NFL Week 1 Thoughts

Well, what an interesting first week of NFL action full of close games, controversy and long ass field goal attempts! I'm a huge fan of the NFL RedZone! I've had the great pleasure of interviewing the studio host Scott Hanson on The Jakey and The Ace Show. He truly does a phenomenal job of working 6+ hours with only a two minute bathroom break. Scott told me that there is truly no better job in the world than deciding what we get to watch on the RedZone, and he and the producers do a magnificent job from hopping from one close game to another. Again, huge props to Scott Hanson, NFL Network and NFL RedZone for making me enjoy my Sunday so much more!

I'll dabble on a few games, and then end with my thoughts on the Packers vs. Eagles.

Arizona beat St. Louis in what last year, would of been a dominant performance by Kurt Warner and company turned into a sloppy game on both sides by the Derek Anderson led offense. Anderson was not at fault, in fact, I think he played well despite fumbling twice and losing one. I started Tim Hightower in fantasy this week and he did a great Adrian Peterson impression by putting the ball on the carpet twice and losing them both. Arizona is a very lucky 1-0.

Houston beat Indianapolis for only the 2nd time in franchise history in what should be one of the better divisions in football this year. I love Houston. I have them in the AFC Title game. How about Arian Foster?? The undrafted 2nd year back beat out Steve Slaton to become the starter and what does he do on his first career start? 33 carries, 231 yards and 3 touchdowns. That boy came out ballin' today! I know he wasn't drafted until later in most fantasy drafts, but whoever took him will not leave him out of the starting lineup at all this year.

Chicago beats Detroit in a controversial finish. I personally think that neither of these teams will contend for a division title, but what a garbage call at the end of the game. Calvin Johnson catches a 'Touchdown' in the back of the endzone and pulls it in with one hand, rolls over and loses it. I don't like this call at all. They say that an inch of the ball can cross the goal line and its a TD, you can touch the orange pylon and its a TD, but you cant fall backwards with possession and when you roll over and lose the ball its not a TD? Unbelievable. The Lions were robbed.

In other games I really don't want to talk about:

Miami over Buffalo

Tennessee over Oakland

New England over Cincinnati

New York Giants over Carolina

Pittsburgh over Atlanta in OT

Cleveland over Tampa Bay

Jacksonville over Denver

Seattle over San Fransisco

So, Green Bay beat Philadelphia in a game that the hyped Packer offense didn't really live up to it. Aaron Rodgers said after the game he didn't like his performance at all and will improve it next week vs. Buffalo at Lambeau. Aaron threw 2 picks which is uncharacteristic from him after only throwing 7 in 2009. Clay Matthews is a freakin' stud. He can flat out play ball. I've been high on him ever since he really broke out vs. Minnesota on Monday Night Football last season. I won't forget him just ripping the ball from Adrian Peterson midrun. Aside from Michael Vick running circles around the defense, I wasn't too disappointed in their play. Thankfully, they don't play any more Michael Vick's the rest of the season. Ryan Grant sprained his ankle in what coach Mike McCarthy called 'a pretty good sprain that might keep him out Week 2'. I think Ryan will be fine, just shut him down for a week or two. Here's a guy who hasn't been hurt virtually his entire career, I think Brandon Jackson filled in just fine, and should play well against Buffalo.

NFC North Standings (with next weeks opponent in parentheses)

Green Bay 1-0 (Buffalo)

Chicago 1-0 (@ Dallas)

Detroit 0-1 (Philadelphia)

Minnesota 0-1 (Miami)

How about those Minnesota Twins today? I completely forgot about the game today! Winners 6-2 over Cleveland with the franchises 4000th win in history! The Twins improve to 85-58 and have a 6 game lead over the White Sox heading into a HUGE series at US Cellular Field in the South Side of Chicago. The Twins Magic number is 14. After this series it could be reduced to 8. I'll be frank, actually I'm Cory (rimshot), the White Sox NEED TO SWEEP THE TWINS if they have ANY shot of winning this division. If the Twins take 2, I think the division will be wrapped up by the middle of the following week. You couldn't ask for better starters for this series either:

Tuesday: Fransisco Liriano vs. Jon Danks

Wednesday: Brian Duensing vs. Gavin Floyd

Thursday: Carl Pavano vs. Mark Buehrle

My prediction: The Twins wrap up the division on Tuesday, September 21st vs. Cleveland. I only say that because I'm going to the game with C-Mac.

I'll toss another blog down tomorrow night and recap the Dallas/Washington, Kansas City/San Diego and Baltimore/NY Jets game.

-Ace