By Paul Casey Gotham
Up and Down
Try to imagine if NFL fans were given a survey one year ago today. Amongst other questions, the survey would ask fans to predict the most entertaining game on the second weekend of the 2011 season. Most would have pointed to New England and San Diego or Philly -Atlanta or N’Awlins and Chicago. Logical choices to make. Some might have also mentioned none because of the possible lockout. Few, if any, would have considered Oakland and Buffalo. After all, the Raiders were coming off a 5-11 2009 campaign, The Bills were en route to a 4-12 mark. But on this Sunday the Raiders and Bills played like they were “walking downtown on pavement” going “up and down” the field. The two combined for 73 points on 935 yards of offense in a game where the lead changed hands five times in the fourth quarter.
The Bills went a perfect five-for-five in the second half scoring touchdowns on every possession to overcome an 18-point deficit. The 35 second-half points more than doubled the team’s output in the entire first two games of last season combined.
Ryan Fitzpatrick connected with seven different receivers. David Nelson led the way with 10 catches. Tight end Scott Chandler continued reincarnating the ghost of Pete Metzelaars past with another touchdown. Donald Jones had the biggest play that doesn’t get into the stat column. The wide receiver batted away a sure interception in the game’s final minute.
So you’re telling me there’s a chance
With the win, Buffalo improves to 2-0 on the young season as do the Washington Redskins and Detroit Lions. The Bills, ‘Skins and Lions rattled off 16 triumphs between them a year ago. In the 21st century NFL where the line between parity and mediocrity is cloudy, one of these three might end the season in the playoffs.
A song for Jim Caldwell
Jay Cutler at the toll booth
No one is going to confuse Chicago Bear QB Jay Cutler with any of the fleet of foot signal callers around the league. But Sunday’s stats can’t all be Cutler’s fault. One week after leading the Bears to victory, the Vanderbilt alum found himself leading the league in pickups…of his own carcass from the turf. The Saints sacked Cutler six times and knocked him down at least that many times. Injuries to the Bears receiving corps and offensive line left Cutler with little chance against a N’Awlins crew seeking redemption after a week one beatdown by Green Bay. Cutler can get some solace. While it might have felt like the Saints were taking a machine gun to him at least he didn’t end up like Sonny.
Ground control to Major Tom
Anyone looking for a MNF hangover from the New England Patriots forgot about the hooded one on the sidelines and his protege under center. Six days after throwing for a team-record 517 yards, Tom Brady threw for 423 more as the Pats knocked off the San Diego Chargers 35-21. Brady became the first NFL QB to follow a 500-yard performance with a 400-yard game. He must be taking his protein pills, and obviously Brady has his helmet on. Many more games like this and fans will start to wonder if Brady is in orbit. For now, nothing seems to be wrong.
Jackson Cage
Mark Sanchez has been “reminded every night” that he’s “been judged and handed life.” The Jets offense hasn’t scored a first-quarter offensive touchdown in 16 games.
On Sunday, New York took the opening kickoff and marched down the field in six plays as Sanchez hit Santonio Holmes with a 17-yard touchdown pass, and the Jets went on to dismiss the Jacksonville Jaguars, 32-3.
Sanchez finished 17-of-24 for 182 yards. Last week Sanchez connected on 26-of-44 for for 335 yards in the Jets win over Dallas.
“Are you tough enough to play the game they play? Or will you just do your time and fade away down into the Jackson Cage?”
Baby Jesus prayers for Todd Haley
Kansas City’s outlook after last year was bright. The Chiefs finished atop the AFC West with a mark of 10-6. Their running game ranked among the best in the league. Then, head coach Todd Haley and offensive coordinator Charlie Weis parted ways. We can only guess at the correlation, but the Chiefs have been outscored 89-10 in the first two games of this season. Sunday’s 48-3 debacle against Detroit represents the most lopsided win in Lion history. Maybe Ricky Bobby can help.
Here’s hoping Ricky says a prayer or two for the Giants.
Got any NFL Splinters? Share them here.
Nice multi-media Monday there Casey.
🙂 Any available video footage of the Chinchillas?
I don’t think there is, but I can look around. There might be some on the x10 page, of a steady shot in the studio, but nothing like the Kings. I can ask the boys if they want to do a video.
Good to see you at the gig Friday.
You guys sounded great…as always. Abilene is a good room for bands. I enjoy hanging out there and wish I could more often. There was a song you played “Apples”? Is that an original?
Yeah, Pete wrote that one, basically “do you like apples” over and over again I can send you an mp3 if you want, but it’s from a practice.
If it isn’t any inconvenience, send it along. Another classic Chinchillas tune – first hearing and I was singing along by the end of the song. Thanks for the video. I will use it in future posts.
Back to football … now I’m not trying to burst anyone’s bubble and I’d like to see these nouveau riche stories continue, especially in Buffalo. Just keep in mind that KC appears to be about sorriest team in the league this year … and both the Bills and Lions have played them … played them very well too. And the Raiders, although possibly improved, are still the Raiders until proven otherwise. 2-0 is nice, but let’s not pop champagne corks yet. Admittedly, it’s nice to see the usual doormats enjoying success. I’m not very excited about Detroit getting good cuza they’re in the Bears division. Go Bills!!
And for that matter, go Texans!!! 2-0 and will be severely tested vs the Saints next weekend. I’m thinking they will give NO a much better game than duh Bares, if for no other reason than they almost have the offense to match NO and keep Drew Brees on the sideline longer than duh Bares could.
Wally – that’s a shift after your “hope for the downtrodden” message of a week ago. Not putting anything in stone. Hence, the accompanying video.
The Texans might fall into a similar category as the Bills and Lions in that they haven’t played anybody yet. Although, I have a sneaky feeling the Raiders will win more than they lose this year. Houston is 2-0 with wins over winless Indy and Miami.
Agreed, there’s certainly hope … just can’t pop the champagne yet.
The Raiders have promise … if they can just get rid of stupidity.
I think more is expected of the Texans this year compared to the Bills, Lions, Raiders …. they had more tools going into the season and made some changes that made good sense on their weakness … defense. But nobody is opening the bubbly down here yet either. Houston was 2-0 after the first two last season. The Saints game in New Orleans will be a good measuring stick. The Texans should make the playoffs this year. SHOULD.
How about the Titans taking it to the Ravens? After last week’s whipping of the Steelers, experts were ready to anoint the Ravens at the top. It looks like the Titans took that personally.
Are the Eagles sending a “Return the Sender” box to Arizona???? Anyone else starting to think the “Dream Team” , errrr the Eagles are in a little bit of trouble?
Bills have a Litmus Test game next week as well in New England. But it is nice to see a couple of these teams off to good starts. Maybe the Bills will actually sign Fitzpatrick to an extension, as he is proving he can play.
Smitty! Bravo for staying with the groove – “address unknown.”
New England travels to Buffalo next week. Either way – big test for the Bills. Too big at this point. Prior to the season if someone said the Bills were to be 2-1, Orchard Park would have held hands and started singing kumbayah.
Kudos to the Bills, by the way, for going with the retro uniforms. A good look!