BuffaloWings

I won't argue with that...I usually feel the same way. If there's an NFL game on, I'll watch it regardless of who's playing. However, I doubt I was the only one with the feeling of "Ugh...I'd rather not watch Cleveland & Miami". If I feel like that, then the networks and the league might feel the same way. I think in a situation like that (where both teams are out of the playoffs and have nothing to play for), then the NFL should step in and reschedule.

Bill Cowher has been in this league long enough, so he'll do whatever he wants. He's trying to win a Superbowl, so if he feels that resting Roethlisberger, Bettis, Burress, et al will help him, then he will do so. He really shouldn't care how it affects the other teams if the Bills beat him. He's being paid by the Steeler organization, not the AFC. Having said that, if I were him, treat it like a pre-season game. Play the starters for a half (maybe 3 quarters) and bench them. You gotta keep them sharp, but you can't risk an injury at the same time. Pittsburgh has the luxury of a week off, while Indy doesn't. Indy is more likely to rest players, but I doubt Tony Dungy will do that. I figure he'll play everyone so they can get the offense going again, especially outdoors. The Superbowl representative goes through NE or Pittsburgh, so they're going to have to win a game outdoors eventually.

After that Cleveland-Miami "game", I'd have a hard time convincing someone that the late-season prime time games shouldn't be moved so that we'd see an intriguing matchup on Sunday night. At least 5 afternoon games with playoff implications could have been moved to the 8:30 slot: Houston vs Jacksonville Baltimore vs Pittsburgh San Diego vs Indy Carolina vs Tampa Bay New England vs Jets I was strongly against this idea a couple of years ago (only because it wasn't fair to the ticket-holders), but after seeing that debacle, I can't see why ESPN or ABC will want to subject the public to that again. And frankly, I'd rather sit by the Christmas tree on December 26th to see the Steelers & Ravens fight it out in wintry Pittsburgh than 2 of the three worst teams play in Miami (yeah yeah, I know it was 30 with the wind chill...).

Denver is an enigma right now. I never expected them to dominate Tennessee like they did, yet they lose to Oakland at home, get waxed by a better-than-their-record KC team, barely beat Miami at home, then wallop the Titans on the road. Go figure....I'd agree - Buffalo looks like a better team than Denver right now. Another example of resting your starters too much being a bad idea - Denver in 1996. Easily the best team in the AFC, they "rested" the final few games and then got shocked by the Jaguars. Keeping your players sharp and healthy is a tough balance. I hope because of something like this, we'll see Indy's best next week. Unfortunately, we might see Pittsburgh's best, too.

Besides the fact, he's an idiot, can someone explain to me why Theismann doesn't pick the games he calls? Like the Denver-Tennessee game or the Cleveland-Miami game this week?

I can't explain it. It's just makes no sense. For 3 straight years, they had one of the Bills-Jets game at 4:00. Living in Albany, the TV's priority is the Jets & Giants. While we'd still get the game here, I miss it because I'm not around on Sundays from 5:30 until 8:30. Thus, I usually miss the second half. Stupid....

Something funky is going on here... I had a dream last night that the Bills had a HUGE lead on San Fran in the 3rd quarter.

Can someone send some of that snow to Albany? Please??? Seriously, be safe out there. Don't go anywhere you don't absolutely have to.

I disagree. Get him ready to play. Can you see Mike Mularkey saying "This is San Francisco. We should win this by 30 points, so I'll rest up Willis for Pittsburgh." That's what you call "looking ahead". Coaches don't do it, players don't do it. If they do, they're toast. Fans are allowed to do it, just not the teams. Remember -this is a playoff game for Buffalo. If McGahee is even 80%, he should start. Mularkey can not afford to assume that the Bills will run all over the 49ers. Now, if the Bills were ahead 31-3 late in the 3rd quarter, then you can rest McGahee...but not until then.

I agree - I'd rather see if the Bills can beat a legitimate Superbowl contender....but I wouldn't complain. *If it gets to that point*, you might see the Jaguars, Ravens, or Broncos start griping that Buffalo got it easy. Tough sh-t. I would think that Cowher wants to win a championship, too. So he's gotta do what is best for his own team. I really don't think he'd care about anyone else. Keep this in mind....the Bills will see the Steelers at "full strength", regardless of what happens this week. The difference depends on whether or not they beat Baltimore (and if the Bills beat SF). Should Pittsburgh win, they'll probably treat week 17 as a preseason game. Get everyone in there for 2 1/2 or 3 quarters, then pull them. In addition, their intensity will not be the same. Big Ben, Bettis, Staley, Porter, Farrior, et al will be playing, but I can't see them being too pumped, even if it's not fair to the other teams fighting for the playoffs. I also agree about the TO injury. I expect to see a lot of cautious coaching over the next 2 weeks.

Well, he still could be. If (for some ungodly reason) San Diego doesn't sign him, the Pack could swoop in. Of course, he'd be a backup for a few more years... Amazing how many people want him now. Last year, he couldn't pay another team to let him play for them.

I think these are valid points. The weather's been crappy in Buffalo and Cincy lately, so that definitely does have an adverse effect on the passing game. However, if the Bills get to the playoffs and if they want to get anywhere IN the playoffs, they're going to need to play at New England or at Pittsburgh - both of which are cold-weather towns and will have adverse weather conditions in January. I love Drew, but I am a tad concerned that the offense won't be able to do anything. Not to mention, he played in New England for years and now plays in Buffalo. He should be used to winter weather. I guess we could look at it this way....if they make the playoffs, their first game will likely be in San Diego (warm) or Indy (dome). But with the talent on this offense, they should expect more from it than they've gotten over the past couple of games. Maybe some of it is the weather and maybe some of it is the defenses know how to defend them. Remember, the biggest reason the offense is scoring points these days is because of McGahee. He brought more of the swagger and physical running that Henry didn't quite have enough of. His success opened up the passing game and made Drew look that much better. The downside is that if opponents can stop McGahee, they can pretty much stop the offense. Good thing that the defense and special teams can score now....

I can't say I *hate* Brady, but I'm tired of the ass-kissing he's gotten from the world over the past 3+ years. It was nice to see him goof up like that last night. I think "hate" is a strong word, but if there's one guy I can't stand, it's gotta be Warren Sapp. He's one of those classic arrogant players that think they're the best thing since the forward pass. We haven't heard much from him lately, but he always used to run his mouth off. That "block" on Chad Clifton a few years ago was a clear cheap shot and then he ran his mouth off at how it wasn't dirty. A player can be a total pr*ck off the field and to the media, but if he backs it up with his play on the field, then I don't lose much respect for him. Those that just shoot their mouth off because they're an NFL player hold little respect in my book.

Absolutely. "If the season ended today", Jacksonville would get the 2nd wild card. All they have to do is win out and they're in.

Well, I'm just glad to see some media OUTSIDE of Western NY give the Bills some credit. Francessa & Russo can be bandwagon-like a lot of times, but they have stuck with the Bills throughout the season. For what it's worth, Francessa also said that the Bills would win out, but after beating GB, Jacksonville really had the best chance and would probably make the playoffs. Let's also remember....as bad as San Francisco has been this year, they could easily take it upon themselves to spoil the Bills' chances. Perhaps the Cincy game is a wake-up call for the offense, but they better kick it into gear this week. This is the NFL...you do NOT take any team lightly. The Bills will probably be a double-digit favorite and *should* cover, but that's why they play the game....

Speaking of the national media... Notice how everyone is picking Jacksonville to reach the playoffs now that they're in the driver's seat? Last week, people started picking Buffalo. Now the Jags are the popular trend. If Miami can beat New England (with Corey Dillon, I might add), then Houston or Oakland can beat Jacksonville.

Don't bet on it. Huizenga's man is Nick Saban. Sadly, he probably just brought in Art Shell to meet the NFL requirements. Too bad for Art - he deserves another shot at coaching. I agree with the NFL's policy, but the media frenzy these days makes it obvious that the owners are bringing in the minorities as a formality. It's almost a mockery of the system, really... It also warms the heart to see that so all of the analysts and experts don't give quite the love fest to Brown and to Belichick for his genuisness and to Brady for his toughness/intelligence.....

Pittsburgh's task is not going to be easy, either way. They need one win for home field and they have two incredibly tough defenses to do it against. I think their defense is going to need to make a play or two this week. Big Ben won't be able to do it by himself. Regarding the Steelers resting their starters in week 17 (if it comes to that point), don't hold your breath. Bill Cowher won't just start the second string offense, so don't be surprised to see everyone there. If he does that, that will give the players 2 full weeks off before a playoff game. IMO, that would leave them as too rusty. Having said that, I still think this is advantage: Bills. As smart as he is to keep his players sharp, he's just as smart to not play them the entire game so nobody pulls a TO and sprains their ankle. Either way, if they don't play, advantage Bills. If they *do* play, I don't think the players will have the same intensity as if they were playing for home field or for anything else. Advantage Bills. Thank you, Miami.

Hate to say it, but I'm hating the Patriots more these days. I'm rooting for Miami (choke, gag). Miami can win out for all I care, but it's the Patriots I want to see lose these days.

If the Ravens put up that same effort next week, they'll beat the Steelers. Pittsburgh has a much better defense than Indy, so I don't expect Baltimore to move the ball as well as they did last night. Indy was able to run the ball relatively well (not great, but better than I expected), so expect a lot of Bettis and Staley, if he's healthy. I'll be a big Steelers fan this week....

What scares me about Jacksonville is the same reason that the Bills are on their roll right now...they just have that *look* of a team that will make the playoffs. They're doing whatever it takes. Yes, they're a young team that may not have been there before, but they've got a bunch of players that believe. Leftwich won't put up gaudy numbers, but he'll gut it out for you...that's all the players need to see in a leader. I honestly didn't think they'd go into Lambeau and pull it off, but the Packers didn't exactly play with a lot of heart, either. Having said all that, the way the NFL seems to go these days, it won't surprise me if Houston or Oakland pull off the upset. Jacksonville will win at least one of those two. If I had to bet, I'd put my money on Houston right now. If they only knocked the ball down.....

Other than creating the potential for inconvenience to ticket-holders, this is why I'm in favor of adjusting the schedule for the late-season games. The NFL would be much better off moving, say, Seattle-NYJets and Jax-Green Bay games to Saturday afternoon. The ratings would go through the roof. Outside of desperate, die-hard football fans, NOBODY will be watching Washington at San Fran.

Either play wouldn't be bad, but I'd go with Davis and Alexander. Even though KC's defense is pretty bad, I think Alexander will do more. He's run for and caught TDs all year, so he's a threat both ways. Not sure if the same can be said about Droughns.

My fantasy league is starting its playoffs this week (as are most) and I'm already in a dilemma. Peyton Manning is one of my starting QBs - Trent Green being the other - and I have Baltimore's defense. The question is...will Baltimore's D be tough enough on Peyton that they would be worth starting? My other thought was to start San Diego's defense against Cleveland with the hopes that they'd get me more points than if I start the Ravens. I'm pretty confident that Manning won't chew them up like he did the Lions on Thanksgiving, but I don't know if the Ravens' D will be good enough, fantasy-wise. It's not like I plan on benching Peyton, either. My only backup QB is Kyle Boller. Thoughts????

The only time I can remember Ian Eagle doing a Bills game was a '99 game at Baltimore. A pretty crappy game where the Bills scored a touchdown in the last minute to win (Flutie to Jonathan Linton, I believe). I guess CBS doesn't think of this as THAT important, since they're not sending one of their top 2 broadcasting teams to do the game (Nantz/Simms or Enberg/Dierdorf). I guess I'd rather have Eagle & Wilcotts, since they're less obnoxious. But yes, anything would be better than Criqui at this point, even though he's been good luck for the past 3 weeks.