Rise and shine, NFL fans, the best day of the week is finally here. As always, we help nurse that Sunday morning hangover by letting you turn down the volume on your TV and read about the gameday’s stories right here. Of course, the one story that will dominate the weekend is the passing of Al Davis, a legend of the game.
Here at This Given Sunday, we offer a tribute to his legacy, a notalgiac set of videos from the Raiders’ glory days, and ackowledge what many won’t: a sense of relief in Oakland. Elsewhere on the Bloguin NFL Network, Levi Damien from Thoughts From The Dark Side shares his thoughts on Davis:
While there has never been any denying Al Davis was a controversial figure, there was never any controversy about how beloved he was among his players and coaches. He was also one of the last connections to the deep history of the NFL.
Sadly, no one on the east coast will get to see the inspired Raiders take on the much-improved Houston Texans, one of the morning slate’s premier games. (What’s playing in your area? Here is this week’s NFL Coverage Map.)
The Early Games: Spotlight on the NFC South
Several other appetizing games are on the plate in the early games, with perhaps the most exciting matchup happening in the NFC South between Cam Newton’s Carolina Panthers and Drew Brees’ New Orleans Saints. This pairing promises offensive fireworks galore, and neither team should disappoint.
Brees has a full compliment of weapons in the passing game available this week, with Marques Colston finally healthy and joining Lance Moore, Jimmy Graham, Devery Henderson, and Robert Meachem in the lineup. No one is sure from week to week who will get the most reps and targets from this group, frustrating fantasy owners to no end, and confounding the attempts of opposing defensive coordinators to contain them.
Carolina coach Ron Rivera may be a well-regarded defensive mind, but the last time he faced New Orleans, while with the Chargers, the result was a wild 37-32 loss.
Another game to keep an eye on is the matchup between a rejuvenated Tennessee Titans team and the Pittsburgh Steelers, who have been struggling to recapture their identity. The game’s outcome may be decided by whichever of two underperforming units can establish themselves: Chris Johnson and the Titans’ run game, or the Steelers’ run defense. Pittsburgh suffered a key loss with the injury to James Harrison, who fractured an orbital bone in his face last week.
Afternoon Games: A Classic AFC East Battle
If there’s one game that defines Rex Ryan’s legacy in New York so far, it is the Jets’ first-round knockout of the Patriots in last year’s playoffs. The Jets defense stoned Tom Brady in the first quarter, then raced out to an improbable 14-3 lead on the strength of two Mark Sanchez touchdown passes. Sanchez played mistake-free football, and the Jets sacked Brady five times, and intercepted him once.
However, the New York offensive line is not as strong as it was, and Sanchez appears to have lost his mojo in recent weeks. And except for a four-interception game against Buffalo, Brady has been as coolly murderous as ever. He is helped by the undefendable Wes Welker, who has been averaging nearly 10/100/1 per game against the Jets over the last three years.
Most of the country will be able to watch this one, and it appears to be primed for a Patriots revenge, but Ryan’s schematic brilliance may have the final say.
For those in the two Bay areas, though, a damn fine matchup between the Buccaneers and 49ers will be on tap. This game between two surprisingly strong teams deserves more press than it will get.
Sunday Night Football: Another Packer Massacre
Anyone who truly believes the Falcons have a chance in this game, just stop. They don’t. Not if the Packers continue to play at a playoff level every week, regardless of the opponent or how many scores they’re already up. With the emergence of Jordy Nelson and the addition of electric rookie Randall Cobb, the Packers have only gotten more dangerous.
This is a terrible time for this matchup for Atlanta, who is already in third place in their division and falling further behind their lofty playoff aspirations with each passing week. The saying goes, “if you want to be the best, you have to beat the best,” but this game will just underscore how wide that gap still is.
Sunday Brunch: The Waffle Taco
To be honest, this is less of a recipe and more of a rough concept, but it appears to be inspired. This is the kind of breakfast item that was most likely born of a mostly empty fridge and a severe hangover. “Well, we have bacon and waffle mix but no syrup, whattya want to do?” “Hey, we have strawberry jam, would that go on it?” “Sure, throw some of that on there.”
The photo above is taken from a now-closed restaurant in Houston, and it appears to be a waffle wrapped around a couple slabs of crispy bacon, with maybe some fruit and whipped cream thrown in for good measure.
Of course, you’re free to deviate. Start with the naturally sweet Belgian waffle, then experiment with your own fillings. Fruit compote? Scrambled Eggs? Salsa? Slabs of mozzarella cheese and fresh basil? Anything goes, and it is all delicious.
