Chat with Pat: Monday wrap
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM ETPat Kirwan
24 comments
NFL.com senior analyst and former NFL front office executive Pat Kirwan chatted live on Monday, November 23, to discuss what he saw in Week 11.
-
Pat Kirwan, NFL.com
Hi everyone, hope you all enjoyed the games yesterday. Let's talk about it. -
Thomas, Homestead, Florida
12:02 PM ET
Hey Pat, im sick with the Flu, so hopefully your answer could make my day. So, will my beloved Ravens still make the playoffs? And i've also noticed something, when our offense plays well, our defense doesn't, and when our defense does well our offense doesn't.
Pat Kirwan, NFL.com
Hi Thomas, hope you feel better, but I think it's gonna get tough to make the playoffs. You still control some of your destiny with two games left against the Steelers. If you really look at your team closely, you continue to struggle against good QBs. The losses are to Favre, Palmer (twice), Peyton Manning and Brady. They expose your pass defense issues. You really hope Roethlisberger can't play this week, otherwise, I think you lose again. -
Julie, Wichita, Ks
12:05 PM ET
Hi Pat, Do you think the Chiefs have turned a corner, or did they just get lucky?
Pat Kirwan, NFL.com
Hi Julie, somewhere between turning the corner and lucky was one good, solid game. Still not enough talent to think they are going to be a playoff contender in the near future. But I love the statement your team made with that win -- and with Dwaynr Bowe on a suspension. It does build confidence for players on the roster that they are headed in the right direction. -
John, Timmins, Canada
12:07 PM ET
PK, your show on sirius with T-Rock is the best.I was wondering about your thoughts on the Dolphins going forward. Do you think that they have a shot at the playoffs? "Talk about it".
Pat Kirwan, NFL.com
Thanks, John. I do think they have a shot at the wide open wild card spots. I think one of them will go to an AFC North team, but the other one absolutely involves the Dolphins, who control their own destiny because they still play Jacksonville and Houston, and even Pittsburgh. -
Luke Bedford, London
12:08 PM ET
What do you think of Brady Quinn yesterday? He deserved to win that game. Do you think he is the franchise QB for the Browns?
Pat Kirwan, NFL.com
Hi Luke. I'm not that fast to judge Brady Quinn -- good or bad -- in a game againt the Lions. You have the rest of the sason to make that determination. I'm not so sure Deek Anderson wouldn't have done even better. Check the sack and interception ratios behind the same offensive line -
Todd, London, Ontario, Canada
12:10 PM ET
The NFC East teams all looked average this weekend and with some very big injuries in important positions it doesn't look like its going to get better. Who comes out of the division, more than one team? Thanks
Pat Kirwan, NFL.com
Hi Todd, it looks like a one-team division right now, but possibly two by the end of the year. I happen to think the Giants' passing performance yesterday puts them clearly back in the race. And with a win against Dallas already in the bank, they are in a pretty good position. -
Tommy Piper, MA
12:13 PM ET
Hey Pat, the Saints D did well this week, but how do you think the they will fare against Brady and New England's offense?
Pat Kirwan, NFL.com
Tommy, the injuries in the Saints' secondary will allow passing opportunities for Tom Brady. He can match Drew Brees' offense point-for-point. Wes Welker makes it very difficult to blitz. Randy Moss against backup corners means the Saints safeties will have to help.
Many think because it's a nonconference game, these teams might take it easy, but not true. The Saints feel the Vikings breathing down their necks, and the Patriots want to be home for the playoffs as long as pssible. -
Travis, Virginia
12:16 PM ET
Hey Pat, can the Cowboys good offense just suddenly come back as suddenly as it left?
Pat Kirwan, NFL.com
It's possible Travis, as long as you work for balance between run and pass. You have the running attack to complement that passing game, but your offensive linemen can't be stuck in a 40-attempt game when they don't have to be. This has been two weeks in a row that Dallas entered the fourth quarter down 3-0. At least this week they stayed committed to running the football -- ending with 33 run and 27 passes Which is a lot better than the week before -- 14 runs and 44 passes. Yes, there's hope the offense can bounce right back. -
Michael, Indiana
12:19 PM ET
Hey Pat! Who do you see winning in the game of Titans vs the Texans tonight? What will be the deciding factor?
Pat Kirwan, NFL.com
Hi Michael, because I have to pick the games for Sirius, you might notice I took the Titans. Very difficult to pick in this game, but after realizing that Chris Johnson had 284 yards against Houstno the last time in a game Tennessee almost won, and kowing that since then they are healthy on defense in the secondary, Vince Young is not turning over the ball, and the Texans lost Owen Daniels, I'll stick with my pick. -
Dan, Celbridge, Ireland
12:22 PM ET
Hi Pat, do you think the packers have a chance of making a wild card spot with the injuries to harris and kampman??
Pat Kirwan, NFL.com
Hi Dan, it will make it tough. I was pleased to see they slowed down the sacks on Aaron Rodgers -- just two yesterday. But you've already played six home games to just four road games. That makes it equally as tough. -
James, Minneapolis
12:23 PM ET
Hey Pat, the Vikings once again took care of business again yesterday. Do you think this is the year for us?
Pat Kirwan, NFL.com
James, when you're done reading this answer, go to my column today on NFL.com. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised.
In the meantime, what's not to like about your team? -
Joe, North Carolina
12:25 PM ET
Pat I've watched the last two bears games and it seems to be unfair to point all the blame on Lovie!! I think you need to look at the front office as well for not providing a productive wideout for Jay to throw to would you agree?
Pat Kirwan, NFL.com
Hi Joe, I like the young receivers. I think Jerry Angelo deserves a lot of credit for drafting Johnny Knox. I like Matt Forte as a receiver and I think Devin Hester is a quality third receiver -- but not more.
I have more issues with the offensive line. they seem to struggle in the run and the pass. Consequently, Cutler struggles with all the pressure from the defense, something he did not have to deal with n Denver, where he was rarely sacked. -
william hearld, kingman ks
12:27 PM ET
what did you think of the steelers-chiefs game?
Pat Kirwan, NFL.com
I was very happy for the Chiefs fans that have been starved for wins at home. They are loyal and this will carry them into the offseason. As for the Steelers, once again their inability to stop returns reared it's ugly head. That's eight games where they've had a return for a score against them. As long as Roetrhlisberger can play, the Steelers will rebound from this. -
Joe, Palm Harbor, Fl
12:30 PM ET
Hello Pat! It seems like Sanchez is regressing instead of progressing. What does Sanchez and Shottenheimer need to do to reverse this trend? Does Sanchez spend enough time in the film room?
Pat Kirwan, NFL.com
Mark Sanchez is totally dedicated to being an NFL quarterback. I have talked to a number of coaches who say he continues to work late into the night and constantly studies film. Sometimes it may be that he just needs to relax. He appears to be pushing and pressing, which is understandable. And with any rookie QB, factor in the opponent in front of him. It was great to see Matt Stafford play well yesterday -- but those were the Cleveland Browns, not the New England Patriots. -
Jay, Los Angeles
12:33 PM ET
Hi Pat, I think yesterday the Raiders showed some serious spark on offense, especially in the last 41 seconds against that beast of the defense that Cinci has. Do you think now with Jamarcus Russell out , and Bruce Grad in at QB, it's safe to say the problem with Oakland was Jamarcus all along, or is it too soon to assume?
Pat Kirwan, NFL.com
Hi Jay, too soon to assume Gradkowski can continue to win. But he clearly shows more leadership skills and provides the offensive coordinator with more flexibility in his play-calling. Read what I wrote about it in my Six from Sunday column this morning. -
Yvette, Dallas,Texas
12:37 PM ET
Do you think after yesterday's win the Chargers have a chance at going far?
Pat Kirwan, NFL.com
Hi Yvette, sure they do. They have great weapons on offense, they have reinvented the running game. And they have pass rushers on defense. Absolutely no reason to think they can't make it to the Super Bowl. -
Gene, Philadelphia, PA
12:39 PM ET
Pat, As an Eagles fan concerned about Westbrook and observing the slew of concussions this year, do you believe that the NFL will institute stricter policies with regards to head trauma going forward?
Pat Kirwan, NFL.com
Gene, that's a great question and a difficult one to legislate. Putting a blankety policy over all concussions is tough to do, but I would like to see a more aggressive policy that protects the players from themselves. The pressure to play usually outweighs safety in the minds of many of our stars. I have always favored, but get no support for, a program that makes every player who plays on Sunday take a baseline test every Monday morning. I am more worried about the players who hide the concussion they incur, rather than the players we easily identify. -
kyle, mi
12:42 PM ET
what do you think about the PI call at the end of the lions game?? a lot of browns fans say they got robbed what you think
Pat Kirwan, NFL.com
Kyle, it's understand they feel they got robbed. But I have watched many, many Hail Mary passes where there has been clear interference, and I believe a number of clubs have brought that issue to the attention of the officials, and wonder why we don't throw interference calls down there in the end zone. Looks like they have changed their view. I'm happy for the Lions and the great gutsy performanceof their rookie QB. Yet I understand the Browns' anxiety.
Keep an eye on Hail Mary plays in the coming weeks. I've seen plays where the WR is thrown to the ground while the ball is in the air and nothing got called. -
Jasmine , NY
12:46 PM ET
Hi Pat - I'm a Vikings fan. I read your column...you rock and so does our team!
Pat Kirwan, NFL.com
Hi Jasmine, thanks! I am being objective, but I am excited about the prospects of your team, at this time, being the strongest in the league. -
Paulie, California
12:47 PM ET
What veteran QBs will be on the Steelers' Radar now that Batch is out and with Ben's injury yesterday?
Pat Kirwan, NFL.com
Paulie, I think there's only one place to turn: Jeff Garcia. He's in great football shape. He can pick up your offense in a few hours, and he gives you the best chance - if Ben can't go. I was not impressed with Dennis Dixon this summer. But knowing the Steelers, they will go with their own. -
Bill, Austin, Texas
12:49 PM ET
How big was that Jaguars win on Sunday? With a 6-4 record how do you project them for the rest of the season?
Pat Kirwan, NFL.com
Hi Bill, they've been playing very well lately, and I was most impressed that they could get it down without a big day from Maurice Jones-Drew. What I think you need to be a serious contender to the end is more pass rush on defense. If I see that, then I am comfortable about the Jags gting in as a wild card. But they do still play the Miami Dolphins and the Texans, and that will have wild-card implications. -
Tom, England, UK
12:52 PM ET
Matt Leinart came in for Kurt Warner during yesterdays game at St Louis...when Kurt finally retires do you think he will be our #1 QB or will there be someone else?
Pat Kirwan, NFL.com
Tom, I think Matt will get the first shot at the job when Warner retires. Unless, of course, Warner stays more than three years -- I believe Leinart's contract is up in two, and then he'd move on, looking for an opportunity to play. Yesterday's valuable experience, going 10-for-14, at least keeps him n the mix. Much like Tarvaris Jackson's performance yesterday in Minnesota. -
Justin, WHODAT NATION
12:55 PM ET
How good is the Patriots vs Saints game going to be and who do you think wins and who benefits the most from this game?
Pat Kirwan, NFL.com
Justin, it's hard to think home-field edge isn't a factor down in New Orleans. But the Saints, prior to yesterday, had been allowing yardage and points recently. I would thnk the Patriots can go into the Super dome and knock your Saints off, if -- and this is a big if -- they can stop your running game. But I would be surprised if Brady doesn't put 35 points on the board. -
Pat Kirwan, NFL.com
That's it for today -- thanks for the great questions. And have a terrific Thanksgiving holiday!
Upcoming Chats
-
Chat with Pat
Pat Kirwan
Mar 15th 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM ET 0 comments -
NFL Draft chat with Charles Davis
Charles Davis
Mar 15th 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM ET 0 comments
Previous Chats
-
Carucci's Corner
Vic Carucci
Mar 12th 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM ET 22 comments -
Wyche's Word
Steve Wyche
Mar 12th 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM ET 25 comments -
Ask Kerry Rhodes
Kerry Rhodes
Mar 11th 5:00 PM - 5:30 PM ET 23 comments -
NFL Draft chat with Paul Burmeister
Paul Burmeister
Mar 11th 2:15 PM - 3:45 PM ET 21 comments -
NFL Draft chat with Bucky Brooks
Bucky Brooks
Mar 11th 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM ET 23 comments
