I will get to the game of the year shortly, but is anybody else as happy as I am that nothing happened “off the field” in the NFL this week? Well maybe Roger Goodell is. Either way it was refreshing that the injury report only had football players on it this week…
Heartbreaker, Dream “Taker”:
In this column I try not to mention the Rams too much, but man when they were up 21-0, yours truly was giddy, proclaiming “If the 49ers can beat the Cardinals, the Rams will be tied in 1st place!” The second I said that, the Cowboys mounted a crazy comeback, outscoring the Rams 34-10. Not gonna lie, I am totally drinking the Austin Davis kool-aid this year, but that game was a letdown. There was a glimmer of hope for the season had they pulled that off.
If the Playoffs were to start today:
The Cardinals and Bengals would be the #1 seeds. Try telling that to somebody in 2004!
Fact that May only interest me:
It was very frustrating that ESPN didn’t have their Playoff Standings updated after Week 1. It wasn’t updated until Week 3, that’s too long to wait! I NEEDED to know why the Saints were the 9th seed and not the 15th seed (see below):
“Wins tie break over Minnesota based on head-to-head win percentage. Wins tie break over NY Giants and San Francisco based on best win percentage in conference games. Division tie break was initially used to eliminate Washington (NY Giants wins tie break over Washington based on best win percentage in common games). Division tie break was initially used to eliminate St. Louis (San Francisco wins tie break over St Louis based on best win percentage in common games). Division tie break was initially used to eliminate Green Bay (Minnesota wins tie break over Green Bay based on best win percentage in conference games).”
Time to Shine
This was an odd year, with no 1st round QB starting in Week 1 for their respective team. Well they all got action on Sunday (Week 3), with Bortles having a solid 2nd half, Bridgewater did ok, and Manziel was in on one play…After an 0-3 start, Blake Bortles finally has his time to show what he can do probably for the rest of the year. Matt Cassell also went down with a broken foot and is out for the year, so it’s also Teddy Bridgewater’s Vikings ship (no pun intended) to run.
Game of the Season:
Alright, so everybody was pumped to see the first Super Bowl rematch in 17 years, but I don’t think anybody could predict that we would get the exciting game that was presented to us! First play of the Super Bowl, the Broncos fumbled and gave up a safety. First Broncos snap AGAIN resulted in a fumble, and you had to wonder if it would be as bad as it was in February. But this time the Broncos Defense played strong (getting a safety and INT of their own) and the offense actually could move the ball at times.
What I should have titled this part was “Drive of the Season.” The Broncos got the ball with 59 seconds left; no timeouts; 80 yards to go; down by 8 points. This was more intense than I felt most of the playoffs last year! Manning wasn’t great in the drive (he went 3 for 6), but he only needed 3 big passes to lead them to a last second TD. And then the 2 point conversion was also extremely suspenseful, with Peyton heaving up a prayer to his second read. If you watch the play in slow motion, the ball goes through Thomas’ hands, bounces off his helmet, and back into his hands again right as both feet are in bounds. The Overtime was also intense, with Russell Wilson seeming to run his way out of every 3rd down. Overall this was a crazy game, not sure we’ll see another one like this anytime soon.
Game of the Week:
If it weren’t for the Super Bowl rematch, I would have been entirely satisfied after watching the Eagles and Redskins duke it out. By far this was the best quarterbacking we’ve seen between 2 teams this season. Both from 3rd year guys, with Kirk Cousins and Nick Foles combining for 757 yards and 6 TDs. Two division rivals, dueling it out in a shootout, and even getting into a brawl.
Stat of the Week:
In only a game and a half, Kirk Cousins is 4th in passer rating, 8th in TD passes, and ahead of 12 QB’s who have played in all 3 games.
Stolen Stat of the Week #2:
Since entering the league, Russell Wilson has faced Peyton Manning, Tom Brady, Aaron Rodgers and Drew Brees 7 times. In those games, he is 7-0, average margin of victory is 2 TD’s, and has 14 TDs vs 1 INT.
Oddest Stat of the Year:
There were 25 points scored in the Patriots Raiders game on Sunday. Every point was scored by a player who’s last name ended in –kowski. Gronkowski (6 points), Janikowski (9 points), and Gostkowski (10 points).
Stat of the Week #4:
There are three 0-3 teams, and three 3-0 teams.
Stat of the Week #5:
Eli Manning threw 0 Interceptions for the first time in 8 games.
Stat of the Week #6:
Entering Week 4, 3 of the top 4 rushers are from the NFC East.
Stat of the Week #7:
Despite missing a full game, Arian Foster is 5th in the league in rushing.
Quick Hits:
- I was surprised to see the Steelers of all teams put up 37 points against the staunch Carolina defense
- Sweetest play of the week was Mohamed Sanu (WR for the Bengals) throwing a TD pass to Andy Dalton. He wasn’t wide open either, he made a guy miss and ran almost 20 yards in!
- Lions beat the Packers, Cardinals beat the 49ers. Winds of change in division rivalries?
- Did I miss the memo on why the Dolphins are contemplating not starting Ryan Tannehill?
Games of the Week:
Packers vs Bears- Another big division matchup, could watch the Packers fall way bak
Panthers vs Ravens- I’d start Steve Smith if you’ve got him in fantasy, he’ll be playing with anger
Eagles vs 49ers- Very good chance SF starts 1-3 which would be a disaster. Or, could be a playoff preview.
Quote of the Week:
“Well, that was the best game we will see all year” FMQB regarding the Broncos vs. Seahawks game
