The Week 15 picks are coming up, but a few things real quick ...
Update: The Cleveland Browns are starting a rookie QB named Johnny Manziel on Sunday. Many people have thoughts on this subject. Mine are expressed in this video.
This week's "scandal" regarding who first broke the news about Johnny Football starting is especially lame considering there's no one under the sun -- Brian Hoyer included -- who didn't assume Manziel would get the nod on Sunday. As first reported by Me, the race to get credit for breaking sports news is one only the participants care about. While I appreciate the importance of journalistic integrity, we fans have been turned into unwilling voyeurs of the world's lamest sporting event since the WNBA tipped off.
Speaking of updates on sporting events you don't care about, my starting QB in this week's fantasy semifinal: Johnny Manziel.
The emergence of C.J. Anderson has given the Broncos the look of a team ready for January football. It's also obscured some very mortal play by Peyton Manning over the last six games, during which No. 18's thrown eight interceptions. Could be a brief bout with a dead arm -- not unheard of this late in the season -- or is it something more? As they say, Father Time is undefeated ... and there's no reason to think a 38-year-old with a history of nerve issues is going to break that streak. Either way, if Peyton's gonna get a ring in the twilight of his career, he'll have to do it the same way his boss John Elway did: leaning on a once-unheralded running back.
We've repeatedly praised (inappropriate red flag thrower) Bruce Arians in this space for the remarkable job he's done over the last three seasons, so it won't come as a surprise if takes home another Coach of the Year award. This year, though, he may not even be the most deserving coach in his team's building. Cards defensive coordinator Todd Bowles continues to amaze with his ability to get top-fight performances out his broken-winged birds ... and (bold prediction alert!) will be rewarded with a head-coaching job in 2015. Where? I say it'll come down to the Falcons and Giants.
And now, a suggestion from a citizen of the Shek Republic ...
Good one, Bow Tie. So good, in fact, Elliot Harrison, Handsome Hank & I took some time on the DD Football Program to agree upon our Top Five:
As a generous soul, I allowed to my colleagues to have their way at No. 5 .. .but for the record, here's how my list looks from six to 15 ...
- Russell Wilson
- Fran Tarkenton
- Randall Cunningham
- Andrew Luck
- Colin Kaepernick
- Dante Culpepper
- Steve McNair
- Aaron Rodgers
- Bobby Douglas
- Doug Flutie
While Marcus Mariota's Heisman win has been a foregone conclusion for the last fortnight (at least), the Downtown Athletic Club still should've extended an invite to reigning champ (and still-undefeated-as-a-starter) Jameis Winston. Just before this year's trophy is handed out, I hope the Famous One tweets a photo of his trophy feeding him crab legs.
By the way, if we revise the above 'Toughest QBs to Tackle' list in a half-dozen years, I feel sure Jameis Winston will get an invite.
Before every college football rivalry game, both sides make platitudinous comments about the rest of the season being rendered moot by what happens in the latest episode of the annual showdown. I only believe it when the guys from Army & Navy say it.
Football Baby -- the baby who picks football games -- is back this week, looking to build on his 17-4 lifetime mark. (Programming alert: Tune into Sunday's NFL GameDay Morning on NFL Network as rumors continue to swirl that Hall of Famer Warren Sapp will turn to Football Baby for some help with his picks.
Alright, Football Baby's had his say. Now it's my turn ...
(1-0 this week, 10-6 last week, 138-67-1 on the season)
JAGS 9
RAVENS 27
JAX: 4 turnovers
J. Forsett: 45-yd TD run
PACKERS 24
BILLS 22
D. Adams: 4 rec, 88 yds, TD
M. Williams: 2.5 sacks
BUCS 17
PANTHERS 20
V. Jackson: 9 rec, 120 yds, 2 TDs
K. Benjamin: 6 rec, 70 yds, TD
BENGALS 16
BROWNS 23
CIN D: 5 sacks
J. Football: 260 yds/pass, TD, INT; 55 yds/rush, TD
TEXANS 20
COLTS 26
J.J. Watt: 2-yd TD rec
A Castanzo: no TDs
RAIDERS 10
CHIEFS 28
L. Murray: 30-yd TD run
J. Charles: 180 yds/scrimmage, 2 TDs
DOLPHINS 21
PATS 37
L. Miller: 18-50 yds, TD
S. Vereen/J. Gray/L. Blount: TD each
SKINS 14
GIANTS 21
C. McCoy: TD, 3 INTs
E. Manning: 2 TDs, 2 INTs
BRONCOS 26
CHARGERS 27
C.J. Anderson: 2 fumbles lost
A. Gates: 4 rec, 65 yds, TD
JETS 19
TITANS 16
C. Johnson: 16-105 yds, TD
TEN O: 4 turnovers
VIKES 17
LIONS 20
X. Rhodes: 40-yd INT TD
G. Tate: 50-yd TD rec
NINERS 22
SEAHAWKS 20
SF's O: 180 yds/rush
SEA's O: 160 yds/rush
COWBOYS 23
EAGLES 30
D. Murray: 2 TDs
J. Matthews: 2 TDs
SAINTS 24
BEARS 21
M. Ingram: 24-130 yds, TD
M. Forte: 190 yds/scrimmage, 2 TDs
Enjoy Week 15! I hope your team wins (unless they're playing my team).
Follow Dave Dameshek on Twitter @Dameshek.
