Football Brainiac

Try saying that headline ten times fast! 

Well, it finally happened, folks. The Baltimore Ravens announced they have fired Brian Billick as their head coach. Of course, all of us at Football Brainiac saw this coming weeks ago. We showed you how Billick’s teams have performed year in and year out. We brought up that how he had completely lost control of his players. We even mentioned how they would lose to the Dolphins! Eerily prophetic, ain’t we?

It will be interesting to see where the Ravens go from here. Do they look for an offensive-minded coach or a defensive minded-one? Since their offense has been so anemic for so long, I tend to think that they’ll be looking for an offensive coach.

The rumor mill will most likely circulate such name as Bill Cowher, Mike Singletary and Rex Ryan, I gotta think their front runner will be Jason Garrett, offensive coordinator for the Cowboys (that is, unless the Tuna gets him first). 

Who do you think will be coaching those hated Ravens next season? Any thoughts?

ROLE REVERSAL
Don’t look now, ladies and gentlemen, but it looks as if the Bengals defense has started to turn things around! In six of their last seven games, Cincy has been stingy allowing an average of only 13 points. The only game their defense fell apart was against Arizona when Carson Palmer threw a career record 4 INTs which certainly didn’t help matters much. Granted, they played some of the worst offenses in the league offenses or third-string quarterbacks, but it’s a start for them and it looks as if they’re finally turning things around.

I’m sure the Bengals offense is wishing they could turn things around, too, though. While their defense is giving up less, the offense looks totally out of sync. Last week’s game at home against the Browns was proof of that. In the last four games, Cincy’s offense has mustered a mere 10, 19, 10 and 19 points.

Palmer is definitely having his worst year yet. Funny, though, it seems as if everyone is making excuses for his play. When Ben had his really bad season last year, people piled the criticism on him, but when the golden boy has bad game after bad game, the media blames the wind, Chad Johnson, the rain, you name it - anything but Carson. Interesting isn’t it?

HOW DID IT COME TO THIS?
Oh, what a difference a week makes, huh? Last week Cleveland was on the threshold of the playoffs. With a little help, they could have actually won the AFC North. At least a win over lowly Cincinnati would have assured them of their first postseason appearance since 2002. Surely with Derek Anderson at the helm they would at least make it as a wild card. Everyone thought so!

Then, Anderson went out and laid the biggest egg of his career. Now the Browns can only make it to the playoffs if Tennessee loses to Indy and I’m not so sure that’s going to happen. You just know Jeff Fisher is going to have the Titans ready to go against the Colts second-stringers. The Browns went from being in control of their own destiny and on the verge of the playoffs to having to watch the Sunday night game to see if they can even make it. It’s a cruel world, isn’t it?

Speaking of Anderson, his performance last Sunday just seriously damaged his stock as an NFL QB in Cleveland or anywhere else for that matter. Don’t get me wrong, I’m sure he’ll compete for a starting job somewhere next year, but if the Browns miss the playoffs because of his 4 interceptions against the Bengals, I think it may show other teams he can’t win the big games when it counts.

And does anyone still think Anderson will be the QB in Cleveland next season? There’s no way. Quinn will start next season because, even if they wanted him to stay, he knows his days are numbered there. He’s been playing all season to showcase his talent to the rest of the NFL.

There’s a veritable laundry list of teams that may go after him next year. The Jets, Dolphins, Ravens, Chiefs, Vikings, Bears, Panthers and Falcons are all teams that would probably be interested in him. Good luck to you Derek. As long as it’s not in Cleveland!

For news on the Ravens, see our post “How to Beat the Ravens”

The Cincinnati Bengals gave the Steelers the best Christmas present they could ask for - an AFC North championship.

The Steelers have officially clinched the AFC North with the Bengals victory over the Browns Sunday. It’s their first division title since 2004, but their fifth playoff appearance in seven years. Congratulations to Mike Tomlin and the Steelers!

Notes from the Browns-Bengals Game
It seemed Cleveland was in the Christmas spirit early on giving Cincinnati every gift possible. ”Superstar” Derek Anderson threw four interceptions (back-to-back interceptions at one point) that set up Bengal touchdowns and gave them a 19-0 lead at halftime.

The Browns battled back in the second half to a 19-14 score and had every opportunity to take over the game. But Anderson’s miscues proved to be too much for the Browns to overcome and the Bengals went on to win. 

What Does this Mean to Pittsburgh?
The Steelers, as of Sunday, are the #4 seed in the AFC and would host the Jacksonville Jaguars for the second time in a month. If, however, the Chargers lose to the Broncos Monday night, the Steelers would become the #3 seed and would host the Browns again. I don’t know about you, but I’m rooting for the Broncos. Nobody - and I mean nobody - wants to play the Jags. They’re playing top-notch football right now.

Why the #3 Seed is Better than #4
Should the Steelers be the #3 seed and win the wild card game against Cleveland (or Tennessee), the Steelers would travel to Indianapolis instead of New England. I think that would be a better scenario, don’t you?