It’s time for my weekly Green Bay Packer update. Week Two was a 34-7 victory by the green and gold over the Buffalo Bills. The Packers jumped on top early scoring on their first three drives and holding the Bills to two three-and-outs. The Bills came back in the second quarter to close to within 13-7 at halftime. But the Packers took over in the second half with three straight touchdown drives and impressive defensive plays en route to the easy win.
Here are the plusses in the win:
Aaron Rodgers looked a lot better than last week as he spread the ball around and took what the defense gave him.
Clay Matthews is the defensive player of the year after two weeks. He has six sacks, a number of tackles and makes big play after big play.
Special teams was not as impressive as last week but they didn’t have any bone headed plays and held up fairly nicely.
Jermichael Finley is yet to get into the endzone but 100-yard games aren’t common amongst tight ends.
Whatever adjustments were made at halftime were perfect as the team came out and completely dominated the last 30 minutes.
Interceptions by Chillar and Burnett sparked the offensive onslaught in the third quarter.
Here are the negatives:
The running game did not do much. Even in the fourth quarter when the Packers were just trying to run down the clock, they couldn’t sustain anything. John Kuhn looked better than Brandon Jackson.
Chad Clifton is hurting. Thankfully we have a quality backup in our number one draft pick Bryan Bulaga.
This was probably the easiest game on the schedule and we failed to put this team away early due to settling for field goals on the first two drives and giving up way too many rushing yards in the second quarter.
So the Packers are 2-0 and tied with the Bears for first place in the NFC North as the two teams prepare for battle on Monday night. The really good news is that the Vikings are 0-2 after a loss at home to the Dolphins in which Brett Favre threw for three interceptions and fumbled the ball in the end zone. This is the Brett Favre we saw two or three times a year in Green Bay. It’s good to see him returning to form this year in Minnesota. And hey Dallas: how does it feel to be 0-2? It’s nice to quiet down the Cowboy fans!
See you on our website, www.songerstudio.com
Sunday, September 19, 2010
Sunday, September 12, 2010
Packers-Eagles Game Recap
It’s time for my weekly Green Bay Packer update. Week One was a 27-20 victory by the green and gold over the Philadelphia Eagles. It was a physical game that featured very good defense by both teams and a ton of injuries and penalties. The latter was luckily only sustained by the Eagles which played a role in the Packers coming out on top.
Here are the plusses in the win:
Aaron Rodgers was not sharp but did a great job doing what he needed to do to put points on the board.
Brandon Jackson showed what he did during the preseason filling in for Ryan Grant in this game. I don’t know if we’ll see a step back in the running game if he has to continue playing.
Clay Matthews is a beast.
Hardly any penalties. There’s a change from last year.
Special teams was very good. When’s the last time we could say that about a Packer team. Jordy Nelson was rockin’ on kick returns. Mason Crosby nailed a team-record long 56-yard field goal. And our punter was even good!
We won on the road against a fairly good team.
Here are the negatives:
The secondary is going to struggle if the Packers have to play a mobile running back, especially one that can throw accurately unlike Michael Vick.
Injuries were not good. Justin Harrell is probably out for the year with a knee injury. Cullen Jenkins broke his hand. That won’t keep him out but will hinder his play. Nick Collins has bruised ribs. And then the Ryan Grant ankle injury which will probably keep him out or at the very least limited for awhile.
Our offensive line was inconsistent.
Aaron Rodgers seemed rattled.
But, we are 1-0 and are coming home for a good team to face when you are battered. Buffalo is not very good. Hopefully Grant and Collins can heal up.
Visit us at www.songerstudio.com
Here are the plusses in the win:
Aaron Rodgers was not sharp but did a great job doing what he needed to do to put points on the board.
Brandon Jackson showed what he did during the preseason filling in for Ryan Grant in this game. I don’t know if we’ll see a step back in the running game if he has to continue playing.
Clay Matthews is a beast.
Hardly any penalties. There’s a change from last year.
Special teams was very good. When’s the last time we could say that about a Packer team. Jordy Nelson was rockin’ on kick returns. Mason Crosby nailed a team-record long 56-yard field goal. And our punter was even good!
We won on the road against a fairly good team.
Here are the negatives:
The secondary is going to struggle if the Packers have to play a mobile running back, especially one that can throw accurately unlike Michael Vick.
Injuries were not good. Justin Harrell is probably out for the year with a knee injury. Cullen Jenkins broke his hand. That won’t keep him out but will hinder his play. Nick Collins has bruised ribs. And then the Ryan Grant ankle injury which will probably keep him out or at the very least limited for awhile.
Our offensive line was inconsistent.
Aaron Rodgers seemed rattled.
But, we are 1-0 and are coming home for a good team to face when you are battered. Buffalo is not very good. Hopefully Grant and Collins can heal up.
Visit us at www.songerstudio.com
Friday, September 3, 2010
NFL Predictions 2010
As I sit here typing, it is 65 degrees, overcast and breezy outside. It is obvious that football season has arrived. And with it come my annual football predictions. I like to stress a couple things before I roll these out.
First, the NFL is by far the hardest professional sports league to predict for a number of reasons. The season is short, injuries play a huge factor, the salary structure allows for parody and there is a lot of luck involved. It is the complete opposite as the joke known as Major League Baseball where I picked the Yankees, Twins, Rangers, Phillies, Cardinals and Giants this year to win their divisions. All of those teams are in first or second place. As great of a football mind as I am (sorry I’m a little cocky with that statement), I can guarantee you that I will be wrong on some of these because unlike Major League Baseball, every NFL team has a chance going into the season. You can’t buy championships in the NFL. The commissioner and players union actually care about the fans. And NFL fans aren’t as ignorant to competitiveness as baseball fans.
Okay, second somewhat relates to the first point. The last seven years, at least one team has gone from last place in its division to making the playoffs. Often times there have been two. On average, only half of the eight division winners from the previous year go on to repeat as division champs. So many NFL talking heads fall into the trap of thinking that the twelve playoff teams from a year ago are the clear favorites to make it again the following year. It’s hard to fault them when you look at their reasoning. These teams did go to the playoffs last year so they were good. But history tells us that there will be teams that surprise us.
So here I go with my picks for 2010.
AFC East
Patriots. Never count out teams with really good quarterbacks.
Jets. I am not buying into the hype, but this team does have a great defense.
Dolphins. I would not be surprised if they finish ahead of the Jets. I’m having a hard time judging them.
Bills. Young team that could have a bright future. Division is too tough for them to be good this year.
AFC North
Ravens. Joe Flacco is the real deal. Their offense might be better than their defense.
Browns. This is one of those picks where you’re wondering what I’m smoking. But again, it’s the NFL.
Bengals. At some point the T.O. experiment will not work.
Steelers. Losing Big Ben at the start hurts. They lack the rough and tough aura they had a few years ago.
AFC South
Colts. Same thing I said about New England. Peyton Manning is still on top of his game.
Texans. If luck goes their way, they could win this division. But I think this is the year they breakout.
Titans. Much like the Dolphins. It’s a hard team to read. So much rests on Vince Young’s performance.
Jaguars. They’re in a tough division. They will pull off some upsets but lack the talent to win a lot.
AFC West
Chargers. Still very potent on offense but by far the weakest division winner in the bunch.
Raiders. Becoming a defensive force in this league. Might still be a year away from playoffs.
Chiefs. Another team in this division that has turned the corner. Could be another pleasant surprise.
Broncos. Too many injuries and defections. Tim Tebow might be starting by the end of the year.
NFC East
Redskins. What? I’m not picking Dallas. If Donovan McNabb remains healthy, watch out!
Cowboys. This team never lives up to potential. Tony Romo lacks that big game mentality.
Eagles. I think Kolb could be a star in this league but he needs a year to get his feet wet.
Giants. This division is so difficult to pick. I could see the Giants finishing second with a little luck.
NFC North
Packers. Aaron Rodgers has a breakout season. Offense will be this team’s best defense.
Vikings. Adrian Peterson will be the MVP of the team this year. Not Brett Favre.
Lions. Stafford to Johnson might be the most prominent connection in the league this year.
Bears. Jay Cutler is not the answer. It could be a very long season.
NFC South
Falcons. Good one year, not so good the next. It’s their year to be good again.
Saints. Drew Brees may have surpassed Manning as the best quarterback in the NFL.
Buccaneers. I really like this team to turn the corner this year. Freeman might be for real.
Panthers. Lots of changes in Carolina means a lot of losses.
NFC West
49ers. It’s the fashionable pick, but honestly who else are you going to take? They win by default.
Cardinals. Needs their defense to take it up a notch because offense will not be the same without Warner.
Seahawks. An offense that can be competitive but has very little defense.
Rams. I feel sorry for Sam Bradford. With that offensive line, it’s going to be David Carr all over again.
Playoffs:
AFC Wildcard:
Texans over Chargers
Colts over Browns
NFC Wildcard:
Vikings over 49ers
Saints over Redskins
AFC Divisional Round:
Ravens over Texans
Colts over Patriots
NFC Divisional Round:
Packers over Saints
Falcons over Vikings
AFC Championship Game:
Ravens over Colts
NFC Championship Game:
Falcons over Packers
Super Bowl:
Ravens over Falcons
I’m going back outside to enjoy the football weather. Happy NFL season everybody!
Hey, come visit our website at www.songerstudio.com!
First, the NFL is by far the hardest professional sports league to predict for a number of reasons. The season is short, injuries play a huge factor, the salary structure allows for parody and there is a lot of luck involved. It is the complete opposite as the joke known as Major League Baseball where I picked the Yankees, Twins, Rangers, Phillies, Cardinals and Giants this year to win their divisions. All of those teams are in first or second place. As great of a football mind as I am (sorry I’m a little cocky with that statement), I can guarantee you that I will be wrong on some of these because unlike Major League Baseball, every NFL team has a chance going into the season. You can’t buy championships in the NFL. The commissioner and players union actually care about the fans. And NFL fans aren’t as ignorant to competitiveness as baseball fans.
Okay, second somewhat relates to the first point. The last seven years, at least one team has gone from last place in its division to making the playoffs. Often times there have been two. On average, only half of the eight division winners from the previous year go on to repeat as division champs. So many NFL talking heads fall into the trap of thinking that the twelve playoff teams from a year ago are the clear favorites to make it again the following year. It’s hard to fault them when you look at their reasoning. These teams did go to the playoffs last year so they were good. But history tells us that there will be teams that surprise us.
So here I go with my picks for 2010.
AFC East
Patriots. Never count out teams with really good quarterbacks.
Jets. I am not buying into the hype, but this team does have a great defense.
Dolphins. I would not be surprised if they finish ahead of the Jets. I’m having a hard time judging them.
Bills. Young team that could have a bright future. Division is too tough for them to be good this year.
AFC North
Ravens. Joe Flacco is the real deal. Their offense might be better than their defense.
Browns. This is one of those picks where you’re wondering what I’m smoking. But again, it’s the NFL.
Bengals. At some point the T.O. experiment will not work.
Steelers. Losing Big Ben at the start hurts. They lack the rough and tough aura they had a few years ago.
AFC South
Colts. Same thing I said about New England. Peyton Manning is still on top of his game.
Texans. If luck goes their way, they could win this division. But I think this is the year they breakout.
Titans. Much like the Dolphins. It’s a hard team to read. So much rests on Vince Young’s performance.
Jaguars. They’re in a tough division. They will pull off some upsets but lack the talent to win a lot.
AFC West
Chargers. Still very potent on offense but by far the weakest division winner in the bunch.
Raiders. Becoming a defensive force in this league. Might still be a year away from playoffs.
Chiefs. Another team in this division that has turned the corner. Could be another pleasant surprise.
Broncos. Too many injuries and defections. Tim Tebow might be starting by the end of the year.
NFC East
Redskins. What? I’m not picking Dallas. If Donovan McNabb remains healthy, watch out!
Cowboys. This team never lives up to potential. Tony Romo lacks that big game mentality.
Eagles. I think Kolb could be a star in this league but he needs a year to get his feet wet.
Giants. This division is so difficult to pick. I could see the Giants finishing second with a little luck.
NFC North
Packers. Aaron Rodgers has a breakout season. Offense will be this team’s best defense.
Vikings. Adrian Peterson will be the MVP of the team this year. Not Brett Favre.
Lions. Stafford to Johnson might be the most prominent connection in the league this year.
Bears. Jay Cutler is not the answer. It could be a very long season.
NFC South
Falcons. Good one year, not so good the next. It’s their year to be good again.
Saints. Drew Brees may have surpassed Manning as the best quarterback in the NFL.
Buccaneers. I really like this team to turn the corner this year. Freeman might be for real.
Panthers. Lots of changes in Carolina means a lot of losses.
NFC West
49ers. It’s the fashionable pick, but honestly who else are you going to take? They win by default.
Cardinals. Needs their defense to take it up a notch because offense will not be the same without Warner.
Seahawks. An offense that can be competitive but has very little defense.
Rams. I feel sorry for Sam Bradford. With that offensive line, it’s going to be David Carr all over again.
Playoffs:
AFC Wildcard:
Texans over Chargers
Colts over Browns
NFC Wildcard:
Vikings over 49ers
Saints over Redskins
AFC Divisional Round:
Ravens over Texans
Colts over Patriots
NFC Divisional Round:
Packers over Saints
Falcons over Vikings
AFC Championship Game:
Ravens over Colts
NFC Championship Game:
Falcons over Packers
Super Bowl:
Ravens over Falcons
I’m going back outside to enjoy the football weather. Happy NFL season everybody!
Hey, come visit our website at www.songerstudio.com!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
