Impossible to start this weekly meeting without talking regarding the great John Madden, who died on Tuesday at the age of 85. A larger than life character. That’s a perfect description of the 85-year-old.
The youngest among you may know Madden because of the famous video game that bears his name. The oldest remember Madden the coach, who led the Oakland Raiders for a decade. From 1969 to 1978, the Silver and Black always had winning records, winning the Super Bowl following the 1976 season.
PHOTO ARCHIVES ASSOCIATED PRESS
John Madden was the head coach of the Oakland Raiders for a decade. We see it above, on the sidelines, in October 1978.
Madden’s seasonal record: 103-32-7, for a winning percentage of 75.9%, the highest in history among head coaches with 100 or more wins. Coach Madden’s greatest achievement may have been to keep the favor of irascible Raiders owner Al Davis for 10 years …
Madden never led a team once more following leaving the Raiders, instead starting a legendary career as an analyst in 1979 on CBS. Personally, it was in this role that I got to know Madden. The duo he formed with descriptor Pat Summerall was possibly the best in NFL history, arguably the last 50 years.
Madden worked with Summerall on CBS and then the Fox Network. In the 1980s and 1990s, the two men provided the soundtrack for a number of “big” games, then Madden teamed up with Al Michaels on ABC, and then on NBC.
PHOTO DOUG BENC, AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE ARCHIVES
John Madden, when he was inducted into the Football Hall of Fame in 2006
His last game as an analyst was the Super Bowl between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Arizona Cardinals in 2009. Madden was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2006.
If anyone didn’t like Madden, they were in a tiny minority. His kindness was evident. Madden’s observations were sometimes insightful, sometimes silly, but he always knew how to hold an audience captive.
Madden died three days following the documentary first aired All Madden from the Fox network. Numerous members of the very senior NFL and TV world participated in the documentary, including Al Michaels, Bill Belichick, Bill Parcells, Joe Buck, Bob Costas, Troy Aikman, Tom Brady, Joe Montana and Peyton Manning. Madden, his wife and their two sons also collaborated on the project. A must-see for football fans and for those who would like to discover the different sides of this larger-than-life man.
The wishes
On the eve of a new year, it’s the season of wishes. So we decided to wish something to each of the 32 teams on the Goodell circuit for 2022.
ARIZONA – An unlikely return to the game of DeAndre Hopkins and JJ Watt in time for the start of the playoffs.
ATLANTA – A home court advantage at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. The Falcons are 5-3 on the road but 2-5 at home.
BALTIMORE – Health! Clearly the team hardest hit by injuries in 2021.
BUFFALO – A first Super Bowl appearance in 28 years, and why not their first title? Bills fans deserve it.
CAROLINE – The right quarterback to make the revolving door stop spinning.
CHICAGO – A plan to make sure we develop Justin Fields well to avoid a scenario similar to what happened with Mitchell Trubisky.
CINCINNATI – Some good offensive linemen for Joe Burrow.
CLEVELAND – A team spirit. The departure of Odell Beckham Jr. did not settle everything …
DALLAS – Two consecutive qualifying victories, and thus participation in the National final for the first time in 26 years.
DENVER – A top quarterback like Aaron Rodgers or Russell Wilson. The other pieces are in place.
DETROIT – Talent to combine with their sustained efforts.
GREEN BAY – Aaron Rodgers’ second Super Bowl appearance. And the Packers’ chances of getting there in February look particularly good.
HOUSTON – A conclusion to the saga involving Deshaun Watson, a question of being able to turn the page for good.
INDIANAPOLIS – A quick recovery from Carson Wentz, who contracted COVID-19 a few days ago and is not vaccinated.
JACKSONVILLE – The right head coach for Trevor Lawrence.
KANSAS CITY – Good protection ahead of Patrick Mahomes in January. If he gets it, who will stop the Chiefs in the American?
NEW ORLEANS – Stability at quarterback and a few talented receivers.
LAS VEGAS – A year without controversy (see Jon Gruden) and without tragedy (see Henry Ruggs III).
LOS ANGELES (CHARGERS) – Consistency. A top team shouldn’t lose to the Texans in December like the Chargers just did.
LOS ANGELES (RAMS) – The desire to tackle. If their defense gets the job done once morest the running game, the Rams can compete with the National heavyweights.
MIAMI – Let their current seven-game winning streak go to nine, which would give them a very, very unlikely entry into the tournament.
MINNESOTA – A leader. If there was a real leader in this team, they would probably be part of the elite.
NEW YORK (GIANTS) – To perform at the height of their talent.
NEW YORK (JETS) – Quite simply a plan.
NEW ENGLAND – A first receiver. That’s all the Patriots offense is missing.
PHILADELPHIA – An excellent draft. The Eagles currently have three first-round picks in 2022, a session that will be critical to their future.
PITTSBURGH – A worthy successor to Ben Roethlisberger. More than two decades had passed between Terry Bradshaw and Big Ben…
SAN FRANCISCO – May the Trey Lance experiment not prove to be a failure. The 49ers paid dearly to get a young quarterback who had very little playing experience.
SEATTLE – A new version of the Legion of Boom, is that too much to ask? Probably yes.
TAMPA BAY – May the hecatomb stop. Chris Godwin, Michael Evans, Leonard Fournette, Lavonte David, Shaquil Barrett… Most of these players should return to the game in the playoffs, but the list of injured continues to grow with the Bucs.
TENNESSEE – A healthy Derrick Henry to start the playoffs. What no other team wants.
WASHINGTON – A team name. Two years should be enough to settle the case, right?
Miguel Bujold’s predictions
- Atlanta c. Buffalo : Buffalo
- Giants de New York c. Chicago : Chicago
- Kansas City c. Cincinnati : Kansas City
- Miami c. Tennessee : Tennessee
- Las Vegas c. Indianapolis : Indianapolis
- Jacksonville v. New England: New England
- Tampa Bay c. New York Jets: Tampa Bay
- Philadelphia v. Washington: Philadelphia
- Rams de Los Angeles c. Baltimore : Baltimore
- Denver c. Chargers de Los Angeles : Chargers de Los Angeles
- Houston c. San Francisco : San Francisco
- Arizona c. Dallas : Dallas
- Caroline c. New Orleans: New Orleans
- Detroit c. Seattle : Seattle
- Minnesota c. Green Bay : Green Bay
- Cleveland c. Pittsburgh : Pittsburgh
Last week: 9-6
Season Total: 136-85
Three matches to follow
Kansas City c. Cincinnati, dimanche, 13 h
PHOTO JEFF DEAN, ARCHIVES ASSOCIATED PRESS
Ja’Marr Chase, wide receiver for the Bengals, on December 26
The Bengals can secure the North American Division title with a win this Sunday, while the Chiefs will want to maintain their one-win lead over the Titans in the race for first place in the conference. The Titans beat the Chiefs earlier this season, which would give them the brunt if there is a tie between the two teams. In short, the Chiefs and Bengals are sure to be motivated in a game where two of the league’s most talented attacks come face to face.
Arizona v. Dallas, Sunday, 4:25 p.m.
PHOTO JEROME MIRON, ARCHIVES USA TODAY SPORTS
The Cowboys’ chances of reaching the Super Bowl have never been better since the mid-1990s.
This meeting will pit teams going in opposite directions. The Cardinals suffered three straight losses and didn’t leave to stay up late in the playoffs. The Cowboys seem to be reaching their peak at the best time. Their offense is almost as dangerous on the ground as it is from the air, as the defense continues to improve and stands out for its ability to take advantage of every opportunity. The Cowboys’ chances of reaching the Super Bowl have never been better since the mid-1990s.
Minnesota v. Green Bay, Sunday, 8:15 p.m.
PHOTO MORRY GASH, ARCHIVES ASSOCIATED PRESS
The Packers’ injured list is their main issue.
The Vikings still have hope for a playoff appearance, but will absolutely have to defeat the Packers to keep it. As for the Packers, the main issue is their list of injuries. We already know that tight end Robert Tonyan and offensive lineman Elgton Jenkins will no longer play this season. Left tackle David Bakhtiari, wide receiver Randall Cobb and cornerback Jaire Alexander are uncertain cases and it’s unclear whether they’ll be back in the playoffs.
