Chat with Pat: Monday wrap
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM ETPat Kirwan
25 comments
NFL.com senior analyst and former NFL front office executive Pat Kirwan chats live on Monday, November 2 at Noon ET to discuss what he saw in Week 8.
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Pat Kirwan, NFL.com
Hi everybody, great Week 8. Let's talk about it. -
Erik Dorn , St. George, Utah
12:03 PM ET
With the win over the Packers last night, do the Vikings cement their dominance in the NFC North? Also, did they prove that they are the 2nd best team in the NFC (Second only to the Saints.)?
Pat Kirwan, NFL.com
Hi Erik, I think 3-0 in the division puts them in good shape. As I wrote about today, it's not just Brett Favre. It's a tesm that has been built over time with tremendous draft picks and key free-agent signings. They may be the best team in the NFC -- not the second best. We'll find out. -
Joel, UK
12:05 PM ET
Could this weeks win in Arizona be a turning point for the panthers despite their tough schedule from now on in? Should Sherrod Martin get the start over Charles Godfrey at FS following his 2 INTs this week?
Pat Kirwan, NFL.com
Hi Joel, the improved defense is a function of Juliu Speppers playing to the level of a star. I still like Godfrey quite a bit, but would find ways to get both safeties on the field together. As long as Carolina can run -- close to 200 yards a game -- they will be in every game. But as you know, sooner or later they will have to play come from behind football. and they are not built to do that very well right now.
I think 8-8 is about where they finish up. -
Sean, NY
12:07 PM ET
The Giants have looked terrible these past three weeks. What do you think they need in order to become the team they were in '07 and '08? Are their injuries holding them back on defense? Given our tough schedule ahead, do you think we can still make the playoffs?
Pat Kirwan, NFL.com
Sean, I would not give up on the playoff run. But as I pointed out in my column this morning -- thank goodness the Yankees are still playing and the media isn't really focused on the Giants' issues.
The Giants will be in trouble as long as there is no able-bodied replacement for safety Kenny Phillips. In order to reduce that exposure, the running game has to be much more dominant than it has been. The Eagles and the Cowboys do have flaws. Keep in mind, Philadelphia lost to the Raiders. Your 2-1 division record keeps you in the hunt. By the way, are you the same Sean who's a big USC Trojan fan? Tough weekend for you! -
Lawerence Schoonover, Radcliff, KY
12:11 PM ET
The AFC East is one of the weaker, inconsitent divisions this season, but do you think the Patriots will preveal and at least win it this season?
Pat Kirwan, NFL.com
Yes, I do. they have the best QB, and the defense is rounding into shape. You're still the toughest home-field advantage n the division. How's 11-5 sound? -
Korey, Maryland
12:12 PM ET
Do you think the Broncos were exposed this week against the Ravens or do you think they were just off? More importantly do you believe the Broncos can rebound from this loss in time for the Steelers game.
Pat Kirwan, NFL.com
Hi Korey, no, I don't think they can rebound in time for the Steelers. Denver has a nice football team, but in order to take it to the next level, they have to open up the deep passing attack. In a week or two, we'll start hearing the San Diego Chargers' footsteps. But I do think the Broncos will hold them off. -
RYAN N., INDY, IN
12:15 PM ET
What do you think about the game tonight? Will we see fireworks between passers?
Pat Kirwan, NFL.com
Hi Ryan, division games are always tough, and the Falcons have enough firepower on offense to stay with the Saints for a while. Where I think Atlanta will struggle is when New Orleans runs the ball. I took a look at their first-down play-calling: They have 100 runs and 85 passes, which makes it tough to defense. The bad news: The running plays average 4.7 yards per carry. Which means they are always in a manageable scond down -- and often avoid third downs. They are going to check out your run defense, for sure.
I see the Saints winning tonight by 7-10 points. But I picked the Falcons to win the division, so I hope I'm wrong! -
Cody, Ohio
12:18 PM ET
How would grade Vince Young's performance against the Jaguars?
Pat Kirwan, NFL.com
Cody, it was optmistic. He was better prepared than some would have thought. Running 12 times is something he'll have to be careful about. But for his first game of the season and a win, that's okay. -
ALEX SMITH 2.0, SF
12:20 PM ET
Hey Pat, I know I lost yesterday BUT did I show enough in the past 6 quarters with the addition of my boy Crabs & the hot play of VD to give the good peeps of SF a real chance at the post season?? OH & remember Frankie can bust it up between the takels for 6 at any given point! ALSO should I be worried that Nate "the great" Davis will be ready to take my Job next year??
Pat Kirwan, NFL.com
Alex, I would not worry about Nate Davis. I am pleased with your performance the last two weeks. Your 3-0 division record is the ace in the back pocket. Arizona is only one game ahead of you, and to go into Indianapolis and play as well as you did -- especially the defense -- was impresive. It's not very often that Peyton Manning throws 48 passes without a TD. You're in it until the end, and you should get a win next week when Tennessee visits. -
Rob, Virginia
12:23 PM ET
What do you make of Dallas the past 3 weeks do you think they are good enough to be beat Philly?
Pat Kirwan, NFL.com
Hi Rob, Dallas has played well and the pass rush is back, which hides some of the problems in the secondary. Tony Romo is playng at a much higher level than earlier in the year. Yes, you have enough to beat the Eagles. -
Ted Pince, Concord NH
12:24 PM ET
Do you think the Bears will be able to turn there season around and be playoff contenders?
Pat Kirwan, NFL.com
Ted, I'm not that optimistic about the Bears right now. They have not really generated a lot of points, and they struggle on the road. The offensive line has some problems in both the run and the pass. I would say right now they miss the playoffs by about a game -- especially with three teams in the NFC East a game ahead of them. -
Pat Kirwan, NFL.com
The Cleveland Browns sacked Bears QB Jay Cutler four times. the Cleveland Browns! What does that tell you? -
gittarken , Tampa
12:27 PM ET
Do you think the Ravens defense is back or just a flash ??
Pat Kirwan, NFL.com
I don't think they are fully back, but they absolutely played better Sunday. I wonder where the pass rush will come from on a consistent basis. But it doesn't surprise me to see them deep n the race. -
Dawgga, Boston
12:29 PM ET
Hey Pat, What the heck happened to Fumble Slaton yesterday?!!? They usually give him a fair chance to rebound, and is Moats THE answer???
Pat Kirwan, NFL.com
I don't think the coaches have decided what the long-term answer is -- or even next week. One way to improve fumbling is to show the player the bench. Moats' three touchdowns in the fourth quarter didn't help Slaton's cause. I suspect he'll be back in the lineup in some capacity. He did go into this game with over 400 total yards in his previous four games. -
Dan Carrigy, Sydney Australia
12:31 PM ET
Hey Pat love your stuff. Im absolutely sick to death of watching my raiders every sunday. In your professional opinion, where does the problem lie? is it soley JR or does it go deeper?
Pat Kirwan, NFL.com
Thanks, Dan. the problems are much deeper than the QB. The fact the QB is still on the field every week tells you the problems are deeper. Think about how many people have coached this team. It's easy to see that volatility has kept them from establishing a philosophy -- except the one that was used back in the glory days.
Russell gave himself a passing grade for his performance yesterday, which really made me scratch my head. Hang in there. It should only take another 10 years to fix. -
michael, Dallas
12:36 PM ET
I've been reading all on NFL.com all the fans comments about how the ravens are going to cream the bengals this week.. but Cincy has been on a roll and they already beat Baltimore IN baltimore.. so shouldn't the Ravens fans be a little worried about entering into Cincy to play this team???
Pat Kirwan, NFL.com
Michael, some people love to convince themselves of things by talking about it. But the game will be platyed on the field, and the Benglas are not a good matchup sof the Ravens. Ced Benson will keep the run defense honest and prevent the kind of support the pass defense needs, It is hard to sweep opponents (though we did have three teams sweep season series yesterday). The Bengals off a bye at home... I wouldn't be so sure about Baltimore. -
Gary , Portland, OR
12:39 PM ET
Once again the Colts are 7-0, but we've been here before. Do you think the road to Miami will go through Indy?
Pat Kirwan, NFL.com
Hi Gary, Indy is in great shape to control the playoff picture in the AFC. With the competition in other divisions, the Colts should manage to get home-field advantage. -
Kent, Ohio
12:40 PM ET
Pat, what are your thoughts about Eli Manning, do you feel he is hiding an injury?
Pat Kirwan, NFL.com
Kent, I don't think he's 100 percent, but not many players are right now. Brett Favre has a groin injury and look what he did yesterday. Eli is healthy enough to play better and I think he will. It woulod take some pressure off him if the run game returned. -
Sean, Arizona
12:42 PM ET
Pat, which team do u think is going to win the nfc west?and do the rams have a chance to rebound?
Pat Kirwan, NFL.com
Hi Sean, the Rams rebound is not going to happen this year. I picked the Arizona Cardinals to win, and even with their slip-up yesterday, I feel good about their chances. I can't believe they are 1-3 at home. But they should pick up a win in Chicago this week.
There are only two undefeated road teams inthe NFC -- the Cardinals and Saints. -
Dave Xavier, Bellmawr, NJ
12:44 PM ET
Schottenheimer's play calling at end of Jets game? Spent all day setting up tackle elig runs and then calls pass plays from the 12?
Pat Kirwan, NFL.com
Dave, Brian Schottenheimer's hands are tied with a young rookie QB. It's easy to think of different plays, but as Brian's dad Marty would say, "Think of players." Sanchez is growing into the job, but he will slip and fall on many occasions during th season. They should have won that game yesterday. But the last play tells you a lot about Mark's learning curve, he threw the ball deep and out of bounds on the last play. Put it where someone has a chance to make a play. -
Mark, London, UK
12:47 PM ET
Hi Pat. Impressed with the way Houston are playing at the moment. However, will the potential season-ending loss of Owen Daniels be the one factor that means the Texans miss out on a wild-card?
Pat Kirwan, NFL.com
Mark, the injury no doubt will affect the team quite a bit. Owen was the most targeted tight end in the NFL this season. Now people can cheat coverage to Andre Johnson and Matt Schaub will not have a fallback position. The good news is your defens is starting to play defense better -- especially against the run. What a test this week heading into Indianapolis. I don't think you'll be able to pass that, but you will hang in the playoff picture until December. -
Bob, Ohio
12:49 PM ET
Pat, are seattles injuries the only problems that are causing them to lose?
Pat Kirwan, NFL.com
Bob, I'm not sure. Most of the problems are due to injuries. But you really have never solved the road problems -- once again, 0-3 on the road. I know you have long trips, but until you overcome this, you're going o be a .500 team. -
Daveo, Uk
12:51 PM ET
Can the Dolphins beat the Pats this week and will they be in the post season?
Pat Kirwan, NFL.com
Daveo, I think the Dolphins will struggle in New England, especially on the road against Tom Brady. Miami's ability to stay in the wildcat will be strained by New England's fast scoring pace. The good news is that Miami is 7-1 in their last eight division games dating back t last season. Of course, Brady didn't play in those two last year. Not this week, Dolphins fans. They might have a wildcard shot, but it's tough. At least one wildcard comes from the North, and I think the chargers get back into it. -
Jerri, Reno
12:54 PM ET
Do the Chargers stand a chance against a Giants team who are going to be coming back mad?
Pat Kirwan, NFL.com
Jerri, you can come back mad all you want, but the Giants have problems to solve. San Diego hasn't been knocking people out -- and they travel cross-country for this game -- but Philip Rivers and his receivers can pick apart this Giants secondary if things don't get better. Coach Coughlin knows that. -
Pat Kirwan, NFL.com
Okay, folks, thanks again for great questions. Enjoy the game tonight.
