Welcome one and all to the blog that keeps on going despite being weighed down by the sickness known as the Texas Crud. I've been under the weather the last couple of days, but I feel good enough to throw a few lines together and give you my thoughts on what's going on in today's world of sports. Today, we'll discuss week one of the NFL. Plenty to talk about, so let's dive right in.
Hail Storm
1. What a game between Michigan and Notre Dame. I did pick Michigan to win so I wasn't surprised that they won, but I was surprised with how it happened. Remember, these are 18, 19, 20, and 21 year old kids and it is really a shame that someone had to lose. Now we see how The Irish rebound and go from here.
2. Novak Djokovic won the U.S. Open as I guessed he would. No surprise there. Serena Williams suffered another emotional meltdown in her finals match. Also no surprise. Serena is the best women's tennis player in the world, but anyone else notice that when things don't go her way she throws a fit like a three year old?
3. If I'm the Boston Red Sox I don't panic. They will be in the playoffs just like the Yankees will and the Rays will be sitting at home. Red Sox have just enough offense to get in to the final round. Now making it to the World Series? Well, that's a totally different story.
4. Looks like the NBA will not start the season on time. The league is shooting themselves in the foot. Wake me up when they get their act together.
The Wait Was Well Worth It
Remember how scared we all were that there will be no football this year? Well, that seems like light years ago as the first week of the NFL season provided no shortage of exciting plays and action. Some teams are looking good, others are looking bad, and others appeared to not realize that the preseason is only four games and not five. Some of the intriguing story lines coming out of week one:
1. The Ravens destroying the Steelers is not as big of a surprise as you might think it is if you actually think about it. The Ravens started looking at this game as soon as last season ended. The entire organization knows that the Steelers are their version of "The Evil Empire" and in order to go anywhere and win anything of any significance, they must go through their evil step-brothers in Pittsburgh. Baltimore was so jacked up for this game that of course they were going to come out like a ball of fire. Pittsburgh on the other hand knows that they are in Baltimore's head. This game did not mean as much to them as it did the Ravens. In the Steelers' view, Baltimore still has not won anything because Pittsburgh measures their success in the playoffs. In my opinion, while I predicted Baltimore to win this game, it will mean absolutely nothing if they do not make strides in the playoffs. Yes, that does include going through Pittsburgh in January.
2. Man, who would have known that the team most affected by the lockout would be the Indianapolis Colts. Peyton Manning could not meet with the team's trainers until the lockout was over, which slowed his recovery from off-season neck surgery. That resulted in the nerves in his neck not fully regenerating and having to have another surgery to try and stimulate the growth. Not only did this end Manning's consecutive games streak but it also essentially ended the Colts' season. Kerry Collins is a capable backup, but he needs one thing to be successful. A stable and secure pocket to throw from. Without that, he's useless. The Colts will win games with Collins, because they have plenty of talent at the other positions. However, the playoffs are out of the question with old man Collins under center. Paging Brett Favre anyone?
3. In my NFL division previews I wrote that the Buffalo Bills would have an improved season. That their offense would be much improved, but that their biggest strides would be made on defense. So count me amongst those as not surprised at the beating that they put on the defending AFC West champion, Kansas City Chiefs. What surprised me the most? That so many people were surprised that Buffalo dominated the Chiefs for all four quarters. Did anyone see Buffalo last year? Did anyone notice the talent that they have assembled? If they did, they should not have been surprised. I still do not think Buffalo will have a winning season, as I have them going 7-9. But believe me when I say, that they will be a force to reckon with each and every week.
4. Another week, another Tony Romo story. Let's get something straight. There are a majority of teams in the NFL (San Fran, Washington, Miami, Seattle, just to name a few) that would trade a good number of draft picks for Romo to be their starting QB. However, he does seem to be plagued by making bone-headed decisions at the absolute wrong times. I'm not sure if he can lead the Cowboys to the Super Bowl, but until he learns to play within himself for all four quarters, he will continue to receive the criticism that he rightfully deserves.
Week 1 Duds
These are the players who are asking for a redo of week one:
Donovan McNabb: Really? Really? I mean, really? 7-15 for 39 yards. How in the world does a quarterback play for all four quarters and only have 39 yards? McNabb is doing nothing to disprove that he is done as a starting quarterback. Keep this up and Christian Ponder will be the one handing the ball to Adrian Peterson in a couple of weeks.
Tony Romo: He had a good game for 3 quarters. But that fumble at the goal line and the ill-timed interception earn him a spot on this infamous list.
Steelers, Colts, Falcons, Chiefs: No explanation needed.
Week 1 Studs
Tom Brady: God bless you if you had this man on your fantasy team(s). 32-48 for 517 yards and 4 TDs. Was Brady playing a video game? He reminded me of Bo Jackson in those old Tecmo Bowl video games. Simply unstoppable.
Drew Brees: In a losing effort Drew Brees put the NFC South on notice that the Saints are planning on making me look like a genius for picking them to win the division. 32-49, 419 yards, and 3 TDs.
Aaron Rodgers: The Super Bowl winning QB picked up right where he left off after last season in opening up the season right. 27-35, 312 yards, 3 TDs.
Ted Ginn Jr: He basically iced and won the game for the San Fransisco 49ers. A 102 yard kickoff return for a TD. 59 seconds later, a 55 yard punt return for a TD. Not a bad opening week.
Teams With The Best Chance to Go 0-2
Atlanta Falcons: Some people have this team going to the Super Bowl. Not this guy. This team has talent, but I think they will start 0-2. The man, the myth, and the Atlanta legend known as Michael Vick is returning to the Georgia Dome. Think he'll be jacked up for this game? Both teams want to win for their respective QBs. The Falcons want to prove that Vick is long forgotten and Matt Ryan is the man to lead them to the promise land. The Eagles want to prove that Vick is not only a changed man, but the QB that is one of the best in the league and is going to lead them to the Super Bowl this year. Should be intriguing.
Kansas City Chiefs: Sorry Chiefs fans, but not only will Kansas City fall short in their quest to repeat as AFC West champs, but I will not be surprised to see this team go 6-10. You heard it here first. Look for Matthew Stafford and MegaTron to have a field day against that secondary that will be minus Eric Berry, who is lost for the season with a torn ACL.
Carolina: Cam Newton did not arrive on the scene, he BLASTED on the scene. The man had the best debut of any rookie NFL QB in history. However, that feel good story is going to meet a harsh reality when the Packers come to town. Mr. Newton, meet Mr. Clay Matthews. He'll be your chaperone for the evening.
Predictions for Week 2
Last week, I went 11-5. Not bad. Here are my picks for week 2.
Arizona vs Washington - Arizona
Oakland vs Buffalo - Buffalo
Cleveland vs Indy - Indy
Tampa Bay vs Minnesota - Minnesota
Baltimore vs Tennessee - Baltimore
Green Bay vs Carolina - Green Bay
Seattle vs Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh
Jacksonville vs N.Y. Jets - J-E-T-S JETS JETS JETS!!! (I had to)
Kansas City vs Detroit - Detroit
Chicago vs New Orleans - New Orleans
Dallas vs San Fran - Dallas
San Diego vs New England - New England
Houston vs Miami - Houston
Cincy vs Denver - Denver
Philadelphia vs Atlanta - Philadelphia
St. Louis vs N.Y. Giants - Giants
So, there you go. I guess we will see how many I get right.
End of the Storm
Well, that's it for this edition of Tha Weatha Storm. Next time I will take a look at the world of college football. Hopefully everyone had at least a decent week in the world of fantasy football as my four teams went 2-2. Share the page with your friends, go and "Like" the Facebook page, "Tha Weatha Report", and keep reading and sharing your opinions. Until next time fellow sports fans...
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