What is on My Television This Week…
The NFL season started on Thursday night with a win by the Pittsburgh Steelers over the Miami Dolphins. The Steelers scored two touchdowns in the fourth quarter as they came from behind in their victory. The link for the recap can be found here: http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/recap/NFL_20060907_MIA@PIT
Seattle vs. Detroit
The Seahawks open their season against the Detroit Lions. The Lions have been in major disarray for a long time. They have been the true ne’er-do-well club in football since they have decent players but cannot get any production from them.
The Lions hired Matt Millen as their GM in 2001 following a 9-7 campaign. Since then, Millen has not won over his fans as the Lions have failed to perform up to expectations year after year.
Many Lion faithful never believed that Marucci was the problem as they chanted “Fire Millen” during last year’s week 13 contest. Players began pointing fingers at each other as Dre Bly blamed Harrington for their losses. He had apologized to the team but not to Harrington. http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2240566
Now it’s a new year, new quarterback, new coach, and a new sense of hope among the Lion faithful. However, the Seahawks will dominate this game and win easily. Seattle will win by 10.
San Francisco vs. Arizona
The Arizona Cardinals open their fall campaign at home against the San Francisco 49ers. The Cardinals have a new stadium, new veteran players like Edgerrin James, and a new sense of hope as they were able to sign Matt Leinert, their first round draft pick (10th overall).
The fans are ready to support their team, as they have year after year in the Arizona desert. For the first time in Arizona Cardinal 18 year history, all of the home games will be on television as every home game has been sold out. The lifting of the blackout restrictions will do wonders for the media coverage and fan support for the Cardinals and one can only hope that they can live up to expectations.
Last year, the Cardinals had a better season than the legendary Green Bay Packers, but one of the two 49ers victories came against the Cardinals last year. The Cardinals will seek revenge against the 49er club as they will win the game by 7.
Indianapolis vs. N.Y. Giants
The prime time match up on Sunday will feature the Manning boys as they duke it out against each other with their respective ball clubs. The much anticipated contest between the Indianapolis Colts and the New York (Football) Giants will the NBC featured game at 8:15 EDT.
Peyton Manning performs brilliantly during the season but somehow manages to blow up in the post season. Arguably, one of the best football teams of last season, the Colts should have marched steadily towards the Superbowl only to fall short once again. Instead of taking the loss like a elite athlete should by giving respect to the team that defeated his, Peyton Manning went on the offensive blaming players and offensive lines for letting him down.
Peyton’s brother Eli, after a publicized row to leave the team that drafted him, quietly assumed the mantle of control in New York. ESPN Magazine featured him in an article last year as a quiet, unassuming albeit competitive athlete as he led his team to a 11-5 record and a playoff appearance. The Giants lost to the Carolina Panthers in the wild card game.
The Colts are favored in this contest, but I like the Giants in a close upset. Eli will best his big brother because Peyton will try too hard to win. Giants will win by a field goal.
Chicago vs. Green Bay
The Packers – Bears contest is not on my television this year because I decided not to shell out the money for NFL Sunday Ticket. My football viewing life will have a small hole, but since my hometown team will have coverage this year, I decided to spend the money on the NHL Center Ice Package. However, my personal pre-game analysis would not be complete without a discussion of one of my favorite football teams.
The Green Bay Packers begin their fall season against their NFC North rival the Chicago Bears. Nothing went right for the Packers last year as they were plagued with injuries and an inept defensive scheme that seemed to not contain the league’s best or worst teams. Plus, the Packers had to contend with Javon Walker and his contract shenanigans that most likely split the clubhouse.
The Packers upgraded their Linebacker corps with top quality prospects such as A.J. Hawk and they will be led by fourth year LB Nick Barnett. The offensive line is young but has promise, however Brett Favre still thinks that they are not yet quite comfortable on the offensive side of the ball. Defense always develops faster than the offense, so I look to that aspect of the Packer franchise as a strength for Sunday’s game.
The Bears will be a tough opponent again for the 2006-2007 season. Most have the Bears favored to win this game, and I predict that the game will be close. However, I think there will be an upset here as well as the Packers power through and win a defensive battle by a field goal.
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