Fifth Down Podcast

Fifth Down Podcast


Episode 56 - Giant Dilemmas

October 31, 2013


I’m not sure what to think about the Giants right now. On one hand they’ve won 2 straight and their defense hasn’t allowed a touchdown in 10 quarters. thats 2 ½ games. On the other hand, they beat the Minnesota Vikings, and the Matt Barkely led Philadelphia Eagles. A game in which they couldn’t score a TD themselves. Against the 31st ranked defense and 23rd scoring defense.


 


Skins and Broncos game went into the 4th quarter with the skins up 21-14, after leading 21-7. Then the 4th quarter started and the Broncos put up 31 points and picked the ball off 4 times, practically on 4 consecutive plays. It was ugly!!!!! To make matters worse for the Skins, they managed to force 4 turnovers off of Manning and still lost. To get 3 picks in one game and a forced fumble on Peyton Manning is a rare thing. To do so and still lose is an embarrassment. How worried should Shannahan be about his job if they fail to make the playoffs?


 


Matt Ryan went 34 of 61 for 301 yards 1 td and 4 int. This in the week that Steven Jackson returns, along with Jaquizz Rogers. Why is Matt Ryan passing the ball 61 times against a defensive backfield that includes Patrick Peterson, Darnell Dockett, Tyrion Matthieu, and a great LB Core. I get that Arizona has a good defense all around from the line, to the LB’s and the DB’s, but to throw 61 times with only 13 rushing attempts is irresponsible. Especially when top receiver targets Julio Jones and Roddy White are out. Mike Smith is on his last days in Atlanta and its sad to see Tony Gonzalez end his career after week 17.


 


Last season we began with the Arizona Cardinals starting 4-0 and looking like a damn good team. Plenty of losses later and we are back in the same boat with the team playing great defense, a very talented group of receivers led by Larry-Fitz, Andre Ellington looks like a stout RB. If they can just be bad enough to get one of the top QB’s this is a team that can truly compete in a year or 2. With that being said, they play in what may be one of the toughest divisions of football, especially after watching the defensive brutality laid down by the Rams this past monday night.


Nnamdi to be cut as Eric Wright returns to the 9ers. Career over? good fit for the Jets as Dee Miliner is not ready to play?


 


Calvin Johnson redefines beast mode in his 329 yard 1 td performance. But the star of the game is Matt Stafford who with seconds left, grabbed his balls and ran into the endzone for a TD and they won the game by 1. Is it time to start to talk about Matt Stafford as one of the elite QB’s in the league or would he just be an average QB without Calvin. Contrary, would Calvin be as good as he is if he had Kevin Kolb, Jon Skelton, and Carson Palmer throwing him the ball the way Larry Fitzgerald does? Team effort.


5 of the 6 playoff positions are locked up in both conferences.


 


AFC: Pats, Bengals, Broncos, Colts, Chiefs and the last wildcard


(only teams at or above .500 are the Jets and Chargers. Other candidates if they can turn things around include the Dolphins, Ravens, Titans, Raiders, and even though their record seems pitiful, the Texans have the talent. Who has the best chance?


NFC: Seahawks, Packers, Saints, 9ers, Lions, and the winner of the East


 


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