Abbreviated intro this week. I started a new job, and the CEO of my marriage had some yard work that needed to be done this weekend. Now I’m settling in for some NFL action. Should be a good week; close matchups, which made for some difficult picks.
Looking at the standings, I see lots of surprises. Who had the Chiefs at 4-0 and the Giants at 0-4? How about the Falcons at 1-3, or the Dolphins at 3-1? The Lions and Browns in first place, and the Packers, Bengals, and Texans in third? Not me, that’s for sure, but if you did, well, congratulations.
Lots of sports journalists did “quarterly” reports this week, something that happens every season after week 4. They gave out awards, explained what has happened with the amazing gift of hindsight, and made and remade predictions. At least one columnist declared a Broncos-Seahawks Super Bowl a lock.
Me, I’ll just wait and see. They’ve only played 4 out of 17 weeks, plus one game in week 5 (hence the title), so there’s a lot of football left to be played. I’m not giving out any awards or crowning any champions just yet. Let the rest talk about the NFL season’s “quarter pole;” it’s a tired metaphor from an outdated sport. Besides, it sounds too much like something you’d see in the world’s saddest strip club.
Eagles at Giants
The Giants’ have been nothing short of dreadful the past few weeks, and their defensive shortcomings make them look like sitting ducks for an Eagles offence which can move the ball on the ground and through the air. Then I remembered that the Philly offence hasn’t been all that great either. This is one of those games that always gets me when it comes to the Giants; I start thinking that they’re down and out, then they come back and have a big game. The biggest issue with the Giants right now, other than injuries, is turnovers; mot only do they kill drives, but they put too much pressure on the already depleted defence. I think Eli and Co. come through with a clean game, and New York wins a shootout. Winner: Giants
Saints at Bears
This shapes up to be a classic duel between a great QB, Drew Brees, and a QB with great talent, Jay Cutler, which I believe will stoke the competitive fire in Cutler. Despite all the talk about how great the Saints’ defence is, I think they can be had. Winner: Bears
Jaguars at Rams
Sam Bradford completes 40 checkdowns for 100 yards. Then again, his team is facing the Jags. That’s some excitement right there, folks. Winner: Rams
Seahawks at Colts
After going into San Francisco and thumping the 49ers, I’m sure a lot of people are thinking that the Colts have a good shot at beating Seattle in the friendly confines of Lucas Oil Stadium. They don’t. The Seahawks’ defence is a much better all-around unit than the ‘niners’, particularly in the secondary, which allows them to focus more on stopping the run. This is a bad matchup for Indy. Winner: Seahawks
Ravens at Dolphins
Miami hung in for a bit against New Orleans on Monday night, until turnovers put them in a hole. The Ravens offence doesn’t have enough weapons to move the ball consistently against a defence as good as Miami’s. Winner: Dolphins
Patriots at Bengals
The Bengals, suddenly in an unexpected dawgfight for first place in their division, host the Patriots at an inopportune time. Cincy’s secondary is banged-up, and Tom Brady’s rapport with his new young receivers, particularly Kenbrell Thompkins, is improving. Also, the Bengals’ #1 playmaker AJ Green will have to contend with one of the best CBs in the league, Aqib Talib, fresh from making Atlanta’s Julio Jones eat his words last Sunday night. Winner: Patriots
Lions at Packers
The Packers are fresh, rested, and healthy after their bye week, so now it’s time for them to step up and play some defence before their season starts slipping away. A loss to the Lions here drops them to 1-3, and would put Detroit at 4-1. If that doesn’t spur the Pack to a big performance, then I don’t know what will. Winner: Packers
Chiefs at Titans
Just when I was starting to come around on the Titans, Jake Locker gets hurt. Without Locker, and with Ryan Fitzpatrick running the offence, I don’t envision Tennessee’s offence being able to do much against KC’s defence. Don’t be surprised if Fitzpatrick helps the Chiefs out with a couple of turnovers. Winner: Chiefs
Panthers at Cardinals
The Cards squeaked one out on the road in Tampa last week, but the Panthers can do a lot more on offence than the Bucs. Carolina’s defence should be able to get the job done here too. Winner: Panthers
Broncos at Cowboys
I don’t think that Dallas can do much on defence to stop the Denver offensive onslaught. What I will be curious about, however, is how well the Cowboys’ offence fares. This is the best offence that the Broncos have faced this season, and I think that Dallas will show the league that Denver’s defence is not as good as a lot of people think. (Note: The CEO thinks I’m wrong about this one) Winner: Broncos
Texans at 49ers
I want to pick Houston here. There are plenty of reasons that I should. They’re properly motivated, being challenged for the division lead by both the Colts and Titans. They were humbled last week, losing a game at home to Seattle that they should have won. Matt Schaub, after having almost literally throwing away last week’s game, will be determined to be better. However, the 49ers are pretty motivated as well; they were beaten soundly in their last two games, and are already two games behind the Seahawks in the NFC West. There’s a difference between playing to win and playing not to lose, and I believe that that will be the deciding factor here. I can’t stand Jim Harbaugh, so I hope I’m wrong. Winner: 49ers
Chargers at Raiders
Nice to hear that Terrelle Pryor is healthy again. Unfortunately, Darren McFadden is out for Oakland. Philip Rivers continues to play well; not having Norv Turner around has severely hindered his ability to suck. Winner: Chargers
Monday Night
Jets at Falcons
Atlanta is reeling, already three games behind New Orleans in the NFC South, but they should be able to get back on track against a bad Jets team. Winner: Falcons
Looking at the standings, I see lots of surprises. Who had the Chiefs at 4-0 and the Giants at 0-4? How about the Falcons at 1-3, or the Dolphins at 3-1? The Lions and Browns in first place, and the Packers, Bengals, and Texans in third? Not me, that’s for sure, but if you did, well, congratulations.
Lots of sports journalists did “quarterly” reports this week, something that happens every season after week 4. They gave out awards, explained what has happened with the amazing gift of hindsight, and made and remade predictions. At least one columnist declared a Broncos-Seahawks Super Bowl a lock.
Me, I’ll just wait and see. They’ve only played 4 out of 17 weeks, plus one game in week 5 (hence the title), so there’s a lot of football left to be played. I’m not giving out any awards or crowning any champions just yet. Let the rest talk about the NFL season’s “quarter pole;” it’s a tired metaphor from an outdated sport. Besides, it sounds too much like something you’d see in the world’s saddest strip club.
Eagles at Giants
The Giants’ have been nothing short of dreadful the past few weeks, and their defensive shortcomings make them look like sitting ducks for an Eagles offence which can move the ball on the ground and through the air. Then I remembered that the Philly offence hasn’t been all that great either. This is one of those games that always gets me when it comes to the Giants; I start thinking that they’re down and out, then they come back and have a big game. The biggest issue with the Giants right now, other than injuries, is turnovers; mot only do they kill drives, but they put too much pressure on the already depleted defence. I think Eli and Co. come through with a clean game, and New York wins a shootout. Winner: Giants
Saints at Bears
This shapes up to be a classic duel between a great QB, Drew Brees, and a QB with great talent, Jay Cutler, which I believe will stoke the competitive fire in Cutler. Despite all the talk about how great the Saints’ defence is, I think they can be had. Winner: Bears
Jaguars at Rams
Sam Bradford completes 40 checkdowns for 100 yards. Then again, his team is facing the Jags. That’s some excitement right there, folks. Winner: Rams
Seahawks at Colts
After going into San Francisco and thumping the 49ers, I’m sure a lot of people are thinking that the Colts have a good shot at beating Seattle in the friendly confines of Lucas Oil Stadium. They don’t. The Seahawks’ defence is a much better all-around unit than the ‘niners’, particularly in the secondary, which allows them to focus more on stopping the run. This is a bad matchup for Indy. Winner: Seahawks
Ravens at Dolphins
Miami hung in for a bit against New Orleans on Monday night, until turnovers put them in a hole. The Ravens offence doesn’t have enough weapons to move the ball consistently against a defence as good as Miami’s. Winner: Dolphins
Patriots at Bengals
The Bengals, suddenly in an unexpected dawgfight for first place in their division, host the Patriots at an inopportune time. Cincy’s secondary is banged-up, and Tom Brady’s rapport with his new young receivers, particularly Kenbrell Thompkins, is improving. Also, the Bengals’ #1 playmaker AJ Green will have to contend with one of the best CBs in the league, Aqib Talib, fresh from making Atlanta’s Julio Jones eat his words last Sunday night. Winner: Patriots
Lions at Packers
The Packers are fresh, rested, and healthy after their bye week, so now it’s time for them to step up and play some defence before their season starts slipping away. A loss to the Lions here drops them to 1-3, and would put Detroit at 4-1. If that doesn’t spur the Pack to a big performance, then I don’t know what will. Winner: Packers
Chiefs at Titans
Just when I was starting to come around on the Titans, Jake Locker gets hurt. Without Locker, and with Ryan Fitzpatrick running the offence, I don’t envision Tennessee’s offence being able to do much against KC’s defence. Don’t be surprised if Fitzpatrick helps the Chiefs out with a couple of turnovers. Winner: Chiefs
Panthers at Cardinals
The Cards squeaked one out on the road in Tampa last week, but the Panthers can do a lot more on offence than the Bucs. Carolina’s defence should be able to get the job done here too. Winner: Panthers
Broncos at Cowboys
I don’t think that Dallas can do much on defence to stop the Denver offensive onslaught. What I will be curious about, however, is how well the Cowboys’ offence fares. This is the best offence that the Broncos have faced this season, and I think that Dallas will show the league that Denver’s defence is not as good as a lot of people think. (Note: The CEO thinks I’m wrong about this one) Winner: Broncos
Texans at 49ers
I want to pick Houston here. There are plenty of reasons that I should. They’re properly motivated, being challenged for the division lead by both the Colts and Titans. They were humbled last week, losing a game at home to Seattle that they should have won. Matt Schaub, after having almost literally throwing away last week’s game, will be determined to be better. However, the 49ers are pretty motivated as well; they were beaten soundly in their last two games, and are already two games behind the Seahawks in the NFC West. There’s a difference between playing to win and playing not to lose, and I believe that that will be the deciding factor here. I can’t stand Jim Harbaugh, so I hope I’m wrong. Winner: 49ers
Chargers at Raiders
Nice to hear that Terrelle Pryor is healthy again. Unfortunately, Darren McFadden is out for Oakland. Philip Rivers continues to play well; not having Norv Turner around has severely hindered his ability to suck. Winner: Chargers
Monday Night
Jets at Falcons
Atlanta is reeling, already three games behind New Orleans in the NFC South, but they should be able to get back on track against a bad Jets team. Winner: Falcons
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