Last Place Update

November 1, 2011 – The race for the first pick in the 2012 draft is heating up.  The 0-8 Indianapolis Colts still have a one game lead over the 0-7 Miami Dolphins in the Andrew Luck sweepstakes.

Once again, the Colts claimed the Kings of the Cellar title for another week by a weak showing against the Tennessee Titans.  That’s what I get for picking them in an Upset Special.  At least Miami was in the game until the end. 

Speaking of the Dolphins, hats off to Reggie Bush.  He got his second 100 yard rushing game and when he ran, he picked his hole and went.  He only danced when he had to.  If he ran like that before, he would still be with the New Orleans Saints.  Although they once again snatched defeat from the jaws of victory, they played too well for an honorable mention this week.

Speaking the Saints, the St. Louis Rams, playing in their throwback uniforms they wore from the 1970’s through the 1990’s, upset the Saints to get into the win column for the first time this season.  Defensive end Chris Long owned Saints right tackle Charles Brown and was constantly in the Saints backfield like Rams defensive great Jack Youngblood once was when he played against the Saints.

This week’s honorable mention goes to the 1-6 Arizona Cardinals.  They won the first game of the season against the Carolina Panthers and went on a losing tear.  This week, they blew a 24-3 lead against the Baltimore Ravens and lost 30-27 on a 25 yard field goal by Billy Cundiff in the last seconds.

Next loss…

Indy hosts the 4-3 Atlanta Falcons.  No upset pick here.  They may keep it competitive, but Atlanta will get the win and the Colts will maintain its lead for the first pick in the draft.

Miami goes to Kansas City to take on the 4-3 Chiefs, fresh off their overtime victory over San Diego.  This has the makings of an upset special, but only if Miami was at home.  This could be a repeat of this past week for both teams, but the Chiefs will win at home and put Miami at 0-8.

The 1-6 Arizona Cardinals host the 1-6 St. Louis Rams.  Hmmm…this is a hard one.  Each team could have a letdown after what happened on Sunday.  I doubt Steven Jackson, by sheer force of will, would allow his teammates to take Arizona lightly.  So this loss goes to the Cardinals.