Pat Archibald 

It's always interesting to watch teams unravel during the course of losing streaks. I suppose interesting is too bland a word. It's more ghoulish than that. More like a guilty fascination, much like we experience as we witness a car wreck. We are horrified but it gets our attention. And it is hard not to look. It happens every season and there are a few again this year. 

Baltimore Ravens, a team that came in with high expectations, is on death's door. We've got their aging star in Ray Lewis in open warfare with arguably the most overrated head coach in all of sports, Brian Billick. Well actually that honor goes to the Knicks' Isaiah Thomas but we'll stick to football. I'm not a huge fan of Lewis as I think his bravado and reputation has exceeded his output for several seasons but nevertheless he holds great status within the squad. After his open criticism of Billick's play calling awhile back he was stripped of his captaincy for the Monday Night debacle. This was a very brazen attempt to gain control by Billick and a deliberate act to embarrass a team leader. As I say I'm not necessarily a fan of this player but you could not help but feel for him in his public shame. You just know that this scenario cannot end happily. Two egos battling at the top will wear even the strongest organization down to an ultimate breaking point.  

This situation is reminiscent of Jon Gruden's struggles in Tampa Bay where he systematically marginalized and discarded the veterans who won him a Super Bowl. Everyone acknowledged that the championship victory was not really his doing; rather he inherited a top caliber squad put together by Tony Dungy. His ego would insist that he be the main focus and away he went on his mad methods. And we all know how well that went. Billick is desperate to ensure he is the top dog and as a coach that's always a temptation. But he's lost this squad and the second half is a looming train wreck I suspect. Certainly their performance last week against the sliding Bengals didn't slow their fate. I would only consider this squad as a fade option or no play for the duration. 

Traveling down Fragile Highway may just be the New York Giants. To give them credit, many had predicted failure for them and the head coach Coughlin since the end of the 2006 season. They generally have been performing very well. However they are a team that seems to be waiting for the other shoe to fall. I felt that the trip to England was not going to sit well given Coughlin's need for structure and routine. It certainly appeared that Strahan had a good time over there and he made the most of self promotion opportunities as is his wont. But they got the win over there against the inept Dolphins. However their bubble game was last week against Dallas and they got pricked severely.  

Historically, at least under Coughlin's reign, they do not respond well after such a loss. This is an emotionally fragile squad and can still be prone to internal finger pointing. Perhaps it is not as bad with the perennially digit wagging Tiki Barber gone but Shockey and Strahan can more than pick up the slack. Eli Manning looked cracked and broken in this loss and as always he seems to have a very thin sheen of confidence. If history is an indicator of future performances then their second half will be fraught with difficulties. I could be wrong on this assessment but this squad really makes me nervous. This week they travel to Detroit and this is probably the largest game of the Giants season. They have played well in domes in the past and they could do so again. But I'm staying away from this one at least as far as backing the New Yorkers. With their history, Burress' lack of practice wearing thin, Eli looking like a lost puppy and the knives that are barely sheathed behind Coughlin's back I smell something. And it is not success. 

I've already included Carolina in this funeral parade a few weeks back and they are living up to that billing. Team success is a tough deal in the NFL and it is virtually impossible to achieve once confidence in your leaders has diminished. And once lost it doesn't seem to be regained during the course of a season. Turnarounds may occur but I wouldn't bet on it very often. 

See you next week. 

Pat's Picks 

Last week

Hit both plays last week with Arizona spanking Detroit in a worthy win. However the other win, San Diego, was almost an embarrassment. The Chargers intercepted Manning six times, had two return scores and still had to get lucky to win this one. They had the ball for 23 minutes and were out-gained by double the yardage. Given the early score it would have been a tough beat but it was nevertheless an ugly win. This certainly was a tough day for Mom and Pop Manning huh? Probably their worst watching the boys play. So when we are squirming watching our kids play and suffer in a house league game, remember the Mannings. Parental pain is parental pain. They just have more remedies. 

Even after indicating in my column that Baltimore is in a free fall I am not comfortable backing Cleveland as a divisional road favorite yet. They are coming off a tough road loss in Pittsburgh and now face the Ravens who are home for two. The Browns will not be at their best. This is a no play for me as, in all likelihood, will be the Giant/Detroit game. 

New Orleans at Houston

In many ways the low number with a public team like New Orleans makes it tempting to back the visitor. The Saints won four straight before their upset loss to the Rams last week and they were perceived to have turned the corner. However they reverted to the style of play that haunted them earlier - giving up the big play, turnovers and a poor pass rush. As well, Reggie Bush may have a concussion although he did finish up the game but my guess is that he's dinged up. This will be a tough spot for a team trying to regroup and prepare for three divisional rivals. I don't think they will be looking ahead but human nature dictates that this Texas stop does not have the same import of the games on deck. The Texans are becoming a very solid team with an active defense and an emerging QB in Matt Schaub. They are coming off a bye and that time allowed both Schaub and receiver Andre Johnson to heal their wounds. Their home crowd is loud and boisterous and supportive which is always tough on the visiting squad. A couple of false starts by the Saints are expected.

I'll take Houston. 

Last week 2-0

Season: 8-7-2