The Baltimore Ravens looked as sharp as anyone in week 1, beating Cincinnati easily and in impressive fashion. Now they are on the road for the first time and playing a nonconference opponent they haven’t faced since 2008 – when they crushed the Eagles 36-7.
Both teams in this AFC match up lost their season openers and while Oakland did not play that badly the same cannot be said for the Dolphins. Ryan Tannehill did not have a good debut throwing 3 INT and he had the lowest QB rating by a Miami QB since the 2007 season.
Both the Saints and Panthers lost their season openers and one of these NFC South teams will be in a 0-2 hole early in the season. After breaking the passing yardage record last season he struggled in his first game not completing 50% of his passes after completing over 70% last season.
The Pats had no problem winning their season opener and while it is no surprise their offense played well it was a little surprising that their D played well. The Arizona Cardinals also won their season opener after Kevin Kolb came into the game and he will get the start in this game and has another chance to become the starter for Arizona if he plays well.
While the Jags lost their season-opener 2nd year QB Blaine Gabbert looked good and he now gives Jags’ fans hope for the future. However, they will be facing a Texans’ team that won last week and not only has a great offense, but a great defense as well.
It’s the battle of Ohio this Sunday in Cincinnati as the Bengals host the Cleveland Browns. Both teams will be looking for their first win in this one. The Bengals were crushed by the Ravens on Monday night.
Andrew Luck’s first game in the NFL didn’t go exactly as planned. The Bears defense made life miserable for Luck. Can he bounce back in his home opener against a mediocre Minnesota Vikings team?
The Buffalo Bills throttled the Kansas City Chiefs 41-7 as a 3.5-point underdog last year in the season opener. Kansas City certainly hasn’t forgotten that game, and the Chiefs are much healthier now than they were last season.
The Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers are bitter rivals. Last year, the Packers got the best of their Bears two times.
Green Bay only lost one regular season game in the 2011-2012 season, which is why it was so surprising when the Packers lost in week one to the 49ers. Chicago took care of business against Andrew Luck and the Colts.
With Cam Newton leading the way the Carolina Panthers were among the most improved teams of 2011.
As I start writing this I am struck by the fact that the only reason we know anything about this team is because of Hard Knocks – if people still watch it (there is no juice with the franchise right now).
The 49ers were so good last year that everyone is expecting a letdown. Some think they will be undone by not being able to repeat their phenomenal turnover ratio and others that Alex Smith isn’t possibly going to become a steady performer over the long term.
The New England Patriots were one or two plays away from winning another Super Bowl last season. The team comes into the season as one of the favorites to win it this year.
St. Louis The Rams might have been the worst team in the league last year and I am doubtful they have done much to improve themselves.
The Jets have not had a good off-season and their preseason was not much better averaging only 8.5 points in their preseason games. The Bills had a great start to last season before flaming out in the 2nd half and they have high hopes coming into this season.
In the opening game for this season the Jags and Vikings may be without their biggest stars, as Adrian Peterson and Maurice Jones-Drew are questionable.
