MIA vs. GB
This game is really difficult for me to pin down. Under normal circumstances, it would be easy to select Green Bay to win. However, I have seen too many quarterbacks play very poorly after suffering a concussion, to confidently select the Packers. Ultimately I think this game comes down to who can run the ball better, in which case, the Dolphins have the advantage. I am going with Miami on the basis of this advantage.
SD vs. STL
While San Diego GM AJ Smith does seem determined to deconstruct the great team San Diego had some years ago, they are still talented enough to beat down the Rams.
BAL vs. NE *Game of the Week*
This game could be either a tight, defensive battle, or a major blowout. New England now has to play without their best wide receiver and need to rely on the combined efforts of the receivers to keep pressure off of Wes Welker, Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez. You see, Randy Moss was always the receiver defenses feared the most and would draw coverage away from the other receivers. With him gone, these receivers now have to deal with the complete attention of the defense. While Baltimore’s secondary is not the best in the NFL, they are more than capable enough to hold down the Patriots passing game. I’m picking the Ravens to win, because they can punish the Patriots on the ground and contain the Pats offense enough to win the game.
CLE vs. PIT
In spite of the major upset that the Browns pulled last year, they are starting a rookie quarterback against one of the toughest defenses in the NFL right now. Pittsburgh wins.
KC vs. HOU
This game could be a major shootout, assuming that both teams can get their offense going. While Kansas City was defeated by Indianapolis, they were able to stay in the game and the defense was able to keep Peyton Manning and the Indy offense contained (relatively). Houston’s defeat at the hands of New York may have given the NFL the blue print for beating the Texans, but a lot of what the Giants’ defense did was reliant on the ability of the defensive line to win the individual battles against the Texans offensive line. I don’t think that the Chiefs will be able to do that, mostly because they run 3-4, and rely on those 3 defensive linemen to take up blocks. It really doesn’t work against the zone running scheme that the Texans run, at least in my opinion. Texans win.
DET vs. NYG
If the Giants defense has really returned to form, then they should win easily. But if not, then they should win in in a tight shootout. Note that either way, the Giants win.
ATL vs. PHI
Michael Vick returns to Atlanta again. However this time, he will be on the bench. Kevin Kolb gets another start, however he will be facing the team that is the best in the NFL at intercepting passes. I think Kolb will play fairly well, but I doubt he’ll be able to hang with arguably the best team in the NFC. Atlanta wins.
SEA vs. CHI
Since surprising us in week 1, Seattle seems to have fallen back into the mediocrity that they have been stuck in since losing the Super Bowl. I doubt they’ll be able to handle the offensively explosive and defensively tough Bears. Chi-town wins.
NO vs. TB
This will be the ultimate test of how good Tampa Bay is. While New Orleans allowed themselves to be beaten by the mediocre Cardinals, they are still a dangerous team and cannot be underestimated while they are still lead by Drew Brees. Tampa Bay has a surprising string of victories and may even challenge for a playoff spot later in the season. I’m going with New Orleans because of the strength of Drew Brees, but it may be a tight game.
NYJ vs. DEN
Denver has been surprising this season, but only in the fact that they have been able to beat middle of the road teams. They still won’t be able to compete with a strong Jets defense. Jets win.
OAK vs. SF
Umm, I really have no idea how to call this. If I had to pick the best team, I would say the 49ers. Regardless of record when you watch the 49ers, they look like a playoff caliber team. But the Raiders are coming off a major win over San Diego and the Niners have had a lot of bad luck this season. I’m picking the Raiders, because of that bad luck, but I have very little confidence in that pick.
DAL vs. MIN
This is another one I might have had a hard time with, but then Brett Favre revealed that he would be willing to sit out a game because his elbow hurts so much. He wasn’t playing well before that, then letting it out to the world, I think, has severely hurt his team’s confidence in him. I’m picking Dallas on the basis of this lost confidence and on the basis of Favre’s play the past few weeks.
IND vs. WAS
A battle of the best quarterback of a generation against a surprisingly good defense. I could try to break a lot of this down into individual matchups and explain how those matchups would affect the game. But, ultimately I’m picking Indy to win, because they have Peyton Manning, and I am not of the opinion that the Washington defense will be able to overcome the veteran superstar.
TEN vs. JAC
This is going to be interesting. Jacksonville is starting toll a little bit after winning two games in a row, while Tennessee is coming off a huge win over Dallas. The key to this game is going to be the pass rush. Jacksonville is getting to the quarterback better than they have in previous years, but nowhere near the way Tennessee has. I know that the Titans don’t seem to have a dominant pass rusher, but they haven’t needed one. Their entire defense has been able to put pressure on the QB and a different defensive lineman has starred each week. I’m picking the Titans to win because of this.
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