Hey football fans,
So last week was rough, I went 6-7, definitely my worse ever, guess I did jinx myself, but let’s hope I can get the luck back! Although, in my defense, there were quite a few upsets, some powerhouse teams got knocked around, putting unlikely teams back in Super Bowl contentions. Should be interesting to see what the teams with new wins do this week!
Byes: Atlanta Falcons, Chicago Bears, Green Bay Packers, Oakland Raiders, New York Jets, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
1:00pm
Indianapolis Colts (0-7) v. Tennessee Titans (3-3): The Colts have not won a single game, quarterback Kerry Collins is the worst ranked in the league, and their defense is no better being 30th overall. The Titans are fairing no better as the season progresses, their winning streak ended by cataclysmic losses including last weeks 34 point difference fall to the Texans. Matt Hasselbeck is the Titans only saving grace, being the seventh ranked quarterback, but is he enough to secure this crucial win? I say yes, the Colts have nothing going for them since the loss of Manning, if the Titans can not pull of this reason the rest of their season is over.
Pick: Titans
Arizona Cardinals (1-5) v. Baltimore Ravens (4-2): The Ravens loss to the Jaguars, was possibly the biggest upset of the week. Quarterback Flacco’s performance is consistently under par, however the Raven’s still boast the number one defense. The Cardinals leading rusher Bernie Wells is recovering from his knee injury, but the team still has one of the worst defense and offenses. If the Ravens can get the ball more to rusher Ray Rice, they can secure a confident win.
Pick: Ravens
Minnesota Vikings (1-6) v. Carolina Panthers (2-5): Both teams are coming off impressive weeks, the Panthers ousting the favored Redskins, and the Vikings almost beating powerhouse Green Bay. Starting rookie quarterback Christian Ponder was a bold move on the Vikings part, are they going to be willing to take it again despite Ponder’s two interceptions last game? Cam Newton, the fourth ranked quarterback, finally has the rest of his team step-up and ready to secure a victory. With sixth ranked tackler James Anderson, the Panthers are showing promising, and perhaps on the way to a winning end of the season run.
Pick: Panthers
Jacksonville Jaguars (2-5) v. Houston Texans (4-3): Last weekend the Texans, came to Tennessee, they saw the struggling team’s moral, and they conquered, absolutely blowing away the Titans. Their losing streak overcome, the Texans are back in competition, with seventh ranked quarterback Matt Schuab and equally ranked defense the team have never looked better. The Jaguars have the worst offense under thirty-second ranked quarterback Blaine Gabbert, with their only strength being their ninth ranked defense, led by middle-line backer Paul Posluszny, but this is not going to be enough. The Texans have tasted victory, and see the possibility of playoff action, and thus they will be bent on securing another win.
Pick: Texans
Miami Dolphins (0-6) v. New York Giants (4-2): There is not much to say about the Dolphins, their offense and defense both rank in the mid-twenties, their quarterback Chad Henne is ranked thirty-first, and they have not been able to win a single game. Winning this should be a cakewalk for the Giants, with eighth ranked quarterback Eli Manning, third leading sacker Jason Pierre-Paul, they should defeat the Dolphins by probably quite a large margin.
Pick: Giants
New Orleans Saints (5-2) v. St. Louis Rams (0-6): The Saints are one of the best teams currently, with the second ranked offense led by quarterback Drew Brees, and fourteenth ranked defense under Roman Harper, this should be another confidant win for the team. The Rams unsuccessful season has left them with the twenty-ninth ranked defense, and twenty-eighth offense under struggling quarter back, once sophomore Heisman winner Sam Bradford. With the rest of the Ram’s schedule having them facing teams more their own caliber, hopefully they can turn their season around, but sadly it will not happen this week.
Pick: Saints
4:05pm
Detroit Lions (5-2) v. Denver Broncos (2-4): The Lions, two weeks ago undefeated, have since suffered devastating losses that have certainly hurt moral. Though with sixth ranked quarterback Matthew Stafford, coupled with fourth placed receiver Calvin Johnson the Lions are not down and out, especially this week going against the Broncos who barely pulled off a win last week to the Dolphins. The Broncos’ offense and defense both rank in the twenties, along with postseason switch to quarterback Tim Tebow certainly has not helped the team. Defeating the Broncos, should increase the Lion’s spirit and set them back on the fast track to a promising season.
Pick: Lions
Washington Redskins (3-3) v. Buffalo Bills (4-2): The Redskins once looking so promising, have since slowed their momentum. Leading running back Tim Hightower is out with injury, and London Fletcher will be limited in the game due to his. The Bills are in fourth place for rushing yards, led by Fred Jackson, however their defense is second to last. Regardless, the Redskins injuries is certainly going to inhibit their ability, if quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick throws a good game the Bills can secure a win!
Pick: Bills
4:15pm
Cincinnati Bengals (4-2): v. Seattle Seahawks (2-4): Sadly one of the few predictions I got right last week was the loss of my Seahawks to the Browns, but there is no denying how bad Seattle is. With the thirty-first ranked offense, they have little ability under Tarvaris Jackson to get anything going, and it is little help that their defense is only ranked fifteenth. The Bengals on the other hand having worries of their own, losing QB Carson Palmer, WR Chad Ochocinco, and WR Terrell Owens, the Bengals now have to rely on rookies A.J. Green (WR) and Andy Dalton (QB). Dalton is already posting a passer rate 84.3, higher than Palmer’s and on par with other quarterbacks Netwon, Vick, and Cutler. It is looking like with these new players, the Bengals may just continue their successful season!
Pick: Bengals
Cleveland Browns (3-3) v. San Francisco 49ers (5-1): While the 49ers do not have a strong quarterback in Alex Smith, and an equally bad overall offense, they do have a fairly decent eleventh ranked defense. The Browns have a strong fourth ranked defense; their offense however is poor, led by quarterback Colt McCoy. The Browns have not shown much potential this season, where as the 49ers despite their low rankings have been quite successful, and it is looking like another good week for them.
Pick: 49ers
New England Patriots (5-1) v. Pittsburgh Steelers (5-2): The Patriots are a parody, Tom Brady and Wes Walker lead their number one offense, however they have the absolutely worse ranked defense. The Steelers have a powerful balance of ninth ranked offense and third ranked defense. This match-up is quite a comparison of talent that shall certainly create a great game. Going on precedence, the Patriots have won five out of the last six meetings in Pittsburgh in a convincing manner, if history is to repeat its self it should be a close win for New England.
Pick: Patriots
8:20pm
Dallas Cowboys (3-3) v. Philadelphia Eagles (2-4): The Eagles season has been a poor representation of their talent, with the third ranked offense lead by Michael Vick, and thirteenth ranked defense, they are well balanced team. The Cowboys have equally good rankings of sixth defense, and seventh offense. Despite the Cowboys better rankings, their overhyped and under performing. If the Eagles can step up their defense, they can shut down the Cowboys and secure the win.
Pick: Eagles
Monday, 8:30pm
San Diego Chargers (4-2) v. Kansas City Chiefs (3-3): I am still an advocate of the Chargers, and how little attention they are getting for their impressive season. Eighth ranked offense, fifth ranked defense, they are a powerhouse of ability. The Chiefs are doing average, their defense and offense both rank in the low twenties. It is looking like another a good week for the Chargers.
Pick: Chargers
