It's late and I'm tired, but this is too good to not mention.
On Wednesday Oct. 6, 2010, Roy Halladay joined former Yankees pitcher Don Larson as the only two pitchers in MLB history to throw no-hitters in the post-season. Of course, Larson's was a perfecto in the 1956 World Series and Halladay's was only a no-no in the ALDS. I am not trying to take anything away from Halladay by any means.
Roy Halladay is the most ridiculous pitcher of my generation. **Correction: starting pitcher. Doc got screwed for the first 12 seasons of his career because he had to pitch for the Blue Jays. No disrespect to the Jays, but they were mediocre in the best division in baseball that boasts an AL East representative in the World Series nine of the 12 seasons he was there.
Roy is unreal and I couldn't have more respect for him. He is a phenomenal pitcher, far above anyone right now. He has been great and deserves a ring, but I'm just hoping it won't come at the expense of my Yankees.
Good luck to him and if only his pinstripes were blue instead of red.
Of course, the Minnesota Vikings trade for a HOF receiver the week before they play my NY Jets. I am not worried though because the Jets could be as close to full strength on Monday night as they'll get all season. Darrelle Revis, Calvin Pace and Santonio Holmes all should return to the lineup against the Vikings.
Revis, an All-Pro CB, signed with the team late and then pulled his aggrivated a hamstring against the Pats. The Jets have faired well without him, going 3-0, but he is clearly their best defender and need him back ASAP. Pace is the best pass rusher on the team, and he is desperately needed back on a Jets team who only has eight sacks in four games.
Holmes, a former Super Bowl MVP, is said to potentially the best player on the Jets offense and without a doubt their best receiver. It will be hard to live up to those expectations with the way Sanchez, Keller, Edwards and LT are playing, but I certainly look forward to him trying. Holmes has electrifying speed and accelerates to the ball. He is a fantastic deep threat and should add to Sanchez's success.
Wow, a lot was said about the Jets in a post that I thought was going to be about Randy Moss and the Minnesota Vikings. Basically, if Brett Favre keeps sucking, it won't matter whether they have Moss or not. Maybe all Favre needs is another weapon since Sidney Rice is injured, but I doubt Moss alone will turn the Vikes around.
Moss is second in Vikings history in just about every statistical category possible for receivers. He was essentially stolen away from the Pats for only a third round pick, practically nothing compared to what he can bring to a squad.
I don't think Moss will be enough to get the Vikings past the Jets, in New Jersey nonethless. However, if they were going to make a push (I know it's only week five), having Moss certainly won't hurt.
Side note: Moss will be only the second player in NFL history to play in back-to-back Monday night games...can you name the other?
So we are officially 25% done with the regular season, well, at least most teams have played four games by now.
There have been a few surprises this season and personally, I don't think too many of them will last:
The Kansas City Chiefs, the last unbeaten team, are 3-0 heading into their week five game against the Colts.
The Dallas Cowboys are 1-2 heading into their week five game against the Titans.
The Colts are 2-2, with two divisional losses to the Texans and Jaguars, respectively.
The San Francisco 49ers are 0-4 heading into their week five game against the Eagles.
The Houston Texans are 3-1, off to the best start in franchise history, and now get star LB Brian Cushing back from suspension.
The New York Jets are 3-1, only loss being by 1 pt. to the Ravens, get back LB Calvin Pace, CB Darrelle Revis, and WR Santonio Holmes going into a revenge game against Brett Favre and the Minnesota Vikings.
Speaking of the Vikes, Favre has thrown six interceptions in three games (one shy of total of last season) and doesn't appear to have the magic of 2009.
The Chiefs should come down to Earth, while the Cowboys and Colts should both get back on track. Look for Houston to stay on track and have a good shot to make the playoffs, they'll give Indy a run for their money. The 49ers are arguably the biggest shock because many "experts" picked them to win the NFC West. Who knows what will happen with them...
Of course, I'm praying that my Jets stay on fire. They have already won more games in the division this year than they did all of last. They get to face a banged up Minnesota team this coming week, and they'll look to make a statement on national television.
Season Predictions:
AFC East: 2 Representatives - Jets and Pats AFC North: 1(2) Representative(s) - Ravens and/or Steelers AFC South: 1(2) Representative(s) - Colts and/or Texans AFC West: 1 Representative - Chargers
Three out of four teams between the Ravens, Steelers, Colts and Texans will advance to the playoffs.
NFC East: 1 Representative - Giants NFC North: 2 Representatives - Bears and Packers NFC South: 2 Representatives - Falcons and Saints NFC West: 1 Representative - Rams or Cardinals
The Rams or the Cards will win the division with a mediocre record, the other won't make the playoffs.
Even though we have only experienced a small sample of this NFL season, it has still proven to be crazy...over the next 13 weeks we will see if the ship will right itself for some teams or they can shock the NFL world.
Another Sunday has graced us, and I'm pumped. The Jets face the Bills today and if all is right in the football world, they will be 3-1 at days end.
I want to wish everyone a Happy Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Everything goes pink in the NFL and I love it. My Jets hat is the sideline one from last year with the pink brim. I think it's great that the NFL participates and sells the gear.
Well, here are my three games to watch this week, so far this year I'm 6-3.
Game 1
Ravens at Steelers - Pittsburgh looks to improve to 4-0 without star quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. That would be extremely impressive for a Pittsburgh team that seemed to struggle mightily at times last year. It has been an interesting start for both teams, the Ravens were able to squeak out a win against a Jets team that only beat themselves. They looked awful against the Bengals and only beat the Browns by a touchdown. The Steelers defense has looked phenomenal and their offense had a breakout game last week against Tampa Bay. I think Pitt's defense will give Flacco trouble, just like Cincy did, and that is going to lead to a few turnovers for Bmore. The Steelers remarkable run will continue at home against a team that hasn't beat them at Heinz field since the Harbaugh-Flacco combo started.
My Prediction: Steelers (-1) 23 Ravens 16
Game 2
Redskins at Eagles - You might be curious why this game is on here. One reason: Donovan McNabb. He is once again playing at Lincoln Financial Field, but for the other team and that makes for great headlines. Typically when a star player returns to play his former team, he beats them. This is going to be a different story, the Redskins aren't playing good football and they just aren't good in general. Vick is playing out of his mind and the Eagles just seem to be rolling on all cylinders on offense. The Skins will probably look to control the ball and run a lot more than they have. I don't think Washington has enough talent to compete with an Eagles team that seems to be clicking. Look for DeSean Jackson and Jeremy Maclin to have big games for the Iggles.
My Prediction: Eagles (-5.5) 27 Redskins 17
Game 3
Pats at Fins - As a Jets fan, this is an interesting game. I think I've decided I would rather New England win (if a tie doesn't happen), because I feel like Miami could be more dangerous if they stick around. So putting them at 2-2 and 1-2 in the division would be a pretty solid hole. Everyone knows what the Pats are made of, and I think they are going to make the playoffs anyway. The Pats are extremely one-dimensional, much like the Colts, but they are so good at that dimension that it doesn't matter. Look for Chad Henne to try and duplicate a Mark Sanchez performance in week two, and Tom Brady will also try to duplicate Sanchez's week three performance. So basically, in the crazy world we live in, everyone is trying to be like QB Nacho Taco.
