VIKINGS: Favre was obviously lacking any chemistry with the WR corps and Peterson looked solid as normal. Although I did notice just a bit more anger in his runs. Based on this, while still very early, I can see Peterson having a career year if he keeps it up and runs like this all season. Harvin will be used frequently, in different capacity until week 6. Their loss was more a matter of rust than lack of talent. The Vikes will bounce back big week 2.
SAINTS: Same as they ever were, the Saints threw early and often until it came time to run the clock and wear down the D. Pierre Thomas looked great as did Bush, and this team seems to have picked right up where they left off. I still see them struggling down the stretch, especially with teams in their division who are used to them. The Defense (other than Vilma) seemed to be quite average. They can be beat, but it will take good pass schemes, and pounding the rock to do so.
BROWNS: While showing signs of promise, the Browns are a team that lacks an abundance of talent. Cribbs skill set is of no use if teams are accutely aware of him. Not being a pure WR is what hurts them and while Massoquoi is talented, the lack of another big play WR to focus on leaves only two guys Defenses need to worry about. That one extra piece is what will keep the Offense from putting up wins. The defensive secondary looked to be on their game as did the Defensive line.
BUCCANEERS: The Bucs showed their young potential this week, with Mike Williams, Spurlock, Stroughter and Caddy, the Bucs showed that they have the talent. The Defensive line got pressure, which is something they lacked last year. They also showed the ability to close out a game and make adjustments second half. Their inexperience will hurt them against more battle tested teams but what I saw was a huge improvement from last season.
DOLPHINS: The Fins looked very average against a sub-par opponent. They will get their act together, and pulling out a win showed some grit. The season will rely on Henne and how he performs game to game. Marshall and Brown mean nothing if teams don't grow weary of Henne. There will be games that the run game controls tempo, but as Parcells has stated, Henne has disappointed thus far. We will see if he can mature this year, or lead to a QB being drafted first round now that the Pat White experiment is done.
BILLS: The Bills showed flashes of promise and flashes of more of the same. This is a relatively young team that is building. Some additions to the WR corps and O/D lines will help in the coming draft. A firm believer that the Bills need a QB, look for them to finally use their first pick on one this off-season. They have amazing heart, but are lacking talent to be competitive in that division.
BENGALS: A case of too much expectation vs. actual talent, the Bengals Defense was dismantled on Sunday by the Pats. Granted, the Pats are back this season with a healthy team, but it's games like this the Bengals need to show more in before we take them seriously as contenders. The Pats could have just as easily come out sluggish and unprepared, so we will see if this is a matter of game one rust or a sign of the future against top tier teams. They have the talent, but do they have the ability to put it all together? This is the year of no excuses, so Lewis will be the fall guy if the Bengals fail to make the playoffs.
PATRIOTS: The Pats filled holes in the draft and while young on Defense, proved that they know how to evaluate talent. Their players showed both smarts and athleticism. With Brady a year removed from knee issues, the Pats seem to be back on track. The Moss contract may pose to be an issue since he has a history of imploding on contract years. Welker showed he is quite possibly the most dedicated player on the planet, and the TE play looks to be another weapon teams will need to worry about.
COLTS: As observed from pre-season, the Colts seemed to lack that little extra step they have always held on teams. Although I believe this is more of a case of Houston finally hitting their stride, the Colts need to have Addai and Garcon step up in order to contend. I'm not going to make too many judgements on the D considering who they faced, but the Colts have always been a team of balance. If they are made to be one-dimensional then you see what happens. Look for opponents to follow the Texan game plan and force Peyton to throw thirty plus times a game. Far from being worried, the Colts will need a strong week 2 showing.
TEXANS: Was this a sign of what's to come or just a great home opener? I think the Texans are here to stay and legit. The Defense seems to have gotten it together and if Foster can continue to prove he is the real deal, then Defenses will have a hard time watching Johnson and Foster at once. Not to mention the play of Walter and Jones. This could turn into a dangerous team and look for them to feed off of this great win.
DENVER: A slow start to the season seems more of the issues they had with injury during pre-season than a lack of talent. Mcdaniels has the schemes to give Defenses fits, his problem will be keeping his starters on the field. If everyone can stay healthy, this team is scary as far as packages that can confuse. If only one player goes down, it can cause bit issues. They don't have depth and injury could prove to derail their season. As stated though, as long as they are healthy, they can't be taken lightly.
JAGUARS: Gerrard looked solid, but the fact Simms-Walker failed to post a catch was a big problem. If teams focus on Walker and allow the Jags opportunity on Offense away from him, then they need to do a much better job of execution. MJD was very human this game and if not for Osgood and Thomas this could have been a much different game. Though, you have to be proud of how the receivers stepped up. If the Jags can keep this balance and force teams to respect all their players instead of just MJD and Simms-Walker, then look for some surprises this year. They will most likely out perform last years record, but it all depends on the health of MJD.
FALCONS: As I predicted, the Falcons were at a loss against the Steelers Defense in a home opener. Neither team looked very impressive and Ryan has still not proven he can be depended on against top tier teams. Turner was held in check, due to the limits of the passing game with Jenkins out and White the only option. The Falcons will bounce back, but Jenkins needs to defray attention from White, and Ryan needs to step it up and show he can be effective.
STEELERS: Dixon proved he can be sufficient in holding the fort until Ben gets back, and Mendenhall may have just proven he is a legit running back. Question is if he will do it again? Hines Ward continues to be ageless and dependable. The Defense is back, and healthy, holding Turner and Ryan to sub-par performances. If Dixon can continue for the next four games, this could have playoff team written all over them.
OAKLAND: The question was Offensive line, and the health of the run game, but the Defense is what glared most disappointing in this loss. Then again, CJ runs over everybody. Campbell looked like he could be very dangerous when given time, and McFadden was surprisingly efficient. His burst looked there, and he seemed to be hoping for contact. The line will improve in time and this is a team that will beat anyone who sleeps on them. However, the defense showed it needs run stop help and needs to put more pressure up front. Seymour had some great series, but past him this line needs to make improvement. They looked no different than where they left off, and as always, Count Chocula needs to stay out of football operations when it comes to schemes and play calls.
TITANS: Vince Young showed off his new discipline as a passer first, tossing two TD's and almost 200 yards. He was always looking pass first, and this new mentality will put wins on the board. CJ was his normal self, proving he will explode at any moment. Nate Washington delivered on what he teased us with in the pre-season, and should be this team's number one. The Defense leaves a bit to be desired, and we will not know where they stand until they face a more explosive Offense.
PANTHERS: Matt Moore looked less than NFL ready, completing under 50 percent of his passes, and D. Williams was held in check as expected. Steve Smith showed no signs of rust, and had a great game though not enough. Moore's concussion may have opened the door for Clausen's first start and this could be a good thing. Clausen showed flashes in the pre-season and given Moore's history of average performance, why not hand the keys to a kid with more upside now? The Panthers will have a rough go in their division, but they are building and could be one of those teams that wins when they shouldn't and loses when they shouldn't.
NY GIANTS: So much for Manning not throwing as much. He completed 3 TD passes to Nicks, whom had his "I'm here to stay party". The Defense looked quick and the return of Phillips proved to be a key piece to why they were less than stellar last year. Bullock was all over the field and the G-Men showed a chip on their shoulder. They played aggressive and looked like playoff contenders. As with all week one match up's, lets see what happens with a stiffer challenge.
CHICAGO: The Bears looked much as they did last year except for the play of Forte which proved to be a drastic change from what we've seen in years. Forte had 151 yds. receiving with a score and was the Bears leading rusher with 50 yds. Showing flashes of M. Faulk, Martz new offense could turn out being headache for teams. However, now that teams know what to expect for Forte, it will be on the Bears WR corps to deliver from here on out.
LIONS: Detroit may have lost Stafford for six weeks, but the good news is Hill looked serviceable in relief. The revamped Lions showed they have more on Offense to worry about, and had one robbed from them with a bad call (though correct). We'll see what lies ahead for the Lions, but a promising season has just taken a turn towards a unknown season with Hill at the helm for six weeks. What the Lions do from here on out will depend on Hill.
CARDINALS: Arizona was less than expected, or maybe exactly what we expected without Warner, Wells, and Boldin. The run game was average, and Fitzgerald was silent until his catch in the 4th. Given their opponent, there should be concern in Arizona. I don't see them competing for the division, and the rebuilding process begins this off-season.
RAMS: The Rams have a lot to be amped up about, with Bradford looking good in between expected rookie mistakes. Steven Jackson was the focus as expected and held to less than stellar numbers, but Bradford showed that he has the potential to hurt you if you try and make him beat you. The Defense needs help in the secondary, but the Rams are on their way up from the bottom in terms of the future.
PACKERS: Rusty but still effective, the Pack showed why they are favorites to make a Super Bowl run this year. Against a top Defense, Rogers looked steady for the most part during an off game for him. The usual suspects all played their part, but the injury to Grant could prove to be an impact even with Jackson stepping in well. The Pack aren't going to surprise many people since everyone knows what they're capable of. The only question will be how healthy the secondary can stay this year.
EAGLES: Continuing on their bad pre-season, Kolb looked inexperienced before getting a head injury and Deshaun Jackson paid for it. The Defense looked great, but were on the field too much in the first half. The big news is the new QB controversy. Vick seems to have his mojo back and showed that with time he could be what this team needs. Some adjustments by the coaching staff could change the look of the Offense but make them just as lethal if not more due to Vick's run ability. The Eagles will contend, the question is where their Offensive philosophy goes from her.
SEAHAWKS: I may have been the only one, but I believe Matt Hasselbeck will have a return to his old ways this year. Branch is healthy, they have real options at RB and the Defense is well balanced. After showing up SF, the Seabags have put the division on notice that they are a dangerous team. Carroll needed this win to rally the troops to continue drinking the Kool-Aid and this win will carry them. It's a long season, and as Josh Mcdaniels showed, a great start does not mean a great season. However, the combination of veteran leadership with new blood will keep this team steady throughout the year.
49ers: A huge let down, Gore was stifled and Smith failed to toss a TD. The 49ers will need someone to help Crabtree on the other side of the field in order to defray attention from Davis and Gore. The Defense couldn't keep up, going series after series and if Smith doesn't start showing some competitiveness he will be on the way out. Way too early to get critical on what will be a divisional contender, but it does show the holes SF needs to get filled.
COWBOYS: Another team who gave you what you expected, the Cowboys were ultimately derailed by penalties. Jerry Jones must be popping Tums and Xanax tonight. They had their opportunities time and again yet somehow found a way to mess it up. They don't look improved but don't look worse than last year. Austin proved why he deserves the contract he got and Barber showed there's more in the tank. The Cowboys will make the playoffs, but unless there is improvement through out the season it may be deja vu all over again. and again.
REDSKINS: Neither impressive or a let down, the Skins played Shanny ball. A good mix of pass and run, Mcnabb showed some rust but overall was solid. As the season goes on I look for this team to develop more of an identity and get better. A fumble return for a score won't happen each week and this team is beatable. Haynesworth's tantrums won't help either and this team seems like it could go either way. They will be affected by their record and will reflect it week to week.
No comments:
Post a Comment