NFL Week 3: Games to Watch

While Week 2 didn’t have a lot of games that appeared to be that great on the surface, there were a number of good games and some surprises. We expected the Chiefs to lose at Detroit, and sure enough, they got trounced. The Ravens were supposed to go to Tennessee and wipe the table with the Titans … and they lost. As expected, the Saints handled the Bears, the Packers beat the Panthers (barely) and Tom Brady killed it again as the Patriots beat the Chargers. And per the annual pattern, Mike Vick got hurt and the Eagles lost. It was all good stuff.

Here’s a quick look at a few of this weekend’s best games.

Texans (2-0) @ Saints (1-1)
The Texans have looked sharp so far, putting the beatdown on two bad teams in two weeks – Indianapolis and then at Miami. The test will be significantly tougher this week as Houston goes to New Orleans to take on the Saints, who drubbed the Bears pretty soundly last week. This will be the first of five tough games for Houston. They fail this first test, but not by much.
New Orleans 30, Houston 27


Patriots (2-0) @ Bills (2-0)

New England and its high-powered offense led by Tom Brady continue to roll up yards, touchdowns and victories. And the surprising Buffalo Bills are in a three-way tie for first place in the AFC East. The Bills fought hard and beat the Raiders at home last week. How they perform this week in the face of their divisional big brother will speak volumes about how good they are. 
New England 27, Buffalo 20

Packers (2-0) @ Bears (1-1)
Green Bay travels to Chicago this Sunday for a classic black-and-blue divisional match-up between two good teams. This rivalry is one of the oldest in the NFL, and the games are almost always close. The Packers defense is softer than expected, giving up 400-yard passing games the past two weeks. On the Bears’ side, Jay Cutler has to stay upright; the O line has been porous.
Green Bay 24, Chicago 23

Redskins (2-0) @ Cowboys (1-1)
On the surface, this appears to be a battle of two teams headed in opposite directions. Dallas has looked rough and really should be 0-2. The Skins are 2-0 and seemingly on a roll, but they have beaten two weak teams: Carolina and Arizona. Romo is injured and Rex Grossman has the passing offense clicking. I still see the Cowboys winning at home on MNF. 
Dallas 27, Washington 21 

Missouri Roundup – The year is quickly going down the tubes for Missouri’s “professional” football teams. The Chiefs … well, they are just a mess. And the Rams could potentially be 2-0, but instead they are winless again, sitting at 0-2 for the fifth straight year. I see them both losing again this weekend. The Chiefs go to San Diego (geesh) and the Rams host the always-tough Ravens. Looks like 0-3 for both franchises. Maybe Mizzou can beat Oklahoma on Saturday … doubt that one, too.

Until next time, thanks for reading.

Steve

NFL Power Rankings: Week 3

We have had two full weeks of NFL action since our initial regular season Power Rankings were released on Sept. 9. We certainly have learned a lot since then. So let’s take a look at the teams’ pecking order as things stand right now as we head into Week 3.

The NFL Power Rankings will be a standing MTSS feature during the season, being updated every other week based on team results to date. Our rankings are our best (kind-of) educated guess at which team would beat the ones listed below it in the rankings. You get the idea.

The biggest movers were Buffalo and Washington on the positive side and Kansas City on the negative. If you have been paying attention, those should make sense.

(Week 1 rankings are in parenthesis.)

1.  (1) Green Bay (2-0) – Undefeated champions will stay No. 1 until they lose.

2.  (2) New England (2-0) – Brady and the offense have been impressive.
3.  (6) New Orleans (1-1) – Great bounce-back game against Chicago.
4.  (4) New York Jets (2-0) – Team has looked rough but continues winning.
5.  (9) Atlanta (1-1) – Statement game pounding Philly and beating Vick.
6.  (3) Philadelphia (1-1) – One rough win, one rough loss. Now Vick is hurt.
7.  (7) Baltimore (1-1) – The Ravens finally whip the Steelers, and then fall flat.
8.  (12) Detroit (2-0) – This team looks dangerous on so many levels.
9.  (8) San Diego (1-1) – Not really sure yet what this year’s Chargers are.
10. (5) Pittsburgh (1-1) – Questions about the age of the defense surfacing.
11. (10) Houston (2-0) – Undefeated, but the Texans haven’t been tested yet.
12. (11) Dallas (1-1) – Romo’s courageous comeback saved the season.
13. (14) Chicago (1-1) – The Bears are a mystery. Which team shows up?
14. (16) Tampa Bay (1-1) – The young Bucs are struggling.
15. (17) New York Giants – Two very rough games. Probably ranked too high.
16. (25) Buffalo (2-0) – Are they for real? New England will tell us this week.
17. (20) Oakland (1-1) – Hue has the fellas fighting hard. Unusual for this team.
18. (13) St. Louis (0-2) – A pretty good winless team. How will they respond?
19. (21) Arizona (1-1) – Kolb has looked good, but the defense if getting gashed.
20. (29) Washington (2-0) – Rex has performed so far. Weak opponents have helped.
21. (28) San Francisco (1-1) – Harbaugh and Alex Smith both shaky so far.
22. (24) Tennessee (1-1) – Surprising victory over the Ravens last week.
23. (26) Denver (1-1) – Tied for AFC West lead. Enjoy it now.
24. (19) Cleveland (1-1) – Loss to Bengals at home hurts.
25. (30) Cincinnati (1-1) – Impressive start by Andy Dalton. Better than advertised.
26. (31) Jacksonville (1-1) – Garrard and McNown out; it’s now Gabbert’s show.
27. (32) Carolina (0-2) – Cam Newton looks like the real deal.
28. (18) Indianapolis (0-2) – It’s going to be a very long year in Indy.
29. (22) Minnesota (0-2) – So much for that “one last run at the playoffs.”
30. (27) Miami (0-2) – Sparano: “I have no idea …” Us, either, Tony.
31. (15) Kansas City (0-2) – Massive fall from division title in a hurry. Ugly.
32. (23) Seattle (0-2) – Not sure what the heck Pete Carroll is doing.

So what do you think? Sound off. Let us know where you think we’ve got it right, and for sure where you know we have it wrong. Join the conversation. 

Thanks for reading.

Steve

NFL Uniforms: Ranking Best to Worst

The uniform … it matters not whether you are a waitress, a fireman, a soldier or a professional athlete, the uniform matters. It is the shield behind which you work. It is the face of your organization to the public, and it can change the way you and your peers are seen. And especially in the sports world, it matters.

As my wife can attest, I am a sports freak … and that I am a bit obsessive (OCD she would say) about certain things around house and home. I’m also a uniform geek. So we are here today to rank the 32 NFL teams’ uniforms from the best to the worst, in my opinion of course.

What are we looking for? Teams get credit for being classic, but they also need to stay somewhat up to date. Points can be earned for being modern but not too much. And I’m taking into account the whole uniform including the helmets, but not the throwback; just the normal sets.

THE BEST

A grouping of the best, in no particular order

• Packers – A classic for the ages, updated ever so slightly as the years pass.
• Saints – Black and Old Gold. Their all black combo is tough looking.
• Falcons – The first big-time modern uni remake, nicely done.
• Bears – Another classic that looks great, and I love the orange alternates.
• Steelers – LOVE the logo on only one side, distinctive numbers, too.
• Colts – One of the few with only two colors used, and used tastefully.
• Raiders –Hate to admit the unis are the one thing Al hasn’t screwed up … yet.
• 49ers – The team tried to mess these up; thankfully the 80s design was reborn.
• Cowboys – Maybe the most recognizable uniform in the NFL. Classic star.
• Texans – Good name, good logo, and a nice clean design with options. Love the red.

THE MUDDLE

Overall decent designs but could use some tweaks

• Rams – The new design is OK; would be in Top 10 with old design and colors.
• Chiefs – A classic uni from the AFL days. Love the helmet logo.
• Bills – Went from one of the worst to pretty good with this year’s redesign.
• Cardinals –The modern design helped this team without any real identity.
• Chargers – Powder blue would put them in near the top. Good logo use.
• Giants – Simple design, simple logo, nice use of color. Love the red uni tops.
• Lions – Recent updates have helped the look. Not great but not awful.
• Panthers – Not crazy about the aqua blue, but good logo and uni balance.
• Ravens – Not a purple fan, but the use of black and simple design helps.
• Buccaneers – Prefer the old creamsicle look. Pewter pants are distinctive.
• Browns – Pretty plain with no logo, but not gag-worthy either.
• Titans – Love the logo, but they have so many blue options on top, I lose track.

THE REST

These uniforms need serious work. Like, for reals.

• Eagles – Another team that needs to revert to previous designs. Kelly green rocks.
• Jets – Nice tribute to their history, but the tops are cluttered.
• Vikings– Again, not a purple fan. Especially on overdone unis like these
• Redskins – Visions of Gibbs and the Hogs are all these give me. Update 'em fast.
• Jaguars – They had a nice design before the latest changes. Bring back the gold.
• Dolphins – Memories of Dan Marino are all that keeps this from being dead last.
• Broncos – Sweet logo, but the uniforms have never worked.
• Seahawks – Puke green on puke green. Nuff said.
• Patriots – Wish they’d use throwbacks full time. The arena-league look isn’t working.
• Bengals – Love the helmet, but the 86 uni variations are ridiculous.

Let me know what uniforms you love AND hate, and why. Tell me where my list is all messed up. Join the conversation … that’s the fun part.

Until next time, thanks for reading.

Steve