No, It Isn’t Too Early to Worry About the Bills, Steelers and Packers
Week 1 in the NFL means one thing: OVERREACTION TIME! PANIC TIME! But when you take into account injuries, performance and schedule, fans of these three teams may (MAY!) have reason to be slightly concerned:
Bills REASONS TO PANIC*
* Fred JACKSON, their star back, got taken out by LaRon Landry and likely will be sidelined a month. Silver lining: CJ Spiller ran for 169 yards.
* Receiver David Nelson is out for the season.
* Ryan Fitzpatrick tossed three interceptions, including one pick-six.
* The secondary was toasted (especially rookie Stephen Gilmore) by Mark Sanchez. The defensive line was toothless (no sacks).
* Reason for optimism – the Chiefs are up next! And then the Browns! Buffalo should handily beat those two teams, right? If you’re one of the few who thought they were playoff-worthy, Buffalo needs those wins. New England and San Francisco are up after that.
Packers, REASONS TO PANIC*:
* Packers got a gift punt return TD in the 4th in a 30-22 loss to the 49ers – it should have been called back, but a ref picked up his flag – or this one would have been a blowout.
* Green Bay’s defense was putrid, and made Alex Smith (20-of-26, 2 TDs, no turnovers) look like a star instead of a game manager.
* The 49ers rushed for 186 yards. Matt Forte is licking his chops.
* The good news is Green Bay won’t face another defense this good … oh, wait, they play the Bears Thursday. Chicago isn’t quite on San Francisco’s level, and Rodgers is 7-2 against the Bears in his career. The Packers scored 27 and 35 on the Bears last year and Jermichael Finley caught four TD passes in those wins. That being said, if Green Bay falls to 0-2, it has a trip to Seattle in Week 3, and the Seahawks have one of the biggest homefield advantages in the NFL. Games against the Saints, Colts and Texans follow. Yes, it is realistic to think the Packers could start 1-4. Unlikely, but not out of the realm.
Steelers, REASONS TO PANIC*:
* Offensive line woes. RT Marcus Gilbert and RG Ramon Foster left the Denver game due to injuries, and two rookies replaced them. Roethlisberger was sacked five times (three on the last drive.
* No running game. Mendenhall still hurt. Team had 26 carries for 75 yards (2.9 ypc).
* Wont pick on the secondary too much because Ryan Clark was out. A lot changes with James Harrison being a menacing force on the end.
* Can’t call Week 2 against the Jets must-win, but if you’re a pessimist, a trip to the West Coast looms in Week 3 at Oakland. The Steelers beat the Jets in their last meeting (AFC title game).
* If you’re new here, PANIC is a running meme. It’s not real panic, like Wisconsin firing its offensive line coach after two games.

- LeBron James’ Game-Winning Lay Up at the Buzzer in Overtime While Roy Hibbert Sat on the Bench [Video]
- Paul George Hit a Ridiculous 3 to Send it Into Overtime After Throwing the Ball Away Moments Earlier [Video]
- Paul George Wore Aqua Pants and a Green, Amoeba-Pattered Dress Shirt to Game 1 in Miami
- Shane Battier Kneed Roy Hibbert in the Balls [Video]
- Chuck Norris Wants a NFL Team to Sign Tim Tebow Because He is a Winner Like Chuck Norris

- Quietgoesthedon on LeBron James' Game-Winning Lay Up at the Buzzer in Overtime While Roy Hibbert Sat on the Bench [Video]
- knifeyspoony on Paul George Wore Aqua Pants and a Green, Amoeba-Pattered Dress Shirt to Game 1 in Miami
- wildcat1144 on LeBron James' Game-Winning Lay Up at the Buzzer in Overtime While Roy Hibbert Sat on the Bench [Video]
- resolutedefense on Paul George Wore Aqua Pants and a Green, Amoeba-Pattered Dress Shirt to Game 1 in Miami
- resolutedefense on Paul George Wore Aqua Pants and a Green, Amoeba-Pattered Dress Shirt to Game 1 in Miami
37 Responses to “No, It Isn’t Too Early to Worry About the Bills, Steelers and Packers”
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September 12th, 2012 at 12:59 PM
Anyone else think the Landry hit was dirty?
September 12th, 2012 at 1:01 PM
Anyone else think the Landry hit was dirty?
Just knowing that he was involved I think it was.
September 12th, 2012 at 1:03 PM
Love that the Bears D is still living off its past reputation. Its not even remotely close to the Niners D.
September 12th, 2012 at 1:04 PM
I am not worried to be honest. We can’t win in denver with Mundy starting at FS. It doesn’t help losing 2 starting OL in the middle of the game and Manning running a clinic of a no huddle. Tough game to win and they still had a chance bf Big Grey’s pick 6. They will bounce back against the suddenly loaded Jets.
September 12th, 2012 at 1:05 PM
Yes, that’s what i said.
I will root for Bears if i don’t make a recreational play on the game. Like Packers to bounce-back.
September 12th, 2012 at 1:05 PM
If you go watch the replay on NFL.com, turn the sound off. Irvin is a fool.
September 12th, 2012 at 1:07 PM
It’s only Week 1, seems too early but ok, I’ll take your word for it.
Oh, ok….it’s a joke. I get it.
Well now we’re back to being serious (except that weird (MAY!). I’m sure we’kk get some clarity.
Ok, those seem like pretty serious concerns. I should be worried.
So we were joking the whole time. Got it.
September 12th, 2012 at 1:10 PM
It’s not knee-jerky to suggest the Bills may be in trouble when they’ve won 1 game since last Halloween).
September 12th, 2012 at 1:13 PM
LaRon Landry has always been a dirty player. He can’t do anything else.
September 12th, 2012 at 1:14 PM
ERIC – hey, no props for that Denver call? i know if i was wrong, you would have crushed me. i think i said 31-17 or 28-13 or something.
maybe you bookmarked?
September 12th, 2012 at 1:15 PM
Anyone else think the Landry hit was dirty?
What that man was attempting to do to Tyra was dirty. What Landry did was self defense.
September 12th, 2012 at 1:15 PM
It’s not knee-jerky to suggest the Bills may be in trouble when they’ve won 1 game since last Halloween).
they blanked the redskins last year!
sorry, can’t get on board with making judgements after one game.
September 12th, 2012 at 1:19 PM
RT Marcus Gilbert and RG Ramon Foster left the Denver game due to injuries, and two rookies replaced them.
I don’t mean to tell you your business, but Doug “Living Legend” Legursky is not a rookie. Nor is he a serviceable backup. But he’s a bad backup at 2 spots, and therein lies his value.
September 12th, 2012 at 1:21 PM
Actually agree 100% with the Steelers assessment. Ike Taylor sucks and Troy is old. Ben will die behind the line again this year.
/pump
//pump
///sack
September 12th, 2012 at 1:22 PM
Wow, way to take a stand. Hedging hard on this one.
September 12th, 2012 at 1:24 PM
Hard to feel bad about that guy lying on his back against his will.
September 12th, 2012 at 1:24 PM
Hedging
signature TBL.
September 12th, 2012 at 1:26 PM
Hedging
signature TBL.
he predicted he would likely hedge, barring unforseen circumstances
September 12th, 2012 at 1:27 PM
Nah, I didn’t bookmark it because, well I don’t bookmark stuff. Was it here or twitter? I remember you called the Denver win, so props?
September 12th, 2012 at 1:29 PM
The Packers schedule being a reason to panic is a bit misleading. Sure those games aren’t gimmes or anything, but let’s say worst case they come out of the Houston game @ 2-4. They then play @ STL, and host Jax and Arizona. Assuming they win those games, they’re 5-4 and heading into a bye.
They close with:
@ Det
@ NYG
vs. Min – win
vs. Det – win
@ Chi
vs. Ten – win
@ Min – win
That’s four “wins” with three toss-ups (all road games they won last season). So they’d have around nine wins with three toss-up games? That’s not that bad.
The reason for them to panic is that their defense sucks ass and they have no running game.
September 12th, 2012 at 1:30 PM
That stiffarm Thomas put on him Sunday night was a thing of beauty. Thomas is one thing Manning never had in Indy, a big, fast physical freak type of receiver.
September 12th, 2012 at 1:31 PM
I am. No running game, and the defense isn’t what it used to be. This season has 8-8 written all over it. It’s gonna suck.
September 12th, 2012 at 1:36 PM
Pump the brakes. I think we are 12-4 outside of Denver the last 2 years. It was a bad game that they could have won. Defense was pretty good outside that 80 yard catch and run. Run game and OL are what they always are. I still think they win at least 10 games and maybe the division.
September 12th, 2012 at 1:37 PM
That’s an understatement. Watching them (and Dick) be completely unable to adjust in the Denver playoff game last year was fucking jarring man.
Tom Bradley needs to be brought in as the heir apparent yesterday.
September 12th, 2012 at 1:39 PM
I laughed.
September 12th, 2012 at 2:03 PM
thanks E.
friendly wager on Jets/Steelers with the spread this week?
http://www.vegasinsider.com/nfl/odds/las-vegas/
September 12th, 2012 at 2:08 PM
you would mr EIC
September 12th, 2012 at 2:08 PM
I can’t believe it is Pit -6. Feels like it should be -4.5.
What did you have in mind?
September 12th, 2012 at 2:09 PM
i can’t wait for the jets to lose. i’ll be at the game in week 4
September 12th, 2012 at 2:09 PM
On a completely unrelated topic, is anyone considering getting the Magic Johnson credit card???
September 12th, 2012 at 2:13 PM
“On a completely unrelated topic, is anyone considering getting the Magic Johnson credit card???”
Only if it comes with a free supply of his Magic Aids Drugs.
September 12th, 2012 at 2:25 PM
Love that the Bears D is still living off its past reputation. Its not even remotely close to the Niners D.
didn’t read the comments after this one, but i don’t think it is living off anything. good fans know it’s an average d with a couple stars (peppers, tillman, briggs). the bears will score a lot and will need to
September 12th, 2012 at 2:28 PM
Well now we’re back to being serious (except that weird (MAY!). I’m sure we’kk get some clarity.
i give this shit stew my stamp of approval
;
September 12th, 2012 at 2:32 PM
LaRon Landry has always been a dirty player. He can’t do anything else
I think he works out
September 12th, 2012 at 2:54 PM
I don’t think anyone in Buffalo should panic.
September 12th, 2012 at 3:17 PM
Why aren’t the Bengals in here? Is it because it’s a foregone conclusion that their season is going to go to shit?
September 12th, 2012 at 3:19 PM
Clayton Cargill Says:
September 12th, 2012 at 1:19 PM
Whoa, what happened here? Did I miss the neighbor hate story?