32. Seattle Seahawks 0-1
Going into the season, I identified Jacksonville, San Francisco, Cincinnati, Seattle, Carolina, Oakland, and Miami as the worst teams in the league. Jacksonville, San Francisco, Cincinnati, and Oakland all won, while Carolina and Miami each saw their starting quarterback throw for 400+ yards in a loss. That just leaves Seattle. Seattle…well they are who we thought they were. Tarvaris Jackson was 21 of 37 for 197 yards, 2 touchdowns, and 1 pick against the lowly 49ers’ defense. Now he has to go to Pittsburgh to face the pissed off Steelers coming off a week 1 loss to their division rival. That should be fun to watch.
31. San Francisco 49ers 1-0
The 49ers won this week. So why are they #31? Well I thought they’d be terrible coming into the season and the team they beat week 1 was Seattle, the #32 team on this list. In fact, until Ted Ginn decided to score 2 special teams touchdowns in just over a minute, the 49ers led by a mere 2 points late in the 4th quarter at home over those lowly Seahawks. They get Dallas this week in San Francisco, a lucky situation. Dallas could be missing its top 3 cornerbacks from an already weak secondary, while the 49ers are in the 2nd of back-to-back home games to start the season, a situation that normally produces a win. My money’s still against them, but we’ll see.
30. Denver Broncos 0-1
TEBOW TEBOW TEBOW. I don’t understand why they don’t start Tim Tebow. I can kind of understand starting Kyle Orton before the season. If you think he gives you the best chance to win and you see yourself contending this year, you make that decision. No one else saw them contending this year, but it’s possible that John Fox and company were more optimistic. However, they sucked in their opening loss to the Raiders. They’re not going to contend this season at all. Why not see what Tebow has? Orton is not the future at quarterback. Tebow might be. Worst case scenario, they can move on after the season and they’d probably be in position for one of the top 3 quarterbacks in the 2012 NFL Draft.
29. Jacksonville Jaguars 1-0
The Jacksonville Jaguars are 2-0 in the Jack Del Rio era the same week they cut their starting quarterback. What a weird organization! I had Jacksonville 32nd going into week 1. They move up a little bit, but not much. Their defense looked decent, but Matt Hasselbeck is hardly an elite quarterback and he was still able to post up decent numbers because Rashean Mathis couldn’t figure out how to stop Kenny Britt. Besides, Tennessee sucks.
28. Kansas City Chiefs 0-1
I’ve been calling this team a fraud all along. They proved it last week. The Bills are terrible, but losing 41-7 to a team that’s probably not going to make the playoffs is embarrassing. In their last 3 real games, they’ve been outscored 102-27 and Matt Cassel is 42 of 87 for 304 yards, 1 touchdown, and 6 picks. On top of that, Eric Berry is done for the year and they still have a brutal schedule. It’s very possible everyone is fired after the season and Matt Cassel is cut and replaced with a rookie quarterback of the new regime’s choosing.
27. Cincinnati Bengals 1-0
Andy Dalton didn’t play well in the opener. He was 10 of 15 for just 81 yards and a score before getting hurt (a minor injury). However, the Bengals were able to win because the offensive line, including Andre Smith finally, played well and allowed Cedric Benson to rush for 121 yards and a score on 25 carries against Cleveland’s miserable front 7. They face another miserable front 7 this week against Denver and could actually start the season 2-0, but I don’t like their chances of long term success this season. 2nd round pick quarterbacks rarely do much in the NFL and a 2nd round pick quarterback having any success as a rookie is pretty much unheard of.
26. Carolina Panthers 0-1
Cam Newton threw for a rookie record 422 yards last week, doing so on the road, after a lockout, after only 14 college starts. Arizona’s pass defense sucks, but a lot of that had to do with Newton. He’s pretty good. The bad news is they still lost and they lost a key defensive player in Jon Beason for the season. This is still far from a complete football team. It’s good to see Steve Smith has finally started trying again, however.
25. Oakland Raiders 1-0
I love people who overreact to one week. My friend is a Raiders fan and I bet him $30 to win $25 that the Raiders win fewer than 9 games. The Raiders won week 1, but the Broncos suck and the Raiders still had more penalties and penalty yards and than completions and passing yards. Plus, the Raiders were over/under 6.5 wins before the season. I basically got over/under 8.5 wins after one win. I love this. The Raiders are screwed once they face a team with a decent run defense. Jason Campbell isn’t very good. Also, their defense will show how much it misses Nnamdi Asomugha once it plays a decent offense.
24. Indianapolis Colts 0-1
Everyone who wants to anoint the Colts as a 0-16 team should calm down for a little bit. Kerry Collins is traditionally a slow starter and he was retired about 3 weeks ago. There’s no way he has the playbook down yet. He also traditionally sucks against Wade Phillips. They’ll win some games this year, but not a lot and not for a while. After Cleveland this week, they have to play Pittsburgh and Tampa Bay. They also play New Orleans early.
23. Tennessee Titans 0-1
The Titans sucked last week, losing to the Jaguars 5 days after the Jaguars cut their starting quarterback. Chris Johnson couldn’t run, rushing for 24 yards on 9 carries. This was a combination of him being rusty after his holdout and the Titans failing to upgrade the offensive front in the offseason. He also couldn’t get into a rhythm because the Titans didn’t run very much. Matt Hasselbeck didn’t look as good as his line suggested. He looked like a 36 year old quarterback who had 7 weeks to learn a new offense, probably because he is a 36 year old quarterback who had 7 weeks to learn a new offense. He was helped out a lot by Kenny Britt, who dominated his matchup with Rashean Mathis. In fact, Kenny Britt was the only Titan who had a good week last week. Their defense didn’t play well either.
22. Miami Dolphins 0-1
Chad Henne may have thrown for 416 yards last week, but the Patriots defense didn’t play well. He was also helped by several great plays by his receivers and most of those yards were in garbage time. He still had a good week, but he’s also notoriously inconsistent from week to week. Let’s see how he does against Houston this week before we call him a legitimate starting quarterback.
21. Minnesota Vikings 0-1
Donovan McNabb threw for 39 yards last week. They kept the game close because of a Percy Harvin kick return touchdown and a good day by Adrian Peterson, but if McNabb can’t play better in the future, this team isn’t going to win a lot of games and it’ll be Christian Ponder’s turn a lot quicker than they would have liked.
20. New York Giants 0-1
Normally strong in the first half of the season, the Giants looked terrible against Washington. Injuries have clearly done them in and now Hakeem Nicks is probably out this week against St. Louis. Combine early season injuries with a brutal 2nd half schedule (@ New England, @ San Francisco, vs. Philadelphia, @ New Orleans, vs. Green Bay, @ Dallas, vs. Washington, @ the Jets, vs. Dallas), and the fact that this team might not even be that great at full strength after losing Kevin Boss, Steve Smith, Shaun O’Hara, Rich Seubert, and Barry Cofield this offseason, and you get a team that could easily finish 6-10 or worse.
19. Washington Redskins 1-0
Rex Grossman threw for 305 yards week 1. Donovan McNabb threw for 39. It was a good week for Mike Shanahan. I’ll admit it, I thought Mike Shanahan was losing it when he benched Donovan McNabb after trading a 2nd and 4th rounder for him and replacing him with Rex Grossman, a former first round pick bust. However, Grossman is an excellent fit for his system and he appears to be a much more mature quarterback than his last go round as a starter. Shanahan has won 2 Super Bowls before and turned Jake Plummer’s career around. Now it appears he’s done the same for Grossman. This team is a legitimate playoff contender.
18. Buffalo Bills 1-0
After 1 week Ryan Fitzpatrick leads the league in QB rating. Now I’ve seen everything. He’s not going to throw for 4 touchdowns every week. That was a combination of a good day, some luck, and an absolutely pitiful performance by the Chiefs’ entire team. However, Fitzpatrick is in his first full season as a starter and his 2nd year in Chan Gailey’s offense and he looks like a decent quarterback. Combine that with a stronger front 7 with rookie Marcell Dareus and a revitalized Shawne Merriman to go with stud nose tackle Kyle Williams, and you’ve got a team that could win 7 to 9 games over a weak schedule.
17. Arizona Cardinals 1-0
Whoops, I guess you need more than a quarterback to be an elite team in this league. The Cardinals have to be very concerned with their pass defense after allowing a rookie record 422 yards to Cam Newton in the opener. They had a mere 33 sacks last season and their pass rush doesn’t look any better this season. They’re starting a rookie cornerback in Patrick Peterson, a random nobody in Al Jefferson, a banged up Adrian Wilson, and an overrated Kerry Rhodes, with the terrible Richard Marshall manning the nickel back position. They also didn’t fix a leaky offensive line that starts two of the worst starting tackles in the league in Levi Brown and Brandon Keith. If they make the playoffs, it’s because their schedule is a joke and so is their division.
16. Cleveland Browns 0-1
I don’t like to overreact to one week, but after predicting the Browns to make the playoffs powered by a weak schedule, I’m sinking Cleveland pretty far after an ugly week 1 loss to the lowly Bengals. They still have an extremely weak schedule (@ Indianapolis, vs. Miami, vs. Tennessee, @ Oakland, vs. Seattle, @ San Francisco in their next 6 games), but all of a sudden some of those games don’t seem like gimmes any more. Colt McCoy completed a mere 19 of his 40 passing attempts, making me look stupid for going back on my “Colt McCoy will not be a starting caliber quarterback in the NFL” prediction from draft season 2010, while a patchwork front 7 gave up 121 yards and a score on 25 carries to Cedric Benson. I’m keeping them in the mix for one more week.
15. St. Louis Rams 0-1
Is there some sort of curse on St. Louis wide receivers? After losing Mark Clayton, Donnie Avery, and Danario Alexander to injuries in 2010, an already thin receiving corps in 2011 loses Danny Amendola for a long time with a dislocated elbow. On top of that, the Rams lost Steven Jackson for at least a week, Ron Bartell for the season, Bradley Fletcher for at least a week, and possibly Jason Smith for a week. Missing their two top cornerbacks from an already thin secondary, the Rams will probably start the ancient Al Harris at cornerback this week. With how bad the Cardinals pass defense is and how bad the 49ers and Seahawks are in general, I get the feeling we could see yet another 7 win division champion in the NFC West.
14. Tampa Bay Buccaneers 0-1
I wouldn’t put too much into their week 1 home loss. They were a mere 4-4 at home last year, as opposed to 6-2 on the road, and the Lions are a legitimate playoff team. They get to go to Minnesota this week and should take care of business on the road against a Minnesota team whose starting quarterback threw for 39 yards last week. However, they do have a tough schedule this season and the NFC is stacked this year so I have them on the outside looking in.
13. Pittsburgh Steelers 0-1
We haven’t seen a team lose in the Super Bowl and then win the Super Bowl in the next season since the 1972-73 Dolphins. If the Steelers’ 35-7 week 1 loss to the Ravens is any indication, that streak will be alive another season. The Steelers kept another streak or rather trend alive week 1. Super Bowl runner ups are now 3-15 against the spread week 1 in their last 18 instances. I’m feeling pretty good about putting the Steelers at 9 wins this season. The last 10 Super Bowl runner ups have made the playoffs 3 times for a combined 1 playoff win.
12. Chicago Bears 1-0
Maybe all that criticism actually got to Jay Cutler, who went 22-32 for 312 yards, 2 touchdowns, and a pick in a week 1 win against the Falcons. Their offensive line also didn’t look god awful in their 2nd year under the great Mike Tice. Unfortunately, the NFC is as talented as it’s ever been, Green Bay, New Orleans, Philadelphia, Atlanta, Tampa Bay, Detroit, and Dallas could all contend for playoff spots, not to mention that someone has to win the NFC West. The Bears brutal schedule (games against New Orleans, Green Bay twice, Detroit twice, Tampa Bay, Philadelphia, and San Diego) might be what keeps them out.
11. Dallas Cowboys 0-1
Everyone’s blaming Romo for that week 1 loss. Yes that late pick was ugly, but he also threw for 342 yards and 2 scores against a good New York defense. Besides, he wasn’t even on the field when the Cowboys had a blocked punt returned for a touchdown. Still, they definitely have to be concerned after imploding against the Jets. They thought this was over with when they fired Wade Phillips, but after a fumble on the goal line, a blocked punt, a late pick cost them the lead and a penalty and a botched snap on the potential winning drive killed their chances of getting back into it, it’s clear they still have a case of the choksies.
10. New York Jets 1-0
The Jets had that game gift wrapped and handed to them. Maybe it was good karma on the anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. Maybe the Cowboys are just terrible in the clutch. Either way, the Jets should still be concerned that the Cowboys outplayed them for 50 minutes. After losing Shaun Ellis, Braylon Edwards, Jason Taylor, Brad Smith, Jerricho Cotchery, and Damien Woody in the offseason, it was predictable that this team would take a slight step back. By all indications, they have. They’re a solid team, but you can’t call them elite.
9. Atlanta Falcons 0-1
The Falcons have never been a good outdoors team in the Matt Ryan era, but if they can’t continue their home dominance week 2 against a very good Philadelphia team, they could find themselves in a 0-2 hole they can’t dig out of. However, since the “Dream Team” can’t protect its quarterback or stop the run, and it’s quarterback completed just 14 for 32 against a banged up St. Louis secondary, and it’s #2 receiver is still not in shape, I like the Falcons’ chances at home where they’ve lost a mere 3 times in the Matt Ryan era (including the playoffs).
8. Detroit Lions 1-0
The Lions have to be happy that their defense gave up a total of 6 points, not including a garbage time touchdown, to a very solid offensive bunch in Tampa Bay. They should also be happy Matt Stafford’s shoulder is still in one piece. Of course, he didn’t take a single sack, but that could also be seen as a good thing. Tampa Bay doesn’t have a great pass rush, but Detroit’s offensive front still looked good week 1, allowing Matt Stafford to complete 24 of 33 for 305 yards, 3 touchdowns, and a pick. That pick six by Stafford and a garbage time touchdown were really the only flaws in Detroit’s 27-20 win over a solid Tampa Bay bunch. By all this indications, this team is as good as advertised.
7. San Diego Chargers 1-0
Good thing the Chargers won, otherwise they would have lost back to back season openers to quarterbacks that threw for 68 yards and 39 yards respectively. I haven’t looked it up, but I’m willing to bet that doesn’t happen very often. The Chargers had to be having déjà vu of their week 1 loss to Kansas City last year. Kansas City won 21-14 on a punt return touchdown, a long run, and a pick six. Minnesota scored 17 points on a kick return touchdown and a long run that set up a short touchdown pass, but San Diego held on for the win 24-17.
6. Houston Texans 1-0
We’ll see what this team can do against a team that didn’t wake their quarterback up from retirement 3 weeks ago. This week they face Chad Henne and the Dolphins. Well, maybe we’ll wait until week 3 to make an accurate assessment of Houston’s defense. Drew Brees and the Saints in New Orleans week 3 should provide a big enough challenge for this Wade Phillips coached defense. Let’s see if they can rise to it. If they can, this is a legitimate Super Bowl contender.
5. Baltimore Ravens 1-0
You think the Ravens loved kicking the Steelers’ butts? They went for 2 on a fake kick up 27-7 and went for it on 4th down up 29-7. The Ravens have to hope they’re not sluggish after essentially winning their Super Bowl. Fortunately for them, their next “test” is the lowly Titans. I think they should be fine. This team won 12 games last year and by all indications they should win around that many again this year. Pittsburgh looks to be in a down year once again so Baltimore is the favorite to win this division.
4. Philadelphia Eagles 1-0
The “dream team’s” 100 million dollar quarterback went 14 for 32 against a banged up Rams secondary. Vick didn’t look good this preseason. Needless to say, that could be a problem. They also couldn’t stop the run. Steven Jackson had 56 yards on just 2 carries before he got hurt and then Cadillac Williams, who was terrible last year, ran for 91 yards on 19 carries. Needless to say, that could be a problem. Their offensive line didn’t play well either. Needless to say, that could be a problem. Now they have to go to Altanta with Jeremy Maclin still not 100%. They could easily end up 1-1 at the end of the week.
3. New Orleans Saints 0-1
Drew Brees shouldn’t feel too bad that he isn’t as good as Aaron Rodgers. Very few are. However, teams that lose the Thursday Opener are 2-5 week 2 since 2004. The Saints do go home, but they have to be careful not to overlook the Bears, who are coming off a demolition of the Falcons in Chicago. If there’s any hangover after a crushing loss to the Packers, they could be in danger of going 0-2.
2. Green Bay Packers 1-0
Sorry to rain on Packers fans’ parade, but your defense just allowed 419 yards after struggling in the preseason. I know Drew Brees is awesome, but 419 yards is a lot. Now they have to face Cam Newton who was very impressive in his first career game last week. Besides, Super Bowl champions who win week 1 tend to struggle week 2. The party is officially over for them. They won the Super Bowl. They did the victory offseason thing. They won their home opener over a good team in a thrilling fashion. They’re on top of the world. Look for Carolina to possibly knock them off a little bit.
1. New England Patriots 1-0
Somewhere Deion Branch is still burning Nolan Carroll in coverage. How good was the Patriots’ passing attack week 1? Deion Branch had 7 catches for 93 yards, he was 3rd on the team in receiving. Wes Welker has 8 catches for 160 yards and 2 scores. Aaron Hernandez had 7 catches for 103 yards and a score. Rob Gronkowski had 6 catches for 86 yards and a score. Tom Brady had the 5th most passing yards in a single game ever with 517 yards. He was also only sacked once. The defense is a concern. If Chad Henne can throw for 416 yards against them, Philip Rivers has a chance at 700 (only slightly kidding) this week in New England. However, I trust BB to make the necessary adjustments at home. I still really like this team.
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