Schein: Nine nuggets from Week 1
Mike Shanahan knows what he's doing.
The Vikings and Jaguars are destined to be 8-8.
And did you know CBS opened up a restaurant in the complex next to the Patriots' stadium? I didn't get to hear much about that.
That should whet your appetite for Schein's nine nuggets of wisdom.
NFL Week 14
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Week 14 action
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Raiders-Chargers -- Slant: OAK | SD
Eagles-Giants -- Slant: PHI | NYG
Falcons-Saints -- Slant: ATL | NO
Vikings-Lions -- Slant: MIN | DET
Jaguars-Bears -- Slant: JAX | CHI
Texans-Packers -- Slant: HOU | GB
Bengals-Colts -- Slant: CIN | IND
Browns-Titans -- Slant: CLE | TEN
Dolphins-Bills -- Slant: MIA | BUF
Chiefs-Broncos -- Slant: KC | DEN
Jets-49ers -- Slant: NYJ | SF
Patriots-Seahawks -- Slant: NE | SEA
Cowboys-Steelers -- Slant: DAL | PIT
Rams-Cardinals -- Slant: STL | ARI
Redskins-Ravens -- Slant: WSH | BAL
Bucs-Panthers -- Slant: TB | CAR
Analysis
- Schrager: Most valuable Manning?
- NFL Power Rankings: Who's the best?
- Marvez: Giants can win without Plax
Video
Photos
1. Like I told you in my video picks on FOXSports.com, the Colts were a lock to win, likely by double digits, at home opening up Lucas Oil Stadium.
As always, I'm ahead of the curve.
The most stunning result from Week 1 in the NFL was in Indy, where the Colts were "thoroughly outplayed in every area." That's a quote from Colts coach Tony Dungy, who was very candid when addressing his club's Week 1 disappointment against the charged-up Bears on my Sirius NFL Radio show this past Football Monday.
"We have to be a little sharper, we have to execute the little things, make the plays that are there to be made, we need to play harder, and we didn't get the stops we needed in the run game," Dungy explained.
Dungy himself had a rare bad evening, challenging and losing on two plays that had no chance of being overturned. And he gambled on his team picking up a yard at midfield on a 4th-and-1 early in the fourth quarter. It was a situation that begged for a punt, especially with Joseph Addai not in the game.
Dominic Rhodes was stuffed. The game was truly over at that point.
Kyle Orton schooled the Colts defense with back-breaking plays. Matt Forte had a special first NFL game, dancing down the field with ease. The Indy defensive tackles were manhandled. Peyton Manning and the offense never got in a legit flow against the Bears defense.
This was a total meltdown for the Colts and the worst loss of Week 1.
I still think Indy's a great team, which is why this was so unfathomable.
2. The landscape of the AFC East and the AFC changes with the devastating news that Tom Brady's having knee surgery and won't play another down in 2008. This is a gigantic blow to the Patriots. It's a major impediment to New England hoisting the Lombardi Trophy.
But New England remains the team to beat.
Sure, the Bills were dominant. Brett Favre, Thomas Jones and Kris Jenkins led the Jets to an impressive Week 1 win, shutting down the Miami run game in the process.
While Brady is the best player in the league, do not count out the Patriots winning the division.
Bill Belichick is the best coach in the league. The front seven on defense remains elite. Laurence Maroney, Sammy Morris and Lamont Jordan form a deep and solid running back trio. The offensive line is strong. And Randy Moss and Wes Welker are still a sensational 1-2 combination at receiver. Plus, this is a team that has dealt with injuries before.
3. VINDICATED! Michael J. McCarthy! Ted Thompson! Mark Murphy! Adam Schein!
Aaron Rodgers is good. The Packers are winning the NFC North.
I hate being so smart.
Rodgers was incredibly accurate, rushed for a touchdown, oozed leadership and had a therapeutic Lambeau Leap in a game he'll never forget. He deserved it.
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| This just in: Aaron Rodgers is good. (Morry Gash / Associated Press) |
4. Further proof that the preseason means absolutely nothing? How about Atlanta 34, Detroit 21! It wasn't even that close. The Lions were August darlings, only to once again fizzle when the wins and losses actually count. I thought the Lions would beat Atlanta in Matt Ryan's first start. It was Ryan who looked like a seasoned vet, throwing a touchdown pass on his first NFL throw. He's going to be a legit franchise quarterback. Meanwhile, Michael Turner bulldozed the hapless Lions defense for a punishing 220 yards.
Shame on me for being fooled into thinking the rebuilding-since-1957 Lions could win on the road.
That was a suck-the-life-out-of the-damn-balloon -for-the-season type of loss.
5. If the Steelers-Texans game was a Pop Warner contest, it would've been called early due to domination.
Willie Parker is back and making the Pro Bowl.
All Ben Roethlisberger does is win.
Mike Tomlin's defense flat-out pounded a Texans team that is actually pretty good on paper.
Hey Gary Kubiak — how do you go for it on an early 4th-and-1 from the Pittsburgh 48 in Pittsburgh? It was mind-blowing, and the Steelers never looked back.
6. When Marvin Lewis looks at the game film, specifically his defense on Joe Flacco's touchdown run, he's going to be sick. I was sick watching that dreadful Bengal performance.
7. Bad loss for Mike Nolan's 49ers, a team with playoff aspirations. You have to win your division home games. You have to hold on to the ball. You have to GIVE Frank Gore the ball.
The Arizona defense, Kurt Warner's savvy and Edgerrin James' battering-ram style carried the Cards to a solid double-digit win.
It pains me every time I hear someone say Edge is done. That was a strong, clock-killing 100 yards.
8. I cannot say it any other way — the Browns are just not ready for prime time.
Tony Romo and the Cowboys could do anything they wanted on Sunday in Cleveland.
I cannot wait for Dallas and Philly this week coming up.
Sure, the Rams represent the league's junior varsity. But you cannot pooh-pooh the Eagles pummeling St. Louis. Donovan McNabb (361 yards and three TDs) lived up to my lofty preseason expectations. DeSean Jackson had a wonderful debut as a receiver and returner. And don't minimize the touchdown catch from now healthy tight end L.J. Smith. He's a weapon for McNabb while Reggie Brown and Kevin Curtis get healthy.
9). Drew Brees seems to have that MVP twinkle in his eye. And Reggie Bush looked outstanding running the ball after the catch. That's a huge nugget to chew on.
Week 1 Awards ...
My guys ...
1. Dick Jauron: I keep telling you he is the most underrated coach in all of sports! Buffalo was strong on offense, the defense battered poor Matt Hasselbeck, and Roscoe Parrish darted down field for a back-breaking special-teams touchdown. Get on the Bills' playoff bandwagon.
2. Jake Delhomme: According to safety Chris Harris, Delhomme gave Carolina an emotional pep talk Saturday night before the game against San Diego, stressing how football was almost taken away from him after Tommy John surgery. Delhomme was outstanding (8-for-11, 68 yards) on the game-winning drive before hitting someone named Dante Rosario for the game-winning touchdown at the gun. What a great moment!
3. Jeff Fisher: Thirty-three rush yards for the Jaguars? Dave Garrard throwing two picks? Words cannot even describe how Jeff Fisher gets his team ready for a game.
4. Dwight Lowery: The Jets' rookie cornerback preserved the New York win in Miami by batting down consecutive Chad Pennington passes on third and fourth down with nine minutes to go in the fourth quarter and the Jets holding a 20-7 lead. With the Jets holding on to win 20-14, Lowery saved the game.
5. John Harbaugh: One of the great sights this weekend was the first-time head coach taking a Gatorade bath in front of a jubilant Ray Lewis. Harbaugh was smart enough to keep Rex Ryan as his defensive coordinator. And rookies Joe Flacco and Ray Rice looked the part in the win.
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| Adam Schein hopes Rams coach Scott Linehan is a renter. (Mel Evans / Associated Press) |
My Goats ...
1. Jim Zorn: The rookie head coach failed in game management and play calling. There was no sense of urgency down the stretch of the Week 1 loss to the Giants. The play calling on third down was horrible.
2. Scott Linehan: I hope he rented and didn't buy. The Rams looked totally disinterested. Color me floored if Linehan lasts past Jan. 1.
3. Vince Young: Two more interceptions and then not going back on the field? Even before the knee injury, Young managed to infuriate his coaches, teammates and fans.
4. Carson Palmer: Ninety-nine passing yards? I always argue that Palmer is the third-best quarterback in the NFL. It's time to officially revisit. The Ravens' defense was outstanding, but that's unacceptable and unbelievable.
5. Norv Turner: Horrible game management in a shocking HOME loss to the Panthers.
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