NFL 2008 Week Two

At every start of a new NFL season we head into the year with predictions and expectations. Mostly generated by the “experts” in the sports media and the optimism of local fans hoping this is the year for their team.

And as usual after two weeks most of the predictions are proven wrong and new expectations are drawn up. So what have we learned thus far?

In New England we are learning that as great as future Hall of Famer Tom Brady is, the Patriots are a contender with or without him. As always is the case quarterbacks get to much credit for winning and too much blame for losing. Yes Joe Montana won 4 Super Bowls, and Terry Bradshaw did also. But guys like Mark Rypien, Trent Dilfer and Jeff Hostettler have won Super Bowls also. Even in the famous Miami Dolphins 1972 undefeated season people forget it was back up QB 38 year old Earl Morall who led the team to 9 of their 17 victories when Bob Griese went down in game 5. So clearly the Patriots cannot be counted out even with Matt Cassell taking over for Tom Brady. And no I am not suggesting that we are to compare the 2008 Patriots with the 1972 Dolphins nor am I saying that Matt Cassell is Earl Morall. The point is the jury is still out as to what effect the loss of Tom Brady will have on New England.

In Indianapolis losing Jeff Saturday is taking it’s toll. There usual protection of Peyton Manning and run blocking has taken a step backward. He should be back though.So Indy is trying to hold it’s head above water. But again after 2 weeks we cannot say what will become of this experienced team.

The New York Giants have overcome adversity on defense after losing Michael Strahan to retirement and Osi Umenyura to injury. The offense hasn’t been dominate but they never were. So the Giants are off to their usual grinding start but they are 2 and 0.

San Diego has put up some points but the defense has not lived up to the hype. It’s hard to believe that is all due to the loss of Shawn Merriman but losing him didn’t help. They have been snake bitten also losing both games in the final seconds. One with time running out and the other with 24 seconds left. But 0 and 2 is 0 and 2.

Which leaves us to the Jacksonville Jaguars. What happened to their expectations? Another preseason hyped team who got flushed down the toilet the first 2 weeks.

The Denver Broncos on the other hand were not given much of a chance this year and they have come out guns a blazin’. They are a quick 2 and 0. Some will argue that the San Diego Chargers got jobbed by a blown fumble call at the end of last weeks game with Denver. But people forget that Mike Shanahan went for the 2 point conversion and the win, so the Chargers had a chance for retribution. Had they stopped the 2 point play they would have won!

The Tennessee Titans are 2 and 0 and it is hard to say what that means. With Vince Young getting injured and going loco, Kerry Collins has done a nice job. Their rookie running back Chris Johnson is the real deal by the way.

Cincinnati and Cleveland were supposed to be strong teams this year and both are inept. Especially the spiraling Bengals.

St. Louis was allegedly improved but I wasn’t buying that. Same with Seattle. They both have proven the experts wrong by starting 0 and 2.

Then there were the fools that thought bringing Favre to the Jets was going to propel them to the playoffs. Curing the sick is one thing but resurrecting the dead is another.

Atlanta and Oakland getting a win by week 2 was clearly unexpected but a nice gift for their fan base. Who gets the #1 pick next year may be a race between these 2 teams. Miami and Kansas City.

The one team everyone had accurate predictions for are the pathetic Miami Dolphins. We can put Kansas City in this black hole also.

The Carolina Panthers are simply a health issue. They are healthy now thus they are 2 and 0.

The New Orleans Saints appear overrated again. Their division is lame though so all hope is not lost.

Tampa Bay is in the usual poor to mediocre position. The Arizona Cardinals may reach mediocrity however.

San Fransisco might just have a chance to improve with Mike Martz making something of the offense.

Baltimore may have a respectable year if the rookie Joe Flacco can steadily improve and the defense can keep other teams from scoring.

Buffalo has been a pleasant surprise but they haven’t beaten anyone of note either. But as the saying goes beggers can’t be choosers right?

Add Minnesota to the flavor of the week that has imploded. Yes 2 weeks and 2 losses, doesn’t’ mean they suck but they can’t score points. Tavaras Jackson isn’t ready and the team is too good to have him learn on the job. But it’s too late to go a new direction. We can put Chicago in this category also. Kyle Orton? Nice back-up is his ceiling in this league. Tavaras Jackson is actually better than him. Again Chicago is too good to have a back-up lead them. Now this paragragh may appear to contradict my statements about New England but one, neither the Vikings or the Bears will be mistaken for the New England Patriots. And Matt Cassell has been with the Patriots for 4 years and knows their system. He has the skills to start. Tavaras Jackson is good enough to be a starter also but he is not as comfortable with the teams playbook yet. Orton is a back-up, end of story. Oh heck, it is a contradiction who am I kidding? I guess it is reasonable to say that the Bears and Vikings can pull out of this. The Bears do have a win also.

Green Bay on the other hand goes back to my statements about New England and does not contradict them. Favre was great and is a Hall Of Famer. But the team is more than just he. So Rodgers will be fine. Also very comfortable with the Packers playbook and able to make all the throws. Plus they play Detroit twice a year.

Speaking of Detroit. Will Matt Millen finally get canned? This team has players but has loser written all over them.

Pittsburgh is an interesting team. The experts see them as a good to great team but questioned if they could survive their daunting schedule. Starting 2 and 0 was important and yet also expected.

The Texans were going to improve this year so we were told. But being they have only played a team they were expected to lose too there isn’t anything to say yet about them. And they didn’t look very good against Pittsburgh either.

Dallas beating Cleveland wasn’t a surprise to me although the experts thought it would have been harder than it was. The game against Philadelphia though showed they have come together as a unit and not a bunch of stars. They made the big plays when they had to and Philadelphia did not.

And while we are at it let us consider Philadelphia. They are a Carolina type team. If healthy they can play with anyone but a couple injuries and they are average. Also they play in the NFC East.

Finally the Redskins. Well they are like the Ringo Starr of the NFC EAST. A playoff team last year who is like the step child no one wants. With a new head coach new to head coaching, Jim Zorn, and QB Jason Campbell learning his third offense in 3 years it is hard to get a feel for where they are.

Which brings us back to reality. After 2 weeks we really can’t be confident about knowing anything excpet this should be another exciting NFL season!