I hate to start off with this kind of news again, but Raiders owner Al Davis was confirmed to have died at the age of 82 today. He was known for being one of the most out-there owners, consistently firing coaches if they weren’t winning Super Bowls in just a couple years, drafting kickers in the first round and always looking for the fastest guy in the draft field. On the flip side, though, he was one of the NFL’s early innovators. Without him, the entire NFL landscape looks different, and one of the most dynamic teams of the last half-century never exists. Davis hasn’t been well – Denarius Moore let slip a couple weeks ago that none of the rookies had met the owner, who used to be a staple on the practice sidelines – for a while, it seems, but I don’t think anybody expected this. My condolences to Raiders fans and those close to the Davis family.
Now, it seems like we have a couple of ridiculous trends going right now. The first, and what has to be the most shocking, are the undefeated Detroit Lions. Three years ago, this team went 0-16, an NFL first. This year, they became the first team to ever record back-to-back victories after trailing by 20 or more. That just doesn’t happen (clearly). Second, don’t look now, but Wes Welker is on pace for 2,464 yards and Calvin Johnson on pace for 32 touchdowns. Both would not just shatter their respective receiving records; no player has ever scored 32 times in a season, and Welker’s yards would come close to matching Chris Johnson’s total yards-from-scrimmage record. And then of course, we continue the year of the quarterback. Six are on pace to throw for 5,000 yards, which only two have done … in history. I keep hearing that eventually, defenses will shake off the rust and this will slow down, but all six not continuing this pace? I doubt it. Looks like Dan Marino may have to move over soon. Now, for your Week 5 picks.
Week 4 Results: 12-4
Season Total: 23-9
Tennessee Titans (3-1) at Pittsburgh Steelers (2-2):
The Steelers aren’t looking pretty right now. The defense is still solid, but it isn’t the unbreakable wall it’s been for the last few years. The offense looks downright shaky, though, and now Big Ben is in a boot and Hines Ward is still nowhere to be found. The Titans, on the other hand, are flourishing behind the league’s No. 1 scoring defense and despite the lack of playmaking coming from Kenny Britt and Chris Johnson. Johnson seems to be finding his stride though, and don’t be surprised to see him pull out another 100-yard performance today. However, Pittsburgh still has gas left in the tank, and home field is always a nice luxury when you’re sitting in the Steelers’ precarious position.
Pittsburgh Steelers: 21-17
Philadelphia Eagles (1-3) at Buffalo Bills (3-1):
This game has a hint of desperation to it. A loss for Vick and the Eagles may drop them to three behind the division-leading New York Giants and Washington Redskins, a far cry from the “Dream Team” that Vince Young espoused at the beginning of the year. On the other hand, though, Buffalo has to feel a little alarm after last week’s collapse at Cincinnati. Has it all just been a fluke? Have teams figure them out? I would not want to be in either team’s position right now. Buffalo managed to outduel Tom Brady and the Patriots a couple weeks ago at home, but I can’t see them doing it again this week. Eagles score early and often here, Ronnie Brown doesn’t pitch it to the opposing defense and the Bills just won’t keep up.
Philadelphia Eagles: 34-24
Kansas City Chiefs (1-3) at Indianapolis (0-4):
Who was surprised by Kansas City’s win last week? I was. Granted, it was at home, Minnesota was the team that looked like it had quality but just wasn’t playing well, not the Chiefs. Instead, Matt Cassel found his groove, and the Chiefs defense seem to have a found a way to hold it together. But the bigger surprise last week had to be Curtis Painter. Demoted to second-string 19 days before the season opener to make way for retiree Kerry Collins, clearly the Colts had no confidence in him. Then he came out and gave Tampa Bay all it wanted from a first-time starter. If Painter can keep his consistency going against a weaker Chiefs’ D and keep Reggie Wayne, Pierre Garcon and Dallas Clark involved in the offense, the Colts should erase those 0-16 fears right here.
Indianapolis Colts: 27-21
Arizona Cardinals (1-3) at Minnesota Vikings (0-4):
Well the Kevin Kolb experience isn’t failing, per se, but the Cards definitely haven’t found any wins off him this season. What looked like a decent division race in the NFC West has now left Arizona way behind. Beanie Wells looked shockingly good in his return last week, but that may be more a fluke than a trend. Of course, Minnesota and Donovan McNabb seem to be doing the same dance up north. The Vikings, who were supposed to have a decent shot to contend with the addition of McNabb, are struggling in all facets, McNabb, who’s thrown for less than 200 yards per game, most of all. The wild card here is the run game for both teams. If Wells can produce another 180-yard outing like last week, the Cardinals have a chance to snap that losing streak. But the Vikings have Adrian Peterson. And Peterson’s gonna have a field day against this Arizona defense.
Minnesota Vikings: 31-17
Seattle Seahawks (1-3) at New York Giants (3-1):
Looks like I was wrong; Sidney Rice IS all that Seattle is lacking. Atlanta’s defense hasn’t exactly been stellar this year, but the same Seattle team that looked stagnant in the first couple of weeks still managed to come roaring back against the Falcons last week and hang 28 on them. New York, on the other hands, is quietly finding ways to win. A 100-yard performance by Hakeem Nicks here, a 100-yard performance by Brandon Jacobs there and Manning quietly having one of the best years of his career. Plus, the Seahawks are playing a 1 p.m. game on the East Coast. Again, I’ll complain, stop doing this, NFL. It’s not fair at all to expect west-coast teams to be fully prepared for a 10-a.m. kickoff.
New York Giants: 31-13
New Orleans Saints (3-1) at Carolina Panthers (1-3):
Well I’ll give it to Cam Newton: He doesn’t know how to lose. Granted, his team is doing it a lot, but that doesn’t mean he’s accepted his role on a bad team. Without him or Steve Smith, Carolina is, if possible, worse than last year’s 2-14 team. New Orleans, on the other hands, may already have this division under wraps. The Saints have found a steady runner in Mark Ingram, and of course Drew Brees needs no explanation. The Saints’ biggest advantage this week, though? Its defense. Coordinator Gregg Williams has gone to great lengths to give this D its opportunistic reputation, and that’s something Newton will have fits against. He’ll get his 350 yards, but he’ll throw three interceptions as well. The wins will come, Cam. Just not this week. Not against this team.
New Orleans Saints: 31-28
Cincinnati Bengals (2-2) at Jacksonville Jaguars (1-3):
Andy Dalton got himself a legitimate comeback last week. The Bills may or may not pan out, but right now, that was a big, big comeback for the Bengals, and it’s a good sign in a division that looks like it may be weakening. The Jaguars are headed in the opposite direction, though. That offense is a mess, and the defense isn’t much better. Jack del Rio needs to have a great reason for doing this to his offense, or he may be starting the coaching carousel this season.
Cincinnati Bengals: 21-17
Oakland Raiders (2-2) at Houston Texans (3-1):
I don’t want to know what the Raiders are going through right now. From what I’ve heard, they found about Davis’ death when they woke up this morning, and the majority of players/staff on this team felt a strong affinity for the man. Emotions are gonna run high, and I’ve no doubt several Raiders are going to have great days. But this isn’t the same Houston team we’ve seen for the last 10 years. The No. 1 rushing attack in the country is going up against one of the worst run defenses. Andre Johnson is out, but Owen Daniels and Jacoby Jones are healthy enough to carry the passing attack.
Houston Texans: 31-28
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-1) at San Francisco 49ers (3-1):
The Niners have to like where they’re sitting right now. They’re the only team that seems to have made serious improvement in the NFC West, and by “improvement,” I mean hiring a Harbaugh. Seriously, these guys are scary good. Jim made the playoffs in his first year with the Ravens, and John is well on his way with the Niners. All of a sudden, Alex Smith doesn’t look like a huge bust, and that defense held the Eagles scoreless for an entire half. Think about it. DeSean Jackson, Jeremy Maclin, Michael Vick, Lesean McCoy, Brent Celek and Ronnie Brown all couldn’t combine for a single point. That’s impressive. But Tampa Bay isn’t just better than Philadelphia, it’s offense may be better. No one plays the fourth quarter like Josh Freeman, and the Bucs are rolling right now. San Fran will have trouble slowing them at all.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 27-17
San Diego Chargers (3-1) at Denver Broncos (1-3):
San Diego may be a winning team, but it sure doesn’t like doing so. The Chargers had arguably the easiest opening quarter season in the league, and they scraped out all three of their wins against teams that are a combined 1-11 right now. Philip Rivers is as good as ever, Ryan Matthews looks like the next LT, but this team is teetering on the brink right now. And I think Denver will push them over. Kyle Orton has Brandon Lloyd back, and Eric Decker has quickly emerged as a top wideout, while Willis McGahee is showing what he has left in the tank. Thankfully, Rivers’ likes to make cornerbacks’ jobs easy, so the fact that the Broncos’ defense is despicable should be covered up.
Denver Broncos: 30-24
New York Jets (2-2) at New England Patriots (3-1):
Did you know the Patriots are giving up nearly 500 yards per game? That’s not bad; that’s historically awful. A blind quarterback with handless receivers could score on this defense. Unfortunately for New York, Mark Sanchez and Co. aren’t acting like they’re much better than that. This offense has all the right pieces, but if it weren’t for an incredible defensive performance through the first quarter, the Jets wouldn’t even be contending. That said, Tom Brady will put up 300 on these guys. And with the introduction of the Stephen Ridley run game, the Pats’ offense will be as potent as ever.
New England Patriots: 34-20
Green Bay Packers (4-0) at Atlanta Falcons (2-2):
If you have to bet on one game this week, do not bet on this one. Matt Ryan has never lost at home in the regular season. He’s only ever lost here once. To Aaron Rodgers and the Packers in last year’s playoffs. And that was a 48-21 shellacking. This week, I have to give the edge to Rodgers. Ryan and the Falcons will fight, but Ryan is simply getting hit too much, and their defense is far too porous, for the Falcons to stay in this game for long, especially if they can’t find a way to rattle Rodgers somehow.
Green Bay Packers: 38-27
Chicago Bears (2-2) at Detroit Lions (4-0):
Look, I’m all about the Cam Newton bandwagon right now, but that’s no excuse to give up 29 points to an offense that consists of two plays: Throw it to Steve Smith, and run it with Cam Newton. That was a game at Soldier Field that the Bears had to take decisively, and instead, they took it meekly. The only upside? Jay Cutler wasn’t sacked last week. And of course, that means nothing against one of the best D-lines in the NFL. Ndamukong Suh appears to have made it his mission to give QBs nightmares, and he’s going to have a field day with this offense. Meanwhile, who can stop Matt Stafford and Megatron? The Cowboys tried, and largely succeeded, for three quarters, but still couldn’t hold on. Added to that, this is the first Monday Night Football game in Detroit (with the Lions playing) in 10 years, and it’s the first ever in Ford Field. Think that place won’t be rocking the whole night? This is a statement game for the Lions, and the Bears are on the wrong end of the punctuation.
Detroit Lions: 34-14
No comments:
Post a Comment