As another Sunday approaches for the NFL, one cannot help but recall certain themes that have transpired thus far. The days of parity appear to not be in play this season. With the Rams, Lions, Chiefs, Redskins, Browns, Raiders, Titans, and Buccaneers all struggling, as well as the Dolphins, Seahawks, and Panthers all with just two wins as well, it has become a case of the have and have-nots. The list of have-nots may be the deepest in recent memory for the league. Will things change after the new collective bargaining agreement on the horizon? That is one tune waiting to be composed.
Was anyone really shocked to see Brett Favre fumble then throw away the game for the Vikings last week? It was about time if you ask me. We are talking about the NFL's All-Time Turnover King. No player has thrown away the ball more in history than Favre, and he is just three fumbles away from tying Warren Moon for the record of most fumbles ever. With 313 interceptions and 158 fumbles, and counting, the Steelers decided to just let Brett be Brett last week. When you do that, you will win more than lose to him. Just be ready for the inevitable mistake. With a career average of 1.7 turnovers for every game he has played, it is a sound strategy.
Watching Larry Johnson bubble over with frustration, you have to wonder what is the biggest deal is. Is it his homophobic remarks, his rant on his new head coach, or his bemoaning the loss of cash? Johnson, some may say, had his mind destroyed along with his body with all those carries several years ago. Some may recall former Chiefs coach Dick Vermeil calling his character into question once. Johnson, a coaches son, realizes his career is coming to an end and that he will never again command the salary he current makes. He stands to lose $600,000 this week, not exactly chump change. Though his comments were not politically correct, this still is America. Freedom of speech and expression is a right. Taking his money hurts, but watching his career end has to gouge him deeper. If he does latch on with another team next year, he will be a part time back with a pay rate showing such a role.
On with the picks. I am now sporting an unimpressive 60-27 record after going 9-4 last week. Let us see if I can do better.
Denver Broncos @ Baltimore Ravens
The Ravens are approaching this game as a must win. They are at full health again with their offensive line, which will be critical in this match up. The Broncos have been, and is the surprise of the league so far with a perfect record. Both teams have had two weeks to prepare for this, so expect a hard hitting game.
Ravens 27 Broncos 21
Houston Texans @ Buffalo Bills
Houston is a team who appears to have found their groove on both sides of the ball, and could go on a winning streak if they are not sidetracked by injuries. Buffalo is a team still trying to find their identity.
Texans 34 Bills 17
Cleveland Browns @ Chicago Bears
Cleveland heads into the Windy City at a tumultuous time. Bears fans are unhappy with their teams inconsistent play on both sides of the line of scrimmage. Chicago expects a win over the lowly Browns, and Cleveland seems to have already packed it in for the season.
Bears 31 Browns 27
Seattle Seahawks @ Dallas Cowboys
Dallas came away with an impressive victory last week that was a much needed statement game as well. This game is critical in keeping the momentum going. Seattle is missing their best linebacker, and their best running back is dinged up. They will need to pass to win, which isn't easy against the Cowboys cornerbacks.
Cowboys 38 Seahawks 27
Miami Dolphins @ New York Jets
Miami stopped the Jets winning ways just three weeks ago. After dropping another two games, the Jets won big last week. Miami came off their bye week by blowing a big lead to the Saints last week, Miami needs to run well to win, while the Jets are hurting in the middle of their defense especially. It should be another close game between these two rivals.
Jets 24 Miami 21
San Francisco 49ers @ Indianapolis Colts
The 49ers lost last week, but quarterback Alex Smith may have won the confidence of his teammates. The Colts are undefeated and getting healthy. Even if Smith repeats last week performance, it will be hard for the 49ers secondary to stop the Colts passing attack all game.
Colts 34 49ers 23
New York Giants @ Philadelphia Eagles
Though the Eagles won last week, they did not look much sharper than the team that lost to Oakland two weeks ago. The lack of running game has proven to be this teams Achilles heel for years, and it has been in the spotlight even more this year. The Giants realize they need to get back on track after two weeks of consecutive losses. Expect the Giants to pound the ball on the ground, while Philly tries to exploit a suspect Giants secondary.
Giants 23 Eagles 21
Saint Louis Rams @ Detroit Lions
It is too bad these teams cannot face each other more this season. They would win more if they did. Detroit appears ready to go with Culpepper at quarterback this week, and possibly the entire season. Though both teams have veteran quarterbacks, I expect this game to be won on the ground. Steven Jackson will carry the Rams to one of their few victories this week.
Rams 28 Lions 24
Oakland Raiders @ San Diego Chargers
The Raiders have been as inconsistent as their young quarterback JaMarcus Russell. After controlling the Eagles two weeks ago, they were pulverized by the Jets last week. The Chargers are as inconsistent, mostly due to an underachieving defense and banged up offensive line. If the Bolts do not get it going this week, they may never get anywhere this year.
Chargers 48 Raiders 24
Jacksonville Jaguars @ Tennessee Titans
The Titans are still without a win, and owner Bud Adams has ordered coach Jeff Fisher to start Vince Young at quarterback over veteran Kerry Collins. Though Fisher realizes the problem isn't just at quarterback, expect him to comply. The Jaguars handed the Titans a 20 point loss a month ago. They did it by pounding the ball down the Titan's throats all game. Expect a similar strategy, but something tells me Fisher has a plan this time.
Titans 23 Jaguars 17
Minnesota Vikings @ Green Bay Packers
Game Of The Week
As I told you the first time these teams met a few weeks ago, this is the game to watch. Not only is it the return of a certain Hyckocrite to Lambeau Field for the first time as a visiting player, but both teams have developed their personalities more since the first meeting. The Packers have had trouble running the ball this year, even with Ryan Grant's 148 yards versus Cleveland last week. The Vikings are excellent at stopping the run as well.
Expect the Packers to air it out against a depleted Vikings secondary, while the Vikings attack them with a balanced attack. Though the focus seems to be on quarterback in Minnesota, the main reason they win is by running the ball, controlling the clock and field position. This game will be a prime example of that, assuming their quarterback doesn't cough up the ball and victory as he did last week.
Vikings 34 Packers 31
Carolina Panthers @ Arizona Cardinals
The Panthers have been a disappointment so far. Their passing attack is nearly non existent, and their running game is not at full strength with Jon Stewart battling injuries. The Cardinals are trying to find their running game still, but they realize how good their passing game is. If the Panthers do not get to Kurt Warner, the Cardinals may score often.
Cardinals 38 Panthers 17
Atlanta Falcons @ New Orleans Saints
The Falcons are just not running the ball as well this season as opposed to last year. This causes their defense to stay on the field longer that they would like, and for their secondary to be exploited. The Saints are also trying to get their running game more consistent so they do not have to rely on Drew Brees arm so much. This is a game Brees can air it out to multiple receivers, while Atlanta will need to control the clock to keep that from happening.
Saints 41 Falcons 30
NFL Power Rankings
1. New Orleans Saints
2. Indianapolis Colts
3. Minnesota Vikings
4. Denver Broncos
5. New England Patriots
6. New York Giants
7. Cincinnati Bengals
8. Pittsburgh Steelers
9. Baltimore Ravens
10. Atlanta Falcons
11. Philadelphia Eagles
12. Houston Texans
13. Green Bay Packers
14. Dallas Cowboys
15. San Diego Chargers
16. Chicago Bears
17. Miami Dolphins
18. New York Jets
19. Arizona Cardinals
20. Jacksonville Jaguars
21. San Francisco 49ers
22. Seattle Seahawks
23. Buffalo Bills
24. Oakland Raiders
25. Carolina Panthers
26. Detroit Lions
27. Kansas City Chiefs
28. Washington Redskins
29. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
30. Cleveland Browns
31. Tennessee Titans
32. Saint Louis Rams
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4 comments:
Wow ... the NFL bottom is a sorry bunch and I didn't realize there were so money. Thus agree - the league is more unbalanced than ever - that or we're in for one strange second half!
Broncos taking it on the chin? They are due!
Browns are due to ... but you have them scoring 3 TDs - which is high for a team only scoring 4 TDs this season!
Sorry I've been away as I've taken on a work project that has zapped by reading and writing time.
Though their record reflects them being in the have-nots, I can't help but think Miami is better than that.
LJ is done. He can't perform on the field, and he's a jerk off it. Just last year he was in trouble for domestic abuse issues with women. I'd be surprised if he caught on anywhere. Remember how hard it was for Shaun Alexander to get another chance, and he didn't have LJ's baggage.
LJ probably looked in the mirror and saw a life without football. And Twitter. An no on else to slur with those old school words to emasculate another man.
That being said, I hope his (bleepity) behind becomes one of those free agent players included in Madden '11. You know, the ones whose skill values closely resemble a third-stringers.
That's an excellent point, 3rd. It's ironic because it is the NFL that is often associated with parity, but it is non-existent this year.
Yes, I very much remember Vermeil questioning Johnson back when Priest Holmes was the best running back in the league. It seems that character has come complete circle now.
I'm not sure how the Bears-Browns game will go, but hopefully Chicago will respond much better than they came out in last week's game.
Nice post, and enjoy the games on Sunday!
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