Week 9
Arizona at Miami - Well, it's official. With the return of Anquan, the Cardinals aerial assault is where Dennis Green wanted it. Unfortunately, he still has a running back who is 2 games from collecting Social Security. Miami was not only outplayed but outclassed by the Jets on MNF. If Miami keeps this style of play up, they should seriously consider changing the name of their stadium from Pro Player Stadium.
Philadelphia at Pittsburgh - Congrats to the Steelers for knocking off the Patriots last week. Without Dillon, the Steelers held the Pats to 5 yards rushing. Philly seemed to struggle with the Ravens last week, winning 15-10. They should be back on track this week against this Steelers D. Duce is listed as probable, but we all know he wouldn't miss this chance to compete against his former team.
Kansas City at Tampa Bay - The Chiefs shocked the Colts last week. Is Dungy's defense really that bad? Green threw for nearly 400 yards with 3 TDs and Priest had 3 rushing TDs. Vermeil knows how to control the ball. Now if he only knew how to control his emotions he would be a lot better off. Griese has the Bucs playing a lot better, but they won't be able to stop Priest from scoring another 3 TDs this week.
Oakland at Carolina - The Panthers didn't look too bad last week in another losing effort to Seattle. The Panthers running game is depleted. RB Davis is trying to make a comeback this week. They need him desperately. Hoover and Goings are not going to get it done for you. With Carolina at 1-6, this is Kerry Collins time to have a big game.
NY Jets at Buffalo - With RB McGahee starting, this is an entirely new team. They are starting to focus on the run, since they can't count on Dreadsoe to throw the ball anymore. Dreadsoe ended up with 81 passing yards last week against the Cards. The Cards?!!? Didn't know they had a monster defense. The Jets seem to be the truth this year. RBs Martin and Jordan both ended up with 115 yards and 1 TD a piece. I doubt if they run like that on Buffalo, but with Chad as QB, the Bills have to worry about more than just stuffing the box.
Dallas at Cincinnati - UPSET OF THE WEEK! With the loss of Terry Glenn for the season, Vinny has lost one of his favorite targets. Having to depend on KeyShawn and newcomer Quincy Morgan, Vinny may have a little trouble adjusting. It seems like every other game Rudi breaks out. He's due this week after a 57-yard outing against the Titans last week.
Washington at Detroit - I'm guessing Lavar is auditioning for the next "Got Milk" commercial. He has been milking these injuries all year long. Just when you thought the Penn State pro player curse was over, we seem to have another. Brunell must think that all of his receivers are 11 feet tall. He has been overthrowing them every week. Smoot and Springs will have their work cut out for them against the Lions receivers. Tai Streets is unlikely to play, but you still have to be wary of Williams and Hakim.
New Orleans at San Diego - Are you kidding me? Brees actually threw 5 TDs with no picks against the Raiders last week. You have the addition of McCardell and emergence of Antonio Gates to attribute to the success of the Chargers. Tomlinson is still the man on the ground, but now Brees has become a deep threat against opposing defenses. The Saints are coming off of a bye week. Two weeks ago they barely got past the Raiders. I hope they made some corrections on their bye week.
Seattle at San Francisco - Whose bright idea was it to start Dorsey last week? Well, hopefully the Ratt will be back this week. The result may be the same, but at least it may be a better game to watch. Seattle needed last week's game against the Panthers to prevent a 4-game skid. Maybe Holmgren has made the necessary adjustments to get this team back to where it needs to be.
Chicago at NY Giants - Rookie QB Craig Krenzel came out and got a win in his first NFL start. Mind you, it was only against the Niners, but it was a key win. Even the A-Train is starting to improve. If Krenzel attacks the Giants' suspect secondary and A-Train runs like a beast, this is easily an upset over the Giants.
Houston at Denver - Basically, Houston just outplayed the Jags last week. Everything seemed to work in their favor. Houston's defense even scored a touchdown. Jake, Jake, Jake! Even with 500+ all-purpose yards and 4 TDs, Jake still couldn't walk away with a win over the Falcons. I guess it had something to do with the 3 picks, one of which was returned for a TD. Shanahan has to go back to the drawing board.
New England at St. Louis - Since the streak is over, who really cares about the Pats now? Just kidding! The Pats will bounce back from that spanking that the Steelers gave them last week. Even with Ty Law out this week, this Belichick defense will adjust. Bulger is known for making a lot of mistakes. He is still trying to air it out as if Bruce and Holt still have their 4.0 speed. They both have lost a step. And we won't even talk about Marshall.
Cleveland at Baltimore - GO BROWNS!! After a well deserved rest, the Browns are back in business. The first meeting of these two rivals ended in a 20-3 Browns victory. Kyle Boller only managed to score on the Philly's practice squad in the 4th quarter last week. Jail-Bird Jamal is coming back off of suspension. Fortunately, he will not be a factor. I've heard that it’s a little hard to run with that house arrest anklet on.
Minnesota at Indianapolis - Finally, there is something worth watching on MNF. What a difference a Moss makes! Without the threat of Moss, The Giants went to town on the Vikings, holding Culpepper to only 1 touchdown. The Colts defense has been exposed. They couldn't stop Green in the air or Priest on the ground last week. Indy needs to get back into rhythm. I just don't believe it will be this week.
GAME OF THE WEEK: Minnesota Vikings vs. Indianapolis Colts
Philadelphia at Pittsburgh - Congrats to the Steelers for knocking off the Patriots last week. Without Dillon, the Steelers held the Pats to 5 yards rushing. Philly seemed to struggle with the Ravens last week, winning 15-10. They should be back on track this week against this Steelers D. Duce is listed as probable, but we all know he wouldn't miss this chance to compete against his former team.
Kansas City at Tampa Bay - The Chiefs shocked the Colts last week. Is Dungy's defense really that bad? Green threw for nearly 400 yards with 3 TDs and Priest had 3 rushing TDs. Vermeil knows how to control the ball. Now if he only knew how to control his emotions he would be a lot better off. Griese has the Bucs playing a lot better, but they won't be able to stop Priest from scoring another 3 TDs this week.
Oakland at Carolina - The Panthers didn't look too bad last week in another losing effort to Seattle. The Panthers running game is depleted. RB Davis is trying to make a comeback this week. They need him desperately. Hoover and Goings are not going to get it done for you. With Carolina at 1-6, this is Kerry Collins time to have a big game.
NY Jets at Buffalo - With RB McGahee starting, this is an entirely new team. They are starting to focus on the run, since they can't count on Dreadsoe to throw the ball anymore. Dreadsoe ended up with 81 passing yards last week against the Cards. The Cards?!!? Didn't know they had a monster defense. The Jets seem to be the truth this year. RBs Martin and Jordan both ended up with 115 yards and 1 TD a piece. I doubt if they run like that on Buffalo, but with Chad as QB, the Bills have to worry about more than just stuffing the box.
Dallas at Cincinnati - UPSET OF THE WEEK! With the loss of Terry Glenn for the season, Vinny has lost one of his favorite targets. Having to depend on KeyShawn and newcomer Quincy Morgan, Vinny may have a little trouble adjusting. It seems like every other game Rudi breaks out. He's due this week after a 57-yard outing against the Titans last week.
Washington at Detroit - I'm guessing Lavar is auditioning for the next "Got Milk" commercial. He has been milking these injuries all year long. Just when you thought the Penn State pro player curse was over, we seem to have another. Brunell must think that all of his receivers are 11 feet tall. He has been overthrowing them every week. Smoot and Springs will have their work cut out for them against the Lions receivers. Tai Streets is unlikely to play, but you still have to be wary of Williams and Hakim.
New Orleans at San Diego - Are you kidding me? Brees actually threw 5 TDs with no picks against the Raiders last week. You have the addition of McCardell and emergence of Antonio Gates to attribute to the success of the Chargers. Tomlinson is still the man on the ground, but now Brees has become a deep threat against opposing defenses. The Saints are coming off of a bye week. Two weeks ago they barely got past the Raiders. I hope they made some corrections on their bye week.
Seattle at San Francisco - Whose bright idea was it to start Dorsey last week? Well, hopefully the Ratt will be back this week. The result may be the same, but at least it may be a better game to watch. Seattle needed last week's game against the Panthers to prevent a 4-game skid. Maybe Holmgren has made the necessary adjustments to get this team back to where it needs to be.
Chicago at NY Giants - Rookie QB Craig Krenzel came out and got a win in his first NFL start. Mind you, it was only against the Niners, but it was a key win. Even the A-Train is starting to improve. If Krenzel attacks the Giants' suspect secondary and A-Train runs like a beast, this is easily an upset over the Giants.
Houston at Denver - Basically, Houston just outplayed the Jags last week. Everything seemed to work in their favor. Houston's defense even scored a touchdown. Jake, Jake, Jake! Even with 500+ all-purpose yards and 4 TDs, Jake still couldn't walk away with a win over the Falcons. I guess it had something to do with the 3 picks, one of which was returned for a TD. Shanahan has to go back to the drawing board.
New England at St. Louis - Since the streak is over, who really cares about the Pats now? Just kidding! The Pats will bounce back from that spanking that the Steelers gave them last week. Even with Ty Law out this week, this Belichick defense will adjust. Bulger is known for making a lot of mistakes. He is still trying to air it out as if Bruce and Holt still have their 4.0 speed. They both have lost a step. And we won't even talk about Marshall.
Cleveland at Baltimore - GO BROWNS!! After a well deserved rest, the Browns are back in business. The first meeting of these two rivals ended in a 20-3 Browns victory. Kyle Boller only managed to score on the Philly's practice squad in the 4th quarter last week. Jail-Bird Jamal is coming back off of suspension. Fortunately, he will not be a factor. I've heard that it’s a little hard to run with that house arrest anklet on.
Minnesota at Indianapolis - Finally, there is something worth watching on MNF. What a difference a Moss makes! Without the threat of Moss, The Giants went to town on the Vikings, holding Culpepper to only 1 touchdown. The Colts defense has been exposed. They couldn't stop Green in the air or Priest on the ground last week. Indy needs to get back into rhythm. I just don't believe it will be this week.
GAME OF THE WEEK: Minnesota Vikings vs. Indianapolis Colts
