Well, week one of the NFL season is in the books. After last week the only thing that I am certain of is that the NFL is unpredictable. Week one provided plenty of surprises some because of unexpected performances and some because of injury. I think the best thing I can do is review some of the surprising things that happened.
Things I thought I knew:
1. I thought the Patriots would cruise to the playoffs. I didn’t think it would be as easy as last season for the Patriots, but I thought they would have no problem in that division. Now, with Tom Brady out I don’t think the team will fall apart, but they are suddenly going to have to fight for a spot, just like the rest of the league.
2. I thought rookie quarterbacks were supposed to struggle, especially in their first games. I don’t know that I have ever seen rookie QBs play as well in their first game as Joe Flacco and Matt Ryan did on Sunday. Even Ben Roethlisberger, the best rookie QB ever, struggled in his first game. It will be fun watching these two QBs develop.
3. I thought the teams that everyone picked for the playoffs would show up to play. The Browns, Jaguars, Chargers, Colts, and Seahawks all were top picks for the playoffs and all of them lost week one. It is only one week, and most of these teams will probably still end up in the playoffs, but I can’t remember a time when that many favorites lost to start the season. The Chargers are the only one in this group that didn’t look bad in their loss.
Things I still know:
1. It has only been one week. Take a deep breath and relax. Not everything that happened in week one is a trend. If all these upsets happened weeks from now people would not over react, but at this point it’s the entire season so people freak out. With that said I would like to offer the following advice or comments to the fans of all of the teams.
Ravens- Flacco played well and the team looked good. However the Bengals were pitiful. The test will be when Flacco actually faces pressure or maybe actually gets hit. Feel free to be excited after all that is what a new season is all about, just keep in mind he is still a rookie and he will need some time.
Browns- Wow that was bad. Things didn’t look good in week one and now they have to face the Steelers, who they can’t seem to beat. The good news is that they play the Bengals and Ravens after that. The bad news is that they might have to win both just to make it to .500 by the end of the month.
Steelers- Don’t get too excited. Yes Brady is out and the Steelers looked great, but it is a long, hard road. Be happy but patient.
Bengals- Run and hide…The Bungles are back?
Colts- It will be ok. Peyton was rusty but he will recover. Tom Brady being out is good news.
Jaguars- I am not sure what happened, but at least you are not behind the Colts yet.
Titans- DO NOT BOO your QB. What are you, Terps Fans? How about supporting the guy before you force him into early retirement with his depression.
Texans- You are in a tough division. If you keep playing like that you will never make it.
Bills- Special teams cannot win the game every week. Do not get over excited like the media has. Yes you won but two special teams TDs and a turnover will not happen every week.
Patriots- HAHA. Sorry had to do it. The world is not ending, your team still is not dead; they are just starting a QB that has not started this millennia. He didn’t play college football: he watched it.
Jets- Favre looked good, but it was the Dolphins. Congrats on being the 1st to play the Bradyless Pats.
Dolphins- The team looks much better with a QB.
Chargers- That was a tough loss: both the game and losing Merriman. Don’t worry they are still one of the best in the AFC
Broncos- Congrats on beating down on the lowly raiders. The team looked impressive but consistency is important.
Raiders- That one had to hurt. The run game looked good but what happened to the secondary, they let Eddie Royal tear them apart.
Chiefs- How could you not at least force the Patriots to overtime? Just focus on the rebuilding.
Bears- Congrats on taking down the Colts. The Defense looked like the force it used to be. I am not sold on the Offense just yet.
Lions-You were supposed to beat the Falcons. Everyone was supposed to beat the Falcons.
Vikings-With all the QBs available you really stuck with Tavaris Jackson?
Packers- Rodgers looked good, but I still say it doesn’t matter till the playoffs.
Falcons- Same as Ravens, plus Turner looked amazing; LT is the only one good enough to hide this guy.
Saints- Losing Colston hurts, but Reggie Bush finally looked like a top pick.
Bucs- That’s why divisional games in week one are not a good thing.
Panthers- Taking down the Chargers at the last second has got to feel good. Delhomme is back.
Cowboys-This team is stacked. Can they finally win in the playoffs?
Giants- If your team keeps playing like that people will start to respect the defending champs.
Eagles- They looked great but they look great every year till McNabb gets hurt.
Redskins- It has to stink to be at the bottom of that division.
Cardinals- Is this finally the year the potential turns into reality?
Seahawks- You might want to inform your team there is a thing called special teams
49ers- I apologize O’Sullivan was not the problem.
Rams- I am no expert but I think you are suppose to cover WRs even if they are the backups. I think the Rams corners were still trying to cover the Eagles starters even though they were out hurt.
Well I think that is it for this week. Everyone enjoy week two, we will see if the madness continues this week or if order is restored. Ok, now lets hear what you have to say.
molly says
Well done, Thursday morning quarterback and Steelers fan.
I agree on many points…Ravens were exciting to watch but that is mostly because the Bengals sucked so bad. Houston should be interesting…
What up with Detroit- they were supposed to win!
Indy will bounce back.
Brady being out has destroyed many a fantasies!
molly says
Ravens game has changed due to Ike. It will be played on Monday night at 8:30 and will air on CBS per baltimoreravens.com. Forgot to mention in the above comment, that was what the … was for!
Brian says
The rookies won’t find week 2 as easy!
Bryan says
I’d like to add in….lessons from week 2 (aka the Jackson lesson):
Do NOT showoff by throwing the ball out before you cross the goal line :).
Molly says
I couldn’t believe that replay when I saw it. That guy will never live that moment down.