NFL Fearless Predictions  Week 1 | Week 2 | Week 3 | Week 4

Jacksonville at Kansas City 1:00 pm CBS October 7, 2007
Why to Watch: Thought to be one of the bottom feeders in the NFL this season, the Chiefs have surprised many with a 2-2 start to the season.  After losing twice on the road to start the season, the Chiefs bounced back with a win over the Vikings at home and a stunning 30-16 win over the Chargers last weekend.  The Jags got a week of rest before heading to face the red hot Chiefs in Arrowhead.
Why Jacksonville Might Win:  The Jags aren’t winning games with a sublime passing attack, or are they?  Quarterback David Garrard is seventh in the league with a 103.8 passer rating and, more importantly, hasn’t thrown an interception this season.  Although Garrard has been solid, the running game should carry the weight in this matchup. Led by Fred Taylor and Maurice Jones-Drew, the Jags are averaging 124.7 yards per game on the ground, while the Chiefs are 19^th in the league against the run, yielding 118 yards per game.  Expect the ground attack to work overtime this week.
Why Kansas City Might Win: The Bowe Show is playing on theaters nationwide.  Rookie wide receiver Dwayne Bowe has emerged as quarterback Damon Huard’s go-to guy.  Although it seems innocuous on the surface, the emergence of a receiving threat should assist the Chiefs meal ticket running back Larry Johnson.  LJ was his old self last week against the Chargers, rushing for 123 yards, averaging nearly five yards per carry.  The combination of Bowe on the perimeter and Johnson pounding out the tough yards makes this Chiefs offense difficult to stop.
Who to Watch: Chief linebacker Derrick Johnson has become defensive coordinator Gunther Cunningham’s chess piece.  Cunningham is using Johnson to create mayhem in the backfield and to make plays all over the field.  Johnson has 27 tackles on the season, in addition to three sacks.  Against Taylor and Jones-Drew, Johnson is the key to keeping those backs from moving the chains and will be vital on the blitz against Garrard.
What Will Happen: The Chiefs are hot and the Jags are rested. Advantages sort of cancel each other out.  In that case, go with the home team.  The Chiefs will get a 100 yard performance from Johnson and a big play in the passing game from Bowe to overtake Jack Del Rio’s Jags.  Garrard will make a couple of mistakes, trying to avoid the Chiefs’ rush and Kansas City will capitalize on the errors.
CFN Prediction: Chiefs 21 … Jaguars 17... Line: Jacksonville -2.5
Must See Rating: (5 Paris on Letterman - 1 Singing Bee) ... 2

Cleveland at New England 1:00 pm CBS October 7, 2007
Why to Watch: Somewhere, somehow there’s going to be a team that can beat the New England Patriots.  Right?  RIGHT?!?  Well, four teams have taken the field against them and been outscored 148-48 while getting outgained by an average of 206 yards per game.  Cleveland travels to Foxboro on Sunday after a resounding 27-13 win over the Baltimore Ravens.  The Patriots returned home from Cincinnati after hammering the Bengals into submission 34-13 to complete a 4-0 start on the season.  Can anyone compete with the Patriots in 2007?  The Browns get their shot on Sunday.
Why Cleveland Might Win:  Did someone forget to tell wide receiver Braylon Edwards that he was headed to the NFL Draft Bust Hall of Fame?  The former third pick of the Draft is blossoming into the star that the Browns envisioned three years ago.  He’s sixth in the league, one spot ahead of teammate Kellen Winslow, averaging 92 yards per game receiving.  Edwards and Winslow are the perfect complement to hard charging running back Jamal Lewis, providing the Browns with the balance necessary to challenge the fourth ranked scoring defense in the league.
Why New England Might Win:  Pick a reason.  Tom Brady.  Randy Moss.  A running game that piles up 173 yards on the ground without star running back Laurence Maroney.  The number one defense in the league in total yardage.  Any of those reasons work for you?  No one has stopped the Patriots and it’s difficult to imagine the Browns 31^st ranked defense being the first.
Who to Watch: The Browns cornerbacks Leigh Bodden and Eric Wright will have the spotlight on them throughout the day.  Moss is leading the league in touchdowns, receiving and cornerback notches on his belt and that could include these two after Sunday.  These two will be in the film room all weekend long trying to find a way to cover Moss effectively and that might not be enough.
What Will Happen: The Patriots continue on their roll.  The Browns offense will play well early in the game, but eventually linebackers Tedy Bruschi and Mike Vrabel will harass Browns quarterback Derek Anderson into second half turnovers.  Moss catches another touchdown, while fellow receivers Wes Welker and Donte Stallworth eat up the interior of the Browns defense, catching short passes with significant yards after the catch.  The Browns can’t and won’t keep up.
CFN Prediction: Patriots 35 … Browns 14... Line: New England -16.5
Must See Rating: (5 Paris on Letterman - 1 Singing Bee) ... 3

Carolina at New Orleans 1:00 pm Fox October 7, 2007
Why to Watch: To say it’s not pretty right now in Charlotte might be the understatement of the season.  The Panthers 20-7 loss earmarked some serious problems with this team as Carolina’s record dropped to 2-2.  Not having quarterback Jake Delhomme back in this lineup is but one problem that has plagued the Panthers.  Even with all of the problems the Panthers have currently, the Saints have a handful more.  The Saints are a surprising 0-3 and needed the week off in the worst way.  At least they didn’t lose last week to “Bye”; now, that would’ve been a big problem.
Why Carolina Might Win:  Delhomme is ranked third in the NFL in passer rating at 111.9, eight touchdowns and one interception, but with him on the sidelines, this offense is rendered useless.  His health is still in question, but with him on the field, the Panther offense can be at potent as any in the NFC South.  The Saints haven’t stopped anyone this season, last in the league in scoring defense (34.3 PPG) and 26^th in total defense (355.3 yards per game), so expect the Panthers offense to get well this weekend, even with David Carr starting.
Why New Orleans Might Win:  No team has the sense of urgency that the Saints have. Playing at home after getting rocked by Vince Young and the Titans will be forgotten with a strong performance against the Panthers.  The Panthers are getting no pressure on the quarterback, registering only two sacks on the season, so quarterback Drew Brees should have time to throw and pick apart the Panthers secondary.  Well, he’d better.
Who to Watch: Reggie Bush needs to get his game on track.  He’ll get the majority of the carries with teammate Deuce McAllister out with an ACL tear, and he has to produce, even though he’s never been a workhorse back, even in college.  Bush has 80 yards on the season, averaging only 2.8 yards per carry, but Carolina is giving up 118.8 rushing yards per game.  With Brees and the passing game struggling, Bush needs to have the best game of his short NFL career to give the Saints a chance to win.
What Will Happen: With a sense of urgency that outweighs any of the Panthers’ issues, the Saints pick up win number one.  Brees will have a 300+ yard, no interception performance in this one, while Bush doubles his year-to-date rushing total with at least 80 yards and a touchdown on the ground.  The state of Louisiana celebrates a doubleheader LSU-Saints win for the first time this year.
CFN Prediction: Saints 27 … Panthers 19 ... Line: New Orleans -3
Must See Rating: (5 Paris on Letterman - 1 Singing Bee) ... 2.5

New York Jets at New York Giants 1:00 pm CBS October 7, 2007
Why to Watch: The Battle of New York, even though it takes place in New Jersey, should have the City hopping this weekend.  Two weeks ago in DC, down 17-3 in the third quarter, it appeared as though the Giants would easily be 0-4 coming into this matchup.  However, the Giants pulled it together in the second half at Washington for a come-from-behind 24-17 win and then sacked the Eagles, figuratively and literally, on Sunday night in a decisive 16-3 win to move to 2-2.  The Jets, on the other hand, struggled last week on the road, losing 17-14 to winless Buffalo, starting a rookie quarterback for the first time.  But, when Big Apple pride is on the line, throw out the records and expect the unexpected.
Why the Jets Might Win:  Although the Giants registered twelve sacks against the Eagles, the defense gave up 103 yards in total and over six yards a clip to Eagle backup running back Correll Buckhalter.  The Jets are only averaging 82.5 yards per game on the ground, but running back Thomas Jones is 20^th in the league in rushing even though he only had 35 yards against the Bills.  He should bounce back with a huge game against Big Blue’s defense this weekend.
Why the Giants Might Win:  After giving up 45 points to Dallas, 34 to Green Bay and 17 in the first half to Washington, the defense hasn’t given up a touchdown in the last six quarters and only three points in that same time frame.  Giants defensive end Osi Umenyiora had the game of his lifetime, sacking Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb six times.  Jets QB Chad Pennington is sedentary when compared to McNabb.  He’ll be lucky to get the ball off this week, with Umenyiora, Michael Strahan, Justin Tuck and Mathias Kiwanuka breathing down his neck.
Who to Watch: Jets tackle D’Brickashaw Ferguson will see the film of Winston Justice of the Eagles getting obliterated by Umenyiora all week long.  Ferguson is twice the player that Justice is as a left tackle, but no player will have a bigger spotlight this weekend than Ferguson.  He may need some help, but for the most part, he’s going one-on-one with the number one pass rusher in the league.
What Will Happen: The Giants haven’t needed Eli Manning to play out of his mind to win games, but this is a week when the Giants might do need one.  The Jets are tied for 27^th in the league against the pass, giving up 253 yards per game, so Manning should have a 250+ yard, two touchdown performance in another Giants win.
CFN Prediction: Giants 24 … Jets 14 ... Line: New York Giants -3
Must See Rating: (5 Paris on Letterman - 1 Singing Bee) ... 3

Miami at Houston 1:00 pm CBS October 7, 2007
Why to Watch: Things couldn’t get much worse for the Dolphins.  An 0-4 start.  A defense struggling to stop the run.  An offense that gets output from Ronnie Brown and little else.  Yikes.  And, now Cam Cameron’s bunch is heads to Houston after losing 35-17 to the Raiders last week.  The Texans have been hit hard by the injury bug and the losing bug, dropping games to the Colts and the Falcons in consecutive weeks.  If the Texans wish to get to the next level, they must win games that they should win.  If the Dolphins wish to get out of the AFC East cellar, they better win a game, any game.
Why Miami Might Win:  The Dolphins are finally getting maximum output from Brown, the team’s second pick in the 2005 NFL Draft.  After a stellar performance against the Jets, he ran for 134 yards on 15 carries, including one touchdown.  Throw the six receptions he had and Brown is THE Dolphins offense.  The Texans were shredded by the Colts Joseph Addai earlier this year and Brown is just as dangerous.  Expect Brown to play a big role in this game against the sixth ranked Texans rush defense.
Why Houston Might Win:  When the Texans lost Andre Johnson to a knee injury earlier this year, it appeared that the passing game would struggle in a major way.  However, the passing game has improved each and every week due to guys stepping up to play a role in this offense.  Andre Davis has become the deep threat, averaging 23 yards per catch against the Falcons.  Kevin Walter is the prototypical, tough as nails intermediate receiver, catching six passes against Atlanta.  Tight end Owen Daniels had five catches against the Falcons and is emerging as one of the best pass catching tight ends in the league.
Who to Watch: Atlanta defensive end John Abraham gave Texans left tackle Ephraim Salaam a lot of problems last Sunday and Dolphin defensive end Jason Taylor has the ability to do the same.  He’s struggled this year getting his game on track, but against Salaam, he’s got to be licking his chops.
What Will Happen: The Texans will find Reliant Stadium to be the best 12^th man in the league.  The emotion of being back home will help the Texans pull through in a tough game.  Quarterback Matt Schaub will have another 250+ yard day and the running game will have 100+ yards against the 32^nd ranked Dolphin rush defense.
CFN Prediction: Texans 21 … Dolphins 13 ... Line: Houston -5.5
Must See Rating: (5 Paris on Letterman - 1 Singing Bee) ... 2.5

Seattle at Pittsburgh 1:00 pm Fox October 7, 2007
Why to Watch: Of all the matchups this weekend, this one is the best, especially from a record standpoint.  The Seahawks moved to 3-1 after knocking out, figuratively and literally, the 49ers in Candlestick Park 23-3.  The Steelers were looking to go 4-0 after a strong start, but the Ken Whisenhunt-led Cardinals knocked out Pittsburgh 21-14 in Glendale, leaving the Steelers at 3-1.  The Steelers can ill afford a second loss in a row, especially in the stout AFC North division race and playing at home.
Why Seattle Might Win:  Where does running back Shaun Alexander get off playing like he’s not a thirty year old running back?  He’s ninth in the league in rushing, averaging 88 yards per game and showing flashes of his 2005 MVP form.  Against the Steelers, it won’t be purely numbers that signify his success.  His ability to pound the rock, if you will, and pile on the carries is vital for quarterback Matt Hasselbeck throwing the ball downfield.
Why Pittsburgh Might Win:  The Steelers won’t let the Seahawks dominate the ball and the clock; that’s their job.  Led by Willie Parker, the league’s fourth leading rusher, the Steelers are third in the league, averaging 168 yards per game.  The Seahawks are 13^th in the NFL against the run, yielding 103.8 yards per game, so expect a lot of Parker on Sunday.  The more Parker the Seahawks have to face, the more effective quarterback Ben Roethlisberger will be throwing the football.  The Steelers continue to establish the run to set up the pass and will do so again.
Who to Watch: Seahawk outside linebacker Julian Peterson has been nothing short of sensational this season for the Seattle defense.  He had four tackles and three sacks against the 49ers last week.  Peterson is the defensive key to stopping Parker on the ground and getting pressure on Roethlisberger.
What Will Happen: The Seahawks will have some success, mixing pass and run early in the game, but the Steelers will put an end to that in the second half.  Parker will have a 90+ yard day on the ground, while Roethlisberger will complete 65% of his throws.  The Steelers will play a complete game at home and move to 4-1, staying atop the AFC North.
CFN Prediction: Steelers 31 … Seahawks 24 ... Line: Pittsburgh -6
Must See Rating: (5 Paris on Letterman - 1 Singing Bee) ... 4

Detroit at Washington 1:00 pm Fox October 7, 2007
Why to Watch: Could it be that Lion quarterback Jon Kitna was actually on to something with his comment about the Lions being a ten win team this season?  Detroit’s well on its way to making Kitna a prophet.  Or, maybe just a savvy prognosticator.  Either way, the Lions scored 34 points in the fourth quarter to knock off the defending NFC champion Chicago Bears 37-27 to move to 3-1 on the season.  Washington, on the other hand, had the weekend off after blowing a 17-3 lead to the New York Giants the week prior.
Why Detroit Might Win:  No team in the NFL throws it better than Detroit, averaging 312.8 yards per game through the air.  Kitna is making believers out of his skeptics, completing 71% of his passes for a league leading 1,227 yards.  The Redskins are 13^th in the league giving up 217.3 yards per game through the air, so the Lions should be able to play pitch and catch against the talented Redskin secondary.
Why Washington Might Win:  The problem for Detroit is twofold.  One, Redskin quarterback Jason Campbell is improving on every snap, even though he’s 26^th in the league in passer rating (69.6).  But, most importantly, the defense he’s facing on Sunday is abysmal against the pass.  The Lions are second to last in the league, giving up 267.5 passing yards per game.
Who to Watch: Lion running backs Tatum Bell and Kevin Jones had 84 yards combined against the Bears last weekend and must take a bit more pressure off of Kitna and the passing game.  These two can’t allow the Lions offense to be one dimensional any more this year.
What Will Happen: The Redskins week off came at a good time, considering how poorly they played during the second half against the Giants.  Campbell will be solid, not turning the ball over and getting a solid performance from running backs Clinton Portis and Ladell Betts (125+ yards combined) against the porous Detroit defense.  Washington moves to 3-1, while Detroit falls to 3-2.
CFN Prediction: Redskins 31 … Lions 21... Line: Washington -3.5
Must See Rating: (5 Paris on Letterman - 1 Singing Bee) ... 2.5

Atlanta at Tennessee 1:00 pm Fox October 7, 2007
Why to Watch: When this one was originally scheduled, NFL fans had to be drooling.  Vince Young vs. Mike Vick.  There would’ve been no better matchup than this one, just for the must see viewing provided by the quarterbacks.  However, you know the rest.  To the Falcons credit, they haven’t packed it in after starting the year 0-3.  With some ‘smart’ football against Carolina, the Falcons would be 2-2 and right in the thick of the NFC South title hunt, instead of 1-3.  The Titans had a week off to get healthy and prepare for Joey Harrington and the high-flying Falcon offense.  Okay, so we get Vince Young vs. Joey Harrington.  It’s not as bad as it seems.
Why Atlanta Might Win:  How good has Harrington been the past two weeks?  He threw for 361 yards against the Carolina defense, then riddled the Houston Texans for 223 yards and two touchdowns on 23 of 29 passing.  He’s ranked 11^th in the league with a 98.2 passer rating and has been the focal point of this team’s early season turnaround.  The Titans are solid against the run (2^nd in the league), but are 24^th in the league against the pass, yielding 238.3 yards per game.  Expect Harrington to toss the ball around the Nashville yard.
Why Tennessee Might Win:  The Titans can run the football and stop the run.  The offense is ranked second in the league, averaging 173.7 yards per game, relying on a plethora of backs to move the chains – LenDale White, Chris Brown and even Young.  As noted above, the Titans are stout stopping the run as well, giving up less than 70 yards per game, which isn’t good news for a Falcon offense that could only muster 90 yards against the Texans last week.  Harrington is going to struggle if he doesn’t have a running game to generate even a little production.
Who to Watch: Falcon wide receiver Michael Jenkins had a slow start to his career, but if last week is any indication, he’s making up for lost time.  The former Ohio State star caught six passes for 64 yards, including two touchdowns.  Harrington has relied heavily on Jenkins and against a young, inexperienced Titan secondary should do so again.
What Will Happen: The Titans will ride the improving Young once again.  He’s improving by leaps and bounds as a quarterback, but has not lost his playmaking roots.  He’ll throw for 175+ yards and rush for 50+ on scrambles to frustrate the Falcon defense.  Brown and White will combine for 165+ yards as the Titans grind the Falcons into submission.
CFN Prediction: Titans 27 … Falcons 20 ... Line: Tennessee -8.5
Must See Rating: (5 Paris on Letterman - 1 Singing Bee) ... 3

Arizona at St. Louis 1:00 pm Fox October 7, 2007
Why to Watch: A two quarterback system can’t really work.  Not in the NFL.  Right?  RIGHT?!?  Well, somehow the Cardinals are making it work, using Matt Leinart and ageless Kurt Warner to move the ball effectively.  Last week, head coach Ken Whisenhunt used these two in concert masterfully against Pittsburgh in a 21-14 win over the previously undefeated Steelers.  St. Louis, on the other hand, can’t get one quarterback to play well and the results have been far from pretty, that’s for sure.  The Rams got whacked at Dallas 35-7 and it was worse than the score actually indicated.  It’s now desperation time.
Why Arizona Might Win: Leinart may not be stoked about the dual quarterback system, but it’s working beautifully.  Last week, Warner came in early for an ineffective Leinart and completed 14 of 21 passes for 132 yards and a touchdown.  However, late in the game when the Cards needed a drive to salt away the win, Leinart came back in the game and led them on a 13 play, 82 yard jaunt that resulted in a Edgerrin James two yard touchdown run.
Why St. Louis Might Win:  The Rams are desperate.  Don’t underestimate the power of desperation.  A healthy Gus Frerotte will be taking snaps on Sunday for an injured Marc Bulger and give the Rams offense a chance to move the chains.  The former Redskin signal caller won’t hurt the team with poor throws and will look to manage the game, not carry the offense on his back.
Who to Watch: Cardinal defensive tackle Darnell Dockett was dominant against the Steelers.  He finished the game with six tackles, three sacks, two quarterback hurries and a forced fumble.  If not for the performance of Osi Umenyiora against the Eagles, Dockett would’ve been the defensive player of the week.  Regardless, the Rams must find a way to neutralize Dockett or Frerotte will be running for his life.
What Will Happen: The Rams are void of offensive firepower and won’t generate enough offense to beat the Cardinals.  James will have a 100+ yard game against the 29^th ranked rush defense in the league.  The Cardinals win a big one on the road to stay in the NFC West championship hunt, while sending the Rams one step closer to the number one pick in the 2008 NFL Draft.
CFN Prediction: Cardinals 20 … Rams 10 ... Line: Arizona -3.5
Must See Rating: (5 Paris on Letterman - 1 Singing Bee) ... 1.5

Tampa Bay at Indianapolis 4:05 pm Fox October 7, 2007
Why to Watch: The last time that these two teams played one another, Peyton Manning orchestrated one of the greatest comebacks in NFL history, leading the Colts to a 38-35 win over the Bucs in Tampa.  The Colts were 4-0 going into that historic game and are 4-0 in 2007, so not much has changed since that night.  The Bucs have been a pleasant surprise in the NFC South after winning only four games in 2006.  Jon Gruden’s Bucs are 3-1 and coming off of a decisive 20-7 win over the reeling Carolina Panthers last weekend.
Why Tampa Bay Might Win:  Jeff Garcia may not carry near the amount of cache as his counterpart, but he’s the major difference for this team over last year.  He’s tenth in the league with a 98.9 passer rating and hasn’t thrown an interception this season.  He won’t light up the Colts secondary with 400 yards passing, but the man knows where to throw the ball and can keep his team on the field, moving the chains.
Why Indianapolis Might Win:  Where do you start?  Manning is arguably the best offensive player in the league.  Consequently, safety Bob Sanders is arguably the best defensive player in the league.  The Colts QB threw for an un-Manning like 193 yards, but he did have three touchdown passes against the Colts’ win over the Denver Broncos.  Sanders only had four tackles against the Broncos, but remains the vital cog for both the pass and run defenses.
Who to Watch: Tampa Bay running backs Ernest Graham and Michael Pittman combined for 138 yards on 32 carries against the Panthers, replacing an injured Cadillac Williams.  With Williams in the shop for the rest of the year, these two must remain as productive against the Colts 22^nd ranked rush defense (127.5 yards per game) to keep Garcia and the Bucs offense from becoming one-dimensional.
What Will Happen: The Bucs may be much improved over last year, but they’ll have a difficult time stopping Mr. Manning and the Colts offense.  Even if running back Joe Addai can’t go, Manning will get a strong performance from Kenton Keith.  The Indy offense is ranked third in the league in scoring (32.8 PPG) and total offense (403.5 yards per game), and the number one scoring defense in the league won’t slow it down.  Well, not enough to win the game.  Colts move to 5-0 for the fourth time in the last five years.
CFN Prediction: Colts 24 … Buccaneers 16 ... Line: Indianapolis -10
Must See Rating: (5 Paris on Letterman - 1 Singing Bee) ... 3.5

San Diego at Denver 4:15 pm CBS October 7, 2007
Why to Watch: Please, PLEASE, someone, anyone, anywhere tell us what in the name of John Jefferson and Air Coryell is going on in San Diego.  Losing on the road to the Patriots is one thing.  Losing at home to the 1-2 Chiefs…by two touchdowns is another.  This season is slowly fading away from the Chargers and this team NEEDS a win.  The Broncos started with two narrow victories, but have lost two in a row (Jacksonville and Indianapolis).  Suffice it to say, the winner stands atop the AFC West.  The loser?  The cellar is calling.
Why San Diego Might Win:  First half LaDainian Tomlinson.  That’s the LT that we know and love.  Over a hundred yards rushing to kick start the day.  Unfortunately, Tomlinson didn’t have as productive a second half, but at least, Charger fans have hope that maybe the Man is back.  His production is tantamount to a victory, especially against the Broncos 31^st ranked run defense in the league (Denver is giving up 181 yards per game on the ground).
Why Denver Might Win:  The Chargers don’t have a monopoly on the running game, that’s for sure.  Running back Travis Henry is leading the league in rushing, averaging 108.3 yards per game and five yards per carry.  Last week, Henry upped that average rushing for 131 yards against the Colts run defense.  San Diego’s front seven is better against the run, yielding 98 yards per game, but Henry hasn’t been slowed yet.
Who to Watch: San Diego quarterback Philip Rivers isn’t having the start to the season he, or anyone, expected.  He’s always going to be a product of LT’s effectiveness as teams will consistently force Rivers to beat them.  It’s time that he starts doing it.  He’s ranked 22^nd in the league in passer rating and thrown the same number of interceptions as Rex Grossman.  It’s not good to be mentioned in the same sentence as Grossman.  Ever.
What Will Happen: The Chargers are going to come out hot, with a sense of urgency to their play, but the Broncos will withstand the early rally.  Henry won’t hit his 108.3 yard average, but he’ll keep the Broncos on the field and the chains moving.  Jay Cutler will have a solid performance against the 27^th ranked San Diego pass defense.
CFN Prediction: Broncos 27 … Chargers 20... Line: Denver -1
Must See Rating: (5 Paris on Letterman - 1 Singing Bee) ... 4

Baltimore at San Francisco 4:15 pm CBS October 7, 2007
Why to Watch: No one knows the Baltimore Ravens more than 49ers head coach Mike Nolan.  Unfortunately for the 49ers, Nolan won’t have his quarterback Alex Smith on hand to take on his former team.  The 2005 number one pick had been struggling this year, but without him last Sunday, the 49er offense appeared lost and inept.  Trent Dilfer has won games before, and the onus is on him to move the football against the defense formerly known as the best in NFL history.  The Ravens haven’t played much better, especially on defense where Derek Anderson and the Browns put 27 on Ray Lewis and company.  Wait, what?  27 points?  Browns?  Yep.  Believe it.
Why Baltimore Might Win:  The Ravens aren’t lacking for production out of their offense. Willis McGahee ran for 104 yards on only 14 carries, while Steve McNair threw for over 300 yards against the Browns.  Keep a close eye on McGahee this week against the 49ers 25^th ranked rush defense in the league (yielding 130 yards per game).  The former Miami product hasn’t lost the step that Bills fans thought and is seventh in the league, rushing for 94 yards per game.
Why San Francisco Might Win:  It’s impossible for the 49ers to have a worse game offensively, even with Dilfer under center, replacing Smith this weekend.  Dilfer knows this Ravens defense well, having spent a Super Bowl season with them in 2000.  He’s nowhere near the player he was in 2000, but the Ravens defense isn’t either.  Anderson proved last week that the Ravens are susceptible in the secondary and if Dilfer can execute the game plan, he should be able to get a big play or three against this Ravens secondary.
Who to Watch: 49ers linebacker coach Mike Singletary, you remember Samurai Mike, right?  Well, he’s been talking about his rookie linebacker Patrick Willis.  Singletary believes that the former Ole Miss star is due to be a star at this level.  And, soon.  Willis had 12 tackles against the Seahawks and will plenty of opportunities on Saturday against McGahee.
What Will Happen: The 49ers will get a bounce back win behind Dilfer.  The Ravens have been on the road two weeks in a row, the second being a cross-country trip to San Francisco.  The 49ers won’t do a lot offensively, but running back Frank Gore will pound the rock on the Raven front seven.  His 100+ yard production will lead the way for a surprising 49er win.
CFN Prediction: 49ers 17 … Ravens 13 ... Line: Baltimore -3.5
Must See Rating: (5 Paris on Letterman - 1 Singing Bee) ... 3

Chicago at Green Bay 8:15 pm NBC October 7, 2007
Why to Watch: The NFL’s longest rivalry always has a little spice, but add in a 4-0 Packer squad and a Bears team struggling for answers at the quarterback position and this one is even more intriguing.  Brett Favre has been incredible, not just biding his time before moving on to the retirement home.  Behind his production, the Packers are undefeated, while the Bears have lost three of their first four, due in large part to the poor play of their quarterback.  Rex Grossman and Brian Griese have combined for nine interceptions on the season and the results are obvious.  The Bears can get ‘healthy’ in a hurry with a win over the NFC North leading Packers in Lambeau Field.
Why Chicago Might Win:  Can this team play any worse?  Giving up 34 points in the fourth quarter?  To the Lions?  Perhaps not, but nothing has gone right for the Bears at all; it’s got to change this week, doesn’t it.  There are no real positives right now for Bears, with the exception of for Devin Hester.  When #23 gets his hands on the ball, good, no, great things happen.  He had another return for six last week and will continue to help the offense by just standing back awaiting a return.
Why Green Bay Might Win:  Favre.  Brett Favre.  How is this guy doing it?  He’s second in the league in passing yardage with 1,205, a four to one touchdown to interception ratio and MVP cache after the start to his season.  Oh, add in the fact that the Bears secondary is a mash unit and it’s obvious what the Packers will attempt to do on Sunday night.  As a side note, do you think John Madden’s head will implode covering a Favre game, against the Bears, at Lambeau Field, at night?  It just might.
Who to Watch: The Packers running game is, well, bad.  Real bad.  Last in the NFL bad.  The Packers have run for a total of 217 yards on the season, a few dozen short of the amount that Tennessee rang up in the opener against Jacksonville.  For as good as Favre is and has been, he needs some help from the nondescript corps of running backs.
What Will Happen: The Packers will keep the Bears on the ropes.  The Packer defense will turn over Griese another couple of times and give Favre the field position he needs to drill that inexperienced Bear secondary.  Madden has a ball covering a Brett Favre win, especially this season.  The Pack is back and 5-0.
CFN Prediction: Packers 27 … Bears 20 ... Line: Green Bay -3
Must See Rating: (5 Paris on Letterman - 1 Singing Bee) ... 3.5

Dallas at Buffalo 8:30 pm ESPN October 8, 2007
Why to Watch: Monday Night Football is an institution.  For the past 37 years, the NFL has put the showcase game on that night.  Uh, what happened here?  The dominant 4-0 Cowboys against the 1-3 struggling Bills?  Who scheduled this game Thurman Thomas and Emmitt Smith?  At least, the Bills got a win last week over the Jets behind first time starting quarterback Trent Edwards.  The Cowboys are taking their play to another level and the defense proved that it might be the unit that defensive coordinator Brian Stewart thought it would be at the outset of the season.  Then again, what’s better than a hyped matchup on Monday night?  A shocking upset.  Maybe, just maybe.
Why Dallas Might Win:  The Cowboys have the number one scoring offense in the league (37.8 PPG) and the number one total yardage offense as well (440.8 yards per game).  But, it’s the defense that has gotten its act together lately.  The ‘Boys defense held the Rams to seven points and 187 yards, while registering over 500 on offense.  Throw in the fact that Edwards is starting for only the second time in the NFL and it could be ugly for the Bills.
Why Buffalo Might Win:  Edwards didn’t light the world on fire last week, but he was efficient and effective.  He completed 22 of 28 passes for 234 yards and a touchdown against the Jets, providing a balance to the hard running of fellow rookie Marshawn Lynch, who is 12^th in the league rushing (76.8 yards per game). The Bills have a shot to move the football, and score, against the 11^th ranked scoring defense in the NFL.
Who to Watch: The one person that strikes fear in to Dallas’ opposing offense is defensive end/outside linebacker DeMarcus Ware.  He had a sack last week against the Rams and three quarterback pressures.  His burst off the edge demands double teams and with a rookie running back having to double on him all game long, outside backer Greg Ellis should have another strong game (Ellis had a sack and a half against the Rams).
What Will Happen: The Cowboys will make life miserable for Edwards, Lynch and the rest of the offense, but it’s the defense that’ll get torched by a smoking hot quarterback Tony Romo.  He’ll light up the banged up Bills secondary as the Cowboys blow out the homestanding Bills.
CFN Prediction: Cowboys 35 … Bills 13 ... Line: Dallas -10
Must See Rating: (5 Paris on Letterman - 1 Singing Bee) ... 2