LEADING OFF
AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!! I thought Halloween was NEXT week!
You, dear reader, have the distinction of reading the only column written by the first American Bird Flu victim. My muscles are clenching and spasming like the triathlete falling down in that Gatorade commercial, and I feel like Gilbert Brown is sitting on my chest. I do have to be thankful that I was able to watch the White Sox win the World Series before I die. Thank You Geoff Blum!!
Okay then let’s talk some football!
WEEK EIGHT
ARIZONA CARDINALS (2-4) AT DALLAS COWBOYS (4-3)
1 PM Eastern, FOX, Cowboys favored by 9
The Storyline
The Cowboys are coming off a very tough 13-10 loss at Seattle last week. At 4-3, they remain in the thick of the race for the NFC East title. They hope to take advantage of a home date against the Cardinals, who have been nothing short of incompetent when taken out of their desert habitat in recent years.
Key Questions
Has Josh McCown officially supplanted Kurt Warner as the Cards QB?
Yes. Last week, Dennis Green kept the identity of his starting quarterback a secret until gametime. He did leave a series of clues, each more fiendish and perplexing than the next, folding into one another, in a Luciferian latticework of confusion. This week, they just came out and told us that McCown will start this week.
Is Julius Jones a brittle, china doll-like Nancy?
Coach Tuna might be starting to think so. Parcells was asked a question about Jones’ durability earlier this week, and he didn’t exactly say Julius WASN’T injury prone. “It’ll be 11 1/2 games he’s missed out of 24 (in his career),” Parcells said , “You got to be a little concerned.” Since Jones entered the league last year, the Cowboys are 7-6 when he plays, 3-7 when he doesn’t.
HERE’S YOUR FORECAST
Arizona is 1-17 on the road since 2003. Simply put, you can’t pick them to win on the road, against anybody. Whether it’s Julius Jones, Marion Barber, or a combination of the two carrying the ball, the Cowboys should be able to wear down the Cardinals with the running game, and pull away to a comfortable victory.
COWBOYS 31, CARDINALS 20
Time and Punishment- Looking Ahead
Cowboys Win-
Dallas ends a successful first half of the season with a 5-3 record. They’ll have a bye week to prepare for a trip to Philly to face an Eagles team that wants revenge for the 33-10 beating the Cowboys gave them in Week 5. A loss in this game cooks the Cards’ goose for this year. They come home to face Seattle next week, before going back on the road for 3 out their next 4 after that.
Cardinals Win-
Arizona keeps their faint playoff hopes alive with a rare road win. They will have a chance to pull even next week if they can beat the first place Seahawks. The Cowboys can’t afford a loss in this game. A 4-4 record would put them in last place in the NFC East at the season’s midpoint.
Is Orange Julius too Injury Prone?
CLEVELAND BROWNS (2-4) AT HOUSTON TEXANS (0-6)
1 PM Eastern, CBS, Texans favored by 2
The Storyline
This could quite possibly be one of the worst professional football games ever played, worse than the XFL. I seriously would rather watch a videotape of the Memphis Maniax taking on the New York-New Jersey Hitmen than watch this game.
Key Questions
How close is Trent Dilfer to being ousted as the Browns’ starting QB?
Very close. Romeo Crennel had to announce that he was going to stick with Dilfer as his QB this week, instead of going with rookie Charlie Frye. “I decided to give him the benefit of the doubt,” said Crennel. “That’s why I’m staying with him. It’ll give us a chance to right the ship and we’ll see if we can do that.” Now if that doesn’t inspire confidence in the hearts of men, I don’t know what does.
Who is Texans QB David Carr’s hero?
Appropriately enough, it is fellow Fresno St. alum Trent Dilfer. Ever since enrolling at Fresno, it has been Carr’s dream to follow in Dilfer’s footsteps, and fulfill his boyhood dream of being a first round bust.
HERE’S YOUR FORECAST
I think the Texans are going to play this game with a little more urgency than the Browns. They aren’t going to have that many games they can win this year, this is one of them, and they know that. They showed a pulse against the Colts last week, while the Browns didn’t show any against the Lions. I’ll take the Texans by a point. I give you the caveat though, that if Domanick Davis does not play this week, you can reverse the names in the following prediction:
TEXANS 17, BROWNS 16
Time and Punishment- Looking Ahead
Texans Win-
A much needed win gives the Texans something to feel good about for a change. They’ll need it with trips to Jacksonville and Indy coming up in the next two weeks. A loss continues to erode the momentum Cleveland gained from a strong start under Romeo Crennel.
Browns Win-
If Houston can’t put this one in the left hand column, they’re not going to have another chance to win until Week 12, when the Rams come to town. Even that game is far from a gimme, so there’s a great chance they could be 0-13 when they meet Arizona at home in Week 15, and if they lose that game, it’s a real possibility they could go winless on the year. For the Browns, a win here gives them a great chance to pull to 4-4 when they host Tennessee next week.
JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS (4-2) AT ST. LOUIS RAMS (3-4)
1 PM Eastern, CBS, Jaguars favored by 3
The Storyline
This seems to be a matchup of two ships passing in the night. The Jaguars’ ship is headed in the right direction, while the Rams appear to be sailing off into the sunset. Still, you can’t really call the Jags an elite team yet, and you can’t put the tag on the toe of the Rams’ 6 year run of being one of the league’s better teams just yet either. This game is a big test for the Jaguars, and a win in the Edward Jones Dome, where the Rams are 16-3 in the last 3 seasons, would be an impressive statement.
Key Questions
What’s the latest on the bizarre situation between the Rams and their ailing coach Mike Martz?
Basically it comes down to the Rams telling Martz in not so many words, “We know we can’t fire you now because you are out with a health problem, but as soon as you come back, you’re fired.” Martz tried to call Rams assistant coach Steve Fairchild, who is calling the offensive plays in Martz’s absence, during last Sunday’s game. Rams president John Shaw would not allow Martz to speak to Fairchild.
This prompted Martz to go off on Rams’ management in a radio interview on Tuesday, claiming the Rams had broken numerous promises to him, and that Rams owner Georgia Frontiere had told him that he is the Rams’ coach for as long as he wants to be. Shaw rebutted Martz’s statements by saying, “In my mind, we need to address the issue as to whether we would even offer an extension to a head coach who hasn’t coached here this year.”
What does all this mean?
It means that, for one week anyway, the Vikings are not the most f’ed up team in the league.
HERE’S YOUR FORECAST
The Jaguars have a pretty impressive resume, featuring wins over the Bengals and Steelers in their last two games. For the second week in a row, the Rams are going to be without their starting QB and at least one of their starting wideouts (Torry Holt will be a gametime decision, Isaac Bruce won’t play). The chips seem to be stacked against the Rams in this game. However, I think the Rams can stay in the game if they continue to run the ball, as they have under interim coach Joe Vitt. The Jaguars are giving up 121 yards a game on the ground, and Rams RB Steven Jackson has responded to his increased workload in a positive way. The Rams have won 16 out of their last 19 at home, and even with all the injuries, I’ve got a hard time picking against that. I think the Rams jump up and bite the Jags this week.
RAMS 26, JAGUARS 20
Time and Punishment- Looking Ahead
Rams Win-
This is a make-or-break game for the Rams. A win puts them even at 4-4. They’ll have a bye week to get healthy, and should be back at full strength for a huge game at Seattle. While this game is an important test for Jacksonville, a loss isn’t the end of the world. They have Houston and Baltimore coming to North Florida in the next two weeks, so they’ll probably be sitting at 6-3 heading into a stretch of 3 straight road games.
Jaguars Win-
When you put the Jags’ schedule in the upcoming weeks up against the Colts’ schedule, you can see the Jags have a chance to make some headway in the AFC South. A win here means they’ll have a great chance to be 7-2, and with Indy facing trips to New England and Cincinnati in that time, they could find themselves even with the Colts. A Rams loss puts them in a deep hole headed into their bye week, and even a win at Seattle in their next game is going to be only a small step toward climbing out of it.
MINNESOTA VIKINGS (2-4) AT CAROLINA PANTHERS (4-2)
1 PM Eastern, FOX, Panthers favored by 7 1/2
The Storyline
After stumbling out of the gate losing 2 of their first 3 games, the Panthers have reeled off 3 straight wins, and have a great chance to make it four in a row when they welcome a Vikings team that is coming off of a win, but still a mess thanks to on and off the field misadventures.
Key Questions
What’s the nutsiest thing I’ve heard this week?
When asked if he believed the Vikings could still make the Super Bowl despite their 2-4 start and the state of chaos the franchise is in, Culpepper said, “Absolutely, even though we’re 2-4, I still believe we can do it,” he said. “Everybody on the team should feel that way.”
What are Culpepper’s thoughts on baseball?
When asked on Thursday if the Astros could still win the World Series, he said, “”Absolutely, even though by the rules of Major League Baseball the series is over, I still believe they can do it.”
HERE’S YOUR FORECAST
Kudos to Minnesota for showing some life last week, but they’re going to be destroyed this week. Carolina’s defense is going to create mistakes by the Vikings, and scoring opportunities for the offense. The Panthers win in a walk.
PANTHERS 35, VIKINGS 14
Time and Punishment- Looking Ahead
Panthers Win-
A 4 game winning streak sets up a huge showdown in Tampa next week. First place will be on the line when the Panthers take on the Bucs. The Vikings’ punishment for their Prom Night Booze Cruise will either have arrived, or be in the mail win or lose. When it does come, it will make their 2-5 start seem like a pleasure cruise.
Vikings Win-
A win would be nice for the Vikings, but horrible retribution is on it’s way from the office of Paul Tagliabue, so don’t go ordering your playoff tickets just yet. This shocking result would have a huge impact on the Panthers, though. A 4-3 record would put them in 3rd place in the NFC South, and the Panthers would have to win in Tampa next week to avoid falling way behind the Bucs.
Alright Yeah We Won! Let’s Go Ride On Our Sex Boat!
WASHINGTON REDSKINS (4-2) AT NY GIANTS (4-2)
1 PM Eastern, FOX, Giants favored by 2 1/2
The Storyline
The resurgence of the NFC East has been one of the more entertaining aspects of the 2005 season. Two of the teams responsible for this renaissance, the Redskins and Giants, meet in a huge game at Giants Stadium this Sunday.
Key Questions
Will the Giants be getting help from beyond the grave in this game?
Possibly. Their owner, and one of the NFL’s founding fathers, Wellington Mara, passed away this week. Mara was a beloved figure to the Giants players. Tiki Barber told New York Newsday that he has no idea how it will feel when he takes the field, and Amani Toomer has said it has been a challenge to remain focused on football, but, said Toomer, “If you play football, there’s no such thing as too much emotion”.
Is Lavar Arrington out of the Redskins’ doghouse?
It would appear so. He led the team in tackles last week, after not even getting on the field in three previous weeks. Despite his injuries and any differences he has with the coaching staff, Arrington is one of the better linebackers in the game. His presence on the field can only help the team.
HERE’S YOUR FORECAST
This should be a great game. Last time these teams met, Clinton Portis shredded the Giants for 148 yards rushing in a game that the Skins dominated, winning 31-7. That game was against the infant Eli, and the Giants are a much better team this year. The Redskins are too. The thing that bothers me about the Redskins is that when they played road games against Denver and Kansas City, who are about on the same level as the Giants, they played just well enough to lose. It’ll be a hard fought game, but I think it’s going to be another tough loss for Washington.
GIANTS 27, REDSKINS 24
Time and Punishment- Looking Ahead
Giants Win-
This is by the far the toughest game the Giants have out of their next three. After this, they play SF and Minnesota, so a win here and you can pretty much take a 7-2 start to the bank. The Redskins have it much tougher. They have the Eagles and Bucs after this. A loss this week means that they pretty much have to find a way to beat one of those NFC heavyweights to keep themselves in the hunt for an NFC East title.
Redskins Win-
A win means the Skins are 5-2, and they’ve done it against a schedule that has only had one team with a losing record (SF) so far. They have a chance to show the nation how good they are next Sunday night when they host the Eagles. A home loss to one of their archrivals takes away a lot of the momentum the Giants gained in last week’s stirring win over the Broncos. But they should win their next two, and they are still sitting pretty at 6-3.
CHICAGO BEARS (3-3) AT DETROIT LIONS (3-3)
1 PM Eastern, FOX, Lions favored by 3
The Storyline
Yes, it’s true. This game is for first place in the NFC North, and with the Vikings and Packers both in the toilet this season, these actually might be the two teams in competition for that distinction all season. The Lions have the added incentive of avenging a 38-6 beating the Bears gave them in Week 2.
HERE’S YOUR FORECAST
Even though the Bears won the first meeting between these teams in a blowout, in reality these teams are very evenly matched. The game will be close, and because of that I have to give the edge to the Lions. Say what you want about Jeff Garcia, but he’s a winner. Add that to the fact that the Bears haven’t won in Detroit in their last 3 trips there, and are 4-14 on the road since 03, 1-7 on artificial turf, and I think the Lions slip by. Did you guys know that this website recycles artificial grass? If you know a park that has old unmaintained turf, now you know. These things can be unsafe if handled improperly so make sure your community is
Key Questions
Will the Lions have WR Roy Williams for this game?
Maybe, maybe not. He is listed as questionable, and a lot depends on how he looks in practice today (Friday). One thing is certain though, the Lions sure could use him. They lost WR Kevin Johnson, who leads the team with 17 receptions, for the season. If Roy can’t go, that leaves Jeff Garcia with a wideout corps consisting of rookie Mike Williams, Scottie Vines, Glenn Martinez, and Troy Edwards, who was signed this week. That’s not so good Al.
When did Troy Aikman become a mathematician?
I’m not sure, but he has done UCLA proud and concocted a rating that ranks the NFL’s defenses, and in that system, the Bears have the #1 defense in the league.
LIONS 17, BEARS 16
Time and Punishment- Looking Ahead
Lions Win-
The Lions move a game ahead of the Bears, and are all alone on top of the NFC North. They’ll have a chance to increase that lead in the next two weeks, when they travel to Minnesota, and play Arizona at home. The Bears will have another tough road game next week when they travel to Baton Rouge to play the Saints.
Bears Win-
Hard as it is to believe, the Bears can put themselves firmly in the driver’s seat in their division with a win. Having swept the season series against the Lions, they will essentially have a 2 game lead in the division.
GREEN BAY PACKERS (1-5) AT CINCINNATI BENGALS (5-2)
1 PM Eastern, FOX, Bengals favored by 9
The Storyline
Both of these teams are coming off very tough losses. The Packers blew a 17-0 halftime lead against the Vikings, losing on a 56 yard field goal as time expired. The loss dropped them to 1-5, and may have been the final nail in the sarcophagus of their season. The Bengals wanted last week’s home game against Pittsburgh to be their coronation as the new kings of the AFC North, instead, the Steelers manhandled them, and now they are a team with a lot left to prove.
Key Questions
Now that Ahman Green is out for the season, what are the Packers doing for a running back?
Coach Mike Sherman has said that he is going with Tony Fisher as the feature back, and that is that. There isn’t going to be any running back by committee, they are going to give Fisher the workload that Green was getting, and sink or swim with him. Fisher has carried 189 times for 727 yards on his career, an average of 3.8 yards a carry. He is also a dangerous receiver, catching 38 passes last year. The way Green was struggling this year, Fisher may actually be an upgrade.
What’s been the Bengals biggest weakness lately?
Their red zone offense. The Bengals offense has the reputation of being very dangerous and high-powered, and it is, but once it gets inside the 20, it has bogged down. They rank 25th in the league in converting trips inside the 20 to touchdowns, succeeding only 45% of the time. They also rank 30th in the NFL in third down efficiency, converting only 31% of their 3rd downs into first downs.
HERE’S YOUR FORECAST
The strength of the Packers is their offense, and that unit is just eviscerated by injuries right now. The team is down to its 3rd string running back, and starting its 4th receiver on one side. They are so desperate for receivers they signed some guy named Taco Wallace this week. Brett Favre will find a way to make the final score close, but he just doesn’t have enough to work with to pull the upset here.
BENGALS 27, PACKERS 20
Time and Punishment- Looking Ahead
Bengals Win-
This game is a good chance for the Bengals to put last week’s disappointing loss out of their minds. They should be able to win, and head into Baltimore next week with a 6-2 record, and in first place, ahead of the Steelers, in their division. The Bengals might want to make sure they don’t injure any more of the Packers, because they play those Steelers next week.
Packers Win-
If the Bengals drop this one, there is going to be a lot of reaching for the panic button. The Bengals will have a world of pressure on them heading into a tough game at the Ravens next week. A win would be nice for the Packers, but their season probably ended when they lost last week.
Fisher of Men
OAKLAND RAIDERS (2-4) AT TENNESSEE TITANS (2-5)
1 PM Eastern, CBS, Raiders favored by 1 ½
The Storyline
The Raiders need to win this game to avoid being relegated to the land of the walking dead that the Titans find themselves in, playing out the string with an eye toward next year.
Key Questions
Who suffered the scariest injury of this NFL season?
You may not have heard about this, and you certainly didn’t see it, but Raiders guard Langston Walker was hospitalized after last week’s win over Buffalo because of internal abdominal hemorrhaging. How or when he suffered this injury is unclear, but he had to undergo emergency surgery which saved his life.
Is Steve McNair going to play this week?
It looks like he will. He took every snap in practice this week, and his ailing back is reported to be feeling better. McNair could be without the Titans’ top two wide receivers though. Drew Bennett is definitely out, recovering from thumb surgery. Rookie Brandon Jones, who has come on strong in past couple weeks, is questionable with a knee injury. If Jones can’t go, that leaves Tyrone Calico and Roydell Williams as the starters. RB Chris Brown is also listed as questionable because of a shoulder injury, but he is expected to play.
HERE’S YOUR FORECAST
When these teams met last year, Billy Volek threw for 492 yards. Included in that was 13 passes to Drew Bennett for 160 yards, and 9 passes to Derrick Mason for 121 yards. Oakland won 40-35 though, behind 148 receiving yards from Jerry Porter. Volek may start again in place of an injured Steve McNair, but Mason is in Baltimore, and Bennett will miss this game, so you probably won’t see fireworks like that in this game. These teams match up pretty evenly, but there’s the small matter of the Raiders being 2-16 on the road in the last 3 seasons, so they’ll figure out a way to lose this one.
TITANS 24, RAIDERS 23
Time and Punishment- Looking Ahead
Titans Win-
Jeff Fisher and his staff know this is a rebuilding year, but it hasn’t stopped the Titans from playing hard and being competitive every week. A win would be a nice reward, and they could possibly get another one in Cleveland next week. Meanwhile, the Raiders would be 2-5, and a season that started with big expectations will pretty much be over.
Riaders Win-
The Raiders live to fight another week. At this point, with a 2-4 record every game is a playoff game for them, the fact that their next 2 are against the arch rival Chiefs and Broncos make the games even bigger.
MIAMI DOLPHINS (2-4) AT NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (2-5), AT BATON ROUGE, LA
4:05 PM Eastern, CBS, Saints favored by 2 1/2
The Storyline
Even though this a matchup of two bad teams, it’s still an intriguing game. For one, the Saints play their first “home” game in the state of Louisiana this year, at LSU’s Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge. Dolphins coach Nick Saban just happened to lead LSU to a national title not too long ago. He makes his return, and it will be interesting to see what kind of reception he gets from what’s supposed to be a half empty Tiger Stadium.
Key Questions
What kind of support will the Saints get in Baton Rouge?
Not a lot. The people of Louisiana are angry at Saints owner Tom Benson for seemingly taking advantage of Hurrican Katrina, using it as an opportunity to do what he’s wanted to do for a while now, leave New Orleans permanently. Ticket sales for the game have been slow and many of the fans that are going will be voicing their anger at Benson. Soon, Benson, may have two cities mad at him instead of just one. What he wants is to play next year in San Antonio, and then have his franchise become a free agent after the 2006 season, with the ultimate destination being Los Angeles. It’s a bizarre situation, and it will be interesting to see how it unfolds.
What did Ricky Williams have to say leading up to his first game against his old team?
He doesn’t seem to harbor any resentment toward the organization, but he did take a shot at coach Jim Haslett. Ricky told Florida Today, “I don’t think I’ve ever had a bad relationship with a coach, except for maybe with coach Haslett.”
HERE’S YOUR FORECAST
Both of these teams have backslided after promising starts, and you’re probably looking at 2 of the worst teams in the league at this point. The winner of this game is going to be the team that screws up less. Nobody is better at screwing up than the Saints are, and the Dolphins have a speed oriented defense that can help them do that.
DOLPHINS 20, SAINTS 17
Time and Punishment- Looking Ahead
Dolphins Win-
The AFC East is a muddled mess right now, so if the Dolphins can pull a little closer to break even, who knows? They have back to back home games after this, versus Atlanta and New England.
Saints Win-
The Saints need a win badly, because their season is fast turning into the death spiral most thought it would be. A win would go a long way toward pulling out of it, and they’ll have a chance to make it two in a row when the Bears come to Baton Rouge next week.
KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (4-2) AT SAN DIEGO CHARGERS (3-4)
4:05 PM Eastern, CBS, Chargers favored by 6
The Storyline
This is an absolutely huge game for both teams. The Chiefs have found their groove after being beat by the Eagles, winning 2 straight. The Chargers hope a loss to Philly has the same effect on them. They better hope so, because a loss this week could be a death blow to their season.
Key Questions
Who’s the best 3-4 team in the league?
That would have to Chargers, and not because their only competition is the Rams and Bills. The Chargers’ 4 losses have come by a combined total of 12 points, and have all been to teams with winning records.
What’s the hot Phillip Rivers rumor this week?
Every week it seems like there is a different rumor involving the Chargers’ backup QB. This one’s pretty interesting though. The rumor is that the Vikings will trade Daunte Culpepper to Arizona this offseason, reuniting him with his old coach, Dennis Green. The Cards would send a first round draft pick to Minnesota for Culpepper, and then the Vikings would send that pick to San Diego for Rivers.
HERE’S YOUR FORECAST
These teams met in the 2004 regular season finale, and the Chargers topped the Chiefs despite resting Drew Brees and LaDanian Tomlinson thanks to Trent Green throwing 4 INT’s. The win completed a season sweep for the Chargers over their division rivals. The Chargers used a defensive formula of using their linebackers to stop the run, and giving Green the dump offs to Tony Gonzalez. The Chiefs were unable to get a 100 yard rusher in either meeting with the Chargers. The Chiefs are pretty much unbeatable when they are able to dominate with their running back tandem of Priest Holmes and Larry Johnson. The Chargers have the second ranked run defense in the NFL, so that means the burden of winning this game is going to fall on Trent Green, and well, you know how that worked out last year.
CHARGERS 27, CHIEFS 24
Time and Punishment- Looking Ahead
Chargers Win-
Simply put, this game is do or die for the Chargers. If they come through with a win, they’ll be 4-4, and remain in striking distance of 1st place in the AFC West. They’ll have to play at the Meadowlands next week, where the Jets team they face is a tough out. The Chiefs can remain on track for a playoff berth even with a loss this week. They face the archrival Raiders at Arrowhead next week.
Chiefs Win-
A 3-5 hole is going to be tough to climb out of for the Chargers. They’ve played well this year, but it hasn’t shown up in the win/loss records. If the Chiefs win, the AFC West becomes a 2 horse race between KC and Denver.
Rivers Might Get to Play In a Real Live Game, As A Viking
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (4-2) AT DENVER BRONCOS (5-2)
4:15 PM Eastern, FOX, Broncos favored by 3 1/2
The Storyline
A Super Bowl Preview in October? This one very well could be. But to get to the Super Bowl, these teams must first qualify for the playoffs, and they both need this game to make progress toward that goal. This is the second interconference test in a row for both of these teams. The Eagles passed theirs, coming back to beat the Chargers last week, while the Broncos dropped a heartbreaker on the last play to the Giants.
Key Questions
What’s the matchup to watch in this game?
Without question, it is TO against Champ Bailey. Two of the best in the world at what they do will be going at each other all afternoon long. That alone makes this marquee game worth watching.
Speaking of TO, how is that crazy cat? We haven’t heard from him lately.
The Eagles have scored one offensive touchdown in the last two weeks. Most people think it’s because the team has all but abandoned the idea of running the ball, but Owens contends it is because he’s not getting the ball thrown to him enough. TO told ESPN this week, “They’re not getting the ball in our hands enough. Myself and [Brian] Westbrook are supposed to be playmakers, then that’s what we need to do.”
HERE’S YOUR FORECAST
The Eagles have the most dangerous passing game in the league, and the Broncos have one of the league’s weakest pass defenses (they rank 26th). That weakness was exposed against the Giants last week, and it’s going to cost them again this week. McNabb, TO, Westbrook and company get a huge win on the road.
EAGLES 28, BRONCOS 20
Time and Punishment- Looking Ahead
Eagles Win-
Having beaten two of the best the AFC has to offer, the Eagles need to show they can take care of business in their own division. Their next three are against the Redskins, Cowboys, and Giants, and those will tell the tale of where this season goes for the Eagles. Two straight losses mean the Broncos’ season is unfolding exactly the same way last year’s did (a 5-1 start, 10-6 and bounced in the first round of the playoffs) and that’s not a good thing.
Broncos Win-
Denver doesn’t want to carry a 2 game losing streak in to their bye week. A win here would save them from that, and keep them comfortably ahead in the AFC West. Meanwhile, the Eagles division gauntlet becomes all the more critical if they limp into it with a 4-3 record.
TAMPA BAY BUCS (5-1) AT SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS (1-5)
4:15 PM Eastern, FOX, Bucs favored by 11
The Storyline
The team at the top of the NFC takes on the team at the bottom. It’s top vs. bottom in San Francisco! How very gay!
Key Questions
What is the “Rocket Backfield”?
That is what Jon Gruden calls the combination of running backs Michael Pittman and Cadillac Williams. So far this year, the Bucs have not had both of them on the field at the same time. That’s going to change this week. Gruden has said he wants to have both of those guys on the field at the same time, and he can do it too, because Pittman is one of the better pass blocking running backs in the league.
Who’s starting at QB for the Niners this week?
The Niners will make Ken Dorsey their 3rd starting QB of the season this week. Alex Smith’s knee is bothering him, so he will sit out this week. How much of that is the fact that Smith is actually hurt, and how much of it is a Harriet Miers-esque admission that he’s just not ready for this job at this point is open for debate. We’ll see who starts in Week Nine.
HERE’S YOUR FORECAST
Good thing the Niners got their win out of the way early, because they are the worst team in the league by a lot, and looking at their schedule they only have 2 more games all year where they’ll be less than 10 point underdogs. Another week, another ass waxing for SF.
BUCS 31, NINERS 17
Time and Punishment- Looking Ahead
Bucs Win-
After beating up on the Niners this week, the Bucs face two teams they could see again in the playoffs, when Carolina and Washington come to town on successive Sundays.
Niners Win-
Ken Dorsey will be on your Wheaties Box next week. Or he should be.
BUFFALO BILLS (3-4) AT NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (3-3)
8:30 PM Eastern, ESPN, Patriots favored by 9
The Storyline
The Pats have been up and down this year, but the AFC East has been mostly down, and because of that the Pats are on top of the division. They return home this week, hoping to solidify their lead with a win over the division rival Bills.
Key Questions
Is Teddy Bruschi going to play this week?
Hard as it is to believe, Bruschi, who suffered a stroke this past offseason, could make his return to the field this week. Bill Belichick was reported as saying that Bruschi looked OK in practice, and indications are that he will see some action this week. It’s pretty amazing, and hopefully he made the right decision.
Is the Fantastic Three of Joe Theismann, Paul Maguire, and Mike Patrick going to pound this story into a bloody pulp Sunday Night?
Oh my God, yes. You’re talking about three guys that spend 5 minutes raving about how awesome the 3 yard run they just saw was. Bruschi’s mother will probably be sick of seeing his face by the end of this game.
HERE’S YOUR FORECAST
New England’s had problems running the ball this year, and that more than anything is the reason they are only 3-3. That’s not going to be a problem against a Buffalo team that is giving up over 5 yards a carry this year. The Patriot secondary is still suspect, but they should be able to move the ball at will, and control the game. Pats win easily.
PATRIOTS 30, BILLS 20
Time and Punishment- Looking Ahead
Patriots Win-
This season has been a difficult one for the Patriots, but if they can police their own division they’ll be back in the playoffs, and let’s face it, nobody wants to play the two-time defending champs in January. A loss sends Buffalo into their bye week with a 3-5 record. They were supposed to be better than that this year.
Bills Win-
An unexpected victory for Buffalo would be a big momentum changer in both of these team’s seasons. The Bills 4-4 record is still disappointing, but beating the Pats in Foxboro would have them flying high and brimming with confidence heading into the second half of the season. The Pats would be facing a must win game next Monday Night, against a Colts team that has been plotting how to beat them for the last 10 months.
Bruschi Back This Week?
PIMPS UP HOS DOWN
Okee Dokee that’s it! Back to nursing my bird flu. If I die, it’s been fun. If not, I’ll see you on Monday, when we’ll go over all the Sunday goodness, and preview the Monday Night game between the Ravens and Steelers. Until then, check out these dudes:
Slayer has the best college football column/sadomachism enthusiast column, EVER!
Patrick breaks down the difference between the American and European voter, and compares the BCS to BC-tiality.
Todd Rogers reflects on the awesomeness that is Az Ahir Hakim, and has more on the weirdness of the Mike Martz situation.
FIN
