Columnist reflects on NFL's ninth week of season

By Max Orenstein
Collegian Staff
November 8, 2006

Last Sunday was a chaotic mess of upsets, key injuries and sloppy play in the NFL.

I’d like to begin by congratulating the Philadelphia Eagles, who managed to not lose for the first time in four weeks.

But the Chicago Bears ought to go into hibernation out of pure embarrassment after the miserable Miami Dolphins handed them their first loss of the season. La Salle could have handled the Dolphins at home, but the supposedly ferocious Bears played like a bunch of cuddly koalas.

Don’t get me started on the Atlanta Falcons. Michael Vick, you’re making it terribly difficult for me to continue defending you when you go out and throw two picks and scavenge for only 14 points against the Detroit Lions. If you continue to underachieve, I’m going to confiscate your Escalade for the remainder of the 2006-2007 season.

Meanwhile, the defending Super Bowl Champion Pittsburgh Steelers fell to 2-6 to the Denver Broncos. The Steelers fumbled six times, losing three, and Ben Roethlisberger threw three interceptions. Big Ben must feel like London Bridge is falling down after having thrown twice as many interceptions as touchdowns at this point in the season. On the other sideline, however, it must have been sweet for Jake Plummer and the Broncos to get some revenge for the walloping they received from Pittsburgh last year in the AFC Championship Game.

The NFC East is as tight as ever, after the Redskins defeated the Cowboys 22-19. The ’Skins blocked a last minute field goal attempt by Mike Vanderjagt and, due to a careless Dallas penalty, were allowed time to attempt their own game-winning field goal. Nick Novak struck gold from 47 yards, and Bill Parcells was left to look on in bewilderment and utter fury. The Giants were able to increase their lead in the division by squeaking by the Texans 14-10, but now all four teams in the NFC East are legitimate contenders.

It must be noted, however, that Michael Strahan left the Giants’ game with an injury to his right foot. X-rays were reported negative, but this could be a significant setback to New York’s defense.

Peyton Manning and the Colts waltzed into Foxboro Stadium and escaped with a win over the Patriots, 27-20. Tom Brady threw an uncharacteristic four interceptions, and Bill Belichick was stumped by Peyton Manning’s offense. We may be witnessing a paradigm shift in the AFC this year.

This is why I am calling my 2006-2007 AFC Championship Team right now: the Buffalo Bills. Granted, they are in third place in the AFC East with a record of 3-5, their league-leading rusher, Willis McGahee, seriously injured his ribs yesterday and their next game is away at undefeated Indianapolis. But I have confidence in J.P. Losman’s valiant leadership skills and undeniable natural ability. Buffalo’s defense should be swarming after this week’s momentous win over Green Bay. Peyton Manning will panic next week out of sheer confusion from the Bills’ defensive schemes, and he will more than likely soil his uniform.

You heard it here first. Bills 27, Colts 13.

orensteinm1@lasalle.edu