NFL Notes- Week 4

Every Tuesday were going to break down a few things that we saw during yesterday’s games. Whether it be a great performance, a humiliating collapse (See Tony Romo….. again.), a questionable call or a game winning kick. There is always something to discuss when talking about the National Football League.

Defining Success: New York Jets

I had a conversation with a colleague of mine about success of a sport franchise, more specific the New York Jets. He argued that in my lifetime the Jets have not been ‘successful’. To me, that could not be farther than the truth. This is by far the best era in Jets football and while winning is defined by championships, it is hard to argue the success of the Jets over the last 15 (including this one) seasons.

NFL Elite Eight

Week 2 still has one game left but will neither of those teams will factor into the NFL elite. Unlike college football, we let a couple of weeks play out before we give you who the elite are.

1. Green Bay Packers (2-0) – In a game that was supposed to be a blowout ended up being tight. The defending champs probably overlooked the Cam Newton lead Panthers. They need to be better defensively but are still on track to defend their Super Bowl.

2. New England Patriots (2-0) – Another week, another big day for Tom Brady. 29 straight regular season home wins (misleading stat since he lost a couple playoff games at home). Patriots are on a mission for revenge.

3. New York Jets (2-0) – The Jets righted the ship after a not-so-great performance in Week 1 dominating the Jaguars in every facet of the game. Mark Sanchez continues to be the Achilles heal of this team. They have a tough 3-week road stretch which ends in New England in Week 5.

4. Baltimore Ravens (1-1) – After winning their “Super Bowl” against the Steelers in Week 1, they came down to earth and lost to a Tennessee team that is not good. They need to show me something if they are going to compete with the Patriots and Jets. Joe Flacco is the Tony Romo of the AFC.

5. Detroit Lions (2-0) – This pick my surprise some people but they have looked really good. Scoring 75 points and the Stafford-to-Megatron connection looks unstoppable (3 touchdowns already). Detroit goes to Minnesota this week. With how they are playing, they should move to 3-0.

6. Pittsburgh Steelers (1-1) – After getting whitewashed by Ravens they bounced back nicely, beating the Seahawks at home. They will need to get better on offense as 24 points against the Seahawks is not good enough.

7. Houston Texans (2-0) – The defense has only given up 20 points. Granted they have played only the Manningless Colts and the Dolphins, it is light year’s better than last year. A huge test this week when they go into New Orleans. Matt Schaub is going to have to have a big game.

8. Buffalo Bills (2-0) – This may be the last time they ever end up on the Elite 8 all season. A thrilling comeback yesterday (down 18 at one point) has people in Buffalo believing. Going to New England this week may end there ‘precious little field trip’.

Jets and Patriots Are the AFC

After watching both the New York Jets and New England Patriots over the first two weeks, it became clear that the AFC is a two team race.

On one hand, the Patriots offense can not be stopped. Tom Brady has begun the 2011 regular season right where he left off in 2010. He has thrown for almost 1,000 yards and looks unstoppable in many ways.There only question mark is there ‘can’t stop a noise bleed’ defense. There has been little improvement on that side of the ball. The Dolphins and Chargers were able to throw all over the field.

On the other hand, you have the Jets. Coming off a hard-fought win against the Cowboys, they demolished the Jaguars in every facet of the game. The defense which struggled in the first half last week, has spent the last 6 quarters of football showing everyone how damn good that defense is going to be. They are the only team in the AFC that has the defensive personal to matchup with the Patriots passing game. Mark Sanchez needs to be smarter and make better throws. When the lights are bright, this kids plays his best.

You may be saying what about the Ravens? They showed you how inconsistent they can be. A week after demolishing the Steelers, they lost a game to a Titans team that got beat by the Jaguars a week ago. That same Jaguars team that was awful against the Jets. Until they get consistent, I can’t see them winning in the playoffs. Especially against the Jets or Patriots

The Steelers? They bounced back nicely against the Seahawks today,  but I think they are over-the-hill. The age will show as the season progresses.

The Jets and Patriots met in three weeks in Foxborough. The Patriots are at home and playing the a Jets team who will be playing their 3rd road game in as many weeks. The Jets are in the Pats and Brady’s head. It will be interesting to see who has the early leg up.

32 Facts of the 2011 NFL Season

The NFL season is finally upon us. We have waited 7 months, a lockout, Brett Favre finally retiring, and of course the Packers to begin their defense of the Vince Lombardi Trophy. There will be no traditional preview here. We will outline 32 opinions that will become facts by Super Bowl Sunday in Indianapolis on February 5, 2012.

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1. The Colts WILL NOT be the first team to host the Super Bowl. No Peyton Manning, no Super Bowl, no playoffs…Andrew Luck?

2. Speaking of Andrew Luck, he will be a part of the Cincinnati Bengals in 2012. The Bengals may win 3 games this season.

3. The Eagles will be the biggest disappointment of 2011. All the hype will turn into a huge dud….

4. The Cowboys will win the NFC East. Yes, I said it, the Cowboys. They will finish 10-6, one game ahead of the Eagles.

5. Patrick Peterson will be the best player in Arizona by year’s end. He may be a top 5 corner before the season is over.

6. Here come the Lions. Matthew Stafford and the gang are getting it all ramped up to give Mo Town a team to be proud of. They finish 9-7 and grab the last wild card spot in the NFC…

7. Speaking of the NFC North. The Packers will win the division. Best team on paper and on the field in the NFC. Home field throughout the NFC playoffs.

8.Chad Ochcinco will NOT make it through the season in New England. The Hoodie will not put up with his antics.

9. The Saints are back. After a so-so season defending their Super Bowl title, they will win the NFC South…

10. But will lose opening night to Packers 24-17.

11. The Falcons will regress a bit but still claim the other wildcard spot in the NFC.

12. Cam Newton is going to go through a lot of growing pains. The Panthers may finish 3-13 but Newton will show he deserved to be the number one pick.

13. The Jets vs Patriots Week 5 meeting will be the most hyped matchup of the year. Turn off ESPN if you don’t love Rex. Can’t Wait!

14. Good News NFC West fans! You still get a playoff spot. I will take St. Louis to grab the division at 9-7.

15. The Bills, Jaguars, Redskins, Dolphins, Browns, Bengals, Panthers, Seahawks, and Broncos will all be irrelevant by Week 9.

16. The AFC is the better conference top to bottom.

17. The Jets and Patriots will split regular season meetings….With the Jets winning the division for the first time since 2002. The Patriots still claim the wildcard.

18. Steelers and Ravens meet Week 1 (a poor job by the NFL)..The Steelers get off on the right foot by winning the game and will take the division. Ravens will still claim the wildcard.

19. The Ravens WILL NOT play for the Super Bowl meaning Ray Lewis will be back in 2012.

20. Even though Peyton Manning is likely out for the year, there still will be football in the AFC South.

21. No Manning means a wide open division. The Houston Texans will win the NFC South which will save Gary Kubiak’s job.

22. Jack Del Rio will be fired after the season is complete.

23. Darrelle Revis will win Defensive Player of the Year.

24. Phillip Rivers will win Offensive Player of the Year.

25. The Chargers will win the AFC West going away. They have all the talent in the world. They finally put it together from start to finish and claim the No. 2 Seed.

26. Tim Tebow will be the starter by years end. Not because he is better but because he is owed money.

27. The new ‘Kickoff rule’, which has moved kickoffs back them from the 30 to the 35 yard line, is going to be seen as a joke and will be changed at year’s end.

28. The first overtime playoff game will happen this season.

29. The best rivalries in the sport right now are Jets/Patriots, Saints/Falcons, and Steelers/Ravens.

30. The Jets host their first AFC Championship game ever and meet the Chargers. Jets defense is too much to overcome, winning 20-16.

31. The Packers overcome a couple of turnovers to defeat Saints in the NFC Championship Game, 34-27.

32. The Jets defeat the Packers in Super Bowl XLI 23-14 for their first Super Bowl since 1969.