Sunday, October 4, 2009

Week 4

We're now four weeks into the NFL season. I don't think me or Bryce have blogged as much as we've wanted to, but I've decided that there are too many things to blog about to stay silent.

Antwan Odom and the Bengals are impressing the hell out of me
Not that I like it. I was near inconsolable when the Bengals beat the Packers while I was at the game. I felt a little better when they continued to beat the Steelers a week later. Then again, they had to go to OT to beat the Browns. The Bengals are 3-1 and really, they ought to be 4-0 had Stokley not made that fluke of a catch for a TD at the end of their game on Week 1.

We see a Bengals team this year that features a decent defense with Antwan Odom racking up sacks and tackles. Rey Maualuga was not a bad addition either. To that, add a healthy Keith Rivers who was knocked out for the season with a broken jaw by the most beastly receiver I've ever seen, Hines Ward.

The Bengals lost T.J. Houshmandzadeh to the Seattle Seahawks in the off-season, however, this offense seems more alive than it's been in a while. Carson Palmer is healthy this year--a much better option than Ryan Fitzpatrick--and Chad Johnson has not been disappointing either. Cedric Benson, whose career seemed to be dead, is running pretty well this year.

It's things like this that make the NFL interesting.

Josh McDaniels blunders in the off-season, starts the season 4-0?

Should I subtitle this "Orton looks less like a pedophile, more like a QB?"

Everyone shook their head and said "Idiot" when McDaniels got caught trying to trade his Pro Bowl quarterback, Jay Cutler, for his man-crush, Matt Cassel. Cutler proceeded to pout and make a big scene until he got traded to the Bears. Who was going to take Cutler's place? The Broncos acquired Kyle Orton--amongst many draft picks--who seems to be managing games and making throws to lead the Broncos to a 4-0 start. It seems, maybe, that Cutler wasn't the critical piece, but defense was. Their off-season acquisition of Brian Dawkins was smart and whoever was responsible for that move is probably preparing to move into a bigger house.

Another rookie QB tearing it up?

Mark Sanchez, other than today, has looked awesome this season and has taken his team to a 3-1 start. Sanchez still has a lot to learn, as he exhibited today, but he looks to be the next Matt Ryan/Joe Flacco. It doesn't hurt that Sanchez has considerably more pieces in place than fellow rookie start, Matthew Stafford. With guys like Jerricho Cotchery and Dustin Keller to throw to and Thomas Jones and Leon Washington to hand off to, Sanchez doesn't have to carry the whole load.


The defense isn't too shabby either. Shaun Ellis, Kris Jenkins, and Darrelle Revis are good places to start. I predict the Jets to make it to the playoffs--for real this year.

The Titans are 0-4?
Who could have predicted this? This team started out the year 10-0 last year, right? They only lost 3 games last year, right? Needless to say, this team has already missed the playoffs this year...


Packers/Vikings
There's never been a more heart-breaking game...and it hasn't even happened yet. Either way it turns out, it won't be okay. Ultimately, I want the Packers to win, but if they do, what does that say to whatever legacy Favre has left. I know that I was mad at Favre for coming back again this year and for playing for the enemy, but last week's last second TD pass made me remember Favre's magic and I missed having him on our team. I kinda don't wanna see him lose. However, I would hate to see him beat his old team. It just isn't right. I would hate to see Favre happy to see the Packers lose.

My predictions? Packers lose by 10 or more. The Vikings have a balanced attack and Favre has something to prove. I don't think we can really stand up to that. Best case scenario? Packers are hungry on the ball on defense and send a lot of blitzes, force a lot of turnovers. Ultimately, we'll just have to see.

1 comment:

  1. Your prediction was almost right. Plus, did you see the Jets traded for Braylon Edwards today?

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