The huge sack by Adalius was one of the funniest things I've ever seen. He took two men down for a huge loss. The guy is a beast. The stadium emptied at that point.

As for the penalties, there was not much you can say - the two holds were obvious (I was 80 yards away and called them both before the flags) and the other was a false start. The more contentious (non) penalty was later in the drive when a deep ball by Favre was batted away by one of the corners. All the fans around screamed for a penalty but I thought it was perfectly timed. The replay was shown and the whole crowd booed. I still thought it looked fine. Oh well, what do I know? I'm just a stupid Pats fan... :)

And I didn't say it was more pleasurable - I'd much rather have seen Brady and a huge win to rub it in but it was fun nonetheless.

Third and final "blog" to come in half hour or so...

I think this weekend was all about bad plays and bad defending. Especially for the Chargers. I know that I moaned about the umpire's calls - but honestly, we lost the game because our defence just didn't turn up. Cromartie was the worst culprit, letting his frustrations get to him for frequent fouls and subsequent lost yards. To give Royal an easy catch, not once but twice in the end zone tells the story really.

As for the Jets - their attempts to run the ball into the end zone with a few yards to go was ridiculous. Favre is a man who specialises in end-zone passing - he would hit the far corners with passes for the Packers every time. And yet the Jets just tried to run it. Awful. Patriots did well, and I think people underestimate Cassel. But - and there's always a but - he will face tougher D's than the Jets.

Two QB's who had awful days were Jackson for the Vikings and Russell for the Raiders. While Russell's lot won, they did so without his help. His passing wasn't inconsistent, it was incompetent. Six passes completed from a total of 17, with only 55 yards in total. To be fair to Jackson, it wasn't his fault that his receivers were shit. But I think they were asking too much of him.

The two televised games on Sunday and Monday evening were completely contrasting. Romeo Crennel will find it difficult at the Browns because of his awful play-calling and clock-management. For the second week in a row, they get it wrong. And for the second week in a row, he has a chance to show the fans that he's willing to give it a go. He doesn't, and they boo because he calls for the punting team to come out. I know that he doesn't have the greatest tools to work with, but he's clearly a defensively minded coach - and when your defence can't defend, you're going to struggle.

Eagles vs. Cowboys was a great game for entertainment, terrible game for technical ability and defensive skill - summed up by the ridiculous mistake by DeSean Jackson. I think the Eagles will push on from this though - they certainly gave the Cowboys a game. Again, I find Romo's movement and passing really enjoyable to watch.

Finally, I feel for the Rams. I'm not sure why, maybe because of their LA history, but they're terrible. And Bulger will need to get himself to the physio every Monday for some special treatment, because he's going to get bruised up with that crap offensive line.

I know I made a point of it at the time, but the Colts first TD that brought it back to a 7pt gap, that was not a TD and I am certain of that.

The ball did not cross the line and should not have been given and the play should have been reversed when challenged. The Vikings were pretty much robbed there. But thats just an opinion.

With no Jeff Saturday, Manning senior is taking a bigger beating than normal at this point of the season.

I know you all hate me going on about the Patriots, but it was refreshing to have a match with absolutely zero mention of spygate. It was all about Cassel, Favre and no Brady. Even the dumbass Jets fans seemed to forget about it.

Let me be your fantasy...

It’s a new game to me. Yes, I’ve played football games on the computer and I’ve done other fantasy leagues before for other sports. But this is NFL, where fantasy teams are taken almost as seriously as the real deal.

It was a Monday night. My Sunday efforts had me 30 points ahead with 1 game left – the Philadelphia Eagles at the Dallas Cowboys.

My team included Jason Witten, the Cowboys tight-end. My foe on this occasion had Tony Romo, the Cowboys QB. If Romo passed to Witten, I was on a winner but too many successes to TO, Barber et al could leave me struggling. So, I wanted the Cowboys to do well but not so well all at the same time. Dilemma, huh?

The guy next to me at the bar was a Cowboys fan, and an obnoxious one at that. When I said my wife was a Texas he asked, “so, you’re supporting the Cowboys, right?”

I couldn’t answer positively or negatively.

I’d fallen into the fantasy trap.

Every time TO got a catch, I winced. Every time Witten got a catch, I cheered. When Barber took the ball on a screen pass into the end zone, I despaired. When Romo dropped the ball in the end zone and got picked off, I cheered, laughed and was chastised by Mr Dallas next to me. I didn’t care and I wasn’t alone – the Jets fan behind me had Witten and his booing and cheering perfectly echoed mine.

I won. By 0.2 points. Pretty close. Dallas also won, so let’s all be happy.

Already, two games into the season, the way I watch football has been altered by fantasyland.

But how far would I go?

Would I have cheered if Dwayne Bowe had scored for the Chiefs in week 1 against my Brady-less Patriots? If I’d had Brett the Jet, would I have willed him into the end zone in week 2?

Not on your life! Get real…

I couldnt believe what he did when I saw it on NFL Replay last night.

He has done this before, notably playing college a few years ago. He dont a cartwheel just before entering the enzone and landed a inch or two outside!

My fantasy is a learning curve ...

Okay, I had no illusions when I signed up to this. You all know my background as to how NFL took a grip on me. So this season, the test of my limited was truly there. An offer to join a fantasy football league, American Football style. How different could it be to The Sun's Dream Team and the Telegraph Fantasy Football competitions that I have taken part in for several years now.

So here, the draft saw me take on some big names (luckily for me!). A mouthful of a QB fron Pittsburgh but to my joy the additions of RBs Addai and my home boy Marion Barber made me very positive in that I knew what I was doing. The rest of the side needed some research ..

Week 1 I left my team as it was as I simply had not had the time to get to know the players on my roster. But as Saxon kindly mentioned, my bench got almost as many points. In saying that, my gamble paid off and the Palace Cowboys start on 1 and 0.

Week 2 I felt the urge to tinker, check how to play the game. So by dropping two of my best players unbeknown to me caused great hilarity between my fellow fantasy managers. Luckily, I was luck enough to get them both back even though one of them has yet to feature for the mighty Palace Cowboys. A new signing and a little tinkering hey presto, we move on to 2 and 0 ... just like the real Cowboys ..

Could this rookie fantasy manager be pushing his luck to make it 3 and 0 ... I don't think so! Bring it on ....

I like all the blogs now, if I didnt have 3 jobs (only get paid for one) :grrr: then I would update mine frequently.

Will do picks and predictions and some other blog tomorrow evening if I am not completely shattered.

Can't be arsed to set one up myself, rather just post on here ... if that's okay with everyone else ...

Why aren't the Fins on that poll? Oh yeah, because we don't have an NFL worthy-roster.

Just realised I'm at a gig on Sunday night so won't be able to keep in touch with the scores .. :sob:

So desparate to see the Wembley match now that my addiction to NFL is well on its way back ....

Headlines you shouldn't read when you're tired:

I would like to thank Joey Porter for making an arse of himself, I thought he said some stupid things but there is a whole list of "controversies" on wikipedia. :D Looking forward to this match, hope Cassel aims a few long ones at Moss as eloquently put to him by Randy last week. "You cant ••••••• overthrow me, just fecking throw it".

Oh, and for the Dolphins fans and saxon and anyone who wants to watch that game, there will be a link provided by me :D

What's the deal between Rivers and Cutler? They seem to have history ... the game on Christmas Eve last year?

Rivers has a mouth on him. Great QB, twat of a bloke though.

Didn't JLM indicate something along those lines years ago? Can't remember what the exact story was.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LsSpYLU7Ig0

Believe this is what you are referring to Jaz??

Yep, thats the one ...

Yeah. My story was that he has a hot head and a very high opinion of himself. He's the reason Brees isn't in San Diego anymore. He went to the front office and said I'm not a backup... play me now or trade me now. They gave in and used the "We drafted him very high to be the future of this team" line... the rest is history. A lot of San Diego players weren't happy about it. Including Brees' best friend, LT who felt like they were contenders with Brees and would be "rebuilding" for a couple years with Rivers while he learned how to play the position in the NFL.

"Choke in the play-offs,
We know you'll choke in the play-offs..."

:D

AS PROMISED.

http://www.myp2pforum.eu/nfl-cfl-afl...ng-thread.html

The link for the Pats-Phins game and basically every other game will appear there an hour or so before the match.

:p

Blog updated with predictions for today and tomorrow :)

I've got my Bears v Titans tickets for November :D

I really hate you :D

I have to save up for about a year to drag my sorry ass to Foxborough for a week, you go swanning off to games left, right and centre ;)

Do you reckon Vince Young will be back and playing to his potential?

You should become part of the Kyle Orton Neckbeard Army!!!

http://img186.imageshack.us/img186/8647/bearssigho6.jpg

My missus is hoping Young will be back - I don't care. I'm just hoping she'll get through 3 cold hours moan free :D

PS Paul - we're also going to the Bulls v Cavs game to see LeBron. No doubt he'll get injured now a la Brady...

Take her tailgating first. The key to surviving midwest cold is getting your liquid coat on. :D

:D

You know it, what ligament can he tear? :(

2 hours until the game. Hoping for long bombs, slants and screens. Ben Watson (the good one;)) is back and out there, LaMont Jordan out there but no sign of Maroney yet, (not a massive loss with Faulk, Morris, Jordan, Evans and Eckel) and maybe there may be a player who doesnt dance rather than run straight at tackles on the field.

Who will have the better fantasy weekend?

Darren Sproles or Chris Johnson? So tempted to put Sproles in with LT possibly out but he is now on the "Injury Report" and most sources saying to go with Johnson, even the Patriots Today blog that I just asked

Or engineer an early trade to New York. ;)

Working for a few hours this morning then getting back to watch Steelers v Eagles later. If it is as half as good as Eagles v Cowboys on MNF then it should be a good one!

No one that good would play for a team that bad ;)

Nervous I won't be able to watch the Bears. TV Ants finally downloaded. Now all it says is please wait while buffering

'I know they're pissed' :D LOLOL

Wooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

Go Fish!

Got a bet on us this week. Following what Joey said.

Now that the pressure is on ( :D ) we'll see just how good Cassel is :p

Has anyone seen the pick? What was it? Was it just tipped or something? It sounds like it was tipped from one end to the other.

What do you mean? He ISN'T good, that's the whole point. Even so, a defeat would still be poor but I can see it, I really can... and by more than just the one score it is currently.

I'm sure Paul still thinks we'll win 83-7 but I'm more realistic.

We're making Chad look good :(

Not 83-7, More like 79-7 after the FG ;)

TVants finally loaded.

I can't get anything to work and I'm quite pleased. I think last week, our season may have peaked under Cassel. I can say I was there... :D

Thigpen 1/8 for -1 yards :D

Miami 14-3 :(

Now 1/10 for -1 yards with 1 pick. Can you get a negative QB rating?

Bollocks, TVAnts is slow and I looked on here as he walked through the Safety.

Its the D rather than Cassel in all honesty.

12/15 and an INT.

Unless his best mate part-owns the team moving to Brooklyn and he knows what merchandising opportunities that presents. ;)

And the Fins will lose 26-14, thus losing all my Finheaven points (I put them all on the Pats covering) along with the Fins losing the game. :D

Go the Fish!!

In all seriousness, win or lose, it might be time to dig out my Ronnie Brown jersey again. :)

I guess Herman Edwards has always wanted to find out. :D

I nearly picked KC in the pool too, then decided however badly run the Falcons are I couldn't take Thigpen on the road.

JaMarcus Russell is so wasteful. Unfortunately, the Raiders game seems to be the only one on network television right now :hmph:

14-6 Fins... Another failed attempt by Cassel to get us into the end zone.

Paul, he may have a decent completion % but they are mostly short gains on long 3rd downs. He's not got the clutch abilities to complete 3rd and 11+. I wouldn't even back him at 3rd and 1. Yes, the D is a letdown right now but with a certain other QB, I was always confident that when the other team scored, we'd go up the other end and score, too. We don't have that X factor now. We're now an also-ran in a sh*t division where only one team is good enough to win it.

F'ing c-flaps. Thigpen picked off again.

Why can't I drop Larry Johnson? He's just going to sit on my bench all season now.

Orton looking horrible:(

Not good for the home opener.

I shall reserve judgment until the end of the 4th, As said they have the ball in the 3rd.

Sort the D out Belichick, especially the secondary right now. I think someone is in for a kicking at the half.

Here comes AP.... come on boy, I need a 200 yard game to keep my match with Paul even close :D

McF just took a snap at QB for Oakland :eek: :D

Ronnie! Ronnie! :lux:

This is embarrassing. C'mon Paul, let's hear your words of wisdom right now... 15 points down at the half with the Fins having the possession in Q3 against a D that can't do a thing and a QB who is average.

I saw Tennessee do that yesterday in College football. Didn't work :D

Zzz, another sack...

He did that a lot at Arkansas.

Worked for Oakland because a) he handed off and b) he's a better bet in the pocket than Russell :D

Here they are:

The defense should now know that when Pennington lines up at WR, that they are running the ball.
LaMont Jordan will play in the 2nd half against a defense that wont be so fresh.
Cassel may learn to throw it deep or worst comes to the worst, O'Connell gets some snaps.

And just remember, the more games we lose the more likely we get Maualuga in the 09 draft ;)

Nice try Paul.

I do hope someone attaches a large knife to Joey Porters spine in the 2nd half.

Just got a text from Benzhiyi. Like me he's gone from relaxing about tonight's game (I'm assuming that like me he wrote tonight off) to feeling somewhat nervous about the outcome. Even worse, he's on a train so he can't keep up too much with the score.

They've had 4 possessions and scored 3 TDs. We've had 5 and scored 2 FGs.

There are no positives from this game so far.

:D

I trust you'll be sending him updates!

Wait until just after HT and tell him the Pats have scored 2 TDs to tie the game... that'll annoy him :D

In what manner? Like this?

Tell him that two long bombs from Cassel to Moss has put us a point down and we have the ball after a 3rd onside recover ;)

I was going to put my Ronnie Brown jersey on and walk the dog. Need to be out of the house when the stupid/annoying/pointless dancing comes on.

Decisions, decisions.

Yeh! 3 and out!

7/24 now. Woo.

Johnson with 7 rushes for 19 yards at HT. KC opponents are going to put nine in the box all season. No wonder LJ wanted his money, who can blame him?

Very true. How they haven't been on the phone to Culpepper, I'll never know.

Equally, FreROTte, isn't helping AP. I still maintain they are a QB away from a Superbowl run.

Huge penalty to get that punt re-taken.

1-10 MIA21 (12:11) C.Pennington pass deep left to T.Ginn to MIA 39 for 18 yards (E.Hobbs, J.Sanders).

I've seen the words "C.Pennington pass deep" way too many times today.

Frerotte completes on 48 yard and 34 yard throws just after I slate him...

Chad 15/18 for 211 yards... :clown:

The LJ drive:
1-10 ATL23 (12:41) L.Johnson left end to ATL 17 for 6 yards (E.Coleman).
3-1 ATL25 (13:23) L.Johnson up the middle to ATL 23 for 2 yards (J.Anderson, C.Lofton).
2-9 ATL33 (13:57) L.Johnson left end to ATL 25 for 8 yards (E.Coleman).
1-10 ATL34 (14:35) L.Johnson up the middle to ATL 33 for 1 yard (K.Brooking).
1-10 KC18 (14:55) L.Johnson right tackle to ATL 34 for 48 yards (E.Coleman). FUMBLES (E.Coleman), ball out of bounds at ATL 34.

:D

I'm coming to get you, Paul... renewed second half confidence :D

LJ scores. 9 plays, 82 yards and LJ had 7 of those for 71 yards.

See KC, f*cking use him!

Now Brown has thrown for a TD :(

How can our D suck without Brady? :(

Touchdown Dolphins! 28-6 :lux:

At least NE sucking is helping my fantasy team, except my DST...

•••• this,

I am going to have to turn this off before I stick something through the laptop screen again.

Belichick sort it out you assclown.

Glad its not with Brady because then I would have been worried.

And the Pats are now on the field, I can get some points up, this was Randy Mosses last chance in my team, he will now be benched alongside Welker and Gostkowski.

You know why they are being dropped?

Ellis Hobbs, I could kiss you.

:D

:p

Shit, that helps Saxon.

No, I want the points not the Fantasy.

Come on the Pats, come on Cassel.

NE return yards is helping my DST!

Cassel you f'ing tool :(

Cassel is such a tool he makes jazman look un-tool-like :D

Cassel TD pass to Gaffney... that's good for Paul seeing as he has neither :D

Saxon, wait a minute or two until after the play :)

I havent seen what happens yet.

Cassel is a douschebag.

Randy Moss will go back to Oakland Randy from this game on I reckon.

Frerotte sacked twice in a row again as Vikes go 3 and out... again.

YEAH, TOUCHDOWN,

Not that I have seen it yet.

But I do have Stephen Gostkowski ;)

I'm on NFL.com which is slow today so you must be ahead of me. Either that, or don't read the thread ;)

I need Plaxico to get busy.

NFL.com is quicker than the stream.

I'm still in the break after the XP.

I have the fantasy football matchup in one window, this thread in another and NFL.com up to see some other scores.

Ooh and Ryder Cup on the TV.

Wow, Buffalo are sucking today, too!