NFL: Health status of playoff contenders

Hey guys... late in the season it is nice to find a concise review of
the injury/health status of the top teams in the NFL (this is from
ESPN)
-Gordo
ps- I still can't see KC losing at home?  The NFC is a toss up, but
whoever wins the AFC wins the SuperBowl this year.

AFC playoff contenders
Kansas City Chiefs (11-1): Crying for no apparent reason is often a
telling symptom of depression. But it's usually the opponents of coach
(Weepin') Dick Vermeil's team who are left in tears. From both an
organizational standpoint and on the field, too, the Chiefs seem
almost too well-adjusted, you know? In such cases, doctors tend to pad
the bill by looking for something, anything, even the slightest sign
of disease. Well, keep digging, docs, because you're not apt to
uncover much wrong with this team. Sure, the passing game isn't as
good as it could be, the defense is susceptible to a power running
game, and Dante Hall hasn't returned a punt or kickoff for a touchdown
now in seven straight games. Geez, none of the pundits have mentioned
his name in conjunction with the MVP award much lately, have they? But
the Chiefs remain the top outfit in the league, are well-coached and,
just for good measure, have a Priest in their corner as well.
Pasquarelli's prognosis: Fit as a fiddle.

New England Patriots (10-2): We're partial and we admit it but, in the
Year of the Coach, no one has done it better than Bill Belichick. No
longer just an X's and O's geek, Belichick in the last two seasons has
evolved into the consummate sideline boss, adept at virtually every
component of his profession. From a resourcefulness standpoint,
perhaps only Andy Reid of Philadelphia can match up with Belichick,
who has figured out a way nearly every week to overcome injuries. The
Pats have started nine different lineups on offense. They have used
the same defensive lineup on consecutive weekends just once all
season. Truth be told, the New England logo ought to be the famous
Revolutionary War tableaux, of the trio of wounded kids, limping home
playing the flute and waving the flag. Like the Eagles, the Pats are
suddenly getting healthy again. Quarterback Tom Brady has emerged as a
top 10 guy at his position, the Patriots keep inventing ways to win,
and they always seem to prevail in the close games. Pasquarelli's
prognosis: In the pink.

Tennessee Titans (9-3): You get the sense that, if someone amputated
Steve McNair's leg, the Titans quarterback would just strap on a
prosthetic device, limp into the huddle, and play as if there were
nothing wrong with him. The Monday night loss to the New York Jets
aside, and notwithstanding the season-ending broken leg suffered by
middle linebacker Rocky Calmus, the Titans are well-positioned for
another run at the championship. This is a resourceful team, a veteran
bunch that knows how to win, and coach Jeff Fisher annually rates
among the best at his craft. There are still a few nicks to overcome,
like the injury to resurgent defensive end Jevon Kearse, but no one
should bet against Tennessee being in the conference title game again.
Pasquarelli's prognosis: Nothing a few aspirin won't cure.

Indianapolis Colts (9-3): Just from an injury standpoint, the Colts
enter Sunday's big divisional showdown at Tennessee in less than
optimum condition, missing perhaps three or four starters. So beaten
up was the Indianapolis offense last week that the Colts had to
improvise their short-yardage personnel package at the end of the
game, with the ball on the New England 2-yard line. The good news is
that there seemed nothing amiss with the right elbow of quarterback
Peyton Manning. But left offensive tackle Tarik Glenn, who was
supposed to have been back in the lineup by now (does any
organization, or general manager, fudge on injuries as much as this
one?), remains absent. The team has lost one tight end (Dallas Clark)
for the season and the other (Marcus Pollard) is playing at less than
100 percent. There are injuries on the defense, too, and the secondary
could be vulnerable against the Titans' upfield attack. Pasquarelli's
prognosis: Despite a propensity for being able to ward off most
illnesses, the antibiotics could run out sooner or later, and
Indianapolis might succumb to its various physical problems.

Miami Dolphins (8-4): While the rest of the world was in a
Trytophan-induced stupor, the Dolphins used their Thanksgiving date in
Dallas as at least a temporary cure-all, stuffing the Cowboys in
virtually every aspect of the game. As incredible at it seems,
journeyman quarterback Jay Fiedler has emerged as this team's Dr.
Feel-Good, and the Miami offense exudes confidence when he is in the
lineup. It didn't hurt, either, that coordinator Norv Turner
rediscovered the deep ball. The defense, which plays very well on the
road, shouldn't miss "dime" cornerback Jamar Fletcher, out for the
balance of the season with a broken forearm. The problem for coach
Dave Wannstedt, who probably has to get to the playoffs to keep his
job, is a challenging schedule. In the next two weeks, the Dolphins
play at New England and then host Philadelphia. Those games could
determine Miami's playoff viability. Pasquarelli's prognosis: Rallying
back from a bout of the flu, but still susceptible to a relapse, and
must be watched carefully.

Baltimore Ravens (7-5): Coach Insufferable has suffered the loss of
his top quarterback, Kyle Boller, but has gotten stellar performances
from retread Anthony Wright the last two weekends. The key for the
Ravens, however, is that the defense is getting stronger every week,
with middle linebacker Ray Lewis again establishing himself as a
legitimate MVP candidate. As long as workhorse tailback Jamal Lewis
remains ambulatory, the Ravens remain in the hunt, and wide receiver
Marcus Robinson has come off the scrap heap to register five touchdown
passes in two weeks. There is a chance Boller could return from a
sprained knee ligament for the final few games of the regular season.
In an atrociously bad division, the Ravens are a year ahead of
schedule, given that the blueprint called for 2004 to be their really
big year. With the way it plays defense, this is a team no one wants
to face in the first round. Pasquarelli's prognosis: Always the
possibility of a serious outbreak of foot-in-mouth disease, given the
head coach, but relatively well-off.

Cincinnati Bengals (7-5): With respect to what has transpired in
Cincinnati over the past 13 seasons, the Bengals are the equivalent of
a medical miracle, feeling their oats in the first season of coach
Marvin Lewis' stewardship. Strictly in terms of physical well-being,
the Bengals are the lone team in the NFL that hasn't been forced to
place a single player on injured reserve since the start of the
regular season. That said, cornerback Jeff Burris is suffering from
post-concussion problems, and that is a concern. In the team's seven
wins, Jon Kitna has 18 touchdown passes and only one interception. Now
that Corey Dillon is again healthy, Cincinnati has a nice tailback
tandem, with him and Rudi Johnson. Wide receiver Chad Johnson is a
big-play threat. The Bengals defeated the Ravens in an earlier meeting
and travel to Baltimore on Sunday for a game that could determine the
division champion. This is the final leg of a three-game road trip and
Cincinnati has won the first two outings. The question is, can they
handle Lewis, and the Ravens defense? Pasquarelli's prognosis: Take
two aspirin on Saturday night (to deal with the headaches Ray Lewis
will hand out) and call us Monday morning.

Denver Broncos (7-5): On the roller coaster so much this season, one
would expect they are suffering at least some dizziness, and that is
sometimes reflected in their play. Some physical setbacks, other
injuries that are self-inflicted, and a quarterback (Jake Plummer)
whose statistics are better than his results. Tailback Clinton Portis
remains a mainstay and the workhorse can keep the Broncos in just
about any game. But this is a puzzling bunch, one that doesn't always
play up to its talent level, and coach Mike Shanahan is finally
beginning to come under fire for several dubious personnel decisions.
Pasquarelli's prognosis: The Broncos, as much as their opponents,
suffer from (Jake the) Snake-poisoning. And their inconsistent play
defines a new NFL disease, Rocky Mountain Spotty Fever.

NFC playoff contenders
Philadelphia Eagles (9-3): Winners of seven straight games and nine of
10 after their uninspiring 0-2 start, the Eagles might need a
multi-vitamin to help overcome a defense that has surrendered four
consecutive 100-yard individual rushing performances, but this team
has already weathered the worst of the storm. The scary part for
opponents shouldn't necessarily be what Philadelphia has accomplished
so far, but rather how much better the Eagles might be in December,
since some of their injured players are coming back to the lineup now.
Yeah, coach Andy Reid still uses a tailback by committee approach, the
wide receivers don't make big plays, and the defense doesn't blitz as
much as it once did. But this is a team that has been there before, is
confident it can advance to a third consecutive NFC title game, and
doesn't blink under adversity.
Pasquarelli's prognosis: In the pink.

St. Louis Rams (9-3): Another team that managed to tread water during
an epidemic of injuries and now, healthy again, appears to be a
legitimate Super Bowl contender in the diluted NFC. Getting defensive
end Leonard Little back last weekend (four sacks for the superior
strong-side rusher) really helped but, just as significant, tailback
Marshall Faulk has posted three straight 100-yard outings and the
offense is suddenly better balanced. At an opportune time, coach Mike
Martz seems to have improved his game management. A key for the Rams
is earning home-field advantage, since the NFL's equivalent of a
hot-house tomato doesn't usually survive well outdoors in the
playoffs. Pasquarelli's prognosis: Avoid blustery weather if possible
and have plenty of cold medication in stock.

Seattle Seahawks (8-4): Quarterback Matt Hasselbeck has quietly
enjoyed a very solid campaign, perhaps even a breakout year, and the
offense has gained confidence over the last few weeks. The defense
still suffers from too many bouts of nausea. And, like the Rams, this
is a team (as demonstrated two weeks ago in Baltimore) that doesn't
play nearly as well on the road. Pasquarelli's prognosis: Any
medication that might cure the case of the "dropsies" that afflicted
the wide receiver corps. And an industrial-strength prescription, too,
for travel sickness.

Carolina Panthers (8-4): The league's early-season media darlings have
now dropped two straight games, must face the returning Michael Vick
in Atlanta on Sunday night, and are ebbing at an inopportune time. A
simplistic approach based around the running game and tailback Stephen
Davis has served the Panthers well, but quarterback Jake Delhomme has
to make some plays, and coordinator Dan Henning needs to be more
inventive in the "red zone." A defensive front that isn't rushing the
passer with quite the fervor that it displayed in 2002 might need some
energy supplements, especially morose left end Julius Peppers, whose
performances have been spotty. And something, please, for oft-injured
middle linebacker Dan Morgan, who is a regular on the injury report.
Pasquarelli's prognosis: A weakening pulse and low blood pressure.

Dallas Cowboys (8-4): Given its shoddy Thanksgiving Day performance
against the Miami Dolphins, someone ought to check the NFL's top-rated
defense for any signs of anemia, since the undersized front seven is
suddenly displaying symptoms of physical erosion. And maybe The Tuna
has been left unrefrigerated too long and has developed salmonella
poisoning. Noted psychologist Dr. Bill Parcells has been reduced to
familiar head games in an effort to pull his team out of its slump.
Over the past six weeks, Dallas has really had only two solid outings.
Pasquarelli's prognosis: Definitely a bit flushed, a mild temperature,
a bothersome infection that must be stemmed.

Minnesota Vikings (7-5): Some experts might suggest collective
amnesia, since the Minnesota players and coaches seem to have
forgotten the formula they used to jump out to a 6-0 start this
season. The ESPN.com medical staff, though, feels the Vikings are
sliding into a coma, one from which they might not recover. Whatever
smoke and mirrors defensive coordinator George O'Leary used to
camouflage his unit's shortcomings early in the campaign have
dissipated. The offense remains high octane, but quarterback Daunte
Culpepper at times has lapsed back into his old, turnover-prone self.
Two months ago, Mike Tice looked like a coach of the year candidate,
and now his job security once again is in question. Pasquarelli's
prognosis: Someone call a priest to administer last rites.

Green Bay Packers (6-6) and New Orleans Saints (6-6): Whatever shrinks
are using these days to most effectively treat schizophrenia, well,
both these teams need it, since they suffer from the same problems.
Neither can handle prosperity, or take advantage of opportunity, and
their shared inconsistency is maddening. Both have wonderful
tailbacks, quarterbacks who can throw four touchdowns or four
interceptions in a game, defenses that appear improved one minute and
look inept the next. Pasquarelli's prognosis: Weak pulse.