NFL Fearless
Predictions
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Week
11
Green Bay
at Detroit
12:30 pm FOX
Why to Watch: Well, what else do you have to do on Thanksgiving day?
Watch Detroit Lion football…as you have for the past sixty two years. It’s just
that this season the Lions are actually a viable NFC North championship
contender. In any other year, the Lions would be the story in the NFC North;
yeah, another year in which the Packers weren’t scorching hot. The Packers are
9-1 and steamrolling any team in its path, including a 31-17 win over the
Panthers last week. The Lions lost a key game to the Giants 16-10, the second
consecutive loss for Detroit, dropping the Lions to 6-4. The words “must win”
come to mind for the Lions, but the Packers are on a roll, so it won’t be easy,
even at home on a short preparation week.
Why Green Bay Might Win: One name. Two words. Ryan Grant. Yeah, that
Favre character is just a bit player in the Packer universe now that Mr. Grant
has shown up and turned into equal parts Jimmy Taylor and Dorsey Levens. Since
Grant was inserted in the lineup, the Packers offense has scored 33 points
against KC, 34 against Minnesota and 31 last week against Carolina. That’s not
a coincidence. Grant ran for 88 yards on 20 carries, providing equal balance
against the 24th ranked defense in the league (353.3 yards per game
total defense).
Why Detroit Might Win: The Packers secondary isn’t the team’s strong
suit and it can be had if Lions’ quarterback Jon Kitna gets in a groove early.
Last week, 80-year old Vinny Testaverde threw for 258 yards and two touchdowns
against the Packers and that’s with the Panthers passing game. The Packers
defense is 19th in the NFL against the pass, so Kitna should be able
to riddle the Packers with one of the best passing offenses in the league.
Kitna threw for 377 yards and a touchdown against the Giants last week and he
could do the same against the Packers.
Who to Watch: Lion running back Kevin Jones. The Lions have run for -18
yards and 25 yards the last two weeks – seven total yards in two weeks. Ouch.
Jones had those 25 yards last week on eleven carries, but has to be a much
bigger factor in this game for the Lions to have a chance.
What Will Happen: Favre won’t have his best game, but when the game gets
tight in the fourth quarter, he’ll show up, even if to just prove a point.
He’ll throw for a couple of key fourth quarter touchdowns to put the Packers in
front for good and end any chance for a Happy Lions’ Thanksgiving day.
CFN Prediction: Packers 27…Lions 21
Line:
Green Bay -3
Must See Rating: (5 The inside of
your eyelids after eating two pounds of turkey - 1
The inside of a gym with every 120 calories equaling a mile on the treadmill)
...4
New York
Jets at
Dallas
4:15 pm CBS
Why to Watch: Typically, a matchup of a 2-8 team and a 9-1 team wouldn’t
trigger the football endorphins, but it’s Thanksgiving day in Dallas, so
anything may and probably will happen. The Cowboys’ ninth win came via a 28-23
victory over Washington, all four touchdowns coming courtesy of one Terrell
Owens. The Jets shocked much of the NFL viewing public by defeating the
Steelers at home 19-16, setting up this blockbuster matchup on Thanksgiving
Day. Jets quarterback Kellen Clemens will get his first taste of national
television exposure against the Cowboy defense, while his counterpart Tony Romo
gets another opportunity to flaunt his offense to an adoring public. This one
would be much more fun if it snowed in Dallas, but that’s only happened, what,
like once. Hey, Leon, is that right?
Why the Jets Might Win: Honestly, is there a distinct reason why they
might win – at Dallas, after upsetting Pittsburgh, on Thanksgiving, on a short
preparation week? Wow, tough road. However, all those reasons combined might
be the reason they do win. Every disadvantage you can think of is hitting the
Jets right smack dab in the face this week and it could be the one reason why
the Jets do win. Well, that and the fact that Jets running back Thomas Jones
ran for 117 yards on 30 carries last week. The Jets haven’t seen this type of
running since Curtis Martin was toting the mail a few years ago. The ability to
run the football keeps the Cowboy offense on the sideline and off the
scoreboard.
Why Dallas Might Win: Every other reason. Tony Romo is the best
quarterback in the NFC, point blank, end of story and the Cowboy offense is as
hot as any unit in the league, including the almighty up in New England. T.O.
has been quiet all season long, which means he’s catching touchdowns, something
he did last weekend four times against the Redskins. Then, take into account
the fact that the Jets have the 29th ranked defense in the NFL (368.5
yards per game) and it could be a long day for the scoreboard operator in Texas
Stadium.
Who to Watch: Although the Jets defense is a sieve, safety Kerry Rhodes
is one of the best players at his position in the league and the most vital
player on the field this week for the Jets. He had a pick last week against the
Steelers and has two on the season. He has three and a half tackles for a loss
to lead the team, so he plays a role in the box and in coverage.
What Will Happen: Romo is going to throw the ball until his arm gets
tired, lighting up the Jets secondary in the process. It won’t be Owens four
times this week, though…he’ll just spread it around to Jason Witten and Patrick
Crayton. Jets QB Kellen Clemens will be introduced to defensive playmaker
DeMarcus Ware early and the pleasantries will end quickly. Cowboys take this
one easily.
CFN Prediction: Cowboys 27…Jets 10
Line:
Dallas -14.5
Must See Rating: (5 The inside of
your eyelids after eating two pounds of turkey - 1
The inside of a gym with every 120 calories equaling a mile on the treadmill)
...2.5
Indianapolis
at Atlanta 8:15 pm
NFL Network
Why to Watch: The third Thanksgiving Day game has a much different feel
now than it did when this one was scheduled. A primetime Mike Vick-Peyton
Manning showdown was supposed to be the tasty treat on a gluttonous day of
football. However, you know the rest. The fact that the Colts, although
leading the AFC South, haven’t played well since the end of the third quarter
against the Patriots does raise some concern as to how good the Colts are. The
13-10 win over Kansas City was enough for win number eight, but it wasn’t pretty
by any means. Consequently, the Falcons got smashed by the Buccaneers at home
31-7, the seventh loss of the season. One of these teams has to play well on
Thursday night, which also means that one of these teams has to break the recent
trend. Well, hopefully one of these teams will show up and play, for the NFL
Network’s sake, anyway.
Why Indianapolis Might Win: Quite frankly, the Falcons are, well, not so
good. They can’t figure out what to do at quarterback, well, finding a guy
that’s effective from start to finish. Manning has struggled the last two
weeks, but he’s not the key this week. That would be running back Joe Addai.
The Falcons defense allowed 102 yards to Buccaneer Earnest Graham last week and
it’s 25th in the NFL in rush defense, allowing 124.0 yards per game.
This bodes very well for Mr. Addai.
Why Atlanta Might Win: Because no one thinks they can win? There
doesn’t seem to be any definitive advantage for the Falcons this week, but that
might the exact reason why Atlanta is a scary opponent on Thursday night.
Quarterback Joey Harrington was named the starter for this game and he actually
wasn’t that bad last week, in fact he was pretty good. He completed 16 of 20
passes and a touchdown, finishing the game with a 112.3 rating. Can he do that
against the second ranked defense in the league (266.3 ypg)? We’ll see.
Who to Watch: Colts linebacker Gary Brackett is a guy who no one would
ever pick to be on their team, but every team needs. Coaches will take a
“clipboard” guy over Brackett every day of the week, yet wonder why they’re
getting beat by “this guy”. He’s got 74 tackles on the season, leading the
Colts and the Falcons have to find a way to “get a hat” on him or else the
running game will be null and void…yet again.
What Will Happen: When Manning last played on Thanksgiving Day, he was
lit up the Lions secondary like a Christmas tree. He’ll do that again, getting
back to his normal level of play. He’ll throw for three touchdowns and 275+
yards on the day, leading the Colts to win number nine. But, it’ll be Addai who
pads the stat sheet, rushing for 145+ yards and a touchdown. Even without
defensive end Dwight Freeney, the Colts will harass Harrington incessantly.
This one won’t be close.
CFN Prediction: Colts 24…Falcons 14
Line:
Indianapolis -12
Must See Rating: (5 Hef wants you to take his place on The Girls Next
Door, but you can’t because you have to watch this game - 1 Cavemen)
...2
Tennessee
at Cincinnati
1:00 pm CBS
Why to Watch: The Titans are on a two game slide, having lost to
Jacksonville two weeks ago and to Denver 34-20 on Monday night. The Bengals, on
the other hand, lost to the Cardinals at home, courtesy of two Antrel Rolle pick
six touchdowns, 35-27. Tennessee is headed in the wrong direction and a loss to
Cincinnati to could send the Titans train off the tracks for good. However, a
win for the Titans keeps them relevant in a tough AFC playoff race and Jeff
Fisher in Bud Adams’ good graces. A win for Cincinnati only improves the
Bengals draft position.
Why Tennessee Might Win: Seeing Vince Young throw the football for 305
yards last week against the Denver Broncos showed how far the former Texas star
has come as a quarterback. Not an athlete playing quarterback, a true
quarterback. He still has a long way to go, but the man proved he can sling it
around. The Bengals defense is 26th in the league against the pass,
yielding 243.1 yards per game, so Young should get comfortable in the pocket and
have a great day.
Why Cincinnati Might Win: Seeing Vince Young throw the football 41 times
is a godsend for the Bengals this weekend. The Titans are most successful when
Young throws the ball 20 to 25 times for around 200 yards. When Young is
throwing it that much, the Bengals actually benefit in the long run. Add in the
fact that the Titan defense gave up four big offensive plays to the Broncos and
the Bengals have a great shot to knock off the Titans this week.
Who to Watch: Bengal quarterback Carson Palmer has been forced to put the
Bengals on his back with a weak running game and a sieve for a defense. But,
last week proved that the burden is too great to carry on his own. He threw 52
times, completing 37 passes for 329 yards, but he did throw four interceptions,
including Rolle’s pair. He can carry this team, but could use some help from
his faltering running game and defense.
What Will Happen: The Titans will ride VY this week to a much-needed
victory over the offensively potent Bengals. He’ll throw for 225+ yards and a
couple of touchdowns, with no picks, to lead the Titans to win number seven on
the road. The defense will get pressure on Palmer, creating a handful of
turnovers. A handful of turnovers that Young will turn into points.
CFN Prediction: Titans 24…Bengals 20
Line: Tennessee -1.5
Must See Rating: (5 The inside of
your eyelids after eating two pounds of turkey - 1
The inside of a gym with every 120 calories equaling a mile on the treadmill)
...2.5
Buffalo
at Jacksonville
1:00 pm CBS
Why to Watch: No disrespect meant to the Jacksonville Jaguars, but the
Bills have got to feel like they’re back playing mere mortals after a 60 minute
tussle with the New England Patriots. The undefeated Patriots destroyed the
Bills in Orchard Park last Sunday night 56-10, dropping a ruthless hammer on the
Bills in front of a national television audience. A trip to Jacksonville will
have a “walk-in-the-park” feel after last week. However, the Jaguars are as
physical and aggressive as any team in the conference, including New England.
They dropped the Chargers 24-17, holding LT to a scant 62 yards rushing in the
process. Although the playoffs may not be in the cards for the Bills this year,
they are for the Jaguars this season. A loss for the Jaguars may kill any hopes
and dreams for the playoffs in 2007, but at least quarterback David Garrard has
returned to bolster those hopes.
Why Buffalo Might Win: Well, the Jaguars aren’t the Patriots for
starters. Rookie star running back Marshawn Lynch may be out again, but the
Bills still rushed for over four yards a carry. But, this one will be on
quarterback J.P Losman. The Jaguars gave up 309 yards passing to Philip Rivers
last week, so Losman could have one of his best days as a professional. He
completed 15 of 26 throws for 173 yards against New England and has improved
steadily throughout the season.
Why Jacksonville Might Win: The game’s at home on the banks of the St.
John’s River. The defense is one of the most physical units in the league.
Garrard is back. Those all sound like real good reasons why Jacksonville might
win, in particular Garrard returning to the starting lineup. The offense is
never pretty with Garrard at the helm, but it’s hard to argue with a 114.8
rating and a two touchdown day. The Bills defense is second to last in the
league in total defense, giving up 374.7 yards per game, so expect Garrard to
have a big day.
Who to Watch: The Bills pass rush was nearly non-existent last week
against the Patriots and it’s been well noted above how valuable Garrard is to
the Jaguars offense. If defensive ends Chad Kelsay and Aaron Schobel can’t
generate any heat off the edge, the Bills could be in major trouble.
What Will Happen: The Jaguars will get a balanced performance from its
offense – a 200+ yard passing day from Garrard and 150+ yards rushing in the
aggregate from Maurice Jones-Drew and Fred Taylor. Losman will struggle in the
red zone, although he’ll throw for significant yardage against the Jaguar
secondary. However, the Jags will stiffen in the red zone and keep the Bills
out of the end zone.
CFN Prediction: Jaguars 28…Bills 12
Line: Jacksonville -7.5
Must See Rating: (5 The inside of
your eyelids after eating two pounds of turkey - 1
The inside of a gym with every 120 calories equaling a mile on the treadmill)
...3
Oakland
at Kansas City
1:00 pm CBS
Why to Watch: At this point in the season, it’s a pride thing. Or, it’s
an “avoid-the-cellar” thing, take your pick. The Raiders are mired in another
poor season, with only two wins, accompanied by eight losses, including last
week’s 29-22 loss to the Vikings. The Chiefs last two weeks haven’t gone well,
either. After losing to the Broncos 27-11 at home, the Chiefs lost on a last
second Adam Vinatieri field goal 13-10, dropping the Chiefs to 4-6 on the
season. This game doesn’t have the cache that it used to have in the grand old
days of the AFL, but it’s still Raiders-Chiefs and that’s not a bad thing.
Why Oakland Might Win: The Chiefs offense is as bad as any offense in
the league, sans Buffalo or San Francisco. Kansas City averages less than 300
yards per game, 280.8 per game and is second to last in the league in total
offense. Now, add in the fact that running back Larry Johnson is still injured,
along with Priest Holmes early retirement, and the Chiefs will be lucky to move
the ball at all against the Oakland defense. Oakland’s offense is a pure
juggernaut in comparison, averaging 301.6 yards per game.
Why Kansas City Might Win: After a long spell of quarterback
inefficiency for the Chiefs, perhaps Kansas City has found an answer at
quarterback. One game does not make a career, but Brodie Croyle proved that
he’s not a total stiff and capable of being this team’s leader for a number of
years. He completed 19 of 27 passes for 169 yards and a touchdown – all without
throwing an interception, his bugaboo during the preseason.
Who to Watch: Oakland’s defensive front seven. Last week, Viking running
back Chester Taylor ran for 164 yards and three touchdowns against this
defensive grouping. It’s obvious that the front seven better shut down any
Chief running game and put the game on Croyle’s youthful, inexperienced
shoulders.
What Will Happen: The Chiefs will ride a stout performance by the defense
to an ugly win. But, a win, nonetheless. Croyle should manage the game well,
as he did last week against the Colts and this time, he’ll throw a couple of
touchdown passes down in the red zone to lead the Chiefs offense to one of their
best offensive performances of the season.
CFN Prediction: Chiefs – 24…Raiders – 14
Line: Kansas City -5.5
Must See Rating: (5 The inside of
your eyelids after eating two pounds of turkey - 1
The inside of a gym with every 120 calories equaling a mile on the treadmill)
...2
Seattle
at St. Louis
1:00 pm FOX
Why to Watch: Man, the Rams are HOT! Two wins in a row!? Where has this
been? Head coach Scott Linehan is probably wondering the same thing. Be that
as it may, the Rams won their second consecutive game at San Francisco, holding
the 49ers to a grand total of nine points. But, the win didn’t get them
completely out of the cellar of the NFC West and now the leaders of the division
are coming to St. Louis for a visit. Seattle beat the defending NFC champion
Chicago Bears at Qwest Field 30-23 for its sixth win of the season. The
Seahawks beat St. Louis handily 33-6 earlier this season, but the Rams are
comfortable at home, so this game could have a much different outcome.
Why Seattle Might Win: Seattle quarterback Matt Hasselbeck went to work
early against the Bears and it paid off in a big way. He completed 30 of 44
passes for 337 yards and a pair of touchdowns. The Rams are 16th in
the NFL in pass defense, giving up 211.2 yards per game through the air. The
last time that Hasselbeck faced the Rams, he threw for 195 yards and a pair of
touchdowns and that was with Shaun Alexander healthy and getting carries.
Without him, Hasselbeck will throw it as much as last week against the Bears.
Why St. Louis Might Win: The Rams are on a roll, baby. Two in a row and
most of it stemming from the play of quarterback Marc Bulger. He’s cut down on
the interceptions and been effective throwing the football against both the
Saints and the 49ers. But, the offense got a true kick start from running back
Steven Jackson, who ran for 92 yards on 23 carries. Seattle’s defense gives up
more than 100 yards per game on the ground, 13th in the league, so
Jackson could have a solid day against the Seahawk front seven.
Who to Watch: Ram wide receiver Torry Holt has been rejuvenated lately,
well, since Bulger was reinserted into the offensive lineup, in particular. The
former Pro Bowler has 755 yards receiving on 61 catches, ninth in the league in
receiving. He’s the one weapon on the perimeter that Seattle must game plan to
take away, but with Bulger hot, it might not be possible.
What Will Happen: Although the Rams are playing as well as they have all
season long, the Seahawks are just the better team. Hasselbeck will have a big
day throwing the football, while Maurice Morris will have a productive day
running the football. The combination of run/pass production will have the
Seahawks in front from jump, with a seventh win on the horizon.
CFN Prediction: Seahawks 31…Rams 27
Line: Seattle -3
Must See Rating: (5 The inside of
your eyelids after eating two pounds of turkey - 1
The inside of a gym with every 120 calories equaling a mile on the treadmill)
...2.5
Washington
at Tampa Bay
1:00 pm FOX
Why to Watch: After cruising to a solid 4-2 start, the Redskins have
struggled the past four weeks, capped off by last week’s 28-23 loss at Dallas.
Joe Gibbs’ squad has lost three of the past four and now has to go on the road
to face the NFC South leading Buccaneers. On the other hand, Tampa Bay has won
its last two games – 17-10 over the Cardinals and 31-7 over the Falcons. These
two teams are seemingly going in different directions and a loss for either team
could be detrimental to either one’s playoff hopes, especially Washington.
Tampa Bay’s weak division will help keep them at the top of the division for the
rest of the season, but Washington is going to be battling for a wild card spot
the rest of the season.
Why Washington Might Win: The progress of quarterback Jason Campbell has
been slow and steady, but it’s been progress and not regression due in large
part to his being able to lean on one of the best running games in the league.
The Redskins offense is eighth in the NFL in rushing yards per game, averaging
125.1 yards per game, while Tampa Bay is 18th in the league in
stopping the run, yielding 106.8 yards per game. Expect to see plenty of
Clinton Portis and Ladell Betts on Sunday afternoon.
Why Tampa Bay Might Win: Quarterback Jeff Garcia carried this offense
through much of the first half of the season due in large part to the loss of
Cadillac Wiliams early in the season. However, the Bucs have found some balance
in the offense because of the play of running back Earnest Graham. The former
Gator ran for 102 yards on 17 carries against the Falcons. With Graham
providing the perfect ying to Garcia’s yang, the Buccaneers have a healthy
balance of pass and run that could give the league’s 16th best
defense issues.
Who to Watch: Washington rookie safety LaRon Landry. Fellow safety Sean
Taylor is out due to injury, so the former LSU All-American is the team’s stud
in the middle. However, he had a rough game last week at Dallas, in particular
in coverage, so expect Garcia to attack the middle of the field and pick on #30
as Tony Romo did last week.
What Will Happen: The Bucs are going to follow the same formula to win
number seven on the season. Last week, the defense forced two fumbles and
picked off two passes in the Atlanta win. The defense will force Campbell into
a couple of interceptions and Garcia’s offense will capitalize. Graham has been
a pleasant surprise and will have another 85+ yard game to lead the Bucs to a
victory.
CFN Prediction: Bucs 23…Redskins 16
Line: Tampa Bay -3
Must See Rating: (5 The inside of
your eyelids after eating two pounds of turkey - 1
The inside of a gym with every 120 calories equaling a mile on the treadmill)
...3
Houston
at Cleveland
1:00 pm CBS
Why to Watch: After winning a combined ten games last season, these two
teams have already won a total of eleven games this season after only ten weeks
of play. The Browns have accounted for six of those wins this season, including
last week’s bizarre 33-30 overtime win at Baltimore. The Browns are tied with
the Tennessee Titans for the last playoff spot in the AFC, but the Texans are
only one game behind them. Houston won its second consecutive game, 23-10 over
the Saints, leaving the Texans at 5-5. The Texans have never been .500 or
better this late in the season and have never played a game that actually has
playoff implications. That ends on Sunday when they head to the 2000s version
of the ‘Dawg Pound’.
Why Houston Might Win: This offense is night and day different with Pro
Bowl receiver Andre Johnson in the lineup. Minutes into the game, Johnson got
loose in the Saints secondary for a 73-yard touchdown that put the Texans on top
early and the end result was a 23-10 win for Houston. Johnson opened so many
different areas on the field in the passing game for tight end Owen Daniels and
wide receiver Kevin Walter, who had eight catches in the aggregate against the
Saints. Johnson’s mere presence was a huge boost to the running game and Ron
Dayne, who had 89 yards rushing. Considering the fact that the Browns are the
worst defense in the league, expect Johnson and company to put up some huge
numbers this week.
Why Cleveland Might Win: For as good as the Texans offense played last
week, the Browns offense is just as potent. The Browns are 12th in
the league in total offense, averaging 346.6 yards per game, 242.2 yards through
the air. Quarterback Derek Anderson continues his improvement, week in and week
out – last week, he completed 24 of 38 passes for 274 yards. This week could be
much of the same against the revamped Texans secondary. Saint quarterback Drew
Brees threw for 290 against the Texans last week and that was without the virtue
of big-time perimeter threats. However…
Who to Watch: …the Browns have one of the best. A guy that was thought
to be a huge bust one year ago has turned into one of the best receivers in the
AFC – Braylon Edwards. The former Michigan man is sixth in the NFL in receiving
yardage with 837 yards, averaging 16.4 yards per catch. The Texans don’t have
Pro Bowl cornerback Dunta Robinson to cover Edwards and the secondary will force
Edwards to catch everything in front of them. However, if Edwards does get
behind Will Demps and C.C Brown deep downfield, the Texans won’t have a chance
to win this game.
What Will Happen: The Browns have gotten all the breaks lately, but this
week, the breaks go the other way, in favor of the Texans. Schaub and Johnson
will play pitch and catch all day long against the Browns secondary, while Dayne
and the running game will control the fourth quarter in the four minute
offense. Texans will win the most important game of their season, upsetting the
Browns on the road.
CFN Prediction: Texans 23…Browns 17 ...
Line: Cleveland -3
Must See Rating: (5 The inside of
your eyelids after eating two pounds of turkey - 1
The inside of a gym with every 120 calories equaling a mile on the treadmill)
...4
New Orleans
at Carolina
1:00 pm FOX
Why to Watch: No two teams in the NFC have been as disappointing this
season as these two NFC South rivals. After losing four in a row to start the
season, the Saints won four in a row and figured to be back in the NFC South
championship chase. But, two consecutive losses, including last week’s 23-10
loss at Houston, have them back slipping back into the vicinity of team playing
out the string, instead of fighting for a playoff berth. The Panthers? They’ve
not had the streaky type season that the Saints have had, but inconsistency has
been the hallmark of this 2007 season. The Panthers lost 31-17 to the Packers
last week, but a visit from the Saints presents another opportunity to save a
seemingly lost season. Shoot, a win for either team could save a season and
cost the loser a spot or two in the 2008 NFL Draft. Depends on whether you’re a
glass half-full or half-empty kind of person.
Why New Orleans Might Win: There’s no question that the four game win
streak was a result of productive play from the Saints offense. That production
was not evident early in the season when the Panthers beat the Saints, but since
that loss, the Saints’ offense has been the reason for any team success. Even
in a loss, quarterback Drew Brees threw for 290 yards on 33 of 49 passing and a
touchdown against the Texans. The Saints are seventh in the league in total
offense, averaging 350.8 yards per game and if they don’t turn the ball over,
the Panthers 14th ranked defense may not keep them out of the end
zone this week.
Why Carolina Might Win: Who can’t win with a 44 year old at
quarterback? No, really. Especially this week. Panther quarterback Vinny
Testaverde completed 19 of 37 throws for 258 yards and a pair of touchdowns
against the Packers last week. Plus, he’s facing the Saints defense that is 27th
in the league in total defense, giving up 355.9 yards per game and 28th
in pass defense, yielding 254.8 yards per game. Head coach John Fox trusts
Testaverde more than David Carr, so that should tell you what the grand old man
can do.
Who to Watch: Saints running back Reggie Bush and Panthers running back
DeShaun Foster. One of these two backs will have a 85+ yard rushing day and it
couldn’t come at a better time for each guy. Bush had 27 touches last week
against the Texans, while Foster had 21 touches against the Packers. However,
neither back had more than 110 yards in total offense, but neither defense is
good enough to not give up chunks of yardage to the two key backs.
What Will Happen: Neither team has been consistent enough to make you
believe it has a distinct advantage over the other. However, the Panthers are
playing at home and that slight advantage might be the difference in this one.
The Saints couldn’t stop Ron Dayne last week and won’t stop Deshaun Foster this
week. Foster will rush for 100+ yards and a couple of touchdowns to lead the
Panthers to their fifth win on the season.
CFN Prediction: Panthers 17…Saints 13
Line: New Orleans -3
Must See Rating: (5 The inside of
your eyelids after eating two pounds of turkey - 1
The inside of a gym with every 120 calories equaling a mile on the treadmill)
...2.5
Minnesota
at New York Giants
1:00 pm FOX
Why to Watch: The Giants are notorious for second half swoons and after
losing to the Dallas Cowboys two weeks ago, the whispers were a little louder
after another strong first half in 2007. However, the Giants won a key game at
Detroit 16-10 to keep the whispers of a second half collapse inaudible. Well,
at least for one week. On the other hand, the Vikings were without the services
of star running back Adrian Peterson, but it didn’t matter. Riding the Chester
Taylor train, the Vikings hammered the Raiders 29-22 for its fourth win of the
season. The Giants aren’t anywhere near as generous on defense, so it could be
a long day for the Vikings. But, if Taylor gets loose, the Giants might be the
ones in for a long day.
Why Minnesota Might Win: Whether Peterson is back in the lineup or not,
it won’t matter when it comes to the Vikings running the football. The Giants
are giving up 91.3 yards per game, the seventh ranked rush defense in the
league, but it’s not seen a run blocking offensive line like the one that
Minnesota is bringing to the Meadowlands. The Vikings have the number one
running game in the league, averaging 177.9 yards per game and the ability to
hammer the Giants on the ground, gives the Vikings a shot at win number five.
Why the Giants Might Win: Other than the Vikings ability to run the
football, the Giants hold nearly every other advantage in this game. The
biggest advantage for the Giants is, somewhat surprisingly, quarterback Eli
Manning. The former 2004 number one pick is starting to play like it. Last
week against the Lions, Manning completed 28 of 39 passes for 283 yards and one
touchdown. The Vikings are last in the league against the pass, yielding 288.4
yards per game, so Manning should have one of his best days as a pro.
Who to Watch: Speaking of having his best day as a pro, Vikings
quarterback Tarvaris Jackson had his best day as a starting quarterback,
completing 17 of 22 passes for 171 yards. His improvement will take some
pressure off of the Vikings runners, but he’s facing one of the best pass rushes
in the league this week. Can he handle the heat or will he succumb to the
pressure? How he fares will determine the outcome of this game.
What Will Happen: The Giants have “right-sized” the ship after the loss
to the Cowboys and won’t turn back. Although the Vikings present a difficult
challenge with the way they run the football, the Giants defense will keep the
Vikings out of the end zone. Manning will have another strong day, throwing for
275+ yards and a couple of touchdowns in win number eight.
CFN Prediction: Giants 30…Vikings 13
Line: New York -7
Must See Rating: (5 The inside of
your eyelids after eating two pounds of turkey - 1
The inside of a gym with every 120 calories equaling a mile on the treadmill)
...3
San
Francisco at
Arizona
4:05 pm FOX
Why to Watch: How bad has it gotten in San Francisco? After two wins to
open the season, raising the hopes of 49er fans everywhere that the days of
Montana, Young and Rice might be back, the bottom has fallen out. Eight losses
in a row have taken a promising young team back about ten steps. It doesn’t
help matters when you lose to a one win team at home, scoring only nine points
in the process. The story, though, is different in Arizona, believe it or not.
The Cardinals are 5-5 after beating the Bengals 35-27 on the road last weekend
and right in the thick of the race for the NFC West title or a wild card berth.
Why San Francisco Might Win: Any team can win an NFL game on any given
week, right? Okay, that’s what we’re going with here. Because there’s nothing
with the way the 49ers are playing that holds any hope for a Niners win. The
Cardinals aren’t the Patriots, so there’s hope for a win, but it better happen
with better play from, well, just about everyone on this team. Trent Dilfer
can’t throw two interceptions, and his receivers can’t drop every pass thrown
their way. The only true bright spot for this team was its ability to rush the
quarterback. Last week, defensive tackle Bryant Young led the team with two and
a half sacks, while the team piled up six in total. Considering how well the
Cardinals do throw the football, Young and company should be a factor.
Why Arizona Might Win: Let’s play word association. Arizona Cardinals.
Pass happy, finesse team? Oh, you would be wrong, sir. Okay, so the Cardinals
are efficient throwing the football, but they’re not throwing the ball 35 times
or more per game to win games. Quarterback Kurt Warner completed 16 of 28
passes for 211 yards and two touchdowns in last week’s win over Cincinnati.
But, the other reason that assessment was incorrect was due to the play of the
Cardinal defense. The defense is 11th in the league in total defense
and accounted for two touchdowns in the Bengal game – two Antrel Rolle pick six
returns.
Who to Watch: Cardinal running back Edgerrin James has been a shell of
his former Indianapolis Colt self; however, the 49ers are 24th in the
league against the run, giving up 122.6 yards per game, so he could resemble the
former Indianapolis star this week. James has 730 yards on the season and
should be a 1,000 yard rusher this season, and a good chunk of that yardage
could come this week against the 49ers.
What Will Happen: The 49ers are on the ropes, awaiting a knockout blow
and the Cardinals will deliver that blow. Warner will riddle the secondary as
Bulger did last week, throwing for 250+ yards and a couple of touchdowns to lead
the Cardinals to a third consecutive win.
CFN Prediction: Cardinals 23…49ers 14 …
Line: Arizona -10.5
Must See Rating: (5 The inside of
your eyelids after eating two pounds of turkey - 1
The inside of a gym with every 120 calories equaling a mile on the treadmill)
...2
Baltimore
at San Diego
4:15 pm CBS
Why to Watch: There have been some disappointing teams in the NFL this
season and the Ravens might be the most disappointing of all. No one expected
the Ravens to replicate last year’s 13-3 season, but no one expected 4-6
either. Although it’s hard to put into words what happened to the Ravens last
weekend, the cold hard facts are that it was a 33-30 loss, leaving the Ravens
closer to the AFC North cellar than the top of the division. The Chargers
haven’t been as disappointing, but it hasn’t been for a lack of trying. After
finishing 14-2 last season, the Chargers are 5-5 after losing to Jacksonville on
the road 24-17. At least, one of these teams has to win on Sunday to stem the
losing that’s careening out of control for these two teams.
Why Baltimore Might Win: The Ravens spent a ton of money on running back
Willis McGahee last offseason and for good reason. The former Bill has rushed
for 851 yards this season and has been THE Ravens offense – last week he ran for
102 yards on 21 carries. With a quarterback rotation spinning out of control,
McGahee gives this offense the ability to keep the chains moving. San Diego’s
defense is 23rd in the NFL stopping the run, yielding 119.7 yards per
game, so McGahee has a chance to put a hurting on this defense, like Jaguar
backs Maurice Jones-Drew and Fred Taylor did to them last week.
Why San Diego Might Win: One week after looking like a junior high
quarterback, Charger signal caller Philip Rivers threw for over 300 yards
against the Jaguars. He still had some junior moments, but against a Ravens
defense that gave up 274 yards passing to the Browns Derek Anderson. The Ravens
are 13th in the league in pass defense and present a difficult
challenge for Mr. Rivers, but if he plays like he did last week, sans the
interceptions, the Chargers offense should move the ball well.
Who to Watch: Try telling future Hall of Fame linebacker Ray Lewis that
he’s washed up. No, you do it. No, man, you do it. Well, here’s the good
news, guys, neither one of you have to do it, because it’s not happening. The
vet isn’t ready for the retirement home, that’s for sure. Last week, he had 16
tackles, an interception return for a touchdown and a fumble recovery. He’s
third in the league with 91 tackles behind London Fletcher and Patrick Willis.
Facing LaDainian Tomlinson should stoke the embers within Lewis yet again.
What Will Happen: The Ravens haven’t got much done this season and that
won’t change just because they’re heading west. Charger quarterback Philip
Rivers threw for 309 yards last week and will need to do the same this weekend
for another Charger victory. The Chargers have more to play for than the Ravens
and the sense of urgency will be apparent on Sunday in a game that won’t be that
close.
CFN Prediction: Chargers 27…Ravens 10 ….
Line: San Diego -9.5
Must See Rating: (5 The inside of
your eyelids after eating two pounds of turkey - 1
The inside of a gym with every 120 calories equaling a mile on the treadmill)
...3.5
Denver
at Chicago
4:15 pm CBS
Why to Watch: Only a few weeks ago, the Broncos appeared to be on their
way to the AFC West cellar for a long winter night’s nap. But, Mike Shanahan’s
crew decided to show up and become a factor in the AFC West race after all. The
Broncos have won two in a row – 27-11 over Kansas City and 34-20 on Monday night
over the Titans. At 5-5, Denver is tied with San Diego for the division lead,
while the Bears are mired in the NFC North cellar at 4-6, a measly five games
out of first place with six to play. Yikes. The Bears have been riding the
roller coaster all season long and last week, the roller coaster took a detour
through one of the ride’s valleys, as the Bears lost to Seattle 30-23. But, a
home game might be the perfect tonic for a team that needs a win in the worst
way.
Why Denver Might Win: Since quarterback Jay Cutler’s epiphany after
speaking with team leaders John Lynch and Rod Smith, his play has been strong.
He outplayed Vince Young on Monday night, completing 16 of 21 passes for 200
yards and a pair of touchdowns. Both touchdown throws showed exactly why the
Broncos drafted the former Vanderbilt star. He should have his way with the
defense formerly known as the Bears defense. This unit is getting shredded on a
weekly basis and is 22nd in the league in pass defense, giving up
222.8 yards per game. Considering the fact that Seattle’s Matt Hasselbeck threw
when and where he wanted to throw last week (337 yards and two touchdowns),
Cutler should have similar success on Sunday.
Why Chicago Might Win: Could it actually be that this offense is
actually more asset than liability because quarterback Rex Grossman is back in
the lineup? Really? Yeah, believe it. Grossman’s time served as an apprentice
to Brian Griese appeared to be the perfect tonic. He completed 24 of 37 passes
last week for 266 yards, but most importantly, he didn’t throw any
interceptions. The Broncos defense was once the best pass defense in the NFL,
but has slipped in recent weeks down to tenth in the league after getting lit up
by the likes of Vince Young. If Young can throw for over 300 yards on this
unit, there’s no telling what Grossman can do.
Who to Watch: Chicago tackles Jon Tait and Fred Miller. These two won’t
want to hear the name Patrick Kerney for a while after what the Seahawk
defensive end did last Sunday. Three sacks for Kerney and five for the Seahawks
in total. The Broncos don’t have dominating edge rushers, but Elvis Dumervil
gives anyone problems. Suffice it to say, these two must have a better game this
week for the Bears offense to be successful.
What Will Happen: Cutler will have another strong performance, throwing
for 250+ yards against the banged-up Bears secondary. The Bears will have to
play catch up throughout the game, which doesn’t suit Grossman well at all. The
prodigal son will turn the ball over a couple of times, at a minimum, and Cutler
will capitalize on his mistakes, leading the Broncos to win number six.
CFN Prediction: Broncos 21…Bears 17 …
Line: Chicago -2
Must See Rating: (5 The inside of
your eyelids after eating two pounds of turkey - 1
The inside of a gym with every 120 calories equaling a mile on the treadmill)
...3
Philadelphia
at New England
8:15 pm NBC
Why to Watch: Honestly, are they really that good? The Patriots. Are
they really that good? Undefeated. Untied. Relatively untested. They had the
week off to get ready for the Bills and it showed in a major way. When the game
was over in the first five minutes, I’d say that the two weeks to prepare were
spent in the right way. Tom Brady threw for five touchdowns in a 56-10 slapping
of the Bills, while the Eagles fought through offensive ineptitude for much of
the game to beat the winless Dolphins 17-7 at the Linc. Philly may not have
quarterback Donovan McNabb, and has to travel to Gillette Stadium. That doesn’t
sound like a recipe for success against this Patriot team, that’s for sure.
Why Philadelphia Might Win: Uh, can we talk about the reasons why they
might get inside the number? Okay, agreed. The one X factor in this game for
the Eagles is running back Brian Westbrook. The only reason the Eagles have won
five games this season is because of Westbrook. He proved that last week
against the Dolphins, rushing for 148 yards on 32 carries, proving that he’s
more than just a dual-threat weapon – he can pound out the tough yards in a
grind-it-out type game. Oh yeah, the Patriots punting game is one of the worst
in the NFL. That might help.
Why New England Might Win: Isn’t it obvious? Everything. But,
specifically against the Eagles, the ability to beat the blitz is tantamount to
a Patriots blowout win. The Eagles will throw a bunch of different blitz looks
and schemes at Brady to see how he handles the pressure. The Eagles defense is
14th in the league in pass defense, giving up 210.8 yards per game,
but they’ve had success due to the ability to harass the quarterback. And,
well, #12 is John Beck, either, so the Eagles could get torched against the
blitz.
Who to Watch: The Patriots running backs. It seems the Patriots just
choose straws before the game to see who’ll get the lion’s share of the
carries. Last week, Heath Evans and Kyle Eckel combined for 20 of the 29 runs
that the Patriots had against the Bills. Honestly, what it shows is it doesn’t
matter who gets carries for this team – they’ll have a field day, no pun
intended.
What Will Happen: Brady is going to have a bad game, throwing for only
four touchdowns, against the blitzing Philly ‘D’. He’ll throw for 300+ yards
and no picks in a dismantling of the Eagles, while McNabb watches from his seat
on the bench. It’d be fun if it was close, however, don’t hold your breath.
CFN Prediction: Patriots 45…Eagles 17 …
Line: New England -23
Must See Rating: (5 The inside of
your eyelids after eating two pounds of turkey - 1
The inside of a gym with every 120 calories equaling a mile on the treadmill)
...3
Miami
at Pittsburgh
8:30 pm ESPN November 25, 2007
Why to Watch: Remember when this game used to determine which team was
the best in the AFC? Man, that seems like thirty-five years ago. Well, it
was. The 1970s power teams have taken divergent paths this season – one team is
winning and one team, well, is losing. A lot. The Dolphins have lost ten in a
row, quarterback Trent Green and running back Ronnie Brown, while the Steelers
are a strong 7-3, leading the AFC North. The Steelers can’t afford a second
consecutive loss with the Browns playing great football at this time of the
season. The Dolphins have done nothing but lose this season, so a loss here is
just another nail in the drafting first in the 2008 NFL Draft coffin.
Why Miami Might Win: Okay, c’mon, is there anything that makes you think
that the Dolphins can win this game? No Ronnie Brown. A rookie starting at
quarterback. They’ve got to make the trip to Pittsburgh for a Monday night game
when the Steelers have owned Monday night. The only true positive for Dolphins
fans last week was the play of rookie Ted Ginn Jr. The former Buckeye returned
a punt 87 yards for a touchdown and also led the Dolphins in receptions with
four (52 yards led the team as well). The combination of John Beck to Ginn
should give Dolphin fans hope…for the future.
Why Pittsburgh Might Win: The dominant running game against the worst
run defenses in the league. The Dolphins are 32nd and dead last in
the league in rushing defense, giving up 154.9 yards per game and must face the
number two rushing offense in the league, averaging 147.5 yards per game. It’s
a pretty simple deduction – Steelers will hand the ball to ‘fast’ Willie Parker
a lot on Sunday and it’ll be to the Steelers benefit to do so.
Who to Watch: Pittsburgh’s offensive line. The Steelers front five gave
up seven sacks to the Jets defense last week, a key reason why the Steelers
offense was stuck in neutral for much of the game. The Dolphins don’t appear to
present as big a pass rush threat, but then again neither did the Jets prior to
last week’s game. This unit must get back on track this week or else a fourth
loss is on the horizon.
What Will Happen: Roethlisberger and Parker will put their foot on the
gas pedal and not let up for a full 60 minutes. The former Miami product will
throw for 225+ yards a couple of touchdowns, while Parker has another 100+ yard
day against one of the worst run defenses in the NFL. If the Steelers had
beaten the Jets last week, perhaps they would be looking past the Dolphins. Not
now. The Steelers will hammer the Dolphins into submission.
CFN Prediction: Steelers 34…Dolphins 7 …
Line: Pittsburgh -16
Must See Rating: (5 The inside of
your eyelids after eating two pounds of turkey - 1
The inside of a gym with every 120 calories equaling a mile on the treadmill)
...2