login | Register

The SPF Week 2 Slate: Pretender/Contender Separation Begins

Posted: Sep 14, 2008

It's only Week 2, but many of today's games determine how seasons will unfold for our SPF teams.  One game may mean nothing, but two games often represents a trend.

Let's start with our inter-SPF matchups.  SPF teams in CAPS with (Week 1's T.I. Poll Ranking):

NEW ORLEANS(2) @ WASHINGTON(3) - Washington laid a serious egg in Week 1 against the defending Super Bowl champs.  Although Jason Campbell looked good at times, the Redskins seem to be searching for a personality between Joe Gibbs smash mouth and Jim Zorn's WCO.

The Saints have weathered Katrina leaving a stronger connection to the Gulf Coast than ever before.  Their biggest bugaboo remains inconsistency.

The Saints need to win this game to show that they've grown up.

ATLANTA(9) @ TAMPA BAY(7) - Ok, Ok.  We are pulling out the must-win card for Tampa Bay, but a loss at home to the resurgent Falcons would put the Bucs at 0-2 and 0-2 in the NFC South after last week's loss at New Orleans.

Brian Griese gets the nod over Jeff Garcia.  Jon Gruden won't be messing around any more.  He's had a couple of years to replenish the talnet base, but he knows that he's on a short leash.  That means every man on his roster is as well.

Atlanta needs to show that last week wasn't a fluke.  They can't fall apart.  Falcon fans are wounded and need only to see improvement from week to week.

A Falcons win would represent a serious changing of the guard in the NFC South.

TENNESSEE(5) @ CINCINNATI(11) - Tennessee fields a team that is perhaps a better version of the Baltimore team that embarrassed the Bengals last Sunday.  The Vince Young saga should actually help the Titans since the players and coaches have confidence Kerry Collins.

Anything less than a Titans win would be a shock.

As far as the Bengals go, SPF has officially lit the fuse to explode the Marvin Lewis era.

INDIANAPOLIS(4) @ Minnesota - The Colts are largely coasting on reputation at the moment.  They have never been a physical team and this week will mark their second straight game against a hard hitting NFC North team.  

Minnesota and Indy should both be playing with a chip on their shoulder.  Minnesota lost last week after being many experts Super Bowl pick while Indy opened their new home, Lucas Oil Field, with a crushing loss to the Bears.

If the Vikes manhandle the Colts like Chicago did, the Colts can officially start worrying about the 2008 season.  It's only been a week, but many signs show that the Colts have come back to the AFC pack.

Chicago @ CAROLINA (9) - John Fox's brand of Panther football returned last week.  All the elements (good running game, tough defense, big play passing game) were on display in their last minute win in San Diego.

This week marks their chance to show the people of Carolina that they can win at home.

Chicago looks to be a tough out for anyone this season (ask Indy).  Carolina needs to man up and beat the Bears at their own game.

If they do, the NFC South better be ready to see the team that played in the Super Bowl a few years back, not the team that underachieved for the past few seasons.

Buffalo @ JACKSONVILLE (10) - The Jags can't seem to get out of their own way.  Just when it seems that "Del Rio Ball" has turned the corner, they lay another early season egg to the Tennessee Titans.

The problem of the Del Rio era remains inconsistency on offense.  Any defense, no matter how tough and talented, will crack if the offense can't help them out by either scoring points, getting first downs, or not committing key turnovers.

Buffalo punched Seattle in the mouth last week, but little is known about the NFC West except that it appears to be the NFL's worst division.

Again, it seems early, but this is a must win for the Jags.  They need to reward their fans by showing them that they are still a strong playoff contender.

MIAMI(6) @ Arizona - Here's a statement game for the Parcells-era Dolphins.  The Cardinals are a beatable road team.  The Dolphins would show something to their beaten down fans by winning this game.

Last week's loss to the Jets showed that the Dolphins have some pieces.  Chad Pennington knows how to manage a game.

SPF thinks that Week 2 is not too early for the Fins to show something.

NY Giants @ ST LOUIS(13) - First, they draw a strong Philly team on the road to lead off the season.  Now, the Rams open at home against the Super Bowl champs.

Expectations are low, but the Rams find ways to still fall short.  This team reflects a disasterous mix of too many disinterested veterans, inexperienced rookies, a foundering head coach, and a burned fan base.

Chances of an upset appear non-existent.

Philadelphia @ DALLAS - The T.O. Bowl begins the Cowboys last home season at Texas Stadium.  Here's where we find out what the Cowboys are made of.  Everyone agrees that their talent and swagger is off the charts, but this bunch has yet to win a playoff game.

The Eagles are a real test.  They are well coached, veteran led, and pissed off after last year's season that saw them on the outside of the playoffs.

Let's see if the Boys are for real or whether they are all hat and no cattle.

(SPF Note:  The #12 Houston Texans had their home game against Baltimore moved to November 9 because of damage to Reliant Stadium by Hurricane Ike)

related tags

Mercenary Territory,
Southern Pro Football,
Urban,
Coastal,
River,
New Orleans,
Nashville,
Miami,
Jacksonville,
Atlanta,
Texas,
Tennessee,
North Carolina,
Missouri,
Louisiana,
Georgia,
Florida,
Sports,

Wireless from AT&T

Comments

jacksonbon says...

As many people know, supra shoes, have a high reputation in the world now. supra footwear, and supra skytop become more and more popular. skytop is well known by his best quality of the supra muska skytop,. However, not only the supra shoes sale, but also the supra skytop sale, and supra vaider, are the best athletic shoes. In our daily life, we always look for pair shoes which make us relax when we are running on the way. They are the best partners for people who like sports very much.

newyork22 says...

I saw something shocking on my way to work the other day. uggs new york While bundled in a long sleeved shirt, wool sweater and coat, with a Pashmina, hat and gloves, I saw a man with his bike a the bus stop in SANDALS. He wasn’t overly well dressed for cold weather, in jeans, t-shirt and open jacket. Now, having lived in Oregon for the past decade I have come to be aware of what “true Oregonians” consider winter attire. This primarily consists of the inbred belief that flip-flops are a necessity year round, and sweaters and umbrellas are for tourists. I do not uphold this belief. I love getting dressed up for winter, layering on leggings with my sweater dress and ugg boots new york, a sweater and a jacket, and a rotating army of scarves, hats and gloves. I don’t enjoy being frozen, especially knowing how easy a situation that is to avoid. uggs new york saleSo personally, I do not consider myself a “true Oregonian.” I like umbrellas, and only wear flip flops when it’s above 75 degrees.Based on the population of Oregon, ugg new york I’m probably in the minority. Although I have come to accept that these people are just immune to cold in a way I am not, uggs new york of sale I do still think they are crazy. I’m guessing that the good folks at UGG Australia caught wind of these people because look at what they have to offer: sandals with fleece!uggs new york on sale

says...

Time, the most important replica watches of all the physical and virtual commodities that human have. It is impossible for a person to think about his Emporio Armani watches replica daily life without the consideration of time. Most of us pre-plan our activities keeping the time Oris replica constraints in mind...but what is that which keeps a track our time limitations in mind? A Rolex Milgauss watches. It is that physical possession that is most viewed by any individual...more than he views his or her spouse or even replica Guess GOD. The substantial entity that always gets tied around our hand and gives us a very nasty feeling of running out of our life is a Jaeger Lecoultre watches replica. TW Steels is one replica DeWitt watches of the biggest names in the market today. They are specialized people in the area of replica DKNY manufacture, especially the ones with a bigger dial. Unique designs are blended with some exquisite fake A.Lange and Sohne watches technological implications; the company is standing as a strong pillar in the industry. fake Diesel believe in providing superior services to their customers. There are two dots in the logo of the company. These denote replica Oris watches their two above mentioned philosophies that they have toward their work. Within a short span of time, the fake IWC company has acquired unbeatable position in the global market in the range of oversized Rotary watches fake. Rotary watches replica ' unique line runs with six distinctive Guess replica stores is based upon best quality Japanese and Swiss Technology. This enables a person to find a wide range of options to choose from. A person will always get a replica Body Glove suiting his or her character. The main models presented by them include Goliath, The Canteen Style, Diver, Burett fake Grandeur, Automatic, fake Rolex SubMariner watches Tech and A1 PG range. The company claims to win acclimations for your replica Diesel, if you own one. fake Zodiac are quite popular among the people of all age groups owing to the following facts:- Distinct Style: The unique, different, refreshing and adorable style of the Rolex Daytona fake makes a statement for itself. The have separate ranges for people of different taste and age groups. Their presentation inspires all the by-lookers and the replica Rolex Air king watches in itself is quite eluding.- Superior Technology: The Swiss and the Japanese are both known for their exclusive technology. The fake Sarcar watches have a unique blend of both the technologies. This is a boon for all the gizmo lovers. - Extended Range: Tissot watches fake has an ever-lasting collection of Ferrari replica for you to choose from. Each Jaquet Droz replica of the categories has their individual style and innovative approach. The canteen range is distinguished by its all fake Spazio24 leather strap with crown case...and do not forget the two dots, whereas, the Goliath Collection has rectangular cases Rolex DateJust replica with the leather strap. The Grandeur Collection has a inimitable look matching with a rubber band and comes with a unique case with it. The Diver collection has a 100 percent water resistance feature Versace watches fake along with a superb black and brown screw. - The Brand Ambassadors: Some big names such as Tudor replica, one of the best tennis players in the world and Tim and Tom Colonel, Professional Driver are the brand ambassadors of the Ebel fake. This provides the excess boost the company requires to enhance their popularity. Besides, this also proves that the replica Rolex SubMariner can be worn in all condition, climates and gatherings. It would only heighten your status.Want to find out more about replica Burett watches? Check out TW steel other range of Esq watches fake at momocheck.com.

Please login or you can to leave a comment.

If you aren't registered, Register Now to start leaving comments.

Copyright 1998-2018 by Swampland Inc. All rights reserved.