NFL Update: What Have We Learned After 2 Weeks?

It's hard to believe, but two weeks of the NFL season have already come and gone. What have we learned? Let's dig into it....

#1 - Drew Brees is the real deal. Through two games he has thrown for 9 touchdowns with only 1 interception, while completing a ridiculous 75% of his pass attempts. The question now becomes, are the Saints legit? They have put up 45+ points in both of their games this season. Will anyone's defense be able to stop this offense?! Saints are going to be a factor late in the season.

#2 - Tom Brady might be feeling the effects of his knee injury after all. Not only that, but I think the Patriots formula is finally slowing down. For years they have been notorious for signing post-prime players and rejuvenating their careers. The players cost less, and usually performed at a higher level than they did with their previous team. However, I think this formula is slowly going to cost the Patriots some games this year. Their defense is old and slow, and their offense won't be the same until Brady stops thinking about his injury. Don't count the Patriots out just yet, but there should be cause for concern.

#3 - Tony Gonzalez was a major pick up for the Atlanta Falcons. The Atlanta Falcons were an 11-5 team last season with a rookie quarterback and a rookie head coach. After upgrading with a guy like Tony Gonzalez, it give Matty Ice the perfect check down guy. He is arguably the best tight end to play the game and could possibly be the piece that puts the Falcons over the top. So far it looks like the Falcons are a surefire lock to end the streak of never having back to back winning seasons. Falcons are legit.

#4 - Brett Favre is doing exactly what he needs to be doing for the Minnesota Vikings. Favre was brought back to manage a game. His main job is to turn around and hand the ball off to Adrian Peterson, who is the best back in the game. In passing situations, he is protecting the ball and not being his traditional gunslinger self. This has prove very effective for him and the Vikings who are looking solid at 2-0 in a fairly inconsistent division. Props to my boy Favre, glad to see him back on the field doing well.

#5 - Are the San Francisco 49ers legit? Mike Singletary is proving to be a pretty solid head coach. Their defense is playing well enough to keep them in every game as they have gotten off to a 2-0 start to the season; without Michael Crabtree. Koudos to that organization as they finally seem to be turning in the right direction. They have a legitimate shot at winning the NFC West with all of the other teams being fairly inconsistent.

Other quick comments...

-The Browns and Lions are bad. Period.

-Chad Ochocinco is still the man. Loved the Lambeau leap this past week.

-Sleve Slaton was a horrible fantasy draft pick so far.

-The Cowboys new stadium is INSANE. Love it.



That's all for now...

Word.

Baum's can't miss picks of the weekend: Week 3

Hello everyone and welcome. Football season is upon us once again and that means time for some guessing and gambling. And because you are busy heating cheese dip and passing out at halftime, we here at PerformanceEnhancedBlogging are giving you five for-sure picks that will allow you to keep your sad and poorly funded little operation afloat for one more week.


Baum was 3-2 last week and is 5-5 on the year.



Week 2 Recap: Both the Buckeyes and the Gamecocks did well to cover and nearly each won their games. Notre Dame's offense continues to be explosive but not as explosive as the New Orleans saints who easily covered against the lowly Lions. The Hilltoppers ruined the cover by just more than a field goal.



1. Boston College (+7) @ Clemson Tigers

The Tigers are a very talented offense. They have the ability to score in bunches as they did last thursday. They come at Boston College after ten days off and back at home. BC has picked on some lowly team early, but if Daybo can stay away from the tricks and gimmicks, Clemson will win by double digits.

2. North Texas Mean Green (+38.5) at Alabama North Texas is bad and Alabama has looked sharp early. But even Florida Internationl only lost by 24. The Mean Green have already beaten what was a fairly good MAC team last year in Oxford, so look for them to cover.

3. Florida State Seminoles (+7.5) at Brigham Young Cougars
Florida States inability to stop the pass will seal their doom against the Cougar. Travelling cross country for this game will also play a part in the Seminoles poor performance. The ACC has struggled against pretty much every other conference this year, and this game will prove no different. Look for BYU to win big.





4. Utah Utes (+5) at Oregon Ducks
Without their star running back, Oregon's offense will continue to struggle. Utah is now the better team. Oregon barely fended off Purdue last week and will have just as much trouble with the Utes. This one will be decided by a field goal.



5. Minnesota Vikings (-10) at Detroit Lions
I hate to pick on the Lions but it is so easy. Look for the Vikings to use the exact same reciped agains Detroit as they did against the Browns...pound early and play keep away once you get the lead. Adrian Peterson's legs will run Matt Stafford in to making plenty of mistakes. Lay the points and take Minnesota.

BREAKING NEWS: MCNABB INJURED -- VICK TO START WEEK 3.

McNabb goes down after rushing TD vs. Carolina Panthers.

Baum's can't miss picks of the week.

Hello everyone and welcome. Football season is upon us once again and that means time for some guessing and gambling. And because you are busy heating cheese dip and passing out at halftime, we here at PerformanceEnhancedBlogging are giving you five for-sure picks that will allow you to keep your sad and poorly funded little operation afloat for one more week.

All punches aside, Oregon and Boise surprised last week with a knock-down, drag-out defensive brawl. Maryland turns out to be much worse than anyone could have anticipated (along with many other ACC bottom dwellers, as three of them lost at home to CAA teams). Even if they could have pulled out a miracle, the Seminole's defense cost them any hope of covering the spread. Even with the awkward delivery [Miami's QB] shreded the FSU secondary for 330+ yards.

Baum is 2-3 after last week. I am sort of pressed for time so this will be quick. And here are the moneymakers:

South Carolina @ UGA (-7)
Joe Cox is not ready to run the Bulldogs. South Carolina plays them tough traditionally and is coming off a strong win. This one will be decided by less than a field goal. Take South Carolina plus the touchdown.

USC (-7) @ Ohio State
This game is a do-over for the Buckeyes. They lost some key offensive players, but Terrel Pryor continues to mature. USC lost several members on defense and is led by a freshman. Going east in to the Horseshoe is no easy task. Buckeyes will win it.

Notre Dame @ Michigan (Over/under 48 1/2)
These two offense still haven't found a rhythm. Jimmy Clausen will not have an easy time in the big house...this one should get sloppy. Go with the under.


South Florida Bulls (-25) @ Western Kentucky Hilltoppers
Not a whole lot to say here. The Hilltoppers are real bad. The Bulls will cover easily.

Detroit Lions (+13) @ New Orleans Saints
This is the easiest pick this week. The Saints are a well-tuned machine and the Lions are, well, the Lions. Stafford is there to throw to Calvin Johnson but this is still a feeling out period. The Saints will win by more than two touchdowns.

This isn't a spoof... this REALLY did happen. Wow.

Please comment.

Word.