Well here we are, Superbowl eve. The conclusion of another NFL season is a mere 24 hours away. It has been a strange season to say the least. I can’t remember a season in which I have seen more injuries, upsets, disappointments, and surprises.
Let’s start with the injuries. The injury bug bit all over the NFL and no team got it worse than the Patriots. The Pats had to make do without reigning MVP, Tom Brady. However, losing Brady was just the beginning of the injury woes. After suffering losses at running back, linebacker, safety, cornerback, and offensive line, it is a miracle they pulled an 11-5 season. Who knows what would have happened if they had #12 taking the snaps. Like I said earlier, injuries played more of a role this season, than any other I can recall. There were plenty of teams who were dismantled by injury this year, here is a look at the teams who were forced to play without their centerpiece.
Bengals- Carson Palmer missed 12 games with a right elbow problem.
Browns- Derek Anderson was benched, making way for Brady Quinn. Long story short, Ken Dorsey was the starter for three games.
Texans- Matt Schaub, was out for 5 games with a knee injury.
Titans- Vince Young had some mental issues that forced him to watch his Titans post the best record in the NFL behind backup Kerry Collins.
Chiefs- Brodie Croyle and Damon Huard get bit by the injury bug thrusting Tyler Thigpen into the starting role.
Bears- Kyle Orton twisted his knee and missed a game, allowing a Rex Grossman citing in the Chicago area.
Lions- Quarterbacks Orlovsky, Kitna, and Stanton all suffered injuries and opened the door for Daunte Culpepper to finish what the other three had started, a winless season.
Vikings- Guss Ferrotte missed the last five games of the season with a concussion.
Cowboys- Tony Romo missed 4 games with an injury to his throwing hand, giving the keys to Brad Johnson who steered the cowboys right out of the playoffs.
Seahawks- Matt Hasselback only played in 7 games this season, enough time for him to launch 10 interceptions.
Patriots- Tom Brady, what else needs to be said the man threw 50 touchdowns a season ago, allowing Peyton Manning to collect another MVP trophy.
I’m not sure about everyone else, but this prediction business is not easy. The teams I had my eye on in the pre-season completely collapsed at one point or another during the regular season.
First off, I predicted the Patriots not only would make the Superbowl, but they would trounce whichever opponent came out of the NFC. A few injuries and one Miami blowout later, the Pats finish 11-5 and are on the outside looking in.
My NFC Superbowl pick, the Dallas Cowboys, proved to be a bigger fraud than Bernie Madoff. They had it all, the two-headed running back monster, two explosive wide receiving threats, the athletic convict, and a mistake proned quarterback who can challenge anyone for the most overrated player award. All in all, Dallas won’t win as long as they have T.O. calling secret meetings, Wade Phillips coaching this team into the ground, and Jerry Jones trying to salvage his legacy in the 21rst century.
The biggest disappointment is without a question the 0-16 Detroit Lions. For the first time in NFL history a team has played 16 games and won zero. That's all that needs to be said, Hopefully the Lions don't draft Michael Crabtree.
This year was the year for the underdog. For me, it starts in Miami. I remember last season, week after week hearing how the Dolphins dropped yet another game. Collecting just one (1) win all of last season. It’s amazing what one big Tuna can do when dropped in the dolphin tank. After drafting Jake Long with the first pick, and signing Jet’s castoff, Chad Pennington, the Phins had in place a winning organization. It seems to be a theme in Florida, let the Boston and New York teams battle it out and slowly sneak into first place before falling short of a championship in the postseason.
Shifting to another surprise story, the Atlanta Falcons. After a dreadful 2007 campaign, in which the Falcons saw their quarterback get locked up and coach Bobby Petrino walked away before the end of the season, 2008 was a rebirth of sorts. First year head coach, Mike Smith, took control of hotlanta and with the help of Rookie of The Year, Matt Ryan, led the falcons to a playoff birth.
And what bigger surprise than the Arizona Cardinals? Honestly, give it up for the Arizona Cardinals. This team is led by Kurt Warner, former grocery store shelf stocker turned Superbowl champion. Nobody can deny their offensive talent; they have, in my opinion, the most gifted wide receiver tandem in the league. Larry Fitzgerald has put up unprecedented post season numbers and has showed no signs of slowing down, increasing his output more and more each game. Anquan Boldin, despite the screaming match with offensive coordinator Todd Haley which is fresh in everyone’s mind, Boldin has tremendous talent and may be overlooked by Pittsburgh in an effort to contain Fitzy. Tip of the cap to Ken Wisenhunt as well, he rallied his team after getting ousted at Gillette in the beginning of December. Anyone saying it’s a fluke that Arizona made it all the way is just upset that their team didn’t make it. Arizona does play in an NFL-AA division, but they have played their best when it matters the most. Their defense may be their most underrated attribute.
With all that being said, the 2008 season comes to a head tomorrow with the AFC champion Steelers taking on the Cardinals, will it be another win for the underdogs? Or a disappointment in the steel city? Either way, I’m hoping for a terrific end to a memorable season.
-Brian B
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