Lay Off Schottenheimer - And Predictions

The San Diego coaching staff had their team well-prepared and, up by 8 late, in a position to win the game. Different game decisions that may have been mistakes in hindsight were not fatal, mistakes by players on the field - dropped passes, turnovers, penalties - cost the Chargers. My only quibble was not trying to get one quick ten-yard sideline play with 8 seconds left to get his kicker a better chance.

Schottenheimer is 5-13 in the play-offs. Most of the time, but not always, he's lost to superior teams. In any case, the loss yesterday was not his fault, and therefore, he should not be fired.

I thought we saw four very good games this weekend featuring the eight best teams in the league. I was 2-2 in my predictions; perhaps I should have given the Saints more credit, but I thought Philly's character and coaching would carry them through - as it almost did Seattle in their narrow loss to Chicago.

Even though I was 2-2 with it, I'll try making predictions again using Aikman's ratings.

Indianapolis-New England:

Indy Off v. NE Def: 93.58-85.9 Edge: Indy (7.68 points)
Indy Def v. NE Off: 66.4-82.4 Edge: NE (16 points)
Home Edge: Colts
Play-off Coaching Edge: Pats
QB Edge: Pats
Pick: Pats - although Colts' defense will play much better than the ratings say.

Chicago-NewOrleans
Chi Off v. NO Def: 74.2-72.2 Edge: Bears
Chi Def v. NO Offf: 86.5-83.8 Edge: Bears
Home Edge: Bears
Play-off Coaching Edge: Saints
QB Edge: Saints
Pick: Saints - because Bears' ratings edges are slight, and inflated by early blow-outs and not reflective of current situation. Brees, McAllister the difference.

Last notes: quit whining, L.T. And please, Chevy Trucks, bring back "Like A Rock" if you have to, but Mellencamp's "This Is My Country" might be the lamest, boring, songwriting-by-numbers song ever written. Drop it.