Getting right down to business.
This Week’s Articles
Captain Comeback Week 12: Ray Rice 4th-and-29 Conversion Strikes a Norv – Cold, Hard Football Facts
Joe Flacco hits the first “Dump Mary” in NFL history, with Ray Rice taking it the distance on 4th and 29. NFL teams are 6/35 (17.1%) on 4th and 20+ since 2000 in clutch situations. Full table included of the successes. Also this week: Houston wins in OT for the second straight week with the help of Walt Coleman explaining another terrible, obscure NFL rule. Matt Ryan sets more records and the Steelers make asses out of themselves in Cleveland.
10 NFL Teams That Absolutely Cannot Afford to Lose Their Starting QB – Bleacher Report
It’s a slideshow, but don’t worry, it’s still over 4,100 words. A look at the 10 teams who could least afford to lose their starting QB, with some surprises in the top 5.
Following a Legend: Andrew Luck Week 12 vs. Buffalo Bills – Colts Authority
The “Fire Wanny!” movement is understandable. Dave Wannstedt’s defense was the most vanilla up front all season out of the 11 games the Colts have played, rushing four or less on 40 of 43 drop backs for Andrew Luck. However, they did get an impressive amount of pressure, so it was not all bad. Though, Reggie Wayne was the most wide open he has been all season, and the Colts receivers had their best YAC performance of the season.
What parity? Familiar faces dot NFL playoff chase – NBC Sports
Since the NFL moved to eight divisions in 2002, the league averages 5.2 new division winners and 6.3 new playoff teams. This season, they may be lucky to only get two new division winners and three new playoff teams. The numbers could be even smaller if the Packers win the NFC North again. This comes after a season with a record seven new division winners in 2011.
Even if you don’t want to read this one, it’s a great piece to bookmark as I compiled the division winners and all 12 playoff seeds for 2002-11 into tables. Might be the only place on the internet you can get all of that info on one page.
The Thinking Man’s Guide: NFL Week 13 Predictions – Bleacher Report
This week we look at: why the Falcons need to get over (and did) the Saints hump. Are the Colts the worst 7-4 team ever? Todd Bowles is having the worst career start ever for a defensive coordinator in Philadelphia.
Rodgers, Ryan, Brady Best Ever Protecting the Football – Cold, Hard Football Facts
Updating (but not rehashing) an article from last year, here is a look at the career QB Turnover Rates, which includes interceptions and fumbles (all fumbles). Aaron Rodgers (2.65) has the best mark ever, while Rex Grossman (5.30) is the worst active QB, and exactly double the rate of Rodgers. How fitting. A full table for 171 quarterbacks in NFL history (min. 1,500 attempts).
2012 NFL Week 13 Predictions
Did Drew Brees’ birthmark expand after he threw five interceptions on Thursday night? I picked the Falcons to win, but that was still a shocking way for the game to play out.
Winners in bold:
- Jaguars at Bills
- Seahawks at Bears
- Colts at Lions
- Vikings at Packers
- Panthers at Chiefs
- Patriots at Dolphins
- Cardinals at Jets
- 49ers at Rams
- Texans at Titans
- Buccaneers at Broncos
- Steelers at Ravens
- Browns at Raiders
- Bengals at Chargers
- Eagles at Cowboys
- Giants at Redskins
Season results:
- Week 1: 12-4
- Week 2: 11-5
- Week 3: 4-12
- Week 4: 10-5
- Week 5: 10-4
- Week 6: 5-9
- Week 7: 12-1
- Week 8: 10-4
- Week 9: 11-3
- Week 10: 9-4-1
- Week 11: 11-3
- Week 12: 10-6
- Season: 115-60-1 (.656)
Captain Comeback: NFL Analysis by Scott Kacsmar 