Early Thoughts on the NFL
The NFL has had a tough week to say the least but the sport still is the best reality television we have out there. Some early, very early, observations that I have in this young season is that the defending Super Bowl champs had the best first week. Seattle was put on the national spotlight last Thursday and they looked great. They were on their home field but played a good Green Bay team and made Aaron Rodgers look like the ordinary man he sometimes tries to portray on those State Farm commercials. Their Super Bowl counterpart Denver didn't disappoint either but wasn't as dominate as Seattle.
Last season's 12 playoff teams went 6-6. Week 1 caused more havoc on the AFC playoff teams from a year ago. New England, Kansas City, San Diego and Indianapolis all lost in week 1. The Colts played Denver, San Diego played on the road to a 10 win NFC team last year but the Patriots and Chiefs both lost to under .500 teams from a year ago. The Chiefs home opener was not good. Jamal Charles was underwhelming and Alex Smith was a turnover machine. This week all of sudden becomes a needed bounce back for KC but they do play Denver who may start to get early separation in the AFC West.
The NFC East looks to be a mess. Philadelphia the favorite did win but trailed Jacksonville at one point by 17 points. The rest of the division had a rough weekend. The Cowboys, Giants and Redskins really didn't have a chance to win in the first week.
On the positive side, wins by Miami, Tennessee and Minnesota put those organizations on a promising start. The Falcons were able to beat long time rival New Orleans with a "monster" game from Matt Ryan. It sure looks like he may be ready to have a bounce back year with all those weapons.
The best part of the NFL is that week 2 starts another chapter of the ongoing reality show that is football. New story lines will develop. New surprises will be unveiled. We will question teams, coaches decisions, and the performance of players all over again come Monday morning. So with that said, I am ready for some football. Bring on the Steelers and Ravens.
J.Ross
