As we reach the end of November it’s time to separate the contenders from the pretenders. In the AFC all the divisions are pretty much set with just the wild-card spots up for grabs. While the NFC has gotten a bit more intriguing with the injury to Jay Cutler and the hot hand of Drew Brees.
First Down: “It AINT over yet for the SAINTS” After starting the season off 0-4 the chances of making the playoffs for the New Orleans Saints started to fade fast. After winning five of the last six the Saints have put themselves at .500 and back into the playoff picture. Last week the Saints cruised to a 38-17 road win agains the hapless Oakland Raiders but it was the win before that against the Atlanta Falcons that saved their season. With five of their last six games coming against teams ahead of them in the playoff hunt there can be no setbacks. Drew Brees has maintained a top aerial threat even without Darren Sproles and a running game. While their defense has completely made a 180 turn after Jonathan Vilma and Joe Vitt returned from suspensions. They also have to find ways to win on the road and in Atlanta, New York and Dallas. Up next a home game against Colin Kapernick and the San Francisco 49ers, a rematch of last year’s crazy NFC Divisional game.
Second Down: “Not so LUCK-y” To show you the importance of the quarterback position, the Indianapolis Colts won just one game last year and this year with most of the same team intact Andrew Luck has already won 6 games! Things were looking very good for Luck and the Colts until they flew into Foxbourough. In a game that many thought would be close, I believed that this was going to be a bad game for Luck and the Colts; and it was. The New England Patriots showed the difference between a verteran team and a young team learning how to win. The Patriots laid a beat down on the Colts and won 59-24, but it’s the psyche of Luck that will be a question going forward. Can he bounce back? Can he put this game behind him? No question, that he's talented but Luck threw three picks and fumbled once and looked out of sorts in a primetime game. The Colts are in a playoff spot for the moment and with Ben Roethlisberger out for Pittsburgh there is a chance. However, they will have to win their three remaining home games against Buffalo (this week), Tennessee and Houston and won on the road in either Detroit, Houston or Kansas City.
Third Down: “A Good Backup QB?” Is there such a thing as a good backup quarterback? The answer has yet to be determined and this past Monday Night, backup quarterbacks Jason Campbell (Chicago) and Colin Kapernick (San Francisco) went head to head, and it was the latter of the two getting the last laugh. The rookie Kapernick was tremendous throwing for 243-yards and 2 touchdowns against a stingy Bears defense. While Campbell was horrendous and may never get a job in the NFL after this year. There is no secret that the quarterback play is the toughest and most important in the NFL and there is a reason why only 32 men in the world have the job of a starting quarterback. Backups like Drew Stanton, Tim Tebow, Kyle Orton are not legitimate starters and are on the bench for a reason.
Fourth Down: “Can’t STEEL a win” The Pittsburgh Steelers had a tough task last week against the Baltimore Ravens and loss just 13-10 with Byron Leftwitch under centre. The Steelers defense was phenomenal holding the Ravens offense to just three points. However, now that Roethlisberger and Leftwitch are out there are forced to rely on Charlie Batch. Batch will probably get the next two starts in Cleveland and in Baltimore. Both seem like tough games with an offense that can’t score. If the Steelers want any chance at the playoffs they will need to win of the two and then split the last four games. The team is good but without their quarterback and leader Ben Roethlisberger they are just an average group of guys and Troy Polamalu has been out nearly the entire season. The way it’s looking if the Steelers lose this week I believe they will not make the playoffs.
Sunday, November 25, 2012
Sunday, November 18, 2012
Four Downs: A look back at week 10
The Atlanta Falcons perfect season came to an end at the hands of their most bitter rival the New Orleans Saints last Sunday. While starting quarterbacks around the league were being knocked out left, right and centre.
First Down: “The Improbable Bengals” Last year a bunch of no names in arguably one of the toughest division overcame all the odds and made the playoffs. That team was the Cincinnati Bengals, and they had just drafted their quarteback of the future (Andy Dalton) and their big playmaker (A.J. Green). However, their defense led by coach Mike Zimmer who tinkered and got the best from his players, turned the Bengals defense into a top-5 defense. This year the expectations were higher then ever but after a terrible start to the season they are quickly behind the eight ball at (4-5). After the bye week the team has played better ball, but after a home loss against Peyton and the Broncos and a match against Eli and the Giants it seemed very doom and gloom. That was until the Bengals actually faced the Giants and beat them in every facet of the game and in the score 31-13. Dalton threw a career high four touchdown passes while Eli (who has looked brutal as of late) was held in check to just 215-yards passing and 2 interceptions. If they want any chance at a post season run they will have to beat weaker teams like Kansas City next week, even if it’s in Arrowhead.
Second Down: “Is the season over already” A few years ago the Kansas City Chiefs was everybody’s sexy pick to win the division and possibly the AFC. Oh how quickly things change. The Chiefs went from contenders to pretenders in a flash. Matt Cassel forgot how to throw the long ball and Jamaal Charles despite a strong year can not carry the team like Adrian Peterson can. The Chiefs have won one game all year against a beaten down New Orleans Saints team. Since then they have not even been a close in a game until Monday night. The Chiefs defense knocked Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger out for the game and out for some time now and all of a sudden the Chiefs had a chance. Byron Leftwitch could only manage 3 points and Ryan Succop hit a game tying field goal to send it into overtime. The Chiefs won the toss and all Cassel had to do was not turnover the ball. Obviously he did on the second play and Lawrence Timmons returned the interception to the 5 yard line setting up a Shawn Suisham chip shot. The Steelers avoided a scare in a 16-13 win while the Chiefs are looking at the USC game this week against UCLA to see their future quarterback Matt Barkley in action.
Third Down: “The Baguars” Nothing has ever been right in Jacksonville since they last made the playoffs under quarterback David Garrard in 2005. Their defense was the huge issue and now that is fixed they don’t have and offense that can put up points. On Thursday they were looking to sweep the season series against the Indianiapolis Colts and Andrew Luck who was making his first primetime appearance. Luck didn’t hold anything back running in two touchdowns as his Colts won easily 27-10. After nearly upsetting the Green Bay Packers the Jaguars can only look forward to the draft to find more weapons for Blaine Gabbert. One scout said “It’s not Gabbert that is the problem it’s that he has no receivers to throw too. I have seen better receivers on college teams then on the Jaguars.” Point being whoever is the best offensive weapon in the draft, draft him. Soon enough a core of MJD, Justin Blackmon and Gabbert can once again make the Jaguars relative in the NFL.
Fourth Down: “Concussions” Last year was bad for the topic of concussions and so far this year hasn’t been so bad. That was until last week where three quarterbacks were knocked out of the game and will likely not start for some time. Alex Smith (SF) Jay Cutler (CHI) and Michael Vick (PHI) all suffered a concussion and are likely out for this week. For Cutler and Smith their teams are going at it this week but let’s be real the only thing we talk about from these teams is their defense. Arguably the best defenses in the league both teams can rely on their defense to win a game here and there but both will need their guy, come playoff time. As for the Eagles their season was already over after stinking up the joint early on but now the question of Vick’s job is in the air. If Nick Foles can somehow manage to win games then Vick and his 100 million dollar contract will both be on the way out. Vick has barely managed to stay healthy in his career and with all the expectations they are in Eagles he and Andy Ried will sure take the blame. The NFL has done a better job in protecting the quarterbacks but there is a reason only 32 men in the world have this job, it’s the toughest in all of sports. Defenses are going to try to knock the quarterback out of the game or out of rhythm and the QB’s know it. Just sometimes in the world of football something’s are not avoidable.
First Down: “The Improbable Bengals” Last year a bunch of no names in arguably one of the toughest division overcame all the odds and made the playoffs. That team was the Cincinnati Bengals, and they had just drafted their quarteback of the future (Andy Dalton) and their big playmaker (A.J. Green). However, their defense led by coach Mike Zimmer who tinkered and got the best from his players, turned the Bengals defense into a top-5 defense. This year the expectations were higher then ever but after a terrible start to the season they are quickly behind the eight ball at (4-5). After the bye week the team has played better ball, but after a home loss against Peyton and the Broncos and a match against Eli and the Giants it seemed very doom and gloom. That was until the Bengals actually faced the Giants and beat them in every facet of the game and in the score 31-13. Dalton threw a career high four touchdown passes while Eli (who has looked brutal as of late) was held in check to just 215-yards passing and 2 interceptions. If they want any chance at a post season run they will have to beat weaker teams like Kansas City next week, even if it’s in Arrowhead.
Second Down: “Is the season over already” A few years ago the Kansas City Chiefs was everybody’s sexy pick to win the division and possibly the AFC. Oh how quickly things change. The Chiefs went from contenders to pretenders in a flash. Matt Cassel forgot how to throw the long ball and Jamaal Charles despite a strong year can not carry the team like Adrian Peterson can. The Chiefs have won one game all year against a beaten down New Orleans Saints team. Since then they have not even been a close in a game until Monday night. The Chiefs defense knocked Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger out for the game and out for some time now and all of a sudden the Chiefs had a chance. Byron Leftwitch could only manage 3 points and Ryan Succop hit a game tying field goal to send it into overtime. The Chiefs won the toss and all Cassel had to do was not turnover the ball. Obviously he did on the second play and Lawrence Timmons returned the interception to the 5 yard line setting up a Shawn Suisham chip shot. The Steelers avoided a scare in a 16-13 win while the Chiefs are looking at the USC game this week against UCLA to see their future quarterback Matt Barkley in action.
Third Down: “The Baguars” Nothing has ever been right in Jacksonville since they last made the playoffs under quarterback David Garrard in 2005. Their defense was the huge issue and now that is fixed they don’t have and offense that can put up points. On Thursday they were looking to sweep the season series against the Indianiapolis Colts and Andrew Luck who was making his first primetime appearance. Luck didn’t hold anything back running in two touchdowns as his Colts won easily 27-10. After nearly upsetting the Green Bay Packers the Jaguars can only look forward to the draft to find more weapons for Blaine Gabbert. One scout said “It’s not Gabbert that is the problem it’s that he has no receivers to throw too. I have seen better receivers on college teams then on the Jaguars.” Point being whoever is the best offensive weapon in the draft, draft him. Soon enough a core of MJD, Justin Blackmon and Gabbert can once again make the Jaguars relative in the NFL.
Fourth Down: “Concussions” Last year was bad for the topic of concussions and so far this year hasn’t been so bad. That was until last week where three quarterbacks were knocked out of the game and will likely not start for some time. Alex Smith (SF) Jay Cutler (CHI) and Michael Vick (PHI) all suffered a concussion and are likely out for this week. For Cutler and Smith their teams are going at it this week but let’s be real the only thing we talk about from these teams is their defense. Arguably the best defenses in the league both teams can rely on their defense to win a game here and there but both will need their guy, come playoff time. As for the Eagles their season was already over after stinking up the joint early on but now the question of Vick’s job is in the air. If Nick Foles can somehow manage to win games then Vick and his 100 million dollar contract will both be on the way out. Vick has barely managed to stay healthy in his career and with all the expectations they are in Eagles he and Andy Ried will sure take the blame. The NFL has done a better job in protecting the quarterbacks but there is a reason only 32 men in the world have this job, it’s the toughest in all of sports. Defenses are going to try to knock the quarterback out of the game or out of rhythm and the QB’s know it. Just sometimes in the world of football something’s are not avoidable.
Sunday, November 11, 2012
Four Downs: A look back at week 9
Even though the Atlanta Falcons remain undefeated the Dallas Cowboys defense held them to just 6 points through 3 quarters. Albeit that both Julio and Roddy White had 100+yard receiving the Cowboys have showed how to contain highflying offenses from scoring. While the Chicago Bears defense is averaging a touchdown per game. And that’s were we start
First Down: “Titan Wave”: The Tennessee Titans were embarrassed 51-20 at the hands of the Chicago Bears. As a result of the Bears defense's ability to create turnovers, it was 31-2 before the game was fourteen minutes in. A blocked punt, a Brian Urlacher pick-six and four forced fumbles later and the Titans were booed out of their own stadium. The lone bright spot shockingly was running back Chris Johnson who had 141 yards mostly in garbage time. Johnson has vaulted himself to sixth in rushing yards after a disastrous start to the season but the star on this day belonged to Charles “Peanut” Tillman. Known for his great skills to punch out a ball from a receiver Tillman showcased it last Sunday forcing four fumbles. Tillman will play on Sunday despite his wife giving birth the following day. Matchup of the night is who plays better between J.J Watt and Charles Tillman.
Second Down: “Roaring Back” The Detroit Lions see things bigger then ever after cruising past the Jacksonville Jaguars 31-14. Despite being held to just 70- yards rushing Lions running back Mikel Leshoure managed his best day as a pro with 3 touchdowns. Matthew Stafford didn’t throw an interception but also didn’t throw a touchdown either. Calvin Johnson had his first strong game in weeks putting up 129 yards on 8 catches. After road wins against Philly and now Jacksonville their true test comes this week at Minnesota. Can their defense be lean on to stop Adrian Peterson we shall soon find out?
Third Down “ Norv-Turnaround?” After horrendous losses to the Denver Broncos and Cleveland Browns there were a lot of question around the San Diego Chargers. The Chargers played very well on both sides of the ball against the Kansas City Chiefs cruising to a 31-13 final. The game was blown out of the water when the Chargers scored two defensive touchdowns in two minutes. Overall this is an average team in a weak division. Eddie Royal and Robert Meachem were supposed to even out the loss of Vincent Jackson but they haven’t even showed up to play all year. On Thursday night the NFL Network put up a board on the TV showing all the players Phillip Rivers has lost since he’s been QB and the list includes: Ladanian Tomlinson, Darren Sproles, Antonio Cromartie and Jackson. When you lose that many key players over a small window, you wonder how anyone can expect the Chargers to compete. If Tim Tebow was the quarterback of the Broncos right now I’d give the Chargers a chance at winning the division and making the playoffs but with Peyton Manning in the driver seat it will be nearly impossible.
Fourth Down: “Just Win or Just find ways to lose” The Oakland Raiders were supposed to be a better and more disciplined team under new and young head coach Dennis Allen. However after starting the season at 3-5, having lost Darren McFadden again with a leg injury and the team being the most penalized in the league we are right back where we were the last five years. The Raiders could not stop Doug Martin who ran all over the defense for 251-yards and 4 touchdowns the most by a rookie ever. Besides a career day by Martin the Raiders found themselves back in the game with two touchdowns split in between a Buccaneers turnover they were only down by 3 late in the fourth quarter. Carson Palmer had a chance to drive it down the field to at least tie the game but instead through a pick leading to Martin’s 4th score of the game. Raiders lost 42-32 and they need to start cleaning things up on both sides of the ball to have any chance. The light at the end of the tunnel is shrinking and now go on the road and face a hungry Baltimore Ravens team.
Enjoy week 10 with some key divisional games between Atlanta in New Orleans and the Cowboys against Mike Vick and the Eagles
First Down: “Titan Wave”: The Tennessee Titans were embarrassed 51-20 at the hands of the Chicago Bears. As a result of the Bears defense's ability to create turnovers, it was 31-2 before the game was fourteen minutes in. A blocked punt, a Brian Urlacher pick-six and four forced fumbles later and the Titans were booed out of their own stadium. The lone bright spot shockingly was running back Chris Johnson who had 141 yards mostly in garbage time. Johnson has vaulted himself to sixth in rushing yards after a disastrous start to the season but the star on this day belonged to Charles “Peanut” Tillman. Known for his great skills to punch out a ball from a receiver Tillman showcased it last Sunday forcing four fumbles. Tillman will play on Sunday despite his wife giving birth the following day. Matchup of the night is who plays better between J.J Watt and Charles Tillman.
Second Down: “Roaring Back” The Detroit Lions see things bigger then ever after cruising past the Jacksonville Jaguars 31-14. Despite being held to just 70- yards rushing Lions running back Mikel Leshoure managed his best day as a pro with 3 touchdowns. Matthew Stafford didn’t throw an interception but also didn’t throw a touchdown either. Calvin Johnson had his first strong game in weeks putting up 129 yards on 8 catches. After road wins against Philly and now Jacksonville their true test comes this week at Minnesota. Can their defense be lean on to stop Adrian Peterson we shall soon find out?
Third Down “ Norv-Turnaround?” After horrendous losses to the Denver Broncos and Cleveland Browns there were a lot of question around the San Diego Chargers. The Chargers played very well on both sides of the ball against the Kansas City Chiefs cruising to a 31-13 final. The game was blown out of the water when the Chargers scored two defensive touchdowns in two minutes. Overall this is an average team in a weak division. Eddie Royal and Robert Meachem were supposed to even out the loss of Vincent Jackson but they haven’t even showed up to play all year. On Thursday night the NFL Network put up a board on the TV showing all the players Phillip Rivers has lost since he’s been QB and the list includes: Ladanian Tomlinson, Darren Sproles, Antonio Cromartie and Jackson. When you lose that many key players over a small window, you wonder how anyone can expect the Chargers to compete. If Tim Tebow was the quarterback of the Broncos right now I’d give the Chargers a chance at winning the division and making the playoffs but with Peyton Manning in the driver seat it will be nearly impossible.
Fourth Down: “Just Win or Just find ways to lose” The Oakland Raiders were supposed to be a better and more disciplined team under new and young head coach Dennis Allen. However after starting the season at 3-5, having lost Darren McFadden again with a leg injury and the team being the most penalized in the league we are right back where we were the last five years. The Raiders could not stop Doug Martin who ran all over the defense for 251-yards and 4 touchdowns the most by a rookie ever. Besides a career day by Martin the Raiders found themselves back in the game with two touchdowns split in between a Buccaneers turnover they were only down by 3 late in the fourth quarter. Carson Palmer had a chance to drive it down the field to at least tie the game but instead through a pick leading to Martin’s 4th score of the game. Raiders lost 42-32 and they need to start cleaning things up on both sides of the ball to have any chance. The light at the end of the tunnel is shrinking and now go on the road and face a hungry Baltimore Ravens team.
Enjoy week 10 with some key divisional games between Atlanta in New Orleans and the Cowboys against Mike Vick and the Eagles
Saturday, November 3, 2012
Four Downs- A look back at week 8
We are halfway through the season and The Atlanta Falcons are the only team undefeated. While teams like: San Diego, Philadelphia, Dallas and the New York Jets are all in deep water.
First Down: “Flying South” The Atlanta Falcons had an extra week to prepare for Michael Vick and the Philadelphia Eagles and it sure showed. Even though the Eagles were also coming off a bye week where they had gone 12-0 under Andy Ried, it was Atlanta beating down on Philadelphia 30-17. Matt Ryan threw three first half touchdown passes including a 63-yard connection, to Julio Jones that put the game out of reach. Ryan continued to look like an MVP candidate completing 22 of 29 passes and has 17 touchdowns to just 6 interceptions. While their offense is top-5 in the league their defense still has some questions. Although they only gave up 270 yards and 17 points to the Eagles on their road, there are still holes in the defense that quarterbacks can carve up. At this rate they will surely make the playoffs but they still need to prove they can win a playoff game. Up next on Sunday Night a Dallas Cowboys team that has a history, of breaking up perfect seasons for teams.
Second Down: “Peyton Manning #Jesus Christ” Resurrected from a neck injury that saw him sit out all last year, Peyton Manning looked in prime form on Sunday night. The 1998 first overall pick had 3 touchdown passes and 300+ yards for a 4th straight week as his Broncos dominated Drew Brees and company 34-14. In a rematch of the Superbowl three years ago between the quarteebacks, number eighteen got some help on the ground, which is something he did not have back in the title game. Willis Mcgahee ran for 122-yards for Denver and and it looks like they are in the drivers seat in the AFC West. In a division where San Diego and Kansas City are having horrific years it is clear roads ahead for Manning and the Broncos. Not to mention that Manning finally has a defense that can force 3-and-outs and turnovers, to give him the ball more often.
Third Down: “Doug Martin and the Buccaneers” Doug Martin was selected 31st overall out of Boise State in this year’s past draft and now the Tampa Bay Buccaneers look like they have a future running back. Martin was expected to take over the reigns from LeGarrette Blount but no one could have predicted how good he has been so far. With Robert Griffin III and Andrew Luck
leading the Rookie of the Year award (ROY), but do not forget about feisty Doug Martin. After a loss against New Orleans, in which the Bucs played very well Martin and Company came in riding high and destroyed Christian Ponder and the Vikings 36-17. It was a battle between the running backs Adrian Peterson and Doug Martin and it was the rookie who came out on top. Martin had 135-yards rushing and 2 Touchdowns (1 caught). Along with Vincent Jackson and Mark Barron, Martin has been the lone standouts on a team in a clear rebuild mode. Josh Freeman has been decent as of late but don’t expect the same numbers when the Bucs head to Oakland and face the stingy Oakland Raiders defense this week.
Fourth Down: “Alex Smith” Perfection is rarely achieved in the NFL. The Miami Dolphins did it in 1972 while the New England Patriots came a Super Bowl away from doing it in 2010. Alex Smith nearly accomplished perfection on Monday night, throwing just one incompletion to 3 touchdowns against the Arizona Cardinals in a 24-3 laugher. The Cardinals defense was shredded through the air and Michael Crabtree outplayed Patrick Peterson to score two Touchdowns against him. The 49ers defense continued to lay a whole lot of pain even if it was against a weak offensive line in the league. The 49ers head to their bye week feeling good about themselves and perhaps trying to grab some magic from the World Champion San Francisco Giants.
First Down: “Flying South” The Atlanta Falcons had an extra week to prepare for Michael Vick and the Philadelphia Eagles and it sure showed. Even though the Eagles were also coming off a bye week where they had gone 12-0 under Andy Ried, it was Atlanta beating down on Philadelphia 30-17. Matt Ryan threw three first half touchdown passes including a 63-yard connection, to Julio Jones that put the game out of reach. Ryan continued to look like an MVP candidate completing 22 of 29 passes and has 17 touchdowns to just 6 interceptions. While their offense is top-5 in the league their defense still has some questions. Although they only gave up 270 yards and 17 points to the Eagles on their road, there are still holes in the defense that quarterbacks can carve up. At this rate they will surely make the playoffs but they still need to prove they can win a playoff game. Up next on Sunday Night a Dallas Cowboys team that has a history, of breaking up perfect seasons for teams.
Second Down: “Peyton Manning #Jesus Christ” Resurrected from a neck injury that saw him sit out all last year, Peyton Manning looked in prime form on Sunday night. The 1998 first overall pick had 3 touchdown passes and 300+ yards for a 4th straight week as his Broncos dominated Drew Brees and company 34-14. In a rematch of the Superbowl three years ago between the quarteebacks, number eighteen got some help on the ground, which is something he did not have back in the title game. Willis Mcgahee ran for 122-yards for Denver and and it looks like they are in the drivers seat in the AFC West. In a division where San Diego and Kansas City are having horrific years it is clear roads ahead for Manning and the Broncos. Not to mention that Manning finally has a defense that can force 3-and-outs and turnovers, to give him the ball more often.
Third Down: “Doug Martin and the Buccaneers” Doug Martin was selected 31st overall out of Boise State in this year’s past draft and now the Tampa Bay Buccaneers look like they have a future running back. Martin was expected to take over the reigns from LeGarrette Blount but no one could have predicted how good he has been so far. With Robert Griffin III and Andrew Luck
leading the Rookie of the Year award (ROY), but do not forget about feisty Doug Martin. After a loss against New Orleans, in which the Bucs played very well Martin and Company came in riding high and destroyed Christian Ponder and the Vikings 36-17. It was a battle between the running backs Adrian Peterson and Doug Martin and it was the rookie who came out on top. Martin had 135-yards rushing and 2 Touchdowns (1 caught). Along with Vincent Jackson and Mark Barron, Martin has been the lone standouts on a team in a clear rebuild mode. Josh Freeman has been decent as of late but don’t expect the same numbers when the Bucs head to Oakland and face the stingy Oakland Raiders defense this week.
Fourth Down: “Alex Smith” Perfection is rarely achieved in the NFL. The Miami Dolphins did it in 1972 while the New England Patriots came a Super Bowl away from doing it in 2010. Alex Smith nearly accomplished perfection on Monday night, throwing just one incompletion to 3 touchdowns against the Arizona Cardinals in a 24-3 laugher. The Cardinals defense was shredded through the air and Michael Crabtree outplayed Patrick Peterson to score two Touchdowns against him. The 49ers defense continued to lay a whole lot of pain even if it was against a weak offensive line in the league. The 49ers head to their bye week feeling good about themselves and perhaps trying to grab some magic from the World Champion San Francisco Giants.
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