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The Bottom Ten/NFL Week 15
By Gaylon Kent
The Writer's Shack
 
Every year the experts proclaim how hard it is to go winless in the NFL. The Miami Dolphins, however, are defying this conventional wisdom and are showing just how easy it can be, waltzing through the first three-quarters of the 2007 NFL season 0-12. Granted, three of those losses have come by three points, but the Dolphins gathered a head of steam heading into the final four games, getting blown out last Sunday by the dreaded New York Jets, who came into last week's clash of the titans with exactly two (2) wins.
Consequently, the Dolphins - and this isn't easy to do - are making a mockery of the B-10 race, holding a commanding three game advantage with just four to play, all but insuring The Dan Henning Trophy will be wearing shorts and sunglasses this winter. Lots of teams are making late runs, though, as there are no less than four 3-9 teams looking for medal stand spots, and the Ravens and Chiefs are limbering up for their B-10 stretch run with losing streaks of six and five games respectively.
This week's mess, as the nags are at the top of the stretch and heading for home:
1. Miami (0-12; lost to NY Jets 40-13)
Mitigating Factors: Dolphins blown out by loser Jets team that has three wins, two of them against the Dolphins...Offense key as QB John Beck throws three interceptions and loses two fumbles...Only touchdown comes on fumble return.
Slim Pickings: In three starts, Beck has yet to lead Dolphins offense to a touchdown.
Next Loss: at Buffalo
2. San Francisco (3-9; lost to Carolina 31-14)
Mitigating Factors: After winning first two games, Niners have charged way onto B-10 medal stand contention by losing eight of nine...QB Trent Dilfer clutch, throwing four interceptions as offense musters just 58 yards rushing.
Merry Christmas: Showing the compelling need for flex scheduling, San Francisco is scheduled to play in prime time on Saturday Dec. 15 and Sunday Dec. 23.
Next Loss: Minnesota
3. Atlanta (3-9; lost to St. Louis 28-16)
Mitigating Factors: Falcons bolt to 21-0 halftime deficit only to pull within five in fourth quarter, but show mettle of a B-10 champion by allowing 50-yard touchdown run late to seal loss...Club has announced that Chris Redmond, who was selling insurance this time last year and was sort of effective in relief last Sunday, will be the team's third starting quarterback of the season this Monday night, which should solve all their problems.
And Down The Stretch They Come: Falcons awarded first Triple Crown award of season, becoming first team to lose three straight games three times.
Next Loss: New Orleans
4. Cincinnati (4-8; lost to Pittsburgh 24-10)
Mitigating Factors: With B-10 race heading into overdrive, loss to Steelers good tune-up for games vs. Rams, 49ers next two weeks.
History's Game: Coach Marvin Lewis and staff already preparing for final week match-up against probably still-winless Dolphins.
Next Loss: St. Louis
5. AFC East
Mitigating Factors: Division features teams with best, worst records in NFL,trying to become first division in history with undefeated, winless team in same season...Bottom three teams have a total of nine win and collectively are three games behind first place, 12-0 New England.
FunFact: Last place team in AFC East in 1972 - when Miami went undefeated - was New England who could only muster a 3-11 record.
Caught In The Lint Trap:
6. New York Jets (3-9) Two of three wins have come against Dolphins!
7. Baltimore (4-8) Ravens tuning up for B-10 playoffs, losing six straight!
8. Kansas City (4-8) After 3-3 start, Chiefs blaze into title contention with five straight losses!
9. Washington (5-7) Like all great B-10 teams, Redskins losing the close ones, having lost last four games by average of five (5) points before beating Chicago last night!
10. St. Louis (3-9) The best 3-9 team in football has won three out of four and needs strong, three or four loss finish to finish on medal stand.
This Week's Clash of the Titans: St. Louis at Cincinnati
Monday Night Clash of the Titans: New Orleans at Atlanta
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