IMPRESSIVE was the start to week 3. The Atlanta Falcons opened Thursday night with a bang by demolishing Tampa Bay 56-14. Atlanta scored (35) points before the Bucs gained a first down which finally happened in the third quarter. While Tampa didn't even get on the board until the Falcons dropped (56) in the fourth quarter in primetime. Atlanta finally got a sack on the season and the defense took an interception to the house. Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan only threw (3) incompletions the whole game. Even if it was the woeful Bucs, (56) points is still (56) points.Cincinnati has to be the best team in the league. At least they look the part through three weeks. The Bengals have dominated in all phases of the game. After losing both their offensive and defensive coordinators they have not missed a beat. Gio Bernard is running wild and Andy Dalton has a QB rating of (95.4). Their defense ranks 1st in opposition scoring at (11) points per game. When your quarterback has as many touchdown receptions as your all pro receiver AJ Green (1), someone is quite creative in the play calling. Still a long season ahead but the jungle cats has everyone's eyes open and not just in their division and conference but in the whole league. It's not how you start, but how you finish. That is the philosophy for the Philadelphia Eagles thus far who have started games in a tortoise like fashion but have been finishing like a hare. The Eagles have averaged (419) total yards per game which ranks 6th in the NFL. Quarterback Nick Foles has not missed a step from a season ago with (6) touchdowns and almost (1,000) passing yards. The slow starts would concern most but not Chip Kelly's bunch. They have out gained teams (680) yards to (486) yards and outscored them (77) to (24) in the second half of games this year. 
DEPRESSING had to been linebacker Stephen Tulloch for injuring his knee and now is out for the season. Yes injuries happen in sports, but it is sad to say it wasn't on a contact play but celebrating a sack on quarterback Aaron Rodgers. Tulloch mocked the discount double-check move from Rodgers State Farm commercials while tearing his ACL. To nobody's surprise he plays for the Lions and is another blow to their defense which already has suffered key injuries to a depleted secondary, sorry Detroit. Slow start for Gang Green and the New York Jets. The defense that is predicated on getting to the quarterback while allowing there secondary to play one on one matchups has looked mediocre at best. Head coach Rex Ryan does has the pressure up front but the talent in the secondary has faded. Nobody can play man coverage and the schematics are getting torched. On the offensive side, Geno Smith looks like well, Geno Smith. Smith's inconsistent play and poor judgement alongside not much offensive explosion to work with has the Jets headed downward. Lack of playmakers on both sides of the ball won't get it done and a repeat of (8-8) won't keep your job much longer in the big apple. Tom Brady said he would retire, "when he sucks", and their offensive outputs this year have not looked very impressive. The poster child for ESPN has not looked the part this year but everyone seems to believe he is still an elite quarterback. Giving the benefit of the doubt, the talent he is working with besides tight end Rob Gronkowski are not ideal pass catchers and the backfield does not consist of a slew of premiere backs, Brady is trying to manage with what he has. Their defense looked stout versus an Adrian Peterson less Minnesota team but they gave up 23 unanswered to Miami in week one and almost loss to a horrible Oakland Raiders team that they only beat by (7) points at home. Brady does have just one turnover this season and they are (2-1) in a weak AFC. Luckily for them they own the AFC East winning it (11) times since 2001 and (5) consecutive years dating back to 2008. The real tasks is ahead of them as they face three straight opponents that are defensive heavy including 2 of 3 on the road. I am not saying retire this season, but unless he gets help on the offensive side it is definitely looming near.
THE JUNIORS at least two of them have played good during their first 3 seasons as NFL quarterbacks. The debate whether Andrew Luck is better than Russell Wilson continues as Broncos corner Chris Harris claims Wilson is the guy and their is no debate. Besides having that ball hawking defense to back him, Wilson has helped their cause in many ways. Wilson takes care of the ball and slides when he decides to run. He throws precise passes while making minor mistakes. Point taken by the overtime drive he led Seattle down the field methodically going (4/6) for 35 yards and rushed for 21 more. Overall Wilson has a (64%) completion percentage while throwing (58) touchdowns to just (20) interceptions. So far Russell and the Seahawks are (2-1) in 2014. Andrew Luck is very good, he has the complete build and is the prototype quarterback. He has taken the throne in Indy after a future first ballot Hall of Famer controlled the helms for over a decade. Luck has had costly mistakes in both postseason appearances but he did pull off his own "Luck" with that historical comeback win in the wild card round against Kansas City last season. Andrew and the Indianapolis Colts received their first win on the year Sunday by thrashing Jacksonville 44-17. Luck finished with (4) touchdowns and almost (400) yards passing. Now in his third year, Luck has thrown (55) touchdowns to (30) interceptions with a little over (9,000) passing yards. Robert Griffin III was idle this week and not that Washington was on a bye just Griffin is sidelined once again due to injuries. What's new? Through his first three seasons RG2.5 has not played a full regular season while he has looked far from the 2012 campaign quarterback we seen lighting up highlight reels. First year head coach Jay Gruden needs to realize either play him like 2012 or don't play him at all. Griffin has (1,328) rushing yards in his NFL career but a compiled record of (12-18). Miami Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill hasn't really done anything to lose his job in Miami, nor has he done anything to keep it. The third year guy out of Texas A & M completion ratio and passer rating is not that impressive. After a (7-9) and (8-8) records his first two seasons nothing has made head coach Joe Philbin make a decisive verdict on his quarterback yet. Sunday's lackluster performance versus a then winless Chiefs team at home has Miami fans wanting more, something by he has not delivered. Pretty much the only thing he has delivered is a pretty woman around his arms. Neteherless your in Miami, those come a dime a dozen. So who is the best? Definitely still hard to tell and I am leaning towards Luck, but hardware goes a long way.
THE FRESHMAN all finally were on the field Sunday. The 32nd pick of the Minnesota Vikings quarterback Teddy Bridgewater was introduced into the friendly confines of the New Orleans Superdome in relief of Matt Cassel suffering a broken foot. Down 14-3 early into the second quarter, Teddy Bridgewater led them to couple promising drives that resulted in field goals but not much more. Bridgewater looked well even with the circumstances he came into and we all assume will be the week 4 starter versus Atlanta. The Blake Bortles era came a year ahead of schedule. After a summer where Jacksonville coach Gus Bradly strongly expressed they would redshirt the kid however; they had no other choice after a 30-0 drumming at halftime thanks in part to the visiting Colts. Bortles threw two touchdowns to go alongside two interceptions while leading the Jaguars to their only scoring drives of the game. Look for Blake Bortles to get the nod this Sunday at San Diego.Yes I said all three of the freshman class played which means even Johnny Football had a stint in Sunday's work. Manziel was on the field and proceeded to the sidelines in an altercation with offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan, however, as the ball was snapped Manziel burst down the field for a 39 yard reception. The fake play was negated due to a penalty but the Cleveland coaching staff are finding ways to mix Manziel in the system. All three played a part in their respective teams games but the likelihood is only two will actually play their role Sunday.
CONCERNING is the Carolina Panthers defense. The elite, tenacious, and gut throat pouncing Panthers defense looked like baby kittens lost in a construction zone in downtown Charlotte. They were hit in the mouth for 37 points by Pittsburgh. What an offensive exploding team they have been? I'm kidding. All jokes aside Carolina held opponents to (15.1) points per game and (301.1) total yards a season ago before being slashed for (476) yards and (37) points. They do have (8) sacks on the year after leading the league last year with (60) sacks but one thing is for sure the cats defense looked tamed after that beat down. The San Francisco 49ers are a ground and pound team while relying on their defense to close out games. Neither of those concepts has been their trait this year. Losing back to back games to Chicago and Arizona has the panic meter up in the bay. More of an aerial attack has been shown since adding wide receivers Stevie Johnson and Brandon Lloyd but a regression is seen with Colin Kaepernick. The Niners QB has not looked as sharp since signing a hefty contract during the off-season. Whether they have stirred away from rushing attack with Frank Gore because of a lingering hip injury or rookie back Carlos Hyde is also in rotation to limit some touches for the 31 year old back, they desperately need to get back to Niners football. Aaron Rodgers said its no need for concern on the part of the Packers but are you sure? The Eddie Lacy supposed breakout year has fantasy owners angry and in disbelief. Green Bay delivered a nice performance against the Jets whose secondary is awful but this was after being down as many as (18) at Lambaue. In their losses they have averaged just (11.5) points per contest. The slow start is not alarming to fans in Wisconsin as they have started (1-2) the past two seasons and still made it to the playoffs. A trip to Soldier Field may be what the doctor ordered. Since winning the Super Bowl in 2011, the Packers are (4-0) in Chicago.
GAME BALLS- Devin Hester 1 rec 20 yards, 1 rush 25 yards TD, forced fumble and recovery, recorded 20th specials teams TD (most in NFL History) / Andrew Luck 31-39 370 yards 4 TDs / Kniles Davis 32 car 132 yards TD / AJ Green 6 rec 102 yards / Steelers RBs- Le'Veon Bell 21 carries 147 yards and LaFayette Blount 10 car 118 yards TD / Matt Ryan 21/24 286 yards 3 TDs
WHAT HAVE WE LEARNED FROM WEEK 3?? Shut up Cary Williams your team is 3-0. Only Cam Newton would come out with Debo slippers and a top looking like congresswoman Nancy Pelosi wore it best. Stop staring at the replay Richard Sherman you got beat. Jim Harbaugh on the hot seat after 3 weeks? Devin Hester will be in the Hall of Fame as a kick returner, thank you Ray Guy. Geno Smith has 6 interceptions returned for touchdowns since 2013, which is actually more than Matt Schaub, The 3 teams at (3-0), (Cincy, Philly, and Arizona) has a 75% chance of postseason action. Johnny Clipboard sounds right. Remember one thing, "ignorance is not an excuse," Roger Goodell.....
MY TOP 5
1. CINCINATTI
2. SEATTLE
3. PHILADELPHIA
4. ARIZONA
5A. ATLANTA
5B. SAN DIEGO
No comments:
Post a Comment