WOW! I’m still recovering from that Dallas/eagles Monday Night thriller! Partly because I’m still recovering from a trip to the University of Tennessee this week (more on that in a minute), but mostly because it was such an awesome game.
I mean this one had everything didn’t it? Tons of big plays on offense, a special teams TD, and a defensive score. Plus the number of fantasy points, and the number of games won or lost because of this game – and more specifically because DeSean Jackson is a complete moron - really put this one over the top.
Actually Bill Simmons has a great article on Page 2 at espn.com this week talking about how this was the greatest fantasy game of all time. Interesting read…check it out if you haven’t already. Although my favorite part of the article is where Bill quotes his Philly friend Mike who said of McNabb, "As good as he is, no real Iggs fan really believes he will get us there, [but] at least he didn't puke on the field" in reaction to McNabb ultimately gagging the game away on the last drive.
Naturally that was the best part of the game…the eagles loss. And you know that was absolutely gut-wrenching for eagles fans. I’m sure wood-paneled basements across the Delaware Valley were bursting with good times when the eagles came back and took the lead early when they jumped on Romo’s inexplicable fumble. But of course the game ended with the same conclusion as every eagles season in the past 40+ years…in disappointment. Fantastic!
I actually watched this game from a college bar in Knoxville. UT is a good time folks. Fortunately I was there with a coworker who is a recent alum, so he was able to hook us up with a good crowd. I’ve always liked the South. Friendly people there, and the ladies are always sweet and dressed like ladies…which is nice. Penn State is the best, but I get the sense I would have liked going to UT also.
The drag was that I had a 6am flight out of Boston Monday morning, which means I was up at 4 to start a long day. But I rallied and managed to stay up for over 24 hours straight…not bad for an old married guy with a couple of kids. I can still hang, but it just hurts a whole lot more the next day. But we got to hang out with some pretty cool cats. Anyway, Knoxville…good times.
PENN STATE UPDATE
Speaking of good times, we’re now only 3 weeks from our annual dudes Penn State trip. This year we’re taking the show on the road to Madison. Should be an excellent adventure to say the least. We’ve got our usual group of guys who like to pretend they’re a lot younger than we really are for a couple of days.
But first the fam and I are heading down to PSU for the Big Ten opener against Illinois next weekend. Night game. White Out. Good Times. Looking forward to the trip too as it will be the first real road trip with the Sequoia, so we’ll stretch out and fire up the DVD.
Anyway, PSU started slow today against Temple, but turned it on. I still have no idea how good we really are..Syracuse lost to Northeastern today. Northeastern! So I’m not sure how great that 55-13 win was last week, but we should find out more next week.
THE PICKS
Well let’s hope this week in the NFL is even HALF as entertaining as last week. Seemed like every game last week came down to the end with TONS of great plays all around. Anyway, here we go…
CARDINALS @ Redskins
Dr Peter Benton and the Skins had a nice comeback win last week, but I think it was misleading. Campbell’s stats were WAY better than he actually played. On the other hand, the Cards looked like a real team last week. BTW, I was very pleased to have Boldin on my fantasy roster last week! I’ll take the Cards in this one.
Texans @ TITANS
Speaking of looking like a real football team..Vince Young going mental looks like the best thing that could have happened to Tennessee. Collins can get the job done – especially with that defense. BTW…Vince Young, Mike Vick, JaMarcus Russell, Daunte Culpepper, Tavaris Jackson – when is everyone going to get it that these great athlete type QB’s just don’t cut it in the NFL. I’m not saying…I’m just saying.
Bengals @ GIANTS
This seems like a classic trap game for the Giants. The Bengals have looked absolutely terrible so far and the Giants are cruising. I’m convinced this is a trap game, but I just can’t bring myself to take the Bengals. Every time I see the Giants, I can’t help but wonder if my buddy Mike from back home regrets converting from being a Giants fan to an eagles fan. For years back home, he was a die-hard Giants fan and openly hated the eagles. Then suddenly a few years ago he gives up and decides to root for the home team eagles. I just can’t help but wonder what was going though his head when the Giants closed out the upset over the Pats. BTW, the eagles didn’t make the playoffs last year. Anyway, I’m going with the Giants.
Dolphins @ PATS
The Bradyless Pats are not the team they once were, but if they’re good enough to beat the Jets, they can beat the Dolphins. Nice playcalling last week Jets! Idiots!
Panthers @ VIKINGS
The Panthers are playing well, but the Vikes NEED this one…badly. Well the Vikes are at home and they finally wised up and benched Jackson, so I’m going with them.
Bucs @ BEARS
Neither of these teams are really any good. I’ll take the home team I guess.
Raiders @ BILLS
To my buddy Scott who’s from Buffalo…I’m starting to “Billieve”! This team is good. Oakland is not.
ALERT******Is anyone watching this LSU/Auburn game? Fantastic. Most of the game was pretty dull, but this 4th quarter is unbelievable!
Chiefs @ FALCONSHave you seen the Chiefs run defense this season? START TURNER THIS WEEK! And take the Falcons in this game.
RAMS @ Seahawks
Both of these team are horrible. I’m only taking the Rams because have you seen the Seattle receiving corps? There is not a single person on this planet who knew all three of those guys before last Sunday. There’s probably very few outside of Seattle who do now!
LIONS @ 49ers
As hard as this may be to believe, I’m not yet sold on JT O’Sullivan.
Saints @ BRONCOS
With a healthy Colston, I’d take the Saints, but the Broncos just have too much firepower right now.
STEELERS @ eagles
I have to admit that the eagles looked good Monday night (of course they still lost), but the Steelers have been impressive so far also. I’ll take Pittsburg in a tight shootout.
Jags @ COLTS
The Colts got beat up last week, and the Jags need this game. But the Jags just haven’t shown anything yet, so I’m going with the Colts.
BROWNS @ Ravens
I think the Browns will come out of their funk this week and shock the Ravens at home.
COWBOYS @ Packers
Is it possible that this game could be even closer and better than the Monday Night game? Maybe. I’ll take my Boys.
Jets @ CHARGERS
San Diego is the best 0-2 team in the league. They won’t lose this week.
