NFL 2009

Posted by: JamieL_v2 on 15 September 2009

I know a lot of people here will not be fans, but I know there are a few who are, so I though a thread for the new season would get some interesting contributions.

Not quite seen all the week one results, but Pittsburgh looked strong, as did Tennessee, great opener.

Here are some predictions I posted on another (small) forum:

NFC
The NFC has few stand out teams, a lot falling back, and a few rebuilding. The South is strong, as is the East, the North competitive, only the West has a number of weak teams. New York Giants, Arizona Cardinals and Green Bay Packers I think will be in the play-offs, the rest will be very close, with a handful of poor teams at the bottom.

NFC East:
New York Giants
Dallas Cowboys
Philadelphia Eagles
Washington Redskins

Close division, but they are all tough. The Giants will probably be the most consistent team. Dallas still have a lot of talented players, it is just whether they will gel into a team. I just don't believe that Phildelphia will be anything special, McNabb is getting old. Washington will find it a hard division to compete in, but we not be bad.

NFC North
Green Bay Packers
Minnesota Vikings
Chicago Bears
Detroit Lions

I think Green Bay will build on last year, Minnesota's running game will be good. I don't think Jay Cutler is the final piece needed for Chicago, I think he will be disruptive, I do think that Detroit will win more games than last year (they lost all 16 for those who do not know).

NFC South
Atlanta Falcons
New Orleans Saints
Carloina Panthers
Tampa Bay Buccaneers

I think that each team has won this division at least once in the last five years. Tampa might be rebuilding under a new coach, but the other three are all competitive.

NFC West
Arizona Cardinals
Seattle Seahawks
San Francisco 49'ers
St Loius Rams

Arizona will not take teams by suprise this year, but will be good, and do not have a lot of competition in the division.

Division winners: New York Giants, Green Bay Packers, Atlanta Falcons, Arizona Cardinals
Wild Cards: Minnesota Vikings, and one of Dallas Cowboys, Chicago Bears, New Orleans Saints, Carloina Panthers - it is that even.
Weak teams: Detroit Lions, San Francisco 49'ers, St Loius Rams

AFC
Steelers, Patriots, Chargers are the class of the AFC, an awful lot of other good teams, and oh dear, how the AFC West has fallen. San Diego can book their playoff birth now (you don't know how that pains me to say)

AFC East:
New England Patriots
Miami Dolphins
New York Jets
Buffalo Bills

With Brady back The Patriots will be the class of the division again, Miami will be good, the Jets are rebuilding, will have as lot of pieces though, and Buffalo will probably start strong and fade as they often do. Strong division.

AFC North:
Pittsburgh Steelers
Baltimore Ravens
Cleveland Browns
Cincinnati Bengals

The Steelers are just a great consistent team, brilliantly run, a coach who has the confidence that he will be backed, a quarterback who is just a winner. I know they won last year, but hard to pick against them. The Ravens will be tough, play hard football and give Pittsburgh a run for the division. Cleveland and Cincinnati are so, so.

AFC South:
Tennessee Titans
Indianapolis Colts
Jacksonville Jaguars
Houston Texans

A lot of talent in this division, I think the Titans will remain good, Jeff Fisher is such a good coach, the Colts are still very strong. Jacksonville will be much stronger than last year's disarray, and Houston have a tough job to complete against such strong teams.

AFC West:
San Diego Chargers
Kansas City Chiefs
Denver Broncos
Oakland Raiders

The AFC Worst as it was known last year, San Diego are head and shoulders above the rest, who are all rebuilding, or in the case of Oakland, just a mess. Denver so long a contender have fallen apart since the sacking of Shannahan, good riddance to Cutler, but they do not have a replacement, a long season ahead.

Division winners: New England Patriots, Pittsburgh Steelers, Tennessee Titans, San Diego Chargers
Wild cards: Baltimore Ravens, Indianapolis Colts (Dolphins could be there too).

The NFL looks more open and even than it has for years, there are few teams that can be pencilled in division winners, last years winners Pittsbugh are hard to pick against, and San Diego are very good in a division with no opposition. New England will be back, but the Dolphins are a good team to challenge. Indianalpolis will be strong, but have a new coach, so it might not gel as under Dungy. The NFC is grown stranger over the last few years, and the best teams are on a par with the AFC's best.

Looking back at my picks for last year, they were so wrong, this year will be no better. Some teams who looked like no-hoper's will rise, and some team who look like winners will get key injuries, or fall apart. Remember how Dallas looked sure to win the Superbowl this time last year, but didn't even make the playoffs.

If I had to pick a Superbowl it would be New York Giants vs Pittsburgh Steelers, but that is a dull pick, as it is the last two winners against each other. They are both the team to beat in their conference, but a lot of teams will run them close.

Teams in italic are weak and will not compete.

Since writing that, I must add that Green bay look like a very strong contender for the Superbowl too. I may also have under-rated Seattle who have gained some good players. I wrote this before Favre joined Minnesota, he might be a good fit there as the running game should stop him from having to try win in the 4th quarter, but I still think is gambles too much, and will throw a lot of interceptions.

Speaking of interceptions, I did see jay Cuttler's first half at Chicago. Ha, ha, not so great without the rest of the Denver offense. (I am now going to catch the second half, and will probably have to eat my works - but I don;t think so really).

There are teams I have disliked in the past, but this year there is one I am saving nearly all my spleen for, I will not forgive what I consider unforgivable, and I neither like the coach or the incumbent QB, let alone the animal torturer they have taken on:

Posted on: 23 September 2009 by JamieL_v2

Coverage in the UK is not as good as last year.

Two games on Sky Sports (subscription) on Sunday, 6 and 9 pm BST/GMT, and no red button alternatives this year.

Then the Sunday night game on Channel 5 (free) with the quite excellent Mike Carlson and Nat Coombes, no adverts, and I suspect possibly the best coverage of a NFL game anywhere in the world.

Although I miss John Madden (poor man having to sit next to the idiot ex president on Sunday), Chris Collinsworth is extremely good, and Al Michaels is as wonderful as ever.

Sadly we don't get the Monday night game at all now. Perhaps I should think about one of the web services, but then ten hours football is probably enough each week.

Just thinking of the new Cowboys Stadium that has 'the largest video screen', can't you just imagine Jerry Jones midweek watching a DVD sat in a seat on the 50 yard line with a tub of popcorn in one hand.

Jim you are very welcome to come over to Leeds to watch a game or two, but I suspect it is a bit far for a Sunday evening.

Posted on: 23 September 2009 by JonR

I'm glad the channel five coverage is continuing as I don't get Sky. Perhaps they will have extra coverage of Monday night games later in the season, like they did last year...

Posted on: 23 September 2009 by Exiled Highlander

Jamie

I appreciate the offer but whatI miss is the cultural immersion that surrounds it, rather than the act of watching a game as such. I have heard any decent UK commentators that I like and to be honest it seems strange watching it without the US accents of the announcers! UK commentators dumb it all dumb ny assuming no-one who is watching knows anything about the game whereas the US guys go into into depth analysis without those restrictions.

Cheers

Jim

PS. I don't have Sky either.

Posted on: 23 September 2009 by JamieL_v2

I really like Mike Carlson (channel 5), who is from the US, but I know probably over explains it for those who have known the game since childhood. I must admit, I think his analysis is as in depth as any I have heard from US shows. Very witty too.

I find Kevin Cadle on Sky pretty useless, but at least they cover the early games. Nick Halling though is good.

I do listen to some of the ESPN podcasts, particularly PTI.

I can't stand the 'NFL Today' that Sky shows, a US show, but more of a long advert by the NFL, than any real critical analysis.

I don't think there is any Monday coverage planned for Channel 5, they cut baseball, and their funds are getting limited. The Monday night games are not as significant as the Sunday ones now, but it would be good to see them.

When the post season starts Sky will have all those games live. I think the BBC will have the Superbowl again, and possibly the Wembley game.

I think there is a US sports bar in Soho/the West End of London if anyone wants to try that, but I think it will probably be a bit of a theme pub, and nothing like the real thing.

Since the NFL has always been a Sunday night on the sofa thing for me (well since the live games started over here) I am quite happy with that.

Posted on: 23 September 2009 by JonR

At least the BBC was sensible enough to 'borrow' Carlson's services for when they showed the Wembley game last year. I hope they do that again.

Jim, I'd imagine a key feature of the US coverage is the presence of adverts between practically every play. Is that the case or am I exaggerating? It's something that would really annoy me! What I like about the C5 programme is that, after about 1am, it's pretty much advert-free.

Posted on: 23 September 2009 by JamieL_v2

An American friend used to watch the Superbowl with me when I lived in London, and as someone who works in film and TV, my ex boss actually, he did miss the Superbowl half time adverts. Companies often made specific adverts for just that slot.

I think the ad break in the Superbowl half time is the most expensive slot to buy adverts in anywhere in the world, you have viewing figures of between 90 and 105 million people in the US alone. I think it used to cost $2,000,000 for a 30second slot of advertising space.

I suspect the cultural immersion Jim misses is a bar full of knowledgeable fans, all cheering for their team, fulled by some beers, and possibly with some beer nuts to hand.

A slight aside, in cricket there is a fantastic advert on, it is for Kit-Kat, which now being a Nestle product I don't buy - re: baby milk being aggressively targeted in Africa, and leading to what one world health spokesman called 'genocide against the children of Africa' (I am getting so damn political in my old age, sorry).

Anyway the advert is great, it just shot on the stump camera, and the two batsmen come together, one takes a Kit-Kat from out of the top of his pads, breaks it in half, and give the half to the other batsman. There is a sign at the bottom which says 'Advertisement', which only makes it work better, and then a the end the Kit-Kat 'Have a break ...'. Just wonderful, just wish the product had not been bought out by Nestle.

Posted on: 23 September 2009 by John M

quote:
Originally posted by Exiled Highlander:
John

At least you get to see the games - one of the things I really miss since I've been back here is watching football on a Sunday, sometimes in Griffs Sports bar in Houston or sprawled out on the sofa at the house. As a Browns fan I empathise with you on the Raiders but you have to stick with them through thick and thin. We'll come good this season....

Jim

Jim - I am really lucky because I just worked out a deal where I switched to DirecTV (sattelite) and got the NFL pass with premium movies and hd all the way for like 60 bucks a month. I get EVERY game in HD. I havent been outside in two weeks

Having grown up in Oakland and Berkeley I have always been/will be a raiders fan. even when they moved to LA. You must have had a few tough years when there were no such thing as a brown. I have always liked the browns. When I lived in NY for 20 years I used to be a regular at the sports bars to catch the raiders game. Now I can barely look at a chicken wing without wanting to vomit

Watching the Raiders beat the Chiefs last weekend was like trying to decide which team sucks less. My quarterback is cringeworthy, but the chiefs coach is a total moron for letting the clock run out in the first half without getting a field goal off from the 15. Talk about bonehead.

Anyway, if you are a real browns freak i could perhaps capture a game, compress and send a divx cd to you if you want. But if you are happy with the highlights then leave it at that!

Posted on: 23 September 2009 by John M

MNF over here is having a bit of a rough time in the announcer's booth. Al Michaels is sorely missed, as is John Madden. The new trio of Gruden, Tirico and "Jaws" has been panned by fans everywhere. I was at the Monday game in Oakland and so I missed the broadcast, but everyone complained about their poor humor, bad timing and talking over eachother. This weeks game seemed to me like a lack of rapport/bad chemistry. A friend of mine who works for Fox Sports has always told me that Gruden is a &*#head and it shines through in the announcers booth seems to me. He is a know it all whiner I think. He did well with the raiders for a bit but I dont think any of the players liked him.

I think ever since ESPN took it over it has gone down hill. Now sunday night is the game to watch!

Posted on: 23 September 2009 by DMC

Looking forward to the Vikings under vetran QB Brett Favre. I suffered in the 70's as a Minnesota Vikings fan. Three Superbowl losses. The team was led by Fran Tarkenton in those days, a Hall of Famer. Here is a YouTube of Tarkenton highlights. link Thought it might be an interesting diversion since we are in midweek.

DMC

Posted on: 23 September 2009 by John M

And now, for Jim, who likes the whole immersion in mystique/atmosphere thing (as do I ) I will post a few atmosphere pictures from the tailgating prior to monday night football in Oakland last week

Yes that is a pig on a spit, with a cauldron of bubbling fat in the foreground. That was the best bbq i have ever had. This was one of about 30 similar setups all over the parking lot. Serious business. Come visit Oakland and let me immerse you in the RaiderNation some day!

Posted on: 23 September 2009 by JamieL_v2

I am pretty sure there will be some 'tail gating' at the Wembley game. Hopefully I can make it in time this year.

Last year, the car overheated, and I had to crawl fro Leicester to StAlbans at 40mph, then a taxi, and we got in about 1 minute before kick off.

Getting back was worse.

All worth it though, especially as I like New Orleans a lot, and my views on San Diego are pretty much in tune with all other Broncos fans.

I am sure I ordered tickets this year, but have not heard anything back for ages.

Love the tail gating pics, was that only a pig being roasted because you couldn't catch a Kansas fan nearby? Raiders fans have a pretty spectacular reputation. Only joking.

The clips I have seen of The Raiders, you do look like you have much improved running game this year, and not a bad defense. You might complain about your QB, but as a Broncos fan, you can not be any worse off.

Posted on: 23 September 2009 by DMC

quote:

That looks like more fun than the Game

Have you seen a Raiders game ? It probably was.

Posted on: 23 September 2009 by John M

Because he is a Broncos fan, I cannot directly address Jamie or I might lose my season tickets and get the cold shoulder at the tailgate - so will someone please tell him:

What do you mean? That IS a kansas city fan on the spit....

Raiders fans have always been special. But it has grown and expanded since I was a kid. Eagles fans are pretty crazy too.

Yeah we have a healthy running corps, I just wish mcfadden would quit tripping over his own feet. He tries to drop his shoulders and ends up tipping over because his center of gravity is so high. Defense has been great except for the last 2 minutes of the San Diego game, and that unfortunately was the game for us. Why did they back off the linebackers on 3rd and 14 on the chiefs 40 yard line with only less than a minute? They needed to get up in their face and shut it down. Big mistake. Damn.

Posted on: 23 September 2009 by JamieL_v2

I love the AFC West. Other divisions may have teams and fans who dislike each other, but the AFC West takes sporting hate to a new level. Will give AFC North fans some credit on their hates though.

As either a Broncos or Raiders fan I should have recognised that as one of the better looking and more intellectual Kansas fans.

Posted on: 23 September 2009 by John M

quote:
Originally posted by DMC:
quote:

That looks like more fun than the Game

Have you seen a Raiders game ? It probably was.

Actually I would agree, but the fans were in fine form on monday and it was actually an exciting game, never mind the poor play by our quarterback. There were some great plays and at least it was competitive, unlike our last time on MNF when we were blown out of the water. Now that is BORING for everyone!

Posted on: 23 September 2009 by John M

quote:
Originally posted by JamieL_v2:
I love the AFC West. Other divisions may have teams and fans who dislike each other, but the AFC West takes sporting hate to a new level. Will give AFC North fans some credit on their hates though.

As either a Broncos or Raiders fan I should have recognised that as one of the better looking and more intellectual Kansas fans.

Posted on: 23 September 2009 by Exiled Highlander

John M

Thanks for that....all your posts really helped me feel better!

Cheers

Jim

Posted on: 27 September 2009 by DMC

I'm picking the Atlanta Falcons to beat the NE Patriots. No doubt I'll lose my shirt. I'm assuming everyone here is a dedicated Pats hater ??

DMC

Posted on: 27 September 2009 by MilesSmiles

quote:
Originally posted by DMC:
I'm picking the Atlanta Falcons to beat the NE Patriots. No doubt I'll lose my shirt. I'm assuming everyone here is a dedicated Pats hater ??

DMC

Count me in.

Posted on: 27 September 2009 by BigH47

OK so I am watching Tennessee Titans vs New Yorks Jets and one of the teams(TT) are playing in Huston Oilers helmets? Can they not afford their own kit?

Posted on: 27 September 2009 by Jim Lawson

It is in honour of AFL's 50th anniversary and their previous franchise.

Posted on: 27 September 2009 by JamieL_v2

The Jets are playing in the NY Titans uniforms, playing against the Tenesse Titans in the Houston Oilers uniforms, strange.

Wasn't Jeff Fischer hired as the coach of The Oilers? Longest standing coach in the league, and if so, that puts it in perspective.

I do love the Jets classic 70s uniforms, which they have returned to, but I presume these are the uniforms from either 60 years ago, or the earliest date of the franchise.

Tonight is going to be a very strange night for me, supporting the Kansas Chiefs (yuck, spit, arrggghh) against the Philadelphia Dogkillers, sorry Eagles, and later supporting the Miami Dolphins against the Chargers.

I have already had to phone a friend, Buffalo fan, who I have followed the NFL with for two decades, and appologise for supporting the Dolphins.

I might have a very difficult decision to make later in the season, as I think the Eagles play the Chargers, couldn't we just have the starting and backup quarterbacks have a fist fight, last one standing. I would watch that. I have just had another thought as to what could happen, but I will keep that (rather unpleasant) thought to my self.

Really impressed with Mark Sanchez of the Jets, this year's Matt Ryan?

Am having to channel flick to the cricket in South Africa in the ad breaks too.

Posted on: 27 September 2009 by JamieL_v2

Lions win, after a losing streak of only 19 games (almost 1 1/4) seasons).

Jim Zorn at Washington looks like his coaching job is already hanging by a thread after Washing lost that game to The Lions.

Tennessee just can't win, they are not a bad team, but last year's 13:3 season looks a long way away now.

People say Tampa Bay are rebuilding, well it looks like they are still digging for foundations, and haven't laid any brick down, 24:0 to the NY Giants, and no first downs until the 3rd quarter for the home team.

I am enjoying the first few weeks of Denver's season, as over the next ten weeks or so we play most of best teams in the NFL, so a 3:0 start may be great (if it happens), but that is very probably setting us up for a 3:5 mid season, and then maybe an easier run in, but not hopeful. I am not counting a 10:0 first half against The Raiders as a win either, they can run, and it is the fourth quarter where that counts.

Posted on: 29 September 2009 by JamieL_v2

Bad for MilesSmiles and other Dolphins fans, Chad Pennington is out for the season with a torn shoulder. Chad Henne will replace him.

It could very well be the end of Pennington's career, as his contract with the Dolphins ends this year, and he has already come back from past injuries. Sad.

ESPN

Posted on: 29 September 2009 by Exiled Highlander

I am still wearing a black armband after the inept performance of the Browns...

Jim