Author Archives: mweal
Superbowl or BUST for Cowboys and Vikings
Sixteen weeks of football divided in half is eight. Week 8 of the 2010 NFL season has come and gone. So that must mean we’re halfway through the season. Of course we are, that’s sound logic. Unfortunately, no amount of deep thought and reason can accurately predict the fate of a team in the NFL these days. As an evolved species, humans have this tendency to apply such tools when creating assumptions about what will go down on the gridiron.
Before the season began, NFL pundits and experts were drooling over the Dallas Cowboys, who on paper looked solid. Much was made of the possibility of a team hosting the Super Bowl. Two months later, the Cowboys are foundering at 1-6, having just lost their starting QB as well as any remaining hope of turning their season around. Backup QB Jon Kitna now holds the reins, and he must do so with the backing of a lame duck coach.
The other preseason NFC darling, the Minnesota Vikings, haven’t fared much better at the midway point of the season. Brett Favre looks as if he’s aged considerably, even since last year. The shot of him being carted off the field in Sunday’s loss to the Patriots with a chin laceration was quite telling. Although he looked okay during the post-game press conference, you have to wonder if his tank is finally getting down to empty. The absence of WR Sidney Rice has been significant, but even so, this is nowhere near the team that we all saw in 2009. Of course you can’t blame it all on the offense. The Vikings defense, even with the return of talented inner LB E.J. Henderson, has largely been a disappointment, particularly in the forced turnover department.
Looking forward, Minnesota’s second half looks a little less bleak than that of the Cowboys, but that isn’t saying too much. Maybe if either of them were in the NFC West, there’d be reason to hope. Alas, this is not the case and neither the NFC East or North has much room for a 1-6 and 2-5 team. The lesson here, of course, is that its not wise to make Super Bowl predictions in August. You just can’t expect every team to carry over their success from one year to the next. Unless you have Peyton Manning, of course.
Three Big Names Back From Suspension
Week 5 is upon us and that means those four game suspensions to start the season are finally over. Ben Roethlisberger, Santonio Holmes, and Brian Cushing are all eligible to play this week though Roethlisberger won’t play until next week because the Steelers have a bye this week. So how will the return of these impact players affect their teams?
It’s interesting to note that despite missing one of the best players, all three of these teams are 3-1.
Ben Roethlisberger
Pittsburgh’s star QB officially returned to team activities on Monday, and you know his teammates were glad to see him. The day before, the Baltimore Ravens showed why the Steelers can only go so far without their top guy on the field. Charlie Batch simply does not have the arm to make the key throws that Big Ben would normally make when the game is on the line. While Pittsburgh fans may still hold resentment over their starting quarterback’s questionable off-field behavior, they have to be breathing easier knowing that it won’t be up to the defense to win games every Sunday. With a bye this week, Roethlisberger and the Steelers offense will have that much more time to get in sync, and you know they’ll be ready to go week six versus the Browns.
Santonio Holmes
Prior to week two, Jets fans were in a panic over their team’s seemingly lackluster offense. Four weeks without Santonio Holmes?!?! How will we survive without his big-play capabilities? Today, fans may still be clamoring for Holmes’ return, but probably not as passionately. Since their week one loss to the Ravens, the Jets and their offense have looked strong, and that can largely be attributed to their running game. Specifically, a fellow named LaDainian Tomlinson, who has exploded the last few weeks, proving to naysayers that he has more than enough left in the tank. But back to Santonio Holmes – the talented wideout will certainly make the Jets passing game much more dangerous. He’s a legitimate down field threat that opposing head coaches must account for. It wouldn’t be a surprise to see the running game perform even better now with the presence of an extra threat to distract opposing defenses.
Brian Cushing
The Houston Texans’ star rookie linebacker shortened his 2010 season by testing positive for performance enhancing drugs. In addition to the games lost, Brian Cushing’s reputation took a hit, leaving some to wonder how effective he would have been without the drugs. Even still, its hard to ignore Cushing’s impact on the Texans defense last year. In his rookie campaign, Cushing recorded 134 tackles, 87 of the solo variety. And although Houston has gotten off to a fast start to their season, defense has been a question mark. Cushing’s return will definitely serve as a boost for a defense that hasn’t quite matched up to the offense’s high-flying, aggressive reputation.
What We’ve Learned So Far: Division by Division NFC Edition
The NFL season is three weeks old. One week short of the quarter mark, yet we’ve already learned so much about certain teams. Now, there is still plenty of football left to be played, but here is what we know, or we think we know, so far. Check out the AFC Edition here.
NFC East
Coming into the season, the NFC East appeared to be the strongest division in the NFL. The Dallas Cowboys, who many have picked to play at home in the Super Bowl, have looked shaky in the first two weeks. However, their big week three win over the Houston Texans seemed to calm the fan base, at least temporarily. The talent is certainly there for a title run. In New York, the Giants started strong but have fallen off in the last two weeks. Pass protection for Eli Manning has been lacking, and this could lead to some costly turnovers down the road.
With Michael Vick solidifying his starting spot at quarterback in Philadelphia, the Eagles could quickly become the team nobody wants to face this year. However, there are many new faces, particularly on defense, and this could spell trouble as the season progresses.
Finally, the Washington Redskins have begun a new chapter with the acquisition of former-Eagle QB Donovan McNabb. With their huge week one win over the Cowboys, DC fans were primed for a resurgence. Unfortunately, they followed that big victory with two straight defeats, losing a nail-biter to the Texans and suffering a head-scratching loss against the lowly Rams.
NFC North
So far, we’ve discovered that the Vikings will not be the dominant team they were in 2009. Brett Favre is without top wideout Sidney Rice for the first half of the season, and this has proven to be a significant loss for the team. The aging quarterback may soon find his decision to return for yet another season to be a poor one. The Chicago Bears, on the other hand, look to be a team on the rise.
Under new offensive coordinator Mike Martz, the Bears look much stronger, and quarterback Jay Cutler is thriving in his second year. On the other side of the ball, DE Julius Peppers, acquired in the offseason, adds a scary dimension to an already strong defense. Peppers caused a few Packer penalties all on his own last week. Speaking of the Packers, who have been and still remain a popular Super Bowl pick, QB Aaron Rodgers has looked next to unstoppable with his never-ending choice of quality receiving targets.
Unfortunately, Green Bay can’t seem to get out of their own way. Penalties have plagued the team and could prove to be their Achilles heel. At the bottom of the division, the Lions appear to be heading in the right direction. However, they still have a long way to go and it will be a good while before they are included in any meaningful discussions within division.
NFC South
The Super Bowl champion New Orleans Saints are looking to repeat, and there’s no reason why they can’t. The loss of defensive back Darren Sharper could hurt them, but its hard to root against Drew Brees and that high-flying offensive attack. In the short term, the Saints need to worry about replacing the touches that went to running back Reggie Bush. His absence over the next few weeks could become a significant issue.
If any team will challenge the Saints in this division, it will surely be the Atlanta Falcons, who already made a big statement by beating the champs in their own house last week. QB Matt Ryan looks primed to have his best year yet, and has already appeared to have found his rhythm with TE Tony Gonzalez and WR Roddy White.
The Buccaneers have also started well, but they may not be as good as their 2-1 record indicates. QB Josh Freeman is still largely unproven and does not have many options to throw to. In Carolina, the Panthers are in obvious rebuilding mode, having already pulled the ripcord and inserted rookie Jimmy Clausen as their starting quarterback.
NFC West
This is undoubtedly the worst division in football, so it was no surprise when many pundits picked the 49ers to ascend in 2010. That was before the real games started, and people saw how awful their offense really was. It appears that QB Alex Smith will never be an elite NFL quarterback, and you can’t win many games in the NFL these days without a decent offense. So far, this has been a disappointing year in the Bay area.
Under new head coach Pete Carroll, the Seahawks have turned some heads after the first three weeks. Seattle is still one of the toughest places to play in the NFL, and as long as QB Matt Hasselbeck stays healthy, there’s no reason to believe the Seahawks can’t win the West this year. In Arizona, the losses of QB Kurt Warner and WR Anquan Boldin have already taken their toll. You can just see the helplessness on the face of wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald every time QB Derek Anderson misses a throw to him. Arizona’s defense is simply not dominant enough to make up for what the offense has lost.
With rookie QB Sam Bradford at the helm, the Rams were supposed to be the doormat in the division this year. However, the young quarterback has been impressive thus far. Beating the Redskins last week, even at home, was no small feat. There is certainly reason for optimism in St. Louis. Not too much, though.
What We’ve Learned So Far: Division by Division AFC Edition
The NFL season is three weeks old. One week short of the quarter mark, yet we’ve already learned so much about certain teams. Now, there is still plenty of football left to be played, but here is what we know, or we think we know, so far. Check out the NFC Edition here.
AFC East
Okay, let’s just exclude the Bills right here. The only news story worth following for them is who they’re thinking of taking number one in next year’s draft. No doubt, the AFC east will be a three-team battle, and one that will probably be close to the end. Currently, the Jets, Pats, and Dolphins all sit together at 2-1. At this point, the Jets have to have the advantage among the trio, with big wins against the Fins and Pats already under their belt.
Even so, it’s hard to root against Tom Brady and Bill Belichick in any year. The question for the Patriots will be whether or not their defense will hold up throughout the season. In Miami, the running game is still strong, and if quarterback Chad Henne can take the next step in his development, the team may be able to do the same.
AFC North
Again, we’re looking at a three-team race here. While the Browns have displayed a good deal of improvement thus far, it hasn’t equated to any wins, and a 0-3 start in this division is essentially a big nail in the coffin. The Steelers look like the team to beat, not just in the North, but in all the NFL. Minus Big Ben, Pittsburgh (3-0) has looked scary good, smothering teams with a relentless defense, powerful running game, and surprisingly effective play from their QB fill-ins. Even if they lose to the Ravens in week 4, the Steel city squad would still be in great shape, with Roethlisberger’s return just around the corner.
The Ravens (2-1), who were and still may be picked by some to hoist the Lombardi Trophy at season’s end, have looked pretty strong at times and quite weak at others. QB Joe Flacco had the worst start of his career against the Bengals in week 2, but followed it up with a big boy performance the following week against the Browns. The team’s success will be riding on his broad shoulders. Following their loss to the Patriots in week 1, the Bengals won their next two contests, with an ugly win over the Ravens and a comfortable win against the rebuilding Panthers. There is reason for concern in Cincinatti, however, as QB Carson Palmer has struggled in his first three starts. Let the T.O. blow-up countdown begin.
AFC South
A week ago, many were saying that a long-awaited power shift was finally occurring in the AFC South. With their week one victory over the Colts, the Houston Texans appeared to be the team on the verge who finally gets over the hump and truly contends. Fast forward seven days – that thought is still running through some heads, and it still may be true, but its not as pervasive and the doubters are not so lonely anymore. The Colts, on the other hand, have looked more like themselves during their two game win streak, and are in no apparent hurry to relinquish their reign over the division.
In Tennessee, the Titans have looked both good and bad, and the team has become somewhat of an enigma. The quarterback position is yet again a topic for discussion and debate, which can’t make Titans fans very happy. As for the fourth representative from the AFC South, the Jaguars are in for a rough season.
AFC West
It’s pretty much a consensus that the Kansas City Chiefs are the surprise team in the AFC West this year, sporting an unexpected 3-0 record. With an impressive, championship-caliber pair of coordinators (Romeo Crennel and Charlie Weis) and a relatively weak schedule, it wouldn’t be a stretch to say that the Chiefs have a legit shot at the playoffs. The Chargers, who were the obvious favorites within the division before the year began, are riddled with issues, including the absences of Pro Bowl left tackle Marcus McNeill and wide receiver Vincent Jackson.
Even so, don’t be surprised to see the Bolts find a way in this weak division. The Broncos could turn some heads, but the chips are stacked against them with so many strong teams throughout the conference. As for the Raiders, they yet again sport an underrated defense, but expecting QB Bruce Gradkowski to steer the ship may be unrealistic.
2010 NFL Rookies On the Rise
The 2010 NFL rookie class has only played two games in the NFL, yet some have already made huge impacts on their respective teams. Some are top picks that have lived up to the billing, while others are mid-rounders who have exceeded expectations.
Dez Bryant, WR – Cowboys
Dallas jumped up in the draft to grab this year’s most talked about wideout, and we may now have seen why. In addition to his high ceiling as a wide receiver, Bryant proved his worth in special teams, returning a punt for a touchdown in the Cowboys’ week 2 loss against the Bears, giving Dallas fans something to smile about. Briefly.
Ndamukong Suh, DT – Lions
Predicted by most ‘experts to be a beast at the next level, DT Ndamukong Suh has not disappointed so far with two solid performances in weeks 1 and 2. Detroit will soon discover that taking care of the trenches early in the draft is a smarter investment than spending premium picks on wide receivers.
Jermaine Gresham, TE – Bengals
Against the Ravens in week 2, Gresham showed why Cincinnati’s offense could be a force in 2010. The rookie tight end came up big for QB Carson Palmer on several occasions in an extremely tight game. His athleticism should cause problems for defensive coordinators, and his presence adds a fourth dimension to the Bengals’ already well-balanced offensive attack.
Demaryius Thomas, WR – Broncos
Though injured in week 1, wide receiver Demaryius Thomas showed in week 2 why the Broncos opted to pick him over mega-hyped Dez Bryant. Against the Seahawks, Thomas blew up, catching 8 balls for 97 yards and a TD. Considering the depth at the position, quarterback Kyle Orton could soon find Thomas to be his favorite target.
Trent Williams, LT – Redskins
The fourth overall pick in the 2010 NFL draft got to that spot for a reason. Williams has looked good protecting QB Donovan McNabb’s blindside, and just glancing at the young tackle, he looks every bit the part. Physically imposing yet light on his feet, Williams could solidify the Redskins left side for years to come.
Mike Williams, WR – Buccaneers
Mike Williams came out of nowhere. Of course, so have the Buccaneers. The fourth round selection has been integral in the Bucs’ surprising 2-0 start, contributing 30 yards and a TD in week 1 and 54 yards and a TD in week 2. Looking at the team’s list of names at the wide receiver position, Williams could soon become the Bucs’ #1 receiver.
NFL Week 2: Two Key AFC Division Battles
ad extracting some answers with the two games, many fans have just been left with more questions.
New England Patriots at New York Jets
The days leading up to this week 2 matchup saw numerous pundits and so-called experts go on and on about how the Jets were in big trouble after their Monday night loss to the Baltimore Ravens. Mark Sanchez isn’t truly NFL ready. Rex Ryan has bit off more than he can chew (shocking). Shonne Greene will get cut (okay that’s a lie, but he did show nothing in week 1). By 4 pm or so Sunday afternoon, those same talking heads had to reconfigure their initial estimation. After allowing 14 first half points to a vaunted Patriots offense, the Jets D shut that beast down from halftime on. More shocking than that was the fact that the Jets offense actually showed a pulse. Mark Sanchez played exceptionally well; although even a mediocre performance would’ve seemed great in comparison to his play in week one. On a down note, the Jets may have lost CB Darrelle Revis for a few weeks to an injured hamstring. Despite this worrisome news, the Jets have to be feeling a lot better about themselves. Plus its always great to get that first win in the new stadium.
Baltimore Ravens at Cincinnati Bengals
Prior to the start of the 2010 NFL season, most prognosticators had the Bengals and Ravens as the top two teams fighting it out for the AFC North crown. Both teams certainly brought firepower to this division battle, particularly on the offensive side, with Baltimore adding WR Anquan Boldin and Cincinnati bringing in Terrell “That’s My Quarterback” Owens. Apparently, a few of us forgot that both teams also had some pretty good defenses. If you want to know whether defense ruled in this game, just consider that the Bengals won by kicking five field goals. Actually, Cincinnati was lucky to get that many three-pointers, with two occurring as a result of more-than-questionable penalties against the Ravens. Of course, Baltimore didn’t do itself any favors either. Quarterback Joe Flacco looked lost all throughout the game, throwing a total of four interceptions. It was definitely the worst start of the third-year QB’s career. Ravens fans may be quiet now, but a few more performances like that will surely awaken the Mark Bulger fan club. One thing is for sure, the Bengals have had the Ravens’ number of late, and the teams’ next matchup in Baltimore later this season will be a heated affair.
NFL Week 1 Recap
After months of anticipation, week 1 of the 2010 NFL season has come and gone. As is the case every year, the first slew of games included their fair share of surprises and raised new questions about the short and long-term future of several teams.
Week 1 opened on Thursday night in New Orleans, where the defending champs would begin their title defense against 2009 NFC runner-up Minnesota Vikings. Despite the excitement and celebration in the Big Easy, the spotlight seemed stuck on Brett Favre. The aging QB appeared quite rusty, missing several key passes throughout the game. The absence of top WR Sidney Rice does not help his situation either.
On Sunday, the Texans made a bold statement with a 34-24 victory over the Colts. Matt Schaub didn’t need a career game throwing the ball, as the offense was carried by the carries of one Arian Foster, a second year running back out of Tennessee. Besides getting them off to a fast start to the season, the Texans’ win no doubt served as a significant psychological boost for a team whose had virtually no success against the Colts in the past. This year, the AFC South may not be decided until the very last week of the season.
Back to the NFC, the Detroit Lions suffered yet another heartbreak with a controversial incomplete call against Calvin Johnson at the end of the game. Johnson seemed to have possession of the ball in the endzone, but after going to the ground, his hand appeared to release the ball, even though it seemed obvious he was in total control of it. In addition to losing the game, the Lions also lost their starting QB, Matthew Stafford, who left the game late in the first half with a shoulder injury.
The new-look Eagles lost their starting quarterback as well when Kevin Kolb left the game with a concussion. Backup QB Michel Vick filled in impressively, but it wasn’t enough to overcome a stout Packers offense. Let the quarterback controversy begin in Philadelphia.
Elsewhere in the NFC East, Dallas literally gave the game to Washington with two key mistakes late in each half. With seconds to go in the first half, Tashard Choice fumbled the ball, which was lateraled to him from Tony Romo. Deangelo Hall took it to the house. 10-0 Redskins. The other major mistake for the Boys was primarily the result of a terrible mismatch. Cowboys RT Alex Barron simply could not contain DE Brian Orakpo, arguably the Redskins’ best overall defender. Barron was flagged with a holding call that undid a last second Cowboys TD and ended the game.
One of the more intriguing matchups on Sunday took place between the New England Patriots and Cincinnati Bengals, two teams with high hopes in the AFC. Tom Brady quickly displayed to Pats fans that the knee injury he suffered at the beginning of the 2008 season is far behind him. Wes Welker also answered questions about his recovery from knee surgery, scoring two key touchdowns in the game. As for the Bengals, a second half offensive surge, though impressive, was not enough to recover from a significant first half deficit. On the plus side, Chad Ochocinco looked to be in mid-season form.
Much was discussed during the weeks and months leading up Monday night’s Ravens-Jets matchup. It was an much- anticipated clash featuring two like-minded, physical teams with lofty aspirations for the coming year. Unfortunately for the Jets, their propensity to talk trash may have interfered with their concentration on the field. Penalties plagued the Jets all night long, but one was particularly devastating. Leading 6-0 at the end of the first half, the Ravens offense were attempting a field goal. The kick was good, but the yellow flew and Braylon Edwards got called for running into the kicker. The automatic first down eventually led to a one-yard touchdown by Willis McGahee. It was the only TD of the game. While Joe Flacco, Ray Rice, and the rest of the Ravens offense enjoyed some decent success moving the ball, the Jets offense looked absolutely lost. By game’s end, they had set records for fewest first downs and passing yards in team history. Final score: 10-9 Ravens.
