to 21 of the Packers 31-points.

3. Packers defensive tackle Howard Green's pass rush and hit on Big Ben caused the game's first turnover, when safety Nick Collins returned an underthrown ball for a touchdown. That Green made an impact is amazing when you consider this was the third team he played for this season. Green was cut by the Redskins in training camp, and later released by the Jets.

4. I understand they fell behind early, but I thought the Steelers got too pass happy, especially after they cut the deficit to 21-17 in the 3rd quarter. It's not like they weren't having success on the ground. They averaged 5.5-yards per carry. Yet after they pulled within 4, Pittsburgh ran 3-times and threw 8-times on their next two possessions.

5. Was it just me, or did the field turf at Cowboys Stadium appear to be very slick and hard as a rock?

6. When Aaron Rodgers walks outside today, he won't see Brett Favre's shadow anymore. Rodgers not only has as many Super Bowl victories as Favre now, but he has something the future hall of famer never picked up...a Super Bowl MVP.

7. James Jones needs to work on his hands and concentration this off-season. The Packers receiver dropped what could have easily turned into a long touchdown on the opening drive of the 2nd half. Jones has plenty of physical gifts, but he's way too inconsistent catching the ball.

8. I don't expect the officials to get everything right, but that was a phantom face mask call on Tom Crabtree. Bad guess work by Walt Anderson's crew.

9. Use your head Keyaron Fox. You're down 31-25 late in the 4th quarter, and only have 1-timeout left. That was a stupid unnecessary roughness penalty you took there.

10. Where was the communication between Roethlisberger and his wide-receivers? In the final minute of a Super Bowl game the Steelers were in pre-season form.

11. Let's be honest here...Big Ben did not play particularly well. For as much career success as he's had in the playoffs, this was not a shining moment for him. Too many wild throws, the turnovers and the final drive meltdown. He's a winning player, but this loss falls on his shoulders.

12. Stop complaining Pittsburgh...that wasn't pass interference on 4th and 5.

13. The rest of the NFL should be afraid...be very afraid. The Packers are the 2nd youngest team in the league. Unless something happens to Rodgers, they're going to be awfully tough for awhile.

14. Not that I pay all that much attention to the half-time show, but the Black Eyed Peas didn't sound good and weren't entertaining. Enough said.

15. I've got a 6-year old son, so maybe this hit home with me, but the Volkswagen commercial with the kid in the Darth Vader costume was by far my favorite.

The 15-Play Drive

15 thoughts on Championship Sunday in the NFL...

1. I won't pretend to know what kind of pain Jay Cutler was feeling with a reported MCL injury, but with what was at stake my thinking is if you can stand and walk you can play. When his team needed him, I thought Cutler lacked toughness.

2. What are you complaining about Julius Peppers? You hit Aaron Rodgers helmet to helmet on that roughing the passer call early in the 4th quarter.

3. From the you can't make this stuff up department....Caleb Hanie threw for more TD's Sunday than Aaron Rodgers and Jay Cutler combined.

4. Mike Martz continues to outsmart himself. It's 3rd and 3 at the Green Bay 27 on Chicago's final drive of the game, and Martz is calling an end around for Earl Bennett. Result: 2-yard loss. Keep it simple there Mike. You'll stay employed longer.

5. Don't underestimate the impact Tim Masthay and the Packers punt coverage team had during Sunday's game. Masthay placed 5 of his 8-punts inside the Bears 20-yard line. On top of that, Green Bay held Devin Hester to 16-yards on his 3-returns. That's an outstanding job.

6. I have the feeling Packers GM Ted Thompson is still smiling today about the performances of Sam Shields and James Starks. Shields, an undrafted free agent out of Miami, had a sack and a pair of interceptions including the game clincher late in the 4th quarter. Starks, a 6th round pick from Buffalo, rushed for 74-yards on 22-carries with 1-TD.

7. Bart Scott's now famous post-game interview with Sal Paolantonio included this comment when Paolantonio told him see you in Pittsburgh, "Can't wait!" Apparently he could wait. Scott was one of the prime culprits in a first half of missed tackles by the Jets defense.

8. Ben Roethlisberger didn't put up big numbers, but he did what Peyton Manning and Tom Brady couldn't against the Jets...He kept his team on the field. Big Ben's ability to buy time helped the Steelers go 6 for 11 on 3rd down conversions.

9. Maybe you just can't reach a Super Bowl with a Schottenheimer. Jets offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer had an awful night. Shall I count the ways....

3rd and 17 at NYJ 26: Down 17-0 with under 2-minutes to go in the half, no need to make a bad situation worse. Instead of a run or safe pass, Schottenheimer called for a play that had Sanchez looking down the field. Ike Taylor blitzed, drilled Sanchez, and caused a fumble which was returned for a touchdown.

3rd and goal at Pit 1: The Jets already tried a pass on 2nd down, yet they threw again on 3rd. Then when that failed, Schottenheimer went back to the run. LaDainian Tomlinson was stopped for no gain, and on a drive that took 8:06 off the clock in the 4th quarter, the Jets came away with nothing. Back to back throws from the 1-yard line? Are you kidding? Did I confuse ground and pound with duck and chuck?

1st and 10 at Pit 36: Sanchez just completed a 22-yard pass to Braylon Edwards. The Jets were trailing 24-12 at the time with less than 7 and a half minutes remaining. Yet they showed an unbelievable lack of urgency. No hurry up. That's pure incompetence there.

10. Nobody accounted for you Jamaal Westerman. How did you not block that punt?

11. Say this for the Jets defense...They made three elite quarterbacks look very ordinary at times during these playoffs. Manning, Brady and Roethlisberger combined went 57-90 passing for 657-yards with 3-TD's and 3-INT's.

12. Can't give enough credit to Rashard Mendenhall. On a night when no Steelers receiver had more than 2-catches, Mendenhall put the offense on his back at times. His ability to break tackles in the early going, and establish the run put the Jets on their heels.

13. Gusty play-calling by the Steelers on the final drive of the game. Instead of going conservative, they chose to be aggressive and threw for two first downs to put the Jets away.

14. At the same time, Antonio Brown's kickoff return allowed them that luxury. It may get lost, but Brown's 27-yard return to the Steelers 41-yard line made it easier for them to push the envelope.

15. One non-championship game note....A change of scenery may do him some good, but buyer beware on Carson Palmer. Too many times he looks like a stiff more than a savior.

The 15-Play Drive

15 thoughts on week-17 in the NFL...

1. I know it's not a popular opinion right now, but I don't have a problem with the 7-9 Seahawks making the playoffs. They finished atop the NFC West...case closed. These things are cyclical. No need to restructure the entire postseason, because for the first time ever a team with a losing record won its division.

2. Who was behind that game plan for the Rams Sunday night...Mike Martz? 11-carries for Steven Jackson against a Seahawks defense that allowed 209-yards rushing to the Buccaneers only a week ago? Are you kidding?

3. Maybe I'm falling into the trap here, but listening to Brett Favre's post-game comments, I really, truly believe this time he's done...for good...I'm serious...stop laughing!

4. Talk about setting the tone early...With the AFC North division title still up for grabs yesterday, Ravens safety Ed Reed and Steelers safety Troy Polamalu must have been on the same wavelength. In Baltimore's game against Cincinnati, Reed picked off Carson Palmer on the Bengals third offensive play. In Pittsburgh's game at Cleveland, Polamalu intercepted Colt McCoy on the Browns second offensive play. Cue the Twilight Zone music.

5. 16-games + 10 turnovers for the Patriots=A 14-2 record and homefield advantage.

6. 16-games + 42 turnovers for the Giants=A 10-6 record and an early vacation.

7. What does Gary Kubiak have to do to lose his job? Show up in a video with Rex Ryan's wife? That's 5-years as head coach of the Texans with 0-playoff appearances and a career record of 37-43. Can somebody tell Houston owner Bob McNair that Bill Cowher's available.

8. What does Tom Cable have to do to keep his job? Promise to wear white leisure suits designed by Al Davis? The 8-8 Raiders made progress this season, and went from a laughingstock to at the very least respectable.

9. The Todd Collins Award of the week goes to Chad Henne. The Dolphins QB completed just 6 of 16-passes for 71-yards with 0-TD's and 1-INT against the Patriots before being pulled in favor of Tyler Thigpen. Henne is not the quarterback of the present or future in Miami anymore.

10. Instead of Randy Moss, the initials R.M. should stand for Rarely Mentioned. Moss actually had an 18-yard reception Sunday, his first catch since week-13. However, in 8-games with the Titans, Moss finished with only 6-receptions and 0-TD's. By comparison, the seldom used Chad Hall had 6-catches and a touchdown for the Eagles yesterday. That's some impact you made there Randy.

11. Did the Jets really need to start Mark Sanchez to keep him in rhythm? Sanchez played the first series against the Bills, and never attempted a pass.

12. Your team just ran 10-consecutive times for 87-yards. Why are you kicking a field goal on 4th and 1 Rex Ryan?

13. Who needs T.O. or Ochocinco when you've got Jerome Simpson. The Bengals 3rd year wide-receiver out of Coastal Carolina had 12-more receptions Sunday for 123-yards and a TD. That's 18-catches combined in the last 2-weeks for 247-yards and 3-touchdowns. I'd say this kid has a future.

14. If you didn't understand the rivalry before, now you know how much the Bears hate the Packers. What other team with nothing to play for would leave its starters in the game just to try and keep Green Bay out of the playoffs?

15. Here's the final tally...We had 19-overtime games during the regular season. Two of them ended when the team that won the coin toss scored on the first possession. In the other 17, both teams got their hands on the ball. I think I've more than made my case. There are no guarantees when it comes to OT. And there was no reason to change the rules for the playoffs. When you're ready to talk, let me know Commissioner Goodell.

The 15-Play Drive

15 thoughts on week-15 in the NFL...

1. Too many angles to devote just a few lines to Giants/Eagles from Sunday, so I'll start with this...While it may be "The Miracle at the New Meadowlands" for Eagles fans, I'm guessing it's more like "The Christmas Collapse" for Giants fans. Considering the circumstances, it's one of the worst regular season losses for a team I've ever seen.

2. Polish up that resume Matt Dodge. You've been shaky all season long, and yesterday's punt straight to DeSean Jackson when you were instructed to kick it out of bounds was the capper. Where have you gone Jeff Feagles?

3. Andy Reid and Tom Coughlin both made huge mistakes during yesterday's NFC East showdown. Reid held onto the challenge flag like it was a Krispie Kreme doughnut when replay clearly showed DeSean Jackson was down by contact on his fumble early in the 4th quarter. As for Coughlin, there's no excuse for not having the hands team on the field with under 8-minutes to go, and the Eagles set to kick-off trailing 31-17.

4. Whether he did it intentionally or not, Jaguars receiver Mike Thomas did wave his left hand before returning that punt 78-yards for a touchdown against the Colts. The ruling should have been fair catch. Mike Carey's crew got it wrong.

5. You blew a shot at a touchdown Bennie Sapp. Why are you trying to pitch the ball after intercepting Ryan Fitzpatrick when there's a ton of open field staring you in the face?

6. The collar is extra tight for Tom Coughlin, Tony Sparano and Gary Kubiak this morning. All three head coaches lost Sunday, and the news that Bill Cowher's short list includes the Giants, Dolphins and Texans can't have them feeling any better.

7. Aside from the Jets Brad Smith, the two most dangerous kick returners in week-15 were Patriots offensive lineman Dan Connolly and Colts linebacker Tyjuan Hagler. Connolly returned a squib kick 71-yards against the Packers, while Hagler took an onside kick back 41-yards for a touchdown to seal their victory over the Jaguars.

8. Take the rest of the season off Austin Collie. That's three concussions this season. I didn't think that was such a brutal hit, but Collie looked like he was out before he hit the ground.

9. Under the heading of you can't predict this...Donald Brown outrushed Maurice Jones-Drew 129 to 46, Matt Flynn threw for more yards and touchdowns than Tom Brady, and the Lions, Panthers, Bengals and Bills all won on the same day.

10. Speaking of the Lions, caught up with head coach Jim Schwartz on the Sunday Drive following their 23-20 OT victory against the Buccaneers to end their 26-game road losing streak. Schwartz did his best to minimize the importance of the win, "The road losing streak never really made our radar." That may be the understatement of the year.

11. The Todd Collins award of the week goes to Matt Hasselbeck. The Seahawks QB completed a respectable 10 of 17-passes for 71-yards before being pulled in favor of Charlie Whitehurst. However, he was a turnover machine throwing 2-interceptions, and losing a fumble in the end-zone that was recovered by the Falcons Jonathan Babineaux for a touchdown.

12. Even on a day when the Titans scored 31-points and Kerry Collins threw for 2-TD's, Randy Moss was a total non-factor again. Six different receivers caught passes for Tennessee, but not Moss, who wasn't even targeted one time.

13. Tim Tebow did fine in his Broncos starting debut. He made several nice throws and was dangerous running with the football at times. That said, Tebow is not ready to be a starting quarterback in the NFL. And if he plans on subjecting his body to that much punishment every Sunday, he'll never survive a full season.

14. Yes, we had an overtime game end on the first possession in week-15. That still means in 15 of the 17-OT games this season, both teams got their hands on the ball. In case you're wondering that's 88-percent. Have I made my case yet?

15. Lost in all the other big performances Sunday was the impact Chiefs defensive end Wallace Gilberry made against the Rams. Who? If you don't know him yet, Gilberry a 3rd year player out of Alabama, sacked Sam Bradford 3-times and also forced a fumble. He was part of a Kansas City defense that held Bradford to 181-yards passing, and limited Steven Jackson to 67-yards rushing.

The 15-Play Drive

15 thoughts on week-14 in the NFL...

1. Jets strength and conditioning coach Sal Alosi must be suspended by the team, banned from the sidelines permanently by the NFL, and the league should also fine the organization heavily. What Alosi did yesterday, intentionally tripping the Dolphins Nolan Carroll, was one of the most unprofessional things I've ever seen in sports.

2. Mark Sanchez has lost the "Eye of the Tiger" and is now doing his best "Chicken Little" impersonation....And yes Jets fans, the sky is falling. In their last 2-games, Sanchez has completed just 34 of 77-pass attempts with 0-touchdowns and 4-interceptions. No coincidence the Jets offense scored a combined 9-points in back to back losses.

3. How does Michael Vick take two helmet to helmet hits on the same play Sunday night, and there's no flag? Were the officials members of PETA?

4. I know you haven't played much Matt Flynn, but up 3-0 in the 3rd quarter you can't force a ball into the end-zone like that. Green Bay would never score again in a 7-3 loss to Detroit. The victory ended the Lions 19-game losing streak against the NFC North.

5. By late Sunday afternoon everyone knew the Giants/Vikings game would be held at Ford Field except the Lions. Spoke with Detroit linebacker DeAndre Levy after their win against the Packers, and when I asked him what he thought about two other teams playing in their stadium he said, "I had no idea. It's the first I'm learning of this."

6. Tom Brady is not of this earth. He hasn't thrown an interception since week-6, and in the Patriots last 8-games, Brady has 19-touchdown passes. Hand him the MVP and get it over with.

7. It took until week-14 for the smoke to clear, but there's no doubt in my mind these are the top five teams in the NFL...

Patriots

Falcons

Saints

Steelers

Eagles

8. There were certainly multiple candidates, but the Todd Collins award of the week goes to Brodie Croyle. Subbing for the injured Matt Cassel, the Chiefs QB completed just 7 of 17-passes for 40-yards before being pulled in favor of Tyler Palko. Croyle is now 0-10 in his career as a starter.

9. On a Sunday when the likes of Roddy White, Dwayne Bowe, Larry Fitzgerald, and Terrell Owens didn't get into the end-zone, Bengals offensive tackle Andrew Whitworth and Eagles guard/center Todd Herremans each had a TD grab. You can't make this stuff up.

10. Mike Shanahan and Donovan McNabb put on a game mismanagement clinic at the end of the 1st half against the Buccaneers. Follow along here...

1st and goal at the 5: Keiland Williams 3-yard run

Timeout #2: 1:05 to go

2nd and goal at the 2: Keiland Williams no gain

Timeout #3: 20 seconds to go

5-yard delay of game penalty

3rd and goal at the 7: Donovan McNabb pass incomplete to Keiland Williams

Someone want to tell me how you can possibly have a delay of game following a timeout? On top of that, McNabb tried to call a 4th timeout before the penalty. Unfortunately, you're only allowed three per half Donovan. Pitiful.

11. Nice hands and hops Antwaan Randle El. That 18-yard one handed reception late in the 2nd quarter by the Steelers wide-receiver was one of the catches of the year.

12. So much for the magic of the interim head coach. While Jason Garrett and Leslie Frazier have experienced immediate success in Dallas and Minnesota, the Broncos looked the same under Eric Studesville yesterday as they did when Josh McDaniels was in charge.

13. The Seahawks defense made Alex Smith look like a combination of Steve Young and Joe Montana. I'd give Smith more credit for his big day, but since his 3-TD passes were exactly one quarter of his total for the season, I think Seattle's D had more than a little something to do with it. By the way, 5-8 San Francisco is just a game out of 1st place again in the awful NFC West.

14. Hide your face Roman Harper. I know it didn't technically count, because your fumble return was negated by replay, but Rams QB Sam Bradford ran you down from behind....And you had a sizable head start.

15. Cardinals kicker Jay Feely is an offensive juggernaut. He single handedly outscored the Broncos, Browns, Bills, Packers, Lions, Dolphins, Jets, Bengals, Steelers, Buccaneers, Redskins, Panthers, Rams, Seahawks, Bears and Chiefs. Feely kicked 5-field goals, 4-extra points and also ran for a touchdown on a fake field goal. That's 25-points he accounted for Sunday.

The 15-Play Drive

15-thoughts on week-13 in the NFL...

1. Gutsy performance by Ben Roethlisberger Sunday night. His nose looked how the Ravens probably feel today after losing a tough, physical game 13-10. Great game to watch by the way. I'd take Steelers/Ravens every day of the week and twice on Sunday.

2. So let me get this straight...Ravens linebacker Jameel McClain clearly delivers a brutal helmet to helmet hit on Steelers tight end Heath Miller and there's no flag. Yet Lions defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh knocks down a scrambling Jay Cutler from behind and gets nailed with a 15-yard penalty for unnecessary roughness. Referee Ed Hochuli called it a "non-football act--a blow to the back of the runners helmet in the process of him going down." And the league wonders why players are confused. I'll say this...if Cutler wasn't a quarterback, it wouldn't have been a penalty.

3. Caught up with Vikings QB Tarvaris Jackson on the Sunday Drive after his solid performance in relief of an injured Brett Favre, and Jackson was more than honest when I asked him if he felt he was auditioning for the job, "I'm only human. It's hard not to think about next season." To be fair, Jackson wasn't brilliant throwing 3-interceptions to go along with his 2-touchdown passes, but he more than held his own against the Bills. In other words, there was no real drop-off after Favre left the game.

4. Pat Sims is a Bengal through and though. That's the only way to explain his bone-headed neutral zone infraction against the Saints on 4th and 2 at the Cincinnati 7-yard line with 34-seconds remaining. His idiotic mistake gave New Orleans a 1st down, and the win as Drew Brees threw a 3-yard TD pass to Marques Colston on the next play. Watch the ball Pat. They don't teach that in Cincinnati?

5. There's aggressive, and then there's stupid. Chiefs head coach Todd Haley was the latter of the two in Sunday's 10-6 win over the Broncos. You're leading 10-3 midway through the 3rd quarter and it's 4th and goal at the 2-yard line. Kick the field goal and make it a two possession game Todd. That wasn't the time to roll the dice. Matt Cassel, who told me afterwards he "wasn't surprised" by Haley's decision, was sacked for a 13-yard loss on the play. Haley has gambled often this season, and most of the time things have worked out. But you have to know when to take the points, and he made an emotional decision against a Denver team that embarrassed him the first time around.

6. Never has the loss of one player crippled a team as much as Kurt Warner's retirement has to Arizona. Last season Warner threw for 3,753-yards with 26-TD's and 14-INT's. The Cardinals went 10-6, won the NFC West and averaged over 23-points per game. This year through 12-games Cardinals quarterbacks have thrown for a combined 2,480-yards with 8-TD's and 16-INT's. Arizona is now 3-9, putting them in last place in worst division in football, and they're averaging just over 16-points per game. Only the Panthers have scored less than the Cardinals.

7. No coincidence that the Todd Collins award of the week goes to Derek Anderson. The Cardinals quarterback completed just 7 of 20-passes for 93-yards with 0-TD's and 2-INT's before being pulled for Max Hall, a two time recipient of this award. In a related note, Anderson was not seen smiling or laughing while sitting on the bench.

8. If there's a better 4th quarter team than the Falcons, I haven't seen them. Atlanta has come from behind 6-times this season in the final quarter to win games, including Sunday's 28-24 victory against the Buccaneers.

9. It's 13-quarters and counting since the Titans scored an offensive touchdown. Along those lines, Randy Moss continued his disappearing act with 1-reception for 13-yards yesterday. In 4-games with Tennessee Moss has 5-catches and no touchdowns. That's some impact you're making Randy.

10. Peyton Manning might as well dress up as Santa, because he's handing out interceptions like Christmas presents. In the Colts first 9-games, Manning was picked off a total of 4-times. In their last 3, he's thrown 11-INT's, 4 of which have been returned for touchdowns.

11. It certainly helps when your team runs for 251-yards as they did against the Chargers, but anyone else notice that Raiders QB Jason Campbell seems to play a whole lot better when Bruce Gradkowski isn't looking over his shoulder.

12. Maybe its time to throw Maurice Jones-Drew into the MVP conversation. That's 5-straight 100-yard rushing games for the Jaguars running back. In 4 of those games, he's run for more yards than the other team.

MJD 186-yards Titans-57

MJD 113-yards Giants 135

MJD 133-yards Browns-88

MJD 100-yards Texans-53

MJD 135-yards Cowboys 50.

13. People still don't get it. This was the statement from Cowboys radio play by play man Brad Sham at the end of the 4th quarter Sunday with Dallas and Indianapolis headed for OT, "You lose the coin toss, you lose the game." Let me educate Brad and anyone else out there who hasn't picked up on this yet. We've now had 16-overtime games this season, and in 15-of them both teams had at least one possession. The Cowboys lost the coin toss Sunday, but they won the game. Any questions?

14. Talk about home field disadvantage. Miami is 6-6, but just 1-5 at Sun Life Stadium. They score a field goal less at home than they do on the road.

15. I agree that it's a quarterback's league, but if the playoffs began today Peyton Manning, Philip Rivers, Kyle Orton and Aaron Rodgers would all be watching from home. That's 4 of the top-5 passing QB's in the NFL this year.