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Thoughts And Observations |
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Week Two Review
Maybe week one was a better indicator of teams than we usually tend to believe. The Rams and Steelers remained vulnerable, while the Patriots, Dolphins, Saints and others looked just as good. Sure, it usually takes more than the first two weeks to see where everyone is truly at, but the safe money says where we're at is where we're going. This is the NFL of today. Success one year does not mean success the next.
While it's true that some things will change, I think we have an idea on how things are probably going to go. What's fun is there is still unpredictability, some surity, and a wide open league.
Game Notes
I wasn't surprised the Rams lost to the Giants. I get the feeling this team has had a target on it for so long with the rest of the league, that the personnel may be a little tired of having to keep their performance level so high to continue to get past all the gunners. I watched the fourth quarter of this game, but it was enough, coupled with last week's game that I wonder if the league is against them, as well. It appears Rams receivers are not subject to the rules protecting other receivers. And that missed fumble by the refs was the worst I've seen in a long time. They may still be a play-off team, but they should realize that everyone is against them, and this time it's not a cliche.
While teams have learned to slow the Rams offense, they have also found out how to beat the Steelers defense. Like the Rams, their schedule is tough, and it will be hard to solve the problem, but both teams will pick it up at some point.
Let's face it, the Patriots are better. They have improved playmakers, sure, but they also still have something to prove. Too many people never thought they were legit. They don't have the target on them yet. It's getting there, but it could take another title.
Here's my list for the weekly performances:
Top Five
Patriots - Eleven straight wins, with 17 or less points against in each. Impressive. Now with an offense. Priceless.
Dolphins - They've started fast before. You have to like this team right now, though.
Saints - They're doing it on both sides. Reminds me of past dark-horse Super Bowl winners.
Chargers - Marty has everything he needs to get into the playoffs here. Including regular AFC West rivals.
Denver - Rams and 49ers offensive slides? Or a defense no one wants to give credit to?
Bottom Five
Bengals - Ugh! I just can't watch. Please, you have the backs, just go to the single-wing.
Lions - See Bengals. Except don't go to the single wing, just go into hiding.
Ravens - I'm still saying the offensive talent is not that bad.
Steelers - They just never seem to have it in back-to-back seasons.
Rams - Memo to St. Louisans: The good times are probably over. Watch films of '99.
A look around...
The Awards
Bonehead of the Week Award: Dick Vermeil - Spin it any way you want, Weepy, your defense sucks. You thought they played pretty good? Who are you kidding? Two sixty-plus yard scoring plays in about a two minute span in the fourth quarter, is not "pretty good" defense. Especially when you knew Fred Taylor would get the ball, and he still busted you. Holy cow! You sounded like you didn't watch your defense, and talked to your defensive coordinator after the game, and he's your yes-man.
Big Time Loser of the Week Award: J-E-T-S, Jets, Jets, J---ahh, nevermind - Guess things aren't as well as anticipated, eh? They'll probably be all right through most of the season, but the league can thank them for one thing. Everyone is convinced now that the Patriots are one tough team.
Bottom of the Barrell Award: Ravens - Hey, Billick, maybe you can play Ray Lewis two-ways. You officially lost your offensive genius mantra by last year, but soon you may be known as an offensive killer. I wonder if Marty Schottenheimer would have been known as an offensive genius if he had run an offense with the best line, Robert Smith at running back, and Cris Carter and Randy Moss at receiver. Oh, wait, I remember now, you gave yourself the title.
Cuda, Wuda, Shuda Award: Falcons - Two weeks, two close losses. This team is on the right track, but good teams win the close games. Then again, great kickers don't miss the game winners. Jay Feely is a good, solid kicker, but those have to be made in the tight games. Just for reference, do you want to be like Scott Norwood (wide right)? Or more like Adam Vinatieri (Super Bowl winner)?
Oddities
Hakim vs. Morton
In installment number two of this one, I noted that each had but one catch, with Morton's worth five more yards. I think I may add Terrence Wilkens to this group to round things out. Or maybe Troy Edwards. Neither of those guys have a reception yet, but they could very well end up with more than either Hakim or Morton. The problem is, if I add Wilkens or Edwards, I would also have to add Jerome Pathon, which would make me have to add Terrence Mathis, too. Then, I would have to put Willie Jackson in there. Then, no, wait, that rounds it all off. Or does it?
Quincy Carter
How can a guy play so horrendous one week, and so well the next? Welcome to Quincy's world. I'm actually starting to wonder if last week was more a result of the Texans defense. While the Texans didn't do much against San Diego, score wise, the Chargers offense really did not put up much on the Texans defense. The score was more of a result of the pounding the Charger defense did to the Texans offense. So maybe, just maybe, Quincy is not so bad now after all.
Back-Up Watch
Joey Harrington
He's getting game time for one reason or another. However, it's safe to say that this is getting to be a situation where it doesn't matter who plays. This team will lose anyway. How's a return to broadcasting sound right now, Mr. Millen?
Chris Weinke
I hope Weinke didn't think that Rodney Peete's role was temporary until he knew the offense better. It's not now anyway.
Chris Chandler
Jim Miller better stay healthy. The Falcons are not exactly known for defense, and after reviewing that game I came away feeling that Chandler could have put up more than 14 points against that defense. They're winning, but it may just take one bad game to hear the "tick, tick, tick".
Anyone with an arm in Cincinnati
Okay, at least Gus Frerotte is starting to figure out that T.J. Houshmandzedeh and Chad Johnson are better than Peter Warrick and Michael Westbrook. Still, this is horrendous. Frerotte will not last much longer as the starter, and none of the other two can be any worse. I'm still saying they should go with Akili Smith, but by the time they make that decision it will be too late. Oh, sorry, it's too late now.
The Bandwagon
How often do you think Patriots opponents will be favored from now on? Okay, okay, after the Jets pummeling, we believe. Now, get ready for those consistently smaller, invisible red circles everyone is putting on your jerseys.
Show Me Again Next Week
Okay, Raiders fans, your team still has it. You're off the hook. Let's move over in the windy direction. The Bears beat the Vikings, and the Falcons. Narrowly. Now, you have the Saints coming to town. But it's not your town. It's a town outside your town. Win this one, and I'll be nice.
As for players, could I just see one more solid week of Quincy? You don't have to be great, just don't stink. I'll also believe Rodney is a kid again after one more week. Even if it is against the Vikings.
MIKE LIKES
Week Three (Bye: Baltimore, Jacksonville, Oakland, Pittsburgh):
Carolina at Minnesota, 1:00 p.m.
A barnburner QB/WR match-up in this one. Daunte Culpepper and Randy Moss against, uh, Rodney Peete and Muhsin Muhammad? Huh? Okay, it's still going to be a good game. The Vikings have had some bad breaks, but I still think they are better.
Pick: Purple Yardage Giver-Uppers
Cleveland at Tennessee, 1:00 p.m.
Does Kelly Holcomb have it for one more week against the Titans? We know the Browns can't run, but the Titans cannot stop the pass. The Titans' offense should move the ball better against the Browns, but that's not proven by either unit.
Pick: Rocky Toppling
Dallas at Philadelphia, 1:00 p.m.
There's obviously two Quincy Carters. Which one makes the trip should be the question in the game. At least until Donovan McNabb gets the ball.
Pick: Cheesesteaks
Indianapolis at Houston, 1:00 p.m.
The Texans are back here on earth. Still, the defense is solid. Of course, Manning and company don't know that, and don't care.
Pick: In Johnny U's memory.
Kansas City at New England, 1:00 p.m.
The Chiefs defense will play great in this one. Until the Patriots get the ball. Time to re-establish Antowain Smith.
Pick: The Legitimate Ones
New Orleans at Chicago, 1:00 p.m.
I like this game a lot. The Bears have eeked out their first two, but will need a more solid performance to get out of this one with a win.
Pick: The Not-So-Heavenly Travelers
N.Y. Jets at Miami, 1:00 p.m.
The Jets were torn apart Sunday, and the Dolphins are rolling so far. That may mean nothing as the Dolphins haven't beat them since the Clinton administration.
Pick: In Mexico, it's pronounced Yets.
Buffalo at Denver, 4:05 p.m.
Jim Kelly versus John Elway. Always a winner. What? Oh, the war's over? I don't believe this is as intriguing now.
Pick: Easy as Griese
San Diego at Arizona, 4:05 p.m.
The Cards pulled out their first win, but the second will not be as easy. They have to close the flood gates on Tomlinson now.
Pick: Say Ow!
Green Bay at Detroit, 4:15 p.m.
Do I even have to write anything on this one? I don't even think "That's why they play the game" applies here.
Pick: The Cheesiest
Seattle at N.Y. Giants, 4:15 p.m.
The Giants have a little momentum. The Seahawks are looking for some. Something tells me it will be a good game. Giants have to keep from going flat.
Pick: The Jersey Boys
Washington at San Francisco, 4:15 p.m.
It will still be wondered how the Washington offense will play, but we know they play defense, and the 49ers are struggling on offense. It's all good.
Pick: Miners
Cincinnati at Atlanta, 8:30 p.m.
The Falcons have been edged twice now, but the Bengals will have no edge. Expect poor quarterback play by the Bengals. It's a staple.
Pick: Vick's the Pick
St. Louis at Tampa Bay, 9:00 p.m.
The Rams are listless, flat, and get no calls in their favor. The Bucs still have trouble on offense. Close, but emotional edge should win it.
Pick: The Pirate Ship's a Firing
Moving on...
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THINGS I KNOW OR WONDER:
The Dolphins have started fast before, but this time it looks a little different.
Cris Collinsworth is the most annoying personality in football now, knocking off Theisman.
No one has the Rams number. The Rams are suffering from empty chests.
You know it's a great sport, when you know the Patriots and Dolphins play twice.
The Broncos running game is officially committee.
THINGS I CAN PREDICT:
Steve McNair and Eddie George will get banged up often enough to hold the Titans back this year.
The Patriots will outscore the Rams this year, and go further again.
The Jets will go quarterback shopping next offseason if Chad Pennington does not show anything soon.
Quincy Carter will cut a rap album under the name of Jekyll Hyde.
The Bengals and Ravens will trade their entire quarterback rosters to each other to keep in line with new starters each year. The Bengals will get the last laugh on this one, as Billick will ruin Frerotte, Kitna and Smith for good, while Chris Redmon actually takes the Bengals to the play-offs.
Mike owns and publishes SkillPositions.Com, along with a big, expensive, and talented staff. Don't use this work without permission in writing. Mike has been known as the world's only living heart donor. He also thinks morals are paintings on walls, and scruples are money in Russia.
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