NFL: Dime Package for Week 15. Ten Thoughts From the Week That Was in the NFL

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports

My thoughts on another adventurous weekend in the NFL. The playoff picture is much clearer now in both conferences.

1.Panthers owner Jerry Richardson is doing the right thing selling the team. The allegations against him are damming and he doesn’t deserve to own an NFL team. It is a shame because up until recently, Richardson was one of the most respected owners in all of sports.

2. The Green Bay Packers are going to miss the playoffs for the first time since 2008. Aside from Aaron Rodgers injury, much of the blame has to fall on defensive coordinator Dom Capers. Green Bay’s defense has underachieved the past three seasons and has come up small in big games. It is time for a change in defensive philosophy.

3. I wonder if Mike Brown should stop signing checks in Cincinnati now that his team has quit on him and Marvin Lewis. The Bengals are an embarrassment. By the way, Lewis should move on. 15 years is too long in one spot.

4. The NFC is wide open. Who would you say is the best team in the conference right now? Is it the Eagles? Saints? Vikings? Rams? Falcons? It will be fun to watch it all unfold in the coming weeks.

5. The Browns are going to go winless. They are not going to beat the Bears and they certainly won’t beat the Steelers now.

6. Why do people forget about the Vikings? A team that can run the ball and plays good defense is always dangerous in the playoffs.

7. I am not surprised that the Rams destroyed the Seahawks. Seattle is a flawed football team. Between a non-existent running game and a banged up secondary, the Seahawks are a shell of the team they once were.

8. I hope the Titans don’t make the playoffs. They are an awful team to watch. I am glad San Francisco beat them.

9. Selfishly, I want to see Patriots, Steelers II. We deserve a playoff encore after that game on Sunday.

10. Steeler fans need to put a sock in it! Jesse James touchdown did not count. Lamenting it and bitching about the rule isn’t going to change that. The rule sucks but the Steelers didn’t get screwed. Spare me with the nonsense.