Football is finally back. Sure, the college season started last week and people will say that week one of the college season is better than week one of NFL, but when it comes down to it, the NFL playoffs kick the BCS in the face everytime. A lot of interesting things happened today, here's a few:
Calvin Johnson's spectacular touchdown catch (incomplete pass)
This was officially highway robbery. The Lions entered the season with hope that they have not experienced in years. A wunderkind QB that appeared poised to make the team relevant again. A stud wideout that can make high jump style one-handed catches. A defense that appears ready to actually challenge opposing QBs. Just when you think that the Motor City is ready to rise from the ashes, they get smacked in the face and then kicked while they are down. Matthew Stafford goes down in the first half from a vicious blindside hit, returns in a sling. Then, despite losing their QB, the Lions fight back, stop Chicago four times in a row on the goal line. The meaning of what it is to be a Detroit Lions fan was fully expressed in their final offensive play. That was a touchdown catch. Johnson made an incredible, game-winning touchdown catch that by a rule that should be thrown out was nullified. I would not be surprised to see the NFL address this rule in general this week.
The Cowboy's final play of the first half
The 'Boys came into this game as somewhat handicapped favorites. Several offensive lineman out, which caused Romo to be throwing in a hurry the entire game. You cannot trust a backup lineman to match up with Albert Haynesworth. All of this aside, the biggest mistake of the game was not technically the fault of anyone on the field. The coach that was responsible for calling a screen-toss rather than either running the ball up the middle or taking a knee is the sole individual responsible*. Take it into the half. Regroup. The Cowboys have more talent than the Redskins. But a play like that sucks the wind out of a team. The Cowboys had the entire halftime to think about that play while they waited to get back on the field. If you ask me, that was the end of the game right there.
*SIDE NOTE: Just saw Wade Phillips post-game interview. He took the blame but then said "If you catch the ball with 4 seconds left, you don't need to go for that extra yard." That sounds like he's blaming his player for trying to get downfield. What the hell did you think he was going to do Wade?! It's his fault for trying to do something with the ball on one of the dumbest play calls of all-time? C'MON MAN!
Michael Vick finally looked like Michael Vick
For the first time since he was on the Falcons, Vick showed flashes of his immense talent. Vick pulled off a few scrambles that I thought were no longer in his repertoire. He even showed that he can complete a pass or two. Surely this will spark debate on the Cold Pizza shows about whether Vick or Kolb should be the starting QB. This debate is nice, but maybe the bigger issue is why did you get rid of McNabb? Neither Vick nor Kolb looked as if they could lead this team to any kind of playoff berth. McNabb did not look spectacular, but look at the difference between the two number one wideouts on each team:
Desean Jackson - 3 catches, 30 yds
Santana Moss - 6 catches, 77 yds
Neither had a spectacular game, but Jackson had nearly no impact on the game minus McNabb. Moss had several key first down catches. McNabb makes his receivers look good. Philly could be in big trouble.
Alex Smith is still Alex Smith
The 49ers were picked by many "experts" to be the only possible team that could come out of the NFC West. All of these picks rested on the assumption that Alex Smith was finally ready to become a winning NFL quarterback. These assumptions came crashing down as Smith threw two interceptions against a no-name Seahawks defense and effectively took his team out of the game. The worst being an early 3rd quarter pick-six to Trufant that put the game out of reach at 21-6. It may finally be time (second time?) to close the book on Alex Smith. The guy is just not cut out for NFL size expectations.
The Colts D (or lack thereof)
For the first time in his career, Peyton Manning may not be able to throw enough touchdowns to pick up a mediocre defense. Rookie Arian Foster gashed the Colts defense, even worse once Bob Sanders went down. The Colts defense was exposed today as havign some serious holes. Manning threw the ball 57 times! And racked up 433 yards and 3 TD! Those numbers are usually easily associated with a Colts win. Not today. Unless the Colts get a few players to step up on defense, it could be a very long year for Indianapolis.
The Carolina D (and lack of offense)
The Panthers score looks like the defense got tossed around and toyed with in a 31-18 loss to the Giants. But looking into the box score, one would notice that the defense had a helluva game.
Carolina defense: 1 sack; 1 safety; 3 interceptions; 1 fumble recovery; 1 blocked kick
The Carolina defense had something ridiculous, close to 30 sacks in the preseason alone. They have a speedy, ball hawking defense that will hang in there with the best of them all year, but none of that will matter if Matt Moore throws 3 key interceptions, one of which was in the endzone. This is a team that has a defense that could end up being the top in the NFC, but a QB at the helm that just looked lost today.
Tomorrow, DA-DA-DA-DAAAAAAAA... a double dose of Monday Night Football. Lets see if the Hard Knocks can defeat the Kings of Hard Knocks. Getcha popcorn ready...
