QB: Ben Roethisberger
RB1: LaDainian Tomlinson
RB2: Brandon Jacobs
WR1: Hines Ward
WR2: Donald Driver
WR3: Joey Galloway
Flex: Adrian Peterson
TE: Greg Olsen
DEF: Seattle
Under the radar picks:
David Martin (TE, MIA)
Vincent jackson (WR, SDC)
Kerry Collins (QB, TEN)
Dwayne Jarrett (WR, CAR)
Oakland Defence
Sunday, 14 September 2008
2008 Week Two Preview
Tennessee at Cincinnati
Titans too strong, even without Young. Bengals D is a travesty. Could all be very different if the Cinci passing attack gets going, as the Titans lack the playmakers to chase a game.
Green Bay at Detroit
Even though Detroit are better than their loss last week to Atlanta, they are no match for a Packers team that has not missed a beat since Aaron Rodgers took over.
Oakland at Kansas City
A strong rushing attack is Herm Edwards' worst nightmare. Fortunately, that uis all Oakland has. It should still be too strong for the Chiefs, but we like them a lot better with Damon huard under centre.
NY Giants at St. Louis
The Rams are one of the few teams that have little home advantage, and facing a strong road team in the Giants is not their ideal start to the season.
Indianapolis at Minnesota
Both teams struggled in week one, but the Colts have a strong passing game that can take advantage of the 32nd ranked team against the pass last season. Dallas Clark's loss is a blow, but expect the team to utilise 3 WR sets, as Jacob Tamme - Clark's understudy - is also out.
New Orleans at Washington
The Saints march on Washington with a big advantage in confidence. Both teams faced tough divisional matchups in week one, but the big difference was that the Saints managed to find a groove, whereas the 'skins didn't trouble the Giants one bit. It will be interesting to see Reggie Bush try to build on a strong opening week.
Chicago at Carolina
Both teams upset strong AFC challengers on the road in week one, but the Panthers hold a big edge offensively. Jake Delhomme looked sharper than we gave him credit for, and whilst Kyle Orton is certainly not as bad as people make out, he is not the kind of guy that can break down Defences if the team falls behind.
Buffalo at Jacksonville
Upset? Perhaps not. the Jags O-line could struggle mightily against a player - in Marcus Stroud - who knows their weaknesses. Coupled with a strong offensive showing in week one, and it could be another long day for Jags fans.
San Francisco at Seattle
The Seahawks still look far better than the 49ers despite last week's loss to the Bills, and the 49ers stumbling offence should struggle against what we still consider to be the best Defence in the league. Yes, even after last week.
Atlanta at Tampa Bay
Let's not get carried away - the Falcons are about as good as we thought. They have the chance to win a few games like last week's game against Detroit, but they are still a long way from the finished article. The Bucs could struggle on offence with Brian Griese under centre, but overall, they should do a far better job of stopping the run than Detroit. One interesting side-story: Warrick Dunn's return to Atlanta.
New England at NY Jets
Contentious? You bet. The Jets could argue they have a stronger team right now, and we may agree. On the other hand, the nucleus of the great New England dynasty runs through the heart of this team, and Matt Cassel could surprise a few people - despite not starting a game since High School.
Miami at Arizona
To some this will look like an upset, but after seeing the Dolphins last week, they are one or two big performances at key positions away from winning games. Chad Pennington has revitalised the passing game, and if the Defence gets the hang of Boldin and Fitzgerald (no mean feat), then we think the Dolphins will have the edge.
San Diego at Denver
People are jumping on the Broncos bandwagon, but as we said last week, Jay Cutler is not the issue, the issue is whether the team can stop strong, balanced teams such as the Chargers. LaDainian Tomlinson's status is probable, but he will be good to go. Barring a miracle, the Chargers should slice through the Broncos front seven.
Pittsburgh at Cleveland
Two great games to finish the weekend, and the first is by far the closest. Cleveland are still contenders in the AFC North, but teh STeelers set out their stall last week as one of the strongest teams in the NFL. Can the Browns stop them? Yes. Of that there is no doubt, but they need to get Braylon Edwards involved very early for a shot. last week we said the same thing - they didn't. The result was a heavy defeat to the Cowboys, something that they will hopefully learn from.
Philadelphia at Dallas
Both teams were impressive last week, but the class of opposition was completely different. We don't think the Eagles are bad - far from it - but we do believe they are still slightly behind the Giants in the race for second in the NFC East. Neither team is particularly strong at Receiver, but we like what we've seen of Felix Jones, who should be a big play threat whenever he touches the ball.
Titans too strong, even without Young. Bengals D is a travesty. Could all be very different if the Cinci passing attack gets going, as the Titans lack the playmakers to chase a game.
Green Bay at Detroit
Even though Detroit are better than their loss last week to Atlanta, they are no match for a Packers team that has not missed a beat since Aaron Rodgers took over.
Oakland at Kansas City
A strong rushing attack is Herm Edwards' worst nightmare. Fortunately, that uis all Oakland has. It should still be too strong for the Chiefs, but we like them a lot better with Damon huard under centre.
NY Giants at St. Louis
The Rams are one of the few teams that have little home advantage, and facing a strong road team in the Giants is not their ideal start to the season.
Indianapolis at Minnesota
Both teams struggled in week one, but the Colts have a strong passing game that can take advantage of the 32nd ranked team against the pass last season. Dallas Clark's loss is a blow, but expect the team to utilise 3 WR sets, as Jacob Tamme - Clark's understudy - is also out.
New Orleans at Washington
The Saints march on Washington with a big advantage in confidence. Both teams faced tough divisional matchups in week one, but the big difference was that the Saints managed to find a groove, whereas the 'skins didn't trouble the Giants one bit. It will be interesting to see Reggie Bush try to build on a strong opening week.
Chicago at Carolina
Both teams upset strong AFC challengers on the road in week one, but the Panthers hold a big edge offensively. Jake Delhomme looked sharper than we gave him credit for, and whilst Kyle Orton is certainly not as bad as people make out, he is not the kind of guy that can break down Defences if the team falls behind.
Buffalo at Jacksonville
Upset? Perhaps not. the Jags O-line could struggle mightily against a player - in Marcus Stroud - who knows their weaknesses. Coupled with a strong offensive showing in week one, and it could be another long day for Jags fans.
San Francisco at Seattle
The Seahawks still look far better than the 49ers despite last week's loss to the Bills, and the 49ers stumbling offence should struggle against what we still consider to be the best Defence in the league. Yes, even after last week.
Atlanta at Tampa Bay
Let's not get carried away - the Falcons are about as good as we thought. They have the chance to win a few games like last week's game against Detroit, but they are still a long way from the finished article. The Bucs could struggle on offence with Brian Griese under centre, but overall, they should do a far better job of stopping the run than Detroit. One interesting side-story: Warrick Dunn's return to Atlanta.
New England at NY Jets
Contentious? You bet. The Jets could argue they have a stronger team right now, and we may agree. On the other hand, the nucleus of the great New England dynasty runs through the heart of this team, and Matt Cassel could surprise a few people - despite not starting a game since High School.
Miami at Arizona
To some this will look like an upset, but after seeing the Dolphins last week, they are one or two big performances at key positions away from winning games. Chad Pennington has revitalised the passing game, and if the Defence gets the hang of Boldin and Fitzgerald (no mean feat), then we think the Dolphins will have the edge.
San Diego at Denver
People are jumping on the Broncos bandwagon, but as we said last week, Jay Cutler is not the issue, the issue is whether the team can stop strong, balanced teams such as the Chargers. LaDainian Tomlinson's status is probable, but he will be good to go. Barring a miracle, the Chargers should slice through the Broncos front seven.
Pittsburgh at Cleveland
Two great games to finish the weekend, and the first is by far the closest. Cleveland are still contenders in the AFC North, but teh STeelers set out their stall last week as one of the strongest teams in the NFL. Can the Browns stop them? Yes. Of that there is no doubt, but they need to get Braylon Edwards involved very early for a shot. last week we said the same thing - they didn't. The result was a heavy defeat to the Cowboys, something that they will hopefully learn from.
Philadelphia at Dallas
Both teams were impressive last week, but the class of opposition was completely different. We don't think the Eagles are bad - far from it - but we do believe they are still slightly behind the Giants in the race for second in the NFC East. Neither team is particularly strong at Receiver, but we like what we've seen of Felix Jones, who should be a big play threat whenever he touches the ball.
Friday, 12 September 2008
Week Two Power Rankings
1: Dallas Cowboys
While looking dominant against Cleveland, the Cowboys will be even happier that they completed victory without any major injury concerns. Felix Jones looked like the player that Dallas fans are hoping for, and as we've said before, this team is one Receiver away from a shot at the Superbowl.
2: New England Patriots
Tom Brady's injury is quite simply a devastating blow fir a team that has thrived on the stability that he has brought to the position over the last 7 years. We still believe the Pats to be better than a one man team - remember that they won 3 superbowls without asking too much of Brady - and the sight of Matt Cassel looking a great deal more comfortable than most would have expected will cheer everyone concerned with the franchise.
3: Pittsburgh Steelers
A Crushing performance against the Texans catapults the Steelers up the rankings. We said last week that the Steelers are dark horses this season, and a convincing victory over the unpredictable Texans seems to back up that theory. The team will lose games, but they have a good mix of playmakers on both sides of the ball. Ben Roethisberger's health is key to any success this team will have.
4: San Diego Chargers
Whilst the loss to Carolina threw up some big question marks about this team, and Shawne Merriman's season ending surgery being announced earlier today, it would be easy to press the panic button in San Diego. What people should not forget is that the Defence is still capable of playing good football without Merriman, and that if it were not for a last minute fairytale ending for Jake Delhomme and the Panthers, the Chargers would probably be considered as favourites to claim New England's AFC crown.
5: Indianapolis Colts
Again, the loss to a mediocre team (Chicago) will have people worried, but remember that if there was one game that the Bears would be up for, it was this one. Peyton Manning's injury is still clearly limiting him, and Dallas Clark's loss for any length of time would be a blow, but the Colts look like they'll get going in the next few weeks.
6: Green Bay Packers
It would take a cold-hearted man to begrudge Aaron Rodgers anything in Green Bay this year, In our opinion he was shoddily treated by the media, and monday night's game could easily be classed as revenge on the hacks that lined up to criticise the team's decision to stick with Rodgers over Brett Favre. We admit we got it wrong, and didn't foresee him lighting up the game numbers-wise. On the other hand, long may he continue to prove the doubters wrong. Oh, and the rest of the team is pretty damn good too - including the best group of receivers in the NFL.
7: New Orleans Saints
Can the team win without Marques Colston? Yes, most likely they can, and their peripheral receivers such as David Patten, Deverey Henderson and Terrance Copper have shown enough ability to suggest that Drew Brees can rely on them during the next month while Colston recuperates. The Saints were marginally better than the Bucs, but in reality this team has another couple of gears to run through.
8: Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jags stay realatively high in the rankings by virtue of their solid overall roster, but there has to be a huge question mark over the team's offensive capabilities after the loss of both starting Guards for the season. If the ground game falters, then so will the Jags, as they proved this week.
9: New York Giants
The Giants fall one place even after winning against the 'skins, but that's mainly as a result of the Packers having a good week than the Giants being poor. No news is good news on the injury front, and getting big games from key players such as Burress and Jacobs in week one should answer a few lingering doubts about the Offence. We still hate the secondary of this team, but for now, they are still a contender in the NFC.
10: Cleveland Browns
We can't read too much into the Brownies stalling against Dallas. They'll be hoping to get Braylon Edwards more involved next week though, especially against their main contenders for the AFC North crown, Pittsburgh. Cleveland need momentum to build sooner rather than later, as the race for an AFC wild card spot could be wide open this season.
11: Houston Texans
Again, no panic for the Texans, who are a better team than their result against Pittsburgh suggests. Matt Schaub had a terrible start to the game, but finished strongly and will take some confidence into the rescheduled MNF game against Baltimore. Importantly, receivers Andre Johnson and Kevin Walter had good games, though the running game is still - after 6 years - not fixed. With Ahman Green likely out Monday, it is Steve Slaton's opportunity to make a statement as the starter in Houston.
12: Philadelphia Eagles
Whilst it's never good when you're agreeing with Pacman, he has a point. The Eagles beat a weak team in the Rams, probably the worst in the entire league, and with their best player lacking practice time. You could argue that a weak receiving lineup was even more depleted for the St. Louis game, but even so, it will be interesting to see how the Eagles fare against top level opposition in Dallas on Monday.
13: Washington Redskins
Next week is crucial for the 'skins. A game against the Saints is rarely easy, but this team faces the prospect of being 0-2 in a strong division. In the NFC East, it's never a good thing to fall away from the playoff contenders, so victory is paramount on Sunday. It's certainly not time to panic though, and if Campbell exploits the Saints leaky secondary, the Redskins should stay in the hunt for a wild card spot.
14: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Bucs are still a force, but the general air of confusion regarding Jeff Garcia's status - he says he's fit enough to play, Jon Gruden is still going with Brian Griese at QB on Sunday - has cast a pall over West Florida. If the Bucs can steady the ship with a win against Atlanta, the team are still there or thereabouts. If not, a freefall could yet again affect the team who won the NFC South the previous year.
15: Buffalo Bills
A great result against the Seahwks sees the Bills leapfrog Seattle in our rankings, but it shouldn't be forgotten that the 'hawks are notoriously poor travellers, and have had particular issues on the east coast. The Bills can build momentum for a playoff run against Jacksonville on Sunday, but again, it's important to stress that finishing second, even to a Brady-less Patriots team, is no disgrace.
16: Seattle Seahawks
Oh the fall. The 'hawks can really not be considered a playoff threat until they sort out their woes on the road. Qwest field is like an extra man, but away from the Pacific time zone, the Seahawks have been abysmal in the last few years. They'll make the playoffs, of course, but only by virtue of sharing a division with St. Louis, San Francisco, and Arizona. Huge questions over the WR situation, with the returns of Deion Branch and Bobby Engram even more critical since news broke of Nate Burleson's season ending injury.
17: New York Jets
Yes, Jets fans can rest easy, they aren't quite ignored. Of course, this weekend is their big moment, as they have easily their best chance to establish themselves ahead of the Patriots in some time. Can they do it? Yes. Will they? It's always going to be a maybe when they play each other. The Jets looked solid in Miami last week, though they may be concerned that the Dolphins effectively had a shot to win heading into the dying seconds. A more ruthless team may not let them off the hook.
18: Tennessee Titans
The Titans win against the Jags may have statistically set them apart from the other three teams in the AFC South, but there are still deeper issues on this team than the result suggests. First of all, the victory came at a cost, as QB Vince Young was lost for a minimum of two weeks - but likely a month. The Defence is as strong as any in the AFC, but offensively, the team relies heavily on a running game that has shown a tendency to falter at crucial points of the last few seasons. LenDale White is the most important part of this offence going forward, and it's likely that the team will roll as he does. Fortunately for them, they travel to Cincinnati this weekend.
19: Arizona Cardinals
Can the Cards topple the Seahawks in the NFC West? Week one saw the Cards look decidedly unconvincing against one of the worst teams in the league. How the team fares against Miami this week will be a better indication of whether they can become what is effectively the winner of a 'best of the worst' contest. On the plus side, Rookie RB Tim Hightower has shown enough that - if he can cut out the fumblitis - he may be the successor to Edgerrin James at tailback.
20: Carolina Panthers
We stayed away from the Cats' game against San Diego last week as far as betting was concerned. In week one, anything can happen, and it was not a huge surprise to see Jake Delhomme come up big in the final quarter. On the other hand, one win doth not a team maketh, and there are still big questions at receiver. We like the Panthers though, and they have an outside shot at a wild card spot as things stand.
21: Minnesota Vikings
We told you. This team is so far from a contender it's not even funny. People have disagreed with us on this one all week, but the fact remains: The Vikes have not addressed crucial positions via the draft or free agency, and whilst they ignore their passing game, will rely primarily on the big play ability of Adrian Peterson to win games. That just won't cut it against many teams in this league. It says more about AP that they are this high in the rankings after a woeful performance - against a team they should really be hoping to beat this season - on Monday night.
22: Detroit Lions
Oh dear. What happened Lions? The Defence collapsed like we said it would, but the offence took two quarters to get warmed up, by which point the game was lost. The passing game was brilliant, but every other phase looked slightly underwhelming. Ernie Sims getting injured for any considerable amount of time would leave this team floundering. Well, floundering even more than they currently are. A game against Green Bay is not what this team needs right now.
23: Baltimore Ravens
The Ravens came good against a week Cincinnati team, but may find the going tougher in Houston this week (Another one for 'sentences you never thought you'd say') as they face a Texans Defence that is composed of, you know... Pro athletes? At the same time, Joe Flacco looked composed at Quarterback, and Willis McGahee will be looking to emulate the Steelers successful run attack if he returns on Monday night.
24: Atlanta Falcons
Are Michael Turner and Jerious Norwood the best RB combination in the league? No, in fact they may not even be the best combination in their division, but we have to say, it's one in the eye for the idiot at ESPN.com who rated the Falcons a lowly 26th best rushing in the league this offseason. With the team heading to Tampa at just the right time, don't be surprised to see the Falcons grow in stature as the season progresses. We've said it before, and we'll say it again. With Matt Ryan at QB, this team has begun it's ascendancy.
25: Miami Dolphins
A loss against the Jets is always difficult for a team in the AFC East, considering the likelihood that the Patriots will continue their monopoly at the top of the division. This year of course, things are different, and really there were as many good points to take from the game as bad. At receiver the team has clear issues, and Ted Ginn needs to become the focal point of this offence quickly. He has the ability, but the team lacks a possession receiver to compliment him in the passing game. Chad Pennington looked rejuvenated too, though frankly even an average Pennington is better than some of the other options available to the team currently.
26: Chicago Bears
A win against the Colts and still just 26th? Look, Peyton Manning - despite anything they say - was clearly hampered by injury. He struggled on counter plays to actually get the ball into his tailback's hands, which is never a good sign. Tom Moore's shortened Offesive gameplan did not help, and played into an aggressive Defence's hands. Where the Bears may come unstuck is against teams that are willing to attack them and take a risk. Offensively, Matt Forte showed a great deal of promise, and every carry helps to erase the memories of the Cedric Benson experiment.
27: Denver Broncos
We took flak for this on various forums and messageboards, and we'll admit now: The Broncos are NOT who we thought they were! And we let them off the hook! Not really. We still think that eventually, the Defence will be the downfall of this team. It was nice to see Jay Cutler have one of those breakout games though, something he thoroughly deserves. Interestingly, though people criticise Mike Shanahan's admittedly hit and miss drafting record, Eddie Royal showed why he can still pick up the odd gem in later rounds. If Royal emerges to compliment 4th round pick in 2006 Brandon Marshall, Shanahan may have a better defence for his record. Certainly he'll have a better defence than he currently has on the football field...
28: Oakland Raiders
This is why the Vikings are not a contender yet. Young, unproven QB? Check. Overpriced and innefective Wide Receivers? Check. Strong Defence that still struggles against the pass? Check. Completely one-dimensional on Offence?... you get the picture. The Raiders will be particularly embarrassed by DeAngelo Hall's failings at Corner. He was targetted by the Broncos all night on Monday, something that could worry the team that paid big money to play 'the other guy' to Nnamdi Asomugha. Luckily for the Raiders, the team has an excellent chance to redeem itself against the Chiefs this week.
29: Cincinnati Bengals
The biggest losers from this week are the Bungles. Losing to the Ravens is not a good sign, but the manner of their capitulation was disturbing. 154 total yards is not enough for a team as weak on Defence as the Bengals, and Chris Perry's days as a starting RB look numbered, as he continually fails to live up to his draft stock, and this weekend against Tennessee will likely not be pretty for anyone involved with Cincinnati.
30: Kansas City Chiefs
Encouragingly, the Chiefs had a shot to tie the game up in New England in week one, and never looked completely outclassed by what was still a strong team without Tom Brady. The injury to Brodie Croyle could be a blessing in disguise, as this team needs the veteran leadership of Damon Huard to avoid becoming the league's whipping boys. Oakland are next up, and if the team has any aspiration of surprising us, they'll at least need to put up a strong showing in this one.
31: San Francisco 49ers
J.T. O'Sullivan: Not the worst passer in the league, but losing fumbles and interceptions is a fast track to the bench, even if your main competition (Alex Smith) is out for the season with a shoulder injury. One bright spot was Justin Smith, who looks to be another good addition to an already decent Defence. The team frustrates observers, with talented players such as Frank Gore and Vernon Davis, but in reality, until this team has a game-breaking receiver, the 49ers will remain firmly towards the bottom of the league.
32: St. Louis Rams
Fortunately for the 49ers, they aren't even the worst team in their division, let alone the NFL. That honour goes to a team that took until the 4th quarter to register it's only points of week one - a field goal with 9mins left. The most impressive player on the team was punter Donnie Jones, who can be proud of his 48.5yd average over 10 (TEN!) punts. As we predicted, Steven Jackson is not ready to play right now. Unfortunately for the Rams, their options at tailback are so weak that he has no choice but to regain his form 'on the job' so to speak.
Frankly, the Rams are the worst team in the league by a mile, and Scott Linehan will be out of a job at the end of the season unless he can pull off a miracle.
While looking dominant against Cleveland, the Cowboys will be even happier that they completed victory without any major injury concerns. Felix Jones looked like the player that Dallas fans are hoping for, and as we've said before, this team is one Receiver away from a shot at the Superbowl.
2: New England Patriots
Tom Brady's injury is quite simply a devastating blow fir a team that has thrived on the stability that he has brought to the position over the last 7 years. We still believe the Pats to be better than a one man team - remember that they won 3 superbowls without asking too much of Brady - and the sight of Matt Cassel looking a great deal more comfortable than most would have expected will cheer everyone concerned with the franchise.
3: Pittsburgh Steelers
A Crushing performance against the Texans catapults the Steelers up the rankings. We said last week that the Steelers are dark horses this season, and a convincing victory over the unpredictable Texans seems to back up that theory. The team will lose games, but they have a good mix of playmakers on both sides of the ball. Ben Roethisberger's health is key to any success this team will have.
4: San Diego Chargers
Whilst the loss to Carolina threw up some big question marks about this team, and Shawne Merriman's season ending surgery being announced earlier today, it would be easy to press the panic button in San Diego. What people should not forget is that the Defence is still capable of playing good football without Merriman, and that if it were not for a last minute fairytale ending for Jake Delhomme and the Panthers, the Chargers would probably be considered as favourites to claim New England's AFC crown.
5: Indianapolis Colts
Again, the loss to a mediocre team (Chicago) will have people worried, but remember that if there was one game that the Bears would be up for, it was this one. Peyton Manning's injury is still clearly limiting him, and Dallas Clark's loss for any length of time would be a blow, but the Colts look like they'll get going in the next few weeks.
6: Green Bay Packers
It would take a cold-hearted man to begrudge Aaron Rodgers anything in Green Bay this year, In our opinion he was shoddily treated by the media, and monday night's game could easily be classed as revenge on the hacks that lined up to criticise the team's decision to stick with Rodgers over Brett Favre. We admit we got it wrong, and didn't foresee him lighting up the game numbers-wise. On the other hand, long may he continue to prove the doubters wrong. Oh, and the rest of the team is pretty damn good too - including the best group of receivers in the NFL.
7: New Orleans Saints
Can the team win without Marques Colston? Yes, most likely they can, and their peripheral receivers such as David Patten, Deverey Henderson and Terrance Copper have shown enough ability to suggest that Drew Brees can rely on them during the next month while Colston recuperates. The Saints were marginally better than the Bucs, but in reality this team has another couple of gears to run through.
8: Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jags stay realatively high in the rankings by virtue of their solid overall roster, but there has to be a huge question mark over the team's offensive capabilities after the loss of both starting Guards for the season. If the ground game falters, then so will the Jags, as they proved this week.
9: New York Giants
The Giants fall one place even after winning against the 'skins, but that's mainly as a result of the Packers having a good week than the Giants being poor. No news is good news on the injury front, and getting big games from key players such as Burress and Jacobs in week one should answer a few lingering doubts about the Offence. We still hate the secondary of this team, but for now, they are still a contender in the NFC.
10: Cleveland Browns
We can't read too much into the Brownies stalling against Dallas. They'll be hoping to get Braylon Edwards more involved next week though, especially against their main contenders for the AFC North crown, Pittsburgh. Cleveland need momentum to build sooner rather than later, as the race for an AFC wild card spot could be wide open this season.
11: Houston Texans
Again, no panic for the Texans, who are a better team than their result against Pittsburgh suggests. Matt Schaub had a terrible start to the game, but finished strongly and will take some confidence into the rescheduled MNF game against Baltimore. Importantly, receivers Andre Johnson and Kevin Walter had good games, though the running game is still - after 6 years - not fixed. With Ahman Green likely out Monday, it is Steve Slaton's opportunity to make a statement as the starter in Houston.
12: Philadelphia Eagles
Whilst it's never good when you're agreeing with Pacman, he has a point. The Eagles beat a weak team in the Rams, probably the worst in the entire league, and with their best player lacking practice time. You could argue that a weak receiving lineup was even more depleted for the St. Louis game, but even so, it will be interesting to see how the Eagles fare against top level opposition in Dallas on Monday.
13: Washington Redskins
Next week is crucial for the 'skins. A game against the Saints is rarely easy, but this team faces the prospect of being 0-2 in a strong division. In the NFC East, it's never a good thing to fall away from the playoff contenders, so victory is paramount on Sunday. It's certainly not time to panic though, and if Campbell exploits the Saints leaky secondary, the Redskins should stay in the hunt for a wild card spot.
14: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Bucs are still a force, but the general air of confusion regarding Jeff Garcia's status - he says he's fit enough to play, Jon Gruden is still going with Brian Griese at QB on Sunday - has cast a pall over West Florida. If the Bucs can steady the ship with a win against Atlanta, the team are still there or thereabouts. If not, a freefall could yet again affect the team who won the NFC South the previous year.
15: Buffalo Bills
A great result against the Seahwks sees the Bills leapfrog Seattle in our rankings, but it shouldn't be forgotten that the 'hawks are notoriously poor travellers, and have had particular issues on the east coast. The Bills can build momentum for a playoff run against Jacksonville on Sunday, but again, it's important to stress that finishing second, even to a Brady-less Patriots team, is no disgrace.
16: Seattle Seahawks
Oh the fall. The 'hawks can really not be considered a playoff threat until they sort out their woes on the road. Qwest field is like an extra man, but away from the Pacific time zone, the Seahawks have been abysmal in the last few years. They'll make the playoffs, of course, but only by virtue of sharing a division with St. Louis, San Francisco, and Arizona. Huge questions over the WR situation, with the returns of Deion Branch and Bobby Engram even more critical since news broke of Nate Burleson's season ending injury.
17: New York Jets
Yes, Jets fans can rest easy, they aren't quite ignored. Of course, this weekend is their big moment, as they have easily their best chance to establish themselves ahead of the Patriots in some time. Can they do it? Yes. Will they? It's always going to be a maybe when they play each other. The Jets looked solid in Miami last week, though they may be concerned that the Dolphins effectively had a shot to win heading into the dying seconds. A more ruthless team may not let them off the hook.
18: Tennessee Titans
The Titans win against the Jags may have statistically set them apart from the other three teams in the AFC South, but there are still deeper issues on this team than the result suggests. First of all, the victory came at a cost, as QB Vince Young was lost for a minimum of two weeks - but likely a month. The Defence is as strong as any in the AFC, but offensively, the team relies heavily on a running game that has shown a tendency to falter at crucial points of the last few seasons. LenDale White is the most important part of this offence going forward, and it's likely that the team will roll as he does. Fortunately for them, they travel to Cincinnati this weekend.
19: Arizona Cardinals
Can the Cards topple the Seahawks in the NFC West? Week one saw the Cards look decidedly unconvincing against one of the worst teams in the league. How the team fares against Miami this week will be a better indication of whether they can become what is effectively the winner of a 'best of the worst' contest. On the plus side, Rookie RB Tim Hightower has shown enough that - if he can cut out the fumblitis - he may be the successor to Edgerrin James at tailback.
20: Carolina Panthers
We stayed away from the Cats' game against San Diego last week as far as betting was concerned. In week one, anything can happen, and it was not a huge surprise to see Jake Delhomme come up big in the final quarter. On the other hand, one win doth not a team maketh, and there are still big questions at receiver. We like the Panthers though, and they have an outside shot at a wild card spot as things stand.
21: Minnesota Vikings
We told you. This team is so far from a contender it's not even funny. People have disagreed with us on this one all week, but the fact remains: The Vikes have not addressed crucial positions via the draft or free agency, and whilst they ignore their passing game, will rely primarily on the big play ability of Adrian Peterson to win games. That just won't cut it against many teams in this league. It says more about AP that they are this high in the rankings after a woeful performance - against a team they should really be hoping to beat this season - on Monday night.
22: Detroit Lions
Oh dear. What happened Lions? The Defence collapsed like we said it would, but the offence took two quarters to get warmed up, by which point the game was lost. The passing game was brilliant, but every other phase looked slightly underwhelming. Ernie Sims getting injured for any considerable amount of time would leave this team floundering. Well, floundering even more than they currently are. A game against Green Bay is not what this team needs right now.
23: Baltimore Ravens
The Ravens came good against a week Cincinnati team, but may find the going tougher in Houston this week (Another one for 'sentences you never thought you'd say') as they face a Texans Defence that is composed of, you know... Pro athletes? At the same time, Joe Flacco looked composed at Quarterback, and Willis McGahee will be looking to emulate the Steelers successful run attack if he returns on Monday night.
24: Atlanta Falcons
Are Michael Turner and Jerious Norwood the best RB combination in the league? No, in fact they may not even be the best combination in their division, but we have to say, it's one in the eye for the idiot at ESPN.com who rated the Falcons a lowly 26th best rushing in the league this offseason. With the team heading to Tampa at just the right time, don't be surprised to see the Falcons grow in stature as the season progresses. We've said it before, and we'll say it again. With Matt Ryan at QB, this team has begun it's ascendancy.
25: Miami Dolphins
A loss against the Jets is always difficult for a team in the AFC East, considering the likelihood that the Patriots will continue their monopoly at the top of the division. This year of course, things are different, and really there were as many good points to take from the game as bad. At receiver the team has clear issues, and Ted Ginn needs to become the focal point of this offence quickly. He has the ability, but the team lacks a possession receiver to compliment him in the passing game. Chad Pennington looked rejuvenated too, though frankly even an average Pennington is better than some of the other options available to the team currently.
26: Chicago Bears
A win against the Colts and still just 26th? Look, Peyton Manning - despite anything they say - was clearly hampered by injury. He struggled on counter plays to actually get the ball into his tailback's hands, which is never a good sign. Tom Moore's shortened Offesive gameplan did not help, and played into an aggressive Defence's hands. Where the Bears may come unstuck is against teams that are willing to attack them and take a risk. Offensively, Matt Forte showed a great deal of promise, and every carry helps to erase the memories of the Cedric Benson experiment.
27: Denver Broncos
We took flak for this on various forums and messageboards, and we'll admit now: The Broncos are NOT who we thought they were! And we let them off the hook! Not really. We still think that eventually, the Defence will be the downfall of this team. It was nice to see Jay Cutler have one of those breakout games though, something he thoroughly deserves. Interestingly, though people criticise Mike Shanahan's admittedly hit and miss drafting record, Eddie Royal showed why he can still pick up the odd gem in later rounds. If Royal emerges to compliment 4th round pick in 2006 Brandon Marshall, Shanahan may have a better defence for his record. Certainly he'll have a better defence than he currently has on the football field...
28: Oakland Raiders
This is why the Vikings are not a contender yet. Young, unproven QB? Check. Overpriced and innefective Wide Receivers? Check. Strong Defence that still struggles against the pass? Check. Completely one-dimensional on Offence?... you get the picture. The Raiders will be particularly embarrassed by DeAngelo Hall's failings at Corner. He was targetted by the Broncos all night on Monday, something that could worry the team that paid big money to play 'the other guy' to Nnamdi Asomugha. Luckily for the Raiders, the team has an excellent chance to redeem itself against the Chiefs this week.
29: Cincinnati Bengals
The biggest losers from this week are the Bungles. Losing to the Ravens is not a good sign, but the manner of their capitulation was disturbing. 154 total yards is not enough for a team as weak on Defence as the Bengals, and Chris Perry's days as a starting RB look numbered, as he continually fails to live up to his draft stock, and this weekend against Tennessee will likely not be pretty for anyone involved with Cincinnati.
30: Kansas City Chiefs
Encouragingly, the Chiefs had a shot to tie the game up in New England in week one, and never looked completely outclassed by what was still a strong team without Tom Brady. The injury to Brodie Croyle could be a blessing in disguise, as this team needs the veteran leadership of Damon Huard to avoid becoming the league's whipping boys. Oakland are next up, and if the team has any aspiration of surprising us, they'll at least need to put up a strong showing in this one.
31: San Francisco 49ers
J.T. O'Sullivan: Not the worst passer in the league, but losing fumbles and interceptions is a fast track to the bench, even if your main competition (Alex Smith) is out for the season with a shoulder injury. One bright spot was Justin Smith, who looks to be another good addition to an already decent Defence. The team frustrates observers, with talented players such as Frank Gore and Vernon Davis, but in reality, until this team has a game-breaking receiver, the 49ers will remain firmly towards the bottom of the league.
32: St. Louis Rams
Fortunately for the 49ers, they aren't even the worst team in their division, let alone the NFL. That honour goes to a team that took until the 4th quarter to register it's only points of week one - a field goal with 9mins left. The most impressive player on the team was punter Donnie Jones, who can be proud of his 48.5yd average over 10 (TEN!) punts. As we predicted, Steven Jackson is not ready to play right now. Unfortunately for the Rams, their options at tailback are so weak that he has no choice but to regain his form 'on the job' so to speak.
Frankly, the Rams are the worst team in the league by a mile, and Scott Linehan will be out of a job at the end of the season unless he can pull off a miracle.
Disgruntled Garcia
It's all kicking off in Tampa. Brian Griese has been confirmed as the Buccaneers starter for this Sunday's home opener against the Falcons, because of Jeff Garcia's ankle injury. According to the Bucs themselves at least. Garcia himself claims he is on the trading block, and the Bucs will take anything for him - the question that needs answering is why he wasn't shipped in the pre-season? Whilst Griese and McCown both received starters reps throughout training camp due to Garcia's niggling injuries, the disruption cannot be welcomed.
Green Bay are looking for a veteran backup.. That said, how about the Bears? (Yes, every available QB will be linked to a Chicago move, even after their shock win over the Colts.
Green Bay are looking for a veteran backup.. That said, how about the Bears? (Yes, every available QB will be linked to a Chicago move, even after their shock win over the Colts.
Ravens @ Texans game now Monday Night
As a result of the oncoming Hurricane Ike towards the Gulf Coast, the previously scheduled Ravens - Texans game has been moved to Monday night at a 8:30pm ET (2:30am BST) - the same time as the Eagles @ Cowboys game.
Tuesday, 9 September 2008
Week One Injury Update Part Two
Here's a more compact version of the injury report, with some of the less high-profile names that got banged up this weekend.
Nate Burleson
The Seahawks Receiver is done for the season after tearing his ACL on Sunday against the Bills. It's a huge blow both for Burleson and the Seahawks, with No.1 Receiver Deion Branch and no.2 Booby Engram both currently struggling to get fit for week two, leaving the Sehawks depth chart bereft of established receivers. Interestingly, we tipped Burleson for big things this season, and he was actually turning out a solid performance, with 5 catches for 60yds and a TD.
It will be interesting to see who - if anyone the Seahwaks bring in for a visit this week. One option is Chad Jackson, who - in true slapstick style - we also predicted would have a breakout year, the day before he was cut by the Patriots.
Vince Manuwai and Maurice Williams
The Jags O-line is down to the bare bones after losing two more starters on Sunday. Manuwai has torn both his ACL and his MCL, and is headed to Injured Reserve. It's likely that fellow starting Guard Williams will join him after tearing his biceps. A torn biceps or triceps is usually the end of a Lineman's season, and we can't imagine there is much chance of Williams even coming back for the playoffs.
It's bad news for the team and it's running game, which is one of the strongest in the league. Both Fred Taylor and Maurice Jones-Drew could struggle to match their big numbers from last year, and QB David Garrard could also feel the heat. For all the investment in the Defensive Line in the offseason, it's a reminder of the fickle nature of this game that the team could see it's playoff hopes dashed by a series of injuries to the Offensive Line.
Mike Nugent
The Jets kicker looks unlikely to play again this season after injuring his thigh during the victory in Miami. It goes without saying that an injury to a kicker's leg is... pretty bad. The Jets signed Jay Feely, who was released by the Dolphins earlier this season. Feely has experience of kicking in Giants Stadium/The Meadowlands from his time with the Giants, so it's hard to imagine a huge issue with kicking in NYC.
Jeff Garcia
Garcia looked off colour during the Bucs loss to New Orleans on Sunday, and it was no surprise to see him listed as questionable for week two. The apparent cause of the problem is an ankle injury, though to what degree it is likely to affect Garcia's performance should he play is another matter. Garcia regularly plays banged up, and there is even more need for him to get some solid time under centre now, after missing all of the preseason in a contract holdout.
Nate Burleson
The Seahawks Receiver is done for the season after tearing his ACL on Sunday against the Bills. It's a huge blow both for Burleson and the Seahawks, with No.1 Receiver Deion Branch and no.2 Booby Engram both currently struggling to get fit for week two, leaving the Sehawks depth chart bereft of established receivers. Interestingly, we tipped Burleson for big things this season, and he was actually turning out a solid performance, with 5 catches for 60yds and a TD.
It will be interesting to see who - if anyone the Seahwaks bring in for a visit this week. One option is Chad Jackson, who - in true slapstick style - we also predicted would have a breakout year, the day before he was cut by the Patriots.
Vince Manuwai and Maurice Williams
The Jags O-line is down to the bare bones after losing two more starters on Sunday. Manuwai has torn both his ACL and his MCL, and is headed to Injured Reserve. It's likely that fellow starting Guard Williams will join him after tearing his biceps. A torn biceps or triceps is usually the end of a Lineman's season, and we can't imagine there is much chance of Williams even coming back for the playoffs.
It's bad news for the team and it's running game, which is one of the strongest in the league. Both Fred Taylor and Maurice Jones-Drew could struggle to match their big numbers from last year, and QB David Garrard could also feel the heat. For all the investment in the Defensive Line in the offseason, it's a reminder of the fickle nature of this game that the team could see it's playoff hopes dashed by a series of injuries to the Offensive Line.
Mike Nugent
The Jets kicker looks unlikely to play again this season after injuring his thigh during the victory in Miami. It goes without saying that an injury to a kicker's leg is... pretty bad. The Jets signed Jay Feely, who was released by the Dolphins earlier this season. Feely has experience of kicking in Giants Stadium/The Meadowlands from his time with the Giants, so it's hard to imagine a huge issue with kicking in NYC.
Jeff Garcia
Garcia looked off colour during the Bucs loss to New Orleans on Sunday, and it was no surprise to see him listed as questionable for week two. The apparent cause of the problem is an ankle injury, though to what degree it is likely to affect Garcia's performance should he play is another matter. Garcia regularly plays banged up, and there is even more need for him to get some solid time under centre now, after missing all of the preseason in a contract holdout.
Monday, 8 September 2008
Week One Injury Update
Well, Peyton Manning made it through last night's encounter with the Bears with his body - if not his dignity - intact, so it's time to give a brief rundown of the key injuries suffered around the league, and their impact on their teams:
Tom Brady
The New England QB was placed on IR this morning, officially ending his 2008 season. The extent of Brady's injury is still unknown, exept that it requires surgery and is clearly a tear of some kind of knee ligament. It's easy to say that it's his ACL, but until the Pats confirm it, specualtion as to Brady's status next season is useless. On the other hand, we'll attempt it anyway, because that's how we roll.
Someone asked me earlier today if Brady could return and play at his pre-injury level. The simple answer, for any pocket QB of Brady's ilk, is yes. Unlike Daunte Culpepper - who's knee injury completely undermined his style of play - Brady does not rely on his mobility a great deal. It's not an ideal situation, but his athleticism has never been his strong point, so in essence, his main obstacle to overcome will be regaining trust in the knee.
The Pats will stick with Matt Cassel this week. If he struggles, expect the team to intensify efforts to bring in a veteran backup. Further to our report on the matter last night, Former Buc Chris Simms has indeed been brought in for a workout, along with career backup Tim Rattay. Simms's addition would signify genuine competition at the position, and as a proven commodity, it's unlikely that the fans in Boston would be enamoured with the idea of Simms merely being Cassel's backup.
Vince Young
There is some debate in the media today as to whether Young's 'injury' was somehow a result of his reluctance to take the field during the Titans win against Jacksonville on Sunday. From a neutral perspective, it certainly did not seem that Young was eager to get back into the game following his second interception in the game, and the fact that coach Jeff Fisher clearly was unaware of Young's 'injury' is extroadinary. Young claims to have felt tightness from his hamstring, just minutes before Jags linebacker Daryl Smith caught Young accidentally on the knee, at which point he was replaced by Kerry Collins. The team has since called the injury a 'sprained MCL', and said that Young will miss 2-4 weeks.
Could the Titans be covering for Young's clear psychological issues, by using a 'sham' injury to give him a few weeks to sort out his head? It's a possibility. Fisher could not have done a worse job covering up the sideline spat after the game, and his assertion that it was a simple 'communication issue' is laughable. The coach of an NFL franchise was unaware that his Star Quarterback was injured, even slightly? That's straight out of the 'Mike Nolan School of Quarterback Health'.
Whatever happens regarding Young, it seems that Collins is now back as starter for the next few weeks. He's been a relatibvely reliable backup when replacing Young over the last few years, and it wouldn't surprise us if a few veterans (Kevin Mawae, for one) are secretly relieved to play with a Quarterback who has already famously beaten his personal demons.
Brodie Croyle
Croyle is likely to miss at least two weeks after suffering a shoulder injury during the same Chiefs-Patriots matchup that caused so much uproar around the league. Unfortunately for Croyle, this latest injury could spell the end of his tenure as starter in Kansas City. Despite the lack of serious competition from within the Chiefs' current roster, Croyle's durability is so suspect that it is inevitable that the team will look to go in another direction now that the decision has been taken ouut of their hands.
Damon Huard should start, and if he can have a solid two weeks, it's hard to see Croyle regaining the starting gig this season. For all that Croyle has in that rocket arm, his inability to stay healthy will likely mean his days as a Starter in the NFL are over.
Marion Barber
Barber left the game in Cleveland with 'bruised ribs', and will likely start next week's Monday Night game against the Eagles. His loss would be a sore blow to the Cowboys, but as it is working out, this could simply make it easier to get rookie Felix Jones more involved after his explosive performance on Sunday.
It's unlikely that Barber will miss any time with the injury, though he will likely be in some discomfort for a few days. Don't be shocked if he misses practice at least once this week, but all sources - including the man himself - say that he will start week two.
Dallas Clark
The Colts TE left the game against the Bears last night with a knee injury and did not return in pads. An MRI on Monday indicated that Clark will be 'ok' according to coach Tony Dungy, but we've seen this before with a guy who rarely goes a full season without some kind of injury. It would be no surprise to see Clark sit out week two, and if he does, the Colts will revert back to the 3 WR formations that had mixed results last night.
On another note, Peyton Manning's injury has affected him, regardless of what John Madden and Al Michaels say. He looked stiff when throwing, and seemed lacking in confidence where his mechanics were concerned. The conservative playcalling of Tom Moore seemed to frustrate Manning, but even when given the chance to cut loose, he looked far from the Quarterback that has dominated the league for so long. No matter what spin the team have put on recent events, it is clear that Manning needs at least 2-3 more weeks of rehab before he returns to his old self.
Tom Brady
The New England QB was placed on IR this morning, officially ending his 2008 season. The extent of Brady's injury is still unknown, exept that it requires surgery and is clearly a tear of some kind of knee ligament. It's easy to say that it's his ACL, but until the Pats confirm it, specualtion as to Brady's status next season is useless. On the other hand, we'll attempt it anyway, because that's how we roll.
Someone asked me earlier today if Brady could return and play at his pre-injury level. The simple answer, for any pocket QB of Brady's ilk, is yes. Unlike Daunte Culpepper - who's knee injury completely undermined his style of play - Brady does not rely on his mobility a great deal. It's not an ideal situation, but his athleticism has never been his strong point, so in essence, his main obstacle to overcome will be regaining trust in the knee.
The Pats will stick with Matt Cassel this week. If he struggles, expect the team to intensify efforts to bring in a veteran backup. Further to our report on the matter last night, Former Buc Chris Simms has indeed been brought in for a workout, along with career backup Tim Rattay. Simms's addition would signify genuine competition at the position, and as a proven commodity, it's unlikely that the fans in Boston would be enamoured with the idea of Simms merely being Cassel's backup.
Vince Young
There is some debate in the media today as to whether Young's 'injury' was somehow a result of his reluctance to take the field during the Titans win against Jacksonville on Sunday. From a neutral perspective, it certainly did not seem that Young was eager to get back into the game following his second interception in the game, and the fact that coach Jeff Fisher clearly was unaware of Young's 'injury' is extroadinary. Young claims to have felt tightness from his hamstring, just minutes before Jags linebacker Daryl Smith caught Young accidentally on the knee, at which point he was replaced by Kerry Collins. The team has since called the injury a 'sprained MCL', and said that Young will miss 2-4 weeks.
Could the Titans be covering for Young's clear psychological issues, by using a 'sham' injury to give him a few weeks to sort out his head? It's a possibility. Fisher could not have done a worse job covering up the sideline spat after the game, and his assertion that it was a simple 'communication issue' is laughable. The coach of an NFL franchise was unaware that his Star Quarterback was injured, even slightly? That's straight out of the 'Mike Nolan School of Quarterback Health'.
Whatever happens regarding Young, it seems that Collins is now back as starter for the next few weeks. He's been a relatibvely reliable backup when replacing Young over the last few years, and it wouldn't surprise us if a few veterans (Kevin Mawae, for one) are secretly relieved to play with a Quarterback who has already famously beaten his personal demons.
Brodie Croyle
Croyle is likely to miss at least two weeks after suffering a shoulder injury during the same Chiefs-Patriots matchup that caused so much uproar around the league. Unfortunately for Croyle, this latest injury could spell the end of his tenure as starter in Kansas City. Despite the lack of serious competition from within the Chiefs' current roster, Croyle's durability is so suspect that it is inevitable that the team will look to go in another direction now that the decision has been taken ouut of their hands.
Damon Huard should start, and if he can have a solid two weeks, it's hard to see Croyle regaining the starting gig this season. For all that Croyle has in that rocket arm, his inability to stay healthy will likely mean his days as a Starter in the NFL are over.
Marion Barber
Barber left the game in Cleveland with 'bruised ribs', and will likely start next week's Monday Night game against the Eagles. His loss would be a sore blow to the Cowboys, but as it is working out, this could simply make it easier to get rookie Felix Jones more involved after his explosive performance on Sunday.
It's unlikely that Barber will miss any time with the injury, though he will likely be in some discomfort for a few days. Don't be shocked if he misses practice at least once this week, but all sources - including the man himself - say that he will start week two.
Dallas Clark
The Colts TE left the game against the Bears last night with a knee injury and did not return in pads. An MRI on Monday indicated that Clark will be 'ok' according to coach Tony Dungy, but we've seen this before with a guy who rarely goes a full season without some kind of injury. It would be no surprise to see Clark sit out week two, and if he does, the Colts will revert back to the 3 WR formations that had mixed results last night.
On another note, Peyton Manning's injury has affected him, regardless of what John Madden and Al Michaels say. He looked stiff when throwing, and seemed lacking in confidence where his mechanics were concerned. The conservative playcalling of Tom Moore seemed to frustrate Manning, but even when given the chance to cut loose, he looked far from the Quarterback that has dominated the league for so long. No matter what spin the team have put on recent events, it is clear that Manning needs at least 2-3 more weeks of rehab before he returns to his old self.
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