Seeing ESPN’s NFL Power Rankings for Week 2 had me asking some questions about the darlings and the cellar dwellers of the NFL.
The Winless Pathetic Crapola’s
The Buffalo Bills
Never in my wildest dreams would I have imagined writing about the Bills, but it’s quick hits, so it’s not like I’m writing in-depth. They’re absolutely awful. The hopes of using CJ Spiller in a Chris Johnson type role has failed, primarily because Chan Gailey refuses to use him. 8 carries for 9 yards is abysmal. But, you can attribute the ineptitude of the Bills to their offensive line and Trent Edwards suckage.
The St. Louis Rams
As a Longhorn fan/future hopeful alum, I love seeing Sam Bradford being brought down to Earth. But, in all honesty, he’s going to be a great NFL quarterback. He’s proved to be worth the #1 draft pick in this years draft, but the growing pains in building a formidable defense and offensive line are going to continue.
The Cleveland Browns
It pains me to say it, Colt McCoy is not the future. What’s worse is Jake Delhomme and Seneca Wallace aren’t band-aids for the present. And Josh Cribbs can’t throw a football…at least I don’t think. I wouldn’t want to be a sports fan in Cleveland right now. Or 5 years from now.
The Detroit Lions
I was dead wrong. Jahvid Best kicks some serious ass…but losing Matt Stafford for a couple weeks is going to be the blow that sends Detroit to an early first round pick in 2011. Slowly but surely, this team is becoming more and more dangerous. Calvin Johnson has shown he can produce, regardless of who the quarterback is. But, if they can manage to protect Matthew Stafford, there will be brighter days ahead for the future inside of Ford Field.
The Carolina Panthers
For fantasy reasons, I’d love to see DeAngelo Williams (the man-beast above) get plenty more carries. But, it’s painfully obvious that for the Panthers to succeed, D-Will and J-Stew need to get at least 15-20 carries each. Matt Moore can’t be successful when he’s forced to throw…and now he’s being benched for rookie Jimmy Clausen.
The San Francisco 49ers
This team was the trendy pick of the year…I was one of the trendy people. But in the pathetic NFC West, there’s no reason to panic. Alex Smith isn’t having his coming out party, he’s just finally meeting his expectations. Coped together with Frank Gore and a good Niners defense, this team is very much in the playoff mix. Just believe in the cross:
The Minnesota Vikings
Dear Vikings fans,
We told you. We told you not to get too excited. You said, “No! We’re not the same! We have a great defense and the best running back in the NFL! Brett won’t have to throw the ball or deal with the elements as much as he did in Green Bay!”
Well, now you’re 0-2 and Favre has four interceptions, compared to the seven he had ALL of last year. What say you now, purple people eaters?
The Dallas Cowboys
Wade Phillips is the 63-year old version of Ralph Wiggum
The panic button has been pushed in Dallas…and for no reason. All their problems can be fixed and fixed this season! Not to mention, they’re only 1 game back of the division leading Giants/Eagles/Redskins (all 1-1). Jason Garrett needs to learn how to run the ball, which should be easy when you have 3 of the best running backs in the NFL. Also, show some damn discipline…which can’t be done under Wade Phillips. It may be an overreaction but it’s the truth. This team will always fail as long as Yuk-Yuk is the head coach.
The Winner Chicken Dinner-er’s
The Tampa Bay Bucs
This team deserves their record, but isn’t as good as they’re playing. The Bucs are the future of the NFC South. All the teams in their division are great, but there’s something special about this group. Josh Freeman and Mike Williams are great, but this team is still missing a running game. When both of your running backs are averaging only 2.7 yards a carry, you can’t be successful. (See: Cowboys, Dallas)
The Kansas City Chiefs
Another team in shape for a great future, but Matt Cassel is a god awful quarterback. Maybe New England just makes quarterbacks look good, but it’s obvious this team needs a long term solution that Charlie Weis can take advantage of. Until then, enjoy the highlight reel that is Jamaal Charles.
The Chicago Bears
He’s got the weapons, he’s the got the perfect system to exploit his talents, and he’s got a coach that’s been to a Super Bowl. The only thing that is stopping this team from being the best in the North is it’s quarterback. I love Jay Cutler…he’s been my fantasy quarterback on multiple teams since his rookie season. But the turnovers need to stay down (which he’s done an excellent job of so far). If the defense stays healthy and Matt Forte proves he’s not a bust, Chicago is a prime Wild Card team.
The Miami Dolphins
I have no idea what to think of this team, and I also don’t know enough to make an intelligent assessment. But with games against the Jets and Patriots coming up, this defense must prove that their performance against Minnesota wasn’t a fluke. Chad Henne and Brandon Marshall should start clicking for touchdown passes soon enough.
The Pittsburgh Steelers
The loss of Dennis Dixon is definitely hurtful to the team, but they’ve survived two weeks 0f Big Ben-less football. And the way the defense has performed, shutting down Matt Ryan and stuffing Chris Johnson, Mike Tomlin looks poised and ready to lead this team to another successful Super Bowl run. Can you imagine the Steelers winning a 7th championship in Dallas? So much for America’s Team.
The Houston Texans
Beastmode Extreme.
I’m not buying into all the hysteria going around this team. Arian Foster is amazing. Matt Schaub is definitely one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL and the best receiver in the league, Andre Johnson, isn’t his only target to throw to. But, their secondary is absolute garbage. The plan is to have a great defensive line, anchored by Mario Williams, so that quarterbacks don’t have time to make the throws needed to win. That plan has failed. No one mentions that the Texans have given up 859 passing yards in two games. Peyton Manning (433 yards), acceptable. But, Donovan McNabb (426 yards) – not so much. They’re definitely a playoff team, but still have a ways to go.
The Green Bay Packers
There’s nothing to take from the Packs first two games. They shut down an underrated Eagles team, until Michael Vick made a cameo and completely dominated, then played the NFL equivalent of a Double-A baseball club in the Buffalo Bills. Clay Matthews is obviously the NFL’s best linebacker through two games (6 sacks), and the offense isn’t clicking yet, but has had it’s flashes. Don’t 0ver-estimate the loss of Ryan Grant. It doesn’t matter who the running back is, as long as Aaron Rodgers is slinging the ball all over. But, it would sure as hell help if they could trade for A-Rod’s former Cal teammate, Marshawn Lynch.
The New Orleans Saints
Kick ass first, screw taking names.
The defending world champs may not look impressive, but they’re getting the job done. As the Super Bowl champions, you’re taking every NFL teams best shot week in and week out. They’ve taken care of the Vikings and made quick work of the 49ers, with their excellent two-minute drill on Monday Night Football. This team doesn’t know what a “Super Bowl Hangover” is, and looks to run away with the South again. But, losing Reggie Bush (broken fibula) for at least 6-weeks is very damaging.
