Well, the AFC looks just as wide open as ever. If I had to pick a team who is playing best right now, I would say it's the Chargers. I still can't trust a team with Norv Turner at the helm.
How in the world is Sebastian Janikowski still kicking for the Raiders? Is he the most tenured kicker in the NFL w/ one team now?
Thats why I said earlier I wouldn't be surprised if we kept it close, the Raiders have always played the Bengals pretty well... and also they usually put together 1 good game out of 4.
He was drafted in 2000. Thats only 9 years. Jason Hanson is still kicking for the Lions, he's been there since the early 90s.
Jason Hanson has like 17 years with the Lions. David Akers has 10 years with the Eagles. Sebastian is #3 in tenure at 9 years. Hard to believe the Lions have had the same kicker that long. You'd think there'd be some turnover at some point, especially for the Raiders.
They drafted Janikowki and Lechler in that draft. With Jano, he was a 1st round pick... he was shaky for a few seasons... but he settled down and he's a pretty good kicker... Kicked a 57 yard game winner last year against Favre and the Jets in overtime. Lechler on the other hand is probably the greatest punter in NFL history. He's still chasing the NFL record for punting average in a season (50 yards is the standard) and I think this year he might actually do it.
I try not to engage in too much auto-fellatio, at least figuratively, but damn if I didn't see this coming. Hopefully we'll bounce back and handle our business the rest of the season.
