By Bob Bonett
Well, I'm back to clinging on to a mediocre "Picks" record this year. Thanksgiving clearly did not treat me well, as I laid a pair of goose eggs, going 4-10-2, then 6-10.
My season is starting to look equitable to the New York Giants' yearly shenanigans; come out of the gate roaring to an impressive first-half showing, then fold mid-season and squeeze into the postseason.
Anyway, a ton to look forward to this week if you are a New York Jets fan. First, the New York front office somehow found it justifiable to sign a punter to the practice squad-Penn State product Jeremy Kapinos for anybody that gives a darn. For any of you unfamiliar with how practice squads work in the NFL, teams have eight players that only play from Monday through Saturday; these guys serve as a scout team, aiming to better prepare the 53 guys that suit up on Sunday for their opponents. Beats me as to why on earth general manager Mike Tannenbaum and head coach Eric Mangini thought Kapinos could help the team prepare for the daunting task that lies ahead: the Miami Dolphins.
The most upsetting part of that statement is that Sunday afternoon's game is actually going to be frightening. Jets fans may be looking at the 0-11 'Phins as an easy victory for Kellen Clemens and company. The fact of the matter is, though, that New York just lost by 31 to the Cowboys-in a game that wasn't even as close as the score suggested. The offensive line was abysmal, defensively the team looked mediocre at best, and Clemens looked like a deer in headlights.
I'm scared, as a Jets fan, for what may happen on Sunday. Not only is New York in a game that features two teams playing to a combined 2-20 record; the Jets may be the team that keeps Miami from finishing 0-16.
And please don't spew the garbage that is circulating regarding the possibility of the Jets moving to the top of the draft. Nobody with any inkling of passion for the NFL would ever wish a team to tank and ascend up the draft. I'd much rather see Clemens lead New York to a 7-9 record and the 12th pick in next year's draft than watch five more embarrassing losses.
Again, just a warning for Jets fans; this game will not be a cakewalk by any means, and if the team loses, please do not play the "it's not that bad, we're moving up in the draft" card.
That being said, I went team-by-team for the remainder of the year and attempted to project where each team will finish. Here is what the power rankings will look like in the NFL after Week 17:
SUPER BOWL CONTENDERS
1) New England (16-0): Without question, the greatest football team assembled in the history of the NFL. Tom Brady and Randy Moss have blossomed into an unstoppable tandem, Dante Stallworth and Wes Welker are each top-tier No. 2 wide receivers, and the defense is the best unit in the league. It is going to take a miracle to stop Belichick and company. Currently: 11-0
2) Jacksonville (12-4): Granted, they may not win the same amount of games as the Packers and Cowboys. The Jaguars' defense is top-of-the-line, though, and could actually scare New England in the second round of the playoffs. Currently: 8-3
3) Green Bay (14-2): I've bashed the Packers all year, but each week I watch Favre, I become more and more impressed. Thursday's game is certainly a preview of the NFC Championship game. Currently: 10-1
4) Dallas (14-2): If Dallas' secondary was even average, they would have a chance at bringing the NFC the Super Bowl. But how can you expect a team to stop Favre or Brady without any defensive backs capable of covering wide receivers? Currently: 10-1
5) Pittsburgh (11-5): Don't take that ugly Monday night game for anything; if New England had played in those conditions, they may have only scored three points. If the team can get more consistent, they are another team that could stop the Pats. Currently: 8-3
JUST SHORT OF LEGIT
6) Indianapolis (12-4): I don't know why, but I just do not trust Peyton or the Colts. They are the defending champions, but I think that they are only the fourth best AFC team this year. Currently: 9-2
7) San Diego (10-6): Why on earth was Marty Schottenheimer fired? If the Chargers had a legitimate NFL coach, they would be looking at 13-3. Talent alone keeps them in the hunt, though. Currently: 6-5
8) New Orleans (9-7): You can't ever count out an offense as explosive as the Saints, especially in an inferior NFC. Currently: 5-6
9) Seattle (12-4): Shaun Alexander alone will prevent the Seahawks from making a run at the Super Bowl. The defense is great, but the offense is too one-dimensional. Currently: 7-4
10) Cleveland (11-5): I feel the need to reiterate the Derek Anderson is deserving of the MVP. The Browns have too many holes to challenge for the title; however, they are worthy of an 11-5 record. Currently: 7-4
HOW'D THEY GET IN
11) New York Giants (10-6): You can count on two things in life; the Jets disappointing, and the Giants collapsing in the second half. Currently: 7-4
12) Tampa Bay (10-6): Jeff Garcia makes magic happen as the quarterback of an otherwise average NFL team. The Bucs will make the postseason, but won't last very long. Currently: 7-4
JUST SHORT
13) Houston (8-8): Matt Schaub has shown flashes of brilliance each week; look for Houston to move into the playoff picture next year. Currently: 5-6
14) Tennessee (9-7): When clicking, the combination of Tennessee's defense and Vince Young's tenacity is close too unstoppable. Currently: 6-5
15) Philadelphia (8-8): If it hadn't been for a slow start, the Eagles would be representing the NFC East alongside the Cowboys in the postseason, not the Giants. Currently: 5-6
16) Arizona (7-9): Watching Edgerrin James, Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin is downright fun. Currently: 5-6
17) Cincinnati (7-9): Cincinnati has the talent to be an 11-5 team, but the discipline of a junior varsity high school squad. Currently: 4-7
18) St. Louis (6-10): I know that putting a 2-9 team in the "Just Short" category seems outlandish, but with Marc Bulger and Steven Jackson, the Rams win 11 games. Currently: 2-9
19) Denver (8-8): The most complex enigma in the NFL; one week, the Broncos look fantastic, the next, they lose by 40.Currently: 5-6
PRETENDERS
20) Detroit (8-8): Sorry, Mike Martz; your offense has been figured out. Currently: 6-5
21) Minnesota (7-9): When Minnesota loses this week, they should really consider shutting down Adrian Peterson. Currently: 5-6
22) Buffalo (6-10): The ride was fun while it lasted; Buffalo just isn't all that good. Currently: 5-6
23) Carolina (5-11): Every year, the Panthers enter the year a playoff contender, and every year, John Fox can't get the job done. Currently: 4-7
24) Chicago (7-9): The NFC was so pathetic last year that the Bears made the Super Bowl. Currently: 5-6
MAYBE NEXT YEAR
25) Washington (5-11): The Sean Taylor situation is a tragedy; it will be nearly impossible for the Redskins to focus on football from here on out. Currently: 5-6
26) Baltimore (5-11): Baltimore's defense may be top-notch, but Steve McNair has to go. Currently: 4-7
THE UGLY
27) Oakland (3-13): Enough with Daunte: we want JeMarcus. Currently: 3-8
28) Kansas City (4-12): Herm Edwards is about to lead his team to a season-ending 9-game losing streak. Currently: 4-7
29) Atlanta (3-13): This franchise has turned into a joke thanks to Michael Vick. Currently: 3-8
30) New York Jets (4-12): Kellen Clemens needs more than time to mature; he needs an offensive line. Currently: 2-9
31) Miami (1-15): If it weren't for the Bills, the 'Phins would be well on their way to an 0-16 record.Currently: 0-11
32) San Francisco (3-13): Why are they ranked behind the Dolphins? A 3-13 finish-in the NFC. Currently: 3-8
For Bob's picks this week, visit www.hofstrachronicle.com and search "NFL Picks."