December 9, 2012

Pro Football Weekly

Our weekly take on the hottest topics from around the NFL.

THE WAY wE SEE IT

PLAYING THIRD FIDDLE?

POwER RANKINGS

Russell Wilson engineered two 12-play drives for TDs late against the Bears to capture a signature win at Soldier Field.

Obscured by Luck, RG3, Wilson playing like ROY

Seldom, if ever, has there been a pair of rookies with more preseason buzz than Andrew Luck and Robert Grifn III, and most assumed whichever quarterback shined the brightest this season would take home Offensive Rookie of the Year honors. However, while both QBs certainly have justied the hype, its time to recognize a third signalcaller as a serious contender to win the award with just four weeks remaining in the season. Russell Wilson was overlooked in the draft because of his short stature, and he may be overlooked today because he plays for a team with a powerful running game and nasty defense, but its becoming impossible to ignore his accomplishments. Coming off a gutty performance in Soldier Field, Wilson is on re, accumulating a passer rating of 120.4 in his last four games with nine touchdowns and no picks. His coach cant stop gushing about his play and has handed him the reins, urging Wilson to go win games rather than trying to keep him from losing them. Wilson has won more games than RG3, sports a far better TD-to-INT ratio than Luck (19-8 against 17-16), and just became the rst rookie QB since at least the 1970 merger to throw game-winning touchdown passes in the nal two minutes of regulation or overtime in three different games. Luck and Grifn may sell more jerseys, and theyve both been as good as advertised, but Wilson has clearly turned what was once a duel into a three-man race. David DeChant

COSTLY TURNOVERS Rivers has been far from clutch for reeling Chargers
Philip Rivers play this season could put the quarterback position under the spotlight in 2013. Rivers was supposed to put a disastrous 2011 behind him. Instead, he has 15 interceptions, nearing last years career mark of 20. What has made the turnovers worse is when they occur. Rivers leads the NFL with nine fourth-quarter picks, throwing another one in the Chargers loss to the Bengals on Sunday. Four of Rivers ve lost fumbles have happened in the nal quarter as well. Granted, Rivers hasnt received any help from the O-line or a run game, but his play has been poor, too. Rivers will be the starter in 13, but with a possible new coach coming in, San Diego may start looking for Rivers successor or competition if his struggles continue. Kevin Fishbain

RUNNING STRONG Packers rushing attack delivers timely boost

The most impressive ground gaining in the Packers 23-14 victory over the Vikings was no doubt provided by Minnesota league MVP candidate Adrian Peterson, who ripped off 210 yards on the Lambeau Field turf. But the most important ground gaining was provided by the Packers duo of James Starks and Alex Green, who collectively churned out 152 of the Packers season-high 435 yards and set the stage for a better-balanced attack moving forward, with cold weather coming more into play. There have been concerns that the Packers playoff run could be curtailed with Cedric Benson, who was coming on strong before getting hurt early in the season, unable to return. Starks, in particular, looks like he might alleviate those worries. Dan Arkush

NO pANIc YET Giants still can win East with awed stalkers
The Redskins are the avor of the month. Robert Grifn III is everyones poster child. That offense is hard to defend. But lets not forget where they were a month ago: at 3-6, coming off a loss to the Panthers, with Mike Shanahan exploring options for next season. Yes, the Redskins have won three in a row, including one over the Giants in Week 13, and the Cowboys are not out of the discussion in the division. But it says here that the Giants have had far worse losses, and far later in the season. Eli Manning just missed on a number of big pass plays against the Redskins, and a missed eld goal by Lawrence Tynes might have given the Giants the win. The Redskins path to winning the East is easier, but they still must make up a game. Eric Edholm

1 Houston Texans 2 New England Patriots 3 Atlanta Falcons 4 Denver Broncos 5 San Francisco 49ers 6 New York Giants 7 Baltimore Ravens 8 Green Bay Packers 9 Seattle Seahawks 10 Chicago Bears 11 Indianapolis Colts 12 Pittsburgh Steelers 13 Cincinnati Bengals 14 Tampa Bay Buccaneers 15 Washington Redskins 16 Dallas Cowboys 17 New Orleans Saints 18 Minnesota Vikings 19 St. Louis Rams 20 Miami Dolphins 21 New York Jets 22 Buffalo Bills 23 Detroit Lions 24 Cleveland Browns 25 San Diego Chargers 26 Arizona Cardinals 27 Tennessee Titans 28 Philadelphia Eagles 29 Carolina Panthers 30 Kanas City Chiefs 31 Jacksonville Jaguars 32 Oakland Raiders

RAnK THe sKInnY

Thin at cornerback at a bad time: face the Patriots on Monday. Offense off its game, but get fourth AFC East crown in a row. Finally get win over Saints; remaining games will test Atlantas D. Champ Bailey showed he still has it by helping keep V-Jax in check.

Kaepernicks blunders, another Akers miss cost Niners. Remaining schedule is no picnic; need strong December.

Had only eight plays in the fourth, but zero touches for Ray Rice? Dont count out Packers run game rumbled for 152 in win. Wilson continues to shine, as Seattle nally gets second road win.

Lovie cant be pleased about defensive breakdowns in home loss.

Rooks Hilton, Ballard, Allen, Fleener, Brazill tallied 13 catches, two TDs.

Quite the performance by Batch in possibly last career start.

UPIPHOTOSTWO

Dalton throws two INTs, but run game and D the story in win. Lavonte David continues great rookie campaign with pick.

Three wins in a row for RG3 and crew have Skins in hunt. Romo, Dez show Cowboys potential in second-half explosion.

Brees ve-interception night the likely the nail in Saints cofn. Ponder not doing self, team any favors with bad red-zone picks. Who would have pegged Rams as 4-0-1 in the NFC West?

Longs injury further clouds the former No. 1 picks future in Miami.

Sanchez! Tebow! McElroy? Another wrinkle in Jets QB debacle.

Jairus Byrd with another pick, keeps padding rsum for contract extension.

Fourth-quarter collapse, Broyles tears ACL; brutal season continues. Back-to-back wins for rst time since early 2011 on Weedens big day.

O-line has been a disaster, now without starting OTs for Week 14. Lindley, run game set NFL offenses back a few decades in loss to Jets.

Turn it over six times in rst game under new offensive coordinator. Babin cut, Washburn red good-bye Wide-9 technique. Quite the step back to be lined up for another high draft pick. Brady Quinn shined on, off the eld during emotional weekend.

Probably didnt plan for Montell Owens to start in Week 14. They have a package ready for Terrelle Pryor. Will it help the offense?