Week 4 Review/Week 5 Preview

For the Week/Season:

v. W/L:                      (9-6)/(31-32)

v. Spread                    (6-9)/(22-41)
v. Aggregate:             (11-4)/(39-24)

 In Week 5, we pay tribute to four of the most ferocious defenses in the history of the NFL.

The Fearsome Foursome (Rams)
Doomsday (Cowboys)
The Steel Curtain (Steelers) and
The "46" (Bears)

These defensive groups were the powerhouses of their day and deserve a lot of credit. Each defense has been honored by having several members elected to the Hall of Fame.

Atlanta

-3.5

At Washington

50

The unbeaten Falcons came away with a close home win last week and now travel to FedEx Field to take on the 2-2 Redskins. Washington pulled one out of the fire against Tampa Bay with a last second field goal and now they have a chance to upset Matt Ryan & Co. The Falcons already have one big road win, disproving the notion that they’re a dome-only team. Besides, Washington’s defense is in tatters after having lost Orakpo and Carriker in Week 2. Look for Atlanta to keep rolling in the positive.

Projected Final Score Atlanta 31, Washington 21

At Pittsburgh

-3.5

Philadelphia

44

The Eagles just squeaked by the G-Men on Sunday night and now travel to Steelers Country for the Battle of PA with Pittsburgh. The Steelers ought to be rested and ready to go after a bye last week, so this ought to be a terrific matchup for both squads. The big news for Pittsburgh was the announcement that Harrison and Polamalu will be returning to the lineup this week, and that has to have Vick and the Eagles’ offense really worried. This will be a really hard-hitting game for both sides but look for the Steelers’ toughness to be the difference maker.

Projected Final Score:  Pittsburgh 27, Philadelphia 23

Green Bay

-7.5

At Indianapolis

48

Indy was off last week but now have to face an angry Packers’ team that had to comeback to beat the Saints at Lambeau last week. The Packers have yet to hittheir stride offensively and maybe it is time. This is probably the biggest test in young Andrew Luck’s career so far as he will be facing a defense that will be anxious to play well, something that they’ve struggled to do over the first four weeks. We send our best wishes to Indy’s Coach Pagano, who was recently diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia. Coach could miss up to six weeks while fighting this disease, so we wish him a speedy recovery.

Projected Final Score:  Green Bay 31, Indianapolis 21

At NY Giants	-10.5	Cleveland	43.5

Give the Browns some credit, they were supposed to be blown off the field at M&T last Thursday night but they hung in there and played tough in defeat. This week, they travel to the New Meadowlands to face a Giants’ team that is looking to rebound from a close defeat in Philly on Sunday night. Do you think that Coach Coughlin will have the troops sufficiently motivated? The Browns’ receiving corps has been decimated by injuries and there’s really no one available to catch Weeden’s passes. They should hope that the defense hangs tough and allows the offense to get a lucky break or two. However, there’s something about that spread that’s fishy.

Projected Final Score:  NY Giants 23, Cleveland 16

At Minnesota

-5.5

Tennessee

43.5

The 3-1 Vikings have been a big surprise at the quarter pole. Do they have enough to keep the ball rolling against the Titans, who have gotten off to a disastrous 1-3 start. Jake Locker is out of this one with a (non-throwing) shoulder injury and Hasselbeck will start in his place.  Last week, the Vikes had a nice upset victory over division rival Detroit and played a complete football game. The Titans were blown off the field in Houston and have the unenviable task of traveling to the Baggie Dome, where the crowd will be extremely loud and the atmosphere will be intense.

Projected Final Score:  Minnesota 27, Tennessee 20

At Cincinnati	-4.5	Miami	44.5

The Dolphins played really well in the desert last week, only to come up a bit short. Ryan Tannehill had a nice afternoon’s work for a raw rookie.  The Fins now face another road game, this time in Cincinnati where the Bengals are coming off of a dominating win in Jacksonville and are tied for first in the AFC North. As well as the Bengals have played so far, there’s always the danger that they’ll play like Bungles. One never knows from week to week.

Projected Final Score:  Cincinnati 24, Miami 17

Ravens

-4.5

At Kansas City

45.5

The Chiefs simply couldn’t duplicate their Week 2 success as they were smoked by San Diego at home last week. It was a very discouraging defeat for KC, as most folks expected that they would play hard against a division rival. They folded up their tents early on last week. This week, they remain home to face a Ravens’ bunch that is seemingly on an unstoppable march to the AFC Championship game. The Ravens know they have a special group this year and won’t let down against a lesser foe.

Projected Final Score:  Ravens 27, Kansas City 20

At Carolina

-3.5

Seattle

44

There were no scab refs in St. Louis last Sunday to bail out the Seahawks, who came out flat against the Rams and lost in unimpressive fashion. Their journey to the east continues this week with a date in Carolina. The Panthers played Atlanta really tough last week losing by only two points to an undefeated team. This week, we’ll find out whether the Seahawks should be taken seriously or whether they’re back in the pool of pretenders. We’ll also find out whether Russell Wilson is a flash in the pan or can deliver the goods.

Projected Final Score:  Carolina 24, Seattle 21

Chicago

-4.5

At Jacksonville

40

The poor Jags were whipped once more and now sit at the bottom of the AFC South with the woeful Titans at 1-3. What more can you say about a bland, pedestrian team that hasn’t already been said. They perpetually stink. This week Da Bears come to town, fresh off of Monday night’s dominating victory in Dallas, in which Romo was intercepted five (five!) times as the Bears’ defense was at the top of their game and Cutler wasn’t half bad, either. The only question to be determined is which Jay Cutler will show up on Sunday.

Projected Final Score:  Chicago 24, Jacksonville 17

At New England

-7.5

Denver

51.5

Can anyone figure out the Patriots? They played an awful first half in Buffalo last week, losing 14-7. They then proceeded to torch Buffalo’s defense to the tune of 45 points in a 52-28 victory. That was a schizophrenic performance if ever there was. Just as most people figured, Peyton Manning is getting into a groove with his new team. Last week, they simply rolled over Oakland in the most lopsided victory of that rivalry in 50 years. This will be another big test for the Broncos, who are looking to continue their good fortune against a defense that has been inconsistent at best. Manning has pretty much always played New England well, and the sleek Broncos’ linebackers may give Brady fits every time he goes back to pass.

Projected Final Score:  New England 28, Denver 24

At San Francisco

-9.5

Buffalo

44

Is there any doubt as to which NFL team is the best after four weeks? Forget about the three unbeatens, the ‘Niners are in a class unto themselves. Last week, they rebounded from an upset loss to completely flatten the Jets 34-0. And it wasn’t even that close. This week, they return home to face the Bills, who imploded in the second half against New England in disgraceful fashion. They played hard for 30 minutes, seemingly forgetting that it’s a 60-minute game. Now they move on to Candlestick with trepidation. The voice you hear warming up in the wings is that of Bobby “Blue” Bland, and he’s singing, “I Pity The Fool”. This promises to be a rough outing for the boys from WNY.

Projected Final Score:  San Francisco 27, Buffalo 13

At New Orleans

-3.5

San Diego

54

How low can it go in the Big Easy? The Ain’ts are now 0-4 and the bag brigade will be out in full force on Sunday. Brees & Co. were hard luck losers at Lambeau last week as they gave the Packers a terrific run for their money. Sooner or later the Saints luck has to change. Why not this week? After four weeks, the Chargers sit atop the AFC West and they have played some fine football along the way. You’d have to think that this trip to the east may spell trouble for the Bolts as the Saints are in absolutely, positively MUST WIN mode right about now. Despite their record, the Saints are not playing like an 0-4 team. Right now, they’re like a cornered animal, and that’s a dangerous proposition for San Diego.

Projected Final Score:  New Orleans 28, San Diego 24

Houston

-7.5

At NY Jets

40.5

Monday Night brings us back to the New Meadowlands where the Ghost of Howard Cosell will haunt the broadcast booth. It’s just a shame that the Ghost of Dandy Don will be unavailable because he’s probably somewhere else having a party. There won’t be any partying going on at the stadium, unless you count the numerous touchdown celebrations the Texans will be having during the game. The J-E-T-S are a M-E-S-S. Without Revis last week, the Jets’ defense was flattened by the 49’ers. The offensive was hardly any better as they hung a big, fat goose egg up on the scoreboard. Now it appears as though Santonio Holmes will be lost for the season. Was this a team that anyone seriously considered a contender? It’s still early and stranger things have happened but this looks like a lost year for Gang Green.

Projected Final Score:  Houston 31, NY Jets 13