The first game of the week might be the hardest to pick. The Falcons are 17-1 at home with Matt Ryan starting at QB. That's a pretty impressive stat. But, I love the Ravens, and the Falcons have been lucky a lot this year. This is the first game featuring Joe Flacco and Matt Ryan who were the top two QB's drafted in 2008. Flacco has a tendency to struggle on the road which means Ray Rice will have to run well. Atlanta has been soft in the secondary in games this season, but have been consistent at stopping the run. It is tough for me to pick against the home team here, but the Ravens play better defense. I think the Ravens will step up and win a close game. Roddy White is banged up for the Falcons which won't help either.
Baltimore: 27
Atlanta: 24
I have picked the Bills three weeks this season and have been wrong every time. In each game the Bills have had a lead and let it slip away in the end. The Lions know exactly what the Bills are feeling, but they have enough new weapons from their years of futility that they have become a team that should be taken seriously. Matthew Stafford is once again sidelined but the Lions are used to that and really didn't miss a beat the last time he was out. I think the Bills and Ryan Fitzpatrick will score points and play another hard fought game. It has to be time for them to get lucky and win one. The Lions won't take them for granted though. This is a tough one.
Detroit: 28
Buffalo: 31
Did the light come on for Minnesota after their comeback victory last week? The real question is how did they find themselves in that situation in the first place? Did someone forget to tell them that they were playing at home against the Cardinals? I don't trust Minnesota at all, especially when they need 400+ yards from Brett Favre to scrape by. There are some fundamental problems with the execution of the offensive line. The Bears are another team that scraped by last week to a weak opponent. Their suffocating defense is the reason the Bears continue to win. The offense just hasn't been consistent. Funny how most Jay Cutler teams have had that in common.
Minnesota: 20
Chicago: 17
The Jets were lucky to beat the Lions last week, but they found a way to win. I think the Jets have won enough games to take that as a positive, but they need to find some momentum. The Browns are a team that should be filled with momentum after last week's blasting of New England. Mangini took on Belichick with power football and the Browns simply overpowered the finesse Patriots. I don't think they will find the sledding as easy this week. This should be a hard-hitting defensive battle.
New York: 17
Cleveland: 13
I have maintained since the first week of the season that the Panthers are the worst team in the NFL, and I stand by it today. Not hard after they lost 34-3 last week. The Bucs fought hard in an important game in Atlanta but came up short. For their playoff dreams to stay alive, they have to win this game. They cannot drop a sure win at home to Carolina.
Carolina: 16
Tampa Bay: 23
The Texans have gotten in their own way this year. Kind of sounds like the Texans from last year, and the year before that. Matt Schaub has been put into position to determine outcomes in nearly every week they have lost. Arian Foster ran over San Diego in the first half last week until the coaches decided to go to the air and let the Chargers come back. Their pass defense is the worst in the NFL which doesn't help. Jacksoville had a week off after smoking the Cowboys. They have quietly put together some nice wins this season. These teams have had similar production, but had different expectations for the season. I think the Texans have a bounce back in them.
Houston: 31
Jacksonville: 21
The only thing I have to say about Cincy is that I drafted T.O. in one of the later rounds of my fantasy football league and he has been huge. In real life, this team is not good. They don't appear to have the confidence to win. They like to get behind and rack up stats when the game isn't on the line. They came close to a win last week, but predictably came up short. The Colts lost a tough one to the Eagles that extended Andy Reid's winning streak after a bye. The Colts are a much better football team that knows how to win. They will probably give up some points, and hopefully a couple of TDs to Owens, but they will win.
Cincinnati: 24
Indianapolis: 33
The Titans start the first week of their version of the Randy Moss Experiment. There is no doubt that his presence can only be beneficial to Chris Johnson and the running attack of the Titans. My concern from a franchise perspective would be Vince Young trying to force the ball to Moss. I can see at least one interception resulting from a forced pass in this game. The Dolphins have pulled the plug on Chad Henne and are going back to Ol' Reliable, Chad Pennington. If Ronnie Brown can put Pennington in a position where he only has to complete three yard passes, the Dolphins have a chance. If they need to throw the ball downfield, I'm not confident Pennington will be an upgrade. I guess we'll see.
Tennessee: 28
Miami: 20
The Chiefs are not built to hold a division lead for 16 weeks and Oakland knocked them down a peg last Sunday. The Chiefs will look to pound the ball against Denver's weak run defense. This could be the game we see some Tim Tebow under center. I have a feeling if things aren't going right for Denver, they might pep up the home crowd with some 4th quarter Tebow. Watch for it, there's nothing else to watch for in this game.
Kansas City: 27
Denver: 20
Wade Phillips is the happiest man in Dallas right now. The best gift Jerry Jones could have given him this holiday season is his release. Especially before the Giants game who might be the best team in the NFL. They have been overpowering on defense and hazardous to the health of opposing quarterbacks. The Giants could also argue that they have the deepest receivers to go along with their effective run game. I wouldn't bet against these guys.
Dallas: 13
New York: 34
We are at the time of the year where there are some real dud matchups. This is one of them. It is actually extremely important for the fate of the NFC West, but that is one of the worst divisions I have ever seen, and I have grown up an AFC West fan.
Seattle: 20
Arizona: 21
The Rams could take a big step toward the NFC West crown with a win this week. They are coming off a bye week which is especially important for the health of Steven Jackson. San Fran looks to keep their playoff hopes alive after an atrocious start. They are also coming off a bye and they are basically playing for their season. Desperate team at home, can't bet againt em.
St. Louis: 19
San Francisco: 24
One of two things happened last week in Cleveland for the Patriots. They weren't ready to play or they had a huge weakness exposed. They were pounded physically and were beat on both sides of the ball. If that is the future for the Patriots, there might be cause for concern. Of course, every week isn't going to go as you planned in the NFL, so they are due a pass. The Steelers invented the brand of football Cleveland used against New England. They have shown some weakness in pass defense. If they don't tighten up, the Pats will score some points, and the Steelers don't want to get into a shootout. I like the Steelers at home, close.
New England: 26
Pittsburgh: 27
With Michael Vick playing the way he has, the Eagles look primed for a playoff run. They are a tough draw for any defense and can defend on their end. If they are for real they won't lose this game. The Redskins have had their fair share of drama after Donovan McNabb's benching at the end of their last game. They had a week off to regroup and apparently let McNabb learn and train for the two minute offense, but it might have done more harm than good. Unless the Skins can knock McNabb out of the game again, they're in trouble.
Philadelphia: 31
Washington: 16
Okay that picture just freaks me out!
ReplyDelete