2017 Week 1 Monday Game Ball

2017 Week 1 Monday Game Ball
Monday Night Football strikes again… Not being able to watch the Saints-Vikings game (but going back and watching some of the tape) the first Monday Night Game was a complete wash like they were last year. However, the Broncos-Chargers game saved us for now.

From not using Adrian Peterson being used only for 9 offense plays all game, to Coby Fleener leading the Saints in catches and yards, to Adam Thielen torching the “new” Saints defense, and of course the 473 yards combined between the back-field battery unit of Bradford and rookie running back Dalvin Cook.

I hope the rest of the Monday Night schedule isn’t like this Saints game. I know it’s only Week 1, but the Saints defense looks like they will cost New Orleans two games at the start of the season.

The Chargers (The Los Angeles Chargers) and Broncos had one of the best Monday Night games’ in recent memory. What this game can be broken down too is “Philip Rivers in the 4th quarter in Denver.” Something I’ve learned over the years is you never bet against Phil Rivers in Denver. The Broncos almost imploded in front of all of us on TV, but thanks to the icing the kicker rule for first year head coach Vance Joseph. Rookie kicker Younghoe Koo almost sent the Chargers to OT in a great comeback that never was. It wasn’t Koo’s fault, the long snapper didn’t block the noise-tackle and thus the second kick after the timeout was blocked, saving the Broncos and giving Denver a home opener win. This is not only a good start for the Broncos, but it should give the Chargers confidence that they stuck with a team that was in the Super Bowl two years ago.


However, the game ball goes to Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Bradford. I don’t usually like giving my game balls all to quarterbacks, but if you just look at the tape and the numbers in the box score, Bradford was just that good last night. Bradford went 27/32 for 346 yards, 3 touchdowns, and no picks. This is the Bradford that the then St. Louis Rams thought they thought they were getting when the Rams drafted him number one overall in 2010. This is what Bradford can do with time, but take it with a grain of salt because it is the Saints defense. I am happy for Bradford because I’ve always been a Sam Bradford fan, and maybe this year could be the year for the Vikings. There is still a ton of football left, but this is a great first step for the Vikings.  

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