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.