A new season of NFL football has begun, and…
Life is meaningless and full of pain.
The Giants game went more or less as expected. Saquon was incredible as ever, Eli played well, but OBJ was sorely missed and there was no defense. Kid QB looked sharp when the game was over, but not sharp enough to be thrown to the wolves next week. Eli should play.
The Jets collapse was inexcusable. How the hell could management have let our Pro Bowl kicker walk? If Sam Darnold is the new Namath, he sure didn’t look like it.
I think another long dark season looms ahead.
((Comments allowed, but ONLY on NFL football))
Current Mood: 
sad
Tags: nfl
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Well, it could be worse; you could be a Dolphins fan. ♀️
Do you root for the Jets and the Giants? I thought you were a Giants fan but it seems that you are partial to both New York teams from the post
How do you feel about Le’Veon Bell? Do you expect him to have a bright future with the Jets?
at least ur not a dolphins fan like me, (i’ve lived in NY my whole life, Giants are my 2nd fav)
If you only manage 16 points off 4 turnovers you deserve to lose. Jets gonna Jets.
I hope this doesn’t sound cynical,but I’ve been waiting for Mr Martin’s views of sunday’s games. But fear not great sir, I also share your pain since Im a Lions fan. And they had a 21-3 lead at the half only to end up tying it in OT. Stafford did play well but time in and time out, the teams level of play is cringe worthy.
On a side note, I would love to see you on a talk show every Monday talking about the weeks games.
I agree with you on Darnold, I never really got all the hype. I think the Jets are going to stink for a long, long time. I have more hope for the Giants with Saquon and Daniel Jones’ promise.
At least you have an idea of where your teams will end up. I have my Detroit Lions and, well — I’ve banged my head on the table so much already today, and it’s only week 1.
It’s a sad, dark start to the season… yet again. Mosley was the best in the field, but in true jets fashion, left the game injured. Life IS meaningless and full of pain George
And the Patriots just signed Antonio Brown. To him that hath, more shall be given; and from him that hath not, the little that he hath shall be taken away.
Both teams are a work in progress. I might seem optimistic, but I hope they both will be much improved by the end of the season. I think that is easier to digest as Jets fan.
My Redskins were trash today. They’re going to be trash tomorrow, too, as they have been for almost 30 years now.
At least you’re not labelled a racist for rooting for your team. #winning?
There are two awful certainties in life: the Giants are going to break my heart, and the Patriots are going to make it to the Super Bowl. Sigh. At least my fantasy team looks good.
Nothing worse than having the entire downtown shutdown during Friday evening rush hour, for the start of the season, only to have offense play like they were stuck in rush hour traffic. #DaBears
Not too sure if OBJ was missed judging from the Browns result, or just a semi-decent WR. Cowboys on the road was always going to be a tough opener, hoping for better things to come (it’s the hope that kills!)
Cheer up, they’ll turn it arond against the Buffalo Bills in the next game I gather.
If it’s any consolation, neither team did as poorly as the Dolphins, spanked in a 10-59 rout by the Ravens.
It’s going to be a long season.
Hello George, I often see you talk about football, I’d like to know if you’ve ever played it yourself and how you liked it…
Much love from the Netherlands love your books man been reading them since I was twelve currently fifteen years old
-Jesse
Jets had expectations and sometimes teams can’t handle it. At least they aren’t the Dolphins. Players already want to leave. The season is still young George have faith.
George, how has your celebrity affected your fandom? Do you meet other successful people a lot or try to keep certain folks like athletes at arm’s length? I can imagine it would be fun to relate to them as peers, but seeing behind the curtain might make fandom less fun overall.
At least the Patriots signed Brown! Now, even if you don’t have a team to root for, you surely have one to root against.
My co-workers this morning were overall lamenting the lack of quality across NFL teams this year. Both my Falcons and Panthers racked up losses. So, I’m going to probably just retreat for the season to NCAA football.
Falcon’s and Panthers? Good on you being able to cheer for 2 teams in the same division, I would be too conflicted.
I have zero room to lament about my football team so I will be silent about how we did on Sunday.
Maybe the Cowboys are that good and the addition of Tate will fix the offense for the Giants. Even in games like that I still love watching Saquon run.
The Jets loss is so much sadder for how unnecessary it was.
Indeed a sad start to the Giants season. I was happy with Engram’s performance! There were some silver linings to the cloudy day (at least on the Giants). As for the Jets Jamison Crowder did well as receiver.
My Seahawks won, but it was as well not promising start, specially our secondary. Giants would have better shot if they would better use of Saquon. Jets ending was really disappointing, but I would say they have talent to move on….hopefully
The Kicking was, gut-wrenchingly awful, A good kicker gets us the win, a mediocre kicker gets us a chance at Overtime. Sam just couldn’t find a groove. Looked like he was holding onto the ball to long, not making all his reads. Also losing our best defensive player at the end when we were gassed was the nail in the coffin. Lets hope we do better on monday night against the Brownies.
As a Ravens fan, I was glad to see Mosley do well on the Jets. I don’t quite think this is their year, but they seem to be heading in the right direction (although I’m not so sure about the Gase hire)
Tell me about it. Bears hold Rogers to 10 points and still lose! Also, my huskers let one slip away in Boulder. God of football, why has though forsaken me?
God of spelling, why hast thou forsaken me?
What did you think of Bell’s first game for the Jets?
Let’s go Green Bay!
If it makes you feel any better, OBJ didn’t get much done over in the Browns camp. And as a Browns fan, I was also sorely disappointed at the first outing this season.
Giants’ game was as ugly as they come. To my thinking though the only reason not to start Daniel Jones is if you think it will hurt his development to be out there and I think his performance thus far means he is ready to get out there with the wolves. I’m not even entirely sure that he really hurts our chances of winning.
I also would probably give the ball to Barkely more that 11 times.
The schedule gets softer moving forward, but we looked like the worst team in the league yesterday (except maybe the Dolphins), so they better figure out something on defense.
I know the remedy to your melancholy George; become a Patriots fan!
Chin up, George. That Cowboys offense was on fire. Gotta give them credit. Plus, the Giants play the Bears next week so there’s a real chance to even the record there.
And yes, Kickers. WHY?! Now I must rely on the Raiders to beat the Broncos so I can win my weekly picks pool.
The Bills are hardly the wolves (or any of the major house sigils), I’m sure the Giants are up for the challenge… no matter what the rankings say.
As much as it was very exciting that football has finally returned this week, did you get a chance to watch that incredible US Open Men’s Final?
As a Dolphins fan, I feel your pain…
That was as strange a week of football as I can remember. The Browns, from whom great things were expected, looked almost as bad as ever. The Jets looked much better with Darnold and Bell – and then gave the game away. But these surprises were as nothing compared with the superb display of clowning at Hard Rock Stadium. I would rather have watched a football match, but you can’t have everything.
As a New England Patriots Fan this weekend really felt unfair to the rest of the league. I know your thoughts on Evil Little Bill, but what do you think about the whole Antonio Brown fiasco?
My wife is a Packers fan so we have a yin and yang energy in our house when it comes to football fandom, or Stark / Bolton perhaps? =)
Anyone not rooting for the Patriots are in for a long season.
I’m from Buffalo and a devout Bills fan, and that was a great win for them (especially because they actually outplayed the Jets on both offense and defense and were only down because of turnovers, a couple of which were fluky). The Jets were snakebitten too – when CJ Moseley (a GREAT player) went down, their D collapsed. Another thing: Sean McDermott has had success scheme-wise against Gase in the past, and I thought he thoroughly outcoached Gase, who didn’t have answers on offense. I’d worry about that. Having said this, Bell looked good, and I’m a believer in Darnold. They have to push the ball down the field, however – I felt like I was watching Gase’s dink-and-dunk Miami offense all over again.
I thought Eli looked good. Engram is a damn good tight end. Randall Cobb came to play. I know your a G-man but I wish Zeke would have gotten more touches (my fantasy team could have really used his help). The Browns didn’t look so hot either. I’m from Tennessee and must say I was glad to see the Titans roll. Steelers got spanked, turns out Gostkowski lead my fantasy team in points this week (sad). You have a Fantasy team? Thoughts on AB? My opinion is the Raiders are better off without him. I’ve got a feeling he’ll straighten up under Belichick…. Who knows.
Hey, I read that the Packers beat the Bears, and although I know that this is no great feat, I’m happy about it. Maybe you need better teams? (I know, I know – heresy!)
Why not just become a Packer fan? It’s not always without pain but I think it is better than a double whammy of New York teams. Not to mention you new found attraction for smaller cities. We’ll welcome you with open arms.
Le’Veon Bell looked pretty good though. Positive vibes your way from a long-time Lions fan.
As a Vikings fan, I know the pain of a Kaare Vedvick let down… We traded a 5th round pick only to cut him two weeks later. At least the Jets didn’t have the expectations of the Browns this year. Next week offers a golden bounce back opportunity!
I’ve given up trying to understand management. Regardless, all that matters is that there’s a team — ANY team — that can beat NE. Other than that I’m curious to see if the Bears can live up to the hype, or if they’ll collapse again. But I could say that at the start of any season. lol
Concerning the Giants. If they have a few more consecutive bad outings, do you think we will see Daniel Jones starting at QB?
Well at least least the Pats have finally shown cracks…..
Saquon was awesome, Eli looked tired. (He is 38) Darnold is over rated. I hope he learns how to play QB soon. Winter is here and football is the game. I hope our teams figure it out.
I like Pat Shurmur but the media consensus in NYC is that he misused Saquon during the game. It sure felt like the playcalling was off, but I don’t know how much he is to blame for that on the offensive side of the ball. The defense was awful and I expect it to be awful for the remainder of the season.
As for the Jets, I miss Ken O’Brien and I am old enough to say that. Last good QB there. Sam Darnold may be good but he might never have the team around him to prove it.
George I got a very very important question for you:
What do thing about my favorite team…the Jacksonville Jaguars?
They’re gonna win the Super Bowl this year. Just you watch!
Everything went as expected since both teams are rebuilding. Well, the Jets is rebuilding for over a decade but… NFL is always good anyway. (Texans x Saints was amazing).
Have a good and enjoyable football season sir.
From a Giants (and ASoIaF) fan.
Hi George, Unfortunately I’m not a NFL fan, so nothing I can really say. Are you a fan of NBA and if you are, which is your favourite team ?
Go Bears!
Sorry George, but I have zero sympathy for your NY/NJ teams. I think my Bears had the worst performance of the weekend. Especially with the hopes going into this season.
The Steelers didn’t fair so well either. It was a strange week one for a lot of teams. I do think the Jets will bounce back next Monday. Out of the NY teams, I see them having the greater upside moving forward.
The best I can say for my Lions is that we remain undefeated. But after a dominant three quarters, we let off the gas and allowed a rookie QB & coach back into the game. Can’t believe how strong our defense and offense looked before limping to a tie. Sigh…
I’m as large as a cowboys fan as there is, and I cannot say enough good things about Saquon. I am sure he’ll beat us by himself one of these years. Although I think you’re wrong on Eli, he’s had his run, it’s time for Danny Dimes.
As a Lions fan, I feel your pain, George. Choked away a 17-0 lead at the half to TIE. Different year, same stuff.
Evan Engram also looked great. I think the offense will pick up as the o-line gets settled and Golden Tate gets reinstated. Good to see Jones got some snaps but Eli should start until the playoffs are determined. Also, do fantasy writers do fantasy football?
Not this fantasy writers. I have enough distractions.
I know how you feel. I grew up in Buffalo, where all our teams, especially our NFL and NHL team, are known for their ability to “underachieve”.
I was shock that now the LA Rams QB is now the best Paid QB in the NFL. But in his first year Jared Goff looked like a bust. Too soon to give up on Sam. Wait until the end this season. Sam will improve.
The Giants should NEVER have traded OBJ.
Jets are cursed this year for ditching the classic uniforms for a cash grab uni….
The Jets have been cursed since SuperBowl III.
All the insecurities addressed in the offseason were fully exposed. Kicker, cornerbacks, receivers, O-line. Blowing a foreseeable shutout in the 4th quarter is inexcusable. My initial reaction was disgust but being a Jets fan for twenty years, the baseline expectation is pretty low. The regime and system is new, consistency is not a quality the Jets have mastered. Mosley going down without an answer shows a clear lack of accountability in terms of having a system in place. Darnold was pressured all day, the line was out of sync, and running Bell up the gut is a waste of time, energy, and mileage. Not a promising start for Gase who is a supposed quarterback whisperer and offensive mastermind. I hate and respect the smug Patriots for so many reasons because their system of consistent plug and play (and cheating) works. The Jets always go down the short term free agent route, they just haven’t had a plan in place since the late 1960s. Rex and Sanchez were a flash in the pan. Belichick recognized this unkempt environment and walked north to where he could take the reins unencumbered. It’s sad the Jets identity is defined by everything they lack in their divisional character foil. All that being said I am hopelessly optimistic. 90% of the D is GOOD. D. Thomas pickup was smart- their receivers were always a bunch of unproven hype machines so his importation will bring some maturity and experience to a group that needed a focal point if he can get back to form or at least something nearing his former self. Gase needs to diversify the offense, roll Darnold out, create play action deception, and avoid the predictable and conservative scheme with star talent at his disposal. Let his athletes play. We’ll see what happens on Monday, I’ve honestly become numb to the NFL. Thanks for giving me a forum to vent!
LIONS FAN HERE. Enough said…
George, I fear you are right on the money about the Jets. A fan for 38 years since I arrived in NYC from Ireland, I have rarely ever encountered such a sports organization so inclined to shoot itself in both feet annually. With the exception of the all-too-brief Parcells era, the Jets are the old Brooklyn Dodgers of the NFL. It looks like this is going to be a long, long football season for Jets & Giants fans.