We've reached the end of the first quarter of the 2014 NFL Season and what a crazy month it's been. Just to give you an idea of how extremely unpredictable it's been, take a look at these chain of events over the first 4 weeks of the season.
The Buccaneers beat the Steelers. The Steelers beat the Panthers. The Panthers beat the Lions. The Lions beat the Packers. The Packers beat the Bears. The Bears beat the 49ers. The 49ers beat the Eagles. The Eagles beat the Colts. The Colts beat the Titans. The Titans beat the Chiefs. The Chiefs beat the Dolphins. The Dolphins beat the Patriots. The Patriots beat the Vikings. The Vikings beat the Falcons. The Falcons beat the Buccaneers.
What does all of that mean? Obviously I have no idea!! Other than to say that we're in store for one incredible season!!
By reaching the conclusion of the first quarter of the season, it's time for the first edition of my 2014 NFL Power Rankings, or as I like to call them, The Pittman's Power Rankings.
THE PITTMAN'S POWER RANKINGS - 1ST QUARTER EDITION
32. JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS (0-4) - Bad attendance, bad uniforms, bad team.
31. OAKLAND RAIDERS (0-4) - The Silver and Black are FAR from being back.
30. TENNESSEE TITANS (1-3) - No one will remember these Titans.
29. TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (1-3) - Why did Josh McCown win starting QB job?
28. WASHINGTON REDSKINS (1-3) - Cousins can't cut it in DC.
27. NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (1-3) - Things are uneasy down in the Big Easy.
26. ST. LOUIS RAMS (1-3) - Once Bradford went down, so did the Rams hopes of a good season.
25. NY JETS (1-3) - It's time to have Geno Smith sit and bring in Michael Vick.
24. CLEVELAND BROWNS (1-2) - This team is 2 last second field goals away from being 3-0.
23. MIAMI DOLPHINS (2-2) - Beat New England in Week 1 and won in London in Week 4.
22. BUFFALO BILLS (2-2) - It's not good if you're looking to Kyle Orton to turn things around.
21. MINNESOTA VIKINGS (2-2) - 75 points scored in 2 wins versus 16 points scored in 2 losses.
20. CAROLINA PANTHERS (2-2) - Cam Newton continues to crumble like a Fig Newton.
19. PITTSBURGH STEELERS (2-2) - Pathetic play plus a plethora of penalties plague Pittsburgh.
18. CHICAGO BEARS (2-2) - Here's a weird stat, the Bears are 2-0 on the road but 0-2 at home.
17. ATLANTA FALCONS (2-2) - Atl. has scored the 2nd most points and allowed the 3rd most.
16. NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (2-2) - The Brady/Belichick Era could be coming to an end.
15. NY GIANTS (2-2) - After a poor start to the season Eli Manning and the G-Men are rolling.
14. KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (2-2) - Nearly beat Broncos in Denver and demolished Fins and Pats.
13. GREEN BAY PACKERS (2-2) - Relax Packer fans, Rodgers and company are going to be fine.
12. HOUSTON TEXANS (3-1) - Surprise team of 2014. Have already eclipsed 2013 wins total.
11. DETROIT LIONS (3-1) - Could this be the season it all comes together for the Lions?
10. INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (2-2) - Led by Luck, offense is unstoppable and defense is improving.
9. PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (3-1) - Could easily be 0-4 and Shady McCoy is shadow of himself.
8. SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS (2-2) - D will keep them in games but O needs to score too.
7. BALTIMORE RAVENS (3-1) - A rejuvenated Steve Smith has the Ravens back in contention.
6. DALLAS COWBOYS (3-1) - It's been 40 years since the last time Dallas led the NFL in rushing.
5. SAN DIEGO CHARGERS (3-1) - Will losing top 2 RBs eventually catch up to them?
4. ARIZONA CARDINALS (3-0) - Playoff caliber team last year. Appear even better this year.
3. DENVER BRONCOS (2-1) - Next 5 games: AZ, @ NYJ, SF, SD, @ NE. Ouch!!
2. SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (2-1) - The offense & not the defense will carry the Hawks this season.
1. CINCINNATI BENGALS (3-0) - Have given up an NFL low 33 points this season.
And there you have the first quarter edition of the Pittman's Power Rankings. The next edition will be at the halfway point of the season. It'll be interesting to see how much changes between now and then. Until next week....
Tuesday, September 30, 2014
Tuesday, September 23, 2014
NFL WEEK 3 UPDATE
For my Week 3 update, I'm going to do something a little different. I'm going to sum up what happened in some of the games using newspaper style headlines. I've done this before and always had fun with it. Hopefully you enjoy it too. Here we go....
THURSDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL GAME
THURSDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL GAME
TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS 14 ATLANTA FALCONS 56
BUMBLING BUCS GET BLASTED IN ATLANTA AS FALCONS DEVIN HESTER BREAKS ALL-TIME RETURNS TOUCHDOWN RECORD.
SUNDAY FOOTBALL GAMES
DALLAS COWBOYS 34 ST. LOUIS RAMS 31
DEMARCO MURRAY RUNS OVER THE RAMS DEFENSE AS THE COWBOYS COMEBACK FROM 21-POINT DEFICIT FOR THE WIN.
WASHINGTON REDSKINS 34 PHILADELPHIA EAGLES 37
DESPITE DeSEAN JACKSON'S BIG GAME FOR WASHINGTON THE EAGLES BECOME FIRST TEAM EVER TO OVERCOME 3 STRAIGHT DOUBLE-DIGIT DEFICITS AND WIN TO BEGIN SEASON.
HOUSTON TEXANS 17 NY GIANTS 30
RASHAD JENNINGS OF THE GIANTS RUNS FOR 176 YARDS HANDING HOUSTON FIRST LOSS OF SEASON.
MINNESOTA VIKINGS 9 NEW ORLEANS SAINTS 20
VIKINGS LOSE GAME AND QUARTERBACK MATT CASSEL WHILE DESPITE THE VICTORY DREW BREES AND THE SAINTS OFFENSE CONTINUE TO STRUGGLE.
INDIANAPOLIS COLTS 44 JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS 17
LUCK STRIKES FOR 4 TOUCHDOWNS AS THE COLTS CRUSH THE JAGS AND ROOKIE QB BORTLES.
DENVER BRONCOS 20 SEATTLE SEAHAWKS 26
SUPER REMATCH - MANNING'S MIRACLE COMEBACK NOT ENOUGH FOR BRONCOS AS SEAHAWKS SOAR IN OVERTIME FOR THE WIN.
PITTSBURGH STEELERS 37 CAROLINA PANTHERS 19
BIG BEN, BROWN, BELL, AND BLOUNT LEAD STEELERS TO IMPRESSIVE ROAD VICTORY LEAVING CAM NEWTON AND COMPANY BLACK AND BLUE IN CAROLINA.
MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL GAME
CHICAGO BEARS 27 NY JETS 19
EVEN WITH A DEPLETED SECONDARY THE MONSTERS OF THE MIDWAY HOLD OFF GANG GREEN FOR 2ND STRAIGHT ROAD WIN.
That's it for Week 3 of the 2014 NFL Season. Tune in for next week's update as I reveal my POINT AFTER with THE PITTMAN POWER RANKINGS for the first quarter of the season!! Until next week....
Tuesday, September 16, 2014
NFL WEEK 2 UPDATE
While I know a lot of disturbing things happened off the field this passed week in the NFL, the primary focus of this update, and blog for that matter, will be to discuss what took place on the field in Week 2. What I will say concerning the horrible events surrounding Ray Rice and Adrian Peterson is that domestic and child abuse is not simply an NFL problem, but a societal problem. So instead of worrying about whether or not Commissioner Roger Goodell should be fired or should Adrian Peterson be allowed to play this weekend, let's concentrate on how WE can put an end to the violence so many experience each and every single day.
Now, let's take a look at what occur on the field in Week 2. The second week of the 2014 NFL Season could easily be referred to as, "Topsy-Turvy Week 2" since it seemed as though everything that happened was the total opposite of what many expected. We continue to hear how the NFL is all about the passing game now and the running game has pretty much become obsolete in today's game; however, for all of the talk about teams needing to throw the football in order to succeed, there were only two 300 yard passers Week 2, while 4 running backs eclipsed 100 yards. With that said, let's take a look at some of the games from Week 2, starting with last Thursday night's match-up between 2 AFC North rivals.
PITTSBURGH STEELERS 6 BALTIMORE RAVENS 26
Typically when these 2 teams meet, the game isn't decided until late in the 4th quarter. In fact, the previous 5 contests between these 2 bitter rivals had been decided by 3 points or less. The only thing that wasn't decided late in the 4th quarter of Baltimore's 26-6 victory last Thursday was whether the Pittsburgh offense would be able to score a touchdown. The answer to that was a resounding, "NO!" After scoring 27 points in the first 2 quarters of the season, the Steelers have been outscored 50-9 since. While the Steelers offense has been poor over the last game and a half, the Pittsburgh defense has been down right pathetic over the last 2+ years. Last Thursday night, the Steelers defense failed to record a single sack or turnover against a Ravens offense that just one week earlier allowed 3 sacks, while committing 2 turnovers. The once vaunted Steel Curtain Pittsburgh defense has turned into Reynolds Wrap.
MIAMI DOLPHINS 10 BUFFALO BILLS 29
Of the 4 undefeated AFC teams, perhaps the most surprising are the Buffalo Bills. Prior to their game against division foe Miami, Bills fans described the atmosphere as, "Woodstock with a tailgate!" The Buffalo offense featured rookie wide receiver, Sammy Watkins, achieving his first 100 yard game. While the Bills defense was able to hold a Dolphins rushing attack to just 80 yards for the game, just one week after the same Miami team ran for 191 yards against the Patriots. The only thing better than Buffalo's 2-0 start is finding out that former Bills quarterback, Jim Kelly, who was honored at halftime on Sunday, is officially cancer free. KELLY STRONG!!!!
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS 24 CLEVELAND BROWNS 26
Just as surprising as the Bills 2-0 start is the New Orleans Saints dropping to 0-2 after their last second loss to the much improved Cleveland Browns. Quarterback, Drew Brees, and the Saints offense continues to score points, 58 total points through 2 games, but the New Orleans defense looks nothing like the unit that finished 4th in the NFL in yards per game just last season. The only thing positive about the Saints being 0-2 is that they haven't played at home yet, where New Orleans has been nearly unstoppable. In other breaking news, Johnny Manziel made his much anticipated pro debut on Sunday!! Johnny Football attempted one pass, which was incomplete, for zero yards. The only significant thing Manziel did against the Saints was annoy STARTING quarterback, and teammate, Brian Hoyer, for even getting in the game. Looks like it's getting Hot In Cleveland!!
DALLAS COWBOYS 26 TENNESSEE TITANS 10
Could it be that the Dallas Cowboys actually figured out the best chance for them to win is to run the football with stud running back, DeMarco Murray, and not rely solely on the right arm of quarterback, Tony Romo? In their 16-point win over the Titans, the Cowboys ran the ball 43 times for 220 yards, with Murray accounting for 167 of those yards, with Romo only throwing for 176 yards. If Dallas coach/owner, Jerry Jones, can actually let that formula to continue, not only do the Cowboys actually have a chance to win more games than they lose, they also could end up competing for a playoff spot.
SEATTLE SEAHAWKS 21 SAN DIEGO CHARGERS 30
For the first time since December 22nd of last year, the Seattle Seahawks lost a football game. With temperatures reaching as high as 118 degrees on the field, the Chargers were able to do something no team was able to do last season, which was to score 30 points against the Seahawks "Legion of Boom" defense. San Diego quarterback, Phillip Rivers, and tight end, Antonio Gates, were able to find weaknesses the Seattle's defense that I'm sure future opponents will try to duplicate. The problem is not too many teams have a 6'4", 255 lbs. tight end like Gates.
KANSAS CITY CHIEFS 17 DENVER BRONCOS 24
The next opponent of the Seattle Seahawks are the Denver Broncos, but before Peyton Manning and company could begin to get ready for a Super Bowl rematch, they had to get passed a Kansas City Chiefs team that was coming off an embarrassing loss in their home opener. For the second week in a row, the Broncos offense appeared invincible in the first half, jumping out to a 21-3 lead thanks to 3 touchdown passes by Manning. Then, even without their best player, running back, Jamaal Charles, who left the game with an ankle injury, the Chiefs mounted a comeback. Down by a touchdown, Kansas City faced a 4th and goal from the Denver 2 yardline with just 15 seconds remaining, but Chiefs quarterback, Alex Smith, saw his pass intended for wide receiver, Dwayne Bowe, fall incomplete and with it any hopes of forcing overtime. If the Broncos don't figure out how to play as well as they do in the game's last 2 quarters as they do in the first 2 quarters, then they have no shot at getting back to the Super Bowl this year.
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES 30 INDIANAPOLIS COLTS 27
Another team that for the second straight week played totally different in the second half than they did in the first half were the Philadelphia Eagles, but unlike the Broncos, the Eagles found themselves trying to come back from a big lead rather than hold on to one. In first half, the Philly offense was able to rack up a lot of yards, but not a lot of points. Meanwhile, the Colts offense discovered they could move the ball on the Eagles defense on the ground and not strictly depending on quarterback, Andrew Luck; however, the 2nd year pro out of Stanford did throw for 3 touchdowns. Led by free agent acquisition, Darren Sproles, who finished with an incredible 152 yards receiving, Philadelphia was able to tie the game at 27-27 with just 3 minutes and 30 seconds in the 4th quarter. Followed by some questionable play calls, Indianapolis punted the ball back to the Eagles. It took just 3 plays for the Eagles to go 42 yards to setup the potential game-winning field goal by rookie placekicker, Cody Parkey. With just 3 seconds left on the clock, Parkey drilled the 36-yard field goal to give Philadelphia a dramatic 30-27 victory.
That about covers Week 2 of the NFL. Sure I didn't talk about the NY Jets timeout gaffe against the Packers on Sunday. I'll leave that to the New York media since they have much more experience at bashing the Jets than I do. Until next week....
Now, let's take a look at what occur on the field in Week 2. The second week of the 2014 NFL Season could easily be referred to as, "Topsy-Turvy Week 2" since it seemed as though everything that happened was the total opposite of what many expected. We continue to hear how the NFL is all about the passing game now and the running game has pretty much become obsolete in today's game; however, for all of the talk about teams needing to throw the football in order to succeed, there were only two 300 yard passers Week 2, while 4 running backs eclipsed 100 yards. With that said, let's take a look at some of the games from Week 2, starting with last Thursday night's match-up between 2 AFC North rivals.
THURSDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL GAME
PITTSBURGH STEELERS 6 BALTIMORE RAVENS 26
Typically when these 2 teams meet, the game isn't decided until late in the 4th quarter. In fact, the previous 5 contests between these 2 bitter rivals had been decided by 3 points or less. The only thing that wasn't decided late in the 4th quarter of Baltimore's 26-6 victory last Thursday was whether the Pittsburgh offense would be able to score a touchdown. The answer to that was a resounding, "NO!" After scoring 27 points in the first 2 quarters of the season, the Steelers have been outscored 50-9 since. While the Steelers offense has been poor over the last game and a half, the Pittsburgh defense has been down right pathetic over the last 2+ years. Last Thursday night, the Steelers defense failed to record a single sack or turnover against a Ravens offense that just one week earlier allowed 3 sacks, while committing 2 turnovers. The once vaunted Steel Curtain Pittsburgh defense has turned into Reynolds Wrap.
SUNDAY FOOTBALL GAMES
MIAMI DOLPHINS 10 BUFFALO BILLS 29
Of the 4 undefeated AFC teams, perhaps the most surprising are the Buffalo Bills. Prior to their game against division foe Miami, Bills fans described the atmosphere as, "Woodstock with a tailgate!" The Buffalo offense featured rookie wide receiver, Sammy Watkins, achieving his first 100 yard game. While the Bills defense was able to hold a Dolphins rushing attack to just 80 yards for the game, just one week after the same Miami team ran for 191 yards against the Patriots. The only thing better than Buffalo's 2-0 start is finding out that former Bills quarterback, Jim Kelly, who was honored at halftime on Sunday, is officially cancer free. KELLY STRONG!!!!
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS 24 CLEVELAND BROWNS 26
Just as surprising as the Bills 2-0 start is the New Orleans Saints dropping to 0-2 after their last second loss to the much improved Cleveland Browns. Quarterback, Drew Brees, and the Saints offense continues to score points, 58 total points through 2 games, but the New Orleans defense looks nothing like the unit that finished 4th in the NFL in yards per game just last season. The only thing positive about the Saints being 0-2 is that they haven't played at home yet, where New Orleans has been nearly unstoppable. In other breaking news, Johnny Manziel made his much anticipated pro debut on Sunday!! Johnny Football attempted one pass, which was incomplete, for zero yards. The only significant thing Manziel did against the Saints was annoy STARTING quarterback, and teammate, Brian Hoyer, for even getting in the game. Looks like it's getting Hot In Cleveland!!
DALLAS COWBOYS 26 TENNESSEE TITANS 10
Could it be that the Dallas Cowboys actually figured out the best chance for them to win is to run the football with stud running back, DeMarco Murray, and not rely solely on the right arm of quarterback, Tony Romo? In their 16-point win over the Titans, the Cowboys ran the ball 43 times for 220 yards, with Murray accounting for 167 of those yards, with Romo only throwing for 176 yards. If Dallas coach/owner, Jerry Jones, can actually let that formula to continue, not only do the Cowboys actually have a chance to win more games than they lose, they also could end up competing for a playoff spot.
SEATTLE SEAHAWKS 21 SAN DIEGO CHARGERS 30
For the first time since December 22nd of last year, the Seattle Seahawks lost a football game. With temperatures reaching as high as 118 degrees on the field, the Chargers were able to do something no team was able to do last season, which was to score 30 points against the Seahawks "Legion of Boom" defense. San Diego quarterback, Phillip Rivers, and tight end, Antonio Gates, were able to find weaknesses the Seattle's defense that I'm sure future opponents will try to duplicate. The problem is not too many teams have a 6'4", 255 lbs. tight end like Gates.
KANSAS CITY CHIEFS 17 DENVER BRONCOS 24
The next opponent of the Seattle Seahawks are the Denver Broncos, but before Peyton Manning and company could begin to get ready for a Super Bowl rematch, they had to get passed a Kansas City Chiefs team that was coming off an embarrassing loss in their home opener. For the second week in a row, the Broncos offense appeared invincible in the first half, jumping out to a 21-3 lead thanks to 3 touchdown passes by Manning. Then, even without their best player, running back, Jamaal Charles, who left the game with an ankle injury, the Chiefs mounted a comeback. Down by a touchdown, Kansas City faced a 4th and goal from the Denver 2 yardline with just 15 seconds remaining, but Chiefs quarterback, Alex Smith, saw his pass intended for wide receiver, Dwayne Bowe, fall incomplete and with it any hopes of forcing overtime. If the Broncos don't figure out how to play as well as they do in the game's last 2 quarters as they do in the first 2 quarters, then they have no shot at getting back to the Super Bowl this year.
MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL GAME
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES 30 INDIANAPOLIS COLTS 27
Another team that for the second straight week played totally different in the second half than they did in the first half were the Philadelphia Eagles, but unlike the Broncos, the Eagles found themselves trying to come back from a big lead rather than hold on to one. In first half, the Philly offense was able to rack up a lot of yards, but not a lot of points. Meanwhile, the Colts offense discovered they could move the ball on the Eagles defense on the ground and not strictly depending on quarterback, Andrew Luck; however, the 2nd year pro out of Stanford did throw for 3 touchdowns. Led by free agent acquisition, Darren Sproles, who finished with an incredible 152 yards receiving, Philadelphia was able to tie the game at 27-27 with just 3 minutes and 30 seconds in the 4th quarter. Followed by some questionable play calls, Indianapolis punted the ball back to the Eagles. It took just 3 plays for the Eagles to go 42 yards to setup the potential game-winning field goal by rookie placekicker, Cody Parkey. With just 3 seconds left on the clock, Parkey drilled the 36-yard field goal to give Philadelphia a dramatic 30-27 victory.
That about covers Week 2 of the NFL. Sure I didn't talk about the NY Jets timeout gaffe against the Packers on Sunday. I'll leave that to the New York media since they have much more experience at bashing the Jets than I do. Until next week....
Wednesday, September 10, 2014
NFL WEEK 1 UPDATE
Welcome
to my first Weekly Update on POINT AFTER with THE PITTMAN. A lot of
things happened in the first week of the 2014 NFL Season and I'd like
to discuss a few of the things that I found interesting, starting
with last Thursday's season opener in Seattle.
GREEN
BAY 16 SEATTLE 36
Every year since 2004, the defending Super Bowl Champions have kicked off the season on Thursday night. From 2004-2011, the defending Champs were a combined 8-0 in opening games, but over the last two years, the reigning Champions are 0-2, including last season when the Baltimore Ravens were dismantled by Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos, 49-27. Last Thursday night in Seattle, the Seahawks quickly showed why they not only won last year's Super Bowl, but also why they appear to be even better this year than the team that captured the Lombardi Trophy just 8 months ago. Seattle running back, Marshawn Lynch, ran for 110 yards plus 2 touchdowns, while rising quarterback, Russell Wilson, added another 2 touchdowns through the air. The Seahawks defense, affectionately known as “The Legion of Boom,” completely dominated Aaron Rodgers and the entire Packers offense.
Every year since 2004, the defending Super Bowl Champions have kicked off the season on Thursday night. From 2004-2011, the defending Champs were a combined 8-0 in opening games, but over the last two years, the reigning Champions are 0-2, including last season when the Baltimore Ravens were dismantled by Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos, 49-27. Last Thursday night in Seattle, the Seahawks quickly showed why they not only won last year's Super Bowl, but also why they appear to be even better this year than the team that captured the Lombardi Trophy just 8 months ago. Seattle running back, Marshawn Lynch, ran for 110 yards plus 2 touchdowns, while rising quarterback, Russell Wilson, added another 2 touchdowns through the air. The Seahawks defense, affectionately known as “The Legion of Boom,” completely dominated Aaron Rodgers and the entire Packers offense.
NEW
ORLEANS 34
ATLANTA 37
(F/OT)
The highest scoring, and possibly the most entertaining, game of Week 1 took place between the New Orleans and Atlanta Falcons. While the 2 quarterbacks for each team, Drew Brees for the Saints and Matt Ryan for the Falcons, threw for a combined 781 yards and 4 touchdowns, the hero of the game had to be Atlanta placekicker, Matt Bryant. First, with the Falcons trailing 34-31, Bryant nailed a 51-yard field goal as time expired to send the game into overtime. Then, after New Orleans wide receiver, Marques Colston, fumbled the ball on the Saints second play in OT, Bryant connected on a 52-yard field goal to give Atlanta the victory, 37-34.
The highest scoring, and possibly the most entertaining, game of Week 1 took place between the New Orleans and Atlanta Falcons. While the 2 quarterbacks for each team, Drew Brees for the Saints and Matt Ryan for the Falcons, threw for a combined 781 yards and 4 touchdowns, the hero of the game had to be Atlanta placekicker, Matt Bryant. First, with the Falcons trailing 34-31, Bryant nailed a 51-yard field goal as time expired to send the game into overtime. Then, after New Orleans wide receiver, Marques Colston, fumbled the ball on the Saints second play in OT, Bryant connected on a 52-yard field goal to give Atlanta the victory, 37-34.
CLEVELAND
27
PITTSBURGH 30
Before I get to what happened in the game between the Browns and Steelers, I'd like to share with you a fun new drinking game I came up with for you and your friends to play the next time you're watching a Cleveland game. The object of the game is simple. Every time they either show or talk about Browns BACK-UP quarterback, Johnny Manziel, you have to take a drink. If you would have played this revolutionary drinking game during Sunday's Browns game, you would have been 3 sheets to the wind before the 2 minute warning OF THE FIRST HALF!!!! As for the game, it was a tale of 2 halves. The first half saw the Steelers offense, led by quarterback, Ben Roethlisberger, jump out to a 27-3 lead. While the second half featured Browns quarterback, Brian Hoyer, leading a no-huddle offense, which scored 24 straight points, to tie the game at 27-27 late in the 4TH quarter. After forcing a Cleveland punt, something that only happened twice in the second half, Pittsburgh got the ball at their own 43 yardline with just 43 seconds to go. After moving to the Browns 44 yardline, Roethlisberger found second year wide receiver, Markus Wheaton, for a 20-yard gain to the Cleveland 24 yardline. Following a quick spike of the ball, Steelers placekicker, Shaun Suisham, drilled a 41-yard field goal to propel Pittsburgh to their first opening game victory since 2010. Although the Browns weren't able to complete the comeback with a win, it's obvious that Cleveland is no longer a doormat of the NFL. Yes, even without Johnny Manziel as the starting quarterback.
Before I get to what happened in the game between the Browns and Steelers, I'd like to share with you a fun new drinking game I came up with for you and your friends to play the next time you're watching a Cleveland game. The object of the game is simple. Every time they either show or talk about Browns BACK-UP quarterback, Johnny Manziel, you have to take a drink. If you would have played this revolutionary drinking game during Sunday's Browns game, you would have been 3 sheets to the wind before the 2 minute warning OF THE FIRST HALF!!!! As for the game, it was a tale of 2 halves. The first half saw the Steelers offense, led by quarterback, Ben Roethlisberger, jump out to a 27-3 lead. While the second half featured Browns quarterback, Brian Hoyer, leading a no-huddle offense, which scored 24 straight points, to tie the game at 27-27 late in the 4TH quarter. After forcing a Cleveland punt, something that only happened twice in the second half, Pittsburgh got the ball at their own 43 yardline with just 43 seconds to go. After moving to the Browns 44 yardline, Roethlisberger found second year wide receiver, Markus Wheaton, for a 20-yard gain to the Cleveland 24 yardline. Following a quick spike of the ball, Steelers placekicker, Shaun Suisham, drilled a 41-yard field goal to propel Pittsburgh to their first opening game victory since 2010. Although the Browns weren't able to complete the comeback with a win, it's obvious that Cleveland is no longer a doormat of the NFL. Yes, even without Johnny Manziel as the starting quarterback.
JACKSONVILLE
17
PHILADELPHIA 34
Another game that saw the 2 teams switch rolls after halftime was the Jacksonville Jaguars at the Philadelphia Eagles. Led by rookie wide receiver, Allen Hurns, the Jags jumped out to a 17-0 first half lead. Then, just as “Fire Chip Kelly” websites began popping up all over the internet, the Eagles started playing like the team many expected, scoring 34 unanswered points, and the Jags started playing like, well, the Jags. Amazingly, all of those “Fire Chip Kelly” sites began being replaced by “Chip Kelly for President” ones.
Another game that saw the 2 teams switch rolls after halftime was the Jacksonville Jaguars at the Philadelphia Eagles. Led by rookie wide receiver, Allen Hurns, the Jags jumped out to a 17-0 first half lead. Then, just as “Fire Chip Kelly” websites began popping up all over the internet, the Eagles started playing like the team many expected, scoring 34 unanswered points, and the Jags started playing like, well, the Jags. Amazingly, all of those “Fire Chip Kelly” sites began being replaced by “Chip Kelly for President” ones.
SAN
FRANCISCO 28
DALLAS 17
One of the biggest topics entering the 2014 NFL Season, at least as far as the Cowboys, was how bad will the Dallas defense be following one of the worst statistical seasons in history. If you simply looked at the score, you would think that the Cowboys defense played poorly in San Francisco's 28-17 victory, but that's why the final score doesn't always tell the whole story. The Cowboys offense, namely quarterback, Tony Romo's careless turnovers, and not the Dallas defense, were the main reasons for the lopsided score. All 3 of Tony Romo's first half interceptions illustrated why I have come to refer the Dallas quarterback as Tony OhNo.
One of the biggest topics entering the 2014 NFL Season, at least as far as the Cowboys, was how bad will the Dallas defense be following one of the worst statistical seasons in history. If you simply looked at the score, you would think that the Cowboys defense played poorly in San Francisco's 28-17 victory, but that's why the final score doesn't always tell the whole story. The Cowboys offense, namely quarterback, Tony Romo's careless turnovers, and not the Dallas defense, were the main reasons for the lopsided score. All 3 of Tony Romo's first half interceptions illustrated why I have come to refer the Dallas quarterback as Tony OhNo.
INDIANAPOLIS
24
DENVER 31
Perhaps aside from the Packers at Seahawks game, the marquee match-up of Week 1 was Andrew Luck and the up-start Indianapolis Colts traveling to Denver to battle Peyton Manning and the defending AFC Champion Broncos. Continuing with the Week 1 theme of one team jumping out to a big lead, Manning and the Denver offense cruised to a 24-7 halftime score. Then, all of a sudden, it was like the 2 teams swapped jerseys at halftime. After outscoring the Broncos 17-7 in the second half, the Colts trailed 31-24 when the Indy offense got the ball with just under 3 minutes remaining in regulation. It looked like the Colts had all of the momentum, but then Indy's Luck ran out when a 4TH down pass intended for wide receiver, Reggie Wayne, fell incomplete, securing the Broncos win.
Perhaps aside from the Packers at Seahawks game, the marquee match-up of Week 1 was Andrew Luck and the up-start Indianapolis Colts traveling to Denver to battle Peyton Manning and the defending AFC Champion Broncos. Continuing with the Week 1 theme of one team jumping out to a big lead, Manning and the Denver offense cruised to a 24-7 halftime score. Then, all of a sudden, it was like the 2 teams swapped jerseys at halftime. After outscoring the Broncos 17-7 in the second half, the Colts trailed 31-24 when the Indy offense got the ball with just under 3 minutes remaining in regulation. It looked like the Colts had all of the momentum, but then Indy's Luck ran out when a 4TH down pass intended for wide receiver, Reggie Wayne, fell incomplete, securing the Broncos win.
That
about does it for Week 1 of the 2014 NFL Season. Sure there were 2
games played on Monday night that I didn't cover, but do I really
need to tell you about how Eli Manning and the Giants offense came up
small against the Detroit Lions? And is it really necessary for me
to discuss the Arizona Cardinals 18-17 yawn-fest victory over the San
Diego Chargers? I didn't think so. Until next week....
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