Kevin's Kickoff Week 3

Kevin's Kickoff for NFL Week 3:


Kevin's Kudos from Week 2:

Player: Quarterback, Matt Schaub, Houston Texans: Two weeks played so far and both week's player kudos goes to a Houston Texans player. Down 27-10 midway through the second half, Schaub led a furious Texans comeback to beat the Redskins in OT 30-27. Yes, Schaub did benefit from another stand out performance by arguably the best receiver in the NFL in Andre Johnson but he spread the ball around well to his other weapons: Kevin Walter, Jacoby Jones, Joel Dreessen, and Owen Daniels.
Runner-up: Quarterback, Mark Sanchez, New York Jets

Team: Pittsburgh Steelers: As much as I hate to do it, these guys just always seem to find ways to win games even without a Quarterback and against a good team on the road. Defense carried the day in a convincing 19-11 in Nashville and it is looking like the Steelers' Defense is going to be the best in the NFL in 2010. Being a Browns fan and watching how these guys continue to have success while my Brownies continue to be a laughingstock just makes me want to cry in the corner for about 5 years!!!
Runner-up: Chicago Bears

Kevin says Booooooooo to You from Week 2:
Player: Wide Receiver, Braylon Edwards, New York Jets: This is not so much because of game performance as Edwards had a very good game against the Pats in a 28-14 victory, it is because he was arrested for DUI the following day after the game. How a guy can go out, get hammered, and drive home being twice over the legal limit and not really own up to it is just revolting. Braylon Edwards is a overrated, selfish prima donna. His antics and behavior got him booted out of Cleveland and when he came to New York he bad mouthed his old home by blaming the fans being against him because he went to the University of Michigan and basically said the city sucked after he was mad for being arrested for punching one of #6's pals. He was drinking with Donte Stallworth the night that Stallworth, under the influence, ran over and killed a pedestrian in Miami and two years later he is out doing the same thing. When you make a list of what is wrong with sports, Braylon Edwards deserves a spot at the top of the list.
Runner-up(tie): Quarterback, Vince Young, Tennessee Titans, Quarterback Brett Farve, Minnesota Vikings

Team: Dallas Cowboys: America's most hyped is definitely starting to look like America's most overrated team as they were handily defeated by an average Chicago Bears team at home. The Boys are just a mess committing stupid penalties and making critical errors especially on offense. Now Dallas plays a very good Texans team in Houston on Sunday and are staring an 0-3 start in the face. Jerry Jones is not going to wake up on Monday morning and see Patrick Duffy in the shower and realize it was all just a bad dream..............
Runner-up: Minnesota Vikings

Kevin's Countdown:
The Top 5 Best Wide Receivers in the NFL in 2010:
5. Brendan Marshall, Miami Dolphins
4. Reggie Wayne, Indianapolis Colts
3. Randy Moss, New England Patriots
2. Larry Fitzgerald, Arizona Cardinals
1. Andre Johnson, Houston Texans

Kevin's Seven: 7 big games to keep an eye on this weekend:

0-2 Cleveland Browns at 1-1 Baltimore Ravens: Also known as “Old” Browns vs. “New” Browns thanks to Art Modell. This rivalry just shows how much it stinks to be a Cleveland sports fan as the Ravens have become one of the top NFL franchises since the move to Baltimore while the new Browns after returning in 1999 and have been the second worst franchise since then (thanks Detroit Lions). But I guess I am just venting and I digress to this week's game, Ray Lewis and company are going to be in a very bad mood coming off a loss to the Bengals and questionable officiating not to mention they are going to attempt to get Joe Flacco and the struggling offense on track against a average Browns defense. Time for more heartache Browns fans.....
Ravens 34, Browns 10

0-2 Dallas Cowboys at 2-0 Houston Texans: Two teams that seem to be heading in opposite directions, the preseason favorite Cowboys seem to be a mess while the Texans are off to a fantastic start winning with two solid victories. This is a huge game for so many reasons: Dallas trying to avoid a devastating 0-3 start, the rivalry between the two biggest cities in Texas, the Texans trying to legitimize themselves as one of the NFL's top clubs, Romo vs. Schaub. Looking forward to catching this one on Sunday.
Texans 28, Cowboys 24

1-1 Atlanta Falcons at 2-0 New Orleans Saints: Many experts picked Atlanta to be the team to usurp the Saints as NFC South division champs this year as the Falcons seem to have the talent and depth to match up with the Saints. Yes, the champs are coming off a tough Monday night victory but I still don't think we have seen Brees' boys play at their best yet, the time could very well be Sunday to send a message to the Dirty Birds....
Saints 27, Falcons 17

1-1 Tennessee Titans at 1-1 New York Giants: Two teams coming off pretty ugly losses and looking to right the ship. I would have to give the edge to the “Flaming Thumbtacks” in this one because I think Jeff Fisher will have his team psyched-up after getting handled by the Steelers while the Giants seem evermore the weary of their coach Tom Coughlin.
Titans 23, Giants 21

2-0 Pittsburgh Steelers at 2-0 Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Well, here we have two 2-0 teams, one a legit contender, the other a pretender. Buc's QB Josh Freeman has looked good in his first two games this season but the Steelers tend to make all Quarterbacks look bad, just ask Matt Ryan and Vince Young.
Steelers 31, Buccaneers 12

1-1 New York Jets at 2-0 Miami Dolphins: Its always fun well these to teams get together, especially on nationally televised games: the Marino fake spike, Jets MNF comeback, the Ginn game last year, and Rex Ryan's post-game comments. Both teams seem to be mirror images of each other to start this season, good Defenses but pedestrian Offenses. Miami seems to have had the Jet's number in recent season and with lock down corner Derrell Revis sitting this one out, Brendan Marshall could be looking at a big game and being the difference.
Dolphins 20, Jets 17

2-0 Green Bay Packers at 2-0 Chicago Bears: The NFL's oldest rivalry is always more fun when both the teams are actually good as seems to be the case for this Monday night tilt. The Bears are a little lucky to be 2-0, they should not have won the Detroit opener while the Packers are looking like the prognosticated Super Bowl favorites they are. While both teams have solid Defenses, this one seems like shoot-out between Jay Cutler and Aaron Rodgers. I think Cutler is more prone to make that late game mistake especially with Clay Matthews in his face all game.
Packers 38, Bears 31

Kevin's Culinary Tip:
Don't have a lot of time to cook between the games this weekend but you would like a nice full meal. Make yourself some Instant Potatoes to go along with your protein for a quick and delicious side. Yes, instant potatoes can be pretty brutal however, if you add some Chives and Sour Cream to them they can be pretty tasty.

Enjoy Week 3....

Kevin's Kickoff Week 2

Kevin's Kudos from Week 1:

Player: Running back Arian Foster, Houston Texans: Foster trampled the Colts defense for over 231 yards rushing in maybe the Texan's franchise biggest win since their inaugural season's opening victory against Dallas.

Runner-up: Quarterback, Tom Brady, New England Patriots

Team: Houston Texans: It was not Foster alone who helped the Texans overcome their divisional nemesis, the Colts, the offensive and defensive lines out-physicaled Indy and helped make for a long opening day for the defending AFC South champs. The Texans beating their divisional bully in the Colts kind of reminds me of George McFly punching out Biff Tannen at the end of Back to the Future.

Hello!!???.....McFly!!!????....

Kevin's says Booooooo!!! to you from Week 1:

Player: Alex Barron, Dallas Cowboys: When you cost your team the game on the final play with a blatant holding penalty, it is pretty much a no-brainer with who deserves to be listed here. The Cowboy's coaching staff deserves dishonorable mention not only for starting Barron and leaving him in the game after countless penalties called against him but for calling that horrendous play at the end of the first half which resulted in a Redskins touchdown....

Runner-up: Quarterback, Jake Delhomme, Cleveland Browns

Team: San Francisco 49ers: This could have easily gone to the Jets or Bengals but San Fran is supposed to walk away with the NFC West and when you get throttled by an inferior Seattle Seahawks team 31-6 it just makes one say “Wowsers.”

Runner-up: tie New York Jets, Cincinnati Bengals

Week 2:

Kevin's Seven: 7 big games to keep an eye on this weekend

Baltimore Ravens 1-0 at Cincinnati Bengals 0-1:

Ravens Knocked around the Jets Hard (get it?) on MNF football in Week 1 and dominated the game more than the 10-9 final score indicated. The Bengals on the other hand were slaughtered by the Pats and looked like a bunch of prima donnas for their opening game, much like their obnoxious receivers Ocho and TO. Now the Bengals find themselves staring at an 0-2 start with the team most likely to dethrone them as AFC North champs. Better not rest on your laurels this week, Cincy....

Ravens 24, Bengals 21

Miami Dolphins 1-0 at Minnesota Vikings 0-1:

Two teams that looked rather unimpressive in Week 1. Miami, albeit in a victory against lowly Buffalo, struggled offensively most of the game but managed to hang on for the win while the Vikings played good defense against the defending champ Saints but the offense looked like they were just thrown together two hours before kick-off. Hey, Childress!!! You might want to hand the ball off to Adrian Peterson more while Farve gets used to his wide receivers. Use your Assets....

Vikings 28, Dolphins 17

New England Patriots 1-0 at New York Jets 0-1

It has been a pretty bad week for Rex's boys after a disappointing home opening loss where the offense looked rather offensive and all the controversy surrounding the female reporter from Mexico's TV Azteca. Now they've got Mr. Tom Brady coming to town looking like the Brady of 2008. Uh Oh...Spagetti-O's!!! For the Jets to have any chance the offense is going to have to stay on the field and put some points up or Brady's offense is going to give Rex ulcers from starting the season at 0-2 and make him not want a "bleeping snack"....for once....

Patriots 26, Jets 14

Houston Texans 1-0 at Washington Redskins 1-0

The Skin's definitely have the Cowboy's stupidity to thank for their opening season win while the Texans ran all over Indy in a convincing victory. Sniff, Sniff...do I smell a letdown game for Houston? I don't think so as it is looking like Washington's offense is going to be a work-in-progress for much of the early season and the Texans now multi-dimensional offensive attack will prove too much for the Skins to keep pace with...

Texans 30, Redskins 20

Pittsburgh Steelers 1-0 at Tennessee Titans 1-0

The Steelers managed to squeak out a win at home against the Falcons in OT last week without the suspended Ben Roethlisberger at quarterback while the Titans smacked around the Raiders for an easy victory. Gauging a team based on a win against the Raiders is kind of tricky but this was one of those games where it is difficult seeing a Steelers victory even with Big Ben in the lineup but almost surely not with Dennis Dixon starting against what is looking like a very solid Titan team....

Titans 21, Steelers 13

New York Giants 1-0 at Indianapolis Colts 0-1

The best part of brothers Eli vs Peyton really isn't going to be the game, it's the great commercials leading up to the game. After the Manning boys NFL careers are over, they should get their own sitcom, it would be better than Perfect Strangers!!! BTW, I don't see the Colts starting 0-2...

Colts 35, Giants 27

New Orleans Saints 1-0 at San Francisco 49ers 0-1

The Niners are finally retiring Jerry Rice's #80 during halftime of the game, (about time, should have happened five years ago!). Couple that with the egg laying against Seattle last week, coach Singletary will have his team ready to go against the Champs but San Fran could definitely use the greatest wide receiver of all-time to keep pace with Drew Brees and Sean Peyton in this Monday Nighter....

Saints 34, 49ers 21

*Kevin's Culinary Tip for Week 2: Don't forget to get yourself some celery to have with your Wings this weekend; it is a good way to eat something that is healthy between all the junk food you'll be shoveling down your pie hole....

Enjoy Week 2..........Aaaarrrrrooooouuuuuuufffffffff!!!!!

NFL Football -- AFC Predictions

North

   Baltimore Ravens 12-4:  Transitioning from an NFL football team that is known for its dominant defense to a team with a high scoring offense, the Baltimore Ravens might just be NFL's most balanced team. 

   Pittsburgh Steelers 10-6:  Even without Roethlisberger for the four games he'll miss this season, the Steelers' defense is still among the NFL's best and should rebound from last season's non-playoff presence.

   Cincinnati Bengals 7-9:  This is, without a doubt, NFL's most volatile chemistry experiment and it is hard to predict just how well it will work out.  One thing is certain though; Carson Palmer is going to need plenty of aspirin to cope with the headaches he will undoubtedly experience from having TO and Ocho yapping at him all season long. 

   Cleveland Browns 6-10:  Finally a front office regime that seems to have their football franchise going in the right direction.  Expect a more competitive team on the field, but in my opinion it is still a team that too short on talent to challenge the division leaders yet, at least not for another season or two. 

South

   Indianapolis Colts 13-3:  With as Peyton Manning remains quarterback, we can pretty much count on the Colts winning at least 12 games per season; and this season should be no different. 

   Tennessee Titans 11-5:  Another season of “The Chris Johnson Show”, along with solid quarterback play from VY and an improving group of receivers, should solidify the Titans as a play-off team. 

   Houston Texans 8-8: Offense can score with anybody; but too many holes on defense especially in secondary to successfully navigate a very tough schedule. 

   Jacksonville Jaguars 4-12:  Overall talent of team is not bad but the sense of apathy in the region for this team will have a negative effect on how the Jags play football this season, especially if they are looking at  empty stadium home games.  This franchise may not survive in this market for too many more seasons. 

East

   New York Jets 11-5:  The Pre-Season AFC favorites have the heavy burden of expectations to live up to in 2010; but arguably they do have the most talented defense in football, along with a plethora of weapons on offense, which will help the team live up to those well-merited expectations.

   New England Patriots 10-6: Despite much of the roster being in flux, the Patriots still have Belichick, Brady, and Moss to keep them in play-off contention. 

   Miami Dolphins 9-7:  The addition of Brandon Marshall to an already well-balanced roster should keep the Fins within striking distance of the Jets and Patriots all season. 

   Buffalo Bills 3-13:  An extreme lack of talent on both sides of the ball will make this team's year one in the Chan Gailey era a forgettable one.

West

   San Diego Chargers 11-5:  Despite key players still missing because of contract issues, the Chargers are still much more talented than then rest of the teams in this "mediocre" division.

   Oakland Raiders 7-9:  New quarterback, Jason Campbell will finally help provide consistency at QB position and Oakland's Raiders will finally show some life for the first time since the 2002 season. 

   Kansas City Chiefs 6-10:  The Chiefs are another AFC West team that is starting to show signs of improvement; but they are still at least a year away from competing with the more talented Chargers.

   Denver Broncos 4-12:  If Coach Josh McDaniels has excelled at any one thing since coming to Denver before last season, it has definitely been dispatching his team of all of its superstar talent.  The loss of linebacker Dumervil for the season was essentially “the straw that broke the camel's back.”

NFL Football -- NFC Predictions

North

  Green Bay Packers 14-2:  Aaron Rodgers seems poised to join Manning, Brady, and Brees in the company of elite NFL QBs.  The Pack are on the cusp of a break-out year. 

  Minnesota Vikings 9-7:  Despite returning for another NFL season, Brett Favre is already having health concerns before the start of the season along with other key offensive players.  A repeat of last season's magical run seems very unlikely. 

   Chicago Bears 7-9:  The new Offensive Coordinator Mike Martz  + QB Jay Cutler combination could lead to an explosion of touchdowns in Chicago but an unproven Offensive line and unproven talent at skill positions could result in an explosion of turnovers. 

   Detroit Lions 4-12:  Slowly clawing their way back to respectability, but the Lions are still another couple seasons away from contending for a playoff spot. 

South

   New Orleans Saints 12-4:  A lot of experts seem to be discounting the defending champs for the season because of a Super Bowl “hangover.”  I don't see it.  Brees and his offense is still one of the best in the NFL and the defense may be even stronger.  Dethroning the Champs is not going to be an easy feat. 

   Atlanta Falcons 10-6:  The Falcons are a solid and well coached team.  Not making the playoffs would be a major letdown for this team.

   Carolina Panthers 7-9:  Look for a lot of low scoring football games when the Panthers play.  A top-notch rushing game will predictably chew-up the clock and with the lack of explosive play-makers at the wide receiving position, and an unproven quarterback, we can expect this mediocre team to play to its strength, milking the clock. 

   Tampa Bay Buccaneers 4-12:  This young team is going to have a tough time staying in games early in the season, but should improve as the season goes forward. 

East

   Dallas Cowboys 11-5:  You just know Jerry Jones is going to be pressuring the team all year to have the "Boys" end up playing in their home stadium for the Super Bowl.  The team is talented enough to make this come to fruition.

   Philadelphia Eagles 9-7:  A lot of people seem to be quick to discount the Eagles after trading away McNabb, but this team still has a lot of talent.  Coach Andy Reid will have them in the thick of the division race all year. 

   Washington Redskins 8-8:  Mike Shanahan plus Donovan McNabb should dramatically improve the chances of the Skins achieving more victories.  Much anticipated games against the Eagles should prove to be quite interesting...

   New York Giants 7-9:  "Linebacker" and "Offensive Line" talent issues will keep this otherwise talented team from achieving sustained success this season and it seems that coach Tom Coughlin's team may be tiring of his no-nonsense attitude and may be starting to tune him out. 

West

   San Francisco 49ers 10-6:  Even with Alex Smith at quarterback, the rest of the division is so bad that the Niners should still win the division with ease.

   Arizona Cardinals 6-10: Kurt Warner retires and the quarterback position goes to he$%6#, when Derek Anderson is your #1 QB; looks like a long season ahead for these guys. 

   Seattle Seahawks 3-13:  A lot of college football fans are going to enjoy seeing the arrogant and cocky Pete Carroll knocked back down to earth as he resumes his mediocre NFL coaching career. 

   St.Louis Rams 1-15:  This team is so shallow in talent at every position that it is hard to find more than one or two games on this year's schedule that they could possibly win.

AFC Seeding:
1. Colts
2. Ravens
3. Chargers
4. Jets
5. Titans
6. Steelers


NFC Seeding:
1.Packers
2.Saints
3.Cowboys
4.49ers
5.Falcons
6.Vikings

Super Bowl:

Colts vs. Packers

Champs:
Indianapolis Colts