“Autumn Rites”

Week 5 NFL Rundown:

After four weeks, fans are a little closer to being able to draw a more accurate read on the teams and matchups. Notwithstanding the high degree of mediocrity presented for your viewing consideration, there are a number of challenging and potentially entertaining contests. There also appear to be a few stinkers in there as well, but that’s why the games are played on the field. Not invited to this week’s dance are Cincinnati, Minnesota, Oakland, Philadelphia. For at least three of these teams, it’s just a matter of perfect timing…

At New Orleans -3 Carolina 44

There needs to be a more scientific formula than the tried n’ true “hold your nose and pick the winner out of a hat” method. Sometime soon the Saints have to win. Maybe they might not return to the postseason, but they aren’t going 0-16 either. Their pride is deeply wounded and their season is at stake. They can no longer rely on Deuce to pick up the tough yards, but they will find a way to win. Seeing David Carr over on the other sideline just may be the right prescription for what’s been ailing them.

Projected Final Score: New Orleans 24, Carolina 17.

Jacksonville -2.5 At Kansas City 36

The Chiefs had a great game against San Diego on the road last week. LJ had a big day picking up 123 on 25 carries and Huard threw for nearly 300. Jacksonville is simply a better team and will hammer away a victory in a close game.

Projected Final Score: Jacksonville 23, Kansas City 20.

At Washington -3.5 Detroit 46

Chances are pretty good that Kitna won’t lead the offense to 34 fourth quarter points. Detroit will throw the ball, but the ‘Skins secondary is pretty good. Washington’s running game has been really putrid of late and they’re better than that. Home team wins in a close one.

Projected Final Score: Washington 24, Detroit 20.

At Tennessee -8.5 Atlanta 40.5

Last week, the Falcons turned things around with a nice win at home. This week Vince Young will have a field day.

Projected Final Score: Tennessee 27, Atlanta 16.

At Houston -5.5 Miami 40.5

Which team is madder at the moment? The one that lost a game they should’ve won or the one that lost a game they should’ve lost? Think about it while pondering how long a year it’s going to be in South Florida.

Projected Final Score: Houston 27, Miami 14.

At Pittsburgh -6 Seattle 39

The Steelers’ defeat last week may have been the first crack in the armor of Coach Timlin. They not only ended up on the wrong side of the score they were also a beaten team. Seattle’s finally getting their act together and appear poised to take charge in the NFC West. The Mighty Men of Steel proved that they can be beaten. Can Seattle hold Willie Parker in check? That’s the question of the hour.

Projected Final Score: Seattle 23, Pittsburgh 20.

At New England -16 Cleveland 46.5

After four weeks, the Patriots are playing about as good a brand of football as has ever been known by man or beast. Having endured so many years when they were the laughingstock of football, the transformation of this team into a powerhouse never fails to amaze those of us who pre-date the Foxboro days and hearken back to those golden AFL days. Similar to the Bird-era Celtics and the Orr-era Bruins, this degree of excellence is a joy to behold, yet it’s all so fleeting, so enjoy it for what it is.

Putting those platitudes aside, in all good conscience seeing a spread of 16 seems like a sucker’s wager. Barring the unforeseen, the Patriots ought to win the game by two touchdowns, but with a loyal Belichick-crony on the other side, don’t look for New England to run it up. Besides, it seems that the Browns have a penchant for playing well against better competition. Make the plays, get off the field in one piece then empty the bench.

Projected Final Score: New England 31, Cleveland 17.

Arizona -3.5 At St. Louis 41

Bulger will be ridin’ the pine to start things under the dome. It doesn’t matter who the quarterback is for the Rams but more the case of the guy who used to be the quarterback. Kurt Warner’s career has been revitalized with his two relief performances and would relish nothing more than sticking it to the employer that dumped him in favor of a younger and more mobile model. Not only are the Rams a banged up bunch heading into Sunday, they’ve played like a demoralized defeated group each week. Is there anything that changed since Week 1?

Projected Final Score: Arizona 27, St. Louis 17.

At NY Giants -2.5 NY Jets 41

The Crosstown rivals hook up heading in opposite directions. Forget the rivalry, the Jets need to rebound quickly and the Giants are looking to continue their good run. Despite their divergent paths, these are two pretty evenly matched teams. If the Jets O-Line gives Pennington room to breathe, he could make things very dangerous. However, Brandon Jacobs returns for the G-Men and that may be all the difference.

Projected Final Score: NY Giants 24, NY Jets 21.

At Indianapolis -9.5 Tampa Bay 46

Both teams enter the game hampered by injuries. Cadillac’s out for the Bucs and for Indy Rob Morris is definitely out while Marvin Harrison, Joseph Addai and Bob Sanders, are game time decisions. Manning can get by for one game without two of his big guns. Wayne and Clark will just get more attention. The injury that would really affect things is Sanders. He’s a human cannonball out there and his presence really changes the whole makeup of the defense. If he’s available, Indy ought to cover. If he’s not…

Projected Final Score: Indianapolis 27, Tampa Bay 23.

At Denver -1 San Diego 42

Which team gets the edge in a match between an overrated team at home against the most underachieving team in football? What has transpired so far in San Diego requires no further amplification. Instead of heading into the Rockies desperate for a win, they should prepare with an attitude of having nothing to lose. The AFC West is so bad that the winner may need only eight wins to advance. The season is still young and the Chargers have ample time to recover. Denver? On their best day they’re the cream of the crop of mediocrity. San Diego’s turnaround starts this week.

Projected Final Score: San Diego 24, Denver 20.

Baltimore -2.5 At San Francisco 35.5

The Ravens have been a disappointment so far, and not just offensively. They benefit from Alex Smith’s absence and look to renewing acquaintances with the quarterback who handed the ball off in their Super Bowl victory a few years back. It seems like the Ravens have been undeservedly riding on those laurels ever since. The numbers tell a different story. The ‘Niners know that they can beat these guys even if Mary Poppins were their starter.

Projected Final Score: San Francisco 24, Ravens 23.

At Green Bay -2.5 Chicago 40.5

Heading into the NFL’s longest running feud, there are a number of interesting things to consider. This “rivalry” is no media creation, but a legitimate one that goes back to the days of leather helmets with no facemasks. Not to diminish the Packers’ accomplishments so far, the real issue is whether it’s too late for Chicago to get back in the race. Their situation, both competitively and health-wise is far different that San Diego’s or New Orleans’. The Pack have wrested control in the early going in the Black N’ Blue while it looks as if half of Chicago’s lineup will be out with injuries. Sorry, but I’m not sold on Chicago’s running game which needs to function while Griese re-acclimates himself to the starter’s job. Green Bay’s running game is nothing to write home about either. But they are in better health. It’s hard to win when your defense bears a resemblance to a slice of Swiss cheese…

Projected Final Score: Green Bay 24, Chicago 20.