Every year, all teams are hopeful. I think if the Carolina Panthers had had this cheerleader give them a pep talk before each game, or maybe just strike this pose, they would have run through a wall for her.
And now let's go from DOORMAT TO CONTENDER. 1. After 300 years of losing, the first step to becoming a contender is to beat all those teams you used to hang out with. You let them know you’ve moved to a new neighborhood. Next you actually rise up and clock teams that have winning records, and put that seed of doubt in their minds about the playoffs, should they see you again.
Which of our new playoff teams have done this?
Detroit Lions (10-6)
First appearance in playoffs since 1999
Beat Doormats? Yes. Vikings (2), Bucs, Panthers, Cheaps
Beat Winners? NO.
Other victories: 8-8 Club- Bears, Raiders, Chargers, Broncos, Cowboys. All 8-8.
LOSSES: Saints, Packers (2), 49ers, Falcons, Bears. Basically, every playoff team and the Bears would have been one if Jay Cutler stays healthy (but would have counts for nothing in the NFL..or anywhere else).
Denver Donky Bunco Bunks (8-8)
Sorry I just can’t help it.
First appearance in playoffs since 2005 (these guys are the 8-8 kings)
Beat Doormats? Yes. Cheaps, Chargers, Dolphins, Vikings.
Beat Winners? Yes. Bengals (it counts!)
Other Victories: 8-8 club: Jets, Chargers, Bears, Raiders.
Losses: Bills, Cheaps, Lions, Chargers, Packers, Titans, Raiders. That’s losing to a wide variety of teams.
Doesn’t look good. Need Miracle.
Cincinnati Bengals (9-7)
Last Playoff appearance: 2009 (won AFC North)
Beat Doormats? YES. Browns (2), Colts, Jaguars, Seahawks, Lambs, Bills.
Beat Winners? YES. Titans
Other Victories: 8-8 club- Cardinals
LOSSES: Broncos, 49ers, Ravens (2), Steelers (2), Texans
They lost by 1 point to the Texans. 1. They have a solid chance to win this time.
San Francisco 49ers (13-3)
Last playoff appearance: 2002
Beat Doormats? YES. Seahawks (2), Bucs, Browns, Redskins, Lambs (2)
Beat Winners? YES. Giants, Lions, Steelers, Bengals (ok, admittedly, these are 2 ex-doormats, but that’s crucial to establishing who belongs in the new neighborhood.)
Other Victories: 8-8 club: Eagles, Cardinals
Losses: Cowboys, Ravens, Cardinals
These guys belong in the new neighborhood. Still going to have rough time against Saints, if Saints beat Lions. If Lions win, then it is Giants-Falcons winner.
