Browns 16 - Ravens 23:
As I expected, this game was a lot closer than most people thought it would be. Cleveland's season comes down to the development of Weeden as a pocket passer. He's excellent when he's able to set his feet and with a clean pocket, but like most young quarterbacks he notices the pressure far too quickly and reacts to it which leads to errant throws, turnovers, and/or sacks. The Browns can't wait to get back Joe Haden and they sorely missed him in this game as both Boldin and Torrey Smith absolutely destroyed their corners.
I credit the Ravens for not falling for the trap game and putting this game away - although it came down to the last throw and almost a retake of the Packers-Seahawks replacement ref debacle. Flacco is showing, with each game, that he is ready to take the next step. This is a very good team that will get a huge boost when they get Suggs back. They are still lacking in run defense right now, but that should take care of itself as the season goes on.
Patriots 52 - Bills 28:
Where do I begin with this one? This was truly a tale of two halves. In the first half, despite a couple of turnovers, Buffalo seemed like it had an answer for Brady and the Pats offense and they seemed to be moving the ball and putting points on the board while take advantage of the Pats' turnovers. Spiller had a crucial fumble at the goal-line right before the half that would've given the Bills a 14 point lead going into halftime. Heck, they even started the 2nd half with a score on their first possession getting that 14 point lead after all - but it was literally all downhill from there for Buffalo. 35 unanswered points and an embarrassing 45 points allowed in the 2nd half ; that pretty much sums up the game for the Bills. And what was even more disheartening was that it wasn't so much Brady as it was the running game with only a couple of different running plays that Belichick just ran over and over again and the Bills simply could not stop them. They got pushed off the ball with so much ease, I could have probably averaged 4-5 yards a carry for the Pats.
I have to give the Patriots credit for sticking to the game-plan and making the necessary half-time adjustments. I never sensed any panic on their sideline even when they were down 14 in the 3rd quarter and the Bills looked in control. The Bills, on the other hand, has a long way to go. This team has the talent, and they have the will, but honestly what this team lacks is the mental fortitude to put the game away. They play their best football when coming from behind, but they are clueless what to do with a lead. They have their roughest part of the schedule coming up with a couple of west coast trips. We'll find out very soon what kind of team this is.
Panthers 28 - Falcons 30:
What a close game! The Panthers played pretty well and hung with the Falcons throughout the game. Cam Newton had a very good day throwing and running and he did not turn the ball over. The defense found it's pass rush although they couldn't stop the run or the pass for much of the game. This team has some serious holes on defense and they are very young. For example, the Panthers decide to punt the ball from midfield with 1:09 left (this is a whole different issue that I will address below). They down the ball at the Atlanta 1 yard line. As a defense you have to expect one of two things - either a run right up the middle so that the offense can get out of its own end zone, or a long pass down the sideline. With Atlanta having no timeouts left, the defense has to be thinking pass here. The Falcons run a play action deep ball to Roddy White down the left sideline and the Panthers just didn't seem ready for it. They had Haruki Nakamura, who really wouldn't start for any other team in the NFL and who was a special-teamer in this league up until this year, provide support over the top against one of the best receivers in the game. This team won't take a step forward on defense until they start making better in-game adjustments.
The Falcons played excellent on offense but their defense just didn't have an answer for Cam Newton which is what kept the Panthers in this game. But I have to give them credit for that comeback; Ryan managed that offense like an elite quarterback and that offense just looked very focused on that last drive - everybody on the same page.
49ers 34 - Jets 0:
I caught very little of this game, but every time I did tune in I was a little happy to see how terrible the Jets offense looked. Tebow will be starting soon enough I think.
Seahawks 13 - Rams 19:
I knew this was going to be a close game and I thought that the Seahawks would not be able to rebound from the emotional and controversial MNF win against the Packers. This Rams defense is very underrated. Cortland Finnegan is a top five corner in this league that doesn't seem to get the recognition. Not only can he shut down the top receiver on the opposing team, he is an excellent run defender. That's a rare combination to have in your corner.
The Seahawks are very good on defense but they are really lacking a passing game. If they weren't 2-2 we might be talking about benching Russell Wilson, not that it's entirely his fault. This is all I got from the occasional drive I watched.
Raiders 6 - Broncos 37:
The Broncos are really good on offense and defense. They've just been a victim of a very tough schedule thus far - they beat Pittsburgh, an AFC powerhouse, at the season opener and then lost to the Falcons and the Texans the following two weeks - arguably the two best teams in the league right now and both undefeated. So I fully expected this result against a much weaker, albeit divisional, foe. Peyton Manning is looking much like the 2010 guy and he has very good weapons in Thomas, Decker, and Tamme. I hate to say it but Willis McGahee is looking very good as well. His vision seems to be much better than when he played for Buffalo, but I do see him dancing behind the line every so often still. I can't not say something about their defense - they played solid throughout the game. This defense is built to defend the pass and I think that's the right idea with Peyton Manning at quarterback - you figure you'll be playing with a lead more often than not and you need to be able to defend it.
The Raiders came into this game pretty banged up and they are still getting that zone running scheme working. I'm still not sure Carson Palmer is going to take this team over the hump. McFadden has top RB in the league skills but he has yet to put it together. This division belongs to the Broncos as of now and their only competition seems to be the Chargers.
Redskins 24 - Buccaneers 22:
The Bucs are another one of these teams that are trying to make it over the hump and they're doing it with a rookie head coach. I was not a fan of their offensive game plan. I realize that the Redskins have had issues defending the pass, but you still have to make them respect the run and keep them honest. Plus Josh Freeman isn't a top-10 quarterback so why put all the pressure on him? Their biggest mistake, though, was playing for the field goal in the waning moments of the game. I realize RGIII, as dynamic as he has proven to be, is not Tom Brady, but still that Redskins offense can move the ball with ease and the Bucs made it very clear that they were content with a field goal to win that game by 1. The only problem was the the Redskins had timeouts left and plenty of time to come back on the last drive and kick a game winning field-goal of their own.
Not enough coaches are aggressive in the NFL, and there are many others who are aggressive at the wrong moments in the game. Greg Schiano is not alone.
Giants 17 - Eagles 19:
The Eagles had an excellent game-plan for the incoming Giants, who had 11 days to prepare for this contest. Vick played a turnover-free game and they finally put the ball in McCoy's hands. This is the best way for them to get back on track and what a luxury to have turned the ball over as many times as they have and still be 3-1.
The Giants could not get the ground game going and while they were able to move the ball through the air, they couldn't put it in the end zone. Their special teams, particularly the kickoff return team, had an excellent game. Rookie running back/returner David Wilson averaged 36 yards per return but really it was like 41 yards since he was returning the ball from the middle of the end zone every time.
Bears 34 - Cowboys 18:
The Cowboys are just like the other teams trying to make it over the hump themselves but that's not the perception we have of them, mainly because of who they are and the texan-sized animal that is the Dallas Cowboys. Truth of the matter is, this team is lacking players with mental fortitude just like the Buffalo Bills or the Carolina Panthers or the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. They cannot focus on the task when the game is on the line - simple as that. I saw undisciplined play, lack of focus and urgency from them. When Romo throws five interceptions, though not all of them were his fault, you cannot expect to win (unless you're playing against the Bills - which the Cowboys actually did a few years back).
The Bears defense is very good, especially up front. That defensive line looks very much like the Giants defensive line. They have big guys who are very athletic and rangy and can all rush the passer very well. They essentially have four defensive ends playing on that D-line that can also stop the run. They still have issues on the offensive line, and much has been made of the sideline rift between Cutler and offensive coordinator Mike Tice, but if they can not shoot themselves in the foot on offense they could come away with a division title with the Lions and the Packers struggling somewhat. By the way, although I am not a fan of Cutler's antics on the sideline and in the huddle, he does have some legitimate beef here - there were several times when the plays coming in took a long time giving Cutler only 8-10 seconds to get to the line, make his pre-snap adjustments and get the ball snapped. That is not enough time for any quarterback and this usually ends up in sacks or turnovers for the offense or wasted timeouts. Another thing I have noticed with Tice is that despite shoddy offensive line play thus far, he refuses to keep extra blockers to in to protect Cutler despite calling for plays that include slow-developing routes. All of these issues will surely rear their ugly heads if the Bears lose, but for now they are on ice for one more week.
Thursday Night Football pick:
Rams 23 - Cardinals 20:
The Rams match-up with the Cardinals really well and I just don't fully buy the 4-0 record for the Cards. I think Finnegan will keep Fitzgerald in check for the most part and the Rams pass rush will take advantage of that weak Cardinal offensive line. The Cards will stay in this game largely due to their defense and its not exactly like the Rams offense will strike fear in anybody. I can just as easily see the Cardinals with a victory but I'm just making a gut call that Fisher will have the Rams ready to play on a short week.
As I expected, this game was a lot closer than most people thought it would be. Cleveland's season comes down to the development of Weeden as a pocket passer. He's excellent when he's able to set his feet and with a clean pocket, but like most young quarterbacks he notices the pressure far too quickly and reacts to it which leads to errant throws, turnovers, and/or sacks. The Browns can't wait to get back Joe Haden and they sorely missed him in this game as both Boldin and Torrey Smith absolutely destroyed their corners.
I credit the Ravens for not falling for the trap game and putting this game away - although it came down to the last throw and almost a retake of the Packers-Seahawks replacement ref debacle. Flacco is showing, with each game, that he is ready to take the next step. This is a very good team that will get a huge boost when they get Suggs back. They are still lacking in run defense right now, but that should take care of itself as the season goes on.
Patriots 52 - Bills 28:
Where do I begin with this one? This was truly a tale of two halves. In the first half, despite a couple of turnovers, Buffalo seemed like it had an answer for Brady and the Pats offense and they seemed to be moving the ball and putting points on the board while take advantage of the Pats' turnovers. Spiller had a crucial fumble at the goal-line right before the half that would've given the Bills a 14 point lead going into halftime. Heck, they even started the 2nd half with a score on their first possession getting that 14 point lead after all - but it was literally all downhill from there for Buffalo. 35 unanswered points and an embarrassing 45 points allowed in the 2nd half ; that pretty much sums up the game for the Bills. And what was even more disheartening was that it wasn't so much Brady as it was the running game with only a couple of different running plays that Belichick just ran over and over again and the Bills simply could not stop them. They got pushed off the ball with so much ease, I could have probably averaged 4-5 yards a carry for the Pats.
I have to give the Patriots credit for sticking to the game-plan and making the necessary half-time adjustments. I never sensed any panic on their sideline even when they were down 14 in the 3rd quarter and the Bills looked in control. The Bills, on the other hand, has a long way to go. This team has the talent, and they have the will, but honestly what this team lacks is the mental fortitude to put the game away. They play their best football when coming from behind, but they are clueless what to do with a lead. They have their roughest part of the schedule coming up with a couple of west coast trips. We'll find out very soon what kind of team this is.
Panthers 28 - Falcons 30:
What a close game! The Panthers played pretty well and hung with the Falcons throughout the game. Cam Newton had a very good day throwing and running and he did not turn the ball over. The defense found it's pass rush although they couldn't stop the run or the pass for much of the game. This team has some serious holes on defense and they are very young. For example, the Panthers decide to punt the ball from midfield with 1:09 left (this is a whole different issue that I will address below). They down the ball at the Atlanta 1 yard line. As a defense you have to expect one of two things - either a run right up the middle so that the offense can get out of its own end zone, or a long pass down the sideline. With Atlanta having no timeouts left, the defense has to be thinking pass here. The Falcons run a play action deep ball to Roddy White down the left sideline and the Panthers just didn't seem ready for it. They had Haruki Nakamura, who really wouldn't start for any other team in the NFL and who was a special-teamer in this league up until this year, provide support over the top against one of the best receivers in the game. This team won't take a step forward on defense until they start making better in-game adjustments.
The Falcons played excellent on offense but their defense just didn't have an answer for Cam Newton which is what kept the Panthers in this game. But I have to give them credit for that comeback; Ryan managed that offense like an elite quarterback and that offense just looked very focused on that last drive - everybody on the same page.
49ers 34 - Jets 0:
I caught very little of this game, but every time I did tune in I was a little happy to see how terrible the Jets offense looked. Tebow will be starting soon enough I think.
Seahawks 13 - Rams 19:
I knew this was going to be a close game and I thought that the Seahawks would not be able to rebound from the emotional and controversial MNF win against the Packers. This Rams defense is very underrated. Cortland Finnegan is a top five corner in this league that doesn't seem to get the recognition. Not only can he shut down the top receiver on the opposing team, he is an excellent run defender. That's a rare combination to have in your corner.
The Seahawks are very good on defense but they are really lacking a passing game. If they weren't 2-2 we might be talking about benching Russell Wilson, not that it's entirely his fault. This is all I got from the occasional drive I watched.
Raiders 6 - Broncos 37:
The Broncos are really good on offense and defense. They've just been a victim of a very tough schedule thus far - they beat Pittsburgh, an AFC powerhouse, at the season opener and then lost to the Falcons and the Texans the following two weeks - arguably the two best teams in the league right now and both undefeated. So I fully expected this result against a much weaker, albeit divisional, foe. Peyton Manning is looking much like the 2010 guy and he has very good weapons in Thomas, Decker, and Tamme. I hate to say it but Willis McGahee is looking very good as well. His vision seems to be much better than when he played for Buffalo, but I do see him dancing behind the line every so often still. I can't not say something about their defense - they played solid throughout the game. This defense is built to defend the pass and I think that's the right idea with Peyton Manning at quarterback - you figure you'll be playing with a lead more often than not and you need to be able to defend it.
The Raiders came into this game pretty banged up and they are still getting that zone running scheme working. I'm still not sure Carson Palmer is going to take this team over the hump. McFadden has top RB in the league skills but he has yet to put it together. This division belongs to the Broncos as of now and their only competition seems to be the Chargers.
Redskins 24 - Buccaneers 22:
The Bucs are another one of these teams that are trying to make it over the hump and they're doing it with a rookie head coach. I was not a fan of their offensive game plan. I realize that the Redskins have had issues defending the pass, but you still have to make them respect the run and keep them honest. Plus Josh Freeman isn't a top-10 quarterback so why put all the pressure on him? Their biggest mistake, though, was playing for the field goal in the waning moments of the game. I realize RGIII, as dynamic as he has proven to be, is not Tom Brady, but still that Redskins offense can move the ball with ease and the Bucs made it very clear that they were content with a field goal to win that game by 1. The only problem was the the Redskins had timeouts left and plenty of time to come back on the last drive and kick a game winning field-goal of their own.
Not enough coaches are aggressive in the NFL, and there are many others who are aggressive at the wrong moments in the game. Greg Schiano is not alone.
Giants 17 - Eagles 19:
The Eagles had an excellent game-plan for the incoming Giants, who had 11 days to prepare for this contest. Vick played a turnover-free game and they finally put the ball in McCoy's hands. This is the best way for them to get back on track and what a luxury to have turned the ball over as many times as they have and still be 3-1.
The Giants could not get the ground game going and while they were able to move the ball through the air, they couldn't put it in the end zone. Their special teams, particularly the kickoff return team, had an excellent game. Rookie running back/returner David Wilson averaged 36 yards per return but really it was like 41 yards since he was returning the ball from the middle of the end zone every time.
Bears 34 - Cowboys 18:
The Cowboys are just like the other teams trying to make it over the hump themselves but that's not the perception we have of them, mainly because of who they are and the texan-sized animal that is the Dallas Cowboys. Truth of the matter is, this team is lacking players with mental fortitude just like the Buffalo Bills or the Carolina Panthers or the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. They cannot focus on the task when the game is on the line - simple as that. I saw undisciplined play, lack of focus and urgency from them. When Romo throws five interceptions, though not all of them were his fault, you cannot expect to win (unless you're playing against the Bills - which the Cowboys actually did a few years back).
The Bears defense is very good, especially up front. That defensive line looks very much like the Giants defensive line. They have big guys who are very athletic and rangy and can all rush the passer very well. They essentially have four defensive ends playing on that D-line that can also stop the run. They still have issues on the offensive line, and much has been made of the sideline rift between Cutler and offensive coordinator Mike Tice, but if they can not shoot themselves in the foot on offense they could come away with a division title with the Lions and the Packers struggling somewhat. By the way, although I am not a fan of Cutler's antics on the sideline and in the huddle, he does have some legitimate beef here - there were several times when the plays coming in took a long time giving Cutler only 8-10 seconds to get to the line, make his pre-snap adjustments and get the ball snapped. That is not enough time for any quarterback and this usually ends up in sacks or turnovers for the offense or wasted timeouts. Another thing I have noticed with Tice is that despite shoddy offensive line play thus far, he refuses to keep extra blockers to in to protect Cutler despite calling for plays that include slow-developing routes. All of these issues will surely rear their ugly heads if the Bears lose, but for now they are on ice for one more week.
Thursday Night Football pick:
Rams 23 - Cardinals 20:
The Rams match-up with the Cardinals really well and I just don't fully buy the 4-0 record for the Cards. I think Finnegan will keep Fitzgerald in check for the most part and the Rams pass rush will take advantage of that weak Cardinal offensive line. The Cards will stay in this game largely due to their defense and its not exactly like the Rams offense will strike fear in anybody. I can just as easily see the Cardinals with a victory but I'm just making a gut call that Fisher will have the Rams ready to play on a short week.
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