Nfl 2008

[mersey86]

First week, Peyton Manning not fully mobile and losing at home, Tom Brady possibly out for the season after a knee injury.
I'm not a Patriots fan and have a couple of issues:
1. They lost a first round draft pick this year for being caught cheating last season. However, they had 2 first round picks (one mid-round - resulting from a trade - and the other at the end of the round). Surely the NFL could have stipulated that the Patriots lose their higher first round pick.

2. Strength of schedule is supposed to be based on the team's record the previous season, and yet the Patriots have the easiest schedule of any team this season (after a near-perfect season last year). Where is the justice in that?

I wouldn't wish injury on a player. I'd much rather the Patriots failed to reach the playoffs because Brady had a really bad season. Having said that, knowing Belichek (figuratively speaking), he'll probably still get them to the Superbowl and Brady will return just in time to play.

[red_in_oz]

Might level the playing field with Brady out for the season.

Not sure how Matt Cassel will go over 16 games, though he looked OK coming in for Brady on Sunday - although it was only the Chiefs they played.

My Raiders were their usual impressive selves against Denver! It's going to be ANOTHER long season ..............

[Bari]

NOoooooooo Brady is out for the season. There goes the Pats Vs Dallas Final I perdicted

[washDCRed]

2. Strength of schedule is supposed to be based on the team's record the previous season, and yet the Patriots have the easiest schedule of any team this season (after a near-perfect season last year). Where is the justice in that?

Not so much any more. In 2002, with the addition of the Houston Texans (32 teams total), the schedule formula changed a bit. Now, each team plays the other 3 teams in their division twice (home and away), 4 teams from another division within its own conference (this year, for instance, the AFC East plays the AFC West), and 4 teams from a division in the other conference (AFC East plays NFC West).

That's 14 games that are predetermined every year - leaving only 2 games left to base on the previous season's record. New England plays the two other 1st place teams from last year in their conference - Indy and Pittsburgh.

So New England got a little lucky this year - they play the weaker AFC and NFC West teams. Normally, I would be infuriated by this - since I am not a Pats fan. But, fortunately my beloved Buffalo Bills are in the same division as the Pats so they get the same benefit.

Shaping up to be an interesting season - a few teams who were supposed to be good are in trouble already (Jacksonville, San Diego, Seattle, Cleveland) and a few who were supposed to be middle of the pack are surprising (Buffalo, Carolina, Arizona).

Long season though - but always fun to watch unfold.

Go Bills.

[tommyg]

chargers are 0-2 after losing by 2 points first week and then on a 2-pt touchdown conversion this week to denver

and LT is hurttt

[mersey86]

chargers are 0-2 after losing by 2 points first week and then on a 2-pt touchdown conversion this week to denver

and LT is hurttt

And Merriman is done for the year. The loss to Denver was extremely unfortunate, not that I minded too much as I like Denver as well.

[mersey86]

Not so much any more. In 2002, with the addition of the Houston Texans (32 teams total), the schedule formula changed a bit. Now, each team plays the other 3 teams in their division twice (home and away), 4 teams from another division within its own conference (this year, for instance, the AFC East plays the AFC West), and 4 teams from a division in the other conference (AFC East plays NFC West).

Thanks for the explanation. Seems I'm a little behind the times.

[Bari]

Pats got stuffed by Miami

[mersey86]

Redskins at Cowboys -
Coach Zorn is looking good so far!

[Red Star]

Redskins at Cowboys -
Coach Zorn is looking good so far!

Yep! And JC is looking very comfortable with the new offensive system

[Carras_Shin_Pads]

chargers are 0-2 after losing by 2 points first week and then on a 2-pt touchdown conversion this week to denver

and LT is hurttt

I couldnt believe it, i had to go to bed and left with abour 2 mins to go thinking we'd wrapped it up, couldnt believe the score in the morning, looking forward to the Dolphins on the week, played really well last weekend, go chargers!