Week 7 Previews:

It seems as though injuries in the NFL have increasingly become as much of a story as the games and the standings themselves. The weekly injury report reads more like a telephone directory than a brief summary of players/injuries and there’s as much action in hospital wards as on the field. Football has always been a violent, collision activity but the players of this era are bigger, stronger and faster than at any time in the game’s history, and the eventual Super Bowl champion may not be the most talented team but one that wins a war of attrition.

Tennessee -7.5 At Kansas City 35

After six weeks, how many out there would’ve predicted that the Titans would be the last undefeated team left standing? This game smells of a trap. Granted, the Chiefs haven’t done much to engender a lot of confidence and LJ will be out for “unspecified reasons”. The mood in the locker room has begun to turn ugly after Gonzalez trade request did not fetch the bride price. Accusations went back and forth between the tight end and the dimwit sitting in the GM’s seat. One playoff win since 1993? Time for a breath of fresh air, no? Right now, KC is 29th in both total offense and defense. The Titans’ strength is their defense, currently rated #4. All Kerry Collins needs to do is hand off the ball and every now and then make a few low-risk passes to keep the ball moving. He can do that.

Projected Final Score: Tennessee 24, Kansas City 16

At Buffalo PK San Diego 45.5

Are the Chargers as good a team as the one who routed the Patriots on Sunday night? Chances are the answer is no, seeing that they’re on the road against a Buffalo team that’s looking to rebound from a disaster of their own two weeks ago and maintain at least a one game lead in the AFC East. Now that Trent Edwards’ brains are unscrambled and Roscoe Parrish is healthy, the Bills ought to have some success moving the ball. Even though Tomlinson appears to be picking up a head of steam, the Chargers’ running game is still in the bottom third of the league. In looking at the numbers, San Diego’s pass defense is 31st overall. Maybe the Chargers have turned the corner and are ready to take control of the AFC West. But it’s equally probable that the trip East may produce an inconsistent performance.

Projected Final Score: Buffalo 23, San Diego 21.

Pittsburgh -9.5 At Cincinnati 37

Let’s see…Palmer’s out, the Bungles are winless and the Steelers are coming to town. That doesn’t look like an inviting recipe for the home team. The Bengals have shown the ability to play tough against “quality” opponents (Cowboys. Jets) but through six weeks they have the worst offense in the League. Their defense is smack dab in the middle (16th) and will have a big challenge against Big Ben. Willie Parker will be out but all of the Steelers’ deep threats will show up ready to roll.

Projected Final Score: Pittsburgh 24, Cincinnati 14.

At Miami -2.5 Ravens 36.5

It’s strange to see a team that went 1-15 last year installed as favorites against a team that’s lost only once. The Dolphins nearly came away with their third straight win last week in Houston before going down in the final seconds. Although both teams are presently 2-3, no one is arguing that Miami’s defense is as good as the Ravens’. Conversely, the Dolphins have an experienced quarterback that the Ravens lack, and the old school formation that has been befuddling new school defenses in recent weeks. Ray Lewis and the Ravens’ vets can pretty much handle any type of offense that’s coming their way. The question is whether Joe Flacco can handle Roth and the revitalized Dolphins’ defense.

Projected Final Score: Miami 20, Ravens 16

Dallas -6.5 At St. Louis 44

Before last week, the Vegas Boys would’ve installed the Rams as 21-point underdogs. That was before Romo was hurt and the Rams played a tremendous game in Washington, winning in the last second. Now all the statistics are out the window. The Cowboys started off the year thinking that they could just show up and opponents would roll over. After a couple of stinging defeats, they have to regroup without their starting QB and get back on the winning track. The Rams aren’t going to be pushovers, as they’ll be sky high entering this one before an enthusiastic home crowd. Romo might play on Sunday, but having a broken pinky on his throwing hand may preclude reliance on the vertical attack. If Dallas had shown any degree of intestinal fortitude so far, they could put Peter Pan under center and have an easy time of it on Sunday. Despite the overwhelming mismatch of talent, there’s something about this one that’s unsettling from a forecasting perspective. Dallas should win, but cover? Maybe not.

Projected Final Score: Dallas 24, St. Louis 21

At Chicago -3 Minnesota 38

After seeing Minnesota put up only 12 points against the woeful Lions, it’s apparent that their offensive has serious problems despite having one of the most dynamic running backs in the league. There was a brief window of opportunity to acquire a halfway decent quarterback to run the offense but that moment has passed, and ultimately Childress may be shown the door for relying on “Brand X” quarterbacks to get the job done. The Bears have had a nasty habit of breaking down defensively at the end of games this year, as was seen last week when Atlanta came through with a “Fantastic Finish”. There’s really not much to like about either team offensively though both defenses are equally tough. All things being equal, the Bears are slight favorites.

Projected Final Score: Chicago 23, Minnesota 17

At Carolina -2.5 New Orleans 44.5

Two teams face off this week that were on opposite ends of blowouts last week. The Saints will have to step up this week as the Panthers will come into this one in ill humor after last week’s humiliating loss in Tampa. Drew Brees brings the league’s best pass offense to Carolina against the league’s #2 pass defense. This week, the Panthers’ D rules the roost.

Projected Final Score: Carolina 24, New Orleans 21

At NY Giants -10.5 San Francisco 45

A bouquet of red roses were sent to the NFL schedule maker by the G-Men for this Week 7 gift. The Giants return home after last Monday’s abysmal showing in Cleveland. First, they beat themselves and allowed the Browns to take the game from them in the second half. The ‘Niners played three quarters of football with Philly last week before calling it quits in the fourth. Right now, there’s no discernable difference between this year’s version of the team and the one that’s struggled in the past few seasons. Coach Coughlin has probably turned thirteen shades of purple after Monday’s loss and the G-Men will be in a foul state when they take the field on Sunday. It’ll be scorched turf on Sunday.

Projected Final Score: NY Giants 31, San Francisco 17

At Houston -8.5 Detroit 47.5

Kitna’s done for the season (was it “an excuse to bench him?”) and Roy Williams now plays in Dallas. That’s for starters. Coach Marinelli and the winless Honolulu Blue head down to Harris County to face the resurgent Texas, fresh off their last second win against Miami. The Lions have quickly made their way to low man in the NFL’s pecking order. They’re 30th in total offense and dead last in total defense. The Tejanos are now off the mat and are looking forward to smacking down a pathetic opponent, but they have to play better than last week’s showing.

Projected Final Score: Houston 31, Detroit 17.

NY Jets -2.5 At Oakland 42

Is this “Heidi Game II” in the offing? NB: If you don’t understand, you’re too young to remember the glory days of the AFL. The schedule maker has been kind to the Green & White this year and this week is no exception. Brett Favre has seen as many bad defenses in six weeks than in his last five years combined. The Raiders are dreadful this year and have nothing to lose by simply going out and playing the game with fun and enthusiasm. Last week, they were pummeled by the Saints. This week may be a different story altogether. Hopefully, Kiffin won’t be phoning in any offensive plays this week…that’s Al Davis’ job! The Jets run defense has been strong, which would militate against Fargas’ and McFadden’s abilities to move the chains with success.

Projected Final Score: NY Jets 27, Oakland 21

At Washington -6.5 Cleveland 43

The Redskins had a golden opportunity to keep momentum and they blew it with a sub-par performance last week. Now they have to get back on the wagon and start over against a Cleveland team that played their best game of the year on Monday night. The ‘Skins have a top quartile offense and defense. The Browns’ offense stinks, and provided Washington’s offense doesn’t gift wrap the Browns opportunities via turnovers and dumb plays, they’re a touchdown better than Cleveland.

Projected Final Score: Washington 28, Cleveland 20

Indianapolis -1 At Green Bay 47

This should be Sunday’s marquee game. Joseph Addai is out 2-4 weeks and Mike Hart is lost for the year, so whatever strength existed in Indy’s running game was lost on Sunday. The only good news is that Harvard’s Own Clifton Dawson was re-signed by Indy and may get a few opportunities in the backfield. As much as everyone admires Manning and Indy’s vaunted passing attack, Rodgers and the Pack have produced similar results to date (though no one of sound mind is comparing the two quarterbacks). The Packers had a nice win on the road in Seattle and are looking to get back into the wide open NFC Central fight. Manning will probably put the ball in the air 45-50 times on Sunday and without the heady Al Harris out there, it could be a long afternoon for the Lambeau Faithful. The Pack desperately needs to turn up the heat all day long. We love the Pack, but bid’ness is bid’ness.

Projected Final Score: Indianapolis 26, Green Bay 23.

At Tampa Bay -10.5 Seattle 38.5

When the schedule maker arranged this game for Sunday night, it was before injuries decimated the Seahawks. Right now, they’re 27th in both total offense and defense, and 10 ½ ‘dogs. Hasselbeck is out with back troubles and Seneca Wallace will get the call under center. Chances are they’ll be no records set for viewing audience. Madden’s even sitting this one out, too. Tampa Bay’s a very good team at home, maybe the best since their Super Bowl team in ’02. Last week, they systematically dismantled the Panthers. Chucky has figured out that he needs a proven commodity on offense to win, hence the switch to Garcia instead of the oft-injured Griese. .

Projected Final Score: Tampa Bay 24, Seattle 13