San Fran has been the biggest disappointment so far this young season. Obviously they are concerned because they just fired their offensive coordinator. Meanwhile, Atlanta just knocked off the Super Bowl champs, and hung 41 on Arizona the week before. Atlanta is definitely the favorite, but desperate teams are usually dangerous. This is the last week I take the 49ers as an underdog if they don't come through.
San Francisco: 28
Atlanta: 27
Here's something that is not surprising; the Browns are 0-3. Here's something that is surprising; they've been close in every contest. The Bengals have won their last two games after getting smoked week one, but their offense has yet to take off. I think it will be another close battle for Cleveland, and I think they're gonna be on the wrong end again.
Cincinnati: 20
Cleveland: 14
The Jets appear to be hitting their stride and the Bills just released their week one starting quarterback. The Bills were able to get some offense going against New England, but the Jets aren't accustomed to giving up many points, especially not to teams like the Bills.
New York: 27
Buffalo: 13
Seattle has been an underdog every week of the season and they are currently 2-1. Before the party begins in Seattle a major obstacle must be hurdled, a road win. If the Seahawks are for real, they will win in St. Louis. The Rams have been close in every game this year, but have not played good competition. In fact, their one win came against the best team they have played this year. With Steven Jackson ailing, Sam Bradford and the Rams have their work cut out for them, but I'm still not sold on the Seahawks. Let's roll the Rams dice one more time.
Seattle: 20
St. Louis: 31
The Broncos are 0-2 on the road this season and have predictably failed to find an offensive spark. The Titans have been dominant two of three weeks this season, losing only to undefeated Pittsburgh on the road. This one shouldn't be exciting.
Denver: 17
Tennessee: 35
Don't look now, but the Lions look just like the Lions. After getting robbed in week one and losing their quarterback, Detroit is once again winless after three contests. Although they are desperate, winning in Green Bay is very unlikely. Especially after the Pack lost an emotional Monday night game where they continuously shot themselves in the foot. It looks like another 0-4 start for the Lions.
Detroit: 18
Green Bay: 44
You might need a mouth piece just to watch this game. The Ravens have not found an offensive stride despite having playmakers all over the field. Now Ray Rice is dinged up and they resemble the Ravens of old, winning with defense. Winning with defense is nothing new for Pittsburgh either, but I don't think anyone outside of Pittsburgh would have believed they would start 3-0 without Ben Roethlisberger. They're playing at Heinz Field, but I'm still waiting on that first Steelers loss. I think they'll finally get it, barely.
Baltimore: 14
Pittsburgh: 13
The Panthers have been flat out the worst team in the league so far this season. The Saints are coming off their first loss and playing in New Orleans. While New Orleans is still trying to find their rhythm, Carolina poses no threat.
Carolina: 13
New Orleans: 38
The Peyton Manning show takes to the road in one of the most friendly road venues in the NFL. After an early season loss (something the Colts are not accustomed to) I think they will take every game extremely seriously. All you really have to say about the Jags is they had room on their roster for Trent Edwards, a guy Buffalo ushered out of town. Ewww. The Jags will try to get Maurice Jones-Drew going against a defense that was torched on the ground week one, but without a reliable passing attack they are likely to see eight man fronts the entire game.
Indianapolis: 37
Jacksonville: 17
The Texans thought they had turned the corner but they forgot to tell the 0-2 Cowboys. A win last week would have put the Texans on the top of most power rankings, but it was not meant to be. Oakland is poorly coached, very young, and lacking on defense. The new Texans should bounce back against an inferior opponent.
Houston: 34
Oakland: 21
Donovan McNabb's homecoming doesn't look very fun. The Skins just lost to the Rams, and the Eagles are the best offense in the league through three games. I really don't believe the struggles in Washington are McNabb's fault, but I also don't expect them to suddenly turn the corner in Philly. Eagles should take care of business at home.
Washington: 17
Philadelphia: 31
The Cardinals have not looked very good despite their 2-1 record. Wins include two escape jobs against St. Louis and Oakland. Although the Chargers have yet to reach their standard 1-3 start, I suspect the Cardinals are one team even the Chargers can beat early in the season.
Arizona: 22
San Diego: 28
The Bears are 3-0 coming off a win at home against Green Bay. The Giants have basically stunk, their only win coming against Carolina. It seems like a no-brainer, but on further review, I am inclined to pick the Giants in an upset. The Bears have to go on the road on a short week after a draining win. The Giants season is over if they lose. I'll take the upset here.
Chicago: 20
New York: 21
New England has been all over the map this season. They won at home against a decent team, got dominated against a good team, and won unconvincingly against a bad team. Miami just took a tough loss at home to the Jets. I believe the Dolphins are a more complete team, but they will need a great effort by their defense to keep Tom Brady in check. This should be another good Monday night matchup.
New England: 24
Miami: 32
Let's buckle up and get ready for another tremendous Red River Rivalry game. The Sooners should be favored especially after the Longhorns took an embarrassing loss at home to UCLA. One thing I have learned from attending this game my entire life is that you can pretty much throw out the records when these two line up. The Sooners have concerns of their own with only one impressive win in four games. The defense has been porous and the offense inconsistent. Turnovers will undoubtedly play an enormous factor, and this game usually includes at least one big special teams play. The eyes of Texas are all over the Longhorns for a bounce back. For the Sooners, losers of four of the last five RRRs, this should be their bowl game. A win is necessary to regain momentum in a series that looked like it would cost Mack Brown his job early in the Bob Stoops era. Boomer Sooner baby!
Texas: 27
Oklahoma: 31
I've been out of town so I have to ask, did Texas get their asses kicked all over the field like it appeared they did??? Oh wait, I was in Dallas, went to the game, and yes, they got spanked!! BOOMER SOONER!!
ReplyDelete