Capper Betting Notes on the NFC
By Ted Sevransky
Teddy watches games all weekend long; typing furiously on his laptop while giving you the key info that the box scores and game recaps simply don’t have. Today: NFC tidbits from Week 3.
Arizona Cardinals
Three weeks into the season, I'm still trying to find something that this team does well. They were gashed on the ground and beaten through the air defensively. Their secondary got torched by a second-tier passing attack.
This offense doesn't work with Derek Anderson behind center: 35 yards on his first 11 attempts; just 122 passing yards for the game. They botched two punt returns; special teams miscues that basically negated the LaRod Stephens-Howling kick return touchdown to open the game.
This was one of the most effective passing offenses in the NFL for the last two years. Now, without the benefits of that passing game, this team looks pretty hopeless.
Atlanta Falcons
Head coach Mike Smith knows his team is going to have to score points in bunches against an offense like the Saints. Smith continued his season long trend of going for it on fourth and short, eschewing the field goal opportunity for a chance at a TD. I respect that philosophy. Attempting fourth down conversions will give a team a better chance to win than kicking field goals. Unlike so many coaches, Smith also uses his challenges responsibly, getting a key red zone fumble overturned here.
We saw a tremendous job from this offensive line, blowing open holes for Michael Turner to run through. Matty Ice has a nice chemistry with his receivers; lots of soft, in the cradle throws downfield.
Aside from the big plays, this defense looked quite stout for the second consecutive week. It looks like the group is starting to grow together after replacing five starters this past offseason.
New York Giants
Eli Manning didn't show much leadership or ability as the Giants collapsed down the stretch last year. He didn't show much leadership or ability in last week's ugly loss at Indy. You had to wonder if Manning had lost his mind and his team when he threw a particularly ugly left-handed interception in the end zone to end the Giants second drive.
Their run defense leaves much to be desired, soft in the red zone when it matters most. The dropped passes continue for this receiving corps; third game in a row that the Giants young receivers have come up short in the 'good hands' department. Speed, yes. Size, yes, Big-play potential, yes. Good hands? Not so much.
The best adjective I can use to describe this team is 'soft'.
Detroit Lions
Defensive end Corey Williams had a brilliant interception/runback defending a screen pass, one more example of how vastly improved Detroit's front four actually is this year.
The Lions did not react well to adversity here, playing as if they expected to lose. Jahvid Best left the game with a toe injury, and they didn't gain 10 rushing yards the rest of the way. Why on earth don't they throw to Calvin Johnson 10 times every game?
Carolina Panthers
Stodgy old John Fox doesn't have the look of a coach who's going to keep his job through the end of the season. After all these years, Fox still doesn't seem to know when or how to use his challenges.
Jimmy Clausen was in third and long repeatedly, the worst situation any rookie QB can be in. The results of all of those third and longs were not pretty. One completion for 14 yards and a QB rating of zero in a full half of football isn't going to cut it. Any team with a strong run defense will shut this offense down.
I wouldn't count on Carolina being one of those hard fighting 'value' teams in the short term future.
Washington Redskins
This team came out flat as a pancake on the road, something that we seem to see once or twice every year from a Donovan McNabb quarterbacked team. Remember last year's loss at Oakland as double-digit favorites? This was similar.
McNabb is still making mental mistakes; taking an inexcusable delay of game penalty in the red zone that resulted in a field goal try instead of a TD. And after McNabb takes a few hard hits, his accuracy really declines. Blitzing teams should beat the 'Skins.
Brian Orakpo provided steady pressure on the QB today. This defensive line has gone from an area of weakness to one of strength this past offseason.
But Jim Haslett's defensive play calls are almost incomprehensible. Last week, he blitzed every play and got burned by a good veteran QB. This week, he avoided blitzing for extended stretches of the game and let a rookie QB pick his defense apart.
New Orleans Saints
This defense is vulnerable to smashmouth running games, just like they were last year and last week in San Fran. The Falcons power sets gave Gregg Williams fits today. And, much like last year, this defense is having a hard time getting off the field on third downs. They gave up chunks of yardage in the passing game, particularly after star cornerback Tracy Porter limped off the field.
Kicker Garrett Hartley cost this team the game today; unable to hit a chip shot field goal in overtime after missing two against the Vikings in their opener.
Minnesota Vikings
Minnesota's defense has been nothing short of outstanding, allowing only five scores in their first three games. They forced three-and-outs on their first three defensive series here, and secured the pointspread cover with a pair of late-game interceptions in the end zone. You're not going to trick these guys with gadget plays -- Minny's stop unit is as fundamentally sound as it gets.
Adrian Peterson hasn't fumbled yet this year, and he looks better than he ever has; the best size/speed/elusiveness combo in the NFL. Without him, this offense wouldn't move the ball at all. Peterson is one of the few running backs in the league that is actually worth something to the pointspread.
This team continues to be an under squad (3-0 to the Under already this year). We’re seeing long, slow, methodical drives from the offense, with short, quick passes and a steady diet of Peterson, coupled with a strong defense that doesn't give up many big plays.