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thoughts and observations |
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WEEK SEVEN REVIEW
It was pretty obvious on Sunday, who the best teams in the league might very well be. The Raiders took out the Eagles with efficiency, shutting down McNabb and company. Don't give the Raiders too much credit. While they are one of the better teams, the Eagles were coming off an emotional game Monday night against the Giants. They will be back.
Speaking of emotional Monday nights, the Giants laid a big egg against the Redskins. Eric Metcalf, who I believe was a roommate of Red Grange in college, busted the game open early with a punt return TD. For one reason or another, the Redskins always find a way to score on special teams. And it doesn't matter who the coach or owner is. Brian Mitchell was probably seething, as he continues to try to keep the return TDs record for himself. Don't worry, Brian, Metcalf could break a hip at any time. Then again, so could you.
Getting back to the better teams, how bad would the Bears have beat the 49ers if they hadn't turned the ball over to defensive scores twice in the game? Discount the final score of 37-31. Then take away the Bears overtime TD. Finally, subtract the Bears screw-ups, and you have a 31-17 game. I think that's downright impressive. The Bears defense pretty much held the Niners offense in check through the second half. Now, with an emerging running game behind Anthony Thomas, the Bears could be pretty tough to beat. Their schedule is pretty tough though. We'll see where they're at in three weeks. The have the Browns at home, the Packers at home and then visit the Bucs. If they come away 3-1 through that, expect them in the playoffs.
We did find out in week seven what I said after week two. The only team that can beat La Machine is themselves. I'm sure that one stung. They get a bye this week to rediscover their ways. I just wouldn't want to be the Panthers in week nine. The Panthers beat them twice last year, and they're not happy right now.
A look around...
Cybil, Hanibal Lector, Dan Fouts and...
These are a few things I think about when thinking of the Vikings right now. First, they have more personalities than Cybil. They're great, they're good, they're bad, they stink, and several in between. Then there's Cris Carter, who continually tries to chew his teammates faces off when they're playing bad. He's a big part of the problem this year, and I'm sure the team is ready for him to "go away". Then, there's Daunte Culpepper, who does not deserve the abuse he gets during games from his immature superstar receivers. Culpepper broke his nose in the first quarter, but played the whole game. I haven't seen that since Dan Fouts did it. Fouts threw for a ton of yards and won the game, though. Still, you have to hand it to Culpepper for playing with his nose obstructing one of his eyes.
Jake The Flake
I really believed the Cardinals were playing pretty good ball, and moving in the right direction. Maybe their compass is broken. It's amazing how much a quarterback's play determines a game. I was trying to think of where Plummer fits in with the world of starting quarterbacks, but it hit me quickly. I watched Tom Brady struggle in the fourth quarter of the Pats-Broncos game, and thought I would still rather have him playing for my team than Plummer. I'm sure the Cardinals would too.
Dualing Banjos
The match-up between Rob Johnson and Doug Flutie lived up to its billing. Johnson was the better performer overall, but it was Flutie who won, and better yet, rubbed it in their faces with a gutty TD run will less than two minutes left. Johnson came back and put the Bills in field goal position, but you can imagine his feeling when the kick was blocked. As this unfolded I couldn't help but think that's the story of Johnson's life.
Being Shaun Alexander
This is something you wouldn't want to be around. While Matt Hasselback played pretty well before dropping off, and the crowd began chanting "Dilfer, Dilfer..." Alexander had his worst day as a starter. Okay, it wasn't terrible, but he lost two fumbles, and one thing Mike Holmgren cannot stand is a back losing a fumble. It's a little funny that in this case Holmgren can't bench his starter. Normally he would, but he has no luxury of another back in this mold. So instead, he'll probably scream at him a lot, and force him through fumbling drills. Believe me, it will be bad enough that if someone offers you a chance to go through some portal in an office building to be Alexander, don't do it.
The Non-Fear Factor
After all the talk earlier in the season about their much ballyhooed unit, it's possible that many offenses no longer fear the Ravens defense. Mark Brunell lit up the unit for well over 300-yards, and did so with a line consisting of pads and duct tape. One of the problems is the Ravens need to swallow their pride and try to add another running back through the free agent market. While Jason Brookins did an admirable job, he's the only back they will be able to count on as the season hits the stretch run. This leaves the D on the field, and with the declined play it's only a matter of time before the opposing offense breaks through.
ZZZzzzzzzzzzz
Gee, I'm sure sorry I missed that Jets-Panthers nail biter. Nary an offensive TD all day. While we all know the Panthers are just not good, what is with the Jets? You want a match-up of indescribable unpredictability? It's too bad the Vikings and Jets don't square off this year.
My Picks Last Week
I give up. You have a weird season, and start going with underdogs just because they've been winning a ton of games, and then more favorites win...well, this is what you get. I'm open to posting any readers picks on a weekly basis. Just email them to me early in the week...any week. I'll post them right here with mine. That should give the opportunity to get some right. If I look bad...well, I can't look much worse.
MIKE LIKES
Week Seven (Bye: Cincinnati, Minnesota, St. Louis):
Jacksonville at Tennessee (No line)
At first glance, you would think the Titans should be able to handle this one, but that was first thought for the Jags last week against the Ravens. Either way, the Titans are still fighting and are still tough at home.
Pick: Titans
Baltimore at Pittsburgh (No line)
This should be a good game. The Steelers run, and the Ravens are still solid at stopping it. Kordell Stewart will need to play on his game. The Ravens should hold it close, but you still have to like the bread and butter Steelers
Pick: Steelers
Miami (-9) at Carolina
There's really no reason to believe this will be a game. Rookie Weinke could have a lot of trouble against this speedy group. The Panthers could play well defensively and keep it from getting too far.
Pick: Dolphins
Dallas at NY Giants (-11)
This is a scary game for the Giants. They should have handled the Redskins, but had their butts handed to them. Now, they get another team they should beat, but may not. I don't think the Giants will stay down.
Pick: Giants
New England at Atlanta (-3)
Plain and simple, the Patriots can win this game. The Falcons have blown three, but can still play with about anyone. I like this game to be close, and believe Tom Brady will bounce back. The Falcons will play well, and really should win, but will they?
Pick: Patriots
Tampa Bay at Green Bay (No line)
It's not cold in Green Bay yet, so the Bucs cannot be discounted. The Packers are coming fresh off their bye, and lost a bad game against the Bucs in Tampa. Even without the cold, the Bucs will have trouble. I guess we get to figure out if Brett Favre's elbow is really okay now.
Pick: Packers
Cleveland at Chicago (-5)
This is another winable game for the Bears, but the Browns will not go softly into that goodnight. Look for this to be relatively low scoring, and close through the game. The only thing that would allow it to get out of hand one way or another is mistakes by one of the teams. You still have to like the home field.
Pick: Bears
Detroit at San Francisco (-9)
Something tells me that the Lions will give the Niners all they can handle. Then again, look how poorly I've done this year. The 49ers should be able to keep this one in their pocket on all sides of the ball. I just think it will be close for at least three quarters.
Pick: 49ers
Philadelphia (-7) at Arizona
The Eagles are not too happy about how they played against the Raiders, and not too happy about how they faired against the Cardinals earlier. Look for them to jump all over the Cards.
Pick: Eagles
Seattle (-2) at Washington
As scary as it is, the Redskins are on a roll. They are simply playing better. The problem is, they are porous against the run, and the Seahawks should be able to exploit that. I have to go player for player, and the Hawks have a couple more.
Pick: Seahawks
Indianapolis at Buffalo (No line)
The Colts are still not playing real well overall, and the Bills are playing much better. This should be a high scoring affair. If Edgerrin James does not play, the Bills should have an advantage. However, if he does, he could be limited. I'll go on a limb.
Pick: Bills
Kansas City at San Diego (-7)
The Chiefs could stick around in this game, then drive down the field for a tieing or go-ahead score, and throw a pick. After all, that's what they've done the past two games. The Chargers will be too much for them.
Pick: Chargers
NY Jets at New Orleans (-6.5)
The Saints are riding high, and no one knows how the Jets will look. The Saints just won a game after being a ten point-plus underdog. History tells me they should lose outright on Sunday. The Jets aren't the team to do it, though.
Pick: Saints (but I'm hedging)
Denver at Oakland (-5.5)
This should be a good game. Even though the Broncos have fallen off, they always play the Raiders well. That's just the way it works. This is going to be a close game. I would rather take the Broncos because of their current record against the Raiders, but cannot do it.
Pick: Raiders
Moving on...
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THINGS I KNOW:
If Corey Dillon gets started against you early, it's going to be a long day.
The two best teams in the AFC Central are not who they should be.
This is not a good year to be a team in an eastern division...from any conference.
When Emmitt Smith heard his knee pop, his career flashed before his eyes.
Doug Flutie knows when to use his lucky charms.
THINGS I CAN PREDICT:
The Buccaneers will not score 41 points in their next TWO games.
The Chad Pennington era will begin in New York shortly after the season finale.
The NFC representative in the Super Bowl will not be from the East.
TE Cam Cleeland's ankle injury will be the best thing to happen to the Saints offense, even after he returns.
Danny Boy Snider will still fire Marty Schottenheimer after the season, and his search for a new coach will make the Bears search for a GM in the offseason seem like an overnight process. Only a lot of money will convince the next tainted coach, too.
Mike owns and publishes SkillPositions.Com, along with a big, expensive, and talented staff. Don't use this work without permission in writing. Mike has been known as the world's only living heart donor. He also thinks morals are paintings on walls, and scruples are money in Russia.
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