Time for mid-season report card

Football Freak

Since the halfway point of the season is upon us, it's time for The Freak's mid-season report card:
MVP -- It's a toss-up between two former Giants -- Titans quarterback Kerry Collins and Cards quarterback Kurt Warner. Both are playing extremely well and giving their team a chance to win every week.
Top Rookies -- Baltimore's Joe Flacco and Atlanta's Matt Ryan have played so well their teams are in the playoff hunt, which is unheard of for rookie quarterbacks.
Surprise Team -- Hands down, the Tennessee Titans. Not one person around would have bet the Titans would start the season 9-0.
Biggest Disappointment - San Diego Chargers, who were picked by many to be a Super Bowl contender. Injured linebacker Shawn Merrimen was the one player they could not afford to lose. However, the Bolts still have time to prove us wrong.
Fantasy Bust -- Not including injuries to many players, running back LaDainian Tomlinson has been a major disappointment as he was drafted in the top five in most drafts and it looks like all the carries over the years have finally caught up with him.
Fantasy Surprise -- Falcons wide receiver Roddy White, who is the fourth-rated wide receiver and was still kicking around on most draft boards in the ninth round.
Top Executive -- The Freak's buddy Bill Parcells walked into a 1-15 team in Miami and now they're battling for an AFC playoff spot with five wins. He continues to amaze by turning losing programs into contenders in short periods of time.
Top Coach -- No doubt it has to be the Giants' Tom Coughlin, who won't let his team fall into a post-Super Bowl hangover. Most experts had the Giants finishing third or fourth in the NFC East. With every team gunning for the champs, they're a solid 8-1. Not even The Freak thought this was achievable.

The Sure Thing
Carolina squeaked by the Raiders last week as Jake Delhomme was an awful 7-for-27 and threw four interceptions. The winless Lions are visiting, which Delhomme is excited about. Panthers win.
The "Wildcat" struck again for the Dolphins against Seattle as running back Ricky Williams ran 70 yards after a handoff from running back Ronnie Brown. This week the "Cat" may run wild against the poor old Raiders. The surprising Dolphins are playing for the playoffs and the Raiders are playing to finish out the season. No surprise who'll win here. Take the Fish.
The Colts look like they're starting to jell at the right time. If Flacco can light up Houston's defence for 41 points, what do you think Peyton Manning will do? Colts are eyeing up the wild card with a win.

Don't mortgage the house picks
Pittsburgh quarterback Ben Roethlisberger has been hurting the Steelers with too many picks. This week, he faces the poor Chargers' secondary that gave up three touchdown passes to the Chiefs' Tyler Thigpen. This is the game that gives Big Ben his confidence back. The Bolts have no pass rush and will be torched by the Steelers' passing game.
It truly is do or die for the Saints on the road in KC. The Chiefs are always tough at Arrowhead, but it will be difficult for them to rebound after three heart-breaking losses. The Saints realize if they lose this week their playoff hopes are all but shot. New Orleans is not sinking yet after this win.
The loser of the 'Boys and 'Skins game will have no shot at the NFC East title. This game marks the return of quarterback Tony Romo. Dallas, however, has many more issues that they hope the bye week can fix. Redskins running back Clinton Portis is banged up and will be a game-time decision. Take the Cowboys.

The Upset Special
The Cards are a great home team with their aerial attack, but are a soft team on the road.
The 'Hawks have quarterback Matt Hasselback starting and that will help the offence move the ball and give Seattle a much-needed win.
Last week: 5-for-8.
Season: 49-for-78.

John Turner is a Summerside school teacher. His column appears every Saturday during the NFL season. Feel free to e-mail questions and comments to the footballfreak84@yahoo.com.