Week 7: Game Previews

By Brett | Permalink | 1 comment | October 20th, 2006 | Trackback

Detroit vs. NYJ
Why does this thoroughly unintriguing game get first billing? Because we like the picture, and because it has major fantasy implications for us this weekend, when we have several regular starters out on byes. We’re looking for this one to be a high scoring affair. We like the Lions in this one. But only because Peter King is picking the Jets.

Carolina vs. Cincinnati
Two teams going in very opposite directions. Cincy’s O line is a mess, Chad Johnson has dropped off the planet, and their defense looks average at best. The Panthers, on the other hand, look like the Super Bowl contender that everyone thought they’d be. Amazaing what getting the best WR in the NFL back in the line up will do for an offense. We’re Carolina here.

Green Bay vs. Miami
We have a hard time getting real excited about a game between two of the worst teams in the league. We’re making the red/black, high/low even call here — this one ends in a 0-0 tie.

Jacksonville vs. Houston
Looks like Byron Leftwich may have to sit this one out. Won’t matter. We’re continually amazed at how bad Houston is defensively, year in and year out. Jags take this one.

New England vs. Buffalo
Bill Belichik had two weeks to prepare for this one, and the Bills have looked horrendous the last two weeks. Looks for the Pats passing game to pick it up a little bit this week, and look for JP Losman to be thoroughly confused by the Pats defense. Pats win this one big.

Philadelphia vs. Tampa Bay
The Bucs are starting to play with a little bit of confidence. They’ve lost a couple close games this year to good teams (Carolina and New Orleans), and aren’t as bad as their record would indicate. Still, we’re taking the Eagles in this one. They’re just the better team.

Pittsburgh vs. Atlanta
Mike Vick will never be a great QB as long as Greg Knapp is calling the plays in Atlanta. It’s not that we think Knapp is a bad OC. His offense is just a horrible fit for Vick — it’s the worst case of square peg/round hole in the NFL. Steelers look like they’re starting to get their act together, one week after we refered to them as ‘irrelevant.’ We like the Steelers to rough up Vick and the Falcons this weekend.

San Diego vs. Kansas City
All week long we’ve been reading how Larry Johnson should get back on track against the Chargers, who he’s traditionally performed well against, and how Philip Rivers won’t be able to handle the crowd noise in KC. Through six weeks this season, two things are abundantly clear to us: Philip Rivers is one of the best young QBs in the NFL, and the Chiefs offense is in serious trouble. Somehow, we can’t see LJ lighting up the Chargers tough front seven. We also can’t see Philip Rivers playing poorly, just because Arrowhead is a nosiy stadium. We’re taking San Diego in this one.

Denver vs. Cleveland
For all the hype the Bears defense has been getting this season, it’s the Broncos who actually boast the best defense in the NFL. We’re not sure exactly how they’re doing, but teams just don’t score against them. We don’t think Cleveland is going to be the first team to light them up. Denver should win this one in a walk.

Arizona vs. Oakland
The Cards defense was beyond impressive in shutting down Chicago’s offense on Monday night. Not only did they generate 6 turnovers, they got consistent pressure on Rex Grossman, tackled very well, and delivered some monster hits to Chicago’s receivers. What really impressed us, though, was the overall speed of their defense. Their DBs and linebackers have incredible closing speed. Something tells us they’re going to come out fired up on Sunday. Look for Matt Leinart to get his first win this weekend.

Minnesota vs. Seattle
Somehow, these two traditionally candyass franchises have become two of the most physical teams in the NFL. If Shaun Alexander were playing, we’d take the Hawks. Without him, we don’t they’ll be able to move the ball much against a tough Minnesota defense. We’re taking the Vikes.

Indianapolis vs. Washington
Will be interesting to see how much Booger McFarland can help shore up Indy’s leaky run defense. We’re not really sure. We just know that we wish more people in this world were named Booger. Washington’s a freaking mess right now, and has no business winning this game — which means they probably will. We’re taking the Skins in the upset.

NYG vs. Dallas
For Bob’s sake, we’ll say only this: We hope neither team wins this game, and that Manning, Shockey, Barber, Owens, Glenn, and Bledsoe all suffer season ending injuries.

Home » NFL News, Game Previews