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The NFC East turned in a dismal showing on the opening weekend of the 2014 NFL season. As they say, "Misery loves company", so let's share in the disappointment that other fans around the division are feeling this week.
New York Giants
New York 14
Detroit 35
- The Giants offense is in shambles to start the season. While the New York offensive coordinator formerly known as "Killdrive" has been replaced with former Green Bay Packers OC Ben McAdoo, the results are the same. With a complete change in offensive philosophy it will take a while for the Eli Manning led attack to get in sync. There are still plenty of issues for McAdoo to deal with, including personnel.
It isn't even a mystery why the Giants are so bad. They're trying to play a new system, and they have sub-standard personnel. And what Monday's 35-14 spanking by the Lions proved is that the personnel is to blame even more than the system. - ESPN NY Giants beat reporter Dan Graziano
- It may be too early to panic just yet, but there are already some rumblings about how dismal this season is going to be for our divisional rivals from the Big Apple. There are some early signs that maybe not everyone is happy with how things are going. If things continue on the course that they are travelling right now, you have to wonder what the tone of the Giants locker room will be by mid-season.
Victor Cruz wants the ball thrown more in his direction. Antrel Rolle thinks the Giants need to show more fight. Jon Beason thinks they need to have some more fun. And all that came in the hours after what Tom Coughlin called a "nightmare performance" on opening night.
- One positive that came out of the opening game against the Detroit Lions was that the Giants might have found a pass-catching tight end to serve as Manning's security blanket. Larry Donnell hauled in five passes for 56 yards and a touchdown on his way to becoming the bright spot for Tom Coughlin's team on Monday night.
- Next up for the Giants will be a visit from the Arizona Cardinals. New York enters the game as a two point favorite, but keep in mind that the home team usually gets three points, so at best you can consider the game to be evenly matched. Our friends at Big Blue View have given us an early view of the contest, and with the Cards secondary it could prove to be an interesting weekend for the youngest Manning brother. BV Editor-in-Chief Ed Valentine reminds us why:
The Cardinals feature a talented secondary that includes cornerbacks Patrick Peterson and Antonio Cromartie, along with safety Tyrann Mathieu.
Washington 6
Houston 17
- The more things change, the more they seem the same. That phrase sums up the opening day performance of the Washington Commanders. There may be a new coaching staff in the nation's capitol, but the performance on the gridiron does not appear to have changed. Two (count 'em, TWO) fumbles on the Houston 7-yard line and a "gift" blocked punt highlight the woes that rookie head coach Jay (Lil' Chuckie) Gruden faced last Sunday.
"I’m not even sure they were trying to block that punt." - Jay Gruden
- Former Dallas Cowboy Jason Hatcher did get off to an early start for the Commanders. Hatch recorded his first sack of the season early in the second quarter, causing Ryan Fitzpatrick to fumble, it was recovered by the Texans). The loss of yardage crippled the Texans drive and forced a punt that led to the game's first score.
"It was all reactionary. If I watch the tape, I’ll be like ‘Oh, I beat him here.’ If you react to something, it’s hard to remember sometimes, but I do remember the quarterback fumbled the ball when I beat them and sacked him." - Jason Hatcher
- Washington's defensive efforts, under defensive coordinator Jim Haslett who somehow held on to his job with the Skins while the other coaches were fired, continues to struggle. With Brian Orakpo, Ryan Kerrigan, and Jason Hatcher to provide the heat, the defense only managed to get to Fitzpatrick on Hatch's initial sack and add one other hit on the QB ( by Kerrigan). Orakpo was a non-factor against Houston. The team also struggled to get off the field on third down. The Texans journeyman quarterback led the offense to converting on 7 of their 14 third downs against a porous Commander defense.
- Next up for Washington will be a visit from the Jekyll and Hyde Jacksonville Jaguars. Our friends at Hogs Haven took a look at the upcoming challenge facing Coach Gruden and his team. This is a match up that I am uncertain how to pick for this week's contest.
Jacksonville 17
Philadelphia 34
- The Eagles were the only NFC East team to escape the initial weekend of the NFL season with a victory, and they did win in convincing fashion. That does not mean all is well. The above reference to the Jags results from the Jacksonville match up against the team from the City of Brotherly Love. Jacksonville DOMINATED Philly during the first half and went into the locker room leading 17-0. The second half saw Chip Kelly's charges turn the table and exert their own dominance in the closing stanzas of the game, Jekyll and Hyde could be applied to the Eagles as well.
- The offensive line in Philadelphia suffered a pair of twin blows on Sunday. Left guard Evan Mathis suffered a knee injury when LeSean McCoy fell across his legs. That injury was compounded when, just three snaps later, Allen Barbre suffered a high ankle sprain. That left the Eagles in a situation where they were shuffling blockers and even had guys playing their positions for the first time.
[Andrew] Gardner went in at left guard and then he had to bump over to right tackle. [David] Molk had to play left guard, something he's never done before. He's a smart player and he was able to deal with that situation." Philadelphia lineman Todd Herremans
- Many times I have referred to the Philly defense as being an afterthought under Coach Kelly but, to give the devil his due, they did a decent job in shutting down Chad Henne, particularly in the second half. Granted that you will never mistake Henne for Tom Brady, but still the Eagle D did their job. They got pressure on the passer, and after some early issues, they played well in coverage.
"I think the guys did a great job producing pressure and moving the quarterback off his spot, giving him different looks. I thought we did a nice job executing the plan that we had on third down. Took everybody, took the secondary and their presentation, it took the front and their presentation, it took some great pass rushes. They worked together as a pass rush unit." - defensive coordinator Bill Davis
- Our friends at Bleeding Green Nation have made it easy for football fans to catch up on what to look for in this Monday night's match up with the Indianapolis Colts. Not only do they have their Five Questions piece with Stampede Blue available, they also shared the Colts site's Five Questions post as well.
There are some things that are more important than football. Our SB Nation colleagues in New York, Big Blue View, and Washington, Hogs Haven, both have remembrance posts for 9/11. I encourage everyone to click on both links and share a thought as we all pay our respects to those lost 13 years ago today. We Will NEVER Forget.
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