2009 NFL Regular Season Thread

[burn_baby_burn]

Originally Posted by mykalberta

Thank you pro line for allowing me to choose a Tie with Ind and Jax, that along with Denver and a few locks has secured enough winnings to fund the other 16 weeks of betting.

Haha - Cutler - wha wha wha.
Go Denver Go

What did you bet? What did you win?

[transplant99]

ESPN now reporting that Urlacher is done for the season.

Tough break for them...nice break for division rivals.

Also the Tribune is saying that Urlacher agrees...

Brian Urlacher appears to be out for the season after dislocating his right wrist, the linebacker said Monday. The team has not given the official word, but Lovie Smith is expected to address the issue during his afternoon press conference.

Urlacher injured his wrist in the first quarter of Sunday's 21-15 loss to the Packers. He was ruled out after halftime.

When asked about his status Monday, Urlacher said in a text message that his ``season is over.''

http://blogs.chicagosports.chicagotr...st-injury.html

[Clever_Iggy]

Originally Posted by Displaced Flames fan

As much as I hate the Raiders.....and oh how I hate the Raiders....their uniforms for these anniversary games are nothing short of awesome.

The Raiders anniversary game uniforms are awesome. It might be the only thing they do better than the Chargers tonight.

[Bobblehead]

Originally Posted by Displaced Flames fan

Confession: Didn't actually watch either game!

Where were Greg Olsen and Desmond Clark tonight?

From what I saw, dropping the ball or giving up on routes.


Edit: and I kind of like Collinsworth. I enjoy analysts who tell you stuff that you can't see on the initial angle you are shown.

One example was the Hester TD, and how he explained how Hester had the FS covering him deep so the other side was single coverage. You can see that with the wide angle shot he used to explain, but you couldn't see that from the closer in view that showed the initial play.

Another was when he explains what SHOULD be going through a receiver's mind. Like on the overthrown in the end zone to Clark. Collinsworth was saying how if it was a zone you settle down, but in this case there was a wide open corner and instead of stopping Clark should have kept going, then it would be a wide open, easy pass.

I like guys who can explain what should happen vs what did happen. Some colour guys don't give any more insight than a guy at the bar, and the only thing they seem to add are personal anecdotes. As someone who hasn't played any competitive football, it helps me learn a bit more about the game when the commentators are honest (instead of saying how nice every player is (*cough*Paul Maguire *cough*))

[Sylvanfan]

They have been saying on NFL radio all last week how for the last 14 years at least 5 of the 12 playoff teams didn't make the playoffs the previous season.

From what I could see yesterday and what I anticipate to see tonight,

New York Jets
New Orleans
New England
Seattle/San Francisco
Dallas
Green Bay

would seem like teams who might get into the playoffs after not being there last year.

In terms of displaced teams based on what I saw yesterday, Miami, Arizona, and Carolina would seem the most likely teams to give up their spots. Will have to see how these teams respond next week along with the Titans. That winning/losing thing in the NFL can be pretty fine, and for example that San Fran game with them going into Arizona and winning is really huge for them.

[flames_1987]

It looks like the AFC South is going to be decided by the Colts and Titans. The Jags and Texans did nothing to prove me that there any better then last year.

[Sylvanfan]

Originally Posted by flames_1987

It looks like the AFC South is going to be decided by the Colts and Titans. The Jags and Texans did nothing to prove me that there any better then last year.

Colts didn't exactly impress me by beating the Jags by 2 points at home but wins are wins. Could be a case where only one of these two teams gets to the playoffs this year instead of both which has been the case for a couple years here. If thats the case, I'd have to say sorry Titans, no way I'm betting against Peyton Manning on this.

Texans getting beat up the way they did surprised me. Than again isn't it the same thing from the Texans every year. Get behind the 8 ball than finish strong to get the record back to 8-8. Eventually I'll figure it out.

[Pagal4321]

That's a tough pill to swallow for the Bears. All we heard all off-season was how Urlacher was healthy, and would return the defense to their 2007 form.

And now he dislocates his wrist and is out for the season? Wow.

As a Vikings fan, that might render it from a three team race to a two team race, which makes me happy. But can't help but feel for Bear fans this morning.

[dirk diggler]

Originally Posted by Bobblehead

From what I saw, dropping the ball or giving up on routes.


Edit: and I kind of like Collinsworth. I enjoy analysts who tell you stuff that you can't see on the initial angle you are shown.

One example was the Hester TD, and how he explained how Hester had the FS covering him deep so the other side was single coverage. You can see that with the wide angle shot he used to explain, but you couldn't see that from the closer in view that showed the initial play.

Another was when he explains what SHOULD be going through a receiver's mind. Like on the overthrown in the end zone to Clark. Collinsworth was saying how if it was a zone you settle down, but in this case there was a wide open corner and instead of stopping Clark should have kept going, then it would be a wide open, easy pass.

I like guys who can explain what should happen vs what did happen. Some colour guys don't give any more insight than a guy at the bar, and the only thing they seem to add are personal anecdotes. As someone who hasn't played any competitive football, it helps me learn a bit more about the game when the commentators are honest (instead of saying how nice every player is (*cough*Paul Maguire *cough*))

Collinsworth is ok, but i got tired of his insessent "man love" for Jay Cutler, it got old quickly. Remindes me of the way Kornheiser talks about Favre...

[transplant99]

Originally Posted by dirk diggler

Collinsworth is ok, but i got tired of his insessent "man love" for Jay Cutler, it got old quickly. Remindes me of the way Kornheiser talks about Favre...

What were you watching?

Collinsworth was ripping him when he was making those horrible decisions to throw the ball for interceptions and also when he was repeatedly telling everyone how he simply didnt look comfortable in the 1st half. Cutler settled down in the 2nd and CC mentioned that as well....rightfully so.

[Displaced Flames fan]

So, what teams made statements....or anti-statements this weekend? Can we take anything from the weekend and form some sort of prediction with it?

For me, it was the Jets/Texans. Sanchez looks like he's taking the Matt Ryan express to NFL stardom and the Texans look lost yet again.

Minnesota will be tough to beat if Favre plays that disciplined.

Arizona is in trouble already. You can't lose that game if you want to win your division.

The Ravens defense may be losing some steam, but at the same time the offense looks more dynamic and dangerous than last year.

What else?

[transplant99]

Originally Posted by Displaced Flames fan

So, what teams made statements....or anti-statements this weekend? Can we take anything from the weekend and form some sort of prediction with it?

For me, it was the Jets/Texans. Sanchez looks like he's taking the Matt Ryan express to NFL stardom and the Texans look lost yet again.

Minnesota will be tough to beat if Favre plays that disciplined.

Arizona is in trouble already. You can't lose that game if you want to win your division.

The Ravens defense may be losing some steam, but at the same time the offense looks more dynamic and dangerous than last year.

What else?

Giants looked poised to be just as solid as they have been the last couple years though they still lack that go-to WR. Defense looks just awesome up front.

Carolina is in serious trouble on offense...and not just Delhomme though he is the main reason.

Dom Capers is a defensive guru...the diff. between last year and last night on the Packers was startling.

Seahawks look poised to be in the picture by years end as well.

[Bobblehead]

So if Delhomme can't get his act together, what do the Panthers do? Are the expecting Moore to be the future franchise QB?

I would think a guy like Garcia could be on their radar, or at least a better choice than McCown.

[burn_baby_burn]

Originally Posted by Displaced Flames fan

The Ravens defense may be losing some steam, but at the same time the offense looks more dynamic and dangerous than last year.

They were playing the Kansas City Chiefs. Any team in the league can put up those kinds of numbers vs the Chiefs. Especially at home.

[troutman]

Originally Posted by Displaced Flames fan

So, what teams made statements....or anti-statements this weekend? Can we take anything from the weekend and form some sort of prediction with it?

For me, it was the Jets/Texans. Sanchez looks like he's taking the Matt Ryan express to NFL stardom and the Texans look lost yet again.

Minnesota will be tough to beat if Favre plays that disciplined.

Arizona is in trouble already. You can't lose that game if you want to win your division.

The Ravens defense may be losing some steam, but at the same time the offense looks more dynamic and dangerous than last year.

What else?

Good takes.

It's only week one, but here is my two cents:

I think the Cowboys are a lot better than most people thought (unfortuantely).

Has any team had more last second victories than Denver in the last 3 years?

Minnesota looks strong, and Favre will not be expected to pass very much.

Atlanta could be very good. I think the Dolphins will struggle.

I don't know what to think of the Eagles. They scored a lot of points, but McNabb didn't have an especially good game. Now he is injured.

The Steelers were not especially impressive IMO. Will be interesting to see how strong NE and SD play tonight.

[Bobblehead]

Some of the teams that weren't impressive may be better than they showed. Titans/Steelers are both defenses that are going to make any offense look bad.

I just don't think you can take much from one week, since you have no idea how their opponent measure up.

I think it takes 3 weeks before you can get any perspective. The you can see how a few teams have fared against a few others and determine some sort of pecking order.

[burn_baby_burn]

It really is tough to judge a team based on one game. A lot of the teams that looked super impressive yesterday were playing teams that are expected to be fighting it out for the top draft pick this coming April.

The biggest surprise for me, other than the Eagles thrashing of the Panthers, was the Jets over the Texans. Are the Jets and Mark Sanchez really that good? Or are the Texans really that bad?

[GirlySports]

You can't really judge players from week one or preseason but you sure can judge coaches. There were countless boneheaded plays yesterday.

Lovie Smith's performance last night was a disgrace. Bad play-calling, ridiculous fake punt, milking the clock for a FG while up 1 point instead going to the Td and the kill. Having single coverage on the outside on that 3rd and 1 play and getting bombed into the end zone, all Packer fans knew it was going to be a throwing play.

He fluked into the Super Bowl a few years ago... will he get fired this year after the Bears go something like 4-12 or will he used a new QB and Urlacher's injury as an excuse?

[Flickered Flame]

The Dolphins might really fall back to earth. I am not surprised they lost to the Falcons but they way they lost has me worried, not to mention, the toughest schedule in the league this year. I was surprised at how few wildcat plays they ran yesterday.

[AaronSJ]

My Week 1 observations:

- I watched all of the Colts/Jags game, and the Colts looked very similar to the 2008 team -- they couldn't run the ball, especially in short yardage, but Peyton stayed on his feet and made plays when it counted. Their defense looked really good, especially against the pass, and I was really impressed with rookie CB Jerraud Powers. They held MJD under 100 yards rushing, so that's promising... and their special teams look much improved vs. previous years. They don't have the weapons in the passing game like they used to, but I think the defense will keep every game close and the Colts should have another double-digit win total this season.

- The Jags started two rookie tackles and it showed. They'll get better as the season goes on, but for now it really limits what Garrard can do in the passing game. Their young pass rushers had very little impact on the game... The Jags look like a 6-10, 7-9 team to me.

- Mark Sanchez looked like a seasoned vet against the Texans -- but the Jets O-Line did a fantastic job of buying him time, especially on third down. The Texans are better than they played on Sunday, but it's the same old story... a slow start to the season.

- New Orleans is going to be awfully fun to watch this season -- they remind me a bit of the 2004 Colts... a fantastic offense with a suspect defense, which should equal a lot of high-scoring, TD-filled games.

- I think Miami is on their way to a losing season... they just don't have the weapons or playmakers that other teams do, and their element of surprise is no longer a competitive advantage.

- I think Atlanta is very good -- can't wait until they play the Saints.

- The 49ers played a gutsy game on the road against Arizona -- they shut down their run game AND their top two receivers... despite not being able to run the ball at all.

- I don't put much stock in the Seahawks win at home against probably the worst team in the league... but I do have to admit that Hasselbeck looked pretty solid. I'll reserve judgment until they play a real team!

- There's been a lot of hype about Green Bay and Aaron Rodgers, but I don't think they looked THAT GOOD against the Bears. If Cutler hadn't been so horrible in the first half, Green Bay loses this one.

- Minnesota is currently the team to beat in the NFC. I think they can win with any of their three QBs on the roster.

- Carolina will regret not addressing their backup QB situation in the off-season. I can't imagine how anyone on that team still has complete confidence in Delhomme. It's hard to believe that they were 12-4 last season...