I took a visit to the Pro Football Hall of Fame earlier today with my dad. Despite living an hour and 15 minutes away from Canton, this was the first time I’ve ever been there. It’s amazing, I highly recommend every pro football fan goes there.
Anyways, let’s get to the 2 Primetime games coming up on Sunday and Monday; Seattle vs. Green Bay, and New York Jets vs. Indianapolis.
Sunday Night Preview: Rodgers’ Revenge Against The Legion of Boom?
For the first time since 2009, the Green Bay Packers will play the Seattle Seahawks at home, and if you’re wondering how that game went, it was a 48-10 GB victory (Yes, I am aware that the Seahawks’ famous defense was not present at the time.).
According to many, it’s against the law to criticize Packers’ QB Aaron Rodgers in any way. He may be the best active QB in the game, but he’s not perfect, and this is especially true against the Seahawks.
The significant decrease in yards per attempt and yards per game can be chalked up to the quality of the Legion of Boom, but other elite QBs such as Peyton Manning and Tom Brady have had higher peaks against this defense. The case is the same for Matt Ryan, Andrew Luck, Tony Romo, and Philip Rivers, guys that polarize when the “elite QB’ topic comes up. We know that Rodgers isn’t the only player on the Packers that’s struggled against Seattle, and he ended on a high note with that game-tying drive in last year’s NFC Championship Game. But in general, Rodgers and Green Bay have struggled to create yards on offense against the Seahawks. Jordy Nelson out won’t make things easier.
On the other hand, the Packers have home field advantage this time, going 9-0 last year at Lambeau Field (including the playoffs). Since 2012, the Seahawks are 14-10 on the road, a stark contrast from their 22-2 home mark in the same stretch. As a result, the odds are at a 50/50 split.
SEA has its ups and downs as well. The defense has stopped Green Bay’s run in the past, but the secondary is facing health issues and the holdout of Kam Chancellor. The offensive line is nowhere near as good as Green Bay’s, giving Russell Wilson an excuse to run continually. Marshawn Lynch is currently in his prime, however, and has been able to excel despite some terrible protection. How much does Jimmy Graham improve the receiving core? Hell, Chris Matthews, the near Super Bowl hero, only has 1 catch for 8 yards.
With all things considered, I’ll chalk up a close Packers victory, albeit an ugly victory. If there’s any team that can stop Rodgers’ no-INT streak at Lambeau since 2012, it’s this Seahawks defense. But without home field advantage, I think the edge (barely) goes to Green Bay.
Monday Night Preview: 0-2 for the 2nd Straight Year?
For the 2nd consecutive year, the Colts play on Monday Night Football facing an 0-2 deficit to start the season. Déjà vu.
The Jets usually aren’t a team to take serious,, but their week 1 performance against the Browns raises a few questions; is Chris Ivory for real? Was Brandon Marshall that good, or was Joe Haden that bad? We shall see. Of course, Andrew Luck himself poses enough of a threat, and the receivers he has this season rank as his best.
Still, Indianapolis is coming off an awful start to the season. The Bills shell shocked them, and Luck played a pretty bad game. Tyrod Taylor picked apart the defense with short passing, and there were little scoring opportunities when it mattered. With offensive line issues also lingering, it’s alarming when considering the Jets defense.
Antonio Cromartie’s health is important for New York, as is Ryan Fitzpatrick not imploding. Last week, Fitz got away with an interception that was immediately fumbled by Tashaun Gipson, but otherwise played decently enough for the Jets to win. You know I can rarely trust him to lead a team, though, and going on the road just settles it.
Like Sunday Night’s game, it’s an ugly one, but the Colts have this in my mind.
Brick Wall Blitz 