Week In, Week Out, Nfl Hard To Figure
Tampa Bay coach Tony Dungy had the perfect description for the ups and downs of NFL ‘97.
“Don’t expect what happens this week to affect what happens next week,” he said after his Bucs lost 31-0 Sunday to the New York Jets, a team that seemed ready to pack it in after two straight losses. “Every week’s a new one.”
How else to explain:
The Indianapolis Colts, who were 0-10 and seemed headed for 0-16. Now they’ve beaten the Green Bay Packers, Jets and Dolphins - the last a 41-0 shocker over Miami.
The combined record of their three victims is 30-15. The Colts haven’t beaten a team with a losing record this season.
The Atlanta Falcons, who began 1-7 and have won five in a row and six of seven. They weren’t eliminated from playoff contention until Sunday.
The Minnesota Vikings, who began 8-2 and have lost five straight. They next face those terrifying Colts with a playoff berth at stake.
The Dallas Cowboys, whose fall has delighted Americans who don’t sport Troy Aikman, Emmitt Smith and Michael Irvin jerseys.
Even when the Cowboys were 6-5, they looked as if they could still win the NFC East. Then they went to Green Bay and lost 45-17. They’ve since lost to Tennessee and Carolina at home and Cincinnati on the road.
Playoff picture in focus
With a week to go, the playoffs are relatively simple - four teams in each conference have qualified and three teams in each conference are vying for the final two spots.
In the NFC, San Francisco, Green Bay and the New York Giants are the division winners and Tampa Bay is a wild card.
If Minnesota beats the Colts and Detroit beats the Jets (both at home), they’re the final two wild cards. If one or both lose and Washington beats Philadelphia, the Redskins are in.
In the AFC, Kansas City, Denver, Pittsburgh and Jacksonville are in. The Steelers win the Central and get a first-round bye as long as they don’t lose to Tennessee by 64 points.
The quirk is this: All three teams in contention for the two remaining spots can get in with a win.
The Jets can get a wild card if they beat Detroit. If they do that, the winner of Monday night’s game in Miami between the New England Patriots and Dolphins wins the AFC East and the loser is out. If the Jets lose, both New England and Miami are in.
Charges dropped against Mamula
Philadelphia Eagles defensive end Mike Mamula will not face criminal charges after being accused of exposing himself in a bar in Bethlehem, Pa., during training camp last summer.
In a statement released by his office, Lehigh County District Attorney Robert Steinberg said “justice would not be served by commencing with a criminal prosecution.”
Bouncer Sherri Happaney said Mamula exposed himself to her July 27, but declined to file charges at the time. Instead, she demanded an apology and Mamula issued one.