The NFL is looking into playoff teams holding out their starters in the final games.

Comm. Goodell—STAY OUT OF IT. You can not tell a team they have to risk their championship hopes just to satisfy your ego and the degenerate gamblers that are dumb enough to bet on the final games of the regular season. You don’t have that power and shouldn’t. Let the teams do what they think is in their best interest. But Goodell will probably end up fining teams that refuse to go all out in the final games. If a star QB or RB gets hurt in the last game and is out for the playoffs, the team should sue the NFL for gross stupidity.

It looks more and more like there will be no NFL football in 2011.

The NFLPA and owners have not gotten very far in working out a new deal.  If there is no agreement by Feb. 1, there will be an upcapped year in 2010.  I will detail what will happen next week in this column.

Chiefs @ Broncos—Dunce McDaniel pulls another stupid move.

According to that famous philosopher Forrest Gump “Stupid is as stupid does.” Bronco coach McDaniel has benched All Pro WR Brandon Marshall and TE Tony Scheffler to prove who is boss. McDaniel has ticked off Marshall by benching him early in the year. McD claims that Marshall isn’t tough enough despite the fact that the WR played more than half last year with a hip that needed surgery. He waited to have the operation until after the season because he wanted to be there for his team mates. McD is acting like a spoiled 3 year old. His temper will cost the Broncos one of 2 active WRs with 100+ catches in 3 straight seasons. McD should be gone and Marshall stay.

The Broncos must win to keep their playoff spot. It won’t be any easier without their top 2 receivers.

Pats @ Texans

The Pats have their playoff spot locked up but the Texans need some help. They should get it because the Pat stars will be making at best cameo appearances. Texas wins and waits to see if they make the big game.

Bengals @ Jets

The Bengals are in and the Jets are hanging on to the last Wild Card spot by a thread (tie breaker). With 5 teams tied at 8-7, the Jets must win to stay there. The Bengals will probably rest some key starters nursing injuries. The Jets beat Indy last week in the second half because the Colts pulled their starters. The Jets will win again because the Bengals won’t risk QB Palmer.

Giants @ Vikings

Normally the Vikes would be backing off in their final regular game. I think we will see them try their best to win because they have been stumbling in the last few weeks losing 3 of the last 4. You won’t see DT Pat Williams or TE Shiancoe but expect everyone else to play. They have a chance to reclaim the 2^nd playoff spot and a bye in the Wild Card round with a win and an Eagle loss or tie.

The Giants are out of the big dance. They were hoping to steal the Cowboy’s ticket but blew that chance with the loss to the Panthers last week.

Packers @ Cards

The Cards still have an outside chance of getting a bye with a win and losses by the Vikes and Eagles. That won’t happen and this game will be a preview of the 4-5 Wild Card matchup between the two teams. The Cards will have to stop fumbling the ball to get very far. They have gone 3-2 over the last 5 games.

The Pack has been playing very well winning 7 of their last 8 after a mid season swoon. They seem to be playing better on D every week. They have improved in their 3-4 despite the loss of some key players. They will put pressure on QB Warner. The game will depend on the ability of the Cards to run the ball and protect the passer. If the Cards do, they will win. If not they will not only lose this game but likely the Wild Card game as well.

That’s what I think. Tell me what you think.

Bill Smith is a former coach of several semi-pro teams, has officiated both football and basketball, done color on radio for college football and basketball and has scouted talent. He is a senior writer for http://NFLDraftDog.com and edits http://fryingpansports.com. He has also published several novels on http://www.eBooks-Library/Contemporary/Author.cfm?AuthorID=1003 and edits http://fryingpanpolitics.blog.com.

College Football:

Georgia Tech v. Clemson  This game was interesting on a couple of levels.  First, GT is going to be a nightmare to defend.  They have the Navy option game working like a fine tuned race car.  But Clemson in previous years would have folded up like a 78 Ford Fairmont after the opponent put 21 points on the board.  But this Clemson team fought back and made a game of it.  These two should be fun to watch going forward.

USC @ Ohio State Forget what the experts are saying. This game will depend on 2 things—the OSU O and D lines. Can OSU drive USC off the ball to run and give Pryor time to throw? Can OSU’s D stop the run and put pressure on the USC QB? The answer to both is no and OSU will lose the game by 14.

Notre Dame @ Michigan Coach Rich Rodriguez’s system will work but he does not have the players on O or D to make it effective. ND finally has some key parts in place. ND wins by 10.

South Carolina @ Georgia Last year all the experts had Georgia at the top of the rankings. They had injuries and failed to live up to the hype. This year very few are talking about them. Look for them to be better than they were last year even without Stafford at QB. Georgia wins by 10.

North Carolina @ Connecticut NC is ranked in the top 20 but UConn gets no love. UC lost a lot to the draft this spring but is a program on the rise. UConn wins at home in a upset.

Syracuse @ Penn State New QB Greg Paulus had the Orange moving last week with the exception of the fumble on the first drive. That won’t continue and PS wins by 30.

Pro Football:

Tennessee @ Pittsburgh The Steelers won despite the fact that they can not run the ball. The problem is in the O line and won’t be solved this season. Despite having all the other parts, the lack of the ability to run will come back to bite the Steelers.

Miami @ Atlanta Last year Miami improved a great deal. This year they are better but they won’t win as many. ATL wins.

Philadelphia @ Carolina The Eagles show their power against a good Carolina D. Eagles win.

Washington @ New York The experts pick the Giants to go all the way. They won’t because of their lack of WRs. The Giants win but closer than it should be.

Chicago @ Green Bay The Pack is lucky to catch the Bears early. GB wins this one but they won’t at the return engagement at Soldier Field.

Minnesota @ Cleveland Mangini’s trick to keep the name of the starting QB secret works in a big way and the Browns…Just kidding. This game is over at half time. It’s going to be a L O N G season in Brownie land.

That’s what I think. Tell me what you think.

Bill Smith is a former coach of several semi-pro teams, has officiated both football and basketball, done color on radio for college football and basketball and has scouted talent. He is a senior writer for http://NFLDraftDog.com and edits http://fryingpansports.com. He has also published several novels on http://www.eBooks-Library/Contemporary/Author.cfm?AuthorID=1003 and edits http://fryingpanpolitics.blog.com.