Last Place Update

November 8, 2011 – The 0-9 Indianapolis Colts have secured their first losing season since 2001, when they went 6-10.  It breaks a streak of nine consecutive seasons of 10 wins or more.  They are a game and a half ahead of the 1-7 Miami Dolphins and St. Louis Rams for the first pick of the 2012 draft.

The Colts got their rear ends handed to them by the Atlanta Falcons, losing 31-7.  Again, it begs the question, what would Indy’s record be if Peyton Manning was healthy?  A quarterback does not a team make, but Manning’s talents could have made a difference in several of the games.  But Manning doesn’t play defense and they’re trolling the bottom, too.

This week’s honorable mention goes to the St. Louis Rams.  I picked the Rams to beat the Arizona Cardinals, but they learned what many SEC teams already knew, that Patrick Peterson can score on special teams.  However, this is a game the Rams should have won, hence earning them the honorable mention.  Don’t worry, Washington.  A loss next week may earn you the honorable mention.

Hats off to the Miami Dolphins for getting their first win of the season.  They played the Kansas City Chiefs the same way they played the New York Giants, except they never let the Chiefs in the game, dominating them 31-3.

Next Loss

The Colts host the struggling 2-6 Jacksonville Jaguars.  Could this be an upset special?  Maybe, but until the Colts prove they can win, I’ll continue to pick against them.  They question is which quarterback will struggle more: Painter or Gabbert?  That may depend on Joseph Addai and Maurice Jones-Drew.  The nod goes to Indy to get its tenth loss and a strong lead in the Andrew Luck sweepstakes.

The Dolphins host the Washington Redskins in humid Miami.  The Skins started fast, but have since collapsed.  This is my Upset Special.  Miami seems to be getting its act together and I’ll give Washington the nod to give Miami its second win.

The Rams go to the Dawg Pound to take on the Cleveland Browns.  Cleveland got rolled at home by the Houston Texans, but the Rams aren’t the Texans.  Cleveland’s wins came against losing teams, but I’ll go out on a limb and call a second Upset Special.  Cleveland doesn’t have a Patrick Peterson on its team, so they should get their second win.