Chargers QB Justin Herbert will be gunning for Cowboys this Sunday. (Photo by Duane Barker–Mid Valley Sports)
By Joe Torosian
|
NFC West |
Record |
PF |
PA |
Last Week |
|
Rams |
1-0-0 |
34 |
14 |
W, Chicago, 34-14 |
|
49ers |
1-0-0 |
41 |
33 |
W, Detroit, 41-33 |
|
Seahawks |
1-0-0 |
28 |
16 |
W, Indianapolis, 28-16 |
|
Cardinals |
1-0-0 |
38 |
13 |
W, Tennessee, 38-13 |
Stuff:
Rams: The pass rush will need to get to Carson Wentz quicker than it did against Andy Dalton Sunday night.
49ers: They looked great, and then they got really sloppy. That’s concerning, and what would an early season 49er game be without a critical injury or two? CB Jason Verrett (ACL—toast), and RB Raheem Mostert (IR 8-weeks).
Seahawks: Get Titans this week. Which means they’ll be 2-0, and Russell Wilson will make someone Fantasy rich.
Cardinals: Heed the words of The Wolf. “Well, let’s not…just yet.” I have doubts, and so should you.
|
NFC North |
Record |
PF |
PA |
Last Week |
|
Packers |
0-1-0 |
3 |
38 |
L, New Orleans, 38-3 |
|
Vikings |
0-1-0 |
24 |
27 |
L, Cincinnati, 27-24 OT |
|
Bears |
0-1-0 |
14 |
34 |
L, Rams, 34-14 |
|
Lions |
0-1-0 |
33 |
41 |
L, San Francisco, 41-33 |
Stuff:
Packers: Aaron Rodgers looked like someone on Survivor who gets blindsided at Tribal with a hidden immunity idol in his pocket. He’s great, but no one is great enough not to care.
Vikings: Either be hot or cold, but because you are perpetually lukewarm…I spew you out.
Bears: From the gut—Andy Dalton starts his last game against the Bengals this week.
Lions: This one is interesting…If Detroit has bought in, and is improved, they’ll get a chance to prove it Sunday night in Green Bay. The loss of CB Jeff Okudah hurts.
|
NFC East |
Record |
PF |
PA |
Last Week |
|
Eagles |
1-0-0 |
32 |
6 |
W, Atlanta, 32-6 |
|
Giants |
0-1-0 |
13 |
27 |
L, Denver, 27-13 |
|
Cowboys |
0-1-0 |
29 |
31 |
L, Tampa Bay, 31-29 |
|
Washington |
0-1-0 |
16 |
20 |
L, Chargers, 20-16 |
Stuff:
Eagles: They burned down Atlanta, now they get Frisco…Win this one and they’ll be contenders in the East.
Giants: You cannot come out and play the way they did in the opener. They lose Thursday to DC, and judgement will fall on HC Judge.
Cowboys: Their game with the Chargers this week should be primetime. Two questions still hovering: Can they run the ball? Can Dak go deep over the top?
Washington: Can they rally behind Taylor “Cold One” Heinicke? They should right the ship against the G-Men on Thursday.
|
NFC South |
Record |
PF |
PA |
LA |
|
Buccaneers |
1-0-0 |
31 |
29 |
W, Dallas, 31-29 |
|
Panthers |
1-0-0 |
19 |
14 |
W, Jets, 19-14 |
|
Saints |
1-0-0 |
38 |
3 |
W, Green Bay, 38-3 |
|
Falcons |
0-1-0 |
6 |
32 |
L, Philadelphia, 32-6 |
Stuff:
Buccaneers: Watching Tom Brady is like going to the Immersive Van Gogh Exhibit in LA.
Panthers: Really happy for Sam Darnold, but they only beat the Jets by 5-points.
Saints: Very happy for Jameis Winston. I think, maybe, NOLA’s fool’s gold.
Falcons: It’s got to get better, right? Who plays if Matt Ryan gets hurt? Bob Berry?
|
AFC West |
Record |
PF |
PA |
Last Week |
|
Chargers |
1-0-0 |
20 |
16 |
W, Washington, 20-16 |
|
Chiefs |
1-0-0 |
33 |
29 |
W, Cleveland, 33-29 |
|
Broncos |
1-0-0 |
27 |
13 |
W, Giants, 27-17 |
|
Raiders |
1-0-0 |
33 |
27 |
W, Baltimore, 33-27 OT |
Stuff:
Chargers: Justin Herbert looks like a character from a John Hughes movie.
Chiefs: KC better stop the run because not every team is going to botch a punt late and provide a window.
Broncos: People are jazzed, but it was the Giants…It was the Giants.
Raiders: I tune in and root for the Raiders just to hear: “The autumn wind is a raider, pillaging just for fun. He’ll knock you ‘round and upside down, and laugh when he’s conquered and won.”
|
AFC North |
Record |
PF |
PA |
Last Week |
|
Steelers |
1-0-0 |
23 |
16 |
W, Buffalo, 23-16 |
|
Bengals |
1-0-0 |
27 |
24 |
W, Minnesota, 27-24 OT |
|
Browns |
0-1-0 |
29 |
33 |
L, Kansas City, 33-29 |
|
Ravens |
0-1-0 |
27 |
33 |
L, Las Vegas, 33-27 OT |
Stuff:
Steelers: I know it was the Bills defense, but I still didn’t see much of a running game.
Bengals: Got a gift, but they’re only a season ending injury away from returning to form.
Browns: The end against KC was like the Dodgers giving the ball to Kenley Jansen and…ka boom!
Ravens: Lamar Jackson looks improved, but I get the sense (I know there are injuries) that there may be an expectation of 2021 to be “Lamar & The Miracles.” No bueno.
|
AFC East |
Record |
PF |
PA |
Last Week |
|
Dolphins |
1-0-0 |
17 |
16 |
W, New England, 17-16 |
|
Patriots |
0-1-0 |
16 |
17 |
L, Miami, 17-16 |
|
Bills |
0-1-0 |
16 |
23 |
L, Pittsburgh, 23-16 |
|
Jets |
0-1-0 |
14 |
19 |
L, Carolina, 19-14 |
Stuff:
Dolphins: The defense plays like a new version of Shula’s “No Name” group.
Patriots: If not for a fumble they win. They get the Jets this week so all will be well.
Bills: I know it was against the Steelers, but Buffalo’s running game doesn’t look that improved.
Jets: Wins-Losses do not matter. What matters is Zach Wilson staying upright for 17-games.
|
AFC South |
Record |
PF |
PA |
Last Week |
|
Texans |
1-0-0 |
37 |
21 |
W, Jacksonville, 37-21 |
|
Titans |
0-1-0 |
13 |
38 |
L, Arizona, 38-13 |
|
Colts |
0-1-0 |
16 |
28 |
L, Seattle, 28-16 |
|
Jaguars |
0-1-0 |
21 |
37 |
L, Houston, 37-21 |
Stuff:
Texans: Won five games in 2020. If they win six in 2021, does it tell us anything about Deshaun Watson?
Titans: They got two sacks, but didn’t apply enough pressure on Kyler Murray. And they were 31st in the NFL in 2020 at getting to the quarterback.
Colts: They got torched deep by Russell Wilson…And they get Stafford & the Rams this week.
Jaguars: Let’s speculate Urban Meyer flaming out…how long until the Jags relocate to London?
Joe T.’s Record
6-8-0
Stuff: Not upset about the whiffs on New England, Minnesota, and Washington…But ticked about the Titans, Packers, and Giants…This is why I don’t bet…
Joe T. is the author of “Tangent Dreams: A High School Football Novel” … “Temple City & The Company of The Ages” … “The Dead Bug Tales” … “The Dark Norm” & “FaithViews for Storm Riders”…all five available through Amazon.com.
www.JoeTorosian.com
jtbank1964@yahoo.com
Follow Joe on Twitter @joet13b
Instagram: @joet13b
Be sure to read:
College Hoops Breakdown—by Riley Saxon
The Urena Express—by Steven Urena (MLB)
From The RamCave—by Joe T. (Every Friday)
