The First Two Games

[River Dog]

Hooray, football is back!

We were treated to two pretty decent, competitive games, the Eagles beating the Cowpukes on Thursday night and the Chargers upsetting the Chiefs last night. Did you guys get a load of Jalen Carter getting ejected 6 seconds into the start of the game and before the first snap from scrimmage? With the way the league is cracking down on personal behavior and taunting, I doubt that we've heard the last of this incident and would expect at least a hefty fine if not an additional suspension for Carter. What could save him is that he served a virtually game long suspension vs. getting the boot late in the 4th quarter. It also wouldn't surprise me to see Dak get at least a token fine based on the principle that it takes two to Tango.

The game itself was good, but due to the hour-long weather delay, I had to watch the 4th quarter the following morning as it was past my bedtime. I was a little surprised at how good the Dallas offense looked against what I thought was a solid defense. I had that game as being a blow-out. It must have been well into the 2nd half before we saw a punt from either team.

Then there was last night's Chiefs-Chargers game from Brazil. It was the first game that I've watched live on YouTube, and I was very pleased with their format. As far as the game itself goes, I incorrectly picked the Chiefs to prevail, but in retrospect, it shouldn't have been that surprising to me as I felt that last season, the Chiefs played way over their heads, having won several games they by all rights should have lost then getting blown out in the Super Bowl. IMO Mahomes looked woefully off target, missing open receivers on multiple occasions. Herbert out played him by quite a bit. We may be witnessing a changing of the guard in the AFC West.

I'm hoping to get home in time tomorrow morning to see most of our first NFL Sunday and take advantage of my Red Zone subscription. We're camping in northern Idaho and it's a 3.5-hour drive back home, so I hope to get on the road early tomorrow morning. At least the Hawks aren't playing in the early time slot.

[Stream Hawk]

Those were highly entertaining games. Starting off with Carter‘s very childish antics that nearly cost them that game. Lamb should have caught at least one of those challenging but catchable passes from Dak. While the Eagles offense remains stacked, the NFC looks more wide open.

Last night’s game was probably even better. I do not expect the Chiefs to be back in the Super Bowl. Herbert is a legit top five QB now. And although Harbaugh likes to run a conservative offense, I could see them winning the AFC West in a much more competitive AFC.

[Aseahawkfan]

Now I'm glad we didn't draft Carter. I don't like that behavior. I don't mind brash our outspoken like Sherm, but I don't like trash behavior like spitting on someone.

Charges proved they can beat the Chiefs on a neutral field. Now they gotta win enough games to get the Chiefs to their field or prove they can beat the Chiefs in Arrowhead.

Surprised the Eagles-Cowboys was that close. As we've all seen in seasons past, early season can make a lot of teams look great that turn out to not be so great by the end. We shall see.

I'm ready for Sunday. I want us to send the same type of message to Frisco. Divisions up for grab. Let's see some improvement from last season with an early solid win at home. Rebuild the homefield dominance.

[River Dog]

Now I'm glad we didn't draft Carter. I don't like that behavior. I don't mind brash our outspoken like Sherm, but I don't like trash behavior like spitting on someone.

Yeah, me, too. There are unspoken rules as to what not to say and do, and spitting on an opponent is one of them. Carter crossed that line. And like you mentioned, I'm glad we passed on him and took Witherspoon instead.

Richard Sherman was a master at baiting opposing players. He lived in Colin Kaepernick's head. I've often wondered how he would have fared going up against someone as thin skinned as DK Metcalf.

Speaking of trash talking, I always have to bring this up anytime the subject arises. In addition to being one of the best shut down cornerbacks of his time, Lester Haynes was also one of the most notorious trash talkers the game has ever seen. I once saw him being interviewed after he had retired, and he talked about going up against Seahawk great Steve Largent. Haynes said that he tried his best to get into Largent's head, calling him every dirty name he could think of, insulting his mother, his wife, etc., but that Largent didn't give any reaction whatsoever to the point where Haynes honestly thought that Largent was deaf.

That was until Largent burned him for about a 60-yard reception, and after being tackled, Largent got up and looked Haynes right in the eyes as he was laughing.

[NorthHawk]

The Eagles started out slowly last year, too. Wasn't there talk about firing their coach at some point then they went on to win the SB?
The Cowboys Offense looked pretty good - it was like our Offense one year when the Seahawks ran a modern day Offense for the first 5 or so games before Carroll shut it down.
Their Defense might be in a bit of a transition in how to play without Parsons and it could take a couple of games to play better, but they will miss his pass rush and it will probably hurt them over the course of the season.

KC looks like they are in trouble. Very thin at WR and their OL has to perform better for them to be successful and really play their game. Maybe drafting so late over the course of a number of years has taken its toll on the
talent level. Their Defense also looked vulnerable. But it's only 1 game and they have a lot of experience so maybe they can get it together - or maybe they have just seen their window close.

The Chargers looked pretty good and maybe this Offense in its second year is what will allow Herbert to actually play like he's capable of.

[River Dog]

Boy, helluva game on SNF! I went to bed at the start of the 4th quarter then watched the balance this AM. Tonight's game won't be the headliner that last night's Bills-Ravens matchup was, but it should still be entertaining.

Is it just me or was there more than the average number of missed easy FG's and XP's yesterday?

[c_hawkbob]

Boy, helluva game on SNF! I went to bed at the start of the 4th quarter then watched the balance this AM. Tonight's game won't be the headliner that last night's Bills-Ravens matchup was, but it should still be entertaining.

Is it just me or was there more than the average number of missed easy FG's and XP's yesterday?

Instant classic! I knew it was something special but didn't realize it was one for the books;

CBS SPORTS
BILLS ARE 1ST TEAM TO WIN A GAME IN REGULATION DOWN 15+ IN FINAL 4 MINS
IN NFL HISTORY

[NorthHawk]

. Is it just me or was there more than the average number of missed easy FG's and XP's yesterday?

I was saying the exact same thing last night.

[River Dog]

I just finished watching last night's MNF game. It wasn't the headliner matchup or historic comeback that SNF was, but it was still a good, competitive game. Although they folded at the end, Da Bears look to be improved. NFC North could be a tough division this year.

Next up is the TNF game on Prime Video, Commanders vs. Packers at Lambeau. The Commanders are, in my book, one of the SB contenders in the NFC. Packers beat the Lions by two TD's last week.

Next week's MNF will feature a double header, a 4pm PT kickoff in the first game and 7pm in the night cap. I'm glad that they staggered the start times. If I'm not mistaken, last year their MNF double header had kickoff times just one hour apart. This gives me a chance to watch both games in real time, although there's no way I'll stay awake long enough to see the completion of the 2nd game.

[NorthHawk]

The NFL is a very competitive league and it's good to see Chicago making strides toward being competitive. They have a fairly good nucleus to build upon. I was impressed that last year they said they had to improve their OL and went out and signed FA's and drafted for it unlike the Seahawks who used a 1st on Zabel then ignored that need until late in the draft. The Vikings did the same as Chicago in FA for their OL.

The Commanders look like a solid team but I wonder if this year they won't get the breaks like last year and not take any team by surprise. Teams get a book on other teams and it makes it tougher to win as their tendencies and shortcomings become known. Can the Commanders adapt or will last year be a flash in the pan? I suspect they will always be a tough out, but in sports you never know. It's going to be very interesting to watch them against GB.