NFL 100: A Spotlight
The NFL has had its share of great defenses throughout its history. Some were so great that the offense had to only score a touchdown and the game was over. The team that I would like to talk about is one of the best I've ever seen, the 2000 Baltimore Ravens.
The Ravens were born in 1996 when Cleveland Browns owner Art Modell moved his team to Baltimore. The city hasn't seen football since the 1983 Baltimore Colts left town overnight. While the team would be considered to be an expansion franchise, much of the personnel were part of the Browns. In the 1996 NFL Draft, the new Ravens would draft a middle linebacker from University Of Miami (Florida) named Ray Lewis.
The Ravens offense was somewhat of an afterthought. Tony Banks started out the year for them but was replaced by a quarterback who had been on a couple of teams before, Trent Dilfer. The offense that year put up 20.8 points/game, qualifying them for 14th in total offense. They had such weapons like Shannon Sharpe, Jermaine Lewis and Jamal Lewis.
The defense itself shutout opponents four times during the regular season. They allowed only 10.3 points/game a record at that time. The most they ever gave up was 36 against the Jacksonville Jaguars and that was the only time that they would give up that amount. The 2nd highest amount was 23 against the Tennessee Titans.
They finished the season with a 12-4 record, finishing 2nd in the AFC Central. They would have to win three games to get to a Super Bowl. They won the Wild Card game in the first playoff game in Baltimore since the "Ghost To The Post" game in 1977, beating the Denver Broncos 21-3. They went to Tennessee and would upset the Titans 24-10 in the Divisional playoff. In the AFC Championship Game they would spoil Jon Gruden's Oakland Raiders plan to go to a Super Bowl, beating them 16-3. It would be Super Bowl XXXV where the Baltimore Ravens truly shined.
In the end the Ravens defense is considered one of the best defenses ever. They would allow only 5 rushing touchdowns all season while giving up 970 rushing yards, opponents would only get 2.7 rushing yards per attempt, quite good numbers. While their pass defensive numbers weren't superior they would force 23 interceptions, a total of 49 turnovers.
Week 3 Recap
Tennessee 7, Jacksonville 20: TW: Jaguars; CV: Titans
The Legend of Minshew continues to grow. Jacksonville's defense shut down much of what Tennessee wanted to do on offense, specifically the pass. Marcus Mariota would get only 304 yards with zero touchdowns and interceptions. Derrick Henry ran the ball for 44 yards with a touchdown, the only touchdown for the Titans. Gardner Minshew threw for 204 yards with 2 touchdowns. Leonard Fournette ran the ball for 66 yards with zero touchdowns.
All-time series: Titans lead series 29-21
Next week: Tennessee: @ Atlanta; Jacksonville: @ Denver
TW: 1-0; CV: 0-1
Denver 16, Green Bay 27: TW: Packers; CV: Broncos
Aaron Rodgers was kept upright and the Broncos have yet to get a sack or a forced turnover. Joe Flacco threw the ball for 213 yards with an interception. Philip Lindsey was the star for the Broncos offense with 81 rushing yards for two touchdowns. Rodgers threw the ball 235 yards for a touchdown. Aaron Jones got two rushing touchdowns with 19 yards rushing. Impressive start to the season for Green Bay but much tougher opponents are ahead.
All-time series: Series tied 7-7-1
Next week: Denver: vs Jacksonville; Green Bay: vs Philadelphia (Thursday night)
TW: 2-0; CV: 0-2
Cincinnati 17, Buffalo 21: TW: Bills; CV: Bills
The Bills are off to their best start since 2011. Andy Dalton threw the ball for 249 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions. He would also run it into the endzone for a touchdown. Joe Mixon ran the ball for 61 yards on 15 carries. Josh Allen threw the ball for 243 yards with a touchdown and an interception. Frank Gore had a good day on the ground with 76 yards and a touchdown. Tough season so far for the Queen City of Cincinnati.
All-time series: Bills lead series 17-15
Next week: Cincinnati: @ Pittsburgh; Buffalo: vs New England
TW: 3-0; CV: 1-2
Detroit 27, Philadelphia 24: TW: Eagles; CV: Eagles
The Lions remain undefeated (they're 2-0-1 so it still somewhat counts) after three games. The Eagles on offense could've made some plays but fumbles and dropped passes would affect them the whole way. Matthew Stafford threw for 201 yards and a touchdown. Kerryon Johnson ran it for 36 yards and a touchdown. Carson Wentz threw the ball for 259 yards and two touchdowns but as I said could've been more. Jordan Howard ran it in for a score with 37 yards rushing.
All-time series: Series tied at 16-16-2
Next week: Detroit: vs Kansas City; Philadelphia: @ Green Bay (Thursday night)
TW: 3-1; CV: 1-3
NY Jets 14, New England 30: TW: Patriots; CV: Patriots
The Jets 0-3 start to the season is their first since 2003. The release of Antonio Brown didn't factor much into the game. The Jets showed up in the 2nd half but by that time New England was relatively in control of the game. Tom Brady threw the ball for 306 yards and two touchdowns. Rex Burkhead was more involved in the game with 47 yards rushing with a touchdown. The Jets did... well Jets things. Business as usual for the Patriots.
All-time series: Patriots lead series: 66-54-1
Next week: NY Jets: Bye week; New England: @ Buffalo
TW: 4-1; CV: 2-3
Oakland 14, Minnesota 34: TW: Vikings; CV: Vikings
The Vikings took control in the first quarter and didn't let up until the final second. Derek Carr threw the ball for 242 yards and two touchdowns and an interception. Josh Jacobs, the Raiders running back didn't get a lot going for the Raiders, running the ball for 47 yards with 10 carries. Kirk Cousins threw the ball for 174 yards and a touchdown. The combined tandem of Dalvin Cook and Alexander Mattison ran the ball for 168 yards and two touchdowns. The ground game is definitely their bread and butter.
All-time series: Raiders lead series: 10-6
Next week: Oakland: @ Indianapolis; Minnesota: @ Chicago
TW: 5-1; CV: 3-3
Baltimore 28, Kansas City 33: TW: Chiefs; CV: Chiefs
The game lived up to the hype as there was quite a bit of scoring in this game. Lamar Jackson threw the ball for 267 yards and ran it in for a touchdown. Mark Ingram had a great game for the Ravens running the ball for 103 yards and three touchdowns. Patrick Mahomes threw the ball for 374 yards and three touchdowns. Darrel Williams ran the ball for 62 yards while LeSean McCoy would run the ball for 54 yards and a touchdown. The game should've been a late-afternoon start. Oh well.
All-time series: Chiefs lead series: 6-4
Next week: Baltimore: vs Cleveland; Kansas City: @ Detroit
TW: 6-1; CV: 4-3
Atlanta 24, Indianapolis 27: TW: Colts; CV: Falcons
The game was quite the showcase of the two quarterbacks. Matt Ryan threw the ball for 304 yards and three touchdowns and an interception. Devonta Freeman ran the ball for 88 yards on 16 carries. Jacoby Brissett threw the ball for 310 yards and two touchdowns. Marlon Mack ran the ball for 74 yards and a touchdown, his longest run was for 28 yards. Adam Vinatieri was back to form with 2 for 2 on field goals and 3 for 3 on PAT's.
All-time series: Colts lead series: 15-2
Next week: Atlanta: vs Tennessee; Indianapolis: vs Oakland
TW: 7-1; CV: 4-4
Carolina 38, Arizona 20: TW: Cardinals; CV: Panthers
Well as it turns out that Kyle Allen had a good day (even though it was against the Cardinals defense). Allen threw the ball for 261 yards and four touchdowns. Christian McCaffrey got back into a top form with his 153 rushing yards for a touchdown as well as 35 receiving yards. Kyler Murray did okay on the day, throwing the ball for 173 yards and two touchdowns and two interceptions. He would also run the ball for 69 yards. Well... I picked you Arizona, wtf.
All-time series: Panthers lead series 12-5
Next week: Carolina: @ Houston; Arizona: vs Seattle
TW: 7-2; CV: 5-4
NY Giants 32, Tampa Bay 31: TW: Buccaneers; CV: Buccaneers
The Daniel Jones era began in earnest with a victory on the road. Jones threw the ball for 336 yards for two passing touchdowns as well as two rushing touchdowns. Saquon Barkley got injured during the game but Jones carried the G-men. Jameis Winston threw the ball for 380 yards for three touchdowns and an interception. Ronald Jones was the leading rusher for the Bucs with his 80 yards on 14 carries. Freaking Buccaneers.
All-time series: Giants lead series 16-7
Next week: NY Giants: vs Washington; Tampa Bay: @ LA Rams
TW: 7-3; CV: 5-5
Houston 27, LA Chargers 20: TW: Chargers; CV: Texans
There seems to be something off with the Chargers, especially in this game. DeShaun Watson played very well throwing the ball for 351 yards for three touchdowns. Carlos Hyde only got 19 yards rushing but had a touchdown of his own. Philip Rivers made his 209th consecutive start in the game. Rivers got 318 passing yards for two touchdowns, Keenan Allen had 183 of those 318. The Chargers running game didn't get too much yardage with Austin Ekeler with 36 yards.
All-time series: Chargers lead series 5-2
Next week: Houston: vs Carolina; LA Chargers: @ Miami
TW: 7-4; CV: 6-5
New Orleans 33, Seattle 27: TW: Seahawks; CV: Seahawks
Much to many people's surprise, the Saints somehow got a win in the Emerald City. They didn't totally rely on the arm of Teddy Bridgewater. Bridgewater threw the ball for 177 yards for two touchdowns. Alvin Kamara would run the ball for 69 yards for a touchdown. The Saints special teams got a touchdown on a punt return for 38-yards from Deonte Harris. Russell Wilson played a great game throwing the ball for 406 yards for two passing touchdowns as well as two rushing touchdowns with his 51 rushing yards. Drew Brees will be gone for a while but a tough victory in Seattle has to give them some confidence.
All time series: Series tied at 8-8
Next week: New Orleans: vs Dallas; Seattle: @ Arizona
TW: 7-5; CV: 6-6
Pittsburgh 20, San Francisco 24: TW: 49ers; CV: 49ers
The 49ers had five turnovers in the game but would win against the Steelers. Mason Rudolph got the start for Pittsburgh throwing the ball for 174 yards with two touchdowns and an interception. James Conner ran the ball for 43 yards. Ju-Ju Smith Schuster had 81 receiving yards with a touchdown. Jimmy Garoppolo threw for 277 yards for a touchdown and two interceptions, the touchdown was the game-winner. Jeff Wilson got two touchdowns on 18 yards but Raheem Mostert was the leading rusher for San Francisco. Poor Steelers Nation.
All-time series: 49ers lead series 12-10
Next week: Pittsburgh: vs Cincinnati; San Francisco: Bye week
TW: 8-5; CV: 7-6
LA Rams 20, Cleveland 13: TW: Rams; CV: Rams
The Browns returned to Sunday night prime-time for the first time since 2008. Jared Goff had an alright game throwing the ball for 269 yards for two touchdowns and two interceptions. Todd Gurley managed to get 43 yards on 14 carries. Baker Mayfield only managed to get 195 yards passing with a touchdown and an interception. Nick Chubb got 95 yards rushing on the game with 23 carries. There was some questionable playcalling for the Browns but at this point, you need to play better and execute.
All-time series: Rams lead series 13-11
Next week: LA Rams: vs Tampa Bay; Cleveland: @ Baltimore
TW: 9-5; CV: 8-6
Miami 6, Dallas 31: TW: Cowboys; CV: Cowboys
The game lived up to its hype, hype as in that the Cowboys would dominate the game and the Dolphins would lick their wounds. Interesting fact is that the Dolphins have the worst point differential since 1950 through three games.
All-time series: Cowboys lead series 8-7
Next week: Miami: vs LA Chargers; Dallas: @ New Orleans
TW: 10-5: CV: 9-6
Chicago 31, Washington 15: TW: Bears; CV: Bears
The week finished off with the Bears taking on the Redskins on the road. Mitchell Trubisky had a good game throwing the ball for 231 yards and three touchdowns and an interception. David Montgomery gave Chicago some help in the run game with 67 yards on 13 carries. Case Keenum didn't help the Redskins cause much throwing the ball for 331 yards on two touchdowns and three interceptions. Adrian Peterson would only get 37 yards rushing with 12 carries. Could be Dwayne Haskins time before you know it.
All-time series: Redskins lead series 26-23-1
Next week: Chicago: vs Minnesota; Washington: @ NY Giants
TW: 11-5; CV: 10-6
Cardinal Viking:
2017: 167-89
2018: 156-98-2
2019:
Week 1: 11-4-1
Week 2: 10-6
Week 3: 10-6
Overall: 31-16-1
My record:
2012: 164-90-2
2013: 162-92-1
2014: 172-83-1
2017: 164-92
2018: 156-98-2
2019:
Week 1: 12-3-1
Week 2: 10-6
Week 3: 11-5
Overall: 33-14-1
See you guys on Wednesday for the Week 4 picks!
-Tom
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