Poor Analysis
I was watching NFL Gameday yesterday, and during their game predictions I actually got disgusted. Not a single one of them on their panel predicted the Denver Broncos to win in their home stadium. Only Michael Irvin gave The NFC Champion Atlanta Falcons a chance against the team they smashed not too long ago in their house. The Denver Broncos with arguably the best Defence in football against a team that hasn’t beaten them in years. Actually the Dallas Cowboys have had their worst win percentage against the Denver Broncos. So how is it that not one single analyst (Michael Irvin excepted) picked either of those teams to win? As far as I can tell it’s because they analyze a Team’s success by the potential for individual achievement. They thought that the Green Bay Packers were going to beat the Atlanta Falcons because Aaron Rodgers is “unstoppable”. Well that just wasn’t the case was it? Actually Desmond Trufant and the Atlanta Defence made him look average. Ezekial Elliot was supposed to run rampant over the Denver Broncos defence according to the Gameday crew. WRONG! Sure the Broncos D gave up some running yards last year. That was the only chink in their armour last Season. What do you think they were addressing all off season? With a Defence that talented, it didn’t occur to even one of you that they might be able to fix one single weakness? Well fix it they did. Ezekiel had the worst game of his short career. So bad in fact that statistically it was like he wasn’t even playing for the first half of the game. Are your memories so short that you have already forgotten that this Denver Broncos Defence carried that team to the Superbowl Championship only two Seasons ago? People keep saying that Peyton Manning led that team. Wake up! The Quarterback play that Season may have been the worst statistically for a Superbowl Championship team. Manning didn’t win the Superbowl. The Denver Broncos Defence did. Von Miller has the MVP trophy to prove it.
What’s wrong with the Bengals?
I’ve watched a fair amount of both Cincinnati Bengals games this Season. It boggles me how poorly they are playing. You would expect a team with so many offensive Weapons to actually score a couple touchdowns. Well the ownership did what owners do. They fired OC Ken Zampese, and gave the job to Quarterbacks coach Bill Lazor. Even though it’s a serious promotion for Lazor, he can’t be too thrilled about it. Sure there might have been a few questionable calls in third and long situations, but honestly when isn’t there? I don’t think Zampese shit the bed. I just feel like the Bengals haven’t been executing. People are calling for Dalton’s head on a platter. When I watch the games, some of those missed passes are far too off target to simply be poor throws by Andy Dalton. They are most likely the result of incorrect, or poor route running. If that isn’t the case, and Dalton is actually missing his receivers by that much. Then well, maybe it is time for a change. I also get the feeling that it could be a case of having too much of a good thing. Jeremy Hill, Giovanni Bernard, Joe Mixon, Brandon LaFell, Alex Erickson, John Ross, and A.J. Green makes for a lot of mouths to feed. Some times having too many targets can muddle up an Offence. I believe that the New Orleans Saints are having the exact same problem. Especially when it concerns the Running Backs. Both teams have three Running Backs on the roster that could handle significantly more touches per game. Unless the Offensive line is doing a great job of making holes for them to run through. A Running Back requires multiple carries to test a Defensive line for weaknesses. Places that they themselves can power through, or slip tackles to turn a run for no gain into at least 3 yards. Without those additional touches then they are essentially running blind. One of Cincinnati’s greatest strengths in recent years has been their two Running Back system. Wearing out a Defence by continuously switching between their two Running Backs while providing each Back with a fair amount of touches. Currently the Atlanta Falcons are having a great deal of success doing that with Devonta Freeman, and Tevin Coleman. Hopefully the Cincinnati Bengals revert back to what has worked for them in the past. A healthy dose of two Running Backs, and passes over the top when Defences are forced to respect the Run, and leave A.J. Green in single coverage. Sounds like a winning formula to me.
What’s ahead
Normally I wouldn’t post a Fantasy Football article on Monday morning, but the Gameday crew just forced me to say something. I will still have my Fantasy Football recap on Wednesday. Doesn’t look like a good Week 2 for me. Moves will have to be made.
