The Crystal Ball 2009 Week 11 Thursday Night Special

Wasn’t last weeks Cutler interception-fest just lovely? I suppose it was, if only for the schadenfreude angle regarding Cutler and the foolish Bears who love him. From a pure football standpoint, though, yuck. Obviously, the NFLN hand picks only the best games for their weekly showcase. How could they possibly top that? Oh right.

I suppose if Joey Porter decides to find a bank of reporters somewhere this week, there could be a certain level of excitement and entertainment heading into the match up. But other than that, who’s really excited about this game? I mean, it’s not even in South Florida where we might see Mark Anthony and J-Lo. Oooh the star studded Dolphins ownership!

Ok, I know at one point in his post football career, Matt Millen was considered a sharp mind when it came to football knowledge. He could accurately break down a game, point out blocks and strategies that most people would miss but are crucial to successful plays and his insider knowledge of the league helped spread the knowledge of football to the fans. And I’m willing to go so far as to say Millen probably is still retains much of that knowledge and observational talent that elevated him once before to be considered a general manager candidate.

But at this point, remembering the horrific job he did at deconstructing the Lions even further into the depths of awful, can you really take him with anything but a grain of salt? Even if he is correct in his analysis, I cannot take what he says seriously. Is his reputation from his time in Detroit so damaged that he cannot be taken seriously as a knowledgeable football mind? There’s something to gnaw on as tonight’s events unfold. Just listen to him, and tell me if you take him seriously or believe him at all, or find yourself arguing with him even though he may be right. I’m curious if he’s too far gone to last in the booth.

On Tap Tonight

Miami (4-5) at Carolina (4-5)

Miami has no downfield threat. Carolina does, but they also have Jake Delhomme. But, John Fox finally remembered he has a wicked good running game, one that does not rely on goofy stunts. Plus, Carolina handled a pretty good running team at home last week. Couple that with the Dolphins losing wildcat triggerman Ronnie Brown for the season with a foot injury and I like the Panthers tonight. 3 yards and a cloud of dust dominate all.

Now watch, Carolina will be unable to stop the run and make Ricky Williams look like he’s running in 2002.

Panthers over Dolphins