I can't stand the St. Louis Rams and I am so glad they lost. In the offseason,
Kurt Warner said, almost verbatim, that their offense was not stoppable. Coach
Mike Martz has proven to be even cockier than Brian
Billick. The difference between these two men exemplifies why I can't stand the Rams and why I like the Ravens: attitude and humor. Both teams are dominant on one side of the ball and both teams are cocky. But the Ravens are funny about it, laugh at themselves, and have fun. The Rams are too damn serious for their own good.
I love the New Orleans Saints and I loved the quotes they gave after the game. Joe
Horn: "Hit 'em hard. that was what we wanted to do. Hit 'em hard and keep on hitting. That's what the NFL is about."
Jerry Fontenot: "They (the Rams) are supposed to be pretty
good." Ricky Williams: "We knew they couldn't play with us. I think they knew that too. We're too physical and we're going to come after them every time we play." The Rams may have the better record, but the Saints now have their number.
The highlight of the week, though was the Chargers-Bills game Jim and I went to with some
friends. The Doug Flutie-Rob Johnson rivalry was evident everywhere, from signs it the stands all the way to Johnson sprinting from the field after the game. But, this game was the same old thing for these two quarterbacks: Johnson outplayed Flutie, but Flutie won the game.
I'm loving the Washington Redskins. My terrible pick to win the NFC East has won two straight games (and, if it weren't for a fumble against Dallas, it would be three). Whether you want to believe it or not, they have the talent to win - both offensively and defensively. Yes,
Tony Banks is a liability but, as long as he's not fumbling the ball, he's not terrible. I loved hearing about
LaVar Arrington giving coach Marty Schottenheimer a Gatorade bath after the game. Just 1 1/2 games out of first place
in the division, this team is very much alive.
Starting records in Seattle: Matt Hasselbeck: 1-3;
Trent Dilfer: 2-0. When is Mike Holmgren going to get out of his own way?
One last note from San Diego: kicker Wade Richey is cuter in person (or, at least, through
binoculars )than on the television!
MY TOP FIVE: 1) Oakland Raiders; 2) Chicago Bears; 3) St. Louis Rams; 4) San Diego Chargers; 5) New Orleans Saints.
MY BOTTOM FIVE: 5) Arizona Cardinals; 4) Kansas City Chiefs; 3) Carolina Panthers 2) Buffalo Bills; 1) Detroit Lions.
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Had a blast with Cyd and four
other friends at the San Diego-Buffalo game. What a
poetic ending: Rob Johnson leads the Bills to a late
lead. But that just set the table for more Doug Flutie heroics.
The key play of the game was Ronnie Jenkins' kickoff
return that set yp Flutie's 13-yard game-winning run.
As soon as the Bills-Chargers
game ended, Rob Johnson sprinted off the field. He
wanted no part of a midfield mob scene around Flutie.
Amazing number of fans
wearing Bills jerseys with Flutie #7. Never
knew which team they were rooting for.
Sunday showed again that
there is no great team. Just a bunch of good ones who
can beat anyone or lose to anyone depending on the week.
The Giants are in big
trouble. After losing consecutive one-point heartbreakers to
St. Louis and Philadelphia the Giants lay an egg to a crappy
Redskins team.
Oakland is a boring
team to watch. Their offense is nothing but runs and dink
and dunk passes. It's effective but no fun to watch. Give me
the Packers, Rams or Colts any day for entertainment.
The Steelers are 5-1
are building confidence every week. A huge game awaits
this week against Baltimore.
How messed up are the Tennessee
Titans? Twice on Monday night they stopped Pittsburgh
only to commit dumb penalties that kept drives alive. The
Steelers scored touchdowns on both drives. The Titans also
dropped two interceptions and had a field goal bounce off
the uprights. If this was fishing the Titans would throw the
2001 season back.
My Top 5: 1. St. Louis
(still the team to beat despite blowing a big lead Sunday).
2. Oakland (very well-balanced). 3. Green Bay (they'll be
primed after their bye). 4. Pittsburgh (winning the 2000
Ravens' way: great defense, solid running game) 5. Chicago
(playing way above their talent but hard to argue with 5-1).
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Doug
Flutie is a winner whether at Boston College, in the
Canadian League or the NFL. Sunday against the Buffalo
Bills in a grudge match against his old team, Flutie ran
the Chargers offense efficiently and provided late-game
dramatics. His 13-yard run off a near-sack for the
game-winning score was brilliant and sent the San Diego
crowd into delirium.