Signal Finder: NYG @ PHI, DET @ MIN (end), NYJ @ OAK
Delaware River, hello! And those planes flying over my parents' house right now are headed to the Vault for the home-opening flyover. Well, that's certainly not what Steve Smith 2.0 wanted to do in his first game against his old team. The Great Linebacker Shift Of 2011 is already not paying off, as Casey Matthews got duped so badly on that play fake to Jacobs (who I've never seen run that fast) that I think his brother slipped. Ever since they hit Cruz with that deep touchdown, the Giants have tried several times to get it again. I'm not sure how I feel about them going for it on 4th and 3 from the Eagles' 31 there. I AM sure that, had I been so inclined, I would have thrown a pass past the first-down marker. The Eagles' running game is working this week. I remember either Jon Runyan or Todd Herremans saying a few years ago that Andy will run the ball more if it's successful early in the game, otherwise he'll just dump it. PROTECT THE FOOTBALL. Good job by Peters to jump on that, though. The Eagles' goal-line offense looks like... the 2008 Eagles' goal-line offense. Still, sixteen unanswered points. We've seen this before. Oh boy, Vick's on the sideline holding his hand. I can't tell if it was the hit itself or him bracing himself when he hit the ground. Now he's not. And now he is again. Let's see if Kafka can catch lightning in a bottle again like last week. And that looks like a "no." Sick catch by Cruz on a pass that Eli probably shouldn't have thrown to begin with (high and into double coverage) This "Vick leaves the game, then the other team takes the lead" thing has got to stop. Though so far, nothing unusual has happened, which is good news for the Giants because every time it does recently, it has not been to their benefit. Bradshaw caps it and screams out something or other. He doesn't look injured but he sure sounds it. You know what? Streaks end. And the Giants played an almost pitch-perfect game. Better this happens in Week 3 than in Week 13. (Giants 29, Eagles 16)
Given the opponent, the history, and the manner in which it took place, this may be the worst game Tom Brady's ever had. (Bills 34, Patriots 31)
I'm Sorry You Had To See That: 49ers 13, Bengals 8
Did the Vikings just penalize themselves out of a possible game-winning field goal attempt? I'm pretty sure they did and now I'm just assuming they're going to lose. Ah, geez. Cedric Griffin did all he could. This is the second time in two weeks we've had after-the-game confusion. What's going on? (Lions 26, Vikings 23, OT)
This Week's Game That Shouldn't Have Been This Close: I'M MIKE WALLACE. What the... the Steelers can't get out of their own way right now. Jamaal Anderson lives! Yeah, just kneel down, Ben. Don't do anything else stupid. Ladies and gentlemen... Shaun Suisham. And we're inside, for crying out loud. (Is the roof open tonight? It usually isn't for night games and I don't remember.) A concussion for Collins? Well, this lead'll vanish soon enough. And once again the Steelers have run out of offensive linemen. Suisham ties it and it's only a matter of time now. Or is it? The Colts are inspired, at least on defense. There it is — Harrison and Polamalu, as usual. That's the game. Or is it? Garcon's made two big catches on this drive. That is a touchdown, right? Yeah, it is. We're tied again. Curtis Painter did that? Really? Of course, the once-inspired Colts defense then ruins it by letting Mewelde Moore catch a 22-yard pass, then letting Ben run for 11 more. Shaun Suisham does real kicker things? How 'bout that. OK, that's the game. (Steelers 23, Colts 20)
Eagles fans are becoming concerned, but I wasn't exactly left shaking in my boots after seeing this display. (Cowboys 18, Redskins 16)
FANTASY REPORT
aPa2011 (1-2, L2): The toughest losses in fantasy football are the really close ones that, upon further examination, you couldn't have done anything about. The 2.25 points Giant Tropical Roach beat me by just weren't there to be found.
JackSux 10 (3-0, W3): I know I didn't do a draft recap but I need to tell you about this roster. Drew Brees, Calvin Johnson, Andre Johnson, Ryan Mathews, Fred Jackson, Hines Ward, Mike Wallace, Brandon Pettigrew. Now for the bench: Kyle Orton, Malcom Floyd, Jonathan Stewart, Willis McGahee, Ryan Longwell (a Week 2 replacement for Nate Kaeding), Dallas Clark, Reggie Wayne. Those guys got me 215 points this week. Which I'm pretty sure is a league record. Six of them scored over 20 points, with Brees breaking 40. I actually felt bad for Johnny, who would have beaten all but one other person this week.
KeyStar V (3-0, W3): A relatively easy win over the Ramblin' Rams.
DellSux BQBL (1-2, L2): Damn you, Eli Manning, for not sucking against the Eagles like you have the last three years. Also, my opponent started the Eagles, making this the Blowout Of The Week.
