Inside Out: Week 2
09.17.2007
Another exciting week of football in the books. There were the usual surprises (the least of which wasn't Browns over Bengals) and a couple nail-biting finishes. So whats important to take from Week 2, continue reading and you'll find out.In maybe the most important news, John Parry has replaced Bill Vinovict at referee. Always keeping you abreast of the latest NFL officiating news, Bill Vinovich has taken over as the replay administrator on Ed Hochuli's crew due to an undisclosed health matter. So while he's off the field he is still directly involved with NFL officiating. I wish Bill the best in correcting the health issue and John the best in officiating.Rivalry Renewed.In a matter I'm sure the rules committee will look into, the Oakland Raiders were denied their first victory of the season in OT against the Broncos as a made FG by Janikowski technically never happened because the Broncos sideline called timeout only miliseconds befor the snap. This is not the first and certainly not the last time this has occurred. Janikowski went on the doink the subsuquent kick off the left upright. The only way to correct this situation is to allow only one of the 11 members on either team on the field to call a timeout. Its a lot harder to time the timeout when the defense has to pay attention to whats going on the field as opposed to the sideline who can devote all their energies to timing the last second timeout. Technically its legal, but its bush league. The rule will most likely be looked at, but if its changed is another matter.2-0 SURPRISE!If you would have told me that the Texans, Lions, Packers and 49ers, ALL would be 2-0 after 2 weeks, I wouldn't have believed you. Nobody would believed you. But thats the case and at least three of the four look like they'll be legitimate all season. The Texans have looked solid with Matt Schaub at quarterback dispatching the Chiefs and Panthers. They'll be tested as they're in the competitive AFC South. The Lions and Packers share the the early NFC North lead, and with the Bears not showing much on offense (as if thats a surprise) will play a major role all season in who wins that division. At this point I'd take the Packers considering whom they've beat. The Bears don't have it as easy as once thought. And then there's the 49ers alone a top the NFC West standings with both those victories over division opponents, so things are looking good. Maybe they'll be the bright spot in the mediocre West.0-2 SURPRISE!The most surprising 0-2 teams is undoubtedly the New Orleans Saints. Predicted to be the top of the NFC, the Saints now face an uphill climb at 0-2. They didn't score a offensive touchdown against the Colts in Week 1 and after 10 days to prepare for the offensively deficient Buccaneers, laid another egg. However, both games were on the road, so they have a chance to right the ship back in the luxury of the SuperDome. The Giants find themself in a lot of trouble after dropping their second game to the Packers. The Giants trailed 14-13 heading into the 4th quarter before the wheels fell off and things went south. Tom Coughlin is gone before seasons end. And then there's the AFC East whom have handed the title to the Patriots as the Bills, Dolphins, and Jets are all 0-2. Thanks for playing but game over.Thats BigThe 96 total points between the Browns and Bengals wasn't the only huge number from the game. Carson Palmer tossed 6 touchdowns and lost. While the victorious Derek Anderson threw five. The teams combined for over 1000 yards, 251 of which came from Jamal Lewis on the ground. It would be an understatment to say there was no defense. But maybe even more surprising than the score, is the fact that the Browns won. The Bengals are in serious trouble with no semblance of defense.Check back tomorrow for the new NFL rankings and too see who leads the pack in the Gridiron Challenge.
The Picks: Week 2
09.15.2007
Here are my picks for Week 2 of the NFL season. Check out all the picks from the Gridiron Challenge participants by clicking "The Picks" link in the right column under the rankings.Jaguars over Falcons (10)Steelers over Bills (11)Bengals over Browns (16)Packers over Giants (9)Panthers over Texans (4)Colts over Titans (14)Saints over Buccaneers (12)Rams over 49ers (3)Cowboys over Dolphins (15)Lions over Vikings (2)Seahawks over Cardinals (7)Bears over Chiefs (13)Ravens over Jets (8)Broncos over Raiders (6)Chargers over Patriots (1)Eagles over Redskins (5)
Hail Mary: Week 2
09.13.2007
After the tantalizing open week that was Week 1, there are plenty of exciting matchups on the schedule for Week 2. So lets go deep and checkout the smorgasbord , but first some thoughts on the cheating Patriots and their sentence.I've never like the Patriots. Never have and never will. And now my dislike is validated as they have been convicted of cheating. And sure some of you will say "Every team steals defensive signals" and maybe they do or maybe they don't, but the fact of the matter is the Patriots have been caught. Not once, but twice. Patriots apologist will tell you that this is a lot less harmful then having a roided player (Shawn Merriman, oh wait...Rodney Harrison and HGH) or having a group of convicts on your team (Cincinnati Bengals), but the fact of the matter is, by stealing defensive signals the Patriots trampled on the competitive balance of the league. They knowingly cheated as an entire organization, not just a single known roided player or single convicted criminal, but from a very high level (at least the coaching staff, and who knows maybe owner Bob Kraft) down to the players themselves who knowingly or unknowingly were briefed on the stolen information at some point or another.Now that the sentence is out, I feel it is way to light. The Patriots have a bazillion draft picks in 2008. Losing one or two of them (whatever the case based on their finish) is negligible. Along with the fine and loss of draft picks Coach Belichick should have been suspended for two games. So too we should question, though not necessarily astericks, the Patriots under the current regime. The Patriots cheated, were caught, and will pay the price, however small. We all knew Belichick was shady and now the organization is under the same pall.Bounce BackThree supposed top tier NFC teams will be looking to bounce back this weekend after deflating Week 1 losses. The Saints will look to recover from their beat down at the hands of Colts, by trying to score an offensive touchdown. The Saints head to Tampa Bay and should be able to right the ship against a weak Buccaneers team. I can't imagine Sean Payton not having them ready to go for this one.The Bears get a easy bounce back game against the Kansas City Chiefs. Following their debacle that was the Chargers game, Bears fans hope Rex Grossman doesn't help start the Grossman debate after only Week 2. The Chiefs aren't very good and they proved that last week. The Bears should get things rolling at home on Sunday.And then there's the Eagles. Their punt returners practically fumbled the game away. They head back home to the luxury of Philadelphia to take on division foe, Washington. Washington showed a little flare in their opening game victory over the Dolphins in overtime. Things could get testy if they don't pull this one off.DivisionalHalf the weeks matchups pit division rivals against one another. While I don't like divisional games this early in the season, they're always great fun to watch. In one that won't be a good one, expect the Bengals to put a beat down on the Browns. But there are a few that are very interestings and you should keep an eye on. First the 49ers head to St. Louis to take on the Rams. The 49ers squeaked out a narrow victory over the Cardinals in a game that most likely previewed how close the NFC West is going to be. I think this will be a great game.We Need BackupThey aren't really 32 quality NFL starting quarterbacks so its never a good thing when they backup has to start in Week 1. Both New York teams are probably without their starters as Chad Pennington and Eli Manning both suffered injuries in Week 1, that have slowed them enough to make the start. Neither backup option in New York is much to write home about. It's Kellen Clemens for the Jets and Jared Lorenzen for the Giants. Uh oh! Oh yeah, Cleveland starting QB Charlie Frye was traded to Seattle following his Week 1 disaster, so its Derek Anderson for Week 2.
Week 2
Schedule
Sunday September 16thFalcons @ JaguarsBills @ SteelersBengals @ BrownsPackers @ GiantsTexans @ PanthersColts @ TitansSaints @ Buccaneers49ers @ RamsCowboys @ DolphinsVikings @ LionsSeahawks @ CardinalsChiefs @ BearsJets @ RavensRaiders @ BroncosChargers @ PatriotsMonday September 17thRedskins @ Eagles
Week 2
Rankings
1. Colts (2-0)2. Patriots (2-0)3. Cowboys (2-0)4. Steelers (2-0)5. Broncos (2-0)6. Ravens (1-1)7. 49ers (2-0)8. Chargers (1-1)9. Bears (1-2)10. Packers (2-0)11. Texans (2-0)12. Jaguars (1-1)13. Seahawks (1-1)14. Panthers (1-1)15. Redskins (2-0)16. Bengals (1-1)17. Lions (2-0)18. Eagles (0-2)19. Titans (1-1)20. Cardinals (1-1)21. Buccaneers (1-1)22. Saints (0-2)23. Bills (0-2)24. Vikings (1-1)25. Browns (1-1)26. Rams (0-2)27. Jets (0-2)28. Giants (0-2)29. Dolphins (0-2)30. Raiders (0-2)31. Chiefs (0-2)32. Falcons (0-2)
Gridiron Challenge
The Picks
-There were 10 clean sweeps: Jaguars, Steelers, Bengals, Packers, Colts, Saints, Cowboys, Bears, Broncos, Eagles- Most Confident Pick: Bengals over Browns (15 pt. average)- Least Confident Pick: Chargers @ Patriots (2 pt. average)1. Eric Mittermann 23-9 (200)2. Gregory Dowell 22-10 (201)3. Matthew Dowell 22-10 (192)4. Rick Barritt 21-11 (187)5. Dan Audette 20-12 (187)6. Jeff Blackinton 20-12 (175)7. Gabe Dadi 19-13 (176)
Links
NFL.com Features
The 14 Days of Super Bowl
