NFL Picks and Predictions

Every NFL football season there are at least a few teams that seem to start very slow. Sometimes it is an NFL team that was expected to have a huge year, and sometimes it is a team that everyone thought would be horrible. For every favorite that falters, there are at least two teams that win unexpectedly. In spite of this, a good portion of these NFL football teams will end up being very good before the end of the season. So far in 2009, there are a number of teams that fit into both categories in the NFC. In particular, there are five NFC football teams that are showing signs that they might be ready to explode. Here they are in no particular order:

Carolina Panthers – the Carolina Panthers were on most everyone’s list of teams in the NFC that were expected to do quite well this season. DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart had such impressive statistics in 2008 that it became quite difficult to ignore them any longer. Going into 2009, Williams and Stewart knew that they would be facing not only teams stacking the run, but the second toughest schedule in the entire NFL. Thus far, the Panthers running game has been derailed primarily because quarterback Jake Delhomme has been unable to throw the ball to his own team. In spite of the horrible quarterback play so far, the Panthers find themselves with a two-game winning streak and are a win at Buffalo away from being at .500.

what is even more telling about the Panthers is that Williams and Stewart are beginning to show signs of exploding. In week six game against Tampa Bay, Williams rushed for two touchdowns on 150+ yards rushing while Stewart had one touchdown and also broke the century mark. This marked the first time either running back had topped 100 yards in a game this season. Granted, the Bucs are far from top level competition. Still it is clear that these two running backs have yet to show the best they have to offer in 2009. This makes Carolina a team to look out for in the weeks to come.

Green Bay Packers - The Packers have actually been rather good so far this season. In particular, quarterback Aaron Rodgers has been lights out in his second year under center for the pack. The Packers have suffered a good bit of injuries as well as some unfortunate luck to start the season slow. Most everyone that follows NFL football would concede that the Packers are a candidate to explode at any time.

San Francisco 49ers - San Francisco has been a team that has surprised everyone, and so imagining them improving might be a stretch. The reason for San Francisco getting better is simply about one player — Michael Crabtree. The first-round draft pick up the San Francisco 49ers is set to make his NFL debut during week seven after finally signing with the team. If the 49ers were able to perform as well as they have without him, it stands to reason that they should be even better with him. Crabtree is a special player and should be a great playmaker for the 49ers.

Dallas Cowboys - Tony Romo and the Dallas Cowboys have been pretty much a train wreck in 2009. It seems that every single week the Cowboys find a new way to put questions in the minds of the NFL experts. In particular, Tony Romo has not played up to expectations to say the least. In some ways this may actually benefit the Cowboys. With the emergence of wide receiver Miles Austin, the Cowboys now have a certified playmaker to take the heat off of Roy Williams and Romo. It remains to be seen whether the Cowboys can put it all together, but their talent level is simply too high to continue on the same track.

Atlanta Falcons - The Atlanta Falcons are currently in second place in the NFC South trailing only the undefeated New Orleans Saints. While they are winning football games, they are not doing so in the way in which they were expected to. The running game with Michael Turner has not been up to par this season. This is primarily a problem because Atlanta is definitely a running football team. On the bright side, quarterback Matt Ryan and free-agent signing Tony Gonzalez have developed a very special passing connection. As the season wears on, it is only a matter of time before Turner and that Atlanta offensive line start to gel. When they do the Falcons may not play second fiddle to anyone.

If you enjoyed this post, get free updates by email or RSS. Subscribe here to NFL picks and predictions!

What an NFL season we have going here. The Saints are no longer Aints, and the Broncos finally showed me in week six that they were for real. What a mixed up year. Still, it makes for great football every single week, and week seven should be no exception. Here are your free NFL picks for the NFL week seven of action:

Green Bay at Cleveland – Green Bay looked like world beaters in week six, but they were playing the Detroit Lions. It is a good thing they are facing Cleveland this week. The result should be similar as Cleveland just can not seem to get it together at all.

Winner – Green Bay Packers

San Diego at Kansas City – The Chargers totally bombed on Monday Night Football against the Broncos but it seems the Broncs have a way of doing that to teams. The Chiefs finally got a win last week, but will return to their losing ways against the Chargers. Especially the angry Chargers.

Winner – San Diego Chargers

Indianapolis at St. Louis – The Rams have zero chance. Zero.

Winner – Indianapolis Colts

Minnesota at Pittsburgh – This is easily the game of the week to most NFL fans, and it should be a doozie. It is not every day we see Brett Favre face Ben Roethilisberger. This should be fun, but I see the Vikings finally losing one. It will be at the last minute, but the Steelers steal a much needed win.

Winner – Pittsburgh Steelers

New England at Tampa Bay – Tampa Bay has zero chance. Zero.

Winner – New England Patriots

San Francisco at Houston – This is another game that will be better than advertised. Schaub has been excellent this year, and the Niners struggled in their last outing. I think the Texans are just hot enough to take down the Niners this week.

Winner – Houston Texans

Buffalo at Carolina – Don’t look now but that Carolina running game is starting to rumble again. Just about this time last year, the Panthers did the same thing and ended up nearly taking home field advantage from the Giants in the NFC. The Bills are simply in the way. Just do not let Jake throw the ball, and the Panthers roll easily.

Winner – Carolina Panthers

NY Jets at Oakland – The Jets and Sanchez rebound in a big way. Nothing like having Oakland around to get back on the horse.

Winner – NY Jets

Atlanta at Dallas – The Cowboys have to win, and will for that reason only. The Romo watch continues though as he will struggle again against the Falcons rush.

Winner – Dallas Cowboys

Chicago at Cincinnati – The Bears will pull this one out but not without some serious fight from the Bengals. The Bengals and Bears might become an annual classic someday. It should be already. This will be a fun one.

Winner – Chicago Bears

New Orleans at Miami – I am smelling an upset here, but I think that if I pick against the Saints I might lose some readers here. If you are so inclined, feel free to take the Dolphins as they could very well upset the Saints at home. I still think the Saints will weather the storm though in all probability.

Winner – New Orleans Saints

Arizona at NY Giants – The Cardinals are in the wrong place at the wrong time. The Giants are angry.

Winner – NY Giants

MON, OCT 26

Philadelphia at Washington – See above. Add to this that the head coach is really not the head coach in Washington and they can not score. Philly better win or they might just be disowned when they go home.

Winner – Philadelphia Eagles

Tiebreaker Score – Eagles 21 Redskins 3

Week Six Record – 8 – 6

If you enjoyed this post, get free updates by email or RSS. Subscribe here to NFL picks and predictions!

It was a bang up week in the NFL South as Carolina, Atlanta and especially New Orleans pulled out big wins. The NFC South has quickly made a case for being one of the better divisions in the NFC with Atlanta and New Orleans taking huge steps. Carolina is now starting to make strides towards regaining their form from last year, at least in the running game.

In week six action, the New Orleans Saints made a clear statement to the entire NFL that they just might be the best. It would be difficult for any team to claim otherwise, with the possible exception of the Vikings. The Saints took the New York Giants and simply abused them, beating them soundly and shredding that vaunted New York defense. Drew Brees is the clear MVP so far this season in my eyes.

Atlanta kept pace with the Saints by squeaking by the Chicago Bears on Sunday Night Football. The Falcons looked great at times, but they did show some signs of weakness. Matt Ryan sure looked like the superstar everyone has said that he is, calmly leading a late drive to down the Bears after Cutler had led them back.

The Carolina Panthers took down the Tampa Bay Bucs with ease, in spite of the close score. Were it not for the horrible play of quarterback Jake Delhomme, the Panthers likely would have won by twenty. What is really exciting for the Panthers is the return of Double Trouble. Jonathan Stewart and DeAngelo Williams had huge days with both players scoring and both breaking that 100 yd barrier. Williams went over 150 with two touchdowns.

The Bucs are still fighting to win a game in 2009, but still put up a good fight against the Panthers. They are still probably a year away from any kind of real success.

The Saints face Miami in week seven, while Atlanta faces Dallas. The Panthers face the Bills, and hope to even up their record at 3-3. The poor Bucs must travel to London, England to face the red hot New England Patriots in week seven action.

If you enjoyed this post, get free updates by email or RSS. Subscribe here to NFL picks and predictions!

The Chicago Bears are 3-1 entering their week six match up with the Atlanta Falcons, and they are right behind the Minnesota Vikings in the standings as well. The Bears have had what has to be a good season so far, and quarterback Jay Cutler has been as good as advertised. If you throw out that week one nerve game, Cutler is among the most efficient quarterbacks in the league. With Atlanta coming up, the Bears face a game that could make or break their season in some ways.

First of all they are playing a team that is incredibly talented. The Falcons are showing that they are going to be major players come playoff time, and the Bears know it. More importantly, it is very likely that the Bears will be competing with these Falcons, among others for the wildcards. Minnesota is looking like they might have a stranglehold in the standings, and so does New Orleans in the South. Either way, this game could end up being important down the road.

Another key reason this game is so vital is because the Bears are heading on the road and playing on prime time television. This is the chance they have to make a statement to the rest of the NFC.

If the Bears can go into Atlanta and pick up the win, they have to feel good about their chances moving forward. They need one of those “statement” wins this year as they have been up and down so far.

Atlanta is in a similar position, but they seem to be on cruise control right now. They have every part of their game rolling with the passing game and the running game. Even the defense looked good this past week.

The game should be a doozy, and I expect it will be a huge game for the ratings.

Week six is here already and the contenders are starting to take form. We should have a great week this week, and look forward to an interesting set of games. Without further ado, here are the Free NFL Week six picks and predictions:

Houston at Cincinnati

This is going to be a really good game between two up and coming teams. I expect that the Bengals will have enough at home, but the Texans are unpredictable. This game is the only one that scares me this week. Still, I say the Bengals take the win.

Winner – Cincinnati Bengals

Detroit at Green Bay

The Lions are not last year’s Lions, and will give Green Bay a bit of a fight…for about a quarter. This one might get ugly with Calvin Johnson injured. Green Bay in a blowout here.

Winner – Green Bay Packers

Baltimore at Minnesota

This is easily the game of the week. I expect that the Ravens will show up big time this week, but I do think that the Vikings will simply have too much firepower. In the end, it will be a close game but the Vikings will pull it out at home. This is the type of game where Favre’s experience will mean a win where as last year the Vikings would lose.

Winner – Minnesota Vikings

NY Giants at New Orleans

The Saints are no joke folks. This offense and defense is for real and they will expose some of the Giants weaknesses. Still, the Giants will be right there in the end. It could go either way, but I think the Saints will pass their way to a win.

Winner – New Orleans Saints

Cleveland at Pittsburgh

The Steelers are going to win this one going away. Do not even think of taking those Brownies here.

Winner – Pittsburgh Steelers

Carolina at Tampa Bay

The Panthers win back to back games finally in 2009. They really need a break out game from DeAngelo, and this should be the game to do it. Also look for a big game from the Carolina pass rush. Last week they woke up big time with sack after sack against the Redskins in the win.

Winner – Carolina Panthers

Kansas City at Washington

Now this is a stinker of a game huh? Redskins win just cause they are at home.

Winner – Washington Redskins

St. Louis at Jacksonville

See above. Still the Jags can actually score a touchdown….some weeks. This week they do…repeatedly.

Winner – Jacksonville Jaguars

Arizona at Seattle

This game will be entertaining to say the least. Lots of scoring and lots of fun in the rainy city of Seattle. Fitzgerald will have a field day and the Cardinals will win by the skin of their teeth….er…beaks.

Winner – Arizona Cardinals

Philadelphia at Oakland

The Eagles will win in a laugher here. Not much to say. Oakland is selling off the team already, so I don’t expect much except maybe a fight on their sideline at some point.

Winner – Philadelphia Eagles

Tennessee at New England

The Pats will win this one as the Titans have completely fallen apart. One has to cheer for Vince Young, however, as he gets another chance to prove he can handle being an NFL quarterback. Not against the Patriots at home.

Winner – New England Patriots

Buffalo at NY Jets

The Jets have to feel horrible after the loss in Miami. The Bills are just what the doctor ordered.

Winner – NY Jets

Chicago at Atlanta

This game will be a huge one for the Bears. A night game that will give them the chance to prove they are contenders. I expect Jay Cutler to have a huge night as the Falcons struggle under the lights.

Winner – Chicago Bears

MON, OCT 19

Denver at San Diego

The Broncos finally drop a game against a Charger team that plays every other game like they are superstars. This week they are due for a great one.

Tie breaker score – Chargers 31 Broncos 21

Winner – San Diego Chargers

Week Five Record – 8 – 6

Season Record – 47 – 29

Monday Night Football has never been so thrilled. The biggest stage in football is now the place where Brett Favre will face the team he built his legend with. While this sounds like a game made in football heaven, the truth of the matter is that its weird -weird for me, weird for Green Bay, weird for the NFL at large. Nobody really thought that the Minnesota Vikings would ever face the Green Bay Packers with Brett Favre under center. Not with a purple helmet on anyways.

The truth of the matter is that when Favre retired, he retired as a Green Bay Packer. His signing with the Jets was no big deal really in Green Bay. It stunk. It made Green Bay mad. It was odd on every level. Favre signing with arguably the Packer’s worst on field enemy is another story all together. The fact that the Vikings are serious contenders in the Packers own division is just icing on the cake. The Packers are going to be in for the fight of their life to ward off the Vikings this season. Brett Favre could very well be the reason that Green Bay does not make the playoffs this year. What crime could he commit that would be any worse to a Green Bay fan?

Watching this game on Monday night will be like nothing else in recent memory as sports go. The Packers are going to be playing against Brett Favre. No matter how many times you say it, it still has to sound strange. What will it look like? The real question is, will the Green Bay players have it in for Favre? Regardless of the niceties that are sure to be thrown around on Monday night’s pregame, you can bet that the Packers are going to be a little pissed in the back of their minds. They will be coming after Favre hard and fast.

To tell you the truth, I see that as being their ultimate downfall. They are going to be looking for Favre all night long, and Adrian Peterson is going to be running by them while they do. The real weapon in Minnesota is not Brett Favre. He is the decoy now. The real weapon is Adrian Peterson. Given this, the Vikings would do well to sling some shots down the field early against Green Bay. They should get all eyes squarely on Favre. Once they focus in, then they should smash them in the mouth with a steady dose of Adrian. The worse thing they could do is get into a passing game with the Packers.

Aaron Rodgers is actually the better quarterback at this stage of their careers. Physically he is just more put together than Favre. Favre has the experience and the mojo over Rodgers, however. If Favre is going to beat Rodgers, it will have to be between the ears. He will have to shelve his ego, and let the strengths of his team lead the way. To Favre’s credit, he has done so this year so far. This is why the Vikings are 3-0. It remains to be seen if he can do the same against the Packers.

Pull up a chair, and enjoy the ride. This should be a good one.

Week three of great NFL action is already upon us and the week three picks and predictions have been percolating in my mind. I have tried to really get my brain around the fact that Brady was shown up, Peyton ruined my week two upset, and the Cincinnati Bengals are no longer, well….. terrible. Scary, huh? Week three is sure to bring a great deal more surprises. With two weeks in the bag, lets get on to the meat and potatoes of the NFL picks and prediction season. Here are the free week three NFL picks and predictions:

Washington at Detroit

The Redskins are having some major offensive problems this season. The Lions are scoring but simply not enough. While my brain is smelling a possible (gasp) Lion’s win, my gut is telling me that the Redskins will prevail in spite of their offensive problems. I always go with my gut.

Winner – Washington Redskins

Green Bay at St. Louis

The Rams nearly pulled one out last week in spite of the fact that they simply can not seem to score. The offense has gone from the greatest show on turf to watching paint dry in no time flat it seems. Green Bay is having no such problems in spite of the week two loss.

Winner – Green Bay Packers

San Francisco at Minnesota

Now this is a match up we can sink our teeth into. The Niners are for real in spite of what many think. I am shocked to be saying that, but Singletary has made all the difference there this season. The Vikings look every bit the Super Bowl contender that they hoped to be. Favre is not finished yet after all.

Winner – Minnesota Vikings

Atlanta at New England

The Patriots are going to be very mad, and that is bad news for a young upstart team like Atlanta. The Falcons are much better than years past, but they will get pounded against the Patriots.

Winner – New England Patriots

Tennessee at NY Jets

Will Sanchez have a rookie game? I am figuring on a possible let down game here for the Jets. The Titans are much better than their record indicates, and the Jets are playing way over their heads. Sooner or later, the bubble has to burst. I say it is this week against the Titans.

Winner – Tennessee Titans

Kansas City at Philadelphia

The Chiefs simply do not have the firepower to stay with Philly in Philly.

Winner – Philadelphia Eagles

NY Giants at Tampa Bay

The Gmen will go into Tampa and destroy the Bucs. They seemed like a Super Bowl team against Dallas, in spite of the fact that they should have lost. Little Eli has certainly grown up.

Winner – NY Giants

Cleveland at Baltimore

Baltimore will dominate this one in a laugher. The Browns are really bad so far. Really bad.

Winner – Baltimore Ravens

Jacksonville at Houston

The Texans finally woke up from their slumber and laid a whipping on the Titans. Now they do the same to the Jaguars.

Winner – Houston Texans

New Orleans at Buffalo

Can anybody stop this offensive juggernaut? Not the Bills, that is for sure. Brees throws for 400+ again.

Winner – New Orleans Saints

Chicago at Seattle

The Bears finally showed up against the Super Bowl Champion Steelers and look what happened. I expect they will ride that momentum against an ailing Seattle squad. Matt Hasselback is a must for them, and they will struggle with his rib injury.

Winner – Chicago Bears

Miami at San Diego

The Chargers finally get it all together in one game. They will have the best game of the season against the Fins, and will win going away. The Dolphins have some defensive issues right now that can not be ignored.

Winner – San Diego Chargers

Pittsburgh at Cincinnati

The Steelers now must head into Bengal country to face an upstart squad that is playing like they have nothing to lose. They will have enough to get out of Cinci with a win.

Winner – Pittsburgh Steelers

Denver at Oakland

The Broncos surprised me in week two with a strong showing. The Raiders are the team that is surprising everyone. Expect the Raiders to continue to surprise and pick up a key win.

Winner – Oakland Raiders

Indianapolis at Arizona

The Colts keep on finding ways to win with Peyton pulling them out at the last minute. Arizona looked like the NFC champions finally last week. This game is a tough call, because you never know what you will get with Arizona. Because they are at home, I am going with the Cardinals.

Winner – Arizona Cardinals

MON, SEP 28

Carolina at Dallas

This Monday night match up will give Dallas a second chance to win in primetime at the new stadium. While the Panthers have struggled, they looked like a whole new team last year. I think the Panthers begin to crawl out of their hole this week, and surprise the Cowboys in week three.

Winner – Carolina Panthers
Tiebreaker Score – Panthers 21 Cowboys 17

Week Two Record – 9-7
Season Record – 18-14

Week one certainly has shaken up the power rankings for week two, that is for sure. Some things have stayed the same of course, and it is unsure if some that were picked high can recover. We will see over the course of the NFL football season. Here are the power rankings for week two of the NFL football season. (keep in mind these are before the games in week two)

1. Pittsburgh Steelers – The Steelers stay on top after a week one win over an impressive Titans squad.

2. New England Patriots – The Patriots hold onto number two, but only by the skin of their teeth. They need some work on defense for sure.

3. NY Giants – The Giants have proven their mettle, but face a serious test in Big D during week two.

4. New Orleans Saints – With Brees throwing like that, the Saints have the chance to do something special. Can the defense hold up?

5. Philadelphia Eagles – Will McNabb return and be effective?

6. Indianapolis Colts – The Colts are kind of uncertain, but Manning has them right back in the mix.

7. Atlanta Falcons – Matt Ryan is the real deal, folks. So is that Atlanta defense.

8. Minnesota Vikings – The Vikings looked sharp, and with Adrian Peterson in the backfield, there is no ceiling here.

9. Dallas Cowboys – The boys have Romo comfortable again. That could be bad news for the rest of the NFC.

10. San Diego Chargers – Still dangerous in spite of a lackluster week one win over the Raiders.

The rest…..

11. Baltimore Ravens
12. Green Bay Packers
13. Seattle Seahawks
14. NY Jets
15. Tennessee Titans
16. Chicago Bears
17. San Francisco Niners
18. Denver Broncos
19. Arizona Cardinals
20. Buffalo Bills
21. Houston Texans
22. Washington Redskins
23. Jacksonville Jaguars
24. Cincinnati Bengals
25. Carolina Panthers
26. Tampa Bay Bucs
27. Oakland Raiders
28. Miami Dolphins
29. Cleveland Browns
30. Kansas City Chiefs
31. St Louis Rams
32. Detroit Lions

Free NFL football picks are so fickle. Much like the Carolina Panthers start to the season, we pulled a Jake Delhomme in week one. (okay so it wasn’t that bad, but I am ticked at the cajun) The start was not what we had hoped for with only nine picks in the bag, but like every season we will make it up this week. That is the beauty of NFL football picks. You can always turn things around quickly with a good next week. Week two looks like a bit of an easier road to hoe, so let’s dive right into those free NFL football picks right now.

SUN, SEP 20

Carolina at Atlanta

This game is one of those where you just don’t know which trend to trust. The Panthers have owned the Falcons in recent years, and they are coming off a poor performance. The Falcons are coming off a great week one performance. Also, history has shown that the Panthers show up after a loss usually. Still, Mattie Ice has shown that he is for real. As much as I hate to do it, Carolina is toast in this one.

Winner – Atlanta Falcons

Minnesota at Detroit

The Lions really showed up last week on the offensive side of the ball and they established the fact that they can score on an average New Orleans defense. The Vikings are not average. Adrian Peterson might run for 500 yds in this one.

Winner – Minnesota Vikings

Cincinnati at Green Bay

Aaron Rodgers is no joke folks. This guy is for real. The game against Chicago was his growing up game, and he is loaded with confidence. At Green Bay, the Bengals have little chance of stopping their momentum after that fantastic win on Saturday night.

Winner – Green Bay Packers

Houston at Tennessee

The Texans are going to be a good team this year, but it appears they are going to do another late season show up party. This game will be ugly with the Titans still fuming over the week one loss to the Steelers.

Winner – Tennessee Titans

Oakland at Kansas City

The Raiders had some genuine moments on Monday night and showed that they are no pushover this season. The combination of McFadden and Bush looked awfully good. The Chiefs certainly played better than expected, but they will falter in this one.

Winner – Oakland Raiders

New England at NY Jets

Mark Sanchez really gets to find out what big time NFL football is all about. He will play well, but he will learn what a loss feels like against Brady and company.

New England Patriots

New Orleans at Philadelphia

This is a game that would be much more exciting with Mcnabb. The Saints are a juggernaut offensively, and the city of Brotherly Love will see that first hand. The Eagles are going to play well but lose in the final minutes.

Winner – New Orleans Saints

St. Louis at Washington

The Skins had better enjoy this one while they can. The Rams do not come to town every week you know.

Winner – Washington Redskins

Arizona at Jacksonville

The Jaguars are going to give the Cardinals fits, and part of that is because they are better against the pass than the majority of the Cardinal’s opponents. The Cardinals will start the year off 0-2 keeping in time with previous Super Bowl losers the year following.

Winner – Jacksonville Jaguars

Tampa Bay at Buffalo

The Bills are much better than advertised. Edwards played fantastically and that is even before he and Owens get their timing right. Expect a huge night in Buffalo.

Winner – Buffalo Bills

Seattle at San Francisco

There is something about that win in Arizona that has me believing a little bit in the Niners. Mike Singletary has them really rolling as a team, and the talent level is there. Could this be the next Cardinals?

Winner – San Francisco 49ers

Pittsburgh at Chicago

This is going to be a showdown. The Bears are going to have some kind of struggle against the defending champs, but I see Cutler recovering a bit this week. The guy is too talented of a quarterback and he showed flashes of brilliance last week. With the Bears being at home, I see the Steelers losing a rare early season game.

Winner – Chicago Bears

Baltimore at San Diego

The Ravens are for real this year. They not only have that vaunted defense, but they also have a pretty darn good offense. The Chargers looked a bit frail in their week one win.

Winner – Baltimore Ravens

Cleveland at Denver

The Browns are going to hand it to the Broncos this week for one reason. Kyle Orton. The guy had one thing going for him in week one. Luck. That TD was completely luck.

Winner – Cleveland Browns

NY Giants at Dallas

The Giants look fantastic but so do the Boys. I am not a huge fan of the Cowboys, but I do think that they are set to return to prominence this year. This particular week, they take the early upper hand in the NFC East.

Winner – Dallas Cowboys

MON, SEP 21

Indianapolis at Miami

This Monday night matchup is not a gimme for Peyton and the boys. I expect that at home the Dolphins will right the ship. Manning looked almost fallible in their week one struggle against Jacksonville, and the Dolphins are no joke on defense. This will be a fun one, but Indy loses in a close one.

Winner – Miami Dolphins

Tiebreaker – Miami 24 Indy 21

Week One Record – 9-7
Season Record – 9-7

Trying to put your finger on what went wrong with the Carolina Panthers on opening day Sunday is not very hard to do.  Your finger will slowly raise up in front of you and point squarely in the direction of Jake Delhomme.  The Cajun was simply horrific and brought back memories the Panthers had wanted to forget.  Last season the Panthers watched a 12-4 regular season come tumbling down with each interception that Delhomme threw against the Cardinals.  In a matter of moments, the Panthers season was over.  Sunday’s opening day massacre against Philadelphia had much the same flavor, and once again the flavor was spicy…Cajun spicy.

During the entire offseason I defended Jake.  Even as I watched the Panthers sign him to a five year contract worth more money than some cities see in a year, I stood up and reminded folks of all the games the fiery Delhomme had led us to wins in.  I reminded everybody of the Super Bowl game where he magically looked like the mirror image of every great quarterback in history.  I reminded them that he had won 54 games since taking over for the Panthers, which places him among the game’s elite.  Then Sunday happened… Again.

The Panther haters said that Jake would stink.  They said that he would cost the Panthers the game.  They said he was an average quarterback at best. They lied.  He was no where near average.

In perhaps the worst quarterback performance since…well since anybody, Jake Delhomme made the Panthers look like the worst team in history.  Do not get me wrong.  The Panthers offensive line did not do him any favors.  He had Eagles flying in his face all day long, thanks to a defense that was blitzing every single play.  The coaching staff did not do much to help out either. They threw their first screen pass at least four sacks into the game, long after the game was decided.  How can you slow down the rush? Throw screen passes to the best player in the game – DeAngelo Williams.  Make not mistake, however, the game was completely and squarely on the shoulders of Jake.

I am finally ready to say that the Panthers made a horrible mistake signing Delhomme to a multi-year lucrative contract. The move was pretty much a killer on the whole, and that is not based only on Sunday.  Delhomme has not been the same for years.  Yes, he led the Panthers to 12 wins in 08.  How many of those wins was won in spite of Delhomme’s performance however?  The Panthers are a team that is loaded with talent. They can overcome a great deal of problems.  Even the talented Panthers could not overcome Delhomme this week.  When you personally give the other team no less than 24 points, the game is pretty much over.  Especially a top notch team like Philadelphia.

So where do the Panthers go from here?  Who lines up under center?  You have to know it will be Delhomme.  Knowing Jake, he will come back in the next game and play fantastically.  That or the great Steve Smith will carry him on his shoulders once again, and make Jake appear like he is better than he is.  Whatever the case, the Panthers have way too much money invested in Delhomme to sit him. Moving forward, they are going to find themselves in an increasingly nasty situation.  Jake must play, and he knows it.  Even Jake does not seem too anxious to do that right now.  He looks like a deer caught squarely in the headlights.