2014 Week 3 NFL Reactions

With the exception of the Sunday and Monday prime time affairs, week 3 of the 2014 NFL season has come to an end, and it did not disappoint.

Plenty of exciting games were on the table, and on top of that, it was a good week in the prediction world for most. I am currently at 9-5 on the week and that puts me at 26-20 (56.52%) on the season. Considering that a lot of other analysts did good too, I am not completely satisified with the how the week played out, but as I get a better grasp on the strengths and weaknesses of teams, that percentage will go up.

Right now, however, we must recap week 3. Here are some of my instant reactions:

• The Buccaneers look awful. Losses to Derek Anderson and the Panthers, Austin Davis and the Rams, and a complete blowout loss to the Falcons have me laughing at how I called them a surprise team in the preseason.

• Despite the two-point loss to the Ravens, Brian Hoyer and the Browns are playing some good football right now. Keep an eye on this team. Playoffs are not out of the question. (Did I just say that?)

• Could the Packers not be the elite team they once were? A big loss to the Seahawks, a squeaker win over the Jets, and a loss to the Lions have me a bit worried.

• Tony Romo and the Cowboys overcame a 21-0 lead to win today. Granted, it was against the Rams, but it’s still pretty impressive.

• With Drew Stanton under center, the Cardinals beat the 49ers today. I’m still having trouble letting that sink in. Now the question: Is Arizona that good or are the 49ers showing some weakness?

• Both the Broncos and Seahawks are still Super Bowl contending teams. What a great game these two teams put on today. The Denver offense and the Seattle defense both just play at an incredible level.

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2014 NFL Division Preview: NFC East

The 2014 NFL season keeps getting closer and closer, and we at Jacob’s Sports Talk have reached our final division preview of the year.

However, don’t get me wrong – the preseason analysis is not over. Some interesting articles, a Twitter contest announcement (you can get a head start and follow me @jacobs_sports), and my season predictions are still to come, and when the season actually begins, it will only get better.

Plenty of exciting things are on the way, but right now, let’s cover our eighth and final division. Here’s a look at the NFC East:

Note: The records next to each team are how they finished last season, and are not forecasts on how they will do this year. My official season predictions will be released later.

Philadelphia Eagles (10-6, lost to Saints in wild-card round)- 

The Eagles were a big surprise last season, and it was mostly thanks to the play of quarterback Nick Foles.

After Michael Vick disappointed most (he did not disappoint me, as I predicted Vick to be bad), Foles came in and led his team to success.

In 13 games, he finished with 27 touchdowns and only two interceptions. He led the NFL in yards per pass attempt and touchdown rate, and we will never forget his seven touchdown performance against the Raiders in week 9. This guy is definitely a playmaker, and while I do not think that he can quite replicate those numbers this season, he should certainly not fall under the radar.

A big reason why I do not think Foles will be quite as productive is the loss of former #1 wide receiver DeSean Jackson. Jackson was certainly a big target, and now Foles will have to rely more on guys like Jeremy Maclin, Riley Cooper, and tight end Zach Ertz. In my mind, that is a downgrade from what he had.

The good news is that even if the passing game takes a step back, the Eagles still have elite running back LeSean McCoy. This guy thrived in that Chip Kelly offense last season, finishing first in total yards and fifth in total touchdowns among all running backs. He’s looking to do even more in 2014, and I am expecting some great things out of one of the best RBs in the entire league.

Overall, with what they did last year, you have to look at the Eagles as favorite to win the division again. They’re an easy playoff team, and if Foles can continue his success and McCoy can stay productive on the ground, they might even challenge for a Super Bowl title.

Dallas Cowboys (8-8)-

Ever since I started this blog in 2012, I have poked fun at Tony Romo and the Cowboys.

It seems that every year this team goes into a game that decides their playoff fate, and it seems that every year they lose that game and finish right around that .500 mark.

Do not get me wrong- this team has talent. Romo is a quarterback who can make big throws and put up the big stats. But whenever the game is on the line and he has to throw the completion or the touchdown pass, he just cannot do it.

Another advantage that Romo has is a solid receiving core led by wide receiver Dez Bryant. Last year, Bryant was a little inconsistent (you can tell he’s a Cowboy), but he had some big games and finished with 13 touchdown receptions, second in the NFL among all wide receivers.

Additionally, tight end Jason Witten finished fifth in reception yards and tied for fourth in touchdowns, and Terrance Williams emerged as a quality target last season as well.

The passing attack clearly has a lot of talent, but they need to put it all together and pull through when it matters. Otherwise, this simply will not work.

The running is also quite talented.

Running back DeMarco Murray, while injury-prone, had a solid 2013. In 14 games, he finished with 1,121 rushing yards (10th) and ten total touchdowns (8th).

He’s a talented guy and I would keep an eye on him as well.

While the defense is very weak, the Cowboys as a general team have a lot of talent. They have the potential to win this division and succeed in the playoffs.

But history is against them. They have not proven anything, and for that reason, there very well could be another .500 season in Dallas.

New York Giants (7-9)- 

You knew the Giants season was pretty much over after their 0-6 start and I was fairly surprised that they played as poorly as they did.

While I did not feel too confident about it, I did pick New York to win the division last year and it was very disappointing to see two-time Super Bowl champion quarterback Eli Manning finish 21st in touchdown passes and led the league in interceptions.

But it is a new year, and under new offensive coordinator Ben McAdoo, things can turn around.

The Giants still have a decent #1 wide receiver in Victor Cruz, a young Rueben Randle, and the talented rookie Odel Beckham Jr. to assist the passing game.

Additionally, they have acquired running back Rashad Jennings from Oakland, a move which I like. Jennings played rather well when Darren McFadden got injured, and I am looking forward to seeing him play more. Andre Williams is also still around, and he played well for the G-Men when David Wilson went down. If Jennings is a bust, we should not forget about Williams as well.

All in all, while the Giants may be a slightly better team than they were in 2013, after last year’s terrible performances, I just don’t see them as a postseason contender.

Washington Redskins (3-13)

After a playoff year in 2012, the Redskins took a huge decline in ’13, and I think a big part of that was the health of quarterback Robert Griffin III.

After injuring his knee during Washington’s game against the Seahawks in the playoffs, he never quite seemed healthy all of last year and it showed on the field.

Now, however, Griffin appears 100% and ready to go, and that’s definitely a good sign.

Another good sign is the addition of a key weapon in the receiving core. Wide receiver DeSean Jackson has come in from the Eagles, and I think Jackson should a piece to what was already a decent receiving attack. He finished ninth in receiving yards last season and I see no reason why he should decline in production in. WR Pierre Garcon and tight end Jordan Reed remain there in the picture as well, so Griffin should have a bunch of weapons to throw the ball to.

Another nice offensive weapon is running back Alfred Morris. As was the case with RGIII, Morris took a step back in his sophomore season. But in his rookie season, he finished sixth in rushing yards and second in total touchdowns. If last year’s slight disappointment was just a fluke, watch out for Morris this season.

Overall, the Redskins a team stacked with young talent. With them going a dreadful 3-13 last season, I’m not quite sure if I can call them a playoff team, but if they can put this all together, a division title is certainly not out of the question.

 

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2013 Division Preview: NFC East

With the 2013 NFL regular season just 29 days away, Jacob’s Sports Commentary’s preseason coverage continues. While you’re getting excited for your team’s first preseason game of the year (or second if you’re a Dolphins or Cowboys fan) we continue covering all 32 teams with our division previews. We’ve already covered 28, and today it’s time for the final four. Let’s take a look at the NFC East.

Please note: The records next to each team is their regular season record from last year, and NOT my prediction on how I think they will do. My season predictions will be released soon.

Washington Redskins (10-6)- When week 11 of the 2012 season came around, I had all but ruled out the Redskins from any playoff contention. Sure, their future looked as bright as ever with Robert Griffin III leading the way. However, a 3-6 start to the season with a rookie quarterback under center just didn’t spell “postseason” to me. So what does RGIII do? With the help of backup quarterback Kirk Cousins, he leads his team to seven consecutive wins and into the playoffs.

Griffin is a monster of an athlete who can not only make the big throw, but can make the big run through the Wildcat formation. If you are a Redskins fan, there is every reason in the world to be excited about the future of this team. The one problem I see for Griffin is injuries. He had one last year and is still recovering from a torn ACL and LCL that he suffered in that playoff game against Seattle. With the way he’s involved in the game, I don’t think these are going to be the only injuries he’s going to have as a pro. Despite a lot of positive things coming out of Washington, his status for week 1 remains a question mark and that is reason for concern.

I think that the Redskins also have a pretty solid receiver in Pierre Garcon. He’s a guy who still is yet to hit his prime and if Griffin can get healthy, I’m excited to see how he can produce.

With the spotlight on RGIII, I think that a lot of people forget another guy who helped this team: running back Alfred Morris. This guy was consistently productive and he really powered the offense. I’m looking forward to seeing what he can do in 2013.

Overall, the Redskins have a lot of young talent and a ton of potential. There’s a lot of other good teams to compete with, but if Washington can stay healthy, they’re playoff contenders for sure.

New York Giants (9-7)- Six Flags should really consider making a new roller coaster and naming it “The 2012 New York Giants”. These guys were a huge, inconsistent machine last season. They had a great game against a really good team one week and then a blowout loss to a poor team the next.

Every conversation about the Giants probably starts with quarterback Eli Manning. I am a big Eli fan mainly because he gets the job done. Sure, he may not put up those flashy numbers that Brees, Rodgers, or his brother Peyton do but in the end he can make the big play and has two Super Bowl rings to show for it, more than any of the three quarterbacks I just listed. He did not have his best season last year by any means, but I’m still excited to see what he can do in 2013.

Manning has two big targets to throw the ball to in Victor Cruz and Hakeem Nicks. Nicks struggled to stay healthy last year and it’ll be better for Manning now that he has Nicks as a receiver. The Giants have also added tight end Brandon Myers who I am also expecting to help out the passing game as well.

The starting running back job now belongs to second year player David Wilson. I see potential with this guy and this is kind of a boom-or-bust year . If it doesn’t work out, I also am kind of a fan of running back Andre Brown. This area remains a question.

Overall, this team isn’t the first to come to mind when I think of Super Bowl XLVIII. However, with a much easier schedule, a decent defense, and some quality talent, I think it’s very possible that they will make the playoffs this year. And when the Giants make the playoffs…things happen.

Dallas Cowboys (8-8)- Every single year we see the Cowboys come out as playoff contenders looking to either win the NFC East or clinch a wild card spot. And almost every year we see what we saw last year: Tony Romo and the Cowboys go into a week 17 game against the Redskins playing for the division title. And then we see Tony Romo watching the playoffs from his house.

Don’t get me wrong here, folks. Romo is a very talented quarterback. He can make the flashy throw or touchdown pass, but in the end, when it all comes down to that one important game, that one important play, he throws the interception. Over the off-season, Dallas signed Romo to a long-term extension. I almost started crying because I felt so bad for every Cowboy fan.

The good news is that the Cowboys have one of the best receivers in the NFL with Dez Bryant. He’s just a stud guy, and a go-to man for Tony Romo. Dallas also has one of the best tight ends in the league with Jason Witten so the receiving crew looks pretty strong.

They also have a running game that I think has some potential with DeMarco Murray leading the way. If Murray can stay healthy, I really think that he could have a break-out season here in 2013.

To me, there is no doubt about the fact that the Cowboys are a talented team. I believe that they will once again be in the playoff hunt. However, with Tony Romo leading the way, I just do not see them actually getting into the postseason, much less winning a game there. I just do not think that Romo is the long-term answer to success. Although, you never know. One year he could prove me wrong.

Philadelphia Eagles (4-12)- It was August of 2012. I remember it like it was just yesterday. Almost every analyst out there was calling the Eagles a Super Bowl contending team, or at least a big threat to make the playoffs. And then there was me. Right here on this blog, I was constantly telling everybody just how overrated the Eagles were. The season played out, and the quarterback who so many thought would have a ring by the end of the season, finished the year on the bench.

I’m talking about quarterback Michael Vick. He is the main reason why this team was so overrated. Before the 2012 season, people were comparing him to the NFL’s best and, as I said, he didn’t even play in week 17. This year, the Eagles have a quarterback battle between Vick, second-year player Nick Foles, and rookie Matt Barkley. To be honest, I don’t think any three of these quarterbacks are that great, and I’m not sure if any of them are the future of the Eagles. What I would do if I was new head coach Chip Kelly was start Foles in week 1 and if he doesn’t play so well, give the rookie Barkley a chance. I believe that Vick has already gotten his chance as a starter and failed.

The receiving crew of this team isn’t great either. It’s led by wide receiver DeSean Jackson. Perhaps if he had a quality quarterback, Jackson would be a better player. Unfortunately, he’s stuck with a bad one anyway you look at it.

The one real bright spot that I see on this team is the running game led by LeSean McCoy. He should be implemented greatly in new head coach Chip Kelly’s offense. I’m expecting some good things out of him in 2013.

Overall, the Philadelphia Eagles are just another reason why you should listen to Jacob’s Sports Commentary. I was one of very few people that said they would do very poorly last year, and they did. This season, I’m not expecting much better. The quarterback situation is a mess and it may take a few years before Philadelphia has a quality guy under center. Expect an under .500 season…again.

Why the Dallas Cowboys Are Overrated

If you read my last segment about Michael Vick and the Eagles, you might have noticed that I didn’t say, “The Eagles are the most overrated team in the NFL”. There’s only one reason why: the Dallas Cowboys. Every single year, it seems that every year there is so much anticipation about the Cowboys, so much talk of “playoffs” and “Super Bowl” and “Tony Romo is the best quarterback in the NFL”. And then once the regular season actually comes around, the Cowboys lose games, they generally miss the playoffs, and they don’t live up to the expectations of so many people. So you would assume that next year, the Cowboys hype dies down. Nope. And coming into this 2012 NFL Season, there is more anticipation then ever on how Tony Romo and the Cowboys will do. Everybody’s talking “playoffs” and “NFC East champions”. As I said with the Eagles: just shut up! And today, August 17, 2012, I am calling it. The Dallas Cowboys will not do very good in the regular season, they will not make the playoffs, and they will most certainly not make the Super Bowl. And I guarantee someone who’s reading is is saying “What an idiot! He doesn’t know what he’s doing. Tony Romo will lead the Dallas Cowboys all the way to the Super Bowl!” Well, like we did with Michael Vick, since Romo is so good and so elite and so deserving of a Super Bowl title, I compared 2011 statistics with him and some quarterbacks that do have a title. Here’s what I found:

Tony Romo: In 16 games played, he averaged 261.5 yards per game. His completion percentage was 66.3%. He averaged 1.94 touchdowns and 0.63 interceptions.

Aaron Rodgers: In 15 games played, he averaged 290 yards per game. His completion percentage was 65.4%. He averaged 3 touchdowns and 0.4 interceptions.

Tom Brady: In 16 games played, he averaged 327 yards per game. His completion percentage was 65.6%. He averaged 2.44 touchdowns and 0.75 interceptions.

Drew Brees: In 16 games played, he averaged 342 yards per game. His completion percentage was 71.2%. He averaged 2.88 touchdowns and 0.88 interceptions.

I’ll admit it, Romo’s number weren’t that bad. That’s the thing. Sometimes, he can make the flashy play, the long completion, the big touchdown pass. But when it comes to the important games, that ones that matter the most, Tony Romo just never comes through. For example, last year. In Week 17, the Cowboys were facing the Giants in a prime time “Sunday Night Football” game. The winner wins the NFC East and advances to the playoffs. And that’s how the Cowboys postseason hopes were eliminated. And the rest of the Cowboys team? Well at head coach, it is Jason’s Garrett’s second year, making him inexperienced and as offensive coordinator, well, he hasn’t led the Cowboys to many accomplishments. The defense is decent, but looking at the statistics, they fail to impress me. No one on the special teams roster stands out at me either. So my question to the media, and all you Cowboy lovers, what makes you think that the Cowboys are going to the Super Bowl.?Because on every season prediction post or video I look at, there’s always at least one comment saying “This is good but the Cowboys are winning the Super Bowl”. The farthest their reasoning goes is usually “because Tony Romo is one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL”. Well then I’ll go to sleep and you wake me up when the Cowboys are in the Super Bowl. And unless, the Cowboys make some drastic improvements, well, then I’ll be asleep for a while.

Division Preview: NFC East

28. That’s the number of NFL teams I have covered here at Jacob’s Sports Commentary. On today’s division preview, we will cover the final four teams. Tomorrow, I plan on doing a very interesting segment about the statistics of preseason football and if it really matters. Then, most likely this weekend, I will do a two part segment of my 2012 NFL season predictions. Please continue to show your support and build the viewership by “liking” my posts, “following” this blog (you’ll be notified of all my posts through your email), commenting your suggestions, and sharing it with your football friends. For now, let’s do our final preview. Here is, the NFC East.

Note: The records next to each team are how they finished last year. Those season predictions will most likely come this weekend.

New York Giants (9-7)- Let’s face it. This team was somewhat lucky to get into the playoffs last year. But once they did, there was no stopping them. Beating the Falcons, Packers, and Patriots the Giants became Super Bowl XLVI champions. I really was surprised. I watched a few of their regular season games, and they really didn’t look all that good, to be honest. But quarterback Eli Manning earned his second ring, surpassing his brother Peyton and the Giants beat the Patriots in the Super Bowl for the second time in five years. I may have criticized Eli in another one of my segments but I also said “he pulls through when has to”. And you know what? He does! He may not put up those incredible numbers that quarterbacks like Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers put up, but you know what? At the end of the season he puts up almost 5000 yards, squeaks into the playoffs, and you know the rest. Looking at this NFC East division, the Giants are the favorites, meaning the odds are they’ll be in the playoffs. And when the Giants are in the playoffs? There’s no stopping them. 

Philadelphia Eagles (8-8)- I’ll come right out and say it: I’m not in any way, shape, or form a Michael Vick fan. I do not believe he is even a decent quarterback. The offense he runs is similar to Tim Tebow’s and it just doesn’t work at the NFL level. What really made me mad is when, last year, fans started calling the Eagles “the dream team. I certainly didn’t agree but I could understand where they were coming from since the Eagles did have a rather impressive 2010 season. Now, this year after the Eagles finished 8-8 I thought the hype would die down, but no. Many analysts are still saying that this is one of the best quarterbacks in the league and that the “Eagles are going to win the NFC East”. What a bunch of garbage! Also, when I went to draft my fantasy football team there was a big picture of Michael Vick right on the front. When I ask people why they are such Eagle’s believers, they say to me that they will do good this year because they won their last four games last season.. So I decided to do a little research and indeed, they did win their last four games. The combined record of those four teams? 27-35 (.435). The combined record of all of the 8 teams the Eagles won with? 41-75 (.353). This year there schedule doesn’t look so easy. Good luck Eagles. You’ll need every drop of it. 

Dallas Cowboys (8-8)- If the Eagles are not the most overrated team in the NFL, the Cowboys are definitely it. Whenever, I’m talking football with someone and bring up the Cowboys half the people agree with me and half the people don’t. Of course the Cowboys are led by “star quarterback” Tony Romo who like Michael Vick, was also on many of the advertisements promoting the 2012 NFL fantasy football game. Ok, at times this guy looks flashy. At times, rarely, but at times, he can throw the long touchdown throw and hit his target. But when the crucial time comes, and the season is at stake he always seems to do the opposite of what he needs to. For example, last year. in the Sunday Night Football prime time Week 17 game against Eli Manning and the New York Giants. The division title is up for grabs. The winner will go into the playoffs. Does Tony Romo pull through? Nope. The Cowboys lose big time to the Giants by a final score of 31-14. Even though I do like parts of this Cowboy team, and I do see some potential, Tony Romo is just way too inconsistent and with all this talent in the NFC, I just don’t see the Cowboys pulling through. 

Washington Redskins (5-11)– After a few disappointing seasons, I do see some light at the end of the tunnel for the Redskins. They have drafted quarterback Robert Griffin III. They’re not in that tough of a division, and I think they may be stronger than the Cowboys and Eagles but I don’t think they can compete with the Giants talent-wise. We’ll see if they compete with Dallas and Philadelphia, but I think that hopes for the playoffs may be a year or two away.