This will be the biggest sports week for me in recent memory. I've got TO coming back to Philly tomorrow, a televised UFC card on Tuesday, and a Pay-Per-View card on Saturday. In the meantime, the baseball playoffs are going on. Had the Phillies not once again yanked the rug out from under themselves to get into the postseason, I might be having a heart attack right now. So without further delay, let's get into this week's NFL games.
BEARS over Bills
The Bears made mincemeat out of the reigning NFC champs last week, and that was no fluke. But at the same time, that one had "letdown game" written all over it for the Hawks, and it was one the Bears wanted badly to prove they were legit. I still think the Bears are a better team than the Seahawks, and definitely the most impressive team in the league thus far, but they're not that much better than the upper echelon of the league. At least not yet. They should pound the Bills here, but this one has letdown game potential for Chicago. I think they pull it out at home, but it could be a close one.
Rams over PACKERS
Even when Favre is on target, which isn't as often as anyone would like to see, his defense is just hapless. Look for Bulger to carve the Pack to pieces.
COLTS over Titans
Unfortunately for Tennessee, they play in the same division as Peyton Manning. This one is going to be real ugly. Indy may look to just run all over the Titans and not make this any longer than it has to be.
VIKINGS over Lions
I tell you, if the Lions defense played every week like they played in week one, they'd have a chance here. But that was week one, which is more often the exception than the rule. It probably won't be a blowout, but the Vikings will take this one.
PATRIOTS over Dolphins
Miami is in a tailspin with Culpepper under center, and they probably won't pull out of it this season unless Joey Harrington really is better than he looked in Detroit. Pats should win big.
SAINTS over Bucs
The Saints' defense might or might not hold up down the road, but they won't need much of it against the Bucs. This is a division game, and anything can happen in a division game, but Tampa just seems lost right now.
Redskins over GIANTS
Washington is picking up momentum, and the Giants are losing it. They couldn't carry the momentum from their fluke win over the Eagles into Seattle, and they got blown out badly. They're entering the "dysfunctional" territory very early in the season, and that's not good for Tom Coughlin or anyone else. They need this win at home, or they could be in serious trouble. Meanwhile, the Redskins' offense is looking like a well-oiled machine, with Santana Moss playing the role of big time receiver. Old man Mark Brunell is holding his own, and I don't know how long that will last, but it'll last through this week. Skins win a close one, because the Giants can't help but play them close.
PANTHERS over Browns
Browns fans, don't get too excited about the win over Oakland. Cleveland had to make a comeback against the bar none worst team in the NFL. Be glad they won, but don't expect too many more until the schedule gets easier. Carolina needs this game to continue their roll after two straight division wins, and they should pick it up.
CARDINALS over Chiefs
This pick makes no sense. Just call it a gut feeling.
49ERS over Raiders
I don't think the Raiders will go winless this year; the bad teams who only have a couple of wins usually pick up a fluke or two over a good team that drops its guard. The Niners have some semblance of offense, and if Oakland can put together a few drives, we might have a mini-shootout. I wouldn't count on it though. This will probably be another ugly one.
Jets over JAGS
The Jets have been killed by the schedule, but don't count them out in any game. I told you they'd make a game out of the Colts loss last week. I would have loved it had they been able to pull off a touchdown from that last play. That went on way longer than it should have, and it was great. I think they're due for a win here, and the Jags are hurting a little bit.
CHARGERS over Steelers
Behold, the demise of last year's mighty Super Bowl champions…..okay, maybe that's a bit premature. But they're certainly not the team they were last year. I don't think Ben Roethlisberger is going to be himself this year at all, much to the chagrin of all those who have been waiting for him to get back to last year's form. I just don't see it happening. The Chargers, on the other hand, are going to be playing at home, and they're going to be angry. Philip Rivers is turning out not to be such a huge dropoff at quarterback, and if he hits a good stride, the Chargers could live up to what I expected them to be last year.
BRONCOS over Ravens
It's only a matter of time before the Ravens are exposed for having no offense. McNair can't keep playing well for 5 minutes per game and have Baltimore continue to win. I think Denver calls the hype into question this week.
Which brings us to….
EAGLES over Cowboys
It's the game I've been waiting for since finding out you-know-who signed with Dallas. Seriously, it wouldn't have been fitting if Owens just went over to the AFC and we didn't hear from him again. We need to play his team twice a year. And it needs to be the team that the hated Bill Parcells coaches. And the team that the hated Jerry Jones owns. With the hated star on the helmet. I just can't wait for this. It should be a close game with the Eagles' secondary banged up a bit, and without Stallworth, and without Westbrook at 100%. And still, I see the Birds taking it. Dallas will look to pound the ball early to set up the pass, and it won't work. They may have a good first drive, as has been the MO for the defense this year (for whatever reason), but I don't see them having much success on a consistent basis. The front four is too good for the Eagles, and I don't think Jim Johnson will blitz quite as much as he usually does. The defensive line will be able to get to the flat-footed Drew Bledsoe and put him on his back. And when they do blitz, look for Dawkins to get in the backfield before you can say "sack". The man is ageless, and he plays like a man possessed every week. He's one of the most thrilling defensive players in the league, and I can't wait to see him knock TO's head off when he runs one of those crossing routes across the middle. I can hardly type I'm so excited. The last time Owens met an Eagles safety from an opposing standpoint, he ended up with a broken collarbone. And that was before…you know.
As for the offense, I can tell you that no one is any match for Donovan McNabb right now. No one. When he hits his stride like he has so far, he's the best quarterback in the league. Show me another QB that befuddles defenses and makes plays happen like McNabb does. The Dallas defense will have its moments, but it will be Donovan's day.
(And by the way, Terry Glenn will have more impact than you-know-who.)
Well, that felt good. It's nice to be able to write a column again.
Last Week: 9-5
Season: 40-20
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