Note: In the coming weeks, I will be making these two separate columns but because of the hectic schedule during the week, I was unable to do so. So here is the Power Rankings and the week 2 picks.
Week one is over and as fans of the Jets and Cowboys (two super bowl contenders as predicted by a national panel of experts) are trying to catch their breath from both team’s horrific performances, everyone can be comforted by the fact that it was only week one. Plenty of teams have lost week one to go on and win the Super Bowl, only, not many have lost week two and done the same. The last team to do so was the memorable 2007 Giants who started off horrifically giving up 80 points in their first two games in losses to the Cowboys and Packers (the two teams they beat in order to get to the Super Bowl).
My week one rankings are more based on how the team did, with tough decisions coming down to how I feel about the team talent wise. So its not based on preconcieved notions on a team. Take for example the Chargers who lost their week one game against the Chiefs. I’m not going to ignore that loss and put the Chargers ahead of the Chiefs.
With that here it is from the bottom to the top:
32. Oakland (0-1)- Gave up 38 points and Jason Campbell’s Raider tenure opened as unimpressively as you could imagine it to.
31. Buffalo (0-1)- when a rookie who had not taken a snap as a pro can walk on and immediately be considered your best player then you know the situation is bad. Its a shame, that fan base doesn’t deserve it.
30. Cleveland (0-1)- One byproduct of fantasy football is when the announcer of your game has to throw it back to the studio for a gamebreak update and you pray to God that your waiver wire pick up does something productive. In this case Jake Delhomme hooked up with Mohammad Massaqoi, two players picked right before I was going to pick them and of course I had to bring that up. What I learned after? Its only Jake Delhomme and its still the Browns.
29. St Louis (0-1)- They lost, but barely. Bradford with over 55 attempts in his debut. Not exactly out of the rookie QB work-him-in-slowly playbook, but he showed poise enough to suggest that they are moving in the right direction at the most important position.
28. Denver (0-1)- They have a mediocre QB. Their best option at QB isn’t ready to play the position for another two years. But hey atleast they have a great young coach in Josh McDaniels right?
27. Carolina (0-1)- They have two 1,000 yard rushers and a top 10 WR. The Panthers are a cautionary tale for all those who buy into the Todd Collins type hype. (You know play well for a few weeks down the stretch and have the team believe in how “good” he is and hand him the starting job because he managed the game well.)
26. San Francisco (0-1)- Looked about as abysmal as a team could look for 4 quarters, for a team that’s good enough to win the division.
25. Detroit (0-1)- That loss was as tough a loss as you can have on the first game of the season for a team that is clearly on the up swing. The rule is stupid but the interpretation of the rule was right. My only thing is, if the refs know these rules exist and they themselves must not think so highly of them, why don’t they just bring up all the rules ONCE and correct them instead of running into this same situation ever year?
24. Philadelphia (0-1)- After both Kevin Kolb and Stewart Bradley (the two team QB’s) took concussion tests, and failed them Andy Reid said “they both improved.” Huh? I know, I know, they should be lower.
23. Cincinnatti (0-1)- Tough times ahead for the Bengals whose cohesion was in question all year thanks to the new Batman and Robin duo. But I think there’s too much talent on the defense to keep them down, but don’t look now, here come the big bad Ravens.
22. San Diego (0-1)- Its tough to play in Arrowhead especially during the season opener. I’m chalking the loss up to that more than them missing their starting left tackle and starting WR.
21. Atlanta (0-1)- Tough loss against the Roethlisberger-less Pittsburgh Steelers, but the defense is improved and young. Matt Ryan will have better afternoons than last Sunday.
20. New York Jets (0-1)- They are too solid on defense but if Vinny Chase, I mean, Mark Sanchez doesn’t start utlizing his wide receivers properly every team will stack 9 in the box. Too much talk and very little backing up in week one. As much as week one was telling (the offense’s woes had something to do with the Ravens D, c’mon), you can make the case that the season is on the line sunday against the Pats.
19. Minnesota (0-1)- Brett Favre looked a bit rusty in game number one. I wish there was something before the regular season that he could attend to help him work out all those kinks out.
18. Dallas (0-1)- Ok, so it wasn’t the nicest win. So Alex Barron pushed the offensive lineman position back a few decades with his performance. So the screen pass to end the first half, the kind of pass that usually 9 times out of 1o happens without incident and the coach blasts the team because they got lucky, which came back to bite them decided the game. Its just week one. Its not liek the Cowboys first team offense has been under performing like this all pre season. Right?
17. Indianapolis (0-1)- What’s more crazy about this game? That Arian Foster the guy that almost everyone was screaming to get from a fantasy stand point had a huge day and then everyone fought over obtaining credit for giving that advice, OR the fact that Peyton Manning had 3 TD’s and threw for 432 yards? Worry not Colts fans, even in defeat Manning still comes out shining.
16. Chicago (1-0)- Its almost symmetrical that the combatants of the 2006 Super Bowl are right next to each other isn’t it? Ok, so I’m reaching with the connection, but the Bears are back to having a QB who makes terrible decisions and comes away with victories in spite of his stupidity. Remember the time Jay Cutler was in the discussion as one of the best and brightest young QB’s?
15. Tampa Bay (1-0)- The Bucs could be the kind of team that could surprise people. But I wouldn’t bet too much money on that.
14. Arizona (1-0)- Didn’t see the game, but I’d bet by week 3, Larry Fitzgerald starts leaving chunks of his dreds out on the field because he hates Derek Anderson.
13. Washington (1-0)- Let’s be clear and repeat it after me: the Cowboys beat themselves, the Redskins did NOT.
12. Jacksonville (1-0)- There are some teams who come ready to play week one. Say hello to that team.
11.Kansas City (1-0)- I’m only putting them before Jacksonville because that Arrowhead crowd is amazing. Top 5 crowds in all of sports.
10. Seattle (1-0)- There’s a weird “who knows what’s gonna happen” kind of vibe with this team and they busted out the gates with a 31-6 undressing of San Fran. When you beat a team that everyone thinks is going to win the division convincingly like that, it has to mean something even if we’re talking about the NFC West.
9. Miami (1-0)- The original Wildcat team is back doing things the conventional way. You know, with defense. Two rookies in the regular rotation means that they might have unearthed some studs in the draft which is how Bill Parcells usually operates and builds up his team.
8. New York (1-0)- After last season’s 5-0 start against powder puff teams, the Giants faced a legitimate week one opponent and dominated them. What that means no one knows, but we do know that they are 1-0 going into a crucial match up against Peyton Manning on primetime coming off a week one loss. Imagine staring down the prospect of being 0-2 and heading into a week 3 match up against Chris Johnson and the Titans.
7. Houston (1-0)- They won their Super Bowl. How do you keep that mentality on the road in Washington waiting for offense to happen?
6. Pittsburgh (1-0)- Its still Dennis Dixon at QB, but if that defense stays for the rest of the year (here’s looking at you Troy Polamalu), then this team will be a Top 5 team the rest of the year.
5. Baltimore (1-0)- Their offense was not exactly inspiring any confidence that this is a brand new Ravens team but let’s be real, they were facing a Top 5 defensive unit in the Jets so let’s cut them some slack. Expect the numbers to spike up playing against Cincy who swept them last year which brings us even more motivation to a team that had plenty heading into week 1.
4. New England (1-0)- Not going to lie, when I saw how they were scoring it was the kind of attitude and tenacity that we saw from Brady in 07. They are coming out with a purpose despite Brady’s hair stylist catching Bieber fever.
3. Tennessee (1-0)- This is a really good team. Their defense is back. Did I mention they have Chris Johnson who seems determined to hit 2500 yards rushing this season.
2. Green Bay (1-0)- Great test in week one. Out goes Kevin Kolb, in comes Michael Vick and he’s running all over the place and yet Clay Mathews was all over the place, knocking guys out and making hard hits. He sent a personal message to the Philadelphia Eagles that his toughness alone was going to will this team to a victory. Those are the kind of victories that add up to an amazing year.
1. New Orleans (1-0)- They are the Super Bowl Champions. They are known for Drew Brees. Reggie Bush. Jeremy Shockey. Marques Colstron. Pierre Thomas. So, how do they beat the Vikings? Defense obviously.
Now, on to the games:
Chiefs (+2) over BROWNS- How hard will Browns fans boo when Jake Delhomme throws his 3rd INT and the crowd realizes by their 15th beer that Seneca Wallace is on their roster and is their starting QB? Its going to be interesting. (Read: ugly)
PACKERS (-14) over Bills- I was almost talking myself into the Bills covering. But this looks like a herculean task for a team that got shut down hard by the Dolphins. Aaron Rodgers might not even play in the fourth quarter.
BENGALS (+3) over Ravens- The Bengal offense comes back and plays alive and the defense does enough to keep Joe Flacco off balance. The kind of loss they had last week was just a team surprised by the Patriots more than a team not good enough to beat them.
Steelers (+5.5) over TITANS- I think the Titans win on a field goal and I don’t expect a 140 yard rushing day again but the Steelers will keep it close by keeping it on the ground and out of the hands of Dennis Dixon which is a sound game plan.
LIONS (+6.5) over Eagles- Oh yeah baby. I’m totally sold on the Lions. They got shafted. They either come out angry and get theirs or the Eagles impose their will. If the Lions have any shot, its with the defensive tackles pushing the Eagles offensive line which is quietly becoming a question mark for the Eagles.
COWBOYS (-6.5) over Bears- I hope Jay Cutler brought his running cleats. As bad as Alex Barron is for the Cowboys, imagine him cloned into an offensive line and improved only marginally and that’s the Chicago line. Interesting that huge fantasy let down Matt Forte had a huge week one. I still blame him for last year. Its revenge week and the Boys ring in the year on a high note in Big D.
Bucs (+3.5) over Panthers- There’s real defensive progress here in Tampa. Not the Tampa 2 type of talent but they are moving forward and Josh Freeman isn’t trying to do too much which is working for him.
FALCONS (-7) over Cards- Don’t get me wrong, how the Falcons lost the game after winning the coin toss in over time but I like how their defense played and I see them having a multiple turnover day on Derek Anderson.
Dolphins (+6) over VIKINGS- Who exactly is Brett Favre throwing it to? Biggest puzzle in my mind was the lack of interest in TJ Housh. I’m sorry, but to get a guy that cheap with that much talent can ONLY HELP when Sidney Rice comes back. Now, the pressure will be on for the Vikings to trade for Vincent Jackson who had his suspension reduced and can be available by week 5. But its going to cost draft picks and $9 million per hero.
RAIDERS (-3) over Rams- Like I said over and over again in my season preview: if Jason Campbell is EVER going to prove to the league that he belongs its going to be this year. Let me put it to you like this, if he can’t beat the Rams, let’s forget it all and move on.
Seattle (+3.5) over BRONCOS- It amazes me that Pete Carroll has a shot to be 2-0 this season. If Matt Hasselback is really back, then its not just a shot, its a certainty against a team who seemingly has very little plan.
Texans (+3.5) over REDSKINS- I listened to Mike Francesa and he made a valid point about how the Texans played their Super Bowl against the Colts (which I agree with) and in week 3 face a huge in state showdown against the Cowboys in Week 3 and squeezed in between is the Redskins. Of course I realized that I was agreeing with Mike Francesa, I got sick and I came up with that sufficient to go against that kind of reasoning. No matter how solid it may have sounded to me. I think I was still drunk from two weeks ago.
CHARGERS (-7) over Jags- The Chargers almost tied the game despite facing insurmountable odds in terms of facing a home field crowd that refused to budge or shut up despite a monsoon hitting. The Chargers start off slow and finish strong but I think they come out strong against the Jags and take the game.
Patriots (-3) over JETS- Darrelle Revis with a bum hamstring? Uh oh.
COLTS (-5.5) over Giants- I’m betting with my head luckily on this one. My heart says that the Giants are going 16-0, of course my head says that Peyton Manning hasn’t slept since Tuesday memorizing the game plan for Sunday night.
NINERS (+6.5) over Saints- Don’t get me wrong, I think the Saints will win, but I think the Niners will make it close and lose a heartbreaker.
Last Week: 9-7
Season: 9-7
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