Off-Topic: QB Injuries Make it a Unique Situation for Playoff Contenders
by Chris Pokorny on Nov 23, 2011 10:01 AM EST
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PrintThe Houston Texans are 7-3 and are tied for the best record in the AFC. They have a two-game advantage in the AFC South over the Tennessee Titans and have taken full advantage of the fact that the Indianapolis Colts are winless without Peyton Manning under center.
The Chicago Bears are 7-3 but are in third place in their division, with the 10-0 Green Bay Packers and the 7-3 Detroit Lions ahead of them. Nonetheless, the Bears had won five straight games and during that stretch had looked like one of the top teams in the NFC.
Both teams face the same exact situation now. The Texans' starting quarterback, Matt Schaub, suffered a foot injury two weeks ago. The Bears' starting quarterback, Jay Cutler, broke his thumb last week. Both quarterbacks are supposed to miss the rest of the regular season, with a chance at returning for postseason play -- that is, if their backups can do just enough to lead their teams there. The situation has to be especially crushing to Texans fans, who hoped Houston could make the postseason for the first time in team history.
Have we seen two situations like this in recent history? Two of the best teams in the NFL have their playoff hopes potentially shattered by their starting quarterback suffering an injury? (Maybe it's slightly reminiscent of when Tim Couch went down in Week 17 and forced Kelly Holcomb into action, but not for this duration of games remaining with top-tier quarterbacks). The Texans turn to Matt Leinart, a guy who struggled in Arizona to be productive but still has some value. The Bears turn to Caleb Hanie, who has very little NFL experience. The Texans are still in decent position to make the playoffs because they play in a weak division. The Bears are still in decent position to make the playoffs because they play great defense. Both teams might have the best running games in the league.
These will be two teams you have to follow closely the rest of the season. The story for the Bears might get even more interesting. After the success that Tim Tebow has had as the Broncos' starter (4-1 this season), Denver released veteran quarterback Kyle Orton yesterday. Orton began his career with the Bears, and that includes a playoff appearance. While he has no attachment or familiarity with the Bears' current system, Pro Football Talk is reporting that Orton pushed for his release from the Broncos in hopes that he could land with the Bears. Wouldn't that be something. Adding to that, the Bears play the Broncos in Denver on December 11. Come on, Chicago -- take a shot on Orton.
What do you think? Will Houston and/or Chicago still make the playoffs?
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The Texans will win at least two more games in the next 5 setting up a show down with the Titans in week 16, that is if the Titans go 4-1 in that stretch (doubtful). Plus with Indy, Jacksonville, as wins that would make the Texans in division at worst 5-1 and Titans already have two losses. So if the Texans beat Indy and the Jags, they most probably only have to win one more game to win the division. The Titans have to go 6-0 or hope the Texans go 2-4 which I dont see happening based on the schedules.
The Bears have to win 3 games. If they do the only team that can honestly catch them is Atlanta who would have to go 5-1. Bears already beat Atlanta in week one. Bears schedule includes (Kansas City, Denver, Seattle, and Minnesota) If they win three of those game, they should be ok.
I’m pulling for the Bears to grab a Wild Card spot and keep the Falcons out.
by Brownie's Year on Nov 23, 2011 1:50 PM EST up reply actions
Houston will still sneak in. Chicago should slip from the race, although with Detroit still having to face GB twice they could still find a way in. Or if they signed someone competant like Orton again they could tread water and still make the postseason.
Haney didn’t look bad in that NFC championship game last year. I think the Bears can tread water, and it looks like they are going to land Orton.
2010 Official DBN League Fantasy Football Champion
by TheDriveStillHurts on Nov 23, 2011 1:44 PM EST up reply actions
and it looks like they are going to land Orton.
Any legit sources yet?
by Brownie's Year on Nov 23, 2011 1:48 PM EST up reply actions
Pro Football Talk is reporting that Orton and Chicago both want to land him and that Orton may be trying to discourage other teams from claiming him (most notably, the Chiefs). Don’t see why a non-contender would waste their time with him just to pay him to finish this season and be a free agent. Chicago makes a ton of sense.
2010 Official DBN League Fantasy Football Champion
by TheDriveStillHurts on Nov 23, 2011 2:10 PM EST up reply actions
Why the hell does Kyle freakin’ Orton get to decide who claims him? To hell with that, if I was the Chiefs or the Texans and I think he could help, I would claim him.
Anyone on earth still think the Bronco’s won that Cutler trade? That franchise continues to be a joke since.
by Bernie19Kosar on Nov 23, 2011 2:15 PM EST up reply actions
Why the hell does Kyle freakin’ Orton get to decide who claims him?
Because he’s Kyle freakin’ Orton.
Dawgs By Nature - Covering the Cleveland Browns on SB Nation.
by Chris Pokorny on Nov 23, 2011 2:35 PM EST up reply actions 3 recs
Anyone on earth still think the Bronco’s won that Cutler trade?
On paper, it was not a bad trade. Because McD controlled the draft picks, it was a disaster.
2010 Official DBN League Fantasy Football Champion
by TheDriveStillHurts on Nov 23, 2011 2:41 PM EST up reply actions
Why the hell does Kyle freakin’ Orton get to decide who claims him?
He doesn’t. He can try to discourage other teams from taking him though.
2010 Official DBN League Fantasy Football Champion
by TheDriveStillHurts on Nov 23, 2011 2:42 PM EST up reply actions
He's not the QB you are looking for.
"Men occasionally stumble over the truth, but most of them pick themselves up and hurry off as if nothing ever happened."
— Winston S. Churchill
I have the best wife - ever.
F him. The guy couldn’t beat Tim Tebow for a starter position and Brady Quinn as the back-up. And HE’S telling people where he wants to go? He should be crawling over hot lava to get to anyone who would take him.
by Bernie19Kosar on Nov 23, 2011 3:27 PM EST up reply actions
Pretty sure he beat Brady Quinn and Tebow in training camp. The only reason Tebow got the job was because Fox (rightly) decided that the season was over, and the franchise might as well see what it has in Tebow. He was only released because he asked to be, and I am sure the Broncos were happy to get rid of his $2 million that they still owe on his contract.
All that said, your general sentiment is right.
2010 Official DBN League Fantasy Football Champion
by TheDriveStillHurts on Nov 23, 2011 3:48 PM EST up reply actions
Because he could sulk and not learn the playbook if he didn’t want to be somewhere. He should be a pro and just suck it up and play, but if you are handing your franchise to a guy (even for half a year), you want him to want to be there. A bad relationship with your QB is no way to try to begin a playoff run.
"Statistics are like bikinis. What they reveal is suggestive, but what they conceal is vital." - Aaron Levenstein
Good. I hope Todd Haley punches him in the face when he walks in the door. WELCOME TO KC BEYOTCH!
by Bernie19Kosar on Nov 23, 2011 4:35 PM EST up reply actions
I wonder if NFL teams will see these QBs getting hurt and scare themselves away from all of this throwing. Great QBs are the most valuable resource in all of sports, and losing one can kill you.
"Statistics are like bikinis. What they reveal is suggestive, but what they conceal is vital." - Aaron Levenstein
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