Here are my thoughts from Week 3 of the NFL season, based purely on what I was able to see, and again, since I was at a bar all day drinking and watching football, that was a lot!
Game of the WeekNew Orleans Saints at Denver Broncos. As much as I would love to say it was the Dolphins at the Patriots, that game was only at its best by virtue of the outcome. New Orleans had lots of passing (Marshall 155 receiving yards, Brees 421 yards passing), lost of scoring, two point conversion attempts and a kazoo sighting (that's Martin Grammatica if you didn't know). Denver clicking on all offensive cylinders, but again not being able to stop anybody. I am looking forward to a lot of exciting Denver games this year.
Best Team PerformanceThe Miami Dolphins. They certainly earned it this week. Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams ran all over the Patriots defense, the playcalling was genius and inventive and Joey Porter spent most of the game in the New England backfield. An incredible win by a team that really needed one. The inventive play calling shouldn't have come as a surprise since QB coach David Lee, was last seen as the Offensive Coordinator/QB coach at Arkansas, that ran their famous "Wildcat" formation with both Darren McFadden and Felix Jones.
Least Impressive Team PerformanceNew England Patriots - for all of the above reasons.
Most Impressive Individual Performance (Offense)Ronnie Brown, RB - Miami. Brandon Marshall followed up his award winning week from last year with another 155 yards receiving and a TD, but he doesn't even come close to Brown's week. Ronnie Brown gained 113 yards on 17 carries, scored 4 TDs himself and threw for a 5th, all against the heretofore vaunted Patriots.
Most Impressive Individual Performance (Defense)Antonio Cromartie, CB - San Diego Chargers. Yes, I know the interception was against Brett Favre so it was bound to occur, but the athleticism involved in that particular interception was amazing. The timing, the coordination, and the ability to adjust to the deflection, and then the composure to run it back.
Most Impressive Individual Performance (Special Teams)Rian Lindell K, Buffalo Bills. Kicked a game winning 38 yard field goal as time expired. I won't say too much more about kickers.
Goat of the WeekOK, so I lied. Martin Grammatica, K, New Orleans. 1 for 3 in FGs, including a late potential game winner.
Hit of the WeekOnce again our winner is Ronnie Brown, who bowled over Ellis Hobbs at the goal line for a touchdown, especially since Brown could have avoided Hobbs by going either left or right, as nobody else was close. Instead, Brown lowered his shoulder to go through and over Hobbs.
Breakthrough PerformanceJulius Jones, RB - Seattle Seahawks - for his 140 yard rushing performance after everybody thought his career was washed up. Why did people think that anyway? I agree he is no Marion Barber, but he certainly isn't a slouch. May have saved Seattle's season, although the game was against St. Louis.
FinallyCarson Palmer, QB - Cincinnati Bengals
No Kim Kardashian pictures this week. This is an award for "finally doing something this year" as opposed to "finally doing something at all", but Palmer was 27-39 for 286 and 1 TD, to hopefully put this offense back on the right track.
Ok, maybe one Kardashian picture.
Impact InjuryCharles Tillman, CB - Chicago Bears - Tillman got his feelings hurt after the Bears managed to stop the Bucs on third down deep in Buccaneer territory, meaning great field position for the Bears in overtime and an easy few runs and field goal. Except, Tillman had to take umbrage to the physical play of Tampa and earn a personal foul, giving Tampa a first down, and ultimately the game. Now granted, the fouls should have been offsetting, at least, as I saw one Buc player throw 3 punches, but Charles, the best way to strike back would be to win.
Team RisingBuffalo Bills - Although played relatively poorly against the Raiders for 3 quarters, they still pulled out the win, are 3-0, and in first place in the AFC East.
Team FallingNew England Patriots _ I don't care if you did start Matt Cassell, or Kevin O'Connell or Matt Gutierrez, you are still supposed to be the Patriots. And this was the Dolphins.
Best Teams1. Dallas Cowboys
2. Philadelphia Eagles
3. Green Bay Packers
4. New York Giants
5. Denver Broncos
Worst Teams32. St. Louis Rams
31. Kansas City Chiefs
30. Cleveland Browns
29. Oakland Raiders
28. Houston Texans
Preview - Game(s) of the Week4. Philadelphia at Chicago - I only added this as a fourth game because, as a Bears fan, I am interested in seeing if the Bears can be as prolific as their Week 1 Sunday night victory over the Colts, and/or if we are going to see Caleb Hanie in at QB for the Bears because the Eagles knock out both Orton and Grossman. Naturally, the Eagles will only knock out Orton, and Grossman will play well enough to create a QB controversy.
3. Green Bay at Tampa Bay - The renewal of a good old fashioned NFC Central rivalry, between teams that look pretty good so far this year. Winner will be 3-1.
2. Atlanta at Carolina - Winner moves to 3-1 and at least a share of the the NFC South lead, depending upon the game listed above.
1. Baltimore at Pittsburgh - Could be the lowest scoring game since, well, last year's Miami Pittsburgh game played in the awful, and I mean awful, field conditions of Heinz.
Last Week's Trivia AnswerPhiladelphia Eagles WR Don Looney was the first WR in history to amass two consecutive 100 yard receiving games to start his NFL career. As we saw this year, Ealges WR DeSean Jackson was the second.
TriviaAll of the Philadelphia Eagles sacks on Roethlisberger got me to thinking, what NFL player has the most consecutive games recording at least 1 sack? Please no online searches, and place your guesses in the comments. Answer provided next week.
