(6-2) Cincinnati Bengals 17
(4-4) Baltimore Ravens 7

So the Bengals are 4-0 in their division. Who saw that coming? Joe Flacco was less than his usual efficient self while Carson Palmer aired it out enough to win. The real difference maker was the running game. Baltimore’s Ray Rice only carried the ball 12 times for 48 yards while Cedric Benson garnered 117 yards on 34 carries. Benson definitely grinded it out, but he’s had two 100+ yard rushing days against the Ravens defense. That can’t be ignored. Also hard to miss is that Bengals defense. Yikes.

Continue reading "Joes Final Drive Week 9"

A slew of division match-ups are highlighted in this week’s NFL schedule. First place is up for grabs in the NFC East and one team hopes to avoid falling further behind the Colts in the AFC South. What games should you be watching? Find out in the Opening Drive of week nine!

(4-3) Baltimore Ravens at (5-2) Cincinnati Bengals

With the Ravens, Bengals and Steelers all making a case for their place atop the AFC North, this game will go a long way in deciding the final two. If Baltimore is swept by Cincinnati, they’ll drop back to .500 while the Bengals and Steelers fight it out. The Ravens dominated Denver in the second half of last week’s game, thanks to Joe Flacco’s efficiency with the football. He’ll need a repeat performance if he’s going to keep up with Carson Palmer, who is playing on a Pro Bowl level. Both offenses have depending on a balanced attack, so look for each defense to shut down the run.

Continue reading "Joes Opening Drive Week 9"

This year New England fans will have a tough time rationalizing Patriot players worthy of being selected. The offense’s big three of QB Tom Brady and WRs Randy Moss and Wes Welker will get their share of votes. Beyond them…good luck.

As much as we like ILB Jerod Mayo, his injury set him back. He’s eighth on the team in tackles. No one from the front seven has a chance of getting voted in.

And even though safetys Brandon McGowan and Brandon Merriweather are playing well, the star power at the position in the AFC (Pittsburgh’s Troy Polamalu, Baltimore’s Ed Reed and Indianapolis’ Bob Sanders) might keep either out, as well as costing each other votes.

Continue reading "Pro Bowl Ben"

I’m holding true to my belief that Brady needed seven to eight weeks to find his comfort zone. As the season went on, we noticed the progress Brady made, step by step.

His second half against Buffalo was a complete 180 of the first half. After being blitzed nearly to death against the New York Jets, Brady carved up Atlanta and starred down Baltimore’s Ray Lewis-led defense and came out ahead.

Not happy with his inaccuracy on deep balls against Denver, Brady put on a clinic against Tennessee, throwing six touchdowns and connecting on a handful of passes downfield. And Brady put it all together in London in a sound defeat of Tampa Bay.

Continue reading "The Real Tom Brady"

(5-2) Dallas Cowboys 38
(2-5) Seattle Seahawks 17

What’s with teams not wanting to tackle Cowboy receivers? Miles Austin and Sam Hurd have just been embarrassing defenders left and right. Tony Romo has put his team in a position to take first in the East following their next game, which comes against rival Philadelphia. In Seattle, injuries abound for the second straight year. There is no way this team could fight for a division title.

(4-3) Baltimore Ravens 30

Continue reading "Joes Final Drive Week 8"

While the numbers look good, I’m not sold on Maroney’s performance against Tennessee. It’s not just because the Titans are a bad team. Laurence started off well, hitting holes quickly. But after the 45-yard touchdown, his feet were pitter-pattering again.

I’ll give Maroney the benefit of the doubt, but only to a point. It was a snowy field so maybe to keep his traction Laurence chopped his feet. I’d believe it, except Maroney has a history of stuttering in the backfield. That, and on one run, he tried to bounce it outside instead of taking what was available. Old habits die hard.

Continue reading "Staying On the Run"

(1-4) Cleveland Browns 6
(1-4) Buffalo Bills 3 

Ugliest. Game. Ever. Derek Anderson goes 2 for 13 in a WIN. Mangini should have stuck with Brady Quinn. In Buffalo, things could be even worse after signing T.O. in the offseason. Dick Jauron will lose his job during this season. You can almost lock it in. 

(3-2) Dallas Cowboys 26
(0-5) Kansas City Chiefs 20 

Wade Philips needs to thank Tony Romo and Miles Austin for saving his job. Austin’s 10 catches for 250 yards was a Cowboy franchise record and could not have come at a more significant moment with Roy Williams on the bench. While winless, Kansas City is at least keeping things close. 

Continue reading "Joes Final Drive Week 5"

With some downright horrendous match-ups this weekend, this edition of the Opening Drive is shorter than usual. Just writing about Cleveland versus Buffalo would put me to sleep. Let’s get things going with the most anticipated games of week four! 

Cincinnati Bengals (3-1) at Baltimore Ravens (3-1) 

While it’s way too early for the winner of this game to be named AFC North champion, it will give one team a sizeable advantage. If the Bengals can pull off the victory, there will be no questions as to their legitimacy. Unfortunately, they’re facing a Ravens squad that is fuming after their loss to the Patriots last week. Ray Lewis and that swarming defense will try to make a statement at the expense of their division rival. 

Continue reading "Joes Opening Drive Week 5"

I also think he will establish himself as an intimidating hard-hitter throughout the league. His speed was on full display against Baltimore as he deflected two passes. If Merriweather went after the receiver instead of the ball on the deflection of the curl route, it would had looked like a painful stick. And Brandon tagging RB Willis McGahee as he crossed the goal line wasn’t bad either.

It’s encouraging to see the emergence of Merriweather, but it’s a better feeling knowing he’s not alone in the secondary as a safety that can bring the wood. Brandon McGowan is quickly making an impact with a surprising Patriots defense.

Continue reading "Killer Bs"

In 2007 the Cowboys were 13-3 and hosting the New York Giants in a divisional playoff game.  Although the Cowboys had already beaten the Giants twice in the regular season, everyone knew this would be a tough game (except for maybe the Cowboys).  On the first drive of the game, not only did Demarcus Ware get called for a bogus offsides penalty to give the Giants a first down, but Amani Toomer (who was way past his prime) managed to shake several Cowboys’ defenders on the next play for a 52 yard touchdown.  The rest was history as the Cowboys would lose to the eventual Super Bowl Champions 21-17.

Continue reading "History Repeating The Lost Inches"