Stock Up, Stock Down, Stock Neutral
December 22, 2009 by Staff
Filed under All Sports
As we get closer and closer to the start of the NFL postseason, a lot of teams are swaying back and forth between good and bad, feared and loathed, and focused and confused. For 3 teams headed in 3 different directions, here is the first edition of Stock Up, Stock Down, Still the Same.
Stock Up: San Diego Chargers
You have to give credit where credit is due, and right now, the Chargers are deserving of some love. With 9 straight wins and an undefeated December to-date, the Chargers are now the most feared team in football. Yes, the Colts are undefeated, but the Chargers have had their number dating all the way back to 2005 and as recently as their postseason defeat of the Colts this past January. Despite winning 9 in a row, the Chargers are still getting better. LaDainian Tomlinson looks much healthier than he did a month ago. Antonio Gates looks the best he has looked in 2 years. And the Chargers defense is no longer the equivalent of leaving a civ out on the field. The Chargers are a team on the rise, and there isn’t a team in the AFC that wants to see them in January. Note: Don’t pay too much attention to the Chargers if they lose on Friday to the Titans. That’s a Christmas night game in which San Diego has to travel to Nashville—a little bit of a raw deal if you ask me.
Stock Down: Minnesota Vikings
Here we go again. Brett Favre is having another woeful start to December, having thrown more interceptions than touchdowns this month, with his team losing 2 of its last 3 games. In addition, Adrian Peterson hasn’t even been able to average 4 yards per carry as of late, as his offensive line has been abused at the point of attack; thereby allowing all kinds of penetration into the Vikings backfield. I haven’t even gotten to the defense, which has 93 penalties this season and is giving up a 92.8 quarterback rating to opposing quarterbacks. This team right now is in disarray, and is clearly a far cry away from the team many people thought they were earlier this season.
Stock Neutral: Philadelphia Eagles
I know that just about every power ranking poll that comes out today will place the Philadelphia Eagles among the top 3, 4 or 5 teams in the NFL. But why? Because they beat 49ers and bunch of other teams lost? The fact is that the Eagles are still the same team they were in Week 2 when they got drummed by the New Orleans Saints. When Drew Brees was throwing darts all over the field for a ton of yardage, the Eagles, even in a loss and in the absence of Donovan McNabb, were slinging the ball all over the field as well. So the Eagles can score, albeit inconsistently, but they can score nonetheless. Their problem is stopping other teams that can score, such as the Cowboys, Saints and Packers, teams they may see in the playoffs. So no, wins over the Giants, 49ers and Redskins don’t impress me, because those teams struggle moving the ball. If and when the Eagles beat Denver this week, or the Cowboys in the finale, then and only then, will I be interested in some brotherly stock.
