Hey Ma, no pushes this week!!
Looking Back at Last Week's Picks
Buccaneers (+5.5) over Vikings (CORRECT = 1-0)
Rams (+7) over Patriots (WRONG = 1-1)
Colts (+3.5) over Titans (CORRECT = 2-1) (UPSET)
Packers (-15.5) over Jaguars (WRONG = 2-2)
Chargers (-2.5) over Browns (WRONG = 2-3)
Eagles (-2.5) over Falcons (WRONG = 2-4)
Lions (-2.5) over Seahawks (CORRECT = 3-4)
Jets (-2.5) over Dolphins (WRONG = 3-5)
Bears (-7.5) over Panthers (WRONG = 3-6)
Steelers (-4.5) over Redskins (CORRECT = 4-6) (LOCK)
Raiders (+1) over Chiefs (CORRECT = 5-6)
Giants (-2) over Cowboys (CORRECT = 6-6)
Broncos (-6) over Saints (CORRECT = 7-6)
Cardinals (+7) over 49ers (WRONG = 7-7)
Week 8: 7-7 (LOCK: 1-0; UPSET: 1-0)
Year-to-Date: 65-50-3 (LOCK: 6-2; UPSET: 7-1)
Best Picks:
Power Rankings
32.) Kansas City Chiefs (1-6 = 120-209)
So, I guess that whole ridiculous QB controversy meant about nothing, huh? Matt Cassel is back and he looked, dare I say, decent. What was not was giving Jamaal Charles just 5 carries. Other than a weird 9-6 loss to Baltimore, the Chiefs have been absolutely dreadful at home so far this season. They haven't been much good on the road either. Of course... they beat the Saints in the Superdome.
31.) Jacksonville Jaguars (1-6 = 103-188)
I'll give them credit for a hard fight in a game that literally no one gave them a shot. I'll also give them credit from bouncing back from a blocked punt TD against them to continue to play well on defense, limiting Aaron Rodgers really well. Blaine Gabbert even played OK, but you saw his limitations on that last drive. I don't think he could run a drive any worse.
30.) Tennessee Titans (3-5 = 162-257)
That was a really, really bad loss. They had a chance to somehow get back to .500, and really get themselves in the playoff race, but they dropped a home game to a team that had been blowed out in their two road games prior. Matt Hasselbeck just can't sustain drives at a consistent rate anymore, and that defense cannot get enough pressure to cover a suspect back-7. Just not a good team.
29.) Carolina Panthers (1-6 = 128-167)
I'll give them credit for a hard fight, but that was another tough loss. Cam threw a bad pick to give up the lead (admittedly, Steve Smith slipped which made the pass look worse than it really was), but then had a nice drive to regain it. That was a perfect pass to Steve Smith that should've been a game winning TD. He'll get over-analyzed a ton the rest of the year, but Cam Newton is not the problem.
28.) Buffalo Bills (3-4 = 171-227)
A nice bye week might help people forget that the last time we saw the Bills they were blowing a late lead at home to the Tennessee Titans. I have nothing really to say about the Bills as a team. They aren't very good. Their overpriced defense is being run into the ground by Dave Wannstedt, who is living off what he did 20 years ago.
27.) Cleveland Browns (2-6 = 154-186)
I said three weeks ago that the Browns, much like the '10 Bills and '11 Dolphins, were better than a few other teams despite then being the last winless team. I'm not right too much, but I was there. The Browns stunned me with that win. Some of it has to do with pathetically believing in the Chargers, but that was an impressive defensive performance. I love Joe Haden as a player.
26.) Cincinnati Bengals (3-4 = 166-187)
What to say about a team that easily could've been 5-1 heading into that SNF showdown. Then, they start 14-3 up against the Steelers. After that, they did nothing, and now they get the Broncos. I like Marvin Lewis, and I feel like he'll keep his job because this is still a young team, but they might end up with a worse record than the Browns. Seriously.
25.) St. Louis Rams (3-5 = 137-186)
What happened to that defense? I realize they've had to play offenses QBed by Aaron Rodgers and Tom Brady the last two games, but they looked lost defensively. Cortland Finnegan did a decent job on Welker, but they seemed to have no plan for Gronk. Containing Gronkowski is hard, sure, but teams have done better on him this year. The Rams seemed like they didn't realize he was on the field.
24.) New York Jets (3-4 = 168-200)
I'm back to no longer liking the Jets. I actually feel that much like the Giants, they would play better on the road. Things just steamroll for the Jets at home. Having Mark Sanchez throw 54 times in never a path that leads to success. And to make it worse they had to go out and injure Ryan Tannehill. Way to go, Jets.
23.) New Orleans Saints (2-5 = 190-216)
Another sullen loss, but the worst part was the Saints offense being totally flustered by the Broncos pass rush and coverage. That was one of the worst games for the Saints offense in the Brees era. Until garbage time, Brees was completing less than 50% of his passes for under 200 yards. Nothing worked. Just an awful performance in Game 1 of the new-Interim Head Coach.
22.) San Diego Chargers (3-4 = 154-144)
6 points? SIX POINTS??? Weirdest part, I don't even think it is Rivers fault, and in some ways, it isn't even Norv's fault. It is AJ Smith's fault. The once "Most Talented Team in the NFL" has been gutted.
21.) Oakland Raiders (3-4 = 139-187)
If the Raiders didn't lose a long-snapper in Week 1, or had finished off the Falcons two weeks ago, this is a 5-2 team. Anyway, they aren't, but they are in the playoff mix. They have a head-to-head win over a Wild Card competitor in Pittsburgh, and still have one more against KC and San Diego. They have a shot.
20.) Philadelphia Eagles (3-4 = 120-155)
Apparently, the Nick Foles era is beginning. Though I think this is an overreaction, this makes more sense than firing Juan Castillo after the defense had been playing decent. The defense looked awful against Atlanta, just awful. Their pass rush has completely disappeared. Their are major problems in Philadelphia, and I think the Reid era is ending this offseason.
19.) Washington Redskins (3-5 = 213-227)
RGIII played the most complex defense he had seen, and he looked like a rookie. The Steelers shut down that running game, and the Redskins finally had to come to terms with the fact that their pistol-heavy offense wasn't going to always work. Still, they are the best team that is two or more games under .500.
18.) Indianapolis Colts (4-3 = 136-171)
RGIII might have the pretty stats, but while the Redskins are two games under .500, the Andrew Luck led Colts are a game over. Can this team actually make the playoffs? Yes, in a weak AFC, they can. Their defense is playing a lot better in that 3-4 now, and the run game has looked good three of the last four games. Reggie Wayne is still playing, and that is huge as well.
17.) Dallas Cowboys (3-4 = 137-162)
Tough loss. I'll give them credit for making that comeback. That certainly wasn't easy, and they could have easily given up down 23-0 to the Giants. Jason Witten played a hell of a game. That all said, the fact that they were down 23-0 says a lot. They were unprepared. Romo was careless. Dez was Dez in a bad way. I don't know what the true Cowboys are, but I do know that they are 3-4.
16.) Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-4 = 184-153)
I guess I'll get off my high horse and actually give the Buccaneers some credit. Greg Schiano's group has really shored up their run defense (although it wasn't great against Minnesota), and that passing game is quite dynamic. This has been a good bounce back year from Josh Freeman, and double so from Mike Williams who basically disappeared last season.
15.) Miami Dolphins (4-3 = 150-126)
I don't think the dropoff to Matt Moore will be too much, as Moore has proven capable in limited starts. Their defense has continued to perform near their level from 2011, and their offense continues to put up yards despite having no true weapons at WR. Reggie Bush is their most important offensive player after Jake Long; he's really had a nice second career in Miami.
14.) Minnesota Vikings (5-3 = 184-167)
That was a bad loss, and with two losses in the last three games, it might be time to start to wonder if this team was the 2012 version of the 2011 Bills, a team with a quick start that fell back to reality. The NFC Wild-Card picture doesn't have too many teams in it, but their schedule gets really tough in the coming weeks. They need to tread water over the next 6 games. Beating the Packers once would really help their chances.
13.) Arizona Cardinals (4-4 = 127-142)
OK, maybe they aren't any good, but they played an angry, good team last night. That was a brilliant performance by Alex Smith, but the Cardinals defense looked a step slow. They got pressure, but their coverage has fallen off from their early-season success.
12.) Detroit Lions (3-4 = 161-174)
They've blown chances in previous games, losing to the Titans and Vikings because of 5 return TDs, but it was good to see the Lions play well in a close game against a really good defense. That was a big game for Stafford who played well even though Calvin was controlled most of the night. The Lions are still in the race as well, and would do well to beat the Packers once.
11.) Seattle Seahawks (4-4 = 140-134)
Tough loss for the Seahawks, who can't afford to drop too many winnable games. For the first time in a Seahawks loss, Russell Wilson wasn't the problem, as he continues to improve in his consistency throw to throw. He is also developing better chemistry with Sidney Rice. The defense played well, but they weren't able to hold down the Lions secondary weapons, which was surprising.
10.) Pittsburgh Steelers (4-3 = 167-144)
The Steelers are alive. Their defense still isn't rushing the passer nearly as well as they used to, and I don't trust them to shut down a top offense, but with their own offense, they might not need to. The Steelers offense is still playing really well behind Roethlisberger who is quietly having a great year even with an up-and-down Mike Wallace.
9.) Green Bay Packers (5-3 = 208-170)
Really? Needing a lucky awful DPI just to ice the Jaguars. Really? The Packers offense looked much like the offense from Weeks 1-5 in that game, limited to short throw after short throw. The worst part is the Jaguars defense really isn't all that good, but they did really well against the Packers offense. The Packers defense did play well, however, but the loss of Charles Woodson looked like it had an impact.
8.) Baltimore Ravens (5-2 = 174-161)
After a week off, I'm going back on what I said a week ago. Some of this has to do with great perfomances by the Patriots and Broncos, but the Ravens are in a tough space. That division, seemingly theirs a couple weeks ago, is really up in the air with both Ravens vs. Steelers matchups yet to come.
7.) New England Patriots (4-3 = 262-170)
The Pats do this every year, even when they aren't great. In 2009, they went to London and drilled the Bucs 35-7, and that was a week after beating the Fisher-led Titans 59-0. That team couldn't close out close games and lost on the road a lot. There are some similarities. Anyway, I hate Gronk. I think he's a punk. That said, that first TD celebration was quite good.
6.) San Francisco 49ers (6-2 = 189-103)
Hello, San Fran. This is probably too low, but I have a hard time ranking these top six. The 49ers o-line didn't look very good, but Alex Smith looked incredible. Good to see Randy Moss doing something again, and good to see that pass rush showing up, but it would be better if they did so against a team that doesn't have the worst o-line in the NFL in decades.
5.) Denver Broncos (4-3 = 204-152)
Forget the offense. Manning played great, but everyone does against the Saints. Anyway, as for the Broncos, how about that defense, limiting the Saints offense to less than 5 yards per play, limiting Brees to barely over 50% completing, forcing Brees into tons of low-percentage throws. Just a great job by a defense that has played mostly well this season. This team is going on a run.
4.) New York Giants (6-2 = 234-161)
That barely feels like a win for them, but they beat the Cowboys again in Dallas, putting some distance between themselves and the rest of the NFC East. For the 3rd straight year, and fifth time in six years, the Giants have started 6-2 (7-1 in 2008). Now, last year they immediately lost their next four, but me thinks it will be different this time,
3.) Chicago Bears (6-1 = 185-100)
Good teams win games where they don't play well. The Bears did that. They came back with a fury late to steal that game, and that was, in reality, a good thing. They got their scare. They might have overlooked the Panthers. Who knows. But that was a good win and the defense is still playing out of its mind.
2.) Atlanta Falcons (7-0 = 201-130)
I still don't think they are nearly as good as the last three teams to reach 7-0 ('11 Packers and '09 Colts & Saints), but they are a very good team that at their best is great. The strangest part of the Falcons 7-0 start is how great they have been on the road, compared to mostly pedestrian performances in the Dome. That is a great sign for a team that usually struggles outside of Atlanta.
1.) Houston Texans (6-1 = 216-128)
Hopefully they rested up during their bye. They get a nice game next week with the Bills before a showdown on SNF in two weeks with the Bears. It could be a 7-1 vs. 7-1 matchup. That should be a great game. Anyway, as I said, hopefully Andre Johnson rested up. They'll need him the rest of the season. I should mention, at least consider switching full time to the Red Jerseys.
Rankings this Upcoming Week's Games
No time to really go through these. A pretty bad week anyway.
14.) Buffalo Bills (3-4) @ Houston Texans (6-1) (1:00 - CBS)
13.) Detroit Lions (3-4) @ Jacksonville Jaguars (1-6) (1:00 - FOX)
12.) Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-4) @ Oakland Raiders (3-4) (4:05 - FOX)
11.) Chicago Bears (6-1) @ Tennessee Titans (3-5) (1:00 - FOX)
10.) Kansas City Chiefs (1-6) @ San Diego Chargers (3-4) (TNF - NFLN)
9.) Baltimore Ravens (5-2) @ Cleveland Browns (2-6) (1:00 - CBS)
8.) Denver Broncos (4-3) @ Cincinnati Bengals (3-4) (1:00 - CBS)
7.) Carolina Panthers (1-6) @ Washington Redskins (3-5) (1:00 - FOX)
6.) Minnesota Vikings (5-3) @ Seattle Seahawks (4-4) (4:05 - FOX)
5.) Arizona Cardinals (X-X) @ Green Bay Packers (5-3) (1:00 - FOX)
4.) Philadelphia Eagles (3-4) @ New Orleans Saints (2-5) (MNF - ESPN)
3.) Dallas Cowboys (3-4) @ Atlanta Falcons (7-0) (SNF - NBC)
2.) Miami Dolphins (4-3) @ Indianapolis Colts (4-3) (1:00 - CBS)
1.) Pittsburgh Steelers (4-3) @ New York Giants (6-2) (4:25 - CBS)
Postseason Projections
AFC
1.) Houston Texans (13-3)
2.) Denver Broncos (12-4)
3.) Baltimore Ravens (11-5)
4.) New England Patriots (11-5)
5.) Pittsburgh Steelers (10-6)
6.) Indianapolis Colts (9-7)
NFC
1.) Atlanta Falcons (14-2)
2.) Chicago Bears (13-3)
3.) XXX
4.) XXX
5.) Green Bay Packers (10-6)
6.) Seattle Seahawks (9-7)
Looking Back at Last Week's Picks
Buccaneers (+5.5) over Vikings (CORRECT = 1-0)
Rams (+7) over Patriots (WRONG = 1-1)
Colts (+3.5) over Titans (CORRECT = 2-1) (UPSET)
Packers (-15.5) over Jaguars (WRONG = 2-2)
Chargers (-2.5) over Browns (WRONG = 2-3)
Eagles (-2.5) over Falcons (WRONG = 2-4)
Lions (-2.5) over Seahawks (CORRECT = 3-4)
Jets (-2.5) over Dolphins (WRONG = 3-5)
Bears (-7.5) over Panthers (WRONG = 3-6)
Steelers (-4.5) over Redskins (CORRECT = 4-6) (LOCK)
Raiders (+1) over Chiefs (CORRECT = 5-6)
Giants (-2) over Cowboys (CORRECT = 6-6)
Broncos (-6) over Saints (CORRECT = 7-6)
Cardinals (+7) over 49ers (WRONG = 7-7)
Week 8: 7-7 (LOCK: 1-0; UPSET: 1-0)
Year-to-Date: 65-50-3 (LOCK: 6-2; UPSET: 7-1)
Best Picks:
Power Rankings
32.) Kansas City Chiefs (1-6 = 120-209)
So, I guess that whole ridiculous QB controversy meant about nothing, huh? Matt Cassel is back and he looked, dare I say, decent. What was not was giving Jamaal Charles just 5 carries. Other than a weird 9-6 loss to Baltimore, the Chiefs have been absolutely dreadful at home so far this season. They haven't been much good on the road either. Of course... they beat the Saints in the Superdome.
31.) Jacksonville Jaguars (1-6 = 103-188)
I'll give them credit for a hard fight in a game that literally no one gave them a shot. I'll also give them credit from bouncing back from a blocked punt TD against them to continue to play well on defense, limiting Aaron Rodgers really well. Blaine Gabbert even played OK, but you saw his limitations on that last drive. I don't think he could run a drive any worse.
30.) Tennessee Titans (3-5 = 162-257)
That was a really, really bad loss. They had a chance to somehow get back to .500, and really get themselves in the playoff race, but they dropped a home game to a team that had been blowed out in their two road games prior. Matt Hasselbeck just can't sustain drives at a consistent rate anymore, and that defense cannot get enough pressure to cover a suspect back-7. Just not a good team.
29.) Carolina Panthers (1-6 = 128-167)
I'll give them credit for a hard fight, but that was another tough loss. Cam threw a bad pick to give up the lead (admittedly, Steve Smith slipped which made the pass look worse than it really was), but then had a nice drive to regain it. That was a perfect pass to Steve Smith that should've been a game winning TD. He'll get over-analyzed a ton the rest of the year, but Cam Newton is not the problem.
28.) Buffalo Bills (3-4 = 171-227)
A nice bye week might help people forget that the last time we saw the Bills they were blowing a late lead at home to the Tennessee Titans. I have nothing really to say about the Bills as a team. They aren't very good. Their overpriced defense is being run into the ground by Dave Wannstedt, who is living off what he did 20 years ago.
27.) Cleveland Browns (2-6 = 154-186)
I said three weeks ago that the Browns, much like the '10 Bills and '11 Dolphins, were better than a few other teams despite then being the last winless team. I'm not right too much, but I was there. The Browns stunned me with that win. Some of it has to do with pathetically believing in the Chargers, but that was an impressive defensive performance. I love Joe Haden as a player.
26.) Cincinnati Bengals (3-4 = 166-187)
What to say about a team that easily could've been 5-1 heading into that SNF showdown. Then, they start 14-3 up against the Steelers. After that, they did nothing, and now they get the Broncos. I like Marvin Lewis, and I feel like he'll keep his job because this is still a young team, but they might end up with a worse record than the Browns. Seriously.
25.) St. Louis Rams (3-5 = 137-186)
What happened to that defense? I realize they've had to play offenses QBed by Aaron Rodgers and Tom Brady the last two games, but they looked lost defensively. Cortland Finnegan did a decent job on Welker, but they seemed to have no plan for Gronk. Containing Gronkowski is hard, sure, but teams have done better on him this year. The Rams seemed like they didn't realize he was on the field.
24.) New York Jets (3-4 = 168-200)
I'm back to no longer liking the Jets. I actually feel that much like the Giants, they would play better on the road. Things just steamroll for the Jets at home. Having Mark Sanchez throw 54 times in never a path that leads to success. And to make it worse they had to go out and injure Ryan Tannehill. Way to go, Jets.
23.) New Orleans Saints (2-5 = 190-216)
Another sullen loss, but the worst part was the Saints offense being totally flustered by the Broncos pass rush and coverage. That was one of the worst games for the Saints offense in the Brees era. Until garbage time, Brees was completing less than 50% of his passes for under 200 yards. Nothing worked. Just an awful performance in Game 1 of the new-Interim Head Coach.
22.) San Diego Chargers (3-4 = 154-144)
6 points? SIX POINTS??? Weirdest part, I don't even think it is Rivers fault, and in some ways, it isn't even Norv's fault. It is AJ Smith's fault. The once "Most Talented Team in the NFL" has been gutted.
21.) Oakland Raiders (3-4 = 139-187)
If the Raiders didn't lose a long-snapper in Week 1, or had finished off the Falcons two weeks ago, this is a 5-2 team. Anyway, they aren't, but they are in the playoff mix. They have a head-to-head win over a Wild Card competitor in Pittsburgh, and still have one more against KC and San Diego. They have a shot.
20.) Philadelphia Eagles (3-4 = 120-155)
Apparently, the Nick Foles era is beginning. Though I think this is an overreaction, this makes more sense than firing Juan Castillo after the defense had been playing decent. The defense looked awful against Atlanta, just awful. Their pass rush has completely disappeared. Their are major problems in Philadelphia, and I think the Reid era is ending this offseason.
19.) Washington Redskins (3-5 = 213-227)
RGIII played the most complex defense he had seen, and he looked like a rookie. The Steelers shut down that running game, and the Redskins finally had to come to terms with the fact that their pistol-heavy offense wasn't going to always work. Still, they are the best team that is two or more games under .500.
18.) Indianapolis Colts (4-3 = 136-171)
RGIII might have the pretty stats, but while the Redskins are two games under .500, the Andrew Luck led Colts are a game over. Can this team actually make the playoffs? Yes, in a weak AFC, they can. Their defense is playing a lot better in that 3-4 now, and the run game has looked good three of the last four games. Reggie Wayne is still playing, and that is huge as well.
17.) Dallas Cowboys (3-4 = 137-162)
Tough loss. I'll give them credit for making that comeback. That certainly wasn't easy, and they could have easily given up down 23-0 to the Giants. Jason Witten played a hell of a game. That all said, the fact that they were down 23-0 says a lot. They were unprepared. Romo was careless. Dez was Dez in a bad way. I don't know what the true Cowboys are, but I do know that they are 3-4.
16.) Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-4 = 184-153)
I guess I'll get off my high horse and actually give the Buccaneers some credit. Greg Schiano's group has really shored up their run defense (although it wasn't great against Minnesota), and that passing game is quite dynamic. This has been a good bounce back year from Josh Freeman, and double so from Mike Williams who basically disappeared last season.
15.) Miami Dolphins (4-3 = 150-126)
I don't think the dropoff to Matt Moore will be too much, as Moore has proven capable in limited starts. Their defense has continued to perform near their level from 2011, and their offense continues to put up yards despite having no true weapons at WR. Reggie Bush is their most important offensive player after Jake Long; he's really had a nice second career in Miami.
14.) Minnesota Vikings (5-3 = 184-167)
That was a bad loss, and with two losses in the last three games, it might be time to start to wonder if this team was the 2012 version of the 2011 Bills, a team with a quick start that fell back to reality. The NFC Wild-Card picture doesn't have too many teams in it, but their schedule gets really tough in the coming weeks. They need to tread water over the next 6 games. Beating the Packers once would really help their chances.
13.) Arizona Cardinals (4-4 = 127-142)
OK, maybe they aren't any good, but they played an angry, good team last night. That was a brilliant performance by Alex Smith, but the Cardinals defense looked a step slow. They got pressure, but their coverage has fallen off from their early-season success.
12.) Detroit Lions (3-4 = 161-174)
They've blown chances in previous games, losing to the Titans and Vikings because of 5 return TDs, but it was good to see the Lions play well in a close game against a really good defense. That was a big game for Stafford who played well even though Calvin was controlled most of the night. The Lions are still in the race as well, and would do well to beat the Packers once.
11.) Seattle Seahawks (4-4 = 140-134)
Tough loss for the Seahawks, who can't afford to drop too many winnable games. For the first time in a Seahawks loss, Russell Wilson wasn't the problem, as he continues to improve in his consistency throw to throw. He is also developing better chemistry with Sidney Rice. The defense played well, but they weren't able to hold down the Lions secondary weapons, which was surprising.
10.) Pittsburgh Steelers (4-3 = 167-144)
The Steelers are alive. Their defense still isn't rushing the passer nearly as well as they used to, and I don't trust them to shut down a top offense, but with their own offense, they might not need to. The Steelers offense is still playing really well behind Roethlisberger who is quietly having a great year even with an up-and-down Mike Wallace.
9.) Green Bay Packers (5-3 = 208-170)
Really? Needing a lucky awful DPI just to ice the Jaguars. Really? The Packers offense looked much like the offense from Weeks 1-5 in that game, limited to short throw after short throw. The worst part is the Jaguars defense really isn't all that good, but they did really well against the Packers offense. The Packers defense did play well, however, but the loss of Charles Woodson looked like it had an impact.
8.) Baltimore Ravens (5-2 = 174-161)
After a week off, I'm going back on what I said a week ago. Some of this has to do with great perfomances by the Patriots and Broncos, but the Ravens are in a tough space. That division, seemingly theirs a couple weeks ago, is really up in the air with both Ravens vs. Steelers matchups yet to come.
7.) New England Patriots (4-3 = 262-170)
The Pats do this every year, even when they aren't great. In 2009, they went to London and drilled the Bucs 35-7, and that was a week after beating the Fisher-led Titans 59-0. That team couldn't close out close games and lost on the road a lot. There are some similarities. Anyway, I hate Gronk. I think he's a punk. That said, that first TD celebration was quite good.
6.) San Francisco 49ers (6-2 = 189-103)
Hello, San Fran. This is probably too low, but I have a hard time ranking these top six. The 49ers o-line didn't look very good, but Alex Smith looked incredible. Good to see Randy Moss doing something again, and good to see that pass rush showing up, but it would be better if they did so against a team that doesn't have the worst o-line in the NFL in decades.
5.) Denver Broncos (4-3 = 204-152)
Forget the offense. Manning played great, but everyone does against the Saints. Anyway, as for the Broncos, how about that defense, limiting the Saints offense to less than 5 yards per play, limiting Brees to barely over 50% completing, forcing Brees into tons of low-percentage throws. Just a great job by a defense that has played mostly well this season. This team is going on a run.
4.) New York Giants (6-2 = 234-161)
That barely feels like a win for them, but they beat the Cowboys again in Dallas, putting some distance between themselves and the rest of the NFC East. For the 3rd straight year, and fifth time in six years, the Giants have started 6-2 (7-1 in 2008). Now, last year they immediately lost their next four, but me thinks it will be different this time,
3.) Chicago Bears (6-1 = 185-100)
Good teams win games where they don't play well. The Bears did that. They came back with a fury late to steal that game, and that was, in reality, a good thing. They got their scare. They might have overlooked the Panthers. Who knows. But that was a good win and the defense is still playing out of its mind.
2.) Atlanta Falcons (7-0 = 201-130)
I still don't think they are nearly as good as the last three teams to reach 7-0 ('11 Packers and '09 Colts & Saints), but they are a very good team that at their best is great. The strangest part of the Falcons 7-0 start is how great they have been on the road, compared to mostly pedestrian performances in the Dome. That is a great sign for a team that usually struggles outside of Atlanta.
1.) Houston Texans (6-1 = 216-128)
Hopefully they rested up during their bye. They get a nice game next week with the Bills before a showdown on SNF in two weeks with the Bears. It could be a 7-1 vs. 7-1 matchup. That should be a great game. Anyway, as I said, hopefully Andre Johnson rested up. They'll need him the rest of the season. I should mention, at least consider switching full time to the Red Jerseys.
Rankings this Upcoming Week's Games
No time to really go through these. A pretty bad week anyway.
14.) Buffalo Bills (3-4) @ Houston Texans (6-1) (1:00 - CBS)
13.) Detroit Lions (3-4) @ Jacksonville Jaguars (1-6) (1:00 - FOX)
12.) Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-4) @ Oakland Raiders (3-4) (4:05 - FOX)
11.) Chicago Bears (6-1) @ Tennessee Titans (3-5) (1:00 - FOX)
10.) Kansas City Chiefs (1-6) @ San Diego Chargers (3-4) (TNF - NFLN)
9.) Baltimore Ravens (5-2) @ Cleveland Browns (2-6) (1:00 - CBS)
8.) Denver Broncos (4-3) @ Cincinnati Bengals (3-4) (1:00 - CBS)
7.) Carolina Panthers (1-6) @ Washington Redskins (3-5) (1:00 - FOX)
6.) Minnesota Vikings (5-3) @ Seattle Seahawks (4-4) (4:05 - FOX)
5.) Arizona Cardinals (X-X) @ Green Bay Packers (5-3) (1:00 - FOX)
4.) Philadelphia Eagles (3-4) @ New Orleans Saints (2-5) (MNF - ESPN)
3.) Dallas Cowboys (3-4) @ Atlanta Falcons (7-0) (SNF - NBC)
2.) Miami Dolphins (4-3) @ Indianapolis Colts (4-3) (1:00 - CBS)
1.) Pittsburgh Steelers (4-3) @ New York Giants (6-2) (4:25 - CBS)
Postseason Projections
AFC
1.) Houston Texans (13-3)
2.) Denver Broncos (12-4)
3.) Baltimore Ravens (11-5)
4.) New England Patriots (11-5)
5.) Pittsburgh Steelers (10-6)
6.) Indianapolis Colts (9-7)
NFC
1.) Atlanta Falcons (14-2)
2.) Chicago Bears (13-3)
3.) XXX
4.) XXX
5.) Green Bay Packers (10-6)
6.) Seattle Seahawks (9-7)
