72-46
Great. I skip a week of the pool and not get around to
blogging the picks and I go 12-2 like a boss. Way to go, guy. How much do you
want to bet my projections are absolutely abysmal this week?
Carry on.
Chiefs at Chargers
The bottom line
here is that while both teams stink, the Chargers clearly stink less. The
Chiefs barely got a TD in at the end of their game with the Raiders and that’s
because the Raiders aren’t very good either. The Chargers probably shouldn’t
have lost to the Browns (even though I picked them for precisely the reason
they ended up beating the Bolts but nevermind that) but inconsistent play by
Rivers and a relatively nonexistent running game can be blamed for that.
Chargers are going to bounce back in a big way and unlike other teams that are
capable of taking advantage of San Diego’s penchant for choking away big leads,
the Chiefs don’t have the ability to do that really. But then again, you never
know in a divisional match up between these guys. I’m still going with the
Chargers
Ravens at Browns
That was a nice win for the Browns. I am convinced this
team’s future is bright. Their defense is solid against both the run and the
pass, Trent Richardson is coming into his own as a big league half back, and
Weeden has surprised in the passing game with young talented receivers like
Gordon and Little. The Ravens are falling fast in public opinion now that their
decimated defense looks beatable and faith in Flacco, again, fading. They’re
still talented enough to make the playoffs and maybe win a first round match up
but title hopes should be tempered. They’re good enough to beat the Browns on
the road, though and as much as I’ll personally be rooting for the Brownies, I
think there are still too many experienced playmakers in Purple n Black to bet
against them.
Ravens
Cardinals at
Packers
Two teams headed in opposite directions; the Cards are
flailing helplessly after starting the season fast and the Packers are finally
getting into a groove after looking ordinary for the first couple of weeks. The
Cards pose a threat because they have a strong defense but after what accuracy
Alex Smith showed in the passing attack last week, one has to wonder what A Rod
will be able to do with his plethora of weapons. The Cardinals offense is a non
factor against the Pack at Lambeau.
Packers
Bills at Texans
The Bills are one of the least predictable teams in the
league except for one thing: their defense gives up yards and points like the
Salvation Army. It almost doesn’t matter what their offense is capable of
because they’re going against a strong defense and they won’t be able to stop
the Texans who are rolling right now in almost all facets of their game. Arian
Foster is going to have a monster game.
And any drives that stall will probably do so in or around the red zone
which will mean a big day for Shayne Graham as well.
Texans
Dolphins at Colts
I’m liking the Dolphins this year and how tough they play
under coach Philbin but I wonder if their general lack of talent will
eventually catch up to them. The Colts are starting to get into a groove now
that they are thoroughly motivated and inspired by Coach Pagano’s illness and
the way it galvanized their play and vitalized rookie Andrew Luck who is
playing every bit the 1st overall pick we expected him to be. There is
simply more talent on the offensive side of the ball for Indy than there is for
Miami. Miami can bottle things up in a hurry with an active defense but I
expect the Colts to prevail at home.
Colts
Bears at Titans
The Titans have at least shown that they can still run
the ball and I’m not sure they should go back to Locker even after he comes
back now that it’s apparent Hasselbeck still has the veteran know-how to make
tough passes when it matters most. Well, against teams that the Titans have a
chance to beat, that is. The Bears aren’t one of those teams. They’ll struggle
to stop all of Chicago’s offensive weapons especially without much of a
passrush on Cutler and the Bears defense has been suffocating people all year.
Bears
Lions at Jags
Don’t overlook the Jags defensively; they’ve given all
sorts of teams fits when they expect to come in and trounce them. The only
concern here being that the Lions seem to have finally got their offense
clicking as Stafford and co. put in their best game of the year thus far last
week. Look for that trend to continue with Detroit’s defense doing just enough
to stifle Jacksonville’s punchless offense and win on the road.
Lions
Panthers at
Redskins
I’m tempted to give Cam Newton and the Panthers another
shot but I’ve literally struck out completely on them this year as they have
basically stunk up the joint with their “vaunted” rushing attack in what has
turned out to be a busted sophomore effort for the stud QB. The Redskins have
been up and down. One week, they look great behind their own young, exciting QB
and then they fall just short the following week. In this case, I’ve got to go
with the home team coming off a tough loss. The Redskin defense is decimated by
injuries and can be exploited by a rejuvenated Cam and co. (if they’re
rejuvenated that is which they’re probably not) but I’m not counting on them
doing anything, especially on the road. Watch me be completely wrong about that
but then that wouldn’t surprise me when it comes to Carolina anymore.
Redskins
Broncos at Bengals
I hate to admit it but the Broncos really are looking
like the class of the AFC West and with how dismally mediocre most of the AFC
looks, they might be in line to make some noise in the playoffs, too. Peyton is
going to win against Cincy because it really does just seem like Peyton is
winning against everyone. The Bengals will be able to move the ball on Denver’s
overrated defense but I’m not sure that Dalton will be able to go toe to toe
with Peyton if the going gets rough (as it did for Brees last week). Don’t be
surprised if Dalton lights up the Bronco D with Aj Green reaping most of the
benefit but as far as the end result, it’ll most likely be the road team that
pulls it out.
Broncos
Bucs at Raiders
So everyone is picking the Bucs in this one and it’s
understandable why. They boast a nice passing game with lots of options, a very
strong running game and a defense that started off the season very well but has
slightly tapered off since. However, let me put on my homer contrarian hat. The
Raiders have won back to back games out of the bye after nearly taking arguably
the best team in the league in their own house before losing on a pick six. The
defense is tightening up (and getting healthy) and they’ve shown improvement in
not shooting themselves in the foot with stupid penalties and giving up poorly
timed big plays... basically what doomed them in losses to the Broncos, Dolphins
and Falcons. There can’t be enough said about confidence and building momentum
and even though the Jags and Chiefs are bottom feeders, a win is a win is a
win. And so it will be on Sunday.
RRRAAAIDERSSS
Vikings at
Seahawks
The Vikings are reeling. Ponder is coming back down to Earth.
The defense is still good and Adrian Peterson can run on just about anyone but
one has to wonder if the Vikings will be able to ride just that on the road in
one of the toughest places to do anything productive against one of this year’s
best defensive units to begin with. The Seahawks will bounce back from a tough
loss against the Lions last week.
Seahawks
Steelers at Giants
The Steelers did
appear locked back into Steel Curtain mode last week but it should be noted
that they dialed up some of those old demons that have haunted the Cincinnati
Bengals for years and is not as indicative of how they’d match up with an elite
team such as the Giants in New York. Given the circumstances surrounding the
big apple and its bout with Sandy, I’m counting on one of those epic New York
type of nights when the result of the game is greater than the sum of all its
parts, the Giants come together the way the Saints did following Katrina and
Eli Manning has one of those Eli nights and lights up an otherwise strong
Steeler D. Sorry Pittsburgh but this really was the wrong week to be playing
the G men.
Giants
Cowboys at Falcons
The Cowboys are having one really bad season. I picked
them last week to pull it out against the Giants and they nearly did before, as
has become routine, they somehow did not get the break they needed or turned
the ball over one too many times. They don’t get any easier a matchup this time
around as they travel to Atlanta to take on the undefeated Falcons. About the
only thing going in Dallas’ favor right now is the fact that Atlanta is
statistically due for a loss with every passing week and the only thing that
can help Romo and co. is luck. I, however, am obviously a terrible gambler and
don’t put much stock in luck as it is so throw that out the window, I’m
expecting the better team to win and that team is the
Falcons
Eagles at Saints
The Eagles are a mess. The starting QB fiasco of this
past week is proof of that. With how poorly coached the Eagles have been for
years, now and how Reid has managed some of the extraneous issues that have
surrounded this club (I mean, he actually has done an excellent job, it’s just
that I wonder if he isn’t partly the reason why it all happens to begin with),
I’m still surprised he’s coaching them. That’s organizational loyalty. I love
the guy but the one consistent bottom line in the Eagles saga over the past
decade has been him. Their defense is really going to need to step it up
because a very angry Brees is going to be operating at home coming off a very
uncharacteristic performance against the Broncos. Granted, a date with the New
Orleans defense is just what the doctor ordered for Philly’s funky offense but
I just don’t know if it’s going to be enough to keep up with the Saints at home
who can drop 40 in a heartbeat. I’m going with the home team on Monday night.
Saints
Dig it
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