It's still a working title. I can't use anything related to Monday Morning Quarterback, First and Ten, The 5th Down, etc., etc. It's difficult finding a football cliche that hasn't been used as a title for a Monday football article. The article itself will consist of the same features you see everywhere else. High and low points of the games over the weekend, a look at the best teams in the league, and a peek at the Monday Night game. Look, Peter King and John Clayton are the best for a reason, I'm just borrowing the blueprint. If you have ideas for what you'd like to see in the article or some ideas for the title, leave it as a comment. King of the Cassel
The Patriots won by playing Patriots football. Bill Belichick never put Cassel in a situation where he'd have to make a bad decision. The defense and the running game definitely helped him out in a big way, and this is the same Patriots team we remember from their earlier Super Bowls. Make no mistake about it, this team can still compete with anybody in the league, and as long as Cassel doesn't make any big mistakes there's no reason to believe they can't win 11 games. As for the Jets, they had a huge opportunity in this game and they didn't perform the way they needed to. I've been big on the Jets and I still think they are a playoff team this season, but they have to do better.
Mr. Rodgers' Neighborhood
He did it against a good Vikings defense that almost beat Peyton Manning, and against a terrible Lions defense. That's two big division wins for Aaron Rodgers with over 500 yards total, 4 touchdowns, and 0 interceptions. The other numbers are big, but the biggest one is 0 interceptions. It's tough for any quarterback just beginning in the league to avoid throwing interceptions. He moves around in the pocket nicely, and he can throw perfectly on the run. The offense helps him out a lot, and you can argue that Rodgers has already been through so much adversity with the Favre experience. I am really looking forward to this team matching up against the Cowboys at home next Sunday night.
Still St. Boo-is
Those fans had every right to boo their team off the field. As happy as I am with the Giants' big 41-13 win over the Rams, the game told me more about the Rams than the Giants. This Rams team is absolutely horrible. There isn't a single bright spot on it. I'd say Steven Jackson, but he will never get the ball enough as long as this team is trailing by double digits, which is pretty frequent. The only reason the Rams even had 13 points was because of two 50+ yard field goals, and a miraculous end zone catch from Torry Holt. It was an absolutely terrible performance.
Just a Little Bit Worse than the Dolphins
Anytime the Arizona Cardinals embarrass your franchise, things can't be good. The Cardinals' offense is good, but where was Chadwick and the Miami offense? The Cardinals don't have a defense, so that's not a good argument. And the Dolphins offense shouldn't be that bad, I mean they at least have Ricky and Ronnie. Speaking of those two, does Tony Sporano intend on using them at some point, or are they just there for show? Nobody expected the Dolphins to be good, but that was a poor showing. Big day for the Cardinals though, they are now 2-0. Isn't it weird to think that the 2-0 Cardinals are leading the division?
They 'Aint that Good
As in the New Orleans 'Aints. I told G when he made his Super Bowl pick (LISTEN TO THE PODCAST!) that the Saints' terrible defense would keep them from going too far. I know that they're all a little bit banged up with McKenzie and Fujita missing time, but anybody who saw the Redskins last week knows that their offense is still confused. So now the Saints have struggled past the Bucs at home, and lost to the Redskins in D.C. I'm just not sold on a team that's only half there. I know the Washington defense did a lot of the work in the game yesterday, but their offense came up big when it had to, and it shouldn't have been able to.
Shootout In Denver
I wish I had the chance to see this whole game instead of just the last quarter. It looked immensely more interesting than the drab Jets-Pats borefest we were treated to. Jay Cutler seems like he can't stop throwing touchdowns, same goes for Philip Rivers. Between the two of them they've passed for over 1200 yards. There were a couple of fishy calls that went the way of the Broncos, but the Chargers did a great job bouncing back in this game. They were down big to start, and clawed their way all the way back in, and would have won if their defense decided to show up on the last drive. I like Shannahan's decision to go for two there. He had a chance, with one play, to put his team at 2-0 and the Chargers at 0-2, and really give his team an advantage. He took it, and it paid off. I think we all know that the Chargers will bounce back, and the Broncos know that they need to throw everything plus the kitchen sink to win this division. Good move on Shannahan's part, and their sitting comfortably atop the AFC West because of it.
The Upper Class
A look at the teams that are clearly the cream of the current NFL crop. Consider it a mini-power rankings.
1. Pittsburgh Steelers
Sloppy division game where anything can happen. They did what they had to do, and got out of there with the W.
2. New England Patriots
Until someone beats them in the regular season, they belong in the top 3.
3. Denver Broncos
Great win over San Diego, this offense can score a ton of points.
4. New York Giants
Dominating win in St. Louis. Look for the same against a reeling Bengals team. Still, we don't know what we're looking at until they get a real test.
5. Tennessee Titans
If you picked this defense up in your fantasy league, good for you. They are real good. Losing Young may make them better.
6. Indianapolis Colts
The Vikings completely neutralized their running game, and they still found a way to pull the win out.
7. Green Bay Packers
Do it one more time against Dallas, and I'll start to really believe in this team. I think they have more than a good shot.
8. Dallas Cowboys
First big test happens tonight against Philly.
9. Philadelphia Eagles
Please see above.
10. Carolina Panthers
Two big comeback wins for the Panthers against the Chargers and the Bears...I'm more than a little impressed.
Is Monday Night Football Good Again?
Great game tonight, and next week we get Jets at Chargers. Thank you ESPN, you make my Mondays a little more bearable. Coming into the season I said if the Cowboys lost a few big games in a row, the possibility was there for them to self-combust . They didn't show any reason to believe that would happen last week, but this week they play division rival Philadelphia. I know I'm rooting for the Eagles, but I think the Cowboys win the game. Beware Cowboys fans, you lose this one and next week against the Packers, things could go upside down really quickly. The 'Boys are the better team though.
I hope you enjoyed it. And remember, as long as you say it's an homage, it's not stealing. Thank you Mr. King.
4 comments:
I don't understand how you can put the Jets in the playoffs when you have the likes of the Pats, Bills, Colts, Steelers, Broncos, Chargers, and Titans. And I'd still put the Jags and Ravens ahead of them as well. And don't throw current records at me. If the Jets can somehow stop LT/Sproles and win next monday, I'll give them a little bit more of a chance. But expect Cromartie and Co to show up on monday night.
why? the chargers have lost to the panthers and the broncos, they've lost their best defensive player, and their running back couldn't suit up last week. And in the top ten list I had the Broncos, Steelers, Titans and Colts in but not the Jets. And the Ravens?? I was semi-impressed with their win last week too, but I'm starting to think the Bengals are that bad. And they have a starting quarterback from Delaware. Let's be honest here, the Jets didn't look great yesterday but they WERE playing the Patriots.
the old patriots, with out tom brady .. you cant tell me moss is giving 100% .. welker lost a step after surgery .. cassel isnt brady and we saw how weak the o line was last post season .. the defense is aging and was also on its heels with an inventive Favre at the helm. You can see it in their eyes .. last year they new they win .. this year .. not too sure. Less of step, less confidence .. still good and beat the Jets. Who barely beat a team that got walloped by AFL's Great Kurt Warner and the AZ Cards. We'll see though, let's see how monday night decides this debate next week
I hate the Patriots just as much as anybody else, if not more..but come on man. THEY WENT 16-0 LAST SEASON!!!! Yes of course losing Brady hurts them, but they look like those teams taht used to go 11-5, 12-4, the early Brady years. I agree the defense is aged, and Randy Moss isn't as effective without someone airing it out like TB, but let's relax a minute and recognize some of the leaders and outright winners on this team.
As for the Jets, they did look a bit flat, but I stand by that defense as being really good. Don't forget that Favre came over pretty late with regards to camp and all. They'll get it together and be competing for the division through the season.
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