Each week of the NFL Season I will break down every NFL Game as they are happening. The early games will be posted first. Then the afternoon games. Then the Sunday Night Game and finally the Monday Night game, so check in often.
San Diego Chargers 38 vs. Denver Broncos 39
Before I get to "The Fumble That Never Was" let me talk about Mike Shanahan. It is no secret I have had my share of criticisms of Wile E. Shanahan over the years because the fact of the matter he hasn't won jack since Elway left the building. Regardless of his failures he seems to be made of Teflon when it comes to being criticized. Now that probably isn't going to change but let me be the first to give him a big round of applause.
I am so sick of coaches playing not to lose as oppose to playing to win. I am so sick of coaches who are more concerned about with what the media will think the next day as oppose to what is best for the team. Shanahan didn't care about any of that. He only cared about showing confidence in his team by going for the win and not playing for overtime. These are the type of decisions that catapult teams to greater heights. Great decision by Shanahan.
I am not going to blame the ref. He made a mistake he is human and things happened. I am going to blame the NFL for not correcting the rule. They made a rule for just this type of situation, but who knows why they only applied it to runners not quarterbacks. That has to be the dumbest decision made in the history of mankind considering that fumbles by the Quarterback are the hardest to determine. The Chargers are 0-2 because the NFL powers that be are idiots.
LT is killing my fantasy football team and he is probably killing yours so I suggest you pick up Darren Sproles who looked magnificent and to be honest more dangerous than LT.
Indianapolis Colts 18 vs. Minnesota Vikings 15
One phrase can sum up this game:
Kicking FGs don't win NFL games.
Adrian Peterson beast, Tavaris Jackson not so much. The Colts should consider themselves lucky since they were outplayed badly by the Vikings for the majority of the game, but a win is a win. Peyton Manning finally started to look like Peyton Manning in the 4th quarter. He will get better as the year goes along.
New England Patriots 19 vs. New York Jets 10
The Matt Cassel era starts in New England with a victory. You really didn't think that a Bill Belichick team would just roll over and die did you? The reality is that the Patriots team of 2007 is dead and gone, but this Patriot team will be more like the Patriots team of 2001. If you recall that is the Patriots team that America fell in love with before they became a juggernaut team that everyone loved to hate.
Jets fans need to be honest with themselves at this point they are not a very good offensive team. It is going to take "God" Favre and the crew a little while to mesh. So just hold off on those Super Bowl tickets ok?
Miami Dolphins 10 vs. Arizona Cardinals 31
Miami=Very Bad
Arizona=Very Good
Atlanta Falcons 9 vs. Tampa Bay Bucs 24
The Falcons start a rookie QB these games are going to happen from time to time but at least you can see they are competitive.
I don't believe you are ever going to see Jeff Garcia start for the Bucs again.
Green Bay Packers 48 vs. Detroit Lions 25
This was a classic Detroit Lions game. First they get behind 21-0 like they forgot the game started at 1pm. Then when everyone has written them off they make a comeback and take the lead at 25-24. Just when you about to give them some props they fall apart quicker than John McCain being asked about the internet. Next thing you know it is 48-25 Packers. Will someone fire Matt Millen please?
Pittsburgh Steelers 10 vs. Cleveland Browns 6
I knew the day would come that these words would come out of my mouth. I dreaded the day but it is here:
"It's Time To See What Brady Quinn Can Do."
Derek Anderson was a nice story while it lasted but it is time to see if Quinn is the long term answer in Cleveland.
Buffalo Bills 20 vs. Jacksonville Jaguars 16
I don't care who you are beating the Jags in Jacksonville means you are a good team. The Buffalo Bills are a very good team. Not necessarily a great team, but good defense, good offense and good special teams. While everyone is talking about the Jets and Patriots in the AFC East maybe just maybe it is the Bills everyone should be worried about.
The Jags can't run or pass and that is a serious problem. I am not seeing the same dominant team that I saw at the end of last year. David Garrard has as many interceptions in 2 games as he had all of last year. They have had a lot of offensive line injuries but they are close to digging themselves a hole they can't get out from.
New York Giants 41 vs. Saint Louis Rams 13
You got the feeling watching the game that the Giants were just toying with the Rams. Just keeping them around long enough to get some good work in and when they decided it was time to really start playing they just blew them away.
Get ready for that #1 pick in the 2009 draft Rams fans.
New Orleans Saints 24 vs. Washington Redskins 29
The interesting thing about the NFL is things can change in an instant. The Redskins looked horrible on offense in the 1st game of the season and they were ready to run Jim Zorn and Jason Campbell out of town. This week Zorn and Campbell looked like Bill Walsh and Joe Montana it was a complete 180. The Redskins showed a lot of heart coming from behind to beat the Saints when they could have easily given up.
The Saints have to run the ball at least a little bit. Reggie Bush is electric, but when they become one dimensional it is easier to defend them especially with Marcus Colston injured. They should have been running the clock out when they had a 9 point lead as oppose to throwing it all over the place and it end up biting them in the ass.
Chicago Bears 17 vs. Carolina Panthers 20
Never ever count out a Jake Delhomme ran team out of a game. Once again Jake brought the Panthers back in the 4th quarter. Like I was telling you last week expect the Panthers to be in a lot of these games and I will take my chances with Jake every time. The Panthers are 2-0 and get Steve Smith back next week the AFC South should be forewarned.
The Bears are going to be ok, but if there is one thing that is going to hamper them all year it is that they are not built to come from behind. When they lose the lead late in the game you can chalk up a victory for the other team. Until Kyle Orton who is playing well as a starting QB has some 4th quarter comebacks they will be limited.
Tennessee Titans 24 vs. Cincinnati Bengals 7
As much as it pains me to say it is over for Marvin Lewis and Bengals. I think Lewis should get another head coaching job, but the party is over in Cincy. The Bengals especially on offense look like they don't care. Carson Palmer is playing like he has money on the other team. The organization as a whole just is a complete and utter failure on all levels.
Count me in as one of those in the media that believes Vince Young will not play any time soon even after he is healthy with the Titans. They played very well and sound with the Commander Kerry Collins at the helm. No need to rock the boat until VY gets his head right.
Oakland Raiders 23 vs. Kansas City Chiefs 8
Rumor had it that Monte Kiffin would be fired if he didn't win against the Chiefs. It appears he will live to see another day. The reason being is that the Raiders running game are Nebraska 95 worthy. Who needs to pass when you can run for almost 300 yards. They needed to run because JaMarcus Russell still looks horrible. The Darren McFadden era has started since Justin Fargas went down with a pretty severe groin injury. The 164 yards he ran for means that Fargas will likely never get his job back, but McFadden needs to learn how to hang one to the football he had two more fumbles today.
The Chiefs suck.
The Jets have had NO life today. None. It's been bad. INT's and drops all day.
Glad I sold my tickets for $75 each on http://www.eSellOut.com ~ This game would have been awful to drive 4 hours too and see such a boring offensive matchup!!! BLAH!!!
-Ryan
good stuff Littal
NO pats vs. Jets analysis...
you got Oakland - Chiefs in there... what the hell is that all bout