Justice: Donovan McNabb’s Going to the Playoffs
NFL December 29th. 2008, 9:00am
Many, many options for favorite story of a thrilling final weekend of the NFL regular season, but we’ll opt for Donovan McNabb. Benched during a humbling loss in Baltimore in mid-November, he was written off by every blogger, columnist, and sports talk radio caller on the planet. We had him penciled in for Minnesota next season.
(We’ll crap on Favre’s floundering finish later; we’ll let ESPN dissect every angle of the crumbling of the Cowboys and Romo’s late-season woes. We’re pretty sure nobody’s going to examine the demise of Denver, which was the biggest choke job of all because, well, it’s Denver, and Shanahan is their teflon coach. In 1st place every week of the season and up three with three weeks left? That’s awful.)
That Baltimore loss came on the heels of an embarrassing tie against lowly Cincinnati, and you’ll remember that game because it’s the one when McNabb admitted he didn’t know an NFL game could end in a tie.
A month later, and McNabb’s got the Eagles in the playoffs as a dangerous No. 6 seed, backed by a ferocious defense that devoured and confused the following QBs in the last six weeks: Kurt Warner, Eli Manning, and Tony Romo. T Jack doesn’t figure to be a difficult challenge.
It’s much too early for a Super Bowl prediction based on the playoff seedings, but this much we know: Our Super Bowl pick – Dallas over New England – cannot happen. Radical.
65 Responses to “Justice: Donovan McNabb’s Going to the Playoffs”
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December 29th, 2008 at 9:04 AM
Peter King with my favorite section of text in some time:
Ding, ding, ding!
December 29th, 2008 at 9:08 AM
He looked so happy in the post-game press conference yesterday. The TO mocking was beautiful, too.
December 29th, 2008 at 9:09 AM
This is what ESPN is running with. There are currently reports by Peter King and the Boston Globe that claim the exact opposite, and that Brady’s recovery is on schedule. Yet ESPN runs with Curran’s report that quotes an anonymous source. Hmmmmm what if this was Favre?
December 29th, 2008 at 9:10 AM
my super bowl pick is still alive. thanks for the reminder TBL
December 29th, 2008 at 9:10 AM
Just unbelievable, and of course they destroy Minn, meaning this win saves everybody. I think they were ready to blow it up. Every year I/we bury McNabb, every year he claws back. Guy’s a pro.
December 29th, 2008 at 9:11 AM
Chargers over Panthers. Book it.
December 29th, 2008 at 9:11 AM
Reports are Rod Marinelli has been fired.
December 29th, 2008 at 9:13 AM
Rod Marinelli probably wishes his son-in-law wasn’t such a bad defensive coordinator this morning.
December 29th, 2008 at 9:14 AM
How about:
December 29th, 2008 at 9:14 AM
I can’t remember the last time we had such an underwhelming top 4. Is anyone completely sold on Tenn, Pitt, NYG, or Carolina? I have no idea who would be the pick to play in the SB.
December 29th, 2008 at 9:15 AM
Wow, us Pats fans get a consolation prize:
http://www.profootballtalk.com/2008/12/29/mangini-out/
December 29th, 2008 at 9:15 AM
Ravens over Panthers
December 29th, 2008 at 9:18 AM
NSR, I have no problem with the top 4, the next 4 are questionable at best. I could see every home team losing this weekend. These wild card teams are very good.
December 29th, 2008 at 9:18 AM
But, but, but…he’s the Mangenius! Let’s all hope he takes his shitty QB with him.
December 29th, 2008 at 9:18 AM
Guy’s a pro.
So is Sage Rosenfels.
December 29th, 2008 at 9:23 AM
mangini gone, brett stays. hurrah!
December 29th, 2008 at 9:25 AM
go browns.
December 29th, 2008 at 9:26 AM
Does this mean Mangini is no longer welcome at Vesuvio?
December 29th, 2008 at 9:27 AM
Grrrreat. Another year of Brett, the Savior from the Worldwide. I can’t wait.
Isn’t he the reason that the Jets fell apart? Great running game, check. Great run defense, check. Piss poor QB with a league leading 20+ picks, check.
Hail to the Eagles. They are a professional football team. Everyone wrote them off, including their own city, and they make the playoffs. They will be a bitch to knock out too.
December 29th, 2008 at 9:29 AM
Matt Casell might stay a Patriot.
http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3796019
December 29th, 2008 at 9:30 AM
Tampa
- And Duckworth got got, right?
December 29th, 2008 at 9:30 AM
@Tampa… That fits with the potential Brady continual knee problems…
December 29th, 2008 at 9:30 AM
Bo:
http://www.boston.com/sports/football/patriots/articles/2008/12/29/bradys_rehab_progressing_as_expected/
December 29th, 2008 at 9:31 AM
Eagles had to have everything fall into place perfectly to get in yesterday. I really dont think they get too far in the playoffs, they cannot win close games. Blowouts they’re good at, so if they can keep that going, ok.
December 29th, 2008 at 9:36 AM
So if they keep blowing teams out, you think they’ll win some playoff games? That’s just crazy enough to work.
December 29th, 2008 at 9:38 AM
Haha. Yeah. I can see them possibly blowing out Minny, but they’ll lose to Carolina.
December 29th, 2008 at 9:40 AM
Great stuff.
December 29th, 2008 at 9:40 AM
CRM must be really upset with the play and leadership of his favorite player, Tony Romo.
December 29th, 2008 at 9:41 AM
No Romo, Farve, or Cutler in the playoffs, who will we call an overrated fraudulent choker? Oh thats right, Roethlisberger is still playing.
December 29th, 2008 at 9:43 AM
Rivers would like some of that fraud action, too.
December 29th, 2008 at 9:44 AM
Poor Romo, he just wants to play and have fun.
December 29th, 2008 at 9:57 AM
Eagles can beat the VIkings no problem this weekend… doesn’t mean theywill but they can.
December 29th, 2008 at 10:00 AM
McNabb threw for under 200 yards 3 times in the 6 games down the stretch, and never threw over 300 yards. Is he the one that really led them to victory? I don’t think so. Credit the D, and Westbrook for saving him. McNabb is still overrated.
December 29th, 2008 at 10:00 AM
@cracker jack — If the Eagles win they will be playing the Giants, not the Panthers.
December 29th, 2008 at 10:00 AM
So while Romo, Favre and the Patriots all sit at home now and wonder what might have been, here’s who is in the playoffs:
McNabb – ridiculed, hated, and made fun of (and that’s just his own fanbase).
Pennington – the odd-man out in that Favre-Jets-Packers 3-way. No one’s laughing harder than him today.
Jackson – dumped at season’s start for Gus Frerotte.
The Panthers – the team no one wanted to acknowledge as 2nd best in the NFC (“I still think it’s the Cowboys”).
December 29th, 2008 at 10:06 AM
i was not aware that 300 yards is some sort of benchmark that equates to victory. thanks for that update.
i’ll pass it along to drew brees … who has plenty of time to digest it, considering he’s not going to the playoffs.
“overrated” – can you quantify that a bit more?
December 29th, 2008 at 10:06 AM
So while Romo, Favre and the Patriots all sit at home now and wonder what might have been, here’s who is in the playoffs:
It still doesn’t matter. Those three you mentioned will still hijack media coverage because “speculating on the future of Brett Favre is still a ’sexier’ story than Chad Pennington or Jake Delhomme”
December 29th, 2008 at 10:07 AM
@die_eagles_die — 2 TD’s throwing, 1 running, all in the first half yesterday. No picks.
He never shows up for big games!
Idiots.
December 29th, 2008 at 10:09 AM
TBL couldn’t resist getting in another anti-Brees screed.
Brees 10x> Romo
December 29th, 2008 at 10:10 AM
Congrats to McNabb. They are going to be a tough out, and will give CAR fits in the 2nd round.
December 29th, 2008 at 10:11 AM
@Mike_NYC — See above, if the Eagles win they will be playing the Giants.
December 29th, 2008 at 10:11 AM
During McNabb’s “justice” run:
1. Beat Arizona. A team that gave up like 600 points in its 4 East Coast trips this year.
2. Beat the Giants when they were in the middle of their two-week offensive slump
3. Beat Cleveland. No analysis necessary
4. Lost to Washington. Washington’s only win after Thanksgiving
5. Beat Dallas. Tony Romo didn’t show up for an important game. Go figure.
That’s one hell of a run.
December 29th, 2008 at 10:11 AM
Well he has won a playoff game so obviously.
/peeling the band-aid off very slowly
December 29th, 2008 at 10:13 AM
TBL – if the Cowboys have Drew Brees, they’re in the playoffs and winning playoff games.
Jay – you’re right. The MSM will have a hell of a fun time this week speculating on who stays and goes and where. Hopefully once the real games start, they’ll shut up about them — until the offseason.
December 29th, 2008 at 10:13 AM
Brees has won a playoff game
/all that needs to be said when you compare ANYTHING to Tony Romo
December 29th, 2008 at 10:13 AM
Oops. Hmm, even more interesting…
December 29th, 2008 at 10:14 AM
The Iggles are winning because they are running the football, hence passing numbers are down. However I’m sure Reid will at some point in the next two games completely abandon the run and lose the game.
December 29th, 2008 at 10:16 AM
My favorite part about Cowboys fans where I live (Philly area) is when I ask them “what part of Texas are you from?” Another thing that is fun is to ask them how old they were when they last won a superbowl or even a playoff game. The Tampa Bay Rays have won more playoff games than the Cowboys in the last 12 years.
December 29th, 2008 at 10:17 AM
if the Cowboys have Drew Brees, they’re in the playoffs and winning playoff games.
They should trade some draft picks for him.
December 29th, 2008 at 10:19 AM
if the cowboys have brees?
if the broncos have a defense, are they in the playoffs?
if the dolphins dont have chad, are they in the playoffs?
if the patriots have brady, are they in the playoffs?
this could go on all day …
it’s funny how mcnabb is the fall guy anytime they don’t win, but when they do win, it’s westbrook or reid or the defense. yeah, mcnabb, that guy’s just a bum. the eagles win in spite of him.
*rolls eyes*
December 29th, 2008 at 10:20 AM
@Jay — Love that you’ll find any way possible to bash McNabb.
A huge game against their arch-rivals against home town fans, at least half of whom weren’t his biggest fans, and he showed up big-time.
But ya know, there’s no reason to be impressed. Stupid media always building him up!
December 29th, 2008 at 10:21 AM
if the Cowboys have Drew Brees, they’re in the playoffs and winning playoff games.
They should trade some draft picks for him.
They could have had him for nothing. Then again, only the Saints were willing to take a gamble on him after his surgery.
Anycase, I’m glad he’s not in Dallas. I’d hate to see what TO would say about him to Ed Werder…I mean the “anonymous source” say to Ed Werder.
December 29th, 2008 at 10:23 AM
sponge: You are so right.. I had a fun time watching the game out at a bar(about 30 miles outside Philly) and of course there were several Cowboys fans there. There was even this extra annoying chick who mentioned she was also a Yankees fan. WTF is that??
December 29th, 2008 at 10:24 AM
TBL, McNabb’s never been a favorite of anyone’s. Not even Philly wanted him — always remember they wanted Ricky “Puff-Puff-Pass” Williams instead.
I’d root for him to win a Super Bowl then flee to Chicago or Minnesota…but could you imagine Philly fans having a World Series title and a Super Bowl win in the same year? They’d make Boston fans seem almost sane!
December 29th, 2008 at 10:25 AM
f the cowboys have brees?
if the broncos have a defense, are they in the playoffs?
if the dolphins dont have chad, are they in the playoffs?
if the patriots have brady, are they in the playoffs?
if CRM wasn’t gay?
December 29th, 2008 at 10:26 AM
They could have had him for nothing. Then again, only the Saints were willing to take a gamble on him after his surgery.
The reason why the Dolphins were where they were last year was because after he went to Miami for a look-see, Nick Saban decided to trade for Daunte Culpepper instead.
December 29th, 2008 at 10:29 AM
When the eagles lose its usually because Reid got away from the run game and that means the McNabb was forced to throw the ball a lot, he would make mistakes and then he becomes the fall guy. Reid should be the fall guy EVERY time.
December 29th, 2008 at 10:54 AM
McNabb is overrated. 3 TDs (2 passing 1 rushing) that were a combined 6 yards. No offense, but anyone can QB sneak the ball in from the 1. Look at Tjack, he even had 4 TDs in a game. Does that mean he is great, of course not.
McNabb is overrated because the team wins in spite of him. He doesn’t add any extra dimensions to the team. His job is to hand of the ball, and make dump passes. He isn’t doing anything that any other QB in the league can’t do. He has done this his entire career, except most of the time people want him as a pro bowl QB, or even a hall of famer. The team typically wins because of the D and the running game.
The same can be said for Romo.
December 29th, 2008 at 11:02 AM
@die_eagles_die — I’m not sure it’s really worth arguing with you because you seem like a lunatic. But I have trouble backing down from a discussion of McNabb.
Did you even watch the game? What about the plays McNabb made to SET UP the touchdowns he accounted for? The beautiful escape to hit Buckhalter on the run? The touch pass to Jackson on Terrance Newman?
December 29th, 2008 at 11:03 AM
Let me know when Glazer reports it. Then I’ll be (very) concerned.
December 29th, 2008 at 11:06 AM
There was even this extra annoying chick who mentioned she was also a Yankees fan. WTF is that?? = chick shorthand for “I’m bored. I’ll blow ya for some coke.”
December 29th, 2008 at 11:14 AM
I have a friend who’s a Cowboys, Yankees and Lakers fan…who was born and raised in Virginia. Sometimes I want to strangle him.
December 29th, 2008 at 11:29 AM
@ sports…Have you ever watched his other games? He consistently throws the ball into the ground. The biggest reason that he doesn’t throw an INT is because he throws the ball where no one can catch it. My comment remains. I admit, he could have 1 good game, and maybe yesterday was one of them, but the guy doesn’t do anything that most other QBs can’t do. I will reiterate, Tavaris Jackson had 4 TDs in a game, does that make him a pro bowler? I would hope McNabb would have a decent game every now and then, but that doesn’t make him a top tier player.
December 29th, 2008 at 12:16 PM
i was not aware that 300 yards is some sort of benchmark that equates to victory. thanks for that update.
i’ll pass it along to drew brees … who has plenty of time to digest it, considering he’s not going to the playoffs.
“overrated†– can you quantify that a bit more?
Wow. TBL’s just firebombing everything now that Jett Favre and the New York Bretts choked down the stretch. You tell me how many teams would LOVE to have Drew Brees as their starter: I’m counting AT LEAST half the league.
Drew Brees has thrown for over 4,400 yards the last three seasons. Favre crossed that plain one time: in 1995.
In three years with the Saints, Drew Brees has thrown for over 13,910 yards. Brett Favre? 11,512. Peyton Manning? 12,439.
Perhaps if Drew Brees had a competent defense, he’d be in the playoffs.
December 29th, 2008 at 1:19 PM
I have to give props to Brian Dawkins in his post-game interview with Pam Oliver. She kept trying to focus on the ‘Boys, and Dawkins would have nothing of it.