by BRYAN LAIL
Intern Sports Reporter
Ever thought we would see a
season in the NFL when playoff teams were decided by week seven? Well,
this may be the one. While I will stop short of saying that no drama
remains and no opportunities will present themselves in the next few
weeks, I will commit to this – we know the good teams, they’re really
good, we know the bad teams, they’re really bad. At this point, most
teams are either playing for divisions and seeding or because they have
to.
Overall record to this point,
68-32
Last Week: 11-2
This week’s fantasy steal:
Alex Smith, QB, San Francisco 49ers
Smith threw three touchdowns
last week in one half after starter Shaun Hill was pulled. Right now,
he has the confidence of head coach Mike Singletary. Most surprising
fact in those three scores - Michael Crabtree didn’t catch one. This
offense has untapped potential with a renewed Smith back under center
in a time that the 49ers desperately need it.
On to the picks.
(H)Baltimore > Denver
Props- Everyone keeps picking
against Denver, and Denver keeps trudging onward. Yet, Baltimore needs
this one more as the world waits for Kyle Orton to once again start
playing like Kyle Orton. Did anyone notice that the guy most attributed
to Orton’s sudden resurgence used to be Jake Delhomme’s QB coach?
Hmm.
Houston > (H)Buffalo
Flops- Houston is on borrowed
time if Andre Johnson misses many games this season. Luckily, they can
afford to sit him against Buffalo.
New York Giants > (H)Philadelphia
Flops- The Giants have lost
two straight as their vaunted defensive line has suddenly disappeared.
The Eagles are shaky at best and inconsistent at worst, New York should
break up their streak before it stretches too far.
Miami > (H)New York Jets
Props- Miami was robbed but
not because they didn’t deserve to lose. Actually, saying that Miami
was robbed by Drew Brees and that dense Saints offense is one of the
highest compliments that can be paid to a team in the NFL this year.
The Dolphins came closer than anyone to upsetting New Orleans, and their
fine push out of the red and back into the green, should continue against,
dare I say it…gan-green.
(H)Indianapolis > San Francisco
Props- Take Peyton Manning
out of the mix and you have a team in Indianapolis with absolutely no
business in the playoffs almost at any point this decade. Fortunately,
they have Manning, the best QB in the league.
Chicago > (H)Cleveland
Flops- One man is the key to
a turn-around for the Bears, and his name is not Jay Cutler. Matt Forte
has to get involved. Just because you finally find a solid QB after
50 years of trial and error, does not mean you dump the rest of your
talent.
(H)Dallas > Seattle
Flops- Seattle is simply not
a team that can be trusted, and despite fading grumblings to the contrary,
Tony Romo and the Cowboy’s offense can be.
(H)Detroit > St. Louis
Flops- Just as the Lions start
to pave a new road in Detroit and name it “Positive reinforcement”,
the only three players that anyone outside, or inside of Detroit for
that matter, have ever heard of get knocked out. Tough luck.
(H)San Diego > Oakland
Props- This one won’t be
as close as the near-upset Oakland pulled on San Diego in week one,
but that is largely due to one key cog, Phillip Rivers. So why are the
Chargers struggling as the Colts surge – well that would be in part
due to the failings of the most important cog, offensive line.
Jacksonville > (H)Tennessee
Flops- What a laughably sad
season it has been for the Titans, it’s also still a mystery. Where
exactly can you point a finger and say, “fix that and we’re good.”
Everything was supposed to be good, instead everything is bad.
(H)Green Bay > Minnesota
Props- The Packers can suffer
a loss in the Metrodome and still live through it, but to say Minnesota
has any chance in Brett Favre’s return to Lambeau, hah.
(H)Arizona > Carolina
Flops- Even without Kenny Moore’s
late-game fumble against the Bills, even if the Panthers had managed
to beat Buffalo and improve to 3-3, one word summarizes the Panthers
and their team this season, pathetic. Remember the Titans? These two
teams prove that the power run game is a dying art in the NFL.
(H)New Orleans > Atlanta
Props- New Orleans = unstoppable.
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