Remember when I did that article for Sports Illustrated? Well it came true again last night. Not that I care about baseball, but yet another regular season champion (Washington Nationals) has fallen, and again in epic fashion. Washington blew a 6-0 lead, which has never happened before in a winner-take-all game.
Since 2000, the teams with the best regular season record in the four leagues have won eight of the 48 championships (16.7 percent). They’ve gone one-and-done 18 times (37.5 percent). Keep that in mind before predicting a team like the 2012 Houston Texans to go the distance.
This Week’s Articles
Manning vs. Brady is the greatest – and it doesn’t even matter – NBC Sports
Even though Peyton Manning and Tom Brady receive all the hype when they meet, the fact is the quarterback’s performances rarely decide The War of 1812. This is a career retrospective of the rivalry and what really decides the games. Hint: it’s because the New England Patriots have almost always had a better-coached, more complete team.
Captain Comeback Week 5: Colts Score Season’s Biggest Comeback – Cold, Hard Football Facts
The Colts came back from 21-3 down at halftime to shock Green Bay. Find out what Andrew Luck did that was so rare, and how it was another common disaster in the fourth quarter for the Packers. Also: Matt Ryan ties Ben Roethlisberger for the most game-winning drives (18) in a player’s first five seasons. Drew Brees becomes the 22nd QB to hit 20 fourth-quarter comeback wins. Advice for Kansas City fans. $cam Newton in picture form.
Andrew Luck’s Elite 2-Minute Drills Give Colts Fighting Chance – Bleacher Report
Rookies aren’t supposed to be this good in the hurry-up offense, but Andrew Luck has been dominant in giving the Colts an advantage at the end of each half. In three straight games he has put the Colts ahead in the final minute. See the historical rookie comparison to Ben Roethlisberger, Matt Ryan, Cam Newton and Peyton Manning.
Following a Legend: Andrew Luck Week 5 vs. Green Bay Packers – Colts Authority
A double-dip of Luck on Wednesday. This was the weekly column I have been doing, analyzing every drop back from Luck. He had 64 of them this week, ont including penalties, as the Colts set a record with 89 offensive snaps in a game. Check out how he did.
The Thinking Man’s Guide: NFL Week 6 Predictions – Bleacher Report
Eli Manning is Mr. October (24-5 record; best ever), but he will not pull it out in San Francisco this week. Though he just may be the most consistent QB in NFL history when you look at his road vs. home performance.
Also: Steelers predictably played poorly on the road, the lack of takeaways for three assumed contenders, and Philip Rivers does not own Peyton Manning despite the 4-1 record when they have met.
Captain’s Challenge: Name the 5 Best Quarterbacks of All Time – Cold, Hard Football Facts
SEND ME Y OUR FEEDBACK. Using just one stat, can you find a better group of the top 5 QBs in NFL history than the one produced by using fourth-quarter comeback wins: Dan Marino, Peyton Manning, Johnny Unitas, John Elway and Joe Montana? Good luck. Also included: the reason Captain Comeback is what it is every week.
2012 NFL Week 6 Predictions
I trusted the Steelers just enough to pick them, so I start the week 0-1.
Winners in bold:
- Raiders at Falcons
- Cowboys at Ravens
- Bengals at Browns
- Rams at Dolphins
- Colts at Jets
- Lions at Eagles
- Chiefs at Buccaneers
- Bills at Cardinals
- Patriots at Seahawks
- Giants at 49ers
- Vikings at Redskins
- Packers at Texans
- Broncos at Chargers
Season results:
- Week 1: 12-4
- Week 2: 11-5
- Week 3: 4-12
- Week 4: 10-5
- Week 5: 10-4
- Season: 47-30
I have high expectations for some articles this week. Stay tuned.
Captain Comeback: NFL Analysis by Scott Kacsmar 