The mind-numbing lateral off of a punt return was the highlight, but ended up being an overall bad effort on the day for Gamble. And it wasn't just him either; Foster never got his ypc over 2.5, and the offensive line was unprepared for the Vikings' blitz packages on third down. If it hadn't been for Delhomme actually able to get rid of the ball a couple of times and took the sack, it would have been a worse situation than what it was.
Meanwhile, Carolina's problems in game and clock management (probably the worst I've seen in the John Fox era) overshadowed Julius Peppers's amazing defensive performance: 8 tackles, 3 sacks, and no telling how many hurries he placed on Brad Johnson (who, for his age, is damned good in his own right). How could anyone say Peppers is not the best defensive lineman in the NFL today? There's no question that he'll make it to the Pro Bowl, injuries aside.
But the rest of the team let Peppers down. He might not say it, but I will. It looked like nobody else on that team was trying to win a football game out there, and that's uncharacteristic of a Panthers' football team in the John Fox era. I know there's plenty of football to go, but the Panthers need to get on the ball and it's got to start this week against Tampa Bay.
- After the Giants played the Colts in the Manning Bowl in Week 1, I picked them to be the favorites to win the NFC East. It's early, but I don't see how you couldn't pick them as the favorites right now.
Eli Manning led the Giants to a come from behind overtime victory this week. They were down 24-7, and won 30-24 over the Iggles. If you didn't believe it before, Eli is for real, and the Giants could go deep into the playoffs if they can continue to play this kind of football. They're one of the most balanced teams in the league on both sides of the football.
- I was kind of irked by Fox's coverage, because although the Panthers take precedence in NC - and rightfully so - they should have went over to the overtime coverage after the game. I don't understand why the Giants/Iggles game wasn't the national broadcast this week, instead of regional. And if people actually watched rodeos on television, you'd see them broadcast more often than they currently are.
- Well, I guess the Steelers aren't looking so hot anymore? Blanked by the Jaguars on Monday night, I'm sure people will say Rothlisberger came back too soon. But how do you explain that 26 net yards rushing, though? Even if you say the defense was able to concentrate on the run due to Big Ben's play, an 11 carries, 20 yard performance by Willie Parker won't cut it. Do better, Willie.
And I told yall last week: the Jags are for real this year. They'll need to put up more than 9 points, but I think they're forgiven considering they beat the defending Super Bowl Champs.
- If you've been watching NFL Network lately, you'd think Chad Johnson had bought it and made himself the main attraction. He's on there for every other commercial break and on several of their original shows too. However, the Simon Phoenix lookalike has had a lackluster start, failing to get over 80 yards in his first two games and one touchdown. He got drilled in the hit of the week against the Browns. Oh, and his first TD dance of the week was lame.
- Detroit will be a better team than they were last year. However, Roy Williams needs to do less talking and more playing. Getting humbled by the Bears after guaranteeing a win was not a good look.
- Everyone's calling the NFC East the best division in the league, but I digress. It's actually the AFC North. The Super Bowl Champions, along with the Bengals, who won the AFC East last year, and then you have the resurging Ravens. Those are three tough teams that I wouldn't want to play right now (and the Panthers have to play the whole division this year).
- Key games this week: Chicago/Minnesota (for the NFC North lead); Cincinnati/Pittsburgh (will the Steelers lose 2 in a row?); Jacksonville/Indy (AFC South lead and possibly to see who's the best in the AFC right now); Giants/Seattle.
- Could someone tell me why ABC scheduled Atlanta/New Orleans as the Monday Night Game? Plan to hit the bed early.