When the season is officially half-way over and we've learned many things about the teams of the National Football League, especially in Week 9. Here's a list of some of the tidbits of Videos of super bowl moments information that have dawned on me: Some people were on the ropes at the beginning of the 2006 season about how the Ravens would fair throughout the year. Through eight games, they're 6-2. After starting 4-0, the Ravens hit a two-game skid, which lead to the firing of offensive coordinator Jim Fassel. Since his departure, the Ravens are 2-0 defeating the New Orleans Saints at the Superdome and the division-rival Cincinnati Bengals at home, scoring 35 and 26 points respectfully. They have a fairly easy schedule the rest of the way as they play Pittsburgh twice, Tennessee, Cleveland, and Buffalo. Look for them to win at least 10 games and win the AFC Central.
As the only remaining unbeaten team in the NFL, the 8-0 Colts are half way to perfection. It's not out of the realm of possibility they can run the table, but it'll be tough as it is for any team. They still have to play at Dallas and at Jacksonville and host the Philadelphia Eagles, Bengals, and Miami Dolphins. On Sunday, they went into Foxboro and exploited Tom Brady while Peyton Manning shined. I am tired of hearing he cannot beat the New England Patriots as he has done so the last two games, both at Gillette Stadium. It's time the Patriots traveled west to Indianapolis. They have scored less than 21 points only once this season (Week 5 vs. Tennessee - 14), but the defense has allowed at least 20 points in six of their eight games. We all know what Manning and the rest of the offense can do. It'll be up to the Colts' Cover 2 defense to keep a donut in the loss column. Now that the Pittsburgh Steelers are actually throwing the ball, it has come to my attention that Roethlisberger is not as great as everyone says he is. I know the Steelers' fans are going to chew me out about this, but look what I have to say first. He may be the youngest quarterback to win a Super Bowl, but he only went 9 for 21 in that game for only 123 yards, while throwing two interceptions. He had a rushing touchdown, but I'll take it to my grave the ball never crossed that goal line, his helmet grazed it. If it weren't for the Steelers' defense or rushing offense, Roethlisberger never would have had a chance to win the whole ball of wax. Roethlisberger has thrown just seven touchdowns this season while throwing a whopping 14 interceptions, including seven in the last two games, while not even playing the whole season. The Super Bowl champs are a miserable 2-6. Roethlisberger is simply not that good. |
Many people questioned how Brees would fair, or even if he would succeed, in New Orleans, including myself. He has proven his doubters wrong. He has led his Saints to a 6-2 record, tied for second best in the NFC (Giants). The two losses that blemish the Saints' record came against strong opponents (Carolina and Baltimore); while he and the Saints have defeated the Philadelphia Eagles and three divisional wins (including a season sweep of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers). Through eight games, Brees has already thrown for over 2,200 yards and 14 touchdowns. He has been a tremendous aspect to the success of this football team, that was not predicted to do as well as they are. Let's see if he can continue his success in a second half schedule that looks dreadful for the Saints. They still have to play Cincinnati, Atlanta, Dallas, NY Giants, and Carolina. The Giants have the toughest schedule in the NFL, and through their first eight games, they are atop the NFC East by two games with a 6-2 record and 3-0 in the division. After starting 1-2 (loss vs. Indianapolis, win at Philadelphia, loss at Seattle), the Giants have won five straight, including two games against division opponents. One of the more impressive aspects of this five-game winning streak, is in their win at Atlanta, they sacked Michael Vick an unprecedented seven times. That is unbelievable! To sack the most mobile and athletic quarterback seven times in one game is nearly mind-blowing. While the offense has not looked terribly impressive (besides Tiki Barber of course), the Giants defense has looked good. They just took a big blow by losing Michael Strahan for the next 2-4 weeks with a foot sprain; Osi Umenyiora may be back for the game Sunday versus Chicago (which should be the game of the year).
Maybe, just maybe people will stop comparing this Bears team to the Super Bowl Shufflers of 1985. Thomas Jones is no where close to being the player Walter Payton was, nor will he ever be. Rex Grossman is NOT Jim McMahon. Lovie Smith is NOT Mike Ditka. The Bears are a good football team, but please, they're NOT the '85 squad. It was very ironic the Dolphins were the team to end their unbeaten season Sunday, just like they did in '85, although that Bears team was 12-0 while this one was 7-0. They turned the ball over six times against the Dolphins, the second time they have done that this season (Week 6 at Arizona), but they were not fortunate enough to win this time. |
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