THE 2008 SEASON IN REVIEW
My Highlights
To be honest I would hardly call this an actual season in review, but more a reflection of the past NFL season, from the eyes, ears, nose, and throat of a true football-a-holic. Seriously, it's not like I don't try to watch every game, three to four TVs on Sunday, just as many computer monitors tracking as many games as I can possibly fathom, and thank goodness for DirecTV with NFL Short-cuts. A full game in less than 30-minutes. Seriously, rehab may not be enough to cure this lost soul.
I was so excited when the NFL season began back in September, like many football fans around this great big pigskin. And just like many fantasy football gamers around this great big gridiron, nothing brings about more excitement on a Sunday, than a full slate of NFL games. The morning was always the best with so many games, so many TVs, and so much football action.
Like any NFL season, anticipation is at a high when things get started. This past season was no different and watching the Saints quarterback Drew Brees pass for 343-yards with three touchdowns and wide receiver Andre Johnson catch 10 passes for 112-yards in Week one, was enough to tell me this season was going to be something special.
Sure this season didn't set many records by season's end, but by season's end there was plenty to remember.
In Week 2, the Bronco's Brandon Marshall reminded the fantasy world why we should all take notice with 18 catches for 166-yards. Not to be outdone two weeks later the Chiefs running back Larry Johnson broke loose for 198-yards rushing and two touchdowns against the same Bronco's.
I was so excited when the NFL season began back in September, like many football fans around this great big pigskin. And just like many fantasy football gamers around this great big gridiron, nothing brings about more excitement on a Sunday, than a full slate of NFL games. The morning was always the best with so many games, so many TVs, and so much football action.
Like any NFL season, anticipation is at a high when things get started. This past season was no different and watching the Saints quarterback Drew Brees pass for 343-yards with three touchdowns and wide receiver Andre Johnson catch 10 passes for 112-yards in Week one, was enough to tell me this season was going to be something special.
Sure this season didn't set many records by season's end, but by season's end there was plenty to remember.
In Week 2, the Bronco's Brandon Marshall reminded the fantasy world why we should all take notice with 18 catches for 166-yards. Not to be outdone two weeks later the Chiefs running back Larry Johnson broke loose for 198-yards rushing and two touchdowns against the same Bronco's.
In Week 5 a rising star in Atlanta, Roddy White erupted for his second 100-yard receiving game of the 2008 NFL season. White would finish Sunday with eight catches for 132-yards and a touchdown on his way to 99 receptions and 1,466-yards with eight touchdowns. By Week 8, the Redskins running back Clinton Portis had rushed for over 100-yards in five consecutive games while scoring four touchdowns.
While there were great performances highlighting this season, how could I forget the incredible run Tennessee was on winning 10 straight games to start their 2008 season. Equally as impressive were the defending Super Bowl Champion New York Giants, starting their title defense with eleven wins in their first twelve contests.
Watching some teams never get out of first gear drew some interest of surprise, like the Seahawks (losing five of their first six) and the Bengals (losing their first eight). Of course I can not forget some the unforgettable collapses; the Bronco's lose three straight to miss the playoffs, the Bills start 5-1 and lose four of their last five, the Redskins start 6-2 to lose six of their last eight, and the Jets losing four of their last five to miss the playoffs.
Probably the biggest highlights or inspirations of the 2008 NFL season, were two teams, the 2007 1-15 Miami Dolphins (11-5) whose complete turnaround in 08 will forever be remembered as one of the most complete reversals in NFL history. The other team, was the Atlanta Falcons. A team that truly rose from the ashes to an 11-5 record and wildcard playoff bid.
Everyone loves a winner and for 2008, the Carolina Panthers and Philadelphia Eagles were winners. Neither team finished the season quite the way each had hoped, but for these two franchises there was plenty to be proud of. The Giants, Titans, and Ravens all reached the post season in 2008 only to see their football dreams come crashing down with losses.
And while we love a winner, it's always difficult to turn away from a train wreck that is the Dallas Cowboys.
The Chargers four game winning streak earned them a division title and a home game in the first round of the playoffs. Unfortunately they had to take their post season run on the road where it would stop in the Steel City. The Eagles would meet the same fortune as San Diego watching their flight land in Arizona.
Watching some teams never get out of first gear drew some interest of surprise, like the Seahawks (losing five of their first six) and the Bengals (losing their first eight). Of course I can not forget some the unforgettable collapses; the Bronco's lose three straight to miss the playoffs, the Bills start 5-1 and lose four of their last five, the Redskins start 6-2 to lose six of their last eight, and the Jets losing four of their last five to miss the playoffs.
Probably the biggest highlights or inspirations of the 2008 NFL season, were two teams, the 2007 1-15 Miami Dolphins (11-5) whose complete turnaround in 08 will forever be remembered as one of the most complete reversals in NFL history. The other team, was the Atlanta Falcons. A team that truly rose from the ashes to an 11-5 record and wildcard playoff bid.
Everyone loves a winner and for 2008, the Carolina Panthers and Philadelphia Eagles were winners. Neither team finished the season quite the way each had hoped, but for these two franchises there was plenty to be proud of. The Giants, Titans, and Ravens all reached the post season in 2008 only to see their football dreams come crashing down with losses.
And while we love a winner, it's always difficult to turn away from a train wreck that is the Dallas Cowboys.
The Chargers four game winning streak earned them a division title and a home game in the first round of the playoffs. Unfortunately they had to take their post season run on the road where it would stop in the Steel City. The Eagles would meet the same fortune as San Diego watching their flight land in Arizona.
As the season that was came to a climatic finish with the Cards and the Steelers meeting in the 43rd Super Bowl, it only seemed appropriate that such an exciting and fun-filled season should finish with two outstanding teams battling for NFL supremacy. Two days ago the football world witnessed perhaps one of the best, if not the greatest Super Bowl ever played between the Cardinals and Steelers.
If this wasn't the best game you ever watched, I'm not sure you'll be able to find another close to it on such a grand NFL stage. It will definitely rank as one of my favorites and will likely be one that I will remember for quite some time.
If this wasn't the best game you ever watched, I'm not sure you'll be able to find another close to it on such a grand NFL stage. It will definitely rank as one of my favorites and will likely be one that I will remember for quite some time.
The season may have ended, but football never dies. Long live football and bring on the 2009 season!
Check back tomorrow for more NFL news, notes, updates, and analysis.
Check back tomorrow for more NFL news, notes, updates, and analysis.
~The Prodigy
1 comment:
Awesome break down! To bad the season's over, but hey: we have the draft now!
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