2006 NFL Season

[Dave00]

My Saints totally dominated the Falcons tonight.

3-0 baby! Now I just need to get comfortable as they lose the next 13 straight.

The Saints are a great story. I really thought they were going to do this last year - they had some glimmers early in the season, then just fell apart. Doesn't hurt that they picked up Reggie Bush and Drew Brees (letting him go was probably a poor move by the Chargers, although clearly they were in a bind with two very highly paid quarterbacks.)

I was again very disappointed by the MNF telecast. The blocked punt, they should've broken that down and said how it was done. After initially not even replaying the action from the line at all, they finally showed how the blocker moved laterally and then up the middle. But they completely blew showing how the blocking broke down. Basically, a Falcon blocker, I think it was #23, went outside and completely missed the fact that there was someone flying up the middle.

It will be interesting to see whether the NFL keeps MNF as its showcase game or switches to Sunday night.

Dave

 

[mgargan1]

how 'bout them redskins...

 

[KevKaos]

how 'bout them redskins...

Yeah, 4-0, thats pretty impressive. Oh, wait, that was the Ravens.

Just mess'n with ya. The Skins looked pretty darn good putting up 36 points.
That last series was awesome.

 

[twoodcc]

well i went to the Falcons game today. Vick's passing wasn't any better, but our defense sure was. and what about Norwood? he's looking really good

 

[Josh396]

how 'bout them redskins...

I think you meant how bout them Bears. I just got back from the game and I have to say it was probably worse then it looked on TV. The Seahawks couldn't get anything going at all, and then when it looked like they might, the Bears D came up with interceptions. Even if the Seahawks had Alexander in, there was no way they were going to win that game. I don't want to get ahead of myself but it's going to be extremely difficult to beat the Bears if both the Offense and Defense show up every game.

 

[mgargan1]

I think you meant how bout them Bears. I just got back from the game and I have to say it was probably worse then it looked on TV. The Seahawks couldn't get anything going at all, and then when it looked like they might, the Bears D came up with interceptions. Even if the Seahawks had Alexander in, there was no way they were going to win that game. I don't want to get ahead of myself but it's going to be extremely difficult to beat the Bears if both the Offense and Defense show up every game.

and the redskins don't have to play them in the regular season...

 

[LethalWolfe]

how 'bout them redskins...

Now if only the 'skins had enough mojo to get both the O and the D playing solid at the same time we'd be in business.


Lethal

 

[beatsme]

random thoughts

though I'm not a fan, big props to the Jets today...they gave Indianapolis all they could handle. That was a great game.

I'm beginning to think Cincinnati is completely overrated; Pittsburgh dominated the line of scrimmage last week and only lost because of stupid mistakes. Today against NE, the Bengals just did nothing, and they don't have a cupcake schedule this year...could be interesting.

Washington looks like they're on the right track, and Carolina finally showed up. 'Bout time.

 

[Josh396]

and the redskins don't have to play them in the regular season...

Who said they did?

 

[Dave00]

I think you meant how bout them Bears.

They looked very, very tough. Clearly had Hasselbach rattled and frustrated. But, Alexander could have made a big difference. If you can't run the ball, your quarterback has to run for his life. I still think Chicago would've dominated, however. It'd be interesting to see Chicago go against another great defensive team, however, to see how that offense performs.

Dave

 

[twoodcc]

They looked very, very tough. Clearly had Hasselbach rattled and frustrated. But, Alexander could have made a big difference. If you can't run the ball, your quarterback has to run for his life. I still think Chicago would've dominated, however. It'd be interesting to see Chicago go against another great defensive team, however, to see how that offense performs.

Dave

i agree. Alexander wasn't the MVP last year for nothing. without him, Seattle doesn't look so good.*

i really don't think the Bears are the best in the NFC. we'll see after they play better teams. i mean, they barely beat the Vikings

 

[yellow]

[cabbage patch]

Go Patriots
It's your birthday
Go Patriots

[/cabbage patch]

Seriously I expected an L, what a pleasant surprise!

 

[emw]

i mean, they barely beat the Vikings

Aside from that game (in Minneapolis, no less), the Bears have outscored their opponents significantly, and have allowed, what, a single offensive touchdown all year?

Every team is going to have some games where they have to scrap it out. Indy barely beat the Jets, etc. The difference is coming up big when you have to - throwing a 4Q touchdown on the road against a pretty good defense.

I agree that they'll continue to be tested, and have some tough road games coming up, including the three in a row out east, but they're at least as promising as any other team in the NFC, with a complete set of offensive threats and defensive playmakers.

 

[Kwyjibo]

i agree. Alexander wasn't the MVP last year for nothing. without him, Seattle doesn't look so good.*

i really don't think the Bears are the best in the NFC. we'll see after they play better teams. i mean, they barely beat the Vikings

Alexander wasn't a factor for the team this year really, he wasn't performing at 100% when they destroyed the giants even ....

the bears performed well in every aspect of the game (except punt returns, for some reason I think it will never be fixed) last night. I hate the fact that everyone keeps adding on these tests, it seems like the first test is going to be the playoffs.

the bears don't play better teams for a while, and those are AFC teams in november.

right now the bears are the best team in the NFC, rex grossman is performing unbelievably!

 

[Cube54]

i agree. Alexander wasn't the MVP last year for nothing. without him, Seattle doesn't look so good.*

And, don't forget - no Hutchenson blocking on the left side to open up those large running (freeway) lanes.

What a dumb move by the 'hawks GM to let their best blocker leave!

i really don't think the Bears are the best in the NFC. we'll see after they play better teams. i mean, they barely beat the Vikings

True and Grosman probably won't make it thru the season. Never has before.

 

[quigleybc]

Bears and Eagles are the two best looking teams in the NFC imho.

Congrats CHI, the Bears are a very likeable team, so I'm happy to see them win.

Bengals looked horrible, looked like the old Bungholes. How the F are the Ravens 4-0....? Sorry, that is a fluke, enjoy it while it lasts.

 

[rhoydotp]

Bears and Eagles are the two best looking teams in the NFC imho.

i'm with you on this. bears looks scary, now that they seem to have a passing game. but i'm curious how teams will figure grossman out during the length of the season (with more tapes to watch) ...

my eagles should have been 3-0, haven't they had the same sickness they had last year againts the Cowboys but their defense seems to be top-notch again

 

[Mav451]

Bears and Eagles are the two best looking teams in the NFC imho.

Congrats CHI, the Bears are a very likeable team, so I'm happy to see them win.

Bengals looked horrible, looked like the old Bungholes. How the F are the Ravens 4-0....? Sorry, that is a fluke, enjoy it while it lasts.

Defense man. Well, that + crappy Week1 & 2 teams (Raiders, then Simm's & Co). And the last game against SD impressed me a lot.
On Palmer & the Bengals? He desperately needs some better protection...

 

[quigleybc]

SD (when they lose to my Steelers next week) will be on the hotseat for being so hyped up, and not delivering...

All hype that team is, but at least they have those cute light blue thowback uniforms.

Cowboys could be on a streak now, they look pretty fired up.

Washington, I'm on the fence, I'll need to see another win before I get on their bandwagon.

And Tenn has easliy established itself as the worst team in the league, yes worse than SF...

 

[Kwyjibo]

SD (when they lose to my Steelers next week) will be on the hotseat for being so hyped up, and not delivering...

I don't think that the Steelers team that lost to the Bengals and jaguars should really be counting on any wins. I saw a rattled QB those two games who couldn't get it done.

SD played tough and lost a close one to a great baltimore defense. So lets watch them play that game because right now there isn't a favorite ...

 

[quigleybc]

I don't think that the Steelers team that lost to the Bengals and jaguars should really be counting on any wins. I saw a rattled QB those two games who couldn't get it done.

SD played tough and lost a close one to a great baltimore defense. So lets watch them play that game because right now there isn't a favorite ...

I hear that, there really is no reason for any non Steeler fan to pick the Steelers, but I'm feeling a win on the Road for the Burgh.

 

[beatsme]

I hear that, there really is no reason for any non Steeler fan to pick the Steelers, but I'm feeling a win on the Road for the Burgh.

me too...Cowher has a pretty good record against Schottenheimer, and it's a night game so hopefully jet lag will be less of an issue.

I remember a couple of years ago Atlanta had back to back road games at San Francisco and at San Diego (or something), so Dan Reeves just flew the whole team out a week before the first game and had everybody stay at a practice facility he rented somewhere in California. Pretty sure they won both games. There's a lot to be said for keeping your team fresh.

 

[twoodcc]

Aside from that game (in Minneapolis, no less), the Bears have outscored their opponents significantly, and have allowed, what, a single offensive touchdown all year?

Every team is going to have some games where they have to scrap it out. Indy barely beat the Jets, etc. The difference is coming up big when you have to - throwing a 4Q touchdown on the road against a pretty good defense.

I agree that they'll continue to be tested, and have some tough road games coming up, including the three in a row out east, but they're at least as promising as any other team in the NFC, with a complete set of offensive threats and defensive playmakers.

i'm not saying that the bears aren't good. i just think that it's too early to say that they are the best in the NFC. i think that is yet to be determined.

look at who the Falcons have played, and look at their defensive numbers, and most games without John Abraham - defensive player of the week in week 1 i do believe [and for good reason]

 

[twoodcc]

Alexander wasn't a factor for the team this year really, he wasn't performing at 100% when they destroyed the giants even ....

the bears performed well in every aspect of the game (except punt returns, for some reason I think it will never be fixed) last night. I hate the fact that everyone keeps adding on these tests, it seems like the first test is going to be the playoffs.

the bears don't play better teams for a while, and those are AFC teams in november.

right now the bears are the best team in the NFC, rex grossman is performing unbelievably!

well, really, Alexander basically played the whole game, hurt, and still did pretty good when they needed him. as soon as they were up by a lot, they should have taken him out, and then he might have played against the bears.

grossman might be playing pretty good, but not perfect. and i'm sorry, but it grosses me out whenever i see his face. he looks like a ghost

 

[Kwyjibo]

well, really, Alexander basically played the whole game, hurt, and still did pretty good when they needed him. as soon as they were up by a lot, they should have taken him out, and then he might have played against the bears.

grossman might be playing pretty good, but not perfect. and i'm sorry, but it grosses me out whenever i see his face. he looks like a ghost

I'm personally not sure I care how Grossman looks ...

and as for the effect of Shaun Alenxander, I'm arguing PURELY on this season. I realize he won the MVP, he almost won me a fantasy championship a year ago too. My point is that he has not played like an impact back this year

Rushing
Game 1: 51 yds, 2 fumbles
Game 2: 89 yards, 1 TD
Game 3: 47 yards, 1 TD

his longest run was 14 yards

Those aren't his caliber of numbers. He was still running the ball OK, but I don't think he was even close to his own level based on those numbers.

I have tons of respect for the guy, but he's got to be healthy before he plays ... and if we had played I don't think the seahawks would have won, I think maybe he could have impacted the game and let them score once.

The Falcons looked pretty bad against the saints, I'm not ready to throw that out. The problem is that of all of the NFC teams that might be top tier, they all have one bad game to accompany their spectacular good ones.

Until I see some more dominance from any other team, the bears are the tops. They passed their early tests now they just have to play good football until they head out east. I hope that Ron Turner can open up the playbook even a little more this month based on some of the new defenses the bears will be playing and maybe just find some new great stuff ... either that or just keep on perfecting whats been going right so far this season.