The third week of the season is when a game’s importance can pick up significantly. Teams that started off at 2-0 have no grounds to breathe easily. All that can be taken away and they can be thrown to the center of the pack with just one loss; however, for teams that are 0-2, another loss could mean “wait until next year.” For some of the 0-2 teams, expectations were low, so this week’s games are rather ho-hum. Cleveland, Kansas City, Detroit, and St. Louis would all be teams in that classification. For Miami, Tennessee, and Carolina, all playoff contenders last year, this week could have the rest of the season resting on its outcome. Conceivably, a team will need at least ten wins to be a wildcard. These teams would have to go 10-3 for the rest of the year with tough division matchups to get there. They also face weighted schedules.
The Baltimore Ravens are #1 in ESPN’s power rankings. Down the road in Landover, the Redskins are feeling uneasy not even being given a touchdown’s edge over the Detroit Lions. No team wants to be the one to break the Lions’ record of futility. Talent, man for man, Washington is a better team, but they are also a team prone to mistakes and lackluster play. Dallas plays its second game in Jerry-Land versus Carolina. A loss would throw Dallas into very tough territory while Carolina absolutely must win.
A greater sense of urgency sets in for the last week before the bye weeks begin and attention gets diverted to baseball’s postseason.
Cleveland at Baltimore (-13 ½)
As long as Baltimore doesn’t take Cleveland too lightly, they’ll spank the Browns convincingly.
Washington (-6 ½) at Detroit
No one wants to be in the Redskins shoes this weekend. They should win, but it won’t be as easy as it seems.
New York Giants (-6 ½) at Tampa Bay
Here’s a good chance for the Giants to prove they are among the NFC’s elite with a convincing win that’s well in their reach this weekend. Given Tampa Bay’s dismal defense, Eli and the boys will enjoy a feeding frenzy against the Bucs.
Green Bay (-6 ½) at St. Louis
Green Bay must buckle down and take this game as if it were a playoff. It’s not easy playing in a dome. They cannot take the hapless Rams lightly even if many think the Rams are the weakest team in the league.
Kansas City at Philadelphia (-9 ½)
Philadelphia turns to backup quarterbacks again this week but should be strong enough to hold off Kansas City. Michael Vick will surely be in the game at some point.
Atlanta at New England (-4)
New England needs to show some improvement this week as they have been out of rhythm especially on offense so far this year. Playing at home should help give them the edge against a very good Atlanta team.
San Francisco at Minnesota (-7)
The 49er’s are a team on the up and up, but they won’t be strong enough to beat Minnesota at home. The dome will be rockin’.
Jacksonville at Houston (-4)
Houston’s the better team and playing at home. Jacksonville starts looking like a team on a downward spiral as they head to 0-3.
New Orleans (-6) at Buffalo
Two questions about this game. Will New Orleans be accused of running up the score? What kind of post game tirade will Terrell Owens launch after the game? This could be ugly.
Pittsburgh (-4) at Cincinnati
Pittsburgh’s going to be playing with a chip on its shoulder after losing a game many thought they should have won last week. Pity Cincinnati.
Chicago (-2) at Seattle
Which Jay Cutler shows up? This game is a tough call, but Seattle hasn’t shown much so far this year. Give it to “da Bears.”
Tennessee at the New York Jets (-2.5)
The Titans are in a tough situation. The team that used to be the Oilers playing a team that used to be called the Titans are in hot water at 0-2 after a highly successful year in 2008. One would think Tennessee will win this. Still, the Jets are the hot up-and-comer this year. Tennessee must win this game on defense and rattle the rookie QB. We have to give New York a slight edge.
Denver (-1) at Oakland
Denver has looked better than expectations so far this year. For whatever Oakland has going for it, they always seem to kill themselves with mistakes. Denver should take this game simply by avoiding mistakes and letting Oakland beat themselves.
Miami at San Diego (-6)
Pity the Dolphins at 0-2, they must beat San Diego who’s playing at home for the second week in a row and is mad as hell after being beaten by the Ravens after playing a pretty darned good game. The Dolphins just don’t have the power to pull this off.
Indianapolis (-2 ½) at Arizona
Manning versus Warner is the billing. Arizona is so one dimensional based on their killer passing game. That won’t cut it against the Colts. Arizona must step up on defense or this game could get out of control quickly with Payton Manning playing in prime time.
Carolina at Dallas (-9)
Carolina’s going to lose this game and stand at 0-3. How much more patience will the Charlotte fans have for coach John Fox and embattled and ineffective quarterback, Jake Delholme. The talk is out there, Jake the Mistake. Backup QB A.J. Feehley is but a tired 9 year journeyman. No matter what weaknesses Dallas has shown so far, Carolina’s toast and will go to 0-3.
The Baltimore Ravens are #1 in ESPN’s power rankings. Down the road in Landover, the Redskins are feeling uneasy not even being given a touchdown’s edge over the Detroit Lions. No team wants to be the one to break the Lions’ record of futility. Talent, man for man, Washington is a better team, but they are also a team prone to mistakes and lackluster play. Dallas plays its second game in Jerry-Land versus Carolina. A loss would throw Dallas into very tough territory while Carolina absolutely must win.
A greater sense of urgency sets in for the last week before the bye weeks begin and attention gets diverted to baseball’s postseason.
Cleveland at Baltimore (-13 ½)
As long as Baltimore doesn’t take Cleveland too lightly, they’ll spank the Browns convincingly.
Washington (-6 ½) at Detroit
No one wants to be in the Redskins shoes this weekend. They should win, but it won’t be as easy as it seems.
New York Giants (-6 ½) at Tampa Bay
Here’s a good chance for the Giants to prove they are among the NFC’s elite with a convincing win that’s well in their reach this weekend. Given Tampa Bay’s dismal defense, Eli and the boys will enjoy a feeding frenzy against the Bucs.
Green Bay (-6 ½) at St. Louis
Green Bay must buckle down and take this game as if it were a playoff. It’s not easy playing in a dome. They cannot take the hapless Rams lightly even if many think the Rams are the weakest team in the league.
Kansas City at Philadelphia (-9 ½)
Philadelphia turns to backup quarterbacks again this week but should be strong enough to hold off Kansas City. Michael Vick will surely be in the game at some point.
Atlanta at New England (-4)
New England needs to show some improvement this week as they have been out of rhythm especially on offense so far this year. Playing at home should help give them the edge against a very good Atlanta team.
San Francisco at Minnesota (-7)
The 49er’s are a team on the up and up, but they won’t be strong enough to beat Minnesota at home. The dome will be rockin’.
Jacksonville at Houston (-4)
Houston’s the better team and playing at home. Jacksonville starts looking like a team on a downward spiral as they head to 0-3.
New Orleans (-6) at Buffalo
Two questions about this game. Will New Orleans be accused of running up the score? What kind of post game tirade will Terrell Owens launch after the game? This could be ugly.
Pittsburgh (-4) at Cincinnati
Pittsburgh’s going to be playing with a chip on its shoulder after losing a game many thought they should have won last week. Pity Cincinnati.
Chicago (-2) at Seattle
Which Jay Cutler shows up? This game is a tough call, but Seattle hasn’t shown much so far this year. Give it to “da Bears.”
Tennessee at the New York Jets (-2.5)
The Titans are in a tough situation. The team that used to be the Oilers playing a team that used to be called the Titans are in hot water at 0-2 after a highly successful year in 2008. One would think Tennessee will win this. Still, the Jets are the hot up-and-comer this year. Tennessee must win this game on defense and rattle the rookie QB. We have to give New York a slight edge.
Denver (-1) at Oakland
Denver has looked better than expectations so far this year. For whatever Oakland has going for it, they always seem to kill themselves with mistakes. Denver should take this game simply by avoiding mistakes and letting Oakland beat themselves.
Miami at San Diego (-6)
Pity the Dolphins at 0-2, they must beat San Diego who’s playing at home for the second week in a row and is mad as hell after being beaten by the Ravens after playing a pretty darned good game. The Dolphins just don’t have the power to pull this off.
Indianapolis (-2 ½) at Arizona
Manning versus Warner is the billing. Arizona is so one dimensional based on their killer passing game. That won’t cut it against the Colts. Arizona must step up on defense or this game could get out of control quickly with Payton Manning playing in prime time.
Carolina at Dallas (-9)
Carolina’s going to lose this game and stand at 0-3. How much more patience will the Charlotte fans have for coach John Fox and embattled and ineffective quarterback, Jake Delholme. The talk is out there, Jake the Mistake. Backup QB A.J. Feehley is but a tired 9 year journeyman. No matter what weaknesses Dallas has shown so far, Carolina’s toast and will go to 0-3.
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