Baltimore Ravens (Won against Chargers 31-26, now 2-0); from Baltimore Beat Down:
Vies From the AFC North
After yesterday’s thrilling 31-26 victory by the Baltimore Ravens over the San Diego Chargers, so many Ravens fans were lamenting the way that Chargers QB Philip Rivers threw all over the field to his receivers time and time again for huge gains. San Diego basically accepted that they weren’t going to run the ball against us so they abandoned the run game and took to the air in a big way, with Rivers throwing for a personal best and probably a Ravens worst 436 yards. […]
Now to put most of the Ravens fans at ease for the remainder of the season, here’s why you can rest easier. The Chargers group of receivers are the most unique bunch in the NFL, boasting four guys 6’4" in height or taller. Between the 6’4" TE Antonio Gates, who is way too big for a safety to cover and way too fast for a linebacker, and 6’5" Vincent Jackson and Malcolm Floyd, the Ravens were sorely outmatched in the size and muscle departments. […]
So don’t fret too much, Ravens’ fans, as we held the Chargers to 0-5 for scoring TD’s in our red zone. The ‘bend-but-don’t-break’ mentality worked when our backs were to the wall. Ray Lewis proved why he is the smartest and the best linebacker to ever play the game and shut up the doubters who say he is old and slow.
Cincinnati Bengals (Won 31-24, now 1-1); from Cincy Jungle:
What’s far more encouraging — like miles more encouraging — is even though Palmer made two mistakes that led to points for the Packers, the Bengals offense was as good as we’ve seen it in a very long time. Credit the Bengals offensive line for Benson’s sixth career 100-yard rushing performance. […]
Odom completely took this game over on defense, recording three sacks in the fourth quarter. Granted, it wasn’t against Chad Clifton. But is it Odom’s fault that the Packers’ coaching staff offered no help for Daryn Colledge, who started the game at left guard? […]
Cleveland Browns (Lost to Broncos 27-6); from Dawgs By Nature:
If you weren’t getting irritated every time the cameras flashed to Mangini yesterday with his hands folded, his mouth chewing gum, and his hat slowly turning C.C. Sabathia style as the game progressed with no signs of life on the offensive side of the ball, then I don’t know how you held it all in.
I can live with expectations being low, but I can’t stand for seeing an offensive gameplan that wasn’t even creative enough to be drawn up in the sand. Who is next? Oh, that’s right — the Baltimore Ravens. That should be fun. Feel free to vent all of your frustrations through the first two weeks of the season in this thread. Everything is open this time around — if you want to tell Mangini to screw off, go ahead. Just don’t go too overboard, of course.
Pittsburgh Steelers (Lost to Bears 17-14); from Behind the Steel Curtain:
Losses like this one have a way of bringing out the Chicken Little fans. Those who are ready to lament every last miscue. I even read one fan write that he was ready to turn in all his Steelers memorabilia because of the way the team was playing. Yikes.
What we really saw is how this team is not really championship caliber on defense without the services of Troy Polamalu. Tyrone Carter deserves credit for playing hard and making a few plays. He’s done just that for a number of years now and it’s safe to say that the Steelers wouldn’t have had all the success they’ve had without his contributions in a reserve role. But he’s no Polamalu and that was apparent today. I’ve also written on numerous occasions that William Gay might not look quite as glossy and ready for the bigtime without Polamalu getting his back.
Despite missing our most important defensive player and despite being on the road in a game that was oh so important to the Bears, Pittsburgh still had Chicago on the ropes. They let one slip away and cost themselves a precious road victory. It happens. There were enough positive developments from the game to keep me far, far away from the ledge. The main reason, quite frankly, is we have Ben Roethlisberger on our team. He continues to play outstanding football. He’s making better choices with the ball, still competing his guts out and looks utterly comfortable with what we’re trying to do offensively.
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