Eventful season has seen plenty of good, bad, ugly

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In an NFL season not soon to be forgotten — mostly because of the New England Patriots’ hunt for perfection — Minnesota Vikings rookie Adrian Peterson staged one of the most memorable moments.

On Nov. 4 in Minneapolis, Peterson rushed for a league-record 296 yards as the Vikings embarrassed the San Diego defense in a 35-17 victory.

Several other players have had similar breakout performances, including:

• The Patriots’ tandem of Tom Brady, who has passed for 48 touchdowns and 4,450 yards through 15 games, and Randy Moss, with 21 touchdown catches;

• Brett Favre, who at age 38 has led Green Bay to a 12-3 record and back into Super Bowl contention;

• Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo, who has lifted his team to a 13-2 mark while winning the affection of Jessica Simpson;

• Colts quarterback Peyton Manning, who set a record for commercials after winning his first Super Bowl.

On the flip side, abysmal teams, bad coaches and disappointing players abound.

So many quarterbacks were terrible — Alex Smith, Tarvaris Jackson, Brodie Croyle and Chad Pennington immediately come to mind — that making a comprehensive list with fewer than 20 names is impossible.

Two coaching has-beens are begging for criticism, and let’s start with Brian Billick. The Baltimore Ravens, a league-worst 2-13 against the spread, blew a shot to spoil the Patriots’ perfect season and then, thanks to Billick’s idiocy, lost in overtime to the previously 0-13 Miami Dolphins.

Mike Shanahan also has done a pitiful job with the Denver Broncos, who are 4-11 against the spread.

But I’ll give Shanahan one more chance. As good as Peterson is, and despite the Vikings still being in the playoff picture, the Broncos should be tired of getting whipped.

Denver looks like a decent bet as a 3-point home underdog Sunday.

It feels like the preseason with so many meaningless games on the schedule and so many star players expected to be resting. But I did better betting the preseason than the regular season, so here are my other four guesses for Week 17 (home team in CAPS):

• Cowboys (+9) over REDSKINS: Washington obviously needs the win to get in the playoffs, and Dallas will be sitting some starters. But expect the Cowboys to give a legitimate effort even if Romo is smiling on the sideline. The Redskins rarely win by more than a touchdown.

• BEARS (+2) over Saints: Late in the season, Chicago’s defense has toughened up, and the team has played with pride. In a shocker, Kyle Orton was a better bad-weather quarterback than Favre last week. New Orleans has no running attack and will need a huge passing effort from Drew Brees.

• COLTS (+6) over Titans: Peyton Manning won’t play much for Indianapolis, and Jim Sorgi is a weak backup quarterback. Tennessee, which scored 10 points against the Jets last week, is laying too many points on the road.

• Chargers (-8) over RAIDERS: LaDainian Tomlinson has 1,418 yards and wants to win the rushing title. He leads the Vikings’ Peterson, who has 1,305 yards. San Diego can rest starters and win by 10.

Last week: 2-3 against the spread

Season: 34-42-4

Review-Journal sportswriter Matt Youmans can be reached at 387-2907 or myoumans@reviewjournal.com.