What a crazy week this past Sunday and Monday in the NFL, teams still trying to find or establish there identity and what we think will come in the following weeks. The top of the NFC looks like for the first time in years it can hang with the cream of the crop in the AFC, a Brady-less Patriots team helps that a littlebut many people right now are claiming that Green Bay, Philly, Dallas and the Giants are all legit contenders for a ring. That doesn't even include the list of New Orleans, the hated Redskins and if they can ever get a healthy receiving core, the Seattle Seahawks. Not to mention that 3 of the league's 5 worst teams look to be in the AFC, the Chiefs, Bengals and Dolphins with the Rams and Lions representing the NFC. Right now the only 2 teams that have really established themselves as legit teams so far in the AFC is Pittsburgh, Buffalo and Denver (there offense anyways). And if not for last weeks referee screwup you could put the Chargers up here.Which leads me to talk about the leagues biggest story from this past weekend, Ed "Hercules" Hochuli. A lawyer who referees NFL games as a part time job. The man is a saint and was born on Christmas, had he not picked such a sleazy job I'd say he might be the second coming. Now I'll admit I was furious with the mistake he made in the San Diego vs. Denver game last week, not because I'm a Chargers fan but because I hate to see any team win like that, you just don't like to see it happen and the Chargers got screwed. I was so distraught I thought about turning in my Ed Hochuli fan club card but for fear for myself and my family I thought otherwise. What I found was that the "Hawk" was clearly hurt and angry at himself for that, and why wouldn't he be, up until that play everyone thought he was perfect, now people are talking like he's a normal schmo. Well guess what people you are not, Ed is the type of guy that makes Chuck Norris shaking in his boots, with a holding call so devastating it's caused many a strong men to bow at his feet.
Just look at what happened when someone disagreed with him
Open up another page to see some more facts about one Ed Hochuli: http://timthefoolman.com/2005/12/25/ed-hochuli-the-facts/
I mean you always hear about a ref feeling bad for screwing up but this really did not sit well with Ed, maybe because he's the most well known NFL ref with his tight muscle shirts and massive guns and that's why he is getting so much publicity. But here's a quote from Hochuli actually taking blame for his actions (something I'm sure the NFL isn't happy about because most of the heads at these organizations are always wanting to keep the refs out of the limelight.) "I'm getting hundreds of e-mails -- hate mail -- but I'm responding to it all. People deserve a response. You can rest assured that nothing anyone can say can make me feel worse than I already feel about my mistake on the fumble play. You have no idea … Affecting the outcome of a game is a devastating feeling. Officials strive for perfection -- I failed miserably. Although it does no good to say it, I am very, very sorry."
Seriously what other referee (or player for that matter) would have the cajones to do this to Bill Belichick and the Patriots
I'm still mad at the outcome of the game, but Ed's a better man than all of us for owning up to his actions for what he knows was a big mistake and I respect him even more now, even if my team's owner Jerry Jones feels the complete opposite of me.
And now onto the Cowboys/Philadelphia game, wow that was one of the most intense and electrifying games I've seen in quite some time. The second quarter was just insane, the Cowboys go from celebrating a huge kickoff return from Felix Jones (and how big was he last week? he had 247 return yards, he was unbelievable constantly giving us big field position) then forcing a punt and us Cowboy fans were on top of the world...and it all came crashing down as Romo then escapes the blitz and throws a bad pass for an INT, followed by just a despicable pass interference call (by the way, these refs were bad for both teams) to set up a Brian Westbrook TD reception (which the Eagles got away with 2 holds on) Then the Isiah Stanback mishandles the kickoff and Tony Romo screws up not only on the handoff in the endzone but he tries to pull a Favre by picking up the ball to throw it out of the endzone. The end result was another Philly touchdown. But in the 1st half neither team could stop each other on offense. The Cowboys pass rush was mediocre at best, it could have been fine but when McNabb got pressured we could not wrap him up, DeMarcus Ware could have had 2 or 3 sacks but McNabb looked like his vintage self.
But the game was so high paced and fast I think that's part of why both defenses sucked, the Cowboys run defense was stellar and we actually did a fine job containing Brian Westbrook, finishing with just 103 total yards. But because the game was so hectic in the 1st half you had to know the game would slow down in the 1st half or else someone might have died. From the moment the 'Boys started there collapse I had thought for a while they were going to lose, sure they gave up just 7 points in the 2nd half but if not for Donovan's screw up in the 4th quarter when exchanging the hand off they probably would have held onto win the game. But then again I thought the Cowboys did a decent job on defense, more then anyone is giving them credit for. The pass rush was good in the 2nd half McNabb is just so big and elusive but we were getting to him. But the biggest problem of our team (and it's been a recurring theme the past 3 years) was the freakin penalties. How does a team accumulate so many penalties, particularly facemasks, how do you get 4 of them? That's one of the main reasons why the Cowboys normally beat themselves rather then get outplayed by the opponent.
Finally how dumb was Desean Jackson's mistake in the 2nd quarter? I don't know why the Cowboys didn't just pick up the ball but it appears like Hochuli on Sunday the official blew the whistle and made up his mind so the least they could have done was what they did, give the Eagles the ball at the 2 yard line. But still just a dumb mistake by a cocky SoB. It would been in line with Leon Lett's gaffe on Thanksgiving 15 years back or when Gus Frerotte gave himself a concussion after headbutting a wall. Kid should be benched and get a big time fine in my opinion.
A quick look at the rest of the games:
Washington surprised me, sort of, I said at the beginning of the year I can see any team in the NFC East winning the division and this is what I meant, the offense looked anemic opening night and overly conservative. Of course the Saints were hurting in the secondary by the end of the game but that is not much of an excuse for letting Santanna Moss get by your secondary near the end of the game. And an excellent throw by Jason Campbell too. Also great game for rookie Chris Horton forcing 3 turnovers and sealing the game picking off Drew Brees after a deflection.
I'm not surprised that the Pats won and that's all I'll say, didn't expect the Jets to be so conservative but I knew he'd stop Favre.
Justin Tuck is looking like the DPOY, granted he played the Rams this past week but he still had an INT return for a touchdown among other things, the guy just wreaks havoc in the backfield. I thought coming into this season was more important then Osi and he's proving that I think.
Nice resiliency shown by the veteran Colts coming back against the Vikings, they werent getting anything going until the 3rd quarter but the end to this game should give them some momentum when they play Jacksonville this Sunday (who desperately need a win)
Jay Cutler is looking more and more like a top tier QB that many expected he could be coming into this season. Phillip Rivers wasn't to shabby himself. By the way that swing pass to Darren Sproles that led to a 61 yard TD was amazing, the burst by Sproles is just electrifying to watch a guy that fast. He did the same thing vs. the Colts in the playoffs last year.
And now we'd like to take a brief timeout from the blog to bring you lame moments in white guy history. Sponsored by Kraft Mayonnaise:
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And we're back, here is how I did on picks this past week:
6-8-1 and the Houston/Baltimore was obviously cancelled due to Hurricane Ike. I'd almost like to not count the Denver/San Diego game but I won't. I may have missed on 8 games but I feel I predicted how a lot of the games would go. 2-0 vs. the over/under though.
Kansas City @ Atlanta (-5.5)
Kansas City had a big chance to get a win last week but instead they gave up 300 yards to Darren McFadden and the Oakland rushing attack last week, Atlanta already has 1 game with over 300 yards rushing, could they do it again? Hotlanta
Cleveland @ Baltimore (-2.5)
Baltimore may be rusty after not playing last week and Cleveland will be desparate for a win. This is a tough decision, can Cleveland's offense finally get going? It will be tough but I'll wait a little longer to start trusting Joe Flacco, Browns.
Oakland @ Buffalo (-9.5)
I liked Buffalo coming into this year but it's still a little weird seeing them favored by nearly 10 points even if it's vs. Oakland in your house. Maybe they're getting a little to much love to quick but I'll say they cover. By the way an easy money maker is to bet the over/under this week set at a paltry 36.5 Take the over especially if you think Buffalo is going to cover.
Tampa Bay @ Chicago (-3)
Could be an interesting game, a throwback game where you run it 3 times every possession and punt 19 times in the game. Should be a good defensive game. I guess I'll take Chicago since they're at home, let's hope they don't blow a big lead like last week. Plus it's there home opener.
New Orleans @ Denver (-5.5)
This is a tough game to decide on, both teams have amazing offenses even with Marques Colston missing this game, Brees could will this team to victory. I think this will be a shootout and it will surpass the over/under of 51. I'll just take the Broncos riding high after last week and Jay Cutler/Brandon Marshall have another big time game.
Jacksonville @ Indianapolis (-5)
Jacksonville needs this game, BAD. But there offensive line is in shambles which has led to bad performances by MoJo Drew and Fred Taylor which in turn has led to David Garrard struggling. It doesn't get any easier with Robert Mathis and Dwight Freeney both coming at you. This is always a knock down drag it out matchup with lots of big hits and it's normally a grind. But I'll say the Colts win this one and Manning finally posts his 1st big performance of the season.
Carolina @ Minnesota (-3.5)
It's a good thing that the Vikings finally benched Tarvaris Jackson, he was just simply awful, but it's not like Gus Frerotte is any better, the only thing he has over Jackson is that he's a veteran. I'd probably stay away from this game lot of elements going into this game, Steve Smith's 1st game, the Vikings desperate for a win, Adrian Peterson is questionable. Not to mention the Panthers have eeked out 2 wins, will there luck run out this week or can Jake Delhomme lead another comeback? I'll stick with Minnesota until I don't completely believe in them, but I would just not pick this game with real money
Miami @ New England (-12.5)
Hard to believe you would see a Patriot team favored by 12.5 points with out Tom Brady but when the Cardinals throw all over your pass defense the week before that will happen. I'm predicting a big week by Matt Cassel and hope the Patriots don't play so conservatively, really because I have Randy Moss on my fantasy team. Take the Patriots and the over/under is 36 if they win by more then 12 points I'd have to think the total score will be higher then 36.
Cincinatti @ Ny Giants (-13)
Until Cincinatti's offense shows up I'll take the Giants here, the Bengals have faced some tough defenses so far and it doesn't get any easier this week. Giants and the over (it's at 41) This seems like an easy week for over/under.
Pittsburgh @ Philadelphia (-3.5)
The possible game of the week, 2 of the top teams in the league and another game I'd stay away from. Pittsburgh has a tough defense and a good offense. But Philly has had a spectacular offense so far. I'll take Philadelphia because they're at home and will be not wanting to fall to 1-2. I expect the Eagles to blitz more this week, I'd stay away from this game though.
Detroit @ San Fran (-4)
I feel sorry for whoever will have to watch this game. Who'd have thought San Francisco would be favored in a game this year? This should be a shootout, I'll take the 49ers just because Detroit's defense has been historically bad so far.
St. Louis @ Seattle (-9.5)
Seattle shouldn't be favored by this much no matter how bad the Rams are, they simply have 0 depth offensively. Rams to cover, Seattle to win.
Houston @ Tennessee (-4.5)
Houston has a lot to prove after getting there ass handed to them week 1 and not playing last week. Take Tennessee in what could be a route.
Arizona @ Washington (-3)
Arizona's 1st real test against an actual defense should be an interesting one, they played last year at Washington and nearly pulled off the upset if not for a missed Neil Rackers FG as time expired. Both teams are riding high after last week, I'll take Washington because they went up against an offense which is better then the Cardinals and came out on top.
Dallas (-3) @ Green Bay
Some are saying this is Aaron Rodgers 1st real test, and he did play great against the Cowboys last year (though we had no gameplan against him either) For the Packers to win they need to control the clock and move the ball 1 first down at a time and when they get into the red zone get TD's instead of FG's. They also need a better performance from the rushing attack (I know Ryan Grant was hurt last week) For the Cowboys they need to be able to get in Aaron Rodgers face early and often and not make the secondary have to cover there man for 7 and 8 seconds. Also when they finally do get into Rodgers face they need to wrap him for the sack and not let him get away like McNabb did so many times last week. And finally the penalties are getting ridiculous by the Cowboys it needs to stop. I'll be a homer again this week and take the Cowboys.
Monday Night
NY Favre's @ San Diego Chargers (-8.5)
San Diego's defense hasn't looked spectacular but they are going to be pissed playing at home this week and fired up. The Jets need to drop the conservative crap too or Mangini will get run out of town, they can't afford to get behind the Bills and Patriots 2 games this early in the season. Unfortunately that is what will happen. Chargers get redemption for last week.
Until next week, where I'll probably be writing for myself again. I'll try and get it out a little quicker next week too.
