Tuesday Mid-Afternoon Interior Lineman—September 17, 2009

Setting: Gate C4, Laguardia, waiting to board an 8:15 am to Boston. Someone just skipped through the terminal playing a fiddle. New York’s a strange place.

Not so strange were the outcomes from the Week 1 games in the NFL. The surprises weren’t who won, but instead how close some of the winners came to losing.

The Patriots needed a Leodis McKelvin gift for a chance to beat the Bills at home. A slow start for Tom Brady was expected, but the Patriots defensive struggles must smell like a pie cooling on a window ledge to the AFC contenders.

Trent Edwards—that’s right, I said Trent Edwards—was able to move the ball effectively against a gassed New England defense, despite an obvious fear of throwing deep.

I know the no huddle kept the Patriots off balance, but I’d be equally worried about that defense wearing down against a strong offensive line and powerful running game, like the one they will face this week versus the Jets.

Before the season started I would have thought the Jets would do well this week to escape with their pride. Now, I can see an aggressive Jets defense harass Brady into a strained performance, much like the Giants did in February of 2008, and a patient and powerful offense making enough big plays to bring the Jets to 2-0.

The Week That Was

Carolina should be worried. Not just because Jake Delhomme looked so bad, but also because they seemed to abandon the run very early on.

The talk around the Eagles is that Donovan McNabb will tough it out and play this weekend, despite cracked ribs. Cause, you know, McNabb never misses any time.

If you’re a fantasy football fan, history and Week 1 told you to pick up any tight end going against the Giants. Jason Witten and Martellus Bennet could combine for a thousand yards and 14 TDs Sunday night, the debut of linebacker Michael Boley notwithstanding.

If the Bears’ longsnapper was trying to make a heads up play and just mistimed it, he shouldn’t be taking the grief he’s been getting this week. If you don’t want him taking that kind of risk, don’t empower him to make that decision.

The Broncos and Bengals shouldn’t be allowed to win any games this year. They suck.

Top Ten

1- Pittsburgh Steelers: the defending champs looked shaky because they were playing a very good Titans team. But they got it done when it matters and, until they lose, deserve consideration for the top spot. Not sure they’ll keep winning with Polamalu down, though.

2- New York Giants: the Giants saw things they needed to see from Manningham and Steve Smith. The running game should be big in Dallas on Sunday, but their continued inability to cover tight ends could be their undoing.

3- Dallas Cowboys: the run defense aside, the Cowboys look like they have re-entered the ring. If Jason Garrett remembers the running game, Dallas’ offense will be tough to stop.

4- Tennessee Titans: I don’t know what they were thinking by going to a three-man rush when their harassment of Ben Roethlisberger is what had them winning. But if they learned a lesson in this game, then I see no reason why they won’t repeat last year’s performance. Sure didn’t seem like they missed Haynesworth.

5- New England Patriots: though it took him a while to get there, Brady looked to be in form by the end of the game. Still, the defense could be terrible, and they needed the aforementioned gift for a shot at the win.

6- New Orleans Saints: Drew Brees.

7- San Diego Chargers: Phil Rivers will carry this team as far as a potentially struggling defense will allow.

8- Green Bay Packers: if what we saw Sunday night holds true, the Packer defense isn’t a concern anymore. And you know the offense has plenty of talent.

9- Baltimore Ravens: they’ll always be physical and solid on defense, but if Flacco continues to keep up with a strong running game, the Ravens could move up this list in a hurry.

10- Minnesota Vikings: Peterson won’t have those kinds of games every week, and when he doesn’t, the Vikings better hope Favre has more than he showed this week.

Just Missed: The Jets impressed me last week, even though Houston might not be any good. A win this weekend moves them onto the list.

The Eagles blew up a really bad Carolina team. None of their games will be that easy, and if McNabb misses a lot of time, I don’t see them have the leadership or ability to go far in a stacked NFC East.

The Colts lost Anthony Gonzalez and are already without Bob Sanders. They struggled to a win over Jacksonville, and we could finally be watching the decline in Indy. Of course, Peyton Manning will make me eat those words.

The Falcons are fine, but they don’t excite me, and I just can’t say for sure that they’d beat anyone on the list. Watch out for San Francisco...