NFC North:  Vikings, Packers, Bears, Lions                                                           AFC North:  Steelers, Bengals, Ravens, Browns

NFC South:  Saints, Falcons, Panthers, Buccaneers                                          AFC South:  Colts, Texans, Titans, Jaguars

NFC East:  Eagles, Cowboys, Giants, Redskins                                                  AFC East:  Patriots, Jets, Dolphins, Bills

NFC West:  Cardinals, 49ers, Seahawks, Rams                                                   AFC West:  Chargers, Broncos, Chiefs, Raiders

Wildcards:  Cowboys, Packers                                                                         Wildcards:  Bengals, Broncos

Playoffs:

Wildcard Round:  Cardinals over Packers, Cowboys over Eagles, Patriots over Broncos, Bengals over Chargers

Divisional Round:  Saints over Cowboys, Vikings over Cardinals, Colts over Bengals, Patriots over Steelers

Conference Championship:  Vikings over Saints, Colts over Patriots

Superbowl:  Colts 31, Vikings 20

Superbowl MVP:  Reggie Wayne

Down 13-0 in the 3rd Quarter, Quinn threw a pick to the Raven Chris Carr. No surprise from the defense that thrives on takeaways.  However, what came next was, in a word, wrong.  And stupid.  And dirty.

During Carr’s return, Quinn threw a chop-block at linebacker Terrell Suggs, injuring his right knee.  Suggs is out for at least a few weeks, a major blow for a Raven’s team in playoff contention.  Quinn was fined $10,000 for the play.

This play was downright dirty.  Quinn says he was going for the ball carrier and did not see Suggs until it was too late.  Allow me to join Ray Lewis in calling BS on that statement.  This play was intentional and malicious.  There is nothing clean about it.  Now, I have a couple questions to ask about this scenario:

1. To Brady Quinn:  HOW STUPID ARE YOU!?!?  Not only did you commit a dirty play and seriously injure another player, but you did it against the Ravens!  Ray Lewis knows you’re lying.  You play these guys twice a year!  What do you think is going to happen next year when they get a shot at you?  Ray Lewis killed a man once (allegedly…)!  Not to mention that Suggs himself will be healed by then.  I’m sorry to say, but you’re in for a world of hurt next year, if you’re not traded before then.  The Ravens will be coming for you for the rest of your career, Brady.  This is what you can expect next time you play the Ravens.

2.  Also to Brady Quinn:  How could you let your emotions get the best of you like that?  So you threw an interception.  Big deal!  You already have 7 in your 9 game excuse for a career! Get a grip.  You’re a product of the University of Notre Dame, and an icon of the Browns franchise (if there is such a thing).  You know better.  I had so much respect for you.  Not anymore.  Let me officially declare my un-liking of Brady Quinn.  All those Irish records? They’re dead to me.  Just like you.

3. To the NFL:  $10,000?  Are you nuts?  This guy seriously injured another player purposefully!  He should be suspended and fined at least $50,000.  You dropped the ball on this, NFL.  The double standard you have for quarterbacks just showed itself publicly.  You throw flags for defensive players breathing too heavily around Tom Brady, and yet when Quinn maliciously injures another player, he gets a slap on the wrist and a measly $10k fine.  Ridiculous!

Brady Quinn, consider yourself officially a dirty player.  You are in for a world of hurt, and I don’t feel sorry for you one bit.  Good luck in Cleveland.  At least your team is in contention for first place…of next year’s draft.

After struggling early against their first two opponents this season, the Cyclones rolled in their first road win in nine tries.  Junior Lucca Staiger led the way with 32 points, and Junior Craig Brackins awoke from an early season slump with 22 points and 10 rebounds.  Here’s the rest of the box score.

Alright, here’s my take.  The Cyclones have struggled early in games this year because Craig Brackins has not been himself.  Maybe it’s his knee flaring up, which he tweaked in practice a few weeks ago.  I think it has more to do with one man:  Justin Hamilton.  That’s right.  The big man from Utah is on the court essentially take up space in the front court, and that’s exactly what he’s doing.  Hamilton can’t score (I doubt if he can even dunk the ball), can’t rebound, and struggles mightily on defense.  He’s the second coming of Luc Longley from the Bulls glory days.

Just look at the numbers.  Against Idaho State and Chicago State, Hamilton played 17 and 18 minutes, respectively.  In 29 and 27 minutes of the same games, Brackins scored 17 and 7 points, respectively.  Now, take a look at last night’s game against Drake.  Hamilton played only the first 5 minutes of the game.  Brackins didn’t score in the first 7 minutes of the game.  But as soon as Hamilton leaves, Brackins goes off for 22 points, looking unstoppable down low.  Coincidence?  I think not.

Consider this:  Hamilton was replaced by Jamie Vanderbeken.  Yes, he’s big, too, but he also loves to shoot the three.  With Diante Garrett, Lucca, and Vanderbeken on the perimeter and Gilstrap cutting in and out of the lane, Brackins has room to operate.  And when the defense drops down to double team him, there’s someone open on the perimeter.  See how that works?  When Hamilton is in, it’s 4-on-5 for the Cyclone offense.  That’s the reason for the early struggles, and it’s the reason for Brackins’ slow start, too.

Do I have any suggestions for how to remedy this?  Of course!  The Cyclones have a pretty good guard in Scott Christopherson, a sophomore transfer from Marquette.  Not only does he hustle on both sides of the ball, but he’s the only Cyclone to score in double figures in each of the team’s first three games.  I suggest moving to a 3-guard lineup, with Garrett at the point, Christopherson, and Lucca.  Put Brackins and Gilstrap in the frontcourt; they can more than hold their own against most teams.  And once LeRon Dendy gets healthy, you can think about mixing him in as well.

Coach Mac, trust me.  Brackins thrives down low, and with Hamilton sitting there posting up all the time, teams are going to leave him and double team Brackins every possession.  Numbers don’t lie.  Give Brackins some room to operate in the post, and you’ll see the Naismith Award hopeful turn into a contender.  Your team will soar, too.

It’s come to my attention that you’ve been contacted by the Buffalo Bills about their coaching vacancy.  While I would be very happy to see you back in the NFL, I urge you to not accept this assignment in NFL Siberia – I mean – Buffalo.

Listen, I don’t think you should have been fired from Denver, and I know you’ve still got the tools to do the job.  But Mike, seriously?  The Bills?  Who haven’t had a winning season in the last 10 years?  Who, apart from a pair of wide receivers, lacks a household name?  Mike, you’re better than that.  The Bills have no future, and neither will you if you go there.

There is, however, another team I would take a look at.  The weather there isn’t as nice as in Denver, but their uniforms are blue and orange, like your former Broncos.  Coach, come to Chicago.  The Bears should finish the year with 2 more wins.  And after landing Jay Cutler last spring, a 6-10 record will send some heads rolling.  Among the victims should be Head Coach Lovie Smith and General Manager Jerry Angelo.

Just think of it, Coach.  In Chicago, you’ll reunite with your last quarterback, Cutler, who threw for 4,500 yards and was a Pro-Bowler a year ago.  You’ll have a receiver capable of being a number one with the right coach (Devin Hester).  You’ll have a Pro-Bowl caliber tight end (Greg Olsen) and running back (Matt Forte).  With your offensive scheme, the Bears could be so much more.

And that’s just the beginning.  With the head coach and general manager gone, you’ll have full control over your personnel, and a defense that has lost its heart, but not its talent.  Of course, Defensive Coordinator Bob Babich will be long gone, so you’ll need a new guy.  Might I suggest reaching out to former Bear player and defensive coordinator Ron Rivera?  He’s in San Diego now, but I think he’d jump at the chance to coach Brian Urlacher and Lance Briggs again.

Coach, the road in Buffalo leads no where.  As long as Tom Brady is in the league, the Patriots will own the AFC East.  After him, there’s the up-and-coming Jets and the wildcat Dolphins to deal with.  But Brett Favre can’t play forever in Minnesota, and after he’s gone, the NFC North looks winnable.  Please, Coach, come to Chicago.  With you running things, the Bears will finally return to glory in the NFC.

Sincerely,

The Futon Quarterback