We've got some wild football this year. Miami has now beaten both teams from last year's AFC Championship game. Can anyone say Wildcat? The NFC East is a combined 14-5. The NFC West is a combined 6-12. Neither Indy nor the Pats are in first place. And the only team with a winning record in the AFC West? Denver. Tennessee is the only 5-0 team. The QB news is about Kerry and Kurt, not Peyton and Tom. Everyone's favorite AFC fad, the Cleveland Browns? 1-3. Everyone's favorite NFC fad, the Minnesota Vikings? 2-3. Not awe inspiring. But there's lots more football to play.
In some divisions, an 0-4 start means little. The Rams could still conceivably win the NFC West. In other divisions, a 4-1 start is mediocre, for now. Lotsa football to play. And so, without further ado, let's get to the picks :
Chicago @ Atlanta
Atlanta: Won against some questionable teams. Detroit. KC. Even Green Bay can be considered questionable at this point. They lost to Tampa and Carolina, the two teams ahead of them in the division. Chicago: Hard fought wins against Indy and Philly. Hard fought losses against Carolina and Tampa, the two teams to which Atlanta lost. I like the way Atlanta's coming around, but I just think Chicago has a D that will stop Turner and attack Ryan. TD chooses: Chicago Bears
Baltimore @ Indianapolis
Indy just doesn't look the same. With Peyton mostly unprotected these past few weeks, he looks a bit like a duck out of water. But they're a dangerous team still. At any time, they can turn it not just on but on hyperdrive. See win against Houston. Baltimore, though, has a bit of the defensive swagger of the 2000 team. The wild card? The Blue Hen alumnus. What will Joe Flacco do? You know what? I think Baltimore keeps it on the ground with McClain and McGahee. TD chooses: Baltimore Ravens
Detroit @ Minnesota
The perennial losers versus the NFC fad of 2008. You know, I'd like to think that this would be the week that Detroit could win, but John Kitna has back spasms. The backup? Dan Orlovsky. At times, backups can prove difficult to defend because there's little tape of that guy playing. So, that could prove problematic for the Vikes. But, you know, I still have some faith in the Viking D; they should give Dan the Man a lot of trouble. For that reason, TD chooses: Minnesota Vikings
Oakland @ New Orleans
Disappointment versus disappointment, at least thus far. What can Oakland do now that Kiffin is gone? Nothing. Not as long as Al Davis is there and wants to lead the team but not coach. I don't condone everything that Kiffin did, by a long shot. At the same time, Al Davis just comes across as a crazy old senile has-been. And his team hasn't shown anything to dispute that in the past 6 years. On the other side of the field are Brees and Bush trying to do it all. The Saints have no running game (29th in the league) and their defense allows too many yards (351 ypg). Still, they can score. They haven't had fewer than 24 points in any game this season. TD chooses: New Orleans Saints
Cincinnati @ New York Jets
Another QB hurt - Carson Palmer - leaving room for Ryan Fitzpatrick to start for the Bagels. I don't see good things in his future this weekend. Still, the Bagels have the potential - note, potential - to have a good running game. They just don't yet. Watch out for Cedric, if he doesn't get arrested first. Then there's the J-E-T-S. An exciting game with that 'lovable' gunslinger at the helm. He put up 56 points two weeks ago. But I don't think he'll do it again with the Bagels being 6th in the league in pass defense. Brett could, however, open it up for Thomas Jones and Leon Washington. You can tell which way I'm leaning. TD chooses: New York Jets
St. Louis @ Washington
Honestly, this is a scary game for Redskin fans. They just went out and beat Dallas at Dallas and Philly at Philly. Now, they're coming home against a St. Louis team that has a new coach and is eager to win. Trap game. I know I said I was going to be conservative. And I know this is in DC. I know everything says that the Redskins should win this game. Except that little voice in the back of my head. TD chooses: St. Louis Rams
Miami @ Houston
Schaub is back from a viral infection. He's better than Rosenfels, though not by much. And their D is right about average. You'd think they'd have won a game by now... cough, cough... Indy... cough, cough. Then there's Miami. If teams aren't studying that Wildcat formation, they should be. And Sparano says that there's more to come... more looks from that formation, that is. I'm intrigued by Miami. And even though the coaching staff came from Dallas, I find myself rooting for them. TD chooses: Miami Dolphins
Jacksonville @ Denver
Almost my pick of the week. Let's be honest. Jacksonville has had a really tough first 5 games. They lost to Tennessee, Buffalo, and Pittsburgh. All by a touchdown or less. Yes, I know, good teams pull those games out. But they did pull an impressive one out against Indy. And another against Houston. Then there's Denver. Very strong at home. If I'm honest, they haven't had as tough a schedule. Who to choose. I want to choose Jacksonville. I think they have a real shot of winning. But I'm not confident enough in them to choose them over Denver at home. TD chooses: Denver Broncos
Dallas @ Arizona
'Pacman' will not be disciplined for his scuffle. Egregious. But the Cowboys will pay. They'll pay in the same way they have the past 2 years. No, it's not some karmic curse I'm attempting to bestow. It's just that there's no discipline. None. Just look at the Jints. Did anyone think they could win the big game without Tiki and Shockey? A few years ago, no. Coughlin was on the hot seat; the word was he was too strict. I don't see that happening this year with Plax. Who cares if the guy is a good receiver? Eli found quite a few others this past weekend. Okay, so this isn't about the Jints. But it is about the Cowboys. Sure, they'll win more than they'll lose. They'll even get to the playoffs. But something happens to them and they self-destruct. Because they don't have anyone to lay down the law. This weekend? Oh yes, the Cardinals will give them a run for their money, but it won't be enough. TD chooses: Dallas Cowboys
Philadelphia @ San Francisco
I read that McNabb gave his team a talkin' to after a few losses. Those losses, remember, came against Dallas, Washington, and Chicago. And they won against Pittsburgh. San Francisco's wins? Seattle and Detroit. Umm, yeah. I know Martz will have O'Sullivan throwing, but Philly's not gonna take em lightly. TD chooses: Philadelphia Eagles
Green Bay @ Seattle
Is anyone else surprised that Green Bay is 2-3 with wins only against the Vikes and the Lions? I know I am. I didn't think Brett the Jet was such a difference maker. I suppose I still don't believe it. Green Bay's a better team than they're letting on. Or something. Well, their spirits should be higher than they have been given that their opponent is the Seachickens. Yes, the Seachickens have earned that name once again with terrible play. I've heard from their fans that I should give them a break. That their receiving corps is decimated. I know, I know. But I've asked them to explain one thing to me. If I lay off the impotent offense, then where the hell's the defense? 44-6? Not excusable. TD chooses: Green Bay Packers
New England @ San Diego
Interesting game of the week. Last year's AFC championship game. So different now. New England won a good old fashioned defensive game last week, doing what they did to great teams back in 2002. They're always dangerous. Always ready to take advantage of any weakness. Then you have the Bolts who are rather enigmatic. They should be better than they are. But their wins and losses thus far prove they're better than worse teams and worse than better teams. No surprises, in other words. I'm going with slow and steady in this one. TD chooses: New England Patriots
New York Giants @ Cleveland
Cleveland is thrust into the spotlight once again this season. It's after a bye, so they should be rested. After that, I don't know what to say. They're dead last in the league in total offense and passing. 25th in rushing. Better on D. That just means they won't allow 44 points. But most weeks 11 is enough to beat them. The Giants? If they look past this game, they could get a surprise, but I think they just have too many weapons to allow Cleveland to threaten. TD chooses: New York Football Giants
Pick of the Week:
Carolina @ Tampa
For first place in the NFC South, these teams will battle this weekend. Watch out for Jeff Garcia. He has magic in him yet. He's a tough guy who can lead impressive drives. I still won't forgive him for what he did against the Jints in the playoffs when he was with San Fran. But Carolina gets back some of their starting o-linemen this week. And they've figured out how to win the close games. Tampa better watch for Dante Rosario in the middle. A good, good game, methinks. TD chooses: Carolina Panthers
No comments:
Post a Comment