Chat with Pat: Monday wrap
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM ETPat Kirwan
26 comments
NFL.com senior analyst and former NFL front office executive Pat Kirwan chatted live on Monday, November 16, to discuss what he saw in Week 10.
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Pat Kirwan, NFL.com
Hi everybody. Eventful Sunday, to say the least. Let's talk about it. -
Tom, Phoenix
3:01 PM ET
Hey Pat thanks for answering our questions. I just wondered what your thoughts were on Belichick's call last night? Sure they lost the game but I still think going for it was the right thing to do and the officials got the call wrong.
Pat Kirwan, NFL.com
Tom, I have no problem with Bill going for it. He decided to bet on Tom Brady and his offense rather than his defense, which is understandable.
I recall when the Pats won their first Super Bowl against the Rams, everyone was calling for them to play for overtime. Bill went for the winning score because he knew they couldn't stop Kurt Warner and the Rams offense again.
I disagree that the officials missed it. If he had full possession when the ball got to him, he'd have had it, but he didn't. -
Caleb, Charlotte, NC
3:05 PM ET
Pat, did the two best teams in AFC play in Indy last night?
Pat Kirwan, NFL.com
Caleb, that is probably the case. But I would not count out the Bengals. Or even the Steelers. Both teams are capable of beating the top two. -
eric, indiana, pa
3:06 PM ET
how far do you see the titans going now that vince young is running the offense? do you think the titans can get a wild card slot?
Pat Kirwan, NFL.com
Eric, I do not think they'll get a wild card slot. Vince is doing a great job, as I wrote about today. But simultaneous with his arrival on the field was the increased health of the defense. I would think the Titans will end up 8-8 and be excited about the future... as long as they keep Jeff Fisher. -
James Burnett, NJ
3:08 PM ET
What do the bears need to be a contending team
Pat Kirwan, NFL.com
James, they need to re-establish the offensive line, which in turn will bring back the running game, which doesn't threaten anyone right now. And also protect Jay Cutler. He was sacked once every 57 pass atempts last year (best in the NFL). Many of his mistakes now come when he's under pressure. They also need an experienced wide receiver and two or three players on defense.
But since they don't have a first- or second-round pick next year, this will not happen ovenight. -
RANDY, CHARLOTTE
3:10 PM ET
do you think the panthers are turning it around, and how will the loss of jordan gross affect them the rest of the way?
Pat Kirwan, NFL.com
Randy, it will have a profound effect on both the running game, which is their offensive mainstay, and the amount of time Jake Delhomme has to throw. Not having Jordan Gross in there is worth at least a win or two.
The Panthers could have climbed right back into the NFC wild-card race, but with Gross out, I don't think they make the playoffs. -
Logan m, nebraska
3:12 PM ET
what do you think about the broncos slump?
Pat Kirwan, NFL.com
Logan, Denver did get into some difficult games in this stretch. They are in my opinion a good team that was playing great. They had some issues, like the deep passing attack. and with Kyle Orton hurt, the slide will continue. I'm not even sure they will make the playoffs as a wild card. But when you consider where they were last year and the progress they are making, you have to be excited about 2010. -
Lauren , Andrews AFB, MD
3:14 PM ET
With all the injuries that have plagued the Eagles, how do you see their second half of the season turning out?
Pat Kirwan, NFL.com
Lauren, they still have plenty of talent on the football field. The Brian Westbrook second concussion is unfortunate, but LeSean McCoy can handle 75 percent of what Westbrook did. They are going to have to re-think their pass protection with the struggles they are having up front. Donovan McNabb needs to play better. I still see them as a wild card, possibly a division winner -- because the Giants and Cowboys are just as inconsistent. -
Collin, Madison, WI
3:17 PM ET
I know it's easy to jump on the bandwagon with the Packers getting their first solid win over a good Cowboys, but do you think they have a legitimate shot at the wildcard spot?
Pat Kirwan, NFL.com
Collin, the way the NFC is shaping up, nobody can make a run. But your QB can't remain standing the way he's getting sacked. Have you noticed what happens to just about every team in this league when the starting QB gets injured?
The 4-3 conference record is a good factor, but the Falcons, Eagles, Giants are in similar positions. I worry about Aaron Rodgers being able to play all 16 games. and as soon as he goes down, you will struggle to beat anyone in this league.
Right now, I think the Packers look to be 8-8, 9-7 at best. -
Fred, Kansas
3:20 PM ET
Will Ralph Wilson finally bring in a proven GM and are you interested?
Pat Kirwan, NFL.com
Fred, I am not interested, but thanks for asking. I will only return to the NFL if one or two of my closest friends come back.
In regards to Ralph wilson, not enough credit goes to what Dick Jauron is getting done with what he has. I don't believe you will attract any of the premier coaches who will be available. -
Joey Garcia, Katy, Tx
3:23 PM ET
Patty,,,Now that our Defense for the Houston Texans is playing well...what are our chances of making the playoffs ?? We have lost 3 games by inches...we are very competitive !!!!
Pat Kirwan, NFL.com
Joey, the games you lost by inches could have been lost by miles. A loss is a loss. But I do like the improved defense. And I do think your chances for the sixth spot (second wild card) are pretty good. Your problem will come from the runnerup in the AFC West.
The first wildcard should go to the second-place team in the AFC North, likely Pittsburgh. so you have to worry about the Broncos, who already have a 5-2 conference record. -
Pedro Perrone, BrasÃlia, Brazil
3:26 PM ET
After the loss to the Jags, are the Jets able to go to the Play-Offs?
Pat Kirwan, NFL.com
The Jets' chances are slipping away, and the schedule makes it extremely difficult, with games against New England, Atlanta, Indianapolis, and Cincinnati. -
Shane, St.louis
3:27 PM ET
Hey Pat, The Rams showed up for sundays game against the Saints, Does this show that the Rams are not the worst team in the league?
Pat Kirwan, NFL.com
Shane, they could not be the worst team in the league -- not with Steven Jackson! I am so impressed with what he has done, considering he is public enemy no. 1 for every team that plays the Rams. To think he is averaging 4.8 yards per carry with defenses stacked against him is amazing. With Bulger at QB, you beat the Raiders and Cleveland Browns without even looking for another team. By next week I'm sure I can find you two more teams that the Rams are better than. -
Justin, Currently in Kansas
3:31 PM ET
Pat-man, what you think of Josh Freeman's performance thus far for my woeful Bucs?
Pat Kirwan, NFL.com
Justin, I would be excited about the prospects of building my team around him, considering the run game is average. the pass protection needs some help. In a year or two, he can bring his team into contention. -
Faron, Naples, Fl
3:33 PM ET
Do you think Gruden is sending Lerner msg that he would like to coach in cleveland? Do you think it would be a possibility
Pat Kirwan, NFL.com
Faron, I think Jon is very excited about his TV career, for the next year or two at least. I think he realizes he will not damage his opportunity to return by staying out. I don't think he'll stay at ESPN if his dream job came along, but I don't think his dream job is in Cleveland.
Consider the three QBs in that division -- Palmer, Roethlisberger and Flacco. It will take a lot of time to catch up top those three. -
George , Bronx
3:36 PM ET
Mr.Kirwan, yesterday washington beat denver 27-17, is it something washington is going to build on? or jus one of those freak games where the lesser team pulled through?
Pat Kirwan, NFL.com
George, I think it's probably more of the latter. I don't want to take anything away from the Redskins won, but the Broncos didn't acore another point after Orton went down at halftime.
Washington is at Dallas, at Philly, home for the Saints in their next three. That wil tell you all you need to know -- 3-0 is impossible, 2-1 or 0-3 is possible, 1-2 is realistic. -
don, ayr ontario
3:39 PM ET
hey pat do you think the dolphins have a chance to make the playoffs?
Pat Kirwan, NFL.com
Don, I think they will struggle to make the playoffs this year. I like where they are headed, and Chad Henne will be a very good QB in this league. But they're not ready. At 4-5, I would say no. -
Greg, MN
3:40 PM ET
Do you think hitting a soft spot in their schedule this weeks and the next few weeks will hurt the Vikings down the stretch?
Pat Kirwan, NFL.com
No, Greg, not at all. Everyone else has had a soft spot. They can use those kind of games to slow down the pace of Brett Favre's passing -- and even the pace of Adrian Peterson's running. Things heat up again in December, as you know. -
Matt, Pullman, Wa
3:42 PM ET
Who do you like this week in the 49ers vs Packers game?
Pat Kirwan, NFL.com
Matt, I'll take the Packers at hone most likely, though I'll reserve judgment until the final injury reports. The 49ers pass rush seems more blockable than those of the Vikings or Cowboys. -
Jason, Manitoba
3:43 PM ET
Hey Pat, love your stuff on Sirius. I'm a little delirious after not being able to sleep last nite after the Pats gave that game away. This is the second time in the last 3 years we've built a big lead on the colts and then squander it in the end. Does Belichick change his defensive philosophy that much with the lead and if so why when it has worked up to that point in the game?
Pat Kirwan, NFL.com
Jason, he does not change his phillosophy. His gameplan for the Colts is rope-a-dope, which is the right way to play Manning. But credit has to go to Peyton and his receivers, who continue to press the passing game and eventually make plays. Maybe the key to last night's loss was the fumble near the goal line by Maroney. that had as much to do with the loss as anything. -
jerry d, germantown md
3:46 PM ET
Is Jamaal Charles the real deal? Do you think that he will become the chiefs #1 back...or do you think oaklands d is just that bad?
Pat Kirwan, NFL.com
Jerry, it's a combination of those two ideas. But I do like him. He's more explosive than LJ, better threat in the passing game. I would not be surprised if they pick up a big back in the drft to complement him. But considering what he's able to accomplish behind that offensive line is impressive. -
Pat Kirwan, NFL.com
And to answer a few other people... the chiefs will not be adding Edgerrin James. -
Eric, Scranton
3:49 PM ET
Hey Pat, love you on Sirius NFL Radio. I'm sick of hearing about the Jones-Drew knee. I want to hear your take on the Jaguars being in contention for a wildcard berth with such a young team. Is it a credit to the front office, or Jack Del Rio and the coaching staff?
Pat Kirwan, NFL.com
Eric, it was a tremendous call by the player and his coaches. This is not fantasy football, it's real football, and the clock was a critical piece. Rarely do you get the chance to be that smart. Hope to see it again if you're a Jaguar fan.
Now that the Jags are 5-4, I can see them finishing 9-7 at best, with a better chance of 8-8. The schedule is very tough and I don't see the 10th win. But I wouldn't put anything past MJD. He runs like he can beat anybody. -
oli, cambridge, uk
3:52 PM ET
What do you think of Sanchez stafford and freeman now we have seen them all play would you still rank them the same way now?
Pat Kirwan, NFL.com
I reserve comment on re-ranking them. All three look like rookies to me. All three play well enough to lose, and I will take a better look at them next year. To answer your question, I'll leave them as is. -
Zack, Buffalo NY
3:55 PM ET
Hey pat love your work, Do you think the patriots should have punted?
Pat Kirwan, NFL.com
Zack, Belichick has won a lot of games and he knows his team better than any of us. He is calculating and will take the risk when necessary. He bet on Brady, and I accept that. You should too.
Me? I probably would have punted. But there's a reason Bill has three Super Bowl rings. And I don't know what it's like to be a coach on a team with a guy like Tom Brady. -
Pat Kirwan, NFL.com
I'm sure the Belichick debate will continue at least for the remainder of this week, but that's it for me on the subject! Thanks for the questions, and look forward to chatting again next week.
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