September 2011
57 posts
Dallas (0-1) at San Francisco (1-0), 4:05 PM
Despite playing what his Owner described as one of his best games ever, Tony Romo is already the target of incessant criticism after Week 1. Romo once again coughed up the football with Dallas leading and ultimately let his team down in crunch time versus the Jets.
This week, he’ll take on the upstart 49ers who earned Jim...
Green Bay (1-0) At Carolina (0-1) 1:00 PM
Here’s what we know already about Cam Newton: he’s not scared of pressure. Few counted on much from Newton in Week 1, but all he did was set an NFL record for passing yards in a rookie’s first career start with 422.
But the Packers defense is no stranger to pass-happy teams, as the group is still recovering from Drew Brees...
Arizona (1-0) At Washington (1-0) 1:00 PM
West Coast teams playing 1:00 PM eastern games are traditionally unsuccessful, but Arizona has a particular pension to lay eggs in early start contests. One way to eliminate a sluggish Sunday is to start fast, and the onus rests on Kevin Kolb and Beanie Wells to start the offensive engine for the Cardinals.
Washington will look...
Seattle (0-1) At Pittsburgh (0-1) 1:00 PM
What’s the best way to bounce back from a demoralizing defeat at the hands of your bitter rival? A home game versus the Seahawks is always a good start. The Steelers look to iron out a full plate of issues from a week ago, and it starts with protecting the football and stopping the run. The good news is Seattle’s offense is amongst the...
Jacksonville (1-0) At New York Jets (1-0), 1:00 PM
Hats off to Luke McCown for guiding Jacksonville to a season opening win less than a week after becoming the Jags’ starter. But, sorry Luke, the party ends this Sunday.
The Jets look to clamp the pedestrian Jaguars O and that rests in their ability to contain Maurice Jones-Drew. MJD had a typically stellar Week 1, but...
Chicago (1-0) At New Orleans (0-1), 1:00 PM
The Chicago Bears will take the field with heavy hearts this weekend, as the entire organization mourns the abrupt death of Brian Urlacher’s mother at age 51. Urlacher’s status is yet to be determined, but trust that with or without him, Lovie Smith’s team will deploy a spirited effort.
New Orleans’ secondary will be happy not...
Tampa Bay (0-1) At Minnesota (0-1), 1:00 PM
A key offensive cog for both Tampa Bay and Minnesota started 2011 in quiet fashion, but look for both LeGarrette Blount and Donovan McNabb to rev it up for Week 2.
Tampa Bay should depend on Blount and the ground game more after throwing the football 43 times a week ago. Josh Freeman stood mostly erect against the vaunted...
Cleveland (0-1) At Indianapolis (0-1), 1:00 PM
When the NFL schedule was released, pundits pointed out the Browns’ early season soft schedule that consisted of only 1 game versus a 2010 playoff team in the first 12 weeks. That team of course was the Indianapolis Colts, but fast forward to the here-and-now, and suddenly that game is the closest thing to a safe bet for the...
Baltimore (1-0) At Tennessee (0-1), 1:00 PM
There’s no love lost between Chris Johnson and the Ravens’ defense, dating back to the 2008 playoff game in which Johnson contends the Ravens tried to injure him, but don’t expect the Ravens to relent because of CJ’s accusation. In fact, count on Baltimore to set the tone early with its physical running attack and improved passing game. ...
Kansas City (0-1) At Detroit (1-0) 1:00 PM
After laying an egg at home versus Buffalo, the chore won’t be any easier this week for the Chiefs, but the stakes are even higher. Capturing a road victory over the up-start Lions will require the Chiefs to get back to basics, and that means running the football like they can. Jamaal Charles managed just 56 yards a week ago on 10 carries,...
Oakland (1-0) At Buffalo (1-0), 1:00 PM
In a battle of unlikely unbeatens, the Raiders will vie for their second straight road win and face a tall task in containing the Bills’ passing attack. Bills’ QB Ryan Fitpatrick was accurate and efficient in a season-opening rout of Kansas City, and Chan Gailey’s four-wide set will leave defenses on their toes all year.
For...
Chad Under Fire
With the consummation of the new NFL collective bargaining agreement earlier this summer, football fans everywhere hoped to return their focus to the field, instead of transgressions off of it. But once again, the world of social media is stealing the attention and not surprisingly Patriots’ wide receiver Chad Ochocinco is involved.
Upon arriving home from Miami after taking on the...
Dictators: The Patriots' Offense
NFL Football has steadily evolved into the most intricate chess match played on grass, but one can succinctly encapsulate quality offensive play in the ability to dictate, and quality defense in the ability to react.
Last night’s tilt between the Patriots and Dolphins was a salient exhibit of prolific offense by the Tom Brady-led Patriots offense, as it dictated nearly every one of...
MNF Recap: In 140 Words or Less
New England 38, Miami 24
Virtuoso, prolific, surgical, record-breaking. Pick any of those words to describe Tom Brady, because they all work. Brady shredded the Dolphins’ D to the tune of 517 passing yards (a MNF record) and operated with incredible precision and efficiency.
On a humind night in Miami, it was clear that the Patriots were the team ready to handle the...
Adding Injury To Insult
The Kansas City Chiefs suffered a tremendous blow on Sunday, losing standout second year safety Eric Berry to a season-ending ACL tear. Berry is a virtually indispensable member of the Chiefs’ defense; after playing every defensive snap in his rookie year in 2010, Head Coach Todd Haley and his coaching staff were counting on Berry to continue to evolve into one of the...
Week 1 Recap: Every Game in 140 Words Or Less
If you’re like me, you probably spent a lot of your Sunday watching football and soaking in all of the wonderful gestures of tribute to all of those lost 10 years ago to the day during 9/11. No words can express the amount of gratitude I have for all those that nobly serve our country, and everyone lost during the tragic events of 9/11 will never be...
Week 1 Picks
Winners in Bold
Atlanta @ Chicago
Cincinnati @ Cleveland
Buffalo @ Kansas City
Philadelphia @ St. Louis
Detroit @ Tampa Bay
Tennessee @ Jacksonville
Pittsburgh @ Baltimore
Indianapolis @ Houston
Carolina @ Arizona
Minnesota @ San Diego
Seattle @ San Francisco
New York Giants @ Washington
Dallas @ New York Jets
New England @ Miami
Oakland @ Denver
Patriots Preview: Miami Dolphins
Make no mistake about it, this is a blog that covers everything NFL. With that being said, thanks to some data derived by the supremely handy Google Analytics, I’ve deduced that a strong contingent of our readership is based in the New England area. I know enough to believe that delivering a quality product is about giving the people what they want, so here’s...
Game of the Week
Few can or will dispute that tonight’s match-up between the Saints and Packers to lead off the 2011 season is a pivotal game loaded with talent. Both teams are prohibitive favorites to secure NFC playoff births, and a rematch of NFC Championship consequences is a realistic possibility.
But that doesn’t mean it’s the game you need...
Due Credit
I’m all for calling a spade a spade, but recent chatter decrying the New England Patriots’ drafting aptitude has me downright befuddled.
The talk stems form the release of former first round pick Brandon Meriweather, who was axed by the team and promptly picked up by Chicago. Beyond Meriweather, the Pats have sent fellow first rounder Lawrence Maroney off via trade...
