| Week 11 games |
| Expert Analysis |  With two straight wins, are the Broncos starting to get their (bleep) together? |
 Why should we NOT be buying the Colts as a playoff team? |
 What the heck happened to Kyle Orton and the Bears in Lambeau today? |
 Everybody still feel the Lions aren't going to win a game this year? |
Pete
Prisco | It looks that way. We knew the offense was capable, but the biggest shock has to be the way the defense is playing with all those injuries. As they get healthier, they will be even better. In the weak AFC West, they have a real chance to win it. | You should be. But if there is one concern it has to be that defense. They just aren't big enough and teams push them around. It's especially a problem when Bob Sanders isn't in the game. | He became Kyle Orton again. That's what you get with an average quarterback sometimes. They just don't make the plays all the time. Sometimes they look good and sometimes they don't. Orton is average at best. | Yes. They don't have many more chances and the best chance to win looks like it might be the Vikings at home later int he season. But I doubt it. They will go winless. |
Clark
Judge | It sure seems that way. They didn't just win two straight; they won two ON THE ROAD. That is big. And they managed to survive without a legit running back. I still think the division comes down to the season finale against San Diego, but these were two very good weeks for Denver. | Beats me. I'm buying. They won today without Bob Sanders. That's signficant. They're beginning to produce points on offense, Peyton Manning looks like he's sharp again and Joseph Addai is on the field. The elements are all there. | They ran into an opponent that could not afford to lose another. Desperate teams are dangerous at home, and the Packers were desperate. They also ran over these guys. I don't know, Chicago never looked as if it was ready for what hit it. I still like the Bears in the division, though. | Nope. I never did feel that way. It's tougher to go 0-16 than it is 16-0. The Lions will steal one somewhere. I must admit, I look at the schedule and I don't know where it is. But it will happen. It always does. |
Jamey
Eisenberg | The Broncos remain terrible on defense and have no running game even with Peyton Hillis rushing for two touchdowns. But Denver has won two in a row on the road, which is a positive sign, and the Broncos still have winnable games remaining against Oakland, Kansas City, Buffalo and San Diego. With the rest of the division struggling, Denver could sneak into the playoffs. | The run defense for the Colts is the problem. When Bob Sanders doesn't play, and he was out Sunday against Houston, teams can run at will on Indianapolis. The Texans ran for 177 yards against Indianapolis, and when the Colts get into the playoffs, that will be a problem. Yes, the Colts will make the playoffs. They are too good not to be a wildcard team. | The Packers are a matchup nightmare for most opposing quarterbacks. With Al Harris and Charles Woodson at corner, the Packers can take away wide receivers and tight ends, and Orton at less than 100 percent was in for a long day. He will bounce back, but the Bears should have done better running the ball. That's the Packers' weakness is stopping the run. | The Lions are definitely looking at 0-16. Here's the remaining schedule: Tampa Bay, Tennessee, Minnesota, at Indianapolis, New Orleans and at Green Bay. Those are all teams that will be fighting for a playoff spot, so there are no easy games. Detroit's best chances are the Vikings, Saints or if Green Bay somehow clinches the NFC North heading into the final week and has nothing to play for. |
Eric Kay | Two straight road wins is nothing to sneeze at and I like this mix of running backs they now have. But they can't pressure the quarterback (zero sacks Sun.) and if you can't do that you're "bleep" ain't together enough for this league. | Got me. They're a playoff team now, in my mind. Joseph Addai is giving them that dynamic element on offense, and the defense will be good enough pending Bob Sanders didn't sit out today for any long-term reason. Other 6-4 non-division-winning teams? Miami and New England. The Colts are better than both. | The Bears offense had one short-field drive. A hobbled Orton trying to do anything along the sidelines vs. the Packers' cornerbacks is a recipe for disaster, and that's what happened. Ryan Grant also happened. He's picking up steam at just the right time -- when the weather will suck in Midwest. | I think they beat New Orleans right before Christmas. By then Daunte will have a good feel for the offense. But that's not the problem, is it? No, the problem for the Lions is getting to the point where only one running back tops 100 yards vs. their run defense. |
