Wednesday Morning Armchair Quarterback (WMAQ). Cassel will be great busdriver

Following American Football in Europe has not been easy but thanks to the world wide web, and through NFL game pass powered by Yahoo, I have been able to try become the Dutch expert in this field. There must be peers around here in Holland but we do not meet yet.

I became interested in the game of American Football through some test broadcasts of the Amsterdam Cable Company in the early eighties of the last century, One of the tests featured AFN television with a game between the NY Giants and Dallas Cowboys. It all looked quite mysterious to me, but I will never forget the coach with the head. That guy was cool. The other coach was young fat and a screamer. Less cool but still interesting.

Later I found out that these two men were Tom Landry and Bill Parcells. As one of my exes lives in Texas, USA, I became a Cowboy follower. Sparingly Super Bowls are broadcasted here in Holland but a couple of years ago it became possible to view complete regular season games.

I consider American Football the second most attractive sport to watch, just behind soccer. I have to admit though that sometimes NFL games are more exiting.

Wednesday Morning Armchair Quarterback (WMAQ) will try to give you an European point of view on the NFL in general and the NFC East in particular although it will not show in this first contribution.

Why the NFC East? Just because it is historically the division with the best rivalries and the most successful teams.

19 out of 42 times the NFC East represented the NFC in the Superbowl. NFC East representatives won it 11 times. The reason NFC East teams lose in the big game can only be that they are tired having won their own division first. Usually they have to beat each other in the play-offs to advance. 29 times NFC east teams appeared in the NFC Championship game. Coming out a winner 19 times. 4 times the NFC Championship game was an all NFC East contest.

So far so good for the history.

This year the Cowboys seem again favored to win the division. It is to early to tell but it appears that the NFC East could again send 3 teams to the play-offs. But it will not happen.

In my view the NY Giants and Washington Redskins will not make it this year. Both teams are too erratic or injury prone on offense.

In the first heavy-weight game of the year the Giants came out on top as the Redskins looked lost on offense. Jacobs runs over people but lacks breakaway speed. Burress is a one dimensional receiver in that sense that he can only catch ‘m high.

The Eagles mauled the poorly coached Rams and the Cowboys took care of business in Cleveland.

Next weekend and Monday the football Giants visit St. Louis, Washington hosts New Orleans and Dallas will try to beat the Eagles in the closer of the 2nd gameday.

In other NFL news
New England lost its signal caller for the year but Matt Cassel, a backup in college and the pros for nearly 9 years now, should be able to ride the Bellichick-bus into the play-offs.
The Jets are talking post-season already after a win in Miami.
Buffalo had a good outing against Seattle.
Miami seems improved over last year but Chad Pennington is not the inspirational leader needed at the fish’ helm.
Baltimore beat the Bengals but now travel to Texas for a showdown with the beaten up Houston football team.
The Steelers took care of the Texans and will meet the Browns in Cleveland
Cincinatti faces another tough defensive opponent in Tennessee and another loss could lead to a serious meltdown.
Jacksonville could be upset by Buffalo.
Since that Superbowl win Peyton seems not to be that sharp anymore and if the hangover continues the Vikings will take care of business.
The Broncos will face a San Diego team that cannot afford to fall to 0-2.
The Chiefs should take care of the Raiders at home unless the Razorback is called upon often.
The Bears had a good start in Indy and will stay on the road to face the Panthers. With Jake Delhomme back Carolina should be able to beat the Bears.
Aaron Rodgers, mr. Unspectecular, guided the Packers mistakefree last Monday but Detroit on the road will be a different story.
The worst San Diego personnell decision of the century was, will and remain the disposal of Drew Brees. The Saints will have a nice showdown with the Redskins.
Atlanta is revatilized but Tampa is warned. It will not be easy to win this week for the Falcons.
The Cardinals will air it out against Miami.
San Francisco could not come at a better time for Seattle.
The Rams host the Giants and unless Jackson is running wild it will be a long day for Linehan cs.

Best play of the week was the last second TD of Carolina against San Diego please enjoy Jake Delhomme here:

http://www.nfl.com/videos?videoId=09000d5d80a9b936

For really professional football coverage please also read/visit and study:

MMQ by Peter King at www.si.com
Or (even better)
TMQ by Gregg Easterbrook at www.espn.com page2

For articles in Dutch (soccer) and a good game of Pacman visit:

www.sportdwaas.blogspot.com