Fans of the Washington Redskins have grown accustomed in the past decade or so to expect that their team with have a fighting chance to squeak into the playoffs and then, as the cheesy and cliché statement says, anything can happen. This is the hope that fans of this once-proud franchise held, probably fooling themselves into believing that this system, one where the owner is GM and often plays with the team the way that some us enjoy our fantasy football leagues, could ever and will ever work. More and more people are coming to the realization that this is nothing more than a pipe dream and that this system in place will never and has never worked. 

Continue reading "The Washington Redskins - a perfect blue chip stock"

Even though Detroit’s offense ran 76 plays compared to Chicago’s 50 and racked up nearly 400 yards, it wasn’t enough to overcome losing the field position battle. All of the Lions’ 13 drives started from within their own 30-yard line. Out of the Bears 13 drives, only three started behind the 30. With that kind of field position, Jay Cutler didn’t have to throw for 300 yards to get the victory.  

It was a tale of two halves at Soldier Field, as the Bears and Lions engaged in a shoot-out in the first half. Matthew Stafford routinely found Calvin Johnson all over the field, including a 54-yarder on the first play of the game. A 61-yard Matt Forte run set up an Elway-like helicopter dive from Jay Cuter into the endzone. Despite that inspirational score, Detroit struck right back with a 72-yard drive for their second TD. 

Continue reading "Bears Demolish Lions in Second Half of Blowout Win"

One thing is for sure going into this Sunday’s match-up at Solider Field: these aren’t the 2008 Lions. Know how I know that? The 2009 Lions have won a game. It happened just last weekend against the Redskins. Detroit head coach Jim Schwartz is hoping to turn it into a streak, with the Chicago Bears playing their second victim.  

For Jay Cutler and the offense, it should be a fairly simple philosophy: don’t turn the ball over. Detroit’s defense is allowing an average of close to 29 points a game and 400 yards to their opponents this season. Options on the ground or through the air should be open to Ron Turner and this still-developing offensive system. The wide receivers must continue to make strides with Cutler, but their progression has been a pleasant surprise after the fervor from writers (including me) over the off-season. 

Continue reading "Joes Gameday Preview Lions at Bears"

Here are some of my astute observations from the Cowboys’ Monday night victory against the Panthers:

     1. The Cowboys played a very gritty game.

They actually “out-toughed” the Panthers, which hasn’t happened since week 3 of last season against Green Bay.  Despite giving up a few plays in the passing game, the defense shut down a vaunted Carolina rushing attack and managed to keep DeAngelo Williams out of the endzone.  The offense managed to pound the rock at Carolina’s undersized front seven and take advantage of their depth at the running back position (Felix Jones and Tashard choice managed over 80 yards rushing a piece).  More importantly, Tony Romo showed toughness and focus, and did not make the critical mistake that could have swung this game in Carolina’s favor.

Continue reading "Tuesday Evening Hangover Dallas Cowboys reveiw and other NFL news"

Two pluses.  The Bears beat Pittsburgh and they won on the west coast, not an easy thing for any Bear team to do.

Next up is the Detroit Lions, who broke their losing streak that seemed to last an eternity.  It was actually 19 games, and it took a revamped Detroit team to do it.  The Lions have an offense.  Way back when, the Lions and Bears would play in Wrigley Field and it was a slugfest.  Alex Karras played tough on defense, and they had great linebackers.  The Bears would usually win in a score close to 17-13. 

Continue reading "Bears Beat Seattle 25-19 on late Cutler TD Pass"

(1-2) Detroit Lions 19 (1-2) Washington Redskins 14 

The Lions had to win eventually. Though it would be an unfortunate day for whatever unlucky team they defeated. Jim Zorn will keep his job… for a while longer. Congrats to the Lions and the fans that actually showed up to see it.

  
Get ready to lose next week.

(3-0) Minnesota Vikings 27
(2-1) San Francisco 49ers 24 

We’ve all seen or heard of Favre’s late game heroics. I blame Mike Singletary’s defense, which put only two players on the endzone. There were five Niners in the middle of the field! Everyone knows when they need a touchdown on the final play of the game you stack men in the endzone so they can bat the ball down. Horrible call from a good coach.

Continue reading "Joes Final Drive Week 3"

As if Brady wasn’t having enough problems, the number of drops (and a foot out of bounds and not running a route all the way through) is embarrassing. New England left a lot of points on the field. It would had been a major blowout if it wasn’t for the mental lapses.

The return of the running game was sorely missed, but the leading role, while a feel good story, is also very disappointing. Free agent discard Fred Taylor grinded out 105 yards while Laurence Maroney was held out of the game with a thigh injury. Whether the boo-boo was real or a ploy to light a fire under Maroney, he should take it as a sign that carries are earned, not given.

Continue reading "Pick Six Week 3"

In week three, two early unbeatens face off at the Metrodome while numerous 0-2 teams try to avoid the near-insurmountable playoff climb out of the 0-3 hole. Let’s get started with this week’s Opening Drive!

Washington Redskins (1-1) at Detroit Lions (0-2)

I’m rooting for the Lions to avoid the longest regular season losing streak in league history (20 games). Why? So I can see the chaos that will undoubtedly ensue in Washington when the ‘Skins fall. Jim Zorn is already under pressure for his inept offense that barely put away the Rams last week.

San Francisco 49ers (2-0) at Minnesota Vikings (2-0)

One of these two hard-nosed squads will finally lose this week. Unfortunately, Niners QB Shaun Hill can’t put up enough points up to hang with Brett Favre, Adrian Peterson and the Vikings for very long. Mike Singletary’s defense needs to go above and beyond if they’re going to stay undefeated.

Continue reading "Joes Opening Drive Week 3"

Continue reading "Serena Out of Control"

The Lions travel to the big Easy. Saints have high hope this year after Drew Brees awesome season last year. One more Touchdown drie and he would of had a new record. Now to the Contest. The Lions have won outright the last 2 times they where dogs against the Saints. The under is 8-2 last 10 times these teams meet.

So SU I take the Saints to win. I also like to tip on the under a little but.

History will repeat it's self.

Colts and the Jags, a divisional matchup. The Colts have History on this day. the last 10 opening games the Colts are 7-2-1 ATS. So duh take Manning and Compny to keep it up. Now the Jags are 4-1 ATS the spread againts the Colts.

So SU Colts are the Pick. ATS you might want to look at the Jags, Unless Jones Drew is absent from the game.

Continue reading "Week 1 NFL Season Sweet"