Week 8's Final Drive
Week Eight was, without question, the “Weekend of the Stars” in the National Football League. While we did not get many close games, we did see some incredible individual performances by the NFL’s biggest and brightest athletes. Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, LaDainian Tomlinson and Larry Johnson all turned in incredible performances in leading their respective teams to big wins.
First Down -Top Stories from the Past Weekend
-In what had to be one of the worst kept secrets in the League, San Diego Chargers star linebacker Shawne Merriman was suspended for use of performance-enhancing drugs. After playing on Sunday, Merriman dropped his appeal of his suspension and will begin serving the four week punishment beginning with Week Nine. Merriman’s decision is a wise one because he will now be eligible for the Chargers’ second match up with division rival Denver. If he had waited for the appeals process to be completed, he would have missed both games against the Broncos. Merriman realized it was important that he not miss both.
-Curtis Martin unofficially announced his retirement on Wednesday. While Martin is keeping his options open for 2007, it is looking highly doubtful that we will ever see Martin running on the football field again. If this is truly the end of Curtis Martin’s career, then we have truly lost a great player. Martin has quietly become the fourth leading rusher in league history after amassing over 14,000 yards rushing during his brilliant eleven year career. While we have all seen his retirement coming, it is still hard to see an injury bring to an end the career of such a class act.
-The Tennessee Titans have suspended 2005 first round draft pick “Pacman” Jones for this week’s game against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Jones was drafted sixth overall in 2005 and has failed to live up to his lofty draft status. During his short career, Jones has had seven incidents with police as well as three arrests. His latest troubles involve him spitting in the face of a female student during a private party at a Nashville nightclub last week. Jeff Fisher has to be growing tired of the immaturity and undisciplined actions of his Titans football team.
-Defending AFC champion Pittsburgh is continuing to struggle in their hopes for a repeat championship. Star quarterback Ben Roethlisberger threw four interceptions in this past weekend’s game against the Oakland Raiders, all of which contributed to the Steelers falling for the fifth time in seven games. Last year’s magic has apparently vanished from the Steel City and it looks like a top draft pick is waiting for the Steelers this off-season.
-Monday night was supposed to be a great match up between the powerful defense of the Minnesota Vikings and the dual running attack of the New England Patriots. Instead, it turned into a wake up call for the rest of the league as Tom Brady told the rest of the NFL to be on alert. Brady gashed the Vikings secondary for 372 yards passing and four touchdowns. New England somehow continues to be the quietest dominating team in the League.
Second Down - Top Ten
Chicago - Apparently there was no hangover effect for the Bears; a 41-0 halftime lead is impressive in college and something you almost never see in the pros.
Indianapolis - The Colts’ run defense left much to be desired against Denver, but Peyton Manning-to-Reggie Wayne was a lethal combination against a previously impenetrable Broncos defense.
New England - Tom Brady and Company left quite the impression on the Colts heading into this weekend’s huge match-up.
San Diego - When you have LT running the way he did against the Rams, you can be down all four starting linebackers and I still like your chances of winning.
New York Giants - After their embarrassing loss in Seattle, the Giants’ defense has come alive and is now dominating opposing offensive lines.
Denver - Denver lost a heartbreaker to the Colts on Sunday; however, I still like the way the Broncos are playing.
Atlanta - If Michael Vick has really found a passing touch, then watch out for the Falcons. With that running game still in full force, Atlanta could be challenging the Bears and Giants for supremacy in the NFC.
Baltimore - Brian Billick took over the play calling and suddenly the once stagnant Ravens running game looked like its gaining some life.
New Orleans - The Saints’ magical season had its first hiccup this past Sunday. The question is whether the Saints can keep this run going or whether the Ravens game a sign of things to come.
Dallas - Bill Parcells’ demeanor changed from old and sad one week to elation the next. It is only one win, but Tony Romo seemed to bring some much needed excitement to the Cowboys.
Third Down - Top Games from Next Week
Kansas City Chiefs at St. Louis Rams
Cincinnati Bengals at Baltimore Ravens
Dallas Cowboys at Washington Redskins
Denver Broncos at Pittsburgh Steelers
Indianapolis Colts at New England Patriots
Fourth Down-Who I like and Why
Kansas City at St. Louis - In a battle of two power running teams, look for Marc Bulger and the Rams passing game to make the difference.
Houston at New York Giants - The dominating Giants defensive line should cause nightmares for a still struggling Texans offensive line in what should be an easy Giants victory.
Tennessee at Jacksonville - The Jaguars’ running game should be the difference maker in a low scoring affair.
New Orleans at Tampa Bay - After a disappointing defeat against the Giants last Sunday, I expect the Buccaneers to bounce back and get revenge for an earlier loss against the Saints.
Dallas at Washington - In what could be Mark Brunell’s last start as a Redskin, I expect Tony Romo and Company to dominate an underachieving Redskins team.
Miami at Chicago - The Dolphins’ biggest weakness is their offensive line, while the Bears biggest strength is their front seven. Enough said.
Green Bay at Buffalo - I expect Buffalo to go back to a power running game behind Willis McGahee and follow him to victory over the recently resurgent Packers.
Cincinnati at Baltimore - Jamal Lewis and company will run rampant over a mediocre Bengals defense in this AFC North battle.
Atlanta at Detroit - After two straight huge victories, expect a let down from Atlanta. The Lions will pull a big upset win coming off their bye week.
Minnesota at San Francisco - While New England may have exposed a weakness in the Vikings defense; the 49ers just do not have the talent to exploit it.
Denver at Pittsburgh - A fast Broncos defense will prove much too great a challenge for a struggling Pittsburgh offense.
Cleveland at San Diego - The Browns have been playing much better of late; however, they just do not have the talent to compete with San Diego.
Indianapolis at New England - In what is likely to be the most hyped game of the season, the Pats’ running game will prove to be too overpowering for a soft Colts defense.
Oakland at Seattle - The Raiders are playing much better lately, but Seattle still has too much pride to fall on Monday night in front of a deafening crowd.
First Down -Top Stories from the Past Weekend
-In what had to be one of the worst kept secrets in the League, San Diego Chargers star linebacker Shawne Merriman was suspended for use of performance-enhancing drugs. After playing on Sunday, Merriman dropped his appeal of his suspension and will begin serving the four week punishment beginning with Week Nine. Merriman’s decision is a wise one because he will now be eligible for the Chargers’ second match up with division rival Denver. If he had waited for the appeals process to be completed, he would have missed both games against the Broncos. Merriman realized it was important that he not miss both.
-Curtis Martin unofficially announced his retirement on Wednesday. While Martin is keeping his options open for 2007, it is looking highly doubtful that we will ever see Martin running on the football field again. If this is truly the end of Curtis Martin’s career, then we have truly lost a great player. Martin has quietly become the fourth leading rusher in league history after amassing over 14,000 yards rushing during his brilliant eleven year career. While we have all seen his retirement coming, it is still hard to see an injury bring to an end the career of such a class act.
-The Tennessee Titans have suspended 2005 first round draft pick “Pacman” Jones for this week’s game against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Jones was drafted sixth overall in 2005 and has failed to live up to his lofty draft status. During his short career, Jones has had seven incidents with police as well as three arrests. His latest troubles involve him spitting in the face of a female student during a private party at a Nashville nightclub last week. Jeff Fisher has to be growing tired of the immaturity and undisciplined actions of his Titans football team.
-Defending AFC champion Pittsburgh is continuing to struggle in their hopes for a repeat championship. Star quarterback Ben Roethlisberger threw four interceptions in this past weekend’s game against the Oakland Raiders, all of which contributed to the Steelers falling for the fifth time in seven games. Last year’s magic has apparently vanished from the Steel City and it looks like a top draft pick is waiting for the Steelers this off-season.
-Monday night was supposed to be a great match up between the powerful defense of the Minnesota Vikings and the dual running attack of the New England Patriots. Instead, it turned into a wake up call for the rest of the league as Tom Brady told the rest of the NFL to be on alert. Brady gashed the Vikings secondary for 372 yards passing and four touchdowns. New England somehow continues to be the quietest dominating team in the League.
Second Down - Top Ten
Chicago - Apparently there was no hangover effect for the Bears; a 41-0 halftime lead is impressive in college and something you almost never see in the pros.
Indianapolis - The Colts’ run defense left much to be desired against Denver, but Peyton Manning-to-Reggie Wayne was a lethal combination against a previously impenetrable Broncos defense.
New England - Tom Brady and Company left quite the impression on the Colts heading into this weekend’s huge match-up.
San Diego - When you have LT running the way he did against the Rams, you can be down all four starting linebackers and I still like your chances of winning.
New York Giants - After their embarrassing loss in Seattle, the Giants’ defense has come alive and is now dominating opposing offensive lines.
Denver - Denver lost a heartbreaker to the Colts on Sunday; however, I still like the way the Broncos are playing.
Atlanta - If Michael Vick has really found a passing touch, then watch out for the Falcons. With that running game still in full force, Atlanta could be challenging the Bears and Giants for supremacy in the NFC.
Baltimore - Brian Billick took over the play calling and suddenly the once stagnant Ravens running game looked like its gaining some life.
New Orleans - The Saints’ magical season had its first hiccup this past Sunday. The question is whether the Saints can keep this run going or whether the Ravens game a sign of things to come.
Dallas - Bill Parcells’ demeanor changed from old and sad one week to elation the next. It is only one win, but Tony Romo seemed to bring some much needed excitement to the Cowboys.
Third Down - Top Games from Next Week
Kansas City Chiefs at St. Louis Rams
Cincinnati Bengals at Baltimore Ravens
Dallas Cowboys at Washington Redskins
Denver Broncos at Pittsburgh Steelers
Indianapolis Colts at New England Patriots
Fourth Down-Who I like and Why
Kansas City at St. Louis - In a battle of two power running teams, look for Marc Bulger and the Rams passing game to make the difference.
Houston at New York Giants - The dominating Giants defensive line should cause nightmares for a still struggling Texans offensive line in what should be an easy Giants victory.
Tennessee at Jacksonville - The Jaguars’ running game should be the difference maker in a low scoring affair.
New Orleans at Tampa Bay - After a disappointing defeat against the Giants last Sunday, I expect the Buccaneers to bounce back and get revenge for an earlier loss against the Saints.
Dallas at Washington - In what could be Mark Brunell’s last start as a Redskin, I expect Tony Romo and Company to dominate an underachieving Redskins team.
Miami at Chicago - The Dolphins’ biggest weakness is their offensive line, while the Bears biggest strength is their front seven. Enough said.
Green Bay at Buffalo - I expect Buffalo to go back to a power running game behind Willis McGahee and follow him to victory over the recently resurgent Packers.
Cincinnati at Baltimore - Jamal Lewis and company will run rampant over a mediocre Bengals defense in this AFC North battle.
Atlanta at Detroit - After two straight huge victories, expect a let down from Atlanta. The Lions will pull a big upset win coming off their bye week.
Minnesota at San Francisco - While New England may have exposed a weakness in the Vikings defense; the 49ers just do not have the talent to exploit it.
Denver at Pittsburgh - A fast Broncos defense will prove much too great a challenge for a struggling Pittsburgh offense.
Cleveland at San Diego - The Browns have been playing much better of late; however, they just do not have the talent to compete with San Diego.
Indianapolis at New England - In what is likely to be the most hyped game of the season, the Pats’ running game will prove to be too overpowering for a soft Colts defense.
Oakland at Seattle - The Raiders are playing much better lately, but Seattle still has too much pride to fall on Monday night in front of a deafening crowd.
posted by marinjos at 11:03 PM
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