NFL 100: A Spotlight
Throughout the NFL's long history, there have been great teams. Teams that would go on to win the big one, and some that fell short of the ultimate prize. One such team that failed to achieve this whilst obtaining the ultimate title of "Greatest Team Of All Time" was the 2007 New England Patriots.
It was the New England Patriots who would come very close to achieving the prize while ultimately losing in the last few minutes of Super Bowl XLII. The Patriots would finish the season 18-1. They failed to achieve something that hadn't been done since the 1972 Miami Dolphins.
The Patriots that year still had the pieces that helped them win Super Bowls in the early 2000's while some new faces to the team. Tom Brady was still the captain of the ship while throwing to such targets like Randy Moss, Wes Welker, Benjamin Watson, Mike Vrabel (yeah that Mike Vrabel, Titans fans). On defense they had Junior Seau, Tedy Bruschi, Asante Samuel, as well as Mike Vrabel, and Vince Wilfork. They were the #1 scoring offense with 32.0 points/game while being the #4 scoring defense with 17.1 points/game.
They overwhelmed you with their superb passing game as Brady to Moss was a lethal scoring tandem. Tom Brady would throw 50 touchdown passes that season, 23 of them were to Randy Moss. Not also to mention that Brady almost threw 5,000 passing yards that year. If you like to have a trip down memory lane, here's a clip of all 50 touchdown passes that year. Enjoy!
The Recap: TW is me, CV is my roommate
Green Bay 10, Chicago 3: TW: Packers; CV: Bears
The game felt like somewhat of a continuation of last season's Super Bowl. Not a lot of offense, any scoring drive was something to work for, and a lot of work for the punters. Aaron Rodgers threw for 203 yards and a touchdown while Mitch Trubisky would throw for 228 yards and an interception. Aaron Jones ran the ball for 13 carries for 39 yards while Mike Davis of the Bears ran it for 19 yards on five carries. It was more on the Packers defense to showcase how much of an improved unit they had, overwhelming Mitch Trubisky. Overall good solid win with some room for improvement for the Packers.
Next week: Green Bay: vs Minnesota; Chicago: @ Denver
All-time series: Packers lead 98-96-6
TW: 1-0; CV: 0-1
Buffalo 17, NY Jets 16: TW: Jets; CV: Jets
It was a tale of two games: the unanswered 16 points that the Jets put up through 3 quarters and then the 17 unanswered points that the Bills would put up. It was a struggle for the Bills to get anything going on offense. Bills quarterback Josh Allen threw two interceptions in the game while putting up 254 passing yards and a touchdown. The Jets on offense was somewhat of a lackluster effort. Sam Darnold threw for 175 yards and a touchdown while Le'Veon Bell's Jets debut was decent, running the ball for 60 yards on 17 carries. I just think the Jets forgot to play football for the last 15 minutes of the game. What a shame.
Next week: Buffalo: @ NY Giants; NY Jets: vs Cleveland (Monday night)
All-time series: Bills lead 63-55-0
TW: 1-1; CV: 0-2
Baltimore 59, Miami 10: TW: Ravens; CV: Ravens
The game was as to be expected, just not a 49-point blowout. Lamar Jackson had a pretty good day throwing the ball for 324 yards on 17 completions, getting five passing touchdowns, a franchise record. Ryan Fitzpatrick couldn't conjure up any magic only throwing for 185 yards and a touchdown and an interception. Preston Williams scored the only touchdown for the Dolphins on a six-yard pass play. Mark Ingram III would have a good day running the ball for 107 yards and two touchdowns for the Ravens on 14 carries. It's gonna be a long season for the Dolphins.
Next week: Baltimore: vs Arizona; Miami: vs New England
All-time series: Ravens lead 10-6
TW: 2-1; CV: 1-2
Kansas City 40, Jacksonville 26: TW: Chiefs; CV: Chiefs
Any doubt that Patrick Mahomes would take a step back this season was certainly dispelled as he would throw for 378 passing yards and three touchdowns. Sammy Watkins would have 198 receiving yards and three of those touchdowns. Nick Foles would leave the game but his backup Gardner Minshew gave some life to the Jaguars offense throwing for 275 yards on two touchdowns and an interception. It could've been worse for Jacksonville but its possible that Nick Foles could miss some time.
Next week: Kansas City: @ Oakland; Jacksonville: @ Houston
All-time series: Chiefs lead 7-6
TW: 3-1; CV: 2-2
Tennessee 43, Cleveland 13: TW: Browns; CV: Browns
The surprising game of the opening week of games would be this one. The Titans playing with no pressure put up a heck of a game against the hyped Cleveland Browns. Marcus Mariota had a good day with 248 passing yards with three touchdown passes while Baker Mayfield of the Browns had 285 passing yards with a touchdown and three interceptions. The biggest contributor of the game has to be Derrick Henry who had 159 all-purpose yards (75 receiving and 84 rushing) with a touchdown on rushing and receiving. Delanie Walker had two receiving touchdowns of his own in the game. Poor Browns.
Next week: Tennessee: vs Indianapolis; Cleveland: @ NY Jets (Monday night)
All-time series: Browns lead 35-32
TW: 3-2; CV: 2-3
Washington 27, Philadelphia 32: TW: Eagles; CV: Eagles
The game started off slow for the Eagles during the first half, and the Eagles fans let their voices be heard prior to halftime. Then Desean Jackson (returning to Philly as an Eagle) turned up the heat scoring two touchdowns on 154 receiving yards. Carson Wentz would throw the ball for 313 yards on three touchdowns. Case Keenum had a good debut for the Redskins throwing the ball for 380 yards on three touchdowns. Terry McLaurin had 125 receiving yards with a touchdown. Certainly a shaky game for the Eagles defense.
Next week: Washington: vs Dallas; Philadelphia: @ Atlanta
All-time series: Redskins lead 86-78-5
TW: 4-2; CV: 3-3
Atlanta 12, Minnesota 28: TW: Vikings; CV: Vikings
The Vikings didn't need to rely on the arm of Kirk Cousins for this one as Dalvin Cook gave the Vikes all the offense they needed. Cook ran for 111 yards and two touchdowns on 21 carries. Kirk Cousins threw for 98 yards and a rushing and passing touchdown. Matt Ryan threw the ball for 304 yards for two touchdowns and two interceptions. Ito Smith was the leading rusher for the Falcons with 31 yards on six carries.
Next week: Atlanta: vs Philadelphia; Minnesota: @ Green Bay
All-time series: Vikings lead 20-11
TW: 5-2; CV: 4-3
LA Rams 30, Carolina 27: TW: Rams; CV: Panthers
Any question on the health of Todd Gurley in this game was diminished. While he didn't score any touchdowns he did put up 97 yards of rushing when the Rams passing game wasn't at its best. Jared Goff threw for 186 yards with a touchdown and an interception. Cam Newton for the Panthers gave them some life with his arm throwing for 239 yards and an interception. The big star in the game was Christian McCaffrey who had 209 all-purpose yards (128 rushing and 81 receiving) while scoring two rushing touchdowns.
Next week: LA Rams: vs New Orleans; Carolina: vs Tampa Bay (Thursday night)
All-time series: Panthers lead 13-9
TW: 6-2; CV: 4-4
Indianapolis 24, LA Chargers (F/OT): TW: Chargers; CV: Chargers
It was a back and forth affair in this game. Adam Vinatieri hit 1 of 3 field goal tries and was 1 for 2 in PAT's. Jacoby Brissett did good in the game throwing for 190 yards with two touchdowns. Marlon Mack had a great day on the ground with 174 rushing yards and a touchdown of his own. Philip Rivers threw the ball for 333 yards with three touchdowns and an interception. Austin Ekeler would score a rushing touchdown and two receiving touchdowns (including the game-winner).
Next week: Indianapolis: @ Tennessee; LA Chargers: @ Detroit
All-time series: Chargers lead 19-11
TW: 7-2; CV: 5-4
Cincinnati 20, Seattle 21: TW: Seahawks; CV: Seahawks
The Bengals came out of the gate swinging in the first half putting up 17 points at halftime. Russell Wilson would hook up Tyler Lockett on a 44-yard passing touchdown and would not look back. Andy Dalton would have a great day throwing the ball 418 yards with two touchdowns. John Ross would be the only Bengal that would score two touchdowns with 158 receiving yards. Wilson threw for 196 yards and two touchdowns. Chris Carson would run the ball for 46 yards and a touchdown. Good effort from the Bengals but ultimately not enough.
Next week: Cincinnati: vs San Francisco; Seattle: @ Pittsburgh
All-time series: Seahawks lead series 11-10
TW: 8-2; CV: 6-4
Detroit 27, Arizona 27 (F/OT): TW: Cardinals; CV: Cardinals
The game ended up in a tie which in hindsight if you were the Lions it shouldn't have been one to begin with. In typical Lions fashion, on a screen pass play that would've given the Lions a first down in the closing minutes of the 4th quarter, one of the Lions coaches would call a timeout. At that point the Lions were up 24-16 and the momentum that the Lions had vanished. Kyler Murray would have a good debut throwing the ball for 308 yards and two touchdowns while throwing an interception. Larry Fitzgerald still showing how the young kids how to ball caught the ball for eight catches while tallying 113 receiving yards and a touchdown. Matthew Stafford had a great day throwing the ball for 385 yards with three touchdowns. TJ Hockenson was the Lions leading receiver with 131 receiving yards on six catches. Impressive debut for Kyler Murray who has a pretty high ceiling and a great potential.
Next week: Detroit: vs LA Chargers; Arizona: @ Baltimore
All-time series: Lions lead series 33-28-6
TW: 8-2-1; CV: 6-4-1
NY Giants 17, Dallas 35: TW: Cowboys; CV: Cowboys
The Giants couldn't get a lot of offense in the game and their defense couldn't stop the new triplets (plus Michael Gallup). Eli Manning gave it all he could as he threw for 305 yards and a touchdown. Saquon Barkley was the leading rusher in the game with 120 yards on the ground on 11 carries. Dak Prescott was on fire throwing the ball for 405 yards and four touchdowns while Ezekiel Elliot running the ball for 53 yards on 13 carries and a touchdown. Prescott's contract is nearly complete and that means one thing, trouble for the rest of the NFL.
Next week: NY Giants: vs Buffalo; Dallas: @ Washington
All-time series: Cowboys lead series 67-46-2
TW: 9-2-1; CV: 7-4-1
San Francisco 31, Tampa Bay 17: TW: Buccaneers; CV: 49ers
I made a risk in picking the Buccaneers and it didn't really pay off. In typical Jameis Winston fashion he threw three interceptions while passing the ball for 194 yards and a touchdown. Ronald Jones had a decent day on the ground with 75 yards rushing on 13 carries. Charles Godwin had the only touchdown for the Bucs. Jimmy Garoppolo threw the ball for 166 yards and a touchdown and an interception. Interesting thing about this game was that there were three pick-six's (1 for the Buccaneers, 2 for the 49ers). Time for me to not pick the Buccaneers unless they're playing the Washington Generals.
Next week: San Francisco: @ Cincinnati; Tampa Bay: @ Carolina (Thursday night)
All-time series: 49ers lead series 18-7
TW: 9-3-1; CV: 8-4-1
Pittsburgh 3, New England 33: TW: Patriots; CV: Patriots
It wasn't a pretty game and wasn't even the best game of the week, like I had hoped. The World Champion Patriots just kept the foot on the gas and the Steelers couldn't handle it, let alone answer back. Ben Roethlisberger threw for 276 yards and an interception. JuJu Smith-Schuster was somewhat of a bright spot with six catches for 78 yards. Tom Brady didn't miss a step, throwing the ball for 341 yards and three touchdowns. Phillip Dorset made the best of his opportunity with 95 receiving yards and two touchdowns. Certainly a humbling experience for the Steelers as they're going into the unknown this season.
Next week: Pittsburgh: vs Seattle; New England: @ Miami
All-time series: Patriots lead series 17-16
TW: 10-3-1; CV: 9-4-1
Houston 28, New Orleans 30: TW: Saints; CV: Saints
The game was insane for the last 35 seconds. Texans score a touchdown, then Drew Brees of the Saints drive the field and at 2 seconds left in the game, Will Lutz hits a 58-yard field goal to clinch the victory for the Saints. Drew Brees had a good game throwing the ball for 370 yards and two touchdowns and an interception. Michael Thomas had 123 receiving yards and Alvin Kamara had 97 yards on the ground. Deshaun Watson did fine as well throwing the ball for 268 yards and three touchdowns and an interception. Deandre Hopkins also did well with the air attack, gaining 111 receiving yards and two touchdowns. Certainly a heartbreaker for the Texans but man what a game.
Next week: Houston: vs Jacksonville; New Orleans: @ LA Rams
All-time series: Tied 2-2
TW: 11-3-1; CV: 10-4-1
Denver 16, Oakland 24: TW: Raiders; TW: Raiders
In the final Monday night game in Oakland, the Raiders gave the crowd something to cheer for. Derek Carr gave the Raiders 259 passing yards and a touchdown. Josh Jacobs was the star for the Raiders in the game with two rushing touchdowns and 85 rushing yards. It was a good debut for Joe Flacco and the Broncos. Flacco threw the ball for 268 yards and a touchdown, with Emmanuel Sanders catching the only touchdown for the Broncos. Not a bad way to end the week.
Next week: Denver: vs Chicago; Oakland: vs Kansas City
All-time series: Raiders lead 64-53-2
TW: 12-3-1; CV: 11-4-1
2019 Results:
Me::
Week 1: 12-3-1
Overall: 12-3-1
Cardinal Viking:
Week 1: 10-4-1
Overall: 10-4-1
See you guys on Wednesday for the Week 2 picks!
-Tom
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