This Week In The SSW

EM>For years — OK, a couple of days — Slate writer Robert Weintraub has been tinkering with a concept called The SSW, short for "The Sean Salisbury Wisdom," which tracks the consensus of the football punditocracy to ensure those triumphant declarations from Friday aren't flushed down the memory hole on Monday. Here's this week's SSW.

PREVIOUS SSW

Lovable Brownies have division title within their grasp, thanks to pluck, luck, and Pittsburgh folding like an accordion.

NEW SSW

The Derek Anderson Experience begins and ends with the Bengals.

BUT WAIT, THERE'S LESS

Cincy, typically, did everything they could to hand a miracle comeback to the Browns, with an incompetence bordering on criminality in the second half. But Derek and his Falling Dominoes wouldn't take it. Even the charmed Phil Dawson couldn't make good on a botched snap, an early indicator a brutal day was in the offing.

This Week In The SSW

For years — OK, a couple of days — Slate writer Robert Weintraub has been tinkering with a concept called The SSW, short for "The Sean Salisbury Wisdom," which tracks the consensus of the football punditocracy to ensure those triumphant declarations from Friday aren't flushed down the memory hole on Monday. Here's this week's SSW.

PREVIOUS SSW

Tony Romo can't wait until tomorrow, because he gets better looking every day.

NEW SSW

Injured thumb, underperforming team, a plenitude of horse collars, and a potential January trip to Lambeau looming as a giant cockblock. Relax—there's always Ashlee.

BUT WAIT, THERE'S LESS

Once Andre Girode went out with the injury, the Eagles attacked the middle of the Cowboys line with blitzes and stunts, and the Dallas offense was on skates. Maybe one day, somebody will write about the importance of the center in the NFL.

This Week In The SSW

For years — OK, a couple of days — Slate writer Robert Weintraub has been tinkering with a concept called The SSW, short for "The Sean Salisbury Wisdom," which tracks the consensus of the football punditocracy to ensure those triumphant declarations from Friday aren't flushed down the memory hole on Monday. Here's this week's SSW.

PREVIOUS SSW

Patriots suddenly vulnerable, yet in no way does it make them more attractive or likeable. Giselle doesn't go for that doe-eyed crap anyway—she's a frontrunner.

This Week In The SSW

For years — OK, a couple of days — Slate writer Robert Weintraub has been tinkering with a concept called The SSW, short for "The Sean Salisbury Wisdom," which tracks the consensus of the football punditocracy to ensure those triumphant declarations from Friday aren't flushed down the memory hole on Monday. Here's this week's SSW.

PREVIOUS SSW

Pats had their wake-up call, now it's look out 19-0.

NEW SSW

Is it not enough they are the best team, they have to get every break, too? A dumb timeout, a penalty that goes against the Pats saves their bacon, a couple of tipped balls fall to the turf, BS 4th down holding call—and then they convert when they absolutely have to. Every single time. It just makes you sick.

BUT WAIT, THERE'S LESS

Rare game when Pats were dominated on both lines, thanks to players like Haloti Ngata and Mike Flynn, guys who get little pub. Yet when the game is on the line, Brady gets all day, and Ravens couldn't get first downs.

This Week In The SSW

For years — OK, a couple of days — Slate writer Robert Weintraub has been tinkering with a concept called The SSW, short for "The Sean Salisbury Wisdom," which tracks the consensus of the football punditocracy to ensure those triumphant declarations from Friday aren't flushed down the memory hole on Monday. Here's this week's SSW.

PREVIOUS SSW

Record-setting 24 point line not nearly high enough—get those bets down on the Pats, the only sure thing in gambling.

NEW SSW

Once again, a nation is bamboozled by A.J. Feeley. First came the news he was dating soccer hottie Heather Mitts, now he almost pulls off an all-time upset. Up until that idiotic last decision, he was in full-blown QB controversy land.

This Week In The SSW

For years — OK, a couple of days — Slate writer Robert Weintraub has been tinkering with a concept called The SSW, short for "The Sean Salisbury Wisdom," which tracks the consensus of the football punditocracy to ensure those triumphant declarations from Friday aren't flushed down the memory hole on Monday. Here's this week's SSW.

PREVIOUS SSW

Pittsburgh holds the inside lane for the #2 seed and the right to be obliterated in the AFC title game by New England.

NEW SSW

This is the high point of Kellen Clemens' career—too bad the team plays again on Thursday.

BUT WAIT, THERE'S LESS

The Jets laid a physical beating on the Steelers like few teams have in recent memory. Forget the ManGenius—let's see more of this ManGNC.

This Week In The SSW

For years — OK, a couple of days — Slate writer Robert Weintraub has been tinkering with a concept called The SSW, short for "The Sean Salisbury Wisdom," which tracks the consensus of the football punditocracy to ensure those triumphant declarations from Friday aren't flushed down the memory hole on Monday. Here's this week's SSW.

PREVIOUS SSW

They lost to the Pats, but Indy was better than the Greatest Team Ever for 50+ minutes, so they're still in good shape.

NEW SSW

Fugly loss feels like either a Pyrrhic victory, or a moral loss, or some combination that means nothing in the standings and everything to 24/7 NFL talk shows.

BUT WAIT, THERE'S LESS

Remember last year, after the Pats lost to Denver and everyone read ill omens into Brady's bad body language? Thought not. He and his team turned out OK, as will Manning and the Colts. Will need Freeney and OL healthy by AFC title game is all (although it would behoove Indy to finish ahead of Pitt and not play divisional round at Ketchup Field).

This Week In The SSW

For years — OK, a couple of days — Slate writer Robert Weintraub has been tinkering with a concept called The SSW, short for "The Sean Salisbury Wisdom," which tracks the consensus of the football punditocracy to ensure those triumphant declarations from Friday aren't flushed down the memory hole on Monday. Here's this week's SSW.

PREVIOUS SSW

Super Bowl champs (who, incidentally, started last season 9-0, yet title was considered a surprise) utterly subsumed by Pats' run at unbeaten season. Which is proper, since no one can keep BeliCheat's boys under 38 points.

NEW SSW

Outhit, outthought, outraged, but still unbeaten. Pats won't have to find a way in last seven games—16-0 is a foregone conclusion.

BUT WAIT, THERE'S LESS

OK, it was a big game, but let's not make it out to be the Tehran Derby between Persepolis and Esteghlal at the Azadi Stadium. Now that's a rivalry, usually one that involves stoning the losing team's bus. Also, RCA Dome unlikely to be carpet bombed by the USAF anytime soon. As for the Colts, had Antoine Bethea held on to sure pick one play before bomb to Moss turned the game, Indy is still celebrating.

This Week In The SSW

For years — OK, a couple of days — Slate writer Robert Weintraub has been tinkering with a concept called The SSW, short for "The Sean Salisbury Wisdom," which tracks the consensus of the football punditocracy to ensure those triumphant declarations from Friday aren't flushed down the memory hole on Monday. Here's this week's SSW.

PREVIOUS SSW

Bears reduced to hoping opposition foolish enough to kick to Hester; can't win otherwise.

NEW SSW

Rex Grossman's last-gasp ploy, dumping Gatorade on Griese's helmet receiver, backfires.

BUT WAIT, THERE'S LESS

Proof Papa Bear's ghost prefers Griese—fourth quarter bad snap goes through Griese's legs. Had it hit his leg, or had Griese been in the shotgun, it would have been a fumble, and Eagles set up to deliver the bullet to the back of the head. But as it didn't touch Griese, and went beyond the QB, it was only a 5-yard penalty, allowing Bears to kick a key figgie.

This Week In The SSW

For years — OK, a couple of days — Slate writer Robert Weintraub has been tinkering with a concept called The SSW, short for "The Sean Salisbury Wisdom," which tracks the consensus of the football punditocracy to ensure those triumphant declarations from Friday aren't flushed down the memory hole on Monday. Here's this week's SSW.

PREVIOUS SSW

Romo & Co. have a puncher's chance at handing the Pats their first loss. And then we can speculate if the Cowboys will go undefeated!

NEW SSW

Patriots = Georgia Tech
Rest of NFL = Cumberland College

BUT WAIT, THERE'S LESS

Barring a Brady broken leg, it would be an upset if the Pats didn't go unbeaten. But are they better than the '03-04 squads that won 21 straight and 32 of 34, counting the playoffs? Perhaps not—they are not nearly as scary defensively (although their best player, Richard Seymour, might be back this week). But the league is infinitely worse than just a couple of years ago, so 19-0 looks promising.

This Week In The SSW

For years — OK, a couple of days — Slate writer Robert Weintraub has been tinkering with a concept called The SSW, short for "The Sean Salisbury Wisdom," which tracks the consensus of the football punditocracy to ensure those triumphant declarations from Friday aren't flushed down the memory hole on Monday. Here's this week's SSW.

PREVIOUS SSW

Kitna and his band of disciples have Jesus on their side, and thus a chance at ending Detroit's endless futility in the nation's capital.

NEW SSW

The least-heralded part of Auburn's Salary Cap Backfield of 2004, Jason Campbell, looks like he'll be the keeper at the pro level.

BUT WAIT, THERE'S LESS

Detroit's a good team to play when down a top wideout (as the Skins were without Moss)—according to Football Outsiders, the Lions excel at stopping the opponent's #1 receiver (6th in the NFL), but can't stop the dude on the other side (30th in the NFL). In this case, everyone was #2, as Campbell hit 8 different receivers.

This Week In The SSW

For years — OK, a couple of days — Slate writer Robert Weintraub has been tinkering with a concept called The SSW, short for "The Sean Salisbury Wisdom," which tracks the consensus of the football punditocracy to ensure those triumphant declarations from Friday aren't flushed down the memory hole on Monday. Here's this week's SSW.

PREVIOUS SSW

Finally, Romeo sees the light, and the City of the Big Shoulders unclenches its collective fists.

NEW SSW

Can Hope Solo throw a spiral? How about defend the onside kick return? Flash ahead a month, when Rex is back in as QB for the 3-6 Bears.

Introducing The SSW

For years — OK, a couple of days — Slate writer Robert Weintraub has been tinkering with a concept called The SSW. He might have finally mastered it. This morning, we allow him to introduce his invention to the planet.

The SSW. Or, as it's known in longhand, the Sean Salisbury Wisdom. The SSW represents the I Formation I Ching, the consensus of the football punditocracy, the "Let me tell ya something about this here game" obviousness that the Pigskin Pee-Wee Herman and the rest of the phony-tough, kicker-hating, horse-laughing "experts" who conspire to build the consensus of the SSW bark from the teevee 28 hours or so a day during the week.

Only to be proven wrong on Sunday.