Doctor Psych's thoughts on each game are first, The Juice's resposes are second (after the hyphen):
Detroit really played hard, especially on defense. I kind of liked Stafford before he got hurt. They totally deserved to win and got robbed. I don't know how they blew the replay. Meanwhile, I think we can safely say that Jay Cutler is the new Jeff George, million dollar arm, ten cent head.
-I agree that Detroit looks improved and will be a contender in the future, but they are a 6-win team at best this season. Still too many holes. The attitude was great, though. Bears are weird, and I agree that Cutler is going to drive fans crazy. He’s going to have great games (or portions of games), and then piss it all away with mistakes. Also, I don’t know if he’ll click with his teammates, a quality that can’t be overestimated in a QB. Neither of these teams is really going anywhere.
Cleveland- what else can I say but let the Colt McCoy watch begin!!!! Just a brutal loss and no sign that Delhomme will cut out the turnovers.
-I’m speechless. Jake will torture us until they replace him with McCoy, and then McCoy will suck because he’s inexperienced and has no talent around him. They’re going to ruin him the same way they ruined Quinn and Tim Couch before him. Tampa is horrible in every way, and this may be their only win of the year.
Pittsburgh and Atlanta- I liked Pittsburgh's toughness. I don't think they can keep winning like this without all of the extra time to scheme on Defense and with other teams getting more tape on Dixon, but I think they can hold it together until Ben R comes back. Should be a tight race this. Atlanta showed me nothing to suggest they have made 'the leap' to Superbowl contender. Maybe they cans still pull it together, but I'm less hopeful now.
-Atlanta disappointed me. They just can’t get it together. Their D played fine, but they could stack up against the run with no threat from Dixon’s arm. They better kill Arizona next week, or I’m off their bandwagon big time. Pit’s defense played really well, especially against the run, and they got a little luck in OT. Sometimes that’s all it takes. I think they’re 3-1 when Ben comes back and will give the Ravens some trouble in the division.
NYG and Carolina- I thought they looked OK. Matt Moore is a decent QB and I think Carolina will be tough all year. The Giants played alright and I think they have a legit shot at winning their division.
-Here’s our big disagreement. I think both these teams stink, and Moore is a terrible QB. I think Carolina finishes 5-11. They Giants only have a shot at the division because the NFC East is so crazy. I don’t think they go anywhere in the playoffs, if they make it at all.
Indy and Houston- I would feel better about this game if Houston was a powerhouse, but Indy just looked bad, especially on both lines. The O-line was terrible and Manning was harassed all day. Meanwhile the D-line couldn't stop the run and had no pass rush. Bad sign as these are not easy fixes. The key to Indy's success has always been finding good young defense players late in the draft. They only have 1 first round player on defense (Freeney) so their lack of depth on defense might finally be catching up with them.
- I’m afraid you’re right about Indy. They got pushed around, and there’s no scheme that will fix that. Time to reboot? Houston looked great, but I don’t trust them yet. I’ll get on that bandwagon if they go 6-2 or better.
NE and Cincy- Cincy showed me no reason to convince me they are for real this year. I think they slide back to that 7-9 to 9-7 range and miss the playoffs. NE looked great, especially on offense. We'll see if they can hold it together for an entire year.
-NE looked awesome, it’s true, but I think this may have also been a case of Cincy sucking. They’re D is garbage, and they need a running game to open things up for their nutcase WR’s. Was Palmer just a flash-in-the-pan, or is it all because their O-line is weak? I was impressed with Welker and Brady. They look like 2007/2008 again. If Moss can avoid being an incredible dipshit, they could put up some crazy numbers again. I’ll be more impressed if they look good against the Jets D next week.
Miami and Buffalo- I missed most of the game because it was on the other side of the bar, but road wins on opening weekend are always good. Miami's big game is this weekend at Minny. If they can start the year with two road wins at Buffalo and at Minny, then I think they are in good shape. Buffalo is fucked.
- I wanted more from Miami. Buffalo stinks, so I was expecting a dominant performance from our sleeper Dolphins. Their D looked OK, but (as above) I worry that that’s a result of shitty O from Buffalo. They have Minn next week, and it’s kind of a do-or-die for the Vikes, so if the Phins can win that one, I’ll have a ton of confidence in them to contend for a WC spot. Buffalo is only slightly better than Cleveland. I’m going to throw up.
Tenn and Oakland- I still love the Tenn pick. They are really well coach and the offense has designed some 'college' type option plays to max the speed of Vince Young and Chris Johnson. That will be a very hard team to prepare for. Oakland was only hoping for 7-8 wins this year anyway, so that is still possible. Oakland is best when they can sneak up on teams in the middle of the regular season anyway.
-Tenn was great. I think Oakland isn’t a total joke, so this was a really impressive performance from Tenn. I think you make a great point that they will be really hard to prepare for if they work in more option plays and use Young’s legs. With Indy looking shakey, this could be Tenn’s year to climb back to prominence. The AFC West sucks, so I think Oakland may still have a shot. Tonight’s late game will shed some light on their division (I think SD wins in a blowout).
SF and Seattle- I watched none of this game so I all I can say is what the fuck?!?! Mike Williams is starting for Seattle, really what the fuck?
-This was the most confusing game for me. I understand opening day jitters and a few mistakes, but getting BLOWN OUT by the freaking Seahawks? Really? It also galls me to see Pete the Cheat Carrol look good. I hate the NFC West. Hope the Cardinals kill both these teams.
Arizona and St Louis- Bradford looked OK, he was composed and didn't get too rattled. Hopefully the new ownership will hire some scouts and they will draft some talent to put around him. Arizona- who the hell knows?
-Speaking of the Cardinals, this division sucks so much, they may be back in it. Anderson: 22-41, 297 yards, 1 TD, 0 INT. Granted, St. Louis has no D, but neither do half the opponents Arizona plays this year. Classic little fish in a tiny pond situation. St. Louis is worthless, and Bradford will have a broken spine by week 8.
Philly and GB- I only saw the second half but I thought Vick looked great. Philly and Tenn are interesting because they having running QBs and really fast players everywhere. Green Bay escaped with a win and already have a lead on Minny, no matter how the game went, that's all they could have hoped for.
-Philly better hope Kolb has a bad concussion and needs to miss a couple games. Vick looked like 2006. It was incredible. If he wins the starting job and they’re 2-1 when MacNabb and the ‘Skins come to Philly in week 4, it will be a freaking madhouse. What an awesome subplot. GB did enough to win. With Chicago looking unimpressive against Detroit, I think we can pencil them in for a WC at worst. Depends on whether the Vikings were just starting slow against NO, or they really are screwed at WR. I like the Vikes’ D a lot, and GB’s D is a little overrated. We’ll see.
Dallas and Washington- I have no idea about Washington, but I told you Dallas was poorly coached and had a shaky O-line. That will cost them 2-3 games this (Last night was the first) which means they go 8-8 or 9-7 instead of 11 or 12 wins.
-You were right about Dallas. Barber played really hard, or at least looked hyped up, but the rest of that team looked like they were sleepwalking. Michelle calls Wade Phillips “grandpa” every time they show him. That guy is a joke. Washington looked OK, but they have no WR’s. Portis seemed rejuvenated (remember he played his best for Shannahan in Denver), but he’s injury-prone. I was more impressed with the Eagles in a loss than the ‘Skins in a win.
No comments:
Post a Comment