Tragedy, Triumph, and the Oakland Raiders

The 2008 NFL season saw the legend look young again, a crippling injury to the NFL juggernaut New England Patriots, and many great finishes in between. Let’s start with the biggest story going into this week, Brett Favre. In his first start for the Jets, the old gunslinger looked great as he led the Jets to a 20-16 win over an upstart Dolphins team.  

The play-action fake on the TD pass to Cotchery in the first quarter was absolutely sick. He didn’t take long to show Jets fans “Brett Favre magic” as some call it. The New England Patriots got off to a fast start on offense against Kansas City and a fumble on the opening drive was the only hiccup.  

Then the play we’ve all seen a hundred times took place and Tom Brady’s season is over (just like my fantasy league season!). The Patriots are still good enough that they can bring in a Quarterback with no experience in the NFL, or college, and still come out with a win. It wasn’t pretty but they’ll take it.  

The game of the week ended up being the Carolina Panthers shocking the San Diego Chargers 26-24 on a last second touchdown pass from Jake Delhomme to second-year Tight End Dante Rosario. The only story bigger then Brett Favre starting his first game for the Jets would be Brett Favre not starting his first game for the Green Bay Packers.  

The Monday Night Match-Up with Green Bay and Minnesota seemed to lose some of its mystique when old number four wasn’t behind center for Green Bay. The game was still great for the fans of both teams and came down to the last drive. Adrian Peterson looked impressive carrying the ball 19 times for 103 yards and a touchdown.  

Packer fans took a deep breath in during the first quarter when Peterson took off on a 34 yard scamper that just about went to the house. We’re just not going to talk about the Oakland Raiders. I’ll say something I shouldn’t and probably have some angry Oakland fans mad at me so we’re just not going to say anything. 41-14.  Ok, I’m done.  

Week 2 looked like it might’ve been one of the biggest Quarterback showdowns in NFL history, which now instead has Brett Favre, matched up with Matt Cassel. This has got to be the first time in sports history when the reigning league MVP gets his season ended on the first day of the following season in any sport.  

Imagine Kobe Bryant tearing his ACL going up for a dunk during the Lakers opener. It’s too bad for Patriots fans, but I’m sure the rest of us won’t be losing any sleep over it. Unless you’re a Brady fantasy owner, like yours truly.