Can you believe it’s already Week 10 of the NFL season. I kind of can. I think I’ve forgotten what life was like before I heard the words “Ocho” and “Cinco” strung together.
But Week 10 kind of marks a point where we have to start separating the wheat from the chaff. In keeping with that theme, the Pregame Show takes a different tack this week, and will look at today’s matchup through a lens that focuses on the teams jockeying for their place in the playoff pecking order.
NFC
1. Chicago 7-1
The Bears are faced with their first real test of the 2006 season when they travel to the Meadowlands to meet the Giants tonight. They bring with them the baggage of having committed 12 turnovers in the last 3 weeks, and allowing an average of just under 150 rushing yards per game in the last 2. They’ll have to be 100% better than they’ve been recently to avoid falling out of the top spot in the NFC.
2. NY Giants 6-2
Tonight’s home game against a Bears team that has been shaky in recent weeks seems like a great opportunity to ambush a key rival. It would be, if the Giants weren’t scrambling to field 22 healthy bodies tonight. They don’t know who they will be lining up at receiver (although it’s looking like Plaxico Burress will at least start the game), and the defense has more starters who are hurt than who aren’t. Tonight will be a test of how far Tiki can carry the Giants.
3. New Orleans 6-2
The Saints hope they can be the latest team to get a W against the basket case team that the Pittsburgh Steelers have become. It won’t be easy though. In theory, going on the road against the Super Bowl champs never should be. The Saints probably won’t be able to run the ball against the Steelers D, but that’s nothing new, they haven’t run it effectively all year. It will be up to Drew Brees and Marques Colston to put up points against the Pittsburgh D, and that will be more difficult than usual because Joe Horn is doubtful for this one.
4. Seattle 5-3
As crazy as it sounds, because they have not been playing well, the Hawks can pretty much sew up the NFC West with a win at home over the Rams today. These teams met recently, when in Week 7 the Hawks held Stephen Jackson in check, and played just well enough to pick up a huge 30-28 road win. That started a 3 game losing streak that the Rams are still trying to end.
5. Atlanta 5-3
The Falcons reminded us all why they are the most inconsistent team in the league when they got spanked by the Lions last week. This week, they’ve got a homecoming game against the Browns. Atlanta’s pass defense has been horrible lately, but it should be good enough to hold the Browns in check and get the Falcons to 6-3.
6. Minnesota 4-4
This is a make or break week from the Vikings. If they can’t beat the Packers at home this week, that’ll be 3 losses in row, and 5 out of their last 7, and that’ll pretty much be a wrap for them this year. Green Bay is the better team right now, so they are in real danger.
OTHER CONTENDERS
Philadelphia (4-4)has dropped 3 in a row, and will be playing the Redskins in a driving rain this afternoon. They’ll have to reverse their recent trend of being unable to run or stop the run.
Dallas (4-4) travels to Arizona to take it’s whack at the pinata that is the Cardinals.
Carolina (4-4) will be at home for a Monday Night stinkeroo against the offensively challenged Bucs.
AFC
1. Indianapolis 8-0
The 72 Dolphins will have to put off the annual elephant walk for another week, because the Colts ain’t losing at home to the Bills.
2. Denver 6-2
The Broncos are another AFC power with a very favorable Week 10 fixture. They travel to Oakland, to take on a Raiders team that never, ever wins against anyone in their own divison. They are 1-13 against the AFC West in the last 3 seasons.
3. Baltimore 6-2
Steve McNair and Derrick Mason return to Nashville to face the 2-6 Titans. There will be no Music City Miracle needed to get the Ravens to 7-2 and keep pace with the Broncos.
4. New England 6-2
The Pats looked like anything but a Super Bowl contender in last week’s loss to the Colts. They hope to get well by virtually clinching yet another AFC East title with a win over the visiting Jets this week.
5. San Diego 6-2
In a week where the 4 teams in front of them in the AFC have easy assignments, the Chargers have to go on the road against a Cincinnati team that is in win or else mode. The Bengals have been routinely shredded by strong running attacks this year, and the Chargers just happen to have one of those too.
6. Jacksonville 5-3
It looks like it is Dave Garrard’s QB job to lose. He can accomplish that if the Jags come up empty in a game they should win today against Houston.
OTHER CONTENDERS
Kansas City (5-3) has 3 wins in a row, all against teams that are in contention. Today they go on the road against a Miami team that isn’t, but as the Dolphins showed the Bears last week, you can’t take them lightly.
That’s it for the pregame show. Check back later today and we’ll see how Week Ten unfolded!
