NFL Week 10 Interview - Midseason Edition

Yes, folks, we skipped another week; hence the general sense of ennui you feel about your life and the world around you. But do not despair, gentle reader, for we are BACK at the season's midpoint for a thoughtful assessment of all the NFL action. Our resident 11-year-old football analyst is mere feet away, playing NCAA 10 on our new HDTV, as I compose these questions....

Q. Gotta start with the play that dominated sports talk radio for the entire day, and will probably continue doing so for the remainder of the week. What did you think of Bill Belichick's go-for-it call on fourth and 2? Smart or stupid? Did it ultimately cost the Patriots the game?

Well, I didn't see it occur. But I can tell you that when you're Bill Belichick, you expect your team to convert. It's still inexcusable to go for it, especially on your own 28. And it did cost them the game.

Q. Lost in all of this Monday morning quarterbacking is the fact that after the failed attempt the New England defense simply folded, allowing the Colts to move thirty yards in a matter of seconds for the go-ahead touchdown. Were they just demoralized by their coach's apparent lack of faith in them, or what?

That, but more importantly, they had given up a huge lead.

Q. Another big story is the emergence of the Bengals as a genuine division leader with their impressive defeat of the Steelers. Is this team good enough to go the distance?

Not the Super Bowl distance, but certainly the divisional round distance. I don't think they could beat the Colts right now.

Q. What did you think of their signing of bad citizen Larry Johnson?

Well, I mean, Marvin Lewis claims it has nothing to do with the Cedric Benson injury, but can the Bengals really rely on a rookie from Abilene Christian?

Q. Kyle Snorton went down with an injury in the Broncos' unexpected loss to the Redskins. Does this sound the death knell for a Denver season which started so promisingly?

I heard he would play next week, but I still think they're on a steep decline.

Q. Speaking of former Broncos, can we talk about the mess in Chicago? Jay and His Cutlery is a pouty, pick-throwing disaster. What's going on there?

I really don't know. Maybe they should go to their running game. After all, they have Matt Forte.

Q. I cannot explain either the Falcons or the Seahawks week to week. It seems impossible to tell if either of these teams is any good. Which do you think has a better chance to make a postseason run?

The Falcons. Although the Seahawks started out well, I simply cannot see why they are doing so badly.

Q. Has Matt Hasselbeck lost it? What needs to be done in Seattle to make this team competitive?

He's not a bad quarterback. However, Seattle needs a decent running game. Justin Forsett is improving, though. He just got his first 100-yard game.

Q. Meanwhile, the Titans and Panthers seem to be rebounding from bad starts. Can they put together solid seasons in the time remaining?

Well, the Titans already have six losses in a tough wild card race. They're also in a difficult division. It doesn't look good. As for Carolina, their situation is just as bad. Their main competition is Atlanta, San Francisco, Philadelphia, New York, Green Bay and Chicago. Sounds hard.

Q. What's with Vince Young finally getting it together? What's changed in Tennessee to enable him to perform better?

He is compelled to prove himself. The starting job was simply given to him before.

Q. Brett Favrvrvrvre is on fire right now, with his aging arm showing remarkable range and accuracy. Do you think he'd be competing with this kind of fire if he were still in Green Bay?

Why wouldn't he be? Although his supporting cast is better in Minnesota, that wouldn't change his level of play. He does have more motivation now that he's playing for a division rival, though.

Q. Of the current glut of bad teams -- let's say KC, Oakland, Cleveland, Detroit, St. Louis and Tampa Bay -- which has the best chance to make a surprising late season run and why?

None of those five will make the playoffs. Tampa Bay and St. Louis are the best of them, though.

Q. Totally out of the news: Terrell Owens. Is this gentleman's career effectively over?

I don't think so, but he needs to contribute more if he wants to keep his career going.

Q. Many are continuing to predict a Colts-Saints Super Bowl at this point. What do you think?

I'd say that the Saints will definitely be there, but that Indianapolis could slip up.

Q. How's fantasy football treating you? I know you managed to eke out a narrow victory this week. Do you think your Hypnotic squad can make the playoffs?

No. But there's a small chance.

Q. Finally, we have the part where Hen gets to type whatever he wants.

In my fantasy football league, you always start with 10 points because the defense gets 10 for the defense's opponent being shut out. (0-0, anyone?)