If the opening salvo of the 2011 NFL regular season is any indication, then by, are NFL fans in for a roller-coaster ride of a season!
If things somehow get back to being a bit more ‘normal’ as we move further into the 2011 campaign, well then, Week 1 will just be viewed as a blip on the radar screen that produced a bunch of anomalies for many of the league’s expected title contenders.
Still, deciphering just which Week 1 ‘shockers’ are accurate portrayals of what’s to come – and which ones were just ‘bump-in-the-night’ accidents is certainly going to be fun.
Having said that – and a Week 1 Monday Night doubleheader quickly approaching, let me get down to business!
10. Ravens, Pats, Rock and Roll!
I’m going to come right out and say it! I’m fully expecting the Baltimore Ravens and New England Patriots to meet in this year’s AFC title game. Both teams looked fantastic in their respective Week 1 matchups with Baltimore’s Joe Flacco looking a bit Brady-esque if I do say so myself.
9. Vick Looking’ Sick!
Philadelphia Eagles’ quarterback Mike Vick looked flat-out ‘sick’ against the St. Louis Rams on Sunday. I know Vick completed an underwhelming 14 of 32 passes on the day, but two of those completions went for touchdowns and more importantly, Vick added another 98 rushing yards on 10 carries, mostly while escaping oncoming defenders hell-bent on making a highlight reel tackle.
8. Redskins, Rexy, Really Sexy?
Rex ‘Sexy Rexy’ Grossman and the Washington Redskins looked pretty darned good in handling the Giants 28- 14 in their opener this past weekend, but I’m not buying it just yet gridiron gang. I still think Grossman is mediocre at best and I believe he will revert to his inconsistent ways at some point in the coming weeks.
7. Boys Battle, But Really Romo?
The Dallas Cowboys played an excellent game for three quarters – until Tony Romo decided to throw it away that is.
The veteran signal-caller cost his team in a big way with two totally inexcusable turnovers late in regulation, fumbling the ball on the 2-yard line and throwing a totally unacceptable interception.
Maybe it’s me, but I’m thinking Dallas had better start looking for a near-future starting quarterback.
6. MoTown Madness!
Okay, so maybe the blossoming Detroit Lions are for real after all. After going 4-0 in the preseason while scoring at least 30 points three times, Detroit rolled all over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in their opener and would appear to have an excellent shot to stay unbeaten at home against Kansas City in Week 2.
5. I Told You So!
Halfway through the 2010 NCAA college football season, I told several of my friends and colleagues that then, Auburn quarterback Cam Newton should be the No. 1 pick in the following NFL Draft based, not only on his jaw-dropping athleticism, but his incomparable leadership skills as well.
Needless to say, many of my colleagues thought I was nuts, (especially the senseless Cam haters). Now, I get to say … I told you so!
4. Who You Callin’ Crybaby?
First, I defended Jay Cutler when the Denver Broncos traded the strong-armed signal-caller, then I ripped him for his cry-baby antics and the bike-riding stunt he pulled in the playoffs.
Well, Cutler is now out of my crosshairs once again after leading the Bears to an emphatic smackdown of Atlanta in its regular season opener. The bottom line is that the Bears are legitimate NFC title contenders no matter how much you dislike Cutler.
3. Bills, Fitz, Puttin’ On the Ritz!
I’ve always liked Buffalo quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick and I suspected the Bills would continue their surprising road mastery over Kansas City in their Week 1 matchup (despite a foolish pick the other way) but I’ve got to say, I certainly didn’t expect the Bills’ underrated signal-caller to put on a performance that made him look like the second coming of Johnny Unitas.
2. Woe is Me!
I’m not going to rip Peyton Manning for delaying neck surgery, but I am going to pound the Colts’ organization for not being better prepared to deal with Manning’s serious neck issues. Indy had to go out and sign veteran signal-caller Kerry Collins just before the start of the regular season, but he stunk up the joint so badly in Week 1 that I’d immediately turn to rookie Curtis Painter, who can do no worse than Collins. Either way, I’m not feeling the Colts’ ‘woe is me’ sob story one iota!
1. Back and Better than Ever!
I wrote it 10 times this offseason – the Green Bay Packers are clearly going to be better than the team that won last season’s Super Bowl title. I you didn’t believe me prior to their 2011 NFL regular season opener, then you should now. If you’re still skeptical, then go ask Drew Brees and the New Orleans Saints!