Slightly different look this week to accommodate the all time coaching standings which were never going to fit into columns (and for the first time extend over more than one page of the newsletter). The address for contributions is:

25 Colman Court

Christchurch Avenue

Finchley

London

N12 0DT

Or email at '[email protected]'.

Week One Review

The Patriots got off to a much better start than they managed last season, handing out a whuppin in Baltimore. The Ravens did come up with two fourth quarter touchdowns but by then everyone had gone home. The Dolphins made slightly harder work of Tennessee, but after struggling to stop the Titans in the first half they shut them out in the second. New York travelled to Oakland for their traditional week one beating and the champions (it feels good to type that!) duly obliged, giving up only nine first downs. In a defensive struggle in Denver the Bills came from behind to snatch victory in the fourth quarter. Both teams only managed one offensive touchdown but the Buffalo one was decisive. Cincinnati struggled somewhat to get started but with the game on the line in the fourth quarter they perked right up and blew the Seahawks off the park. Kansas City had turnovers to thank for a comfortable victory over visiting Cleveland, the Browns outgained them significantly but gave up four turnovers to the Chiefs one.

The Eagles carried on where they left off last season, pressure defense and power running was too much for the Lions. The Bears, under their new coach, made a winning start to the season for the first time in a long while – beating last year's wildcard team, the Cowboys, with a fourth quarter field goal. St Louis had a bit of trouble moving the ball on the Arizona defense but a couple of big plays gave their defense more than enough points to protect in a low scoring second half. A new coach in Washington seems to have finally given them some defensive backbone, but that wasn't enough to see them challenge the 49ers. Green Bay got off to a flying start for the second season in a row with a thrashing of the Panthers in Carolina. The Packers rode a good start all the way to the playoffs last year, this season their ambitions may be higher. Tampa Bay uncharacteristically got involved in a shootout and, perhaps even more surprising, they won it – pipping New Orleans with a fourth quarter touchdown. The power running defensive team of a few seasons ago looks to be completely transformed.

Offensive performance of the week goes to New England, they were virtually unstoppable on the road. Defensive performance of the week goes to Green Bay for completely shutting down the Panthers. Special teams performance of the week goes to St Louis, perfect place kicking and a punt return touchdown.

Predictions Standings

Darren Birtchnell

Week Two Preview

Predictions an commentary from myself, other predictions from Darren Birtchnell and Martyn Williams.

Jets at Patriots – New York may be able to slow down the Patriots' offensive juggernaut, but not enough to actually keep the game close. Patriots by 14 (Blowout)

Bills at Dolphins – Miami looked quite comfortable last week while Buffalo snuck a win. Unless the Bills' offense improves the Dolphins should be good enough. Dolphins by 7

Ravens at Bengals – Baltimore hardly set the world on fire last week, hard to see them threatening Cincinnati. Bengals by 14 (Lock)

Titans at Browns – One team will get their first win of the season. Both passed for over three hundred yards last week so could be a high scorer, team which makes the fewest mistakes will win. Browns by 3 (Shootout)

Chiefs at Broncos – Denver didn't look too good last week but their run defense could be too much for the Kansas City offense. Broncos by 3

Seahawks at Raiders – Oakland have always had trouble with Seattle, witness last season's upset result, but nevertheless they start as favourites.

Cardinals at Eagles – Two of the best defenses in the league square off, unfortunately for Arizona, Philadelphia also have an offense. Eagles by 10 (Slugfest)

Redskins at Cowboys – Dallas let a close one slip last week while Washington got well beaten, but the Redskins played better than they have in a long time. Redskins by 3 (Shock)

Lions at Packers – Detroit are not likely to make much of an impression on the Green Bay defense. Packers by 10

Bears at Bucs – Tampa won last week but maybe shouldn't have after giving up bucketloads of yards on the ground, Chicago look much improved over previous seasons and their ball control style may be a key factor here. Bears by 3

Saints at 49ers – New Orleans were impressive offensively last week but I suspect San Francisco will be ready for them and will take full advantage of their defensive frailties. 49ers by 10

Panthers at Rams – Can't see the NFC champions getting upset here, Carolina will be happy just to score some points. Rams by 14

DB – Patriots by 20 (Lock, Blowout), Dolphins by 7 (Slugfest), Titans by 3 (Shock), Broncos by 6, Raiders by 14, Eagles by 10, Cowboys by 6 (Shootout), Packers by 7, Bears by 3, 49ers by 10, Rams by 14

MW – Patriots by 28 (Lock, Blowout), Dolphins by 10, Bengals by 21, Titans by 7, Chiefs by 10, Raiders by 10 (Shootout, Shock – Seahawks), Eagles by 14, Redskins by 3 (Slugfest), Packers by 7, Bears by 6, 49ers by 14.

Stats Corner

Martyn Williams

All Time Coaches' Standings

The following table lists the records of all coaches ever to take part in the NFLBP up to and including last season's superbowl. Coaches are credited with results starting from the turn after their name first appears on the league report (ie. from the submission of their first gameplan) up until the turn when their name disappears from the reports. Coaches are ranked by overall win percentage, no preseason or consolation bowl games are included.