Peyton Manning is worth keeping, even though he’s aging and his health isn’t optimum.

As good as Andrew Luck is and could be, he hasn’t proven he’s a guaranteed winner in the NFL.

The only way the Colts should trade Manning is if he was physically unable to play at the level we’ve seen him play at. But if that’s the case, no one will want to take him.

Say the Colts do select Luck. He won’t start in front of Manning.

In all likelihood, Manning has four solid years left. Are you really going to sit your #1 pick for four years in today’s “win now” era of the NFL? I doubt it.

As good as Luck is, the Colts picking him presents more problems than solutions.

I said I’d trade the #1 pick if I had it. Use the value of Luck’s stock to your advantage.

With Luck being the best prospect since…Peyton Manning…the Colts could trade the pick and potentially get a first and second round picks this year, and maybe a conditional first/second round pick in the future. It’s definitely possible.

If that happened, the Colts would accomplish a lot. They’d retain Manning, keeping him happy and not have to train and teach a brand new rookie quarterback.

Moreover, the teams really wanting this pick from Indianapolis will probably be picking in the top 10.

So if there was a trade, the Colts could still likely pick either: Matt Barkley (USC), Landry Jones (Oklahoma) or any other top quarterback prospect.

Any of those prospects don’t have the hype Luck has, thus creating an easier transition for them and for the Colts.

In the NFL, you do not want to take any unnecessary chances. The #1 goal, bar none, is to win.

Luck may be a winner.

Manning is a winner.

Thanks for reading.

-Mike

The best teams traditionally start playing their best football this time of year. A strong, consistent running game and a healthy roster are two keys to a team’s chances of winning a Super Bowl.

The attrition of the NFL season is non-stop. Look at this past weekend in the Texans/Jaguars game. Matt Leinart is in for Matt Schaub after Schaub was placed on IR with a foot injury. Leinart was in the game for 26 plays before he injured his collarbone and is now also out for the year.

You don’t have to have the most talented roster. You need to be a team. I’d imagine being healthy is as big a concern for a coach as anything.

When people try to qualify the value of a team they use terms like “power rankings” and “if the playoffs ended today”–terms which are totally worthless.

Who ever won a Super Bowl based on power rankings? If the playoffs ended in week 3, the Bills would be the best team in the AFC with the NFL’s leading offense (37.7 ppg) with wins over the Raiders and the Patriots.

Who would take the Bills over either of those teams now? No one with sense.

After watching and studying the NFL this season, I’ve got a good idea about who will get to the playoffs and who will go far in the playoffs.

Here are my playoff predictions:

AFC

1) Baltimore Ravens
2) New England Patriots
3) Oakland Raiders
4) Houston Texans
5) Pittsburgh Steelers
6) Tennessee Titans

• 3) Raiders vs. 6)Titans
• 4) Texans vs. 5) Steelers

• 1) Ravens vs. 5) Steelers
• 2) Patriots vs. 3) Raiders

• 1) Ravens vs. 2) Patriots

AFC Champion: Ravens

• Baltimore has, by far, the better: run game, pass rush and overall defense (New England is the worst defense in the league, literally).
• The Ravens are also only one of two teams in the league that are undefeated at home and in their division (Green Bay).

NFC

1) Green Bay Packers
2) New Orleans Saints
3) San Francisco 49ers
4) Dallas Cowboys
5) Atlanta Falcons
6) Chicago Bears

• 3) 49ers vs. 6) Bears
• 4) Cowboys vs. 5) Falcons

• 1) Packers vs. 5) Falcons
• 2) Saints vs. 3) 49ers

• 1) Packers vs. 2) Saints

NFC Champion: New Orleans Saints

• The Saints have the better offensive line and a better running game. They are equal in: coach, QB savvy and kick returners.
• Don’t forget, in their week 1 match-up, the Saints had a chance to tie the game from the GB 1-yard line on the last play of the game (after being down by 15 points with 2:20 remaining in the 4th quarter).
• Brees’ week 1 stat line: 32/49, 419 yards, 3 TD, 0 INT
• Rodgers’ week 1 stat line: 27/35, 312 yards, 3 TD, 0 INT

SUPER BOWL XLVI: Baltimore Ravens vs. New Orleans Saints

• The Packers, Patriots or Steelers certainly have a strong chance to make the Super Bowl. For the Packers to go undefeated the year after they won the Super Bowl is improbable. Of course they have the talent and chemistry, but the law of averages suggests that they cannot maintain this level of play forever.
• New England and Pittsburgh are strong teams as well, but have holes at significant positions (PIT: offensive line, NE: defense–ranked last and are the 4th most penalized defense in the league).
• The Ravens and Saints have had just enough success and adversity to give them the proper amount of confidence and caution. Last year, in Baltimore, the Ravens beat the Saints, 30-24. If this is the match-up for Super Bowl XLVI, I think it will be a similar type of game.

Here are my predictions for who will win the individual awards:

MVP: Aaron Rodgers, QB, Green Bay Packers

• He’s the best player and the best player on the best team in the NFL.
• Rodgers leads the NFL in completion percentage (71.8%), TD/INT ratio (33/4) and QB rating (127.7).

Offensive player of the year: Drew Brees, QB, New Orleans Saints

• Brees is on pace to throw for 5,366 yards in 2011 (282 yards more than Dan Marino’s all-time record)

Defensive Player of the Year: Patrick Willis, ILB, San Francisco 49ers

• Willis is the only player to currently have 90+ combined tackles, 10+ passes defensed, 5+ caused turnovers and 2+ sacks.

Offensive Rookie of the Year: Andy Dalton, QB, Cincinnati Bengals

• His team is 7-4. His main target is also a rookie. They lost to the Steelers and Ravens by a combined 10 points.

Defensive Rookie of the Year: Von Miller, OLB, Denver Broncos

• Miller ranks third in the NFL in sacks (10.5).
• He’s the only player in the league to have 50+ combined tackles, 10+ sacks and 3+ forced fumbles.

Coach of the Year: Jim Harbaugh, San Francisco 49ers

• For a first-year NFL head coach, coming from the NCAA, to take a team from 6-10 a year ago to 9-2 and what could easily be a 13-3 record this year is nothing short of remarkable.
• Oh, by the way, there was no opportunity (mini camps, OTA, etc.) for Harbaugh to meet his new players and get acclimated with the team this past off-season.

Comeback Player of the Year: Plaxico Burress, WR, New York Jets

• Burress is tied for sixth in NFL in receiving touchdowns (7).
• He holds the second highest percentage of receptions resulting in 1st downs, among receivers with at least 30 receptions (85.3%).

Whatever happens for the last four games of the regular season and in the playoffs, I’m sure it will be the typical NFL we’ve come to know in this era: exciting, wild, controversial, must-see football action.

Thanks for reading.

-Mike

If the Tigers win at Rhode Island and Maine loses at New Hampshire on Saturday, Towson will win the CAA Championship.

If that scenario unfolds, the Tigers could very well lock up a first-round bye and a home playoff game in the FCS playoffs.

Yes, this team was 1-10 just one year ago.

Rhode Island comes into this game with a 3-7 (2-5 CAA) record. The Tigers are 8-2 (6-1 CAA) and are ranked 8th in the nation. I just don’t see Rhode Island standing toe-to-toe with the Tigers for 60 minutes.

Now it’s time for the Terrance West stats of the week…
West has 25 rushing touchdowns on the year, and is on pace to score 110 rushing touchdowns in his career (based on four 11-game seasons). Here is some perspective on how rare of a season he is having:

• The most touchdowns ever scored by a freshman was 26 by Adrian Peterson (Georgia Southern, 1998).

• The all-time collegiate record for touchdowns scored in a career (FBS or FCS) is 89 by Brian Westbrook (Villanova, 1997-98, 2000-01).

• The all-time best touchdown-per game average (in one season) is 2.7 touchdowns per game by Jerry Rice (Mississippi Valley State, 1984). West is currently averaging 2.5 touchdowns per game in 2011.

Folks…he is a true freshman.

Not much else needs to be said. The Tigers know what’s at stake.

Prediction: Towson 40, Rhode Island 13.

Thanks for reading.

-Mike

For the second straight week, the Tigers will play the 7^th ranked team in the FCS and a team that is also tied for the CAA lead. On Saturday at 3:30, #7 New Hampshire comes to Johnny Unitas Stadium to battle #12 Towson for sole possession of first place in the CAA.

As a matter of fact, if Maine loses to UMass and Towson beats New Hampshire, the Tigers will be CAA Champions.

I don’t know Rob Ambrose personally, but I will bet a large sum of money that he has been making his players aware of the rare opportunity they have this week.

Ambrose is also likely to have reminded his Tigers about how it’s time for a change in the New Hampshire series.

Out of all the games these two teams have played against each other, New Hampshire is 8-0 vs. Towson, outscoring the Tigers by a combined score of 302-120.

New Hampshire comes into town led by senior quarterback Kevin Decker and the league’s-leading passing attack (278.2 yards per game). Towson’s pass defense is ranked 4^th.

Conversely, the Tigers are the top rushing team in the league, rushing for an average of 238.4 yards per game. The Wildcats’ run defense is ranked 10^th.

I have a really hard time thinking the Wildcats will stop (or even contain) Terrance West and company, when the Tigers had their best rushing performance of the year last week, against an excellent Maine defense (334 yards rushing, 5 rushing TDs).

Speaking of West, he’s a true freshman that’s scored 21 rushing touchdowns this season. That’s already good for a seventh-place tie in school history (Noah Read).

With 13 more rushing touchdowns, West will have the school record for rushing touchdowns in a career (at his current pace, he’ll reach that mark at some point in the third game of next season).

Simply put, I don’t see New Hampshire being able to go toe-to-toe with the Tigers on Saturday afternoon. It’s senior day, Terrance West looks unstoppable and Towson has too much to play for to let this opportunity slip away.

The only thing I see keeping this game close is the kicking game for Towson. Even if the game isn’t close, they need to stop missing extra points. The Tigers have missed more extra points (3) than field goals (1) this season.

Still, I see the Tigers taking one more step toward the CAA Championship by getting their eighth win of the season on Saturday.

Prediction: Towson 44, New Hampshire 20.

Thanks for reading.

-Mike

Is he even good?

So many fans have been debating this question, so I figured I’d attack it with research and analysis to find the answer.

At Ravens24x7.com, I analyze Flacco’s career to date and compare him to the best quarterbacks in the NFL.

How good is Flacco? Check out my article. You may learn something new. I certainly did.

Then you decide.

Thanks for reading.

-Mike

We’ve got you covered.

The topic that is always bound to stir up conversation (and maybe some hard feelings) is the question: “Who’s the best?”

It’s easy to make a case for your favorite player, but realistically, there may be some players you’re overlooking.

So without further delay, here is the best player at every position in the NFL today…

OFFENSE

WR-Andre Johnson (HOU)—NFL Rank: #7

• There is nothing he can’t do as a receiver. A polished version of Calvin Johnson.

LT-Joe Thomas (CLE)—NFL Rank: #43

• Maybe Jake Long here, but I think Thomas is better.

LG-Logan Mankins (NE)—NFL Rank: #39

• When the Patriots do run the ball, watch where they run. When Brady drops back, count the time he has.

C-Nick Mangold (NYJ)—NFL Rank: #47

• Their best offensive player, and the best offensive lineman in football. You saw how much he was missed Week 4 in Baltimore.

RG-Jahri Evans (NO)—NFL Rank: #34

• Voted 1st team All-Pro by the Associated Press the last two seasons.

RT-Tyson Clabo (ATL)

• Clabo held his own against Clay Matthews on Sunday night, something few Right Tackles can do. Michael Oher (BAL) could very well be in this spot at the end of the season.

TE-Jimmy Graham (NO)

• 2nd in receptions (32), 4th in receiving yards (496), 3rd in plays of 20 yards or more (10) and 2nd in receptions resulting in 1st downs (26)…among all receivers.

WR-Calvin Johnson (DET)—NFL Rank: #27

• 9 touchdowns. 5 games. Any questions?

QB-Aaron Rodgers (GB)—NFL Rank: #11

• Arm strength, throwing motion, quick release, release point, footwork, vision, toughness, mobility, intangibles, football IQ, pocket presence, etc.. The best player in football, hands down. He’s playing better than Tom Brady with a worse offensive line, while taking more throwing risks down-field.

FB-Vonta Leach (BAL)—NFL Rank: #65

• Rated the best fullback in football a year ago. On the NFL’s top 100 of 2011 list, he was voted ahead of players like Greg Jennings, Richard Seymour, Mario Williams, LaMarr Woodley and others.

RB-Adrian Peterson (MIN)—NFL Rank: #3

• 1st in rushing touchdowns (6), 2nd is rushing yardage (498). He’s lost only 1 fumble in his last 489 touches.

DE-Haloti Ngata (BAL)—NFL Rank: #17

• The best lineman in football. Incredible power and agility…and he’s getting better.

DT-Ndamukong Suh (DET)—NFL Rank: #51

• Violent & scary.

DE-Julius Peppers (CHI)—NFL Rank: #10

• Maybe the most athletic defender in the league and a terrific pass-rusher. He once ran a 4.5 40-yard dash…at 285 pounds. By the way, Peppers was the starting Power Forward for UNC’s basketball team after he was done with playing football for the Tar Heels.

DL/OLB-Terrell Suggs (BAL)—NFL Rank: #40

• Averaging 1.0 sack per game this season, and is finally the pass-rusher he’s wanted to be.

ILB-Patrick Willis (SF)—NFL Rank: #23

• If there is a “next” Ray Lewis, Willis is it.

ILB-Ray Lewis (BAL)—NFL Rank: #4

• No, he’s not as fast as he used to be. Ask players around the league (who rated him as the best defender in the NFL coming into this season). No one prepares physically and mentally better than Lewis. What makes a player great? When he makes his teammates better. If not Lawrence Taylor, Lewis is the best linebacker of all-time. Heck, when you think of defending an offense, he may the single best defender ever.

OLB-DeMarcus Ware (DAL)—NFL Rank: #12

• On a defense that struggles, Ware is a constant threat. Tall, quick, agile, powerful, skillful. How did he not go to a bigger school than Troy?

CB-Charles Woodson (GB)—NFL Rank: #16

• Tied for league lead in interceptions (3), 3rd in passes defensed (7) and he’s recovered a fumble. An all-around cornerback. Jason McCourty (TEN) was also considered here.

FS-Ed Reed (BAL)—NFL Rank: #5

• Do I honestly need to explain this? Ok. 10 interceptions in his last 14 regular season games. This play in Week 4 against the Jets shows he can still be a threat around the line of scrimmage, as well.

SS-Troy Polamalu (PIT)—NFL Rank: #6

• George Wilson (BUF) is having the best statistical season among defensive backs this year, but I still can’t put him ahead of Polamalu, considering Polamalu’s experience.

CB-Darrelle Revis (NYJ)—NFL Rank: #8

• Strength, technique, leverage, man, zone…he can do it all.

K-Sebastian Janikowski (OAK)

• Has only missed one field goal out of his 12 attempts so far this season (56-yard attempt). In Week 1, Janikowski tied an NFL record when he kicked a 63-yard field goal against the Broncos (which turned out to be the game-winning score).

P-Jon Ryan (SEA)

• Leads NFL in net yardage (1,297), has the longest punt (77 yards) and most punts downed inside the 20-yard line (12).

Head Coach: Mike McCarthy (GB)

• 5-0 in 2011. 11-0 since Week 16 of 2010. Take note, people.

*NFL Rank refers to where a particular player was ranked by a collection of NFL players prior to the start of the 2011 season.

What do you think? Let the debate begin!

Thanks for reading.

-Mike

What better way to summarize the first quarter of the NFL season than to post power rankings.

Teams that have impressed me that I thought would have very little chance to win even a few games are the 49ers and the Redskins. Good coaching, a commitment to running the ball and a stout, underrated defense are ways these teams have gotten to a 3-1 record and first place in their respective divisions.

Other teams you thought would be good that have been very good so far are the Ravens, Packers and Patriots. The Ravens lead the league with a +67 net point differential and have forced 11 turnovers against the Steelers and Jets alone. The Packers are 4-0 and haven’t lost a step since their Super Bowl win ten months ago. Aside from a close loss to Buffalo in Week 3 (in which Tom Brady threw four interceptions and the Bills played really well), the Patriots are still clicking on offense.

Without further delay, here are how the 32 teams in the NFL stack up after the first four weeks of the 2011 season.

1. Green Bay Packers (4-0, 1-0)

• Leading candidate for league MVP (Aaron Rodgers), depth everywhere; scary good.

2. Baltimore Ravens (3-1, 1-0)

• The defense is playing out of its collective mind: 2nd in points allowed (57…TEN is 1st with 56 PA) and 1st in forced turnovers (14…3 of which resulting in a TD); Reed, Ngata, Suggs, Lewis are just the tip of the iceberg; offense is good and getting better; only loss to a not-so-bad-after-all Titans (3-1).

3. New Orleans Saints (3-1, 0-0)

• Only loss being an opening-night shoot-out at Green Bay (which could very well be a preview of the NFC Championship game). Exceptional talent and leadership at QB and head coach. Defense needs some work, but will be fine.

4. New England Patriots (3-1, 1-1)

• Tom Brady is on pace to throw for 6,212 yards. That’s not a typo. If he were to reach that mark, it would be 1,128 yards more than Dan Marino’s all-time record. As a matter of fact, only two players have ever thrown for 5,000 yards in a season (Marino, 1984; Drew Brees, 2008).

5. Detroit Lions (4-0, 1-0)

• Unstoppable QB/WR combination and Suh is a beast that no one wants to play. They won six games all of last year.

6. Houston Texans (3-1, 1-0)

• The defense is the strength of their team. That’s how good they are.

7. San Diego Chargers (3-1, 1-0)

• Rivers is Rivers, Vincent Jackson and Ryan Matthews are both healthy and playing very well. Not to mention, Antonio Gates is hurt.

8. Buffalo Bills (3-1, 1-1)

• First win against the Patriots in eight years. Fitzpatrick, Johnson and Jackson are dynamic.

9. New York Giants (3-1, 1-1)

• Unbelievable amount of resiliency despite numerous key injuries. Good running game, a big-play wide receiver and a Super Bowl MVP at quarterback.

10. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-1, 1-0)

• They will go as far as Josh Freeman goes.

11. Washington Redskins (3-1, 1-1)

• I thought they’d be last, not first as they currently are, in the NFC East. Strong running game and a relentless defense. Still have room to grow.

12. Tennessee Titans (3-1, 0-1)

• Matt Hasselbeck, not Chris Johnson, is the team MVP so far. Can they sustain their early success?

13. San Francisco 49ers (3-1, 1-0)

• Since when does a first-year head coach take what the 49ers have and make it into a first place team? There could be something special brewing in San Fran.

14. New York Jets (2-2, 0-0)

• Still have a top-notch defense that blitzes from all angles. Joe McKnight picked up where Brad Smith left off on special teams. Mangold needs to get healthy in a hurry, or else it will be a long season for the Jets.

15. Oakland Raiders (2-2, 1-0)

• The Raiders have now won seven consecutive divisional games, dating back to last season. Darren McFadden is showing how dangerous he can be when healthy, and Hue Jackson is looking good in his first four games as Raiders head coach.

16. Dallas Cowboys (2-2, 1-0)

• Tony Romo is a gamer. Playing with a broken rib and without Miles Austin usually will result in losses. Their record could be a lot worse.

17. Atlanta Falcons (2-2, 0-1)

• Loads of talent, but I’m not sold on Matt Ryan. Julio Jones was a really good pick, and he should continue to produce for the next decade.

18. Pittsburgh Steelers (2-2, 0-1)

• Health is a huge concern, more so than the nine defensive starters over the age of 30 and their last place position in the AFC North. Not only is the offensive line hanging by a thread, but Ben Roethlisberger and James Harrison were both seriously injured during the Texans game.

19. Chicago Bears (2-2, 0-1)

• A duplicate of last season’s 13-3 record probably isn’t in the cards for this year’s team. But Julius Peppers and Devin Hester will always keep the opposition honest.

20. Cincinnati Bengals (2-2, 1-0)

• Rookies A.J. Green and Andy Dalton have formed quite a tandem. Add in Jermaine Gresham and you could have sometime special for years to come.

21. Cleveland Browns (2-2, 0-1)

• So far in 2011, Peyton Hillis has rushed for 197 yards and 2 touchdowns. At this time last season, he’d rushed for 322 yards and 4 touchdowns.

22. Arizona Cardinals (1-3, 0-1)

• A bad start can be overcome in a bad division. Larry Fitzgerald, Beanie Wells and Kevin Kolb should be able to right the ship fairly quickly in Arizona.

23. Philadelphia Eagles (1-3, 0-1)

• Jason Babin leads the league in sacks (7.0) and LeSean McCoy is playing at a Pro Bowl level. Other than that, the Eagles have problems.

24. Carolina Panthers (1-3, 0-0)

• Cam Newton is third in the league in passing yardage (1,386), but they aren’t winning games.

25. Denver Broncos (1-3, 0-1)

• Rookie Von Miller may be their best player.

26. Kansas City Chiefs (1-3, 0-1)

• Losing your best offensive and defensive players (Jamaal Charles, Eric Berry) for the year is something not many teams can come back from.

27. Jacksonville Jaguars (1-3, 1-0)

• Now you know why fans don’t show up to games.

28. Seattle Seahawks (1-3, 1-1)

• Thank goodness for Pete Carrol’s optimism and energy.

29. Indianapolis Colts (0-4, 0-1)

• How valuable is Peyton Manning? Watch the Colts play and you’ll have your answer.

30. Minnesota Vikings (0-4, 0-1)

• Losing leads and not giving enough carries to the best back in football is not a formula for success.

31. St. Louis Rams (0-4, 0-0)

• 27th in total offense, 26th in total defense. Help.

32. Miami Dolphins (0-4, 0-1)

• Cameron Wake, Brandon Marshall and Jake Long wish they were dreaming. Premier talent suck on a bad football team. By the way, you still have to play the Patriots, the Jets twice and the Bills twice.

Alright, let the comments begin. Please feel free to reply with any feedback.

Thanks for reading.

-Mike

The 2011 NFL season kicked off last Thursday night with the past two Super Bowl Champs (2009: Saints, 2010: Packers) facing off against each other. This game really set the tone for the 2011 season. It was a fast-paced, high-scoring and high-energy football game.

Aaron Rodgers came out and struck quickly in the first quarter with thee TD passes. After trailing 28-17 at halftime, New Orleans got off to a slow start but battled back to bring the score to 34-42 in the fourth quarter. Brees led the Saints down the field with one last drive to try and tie the game. With only seconds remaining the Saints tried to pound the ball across goal line with rookie RB Mark Ingram, only for him to be denied as the final seconds came off the clock. Green Bay won, 42-34, in what may be a playoff preview.

The first Sunday in 2011 turned out to be a great one. There were so many great match-ups and new players with new teams to watch. There were a few games and a few players that stood out this week:

Carolina Panthers @ Arizona Cardinals

This game featured two teams with new quarterbacks and some questions to answer. It was the debut of the number one overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft, Cam Newton. Newton squared off against Kevin Kolb who was traded to the Arizona Cardinals once the lockout was lifted. This game was a back and forth battle that was ultimately decided by an 89 yard punt return by Cardinals CB (fifth overall pick) Patrick Peterson.

Newton finished the day completing 24 of 27 passes for 422 yards and threw 2 TD and 1 INT. His favorite target was none other than long time Panther Steve Smith, who reeled in 8 catches for 178 yards and caught both of Newton’s TD passes.

Arizona won the game, 28-21, but Newton showed that he can play QB in the NFL and should be exciting to watch for the remainder of the 2011 season. Not to mention it gave the Panthers faithful some hope for the future.

Dallas Cowboys @ New York Jets

The Sunday night game featured the New York Jets hosting the Dallas Cowboys. With the game under the national spotlight, the J-E-T-S Jets Jets Jets showed their resolve and came from behind to win late, 27-24.

The Cowboys came out with something to prove as second year WR Dez Bryant nabbed 3 balls for 71 yards a TD. Dallas was on top 7-0 after the first quarter until Sanchez got things working and found TE Dustin Keller in the end zone for a TD.

At the half the Cowboys still lead 10-7, but there was a whole half of football left.

When the second half started, Dallas was driving down the field and Romo threw up a 36 yard pass to WR Miles Austin who was being covered by CB Antonio Cromartie. Both players were jockeying for possession of the ball in the end zone and then an official signaled a TD rather than a touchback, even though it appeared that both players possessed the ball (NFL rule states alternate possession goes to the offensive player).

The Jets responded with a field goal and sent the game into the fourth quarter with the Cowboys up 17-10. Dallas drove down the field once again, capping off the drive with a Felix Jones 1 yard rushing TD, pushing their lead to 24-10.

Being that it was the tenth anniversary of 9/11/01, the New York Jets would not go down without a fight.

Sanchez led the Jets down the field and delivered a 26 yard TD pass to newly added WR Plaxico Burress (who has not played an NFL game in 3 years). The Jets retained some hope as the score stood at 24-17, and they forced the Cowboys to punt.

Jets special teams coach Mike Westhoff drew up a phenomenal play as third string RB Joe McKnight came untouched down the middle of the line and blocked the Cowboys punt which was scooped up by Isaiah Trufant and returned 18 yards for a TD. MetLife Stadium erupted with energy as the Jets tied the game in the fourth quarter.

After Dez Bryant had an outstanding first quarter, the Jets decided to send him to Revis Island for the rest of the game where Bryant had his feet up and a cold drink in his hand, just relaxing. Revis held Bryant to no catches for the rest of the game. Revis said that he sometimes gets bored because no one throws his way (which is mostly why he had zero interceptions last year).

On 1^st and 10 at the Dallas 41 yard line, Romo was trying to drive his team down the field for a fourth quarter victory until he forced a pass to Bryant which was intercepted by the one and only Darrelle Revis. This set up a game winning 50 yard field goal by former Cowboys kicker Nick Folk (how’s that for revenge?).

In the end it was a great game to watch as the first NFL Sunday came to a close on such a significant and meaningful Sunday in American history.

Pittsburgh Steelers @ Baltimore Ravens

Sunday, bloody Sunday. This is the biggest, baddest, nastiest rivalry in the NFL. These teams flat out do not like each other and have built up a huge dislike for one another over the years. Since 2008, the Ravens and Steelers average difference in score has been four points (now that’s what I call close). The Ravens have often been on the losing end of those games, and struggle to put the Steelers away when Roethlisberger is at the helm.

Well…not this Sunday.

The Ravens came out and absolutely dominated. There really is no other word for what Baltimore displayed at home vs. Pittsburgh on Sunday. The Ravens set a new franchise record, forcing seven turnovers. They also recorded four forced fumbles (two by Terrell Suggs alone to go with his three sacks) and three interceptions (two by Ed Reed and one by Ray Lewis).

Not only was the Ravens defense on fire but the offense was electric was well. Joe Flacco was 17 of 29 for 224 yards and threw 3 TDs while Ray Rice rushed 19 times for 107 yards and 1 TD (he also had 4 catches for 42 yards and a receiving TD).

M&T Bank was rumbling all day with energy as Baltimore put a good old fashioned whooping on the Steelers. The 35-7 final score was the Ravens’ biggest margin of victory over Pittsburgh in franchise history (+28). If all that wasn’t enough, punter/place holder Sam Koch jogged into the end zone untouched on a designed fake PAT two point conversion scramble in the third quarter.

We talked about this game all pre-season and it lived up to the hype (at least for Ravens fans). This was an all-around great game by the Ravens, which has set the tone for their 2011 campaign.

Offensive Player of the Week: Tom Brady, QB, New England Patriots

• 32/48, 517 yards, 4 TDs, 1 INT, QB Rating 121.6
• 1 rush, 3 yards
• Tied NFL record for longest pass TD (99 yards)

Defensive Player of the Week: Brian Urlacher, MLB, Chicago Bears

• 10 tackles (6 solo), 1 TFL, 1 INT, fumbled recovered for 12 yard TD
•  33 years old and still a dominating MLB in the NFL

Quote of the Week: Ron Jaworski, MNF Football on Chad Henne’s pass

Ron Jaworski “SH*T, you have to get rid of this ball. Just a split second quicker.” This was in reference to QB Chad Henne throwing a delayed and overthrown pass to WR Brandon Marshall in the end zone. I personally don’t have a problem with Ron’s comment on the play. He wasrelaxed and commentating on the game and happened to slip up. Of course he apologized for his comment as some were outraged (over the “S” word…come on, really?). Keep doing your thing JAWS! We love it!

New Section: This year I have a new weekly section called “Ouch” just read along:

• Donovan McNabb is on pace to pass Tom Brady’s week 1 passing yardage total in week 15…OUCH
• San Diego Chargers kicker Nate Kaeding tears his ACL and is out for the season in the opening kick-off vs. the Vikings…OUCH
• The Houston Texans whoop the Indianapolis Colts 34-7 (Colts held scoreless until 9 minutes remaining in the the 4^th quarter)…OUCH

As Week 1 of the NFL (which spanned from Thursday night until early Tuesday morning) is now officially in the books, we love the season we have thus far. We cannot wait to see what week 2 has in store. Thanks for reading and check back soon!

-Rob

Personally, I think Grossman is the better choice (over John Beck), considering his playing experience (especially within Mike Shanahan’s system).

However, that doesn’t mean the Redskins are in good shape. Even with an improved running game, they are still likely headed for a fourth place finish in the NFC East. The Eagles and Cowboys both improved their personnel, and the Giants (although banged up already) still have Super Bowl winning experience.

The Redskins brought in defensive linemen Barry Cofield (former Giants DL) & Ryan Kerrigan (16^th overall pick in the 2011 draft) to help improve a defense that was ranked 31^st in the league last year. Alongside veterans such as London Fletcher, DeAngelo Hall and LaRon Landry, their defense will certainly improve.

Still, what will they do on offense? Tim Hightower has been a nice story during this pre-season, but they will need Grossman to make plays on his own, and get them out of tough situations.

Can Grossman do that? I’m not so sure.

Donovan McNabb was that playmaker, but he was traded to Minnesota on July 27.

The only reason you should trade someone with McNabb’s resume’ is if you firmly believe in his back-up. Either that, or something went on behind the scenes that got to Shanahan so much, it caused him to jettison McNabb and give the reigns to a player who hasn’t proven his ability to carry an NFL team.

Why would Shanahan put his team in a position like that? There’s no way he can argue that Grossman or Beck has performed better than McNabb (I’ll address that argument shortly). It makes me believe his ego (and maybe McNabb’s, too) got in the way too often, causing them both to want nothing more than to part ways.

We may not know the answer to why Shanahan really got rid of McNabb for a long time, if ever. All we can do now is analyze the move, and see if the right choice was made.

First of all, the Redskins were compensated with two draft picks in exchange for trading McNabb (a late-round pick in 2012 and a 2013 pick, contingent upon McNabb’s performance this year).

In that aspect, the compensation isn’t bad.

But teams that trade for draft picks do so if they have depth at the position. In other words, if they feel they can afford a certain amount of residual in performance by the back-up, they will trade the starter for draft picks.

So, since the compensation the Redskins received for McNabb wasn’t that special, the Redskins front office must really believe in either Rex Grossman or John Beck.

Well, that is a strange theory, considering how it took them until six days before their season opener to name a starter. In other words, if you’re sold on someone, you don’t make them prove their worth and risk injury in a pre-season position battle.

Secondly, McNabb’s accomplishments are clearly greater than either Grossman’s or Beck’s (see chart below).

source: profootballreference.com

Still not convinced? Check out the comparison between McNabb’s and Grossman’s Super Bowl performances:

source: nfl.com

There you are. Beyond a shadow of a doubt, McNabb is a better quarterback than either Grossman or Beck. Yes, many of McNabb’s successes came in his earlier years. But when statistical evidence like that is so overwhelming in McNabb’s favor, you go with him.

Or, in Washington’s case, you’re giving “the keys to the car” to Grossman, who barely beat out an unproven, vastly inexperienced Beck (averaging one start per NFL season).

Then again, it makes sense for the Redskins to do this. After all, they signed Albert Haynesworth to a $100 contract, knowing how problematic he could be.

Week 16 in Washington is when McNabb and the Vikings are scheduled to go to Washington and face Grossman and the Redskins. With McNabb’s luck, he will probably be having a great season, then get injured or make a turnover late, costing the Vikings the game.

But in my opinion, however the 2011 season ends for the Redskins, it will cause them to regret trading Donovan McNabb.

Thanks for reading.

-Mike

Veteran quarterback Kerry Collins was signed this week in case Peyton Manning isn’t ready to play in Week 1. Collins didn’t play tonight, which left Curtis Painter with the opportunity to showcase his talent in hopes of winning the backup quarterback position.

Painter and the Colts got the ball first, but despite a couple solid runs from Joseph Addai, the Indy offense stalled.

Although Green Bay’s first drive resulted in a 3-and-out, their second drive would prove to be much more efficient.

Aaron Rodgers directed a 10-play, 81-yard drive, mostly without a huddle and from the shotgun. The drive resulted in an 18-yard touchdown pass from Rodgers to TE Jermichael Finley.

Early in the second quarter, the Packers were threatening to score another touchdown, after Rodgers hit WR Donald Driver for a 12-yard gain on 4^th-and-8. However, a 3^rd down sack by the Colts’ pro-bowl DE Dwight Freeney forced Green Bay to settle for a 26-yard field goal.

Things got worse when Colts kicker Adam Vinatieri missed a 39-yard field goal attempt late in the first half. But with 5:33 remaining in the first half, Painter recognized a broken coverage, and hit a wide-open Reggie Wayne in-stride, for a 57-yard touchdown.

After a 36-yard pass to Pierre Garcon, Painter connected with WR Chris Brooks for a 7-yard touchdown with 26 seconds remaining in the first half.

At halftime, the Colts led the Packers, 14-10. Painter was 11/21 for 171 yards and 2 touchdowns (93 of those yards came on two passes).

Rodgers halftime stat line was more impressive, even though his team was trailing. Last year’s Super Bowl MVP completed 19/23 passes (82.6%) for 204 yards and 1 touchdown. He was also sacked four times by the Indianapolis defense.

Green Bay turned up the pressure in the third quarter, sacking Indianapolis quarterbacks twice, once by Vic So’oto (who caused a fumble, which was recovered by Jarius Wynn) and again by Jamari Lattimore. So’oto and Lattimore were both undrafted rookie free agents.

Crosby added a 32-yard field goal with 8:35 remaining in the third quarter, making the score 14-13 in favor of Indianapolis.

When Graham Harrell entered the game for the Packers, he was facing a one-point deficit. What didn’t help his cause was when he threw an interception to Colts DB Mike Newton, who returned it 39 yards to the GB 3-yard line.

Dan Orlavsky wasted no time capitalizing on his third-string counterpart’s mistake, when he threw a 3-yard touchdown pass to David Gilreath on the very next play.

The Colts then led 21-13. As a matter of fact, after Painter’s touchdown pass to Brooks in the second quarter, they led for the next 29:51.

That’s when things got interesting.

Colts reserve DB Chip Vaughn was flagged for two penalties (unnecessary roughness, taunting) on back-to-back plays, giving Green Bay 30 extra yards on their second to last drive.

Then with 35 seconds remaining, Harrell scrambled around and completed an 11-yard touchdown pass to TE Ryan Taylor. Harrell found Taylor on the next play as well, for a successful 2-point conversion, tying the game, 21-21.

Perhaps in an effort to avoid overtime, Packers head coach Mike McCarthy called an onside kick, which his team recovered at their own 47-yard line.

Five plays later, Crosby hit the game-winning 50-yard field goal at the end of regulation.

Green Bay is now 2-1 in the preseason, and will play their final 2011 preseason game Thursday night at 8:00, when they host Kansas City.

Indianapolis falls to 0-3, and will wrap up this preseason with a trip to Cincinnati, Thursday night at 7:00.

Game notes

• The Packers scored 11 points in the final 35 seconds of tonight’s game.
• In week 3 of last year’s preseason, Indianapolis lost at Green Bay, 59-24.
• Since 2005, the Colts have lost 25 of their last 29 preseason games (including their last 8 in a row).