Sorry for the missed week everyone.
Let's pick up where we left off.
The Steelers are still a dominant team, and the Cardinals rebounded after a tough opening week loss. Oh, how the mighty have fallen.
1. New York Giants (3-0): The Giants are a well-rounded team. The best part? They are winning with their passing game. Eli Manning may finally be an NFL quarterback. The defence dominated Tampa Bay. They have a baby soft schedule for a few weeks.
2. Baltimore Ravens (3-0): The Ravens made a great choice in trading up for Joe Flacco in last year's draft. They are running the ball well, and the defence played a lot better. Now let's see if they can stop an NFL team (sorry Browns fans).
3. Indianapolis Colts (3-0): When this team gets Bob Sanders back, that defence will be that much better. Peyton Manning wins games, so this team is on the right track. With Tennessee all but out of the picture, it seems the division is the Colts to lose.
4. New York Jets (3-0): Is this team as good as we think they are? Well, we should find out this weekend against the Saints. Mark Sanchez looked human against Tennessee, but this defence is playing amazing. Props to Rex Ryan, he backs up the smack.
5. New Orleans Saints (3-0): The Saints couldn't throw the ball against the Bills. So what? Pierre Thomas owned the fourth quarter, and the defence didn't allow an offensive touchdown. The Saints just keep getting better, and could run away with the division.
6. Minnesota Vikings (3-0): Believing in Brett Favre yet? That 50 yard LASER to win the game on Sunday showed he still has it. Combine that with the defence and the running game, oh boy. Huge matchup against Green Bay on Monday Night Football.
7. New England Patriots (2-1): Could be 1-2 at this point, but Tom Terrific is getting the job done. Now they seem to have a running game with Fred Taylor. The defence is still a concern, but they did a good job shutting down the Falcons attack.
8. Atlanta Falcons (2-1): Should they be worried? Probably not, but this is a good time for the bye week. They need to regroup after a tough road loss. They need to come out of the bye running better, and that falls on Michael Turner. The defence is still very good.
9. Chicago Bears (2-1): The Jay Culter experiment looks better each week. Matt Forte has been a disappointment, but the defence is playing very well despite the loss of Brian Urlacher. They need to keep winning to keep up with the Vikes and Packers. The Lions will help.
10. Dallas Cowboys (2-1): The Cowboys need to play a full game, but their offence could be great if all three RBs are healthy. The defence played a lot better against Carolina. Will they slow down the "Powerful" Broncos, or will they wilt under a pressure game. Who knows?
11. Cincinnati Bengals (2-1): I don't care what you say, the Bengals beat the Steelers, so they get this high. They played very good defence, and the offence played well when it had to. Carson Palmer is starting to get back into a rhythm.
12. San Diego Chargers (2-1): LT should be back soon, but the Chargers are fine as long as Philip Rivers can keep throwing. They face a tough test against Pittsburgh this week, with the chance to bury the Champs. Darren Sproles is proving he isn't a feature back.
13. Green Bay Packers (2-1): They will be fired up for the Brett Favre show on MNF. Aaron Rodgers needs to come out and have a very good game. The running game still isn't going right, and the defence struggled against the Rams. They need to step up this week.
14. San Francsico 49ers (2-1): Fox Sports said it right. They are a Brett Favre laser away from being 3-0. They have to be happy with the play of Shaun Hill, but being without Frank Gore for three games could be fatal. The defence has been fairly good.
15. Denver Broncos (3-0): They get a chance to prove they are for real this week against Dallas. The defence has been suffocating, but they haven't played an overwhelming offence quite yet. Kyle Orton has done everything right, and they have a great running game behind him.
16. Philadelphia Eagles (2-1): They get McNabb back after the bye, but do they really need him? Kevin Kolb has been great, and they still have Mike Vick. Are the trade winds blowing in the city of Brotherly love? The defence will get a boost from Trotter.
17. Pittsburgh Steelers (1-2): Are the Champs in big trouble if they fall this week to San Diego? They could be in big trouble, but we have saw this team recover before. They have lost two close games, so they need to keep their morale up and get a win. Willie Parker is back.
18. Arizona Cardinals (1-2): The Madden curse is coming for Larry Fitzgerald...book it. This team is lost, and the Bye comes at the right time. The defence needs to play at the form it was in the playoffs, and it starts with DRC.
19. Tennessee Titans (0-3): The best 0-3 team, but there is a distinct possibility they start 0-6. They need a win in Jacksonville this weekend. Kerry Collins may need to ride the bench real soon if this team doesn't start winning.
20. Seattle Seahawks (1-2): They were two Olindo Mare kicks from at least overtime on Sunday. The defence needs to be better, and they have to permanently retire those gawd awful jerseys. Saneca Wallace looked decent though.
21. Jacksonville Jaguars (1-2): They got a big win against Houston, but they need to keep up the momentum against a reeling Tennessee team this weekend. The running game has been brilliant, but the defence has to play better, so does David Garrard.
22. Buffalo Bills (1-2): They couldn't get anything going against the Saints defence. Trent Edwards has to be better. Whether it is him or offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt, they have to start getting the ball to T.O. and Lee Evans. Getting Lynch back should help.
23. Houston Texans (1-2): The Texans are in trouble. They have the passing game, but Steve Slaton needs to get going. He should this week against Oakland. The defence has way too many first round picks invested in it to be this bad.
24. Detroit Lions (1-2): LIONS WIN LIONS WIN LIONS WIN LIONS WIN LIONS WIN LIONS WIN LIONS WIN LIONS WIN LIONS WIN LIONS WIN LIONS WIN LIONS WIN LIONS WIN LIONS WIN LIONS WIN LIONS WIN
25 Washington Redskins (1-2): Brutal. They should not have lost to the Lions. Jason Campbell did everything he could, but without the run support the offence won't click. They didn't get to rookie Matt Stafford, and he made them pay. The Jon Gruden Countdown begins.
26. Carolina Panthers (0-3): They showed a bit of life against Dallas, but in the end it doesn't even matter. They should have fed Deangelo Williams the ball more, as he was having a good night. Delhomme needs to stop missing WRs, and the WRs have to finish thier routes. A mess.
27. Oakland Raiders (1-2): They got a win against Kansas City, but they need a new franchise quarterback. Sorry Al, the Raiders aren't going anywhere until they either replace Jamarcus Russell, or find a way to make him better.
28. Kansas City Chiefs (0-3): This team was supposed to be a lot better with Matt Cassell. They aren't. They have to do something to get the running game going. The defence has been decent, but don't expect more than 3 wins from this team.
29. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (0-3): That was a miserable performance against the Giants. It cost Byron Leftwich his job. They should just hand the keys over to Josh Freeman. The defence is brutal as well, so much for the Tampa 2. It's more like the Tampa 200 now.
30. Miami Dolphins (0-3): They can't win without Chad Pennington. At least for a game or two they are giving Chad Henne a chance. He may even get them a win against Buffalo if he can stay mistake-free. The defence will help, but they only go as far as the Wildcat will take them.
31. Cleveland Browns (0-3): It doesn't appear to matter what QB plays for Cleveland, because they aren't gonna win many games. The Mangenius is a terrible coach, and it is showing yet again. They are in complete rebuild mode now, and watch the Braylon Edwards trade rumors.
32. St Louis Rams (0-3): Kyle Boller performed better than Marc Bulger, and that's not good for the Rams. Steven Jackson looks better this year, but they may get the second overall pick for the 3rd year in a row.
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Can The Vikings Be Stopped?
It seemed when Brett Favre signed with the Minnesota Vikings, many people were still skeptical whether or not he could have an impact.
Well, from watching this past weekend's Lions-Vikings game live, I really don't think there will be a team in the NFC that can compete with the Vikes.
Honestly, we all knew what we would get from Adrian Peterson. He is atonishing to watch in person by the way. We knew the predictions. He's going for 2000. He will likely be the MVP. The moves this guy make are unbelievable.
But, the addition of Favre brought a passing game with it. Sure, many watched as Brett collapsed late last season. The 22 interceptions caused a lot of football fans to doubt whether or not the signing of Favre would even improve the quarterback situation in Minny. How do those people feel now?
Favre was 23 of 27 on Sunday, for only 155 yards and two TDs. Some say he can't throw the ball downfield anymore. But, the good part is that he hasn't had to. With AP running, and Favre making manageable throws, the Vikings could be tough to beat in the NFC.
Another factor is the defence. It is much better than last year. They still have the huge defensive line, but the players that impressed me were the linebackers. Chad Greenway is a phenomenal player, as evidenced by his two interception, one fumble recovery day against Detroit.
The secondary also did a great job shutting down Calvin Johnson (for the most part). The line still got pressure from somewhere other than Jared Allen as well.
If this all continues (and I know it was Detroit), the Vikes could be the team to beat in the NFC North. They have a huge matchup this week against San Francisco. (Did I just say "huge game" and "San Francisco" in the same sentence...wow)
Well, from watching this past weekend's Lions-Vikings game live, I really don't think there will be a team in the NFC that can compete with the Vikes.
Honestly, we all knew what we would get from Adrian Peterson. He is atonishing to watch in person by the way. We knew the predictions. He's going for 2000. He will likely be the MVP. The moves this guy make are unbelievable.
But, the addition of Favre brought a passing game with it. Sure, many watched as Brett collapsed late last season. The 22 interceptions caused a lot of football fans to doubt whether or not the signing of Favre would even improve the quarterback situation in Minny. How do those people feel now?
Favre was 23 of 27 on Sunday, for only 155 yards and two TDs. Some say he can't throw the ball downfield anymore. But, the good part is that he hasn't had to. With AP running, and Favre making manageable throws, the Vikings could be tough to beat in the NFC.
Another factor is the defence. It is much better than last year. They still have the huge defensive line, but the players that impressed me were the linebackers. Chad Greenway is a phenomenal player, as evidenced by his two interception, one fumble recovery day against Detroit.
The secondary also did a great job shutting down Calvin Johnson (for the most part). The line still got pressure from somewhere other than Jared Allen as well.
If this all continues (and I know it was Detroit), the Vikes could be the team to beat in the NFC North. They have a huge matchup this week against San Francisco. (Did I just say "huge game" and "San Francisco" in the same sentence...wow)
Saturday, September 19, 2009
Preparing For An Uncapped Season
Let's face it football fans, we may be close to an uncapped 2010 NFL season. As much as I hate to admit it, it doesn't appear the NFL and the Player's Association are any closer to reaching a deal that will stop the madness.
But what effect will an uncapped season have on the league?
Well, many teams are already being careful with their money, as player contracts will likely explode next summer. No cap will mean teams like Washington, Dallas, and the pair of New York teams that like to throw money around will have the best chance to get top players.
I mean, take a look at some of the possible free agents going into next summer.
LB Demarcus Ware, LB Shawne Merriman, LB Demeco Ryans, DE Julius Peppers, S O.J. Atogwe, WR Brandon Marshall, WR Braylon Edwards, RB Ronnie Brown, RB LenDale White
As you can see, there will be a lot of money thrown around to these top names. This doesn't even count the large number of veterans that could be released before the free agent period starts next March.
The only way this deal gets resolved is if the Player's decide to take a serious pay cut. I mean, veteran players will still get their money. No question. It's the rookies that have the most to lose.
The prospect of a rookie cap has to worry the players. But, let's be reasonable for a minute. The first round pick in next year's NFL Draft (whoever the Lions get) will get almost $50 million in guarenteed money. GUARENTEED money to a player that has never touched a NFL field, and could flop worse than Free Willy in his first game and never play again.
Yes, I realize there are guys like Peyton Manning and Troy Aikman that live up to the #1 overall hype. There are far too many players that flop in the first round for teams to be investing this kind of money.
I think the rookie cap is a great idea. Go out on the field, and play for your money. I think the NHL has done it right. Make the rookie sign for a certain amount based on his draft position, and make it a short term deal that allows them to become a restricted free agent after a few years in the league. THAN they can get their big bucks.
I realize most players are not in it for the money, that most are still playing football because it is what they love. But in these days of agents and lucrative deals, it's time to bring this back into perspective.
Football is a game, and for many a job. But for us, the fans, we just want to see the game played fair and so every team has a chance.
If the uncapped season happens, it will be very hard to get the cap in place, which would prove deadly for teams like Buffalo, who's market can't support a free-spending team.
In short, let's get a deal done soon, so the NFL doesn't go the way of the NHL, a locked out season that would kill all momentum that was made in the Paul Tagliabue era
But what effect will an uncapped season have on the league?
Well, many teams are already being careful with their money, as player contracts will likely explode next summer. No cap will mean teams like Washington, Dallas, and the pair of New York teams that like to throw money around will have the best chance to get top players.
I mean, take a look at some of the possible free agents going into next summer.
LB Demarcus Ware, LB Shawne Merriman, LB Demeco Ryans, DE Julius Peppers, S O.J. Atogwe, WR Brandon Marshall, WR Braylon Edwards, RB Ronnie Brown, RB LenDale White
As you can see, there will be a lot of money thrown around to these top names. This doesn't even count the large number of veterans that could be released before the free agent period starts next March.
The only way this deal gets resolved is if the Player's decide to take a serious pay cut. I mean, veteran players will still get their money. No question. It's the rookies that have the most to lose.
The prospect of a rookie cap has to worry the players. But, let's be reasonable for a minute. The first round pick in next year's NFL Draft (whoever the Lions get) will get almost $50 million in guarenteed money. GUARENTEED money to a player that has never touched a NFL field, and could flop worse than Free Willy in his first game and never play again.
Yes, I realize there are guys like Peyton Manning and Troy Aikman that live up to the #1 overall hype. There are far too many players that flop in the first round for teams to be investing this kind of money.
I think the rookie cap is a great idea. Go out on the field, and play for your money. I think the NHL has done it right. Make the rookie sign for a certain amount based on his draft position, and make it a short term deal that allows them to become a restricted free agent after a few years in the league. THAN they can get their big bucks.
I realize most players are not in it for the money, that most are still playing football because it is what they love. But in these days of agents and lucrative deals, it's time to bring this back into perspective.
Football is a game, and for many a job. But for us, the fans, we just want to see the game played fair and so every team has a chance.
If the uncapped season happens, it will be very hard to get the cap in place, which would prove deadly for teams like Buffalo, who's market can't support a free-spending team.
In short, let's get a deal done soon, so the NFL doesn't go the way of the NHL, a locked out season that would kill all momentum that was made in the Paul Tagliabue era
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Cowboys Fine Without T.O.
Some thought it couldn't be done. Some probably still don't think it can be done long term. But, Tony Romo's performance in Week one has this Cowboys fan convinced.
Terrell Owens is gone yes, and where on Earth could the touchdowns come from? Well, Romo showed in week one that he can throw to someone other than Jason Witten, connecting with six different receivers, including three different TD catchers (Miles Austin, Patrick Crayton and Roy Williams).
Many people thought Williams wouldn't be able to pick up where T.O. left off. Well, now the offence can be more diverse, as Romo isn't forced to feed the ball to one certain target.
It also helps that they have three solid RBs to take the pressure off the running game.
Now, over the long term, you may still be asking where the TDs will come from.
All you need to know is that the three aforementioned WRs will pick up most of the slack, with Witten and Martellus Bennett picking up the rest.
Tony Romo will be fine. He had a full offseason to do nothing but focus on football, and it clearly showed with his pre-season and week one play. Now we just need to see if he can win in December and possibly January.
Roy Williams needs to play like this all year, however, if he wants to live up to the trade value they gave for him. He is being treated like a first round pick this year, and is being paid as such. They need at least 1,100 yards and 10 TDs from him if they hope to make the playoffs.
Do I think Romo is going to throw 40 TDs? Not at all. But if he comes close to the 36 he put up a few years ago, the Cowboys should contend for a playoff spot.
Terrell Owens is gone yes, and where on Earth could the touchdowns come from? Well, Romo showed in week one that he can throw to someone other than Jason Witten, connecting with six different receivers, including three different TD catchers (Miles Austin, Patrick Crayton and Roy Williams).
Many people thought Williams wouldn't be able to pick up where T.O. left off. Well, now the offence can be more diverse, as Romo isn't forced to feed the ball to one certain target.
It also helps that they have three solid RBs to take the pressure off the running game.
Now, over the long term, you may still be asking where the TDs will come from.
All you need to know is that the three aforementioned WRs will pick up most of the slack, with Witten and Martellus Bennett picking up the rest.
Tony Romo will be fine. He had a full offseason to do nothing but focus on football, and it clearly showed with his pre-season and week one play. Now we just need to see if he can win in December and possibly January.
Roy Williams needs to play like this all year, however, if he wants to live up to the trade value they gave for him. He is being treated like a first round pick this year, and is being paid as such. They need at least 1,100 yards and 10 TDs from him if they hope to make the playoffs.
Do I think Romo is going to throw 40 TDs? Not at all. But if he comes close to the 36 he put up a few years ago, the Cowboys should contend for a playoff spot.
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Power Rankings Week Two
What a wacky week. For those who read JVZ's insights...you know what a shocker week one really was.
So how on Earth could we rank the teams after week one?
Let's take a look.
1. Pittsburgh Steelers: It took overtime, but the Champs got it done in the end. The running game needs to be better, but Big Ben played very good. Also, the defence did a good job shutting down the Johnson-White attack.
2. New England Patriots: The Pats didn't look good for about 55 minutes of Monday Night's game against Buffalo. Tom Terrific showed why he is the best, however, by leading two TD drives to win the game. That defence played brutal for most of the game.
3. New Orleans Saints: Drew Brees dominated the Lions, so that moves them slightly above the Colts. The defence stiffened when it had too, but the Lions should have never been close. They have to like the sleeper value of Mike Bell, as long as Pierre Thomas is hurt.
4. Indianapolis Colts: They could have stayed #3, but they really struggled to beat the Jags. Peyton Manning had a few costly turnovers, and the running game was average. Props to the defence though, as they shut down the Jags attack when they had to.
5. New York Giants: The Giants had a hard time against the Skins, but they proved they are still the team to beat in the NFC East. The running game is always fierce, and the defence was glad to have Osi Umenyiora back in the line up.
6. Philadelphia Eagles: A dominating win over a playoff team. Both the offence and defence played amazing. But, down go Donovan McNabb and Shawn Andrews. The injury woes continue for the Eagles. I don't know if they are a playoff team without McNabb.
7. San Diego Chargers: The Chargers let the Raiders hang in there, but Darren Sproles ran for the game winning TD late. The running game was average, but Phillip Rivers continues to shine. The defence will need to play better. Is this division closer than it should be?
8. Green Bay Packers: The Pack needed a late TD from Aaron Rodgers to get the win, but how may Cheeseheads breathed a sigh of relief seeing their team win a close game? The 3-4 defence played very well, getting in Jay Cutler's head and grabbing four INTs.
9. Baltimore Ravens: Joe Flacco looks amazing. The new feature back Ray Rice looked great as well. We get a chance to see what they really have this week as they take on the Chargers. The defence will need to play better, KC should not have been that close.
10. Atlanta Falcons: Matt Ryan looks amazing. The defence totally shut down the Miami Wildcats, and the offence was functional without a running game. If this is the real Falcons, all that Super Bowl hype may actually be warrented.
11. Tennessee Titans: The Titans forced overtime against the defending Champs, and that has to be a plus. But, the running game was not what it should be, and they can't win games through the air. The defence was very stout, even without Albert Haynesworth.
12. Dallas Cowboys: A dominating performance from Tony Romo, and the running game was solid as well. The defence has to be a concern going into the matchup against the Giants. They allowed a refurbished Cadillac run wild on them.
13. Arizona Cardinals: The Super Bowl hangover continues...so it would seem. Kurt Warner and the offence played miserable, and the defence was average at best. They have to be worried for Larry Fitzgerald, as the Madden Curse has already claimed Troy Polamalu.
14. Minnesota Vikings: The Adrian Peterson show ran wild in the second half against Cleveland. Unfortunetely, Brett Favre didn't look too good in his first start. The good news Vikings fans? He doesn't have to be amazing for this team to compete for a Super Bowl.
15. Seattle Seahawks: It was ugly, yes. But, a win is a win. The did shut out the Rams, so they have to be high on the defence. But they should have concern about Matt Hasselbeck's two INTs against a brutal Ram defence.
16. New York Jets: Mark Sanchez looked good, and the running game was still very effective. Are the Jets really that good, or are the Texans really that bad? Mark Sanchez to Chansey Stuckey looks like it could be a lethal combination.
17. San Francisco 49ers: Man they looked good on Sunday. They shut down one of the top offenses in the league, and they moved the ball effectively themselves. Shaun Hill only wins football games, so it appears the choice to start him is warrented, for now.
18. Cincinnati Bengals: The Bungels sure didn't look like an explosive offence did they? Props to the defence for shutting the Broncos down for 59 1/2 minutes. Too bad they couldn't get both hand's on that eventual game-winning pass to Brandon Stokley.
19. Washington Redskins: They played the Giants tough, and that has to be a good sign for this team. They didn't appear to have a lot of faith in Jason Campbell. The defence looked great, but the offence will have to improve greatly for this team to compete.
20. Carolina Panthers: Jeez, that was miserable. Jake Delhomme may have to get more security around his house if he keeps throwing that many INTs. A.J. Feeley is not the answer either. That running game will have to be even better with the QB problems.
21. Houston Texans: They played awful, and this is a team that wants to make the playoffs? Matt Schaub doesn't seem like a solid starter anymore, and Steve Slaton stepped into a week one sophomore slump. The defence played alright, but they should have got to Sanchez more.
22. Buffalo Bills: They took the Pats to the limit, and now Leodis McKelvin's lawn has been vandalized. The TO show got off to a rough start, but there has to be green pastures in the future. Otherwise, how long before the controversial one explodes?
23. Jacksonville Jaguars: They just about stole one from Indy. The running game was good, but they need a lot more from David Garrard. They really got to Peyton Manning though, and that has to be a good sign for the defence moving forward.
24. Miami Dolphins: The offence sure didn't look the same did it? Chad Pennington will need to be replaced sooner rather than later if they don't start winning games. The Falcons defence is not that good. They did a good job of shutting down Michael Turner though.
25. Chicago Bears: That wasn't what they wanted to see from Jay Cutler. Now Brian Urlacher is done for the year. This is not a good sign for this team that has huge expectations. Will this be the end of the Lovie Smith era?
26. Denver Broncos: I don't care that they won. It was a lucky catch to win. Kyle Orton and the the offence looked miserable. The defence did a good job shutting down the Bengals attack, but they will need more than 12 points to get most of their wins.
27. Kansas City Chiefs: They kept it close against the Ravens, without thier starting QB. That has to be a good sign. If they can get Larry Johnson going, they may have a decent offence. But, the defence couldn't stop a thing.
28. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: They kept it close with Dallas for the first half. Cadillac is back, which gives them three solid RBs. Byron Leftwich was good as well, so that will be a good sign until Josh Freeman is ready. The defence played like garbage.
29. Cleveland Browns: The Browns gave me exactly what I thought the would. A below average performance from the offence, and an even worse performance from the defence. I've heard Derek Anderson trade rumours...They better not pull the trigger too quickly.
30. Oakland Raiders: The Raid-uhs did a good job staying with the Chargers, but the defence couldn't hold up when they had to. JaMarcus Russell needs to step up soon or this team won't win many games.
31. St Louis Rams: Brutal...that's all you can really say. The offence couldn't get going. The D kept it close for a while, but with no offence, it wasn't even worth it.
32. Detroit Lions: They won't move up in my rankings until they win again. Matt Stafford didn't show much, and the defence was terrible. Think they want a mulligan so they can get Mark Sanchez?
So how on Earth could we rank the teams after week one?
Let's take a look.
1. Pittsburgh Steelers: It took overtime, but the Champs got it done in the end. The running game needs to be better, but Big Ben played very good. Also, the defence did a good job shutting down the Johnson-White attack.
2. New England Patriots: The Pats didn't look good for about 55 minutes of Monday Night's game against Buffalo. Tom Terrific showed why he is the best, however, by leading two TD drives to win the game. That defence played brutal for most of the game.
3. New Orleans Saints: Drew Brees dominated the Lions, so that moves them slightly above the Colts. The defence stiffened when it had too, but the Lions should have never been close. They have to like the sleeper value of Mike Bell, as long as Pierre Thomas is hurt.
4. Indianapolis Colts: They could have stayed #3, but they really struggled to beat the Jags. Peyton Manning had a few costly turnovers, and the running game was average. Props to the defence though, as they shut down the Jags attack when they had to.
5. New York Giants: The Giants had a hard time against the Skins, but they proved they are still the team to beat in the NFC East. The running game is always fierce, and the defence was glad to have Osi Umenyiora back in the line up.
6. Philadelphia Eagles: A dominating win over a playoff team. Both the offence and defence played amazing. But, down go Donovan McNabb and Shawn Andrews. The injury woes continue for the Eagles. I don't know if they are a playoff team without McNabb.
7. San Diego Chargers: The Chargers let the Raiders hang in there, but Darren Sproles ran for the game winning TD late. The running game was average, but Phillip Rivers continues to shine. The defence will need to play better. Is this division closer than it should be?
8. Green Bay Packers: The Pack needed a late TD from Aaron Rodgers to get the win, but how may Cheeseheads breathed a sigh of relief seeing their team win a close game? The 3-4 defence played very well, getting in Jay Cutler's head and grabbing four INTs.
9. Baltimore Ravens: Joe Flacco looks amazing. The new feature back Ray Rice looked great as well. We get a chance to see what they really have this week as they take on the Chargers. The defence will need to play better, KC should not have been that close.
10. Atlanta Falcons: Matt Ryan looks amazing. The defence totally shut down the Miami Wildcats, and the offence was functional without a running game. If this is the real Falcons, all that Super Bowl hype may actually be warrented.
11. Tennessee Titans: The Titans forced overtime against the defending Champs, and that has to be a plus. But, the running game was not what it should be, and they can't win games through the air. The defence was very stout, even without Albert Haynesworth.
12. Dallas Cowboys: A dominating performance from Tony Romo, and the running game was solid as well. The defence has to be a concern going into the matchup against the Giants. They allowed a refurbished Cadillac run wild on them.
13. Arizona Cardinals: The Super Bowl hangover continues...so it would seem. Kurt Warner and the offence played miserable, and the defence was average at best. They have to be worried for Larry Fitzgerald, as the Madden Curse has already claimed Troy Polamalu.
14. Minnesota Vikings: The Adrian Peterson show ran wild in the second half against Cleveland. Unfortunetely, Brett Favre didn't look too good in his first start. The good news Vikings fans? He doesn't have to be amazing for this team to compete for a Super Bowl.
15. Seattle Seahawks: It was ugly, yes. But, a win is a win. The did shut out the Rams, so they have to be high on the defence. But they should have concern about Matt Hasselbeck's two INTs against a brutal Ram defence.
16. New York Jets: Mark Sanchez looked good, and the running game was still very effective. Are the Jets really that good, or are the Texans really that bad? Mark Sanchez to Chansey Stuckey looks like it could be a lethal combination.
17. San Francisco 49ers: Man they looked good on Sunday. They shut down one of the top offenses in the league, and they moved the ball effectively themselves. Shaun Hill only wins football games, so it appears the choice to start him is warrented, for now.
18. Cincinnati Bengals: The Bungels sure didn't look like an explosive offence did they? Props to the defence for shutting the Broncos down for 59 1/2 minutes. Too bad they couldn't get both hand's on that eventual game-winning pass to Brandon Stokley.
19. Washington Redskins: They played the Giants tough, and that has to be a good sign for this team. They didn't appear to have a lot of faith in Jason Campbell. The defence looked great, but the offence will have to improve greatly for this team to compete.
20. Carolina Panthers: Jeez, that was miserable. Jake Delhomme may have to get more security around his house if he keeps throwing that many INTs. A.J. Feeley is not the answer either. That running game will have to be even better with the QB problems.
21. Houston Texans: They played awful, and this is a team that wants to make the playoffs? Matt Schaub doesn't seem like a solid starter anymore, and Steve Slaton stepped into a week one sophomore slump. The defence played alright, but they should have got to Sanchez more.
22. Buffalo Bills: They took the Pats to the limit, and now Leodis McKelvin's lawn has been vandalized. The TO show got off to a rough start, but there has to be green pastures in the future. Otherwise, how long before the controversial one explodes?
23. Jacksonville Jaguars: They just about stole one from Indy. The running game was good, but they need a lot more from David Garrard. They really got to Peyton Manning though, and that has to be a good sign for the defence moving forward.
24. Miami Dolphins: The offence sure didn't look the same did it? Chad Pennington will need to be replaced sooner rather than later if they don't start winning games. The Falcons defence is not that good. They did a good job of shutting down Michael Turner though.
25. Chicago Bears: That wasn't what they wanted to see from Jay Cutler. Now Brian Urlacher is done for the year. This is not a good sign for this team that has huge expectations. Will this be the end of the Lovie Smith era?
26. Denver Broncos: I don't care that they won. It was a lucky catch to win. Kyle Orton and the the offence looked miserable. The defence did a good job shutting down the Bengals attack, but they will need more than 12 points to get most of their wins.
27. Kansas City Chiefs: They kept it close against the Ravens, without thier starting QB. That has to be a good sign. If they can get Larry Johnson going, they may have a decent offence. But, the defence couldn't stop a thing.
28. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: They kept it close with Dallas for the first half. Cadillac is back, which gives them three solid RBs. Byron Leftwich was good as well, so that will be a good sign until Josh Freeman is ready. The defence played like garbage.
29. Cleveland Browns: The Browns gave me exactly what I thought the would. A below average performance from the offence, and an even worse performance from the defence. I've heard Derek Anderson trade rumours...They better not pull the trigger too quickly.
30. Oakland Raiders: The Raid-uhs did a good job staying with the Chargers, but the defence couldn't hold up when they had to. JaMarcus Russell needs to step up soon or this team won't win many games.
31. St Louis Rams: Brutal...that's all you can really say. The offence couldn't get going. The D kept it close for a while, but with no offence, it wasn't even worth it.
32. Detroit Lions: They won't move up in my rankings until they win again. Matt Stafford didn't show much, and the defence was terrible. Think they want a mulligan so they can get Mark Sanchez?
Monday, September 14, 2009
JVZ's Insights --- Week One
What a weekend it was...
From the thriller Thursday night in Pittsburgh, all the way through Aaron Rodgers beautiful TD pass to Greg Jennings Sunday Night.
But with great football sometimes comes great heartache.
Let's take a look at the Week One Matchups.
Pittsburgh 13, Tennessee 10 (OT)
- Honestly, how scary is the Roethlisberger-to-Holmes connection now. Jeez. The Steelers seem to be straying away from the run abit, but it may have had something to do with the lackluster pass rush from the Titans.
- Pretty much what we expected from the Steelers D. They shut down every facet of the Titans attack. I did like the play of Kerry Collins for the most part, but they obviously need the running game to work if they hope to win any games.
Next Week: Pit @ Chi, Hou @ Ten
Atlanta 19, Miami 7
- Atlanta appears to be the real deal. Matt Ryan played great, and the defence shut down the Wildphins. They may have to worry about Michael Turner, as he didn't do much against aan average Miami D.
- On the flip side, the Phins need to play better on offence. They won't sneak up on anyone this year, and there is a good chance they won't repeat as division champs.
Next Week: Car @ Atl, Ind @ Mia (Mon)
Baltimore 38, Kansas City 24
- Baltimore looked great on offence. Joe Flacco is the real deal, as is new starting RB Ray Rice. They have to worry about the defence, because giving up this many points to Kansas City without their star QB is troublesome.
- Kansas City probably didn't think they a solid QB option in Brodie Croyle, but he made a claim for the job with this performance. It's a shame that he won't get another oppourtunity to show himself, as Matt Cassell is expected back soon.
Next Week: Bal @ San, Oak @ KC
Philadelphia 38, Carolina 10
- Uh oh. It appears Donovan McNabb has a cracked rib. Could this be the end of his era in Philly? Well, Kevin Kolb will likely start next week. But don't fret Eagles fans, the defence played amazing. And you still have Brian Westbrook (for now).
- Uh oh again. Jake Delhomme has 9 INTs in his last two starts. Not good for Panthers fans. He better get that turned around quick or the playoffs will be a distant memory for this squad. Matt Moore to the rescue!?
Next Week: NO @ Phi, Car @ Atl
Denver 12, Cincinnati 7
- Talk about thrilling victories. The Broncos go down 7-6 with just over a minute left, just to watch Brandon Stokley steal the win with that amazing catch and run. But, the Broncs have to be worried about the running game, as no one stood out on the ground.
- If this is a healthy Carson Palmer, the Bungels are in trouble. Benson looked good, but they need more from the passing game. Unfortunate break for the defence, as they played well for 58 minutes, and got the tip on the TD pass. Another bad break for a team that doesn't get many good ones.
Next Week: Cle @ Den, Cin @ GB
Minnesota 34, Cleveland 20
- Good news for Minny. Brett Favre looked good. AP look amazing. The defence stifled the Browns attack (not saying much). The real test is to see if they can get this much of a performance against an NFL team.
- Cleveland is in trouble. Brady Quinn was pedestrian, and Jamal Lewis gets a bit older every week. The defence couldn't stop the run, and let Brett get into a rhythm. They made some progress by scoring an offensive TD in the fourth. Stay ready Derek Anderson.
Next Week: Min @ Det, Cle @ Den
NY Jets 24, Houston 7
- Mark Sanchez looks like the real deal. Thomas Jones continues to run wild, and the defence stifled the potent Houston offence. If they can make a statement against New England next week, this team will be considered a contender.
- Houston played terrible. If that's Matt Schaub, they will be regretting the Rosenfels deal. Steve Slaton and Andre Johnson were no factors as well. The defence played OK, but they should have easily handled the rookie QB.
Next Week: NE @ NYJ, Hou @ Ten
Indianapolis 14, Jacksonville 12
- Not a great showing from the Indy offence, and now they have to play without Anthony Gonzalez. The defence did a great job against the pass, but MJD had a solid day. They may have to get Marvin Harrison on the phone soon.
- The Jags did a decent job running the ball, but the positive of this game was the play of the defence. They kept them in the game. They shut down Peyton Manning, and that has to be a plus for a team that has to find an identity.
Next Week: Ind @ Mia (Mon), Ari @ Jac
New Orleans 45, Detroit 27
- Drew Brees had 6 TDs....ridiculous. He already has an edge in the MVP voting. The running game is in good hands with Mike Bell, Reggie Bush and Pierre Thomas. One worry is the play of the defence. Yes, they had 3 INTs, but this is Detroit....come on.
- The Lions kept it close for a while, but could not find an answer for Brees. They got a good look at Matthew Stafford playing under pressure, and it didn`t look too good. But, Kevin smith ran well. The defence will have to improve greatly or they may not win a game this year either.
Next Week: NO @ Phi, Min @ Det
Dallas 34, Tampa Bay 21
- The Cowboys proved they can get offence without Terrell Owens. Tony Romo looked solid, and the running game was there to back him up. They had better shore up that run defence though with the Giants on tap for next week.
- I'd be willing to bet that nobody thought Cadillac would run wild like that. Wow, that signing of Derrick Ward looks irrelevant now. They have to be worried about the play of the D, as they allowed way to many big plays.
Next Week: NYG @ Dal, TB @ Buf
San Francisco 20, Arizona 16
- Imagine what Shaun Hill could do with Michael Crabtree. All Hill does is win. And this is a huge upset of last year's division champs. The defence really surprised a lot of people, shutting down one of the better passing attacks in the league.
- What happened to this offence? Kurt Warner was not effective, and that brought down stud WRs Anquan Boldin and Larry Fitzgerald. Also, the running game continued to be enemic. The D had a pretty good showing.
Next Week: Sea @ SF, Ari @ Jac
NY Giants 24, Washington 17
- The Giants looked fairly average in week one, which is pretty much what I expected. The running game looked good, but losing Danny Ware will hurt. The defence did a good job when it had to, and clearly Osi Umenyiora has a massive impact on how the team plays.
- The Skins are in trouble if they can't get Jason Campbell going. I realize nobody wants him, but come on. Did he even throw the ball in the first quarter? Oh well, the defence was greatly improved. Albert Haynesworth looked like he was still motivated. We'll see how long that lasts.
Next Week: NYG @ Dal, Stl @ Was
Seattle 28, St Louis 0
- Despite the turnovers, the Seahawks managed to run away with this one. Julius Jones finally looks like he is motivated, and that is clearly a boost for this team. Also, that defence still looks very good. Getting Patrick Kerney back is a big boost.
- Yuck. St Louis may finally break the streak. By this I mean, they will get the #1 overall pick next year, as opposed to the #2 slot they have occupied in back-to-back drafts.
Next Week: Sea @ SF, Stl @ Was
Green Bay 21, Chicago 15
- A shaky performance from Aaron Rodgers turned out good in the end. How wide open was Greg Jennings. Wow. And the transition to the 3-4 looks like it was just what the Pack needed. They abused Jay Cutler, and got 4 INTs for their efforts.
- Chicago certainly didn't live up to the hype in week one. If that is what they got from Cutler, they better hope for a mulligan. The defence played well overall, but again....Why was Jennings that open? Figures, Cutler stinks, and Orton throws a game-winning TD.
Next Week: Cin @ GB, Pit @ Chi
New England 25, Buffalo 24
- It seemed like the Pats didn't wake up until the fourth quarter. We saw this from the Cowboys last year. Pats fans better hope Brady gets more comfortable in the pocket, or they could be in trouble against better Ds. Also, letting the Bills make it interesting is a scary thought for that D.
- The TO train may start rolling if another loss and two catch performance comes around. For the most part, the Bills dominated the game, despite the time-of-possession ratio. They need to focus on their defence in the red zone, as it became a problem late in the game.
Next Week: NE @ NYJ, TB @ Buf
San Diego 24, Oakland 20
- Seeing LT fumble was bad news, and seeing Darren Sproles succeed was bad for LT fans. The offence needs to get going, as that performance was underwhelming. The defence did a good job at confusing JaMarcus Russell.
- Props to the dysfunctional Raid-uhs. They kept this game closer than it should have been, despite the turnovers from Russell and the RBs. The defence played very well, but was unable to get a stop when they needed it. The special teams is a concern as well.
Updated Power Rankings on the way...
From the thriller Thursday night in Pittsburgh, all the way through Aaron Rodgers beautiful TD pass to Greg Jennings Sunday Night.
But with great football sometimes comes great heartache.
Let's take a look at the Week One Matchups.
Pittsburgh 13, Tennessee 10 (OT)
- Honestly, how scary is the Roethlisberger-to-Holmes connection now. Jeez. The Steelers seem to be straying away from the run abit, but it may have had something to do with the lackluster pass rush from the Titans.
- Pretty much what we expected from the Steelers D. They shut down every facet of the Titans attack. I did like the play of Kerry Collins for the most part, but they obviously need the running game to work if they hope to win any games.
Next Week: Pit @ Chi, Hou @ Ten
Atlanta 19, Miami 7
- Atlanta appears to be the real deal. Matt Ryan played great, and the defence shut down the Wildphins. They may have to worry about Michael Turner, as he didn't do much against aan average Miami D.
- On the flip side, the Phins need to play better on offence. They won't sneak up on anyone this year, and there is a good chance they won't repeat as division champs.
Next Week: Car @ Atl, Ind @ Mia (Mon)
Baltimore 38, Kansas City 24
- Baltimore looked great on offence. Joe Flacco is the real deal, as is new starting RB Ray Rice. They have to worry about the defence, because giving up this many points to Kansas City without their star QB is troublesome.
- Kansas City probably didn't think they a solid QB option in Brodie Croyle, but he made a claim for the job with this performance. It's a shame that he won't get another oppourtunity to show himself, as Matt Cassell is expected back soon.
Next Week: Bal @ San, Oak @ KC
Philadelphia 38, Carolina 10
- Uh oh. It appears Donovan McNabb has a cracked rib. Could this be the end of his era in Philly? Well, Kevin Kolb will likely start next week. But don't fret Eagles fans, the defence played amazing. And you still have Brian Westbrook (for now).
- Uh oh again. Jake Delhomme has 9 INTs in his last two starts. Not good for Panthers fans. He better get that turned around quick or the playoffs will be a distant memory for this squad. Matt Moore to the rescue!?
Next Week: NO @ Phi, Car @ Atl
Denver 12, Cincinnati 7
- Talk about thrilling victories. The Broncos go down 7-6 with just over a minute left, just to watch Brandon Stokley steal the win with that amazing catch and run. But, the Broncs have to be worried about the running game, as no one stood out on the ground.
- If this is a healthy Carson Palmer, the Bungels are in trouble. Benson looked good, but they need more from the passing game. Unfortunate break for the defence, as they played well for 58 minutes, and got the tip on the TD pass. Another bad break for a team that doesn't get many good ones.
Next Week: Cle @ Den, Cin @ GB
Minnesota 34, Cleveland 20
- Good news for Minny. Brett Favre looked good. AP look amazing. The defence stifled the Browns attack (not saying much). The real test is to see if they can get this much of a performance against an NFL team.
- Cleveland is in trouble. Brady Quinn was pedestrian, and Jamal Lewis gets a bit older every week. The defence couldn't stop the run, and let Brett get into a rhythm. They made some progress by scoring an offensive TD in the fourth. Stay ready Derek Anderson.
Next Week: Min @ Det, Cle @ Den
NY Jets 24, Houston 7
- Mark Sanchez looks like the real deal. Thomas Jones continues to run wild, and the defence stifled the potent Houston offence. If they can make a statement against New England next week, this team will be considered a contender.
- Houston played terrible. If that's Matt Schaub, they will be regretting the Rosenfels deal. Steve Slaton and Andre Johnson were no factors as well. The defence played OK, but they should have easily handled the rookie QB.
Next Week: NE @ NYJ, Hou @ Ten
Indianapolis 14, Jacksonville 12
- Not a great showing from the Indy offence, and now they have to play without Anthony Gonzalez. The defence did a great job against the pass, but MJD had a solid day. They may have to get Marvin Harrison on the phone soon.
- The Jags did a decent job running the ball, but the positive of this game was the play of the defence. They kept them in the game. They shut down Peyton Manning, and that has to be a plus for a team that has to find an identity.
Next Week: Ind @ Mia (Mon), Ari @ Jac
New Orleans 45, Detroit 27
- Drew Brees had 6 TDs....ridiculous. He already has an edge in the MVP voting. The running game is in good hands with Mike Bell, Reggie Bush and Pierre Thomas. One worry is the play of the defence. Yes, they had 3 INTs, but this is Detroit....come on.
- The Lions kept it close for a while, but could not find an answer for Brees. They got a good look at Matthew Stafford playing under pressure, and it didn`t look too good. But, Kevin smith ran well. The defence will have to improve greatly or they may not win a game this year either.
Next Week: NO @ Phi, Min @ Det
Dallas 34, Tampa Bay 21
- The Cowboys proved they can get offence without Terrell Owens. Tony Romo looked solid, and the running game was there to back him up. They had better shore up that run defence though with the Giants on tap for next week.
- I'd be willing to bet that nobody thought Cadillac would run wild like that. Wow, that signing of Derrick Ward looks irrelevant now. They have to be worried about the play of the D, as they allowed way to many big plays.
Next Week: NYG @ Dal, TB @ Buf
San Francisco 20, Arizona 16
- Imagine what Shaun Hill could do with Michael Crabtree. All Hill does is win. And this is a huge upset of last year's division champs. The defence really surprised a lot of people, shutting down one of the better passing attacks in the league.
- What happened to this offence? Kurt Warner was not effective, and that brought down stud WRs Anquan Boldin and Larry Fitzgerald. Also, the running game continued to be enemic. The D had a pretty good showing.
Next Week: Sea @ SF, Ari @ Jac
NY Giants 24, Washington 17
- The Giants looked fairly average in week one, which is pretty much what I expected. The running game looked good, but losing Danny Ware will hurt. The defence did a good job when it had to, and clearly Osi Umenyiora has a massive impact on how the team plays.
- The Skins are in trouble if they can't get Jason Campbell going. I realize nobody wants him, but come on. Did he even throw the ball in the first quarter? Oh well, the defence was greatly improved. Albert Haynesworth looked like he was still motivated. We'll see how long that lasts.
Next Week: NYG @ Dal, Stl @ Was
Seattle 28, St Louis 0
- Despite the turnovers, the Seahawks managed to run away with this one. Julius Jones finally looks like he is motivated, and that is clearly a boost for this team. Also, that defence still looks very good. Getting Patrick Kerney back is a big boost.
- Yuck. St Louis may finally break the streak. By this I mean, they will get the #1 overall pick next year, as opposed to the #2 slot they have occupied in back-to-back drafts.
Next Week: Sea @ SF, Stl @ Was
Green Bay 21, Chicago 15
- A shaky performance from Aaron Rodgers turned out good in the end. How wide open was Greg Jennings. Wow. And the transition to the 3-4 looks like it was just what the Pack needed. They abused Jay Cutler, and got 4 INTs for their efforts.
- Chicago certainly didn't live up to the hype in week one. If that is what they got from Cutler, they better hope for a mulligan. The defence played well overall, but again....Why was Jennings that open? Figures, Cutler stinks, and Orton throws a game-winning TD.
Next Week: Cin @ GB, Pit @ Chi
New England 25, Buffalo 24
- It seemed like the Pats didn't wake up until the fourth quarter. We saw this from the Cowboys last year. Pats fans better hope Brady gets more comfortable in the pocket, or they could be in trouble against better Ds. Also, letting the Bills make it interesting is a scary thought for that D.
- The TO train may start rolling if another loss and two catch performance comes around. For the most part, the Bills dominated the game, despite the time-of-possession ratio. They need to focus on their defence in the red zone, as it became a problem late in the game.
Next Week: NE @ NYJ, TB @ Buf
San Diego 24, Oakland 20
- Seeing LT fumble was bad news, and seeing Darren Sproles succeed was bad for LT fans. The offence needs to get going, as that performance was underwhelming. The defence did a good job at confusing JaMarcus Russell.
- Props to the dysfunctional Raid-uhs. They kept this game closer than it should have been, despite the turnovers from Russell and the RBs. The defence played very well, but was unable to get a stop when they needed it. The special teams is a concern as well.
Updated Power Rankings on the way...
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
A Post Five Months In The Making
After yet another massive layoff, I'm back again.
You know the old saying: "You can never keep a good blog down"...or something like that.
Well, to business now. I'm going to take the time first to recap some of the big storylines as we start the season in just over 24 hours.
- Brett Favre returns again. Can he (and AP) lead the Vikings to the Super Bowl?
- Romo is the man. No more TO, no more excuses for Romo, Phillips.
- Speaking of TO. Can the controversial one bring Buffalo back to the playoffs?
- Brady Bunch Rerun? Can Brady recover his 07 form, and who will stop the Pats if he does?
Those are just a few of the storylines, but now we will take a look at the pre season power rankings.
1. Pittsburgh Steelers: The Champs stay at number one, just because I don't know if anyone will be able to unseat them. The defence is older, but should still be the best in the business. If Big Ben gets him legal stuff taking care of, this team will be among the best again.
2. New England Patriots: Terrific Tom is back, and will that mean the return of the Pats? The defence may be like a brick of swiss cheese, so expect a lot of 50-49 wins for this offensive juggernaut. Trading Seymour this close to the season is mind-boggling.
3. Indianapolis Colts: Decline? Don't believe it. As long as this team has Peyton Manning, they will be fine. However, the loss of Bob Sanders for the first couple weeks could leave the defence in shambles.
4. New Orleans Saints: A bit high for this team, but the offence will carry them as far as they want to go. The defence has been improved each year, and now they will look towards LB Jonathan Vilma to lead the charge yet again. Could run away with this division.
5. New York Giants: Eli Manning still hasn't proved anything to me. Despite his contract, the Giants should be wary of his inconsistancy. Also, he has no proven recievers. On that note, the defence will dominate at the line of scrimmage and will provide matchups problems all year.
6. San Diego Chargers: LT's team now belongs to Phillip Rivers. However, the Chargers should be much better than their 8-8 record last year. Getting Shawne Merriman back (maybe) will be a huge boost to their defence, and are possibly the only postseason certainty this year.
7. Green Bay Packers: The transition to the 3-4 has been better than expected, and they have a quarterback that is ready to explode. The offence will go as far as Rodgers and Ryan Grant can take them. That said, they will feel immense pressure from the Bears and Vikings.
8. Arizona Cardinals: The almost-Super-Bowl-Champs will be hard pressed to get back there this year, but should be fairly successful as long as Kurt Warner stays healthy. The defence still has issues, but Darnell Dockett was a beast in the Super Bowl.
9. Tennessee Titans: The Titans may not have Albert Haynesworth, but they still have one of the better defences in the league, and a pair of RBs (Chris Johnson, Lendale White) that are among the best in the league as well. Kerry Collins worries me though.
10. Philadelphia Eagles: The Eagles are considered by some as Super Bowl contenders. Donovan McNabb is running out of chances in Philly. Brian Westbrook is 30, and the defence is a shell of its former self. The Eagles are a classic Boom-Bust team.
11. Baltimore Ravens: Another offseason for Joe Flacco, a new feature back in Ray Rice, and an un-retirement that wasn`t Brett Favre. All these things point towards another playoff appearance for the Ravens. Also, the defence still rocks.
12. Carolina Panthers: While they may not push the Saints for the division, the Panthers will be in the hunt for one of the NFC Wild Card spots. The running game will be lethal, but will QB Jake Delhomme rebound off that miserable playoff performance.
13. Dallas Cowboys: TO is gone, Romo is single, and this is the final chance for Wade Phillips. The Cowboys will have a tough time, but if they can steal four wins within the division, they will make the playoffs. Romo will have a big year...count on it.
14. Minnesota Vikings: Anyone who has read my blog before knows my love of Brett Favre. I think the Vikings could be unstoppable this year. The key will be getting the Williams`suspensions out of the way early. Oh, and AP must stay healthy.
15. Seattle Seahawks: The offence gets Matt Hasselbeck back, and he has a bunch of weapons to play with. The defence will still be great with Patrick Kerney, and they get a boost as well with the addition of rookie Aaron Curry. Could push for the division if everyone stays healthy.
16. Atlanta Falcons: As long as Matt Ryan avoids the sophomore slump, the Falcons should fight for a playoff spot. The defence has been greatly improved, as they have even added DBs Brian Williams and Tye Hill as the season draws near. Michael Turner is a MVP Canidate.
17. New York Jets: This is another team that goes as far as their QB can take them. Mark Sanchez has a decent cast around him, so he should be able to succeed early. Rex Ryan will greatly improve this defence.
18. Houston Texans: The Texans could be on the verge of thier first playoff run. But, yet another team will be reliant on their QB staying upright. Matt Schaub is good, but he is also very brittle. The defence is young and has been improving every year.
19. Cincinnati Bengals: The return of Carson Palmer is huge for this team. They have the potential to be very explosive on offense. The defence is been very good as well (finally). The Bengals could be a major sleeper team in the AFC.
20. Miami Dolphins: The sexy-sleeper team from last year gets a bit of reality this year. They won`t be able be run the Wildcat as successfully...so we think. Also, the defence really isn`t that great. They won`t make the playoffs. The AFC is too tough. Sorry fish fans.
21. Washington Redskins: Maybe they should sign Troy Aikman too. Maybe then they will have a shot at beating the Cowboys. The defence should be really good, but I can`t see where the points will come from outside of Chris Cooley and Clinton Portis.
22. Buffalo Bills: The TO show comes north. The question yet again...will Trent Edwards stay healthy. Its doubtful, but if he does, he could pick teams apart with his Stanford brain. The defence didn`t look good in preseason, but Aaron Schobel is back, that will help.
23. Chicago Bears: Yup, don`t believe the hype. Jay Cutler will certainly help, but he has no proven WR other than TE Greg Olsen. The defence has been brutal the past few years, and Brian Urlacher is a shell of his former self.
24. San Francisco 49ers: A lot of people think the niners can take the division, but I`m not buying that. Shaun Hill will be OK, but they will be focused on Frank Gore yet again. Patrick Willis will continue to dominate for the defence, and the secondary is greatly improved.
25. Jacksonville Jaguars: This is a lot lower than they should be, but I don`t think Torry Holt is the answer at WR. David Garrard and the offence will be better, but they missed their window when the defence was among the best in the league.
26. Denver Broncos: The Jay Cutler era is over, and now they are forced to search for John Elway yet again. The defence blows, and the running game could be a disaster without Mike Shanahan. Actually, this team could be a disaster without him.
27. Kansas City Chiefs: The team made the right move getting Matt Cassell. If they get Larry Johnson focused, the offence could be really good. However, the defence is lacking in almost every area. The transition to the 3-4 defence may not go as well as planned.
28. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: The QB situation appears to be stable now with Byron Leftwich keeping the seat warm for Josh Freeman. But, the defence is a joke, and there will be serious problems dividing the carries in their loaded-yet-average backfield.
29. Cleveland Browns: Maybe the biggest mystery behind this QB competition is whether or not it matters anymore. They have no proven WRs after Braylon Edwards, they have a RB on the decline, and no big-names on defence.
30. St Louis Rams: The potential is there with Marc Bulger and Steven Jackson. But, their WR corps is a joke. The defence hasn`t got much better, and they traded away their best DB. A team going in the wrong direction. They better hope Sam Bradford is ready to go next year.
31. Oakland Raiders: Just when you think they are turning a corner, they cut Jeff Garcia and trade for Richard Seymour. What a mess Al Davis has made yet again. JaMarcus Russell needs to make big strides this year if the Raiders want to win more than 2 games.
32. Detroit Lions: Until they win a game, how could they be anywhere else. Matthew Stafford brings hope, but so did Joey Harrington. Kevin Smith is a gem, and Calvin Johnson is one of the best WRs in the league. But, did the defence improve enough to get them a win.
Until next time...hopefully not another five months
You know the old saying: "You can never keep a good blog down"...or something like that.
Well, to business now. I'm going to take the time first to recap some of the big storylines as we start the season in just over 24 hours.
- Brett Favre returns again. Can he (and AP) lead the Vikings to the Super Bowl?
- Romo is the man. No more TO, no more excuses for Romo, Phillips.
- Speaking of TO. Can the controversial one bring Buffalo back to the playoffs?
- Brady Bunch Rerun? Can Brady recover his 07 form, and who will stop the Pats if he does?
Those are just a few of the storylines, but now we will take a look at the pre season power rankings.
1. Pittsburgh Steelers: The Champs stay at number one, just because I don't know if anyone will be able to unseat them. The defence is older, but should still be the best in the business. If Big Ben gets him legal stuff taking care of, this team will be among the best again.
2. New England Patriots: Terrific Tom is back, and will that mean the return of the Pats? The defence may be like a brick of swiss cheese, so expect a lot of 50-49 wins for this offensive juggernaut. Trading Seymour this close to the season is mind-boggling.
3. Indianapolis Colts: Decline? Don't believe it. As long as this team has Peyton Manning, they will be fine. However, the loss of Bob Sanders for the first couple weeks could leave the defence in shambles.
4. New Orleans Saints: A bit high for this team, but the offence will carry them as far as they want to go. The defence has been improved each year, and now they will look towards LB Jonathan Vilma to lead the charge yet again. Could run away with this division.
5. New York Giants: Eli Manning still hasn't proved anything to me. Despite his contract, the Giants should be wary of his inconsistancy. Also, he has no proven recievers. On that note, the defence will dominate at the line of scrimmage and will provide matchups problems all year.
6. San Diego Chargers: LT's team now belongs to Phillip Rivers. However, the Chargers should be much better than their 8-8 record last year. Getting Shawne Merriman back (maybe) will be a huge boost to their defence, and are possibly the only postseason certainty this year.
7. Green Bay Packers: The transition to the 3-4 has been better than expected, and they have a quarterback that is ready to explode. The offence will go as far as Rodgers and Ryan Grant can take them. That said, they will feel immense pressure from the Bears and Vikings.
8. Arizona Cardinals: The almost-Super-Bowl-Champs will be hard pressed to get back there this year, but should be fairly successful as long as Kurt Warner stays healthy. The defence still has issues, but Darnell Dockett was a beast in the Super Bowl.
9. Tennessee Titans: The Titans may not have Albert Haynesworth, but they still have one of the better defences in the league, and a pair of RBs (Chris Johnson, Lendale White) that are among the best in the league as well. Kerry Collins worries me though.
10. Philadelphia Eagles: The Eagles are considered by some as Super Bowl contenders. Donovan McNabb is running out of chances in Philly. Brian Westbrook is 30, and the defence is a shell of its former self. The Eagles are a classic Boom-Bust team.
11. Baltimore Ravens: Another offseason for Joe Flacco, a new feature back in Ray Rice, and an un-retirement that wasn`t Brett Favre. All these things point towards another playoff appearance for the Ravens. Also, the defence still rocks.
12. Carolina Panthers: While they may not push the Saints for the division, the Panthers will be in the hunt for one of the NFC Wild Card spots. The running game will be lethal, but will QB Jake Delhomme rebound off that miserable playoff performance.
13. Dallas Cowboys: TO is gone, Romo is single, and this is the final chance for Wade Phillips. The Cowboys will have a tough time, but if they can steal four wins within the division, they will make the playoffs. Romo will have a big year...count on it.
14. Minnesota Vikings: Anyone who has read my blog before knows my love of Brett Favre. I think the Vikings could be unstoppable this year. The key will be getting the Williams`suspensions out of the way early. Oh, and AP must stay healthy.
15. Seattle Seahawks: The offence gets Matt Hasselbeck back, and he has a bunch of weapons to play with. The defence will still be great with Patrick Kerney, and they get a boost as well with the addition of rookie Aaron Curry. Could push for the division if everyone stays healthy.
16. Atlanta Falcons: As long as Matt Ryan avoids the sophomore slump, the Falcons should fight for a playoff spot. The defence has been greatly improved, as they have even added DBs Brian Williams and Tye Hill as the season draws near. Michael Turner is a MVP Canidate.
17. New York Jets: This is another team that goes as far as their QB can take them. Mark Sanchez has a decent cast around him, so he should be able to succeed early. Rex Ryan will greatly improve this defence.
18. Houston Texans: The Texans could be on the verge of thier first playoff run. But, yet another team will be reliant on their QB staying upright. Matt Schaub is good, but he is also very brittle. The defence is young and has been improving every year.
19. Cincinnati Bengals: The return of Carson Palmer is huge for this team. They have the potential to be very explosive on offense. The defence is been very good as well (finally). The Bengals could be a major sleeper team in the AFC.
20. Miami Dolphins: The sexy-sleeper team from last year gets a bit of reality this year. They won`t be able be run the Wildcat as successfully...so we think. Also, the defence really isn`t that great. They won`t make the playoffs. The AFC is too tough. Sorry fish fans.
21. Washington Redskins: Maybe they should sign Troy Aikman too. Maybe then they will have a shot at beating the Cowboys. The defence should be really good, but I can`t see where the points will come from outside of Chris Cooley and Clinton Portis.
22. Buffalo Bills: The TO show comes north. The question yet again...will Trent Edwards stay healthy. Its doubtful, but if he does, he could pick teams apart with his Stanford brain. The defence didn`t look good in preseason, but Aaron Schobel is back, that will help.
23. Chicago Bears: Yup, don`t believe the hype. Jay Cutler will certainly help, but he has no proven WR other than TE Greg Olsen. The defence has been brutal the past few years, and Brian Urlacher is a shell of his former self.
24. San Francisco 49ers: A lot of people think the niners can take the division, but I`m not buying that. Shaun Hill will be OK, but they will be focused on Frank Gore yet again. Patrick Willis will continue to dominate for the defence, and the secondary is greatly improved.
25. Jacksonville Jaguars: This is a lot lower than they should be, but I don`t think Torry Holt is the answer at WR. David Garrard and the offence will be better, but they missed their window when the defence was among the best in the league.
26. Denver Broncos: The Jay Cutler era is over, and now they are forced to search for John Elway yet again. The defence blows, and the running game could be a disaster without Mike Shanahan. Actually, this team could be a disaster without him.
27. Kansas City Chiefs: The team made the right move getting Matt Cassell. If they get Larry Johnson focused, the offence could be really good. However, the defence is lacking in almost every area. The transition to the 3-4 defence may not go as well as planned.
28. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: The QB situation appears to be stable now with Byron Leftwich keeping the seat warm for Josh Freeman. But, the defence is a joke, and there will be serious problems dividing the carries in their loaded-yet-average backfield.
29. Cleveland Browns: Maybe the biggest mystery behind this QB competition is whether or not it matters anymore. They have no proven WRs after Braylon Edwards, they have a RB on the decline, and no big-names on defence.
30. St Louis Rams: The potential is there with Marc Bulger and Steven Jackson. But, their WR corps is a joke. The defence hasn`t got much better, and they traded away their best DB. A team going in the wrong direction. They better hope Sam Bradford is ready to go next year.
31. Oakland Raiders: Just when you think they are turning a corner, they cut Jeff Garcia and trade for Richard Seymour. What a mess Al Davis has made yet again. JaMarcus Russell needs to make big strides this year if the Raiders want to win more than 2 games.
32. Detroit Lions: Until they win a game, how could they be anywhere else. Matthew Stafford brings hope, but so did Joey Harrington. Kevin Smith is a gem, and Calvin Johnson is one of the best WRs in the league. But, did the defence improve enough to get them a win.
Until next time...hopefully not another five months
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