Indianapolis Colts @ Baltimore Ravens Week 11 Preview

November 22nd, 2009 7:10 am
by Big Dog

Indianapolis have really made an impact in the league this year with their thus-far undefeated run into the season. Admittedly in the last few weeks they have had huge helpings of luck that let them get across the line, but I’m sure that many a fan is willing to argue that a truly great team makes their own luck.

The Ravens still have a legendary defensive unit and have been working to shore up their on-field dominance. At the same time, investment is going into the offensive side of the game and if Baltimore can take advantage of the Colts’ poor run defense then they’re in with a shot.

Indianapolis Colts

The Colts have caused a bit of a stir having managed to make it this far through the season without a loss. The truth is that while their winning record is very impressive, this isn’t a team of the same calibre as the New England Patriots when they had their unbeaten regular season. On that basis alone, the odds should be stacked against the Colts – but football likes teams and players that can defy the odds.

Which is why I’m basing my view of this game on a few other factors, such as the Colts’ performance in their last few games. Let’s face it, Indianapolis has been lucky, really lucky to make it this far without losing. Last week’s comeback against the Patriots wasn’t a story of pure grit and determination – it was the story of Belichick making a poor judgement call (easy to say in hindsight) and paying for it. In any case, if that were an isolated incident I’d be willing to ignore it, but the Colts have looked shaky recently and they’re due.

If they want to succeed then they need to give Ray Lewis a concussion, shut down the Ravens’ running game and continue their unprecedented lucky streak. In other words, it’s a tall order by anyone’s standards.

Baltimore Ravens

Ok – the Ravens aren’t what they once were, but they’re still a powerful defensive team with a system that works and a tactical military defensive genius in Ray Lewis. Basically they could still make your offense suffer if their entire defense were on crutches. Manning and the Colts have been undeniably good this season but all the Ravens have to do is disrupt them and disruption is something the Ravens do instinctively.

Offensively all the Ravens need to do is run the ball. The Colts still haven’t got to the part of “Football for Dummies” where it tells you that you’re allowed to tackle a running back for a loss, and they’ve proven it with yet another tragic season of running yards allowed.

Prediction

It won’t be pretty and it won’t be particularly easy, but the Ravens will bring the Colts’ streak to an end with solid defense and simple running. Ravens win 27 – 21

Posted in Analysis, Baltimore Ravens, Bill Belichick, Game, Indianapolis Colts, NFL, NFL Coaches, NFL Franchises/Teams, NFL Game Previews, NFL Players, NFL on television, New England Patriots, Peyton Manning, Ray Lewis | No Comments »

Baltimore Ravens @ New England Patriots – Week 4 Preview

October 4th, 2009 11:46 am
by Big Dog

In a week when it’s arguable that most games will have relatively foregone conclusions, the Baltimore and New England face-off is an opportunity for some interesting and potentially surprising gameplay.

New England Patriots

As long as Tom Brady can stay upright and throw a football, the Patriots are almost certainly going to be favourites heading into pretty much any game. But as the New York Jets and Rex Ryan proved a couple of weeks ago, the Patriots are very beatable. Especially if you can put Brady under pressure. This has been the key weakness in the Patriots offense for several years now and they’ve really only been getting away with it because of their enduring ability to come through with strong offense when they need it most. If the Patriots O-Line can buy Brady enough time to let his receivers get deep then you have expect that they will be able to outperform the Ravens secondary.

Baltimore Ravens

Given that Coach Ryan made his name at Baltimore, you can expect the Ravens to have learned a lot from what they saw the Jets do. That said, you can also bet that the Patriots learned a hell of a lot from that game as well. In fact, given the identical ahem, similar nature of the Jets and Ravens defense this season, it’s very possible that New York’s success will be to Baltimore’s disadvantage. If the Ravens can manage to get to Brady a few times, rush him and disrupt his rhythm, then the game will be theirs for the taking. If in the attempt they create space for Brady to throw into, then it will be their undoing.

Prediction

The smart money has to be with the Patriots at home against a defense they’ve already seen this season. But that’s why I don’t look after our Best Bets page, I’m not known for sticking with the smart money. I’m calling it for the Ravens 17 – 13.

Posted in Analysis, Baltimore Ravens, Bill Belichick, Game, NFL, NFL Betting, NFL Coaches, NFL Franchises/Teams, NFL Game Previews, NFL Players, NFL on television, NFL schedule, New England Patriots, New York Jets, Tom Brady | No Comments »

New England Patriots @ New York Jets Preview

September 19th, 2009 1:03 pm
by Big Dog

Well it’s not really a surprise to anybody that the Patriots are coming off a win against Buffalo. What IS surprising, is how they very nearly didn’t. You can make all the excuses you like, but the simple truth is that the Patriots don’t have it together yet. Brady was very pressured by the Bills‘ pass rush, especially in the first half, and the characteristic Patriots cohesion just wasn’t on display.

At the same time the New York Jets just monstered Houston with the Texans’ only score the result of a combined INT and Fumble Recovery. Rookie QB Mark Sanchez is certainly stirring up the enthusiastic support of Jets fans and with good reason. So far he seems to be stepping up to playing at the elite level with a great deal of poise, maturity and mental presence – all of which he’ll need if he wants to win on Sunday.

New England Patriots

Brady and the Patriots offense put up good numbers last week, with 378 passing yards and 12 receptions each for Randy Moss and Wes Welker. Their running game was seriously hampered and had its lowest output in a while. This formula can’t hold up against the newly revitalised Baltimore Jets defense. Quite simply, the Patriots need to get more yardage on the ground and contain the brutal defensive onslaught the Jets unleashed on the Texans last week. If they can do that, then the Patriots will get the job done.

New York Jets

New head coach Rex Ryan is off to a strong start and has established a foundation for his right to the position on the basis of his defense’s miserly allowance of only 183 total yards against Houston. If his defense can bring that same intensity and success to this Sunday’s game, then they’re in with a chance. The New York Giants showed the way to beat the Patriots in Superbowl XLII, hit Brady hard and often (and pull off a miracle or two). Unsettle the passing game and disrupt the run. Make no mistake, Mark Sanchez is a very good rookie quarterback, but if the Jets are going to beat the Patriots, it will be the defense that wins the game.

Prediction

Any rational football fan has to take the Patriots here. Expect them to bring a journeyman, work-a-day approach to the game, looking to systematically pick the Jets apart. A cold, clinical and methodical approach.

But I’m not a rational fan when it comes to the Patriots. I can respect the team and their success (and I do), but I don’t like their flavour of kool-aid, so I’m not buying it. This might be a case of wishful thinking, but I’m going with the hubris of youth in Sanchez, the point to prove in Rex Ryan and the renewed passion of Jets fans, and most of all – the ferocity of their defense.

New York Jets 31 – 28

Posted in Analysis, Baltimore Ravens, Buffalo Bills, Game, Houston Texans, NFL, NFL Coaches, NFL Franchises/Teams, NFL Game Previews, NFL Players, NFL on television, NFL schedule, NY Giants, New England Patriots, New York Jets, Randy Moss, Superbowl, Superbowl XLII, Tom Brady, Wes Welker | No Comments »

AFC 2009 Power Previews – AFC East

July 20th, 2009 6:27 am
by Big Dog

AFC East

The AFC East always offers up an excruciating mix of brilliance and boredom. The one-sided domination of the division by the Patriots was slightly diminished last season, but they really are the only consistent performer. There are several teams trying to build on last year but we remain to be convinced that it will actually work. Here’s the breakdown.

Buffalo Bills

Big Dog Barks: So the Bills have acquired WR Terrell Owens in the hope that this will make some kind of impact for their offense. There’s no questioning that Owens has the ability to make the plays happen – but you still need somebody who can put the ball in his general vicinity. Last season the Bills struggled at QB and it’s difficult to see Owens making that much of a difference. At the same time something’s got to happen for Buffalo, surely this is their year?

Foolhardy Guess –   9-7 with an unanticipated success running the ball.

ProSet Proclaims: Chris ‘Boomer’ Berman always says that ‘no one circles the wagons like the Buffalo Bills.’ With four straight losing seasons and a decade long playoff absence, Dick Jauron needs a last stand. QB Trent Edwards is no longer a promising youngster. He either needs to secure wins or leave town. No doubt WR Terrell Owens will chime in with advice at some point. RB Marshawn Lynch needs to better the league average of 4.1 ypc. DT Marcus Stroud needs some help up front on defense. The Bills have a weak secondary, and their season pass defense numbers are always protected by the weather. By then the season is lost. The Bills are an average team again, and their deficiencies will be cruelly exposed on opening night at Foxboro.

Fearless Prediction: 7-9 again with Dick Jauron fired

Miami Dolphins

Big Dog Barks: The formula for the Dolphins this season is pretty straightforward. They need to do what they did last year, but more so. More Wildcat, more defensive aggression, more speed, more, more, more. The big question of course is if they can do that. If they can then look for Miami to dominate in a way that will still not live up to the heyday of Dan Marino.

Foolhardy Guess -   10-6 with the Wildcat being made extinct by mid-season

ProSet Proclaims: The early season demolition of New England gave credibility to Miami. The disappointing home playoff loss to Baltimore showed that there is plenty to do for Bill Parcells. The schedule is tough, with AFC South and NFC South crossovers, as well as playing all AFC 2008 division champions. QB Chad Pennington has proven himself unable to unshackle tight coverage defenses by throwing over the safeties. This is why the Dolphins are very dependent on gimmick running such as Wildcat. With no deep passing threat, teams will load up in the box and suffocate the fish. The defense looks light up front and old at linebacker. No doubt Parcells will look to change that before opening day.

Fearless Prediction: 7-9 with South Beach running Pennington out of town

New England Patriots

Big Dog Barks: The 2009 season for the Patriots can be summed up in one phrase – pocket protection. The Giants proved in Superbowl XLII that all you need to do to succeed against the Patriots is beat their offensive line and sack Brady. Even worse is that the league took notice and while it was disappointing that Brady suffered a season ending injury in the first game of last year, that doesn’t change the fact that he is a marked man on the field. If the Patriots can protect their QB and keep him safe then they should enjoy another ridiculously successful season.

Foolhardy Guess – 10-6 with Brady getting injured in the third game of the season

ProSet Proclaims: QB Tom Brady is the best NFL Quarterback that I have ever seen. If the Patriots maintain his health, they will make the playoffs. I think that Brady has a lot to prove: four seasons without a ring. Fortunately for him, the line is intact. Dan Koppen; Logan Mankins; Stephen Neal; Matt Light; and Nick Kaczur combine to form the best O-Line in football. This season the pressure will be on the New England run defense. The loss at home to Miami will have been endlessly studied throughout the AFC East and beyond. Expect teams to run early and often on the Patriots. If the Patriots give up less than 4 ypc, and turnovers are even, the contest is over.

Fearless Prediction: 13-3 and a Superbowl win

New York Jets

Big Dog Barks: If Rex Ryan can bring a Baltimore style defense to the Jets then he’s more than justified his selection. If in addition to that Mark Sanchez can make a good start, then the Jets are the team to watch in the AFC East. There are a lot of changes in the NYJ equation this year, but change with a purpose can be a good thing and Jets fans will be hoping that the 2009 season brings change that they can believe in.

Foolhardy Guess -   12-4 with Sanchez making league MVP in his debut season

ProSet Proclaims: I’ll come straight out and say that Rex Ryan will do no better than Marvin Lewis. Another trendy Ravens DC hired after a hot streak that was player driven. This was a bad hire by Woody Johnson; just as Todd Haley was a bad hire by Clark Hunt at Kansas City. The QB depth is horrifying. QB Mark Sanchez is overrated and lost a conference game every year in the pathetic Pac 10. RB Thomas Jones is past his best. There are no threatening receivers. If I played for the Jets defense, I’d make sure that I was doing my conditioning work, because they will get plenty of playing time.

Fearless Prediction: 5-11 with Ryan retained only for ownership to save face

Posted in Analysis, Baltimore Ravens, Bill Belichick, Buffalo Bills, Chad Pennington, Dick Jauron, Game, Kansas City Chiefs, Marcus Stroud, Marvin Lewis, Miami Dolphins, NFL, NFL Coaches, NFL Franchises/Teams, NFL Game Previews, NFL Players, NY Giants, New England Patriots, New York Jets, Terrell Owens, Tom Brady | No Comments »

Gifts from Steve McNair

July 6th, 2009 9:27 am
by Big Dog

It’s hard to know what to say when one of the greats passes away, even harder when the circumstances lend themselves to all sorts of conjecture and speculation. There are so many aspects of his contribution to football that are worth noting. As a football player Steve McNair was a true journeyman. He played hard, he played tough, he played hurt and most importantly of all, he played different.

In a time when scrambling quarterbacks rolled out or danced about in order to keep the pass alive, McNair looked for space and ran the ball forward. This simple strategy (which can easily be overlooked these days due to its common use) changed the way the game was played. It challenged other quarterbacks to make even harder decisions and to be willing to risk more themselves in pursuit of not just victory, but also the right to lead their teams.

Make no mistake, Steve suffered with his team. He took his hits and kept on playing. He pushed through the pain, and kept doing his job. This attitude also changed the way that defenses played against him. All of a sudden they had to cover another option. A broken play wasn’t automatically a good thing, because if your coverage was good, that probably meant that all you’d achieved was to give McNair space. He also changed what teams looked for in a quarterback. Organisations started to look for more from the key offensive position, they wanted the options a McNair type quarterback could bring.

McNair also had the stats to back up his playing style. His college records for passing yards and offensive yards still stand today. He wasn’t just a different style of quarterback, he was a guy who got the job done his way.

Of course, Steve also made great contributions to the communities in which he lived. Literally a man who was willing to serve others, he demonstrated a real humility in his involvement with various charitable endeavours, from paying for football camps to packing boxes for relief efforts following the Katrina disaster, McNair was always a giving man.

We will miss him, we will miss him terribly, but we will be blessed by his legacy for years to come.

For those interested in acknowledging Steve McNair’s contribution to football and the community, I recommend looking at one of the charities he was involved with.

Posted in Analysis, Baltimore Ravens, Game, NFL, NFL Franchises/Teams, NFL Players, Steve McNair, Tennessee Titans | No Comments »

Vale Steve McNair 1973 – 2009

July 5th, 2009 10:24 pm
by Pro Set

Steve McNair died over the weekend past from four gunshot wounds. Sympathy and prayers are extended to all who were close to the great quarterback. He was a truly great football player.

The details of McNair’s career are well known. I want to focus on two matches that defined his greatest attributes: outstanding individual ability and leadership in the toughest circumstances.

Tennessee Oilers at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1998 season Week 10)

This was the first time that I saw McNair in prime time. Jeff Fisher still looked so young. The Bucs had made it to the NFC Divisional Playoff Round in 1997 and already had a reputation as a strong defense. McNair was electric. What struck me most was his decisiveness. He would make a read, and either throw or run.  After the first quarter he continually hit pass rush gaps and evaded open field defenders. Ultimately he won the game on a 71 yd touchdown run into the north endzone. The first instinct to break up the middle differentiated McNair from Steve Young and John Elway. Those 90s legends would scramble out of the pocket, keeping the pass alive, but never threatened to cause continuous carnage as a runner.

Baltimore Ravens at Tennessee Titans (2000 season AFC Divisional Playoff)

By the 2000 season McNair was a national star. His final play Super Bowl slant pass to WR Kevin Dyson was one of the most famous failed plays in NFL history. The Titans were AFC Central Champions and #1 seed. The Ravens were the most fearsome defensive unit, in my opinion, that the game has ever seen. RB Eddie George had been crushed by an early LB Ray Lewis tackle only weeks earlier. McNair’s eyes as he fought for his team are my abiding memory. His courage was exemplary but unrewarded. With the score tied 10-10 in the fourth quarter, K Al Del Greco had a 37 yd FG blocked and returned for a Ravens TD. Then George dropped a pass into the hands of Ray Lewis for an INT TD. McNair deserved better from his teammates that day. To illustrate what he faced, one week later Raiders QB Rich Gannon was embedded in the ground by Ravens DT Tony Siragusa.

As tributes well deserved continue to pour in, our thoughts are with McNair’s loved ones and also with the family of Sahel Kazemi in their time of grief. The loss that we as football fans have suffered pales in comparison. We will always remember McNair as one of the greatest, but we hope that his children will have enduring memories of a loving father.

Posted in Baltimore Ravens, Jeff Fisher, NFL, NFL on television, Oakland Raiders, Ray Lewis, Steve McNair, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Tennessee Titans | No Comments »

50th Anniversary Season for the AFL

June 28th, 2009 10:31 pm
by Big Dog

So the 2009 NFL season also happens to be the 50th Anniversary Season for the original eight teams of the AFL. Of course this will be celebrated in many ways throughout the coming months but the primary format will be a series of matchups being touted by the NFL as “Legacy Games“.

These Legacy Games will involve the original eight teams (or their modern variations) wearing special historic uniforms and will of course provide the opportunity for a great deal more NFL merchandise to be sold. For the die-hard fan of any one of these franchises it will be all but impossible to not buy a commemorative jersey, cap, tshirt, sweatshirt, jacket, cup, cup-holder, giant foam finger and so forth.

Not to appear overly cynical, I think it’s great that the game’s alive and well today, here 50 years later and still going strong, but it does seem to me that the value of any game – “Legacy” or otherwise – can really only be measured in terms of its contribution to the season as a whole.

Why on earth is it more important that the Tennessee Titans Houston Oilers play the New York Jets Titans of New York on September 27 than that Cleveland and Baltimore go head-to-head on the same day?

It’s important to celebrate the evolving history of the game we love, but let’s all remember to keep it in context. And that context is competition. Win your division, win your conference, win the title… but win. It doesn’t matter if you’re facing a legacy team or the high school from the next town over. The game is the game, and it only rewards winners.

So feel free to buy a commemmorative tshirt, jersey, hat, whatever. Just don’t expect it to make one bit of difference to how well your team plays.

Posted in Baltimore Ravens, Cleveland Browns, Game, NFL, NFL Franchises/Teams, NFL schedule, New York Jets, Tennessee Titans | No Comments »

Week 13 Analysis: New England @ Baltimore

December 4th, 2007 1:25 am
by Big Dog

First things first, the Baltimore Ravens defense dominated much of this game. On offense, RB Willis McGahee earned his money and then some, as he carried major responsibility for a Ravens strategy that included keeping the New England Patriots offense of the field for as long as possible.

Baltimore led this game from the early stages and were managing to stay in front as the Patriots were at best only able to equalise. Each time they did that the Ravens came back to score with confidence and QB Kyle Boller did an excellent job of making some critical passes in the face of tough pressure from the Patriots pass rush.

The Ravens have been renowned for their defense for years and tonight that squad’s skill and experience showed as they limited the Patriots and managed to apply significant pressure to New EnglandQB Tom Brady, sacking him several times. Importantly, they were twice able to hold the Patriots to field goals and maintain a lead. In the end the Ravens defense still had to spend a lot of time on the field and the toll of their workload was showing in the latter stages of the fourth quarter.

New England’s final drive was what decided the game. The Patriots took possession with a little over three minutes left on the game clock and were moving downfield. The Ravens had held the Patriots to 4th and 1 on the Baltimore 30 with just under two minutes to go. The Ravens sideline called a timeout just before the ball was snapped and as the play was whistled off, the Ravens defense stopped the play for what would have been a turnover on downs if the timeout hadn’t been called.

After the reset, the Ravens again stopped the following play for a turnover on downs, but a flag on the play called a false start on the Patriots offense for 4th and 6. Brady scrambled for the 1st down on the following play.

That series of plays was decisive. After investing nearly 60 full minutes of emotional, mental and physical energy, the Ravens defense just imploded. The rest of the drive was dogged by penalty calls against the Ravens. Every time that the Ravens defense got the upper hand, there was another call that let the Patriots off the hook. The frustration was tangible.

The Patriots snatched the lead with a passing TD to TE Benjamin Watson, that will live in infamy for Baltimore fans as Watson held the ball in the fingertips of both hands for the completion. The play was reviewed by the booth and upheld, on replay it clearly was a caught pass.

Kyle Boller and the Ravens offense made a huge effort to race back down the field in the final minute and try to either get into field goal range to tie the game or make the long play for a TD and win. The final play of the game was an awe-inspiring 52 yard shot from Boller to WR Mark Clayton who was on the 2 yard line and unable to make it to the endzone.

In the end, Baltimore’s troubled season continued and the pressures within the team once again boiled over. On the other hand, the Patriots stayed cool and committed to the end, making the plays when the plays needed to be made. This is two weeks in a row that the Patriots have been tested and both times they have passed. The Patriots aren’t without their weaknesses, but nobody has yet been able to make New England’s weaknesses overcome their strengths.

Posted in Analysis, Baltimore Ravens, Benjamin Watson, Game, Kyle Boller, Mark Clayton, Monday Night Football, NFL, NFL Franchises/Teams, NFL Players, NFL on television, New England Patriots, Tom Brady, Willis McGahee | No Comments »

The AFC so far

October 4th, 2007 9:43 am
by NFL Freak

For most NFL teams, the season is already 25% complete. Let’s examine what’s happened so far in the AFC.

AFC East

Buffalo Bills (1-3)

A season-saving divisional win (vs NYJ) has given a spark to the Bills. The only NFL team based in New York can build on that momentum when Dallas visits Orchard Park for the first MNF game in Buffalo in 13 seasons. The Buffalo folk prefer day games, since so many of their fans have such long car trips to the game. Expect the Bills to be out of contention by the halfway point of the season. Dick Jauron is a nice guy, but he just can’t win playoff games, so there is no future in that relationship.

Miami Dolphins (0-4)

What a contrast for the former San Diego coordinators. MIA Coach Cam Cameron finally gets some heat applied after a terrible loss at home to Oakland. Despite acquiring a veteran (and proven) QB in Trent Green, I think that the Dolphins are just too old on the defensive side of the ball. If I’m Wayne Huizenga, I would ask why LB Zach Thomas and DE Jason Taylor ought not to be traded to real contenders in order to beef up the team in next year’s draft. Sorry, Dolphins fans, but this season will not extend into January. Expect a mid-season rally of sorts, but 0-4 in the AFC is irreparable damage.

New England Patriots (4-0)

The standout team in the entire NFL has been the Patriots. Courtesy of the overzealous hysteria about Spygate, the Patriots have clearly bonded and look to be too good. I missed the Salem witch trials, but it’s always refreshing to see history repeating itself. I’m sure, however, that QB Tom Brady is fired more by the crushing disappointment of consecutive seasons with playoff losses. An NFL career is only ever one play away from ending (as we unfortunately saw with BUF LB Kevin Everett). Most Patriot players are set for life. It is the diminishing window of opportunity that drives them. NE is the clear favourite for now. If Roger Goodell had some steel, he’d instruct the Patriots to print post-season tickets now.

New York Jets (1-3)

It’s been a disappointing 4 years since QB Chad Pennington led the Jets to the AFC East title. With RB Thomas Jones combining with RB Leon Washington, I expected the Jets to be able to run the ball well. Pennington needs good play action to be able to hit WR Laveranues Coles. The loss last Sunday at Buffalo will really hurt. I just cannot see the Jets grabbing an AFC Wild Card without 10 wins. And I don’t think that the Jets can go 9-3 from here with games against Dallas, New England and Baltimore still to go.

AFC North

Baltimore Ravens (2-2)

This is the one of the most disappointing 2-2 starts in the NFL. The Ravens are 0-2 in the division and will need to sweep Pittsburgh to win the AFC North. QB Steve McNair looks like he’s just had one campaign too many. There are only so many big plays that SS Ed Reed can make. This team has issues on both sides of the ball. As for Brian Billick, his 2001 axing of Trent Dilfer in favour of a passing philosophy with QB Elvis Grbac should have already led to his removal. The Ravens are in decline.

Cincinnati Bengals (1-3)

Clearly the Bengals have issues on defense. QB Carson Palmer has too much pressure on him to produce scores on every drive. This team will give up at least 24 points per game on average. With RB Rudi Johnson not being a true breakaway threat, this means that Palmer needs to have 35-40 TD passes this season. He might just get there. Whether the Bengals are playoff-calibre or not will be determined by their series against the NFC West. If Cincy cannot dominate a division without a standout team, the show is over. Remember, WR Chris Henry is nominally able to play after midseason (assuming Goodell reinstates him). Henry is better than the nickel corner for most teams. Anything less than a playoff win is a failure for Cincinnati.

Cleveland Browns (2-2)

After an opening week that exceeded even the most dismal prognostications, the Browns are now 2-1 in the division. QB Derek Anderson has been the man of the moment. It also appears that Cleveland has avoided the receiver curse in the draft with WR Braylon Edwards. I’m just not sure what to make of this team. In Edwards and TE Kellen Winslow, Cleveland has top class weapons. Unfortunately for Browns fans, I think that the Dawg Pound will be empty come January. The Browns have 3 divisional road games to come, as well as facing the Patriots. A winning record is possible, and I think that a winning record will save Romeo Crennel from the chop.

Pittsburgh Steelers (3-1)

It’s hard to get a read on the Steelers. They key will be winning divisional games. Fortunately for Pittsburgh, it seems as thought the Steelers can rely on the rest of the AFC North knocking each other off. QB Ben Roethlisberger is the best game management QB in the division. Unlike the other teams in the AFC North, Pittsburgh does not have that brittle edge that can lead to implosion. I see PIT going at least 4-2 in the division, and 3-1 against the AFC East. Splitting their other games brings out a 10-6 record, so expect PIT to make the playoffs.

AFC South

Houston Texans (2-2)

For the first time in my life, I backed the Houston Texans (-3) at Atlanta last Sunday. Despite my retained bitterness, I am still impressed by the 2-2 start. The struggles against JAX (against whom HOU has a great record) and TEN will be fascinating. I like this division as the supplier of two playoff teams. For the Texans, QB Matt Schaub must continue to improve. Unless RB Ahman Green can prove me wrong and show that his best is not yet a distant memory, I think that the Texans can only win through the air. WR Andre Davis will need to stay healthy. I think that the Texans will run out of steam and finish 8-8, but at least HOU season ticket holders will have meaningful football to watch come December.

Indianapolis Colts (3-0)

The Colts are looking good without making too much noise. The Colts are already 2-0 in the division. I can’t see them losing to any team from the NFC either. QB Peyton Manning is now truly an elite NFL QB. I was one of the last doubters. The division is theirs if the Colts defensive front four can stay healthy. The loss of DT Anthony McFarland will be keenly felt. DE Dwight Freeney is deadly when the Colts have the lead in the second half. I still think, despite all the hype about S Bob Sanders, that teams can run on Indy with success. With the Chargers struggling, all signs point to another AFC decider between the Colts and the Patriots. The venue will matter.

Jacksonville Jaguars (2-1)

The bombshell that began the JAX season has proven to be successful so far. QB David Garrard has led the Jags to wins at Denver and verus Atlanta. JAX coach Jack Del Rio will still be upset that the inevitable teething problems of the Byron Leftwich issue spilled over into an opening day home divisional loss. If JAX misses the playoffs by a game, he will bitterly regret not acting earlier. For mine, RB Fred Taylor is in his final effective season. Between Taylor and RB Maurice Jones-Drew, JAX has to get back to pounding the ball, and then stopping the run through DT John Henderson and DT Marcus Stroud. Remember, however, that TEN ran for over 200 yards at JAX. With JAX already having had their bye, injuries will hurt them more than most as the season progresses.

Tennessee Titans (2-1)

The Titans are looking like the most improved team in the NFL. When one recalls their steamrolling finish to 2006, however, this is to be expected. QB Vince Young has clearly brought a sense of belief and excitement to the team. His passing is still developing, but he has the intangible quality of competitiveness that separates good players from winning players. I have been most impressed with the TEN defense. As long as the Titans can get pressure on the passer with only 4 down linemen, they will win games. With winnable games against AFC West teams and a weak NFC South, TEN should get 10 wins. The crucial games are, obviously, the divisional rivalries. If TEN goes 4-2 in the AFC South, expect them to be returning to the playoffs for the first time since the 2003 season.

AFC West

Denver Broncos (2-2)

Denver have given themselves a reliable start to the season and can build on their early success. Given their performance so far, you have to like the Broncos as they prepare to face the San Diego Chargers this Sunday. There’s no question that Mike Shanahan has his work cut out for him and will need to build more consistency into the team on both sides of the ball, but the Broncos are a real playoff chance.

Kansas City Chiefs (2-2)

The Chiefs crushed the San Diego Chargers last week, and it’s hard to tell if this is more an indication of the Chiefs’ form, or the Chargers’. QB Damon Huard seems to be settling in well and the Chiefs have made some ground on their passing game. That said, there’s still a long way to go till the playoffs – Chiefs fans, don’t hold your breath.

Oakland Raiders (2-2)

Oakland haven’t had the convincing start many expected. While they’ve had some strong wins and individual performances (including Daunte Culpepper against Miami), Oakland will need to win convincingly against the San Diego Chargers in order to convince the rest of us that they’re a genuine prospect.

San Diego Chargers (1-3)

San Diego have by far and away been the shock disappointment of the season so far. Expectations have been high following their 14-2 record of last season. It was big news when Norv Turner was brought in as a replacement coach for a successful team. Many Chargers fans can now justifiably question the sanity of that decision. Despite Turner’s reputation as an offensive specialist, the Chargers have comprehensively failed to ignite that half of their game. Star RB LaDainian Tomlinson has struggled to get things going, and there are serious questions to be asked about QB Philip Rivers’ decision making. At this point it’s difficult to see San Diego being able to realistically aim for much more than trying to finish the season with a winning record. Especially now that they’ve marked themselves as the weak team in the division. Everyone will be gunning for them.

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Byron Leftwich signs with Atlanta Falcons

September 20th, 2007 8:12 am
by Pro Set

Well the news is out that QB Byron Leftwich has inked a 2 yr ($7m) contract with the Atlanta Falcons. Leftwich was cut by the Jacksonville Jaguars on the eve of the season proper. The current Falcons starting QB is Joey Harrington.

The only issue here is whether this was a good move. Personally I think that Falcons coach Bobby Petrino is going to have a tough season in the Georgia Dome. Backup Atlanta QB Chris Redman has a history of back problems and was hardly a dominant starting QB when playing at the Baltimore Ravens. Leftwich has won NFL games as a starter (24-20) but did have a fairly useful defense upon which he could rely in games like this.

All things considered, I will say that I like the move. Mostly because Leftwich is not Joey Harrington (23-45 as a starter). For many casual viewers of the NFL, the name “Joey Harrington” conjures up the smell and taste of turkey, because the only time he was seen on national TV was during the annual Thanksgiving Day roastings hosted and suffered by Detroit. Remember, there is an exception to every rule.

If you think that you had your Turkey Day ruined, remember that fans within the primary and secondary markets of the Lions franchise suffered weekly, due to NFL television rules. Harrington will never be a consistent winning QB in the NFL. If the Carolina Panthers win at Atlanta this Sunday (4:15pm ET pm FOX) the speculation over Leftwich will soon end because we’ll be seeing him under center.

Posted in Atlanta Falcons, Baltimore Ravens, Bobby Petrino, Byron Leftwich, Carolina Panthers, Chris Redman, Jacksonville Jaguars, NFL, NFL Coaches, NFL Franchises/Teams, NFL Players, NFL Thanksgiving Day Football | No Comments »