Off to the Races

by yoyoyoyo | 6 years ago | 4 Comments

Happy inaugural week of regular season football, folks! The moment we’ve waited 6 months for is here! Without further ado, here are the organization’s impressions of week 1 play.

Talent matters on BOTH sides of the ball.  

With this year’s increased pass rushing pressure, offensive lines may be more important than ever. Dominant defensive lines are just that…DOMINANT. TWENTY-THREE players recorded multiple solo sacks (QB tackles for the juvenile) this weekend. Owners must bolster their offensive lines with capable blockers or their QBs will be under intense pressure week after week.

QB mistakes will be punished—bad reads, missed reads, and slow reads all have consequences that will significantly swing games in favor of the opponent this year. SIXTEEN signal callers gifted defenses with 3 or more interceptions during week 1. Expect the interception and passing numbers to be vastly inflated during season 1 due to abhorrent QB play and offenses playing catch-up for 3 quarters.

BREAKROOM NOISE: the Nitty Gritty of what we truly think about this week’s performances

The New York Giants and Jacksonville Jaguars will be the most altruistic teams in the SFL.

Charles NanoBlitz Bowie is still a notable defensive strategist, who continues to maximize his talent-starved personnel. Given his week 1 performance, we may see less than 3 hot routes per offensive snap but will still need to disrupt his frustratingly efficient offensive production.

Offenses relying on shot plays (Falcons, Browns, etc.) and ample time in the pocket must adjust (particularly against good defensive lines). As witnessed in the Eagles’ demolition of the Dirty Birds, quarterbacks have to deliver the ball much more quickly than last year and cannot depend on receivers outrunning defenders across the middle of the field. Perennial champion Coach Qelichick will adjust and likely win the NFC South division title. Eagles coach Justyn Byrd has proven to be an even more dangerous opponent this year. He has a much better roster, fraught with superstars and quality depth at nearly every level. His improved defensive user skills in space and at the line of scrimmage complement one of league’s best defensive fronts well.  

H-Town Chan is still… Chan. The former champion has a healthy, much improved Rookie of the Year winner in Deshaun Watson and a top 5 defensive unit (who added the Honey Badger in the offseason). He will still employ his 4-6 or 4-3 under cover 3 defense for most of the game.  Eerily enough, his defensive play seemed to improve once diversifying his play selection against the New England Patriots. His user skills must continue to be highly regarded and respected. He is, without a doubt, the favorite to conquer the AFC South and furthermore, the conference.

The New England Patriots without Brandon Cooks look disheveled. Improved pass coverage and pass rush means Brady has less time to drop back 15 to 20 yards, drift left, AND still make precise throws. Coach Dinklesnitzule must emphasize better and quicker reads to be effective.

Lamar Jackson will eclipse 700 yards rushing this season, due to his superior athleticism and to battle-rapper-turned-coach Tay Roc’s reliance on his legs when plays break down. Having a gifted QB like Jackson is always advantageous. However, Coach Roc must avoid the way of Madden18’s Texans by maiming his prized signal caller by being too ‘run happy’.

Coach Will Gomes will continue being a polarizing owner. He may not polarizing in and of himself, but a man (and person for that matter) that speaks such fervently and earnestly will likely test the wills of others to remain neutral. Nonetheless, with him at the helm, the Miami Dolphins may experience more immediate successes than expected.

The Los Angeles Rams seem to have an “auto pilot defense”, no disrespect to Coach Jordan Charles. The rams are rife with talent, and if Coach Charles can avoid boneheaded mistakes on offense, he will be a playoff contender for the duration of the cycle. The Raiders of Oakland need to find answers for their Khalil Mack-less problem, which is far more easily said and written than done. Derek Carr must stop consistently putting the team in losing positions with bad choices.

Coach Andrew Beha (of the Bengals) is more capable than previous years. His primarily shotgun offense should not be underestimated. He makes good adjustments at the line of scrimmage and has a good front to keep QBs on edge. With the addition of offensive line talent, I expect a surprising wildcard push in season 3.

Carolina started the year off with a big win over Dallas. Much-maligned Owner Robb seems to have figured some things out for this cycle. He still has quite respectable user skills, and if he can avoid getting in his own way like last year (and likely previous years), he could usher in some NFC South upsets and playoff pushes.  Dallas is no longer the king of a weak NFC East division (Madden 18) and will have to fight with the favorited Eagles for playoff positioning.

Coach Walter Payton and the Bears defense looks poised to capture the NFC North crown. The defense turned Aaron Rodgers into Nathan Peterman. I don’t foresee them losing the division, but they may be challenged if the Minnesota Vikings can consistently split games. Aaron Rodgers is on pace to have even a worse legacy than in Madden 18. The QB tossed 6 interceptions into the hands of Bears defenders. Bryce the Drifter can’t count on defenders allowing WRs to consistently get open after dropping back 20 yards toward the left sideline. He is a former champion with very, good user skills. We think he recovers well in season 2.