Probably the biggest surprise regarding New England’s draft class is that all 12 players made the final roster. Even DT Darryl Richard wasn’t visited by the turk.

It may take one to three years to find out if the whole draft class pans out or which ones get left on the side of the road. But how do the Pats rookies stack up against their peers?

The players have to get playing time in order to make these comparisons fair. It’s really a losing battle as it boils down to five against about 250 rookies. But New England’s newbies compare well overall:

Continue reading "Rookies vs Rookies"

This weekend Denver faces yet another stiff challenge, and four division match-ups make the Opening Drive! Oh yeah, and some guy named Favre returns to the second team he played for. No big whoop. Let’s analyze! 

(6-0) Denver Broncos at (3-3) Baltimore Ravens 

For the past few games, we’ve all said “this will be the week the Denver Broncos lose.” So far those prognostications have proved worthless, as Josh McDaniels’ team is still undefeated. Kyle Orton has played efficiently if nothing else with nine touchdowns and only one interception (a half-ending throw-up) to his credit. This Sunday he faces a Ravens squad who has lost three straight and is in danger of falling out of the division race. With Cincinnati and Pittsburgh both off this week, Baltimore has a shot to climb out of their hole, but they need to hold a team to under 30 points sometime this season. 

Continue reading "Joes NFL Opening Drive Week 8"

(5-2) Pittsburgh Steelers 27
(6-1) Minnesota Vikings 17 

It’s about time I see Brett Favre being Brett Favre. That fourth quarter fumble and tipped pass/interception cost the Vikings another comeback win and an undefeated season. For shame. You should probably run Adrian Peterson more and stop 40-year old Favre from passing 51 times. Just a thought. Without Antoine Winfield, the Vikings’ secondary and run support is nowhere near as intimidating. Ben Ben and the Steelers are back in the division running after troubles the first weeks of the season. Troy Polamalu is all the difference in the Pittsburgh D.

Continue reading "Joes Final Drive Week 7"

Um… I struggled to find six games with real significant drama. Bob Sanders will return to the Colts, but it’s against the lowly Rams! The Packers face the bumbling Browns, New England faces winless Tampa Bay in London, and Buffalo takes on Carolina. *shudder* Here’s the best of week seven in my Opening Drive! 

(6-0) Minnesota Vikings at (4-2) Pittsburgh Steelers 

So in spite of their early problems while without Troy Polamalu, the Steelers have emerged 4-2, trailing a half game behind the Bengals for the division lead. They welcome in the still streaking Vikings, who are making the rounds on the Brett Favre victory tour. Polamalu practiced this week and is expected to play, which should healthily improve the Steelers’ run and pass defense. Against Favre and Adrian Peterson, they’ll need Troy at his best. With Ben Roethlisberger coming off a 400-yard passing game of his own and Vikings Pro Bowl corner Antoine Winfield doubtful with a foot injury, this has potential to turn into a shoot-out. 

Continue reading "Joes Opening Drive Week 7"

(3-3) Houston Texans 28
(4-2) Cincinnati Bengals 17 

Every once in a while, Houston goes ballistic and puts up mega-points. Matt Schaub once again proves he’s a fantastic fantasy QB… five games a season. The Bengals aren’t an elite team, so you had to expect a letdown eventually after winning four straight. Now they dropped back with Pittsburgh, who are also 4-2, but technically behind since the Bengals beat them head-to-head.  

(6-0) Minnesota Vikings 33
(3-3) Baltimore Ravens 31 

Why won’t anyone beat the Vikings?! Steven Hauschka’s missed 44-yard field goal keeps the legend of Brett Favre in Minnesota going strong for another week. Who thought that the Baltimore defense would be the team’s weakness this season? They don’t deserve to be called “good” with the amount of points they’re allowing. Take that Ray Lewis.

Continue reading "Joes Final Drive Week 6"

With a busier schedule than normal, the Opening Drive was relegated to Sunday morning! Here’s my quick takes on some of the weekend’s NFL match-ups. 

(3-2) Baltimore Ravens at (5-0) Minnesota Vikings In one of the better match-ups of the weekend, Brett Favre and the undefeated Vikes get their toughest challenge to date when the surely fuming Ravens come to town. I don’t know if I can imagine that team after losing three straight. I’d be scared. Still, Minnesota has a stout defense of its own. Favre and Joe Flacco need to protect the ball because each offense excels at cashing in on turnovers. Man I hope the Ravens win. 

Continue reading "Joes Opening Drive Week 6"

Favre, 40, played brilliantly against his rivals as he completed 24 passes for 271 yards and three touchdowns.  

Despite his claims to the contrary, there is zero question that Favre returned to play an 18th season in the NFL primarily to exact revenge on the Packers for their decision to trade him to the New York Jets last August.

After years of being held hostage by Favre in the offseason, Green Bay’s brass finally tired of his wavering and they decided that the time had arrived to let backup signal-caller Aaron Rodgers, 25, lead their franchise.

Continue reading "Aaron Rodgers Jimmy Clausen Evander Holyfield Vitali Klitschko Kelly Pavlik Paul Williams"

Favre, 40, played brilliantly against his rivals as he completed 24 passes for 271 yards and three touchdowns.

Despite his claims to the contrary, there is zero question that Favre returned to play an 18th season in the NFL primarily to exact revenge on the Packers for their decision to trade him to the New York Jets last August.

After years of being held hostage by Favre in the offseason, Green Bay’s brass finally tired of his wavering and they decided that the time had arrived to let backup signal-caller Aaron Rodgers, 25, lead their franchise.

Favre, a Green Bay icon who has essentially set every NFL passing record imaginable, was for the first time since 1992 no longer the face of the storied franchise.

Continue reading "Aaron Rodgers Will Make Packers Fans Forget About Brett Favre"

(3-1) New England Patriots 27
(3-1) Baltimore Ravens 21 

Okay, so has everyone gotten the “don’t touch or breathe on Tom Brady’s legs” memo? Ray Lewis, you can complain all you want about bad penalties or ball spots; it still doesn’t change that fact that your defense let Tom Brady get fourteen points in the second quarter. You’re 3-1; it wasn’t the AFC Championship game. Man up and take the loss.

Continue reading "Joes Final Drive Week 4"

In week four of the NFL season, at least one more undefeated team will fall. AFC forces meet in Boston, and one of the best rivalries in the league takes it to a whole ‘nother level thanks to a certain unretiring quarterback. Week four Opening Drive commence! 

Cincinnati Bengals (2-1) at Cleveland Browns (0-3) 

Can you imagine the Bengals sitting in the driver’s seat in the AFC North at 3-1? Since they’re facing off against the offensively-challenged Browns, that’s becoming an extremely likely scenario. I don’t think anyone in Cincinnati could have imagined a better start in their zaniest dreams. Great job to Marvin Lewis and a defense that has been rightfully much-maligned over the years. Carson Palmer is as close to 100% as we’ve seen since his injury. Cleveland is still awful. Sorry. The players hate Eric Mangini and he can't stand firm on a quarterback for more than six minutes. Derek Anderson may be starting this week, but I don't think Brady Quinn will stay on the sidelines all season.

Continue reading "Joes Opening Drive Week 4"