The halfway mark of the season has officially arrived and teams are playing at consistent levels now, some good and some bad. Most of the matchups were straight forward this week except for the egg that was laid in St. Louis by the Saints. I'm pretty sure there is something in the water in St. Louis. With many teams continuing there quests to the playoffs, Sunday was a day of put up or shut up for many of those teams.
Key Matchups
There was a possible AFC Championship game preview on Sunday as the Patriots took on the Steelers at Heinz Field. Coming off of the bye week, the Patriots were favored to knock out the Steelers but as soon as the game started, the Patriots were in a dog fight. Pittsburgh made it tough on Tom Brady early and often as he was sacked 5 times on the day and one of those was a fumble at the end of the game. Roethlisberger followed his week 7 performance with 365 yards, 2 touchdowns, and 1 interception. With Hines Ward sitting the game out, Big Ben utilized his arsenal of young, speedy wideouts. Sanders, Wallace, and Brown combined for 207 yards and 1 touchdown on the day. Coach Belichick went for a risky onside kick in the fourth quarter with 2:35 remaining and all three of their timeouts. The Patriots failed to kick it 10 yards which allowed the Steelers to extend the game with great field position with a 23-17 lead. The Patriots really shot themselves in the foot in this game and at this point in the season, I'm not sure that their defense will improve much more than they already are. They need to get focused for the second half of the season.
The Sunday night game featured an NFC East divisional game between the Cowboys and the Eagles. The Eagles came into the game with a 2-4 record and needed a win to keep playoff hopes alive. Well they clearly knew what this game meant because they annihilated Dallas 34-7. The score was 21-0 with 10:15 remaining in the second quarter. Michael Vick was playing at the all-madden level and Tony Romo was on rookie level, if you can even call it that. The Eagles offense clicked as a whole and had the running game working also. LeSean McCoy rushed for 185 yards and 2 touchdowns. After Laurent Robinson scored on a long touchdown pass, along with Dez Bryant and Miles Austin, they went to the sidelines complaining to the coaches. What they were complaining about, nobody knows but it was probably Romo's play; you can bet on that. It's obvious that the Cowboys need to make a decision on Romo in the offseason and I'm sure Jerry Jones will make the right one.
Who Am I?
Once again it's time for another trivia question and this week should be a goodie. In case you are wondering, in "Who Am I?" I take on the role of an NFL player, current or retired, and give you his stats which will make you think a little while you continue reading. Hope you're ready for this one.
Throughout my career I have passed for 24,773 yards, 169 touchdowns, 118 interceptions, and 47 fumbles. I have a Super Bowl victory under my belt also. I have been debated on several times whether I'm good or not, but all I have done is lead my team to wins. I have only had one losing season. Please will somebody tell me, who am I?
Quick Spin
The Saints faced a winless Rams team that had the spirits of champions in the building with the St. Louis Cardinals coming on field to celebrate their World Series Championship. The Rams were without Sam Bradford for a second week but A.J. Feeley was efficient and with Steven Jackson, they rolled right through the Saints. Brees struggled on a day when he was sacked for 6 times and had 2 interceptions on the day. Brees tried a late game comeback but the damage was done. The Rams won 31-21 for their first win of the season.
After their Monday night collapse, the Ravens were on their way to another bad day against the Cardinals on Sunday. This was a tale of two halfs as the Cardinals had a 24-6 lead at halftime. In the second half, the defense said enough was enough and the Ravens started their comeback. Flacco also found a connection with Anquan Boldin on the day as he had 7 catches for 145 yards. The Ravens were too much for the Cardinals, who seems to have a difficult time playing 60 minutes of football. With only 3 points in the second half, the Cardinals lost 30-27 and dropped to 1-6 on the season.
The 49ers are rolling and they are the real deal. They took on the Browns in the Bay and continued to keep rolling. Frank Gore had a big day with 134 yards and 1 touchdown. Colt McCoy had another bad day as he threw 1 interception and 4 fumbles with 1 lost. He added 241 yards but it was not enough to challenge the 49ers. After the win on Sunday, the 49ers are at 6-1 and they look like they are going to push for a first round bye in the playoffs this year.
The Bengals made sure that they made the right choices in the draft by selecting Andy Dalton and A.J. Green because they are leading the offense into the next era. The Bengals took on the Seahawks in the return game for TavarisSeahawks. They are now 5-2 and tied for second place in the AFC North.
The NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year award is Cam Newton's and he added on to his outstanding season as he faced fellow rookie quarterback Christian Ponder and the Minnesota Vikings. This game went down to the wire as both of the young quarterbacks were hungry for a win. Ponder may not win the rookie of the year award but he certainly will win games. He had 236 yards and a touchdown on the day. Newton on the other hand had 290 yards and a career high 3 touchdown passes. With an opportunity to win on the last drive of the game, Newton ran the ball for the leading score but the play was called back due to a Steve Smith penalty. The Panthers settled for a field goal but Mare missed and the Vikings won 24-21. These quarterbacks are leading their teams and very well might I add.
The Giants coming off of the bye week faced a winless Dolphins team. The Dolphins finally got the picture because they realized that they have nothing to lose and played relaxed and aggressive. They jumped out to a 14-3 lead but it was cut to a 4 point lead at halftime. Reggie Bush showed up to play as did Matt Moore. They had the Giants on the ropes and for the second consecutive week were facing their first win on the season. Eli Manning and the Giants didn't want to be the first team so they started rolling and sealed the victory 20-17. They now lead the NFC East at 5-2.
The Indianapolis Colts continued their tour of losses on Sunday as they battled the division rival Titans. Just like many teams have done against the Colts, the Titans cruised right by. Chris Johnson had another meaningless game but at least he's paid well. Hasselbeck has continued his consistent play for the Titans as he lead them to a 27-10 win. This has been a very revealing season for the Colts and you have to wonder how good they really are because without Manning, they are god awful.
In another AFC South showdown, the Texans put on their battle red to face the Jaguars. The Texans moved the ball with ease at times and at others they struggled. Blaine Gabbert continued his struggles and he clearly looks like the worst rookie quarterback this season. He threw for 97 yards on 10 of 30 passes and he had 1 touchdown and 2 interceptions. The Texans coasted to a 24-14 win and are the clear favorites to win the AFC South.
The Redskins have finally arrived. They are playing as bad as many people predicted they would play and after losing to the Bills on Sunday are 3-4 with 3 consecutive losses. The Bills, on the other hand, are proving that they are not a hoax and they are playing playoff level football. Fitzpatrick has continued to be good and efficient and he is earning that contract extension that he just received. The Bills now lead the AFC East division and they are seriously challenging the Patriots.
The Denver Broncos showed up to watch the Lions put on a show because they certainly didn't show up to play. Tebow was just as bad as he was last week in the first half but this time around, he was bad the entire game. Matthew Stafford and the Lions stomped all over the Broncos and posted a 40 burger on the board with a 45-10 win. The Broncos are now at 2-5 and they are crossing their fingers and toe for Andrew Luck in April.
Monday Night Preview
Monday night will deliver an AFC West showdown between the Kansas City Chiefs and the San Diego Chargers. The Chiefs are on a hot streak and have won their last 3 games. They started the season off with 3 losses and lost star running back Jamaal Charles for the entire season. Jackie Battle has emerged to run the ball, Matt Cassel has looked better, and the defense has improved each week. They are taking it one step at a time and they will look to get win number 4 on Monday.
The Chargers are beginning to look like the team they have been for quite some time. They play to the level of the competition and that is not good but it's certainly not bad either. They have looked very polished with Phillip Rivers and at other times, not so much. They are looking to take a commanding lead in the division on Monday night but they have to flex their muscle and knock the Chiefs back down to reality.
Look for Rivers to get out to a hot start but the Chiefs will begin to keep up. The Chiefs will play well but turnovers are they key. Cassel and company can not turn the ball over and they must be efficient if they want to win. My prediction is that the Chiefs will do enough to win and will walk away with a 24-21 victory.
Who Am I? (Answer)
So, who am I with career numbers of 24,773 yards, 169 touchdowns, 118 interceptions, and 47 fumbles? I have also only had 1 losing season. I'm Eli Manning of the New York Giants.
Eli made a bold statement before the start of the season and he declared himself to be elite. I'm not sure if he is elite or not but he is definitely good. He also won a Super Bowl faster than his older brother Peyton Manning whose definitely elite. Eli is still young and his best years are ahead of him. I'd say he's off to a great start.
"Worst Luck" Race"
Who are the top 5 teams that are in position to get Stanford's QB Andrew Luck in next April's draft.
1.) Indianapolis Colts, 0-8
2.) Miami Dolphins, 0-7
3.) St. Louis Rams, 1-6
4.) Arizona Cardinals, 1-6
5.) Denver Broncos, 2-5
Last Thoughts...
Week 8 was full of several predictable matchups but you still have to play the game. Just ask the Saints. The Falcons, Bears, Packers, Jets, Raiders, and Buccaneers were all on byes and some of them needed it too. The Bucs are the same, slow team from last year and they have a tough road ahead. The Jets are still not great but they are playing much better. The Raiders need to get healthy and chemistry with Carson Palmer if they want to make any real noise. The Falcons also need to get healthy and focused if they want to win the NFC South. The Bears are playing good football but are in a very tough division. The Packers are still the champs, hands down! I believe Romo has played his last season for Jerry Jones' Cowboys. The Eagles are finally living up to the hype. The Redskins are a bad franchise and I'm not sure if they'll ever be good again. The Giants are coasting away with the division quietly. Matt Staford is leading the Lions into a great spot midway through the season. Ponder is playing the Vikings into respectability. Jim Harbaugh is doing what so many failed to do in San Fransisco and that is, WINNING! Pete Carrol needs to flex his muscle and get the Seahawks some good players in the draft. The Cardinals are regretting that Kevin Kolb trade now. The Rams are still terrible even with the win against the Saints. The Panthers may be losing but for what it's worth, they are doing it with style. The days of fearing the Saints are long gone. The Chargers are a good average team. I give the Chiefs kudos for battling back into the season. I'm not sure if he realizes it but Tebow is a guinea pig. The Jaguars need to take the draft serious next year. Peyton Manning is the MVP this year. Chris Johnson has an amazing agent. The Titans are going to try to catch the Texans but... the Texans have won the division by default. I guess Belichick knew his defense was terrible. The Bills may actually win the division. Will someone please pack Sparano bags for him? Thank you! The Steelers are settled in now. Flacco will see a quarterback drafted by Baltimore. Colt McCoy will get the same treatment as Flacoo. Cincy has made a nice team and they have plenty of draft picks to build with thanks to the Oakland Raiders and Carson Palmer.
Hope you have enjoyed reading and please comment. Thank you!
Monday, October 31, 2011
Monday, October 24, 2011
NFL Week 7 Monday Round-Up
As the NFL moves another week closer to the mid season mark, teams are getting settled in. Some teams are rising while other teams are free falling right before our eyes. There were six quarterback changes this week; they were all very noticeable. Along with that, there were upsets, blowouts, breakout performances, and the "Worst Luck" race.
Key Matchups
The matchup of the week showcased two of the surprises of the NFL thus far. The Falcons and Lions both were feeling pressure headed into this weeks game. The Falcons desperately needed a win to get above .500 for the first time this season and the Lions needed a huge rebound win after last weeks tough loss to San Fransisco. Atlanta made it tough for Stafford early and it continued throughout the day. With a chance to win on their last drive, Detroit not only loss the game 23-16 but possibly their star quarterback as well. Now at 5-2 with two losses in a row, Detroit seems to not be as hot as they were. Remember the 2008 Buffalo Bills started at 4-0 but finished at 7-9. Yeah this could happen to the Lions too. If Stafford misses time, things could get sticky in the Motor City.
Another key matchup on the day was the Chargers and Jets facing off in East Rutherford, New Jersey. With both head coaches throwing jabs during the week, both teams played into the hype. Philip Rivers air show was not much of a show at all. He was 16 of 32 for 179 yards with 1 touchdown and 2 interceptions. Sanchez stole the show with 173 yards, 3 touchdowns, and 1 interception. Those 3 touchdowns were hauled in by Plaxico Burress who had a breakout performance. Did Sanchez finally arrive this season? I'm not sold yet but he certainly did on Sunday. The Jets defeated the Chargers 27-21 and moved on to 4-3 on the season.
Who Am I?
Let's take a break for a moment for some brief fun and trivia. In case you are wondering, in "Who Am I?" I take on the role of an NFL player and give you my stats which will make you think a little while you continue reading. Hope you're ready for this one.
My career numbers are 980 receptions, 11, 960 reception yards, and 86 total touchdowns. I also under my belt are 4 Pro Bowls and 2 Super Bowl titles. So, Who am I?
Quick Spin
Every game on Sunday may not be hyped or a head turner but they all have their impact. Tebow made his first start of the season and it was full of highs and lows. Through the first half Tebow had 24 yards through the air but in the fourth quarter, Tebow rallied his team from a 15-0 deficit to tie the game for an overtime victory. Tebow finished the day with 161 passing yards, 65 rushing yards, 2 touchdowns and the overtime win, 18-15. What does this performance say about Tebow? Well, considering it was against the Dolphins, not much but it says he has heart and will fight back. As for the Dolphins, it says the end for Sparano is near. They are in the "Worst Luck" race.
The AFC South had a head-to-head matchup between the Houston Texans and Tennessee Titans. Schaub and Foster were too much for the Titans. Foster had a combined 234 yards and the Texans did not miss Andre Johnson at all. After losing to the Texans 41-7, the Titans must be wondering if their star running back Chris Johnson will ever show up. With another disappointing game, Johnson had 18 yards on 10 carries and 6 catches for 27 yards. The Texans should own the AFC South by default this season.
The phenomenal rookie Cam Newton continues to impress many as well as lead his team. The Panthers took on the Redskins and the day belonged to Cam. With 256 passing yards, 59 rushing yards, and 2 touchdowns, Newton led his team to a 33-20 victory. The Redskins are now 3-3 and tied for second in the NFC East. They need to regroup under coach Shanahan quickly if they want a chance in the division and the playoffs. It also looks as if their leading rusher Tim Hightower may be lost for the season.
In the annual international game the Bears faced the Buccaneers. Through the first three quarters the Bears victory looked as if it was signed, sealed, and delivered. Forte had another amazing game and made it look easy. In the fourth quarter, the Bucs rallied within three points but fell short to lose the game 24-18. Freeman had a bad game with 4 interceptions and 2 touchdowns. Tampa has to learn how to play four quarters if they're going to win.
The Steelers and Cardinals was another great performance for Ben Roethlisberger. With 361 yards and 3 touchdowns through the air, Big Ben carved up the Cardinals secondary for the 32-20 win. Kevin Kolb and the Cardinals can't seem to get things going this season and they appear to have several holes on both sides of the ball. Don't look for things to change much in the desert.
Making headlines this week with their trade for Carson Palmer, the Raiders took on the division rival Chiefs. This was not much of a contest with Kyle Boller starting, Palmer taking over in the second half and the first quarter injury to Darren McFadden. Both quarterbacks threw 3 interceptions for a total of 6 and two of those were touchdowns. The Chiefs blew by the Raiders 28-0 and are now at .500 with a 3-3 record.
The Dallas Cowboys had something on Sunday they haven't had all season, a running game. Rookie DeMarcowinless at 0-6 and are in the "Worst Luck" race.
Christain Ponder made his first career start for the struggling Vikings. Ponder played well with 219 passing yards, 31 rushing yards, and 2 touchdowns; he also threw 2 interceptions. The Packers were a tall order for the Vikings but they were up for the challenge. Jared Allen and the defense made it tough for Rodgers early but couldn't hold back the "Champ" for too long. Rodgers finished with 335 yards and 3 touchdowns for a 33-27 Green Bay victory. Lookout for Ponder because he plays with much more heart than that other quarterback (McNabb) in Minnesota.
The Indianapolis Colts submitted another ballot for the "Worst Luck" race on Sunday night. They loss to Drew Brees and the Saints 62-7. Not much to say here except for it made it easy for me to change the channel and watch The Walking Dead.
In the Dud of the Week game the Seahawks played the Browns in Cleveland. In a 6-3 Browns win and both teams palying without starters Tavaris Jackson of the Seahawks and Peyton Hillis of the Browns, the best play on the day was the field goal. Both teams need to look for offensive help in the offseason. For now, I guess they'll continue to play K-I-C-K.
Monday Night Preview
With another prime time dud in the making, the Baltimore Ravens and Jacksonville Jaguars face off in what could be Jack Del Rio's last game coaching. The Jaguars need a win desperately and Del Rio is running out of time. Maurice Jones Drew is sixth in rushing yards this season and is looking to keep climbing the charts with a heavy work load expected. Rookie Baine Gabbert has to face the third ranked defense and they will be licking their chops for the fresh meat.
Joe Flacco is as consistent as a politician but he gets the job done. The Ravens will look to Ray Rice to set up the passing game for Flacco. Rookie Torrey Smith is a speedster that will have plenty of big play opportunities against a Jaguars secondary that gives up big plays occasionally.
Look for both teams to run the ball and both quarterbacks to struggle but Flacco will play better than Gabbert. The Ravens defense should be solid as should the Jags defense. However, the Jags defense always seems to find a way to give a touchdown on their opponents opening drive. Final score prediction is 24-13 Ravens victory.
Who Am I? (Answer)
So, who am I with career numbers are 980 receptions, 11, 960 reception yards, and 86 total touchdowns; also are 4 Pro Bowls and 2 Super Bowl titles under my belt? I'm Hines Ward from the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Many people overlook Hines Ward as a stud but the numbers don't lie. He holds the Steelers records for receptions, receiving yards, and receiving touchdowns. The aspect of his game that most people overlook is that he's an excellent blocker; that's hard to come by in a receiver these days. Hines Ward should be in the Hall of Fame some day and it will be well deserved.
"Worst Luck" Race
Every week I will post my top 5 teams that are in position to land Stanford's QB Andrew Luck in the 2012 NFL Draft. Let's get started shall we.
1.) Indianapolis Colts, 0-7
2.) Miami Dolphins, 0-6
3.) St. Louis Rams, 0-6
4.) Arizona Cardinals, 1-5
5.) Jacksonville Jaguars, 1-5
Last Thoughts...
Week 7 was full of excitements and duds. I think the Tebow project will pan itself out and the decision of the quarterback of the future will be made at the end of the season. They will be drafting someone to replace him in my opinion. Sanchez is not a good quarterback and I will stand by that but if he can be efficient then maybe the Jets can win. San Diego are always full of hype but they play to the level of the competition every week. Something has to change in San Diego. I'm not sold on the Texans as being a powerhouse but they looked like it on Sunday. The Titans are not good but they have a future, they just need a couple of good offseasons. The Falcons are trying to make something of this season and they have a tough road ahead of them. The Lions are falling back and they clearly need some more weapons for Stafford. Cam Newton are making the Panthers competitive and good for the future. They will be tough to beat in a few years. I believe the game has passed Shanahan by or either he's being a stubborn old man. Chicago may have a shot a second place in the NFC North considering the Lions may be falling. The Buccaneers are the same team from last year and they have to change that in the offseason. The Steelers are good but they need to get a consistent ground game going. The Cardinals have played themselves into the "Worst Luck" race. The Chiefs have rebounded nicely after an 0-3 start. The Raiders have put their fate into the hands of Palmer. The Cowboys have played great at times and horrible at others. Either way, its entertaining. The Rams are a bad team with young prospects. Cheers to their future! The Packers are the Champions! Ponder looks promising for the Vikings. Brees and the Saints are good but they need to focus on defense and wide receivers in the offseason. Indianapolis may go 0-16!
Hope you have enjoyed reading and please comment. Thank you!
Key Matchups
The matchup of the week showcased two of the surprises of the NFL thus far. The Falcons and Lions both were feeling pressure headed into this weeks game. The Falcons desperately needed a win to get above .500 for the first time this season and the Lions needed a huge rebound win after last weeks tough loss to San Fransisco. Atlanta made it tough for Stafford early and it continued throughout the day. With a chance to win on their last drive, Detroit not only loss the game 23-16 but possibly their star quarterback as well. Now at 5-2 with two losses in a row, Detroit seems to not be as hot as they were. Remember the 2008 Buffalo Bills started at 4-0 but finished at 7-9. Yeah this could happen to the Lions too. If Stafford misses time, things could get sticky in the Motor City.
Another key matchup on the day was the Chargers and Jets facing off in East Rutherford, New Jersey. With both head coaches throwing jabs during the week, both teams played into the hype. Philip Rivers air show was not much of a show at all. He was 16 of 32 for 179 yards with 1 touchdown and 2 interceptions. Sanchez stole the show with 173 yards, 3 touchdowns, and 1 interception. Those 3 touchdowns were hauled in by Plaxico Burress who had a breakout performance. Did Sanchez finally arrive this season? I'm not sold yet but he certainly did on Sunday. The Jets defeated the Chargers 27-21 and moved on to 4-3 on the season.
Who Am I?
Let's take a break for a moment for some brief fun and trivia. In case you are wondering, in "Who Am I?" I take on the role of an NFL player and give you my stats which will make you think a little while you continue reading. Hope you're ready for this one.
My career numbers are 980 receptions, 11, 960 reception yards, and 86 total touchdowns. I also under my belt are 4 Pro Bowls and 2 Super Bowl titles. So, Who am I?
Quick Spin
Every game on Sunday may not be hyped or a head turner but they all have their impact. Tebow made his first start of the season and it was full of highs and lows. Through the first half Tebow had 24 yards through the air but in the fourth quarter, Tebow rallied his team from a 15-0 deficit to tie the game for an overtime victory. Tebow finished the day with 161 passing yards, 65 rushing yards, 2 touchdowns and the overtime win, 18-15. What does this performance say about Tebow? Well, considering it was against the Dolphins, not much but it says he has heart and will fight back. As for the Dolphins, it says the end for Sparano is near. They are in the "Worst Luck" race.
The AFC South had a head-to-head matchup between the Houston Texans and Tennessee Titans. Schaub and Foster were too much for the Titans. Foster had a combined 234 yards and the Texans did not miss Andre Johnson at all. After losing to the Texans 41-7, the Titans must be wondering if their star running back Chris Johnson will ever show up. With another disappointing game, Johnson had 18 yards on 10 carries and 6 catches for 27 yards. The Texans should own the AFC South by default this season.
The phenomenal rookie Cam Newton continues to impress many as well as lead his team. The Panthers took on the Redskins and the day belonged to Cam. With 256 passing yards, 59 rushing yards, and 2 touchdowns, Newton led his team to a 33-20 victory. The Redskins are now 3-3 and tied for second in the NFC East. They need to regroup under coach Shanahan quickly if they want a chance in the division and the playoffs. It also looks as if their leading rusher Tim Hightower may be lost for the season.
In the annual international game the Bears faced the Buccaneers. Through the first three quarters the Bears victory looked as if it was signed, sealed, and delivered. Forte had another amazing game and made it look easy. In the fourth quarter, the Bucs rallied within three points but fell short to lose the game 24-18. Freeman had a bad game with 4 interceptions and 2 touchdowns. Tampa has to learn how to play four quarters if they're going to win.
The Steelers and Cardinals was another great performance for Ben Roethlisberger. With 361 yards and 3 touchdowns through the air, Big Ben carved up the Cardinals secondary for the 32-20 win. Kevin Kolb and the Cardinals can't seem to get things going this season and they appear to have several holes on both sides of the ball. Don't look for things to change much in the desert.
Making headlines this week with their trade for Carson Palmer, the Raiders took on the division rival Chiefs. This was not much of a contest with Kyle Boller starting, Palmer taking over in the second half and the first quarter injury to Darren McFadden. Both quarterbacks threw 3 interceptions for a total of 6 and two of those were touchdowns. The Chiefs blew by the Raiders 28-0 and are now at .500 with a 3-3 record.
The Dallas Cowboys had something on Sunday they haven't had all season, a running game. Rookie DeMarcowinless at 0-6 and are in the "Worst Luck" race.
Christain Ponder made his first career start for the struggling Vikings. Ponder played well with 219 passing yards, 31 rushing yards, and 2 touchdowns; he also threw 2 interceptions. The Packers were a tall order for the Vikings but they were up for the challenge. Jared Allen and the defense made it tough for Rodgers early but couldn't hold back the "Champ" for too long. Rodgers finished with 335 yards and 3 touchdowns for a 33-27 Green Bay victory. Lookout for Ponder because he plays with much more heart than that other quarterback (McNabb) in Minnesota.
The Indianapolis Colts submitted another ballot for the "Worst Luck" race on Sunday night. They loss to Drew Brees and the Saints 62-7. Not much to say here except for it made it easy for me to change the channel and watch The Walking Dead.
In the Dud of the Week game the Seahawks played the Browns in Cleveland. In a 6-3 Browns win and both teams palying without starters Tavaris Jackson of the Seahawks and Peyton Hillis of the Browns, the best play on the day was the field goal. Both teams need to look for offensive help in the offseason. For now, I guess they'll continue to play K-I-C-K.
Monday Night Preview
With another prime time dud in the making, the Baltimore Ravens and Jacksonville Jaguars face off in what could be Jack Del Rio's last game coaching. The Jaguars need a win desperately and Del Rio is running out of time. Maurice Jones Drew is sixth in rushing yards this season and is looking to keep climbing the charts with a heavy work load expected. Rookie Baine Gabbert has to face the third ranked defense and they will be licking their chops for the fresh meat.
Joe Flacco is as consistent as a politician but he gets the job done. The Ravens will look to Ray Rice to set up the passing game for Flacco. Rookie Torrey Smith is a speedster that will have plenty of big play opportunities against a Jaguars secondary that gives up big plays occasionally.
Look for both teams to run the ball and both quarterbacks to struggle but Flacco will play better than Gabbert. The Ravens defense should be solid as should the Jags defense. However, the Jags defense always seems to find a way to give a touchdown on their opponents opening drive. Final score prediction is 24-13 Ravens victory.
Who Am I? (Answer)
So, who am I with career numbers are 980 receptions, 11, 960 reception yards, and 86 total touchdowns; also are 4 Pro Bowls and 2 Super Bowl titles under my belt? I'm Hines Ward from the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Many people overlook Hines Ward as a stud but the numbers don't lie. He holds the Steelers records for receptions, receiving yards, and receiving touchdowns. The aspect of his game that most people overlook is that he's an excellent blocker; that's hard to come by in a receiver these days. Hines Ward should be in the Hall of Fame some day and it will be well deserved.
"Worst Luck" Race
Every week I will post my top 5 teams that are in position to land Stanford's QB Andrew Luck in the 2012 NFL Draft. Let's get started shall we.
1.) Indianapolis Colts, 0-7
2.) Miami Dolphins, 0-6
3.) St. Louis Rams, 0-6
4.) Arizona Cardinals, 1-5
5.) Jacksonville Jaguars, 1-5
Last Thoughts...
Week 7 was full of excitements and duds. I think the Tebow project will pan itself out and the decision of the quarterback of the future will be made at the end of the season. They will be drafting someone to replace him in my opinion. Sanchez is not a good quarterback and I will stand by that but if he can be efficient then maybe the Jets can win. San Diego are always full of hype but they play to the level of the competition every week. Something has to change in San Diego. I'm not sold on the Texans as being a powerhouse but they looked like it on Sunday. The Titans are not good but they have a future, they just need a couple of good offseasons. The Falcons are trying to make something of this season and they have a tough road ahead of them. The Lions are falling back and they clearly need some more weapons for Stafford. Cam Newton are making the Panthers competitive and good for the future. They will be tough to beat in a few years. I believe the game has passed Shanahan by or either he's being a stubborn old man. Chicago may have a shot a second place in the NFC North considering the Lions may be falling. The Buccaneers are the same team from last year and they have to change that in the offseason. The Steelers are good but they need to get a consistent ground game going. The Cardinals have played themselves into the "Worst Luck" race. The Chiefs have rebounded nicely after an 0-3 start. The Raiders have put their fate into the hands of Palmer. The Cowboys have played great at times and horrible at others. Either way, its entertaining. The Rams are a bad team with young prospects. Cheers to their future! The Packers are the Champions! Ponder looks promising for the Vikings. Brees and the Saints are good but they need to focus on defense and wide receivers in the offseason. Indianapolis may go 0-16!
Hope you have enjoyed reading and please comment. Thank you!
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