Friday, October 10, 2008

NFL Week 6: Things Are Getting Serious



NFL Week 6

While the folks in Nashville and New York cheer their undefeated Titans and Giants, big boys are nowhere to be found in the cities of football follies where the rewards beyond are not playoff berths but first round draft seedings, we’re seeing the desperate moves for desperate times going on with QB benchings, coaches getting sacked, and one particular villain of a GM being fired while dark clouds are gathering ready to strike over the hapless teams that have not made any moves yet. What do these moves amount to? In the short term, probably not much other than possibly good PR to help keep fans showing up in the stands on Sundays. It’s hard to see any of these teams moving into the middle of the heap. Alas, Cincinnati, Detroit, Oakland, Kansas City, and St. Louis are all pretty miserable places. Only Cincinnati hasn’t pushed the panic button yet. Still, no one can honestly lay the blame for the Bengals failure on Coach Marvin Lewis, and as they say, an owner can’t fire himself. Part of Cincinnati’s failures through the years has been a result of their failure to make decisive moves. Still, they’re a team with a potential first tier quarterback with Carson Palmer, aside from Palmer, they have the biggest jerk in the sport in Chad Johnson, along with a bevy of common barroom brawlers and common criminals. The significance of these stinker teams, they’re the ones playoff contenders must beat up on to assure themselves of moving into the January rounds. We’ve left winless Houston out of the discussion as they did achieve a .500 record last year and is hard at work improving their program. They could break out of their beginning of the year funk complicated by Hurricane Ike on any Sunday afternoon.

Baltimore goes to Indianapolis, a 4 ½ point favorite over the Ravens. Still, given the way the Colts have started off with a weak defense against the run, the only strength Baltimore has on offense. Further, the number one defense will give Payton Manning and crew all they can handle. The upset goes to the Ravens.

St. Louis enters Washington down 13 ½ points. The Redskins are one happy crew right now and will destroy the Rams.

Miami, the team that has doubled its wins from last year beating San Diego and New England visits Houston who is a three point favorite in search of their first win. This will be Houston’s first home game! They will prevail.

The New York Jets host the Cincinnati Bengals favored by six points. Just six points! This is a no-brainer, the Jets will make a mess out of the confused criminals.

Oakland visits New Orleans down eight points, an easy win for the Saints.

Here’s one that’s interesting, Chicago visits Atlanta as only a 2 ½ point favorite over the Falcons. The Bears have a brutal defense and so-so offense. Despite Atlanta’s surprising start with rookie Quarterback, Matt Ryan, Chicago should easily beat the spread.

Detroit goes up to the far west end of the Great Lakes region to face the Vikings who are expected to dominate by at least 13 points. The Metrodome is not the place where the Lions will dance their victory dance for being ridded of Matt Millen. The Vikings will kick ass.

Carolina goes to Florida down a point and a half. We’ll pick the experts wrong and see Carolina winning by probably at least a field goal. Both teams can be erratic at times, but they have more tricks on offense.

Jacksonville heads out to “Mile High” territory down 3 ½ to the Broncos. This game goes to the “Ponies” all the way.

Green Bay is down 2 ½ to their hosts in Seattle. Green Bay is perhaps a little weaker than expected and Aaron Rodgers is not 100%, but still Seattle has been miserable so far this year. We’ll pick the upset and go with the Cheesy Poofs.

Dallas visits Arizona as a 5 ½ point favorite. Whether T.O. is sobbing or Pac Man’s in trouble again, the boys will make a mess of the Cardinals for sure.

Philadelphia, the city of brotherly love, travels cross country to San Francisco, the city of …. well we can’t tell you what kind of love in a sports column, favored to win by five points. Don’t worry, the Eagles will soar high above the Golden Gate.

Also heading out to the West Coast will be the New England Patriots figured to loose by four points to San Diego. Both teams were supposed to be the toast of the AFC on opening day, but New England lost Tom Brady and San Diego lost Shawne Merriman. The Chargers should prevail. We’ll see how Bellichick works to build a new plan for his team with out its offensive leader. The adjustments continue but they are a conspicuously compromised team. Hard to believe, but both these teams could be outside looking in at playoff time. San Diego should win covering the six point spread.

Monday night, the New York Giants visit Cleveland favored by eight points to smack down the Browns. New York should win easily. Cleveland will pull an upset or two between now and New Year’s Day but not this one.

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