The Whole Delivery

Too short, too small, just not big enough, and maybe too black to succeed. Those are words Russell Wilson has repeatedly been told to digest or infer in his mission to be an elite high school, college, and NFL quarterback. He could have easily been an apoplectic individual in his football life after all the criticism and doubts he has taken throughout his 25 years, hell bent on proving people wrong like his friend and growing rival Colin Kaepernick of the San Francisco 49ers chooses to do. Yet Wilson does not play with a visible "chip on his shoulder" or an intense drive that is constantly in everyone's peripheral. Instead, it's a serene and precocious determination within him that led to him defeating many negative stereotypes last night to help give the Seattle Seahawks their first Super Bowl title in their franchise's 38 year history. It's a placid mentality that has allowed Wilson to become only the second black quarterback to ever win the NFL...

Screenshot from NFL.com  Ever since Rahim Moore misjudged Joe Flacco's "Hail Flacco" deep ball to Jacoby Jones last playoff season, Peyton Manning, John Fox, and the Denver Broncos have been hell bent on reaching the final destination and not wasting home field advantage in the AFC. The record setting 55 touchdown season for the older Manning further cemented his legendary legacy, with his four headed monster of the Thomas boys, Wes Welker, and Eric Decker being a matchup headache for any defensive coordinator. But it is the defense of Jack Del Rio that has made this team into more than just its offense. Despite the devastating losses to arguably their two best defensive players in Von Miller and Chris Harris, the likes of Shaun Phillips and Terrance Knighton up front, Kentucky linebacking alums Danny Trevathan and Wesley Woodyard, and cornerback standouts Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and Champ Bailey had great days against the New England Patriots a few weeks ba...

Besides the obvious stars (Patriots' offensive line, Broncos O'line and receivers, the Patriots running backs), here are the key men who are going under the radar that will help decide or will decide the biggest game in the AFC this season.   AFC Title Game Runthrough  X-Factors for Denver- Quentin Jammer He was torched last week the minute Chris Harris was ruled out by Kenoy Allen, and he will have to not be beat badly today, especially if he covers Shane Vereen. It is mandatory that he does not get beaten by any non-WR today. Sylvester Williams and Terrance Knigton, along with Wesley Woodyard and Danny Trevathan  They have to get off the blocks in the Patriots run game and make Brady beat them one dimensionally, especially without Vickerson. Duke Ihenacho and Mike Adams  So key are these two in making sure to tackle Blount and Ridley if they get to the next level through the linebackers, as well as many sure not to fall asleep if Brady goes o...

Back at halftime for Saints/Eagles B.O.B, proceed...."I was shooting for stars, on a Saturday night."

Final Early Game Thread  It was certainly a wild early window session as always, captured off by the wildest one, a 5-hour tornado storm delayed overtime thriller that the Bears edged the Ravens over 23-20. The win gives Chicago the 6-4 first place with the Lions, who saw Jim Schwartz making the bone headed decision to not take the field goal and a seven point lead, resulting in a turnover on 4th down and a huge Steelers win. The Original Thread & Halftime Thread  The best NFL song ever, that original NBC anthem. Magical. This will be updated when the Week 11 early games reach halftime. Halftime Thread Thoughts 1) Stay safe out there in Chicago folks. Also, Ray Rice has awoken.  2) Chad Henne needs to be the quarterback for the Jaguars. He just plays well for them when give a chance to start.  3) Matt Ryan just doesn't have Julio Jones and a line. Just a forgettable season 4) The Jets and Geno Smith, just getting trashed on the road again,...

Screenshot Image from NFL.com 1) Criticism of Colin Kaepernick has gone beyond insane. People have to recognize and acknowledge the obvious fact that he had no one to throw to last week and how that has been a problem with injuries to Michael Crabtree, Mario Manningham and Vernon Davis, with Anquan Boldin slowing down as well. I think with Manningham's second week back from absence and Davis being cleared to play that he will lead them to a huge win in New Orleans of all places, the site of where they lost to the Ravens in the Super Bowl in February. 2) Key day for Andy Dalton for sure. He has to be the "good Andy," not the bad one today for Cincy. For me, I say that he will be his good self and give the Bengals a vital bounce back win in the battle of Ohio. 3) For me today, this is already a "Do or Die" game for the Jets, even with the Colts doing them a favor in coming back to beating the Colts. 4) Robert Griffin sure would love to shut up Darrell ...