Fire from the Hip: Thoughts on Sports & Real Life

1. Enough is enough. I don’t care what kind of excuses Bill Simmons is making; there is absolutely no reason for Tom Brady to be in a 38-0 game at home against a completely overmatched Redskins team. That aside, this is one of the greatest teams ever. The numbers that Tom Brady and many others on the offensive side of the ball are putting up will never be matched. Gaudy doesn’t even begin to describe the numbers of the video game-like Pats offense. Brady has 30 touchdowns and two interceptions!!!

2. Philadelphia got a big win in Minnesota this week, but they’ll need next week’s game at home against Dallas as well if they are going to be a player in the playoff hunt. The East is by far the most complete division in the NFC, with one of the two wild cards most certainly emerging from that division.

3. I can’t get over how desperate the quarterbacking situation in the NFL has become. Look at some of the guys who started or played in Week 8: Gus Frerotte, Vinny Testaverde, David Carr, Kelly Holcomb, Cleo Lemon, Brian Griese, Quinn Gray, and Sage Rosenfels. Their combined efforts led to a 1-6 record with 4 touchdowns and 7 interceptions thrown. Throw the numbers of Vince Young, Daunte Culpepper, and Alex Smith into the mix and that’s some terrible quarterbacking.

4. Let’s talk for a minute about the nascent race for wild card berths in the AFC. Halfway through the season, the Colts and Patriots find themselves in control of their respective divisions. After a slow start, the Chargers are finally starting to play to their talent level, and their division lead should only grow in the second half. Meanwhile, the favorite in the AFC North has to be the Pittsburgh Steelers with an intimidating defense and a smash-mouth offense. Despite the Steelers and Colts, the AFC South and AFC North each hold three teams capable of winning at least 9 games. Eyeballing the AFC North race, the Ravens have already played the soft part of their schedule. Visits to Pittsburgh, Seattle, and San Diego await them as well as home dates against the Colts and Patriots. Meanwhile, the Browns still have the Jets, 49ers, Bills, Cardinals, and Texans on their schedule. If Derek Anderson can continue his Pro-Bowl-caliber play behind center for Cleveland, I like their chances to stay in contention for the final playoff spot in the AFC. However, the Broncos, Titans, and Jaguars are also solid candidates for the Wild Card. If the Browns don’t make the playoffs, the defensive will be to blame.

5. Mighty content on this Sunday to see the Saints win their third straight game. It looks as if their 0-4 start didn’t doom them at all. They find themselves just one game behind the first place Panthers, led by David Carr. Remember three weeks ago when I said the Saints weren’t dead yet, that prediction went well. If I am a Saints fan, I sleep pretty well this week, knowing that my team still has a very dynamic offense and more importantly, New Orleans resides in the AFC South.

Labels: NFL, Week 8

“How Can You Not Love This Guy?” Player of the Week: Kerry Collins RECORD
Last Week: 9 - 4 Year: 54 - 34

So another week has passed and again, the Indians are on the forefront of my mind. Unable to clinch the ALCS in Game 5 last night at home, they have me supremely worried as the teams travel back to Boston for Game 6. But with the changing of the clocks coming up, the NFL season is heating up and it’s time to start picking out the contenders in each conference. With the season nearly half over, things are relatively murky in each conference. But one thing is for sure; the Patriots and Colts are the class of the AFC and the NFL. Following those two in the AFC, the Steelers and Chargers are in a class by themselves, clearly ahead of teams like the Jaguars, Ravens, and Titans. The Chargers stand above the Jaguars and Ravens because the offense as well as the defense has played much better in the last couple of weeks and if either of those teams were playing head to head against San Diego, I’d take the ‘Bolts. The Ravens 4-2 record is ridiculously misleading as their victories have come against the Jets, Cardinals, Rams, and 49ers. Impressive. To be honest, I’d take the Browns over the Ravens right now. Baltimore also remains winless within the AFC North, which could hurt them down the road.

In the NFC, I like the Cowboys although their performance against the Patriots, or rather Tom Brady’s performance in Dallas, illustrated the large gap between the two teams. After the Cowboys, I have to take the Packers by default. Their record is pretty good and they’ve found ways to win games despite an inconsistent offense. After Green Bay and Dallas, there are a bundle of teams with decent records but few noteworthy wins: Carolina, Tampa Bay, and New York. The best win by any of these teams I guess would be New York’s victory over the Redskins in Week 3, but their record is an unimpressive 3-2. When I look at this conference, I still like the Saints. They beat the disinterested Seahawks in Seattle last Sunday for their first win of the season and they play in a poor division. Sure, it would take some luck but I could see a late-season run. Of the 3-win teams, I like Washington most of all, though Seattle’s division is such a joke that they’ll make a run at 10 wins. My 2-win team is Philadelphia. If Westbrook can stay healthy, this team has a shot in the brutal NFC East.

That was therapeutic. That’s the first time in the last twelve hours that I haven’t thought about Fausto Carmona’s prospects in Fenway tomorrow if the home plate umpire doesn’t give him the low strike. I laid in bed last night, tossing and turning, thinking about what umpire would be calling the strikes in Game 6. Am I unstable or what!? On to the picks…

Baltimore Ravens at Buffalo Bills – Ravens

I’ll say it once and I’ll say it again. The Ravens are in the middle of a three game stretch where their biggest obstacle to victory is their own QB. If Trent Edwards can somehow manage to hold on to the ball and pick up some first downs, I could see the Bills winning this game. Whoever scores 15 points first wins this crap sandwich of a game.

Tampa Bay Bucs at Detroit Lions – Lions

It doesn’t get much better than this old NFC Central rivalry between two overrated teams with winning records. I would watch the Texans and Titans play before I’d watch this game. We could see a six way tie at 8-8 for the NFC Wild Card this season. Mediocrity...I mean parity is good for the NFL.

New England Patriots at Miami Dolphins – Patriots

Monday’s Headline from the Boston Globe: Pats bludgeon Dolphins, Clinch Outright Division Title.

Red Sox Season in Review Page 4

Atlanta Falcons at New Orleans Saints – Saints

I wonder what kind of odds Las Vegas would give on the Saints ending up with more victories than two of the following three teams: Lions, Seahawks, and Bucs. The Saints take their first step towards turning some heads. Following the Bucs “surprising loss in Detroit,” I wonder how many people will jump back on the Saints bandwagon in the coming week.

San Francisco 49ers at New York Giants – Giants

It’s amazing what a soft schedule can do for a quarterback’s stats and his support in the media. I heard three or four different NFL pundits, lauding Eli Manning this week, following his scintillating 2 TD, 2 INT performance against the hapless Falcons at the Georgia Dome Monday night. I remain unsold, especially after he cost me a fantasy championship last season. I am petty till the end.

Arizona Cardinals at Washington Redskins – Redskins

This longtime NFC East rivalry has always been a treat to the several fans who watch these games. I miss these old rivalries: Bucs taking on the Lions in the NFC Central and somehow Arizona playing on the Atlantic Seaboard in the NFC East. Fond memories of days long since passed.

Tennessee Titans at Houston Texans – Texans

With Vince Young iffy, I can’t see the Titans winning this game without him. Kerry Collins doesn’t exactly bring the same skill set to the table. The Texans need to rebound after struggling of late losing three of their last four games.

New York Jets at Cincinnati Bengals – Bengals

Here is a game I would be interested in watching. Sure, the teams have a combined record of 2-9 but there are so many subplots. For the Jets, you have Chad Pennington and his likely final stand before backup Kellen Clemens takes over. For the Bengals, Marvin Lewis’ job looks anything but secure after a disappointing 1-4 start. The Bengals offense is dynamite but Lewis is a defensive specialist and their defense is by far their fatal flaw. The Bengals could be a dangerous team against opponents with playoff aspirations down the stretch in November and December.

Kansas City Chiefs at Oakland Raiders – Raiders

Sure, the Raiders were manhandled last week in San Diego. But the Chargers are finding their groove. Oakland is a talented young team with a good running game and a better than average defense. The Chiefs have found ways to win ugly in the last couple of weeks, evening their record at 3-3. On the road in Oakland, I don’t like their chances. Wait a second, an image just popped into my head; it was of Larry Johnson, running all over the Bengals last week. Now I am nervous. Hmm, I’ll stick with the Raiders and complain later.

Minnesota Vikings at Dallas Cowboys – Cowboys

How good is Adrian Peterson? You haven’t heard one person question his durability recently, which was all the rage in April. But let’s be realistic, it’s only been seven weeks. He is far and away the leading candidate for Rookie of the Year. Despite his efforts, Tavaris Jackson can’t hold on to the ball on the road in Dallas. Cowboys get back to their winning ways after their loss to New England last week.

Chicago Bears at Philadelphia Eagles – Eagles

I think it’s fair to say that this is an elimination game for each team. The Eagles can’t possibly expect to come back from a potential 2-5 record in the rugged NFC East. With a loss, they’d be at least two games behind third place! A must-win for the Eagles. For the Bears, they too can ill-afford a loss. Their schedule down the stretch is fairly mild but a division crown would be very unlikely if they fell 3 ½ games behind the idle Packers this week.

St. Louis Rams at Seattle Seahawks – Seahawks

A week ago, I called the NFC West slightly better than the NFC South. What was I thinking? The pathetic NFC West is fast becoming a pillow fight. The Seahawks and Cardinals find themselves at 3-3 but neither team is exhibiting any reasons why they deserve to win this division. Something tells me that this division battle is going to be a long drawn out affair with the division winner at 8-8 and certainly no better than 9-7.

Pittsburgh Steelers at Denver Broncos – Steelers

This is a dangerous game for the Steelers on the road at Mile High. It’s a difficult place to play and the Steelers still haven’t defeated a quality opponent yet. I like them here simply because I sat next to a Bronco fan last Sunday at the bar. After three hours, he had presented a fairly convincing and all-encompassing argument on why I shouldn’t have an ounce of confidence in the Broncos this week against Pittsburgh. He started with their defense. Willie Parker may be in for a good week.

Indianapolis Colts at Jacksonville Jaguars – Jaguars

The Colts have to lose sometime. They always do. I legitimately think the Patriots could go 16-0 but not the Colts. Now with their defense. The Jaguars had a ton of success last year running the football against the Colts defense. Indianapolis has had two weeks to prepare and equally important, get their defense healthy in preparation for this game. However, I like the Jaguars chances of winning a slugfest. Maurice Jones-Drew will be the difference for the Jags.

Labels: cleveland browns, Football, NFL, Patriots, Picks Week 7

Last Week: 7 – 7
Season: 35 - 27

For the first time since I was a senior in high school, the Indians will play October baseball. Often questioned whether I was a bigger Browns or Indian fan, I always replied that it depended on the year. During the mid-1990s when the Indians were so good, the Browns weren’t around. And the brown and orange have been so bad since their return that never have I encountered the predicament that I now face. With the Indians opening tonight against the Yankees and further energized by a couple of coffees, it’s a struggle to focus. Thirty minutes later….alright, so I just watched the Braylon Edwards 78-yard touchdown reception against the Ravens about a half dozens times, I am focused and ready to forge ahead with my picks for Week 5.

Cleveland Browns at New England Patriots – Patriots

I was talking to a friend of mine recently who is a huge Red Sox and Patriots fan. He said: “Boy, they made it look so easy. It didn’t even seem like that big of a deal…it was kind of anti-climactic.” He is talking about:

1. the Patriots domination over the Chargers in Week 2
2. the Patriots domination over the Bengals in Week 4
3. Game 1 of the Division Series between the Red Sox and Angels.
4. All of the Above.

Now imagine his surprise, when Derek Anderson (the D.A. who is prosecuting defenses across the land) shocks his Patriots in Foxboro. Only in my dreams I’m afraid.

Atlanta Falcons at Tennessee Titans – Titans

I know they haven’t played since Week 3 and so I haven’t had a chance to comment about it, but the Titans really took it to the Saints in the Superdome a few weeks back. The Falcons meanwhile surprised the Texans for their first win of the season. The offense looks much better in the last two weeks. However, I really like how the Titans are playing and they’ll be prepared with the extra week to stop Joey Harrington and the Falcons.

Arizona Cardinals at St. Louis Rams – Cardinals

Quick thoughts about everybody who is belittling Matt Leinart, especially Peter King…

1. It’s rare that a player like Leinart will speak his mind to the media but he certainly won’t do that any more thanks to Michael Silver.
2. You want your QB to be confident and want the ball in his hands when the game is on the line.
3. I find it very bizarre that somebody as media-savvy as the young QB would make comments like that in a dinner with a columnist. He must have known those would come out. Big mistake.
4. I like Leinart and think he’s going to be a great player. Sharing his inner thoughts about the situation was a mistake. However, I found the article by Silver interesting and enlightening thanks in part to the former Heisman winner’s honesty.

Gus Frerotte is starting for the Rams! I had to double-check the spelling of his name. Your team was expected to compete for a division championship Coach Linehan and at 0-4, you’re nearly dead. Is Gus Frerotte a better option than Marc Bulger at 75%? The way this season is going; Frerotte pulls off a Warner-esque job replacing Bulger.

Jacksonville Jaguars at Kansas City Chiefs – Jaguars

Alright Jacksonville, you don’t like me and I don’t like you. I know you like to lose games that you’re supposed to win and lose games I have you winning but can’t we get along just this once? I like the Jaguars mostly because I was impressed by their performance two weeks ago in Denver. And quite frankly, I still don’t really understand how the Chiefs beat the Chargers last week. So I am just going to put that aside and remember what the Chiefs looked like the first three weeks of the season.

Carolina Panthers at New Orleans Saints – Saints

Wow, was David Carr, and the entire Panther team for that matter, terrible last week or what? I was fooled into thinking this team could still win with or without Delhomme. Word on the street has Carolina’s starter missing this game. The possibility of Delhomme missing this game gives me enough confidence to take the winless Saints. Besides, I believe Sean Payton is going to roll out a new offense this week, now that Deuce McAllister is out for the year. Payton’s also had two weeks to come up with something better than the stuff that we saw in the first three weeks of the season, which wasn’t good.

New York Jets at New York Giants – Giants

I like the Giants for one reason: home-field advantage. No but seriously, I like the Giants because I think they’re more likely to win. Okay, that wasn’t serious either. To be honest, it’s a tossup game, of which few have gone in my favor. I’ll take the Giants based on their defense…and the Jets defense…which is poor.

Seattle Seahawks at Pittsburgh Steelers – Steelers

In the last several years, these are the kind of games people build up that end up a disappointment. Sure, the Seahawks look good but let’s be honest. The AFC’s top teams are head and shoulders above the NFC with the possible exception of the Cowboys. The Seahawks will have difficulty running the ball this week against the Steelers. Balance is the key to the NFC’s third best offense. The Steelers do an excellent job, stopping the run led by Nose Tackle Casey Hampton who is a rather large man. This game will be like Super Bowl XL: a boring, lackluster Steeler victory.

Detroit Lions at Washington Redskins – Redskins

The Lions happen to be 3-1 but they haven’t looked particularly inspiring with the exception of the fourth quarter in the Oakland, Minnesota, and Chicago games. With a bye week, I expect the Redskins to have a good game plan to defend Mike Martz’s high powered offense. The Redskins secondary is above average and the Lions haven’t shown they can consistently pick up yardage on the ground. I suspect the Redskins will pound the ball on offense with Ladell Betts and Clinton Portis and control the clock. Jason Campbell and the Redskins win a close one late.

Miami Dolphins at Houston Texans – Texans

Who would have ever thought the Dolphins defense could be so bad? It’s disappointing to watch. I thought they would bounce back at home last week against the Raiders but their defense was a joke. The front seven is getting blown off the ball and it certainly doesn’t help when Zach Thomas is hurt. The Dolphins are in trouble and it might soon be time to make a change at QB for no other reason than an audition for 2008. Coming off a disappointing loss against Atlanta, Houston needs this game.

Tampa Bay Bucs at Indianapolis Colts – Colts

Year in and year out, the Colts find a way to win. It’s pretty impressive. Although when you have one of the greatest quarterbacks in NFL history, it sure makes things easier. Colts are banged up on both sides of the ball with key injuries to Bob Sanders and Joseph Addai. If Sanders doesn’t play, the Colts run defense becomes very porous. However, Manning will find a way to win this game, outscoring Jeff Garcia and the Bucs offense.

Let’s go back to greatest quarterbacks ever debate. How spoiled are NFL fans right now? We are watching three of the greatest quarterbacks in the history of the game currently. Granted, Brett Favre is in the final stages of his Hall of Fame career. But when you look at Tom Brady and Peyton Manning, you’re looking at two QBs who are as good as they come. I think Brady will be compared to Joe Montana when he’s done. His focus and determination are unparalleled. With Manning, I think what’s most amazing about him is how much he studies and understands the game. His ability to identify defensive schemes at the line of scrimmage is the most amazing (and annoying) characteristic of his game.

San Diego Chargers at Denver Broncos – Broncos

I don’t know what to think about either of these teams. The Broncos lost a hard-fought game last week after a lackluster effort against the Jaguars at home the week before. Meanwhile, the Chargers have looked just terrible in three straight losses. Everybody keeps talking about how talented the Chargers are but things just aren’t clicking right now. I don’t particularly like the Broncos as nothing hurts a team’s chances of winning more than settling for field goals in the red zone and that has defined this team’s season thus far. But they’re at home this week in a must win against a division rival. I expect them to win a hard-fought game on a late field-goal by Jason Elam. Sound familiar?

Baltimore Ravens at San Francisco 49ers – Ravens

I have been screaming at the top of my lungs that this Ravens team is just not that good. Their defense is stout as always but so susceptible to the big play. Last week, they were really never in the game against Cleveland. However, they have three winnable games lined up here through the end of October starting this week at San Francisco, then home against St. Louis, and then on the road in Buffalo. They’ll probably be 5-2, heading into their bye week at the end of October and the press will fawn all over their defense. Their offense just isn’t capable of putting up enough points. The team’s success is just too dependent on big plays from their defense and special teams.

Chicago Bears at Green Bay Packers – Packers

Well, I think the Bears may have hit rock bottom last week. The Bears were in control of a rather ugly game at Ford Field last week 13-3 headed into the fourth quarter. 34 Lions points later, the Bears defense had shown they were about as dependable as Rex Grossman. The question has become, “What now?” And I don’t there is an easy answer. Brian Griese clearly isn’t the answer at QB but you can’t really go back to Grossman now. It’s a perfect mess in Chicago right now. At least the Cubs are still playing…for now. They face arch-rival Green Bay who has had everything go right thus far in the young season. If Green Bay doesn’t turn the ball over, expect the Packers to win by a comfortable margin. Although I can’t help but feel like I am waiting for the other shoe to drop for a team that has no running game and whose offense is entirely dependent upon a soon-to-be 38 year old QB.

Dallas Cowboys at Buffalo Bills – Cowboys

This game could be similar to those Super Bowls back in the early 90s…except the Bills were actually good back then. To the Bills defense, they played very well against a very under-whelming Jets squad. This week, they play the best the NFC has to offer. I don’t think the Bills can hang with Tony Romo and the Cowboys, especially with the rookie QB Trent Edwards at the helm.

This week, we’re adding a new feature this week. It’s called the Scott Player Fact of the Week. This week’s fact:

Did you know that Scott Player made the Pro Bowl in 2000? Shocking…

Labels: Football, National Football League, NFL, nfl analysis, NFL predictions, NFL week 5

Philadelphia Eagles at Green Bay Packers – Eagles

The Eagles travel to Lambeau Field to take on the Green Bay Packers in Week 1, making it the fifth straight times these two teams have met in the regular season. Andy Reid, who got his start in coaching as a mentor to Brett Favre under Mike Holmgren in the mid-90s, leads the Eagles back to take on his former protégé. The Eagles come in as slight favorites over Favre’s pack while Brett returns for one more season (once again) in hopes of leading his team back to the playoffs.

Donovan McNabb starts at quarterback for the Eagles and eyes will be on him as he makes his first start in more than nine months since a devastating knee injury. Dynamic RB Brian Westbrook also will be a focal point of a Packers defense which must contain the well-balanced attack of the Eagles. The young defense struggled at times last season but defensive stalwarts Aaron Kampman and A.J. Hawk anchor a unit that should be much improved. The key to the game rests in their hands as Westbrook and McNabb are traditionally September stars.

This is a big test for the Packers young defense. I don’t believe they’ll be able to contain Westbrook and McNabb. I do see the Packers keeping it close as they traditionally play well at Lambeau Field, but the Eagles prevail in this one.

Pittsburgh Steelers vs Cleveland Browns - Browns

Upset special for Week 1. Sure, this doesn't look like much of a game. However, history is on the Browns side. No Steeler coach has ever defeated Cleveland in his first game between the two rivals. I could attempt to feed you some lines about the Browns ability to play tough at home or a revamped defense and an improved offensive line, which is all true but I won't. I taking the Browns because I have a gut feeling that they are going to come out and take control of this game early. If the Browns can build a lead and force the Steelers to abandon the running game, opportunities for turnovers will be there as Roethlisberger led the league in interceptions a year ago. The key to the game will be whether or not the Browns can stop Willie Parker and if the offense under Charlie Frye can move the ball against a traditionally strong Steeler defense.

Atlanta Falcons at Minnesota Vikings - Vikings

Here is the first Friends & Family game of the year...meaning the only people watching this game outside Atlanta and Minnesota will be the friends and family of the players and coaches. An old woman will utter, "That's my baby Tarvarius!" as the Viking QB will complete his first pass of the game sometime midway through the third quarter. I can't think of a better antithesis to Drew Brees/Peyton Manning than Tavarius Jackson/Joey Harrington. Anyway, to the game. Both defenses will stack the line and make the other quarterback beat them. Big plays will determine this game's outcome. Whichever defense can force a key turnover or a big kick return may be enough to swing this game in one direction or another. Jerious Norwood, the explosive Falcons RB, and highly-touted rookie Viking RB Adrian Peterson are both talented game-breakers. If one can bust through into the secondary, each is capable of taking it to the house. I like the Vikings defense, playing in front of a boisterous crowd in the Metrodome, to force some turnovers, leading to an ugly win.

New England Patriots vs New York Jets - Patriots

An intriguing early season matchup, these two rivals figure to be competing all season long for AFC East supremacy. With the Jets acquiring Thomas Jones, you can now argue that they are closer to the Jets at the skill positions. EXCEPT for one major difference: one team has Tom Brady and the other doesn't. Chad Pennington is in a precarious situation with Kellen Clemens, the backup quarterback who performed splendidly in the preseason, breathing down his neck. Don't be surprised if Pennington struggles early, calls for Clemens will quickly grow in number at the Meadowlands. The key factor in this game will be whether or not the Jets defense will be able to stymie the Patriots well-balanced offense. With Randy Moss, Donte Stallworth, Wes Welker, Ben Watson, and Laurence Maroney, Patriot QB Tom Brady truly has a bevy of offensive weapons from which to choose. However, former New England defensive coordinator Eric Mangini now coaches for the Jets and his team played the Patriots extremely close three times last season. Expect the Jets to keep it close. However, I just can't see the Jets staying with the Patriots fire-power. New England wins a hard-fought affair.

Miami Dolphins vs Washington Redskins - Redskins

Both teams trot out different starters than at this time last season. Trent Green comes over to Miami from Kansas City, replacing Joey Harrington et al. However, the preseason has been a horror show for Green as he struggles to adapt to the offensive scheme of Cam Cameron. The offense has looked out of sync. Green and his receivers have been struggling to connect and former second overall pick Ronnie Brown showed up to camp out of shape. This team's performance on the road in Washington should provide a good litmus test to that old adage that preseason trends mean nothing. Expect the Dolphins to struggle on offense. The key will be establishing Ronnie Brown to ease some of the pressure of Green.

For the Redskins, Jason Campbell starts at QB for the Redskins, after having replaced Mark Brunell midway through last season. The Redskins will also try to run the ball to set up the pass in an effort to protect Campbell's psyche early in the season. Both Clinton Portis and Ladell Betts will carry the ball for the 'Skins as they hope to start fast in what should be a very competitive NFC East division. With similar strategies, the game should be a close one. But I give the edge to the Redskins at home by a field goal.

Denver Broncos at Buffalo Bills - Bills

A bold statement you say? Perhaps, but Buffalo looks to be much improved this year and I suspect Jay Cutler will have his fair share of struggles in raucous Ralph Wilson Stadium. I think the key will be field position and the ability of the Bills to stop the run. The always formidable Bronco rushing attack will be spearheaded this year by Travis Henry, the former Bill. Many observers are predicting a 1,500 yard season. If the Bills defense is able to slow down Henry and force Denver into third and long, the Broncos offense will struggle. Making only his sixth NFL start, I don't believe Jay Cutler will be able to win the game on his arm alone. On the other side of the ball, Denver's defense has struggled to adapt to the new defensive scheme implemented by Jim Bates. Again, how much stock can you put in preseason? But in this case, I think it will play a part. The Bills must run the ball with rookie rusher Marshawn Lynch in order to set up the play-action passing game. An exciting matchup to watch in this game will be Bills star receiver, Lee Evans, lining up against Champ Bailey, the premier cornerback in the league. Look for Losman to challenge the Broncos secondary down the field. Bailey will have his share of picks but he will give up a big one once in awhile. To sum it up, I like the Bills in a hard-fought and close game.

Carolina Panthers vs St. Louis Rams - Rams

The Panthers travel to St. Louis to take on the Rams led by Pro Bowl running back Steven Jackson. The Panthers defense will face a major challenge against the explosive Rams offense who always play well at home on the carpet of Edward Jones Dome. In regards to stopping Steven Jackson, the onus falls upon the Panthers front seven. In order for them to have a chance in this game, they have got to contain the Rams All-Pro running back. In passing situations, their front four led by Julius Peppers must get to the quarterback as the Panthers will employ a nickel defense to slow down the talented trio of receivers for the Rams: Drew Bennett, Isaac Bruce, and Torry Holt. On offense, the Panthers will try to control the ball and the clock by running the football with D'Angelo Williams and DeShaun Foster. To have any chance to stay with the Rams, they will have to convert their red zone opportunities. The Panthers scored just fifteen touchdowns in their thirty-two trips into the red zone last season. Jake Delhomme must cut down on his turnovers this season or he'll find himself out of the job. It's a make or break season in Carolina and Delhomme and Head Coach John Fox have jobs on the line. A win in St. Louis would be a fantastic start. But I don't see it.

Tennessee Titans at Jacksonville Jaguars - Jaguars

A matchup of AFC South foes collide on Sunday in Jacksonville. Both teams finished 8-8 last season but their roads to those records were very different. The Titans started 2-7 before inserting rookie QB Vince Young led the team on a five game winning streak and nearly took them to the playoffs. The Jaguars, a playoff team in 2005, looked to take the next step in 2006 but once again, instability at the quarterback position doomed them. 2006 starter and former first round pick Byron Leftwich was cut just after the final preseason game and David Gerrard, his long-time backup, was named the starter. Gerrard has never shown the consistency Head Coach Jack Del Rio has desired in numerous stints filling in for Leftwich. If Gerrard and the Jaguars don't perform well this season, a new quarterback and perhaps a new head coach could be in the cards in Jacksonville. The Jaguars will look to take control of the line of scrimmage by pounding running backs' Fred Taylor and Maurice Jones-Drew. The Titans will look to Young and an opportunistic defense as their primary formula for success. We'll see how teams adjust to seeing Young for a second time around. Look for the Jaguars to try to keep him in the pocket and make him throw the ball downfield to an unproven receiving corps. I like the Jaguars in a physical game.

Detroit Lions at Oakland Raiders - Lions

In Oakland, a battle of teams traditionally battling for top pick honors face off. For all the talk about how Al Davis was going to let Lane Kiffin run the show in Oakland, the decision to cut a third-round pick and the question surrounding who will start the season at quarterback seems to evidence the contrary. This team continues to be run into the ground. The number one pick in the draft, JaMarcus Russell remains unsigned and will as a result be a non-factor in 2007. Anyway, the decision to start Josh McCown over Daunte Culpepper boggles my mind. I thought the Raiders were quietly putting something together but all seems lost in Oakland. I like the Lions as the less terrible team in this game.

Kansas City Chiefs at Houston Texans - Texans

This is an intriguing game between two teams who really aren't sure what they have yet. After a long drawn out quarterback competition, Damon Huard triumphed over Brodie Croyle in Kansas City thanks in large part to Croyle's complete ineptitude. I like the Texans because Herm Edwards has taken a team in good shape and turned it into a disaster.

MORE TO COME...

Labels: NFL, NFL opener, NFL predictions, NFL Week 1, Week 1 matchups

Week 1

My, oh my, does it feel good to be back. Another year of football. I know you haven't heard from me recently. April to be exact but I was just saving up my strength for the grueling NFL season. We are talking two (hopefully) columns a week for five months. Well, autumn is nearly here. I spent Labor Day weekend in Falmouth, Massachusetts and you could smell the traces of fall in the brisk evening air. So many reasons to love the months of September and October: the crisp nights, the pleasant days, the leaves changing. For me though, pennant-races, postseason baseball and the onset of football season are what make this the best time of the year.

Saint vs Colts - Colts

We'll get to baseball in another column shortly but first we have the New Orleans Saints and Super Bowl champion Indianapolis Colts kicking off the season Thursday night. We couldn't ask for a more exciting season opener than these two teams led by gunslingers Drew Brees and Peyton Manning. The pair combined to throw for over 8800 yards last season with 57 touchdown passes. Neither QB lacks play-makers as Indianapolis wideouts Reggie Wayne and Marvin Harrison formed the most prolific duo in football at their position, topping 1300 yards each in receiving. In the Colts backfield, rookie first-round pick Joseph Addai impressed in 2006, rushing for over a thousand yards with seven touchdowns.

On the Saints side, Brees has a multitude of weapons that first-year coach Sean Payton employed brilliantly last season. In the backfield, Deuce McAllister returned to form in 2006 after a grotesque knee injury forced him to miss the majority of the 2005 season. Splitting time with the rookie phenom and former Heisman Trophy winner Reggie Bush, McAllister rushed for 1,057 yards and ten touchdowns. As for Bush, he did not disappoint in his first NFL season. The USC alum set a record for NFL rookie running backs with 88 receptions and lived up to his big play ability with several electrifying plays out of the backfield and in the return game. At the receiver position, Marques Colston, a sixth round pick out of Hofstra, came out of nowhere to lead the Saints in receiving with 1,038 yards receiving and eight touchdowns. Teaming up with Colston are two highly-regarded receivers, Devery Henderson and Robert Meachem. Each is a former first round pick with Meachem being the Saints top selection in 2007. Both are speedsters and with the Saints explosive offense, look for one of them to step up and produce in the absence of Joe Horn, a fixture at receiver for the Saints this decade who departed to Atlanta via free agency.

With so much offensive firepower, the key to the game will be which defense can slow down the opposing team's offense. With both teams extremely well-balanced on offense, it will be important for each team to get off to a good start in the hopes of forcing the other to become one-dimensional. The Colts, already reeling from losing several starters in the offseason, endured a major blow in training camp, losing DT Anthony McFarland, an important cog in their rush defense. For the Saints, their defensive backfield must find a way to contain Harrison and Wayne and prevent the big play. Jason David, the former Colt who signed with New Orleans in the offseason, will have primary responsibility on one of his former teammates.

As much as I like the Saints balance and ability to move the ball against the Colts defense, I think playing on the road against the Super Bowl champions will prove too much for the Saints. I think Manning and the Colts prevail in a high-scoring affair with each team putting up gaudy offensive numbers. Colts by a field goal, 34-31

The rest of Sunday's slate will appear tomorrow.

Labels: Colts, Colts vs Saints, Drew Brees, Football, Indianapolis, New Orleans, NFL, NFL opener, Peyton Manning, Saints