Biggest Surprises
Robert Griffin III and the Redskins offense was deadly, especially with Pierre Garcon as the number one receiver. Garcon showed great speed and hands on a 88 yard TD reception in the first half. The Saints D has never been known for being stingy, but RG3 would have done that to anyone yesterday. Look for them to hang in the division race longer than most expected.
The New York Jets surprised the Buffalo Bills yesterday. After the starting offense did not score a touchdown in the entire pre-season, they put 48 points on the board, and could have scored more if they didn’t let up on the gas in the 4th. Sanchez had 3 TD’s and looked really good. However, many started to whisper “Tebow” after Sanchez threw an interception in the first quarter, but he was able to rebound later in the game. Rookie wide receiver Stephen Hill, who is known for his speed, had two big touchdowns. If he can step up and be the #2 wide receiver to help out Sanchez, look out for the Jets.
Tampa Bay played unbelievable defense yesterday. They held Cam Newton and the high powered Panthers to just 10 points, and amazingly, only 10 rushing yards. Rookie head Coach Greg Schiano has already put his mark on this team defensively, and rookie safety Mark Baron out of Alabama looked really good showing speed, the ability to cover, and big hit capability. Freeman and Vincent Jackson looked good together, they missed on a few deep throws but overall with rookie running back Doug Martin gaining 95 yards rushing, this offense looks very balanced. This could be a sleeper pick to go from worst to first this season.
Disappointing
Two of the teams that won yesterday looked really bad in doing so, they were the Eagles and Lions. Mike Vick looked terrible the entire game, constantly forcing throws down field. He was getting hassled all day long by the Brown’s front 4, causing him to throw for 4 interceptions. Not taking anything away from the Browns who played great on defense, but the Eagles have to many weapons to be shutdown like they were. Coach Reid finally decided to go back to the running game in the 4th quarter. LeSean McCoy ending up with 110 yards rushing, which helped them on their final few drives in the 4th to take the lead with just over 1 minute to go. If ANY other quarterback was playing for the Browns yesterday besides Weeden, the Eagles would of lost. Weeden had a quarterback rating just higher than than the number of interceptions he threw.
Detroit came out slow and finished fast, Stafford looked lost in the first half throwing 3 interceptions, causing Fantasy Football owners across the country to panic. Give credit to the Ram’s defense now run by Jeff Fisher, but the high powered passing duo of Stafford to Calvin was bottled up most of the day, until the last drive when the hurry up offense got them down the field before Stafford found a wide open Kevin Smith for the touchdown with 10 seconds remaining. The Lion’s offense will rebound but they did not look pretty. A win is a win, as any coach will tell you.
Sunday’s MVP’s
Matt Ryan looked unstoppable yesterday, throwing for 3 touchdowns and running for another. He was helped out by a banged up Chief’s defensive secondary, but still he looked great. Look for Ryan and Julio Jones to potentially be the next Stafford to Calvin.
Robert Griffin III really shined in his debut, passing for 320 yards 2 touchdowns and NO interceptions. Watching him yesterday seemed like he did it with ease, it just came so natural. He didn’t run that much but he is like an old hero in a western movie, he has that bullet in the chamber if he ever needs it. I am excited to watch him play this year, let me jump on the Redskin bandwagon now before it gets to full later in the season.
Stevan Ridley of the New England Patriots may be a new name for many fans around the league, but you better get used to hearing it. He looked good yesterday in the Patriots dismantling of the Titans, having 125 yards rushing, 1 touchdown, with 2 catches for 27 yards. He isn’t the fastest or strongest running back, but he is a great combo of both. He can carry the load this year for the Patriots who were a very pass heavy offense last season and need to become more balanced. If you have a chance, pick him up off waivers in your fantasy league or trade for him ASAP before he becomes the next big name in running backs.
Joe Haden corner back for the Cleveland Browns is quietly becoming one of the top shut down corners in the league, he had the task of shutting down Desean Jackson yesterday, which he did pretty well. Haden had 6 tackles and 1 interception yesterday, plus a handful of batted balls as well. Haden got kicked out of practice this year for being too tough, any DB who gets kicked out for being too tough is a winner in my book. I loved him coming out of Florida a few years ago, and I look for him to continue being a top notch shut down corner in this league.
