Week 13 Picks and McDaniels Fallout

Here are some of my last thoughts on the Josh McDaniels Era in Denver..............


1) I agree with Michael Lombardi's take on that McDaniels will learn from this and probably be a better head coach the next time he gets a top job. The aspect of Lombardi's column, and I love everything Lombardi writes, that I don't agree with is the fact that McDaniels wanted to bring the Patriot Way to Denver, and the Broncos can't win with the Bronco Way. Look, the Patriot Way only works well when you have Tom Brady at QB and Bill Belichick at HC. Denver was very successful doing things the Bronco Way for a long time. Only the last five years have they hit the skids, and they still should have been in the playoffs three out of those last five years. Obviously, every team would love to build through the draft, develop your own players, and avoid overspending for free agents. It is easier to do that when you have a QB like Tom Brady at the helm. The Broncos do need to change their personnel department and avoid giving the Head Coach all of the responsibility on personnel. It started to crumble under Mike Shanhan and it didn't work out with McDaniels.


2) Yes, the Broncos are a mess right now, and the team that McDaniels inherited two years ago was better then the team he left us right now. The Broncos job is far less attractive now then it was when you had Jay Cutler at QB and Brandon Marshall out wide. The Broncos could be in the midst of a stretch where they are comparable to the Lions, Bills, and Bengals for years to come.


3) Just because McDaniels is gone doesn't mean that the Tim Tebow era is done. You would think that the new coach would at least give Tebow a chance to fight for the job and develop him. If Tebow is legit, then this rebuilding process becomes a lot easier for the new staff. If the new coach doesn't like him, then this process could be longer than any fan wants. Also, who the hell knows who will be the Broncos starting QB in 2011. It could be Kyle Orton, Tim Tebow or someone that we drafted (Andrew Luck or Cam Newton) or traded for (Kevin Kolb or Carson Palmer).


4) The Spygate scandal really did McDaniels in. He might have had a chance to stay on for a third year, but once the Spygate story broke, you knew he was done. If the Jay Cutler trade defined his legacy, then the Spygate was the final nail in the coffin.


5) If McDaniels was given a third year, I would not have been so mad-only if Tebow was in the mix for the starting spot. Maybe Pat Bowlen pulled the trigger on the McDaniels Era one year too early, but many people must have felt that McDaniels couldn't get this thing turned around in one year.


6) Now that McDaniels is gone, the Broncos and their fans must move on. The Broncos admitted that they gave McD too much control, and the Broncos need to find a real GM-type and find an experienced head coach to move this organization in the right direction.








Here are my picks for Week 13......





Last Week's Record: 8-8


Overall Record: 103-82-8


(HOME TEAM IN CAPS)



Indy (-3) over TENNESSEE: I'm going to stick with Peyton Manning and the Colts another week. They are 6-6 and Manning is playing the worst football since his rookie year. I still think they will win the divison somehow, and the Jeff Fisher Era might be coming to an end in Nashville.





JACKSONVILLE (-3) over Oakland: The Jags might take this battle for the AFC South to the very end. They play better at home, and Maurice Jones Drew might be a MVP candidate. The Raiders won last week at San Diego, but everytime you trust the Raiders, they always lay an egg. Plus, remember Jason Campbell is their QB. That's all I need to know for this week. I'll take the Jags.





Cincy (+9) over PITTSBURGH: The Bengals have lost nine in a row, but they will snap that streak at some point these last four weeks. For some reason, I see this game being close. The Steelers might be facing a letdown after their big win in Baltimore last week. The Steelers will win, but it will be closer then expected.





CHICAGO (+4) over New England: The Bears will move the ball on the Pats secondary. The Bears defense will be the key against the Pats versatile attack. Tom Brady is my MVP for the 2010 season, and this could actually be a Super Bowl preview. This looks like a field goal game either way.





Cleveland (+1) over BUFFALO: If Jake Delhomme starts, then I will switch my pick. Otherwise, the Browns should get to 6-7 with a win in Buffalo this week.





MINNESOTA (+3) over New York Giants: I am willing to go with the Vikings at home. This is a tough game to call because two weeks ago this game would have been a lock for the Giants. Now, the Vikings have fired Brad Childress and won two in a row for Leslie Frazier. Who knows what Vikings teams shows up, but I'll take them at home.





DETROIT (+7) over Green Bay: This is my upset special of the week. Drew Stanton might actually be able to do something with this offense. The Lions have been close at times the last few weeks at home, and this week they pull the shocker at home.





CAROLINA (+7) over Atlanta: Atlanta is due for a letdown on the road. They will get the win but this will be closer.





WASHINGTON (+3) over Tampa Bay: The Bucs are the better team, but I just see the Redskins righting the ship for one week. The Bucs playoff hopes take a spill this week.





St.Louis (+9) over NEW ORLEANS: I'm not sold that the Saints are on their way to another Super Bowl run. The Rams are much improved, but they aren't ready for primetime. I see the Rams playing well this week despite that. The Saints will win, but this game will be a tight one.



Seattle (+6) over SAN FRANCISCO: Another NFC West matchup where I have no idea who will win. I'll take the Seahawks on the road.



NY JETS (-5) over Miami: The Jets should play their best game of the season after getting waxed by the Pats on Monday Night 45-3. The key word is should. We will see what the Jets are made of these next four weeks, but I expect them to show up and play well on Sunday.



SAN DIEGO (-3) over Kansas City: Matt Cassel might not play this week, but even if the Chiefs lose, they still have a chance to win the division. They are two games up with four to play on the Chargers and the Raiders, and KC finishes at St.Louis, home versus Tennessee and Oakland. The Chargers need to make up ground this week and they will.



DALLAS (+4) over Philly: This is my hunch game of the week. The NFC East is going to come down to the final week.

Baltimore (-3) over HOUSTON: The Ravens get back on track this week in Houston on MNF.

Denver (-3) over Arizona: The Eric Studesville Era gets off to a rousing start with a road win in Arizona.
Final Score: Denver-23 Arizona-17