NFL Fearless
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Washington at
New York Jets
1:00 pm Fox November 4, 2007
Why to Watch: The Redskins should relish not having to set foot on the
same field as the greatest team ever created in the NFL. Last week, Washington
was forced to put eleven on the field against the Patriots and it was 52-0
before Joe Gibbs’ crew got on the board. It finished 52-7. The Jets didn’t
have to play the Patriots, but didn’t fare much better, losing to Buffalo 13-3.
The Jets are heading south in a hurry, but after losing last week 52-7, the
Redskins might not be far behind them. A win for either team could delay that
descent for a little while, at the very least.
Why Washington Might Win: The Redskins offense got a baptism by fire
last week, which was the best thing that could’ve happened for quarterback Jason
Campbell. The former Auburn star completed 21 of 36 last week against the
Patriot defense for 197 yards and a touchdown. He isn’t facing a defense in the
same league as the Patriots this weekend, that’s for sure. The Jets defense is
26th in the NFL in pass defense, yielding 239.6 yards per game, so
Campbell should get loose early and often against Kerry Rhodes and company on
Sunday.
Why New York Jets Might Win: The presence of Kellen Clemens at
quarterback provides a completely different dimension to the Jets offense. His
ability to throw the football downfield is going to force the Washington
safeties, LaRon Landry and Sean Taylor, to play at 15 yards, instead of ten or
eleven. With the extra room, running back Thomas Jones, who rushed for 70 yards
last week against Buffalo, should be able to gash the Redskin defensive front.
Who to Watch: Last week, the Washington offensive line didn’t handle the
Patriots blitzes off the edge and it led to three Mike Vrabel sacks, one of
which led to a Patriots defensive touchdown. If Campbell isn’t protected on
Sunday, but they’ll lose (not 52-7, mind you) if the OL doesn’t take care of the
Jets defensive front seven.
What Will Happen: Clemens is going to be productive, 225+ yards through
the air, but he won’t be sharp, turning the ball over a couple of times.
Campbell will take advantage by taking care of the ball and playing pitch and
catch all over the Jet secondary. The Redskins will get back in the NFC East
race after a convincing win.
CFN Prediction: Redskins 27 … Jets 10
... Line: Washington -3.5
Must See Rating: (5 Heidi Klum on Victoria's Secret Fashion Show -
1 Heidi Klum on Oprah) ... 2
San
Francisco at
Atlanta
1:00 pm Fox November 4, 2007
Why to Watch: You know, there’s the Colts-Patriots matchup which might be
the best regular season game that we’ve had in, well, forever. And, then, well,
there’s this game. The two teams have combined for three wins on the season.
Both teams are dealing with deplorable quarterback situations. Well, look on
the bright side, at least the San Francisco 49ers aren’t backstabbing and
grousing about head coach Mike Nolan as the Falcons are about head coach Bobby
Petrino. The 49ers got whacked 31-10 at home last weekend by the improving
Saints, while the Falcons had the week off. It might be ugly, but the good news
is that one of these teams has to win. Right? RIGHT?!?
Why San Francisco Might Win: The 49ers have the worst passing game in
the NFL, averaging a measly 132.4 yards per game, but a young weapon is emerging
for the offense, well, one not named Frank Gore. Last week against New Orleans,
tight end Vernon Davis had six catches for 71 yards and a touchdown and was
quite frankly the only offensive threat for the 49er offense. Atlanta’s
linebackers have an extremely difficult assignment this week against Davis, a
tight end in name only.
Why Atlanta Might Win: The 49ers have to travel across country after
getting blown out by the Saints at home 31-10. The Falcons have played well at
home throughout the season, even if the home folks aren’t as gung-ho as they
were in past years when Mike Vick was under center. The offense doesn’t remind
anyone of the 1960’s Green Bay Packers, but on occasion, the offense can run the
football effectively enough to have a chance to win. Plus, the 49ers are 21st
in the league against the run, giving up 123.3 yards on the ground, so expect
plenty of Warrick Dunn and Jerious Norwood on Sunday.
Who to Watch: 49er quarterback Alex Smith has been a distinct
disappointment in this third year as a 49er. In his first start after being
injured, Smith completed only 22 of 43 throws for under 200 yards. He didn’t
turn the ball over, but he’s not putting any pressure at all on the defense
(he’s 30th in the NFL in passer rating). If the 49ers expect to turn
the season around, they need Smith to bring value to the offense – first pick in
the draft type value.
What Will Happen: The Falcons will turn up the pressure on Smith and
force him to have to beat the Falcons secondary throughout the game and he’s not
proven that he can do it. Quarterback Joey Harrington won’t be pretty, that’s
for sure, but he’ll manage the game and throw for 200+ yards and no turnovers.
Running backs Dunn and Norwood will provide the slightest bit of balance against
the Niner defense. Falcons win. That’s right, Falcons win.
CFN Prediction: Falcons 16 …49ers 10...
Line: Atlanta -3
Must See Rating: (5 Heidi Klum on Victoria's Secret Fashion Show -
1 Heidi Klum on Oprah) ... 1.5
Arizona
at Tampa Bay
1:00 pm Fox November 4, 2007
Why to Watch: Due to the fact that Seattle isn’t running away with the
NFC West title, the Cardinals still have playoff aspirations. But, they need to
prove that they can win on the road to be a definitive factor in the race. The
Cardinals had a bye week to rest and prepare for the Buccaneers, who lost 24-23
to in-state foe Jacksonville, as it turned the ball over three times in the
loss. That’s right, the Bucs lost to a team quarterbacked by Quinn Gray. Gray
rhymes with Rattay, as in Tim Rattay, who could spell Kurt Warner again, as he
did in the Cardinals last outing in Washington. Warner’s had an extra week to
rest his injured elbow, while Rattay had additional time to get comfortable with
the Ken Whisenhunt playbook.
Why Arizona Might Win: Whether it’s Rattay, Warner, Leinart or if Jim
Hart was brought out of mothballs, the Cardinals can throw the football. The
Cardinals are eleventh in the NFL in passing yardage, averaging 233.9 yards per
game. Wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald is the beneficiary of the passing game,
pulling in an average of six and a half catches per game for 91.7 yards per
game. The Buccaneer secondary faced Quinn Gray and a bunch of hacks at receiver
last week – unfortunately for said secondary, the back four gets a real test
against one of the NFC’s best passing attacks.
Why Tampa Bay Might Win: First of all, Garcia isn’t going to throw three
interceptions for a second consecutive week. Even with those three picks, he’s
the seventh ranked passer in the NFL with a 95.4 rating. Arizona’s secondary
gives up yards begrudgingly (eighth in the league – 195.6 yards), but Garcia
will take what the Cardinal secondary gives to him this weekend and move the
chains throughout the day.
Who to Watch: Cardinal safety Adrian Wilson is one of the more underrated
safeties in the league. He’s third on the team in tackles with 41 and tied for
the team lead with two interceptions. Those numbers show how valuable Wilson is
to both the run defense and floating in the middle of the field in pass
coverage. If Garcia doesn’t locate #24 downfield in coverage or on the blitz,
Wilson will make a play that gives the Cardinals all the momentum they might
need in this game.
What Will Happen: As said above, Garcia won’t be the turnover machine
that he was last weekend. He’ll still be able to stretch the field vertically
with receiver Joey Galloway, but won’t try to force too much to happen. He
should get a solid game from Earnest Graham, who ran for 62 yards last week
against the stout Jacksonville defense. The Tampa defense will harass Warner
into key mistakes and sack Rattay as he tries to bring the Cardinals back from
behind in the fourth quarter.
CFN Prediction: Buccaneers 24 … Cardinals
20 ... Line: Tampa Bay -3.5
Must See Rating: (5 Heidi Klum on Victoria's Secret Fashion Show -
1 Heidi Klum on Oprah) ... 2
Green
Bay at
Kansas City
1:00 pm Fox November 4, 2007
Why to Watch: Although the Chiefs made the playoffs in 2006, this team
wasn’t thought to be a viable AFC West contender at the outset of the season.
However, as Herm Edwards once said, you play to win the game and that’s what
Kansas City has done. The Chiefs are 4-3 and tied for first place with the
Chargers in this division. The Packers lead the NFC North all by themselves, at
6-1, leading the surprising Detroit Lions by one game. The Packers beat the
Broncos 19-13 on an 82-yard bomb from quarterback Brett Favre to wide receiver
Greg Jennings on the first play in overtime. This isn’t Super Bowl I, but for
two division leaders, it’s a key game in the middle of the season.
Why Green Bay Might Win: They have Brett Favre. It would seem that
simple, right? It is. But, what turned the tide of the win over Denver was the
104 yards that former Domer Ryan Grant generated against the Broncos. Now, the
Broncos aren’t very good against the run (in fact, they’re 32nd in
the league against the run), but the fact that the Packers did this with a
backup (Grant) should worry Kansas City’s front seven, although the Chiefs are
better against the run (17th in the league – 108.7 yards per game)
Why Kansas City Might Win: The Chiefs find a way to manufacture wins,
four of them to be exact. But, recently, they’ve gotten solid production from
running back Larry Johnson, who’s now 15th in the league in rushing
yards per game – 72.3 YPG. The Packers are the better of the two teams against
the rush, but they give up nearly 100 yards per game, so expect plenty of
Johnson, perhaps 30 times on Sunday.
Who to Watch: Packer linebacker AJ Hawk hasn’t been quite the player that
the Packers expected him to be coming out of Ohio State. He’s not as quick to
recognize and decipher offensive plays, but still has 53 tackles on the season.
Against LJ, he and soon-to-be Pro Bowler Nick Barnett have a singular focus this
week – shut him down. Hawk is as important as any other Packer this week.
What Will Happen: The Chiefs have the rest, but the Packers have Favre.
Him and the rest of the Packer defense. The Packer defense will shut down Larry
Johnson and force Damon Huard to beat that talented secondary all day long.
That won’t happen. Furthermore, Packer running back Ryan Grant will have 75+
yards on the ground to take some heat off of the venerable Favre. The Packers
will make a statement that a short week won’t hurt them and that they own the
AFC West. .
CFN Prediction: Packers 21 … Chiefs 14
... Line: Kansas City -2.5
Must See Rating: (5 Heidi Klum on Victoria's Secret Fashion Show -
1 Heidi Klum on Oprah) ... 3.5
Cincinnati at
Buffalo
1:00 pm CBS November 4, 2007
Why to Watch: A few years ago, the Bengals were the up-and-coming team in
the AFC. Behind the potent Carson Palmer-led offense, the Bengals were thought
to be a team on the rise and made a playoff appearance in 2005. The Bills might
be the 2007 version of the Bengals. The Bills are 3-4, won two in a row and
three of their last five. It’s not a playoff football team, but it’s a team on
the come, if you will. The Bengals? Well, they’re sitting in the AFC North
cellar at 2-5, including a 24-13 loss to division leader Pittsburgh last
Sunday. Two teams going in different directions…or so it seems.
Why Cincinnati Might Win: No matter how bad the defense is, the offense
can throw the ball on any defense in the league. The Bengals are tied for
fourth in the league in passing, averaging 263.9 yards and we all know how good
Carson Palmer is. He’s fourth in the league with 1,922 passing yards and he
faces a team that gives up 253.4 yards per game through the air, 28th
in the NFL. Expect the Bengals to throw it early and often and then again
(rinse, lather and repeat – rinse, lather and repeat) this weekend.
Why Buffalo Might Win: The Bills defense was stellar last week facing
the Jets. The unit didn’t give up a touchdown and only three points, while
holding the Jets to less than 300 yards (less than 200 yards through the air –
173 yards). It’s a young unit that is improving each and every week; the
defense is 13th in the league in scoring defense (19.3 YPG), so don’t
expect the Bengals to get loose on the scoreboard this week.
Who to Watch: The Bills lost Takeo Spikes to the Eagles in free agency,
but didn’t expect much of a dropoff at the position with Paul Posluszny taking
over. However, the Pos was lost for the season and the questions were raised
again. Luckily for the Bills, John Digiorgio has filled the void. He had 13
tackles last week against the Jets and is second on the team with 52 tackles.
Not bad for a former undrafted free agent.
What Will Happen: The Bills are as subtle as a punch to the face, but
they’ve got a young, resilient and physical defense that’ll harass Palmer into a
couple of mistakes. Quarterback J.P Losman will make a key play that gives the
Bills some momentum; then, the offense will ride running back Marshawn Lynch the
rest of the way against the porous Cincinnati run defense.
CFN Prediction: Bills 28 … Bengals 20...
Line: Pick
Must See Rating: (5 Heidi Klum o n Victoria's Secret Fashion Show
- 1 Heidi Klum on Oprah) ... 2
San
Diego at
Minnesota
1:00 pm CBS November 4, 2007
Why to Watch: Anybody call for some running backs? Some really good
running backs? Like perhaps the two best running backs in the league? Yeah,
how about those two – Charger LaDainan Tomlinson and Viking Adrian Peterson.
The presence of these two running backs will make this matchup as viewer
friendly as any game, not titled “Colts-Patriots” this weekend. The Chargers
hammered the Texans last week 35-10, while the Vikings got beat at home by the
Eagles in the Metrodome 23-16 last Sunday. However, no matter what the records
are, getting the opportunity to see the league’s present and future in the same
game is worth the price of admission, or NFL Sunday Ticket.
Why San Diego Might Win: LT. Let’s be honest about this one fact before
we go any further – the Charger offense is LT. Early this fall when Tomlinson
went nowhere, the Chargers won one game out of four. Since Tomlinson kicked it
up a few notches (with apologies to all of the Emeril fans out there), the
Chargers have won three in a row. He’s gone from being, like 150th
in rushing to eighth in the league, averaging 88.1 yards per game. The Vikings
can stop the run, third in the league – 74.4 yards per game, but LT is now back
and Minnesota is in major trouble.
Why Minnesota Might Win: AD. There’s not much to crow about as it
pertains to the Vikings. Likewise, there aren’t a million different reasons why
the Vikings have a chance to win games this season. Honestly, they’ve got only
one. Peterson. The rookie leads the league in rushing, averaging 105.7 yards
per game and is on pace to rush for over 1,600 yards on the season. San Diego
isn’t as good against the run as the Vikings, eighth in the league, giving up
88.9 yards per game, so running Peterson 25 to 30 times gives Minnesota its only
chance to win this game.
Who to Watch: The Minnesota quarterback, yet again. Starting quarterback
Tarvaris Jackson is the lowest ranked starting passer in the league and to make
matters worse, he’s got finger and groin problems. So, if he can’t go and it
falls to Kelly Holcomb, the pressure is placed squarely on him, instead.
Minnesota doesn’t have the worst passing offense in the league, but the presence
of such a dominant offensive weapon (Peterson) exacerbates the lack of passing
game production.
What Will Happen: The Chargers have LT, but they also have the best tight
end in the business, who scored two touchdowns last weekend against the Texans.
Suffice it to say, Antonio Gates’s value is directly proportional to Tomlinson’s
output, so keep an eye on how many times Mr. 85 gets into the end zone this
week. Quarterback Philip Rivers doesn’t do things handsomely, but he’s much
more effective than anyone the Vikings can trot out at the quarterback
position. He’ll be the difference. .
CFN Prediction: Chargers 28 … Vikings 17...
Line: San Diego -7
Must See Rating: (5 Heidi Klum on Victoria's Secret Fashion Show -
1 Heidi Klum on Oprah) ... 4 (for the running back matchup)
Denver
at Detroit
1:00 pm CBS November 4, 2007
Why to Watch: Did you honestly believe quarterback Jon Kitna this summer
when he proclaimed that this team could win ten games this season? No? Well,
neither did a lot of people. However, that’s the avenue that the Lions are
headed down, especially after sweeping the team formerly known as the Bears.
Last week, the Lions beat the Bears 16-7, the second time Rod Marinelli’s team
beat Chicago in a month, to get to 5-2 on the season. The Broncos are hitting
the road on a short preparation week after a gut-wrenching overtime 19-13 loss
to the NFC North division leader Green Bay.
Why Denver Might Win: Quarterback Jay Cutler has shown that he’s not
afraid of the late game situation. Last week against Green Bay, Cutler led the
Broncos on an eleven play, 89-yard drive to tie the game and send it to
overtime. The Broncos signal caller isn’t a complete work of art, but he was
solid last Monday night (21 of 34 for 264 yards and a touchdown) and he faces
the 30th ranked pass defense in the NFL. Uh oh, Lions fans, this
isn’t Brian Griese throwing four picks.
Why Detroit Might Win: Everyone in the NFL knows that the Lions can
throw the football anytime, anywhere. However, last week, running back Kevin
Jones lit up the defense formerly known as the Bears. He ran for 105 yards and
one touchdown against the Bears and he should be drooling to face the league’s
worst run defense on Sunday. Jones ability to slice this weak Bronco defensive
front is the key to a potential Lions win this weekend.
Who to Watch: The Lions’ offensive line. Last week, the Bears registered
four sacks of quarterback Jon Kitna, which can’t happen again this week against
the Broncos. The Lions OL were solid in the run game, but better pass
protection is tantamount to a win this weekend.
What Will Happen: The Lions held the Bears to seven points last week and
picked off Chicago QB Brian Griese four times. Cutler won’t throw that many
picks, but he won’t be effective against an improving secondary. Kitna will go
deep on the Bronco secondary, even against Champ Bailey, as Brett Favre did last
weekend and the Lion passing game will turn this game into a rout.
CFN Prediction: Lions 27 … Broncos 10
... Line: Detroit -3
Must See Rating: (5 Heidi Klum on Victoria's Secret Fashion Show -
1 Heidi Klum on Oprah) ... 3
Carolina
at Tennessee
1:00 pm Fox November 4, 2007
Why to Watch: Carolina held Peyton Manning to under 50% completion rating
and still lost by 24 last weekend to the Colts 31-7. The Panthers stopped
playing good football after quarterback Jake Delhomme was lost for the season.
They’re still 4-3 and atop the NFC South division standings, but it’s not a safe
position with the way they’re playing. The Titans, on the other hand, can’t
stop winning. Since losing to the Colts earlier this season, the fightin’ VY’s
have won four of their last five, including last week’s abomination of a win
over Oakland 13-9. It’s mid-season, must win time for both teams.
Why Carolina Might Win: David Carr’s starting, how many more reasons do
you need? Honestly, the Panther offense has been up and down more than a Busch
Gardens roller coaster this year. With Carr healthy this week, he’s got a
better grasp of the gameplan than soon-to-be octogenarian Vinny Testaverde. The
lack of a consistent quarterback in the starting lineup has neutralized wide
receiver Steve Smith, who’s 21st in the league in receiving yards per
game (73.4 YPG). With Carr, Smith has a better chance to be a factor in this
game.
Why Tennessee Might Win: Tennessee runs the football as well as any team
in the NFL. The Titans ran over the Raiders last week, pounding the Big Boy,
LenDale White, for 25 carries and 133 yards. The final numbers say it all – 192
total yards on 36 carries and a 13-9 win. The Panthers are 19th in
the league, giving up 113.0 rushing yards per game, so expect the Titans to
dominate on the ground once again.
Who to Watch: Tennessee’s edge rushers. The first bullet point in the
game plan this week against Carr and the Panthers is to put #8 on his wallet
throughout the game. The Titans know that Carr will crumble under the pressure,
so no two players are more important than defensive ends Travis LaBoy and Kyle
Vanden Bosch. The two combined for three sacks last week and their relentless
pass rush will be a major factor this weekend.
What Will Happen: VY won’t have another wretched game like the one he had
last weekend and should pick apart the Panther secondary on Sunday. He’ll put
last week’s game behind him and make the Panthers pay for being next. He’ll mix
in a 175+ yards passing with 50+ yards rushing and a touchdown to lead the
Titans past Carolina. .
CFN Prediction: Titans 17 … Panthers 7...
Line: Tennessee -4
Must See Rating: (5 Heidi Klum on Victoria's Secret Fashion Show -
1 Heidi Klum on Oprah) ... 2.5
Jacksonville at
New Orleans
1:00 pm CBS November 4, 2007
Why to Watch: This one is intriguing, to say the least. The Saints,
after a dreadful start, have won three in a row, including last week’s 31-10 win
over San Francisco on the road. The three straight wins have the Saints playing
with some much--needed confidence and only one game back of the division leading
Panthers. Jacksonville trails the Colts by two games, but is 5-2 and right in
the playoff hunt in the AFC. Jack Del Rio’s bunch came home from Tampa with a
24-23 victory, but now head out on the road for a second consecutive week to
take on the offensively minded Saints.
Why Jacksonville Might Win: Well, it’s not quarterback Quinn Gray,
although the young man didn’t do anything to ‘lose’ the game for the Jaguars
last weekend. It’s the running game. This running game is as good as it gets
in this league. Last week, Fred Taylor and Maurice Jones-Drew combined for 116
yards and LaBrandon Toefield had a rushing touchdown. The Saints gave up four
yards a carry to the offensively inept 49ers, so expect the Jags to take the
ball out of Gray’s hands, again, to hand it to this trio of backs.
Why New Orleans Might Win: This is now the Drew Brees of 2005 and 2006.
Against the 49ers, Brees lit up San Francisco, completing 31 of 39 for 336 yards
and four touchdowns. Most importantly, he didn’t turn the football over, after
throwing ten interceptions earlier in the season. The Jaguars got those
turnovers last week in Tampa, but the way that he’s playing, don’t expect the
resurrected Brees to hand it over to the Jaguars on Sunday.
Who to Watch: Jaguar safety Reggie Nelson is proving to be a wise
investment for this defense. He had five tackles against the Buccaneers, one
behind the leader Sammy Knight, but he also ad three special teams tackles, in
addition to one of the three interceptions. As a rookie, he’s facing one of the
best quarterbacks in the league and must have another game like last week’s to
slow down the scalding hot Saints quarterback.
What Will Happen: The Saints will vary the passing game and riddle the
Jaguars secondary throughout the game, but it won’t be enough to overcome the
Jacksonville running game. Jones-Drew and Taylor will pile up the yardage and
run over the Saints defensive front seven. That’ll be the difference in a
close, hard fought AFC South-NFC South battle. .
CFN Prediction: Jaguars 20 … Saints 17...
Line: New Orleans -3.5
Must See Rating: (5 Heidi Klum on Victoria's Secret Fashion Show -
1 Heidi Klum on Oprah) ... 3.5
Seattle
at Cleveland
4:05 pm Fox November 4, 2007
Why to Watch: The Browns might be the most improved team in the NFL this
season. After two rough years under head coach Romeo Crennel, the Browns have
taken their game to a new level. At 4-3, the Browns are a game behind the
Steelers in the AFC North standings, after a 27-20 win over winless St. Louis
last weekend. The Seahawks are also 4-3, but enjoyed a one-week respite with a
bye week before visiting Cleveland.
Why Seattle Might Win: Rams quarterback Marc Bulger had been as bad as
any quarterback in the league prior to taking the field against Cleveland. He
completed 24 of 36 for 310 yards and a touchdown to keep the Rams in the game
until the fourth quarter. If the Browns found Bulger to be a little tough and
chewy, if you will, wait until they get a load of Seattle quarterback Matt
Hasselbeck. The former BC product is 14th in the league in passing
efficiency with an 88.7 rating. Cleveland’s defense is second to last in the
league against the pass, yielding 270.7 yards per game.
Why Cleveland Might Win: If Derek Anderson isn’t the most improved
player in the league, then there just isn’t one. The former Beaver has gone
from second banana to the sixth best quarterback in the league, statistically
speaking. He’s been both efficient, completing 18 of his 25 passes on Sunday
(something he rarely did in college), and potent (three touchdown throws to his
star receiving duo – Kellen Winslow and Braylon Edwards). Seattle won’t
completely crumble like the Rams did last weekend, but they’re only 16th
in the league in pass defense, so Anderson is capable of another stellar
performance.
Who to Watch: The two ‘old men’ at running back. The former SEC stars
are the focal point in this game – Jamal Lewis for the Browns and Shaun
Alexander for the Seahawks. These two teams almost cancel each other out
through the air, so the winner of the head-to-head battle on the ground will
lead his team to victory. Alexander has had an extra week of rest, so expect
him to be fresh against the Browns 29th ranked run defense.
What Will Happen: The Browns offense will take over the game early and
hit on a handful of 25+ yard plays down the field. Edwards will see double
teams throughout the game, but that should open up areas downfield for Kellen
Winslow, perhaps the best tight end in the NFL not named Antonio Gates. He’ll
have a couple of touchdowns, in addition to 100+ yards receiving to send Seattle
back to the Pac-Northwest with an L.
CFN Prediction: Browns 28 … Seahawks 24
... Line: Cleveland -1
Must See Rating: (5 Heidi Klum on Victoria's Secret Fashion Show -
1 Heidi Klum on Oprah) ... 3.5
Houston
at Oakland
4:15 pm CBS November 4, 2007
Why to Watch: Over the last five weeks of the season, the Texans have
looked much like the Texans of 2002-2006. After a stellar 2-0 start had the
Houston faithful thinking playoffs, reality hit in the form of injuries and
brought those hopes to an end. Last week might’ve been the organization’s worse
performance in six years – a 35-10 whitewash at the hands of the San Diego
Chargers. The Raiders appeared to be moving in the opposite direction, a good
direction, until the offense forgot how to put the ball in the end zone.
Oakland kicked three field goals in a 13-9 loss at Tennessee to move the Raiders
into the AFC West cellar at 2-5. Both of these teams NEED a win on Sunday, but
only one will leave the field happy.
Why Houston Might Win: Desperation. God awful desperation. With Matt
Schaub definitely out this week, the Texans might have a better chance to win
with Sage Rosenfels at quarterback. That doesn’t mean that Rosenfels is a
better long term solution; but for this week, after the beatings that Schaub has
taken lately, it’s the right time for Rosenfels, who threw for the team’s only
touchdown last week. Running back Adimchinobe Echemandu was a pleasant surprise
last week and appears to be the right fit in the Texans zone running scheme (62
yards on ten carries). Now, if he can just be healthy on Sunday…that’s not been
a Texan strong suit this season.
Why Oakland Might Win: The Texans are a punch drunk fighter, on the
ropes, ready to be knocked into oblivion. It’s time for the improved Raiders to
deliver the knockout blow. Although the Raiders only registered 92 yards
rushing last week, the Texans run defense has been poor over the last five to
six weeks. They’ve given up a 100+ yard rushing performance to Joe Addai,
Ronnie Brown and LenDale White, and would’ve given up well over 100+ to LT if he
had gotten more than his 17 carries.
Who to Watch: To stop the run, the Texans need a much improved effort
from the interior of the defensive line – Travis Johnson, Amobi Okoye, Anthony
Maddox and Jeff Zgnonina. These four are getting pushed around up front and are
often cutting off linebackers in pursuit. Keep an eye on the middle of the
Texans defense and whether any of these defensive tackles are disrupting the
Raiders run blocking schemes.
What Will Happen: The Raiders, playing at home, will get a sufficient, if
not sexy, performance from quarterback Josh McCown. Along with a solid rushing
performance from LaMont Jordan and crew, the Raiders will send the Texans into
the bye week a hurting bunch. The Raiders will win convincingly. .
CFN Prediction: Raiders 24 … Texans 14...
Line: Oakland -3
Must See Rating: (5 Heidi Klum on Victoria's Secret Fashion Show -
1 Heidi Klum on Oprah) ... 1.5
New
England at
Indianapolis
4:15 pm CBS November 4, 2007
Why to Watch: Okay, do you really need to be spoonfed the reasons why
this one might be the greatest regular season game in the last, oh, say 86
years? Yes? Well, how about the fact that it’s Tom Brady vs. Peyton Manning,
the two best quarterbacks in the league, doing battle? Not good enough? Okay,
how about Randy Moss and Wes Welker vs. Marvin Harrison and Reggie Wayne?
Getting better? Alright, how about the fact that these two teams have
represented the AFC in four of the last six Super Bowls? Almost there? Oh,
yeah, they’re both undefeated – the Patriots at 8-0 and the Colts at 7-0.
Bingo. Have fun watching this one. A lot of fun.
Why New England Might Win: This isn’t a good matchup for the Colts
secondary, mainly due to the presence of Randy Moss. In years past, the Colts
weren’t threatened by a group of receivers that was led by, say, Reche
Caldwell? But, Moss changes the matchups in this game immensely. If the Colts
plan to get pressure, they’ll have to double Moss deep downfield, which puts Wes
Welker and/or Donte Stallworth one-on-one with a linebacker/safety. That’s a
horrible matchup. And, you know the flip side – leave Moss in one-on-one? Just
put the points up on the board. Without Moss, this isn’t that big of a problem,
but with Moss, the Colts must solve a quantum physics problem with an abacus.
Why Indianapolis Might Win: Due to the fact that Manning calls much of
the game from the line of scrimmage, he can do as much as any quarterback to
frustrate the Patriot defense. Manning knows this defense as well as anyone in
the league and whatever the Patriots throw at him, he has an answer. Plus,
Manning was 14 of 30 throwing the football last week, so he shouldn’t have two
poor games in a row (completion percentage wise, that is). But, what he did do
was stretch the field when he did find man coverage, evidenced by the 59-yard
touchdown pass to Reggie Wayne against the Panthers.
Who to Watch: Patriots linebacker/tight end Mike Vrabel did more to beat
the Redskins on Sunday by himself than any other Patriot. He had13 tackles,
three sacks, forcing a fumble on one sack that was returned by Rosevelt Colvin
for a touchdown and he also caught a pass for a touchdown. You’ve got to love
two way players and Vrabel is the best in the league.
What Will Happen: As much as the Colts will thrive off the home crowd,
the Patriots are the more complete team. Whether it’s the balance on offense or
the multi-dimensional, aggressive defense, the Patriots will find different ways
to put pressure on the Colts offense and defense. Brady won’t turn the ball
over as he did at the end of last year’s game and he’ll pick on the Colts
secondary, until the Colts are faced with having to play nickel and dime
coverages to stop the passing attack. When the Colts go to five or six
defensive backs, the Patriots will run the football against six men in the box
for the rest of the game. It’ll finish as a closer game than it really will be.
.
CFN Prediction: Patriots 37 … Colts 30...
Line: New England -5.5
Must See Rating: (5 Heidi Klum on Victoria's Secret Fashion Show -
1 Heidi Klum on Oprah) ... 5
Dallas
at Philadelphia
8:15 pm NBC November 4, 2007
Why to Watch: It’s not the battle we might want it to be, but it’s still
Dallas and T.O at the Linc, taking on the Eagles. That doesn’t happen but once
a year, so let’s enjoy it while it’s here. The Cowboys bounced back after the
loss to New England with a 24-14 win over Minnesota, followed by a bye week last
weekend. The Eagles finally got win number three on the season, beating
Minnesota in Minneapolis 23-16. Andy Reid and Donovan McNabb need a signature
win to keep the critics at bay for another week, but Dallas isn’t ready to let
those two breathe this weekend.
Why Dallas Might Win: Everyone loves to point to quarterback Tony Romo
as the straw stirring the Dallas offensive drink, but it’s the ability to run
the football that makes this a 6-1 team. The Cowboys are ninth in the NFL on
the ground, averaging 130.4 yards per game, 68.4 of those yards from Marion
Barber III. More Barber this week could make the Eagles a little blue by the
end of the night.
Why Philadelphia Might Win: The home crowd is the best friend of the
Eagles this week. No team stokes the embers of Eagle fan more than the
Cowboys. But, when it comes down to the action on the field, the Eagles must
stop Barber. The defense is eighth in the league against the run, so Barber and
Julius Jones won’t be able to gash the defense for chunks of yardage. The
ability of the Eagles to force the Cowboys into being a one-dimensional offense
on Sunday night is vital.
Who to Watch: Eagle defensive end Trent Cole has come into his own the
past two seasons and is a focal point for the Eagle defense this weekend. Cole
had two sacks against Minnesota, but he can be slowed down if the Cowboys run
the ball right at him. If the Cowboys pound on Cole on the edge, his pass rush
will be lessened, taking pressure off of Romo and the Cowboy passing game.
What Will Happen:
Dallas will come out fresh with Mr. $67.5 million man at the helm. Romo will
beat the blitz consistently throughout the game with quick throws to T.O and
Patrick Crayton. The other key, though, will be the fact that the Eagles won’t
be able to stop Barber on the ground and Jason Witten on play action routes
downfield. Considering off-the-field issues with Philly head coach Andy Reid,
it’ll be Dallas relatively easily. .
CFN Prediction: Cowboys 31 … Eagles 17...
Line: Dallas -3
Must See Rating: (5 Heidi Klum on Victoria's Secret Fashion Show -
1 Heidi Klum on Oprah) ... 3.5
Baltimore at
Pittsburgh
8:30 pm ESPN November 4, 2007
Why to Watch: What do you really expect from a head-to-head matchup with
these two? A lot of footballs in the air? Uh, no not really. The Ravens and
Steelers will bang it out in one of the more physical games in the year. That
means a lot of running and a lot of hitting, not a lot of throwing the
football. The Ravens had the week off to prepare for the Steelers, while
Pittsburgh was handling its business, knocking off Cincinnati 24-13 in the Big
Ketchup Bottle. A second consecutive home game should provide the Steelers with
a distinct advantage, but the Ravens love being the underdog. The Steelers are
in first place all by themselves, but a loss to the Ravens invites at least the
Ravens (and perhaps the Browns) into the AFC North penthouse.
Why Baltimore Might Win: The game plan to beat the Steelers is easy.
Well, it’s a less complex plan, on the surface, how about that? Stop the run,
force Ben Roethlisberger to throw 30 times or more. Well, if any team in the
league can do that, it’s the Ravens. The defense is second in the league
against the run, giving up 71.9 yards per game on the ground. If the defense
can have success stopping running back Willie Parker on first and second down,
the Ravens will have the game going exactly the way they desire.
Why Pittsburgh Might Win: At home, the Steelers are a juggernaut and
they consistently follow the script – run Parker nearly 25 times per game, throw
the football 25 times or less. Last week against Cincinnati, they followed the
script perfectly. Parker ran for 126 yards on 22 carries, while Roethlisberger
completed 19 of 26 passes for 230 yards and two touchdowns. As noted above, the
Baltimore defense is stout against the run but perhaps susceptible against the
pass (ninth in the league, yielding 196.1 yards per game).
Who to Watch: The Steelers defensive front didn’t sack Cincinnati
quarterback Carson Palmer one time on Sunday and only recorded one quarterback
pressure. Dick LeBeau, the Pittsburgh defensive coordinator, is the one to
watch on Sunday – he must generate a ton of pressure on the Raven quarterbacks
with his complex 3-4 defensive scheme. Another week of no sacks and little
pressure could lead to loss number three on the season.
What Will Happen: LeBeau won’t let the Ravens offense rest this weekend.
He’ll make sure to smother running back Willis McGahee and vary the pressure on
the Ravens quarterbacks all day long. Parker, the number two rusher in the
league, will rush for triple digits once again and Roethlisberger will be
productive and incredibly efficient in a Steelers win. .
CFN Prediction: Steelers 17 … Ravens 10...
Line: Pitt -9
Must See Rating: (5 Heidi Klum on Victoria's Secret Fashion Show -
1 Heidi Klum on Oprah) ... 4