Chicago 27 Detroit 37
Griese! Griese! Grie…er well that didn’t go so well. Time for Kyle Orton? And how about those Lions? Destroyed that vaulted Bears defense.St. Louis 7 Dallas 35
This game was discussed in an earlier blog. In other news, I love that House is picking his intern Survivor/Apprentice style. Genius move by a genius show.
Baltimore 13 Cleveland 27
I’ve been telling every Ravens fan I know that this Ravens team might be the most overrated one in the league. Clearly the worst 2-2 team I’ve seen. Speaking of 2-2 teams, the Browns are quite a surprise. I’m pretty sure they don’t even know how they’ve won two games.
NY Jets 14 Buffalo 17
How about rookie Trent Edwards leading this Buffalo team to its first win. The team deserved it, with all it’s had to go through this year. Meanwhile, the Patriots are 4-0 and the rest of the division is a combined 2-10. I think that race is over already.
Houston 16 Atlanta 26
Revenge was not so sweet for Matt Schaub, who wasn’t able to beat his former team. Joey Harrington, meanwhile, played really well for the second game in a row. A big win for the Falcons over a good Texans team.
Green Bay 23 Minnesota 16
I could discuss different aspects of this game but the only thing that really matters is Favre got the record and the team is winning again. Favre is playing at an MVP type level right now. Another thing to take out of this game is how good Vikings RB Adrian Peterson is. The guy is gonna be a star.
Oakland 35 Miami 17
DUANTE! DUANTE! DUANTE! He sure got his revenge, running for three touchdowns and throwing for two. Meanwhile, both of the Dolphin’s 2006 quarterbacks, Joey Harrington and Culpepper, posted big wins Sunday.
Seattle 23 San Francisco 3
Revenge wasn’t so sweet for Darrell Jackson either, as the Seahawks crushed the Niners. It looked like a potentially promising season for San Francisco but the injury to Alex Smith isn’t going to help. Meanwhile, they might be legitimate contenders, but the Seahawks are by far the most boring team in the NFL.
Tampa Bay 20 Carolina 7
They haven’t faced stiff competition but it’s time to take this Tampa Bay team for real. That defense is just suffocating. Tough loss for David Carr.
Kansas City 30 San Diego 16
Did this game really happen? Did the Chargers really get destroyed by the Chiefs? It’s time to start hitting the panic button in San Diego. Ladanian Tomlinson touched the ball only 20 times and it’s clear Norv Turner is killing this team. For the record, the Chiefs and Raiders are tied for first with Denver in their division. Who saw that coming?
Denver 20 Indianapolis 38
Peyton Manning’s stats: 20/27 for 198 yards, four touchdowns, and no interceptions. Just another day at the office.
Pittsburgh 14 Arizona 21
I told you so. Got to love Kurt Warner, who once again outplayed Matt Leinart. Somewhere, Ron the Barber was smiling. I know I was.
Philadelphia 3 NY Giants 16
What?? There’s an offensive line out there worse than the Rams unit? Who would’ve thought? This might be the biggest news to happen to the Rams all season. Seriously though, how do you let up 12 sacks? I don’t think I can get that much in Madden.
New England 34 Cincinnati 13
New England’s first game where they failed to get to 38 points. Jeez, guys, way to underachieve. It’s a good thing this game was a blowout, so I could fully focus on the Padres-Rockies game. I was rooting for the Rockies, by the way, but there’s no chance Holliday touched the plate.
For a quarter and a half, my theory on the 2007 Rams was dead on. I thought that since expectations were so low for this team, they’d somehow pull off an upset against the Cowboys. And for about 27 minutes Sunday, it looked like I might be right. The Rams were tied 7-7 against this vaulted Cowboys offense and the defense was performing way above expectations. The offense was sputtering, of course, but Dante Hall and the special teams unit picked up the slack on a punt return touchdown. Everything was looking great.
Then came “The Play.” On a critical third and four, with the Cowboys trying to score before the half, center Andre Gurode sent a snap sailing over quarterback Tony Romo’s head. Romo went to chase it but only made things worse by kicking the ball further into Cowboy’s territory. It looked great for the Rams. Momentum was on their side. Then Romo ran the ball back NOT ONLY TO THE LINE OF SCRIMMAGE, BUT HE RAN FOR A FIRST DOWN!! How does that happen in the National Football League? How does a professional defense allow that to happen? I was so disgusted, I had to leave the room where the game was being shown. I had to be told by friends that minutes later Romo had scampered into the end-zone to put the Cowboys up before the half. It didn’t matter. After “The Play”, there was no way the Rams were winning this game.
Obviously, everything came apart in the second half and the Cowboys cruised to a 35-7 victory. After watching the game, it’s hard not to think that the Rams aren’t the worst team in the league. They can’t do ANYTHING right. Bulger is playing with broken ribs and looks like a rookie learning the system for the first time out there. Backup Gus Frerotte didn’t look much better. Steven Jackson is hurt and wasn’t productive when healthy. The offensive line is a joke, the defense can’t stop anybody, and the special teams unit can’t cover punts. Nothing is going well for this team and the season looks like it may be a disaster. Nobody watching that game had to think there was any hope this year. There just seems to be no redemption in sight.
After the game, my dad called and told me that with the way things are going, I might as well add a draft watch to this blog. I still don’t know if he was joking.
For a quarter and a half, my theory on the 2007 Rams was dead on. I thought that since expectations were so low for this team, they’d somehow pull off an upset against the Cowboys. And for about 27 minutes Sunday, it looked like I might be right. The Rams were tied 7-7 against this vaulted Cowboys offense and the defense was performing way above expectations. The offense was sputtering, of course, but Dante Hall and the special teams unit picked up the slack on a punt return touchdown. Everything was looking great.Then came “The Play.” On a critical third and four, with the Cowboys trying to score before the half, center Andre Gurode sent a snap sailing over quarterback Tony Romo’s head. Romo went to chase it but only made things worse by kicking the ball further into Cowboy’s territory. It looked great for the Rams. Momentum was on their side. Then Romo ran the ball back NOT ONLY TO THE LINE OF SCRIMMAGE, BUT HE RAN FOR A FIRST DOWN!! How does that happen in the National Football League? How does a professional defense allow that to happen? I was so disgusted, I had to leave the room where the game was being shown. I had to be told by friends that minutes later Romo had scampered into the end-zone to put the Cowboys up before the half. It didn’t matter. After “The Play”, there was no way the Rams were winning this game.
Obviously, everything came apart in the second half and the Cowboys cruised to a 35-7 victory. After watching the game, it’s hard not to think that the Rams aren’t the worst team in the league. They can’t do ANYTHING right. Bulger is playing with broken ribs and looks like a rookie learning the system for the first time out there. Backup Gus Frerotte didn’t look much better. Steven Jackson is hurt and wasn’t productive when healthy. The offensive line is a joke, the defense can’t stop anybody, and the special teams unit can’t cover punts. Nothing is going well for this team and the season looks like it may be a disaster. Nobody watching that game had to think there was any hope this year. There just seems to be no redemption in sight.
After the game, my dad called and told me that with the way things are going, I might as well add a draft watch to this blog. I still don’t know if he was joking.
Houston Texans (2-1) at Atlanta Falcons (0-3)
The nightmare continues for the Falcons as Matt Schaub returns to Atlanta for the first time. Schaub, you might remember, is the backup quarterback the Falcons traded in the off-season. Whoops.Pick: Texans
New York Jets (1-2) at Buffalo Bills (0-3)
The Bills are 32nd in the league in total offense and 32nd in the league in total defense. For those who don’t know, that’s not very good.Pick: Jets
Baltimore Ravens (2-1) at Cleveland Browns (1-2)
The Ravens welcome back Jamal Lewis, who they unceremoniously cut ties with this off-season. Lewis has revenge on his mind and the Ravens are one of the worst 2-1 teams I’ve seen. But still, they’re not bad enough to lose to the Browns. Right?Pick: Ravens
St. Louis Rams (0-3) at Dallas Cowboys (3-0)
I’ve already discussed this game in an earlier post.Pick: Cowboys (but you all know better.)
Chicago Bears (1-2) at Detroit Lions (2-1)
The Bears are in shambles and are turning to Brian Griese at quarterback to save their season. I never thought I’d write that previous sentence.Pick: Lions
Oakland Raiders (1-2) at Miami Dolphins (0-3)
This is potentially a big game for the Raiders. Who would’ve thought they could possibly start the season out 2-2. In other news, DUANTE! DUANTE!Pick: Raiders
Green Bay Packers (3-0) at Minnesota Vikings (1-2)
Another game, another record for Brett Favre. I still have my old Favre jersey, the first one I ever owned. The Pack are for real this year.Pick: Packers
Seattle Seahawks (2-1) at San Francisco 49ers (2-1)
A battle of two NFC West teams means anybody could win. I can’t stand either of these teams and wish I could just abstain. Have a feeling the 49ers pull off the upset, though I don’t think any game involving two NFC West teams can have a favorite.Pick: 49ers
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-1) at Carolina Panthers (2-1)
Jeff Garcia vs. David Carr. Can you feel the excitement??Pick: Panthers
Denver Broncos (2-1) at Indianapolis Colts (3-0)
Peyton Manning owns the Broncos. Come to think of it, Peyton Manning pretty much owns everybody. He also stars in one of my favorite YouTube videos of all time, the United Way “commercial” he did on SNL. If you haven’t seen it yet, make sure you do.Pick: Colts
Pittsburgh Steelers (3-0) at Arizona Cardinals (1-2)
KURT WARNER! KURT WARNER! KURT WARNER! KURT WARNER!Pick: Cardinals
Kansas City Chiefs (1-2) at San Diego Chargers (1-2)
I figured that when I got the first pick in my fantasy draft and picked Tomlinson I’d have the playoffs wrapped up. I’m 2-1, but it’s time for Tomlinson to pick it up for me. It’s time for Larry Johnson to do the same for others.Pick: Chargers
Philadelphia Eagles (1-2) at New York Giants (1-2)
A make or break game for both teams. Can McNabb step up again? Can Eli Manning?Pick: Eagles
New England Patriots (3-0) at Cincinnati Bengals (1-2)
Great offense vs. a terrible defense. Another 38 points, at least, seems inevitable.Pick: Patriots
I have a theory about the Rams. When expectations are low, the Rams tend to succeed. Now, the sample size for this situation is admittedly small. The expectations last year for the Rams were relatively low, and they exceeded those expectations by finishing a respectable 8-8. The last time the Rams had low expectations, the 1999 season, things worked out pretty well for them.When the Rams have high expectations, however, they flame out. See every year other than 1999 and last year to see what I mean. 2001 and 2003 were great years but anything less then a Super Bowl was still disappointing.
This season started out with huge expectations for this squad and, continuing the trends, the Rams have done horrible. Now though, there are ZERO expectations for the Rams. None whatsoever. NOBODY in the country is picking an upset of the Cowboys on Sunday. Combine the Rams recent play, plus Bulger’s injury and the loss of Jackson, and you have absolutely no reason for the Rams to win.
That’s why they’re going to pull off a shocking upset. I’m not going to pick them to win (you’d have to be crazy to do that. Plus, it’ll reverse the jinx) but remember on Sunday when everybody is shocked. You heard it here first.
On to the breakdown:
Quarterback:As good as Tony Romo has been this year, I’d usually put Bulger ahead of him. But factor in the fact that I could start for the Rams offensive line at this point and Bulger’s broken ribs and you have a clear victory for Mr. Romo.
Advantage: Cowboys
Running Back:No Steven Jackson equals a washout. Barber/Jones aren’t that good, but they beat anything the Rams have to offer. Speaking of, are the Cowboys the only organization that hasn’t realized Marion Barber is better than Julis Jones? It’s pretty obvious at this point.
Advantage: Cowboys
Wide Receivers:You pretty much can’t beat the Rams in this department. Production may be down, but it’s still Torry Holt and Isaac Bruce we’re talking about here.
Offensive Line:I played a game of pickup football the other day with a few friends. We played with no offensive line and a 5 rush. I played quarterback and I think I got better protection than Bulger gets from this unit.
Advantage: Cowboys
Defense:The Rams defense has been ugly at times, although the secondary looks like it might be coming together. Dallas’s defense has been improving each week and forced four turnovers last week against the Bears.
Advantage: Cowboys
Special Teams:Both squads have been solid. Dante Hall needs to step it up for the Rams.
Advantage: Push.
Bottom Line:Zero reason to pick the Rams. Easiest pick of the week.
Pick: Cowboys (wink, wink).
One of the feel good stories of last week was the resurgence of former Rams hero Kurt Warner. Warner stepped in for Matt Leinart in the Cardinals game against the Ravens and played out of his mind, nearly leading the Cardinals to a huge upset.Before I go on, I should offer a disclaimer. While I’ve officially welcomed Marc Bulger into the fold and accepted him as a member of the Rams family, I’ll never forget about Warner. He was the essence of those Rams teams, the ultimate NFL feel good story, and a great guy also. Because of Warner, I was able to see my team win a Super Bowl. Besides, we also shared the same barber. Ron, of Westchester Barbers, for those who are wondering. Gives great haircuts at a great price.
Warner has claimed he has still some fight left in him and Sunday it looked like he was right. Despite playing less than half the game, Warner put up 258 yards and two touchdowns, finishing with a rating of 150. Those are 1999 numbers.
Cardinals coach Ken Whisenhunt announced that Leinart would be starting against Pittsburgh but how long can he keep Warner on the bench?
One of the biggest surprises of the NFL season has been the ineptitude of the Rams offense. Supposed to be the strength of this squad, the offense has been woeful so far this year.Just look at the statistics, courtesy of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
- The Rams have scored only 32 points in three games, the fifth-lowest total over any three-game span since the team moved to St. Louis in 1995.
- This season, only three NFL teams have scored fewer points. The Rams rank 25th in total offense, 22nd in rushing offense, 20th in passing offense and 32nd in red-zone offense.
Those numbers seem crazy for a team that often is near of the top of the heap when it comes to offensive prowess. The Rams already had a talented team and things only looked to get better when they added Drew Bennett and Randy McMicheal in the offseason.
Wasn’t this supposed to be the best thing since The Greatest Show on Turf? Instead, it’s been plain ugly. If the Rams want to finish the season respectably, the offense will have to step up considerably.
The news just keeps getting worse for the Rams. As if the loss of Steven Jackson wasn’t enough, the Rams announced that Marc Bulger has been playing with two broken ribs and a bruised knee.Bulger, who had a passing rating of 35.6 against the Buccaneers and threw for three interceptions. Those numbers make more sense in light of the injury. How does anyone play with two broken ribs?
The Rams say Bulger will continue to play, though we’ll see how much his performance is affected by the injury.
In another dose of bad news for the Rams, Steven Jackson has suffered a partial groin tear and will miss at least next week’s game against the Cowboys.Jackson had his most productive game of the season against Tampa Bay, running for 115 yards on 30 carries, but was hurt late in the game.
Jackson’s injury is another dose of bad news for the Rams, who have already had to deal with numerous injuries to the offensive line and defense.
The injury means Brian Leonard, the rookie fullback from Rutgers, will likely make his first career start against the Cowboys.
Buffalo 7 New England 38
Another dominating performance for New England as they put up 38 points again. That little draft day trade for some guy named Randy Moss is looking pretty smart.Minnesota 10 Kansas City 13
The Chiefs won? Really, they actually won a game? Don’t let this fool you, this was a one game aberration.
Indianapolis 30 Houston 24
The Texans put up a fight but without Andre Johnson it was just too much. Look out for these Texans though. They look like they’re here to stay.
San Diego 24 Green Bay 31
Now here’s a team that is for real: the Packers. Favre looks resurgent and the Pack look like the only serious contender in the NFC North. What a disappointing start of the season for the Chargers.
Arizona 23 Baltimore 26
A resurgence for Kurt Warner, one of my favorite players in the game. The Ravens are one of the worst 2-1 teams I’ve seen. They could easily be 0-3. Don’t expect much out of that team.
St. Louis 3 Tampa Bay 24
I discussed this game in an earlier post. I’d say more but doing so would cause me to throw up.
San Francisco 16 Pittsburgh 37
Ben Roethlisberger and the Steelers continue to impress. I know, I know, it was the 49ers but still. This Steelers team could contend this year.
Detroit 21 Philadelphia 56
A big reality check for the Lions and a huge comeback game for Donovan McNabb. I think the Lions can still win a few more games but this should be an early warning sign.
Miami 28 NY Jets 31
A tough win for the Jets in a game they should have dominated. A big game for Chad Pennington, who showed the Jets fans that he still has it in him. Don’t worry Kellon Clemons, you’ll get your chance to shine again.
Cincinnati 21 Seattle 24
The headline on CBS Sportsline for this game read, “Hasselbeck engineers late touchdown drive as Seahawks stun Bengals.” Stuns? Granted, I think this Seahawks team is overrated but they’re much better than the Bengals. I wouldn’t exactly call this win stunning.
Jacksonville 23 Denver 14
A defensive domination for Jacksonville, who got a good game out of David Garrard, The Broncos got an ankle injury out of Jay Cutler. Not the kind of news you want to hear the week before you play the Colts.
Cleveland 24 Oakland 26
Who would have thought that after 3 weeks, the Raiders and Browns would each have more wins the Rams? Not me. Big win for the Raiders, even if it was the Browns they beat.
Carolina 27 Atlanta 20
The Panthers can thank DeAngelo Hall for this win. How a professional football player can be penalized three times on one drive is beyond me. What a dumb, dumb time to lose your cool. Meanwhile, what a bad time for the Panthers to lose Jake Delhomme.
NY Giants 24 Washington 17
I would never have thought that the Giants defense would have saved the game. How do the Redskins not get the ball into the end-zone after being given four tries?
Dallas 34 Chicago 10
To put it simply, the Bears cannot win with Rex Grossman. He’s not done forever but he’ll never succeed in Chicago playing with that kind of pressure now. Time to bring in Griese.
Tennessee 31 New Orleans 14
Wow, those Saints don’t look good at all. Meanwhile, Vince Young just looked great this game. I don’t like him, but I expect big things from him now. He just looked very in control.
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