UNDER CENTER WITH MALY-MAL/week 11

The one thing I love the most about the NFL is it doesn’t take long for the rest of the league to catch on to your schemes, and begin to exploit your weaknesses. The coaching greats have the ability to make the necessary adjustments, to continue to put their teams in positions to win. Well, it seems like the rest of the league has figured out Jim Zorn’s version of the ‘West Coast Offense’. Since Washington’s much celebrated win on Week 4 against the Dallas Cowboys, where they scored 26 points, the scoring trend has been downward… 23, 17, 14, 25* (this was against Detroit. I refuse to count this score in my analysis!), 6, and then the bye week. Conventional wisdom would say coming off of a bye, things would surely improve, right? The Redskins were able to improve, alright. To the tune of an additional 4 points… 10! Conventional wisdom now tells me, the Redskins have been exposed!
Earlier in the year, Clinton Portis rushed for atleast 120 yards in 5 consecutive games. Since then, Portis hasn’t reached a total of 120 yards in the past two games combined… And, both were losses! Portis finished with only 68 yards rushing, against Dallas. Indeed, the Redskins have the first two-game losing streak of Jim Zorn's NFL head-coaching career — both at home, both at night, both on national TV — and have dropped three of five games following a 4-1 start.
"This is the time in the season where those teams that actually are going upward start making that climb, if you will," Zorn said, after opening his postgame news conference with a loud, extended sigh into the microphone. “And we're not making — you know, we haven't made the climb."
Hey Redskin fans, I don’t mean to sound like such a pessimist, but, this story sounds very familiar! “I swear it’s Deja-a Vu-u!” It must be November… Meaning, it must be time for the dream to become a nightmare for Redskin fans.
The Cowboys weren’t all that impressive in their win, though. Tony Romo’s return did not transform Dallas back into the offensive juggernaut they were before Romo’s injury. Romo didn’t pass for over 200 yards, and threw 2 interceptions that killed long drives. It was Marion Barber who put the desperate Cowboys on his shoulders and carried them to victory, rushing for 114 yards on 24 carries and a touchdown. To put Barber’s influence on the game in perspective… On the game-closing drive, Romo made six handoffs in a row to Barber, followed by a pass over the middle on third down to Barber, then another four Barber runs. To recap: 11 plays, all to Barber. But, the Cowboys were only able to muster 14 points. However, they got the victory, which ultimately is all that matters.
Around the rest of the league… The Giants pounded the Ravens. Tennessee is still undefeated, after a comeback win against the Jags. The Jets pulled one out in a nail biter, against New England. And, the Eagles are as sorry as the Bengals!

Here’s this week’s ranking:

1) Tennessee Titans – Another big test this week, when Brett and the Jets come to town.

2) New York Giants – Does Brandon Jacobs every have a carry for a loss? He should have a field day against Arizona’s rush defense.

3) Carolina Panthers – As I said last week, only here because of their record. However, I’m not sold after sub-par performances against Oakland and Detroit.

4) Pittsburgh Steelers – The Steelers are winning with Big Ben’s arm, rather than a rushing attack. As long as Ben keeps the turnovers down, they’re just as potent.

5) New York Jets – New England’s on the downslide… The Titans are on the up swing. We’ll find out exactly where the Jets are, after Sunday’s visit to Tennessee.

6) Arizona Cardinals – In a weak division, the Cardinals look like they’re finally going to win a division title. Beat the Giants on Sunday, and talk will begin of a possible conference title and Super Bowl appearance.

7) Tampa Bay Buccaneers – I actually believe this team should be ranked #10. But, their record says they’re #7, on my list.

8) Indianapolis Colts – Peyton Manning is starting to get into regular season form.

9) Washington Redskins – With Santana Moss and Clinton Portis hurt, Campbell’s options are limited. Where are the two highly touted rookie receivers the Redskins drafted?

10) Dallas Cowboys – Romo’s back, and they’re better than the Patriots, Falcons, Ravens, Broncos, and Dolphins. All 6-4, as well.

Under Center w/ Maly-Mal: Week 5

The NFL is like the old saying, “you can’t live with it, and you can’t live without it!” Is there any other sport in America that takes you on the emotional roller coaster ride the NFL takes you on? Week 6 was a prime example. For the most part, the NFL East has been the story line. The toughest division… Best teams in football… All have playoff/Super Bowl aspirations… Then the Redskins hosted the Rams. The worst team in the league came into Washington, shut down the Redskins running game and put the game in the hands of Jason Campbell. The results? 3 turnovers in the first half, alone! This is the same Washington Redskins that gave up zero… I repeat, ZERO turnovers in the first five games. It’ll be interesting to see if this game is an aberration or signs of things to come for the Redskins?
The Cowboys went to Arizona, to face a team that seems to always give them fits. Once again, the Cowboys secondary looked pedestrian, allowing the likes of Steve Breaston to catch his first touchdown pass of the season! With Tony Romo having a “Brokeback” moment breaking his pinkie, and Pacman Jones suspended indefinitely, the gloom all over Jerry Jones’ face told the story. But, when Jerry’s face sags… He gets a face lift! This time it comes in the name of former Detroit Lion WR, Roy Williams. Big pick-up for the ‘boys, but, the NFC East has a penchant for signing big names that flounder… Just ask Dan Snyder and Jeff Lurie.
The Giants were in primetime, on Monday football, at Cleveland. Granted the Browns were coming off a bye, which normally translates into a win. However, the Giants were out of sync. Their pass rush was absent, affording Derek Anderson an additional week as a starter. This also allowed Braylon Edwards a chance to take advantage of the Giants smaller defensive backs. The Giants were never a team that the NFL fan base was sold on as being supreme. The record spoke for itself, and yes, they are the defending champions. But, they never developed an aura of invincibility like the New England Patriots. Thus, the Giants have something to prove, again.
And of course, there were my Eagles… Does beating the 49ers really mean anything? It does when you’re the only team in the NFC East with a winning streak!

Here’s this weeks power rankings…

1) Tennessee Titans – Is this team really better with Kerry Collins at QB, then Vince Young?
2) Pittsburgh Steelers – They move up because they were on a bye, thus, didn’t lose. However, questions still remain. Especially around Big Ben’s health.
3) New York Giants – Hey, no one’s perfect, right? Didn’t the Giants prove that in the Super Bowl?
4) Buffalo Bills – Another team that rose in the rankings because they did not play. You’re as good as your record says, and the Bills are 4-1.
5) Washington Redskins – I don’t get the Shawn Alexander signing. Looks like another big name Dan Snyder wants to waste money on.
6) Dallas Cowboys – Can Brad Johnson come in and be as efficient with the offense as Tony Romo? Word to the wise Brad, throw T.O. the ball!
7) Indianapolis Colts – The Colts looked like they’re back and ready to roll.
8) Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Jeff Garcia’s back, and picked up a big win against Carolina. Now he needs to stay healthy.
9) San Diego Chargers – Always better than their record shows, or where they finish the season!
10) Arizona Cardinals – Hey, they’ve always had the players. Now, they’re getting results!