Sunday, October 08, 2006
Picking Week 5
Year to Date: 18-9
FYI: I missed Week 1 and have just started picking the entire schedule each week. I don't pick with the spread.
So here we are, Week 5, and I am curious to see how the Browns respond tomorrow against Carolina on the road. Other than that, there are not a ton of games to get excited but will be difficult to pick nonetheless.
Tampa Bay at New Orleans - I like New Orleans in this game because they have played well thus far. But moreover, the Bucs haven't shown any real reasons why I should consider them on the road in the Superdome. Whether it is Simms or Gradkowski at QB for Tampa, I still like the Saints balanced offense to be the difference in this game.
Browns at Panthers - The Panthers. Their defensive line should wreak havoc in the Browns backfield. I hope Frye doesn't get hurt in this game. That is my biggest fear. Look for the Panthers to get the ball down the field for some big plays against the Browns depleted secondary.
Titans at Colts - The Colts are going to have a field day against a mediocre Titans defense. They will almost have as much fun as the defense who will tee off on Vince Young. This could be ugly. Anybody for Indy is a good fantasy play this week.
Rams at Packers - The Rams will win this game, but it strikes me that I still have a difficult time picking against the Packers at Lambeau Field. It is kind of sad to realize that the brilliant Favre era is over in Green Bay. The Rams dynamic offense is starting to find a rhythm and I expect a good day from Torry Holt and the Rams passing game.
Bills at Bears - J.P. Losman probably watched last Sunday's Bears game, witnessed the pummeling of Seattle QB Matt Hasselback by the Bears front seven, and is now having nightmares. Expect three-step drops and quick releases from Losman to prevent sacks. Anticipate interceptions. Bears.
Dolphins at Patriots - The Dolphins have been the biggest disappointment thus far in the young season. Culpepper looks lost and uncomfortable under center right now. He is driving me crazy as he continues to limit the fantasy production of WR Chris Chambers. The Patriots shocked me last week, perhaps a tribute to their coach. But I refuse to credit Bellichick. I like New England in a close game.
Lions at Vikings - So, we have the Lions along with the Raiders as the two lone teams without a win. Is that right? Off the top of my head, I believe that is correct. Yes, it is. Ok, so now it is only a matter of time before they win a game. I am going to take them in this one. What a stupid pick. So yeah, there it is. What are you thinking? Shut up, I think they can win. Are you serious? No, really, I do, I think.
Redskins at Giants - I have this hunch that the Eagles and the Redskins are just not that good. I have picked against each team in every toss up game this year. Until the Redskins beat the Jaguars last week, my strategy had worked. I think I am also biased towards New York because I have Eli Manning as my fantasy quarterback. I mean what else could explain me taking the Giants on the road in Seattle week 3. But I really don't like the Redskins offense and I like the Giants balanced attack to win this game. 31-24 Giants.
Chiefs at Cardinals - Hmm, so Matt Leinart will now quarterback Arizona. I don't know if this solves the offensive line issues the Cardinals have. This seems a recipe for disaster. The Chiefs really hammered the 49ers last week. The Cardinals have underachieved but will be tough at home. I think Larry Johnson and the Chiefs wear down the young Cardinals in the second half and win going away.
Jets at Jaguars - Can anyone explain to me what happened to the Jaguars defense last week? Abominable. Expect Coach Jack Del Rio to have them ready to play and firing on all cylinders. Maurice Jones-Drew continues to excel for the Jagaurs. Look for the rookie runner to get more opportunities to carry the ball. The Jagaurs prove to be too tough at home for the Jets.
Raiders at 49ers - Now that I have seen the Raiders up close and personal, I think it is conceivable that they won't win a game this year. Andrew Walter should not be starting for this team. Anybody is better than this. 49ers win an ugly affair.
Cowboys at Eagles - The game that everyone is talking about pits two teams that have yet to prove how good they are going to be. The Eagles don't have enough playmakers to be effective consistently. As I said a couple weeks ago, the whole offense is dependant upon Brian Westbrook. He is iffy. In Terrell Owen's return to Philadelphia, I like the other guys on offense for Dallas, Terry Glenn and Julius Jones, to help the Cowboys win a tough divisional game on the road.
Steelers at Chargers - This game is a rematch of a Monday night affair last season. The Chargers lost a hard fought contest in the waning seconds on a Jeff Reed field goal. I expect the Steelers to play a very physical game against the Chargers, similar to the strategy employed by the Ravens last week. Chargers should have never lost that game last week. That pissed me off. I like the Steelers to win this game on a Jeff Reed field goal just like last season.
Ravens at Broncos - The Ravens are killing me thus far, winning games they don't deserve in the least. I expect them to lose to Denver in a defensive struggle. The Broncos are stout against the run and solid against the pass. There is no reason to think the mediocre Raven offense will be able to move the ball. Same advice to Jake Plummer as I offered to Phil Rivers last week, don't turn the ball over and give the Ravens a short field. If he can do that, the Broncos will win.
So there are my picks this week. I have a real good feeling about Week 5. If everything falls into place, I expect a great record this week. I just need the Broncos, Cowboys, and Giants to pick me up. Go Browns, etc. Sidenote, I found it delightful watching the Yankees get eliminated by the Tigers. Tribe in '09.
FYI: I missed Week 1 and have just started picking the entire schedule each week. I don't pick with the spread.
So here we are, Week 5, and I am curious to see how the Browns respond tomorrow against Carolina on the road. Other than that, there are not a ton of games to get excited but will be difficult to pick nonetheless.
Tampa Bay at New Orleans - I like New Orleans in this game because they have played well thus far. But moreover, the Bucs haven't shown any real reasons why I should consider them on the road in the Superdome. Whether it is Simms or Gradkowski at QB for Tampa, I still like the Saints balanced offense to be the difference in this game.
Browns at Panthers - The Panthers. Their defensive line should wreak havoc in the Browns backfield. I hope Frye doesn't get hurt in this game. That is my biggest fear. Look for the Panthers to get the ball down the field for some big plays against the Browns depleted secondary.
Titans at Colts - The Colts are going to have a field day against a mediocre Titans defense. They will almost have as much fun as the defense who will tee off on Vince Young. This could be ugly. Anybody for Indy is a good fantasy play this week.
Rams at Packers - The Rams will win this game, but it strikes me that I still have a difficult time picking against the Packers at Lambeau Field. It is kind of sad to realize that the brilliant Favre era is over in Green Bay. The Rams dynamic offense is starting to find a rhythm and I expect a good day from Torry Holt and the Rams passing game.
Bills at Bears - J.P. Losman probably watched last Sunday's Bears game, witnessed the pummeling of Seattle QB Matt Hasselback by the Bears front seven, and is now having nightmares. Expect three-step drops and quick releases from Losman to prevent sacks. Anticipate interceptions. Bears.
Dolphins at Patriots - The Dolphins have been the biggest disappointment thus far in the young season. Culpepper looks lost and uncomfortable under center right now. He is driving me crazy as he continues to limit the fantasy production of WR Chris Chambers. The Patriots shocked me last week, perhaps a tribute to their coach. But I refuse to credit Bellichick. I like New England in a close game.
Lions at Vikings - So, we have the Lions along with the Raiders as the two lone teams without a win. Is that right? Off the top of my head, I believe that is correct. Yes, it is. Ok, so now it is only a matter of time before they win a game. I am going to take them in this one. What a stupid pick. So yeah, there it is. What are you thinking? Shut up, I think they can win. Are you serious? No, really, I do, I think.
Redskins at Giants - I have this hunch that the Eagles and the Redskins are just not that good. I have picked against each team in every toss up game this year. Until the Redskins beat the Jaguars last week, my strategy had worked. I think I am also biased towards New York because I have Eli Manning as my fantasy quarterback. I mean what else could explain me taking the Giants on the road in Seattle week 3. But I really don't like the Redskins offense and I like the Giants balanced attack to win this game. 31-24 Giants.
Chiefs at Cardinals - Hmm, so Matt Leinart will now quarterback Arizona. I don't know if this solves the offensive line issues the Cardinals have. This seems a recipe for disaster. The Chiefs really hammered the 49ers last week. The Cardinals have underachieved but will be tough at home. I think Larry Johnson and the Chiefs wear down the young Cardinals in the second half and win going away.
Jets at Jaguars - Can anyone explain to me what happened to the Jaguars defense last week? Abominable. Expect Coach Jack Del Rio to have them ready to play and firing on all cylinders. Maurice Jones-Drew continues to excel for the Jagaurs. Look for the rookie runner to get more opportunities to carry the ball. The Jagaurs prove to be too tough at home for the Jets.
Raiders at 49ers - Now that I have seen the Raiders up close and personal, I think it is conceivable that they won't win a game this year. Andrew Walter should not be starting for this team. Anybody is better than this. 49ers win an ugly affair.
Cowboys at Eagles - The game that everyone is talking about pits two teams that have yet to prove how good they are going to be. The Eagles don't have enough playmakers to be effective consistently. As I said a couple weeks ago, the whole offense is dependant upon Brian Westbrook. He is iffy. In Terrell Owen's return to Philadelphia, I like the other guys on offense for Dallas, Terry Glenn and Julius Jones, to help the Cowboys win a tough divisional game on the road.
Steelers at Chargers - This game is a rematch of a Monday night affair last season. The Chargers lost a hard fought contest in the waning seconds on a Jeff Reed field goal. I expect the Steelers to play a very physical game against the Chargers, similar to the strategy employed by the Ravens last week. Chargers should have never lost that game last week. That pissed me off. I like the Steelers to win this game on a Jeff Reed field goal just like last season.
Ravens at Broncos - The Ravens are killing me thus far, winning games they don't deserve in the least. I expect them to lose to Denver in a defensive struggle. The Broncos are stout against the run and solid against the pass. There is no reason to think the mediocre Raven offense will be able to move the ball. Same advice to Jake Plummer as I offered to Phil Rivers last week, don't turn the ball over and give the Ravens a short field. If he can do that, the Broncos will win.
So there are my picks this week. I have a real good feeling about Week 5. If everything falls into place, I expect a great record this week. I just need the Broncos, Cowboys, and Giants to pick me up. Go Browns, etc. Sidenote, I found it delightful watching the Yankees get eliminated by the Tigers. Tribe in '09.
# posted by Nate @ 12:58 AM 
