It seems like only yesterday when the Packers defence made a fourth quarter stand to deny the Chicago Bears in the opening game of the season.
Since then, the Packers have swept all before them and, at 8-0, talk of an undefeated season is getting louder.
Perfection is, by its very nature, difficult to achieve and on at least two occasions this season – against the Vikings and Chargers – the Packers have relied on an almost flawless performances from Aaron Rodgers to get them out of woeful defensive ones.
That defence, I think, will be the downfall of the Packers’ pursuit of a perfect season.
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Great defence will always beat great offence and, even if Rodgers is the second coming of Joe Montana, he can’t do it all on his own. And what if he gets hurt? Would you trust Matt Flynn?
Whatever happens, here’s hoping the second half of the season is just as exciting as the first. Team of the season
Detroit Lions
How can I pick a team that’s 6-2 over the 8-0 Packers?
Well it’s simple really. Three years ago, after losing all 16 regular season games, this team was considered not just one of the worst teams in NFL history but one of the worst professional sports organisations of all time.
Now, they are genuine Super Bowl contenders. That’s some transformation and shouldn’t be forgotten in all the hype surrounding the Green Bay Packers.
Notable mentions: Green Bay Packers, Buffalo Bills, San Francisco 49ers.
Failure of the season
Indianapolis Colts
With Peyton Manning, the Colts were unlikely to be better than 9-7 team this season. Without him, it seems as if 2-14 and a chance to draft Andrew Luck will represent a successful year. That’s some fall from grace for a team that contested a Super Bowl two seasons ago.
Notable mentions: Miami Dolphins, Philadelphia Eagles, Cleveland Browns.
Player of the season
Aaron Rodgers
In 2007, when Tom Brady threw 50 touchdown passes in the regular season, they said it couldn’t be repeated. Rodgers obviously wasn’t listening and, with 24 through eight games, is on course to surpass Brady’s record. With only three interceptions to his name too, Rodgers is clearly the league’s MVP so far.
Notable mentions: Calvin Johnson, Fred Jackson, Jared Allen.
Disappointment of the season
Chad Ochocinco
Without the deep threat Ochocino was supposed to bring New England, defences have been able to sit on Wes Welker and put pressure on Tom Brady in a way they could never do when the Patriots QB had the likes of Randy Moss to target. It’s difficult to see the Patriots going deep into the postseason because of him.
Notable mentions: Chris Johnson, Philip Rivers, Colt McCoy.
Rookie of the season
Andy Dalton
With fellow rookie Cam Newton hogging all the limelight, Andy Dalton has quietly led this team to 6-2 and they sit atop the AFC North at the halfway point in the season. With Dalton under centre the Bengals have now won five straight games for the first time since 1988. With the Steelers and Ravens so hit and miss, the Bengals could make an unlikely playoff appearance this year.
Notable mentions: Cam Newton, DeMarco Murray, Von Miller.
Week 9 results:
New York Jets 27 @ Buffalo Bills 11
Seattle Seahawks 13 @ Dallas Cowboys 23
Cleveland Browns 12 @ Houston Texans 30
Atlanta Falcons 31 @ Indianapolis Colts 7
Miami Dolphins 31 @ Kansas City Chiefs 3
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 16 @ New Orleans Saints 27
San Francisco 49ers 19 @ Washington Redskins 11
Denver Broncos 38 @ Oakland Raiders 24
Cincinnati Bengals 24 @ Tennessee Titans 17
St. Louis Rams 13 @ Arizona Cardinals 19
New York Giants 24 @ New England Patriots 20
Green Bay Packers 45 @ San Diego Chargers 38
Baltimore Ravens 23 @ Pittsburgh Steelers 20
Chicago Bears 30 @ Philadelphia Eagles 24
Steven O’Rourke is the Offensive Co-ordinator of Tullamore Phoenix American Football Club, winners of the IAFL DV8s national title in 2010 and 2011. Tullamore are always recruiting new players so, if you’d like to play football and not just read about it, Steven would love to hear from you.
The Redzone: Mid-season report card
ARE WE HALFWAY there already?
It seems like only yesterday when the Packers defence made a fourth quarter stand to deny the Chicago Bears in the opening game of the season.
Since then, the Packers have swept all before them and, at 8-0, talk of an undefeated season is getting louder.
Perfection is, by its very nature, difficult to achieve and on at least two occasions this season – against the Vikings and Chargers – the Packers have relied on an almost flawless performances from Aaron Rodgers to get them out of woeful defensive ones.
That defence, I think, will be the downfall of the Packers’ pursuit of a perfect season.
Great defence will always beat great offence and, even if Rodgers is the second coming of Joe Montana, he can’t do it all on his own. And what if he gets hurt? Would you trust Matt Flynn?
Whatever happens, here’s hoping the second half of the season is just as exciting as the first.
Team of the season
Detroit Lions
How can I pick a team that’s 6-2 over the 8-0 Packers?
Well it’s simple really. Three years ago, after losing all 16 regular season games, this team was considered not just one of the worst teams in NFL history but one of the worst professional sports organisations of all time.
Now, they are genuine Super Bowl contenders. That’s some transformation and shouldn’t be forgotten in all the hype surrounding the Green Bay Packers.
Notable mentions: Green Bay Packers, Buffalo Bills, San Francisco 49ers.
Notable mentions: Miami Dolphins, Philadelphia Eagles, Cleveland Browns.
Player of the season
Aaron Rodgers
In 2007, when Tom Brady threw 50 touchdown passes in the regular season, they said it couldn’t be repeated. Rodgers obviously wasn’t listening and, with 24 through eight games, is on course to surpass Brady’s record. With only three interceptions to his name too, Rodgers is clearly the league’s MVP so far.
Notable mentions: Calvin Johnson, Fred Jackson, Jared Allen.
Rookie of the season
Andy Dalton
With fellow rookie Cam Newton hogging all the limelight, Andy Dalton has quietly led this team to 6-2 and they sit atop the AFC North at the halfway point in the season. With Dalton under centre the Bengals have now won five straight games for the first time since 1988. With the Steelers and Ravens so hit and miss, the Bengals could make an unlikely playoff appearance this year.
Notable mentions: Cam Newton, DeMarco Murray, Von Miller.
Week 9 results:
Steven O’Rourke is the Offensive Co-ordinator of Tullamore Phoenix American Football Club, winners of the IAFL DV8s national title in 2010 and 2011. Tullamore are always recruiting new players so, if you’d like to play football and not just read about it, Steven would love to hear from you.
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