Among life’s many inevitabilities – death, taxes, a CHFF staffer with indigestion – one can always count on a Brett Favre interception in a big moment of a big game.
But lately Favre has remedied that situation like a CHFF staffer guzzling a bottle of Maalox. By winning four in a row and six of seven, the Jets have taken sole possession of the AFC East and become a legitimate postseason threat.
In the last two games in particular, Favre has been anything but the gambling gunslinger that John Madden adores. He is 40 of 52 (76.9 percent) for 425 yards and 3 TDs, with … wait for it … no interceptions. That’s right, while just having fun out there against both the Rams and Patriots, Favre hasn’t added to his record all-time pick total – and he’s posted a passer rating of 119.5.
But it’s not a one-man show. This latest incarnation of the Jets has shown great balance. Running back Thomas Jones leads the AFC in rushing with 854 yards, and during the four-game win streak, he has racked up 376 yards (4.6 YPA) and six touchdowns. On defense, free-agent mountain Kris Jenkins leads a stop unit that ranks No. 3 against the run (3.37 YPA).
Of course, the 7-3 Jets still have a few big games left to play this season before the playoffs arrive, starting this week at undefeated Tennessee. That means Favre will be given ample opportunity to throw some more costly interceptions.
For now, though, the Maalox can stay in the medicine cabinet.
THE DOMINANT DOZEN
1. TENNESSEE (10-0, previous rank: same)
Record vs. Quality Opponents: 2-0 (+6.5 PPG)
Last week: Staring their first loss of the season square in the face at division rival Jacksonville, the Titans jumped on Kerry Collins’s back for the second straight week, and he responded with three second-half touchdown passes in a 24-14 win.
Cold, Hard Football Facts: In his last two games, wide receiver Justin Gage has recorded 194 yards on just 8 receptions (24.3 yards per catch) while scoring 3 TDs.
Week 12 matchup: vs. N.Y. Jets. The Titans’ top-ranked scoring defense (13.1 PPG) will have to contend with the Jets’ second-ranked scoring offense (28.9 PPG).
2. N.Y. GIANTS (9-1, previous rank: same)
Record vs. Quality Opponents: 5-0 (+12.4 PPG)
Last week: Against a Ravens run defense that came in giving up only 65.4 YPG, the Giants rolled up their third straight 200-yard rushing performance in a 30-10 beatdown in the Meadowlands.
Cold, Hard Football Facts: Sure, it’s nitpicking, but Eli Manning hasn’t thrown for more than 200 yards in a game since Week 5 and hasn’t completed more than 60 percent of his pass attempts since Week 6.
Week 12 matchup: at Arizona. The Giants have struggled in the desert of late, losing three straight and four of six.
3. CAROLINA (8-2, previous rank: same)
Record vs. Quality Opponents: 2-1 (-1.7 PPG)
Last week: Jake Delhomme had less than 100 yards passing for a second consecutive game, but the Panthers kept the Lions winless by virtue of a 31-22 victory in Charlotte.
Cold, Hard Football Facts: For the first time in Carolina history, two backs topped 100 yards rushing in the same game, as Jonathan Stewart (130) and DeAngelo Williams (120) helped set a new franchise record with 264 yards on the ground.
Week 12 matchup: at Atlanta. A win would give the Panthers a three-game lead over Atlanta in the NFC South, potentially delivering a death blow to the Falcons.
4. TAMPA BAY (7-3, previous rank: same)
Record vs. Quality Opponents: 2-2 (+8.0 PPG)
Last week: Tampa’s No. 5 defense held Adrian Peterson and the rest of the Vikings in check and got four field goals from Matt Bryant in a 19-13 home win.
Cold, Hard Football Facts: The Bucs continue to fly under the radar offensively, ranking in the top 10 in both total yards (351.6 YPG) and passing (236.5 YPG).
Week 12 matchup: at Detroit. Rod Marinelli, who previously served as the offensive line coach for Tampa Bay, actually defeated his former team last October – but the Lions are just 3-17 since.
5. N.Y. JETS (7-3, previous rank: 11)
Record vs. Quality Opponents: 4-1 (+6.0 PPG)
Last week: A 92-yard kickoff return for a touchdown by Leon Washington helped deliver a defining performance as the Jets won an overtime thriller in New England, 34-31.
Cold, Hard Football Facts: Rookie tight end Dustin Keller has been the team’s leading receiver for two straight games, catching 14 passes for 194 yards over that span.
Week 12 matchup: at Tennessee. New York’s 28th-ranked pass defense (239.7 YPG) could be tested by Kerry Collins, who has thrown for 519 yards and five TDs in his last two games.
6. ARIZONA (7-3, previous rank: 7)
Record vs. Quality Opponents: 3-3 (+3.2 PPG)
Last week: The Arizona aerial circus touched down in Seattle, and Kurt Warner posted another huge day (32 of 44, 395 yards, 98.2 passer rating) to secure a 26-20 win.
Cold, Hard Football Facts: Wideouts Anquan Boldin and Larry Fitzgerald each exceeded 150 yards receiving against the Seahawks, combining to catch 23 passes for 337 yards.
Week 12 matchup: vs. N.Y. Giants. The Cardinals rank No. 2 in passing offense (305.8 YPG), while the Giants rank No. 2 against the pass (174.8 YPG).
7. INDIANAPOLIS (6-4, previous rank: 8)
Record vs. Quality Opponents: 3-1 (+6.2 PPG)
Last week: The Colts won their third straight and moved to two games over .500 for the first time this season, holding off the Texans, 33-27, in Indy.
Cold, Hard Football Facts: Running back Joseph Addai hadn’t reach 100 yards from scrimmage in any game all season, but he finally broke out by rushing 22 times for 105 yards, catching four passes for 48 yards and scoring twice – one on the ground and one through the air.
Week 12 matchup: at San Diego on Sunday night. Indianapolis has dropped its last three games against the Chargers, including a 28-24 home loss in last season’s divisional playoffs.
8. PITTSBURGH (7-3, previous rank: 9)
Record vs. Quality Opponents: 2-3 (even)
Last week: The Steelers survived some red zone issues (four trips, zero TDs) and 13 penalties for 115 yards to edge San Diego, 11-10, at Heinz Field.
Cold, Hard Football Facts: Willie Parker registered his first 100-yard rushing game since Week 2, and Pittsburgh continued its season-long streak of not allowing an opposing rusher to reach 100 yards.
Week 12 matchup: vs. Cincinnati on Thursday night. The Steelers finally get a break from their brutal schedule, playing a non-playoff team for the first time since Week 7 … when they likewise faced the Bengals.
9. NEW ENGLAND (6-4, previous rank: 6)
Record vs. Quality Opponents: 3-3 (+3.7 PPG)
Last week: Despite the game of Matt Cassel’s life (400 yards passing, 62 yards rushing, 3 TDs), the Patriots dropped a 34-31 overtime decision to the Jets in Foxboro.
Cold, Hard Football Facts: New England gained 511 yards against the Jets, the fourth-highest total in franchise history and most since a 1979 game, which was also played against New York.
Week 12 matchup: at Miami. The Patriots will try to rebound in a place where they’ve won just three times in the last 10 years.
10. DALLAS (6-4, previous rank: 18)
Record vs. Quality Opponents: 3-3 (-2.8 PPG)
Last week: To the delight of the fawning media, the Cowboys got Tony Romo back and proceeded to beat Washington, 14-10, remaining squarely in the NFC playoff hunt.
Cold, Hard Football Facts: Romo’s return certainly aided Marion Barber, who posted his best performance (153 total yards, TD) since Week 6 at Arizona (173 total yards, TD) – the same game in which Romo was injured.
Week 12 matchup: vs. San Francisco. It won’t exactly rival the Young/Watters/Rice vs. Aikman/Smith/Irvin battles of yore.
11. WASHINGTON (6-4, previous rank: 5)
Record vs. Quality Opponents: 3-3 (-2.5 PPG)
Last week: With a chance to put away division-rival Dallas, the Redskins dropped their second straight home game, 14-10.
Cold, Hard Football Facts: Jason Campbell’s first eight games: 8 TDs, no INTs, 16 sacks taken; Jason Campbell’s last two games: 1 TD, 3 INTs, 10 sacks taken.
Week 12 matchup: at Seattle. Campbell will have a great chance to get back on track against a team that owns a Defensive Passer Rating of 99.0 through 10 games and that has allowed 15 touchdown passes against just five interceptions.
12. BALTIMORE (6-4, previous rank: same)
Record vs. Quality Opponents: 1-4 (-8.0 PPG)
Last week: The upstart Ravens were taken behind the woodshed for an old-fashioned 20-point butt whuppin’ at the hands of the Giants.
Cold, Hard Football Facts: Linebacker Ray Lewis has recorded three interceptions in the last two games, besting his totals for each of the past four seasons.
Week 11 matchup: vs. Philadelphia. After being exposed in the Meadowlands, Baltimore’s usually stout run defense opposes an Eagles ground game that ranks 25th in the league (95.3 YPG).
THE TEPID TWENTY
13. ATLANTA (6-4, previous rank: 10) — As Matt Ryan goes, so go the Falcons. The rookie quarterback has posted a passer rating of 94.1 or higher in each of his team’s six wins, and a passer rating of 71.5 or lower in all four losses.
14. MIAMI (6-4, previous rank: 15) — Over their four-game winning streak, the Dolphins have faced opponents with a combined winning percentage of .400 and an aggregate record of 16-24.
15. DENVER (6-4, previous rank: 18) — Two straight road wins with a fifth-string running back starting and five defensive starters out? The Broncos deserve a lot of credit.
16. GREEN BAY (5-5, previous rank: 20) — Against Chicago, the Packers recorded their seventh defensive touchdown of the season, establishing a new franchise record.
17. CHICAGO (5-5, previous rank: 13) — The Bears’ once-vaunted defense has allowed 144 points in the last five games and now ranks 21st in points allowed (23.1 PPG).
18. PHILADELPHIA (5-4-1, previous rank: 14) — Perhaps Donovan McNabb also didn’t know that the Eagles were wearing white unis on Sunday; his three interceptions were the most he had thrown in a game since 2006.
19. BUFFALO (5-5, previous rank: 16) — Contributing mightily to the Bills’ four-game losing streak are the 10 turnovers of quarterback Trent Edwards (8 INTs, 2 lost fumbles).
20. SAN DIEGO (4-6, previous rank: 19) — LaDanian Tomlinson’s rushing touchdown against the Steelers was his first in 93 carries – dating back to September – and he is on pace to rush for just 1,098 yards, which would be the lowest total of his career.
21. NEW ORLEANS (5-5, previous rank: 22) — Despite leading the league in yards per game, the Saints haven’t posted back-to-back wins all season.
22. MINNESOTA (5-5, previous rank: 17) — Trailing by six at Tampa with just under two minutes to play, Vikings coach Brad Childress continued his attempt to get fired by keeping Adrian Peterson, arguably the league’s best offensive player, on the sidelines.
23. CLEVELAND (4-6, previous rank: 25) — When Buffalo’s Rian Lindell missed a potential game-winning field goal with 43 seconds left on Monday night, the Browns narrowly avoided becoming the first team in league history to blow three straight games in which it led by 13 or more points.
24. JACKSONVILLE (4-6, previous rank: 23) — Jaguars running back Maurice Jones-Drew has 11 touchdowns; no one else on the team has more than two.
25. HOUSTON (3-7, previous rank: 24) — Rookie Steve Slaton ripped off 156 yards on just 14 carries (11.1 YPA) against the Colts last week, putting himself on pace to finish the year with 1,122 yards.
26. SAN FRANCISCO (3-7, previous rank: 30) — Isaac Bruce, who is so old that he played for the Rams when they were still in Los Angeles (1994), caught his 968th career pass in last week’s victory over his former team.
27. SEATTLE (2-8, previous rank: same) — In his first game since Week 5, Matt Hasselbeck tossed three picks, including one on the final possession when his team had a chance to win. For the season, he now has more than twice as many INTs (7) as TDs (3).
28. CINCINNATI (1-8-1, previous rank: 29) — When you’re as bad as the Bengals, a tie is like feeling up your hot half-sister.
29. KANSAS CITY (1-9, previous rank: 26) — Against New Orleans, receiver Dwayne Bowe scored both of his team’s touchdowns and posted the first multi-score game of his two-year career.
30. ST LOUIS (2-8, previous rank: 28) — The Rams may want to practice being ready at the opening whistle, as they’ve been outscored 75-3 in the first halves of their last two games.
31. OAKLAND (2-8, previous rank: same) — The Raiders have scored just 33 first-half points all season, and they average a league-worst 12.8 PPG.
32. DETROIT (0-10, previous rank: same) — Rod Marinelli apparently likes our digs, as evidenced by his postgame request that a reporter “find some guys off the street and bring them to me.”
Love it? Hate it? Sign up and sound off!