Week 5 in the NFL:
OK, crew, it’s a pretty challenging slate this week, with nary a gimme in the litter…but there may be some value out there.
At San Francisco -3.5 Oakland 41
Cross town rivals tee it up in a battle of have-nots. One team is crawling out the hole while the other is firmly stuck there. The ‘Niners are surely not as bad as last week’s disaster, and will be looking to rebound this week. This one will most likely not make anyone’s highlight reel.
Projected Final Score: San Francisco 27, Oakland 17
At Indianapolis -18.5 Tennessee 48
No NFL team is bad enough to be an 18 ½ ‘dog, right? Well…last week the Titans elected to toss their prized rook into the fire, and it wasn't pretty. This week, they go to Indy where Peyton & Co. do not lose. Last week, the Titans took a drubbing at home, and as much as I’m inclined to take Indy and the points, the oddsmakers’ disrespect may come to haunt players who are inclined to bite. This is not a one of those early season “tune-ups” that the college football factories schedule, this is the NFL…I think.
Projected Final Score: Indianapolis 33, Tennessee 17.
At NY Giants -4 Washington 45
Washington is far too inconsistent to confidently prognosticate. They’ve played disappointing against weaker opponents while last week they had a dramatic OT win at home against a strong defense. The G-Men are coming off the bye with something to prove after having had their helmets handed to them at Seattle. The ‘Skins are not the Seahawks, even on a day when all the breaks go their way. Look for the Giants to kick some ass on Sunday.
Projected Final Score: NY Giants 28, Washington 16.
At Minnesota -6.5 Detroit 39.5
Detroit sucks, and, on the road against a divisional opponent (who are trying to stay in contention for a wild card birth) will get take a beatin’ from the Purple Gang who need to get back on the rails after two straight losses. The Vikes are a little banged up, and are not an explosive offense, but should be able to pull out the win with the points…
Projected Final Score: Minnesota 24, Detroit 13.
At New Orleans -6.5 Tampa Bay 35
Maybe the Saints are for real this year. Last week’s loss was an understandable letdown. This week, they’re back in the Dome against a weak team who just lost their starting quarterback. Unless the Bucs’ backup QB is a secret weapon who has been allowed to escape radar detection, the Saints will be primed for a big win. But remember, folks, these are the Saints…
Projected Final Score: New Orleans 27, Tampa Bay 13.
St. Louis -3 At Green Bay 46.5
The Rams roll into Lambeau looking to win their fourth out of five. The Rams’ do have an exciting offense and should be able to put up points against the awful Pack pass defense. The Rams’ offense does need to take a backseat to anyone else’s in the League, however, their defense allowed 34 points to the woeful Lions last week, so there will be some fireworks. There remains some pride with the Green & Gold. Even though Favre has thrown five interceptions, I’m smellin’ an upset in Green Bay. Perhaps my olfactory glands are a bit off, but I’m not sold on St. Louis playing outdoors on real grass. Favre gets hot, the Pack are inspired and pull out a dramatic upset.
Projected Final Score: Green Bay 31, St. Louis 28.
At New England -10 Miami 37.5
The Patriots had a surprising upset/blowout win at Cincy last week. Miami comes north with their season on the line, and Belichick will have his troops prepared. The Dolphins are desperate and the Pats will be angry and scared. If Miami struggles out of the gate, look for Saban to pull Culpepper quickly in favor of Harrington. The -10 is a little bit rich against a (desperate) divisional rival, and these teams will punish each other. It will be down n’ dirty defensive tilt at New England.
Projected Final Score: New England 24, Miami 17.
At Chicago -11 Buffalo 34
The undefeated Bears travel to Orchard Park to face their former coach and a tough Bills’ squad. Buffalo’s coach would probably love to stick it to his former team, but as with the Foxboro game, the defenses will rule the roost. Chicago has the best defense in the land while Buffalo’s is tough and ferociously competitive. They will give the Bears a football game. Ten points on the road? No way. Chicago remains undefeated, but bruised and battered.
Projected Final Score: Chicago 23, Buffalo 13.
At Carolina -9 Cleveland 37.5
Are the Panthers finally ready to perform as predicted? This game will be a good indicator. The Brownies squeaked past Oakland last week, and will be looking to build on that success. But they come to town pretty banged up. Carolina gets it done.
Projected Final Score: Carolina 27, Cleveland 13.
At Jacksonville -7 NY Jets 37.5
The J-E-T-S have been one of the NFL’s nicest surprises over the first month. Jacksonville needs to rebound from a tough loss last week if they wish to keep their noses above water. Both teams are banged up in key spots but both are hard hitters. At this point of the season the Jags’ are still the better team, and while the Jets would love to pull the upset, the Jags simply have to win. It may be a wet track in Jacksonville, so don’t look for a big score…
Projected Final Score: Jacksonville 24, NY Jets 21.
Kansas City -3.5 At Arizona 39
Whatever got into the Chiefs last week? This week, their stout defense goes to The Valley of the Sun, where they will dismantle the Cardinals piece b piece. Matt Leinart gets his first NFL start against a very tough D. He will discover just how far the distance is between the Pac-10 and the NFL.
Projected Final Score: Kansas City 24, Arizona 13.
At Philadelphia -2 Dallas 43.5
All eyes shift to South Philly for the marquee matchup of the day. McNabb has gotten off to a terrific start and the Eagles are 3-1. The Cowboys had an easy time of it at Tennessee, so this game has the makings of a classic. The ever-hospitable Philadelphians will surely give the prodigal a cordial welcome home. Dallas is going to win Sunday, and the story will have more to do with Doomsday than it will with TO and the offense. Tuna finally has the type of defense he established back in Jersey. Philly will have difficulty putting forth a balanced attack because Dallas’ run defense is outstanding. Dallas’ offense does not need to be spectacular to win, all the Boy Blunder (Bledsoe) needs to do is play efficiently and avoid turnovers.
Projected Final Score: Dallas 28, Philadelphia 24.
At San Diego -3.5 Pittsburgh 37.5
The Chargers look to rebound at home against the reigning champs. Last week the defense proved it could hang tough. Big Ben has really struggled with health and efficiency issues so far, and the Chargers won’t be looking to help him out.
Projected Final Score: San Diego 21, Pittsburgh 17.
OK, crew, it’s a pretty challenging slate this week, with nary a gimme in the litter…but there may be some value out there.
At San Francisco -3.5 Oakland 41
Cross town rivals tee it up in a battle of have-nots. One team is crawling out the hole while the other is firmly stuck there. The ‘Niners are surely not as bad as last week’s disaster, and will be looking to rebound this week. This one will most likely not make anyone’s highlight reel.
Projected Final Score: San Francisco 27, Oakland 17
At Indianapolis -18.5 Tennessee 48
No NFL team is bad enough to be an 18 ½ ‘dog, right? Well…last week the Titans elected to toss their prized rook into the fire, and it wasn't pretty. This week, they go to Indy where Peyton & Co. do not lose. Last week, the Titans took a drubbing at home, and as much as I’m inclined to take Indy and the points, the oddsmakers’ disrespect may come to haunt players who are inclined to bite. This is not a one of those early season “tune-ups” that the college football factories schedule, this is the NFL…I think.
Projected Final Score: Indianapolis 33, Tennessee 17.
At NY Giants -4 Washington 45
Washington is far too inconsistent to confidently prognosticate. They’ve played disappointing against weaker opponents while last week they had a dramatic OT win at home against a strong defense. The G-Men are coming off the bye with something to prove after having had their helmets handed to them at Seattle. The ‘Skins are not the Seahawks, even on a day when all the breaks go their way. Look for the Giants to kick some ass on Sunday.
Projected Final Score: NY Giants 28, Washington 16.
At Minnesota -6.5 Detroit 39.5
Detroit sucks, and, on the road against a divisional opponent (who are trying to stay in contention for a wild card birth) will get take a beatin’ from the Purple Gang who need to get back on the rails after two straight losses. The Vikes are a little banged up, and are not an explosive offense, but should be able to pull out the win with the points…
Projected Final Score: Minnesota 24, Detroit 13.
At New Orleans -6.5 Tampa Bay 35
Maybe the Saints are for real this year. Last week’s loss was an understandable letdown. This week, they’re back in the Dome against a weak team who just lost their starting quarterback. Unless the Bucs’ backup QB is a secret weapon who has been allowed to escape radar detection, the Saints will be primed for a big win. But remember, folks, these are the Saints…
Projected Final Score: New Orleans 27, Tampa Bay 13.
St. Louis -3 At Green Bay 46.5
The Rams roll into Lambeau looking to win their fourth out of five. The Rams’ do have an exciting offense and should be able to put up points against the awful Pack pass defense. The Rams’ offense does need to take a backseat to anyone else’s in the League, however, their defense allowed 34 points to the woeful Lions last week, so there will be some fireworks. There remains some pride with the Green & Gold. Even though Favre has thrown five interceptions, I’m smellin’ an upset in Green Bay. Perhaps my olfactory glands are a bit off, but I’m not sold on St. Louis playing outdoors on real grass. Favre gets hot, the Pack are inspired and pull out a dramatic upset.
Projected Final Score: Green Bay 31, St. Louis 28.
At New England -10 Miami 37.5
The Patriots had a surprising upset/blowout win at Cincy last week. Miami comes north with their season on the line, and Belichick will have his troops prepared. The Dolphins are desperate and the Pats will be angry and scared. If Miami struggles out of the gate, look for Saban to pull Culpepper quickly in favor of Harrington. The -10 is a little bit rich against a (desperate) divisional rival, and these teams will punish each other. It will be down n’ dirty defensive tilt at New England.
Projected Final Score: New England 24, Miami 17.
At Chicago -11 Buffalo 34
The undefeated Bears travel to Orchard Park to face their former coach and a tough Bills’ squad. Buffalo’s coach would probably love to stick it to his former team, but as with the Foxboro game, the defenses will rule the roost. Chicago has the best defense in the land while Buffalo’s is tough and ferociously competitive. They will give the Bears a football game. Ten points on the road? No way. Chicago remains undefeated, but bruised and battered.
Projected Final Score: Chicago 23, Buffalo 13.
At Carolina -9 Cleveland 37.5
Are the Panthers finally ready to perform as predicted? This game will be a good indicator. The Brownies squeaked past Oakland last week, and will be looking to build on that success. But they come to town pretty banged up. Carolina gets it done.
Projected Final Score: Carolina 27, Cleveland 13.
At Jacksonville -7 NY Jets 37.5
The J-E-T-S have been one of the NFL’s nicest surprises over the first month. Jacksonville needs to rebound from a tough loss last week if they wish to keep their noses above water. Both teams are banged up in key spots but both are hard hitters. At this point of the season the Jags’ are still the better team, and while the Jets would love to pull the upset, the Jags simply have to win. It may be a wet track in Jacksonville, so don’t look for a big score…
Projected Final Score: Jacksonville 24, NY Jets 21.
Kansas City -3.5 At Arizona 39
Whatever got into the Chiefs last week? This week, their stout defense goes to The Valley of the Sun, where they will dismantle the Cardinals piece b piece. Matt Leinart gets his first NFL start against a very tough D. He will discover just how far the distance is between the Pac-10 and the NFL.
Projected Final Score: Kansas City 24, Arizona 13.
At Philadelphia -2 Dallas 43.5
All eyes shift to South Philly for the marquee matchup of the day. McNabb has gotten off to a terrific start and the Eagles are 3-1. The Cowboys had an easy time of it at Tennessee, so this game has the makings of a classic. The ever-hospitable Philadelphians will surely give the prodigal a cordial welcome home. Dallas is going to win Sunday, and the story will have more to do with Doomsday than it will with TO and the offense. Tuna finally has the type of defense he established back in Jersey. Philly will have difficulty putting forth a balanced attack because Dallas’ run defense is outstanding. Dallas’ offense does not need to be spectacular to win, all the Boy Blunder (Bledsoe) needs to do is play efficiently and avoid turnovers.
Projected Final Score: Dallas 28, Philadelphia 24.
At San Diego -3.5 Pittsburgh 37.5
The Chargers look to rebound at home against the reigning champs. Last week the defense proved it could hang tough. Big Ben has really struggled with health and efficiency issues so far, and the Chargers won’t be looking to help him out.
Projected Final Score: San Diego 21, Pittsburgh 17.
posted by Richard | 7:51 PM
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