Normally I choose games of either post-season significance or exceptional effort from both teams to review, but sometimes you get a team that so royally hammers an opponent into the ground they deserve a shout-out.
So here it is: the Baltimore Ravens are awesome.
Joe Flacco. 389 yards. 3 Touchdowns. No interceptions. 103.6 rating. Well done.
Baltimore’s fourth year pro out of Delaware is growing before our eyes into a potential game changer.
The Ravens leapt out to a 21 point lead by the end of the first quarter and sat back as they coasted to a 37-7 walkover. Impressive, I hear you cry? On paper it’s good, but on the field it’s even better, because at times it looked like they weren’t even trying. So tight and organic is this fantastic defence it matters not whether they play a complicated zone coverage or stick man-to-man, it looks like one body moving as one.
Their offense too – for so many years the component of a team that had unrivalled consistency on the tackling side of the ball blamed for their lack of success – is suddenly a thing of cohesive beauty.
Okay, I’m going Balti-MAD, but these Ravens are good, and they could get even better. I think the Steelers will have to push really hard to keep the division title they so covert, because I can’t see their main rivals losing many, if any, after the halfway point when absolute synchronisation has been achieved.
A note on Rams’ QB, Sam Bradford: last year’s runaway Rookie of the Year has had a rough start to 2011, but it doesn’t seem to be down to him. Although he sits way down the charts, his stats haven’t been helped by numerous dropped balls and awful protection that has seen him sacked 11 times for a total of 79 yards through three games – not good enough. Despite his troubles, this game is the only game in which he’s thrown an interception, and he only lost one to a swarming D that sacked him an unacceptable 5 times. He is still a star; the kid just needs a little help out there.
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Friday, 30 September 2011
Thursday, 29 September 2011
Week 3 Highlights: Raiders Vs Jets
This intriguing and eye-opening game featured two teams going in slightly different directions.
The Oakland Raiders are finally looking like the real deal and appear to be ready to ascend to the lofty rank of division champions, whereas the Jets – the tough-talking, hard-hitting, cocky clan from New Jersey – look set for an early bath if they continue to mess things up as the Bills streak away into the distance.
Despite owning an identical record to the patriots and trailing the Bills by a single game, things are about to get a lot worse for the jets as the next few weeks offer-up challenge after challenge and could see them sink like a stone in the dash for the division.
Conversely, the Raiders are 2-1, but have the swagger of a team ready for a run. Darren McFadden is in magnificent form and Darius Heyward-Bey has finally added catching to his list of talents that previously included nothing but speed.
As for the Quarterbacks, Sanchez had the livelier game but was tackled for a loss 4 times and threw an interception, despite holding on to the football when hit and amassing 369 yards through the air. Campbell did a good job of doing very little, as seems to be the game-plan for this new-look Raiders team. Can they win without exceptional play from their QB? Oddly for a team so green, I think they can as long as Campbell stays sharp enough to deliver the ball accurately to the Raiders’ playmakers and protects the football.
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The Oakland Raiders are finally looking like the real deal and appear to be ready to ascend to the lofty rank of division champions, whereas the Jets – the tough-talking, hard-hitting, cocky clan from New Jersey – look set for an early bath if they continue to mess things up as the Bills streak away into the distance.
Despite owning an identical record to the patriots and trailing the Bills by a single game, things are about to get a lot worse for the jets as the next few weeks offer-up challenge after challenge and could see them sink like a stone in the dash for the division.
Conversely, the Raiders are 2-1, but have the swagger of a team ready for a run. Darren McFadden is in magnificent form and Darius Heyward-Bey has finally added catching to his list of talents that previously included nothing but speed.
As for the Quarterbacks, Sanchez had the livelier game but was tackled for a loss 4 times and threw an interception, despite holding on to the football when hit and amassing 369 yards through the air. Campbell did a good job of doing very little, as seems to be the game-plan for this new-look Raiders team. Can they win without exceptional play from their QB? Oddly for a team so green, I think they can as long as Campbell stays sharp enough to deliver the ball accurately to the Raiders’ playmakers and protects the football.
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Wednesday, 28 September 2011
Week 3 Highlights: Giants Vs Eagles
The point-scoring pattern of this game looked more like a rehearsed dance than a tooth and nail contest, which is what it had to be for both teams vying for an early advantage in the NFC East.
The Giants shut-out the Eagles in the first and last quarters and were shut-out themselves in the middle portion of the game, leading to a topsy-turvy, hard-to-predict rollercoaster of a clash that saw the unbelievably inept Eagles slide to 1-2.
For a brief period in the third and fourth quarters, the Eagles held a two-point lead – a lead that was blown to pieces as the Giants proceeded to rattle-off 15 unanswered points as the match reached a crescendo, drowning-out the pre-season gloating of Philly fans, who thought – understandably so – that their roster was too good for anything but a Superbowl victory.
In all honesty, it is, which makes their embarrassing opening to the season many assumed they would take by the scruff of the neck before wringing it for all it was worth, even more perplexing and downright frustrating.
I am not an Eagles fan, nor do I have any particular sympathies for the team, but I hate to watch talent under perform and so chronically fail to deliver. Andy Reid is the unluckiest man in Pro Football. To have taken his team to the brink on so many occasions, and to have built a unit for the ages in a shortened minefield of an off-season, the man deserves his due.
But the football Gods don’t want him to have it just yet. Maybe they never will…
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The Giants shut-out the Eagles in the first and last quarters and were shut-out themselves in the middle portion of the game, leading to a topsy-turvy, hard-to-predict rollercoaster of a clash that saw the unbelievably inept Eagles slide to 1-2.
For a brief period in the third and fourth quarters, the Eagles held a two-point lead – a lead that was blown to pieces as the Giants proceeded to rattle-off 15 unanswered points as the match reached a crescendo, drowning-out the pre-season gloating of Philly fans, who thought – understandably so – that their roster was too good for anything but a Superbowl victory.
In all honesty, it is, which makes their embarrassing opening to the season many assumed they would take by the scruff of the neck before wringing it for all it was worth, even more perplexing and downright frustrating.
I am not an Eagles fan, nor do I have any particular sympathies for the team, but I hate to watch talent under perform and so chronically fail to deliver. Andy Reid is the unluckiest man in Pro Football. To have taken his team to the brink on so many occasions, and to have built a unit for the ages in a shortened minefield of an off-season, the man deserves his due.
But the football Gods don’t want him to have it just yet. Maybe they never will…
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Tuesday, 27 September 2011
Week 3 Highlights: Patriots Vs Bills
When all is said and done and the action on the field is in the books for another year, analysts could still be talking about this game.
Tom Brady threw not one, but FOUR interceptions, tying a career worst performance, despite throwing for another four touchdowns and an impressive 387 yards.
Maybe one of the reasons the Bills are functioning so well, is the protection they’re throwing Ryan Fitzpatrick’s way. Through 3 games, the guys only hit the deck once. That’s going to help build the confidence of a historically shaky passer.
Against New England he too matched-off with his TD/INT ratio (2/2), but came out of the game with a rating 6.5 points higher than Brady and that’s never bad. Hitting your guys for 369 is not a bad result either, but all of these favourable stats fail to underline the real reason the Bills won this tough, tough contest.
The Bills have heart.
Yet again this surprising young team rallied in the fourth and overcame a deficit that, in recent years, would have seen them fade like wallpaper in the sun. Picking-off Tom Brady is no mean feat, and they managed it a whopping 4 times, the last interception of the bunch effectively ending the game and ensuring the result fell in their favour.
Can the Bills go on and do the unthinkable? Can they actually win the AFC East? I would still bet against them, as I don’t think we’ve seen the Patriots hit their stride or the Bills cope with the business end of proceedings – something that may pose a problem for this undeniably effective, yet inexperienced team.
A Wild Card looks evermore likely, though, so keep an eye on the team that keeps us in shock, week after week.
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Tom Brady threw not one, but FOUR interceptions, tying a career worst performance, despite throwing for another four touchdowns and an impressive 387 yards.
Maybe one of the reasons the Bills are functioning so well, is the protection they’re throwing Ryan Fitzpatrick’s way. Through 3 games, the guys only hit the deck once. That’s going to help build the confidence of a historically shaky passer.
Against New England he too matched-off with his TD/INT ratio (2/2), but came out of the game with a rating 6.5 points higher than Brady and that’s never bad. Hitting your guys for 369 is not a bad result either, but all of these favourable stats fail to underline the real reason the Bills won this tough, tough contest.
The Bills have heart.
Yet again this surprising young team rallied in the fourth and overcame a deficit that, in recent years, would have seen them fade like wallpaper in the sun. Picking-off Tom Brady is no mean feat, and they managed it a whopping 4 times, the last interception of the bunch effectively ending the game and ensuring the result fell in their favour.
Can the Bills go on and do the unthinkable? Can they actually win the AFC East? I would still bet against them, as I don’t think we’ve seen the Patriots hit their stride or the Bills cope with the business end of proceedings – something that may pose a problem for this undeniably effective, yet inexperienced team.
A Wild Card looks evermore likely, though, so keep an eye on the team that keeps us in shock, week after week.
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Monday, 26 September 2011
Week 3 Highlights: Jaguars Vs Panthers
A drab game between two painfully hopeless teams, with one bright spot lighting up the squally afternoon: Cam Newton once again proved his worth and notched up his first career win on a rain-soaked field in Florida.
His yardage (158) and rating (75.4) were well below that of his first game but, rather crucially and impressively for a rookie QB playing in such inclement conditions, he did not turn the ball over. 1 TD is not amazing, but it was enough to win a tight, low-scoring contest that wound-up 16-10.
His opposite number, the solid, but as yet undesirable rookie, Blaine Gabbert had a worse time of it, with one pick, a safety and three fumbles. That’s what you expect from a rookie in the rain; that’s why Newton’s performance was another deal sealer for me. Although never lighting up the board, the Panthers did manage to score in every quarter (2, 3, 3, 8), which is a positive sign of this team’s desire and all-game intensity.
Gabbert, to give him his due, did throw a sweet touchdown pass that was one of very few spectacular plays of this weather-affected clash. Both teams now stand on 1-2.
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His yardage (158) and rating (75.4) were well below that of his first game but, rather crucially and impressively for a rookie QB playing in such inclement conditions, he did not turn the ball over. 1 TD is not amazing, but it was enough to win a tight, low-scoring contest that wound-up 16-10.
His opposite number, the solid, but as yet undesirable rookie, Blaine Gabbert had a worse time of it, with one pick, a safety and three fumbles. That’s what you expect from a rookie in the rain; that’s why Newton’s performance was another deal sealer for me. Although never lighting up the board, the Panthers did manage to score in every quarter (2, 3, 3, 8), which is a positive sign of this team’s desire and all-game intensity.
Gabbert, to give him his due, did throw a sweet touchdown pass that was one of very few spectacular plays of this weather-affected clash. Both teams now stand on 1-2.
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Sunday, 25 September 2011
Week 3 Highlights: Texans vs Saints
What a wild one! The Texans took a two-point lead (19-17) into the final quarter of this fast and furious contest, but it wasn’t enough as the Saints, who, after their first week loss to the best team they will play this season (the Green Bay Packers), shifted up to the gear that saw them crowned World Champions in 2009 and rattled-off 23 points to Houston 14 to take the win by a touchdown.
37 points in a quarter tells the story – this was an electrifying game, and a potential, however unlikely, Superbowl match-up. The Saints are a couple of years ahead of the Texans in terms of laying solid foundations for the future, whilst also being able to compete for championships. It’s been a long road for Gary Kubiak and his Texans, but this year – as we’ve said in each of the previous two seasons, and somewhat hopefully before that – is their year to step-up, inherit the Colts position as top-dogs of the AFC South and make an appearance, and hopefully some headway, in the playoffs.
The Saints are still stinging from the embarrassing loss to the 7-9 Seahawks in the Wild Card round of last season’s playoffs, but they look ready to atone for that particular humiliation.
Statistically, Matt Schaub outperformed Saints counterpart, Drew Brees. It’s tough for a QB to finish the game with 100+ rating, 3 TD/1 INT and a whopping 373 yards and lose the game. Still, at least you know your main guy’s doing his job.
And even the Texans D can’t beat themselves up for going to sleep on the Saints offense in the fourth quarter – these guys are good, really good. The Texans have time to tweak their unit and must now knuckle-down and focus on making it in to the playoffs at all costs.
Who knows, those Gold helmets could be waiting for them at the end of the Rainbow…
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37 points in a quarter tells the story – this was an electrifying game, and a potential, however unlikely, Superbowl match-up. The Saints are a couple of years ahead of the Texans in terms of laying solid foundations for the future, whilst also being able to compete for championships. It’s been a long road for Gary Kubiak and his Texans, but this year – as we’ve said in each of the previous two seasons, and somewhat hopefully before that – is their year to step-up, inherit the Colts position as top-dogs of the AFC South and make an appearance, and hopefully some headway, in the playoffs.
The Saints are still stinging from the embarrassing loss to the 7-9 Seahawks in the Wild Card round of last season’s playoffs, but they look ready to atone for that particular humiliation.
Statistically, Matt Schaub outperformed Saints counterpart, Drew Brees. It’s tough for a QB to finish the game with 100+ rating, 3 TD/1 INT and a whopping 373 yards and lose the game. Still, at least you know your main guy’s doing his job.
And even the Texans D can’t beat themselves up for going to sleep on the Saints offense in the fourth quarter – these guys are good, really good. The Texans have time to tweak their unit and must now knuckle-down and focus on making it in to the playoffs at all costs.
Who knows, those Gold helmets could be waiting for them at the end of the Rainbow…
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Saturday, 24 September 2011
Week 2 Highlights: Cowboys Vs 49ers
He’s up, he’s down, he’s Tony Romo. One week Romo is being battered for letting a fourth quarter lead slide (again), and this week, his late game heroics were enough to squeeze his Cowboys past the surprisingly competitive 49ers. The San Francisco team are now 1-1 and looking like genuine rivals to the Seahawks and Cardinals for the NFC West. In fact, despite no West team going 2-0, the 49ers look the far more likely to finish the season with a winning record. The key, of course, will be the intra-divisional match-ups where at least one of these low-ranked teams is guaranteed a win…or at least a draw…
But the Cowboys are the focus of this report. A 27-24 victory is the kind of result that, although not dominating by any means, makes you believe a team has what is necessary to succeed late in the year – guts. Romo and his ‘boys outscored the 49ers 13-3 in the second half and that’s a statistic you want to see on your side of the page.
Can they build on this and take the wide-open NFC East by the scruff of the neck? Yes, but they probably won’t. The Cowboys are talented enough to win that division even if the Eagles were making the most of their ludicrous roster, but they are yet to find any consistent form or confidence. Romo’s stats make him one of the best Quarterbacks EVER in the National Football League, but week in, week out, his ability to play is questioned.
So the responsibility lies with him. Is he ready to shoulder the expectation of a nation used to the brilliance of Aikman and Staubach, or will he crumble like so many unwilling successors before him.
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But the Cowboys are the focus of this report. A 27-24 victory is the kind of result that, although not dominating by any means, makes you believe a team has what is necessary to succeed late in the year – guts. Romo and his ‘boys outscored the 49ers 13-3 in the second half and that’s a statistic you want to see on your side of the page.
Can they build on this and take the wide-open NFC East by the scruff of the neck? Yes, but they probably won’t. The Cowboys are talented enough to win that division even if the Eagles were making the most of their ludicrous roster, but they are yet to find any consistent form or confidence. Romo’s stats make him one of the best Quarterbacks EVER in the National Football League, but week in, week out, his ability to play is questioned.
So the responsibility lies with him. Is he ready to shoulder the expectation of a nation used to the brilliance of Aikman and Staubach, or will he crumble like so many unwilling successors before him.
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Friday, 23 September 2011
Week 2 Highlights: Eagles Vs Falcons
The Eagles were looking to bounce back against the Falcons, who too needed a boost to moral after being downed by the Chicago Bears in Week 1. It was the Atlanta Falcons who came out on top, after managing to hold the Eagles to zero points in the first and last quarters. That the Eagles are unable to put points on the board through every phase of the game is a telling sign indeed. Their weakness is their inconsistency, perhaps exacerbated by the pressure of being preseason favourites – a tag that already looks misplaced – and such a wealth of as yet disorganised talent.
Reid needs to get a handle on this unbelievable collection of players he has somehow managed to unite under one banner, or this season is in danger of slipping away. My pre-season prediction of 13-3 already looks unlikely, but after watching the Eagles’ division rivals struggle over the first fortnight, a paltry 10-6 with tiebreakers might be enough to take the suddenly soft NFC East.
The Falcons keep their head above water with this win, but their main rivals, the Saints, don’t look like they’ve let their Week1 defeat to the World Champion Packers to dent their hopes. The Saints will not lose many more games, while the Falcons could be in real trouble unless Ryan manages to recapture the form that saw this team earn the Number 1 seed in last year’s NFC playoffs.
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Reid needs to get a handle on this unbelievable collection of players he has somehow managed to unite under one banner, or this season is in danger of slipping away. My pre-season prediction of 13-3 already looks unlikely, but after watching the Eagles’ division rivals struggle over the first fortnight, a paltry 10-6 with tiebreakers might be enough to take the suddenly soft NFC East.
The Falcons keep their head above water with this win, but their main rivals, the Saints, don’t look like they’ve let their Week1 defeat to the World Champion Packers to dent their hopes. The Saints will not lose many more games, while the Falcons could be in real trouble unless Ryan manages to recapture the form that saw this team earn the Number 1 seed in last year’s NFC playoffs.
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Thursday, 22 September 2011
Week 2 Highlights: Packers Vs Panthers
What the deuce?! Cam Newton just keeps on throwing 400+ yards? Two games in and the only man keeping off the top of the yardage charts is the evergreen Tom Brady, who has had to break a franchise record in game 1 (517 yards) to stay ahead of this prolific youngster.
It is quite remarkable.
And it was almost more remarkable still, as the Panthers came extremely close to beating the World Champions. How odd it would have been to have seen the worst team from last year beat the best so early on in a season that followed a break over which the Panthers were assumed to have stagnated and the Packers prospered.
Thankfully for my constitution, it didn’t happen. The Panthers jumped out to an early lead, racking up 10 points in the first quarter and shutting out GB in the process.
The lead was cut to six by the half and the Packers ended up winning 30-23.
And here’s why:
432 yards is awesome, but 3 interceptions by Cam Newton is far from pristine. The guy has guts, talent and excellent – truly excellent – chemistry with his team mates, but his gun-slinging ways can be disastrous for a team with few answers to offensive juggernauts.
Newton should just keep doing what he’s doing, but study his errors closely in the time between games to iron them out. Rodgers just needs to keep on being Rodgers. With him at the helm the Packers look fearsome.
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It is quite remarkable.
And it was almost more remarkable still, as the Panthers came extremely close to beating the World Champions. How odd it would have been to have seen the worst team from last year beat the best so early on in a season that followed a break over which the Panthers were assumed to have stagnated and the Packers prospered.
Thankfully for my constitution, it didn’t happen. The Panthers jumped out to an early lead, racking up 10 points in the first quarter and shutting out GB in the process.
The lead was cut to six by the half and the Packers ended up winning 30-23.
And here’s why:
432 yards is awesome, but 3 interceptions by Cam Newton is far from pristine. The guy has guts, talent and excellent – truly excellent – chemistry with his team mates, but his gun-slinging ways can be disastrous for a team with few answers to offensive juggernauts.
Newton should just keep doing what he’s doing, but study his errors closely in the time between games to iron them out. Rodgers just needs to keep on being Rodgers. With him at the helm the Packers look fearsome.
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Wednesday, 21 September 2011
Week 2 Highlights: Browns Vs Colts
The Browns recovered from an annoying Week 1 loss to hand the evermore distressed Colts preliminary copies of their tickets to the front row seats at next year’s draft.
McCoy played more like he did in the pre-season, throwing for 211 yards a touchdown and, crucially, no interceptions. His 97 rating is good for a new starter and if he continues to play so solidly, the Browns will be a challenge for anyone. Unlikely it is that they will put together a season worthy of playoff contention, but if they take the next step in 2012 there’s every chance to think the AFC North could become a three-horse race.
Kerry Collins did perform so well for the Colts, who really need to playmaker at Quarterback. His 1-1 TD/INT ratio and 191 yards is not enough when your team is struggling in every phase of the game. They weren’t buried, but they were beaten again, and by a team that they have never had reason to fear.
I am interested in this game for two reasons. Despite neither team being a Superbowl, or even playoff, contender, both are heading in different directions. The Texans’ mauling of the Colts in Week 1 marked a changing of the guard, and Cleveland’s sudden competency in the game of pro football signalled them as favourites in a game that, in the history of the league since realignment, they have never been favourites to win.
Both likelihoods transpired: Cleveland stepped-up and the Colts fell down. Will it continue? It will be patchy, but it will, I’m sure.
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McCoy played more like he did in the pre-season, throwing for 211 yards a touchdown and, crucially, no interceptions. His 97 rating is good for a new starter and if he continues to play so solidly, the Browns will be a challenge for anyone. Unlikely it is that they will put together a season worthy of playoff contention, but if they take the next step in 2012 there’s every chance to think the AFC North could become a three-horse race.
Kerry Collins did perform so well for the Colts, who really need to playmaker at Quarterback. His 1-1 TD/INT ratio and 191 yards is not enough when your team is struggling in every phase of the game. They weren’t buried, but they were beaten again, and by a team that they have never had reason to fear.
I am interested in this game for two reasons. Despite neither team being a Superbowl, or even playoff, contender, both are heading in different directions. The Texans’ mauling of the Colts in Week 1 marked a changing of the guard, and Cleveland’s sudden competency in the game of pro football signalled them as favourites in a game that, in the history of the league since realignment, they have never been favourites to win.
Both likelihoods transpired: Cleveland stepped-up and the Colts fell down. Will it continue? It will be patchy, but it will, I’m sure.
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Tuesday, 20 September 2011
Week 2 Highlights: Cardinals Vs Redskins
The Cardinals sure know how to lose a close one. They don’t come any closer than this: a single point separated the East and West coasts in this absorbing contest that saw Rex Grossman do a passable impression of an NFL Quarterback with the potential to affect his team’s fortunes positively.
Kolb is having teething problems in Arizona. Despite a pick-free pre-season and a great performance against a soft Carolina, against Washington he looked uncertain at times and only completed 56.7% of his passes as opposed to the 66.7%, 309 passing yards and 130 rating of the first game. Maybe I’m being harsh on this fifth year pro out of Texas; he’s been a back-up for most of his career and needs time to gel with the talent around him. And he’s not been bad, really (his yardage is good), it’s just that if Arizona hope to win he needs to be great, and he needs to fully exploit the potential of those around him.
The Redskins are suddenly looking like a real sleeper candidate for the wide-open NFC East. Before the season began, the Eagles were close to selling Division Title T-shirts, only to see the wheels come off in the first game and losing a bum-squeaker to the Falcons in Week 2. They will no doubt bounce back, but another loss over the next fortnight could solidify the opinion that the East Crown is up for grabs.
Grossman’s progress should be monitored closely. If he can finally elevate his standards to the levels so many coaches have believed possible, Washington might find itself celebrating a rare playoff appearance.
As for the Cards, it looks to be a season of competitive failure. Considering they play in the soft, soft NFC West they have a shot, but I get the feeling it’s an outside one.
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Kolb is having teething problems in Arizona. Despite a pick-free pre-season and a great performance against a soft Carolina, against Washington he looked uncertain at times and only completed 56.7% of his passes as opposed to the 66.7%, 309 passing yards and 130 rating of the first game. Maybe I’m being harsh on this fifth year pro out of Texas; he’s been a back-up for most of his career and needs time to gel with the talent around him. And he’s not been bad, really (his yardage is good), it’s just that if Arizona hope to win he needs to be great, and he needs to fully exploit the potential of those around him.
The Redskins are suddenly looking like a real sleeper candidate for the wide-open NFC East. Before the season began, the Eagles were close to selling Division Title T-shirts, only to see the wheels come off in the first game and losing a bum-squeaker to the Falcons in Week 2. They will no doubt bounce back, but another loss over the next fortnight could solidify the opinion that the East Crown is up for grabs.
Grossman’s progress should be monitored closely. If he can finally elevate his standards to the levels so many coaches have believed possible, Washington might find itself celebrating a rare playoff appearance.
As for the Cards, it looks to be a season of competitive failure. Considering they play in the soft, soft NFC West they have a shot, but I get the feeling it’s an outside one.
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Monday, 19 September 2011
Week 2 Highlights: Raiders Vs Bills
A season or two ago the idea of this contest would not have inspired many. As it turned out, it was by far the game of the season so far, and may well hold the unofficial title until Week 17 is in the books.
Both these teams are off to a flyer. Both these teams have playoff aspirations. Both these teams are now being taken seriously.
That the Raiders lost a game they looked to have won should really not detract from their achievement, competitiveness and obviously swagger. They’ve thought they’ve had game for a season; now they know they’ve got game – in abundance.
What is really warming, though, is the sudden maturity of the Bills. Their hammering of hapless Kansas City in Week 1 surely boosted confidence, but to wrench victory from the jaws of defeat by the tune of 5 – yes, five – second half touchdowns when looking down-and-out, shows a scrappy, never-say-die attitude that can only be earned through experience or, as it must be in this case, an immense self-belief.
The 38-35 final score line does reflect the combativeness of both teams and the scoring patterns of 0, 21, 0, 14 for the Raiders and 0, 3, 14, 21 for the Bills shows both teams strengths: the Raiders come out firing and the Bills refuse to lie down. Having the latter trait is particularly useful in the AFC East where other teams are going to push you to the wire, and similarly the former characteristic suits the AFC West – a division in which no other team has a great deal of heart (even the Chargers can be mentally weak), so if both continue to play with such enthusiasm, they could both achieve their goals.
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Both these teams are off to a flyer. Both these teams have playoff aspirations. Both these teams are now being taken seriously.
That the Raiders lost a game they looked to have won should really not detract from their achievement, competitiveness and obviously swagger. They’ve thought they’ve had game for a season; now they know they’ve got game – in abundance.
What is really warming, though, is the sudden maturity of the Bills. Their hammering of hapless Kansas City in Week 1 surely boosted confidence, but to wrench victory from the jaws of defeat by the tune of 5 – yes, five – second half touchdowns when looking down-and-out, shows a scrappy, never-say-die attitude that can only be earned through experience or, as it must be in this case, an immense self-belief.
The 38-35 final score line does reflect the combativeness of both teams and the scoring patterns of 0, 21, 0, 14 for the Raiders and 0, 3, 14, 21 for the Bills shows both teams strengths: the Raiders come out firing and the Bills refuse to lie down. Having the latter trait is particularly useful in the AFC East where other teams are going to push you to the wire, and similarly the former characteristic suits the AFC West – a division in which no other team has a great deal of heart (even the Chargers can be mentally weak), so if both continue to play with such enthusiasm, they could both achieve their goals.
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Sunday, 18 September 2011
Week 1 Highlights: Falcons Vs Bears
I really have a hard time giving the Bears the respect they deserve, despite constantly leaping to Jay Cutler’s defence whenever anyone question’s the kid’s ability to play.
I was impressed with the move the Bears brass made for Cutler – a solid QB was the missing component in this otherwise brutal and at times, dominating unit. Cutler is more than just solid: at his best he is sensational. Given the fact he’s a Bears fan, his heart could not be more in this. People need to lay off his character and I need to start looking at this team as the threat they proved they could be last year, while floating under the radar to the division title and an NFC Championship home game.
Honestly, I did not think they would beat the Falcons, who I pegged as a genuine top ten team, but beat them they did by a score of 21-12.
Matt Ryan of the Falcons had a shockingly bad game, but it wasn’t entirely his fault. He was sacked 5 times in his first outing this regular season and looked the worse for it. With no touchdowns and an interception to his name, Ryan needs to protect the football, but more importantly himself, if the Falcons are going to fly.
Cutler was effective with a rating of 107.8, a pair of TD tosses and an interception, but it was his 300+ passing yards that gave the Bears a serious chance in this game, a chance they more than willingly took.
Games won’t come easy for the Bears this year with Detroit and Green Bay playing at an elite level, and it they hope to emulate the success of last year, they’d better start racking up notches in the W column sooner rather than later.
But that’s the thing with this Bears team; the thing that makes me want to re-evaluate them and their prospects. When given a chance – even a glimmer of hope – they take it, break it’s neck and then bury it under the patio. They do not mess around. They are hungrier than they are expectant and perennially embarrassed by what I’m sure they regard as their annual underachievement. They mean business, and I’m scared.
Atlanta, though, looked poor. They will find their groove but they have to ensure they win against division rivals if they want a realistic chance of topping the hugely competitive NFC South. Will they do it? I doubt it, but with the Eagles to play next week, the time to answers questions is upon them.
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I was impressed with the move the Bears brass made for Cutler – a solid QB was the missing component in this otherwise brutal and at times, dominating unit. Cutler is more than just solid: at his best he is sensational. Given the fact he’s a Bears fan, his heart could not be more in this. People need to lay off his character and I need to start looking at this team as the threat they proved they could be last year, while floating under the radar to the division title and an NFC Championship home game.
Honestly, I did not think they would beat the Falcons, who I pegged as a genuine top ten team, but beat them they did by a score of 21-12.
Matt Ryan of the Falcons had a shockingly bad game, but it wasn’t entirely his fault. He was sacked 5 times in his first outing this regular season and looked the worse for it. With no touchdowns and an interception to his name, Ryan needs to protect the football, but more importantly himself, if the Falcons are going to fly.
Cutler was effective with a rating of 107.8, a pair of TD tosses and an interception, but it was his 300+ passing yards that gave the Bears a serious chance in this game, a chance they more than willingly took.
Games won’t come easy for the Bears this year with Detroit and Green Bay playing at an elite level, and it they hope to emulate the success of last year, they’d better start racking up notches in the W column sooner rather than later.
But that’s the thing with this Bears team; the thing that makes me want to re-evaluate them and their prospects. When given a chance – even a glimmer of hope – they take it, break it’s neck and then bury it under the patio. They do not mess around. They are hungrier than they are expectant and perennially embarrassed by what I’m sure they regard as their annual underachievement. They mean business, and I’m scared.
Atlanta, though, looked poor. They will find their groove but they have to ensure they win against division rivals if they want a realistic chance of topping the hugely competitive NFC South. Will they do it? I doubt it, but with the Eagles to play next week, the time to answers questions is upon them.
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Week 2 Highlights: Chiefs Vs Lions
The surprising Lions have moved on to 2-0 after annihilating a Chiefs’ side that has shipped more points – way more points – over two games than any other team in the league and scored just 10.
The score line of 48-3 may slightly flatter the Lions, who racked up a further 21 points in the fourth when the game was beyond reach of the discomposed Chiefs, but it does say this about them: the Lions want this, and they want it badly.
For years they’ve fluctuated between a laughing stock and the next big thing, but never have they lasted a whole season. They have patches of cohesion when they look exceptional, but there’s no telling if they’re just off to a lucky start or whether this new identity as a winning team will stick.
The real test will come against a top-ranked team. They have an unpredictable Dallas unit in Week 4, then two games against Chicago in weeks 5 and 10, before rounding off the season with the second of two match-ups with the Packers, the first of which coming in week 12. They are really their toughest games on early season evidence, and unfortunately for the Lions, they are also the most important. Going 1-1 in each series may well be enough to, if not win the division, finish second with a good chance of making the Wild Card spot on tie-breakers.
The Chiefs continue to sink to new depths. The only game I can see them having a chance of winning before the end of October is the trip to Minnesota in Week 4, but even that will be uncomfortably close.
A good game with 15 big plays and another solid performance from Stafford, who threw 4 TD passes with only 1 INT, while notching-up his second 100+ passer rating.
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The score line of 48-3 may slightly flatter the Lions, who racked up a further 21 points in the fourth when the game was beyond reach of the discomposed Chiefs, but it does say this about them: the Lions want this, and they want it badly.
For years they’ve fluctuated between a laughing stock and the next big thing, but never have they lasted a whole season. They have patches of cohesion when they look exceptional, but there’s no telling if they’re just off to a lucky start or whether this new identity as a winning team will stick.
The real test will come against a top-ranked team. They have an unpredictable Dallas unit in Week 4, then two games against Chicago in weeks 5 and 10, before rounding off the season with the second of two match-ups with the Packers, the first of which coming in week 12. They are really their toughest games on early season evidence, and unfortunately for the Lions, they are also the most important. Going 1-1 in each series may well be enough to, if not win the division, finish second with a good chance of making the Wild Card spot on tie-breakers.
The Chiefs continue to sink to new depths. The only game I can see them having a chance of winning before the end of October is the trip to Minnesota in Week 4, but even that will be uncomfortably close.
A good game with 15 big plays and another solid performance from Stafford, who threw 4 TD passes with only 1 INT, while notching-up his second 100+ passer rating.
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Saturday, 17 September 2011
Week 1 Highlights: Vikings Vs Chargers
This game features two teams that know how to squander golden opportunities. The Vikings are, along with the Bills, the losingest (so apt it matters not if it’s a word or not) team in Superbowl history. Worse than their 0-4 record in the big game, though, was perhaps their NFC Championship loss to the Saints a couple of seasons back. They had it all then, and now? Now they have nothing.
They raced out to a 17-7 lead against a Chargers team that looked down and out, but it wasn’t enough. A second half surge from Phillip Rivers and Co was enough to see off the forgettable Vikings, Quarterbacked this season by the once proud Donovan McNabb, who seems to be doing his best to soil his legacy, was the shameful overseer of a 3rd and 4th quarter shut out.
The Chargers, then, what does their ineffectuality in the first half mean? Slow out of the blocks? Maybe, but remember this is a pretty right unit that has remained relatively unchanged for seasons. No, I think the Chargers are in trouble. Beating Minnesota says more about the Purple and Gold than it does about the Chargers’ heart. With the Raiders the bubble team in the AFC West, the Chargers need to be mindful of the fact they may well lose the division for the second year running. And mark my words; only one team is getting out of that group alive.
A note on McNabb: he threw for 39 – thirty-nine – yards in this game, en route to a -50 passer rating. Frankly, that’s rubbish, and he’ll need to gel with his receivers quickly unless the Vikings’ brass are salivating at the prospect of the number one pick in next year’s draft.
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They raced out to a 17-7 lead against a Chargers team that looked down and out, but it wasn’t enough. A second half surge from Phillip Rivers and Co was enough to see off the forgettable Vikings, Quarterbacked this season by the once proud Donovan McNabb, who seems to be doing his best to soil his legacy, was the shameful overseer of a 3rd and 4th quarter shut out.
The Chargers, then, what does their ineffectuality in the first half mean? Slow out of the blocks? Maybe, but remember this is a pretty right unit that has remained relatively unchanged for seasons. No, I think the Chargers are in trouble. Beating Minnesota says more about the Purple and Gold than it does about the Chargers’ heart. With the Raiders the bubble team in the AFC West, the Chargers need to be mindful of the fact they may well lose the division for the second year running. And mark my words; only one team is getting out of that group alive.
A note on McNabb: he threw for 39 – thirty-nine – yards in this game, en route to a -50 passer rating. Frankly, that’s rubbish, and he’ll need to gel with his receivers quickly unless the Vikings’ brass are salivating at the prospect of the number one pick in next year’s draft.
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Friday, 16 September 2011
Week 1 Highlights: Panthers Vs Cardinals
This is not a game I expected to bother reviewing despite being a die-hard Cardinals fan. Both teams were expected to be woefully inept, and although this game did little to boost either team’s stock, one player certainly turned some heads with his performance.
Although the Cardinals ran-out 28-21 winners, it was Carolina’s Cam Newton – the Number 1 Draft pick – that stole the headlines.
Newton’s showing was spectacular. 2 Touchdowns and 1 interception is pretty standard (although decent for a rookie in his first real game), but 422 yards? Ridiculous…
We will see if Newton can really throw the football when he faces stiff opposition – at times the Cardinals looked like they were playing a man short – but it bodes well that his disposition is such that handling the pressures of the NFL spotlight seems a non-issue.
Well done Cam…we will follow your career with interest…
It's my birthday by the way...
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Although the Cardinals ran-out 28-21 winners, it was Carolina’s Cam Newton – the Number 1 Draft pick – that stole the headlines.
Newton’s showing was spectacular. 2 Touchdowns and 1 interception is pretty standard (although decent for a rookie in his first real game), but 422 yards? Ridiculous…
We will see if Newton can really throw the football when he faces stiff opposition – at times the Cardinals looked like they were playing a man short – but it bodes well that his disposition is such that handling the pressures of the NFL spotlight seems a non-issue.
Well done Cam…we will follow your career with interest…
It's my birthday by the way...
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Thursday, 15 September 2011
Week 1 Highlights: Bills Vs Chiefs
WEEK 1 HIGHLIGHTS. GAME 4: Buffalo Bills Vs Kansas City Chiefs
Wow. A blow-out from the Bills! Who’d have thunk it? 41-7 is a serious beat-down.
It may be too soon (it definitely is) to anoint the Bills contenders as they have in recent seasons of un-fulfilment leapt out to a stellar start only for the wheels to fall off and the engine out down the stretch, but racking so many points – despite playing a team expected to bring very little to the table – still shows that the offense is motoring. Furthermore, conceding one paltry TD against a team with a genuine wealth of young, bright offensive playmakers is a testament to their well-roundedness and a signifier they may well be ready for contention.
So what of the Quarterbacks? Ryan Fitzpatrick of the Buffalo Bills had a field day, tearing up the soft-bellied Chiefs D for 208 yards, no interceptions and a whopping 4 touchdowns. That, ladies and gentlemen, is music to the ears of a coach who has little in the way of praise for his team’s listless Quarterbacks since Drew Bledsoe gave it up. Although not out-of-this-world yardage, a rating of 133.0 is Pro Bowl-worthy. Hats off to Fitz and the Bills’ Wide Outs – it was a truly professional display.
Matt Cassel, on the other hand, absolutely bombed. Since leading the patriots to a surprising 11-5 record in Tom Brady’s absence, Cassel’s stock has been up and down like Casanova’s trousers. His rating – 66.5 – almost exactly half his counterparts, and a 1-1 TD/INT ratio is not what this team needs from its QB.
Predictions based on this game? The Chiefs are doomed to a season in the doldrums whereas the Bills have a shot of causing waves. A week 3 match-up with Division favourites, the Patriots, will show the intent of this team, but I guarantee they will lose some absolute stinkers to teams that Pop Warner unit to roll over. Who knows, though: if they can limit the bizarre losses and keep on putting-in some huge, confidence-boosting performances this team could, remarkably, be an outside shout for a Wild Card.
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Wow. A blow-out from the Bills! Who’d have thunk it? 41-7 is a serious beat-down.
It may be too soon (it definitely is) to anoint the Bills contenders as they have in recent seasons of un-fulfilment leapt out to a stellar start only for the wheels to fall off and the engine out down the stretch, but racking so many points – despite playing a team expected to bring very little to the table – still shows that the offense is motoring. Furthermore, conceding one paltry TD against a team with a genuine wealth of young, bright offensive playmakers is a testament to their well-roundedness and a signifier they may well be ready for contention.
So what of the Quarterbacks? Ryan Fitzpatrick of the Buffalo Bills had a field day, tearing up the soft-bellied Chiefs D for 208 yards, no interceptions and a whopping 4 touchdowns. That, ladies and gentlemen, is music to the ears of a coach who has little in the way of praise for his team’s listless Quarterbacks since Drew Bledsoe gave it up. Although not out-of-this-world yardage, a rating of 133.0 is Pro Bowl-worthy. Hats off to Fitz and the Bills’ Wide Outs – it was a truly professional display.
Matt Cassel, on the other hand, absolutely bombed. Since leading the patriots to a surprising 11-5 record in Tom Brady’s absence, Cassel’s stock has been up and down like Casanova’s trousers. His rating – 66.5 – almost exactly half his counterparts, and a 1-1 TD/INT ratio is not what this team needs from its QB.
Predictions based on this game? The Chiefs are doomed to a season in the doldrums whereas the Bills have a shot of causing waves. A week 3 match-up with Division favourites, the Patriots, will show the intent of this team, but I guarantee they will lose some absolute stinkers to teams that Pop Warner unit to roll over. Who knows, though: if they can limit the bizarre losses and keep on putting-in some huge, confidence-boosting performances this team could, remarkably, be an outside shout for a Wild Card.
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Wednesday, 14 September 2011
Week 1 Highlights: Colts Vs Texans
This game was all about a power shift, and it turned-out to be a seismic one at that. The Indianapolis Colts rule the roost in the AFC South and have done for the past decade. Occasional flashes of brilliance from the Titans and Jaguars have, although threatened Indy’s position as top dog (resulting in them actually losing the division to the Titans in 2008) never really deposed the playoff staples.
But all of that was thanks to one man, or so it would seem. The season-long absence of regular starter and Pro Bowl frequenter, Peyton Manning, has well and truly exposed the weaknesses of the Colts depth chart. Couple that with the emergence of the Houston Texans – a team that has been knocking on the door of the playoffs the past few seasons – and you have a new divisional dynamic.
Oddly, though, the absence of Manning can’t really be blamed for the team’s haplessness, especially in the first half. Veteran back-up Kerry Collins (a man used to the AFC South after playing for the Titans for the past few seasons) didn’t lose the game for the Colts and, in fact, had a better game statistically speaking than his counterpart, Houston’s Matt Schaub.
What happened here was a total collapse of the frontal defence. There was no cohesion, absent was the usual tightness, gone was the quickness that has for so long typified this undersized, but overbearing unit.
The offense didn’t get on the board until the second half (during which the D suddenly turned up and shut-out the rampant Texans) but that touchdown was all but incidental. Houston took their foot off the gas after jumping out to a 34 point lead and coasted over the finish line, making sure they absorbed the time on the clock without allowing the Colts any real foothold in the game.
They may have won the battle, but have they won the war? More importantly, have the Colts lost the ability to compete? Yes and yes. Something is seriously wrong with the Colts and it isn’t jus the absence of Manning, although maybe his layoff is the reason they seem to have collapsed mentally. They will get better; they will win games, but not enough to make them contenders.
Ironically, if when the Colts find some form (which I am certain they will) a fairy godmother offered them a free pass into the playoffs, I almost think they would be better without Manning. The great man has a shocking record with playoffs – his mettle is clearly somewhat lacking. A gritty workhorse like Kerry Collins might be able to steer the expectant Colts through the stresses of Postseason more effectively than the man many consider the greatest to play the game simple because Manning is expected to win every game and Collins none. And that weighs on your mind.
The Texans should go on to win the division with style assuming the effervescent Titans remain low-key all season. The Colts are in the a rough first 8, but look to them for a sudden epiphany when it’s too late.
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But all of that was thanks to one man, or so it would seem. The season-long absence of regular starter and Pro Bowl frequenter, Peyton Manning, has well and truly exposed the weaknesses of the Colts depth chart. Couple that with the emergence of the Houston Texans – a team that has been knocking on the door of the playoffs the past few seasons – and you have a new divisional dynamic.
Oddly, though, the absence of Manning can’t really be blamed for the team’s haplessness, especially in the first half. Veteran back-up Kerry Collins (a man used to the AFC South after playing for the Titans for the past few seasons) didn’t lose the game for the Colts and, in fact, had a better game statistically speaking than his counterpart, Houston’s Matt Schaub.
What happened here was a total collapse of the frontal defence. There was no cohesion, absent was the usual tightness, gone was the quickness that has for so long typified this undersized, but overbearing unit.
The offense didn’t get on the board until the second half (during which the D suddenly turned up and shut-out the rampant Texans) but that touchdown was all but incidental. Houston took their foot off the gas after jumping out to a 34 point lead and coasted over the finish line, making sure they absorbed the time on the clock without allowing the Colts any real foothold in the game.
They may have won the battle, but have they won the war? More importantly, have the Colts lost the ability to compete? Yes and yes. Something is seriously wrong with the Colts and it isn’t jus the absence of Manning, although maybe his layoff is the reason they seem to have collapsed mentally. They will get better; they will win games, but not enough to make them contenders.
Ironically, if when the Colts find some form (which I am certain they will) a fairy godmother offered them a free pass into the playoffs, I almost think they would be better without Manning. The great man has a shocking record with playoffs – his mettle is clearly somewhat lacking. A gritty workhorse like Kerry Collins might be able to steer the expectant Colts through the stresses of Postseason more effectively than the man many consider the greatest to play the game simple because Manning is expected to win every game and Collins none. And that weighs on your mind.
The Texans should go on to win the division with style assuming the effervescent Titans remain low-key all season. The Colts are in the a rough first 8, but look to them for a sudden epiphany when it’s too late.
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Tuesday, 13 September 2011
Week 1 Highlights: Pittsburgh Vs Ravens
This Week 1 classic contest saw the two AFC North powerhouses, and perennial playoff participants duke it out for early-season bragging rights.
And it transpired to be a tale of two quarterbacks. The scoreline – 35-7 – was an unexpected rout, with travelling Ravens Quarterback, the inconsistent but steadily maturing Joe Flacco putting in a superb passing performance for a team still trying to shake its run-heavy reputation.
That’s really the story here: sure, in the first game of a season following a shortened and uncertain off-season any team – even the Superbowl runners-up – can look a bit rusty, but where the Steelers will look the shake off the summer-break blues, the ravens need only continue in the same vein. The grace of their play is typical of their new identity. With a bevy of safe handed receivers out on the edge and Joe Flacco’s growing confidence, this team could finally get over the hurdle of surviving the playoffs and return to the Superbowl for the second time in this young franchise’s history.
Flacco threw for 3 touchdowns on his way to 224 yards, no interceptions and a QB rating of 117.6. Those are Pro Bowl calibre stats, and given the ravens sole championship came with Trent Dilfer – a workhorse journeyman; effective but unremarkable – at Quarterback, this talented unit has reason to feel optimistic should Flacco perpetuate his form.
Conversely, tried and tested two-time Superbowl winning Quarterback, Ben Roethlisberger looked bad. Although his finishing the game with no touchdowns and a worrying 3 interceptions says just as much about the Ravens pass coverage as it does his level of play, Big Ben knows this defence and is usually better at protecting the football.
I imagine that neither team will continue to play at this level. The Ravens will lose games against softer opponents and the Steelers will no doubt recapture their form in time to make the playoffs.
In my opinion both will survive into January, but on this evidence the Ravens have to fancy themselves to qualify as division champions. That said, should the Patriots and Texans (my picks for the top two seeds in the AFC) falter, the Steelers and the Ravens could be the teams to fill their shoes.
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And it transpired to be a tale of two quarterbacks. The scoreline – 35-7 – was an unexpected rout, with travelling Ravens Quarterback, the inconsistent but steadily maturing Joe Flacco putting in a superb passing performance for a team still trying to shake its run-heavy reputation.
That’s really the story here: sure, in the first game of a season following a shortened and uncertain off-season any team – even the Superbowl runners-up – can look a bit rusty, but where the Steelers will look the shake off the summer-break blues, the ravens need only continue in the same vein. The grace of their play is typical of their new identity. With a bevy of safe handed receivers out on the edge and Joe Flacco’s growing confidence, this team could finally get over the hurdle of surviving the playoffs and return to the Superbowl for the second time in this young franchise’s history.
Flacco threw for 3 touchdowns on his way to 224 yards, no interceptions and a QB rating of 117.6. Those are Pro Bowl calibre stats, and given the ravens sole championship came with Trent Dilfer – a workhorse journeyman; effective but unremarkable – at Quarterback, this talented unit has reason to feel optimistic should Flacco perpetuate his form.
Conversely, tried and tested two-time Superbowl winning Quarterback, Ben Roethlisberger looked bad. Although his finishing the game with no touchdowns and a worrying 3 interceptions says just as much about the Ravens pass coverage as it does his level of play, Big Ben knows this defence and is usually better at protecting the football.
I imagine that neither team will continue to play at this level. The Ravens will lose games against softer opponents and the Steelers will no doubt recapture their form in time to make the playoffs.
In my opinion both will survive into January, but on this evidence the Ravens have to fancy themselves to qualify as division champions. That said, should the Patriots and Texans (my picks for the top two seeds in the AFC) falter, the Steelers and the Ravens could be the teams to fill their shoes.
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Monday, 12 September 2011
Week 1 Highlights: Packers Vs Saints
Not only is the first game on my list to review, but it was also the first game of the year.
The Champions from the past two seasons clashed on September 8th, 3 days before the emotional kick-off of the 2011 season. Ten years had passed since the attacks on the World Trade Centre and a league of mainly Americans, took to the field the following Sunday with heavy hearts.
Those who competed on September 11th wore their responsibility to put on a professional and emotionally in key performance well, but no such pressure lay with the Saints and Packers.
Green Bay came out firing, scoring a superb 21 first quarter points, while the Saints managed only 7 in comparison. The first would be the last quarter the Saints would lose as they topped the second and the third by a score of 10-7, and then tied the fourth seven apiece.
So did Green Bay deserve the victory? You’d have to say that it was a pretty close call and that both teams deserved to leave week one undefeated, but yes, Green Bay certainly deserved their win as it’s never easy coming off the back of a world title season and picking up where you left off.
Rogers blazed out of the blocks, throwing 3 touchdowns and for 312 yards on his way to a 132.1 rating, which bested Brees’ similarly sensational figures that read 3 TDs, 419 yards and a rating of 112.5. Not bad for a shortened off-season – there are no flies on these boys.
This match-up is a serious contender for the NFC Championship game. I wouldn’t be surprised to see these teams put together long win streaks and meet up deep in the playoffs with a place in the Superbowl on the line.
Pick up THE HARE newspaper at Night and Day, Bar Centro, Font or Tiger Lounge in Manchester town centre, or the Oakwood in Glossop.
E-mail theharenewspaper@hotmail.co.uk with questions, comments or contributory pieces.
The Champions from the past two seasons clashed on September 8th, 3 days before the emotional kick-off of the 2011 season. Ten years had passed since the attacks on the World Trade Centre and a league of mainly Americans, took to the field the following Sunday with heavy hearts.
Those who competed on September 11th wore their responsibility to put on a professional and emotionally in key performance well, but no such pressure lay with the Saints and Packers.
Green Bay came out firing, scoring a superb 21 first quarter points, while the Saints managed only 7 in comparison. The first would be the last quarter the Saints would lose as they topped the second and the third by a score of 10-7, and then tied the fourth seven apiece.
So did Green Bay deserve the victory? You’d have to say that it was a pretty close call and that both teams deserved to leave week one undefeated, but yes, Green Bay certainly deserved their win as it’s never easy coming off the back of a world title season and picking up where you left off.
Rogers blazed out of the blocks, throwing 3 touchdowns and for 312 yards on his way to a 132.1 rating, which bested Brees’ similarly sensational figures that read 3 TDs, 419 yards and a rating of 112.5. Not bad for a shortened off-season – there are no flies on these boys.
This match-up is a serious contender for the NFC Championship game. I wouldn’t be surprised to see these teams put together long win streaks and meet up deep in the playoffs with a place in the Superbowl on the line.
Pick up THE HARE newspaper at Night and Day, Bar Centro, Font or Tiger Lounge in Manchester town centre, or the Oakwood in Glossop.
E-mail theharenewspaper@hotmail.co.uk with questions, comments or contributory pieces.
Sunday, 11 September 2011
Washington Redskins
I feel for the Redskins, I really do. Here’s a team that has endured some woeful seasons since the glorious early nineties; a team typified by late-season collapse, poor quarterbacking and plain bad luck (not one incident more starkly remembered than the murder of Sean Taylor in 2007).
Coach Shanahan is great for this team; getting rid of the lazy, awkward, waste-of-money-tackle that is Albert ‘the distraction’ Haynesworth is good for team spirit; trading Donovan McNabb to the Vikings and once again making the bold assertion that Rex Grossman has the skills to make it as a pro football player, let alone a starter, shows confidence in your guy, however misplaced it may transpire to be.
The NFC East, despite containing the much-fancied Eagles, is a weaker division than it’s been, but I don’t see the Redskins getting out of it any way but the hard way. There won’t be a wild card from this division unless every other decent team, trapped in a hellish divisional rivalry (Packers/Bears/and, believe it or not, Lions – Falcons/Saints and, believe it or not, Buccaneers) rip each other to shreds and ruin their records in the process. Realistically, though, only one team is coming out of the East and you have to fancy the Eagles.
Should Michael Vick go down, however, and the Eagles find themselves forced to rely on (gasp!) Vince Young or Mike Kafka, there could be a glimmer of hope for the Redskins who, although still the weakest team of the bunch, have enough grit and good coaching to give them a shot.
Verdict: they will not be an embarrassment to the division, but may well struggle to break .500 if the historically better teams in their division get it together before Christmas. I think they might go 7-9 and finish new the bottom of the NFC East.
Pick up THE HARE newspaper at Night and Day, Bar Centro, Font or Tiger Lounge in Manchester town centre, or the Oakwood in Glossop.
E-mail theharenewspaper@hotmail.co.uk with questions, comments or contributory pieces.
Coach Shanahan is great for this team; getting rid of the lazy, awkward, waste-of-money-tackle that is Albert ‘the distraction’ Haynesworth is good for team spirit; trading Donovan McNabb to the Vikings and once again making the bold assertion that Rex Grossman has the skills to make it as a pro football player, let alone a starter, shows confidence in your guy, however misplaced it may transpire to be.
The NFC East, despite containing the much-fancied Eagles, is a weaker division than it’s been, but I don’t see the Redskins getting out of it any way but the hard way. There won’t be a wild card from this division unless every other decent team, trapped in a hellish divisional rivalry (Packers/Bears/and, believe it or not, Lions – Falcons/Saints and, believe it or not, Buccaneers) rip each other to shreds and ruin their records in the process. Realistically, though, only one team is coming out of the East and you have to fancy the Eagles.
Should Michael Vick go down, however, and the Eagles find themselves forced to rely on (gasp!) Vince Young or Mike Kafka, there could be a glimmer of hope for the Redskins who, although still the weakest team of the bunch, have enough grit and good coaching to give them a shot.
Verdict: they will not be an embarrassment to the division, but may well struggle to break .500 if the historically better teams in their division get it together before Christmas. I think they might go 7-9 and finish new the bottom of the NFC East.
Pick up THE HARE newspaper at Night and Day, Bar Centro, Font or Tiger Lounge in Manchester town centre, or the Oakwood in Glossop.
E-mail theharenewspaper@hotmail.co.uk with questions, comments or contributory pieces.
Saturday, 10 September 2011
Tennessee Titans
Every season, almost without fail, the Tennessee Titans put together a win streak. Sometimes they are recovering from an early season slide; sometimes they are leaping out of the blocks; sometimes they are mired in mid-season and emerge without warning as a potential playoff candidate when they were a mere afterthought but weeks before.
Fundamentally, there is no way to tell when the Titans will thump their chests and turn-over teams that aren’t accustomed to being turned over, but I think their run could come early, and if it wasn’t for the coming of age of the Houston Texans they’d be my hot favourites to win the newly softened AFC South.
Why do I think their run will come early? Here’s why: Matt Hasselbeck.
Hasselbeck is a season pro, more than accustomed to game managing. The best thing about the Titans offense from the point of view of a veteran passer coming in to the system during a shortened off-season is that the aerial game is little more than a distraction and therefore simple, and doubly therefore the bread and butter of any NFL old boy.
Run-first offenses are tailor-made for the old guard, who can still throw a ball, but haven’t the time or energy to pick-up the nitty-gritty of the playbook. Look at how well Kerry Collins has directed the Titans offense in the absence (now permanent) of Vince Young; look at what Jeff Garcia did with the Eagles a couple of seasons ago; look at how Trent Dilfer won a Superbowl with the Ravens.
You see? Old guys love the run, because it means they can throw!
You see it especially with guys like Hasselbeck, who have been heading a genuine contender for the best part of their career. A pass-first team has to be tight; it has to be extremely precise and coordinated, for the simple matter of risk. And that means you can’t go lobbing the ball to just anyone, like Big Ben Roethlisberger of the Pittsburgh Steelers has been known to do when a play breaks down – it means you have to hit your man on the numbers every single time. But a run-first offense buys you time. And old guys love time…
As with all diversions, the Titans passing game has the potential to blow the field wide open. Hasselbeck can still launch the pigskin – no doubt. With him under centre and CJ2K in the backfield, the Titans are more dangerous than ever.
So why does their run come at the start of the season? Good as Hasselbeck is, his back is a wreck and the Titans O-line has to ensure nobody lays a finger on the guy or it could be bye, bye matt; bye, bye season.
Will Hasselbeck end the season on his feet? I hope so – with him healthy and the Titans streaking they could be an outside shot for the playoffs (they may even pip the Texans for the division, but let’s not mention that possibility).
Verdict: a healthy Hasselbeck is a happy Nashville. My prediction is that he won’t play 16 games. A strong start followed by a stumbling finish. I think they will probably need 11-5 to make the playoffs if they are in contention with the Jets/Ravens/Steelers and I think that may be a game or two too far: 9-7 or 10-6 depending on Hasselbeck and no playoffs this year.
Pick up THE HARE newspaper at Night and Day, Bar Centro, Font or Tiger Lounge in Manchester town centre, or the Oakwood in Glossop.
E-mail theharenewspaper@hotmail.co.uk with questions, comments or contributory pieces.
Fundamentally, there is no way to tell when the Titans will thump their chests and turn-over teams that aren’t accustomed to being turned over, but I think their run could come early, and if it wasn’t for the coming of age of the Houston Texans they’d be my hot favourites to win the newly softened AFC South.
Why do I think their run will come early? Here’s why: Matt Hasselbeck.
Hasselbeck is a season pro, more than accustomed to game managing. The best thing about the Titans offense from the point of view of a veteran passer coming in to the system during a shortened off-season is that the aerial game is little more than a distraction and therefore simple, and doubly therefore the bread and butter of any NFL old boy.
Run-first offenses are tailor-made for the old guard, who can still throw a ball, but haven’t the time or energy to pick-up the nitty-gritty of the playbook. Look at how well Kerry Collins has directed the Titans offense in the absence (now permanent) of Vince Young; look at what Jeff Garcia did with the Eagles a couple of seasons ago; look at how Trent Dilfer won a Superbowl with the Ravens.
You see? Old guys love the run, because it means they can throw!
You see it especially with guys like Hasselbeck, who have been heading a genuine contender for the best part of their career. A pass-first team has to be tight; it has to be extremely precise and coordinated, for the simple matter of risk. And that means you can’t go lobbing the ball to just anyone, like Big Ben Roethlisberger of the Pittsburgh Steelers has been known to do when a play breaks down – it means you have to hit your man on the numbers every single time. But a run-first offense buys you time. And old guys love time…
As with all diversions, the Titans passing game has the potential to blow the field wide open. Hasselbeck can still launch the pigskin – no doubt. With him under centre and CJ2K in the backfield, the Titans are more dangerous than ever.
So why does their run come at the start of the season? Good as Hasselbeck is, his back is a wreck and the Titans O-line has to ensure nobody lays a finger on the guy or it could be bye, bye matt; bye, bye season.
Will Hasselbeck end the season on his feet? I hope so – with him healthy and the Titans streaking they could be an outside shot for the playoffs (they may even pip the Texans for the division, but let’s not mention that possibility).
Verdict: a healthy Hasselbeck is a happy Nashville. My prediction is that he won’t play 16 games. A strong start followed by a stumbling finish. I think they will probably need 11-5 to make the playoffs if they are in contention with the Jets/Ravens/Steelers and I think that may be a game or two too far: 9-7 or 10-6 depending on Hasselbeck and no playoffs this year.
Pick up THE HARE newspaper at Night and Day, Bar Centro, Font or Tiger Lounge in Manchester town centre, or the Oakwood in Glossop.
E-mail theharenewspaper@hotmail.co.uk with questions, comments or contributory pieces.
Friday, 9 September 2011
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Well, this is a pleasant surprise.
The Buccaneers – hopeless before their one Superbowl appearance/victory and hopeless since – have turned a corner. With Raheem Morris as Head Coach and the young Josh Freeman at Quarterback, the next few years could see the playoffs going through Florida on an annual basis.
But are we anointing this team as Champions of the future too soon? In a word, yes. An awful lot of hype has surrounded the Buccaneers this off season. Freeman looked like he was really finding a groove towards the end of last season and the fact they came so, so close to a playoff berth then, is really reason enough for the Florida fascination that is sweeping the nation.
There is a real dynamism to this team and an ethos of optimism and grittiness that I like. They play at 110% every down; whatever they do looks frantic. When they win, they win with the elation of a kid on Christmas morning; when they lose, they look like they’ve just witnessed the end of the world. This is an emotional team, using their hearts to overcome the obstacles of inexperience. Their coach has assembled a solid unit and you get the feeling he trusts every young man on his roster. I also get the sense he sends them out to play, rather than execute. Is such a libertarian approach going to wash in the highly competitive NFC South?
No.
Verdict: although the Bucs will be extremely entertaining, and likely win a bunch of games, their mental weaknesses will see them fall to their main divisional rivals, the Saints and perhaps even the Falcons (a similarly youthful set-up but a couple of years further down the line). A 10-6 record and missing out on the postseason again, but getting closer.
Pick up THE HARE newspaper at Night and Day, Bar Centro, Font or Tiger Lounge in Manchester town centre, or the Oakwood in Glossop.
E-mail theharenewspaper@hotmail.co.uk with questions, comments or contributory pieces.
The Buccaneers – hopeless before their one Superbowl appearance/victory and hopeless since – have turned a corner. With Raheem Morris as Head Coach and the young Josh Freeman at Quarterback, the next few years could see the playoffs going through Florida on an annual basis.
But are we anointing this team as Champions of the future too soon? In a word, yes. An awful lot of hype has surrounded the Buccaneers this off season. Freeman looked like he was really finding a groove towards the end of last season and the fact they came so, so close to a playoff berth then, is really reason enough for the Florida fascination that is sweeping the nation.
There is a real dynamism to this team and an ethos of optimism and grittiness that I like. They play at 110% every down; whatever they do looks frantic. When they win, they win with the elation of a kid on Christmas morning; when they lose, they look like they’ve just witnessed the end of the world. This is an emotional team, using their hearts to overcome the obstacles of inexperience. Their coach has assembled a solid unit and you get the feeling he trusts every young man on his roster. I also get the sense he sends them out to play, rather than execute. Is such a libertarian approach going to wash in the highly competitive NFC South?
No.
Verdict: although the Bucs will be extremely entertaining, and likely win a bunch of games, their mental weaknesses will see them fall to their main divisional rivals, the Saints and perhaps even the Falcons (a similarly youthful set-up but a couple of years further down the line). A 10-6 record and missing out on the postseason again, but getting closer.
Pick up THE HARE newspaper at Night and Day, Bar Centro, Font or Tiger Lounge in Manchester town centre, or the Oakwood in Glossop.
E-mail theharenewspaper@hotmail.co.uk with questions, comments or contributory pieces.
Thursday, 8 September 2011
St. Louis Rams
Sam Bradford is the real deal. After a stellar rookie season, Bradford looks now to avoid the sophomore slump and continue to establish himself as one of the next generation of elite players. Along with Matt Ryan in the NFC South and Matthew Stafford in the NFC North, Bradford is one of a trio of exceptional young men playing for teams years from their heyday.
Of the three teams, the Rams have at least known real success, winning the Superbowl in the 1999 season. The Falcons have lost a Superbowl (to the Broncos after the 1998 season) but Stafford’s lowly Lions have never even been to the big game, despite calling Barry Sanders one of their own for the duration of his illustrious career.
Now though, these three teams are all going in the right direction, and even though Matt Ryan’s Falcons secured the number one seed last year, it is possibly Bradford’s Rams who have the best chance of tasting postseason action this year.
Consider this: the Falcons are a 2nd tier team with some exceptional players, a good coaching staff and another year under their belts, but they are still young, mentally susceptible to adversity and playing in an extremely tough division that I don’t even rate them as favourites to win.
The Lions are possibly the most improved team in the NFL. If Stafford can stay healthy, the sky should be the limit. The problem is the sky ain’t Detroit blue. It’s clouded by both contestants from last year’s NFC Championship game, one of which happens to be the world champion Green Bay Packers.
For those reasons, the Rams – 7-9 finishers last year, which, amazingly had them tied for first in the NFC West – are the most likely to make the playoffs. Although Seattle probably have the edge, based solely on experience, and the Cardinals have the firepower if they can work out how to utilise it with Kolb under centre, the Rams have talent and older heads on their shoulders than other young sides. The undeniable weakness of the NFC West gives them a shout, but to call anyone in that division a favourite is a compliment too far.
Verdict: I think the Rams will lose a lot of close games this year and look like the best team in the West despite a poorer than average record. 7-9 again and missing the playoffs by a single game. Next year, though, watch out!
Pick up THE HARE newspaper at Night and Day, Bar Centro, Font or Tiger Lounge in Manchester town centre, or the Oakwood in Glossop.
E-mail theharenewspaper@hotmail.co.uk with questions, comments or contributory pieces.
Of the three teams, the Rams have at least known real success, winning the Superbowl in the 1999 season. The Falcons have lost a Superbowl (to the Broncos after the 1998 season) but Stafford’s lowly Lions have never even been to the big game, despite calling Barry Sanders one of their own for the duration of his illustrious career.
Now though, these three teams are all going in the right direction, and even though Matt Ryan’s Falcons secured the number one seed last year, it is possibly Bradford’s Rams who have the best chance of tasting postseason action this year.
Consider this: the Falcons are a 2nd tier team with some exceptional players, a good coaching staff and another year under their belts, but they are still young, mentally susceptible to adversity and playing in an extremely tough division that I don’t even rate them as favourites to win.
The Lions are possibly the most improved team in the NFL. If Stafford can stay healthy, the sky should be the limit. The problem is the sky ain’t Detroit blue. It’s clouded by both contestants from last year’s NFC Championship game, one of which happens to be the world champion Green Bay Packers.
For those reasons, the Rams – 7-9 finishers last year, which, amazingly had them tied for first in the NFC West – are the most likely to make the playoffs. Although Seattle probably have the edge, based solely on experience, and the Cardinals have the firepower if they can work out how to utilise it with Kolb under centre, the Rams have talent and older heads on their shoulders than other young sides. The undeniable weakness of the NFC West gives them a shout, but to call anyone in that division a favourite is a compliment too far.
Verdict: I think the Rams will lose a lot of close games this year and look like the best team in the West despite a poorer than average record. 7-9 again and missing the playoffs by a single game. Next year, though, watch out!
Pick up THE HARE newspaper at Night and Day, Bar Centro, Font or Tiger Lounge in Manchester town centre, or the Oakwood in Glossop.
E-mail theharenewspaper@hotmail.co.uk with questions, comments or contributory pieces.
Wednesday, 7 September 2011
Seattle Seahawks
The Seahawks are rubbish. That said, they could well be the least rubbish team in the NFC West. The 49ers continue to bury their reputation as a Superbowl powerhouse, by embarrassing themselves season after season; the Rams are still maturing and have been on the end of some unfortunate team performances, given the excellent play of second year pro Sam Bradford; and the Cardinals Superbowl hangover continues to render them ineffective, despite possessing some of the league’s most devastating offensive weapons.
The Hasselbeck era is over. It was, without a doubt, the most glorious of Seattle eras. For several seasons the Seahawks were genuine NFL powerhouses, even making it to Superbowl XL in Detroit, where they unfortunately fell to the Steelers.
And now, the Tavaris Jackson era, has begun. Tavaris Jackson, the Minnesota cast-off. Attaching the word ‘era’ to a player of Jackson’s pedigree is a tad uncomfortable, and I’d feel much better tagging current back-up, Charlie Whitehurst, with such a label. If I were the Seahawks GM, I would have labelled this season dead, and installed Whitehurst at the helm in order to give him a year to acclimatise to the rigours of being an NFL starter. But after assessing the weakness of the NFC West, you can’t blame Pete Carroll and co for having a crack… After all, they did defeat the world champions last year on the back of a 7-9 season. That’s sport, for you!
Verdict: absolute no-hopers, who will probably win the NFC West again! Their closest rivals, the Cardinals, figure to be hapless throughout the season and there’s every chance the Seahawks might be less rubbish by the end of it. An 8-8 record, the division title, the 4th seed and a first round exit for the Hawks, unless they come up against a pass-first team like they did in the Saints last year. Then that homefield advantage might come into play again.
Pick up THE HARE newspaper at Night and Day, Bar Centro, Font or Tiger Lounge in Manchester town centre, or the Oakwood in Glossop.
E-mail theharenewspaper@hotmail.co.uk with questions, comments or contributory pieces.
The Hasselbeck era is over. It was, without a doubt, the most glorious of Seattle eras. For several seasons the Seahawks were genuine NFL powerhouses, even making it to Superbowl XL in Detroit, where they unfortunately fell to the Steelers.
And now, the Tavaris Jackson era, has begun. Tavaris Jackson, the Minnesota cast-off. Attaching the word ‘era’ to a player of Jackson’s pedigree is a tad uncomfortable, and I’d feel much better tagging current back-up, Charlie Whitehurst, with such a label. If I were the Seahawks GM, I would have labelled this season dead, and installed Whitehurst at the helm in order to give him a year to acclimatise to the rigours of being an NFL starter. But after assessing the weakness of the NFC West, you can’t blame Pete Carroll and co for having a crack… After all, they did defeat the world champions last year on the back of a 7-9 season. That’s sport, for you!
Verdict: absolute no-hopers, who will probably win the NFC West again! Their closest rivals, the Cardinals, figure to be hapless throughout the season and there’s every chance the Seahawks might be less rubbish by the end of it. An 8-8 record, the division title, the 4th seed and a first round exit for the Hawks, unless they come up against a pass-first team like they did in the Saints last year. Then that homefield advantage might come into play again.
Pick up THE HARE newspaper at Night and Day, Bar Centro, Font or Tiger Lounge in Manchester town centre, or the Oakwood in Glossop.
E-mail theharenewspaper@hotmail.co.uk with questions, comments or contributory pieces.
Tuesday, 6 September 2011
San Francisco 49ers
I can barely bring myself to write about this team, so hopeless they are.
Alex Smith has to be considered a bust by now. Sure, the kid can play, but the kid isn’t a kid anymore and turning in four, maybe five good performances a season isn’t enough to convince any head coach that he’s got what it takes to be a successful NFL QB. A decent back-up, sure – the guy has first round talent but no consistency. But if you expect Smith to carry the hopes of your team, your team’s in for a bumpy season.
Frank Gore – one of the NFL’s better rushers – is doomed to a career in the vein of Barry Sanders, or the modern equivalent, Stephen Jackson of the Rams – great players on a terrible team. I feel for him and for the fans, which are now of an age that regards the glory days as prehistory. For a franchise with 5 world titles, a championship appearance, let alone win, seems a million miles away.
Verdict: good players will see this team get a few wins, but there is nothing in the way of on-field leadership to suggest the 49ers are able to eke out the win when their backs are to the wall. They should finish last in the NFC West and go 4-12 for the season, and I might be being a tad generous there.
Pick up THE HARE newspaper at Night and Day, Bar Centro, Font or Tiger Lounge in Manchester town centre, or the Oakwood in Glossop.
E-mail theharenewspaper@hotmail.co.uk with questions, comments or contributory pieces.
Alex Smith has to be considered a bust by now. Sure, the kid can play, but the kid isn’t a kid anymore and turning in four, maybe five good performances a season isn’t enough to convince any head coach that he’s got what it takes to be a successful NFL QB. A decent back-up, sure – the guy has first round talent but no consistency. But if you expect Smith to carry the hopes of your team, your team’s in for a bumpy season.
Frank Gore – one of the NFL’s better rushers – is doomed to a career in the vein of Barry Sanders, or the modern equivalent, Stephen Jackson of the Rams – great players on a terrible team. I feel for him and for the fans, which are now of an age that regards the glory days as prehistory. For a franchise with 5 world titles, a championship appearance, let alone win, seems a million miles away.
Verdict: good players will see this team get a few wins, but there is nothing in the way of on-field leadership to suggest the 49ers are able to eke out the win when their backs are to the wall. They should finish last in the NFC West and go 4-12 for the season, and I might be being a tad generous there.
Pick up THE HARE newspaper at Night and Day, Bar Centro, Font or Tiger Lounge in Manchester town centre, or the Oakwood in Glossop.
E-mail theharenewspaper@hotmail.co.uk with questions, comments or contributory pieces.
Monday, 5 September 2011
San Diego Chargers
The perennial nearly-men are back and eyeballing the Division that should be theirs at a canter.
Last year’s AFC West Champions, the Kansas City Chiefs, look to be going backwards as they attempt to deal with the sophomore slump that so often follows success too young.
With the Chiefs shooting themselves in their feet and the Broncos being, well… the Broncos (the Josh McDaniels ravaged team that was a yearly contender deep in the playoffs till the young, jumped-up former Patriots coordinator turned-up with the revolutionary notion that getting rid of your best players will immediately make you better), the Chargers should make the playoffs without breaking a sweat.
Should… They should… But there’s something Silver and Black in the rear view mirror and it’s coming up fast…
The Oakland Raiders are this year’s team to beat in the division of the NFL that has overtaken the NFC South as the most topsy-turvy and unpredictable. The Chargers are always contenders, but their main rivals seem to change on a year-to-year basis. This is good for football and kind of bad for the Chargers, which, I suppose, is kind of bad for football.
You see, the Chargers have never established the rivalry of, say, Baltimore and Pittsburgh, New York and New England, Dallas and Washington, because no team has managed more than a season or two of matching them blow-for-blow to be considered a stalwart. For that reason, it becomes harder for the Chargers coaching staff to know what to prepare for.
When the Jets play the Pats, Ryan and Belichick dust off their game notes before sighing resolutely, and tossing them in the bin – you know what’s coming, so just do the thing you’ve got to do to win, and make sure you do it better than the other team.
If it’s bad for the Chargers, it’s bad for football. Why? I am not a Chargers fan, but I do have, as I think many people do, a huge soft spot for them, and am constantly frustrated when their flair, aerial panache and boyish optimism is crushed by an unfeeling machine like New England or Pittsburgh.
I love the legend of Dan Fouts, of Kellen Winslow. I love the way that Coach Coryell changed the game of football into what we know and love today. I love the Powder Blue jerseys, the breathtaking plays, the style of a team that desperately needs the substance of a championship to solidify their elite status.
Phillip Rivers is already the Dan Fouts of his generation. Had Drew Brees of the Saints not won a title, he might have claimed the role, but Rivers will be the unlucky Hall of Famer unless his team can finally get back to the big game and win it this time.
Verdict: on paper, they have the easiest task of all AFC teams. In reality, the Chargers’ inconsistency and the Raiders sudden burst in productivity, could mean a very different outcome to the one expected by all in San Diego. Two tough divisional losses to the Raiders will account for a third of their defeats all season but see them miss out on the playoffs via tiebreakers. 10-6 and second in the AFC West.
Pick up THE HARE newspaper at Night and Day, Bar Centro, Font or Tiger Lounge in Manchester town centre, or the Oakwood in Glossop.
E-mail theharenewspaper@hotmail.co.uk with questions, comments or contributory pieces.
Last year’s AFC West Champions, the Kansas City Chiefs, look to be going backwards as they attempt to deal with the sophomore slump that so often follows success too young.
With the Chiefs shooting themselves in their feet and the Broncos being, well… the Broncos (the Josh McDaniels ravaged team that was a yearly contender deep in the playoffs till the young, jumped-up former Patriots coordinator turned-up with the revolutionary notion that getting rid of your best players will immediately make you better), the Chargers should make the playoffs without breaking a sweat.
Should… They should… But there’s something Silver and Black in the rear view mirror and it’s coming up fast…
The Oakland Raiders are this year’s team to beat in the division of the NFL that has overtaken the NFC South as the most topsy-turvy and unpredictable. The Chargers are always contenders, but their main rivals seem to change on a year-to-year basis. This is good for football and kind of bad for the Chargers, which, I suppose, is kind of bad for football.
You see, the Chargers have never established the rivalry of, say, Baltimore and Pittsburgh, New York and New England, Dallas and Washington, because no team has managed more than a season or two of matching them blow-for-blow to be considered a stalwart. For that reason, it becomes harder for the Chargers coaching staff to know what to prepare for.
When the Jets play the Pats, Ryan and Belichick dust off their game notes before sighing resolutely, and tossing them in the bin – you know what’s coming, so just do the thing you’ve got to do to win, and make sure you do it better than the other team.
If it’s bad for the Chargers, it’s bad for football. Why? I am not a Chargers fan, but I do have, as I think many people do, a huge soft spot for them, and am constantly frustrated when their flair, aerial panache and boyish optimism is crushed by an unfeeling machine like New England or Pittsburgh.
I love the legend of Dan Fouts, of Kellen Winslow. I love the way that Coach Coryell changed the game of football into what we know and love today. I love the Powder Blue jerseys, the breathtaking plays, the style of a team that desperately needs the substance of a championship to solidify their elite status.
Phillip Rivers is already the Dan Fouts of his generation. Had Drew Brees of the Saints not won a title, he might have claimed the role, but Rivers will be the unlucky Hall of Famer unless his team can finally get back to the big game and win it this time.
Verdict: on paper, they have the easiest task of all AFC teams. In reality, the Chargers’ inconsistency and the Raiders sudden burst in productivity, could mean a very different outcome to the one expected by all in San Diego. Two tough divisional losses to the Raiders will account for a third of their defeats all season but see them miss out on the playoffs via tiebreakers. 10-6 and second in the AFC West.
Pick up THE HARE newspaper at Night and Day, Bar Centro, Font or Tiger Lounge in Manchester town centre, or the Oakwood in Glossop.
E-mail theharenewspaper@hotmail.co.uk with questions, comments or contributory pieces.
Sunday, 4 September 2011
Pittsburgh Steelers
Last year’s runners-up are hungry to avenge what was only their second loss in the big game. They are 6-2 all time in Superbowls with the most wins and appearances (tied with Dallas on 8) to date. Their team is superbly well coached by Mike Tomlin, who inherited a ready-made contender from long-time coach Bill Cowher when he retired a year after finally winning the title his tenure deserved in Superbowl XL.
The Steelers draft well and are a tight-knit bunch, who always get ready for the season regardless of any off-season issues that have plagued some of their top players.
Despite their undeniable pedigree, the Steelers often float under the radar until the end of the season. I think this has something to do with their ever-presence. It’s almost a given they will get to the playoffs somehow, but focus tends to rest with their division rivals, the Baltimore Ravens, who have been for the past few seasons, the team in waiting. Their ascension has made duking it out for the top of the AFC North a tight and absorbing affair year after year.
The Steelers find themselves in a conference that is much changed since last season. The Colts will not win the AFC South and are unlikely to feature in the playoffs for the first time in what seems like eternity, and the Chiefs, winners of the AFC West, last year will also fade under pressure from a resurgent San Diego and an optimistic Oakland.
I believe the Wild Cards in the AFC are easier to secure than in the NFC and for that reason I think the Steelers will ensure their late-season presence at a jog, be they in fifth or sixth position or runaway division champs.
Verdict: 11-5 and tied with the Ravens, who I think will take the division on the basis of head-to-head encounters. The Steelers will be playing in January, though, and they will be dangerous. Look for them to fall at the divisional round of the playoffs to either the Patriots or Texans.
Pick up THE HARE newspaper at Night and Day, Bar Centro, Font or Tiger Lounge in Manchester town centre, or the Oakwood in Glossop.
E-mail theharenewspaper@hotmail.co.uk with questions, comments or contributory pieces.
The Steelers draft well and are a tight-knit bunch, who always get ready for the season regardless of any off-season issues that have plagued some of their top players.
Despite their undeniable pedigree, the Steelers often float under the radar until the end of the season. I think this has something to do with their ever-presence. It’s almost a given they will get to the playoffs somehow, but focus tends to rest with their division rivals, the Baltimore Ravens, who have been for the past few seasons, the team in waiting. Their ascension has made duking it out for the top of the AFC North a tight and absorbing affair year after year.
The Steelers find themselves in a conference that is much changed since last season. The Colts will not win the AFC South and are unlikely to feature in the playoffs for the first time in what seems like eternity, and the Chiefs, winners of the AFC West, last year will also fade under pressure from a resurgent San Diego and an optimistic Oakland.
I believe the Wild Cards in the AFC are easier to secure than in the NFC and for that reason I think the Steelers will ensure their late-season presence at a jog, be they in fifth or sixth position or runaway division champs.
Verdict: 11-5 and tied with the Ravens, who I think will take the division on the basis of head-to-head encounters. The Steelers will be playing in January, though, and they will be dangerous. Look for them to fall at the divisional round of the playoffs to either the Patriots or Texans.
Pick up THE HARE newspaper at Night and Day, Bar Centro, Font or Tiger Lounge in Manchester town centre, or the Oakwood in Glossop.
E-mail theharenewspaper@hotmail.co.uk with questions, comments or contributory pieces.
Saturday, 3 September 2011
Philadelphia Eagles
Watching the Eagles assemble their roster over the shortened off-season was a thing of absolute beauty.
Andy Reid was incisive, aggressive and publicly passionate about the construction of a championship calibre team.
And boy, what a result! This team is loaded with fantasy super stars; stacked with talent and fuelled by a desire born of frustration and the knowledge that they are, as they have been for many years, perhaps the most deserving of a title that has, thus far, eluded them.
There are no weak spots throughout the Eagles starters. The only areas I would like to see more depth at, though, are Running Backs and Quarterbacks. If Michael Vick goes down, this team doesn’t just lose their starting passer, but also one of the major reasons why defences refuse to over-commit to the pass rush – there is no QB in the history of the game more dangerous with his legs than Michael Vick.
Vick is a lynchpin in this team – keeping him upright and healthy is essential to their success. Should the line protect the main man, this team will romp their way through the NFC, which is softer than it has been of late.
Verdict: the most improved team by a country mile. There is every reason to believe the Eagles could go all the way, but I’m a fan of trending in football and I reckon they’ll make the playoffs as number two or three seeds and stumble against either the Saints of Packers before the NFC Championship game. Record around 11-5 and a pitiful fade-out of the playoffs as per usual.
Pick up THE HARE newspaper at Night and Day, Bar Centro, Font or Tiger Lounge in Manchester town centre, or the Oakwood in Glossop.
E-mail theharenewspaper@hotmail.co.uk with questions, comments or contributory pieces.
Andy Reid was incisive, aggressive and publicly passionate about the construction of a championship calibre team.
And boy, what a result! This team is loaded with fantasy super stars; stacked with talent and fuelled by a desire born of frustration and the knowledge that they are, as they have been for many years, perhaps the most deserving of a title that has, thus far, eluded them.
There are no weak spots throughout the Eagles starters. The only areas I would like to see more depth at, though, are Running Backs and Quarterbacks. If Michael Vick goes down, this team doesn’t just lose their starting passer, but also one of the major reasons why defences refuse to over-commit to the pass rush – there is no QB in the history of the game more dangerous with his legs than Michael Vick.
Vick is a lynchpin in this team – keeping him upright and healthy is essential to their success. Should the line protect the main man, this team will romp their way through the NFC, which is softer than it has been of late.
Verdict: the most improved team by a country mile. There is every reason to believe the Eagles could go all the way, but I’m a fan of trending in football and I reckon they’ll make the playoffs as number two or three seeds and stumble against either the Saints of Packers before the NFC Championship game. Record around 11-5 and a pitiful fade-out of the playoffs as per usual.
Pick up THE HARE newspaper at Night and Day, Bar Centro, Font or Tiger Lounge in Manchester town centre, or the Oakwood in Glossop.
E-mail theharenewspaper@hotmail.co.uk with questions, comments or contributory pieces.
Friday, 2 September 2011
Oakland Raiders
Last year saw a bizarre occasion: the Oakland Raiders went 6-0 in their division, but managed a meagre 8-8 finish, missing the playoffs yet again. They’ve been knocking on the door for years, but having shipped their best player, Nnamdi Asomugha to the Philadelphia Eagles over the summer, you could be forgiven for thinking the Silver and Black might be going backwards, but I don’t think that’s the case.
Playing in the softest division in the AFC doesn’t hurt. The Chargers are perennial favourites to win the AFC West, but a year after the Chiefs ran-out surprise winners, you have to be prepared for surprises.
The Raiders have a real shot of making the playoffs this year, and they could be joined by some unfamiliar faces. 2011 could finally see the turnaround of several maligned franchises: the Lions, Browns, Bills, Rams, Texans, Buccaneers and Raiders are all looking like teams on the up and I wouldn’t be at all surprised to see three of those seven in the mix come January. The Raiders are one of the three.
Basically, all they’ve got to do is match the Chargers game for game and beat them in their head to head contests – a feat of which I believe them to be capable. On the back of solid quarterbacking from Jason Campbell, electrifying running from Darren McFadden and field-stretching moves from a pair of burners at receiver, the Raiders are ready to take the next step.
Verdict: 10-6, tied with the Chargers on record but winning both head-to-head encounters and getting into the playoffs at the expense of Phillip Rivers team and possibly Norv Turner’s job.
Pick up THE HARE newspaper at Night and Day, Bar Centro, Font or Tiger Lounge in Manchester town centre, or the Oakwood in Glossop.
E-mail theharenewspaper@hotmail.co.uk with questions, comments or contributory pieces.
Playing in the softest division in the AFC doesn’t hurt. The Chargers are perennial favourites to win the AFC West, but a year after the Chiefs ran-out surprise winners, you have to be prepared for surprises.
The Raiders have a real shot of making the playoffs this year, and they could be joined by some unfamiliar faces. 2011 could finally see the turnaround of several maligned franchises: the Lions, Browns, Bills, Rams, Texans, Buccaneers and Raiders are all looking like teams on the up and I wouldn’t be at all surprised to see three of those seven in the mix come January. The Raiders are one of the three.
Basically, all they’ve got to do is match the Chargers game for game and beat them in their head to head contests – a feat of which I believe them to be capable. On the back of solid quarterbacking from Jason Campbell, electrifying running from Darren McFadden and field-stretching moves from a pair of burners at receiver, the Raiders are ready to take the next step.
Verdict: 10-6, tied with the Chargers on record but winning both head-to-head encounters and getting into the playoffs at the expense of Phillip Rivers team and possibly Norv Turner’s job.
Pick up THE HARE newspaper at Night and Day, Bar Centro, Font or Tiger Lounge in Manchester town centre, or the Oakwood in Glossop.
E-mail theharenewspaper@hotmail.co.uk with questions, comments or contributory pieces.
Thursday, 1 September 2011
New York Giants
Big Blue are in for a rough ride with their ‘elite’ QB, Eli Manning.
Manning is of great stock, has a Superbowl ring and beat the most successful Quarterback of our generation to get it, but elite he is not. He is not the worst QB to ever win the big one (Trent Dilfer we love you), but he is little more than an effective game manager who plays his role well.
Some may say that’s enough to warrant the label, but the way Manning differs from the Bradys, Rogers, Rivers and Brees of this league is that he doesn’t change the game. He might put his team in the position to do something special, but he won’t make the spectacular happen with his arm or legs.
The Catch. So legendary it’s capitalised. David Tyree pinning a high, ropey throw from ‘elite’ QB Eli Manning against his lid as he was mauled by Rodney Harrison. Tyree held on, the Giants won the Superbowl for perhaps the biggest upset in our sport’s history. It was spectacular, but it should never have been. It was spectacular because Tyree caught a ball that he should not have been able to catch while under intense pressure from one of the most aggressive safeties the NFL has ever known. Manning should have been benched for that throw, not applauded. Sure, he did well to slip through the rush as his pocket collapsed, and perhaps you could laud him for getting the ball away at all, but it was still a shockingly risky bit of play. Brady wouldn’t have done it. Rivers wouldn’t have done it. Rogers wouldn’t have got himself into that kind of mess and Brees probably would have done it but gotten the throw on target.
The offense is weak. It lacks pro-bowl talent all over the field. Quarterback play is mediocre. The defence is riddled with injuries. Tom Coughlin doesn’t care all that much anymore. This team is trash right now. Bring back Tiki. Bring back Strahan. Without those characters there’s nothing much to like about this team of pretenders.
Verdict: they will win a few games, because when everything goes right, this team is, at worst, effective. The Eagles should run away with the division and the Redskins and Cowboys, although neither the powerhouse they have been, both know how to play and could cause the Giants problems. Despite my slating of Manning’s self-perception, this team should manage to split the series with each of the division rivals, even Philly. So I will stick with that pattern and predict an 8-8 finish.
Pick up THE HARE newspaper at Night and Day, Bar Centro, Font or Tiger Lounge in Manchester town centre, or the Oakwood in Glossop.
E-mail theharenewspaper@hotmail.co.uk with questions, comments or contributory pieces.
Manning is of great stock, has a Superbowl ring and beat the most successful Quarterback of our generation to get it, but elite he is not. He is not the worst QB to ever win the big one (Trent Dilfer we love you), but he is little more than an effective game manager who plays his role well.
Some may say that’s enough to warrant the label, but the way Manning differs from the Bradys, Rogers, Rivers and Brees of this league is that he doesn’t change the game. He might put his team in the position to do something special, but he won’t make the spectacular happen with his arm or legs.
The Catch. So legendary it’s capitalised. David Tyree pinning a high, ropey throw from ‘elite’ QB Eli Manning against his lid as he was mauled by Rodney Harrison. Tyree held on, the Giants won the Superbowl for perhaps the biggest upset in our sport’s history. It was spectacular, but it should never have been. It was spectacular because Tyree caught a ball that he should not have been able to catch while under intense pressure from one of the most aggressive safeties the NFL has ever known. Manning should have been benched for that throw, not applauded. Sure, he did well to slip through the rush as his pocket collapsed, and perhaps you could laud him for getting the ball away at all, but it was still a shockingly risky bit of play. Brady wouldn’t have done it. Rivers wouldn’t have done it. Rogers wouldn’t have got himself into that kind of mess and Brees probably would have done it but gotten the throw on target.
The offense is weak. It lacks pro-bowl talent all over the field. Quarterback play is mediocre. The defence is riddled with injuries. Tom Coughlin doesn’t care all that much anymore. This team is trash right now. Bring back Tiki. Bring back Strahan. Without those characters there’s nothing much to like about this team of pretenders.
Verdict: they will win a few games, because when everything goes right, this team is, at worst, effective. The Eagles should run away with the division and the Redskins and Cowboys, although neither the powerhouse they have been, both know how to play and could cause the Giants problems. Despite my slating of Manning’s self-perception, this team should manage to split the series with each of the division rivals, even Philly. So I will stick with that pattern and predict an 8-8 finish.
Pick up THE HARE newspaper at Night and Day, Bar Centro, Font or Tiger Lounge in Manchester town centre, or the Oakwood in Glossop.
E-mail theharenewspaper@hotmail.co.uk with questions, comments or contributory pieces.
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