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NFL International Series 2010: Wembley Watch – 7 Weeks to Go
Sep 13th
It’s been a fantastic opening weekend in the NFL, and here in the UK we’ve been staying up late and enjoying the great games that have been on offer. How did the two Wembley-bound teams get on?
San Francisco 49ers
San Francisco took the trip up the west coast to Seattle for this divisional matchup, and boy was this ugly (for them) The Seahawks had their way offensively and Alex Smith‘s two interceptions both cost points. Neither side of the team really turned up in a match that would have been a good way to state their intentions for the season.
The Seahawks surprised a lot of people (including us here) but this was still a disappointing San Francisco performance. More >
2010 NFL – Final Look
Sep 12th
So it all kicked off Thursday night as the Saints defeated the Vikings (as correctly predicted by all of us here at Mac Talks NFL as well as most of the watching world). With 13 more games going tonight, including some really good match-ups, it’s time for us to think about which twelve teams will make the 2010 Play Offs.
We’ll lock down these predictions for future reference (and ribbing!) and see how accurate we’ve been at the end of the year.
For some further thoughts on this season, have a listen to Joshua Modaberi’s podcast. Some good thoughts from some great guests and of course keep coming back here for regular predictions, updates and opinions.
Kickoff in the Superdome
No more words or waffle… here are our picks. Let us start with the NFC…
What I Learned From HBO’s Hard Knocks
Sep 11th
HBO’s Hard Knocks – Training Camp With The New York Jets behind-the-scenes NFL program finished this week, it’s 5 week run seeming far too short but leaving plenty of memorable moments and lessons learned. It’s not perfect, and it’s careful to present the Jets in a certain way, there are plenty of narrative shortcuts too but it gives a good look at a club with high ambitions for the 2010 NFL Season.
If you get the chance to watch it, which is admittedly difficult in the UK, then it’s definitely worth a look regardless of your personal team allegiance.
What are the key lessons that we could take from this season of the show?
1 – Rex Ryan Is Really Funny
The series pretty much opened with Rex wondering if they could win the Super Bowl without star corner (then on holdout) Darelle Revis, then stating. “I dunno, he’s pretty ****ing good.” and making me laugh from there on out.
More >
NFL Is Back In Abundance
Sep 10th
Special Report from Joshua Modaberi:
After seven months away the NFL was back last night with the New Orleans Saints and the Minnesota Vikings in a repeat of last years NFC Championship match.
The Saints came out on top in that encounter which they won in overtime 31-28. New Orleans then went on to win their first Super Bowl against the Indianapolis Colts in Miami 31-17.
Sean Payton’s side continued from where they left off last season by beating the Vikings 14-9.
The NFL is a bit like a London double decker bus – having been away since February, this weekend in the UK there are still another five games on TV.
Joshua Modaberi has caught up with Kevin Cadle from Sky Sports and Dan Arkush from Pro Football Weekly to discuss the remaining television fixtures over the opening weekend.
Kevin Cadle on
Carolina @ NY Giants Live on Sky Sports 4 Sunday from 17.30:
“I don’t think you can look past the New York giants in this one, they are going to be opening the brand new stadium.
“Eli Manning is probably coming off his best season ever as a pro. Wide Receiver Steve Smith really came out and did a great job last year receiving the ball and Ahmad Bradshaw has established himself as the number one running back.
“You are still going to have to look at what the Giants are going to do defensively and that will be the key to their season. On Sunday they are going to have to go out there and do something with Carolina’s dynamic duo – they had two guys running 4,000 yards last year so you know they are going to be looking to run the football against the Giants.”
San Francisco @ Seattle Live on Sky Sports 4 Sunday from 21.00:
“We don’t know a lot about Seattle, right now you don’t know if Pete Carroll thinking is as a head coach of this particular team.
“What kind of team are the going to have, you have Justin Forsett as the top running back, and he’s only about 5’6 on a good day. With Seattle I think the betting will be out for them until teams can see exactly what they emphasise and what they are doing on both the offensive and defensive edge.
“As for San Francisco we know all about them, Mike Singletary has put a stamp on that defence and the defence is going to get better and better.
“Offensively I think the San Francisco organisation has done a tremendous job as far as trying to assist the role of Alex smith. Last year they brought in Michael Crabtree and now this year you have two new offensive linemen who where the top two draft choices – so they are trying to do whatever they can to get things in order for Alex Smith to be as successful as he can possibly be.”
Dan Arkush on
Dallas @ Washington Live on Channel 4 Monday from 00.55:
“Dallas in terms of pure talent probably have the most talented team in the league. That doesn’t necessarily mean they will get to the Super Bowl by any means.
“I think in this game they match up well against their opponents the Redskins. Nobody can really get a firm reading on what the deal is going to be with Washington.
“They have a new head coach in Mike Shanahan, who was a very successful head coach with the Broncos. By all accounts he seems to be heading in the right direction with the Redskins. Donovan McNabb is another great addition to Washington, but I think Dallas is going to win this game with the Super Bowl in Dallas they are going to want to have a good season and get off to a winning start.”
Week 1, 2010: Dallas Cowboys @ Washington Redskins
Sep 10th
For my match this week I’m taking a look at one of the biggest rivalries out there and a key NFC East matchup as Dallas travels to Washington. Yes, it’s Cowboys V Indians. I know that I won’t get away with looking at my own team each week but I just couldn’t let this one past me.
NFL 2010 Week 1 Predictions
Sep 9th
Week one is here, and so are our predictions for the games for week 1 of the 2010 NFL season! I know a lot of NFL Fans in the UK who’ll be staying up tonight to get a look at tonight’s game.
As is the case every year, week one is a hard week to call with a lot of unknowns coming in and some very close, difficult games to predict. But that’s what we’re here for, so I guess we’d better get on with it.
Heading to Fedex Field
All matches Sunday 12th September unless specified.
Week 1, 2010: Minnesota Vikings @ New Orleans Saints
Sep 7th
This season – as well as giving a consensus on all the matches – we’ll be taking a closer look at a few matches a week. I picked this match early on, Andrew and Graham will look at different matches later on this week.
What a way to open the new season! The Minnesota Vikings @ New Orleans Saints in a repeat of the NFC Championship match last year and a match which really was the definition of ‘epic’. It had everything… even overtime. So I think it is fair to say that as neutrals all of us at Mac are looking forward to seeing how this one plays.
You’ll have to excuse me, but it has been many months since I have written a prediction article! Let’s start by having a look at the Saints…
More >
Matt Leinart Signed
Sep 6th
Quickly after being released, the Texans have signed him to a one year contract, likely as the backup after poor showings from the incumbent backups during the pre-season. I do like to see players getting a second chance, and always want players to do well, so fingers crossed for him.
NFL International Series 2010: Wembley Watch – 8 Weeks To Go
Sep 5th
The season is so close now, I know we’re all getting excited here.
The final week of pre-season saw the second teams (and below) get their chance to shine.
Denver Broncos
Although it was hoped that Elvis Dumervil would play some part this season, it’s not to be the case as he’s been placed on Injured Reserve ahead of the final roster. LenDale White is also out for the season after an ankle injury incurred against the Vikings. Brandon Stokley joins them on IR.
Corell Buckhalter did see some playtime but Knowshon Moreno is still not back. It’s likely we’ll see some movement here before the 53 is set.
All teams suffer with injuries, but the Broncos – as we’ve said before – seem to have been affected more than most.
Tim Tebow and Brady Quinn got roughly similar playtime, but Tebow suffered early on – giving up turnovers and 10 points. But he rushed and apart from those two series, he played well. Quinn also did well, but doesn’t have the redzone options that Tebow brings so he’ll see less playing time. Kyle Orton continues as a dependable starting QB.
Matt Leinart Released
Sep 4th
The Arizona Cardinals have announced today that they’ve released QB Matt Leinart.
Well I don’t know. I’ve been away on holiday and largely out of touch for the last two weeks and this is probably the biggest piece of news that I’ve seen so far when trying to catch up with what’s been a-happening.
Leinart has struggled to impress when he’s been given the chance, and there have been well reported maturity issues but there’s also a case to be made that he’s never been given a good enough chance to impress. In either case, losing the projected started in such a key position this close to the start of the season has got to hurt.
We’ll be factoring this in when we take our Final Look and make our predictions for which teams are post-season bound.