A lot of smart folks warned me about CLE's "O" being a steaming hot mess & they certainly showed it in the 1st half Sunday. What disappointed me most was CLE's poor tackling. Bell, Ben & even the WRs were getting a lot of long runs due to mistackles on all levels. Thank God they shored that up in the 2nd half & almost pulled out the victory. CLE's run gm helped pace the way as expected. DEN did their usual sit back & relax routine in their 2nd half to almost blow it against Luck. Otherwise I would've had a 4-0 start.
POW 1-0, Teasers 1-0, Overall 3-0-1
MIA (+1) dominated NE in front of a national audience. Even though NE scored 20 & was up 10 @ the half, that was mostly due to 3 STRAIGHT TOs by MIA "O" (2 of which led to 10 NE pts). So the other 2 possessions MIA had that were TO-free, they scored 10 pts. Then obviously MIA ran away w/it in 2nd half. Score could've potentially been MIA winning by 30 or more if they'd held onto the ball more. BUF also had a huge win @ CHI. CJ & FJ paced the "O" enabling EJ to make a handful of plays downfield on a relatively weak CHI "D". The way to attack MIA's "D" is by running, which is why BUF is 3-1 against them. I've never liked MIA's LBs since #54 left, & this yr is no different. They struggle against the run & TEs. But, Trusnik, Jelani Jenkins & rookie Chris McClain (1 sack & blocked punt) may be an upgrade based on last wk. They brought energy & pursuit I'm not used to seeing @ LB. That definitely comes from the play of Cameron Wake who IMO is the defensive MVP right behind JJ Watt. BUF's "D" will be ready no doubt. The crowd will be loud as they have new ownership that will keep team in BUF, & "D" will be pumped coming off 2nd most potent "O" from last yr. That said, CHI's "O" really took strides when McCown took over, but Cutler is too much of a slinger to be consistent. He will get his plays because his WRs are so gifted, but he'll throw backbreaking INTs at critical pts in a drive or gm. Tanny still throws picks too, but not off his backfoot across his body! BUF took full advantage of Cutler's wild west mentality & CHI's lack of using their true MVP Matt Forte. In a nutshell CHI really aided BUF in their win, while MIA's pressure greatly impacted Brady, & their run gm led the way on "O". BUF's home field will be an advantage, but I feel if MIA wins the TO battle (which should've been a highlight for them this wk in practice coming off 3 TOs) Tannehill will beat EJ Manuel if it comes down to them. Both team's run gms & "D" should be a wash.
MIA 30
BUF 23
5 Units
BOL to all, and as always comments are most welcome.
POW 1-0, Teasers 1-0, Overall 3-0-1
MIA (+1) dominated NE in front of a national audience. Even though NE scored 20 & was up 10 @ the half, that was mostly due to 3 STRAIGHT TOs by MIA "O" (2 of which led to 10 NE pts). So the other 2 possessions MIA had that were TO-free, they scored 10 pts. Then obviously MIA ran away w/it in 2nd half. Score could've potentially been MIA winning by 30 or more if they'd held onto the ball more. BUF also had a huge win @ CHI. CJ & FJ paced the "O" enabling EJ to make a handful of plays downfield on a relatively weak CHI "D". The way to attack MIA's "D" is by running, which is why BUF is 3-1 against them. I've never liked MIA's LBs since #54 left, & this yr is no different. They struggle against the run & TEs. But, Trusnik, Jelani Jenkins & rookie Chris McClain (1 sack & blocked punt) may be an upgrade based on last wk. They brought energy & pursuit I'm not used to seeing @ LB. That definitely comes from the play of Cameron Wake who IMO is the defensive MVP right behind JJ Watt. BUF's "D" will be ready no doubt. The crowd will be loud as they have new ownership that will keep team in BUF, & "D" will be pumped coming off 2nd most potent "O" from last yr. That said, CHI's "O" really took strides when McCown took over, but Cutler is too much of a slinger to be consistent. He will get his plays because his WRs are so gifted, but he'll throw backbreaking INTs at critical pts in a drive or gm. Tanny still throws picks too, but not off his backfoot across his body! BUF took full advantage of Cutler's wild west mentality & CHI's lack of using their true MVP Matt Forte. In a nutshell CHI really aided BUF in their win, while MIA's pressure greatly impacted Brady, & their run gm led the way on "O". BUF's home field will be an advantage, but I feel if MIA wins the TO battle (which should've been a highlight for them this wk in practice coming off 3 TOs) Tannehill will beat EJ Manuel if it comes down to them. Both team's run gms & "D" should be a wash.
MIA 30
BUF 23
5 Units
BOL to all, and as always comments are most welcome.
