Not Another Predictions Column! Week Nine

Not Another Predictions Column! Week Nine

San Diego 4-3 @ Minnesota 2-5

After a slow start to the season, the Chargers’ LaDainian Tomlinson now has 617 yards rushing and is averaging almost 4.5 yards per carry. Just as he did last year, Tomlinson’s backup Michael Turner is still averaging just over 6 yards per carry himself. Tight end Antonio Gates is being his usual playmaking self, and in his first game as a Charger, receiver Chris Chambers scored a touchdown. While Minnesota may have one of the best rush defenses in the league, the Vikings have not faced a two-pronged rushing attack quite like this one. Moreover, the Vikings’ pass defense is not that effective, and they will be dealing with three playmakers among the receivers: the aforementioned Gates and Chambers, as well as youngster Vincent Jackson. Look for rookie Craig “Buster” Davis to get some action en route to a Chargers road victory.

Carolina 4-3 @ Tennessee 5-2

Speaking of rushing attacks, Carolina has its own two-pronged assault. Running back DeShaun Foster has twice the carries of DeAngelo Williams, and Foster has produced 466 yards on those carries to DeAngelo’s 303. Foster has been consistent this season, grinding out four yards a touch. Williams has played the home run hitter, and is averaging 5.2 yards. This attack is not as productive as San Diego’s, but it is not bad. However, Tennessee has an incredibly good rush defense and is allowing only 64 yards per game. I remember the last time Carolina played Tennessee. It was in 2003 – and Carolina was undefeated at the time. Tennessee came in, and with the help of a fake punt and a fumbled kickoff return, defeated the Panthers 37-17, and dashed the hopes for an unbeaten season. If anyone is thinking this seems like a rare matchup, that is because these two teams have only met twice, and the overall record is split 1-1. With the surging Saints on the rise and the Buccaneers also in contest for the division title in the NFC South, the Panthers need to keep winning to stay in front. Considering that they are unbeaten on the road, it would be foolish to pick against them. Carolina wins it on the road. Oh, and a quarterback update – David Carr is expected to start come Sunday.

Arizona 3-4 @ Tampa Bay 4-4

I was correct in my prediction last week that last week’s Tampa Bay vs. Jacksonville game would produce Jeff Garcia’s first interception of the season. Not only that, but it also produced Garcia’s second and third interceptions. In what was easily Garcia’s worst game with the Bucs, Garcia threw three interceptions and one touchdown as the Bucs lost to the Quinn Gray-led Jaguars. Admittedly, I did not quite expect that result, but the Jaguars have a tough defense. Edgerrin James is second in the NFC in rushing yards with 603 and has four rushing touchdowns. Wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald leads the NFC in receiving yards with 642. Kurt Warner is playing well for the Cardinals and keeping them alive in the playoff race – they are only a game back of the Seattle Seahawks. Newly acquired Bucs running back Michael Bennett scored his first touchdown for the Bucs last week and is slowly garnering a larger role in the offense. Look for him to get in the game a bit more this week. Unfortunately for Carolina, I have to go with Tampa Bay at home this week following a loss. The Bucs win.

Washington 4-3 @ New York Jets 1-7

After getting pummeled 52-7 by New England last week, Washington gets to take on the luckless Jets of the 1-7 record. Coach Eric Mangini has decided to replace Chad Pennington with Kellen Clemens this week against Washington. Frankly, I do not feel quarterback is their problem – their problem is their defense. They give up rushing yards, passing yards, penalty yards, et cetera. They have a good rushing attack on offense, passing game is efficient, but that defense is the Achilles’ heel of the Jets. The fact that linebacker Jonathan Vilma has been out with an injury does not help matters. Safety Kerry Rhodes is questionable with a knee ailment. Offensively, their biggest receiving threat, Laveranues Coles, is doubtful with a concussion. So what do you do? My answer is not “throw in another quarterback.” We’ll see if that approach works for the Jets this week. I doubt it, as the Redskins will want to save some face after their loss last week and will endeavor to crush the Jets under their collective heel. Redskins win on the road.

Jacksonville 5-2 @ New Orleans 3-4

Behind a punding running attack and a hefty defense, the Jaguars downed the Bucs 24-23 last week. New Orleans dominated the 49ers through the air (how’s that Nate Clements 8-year $80mil deal looking now?) to the tune of four Drew Brees touchdown passes. They will have trouble succeeding through the air at quite that level against the Jaguars. Come to think of it, the Saints will have trouble running or passing the ball against Jacksonville, and the Saints do not have a rush defense good enough to slow down LaBrandon Toefield, Fred Taylor, and Maurice Jones-Drew. Quinn Gray probably will not be asked to do much aside from hand the ball off to any of those three. Look for the Jaguars to build a comfortable lead over New Orleans and end this sudden three-game winning spree the Saints went on. Jags take this match.

San Francisco 2-5 @ Atlanta 1-6

Welcome to this week’s Insignificant Contest – while both of these teams are still mathematically in contention, they have little-to-no-chance of going anywhere this year. Alex Smith has returned for the 49ers – did not appear to make much difference. I would say he is in a sophomore slump, but this is his third year in the NFL. There could be some points scored this week, as neither team has a good defense. Alge Crumpler may not see much action this week for Atlanta, and Byron Leftwich is out with yet another ankle injury. Here’s a scary fact for you – the entire San Francisco 49er team has not thrown as many touchdown passes as Jake Delhomme threw in less than three games of play. Any chance of the 49ers looking at new offensive personnel in the draft next year? I consider each of these teams to be about as bad as each other, but I will go with Atlanta over the 49ers.

Cincinnati 2-5 @ Buffalo 3-4

The Bengals have been doing fairly well offensively but continue to play sloppy, uninspired defense. As long as they do that, they will lose more often than they will win. Wide receiver TJ Houshmandzadeh has nine touchdown receptions on the season – three times as many as teammate Chad Johnson, and if he catches just one more on the season he will have a new career-high. The Bills’ rookie quarterback Trent Edwards was injured and now JP Losman will be starting in his place this week. Since the Bills’ defense has struggled some this season, they should lean on their rushing attack this week. That means rookie Marshawn Lynch may have a big day. I am almost expecting a shoot-out this week – but I like Buffalo to win this game at home and improve to .500 on the season.

Weekly Upset Game: Denver 3-4 @ Detroit 5-2

Detroit confuses me. They are tough to beat at home, and they seem to have an insane amount of luck on their side. They have a well-balanced offense, and a secondary that stinks yet leads the league in takeaways. I suppose that means they do not stink – but somehow they still do. I don’t get it, either. Detroit has not started a season 6-2 since 1999 – coincidentally the last time the Lions were in the playoffs. Wonder how many people want to fire Matt Millen now? And Denver needs to to talk to their corners – supposedly one of the best set of corners in the league, with Champ Bailey and Dre’ Bly, but they both were torched for long touchdowns against Green Bay on Monday night. They will get tested by Roy Williams and Calvin Johnson this week, not to mention Mike Furrey and Shaun McDonald. I have been avidly following Jon Kitna’s bold prediction of a ten-win season for Detroit this week, and I have been hoping that the Lions back that up. However, they will not get their sixth win this week, as Denver wins this one on the road.

Green Bay 6-1 @ Kansas City 4-3

This seems somewhat ironic, a team with not much running game but a great passing attack against a team with not much passing game but a great running attack. Brett Favre has never beaten Kansas City in his career – if he does, he will join Peyton Manning and Tom Brady as the only quarterbacks ever to defeat all 31 other teams. Wonder who will beat all 32 teams first? That will be interesting – it’s a wonder Vinny Testaverde has not accomplished that feat yet. I said last week that Favre would find a way to win. I was correct in that assessment of Favre. Little heard of Ryan Grant just became Green Bay’s starting running back, as rookie DeShawn Wynn was placed on injured reserve with a “significant shoulder injury,” to quote Mike McCarthy. He rushed for 131 yards against Denver on Monday Night Football and should have a little bit more running room this week. The Chiefs’ Jared Allen leads the AFC in sacks with eight, and is matched up against Green Bay’s vastly underrated Chad Clifton at left tackle. Whomever wins that match-up the most will likely determine how that game goes. Naturally, I am picking Green Bay to win on the road this week.

Seattle 4-3 @ Cleveland 4-3

There is an interesting discrepancy in standings here. Both these teams have the same record, but if the season were to end today, the Seahawks would be in the playoffs as a division winner whilst the Browns would be sitting at home. Seattle is first in their division and the Browns are third in theirs. The Browns will have an interesting dilemma in the next year or two with Derek Anderson and Brady Quinn both on the roster. Anderson will be a restricted free agent after this season, but don’t be surprised if the Browns end up trading him while his value is high. The Seahawks’ running game has been criticized roundly, but it is still serviceable. This is a game that could definitely have implications of a shoot-out, which the Browns have had experience with this season. Frankly, I’m pulling for the Browns to keep on winning this year, and so I’m picking Cleveland to win this week to have a three-game winning streak.

Houston 3-5 @ Oakland 2-5

Daunte Culpepper will supposedly be replaced by Josh McCown this week, contrary to other reports you may have seen. Houston happens to be the only team the Raiders have never beaten – the Raiders are 0-2 all-time against them. The Texans are injury-riddled, with starting quarterback Matt Schaub out, wide receiver Andre Johnson still out, and offensive guard Kasey Studdard out. That should help the Raiders’ defense out a little bit, but Sage Rosenfels has not played badly lately. He is starting for Schaub this week. This game will probably be pretty ugly, and frankly, I’m pretty much at a loss as to who wins it, so I’m going to flip a coin. Heads, Houston wins. Tails, Oakland wins. My quarter came up as tails – so Oakland wins to improve to 3-5 this week.

New England 8-0 @ Indianapolis 7-0

Ah, the hype machine. Battle of the Unbeatens. Good vs. Evil, according to Greg Easterbrook. The ‘Cheatriots’ vs. the good ole boys from Indy. Bill Belichick vs. Tony Dungy. Tom Brady vs. Peyton Manning. Guess what? Everyone knows I do not like hype and I do not try to support the hype. I like both these teams, I’m really enjoying the Patriots season, I see no problem with what they are doing (and I’m prepared to defend that statement), but I’m also really enjoying the Colts season. This will be a great game to watch, probably pretty high-scoring, and I expect some unnecessary roughness penalties. However, since I’m not going to fuel the hype-machine, I am not going to analyze this game. I will mention that Colts owner Jim Irsay made a great announcement to Colts’ fans on Tuesday afternoon, offering a chance for five lucky Colts’ fans to win genuine Super Bowl rings whilst helping Indiana charities. I do like both these teams, and I really do not want to pick a winner. So, shockingly, for the first time in the history of NAPC! – I refuse to predict a winner for this game. I’ll credit this as an N/A in my overall record. At the end of the season I’ll be one game short, and people will wonder why. The answer is that I refuse to pick this game. I’m going to sit back and enjoy it either way.



Sunday Night Football: Dallas 6-1 @ Philadelphia 3-4

After a much-needed bye, the Cowboys now get to travel on the road from Texas to Philly. The Eagles won against Minnesota last week, though it was close. Ironically, the last game the Cowboys played was also against Minnesota, and they won as well. Dallas and Green Bay are neck and neck for the overall lead in the NFC, and neither one looks to falter anytime soon. Tony Romo was rewarded with a new contract this past week, so he remains on top of the world, seemingly. Dallas will probably be able to score on Philly moreso than Philly on Dallas, so that seems to clear that one up. Dallas wins on the road.

Monday Night Football: Baltimore 4-3 @ Pittsburgh 5-2

These two teams have the number two and number one defenses in the league, respectively. Whoever wins this game will be atop the AFC North. There was a great article in this past week’s Sports Illustrated about Ben Roethlisberger and his return from injury. I definitely recommend that you go find a copy and read it. It details his relationship with his late college coach, and goes into some detail on why he is doing so well this season. Running room will be hard to find in this game, and both teams’ passing games will probably see some struggles. I would not expect many points to be scored this week, but Pittsburgh scores just enough to win.

Last week I went 9-4 and am 76-44 on the season.

By Robert “RingLeader” Gilbert

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