Nonetheless, there are still some very tough NFL matchups today, and it's time to put my predictive powers to the ultimate test. I would like to think these powers are pretty sharp. Owing that I've done my math right, on the season, I have predicted 17 correctly. I have been Just Plain Wrong on 3, wrong on the outcome of one that I got all of the analysis correct for, and on another two I was either a) too biased to call the game, or b) being ridiculously silly. Let's see if it continues!
Washington @ Atlanta: The Falcons, no doubt, are a little demoralized after being on the short end of Monday's emotional Saints game. The team, however, appears to be a pretty strong and cohesive unit behind Matt Ryan. Putting the shoe on the other foot, what's happened to the Redskins? The team is riddled with more drama than daytime TV. Is Zorn out or in? and what's Snyder doing? While the brass shuffles and scuffles in their luxurious stadium suites, Washington's offense is incredibly lackluster, scoring less than 14 points per game. They're without their starting tight end. They're on their fourth punter already. They lost to Detroit, for heaven's sake. This would seem like an easy pick, but the 'Skins have quite the defensive unit, ranked in the top five in total yardage, pass yardage, and points allowed. Their run coverage leaves something to be desired, however, and if Atlanta's to win, Michael Turner will have to overcompensate as Jerious Norwood (who gave the Bears a real hard time a few weeks back), is listed as questionable for the game. Second and One still picks the Falcons.
The Redskins are so bad this season that even their logo can't bear to watch them. Source: dunno original, but it's everywhere on the internet.
Kansas City @ Jacksonville: Here's a toilet bowl! Poor Jacksonville. How would you like to be the team that broke the Tennessee Titans' losing streak? the Big Spotted Cats are generally awful on defense and have literally just enough coverage to prevent them from garnering an indecency fine from the FCC. But Maurice Jones-Drew himself is the reason this team is ranked 8th in rushing in the league. Looking at the Chiefs, however, they are pretty much dreadful on both sides of the ball. If MJD doesn't have a big day, both teams will simply stand around and look at each other awkwardly. As he's pretty consistent, however, I'm going to go with Jax here.
Green Bay @ Tampa: The Bucs are really struggling as the last team to have not won a game this season (Detroit, Tennessee, Cleveland, and KC are all 1-6) and are desperate to dig themselves out of what is inarguably a very deep hole. They are placing their hopes in the shoulders of rookie QB Josh Freeman. Green Bay, however, is a team that generally rebounds well after losses (even after real heartbreakers like last week), and Green Bay's starting secondary has spent a combined number of years in the league that's greater than my age. These strong veterans will be out to harass Freeman - and anyone he throws the ball to - all afternoon. Green Bay.
San Diego @ New York Giants: I'm a Bears fan (who will pass on calling the Bears game this week beyond "it depends on the weather, which Chicago secondary shows up, Warner's health, Cutler/Olsen chemistry, jet lag, what the grass is like up at Soldier, and the phase of the moon"). But if there are two other teams in the league that are ridiculously fun to watch, the Giants and Chargers are it. The G-men, despite their losing streak, are strong, stout, intimidating, furious out of the backfield, and when Eli Manning is good, boy, he is good. The Chargers are zany, ridiculous, campy, have amazingly tall receivers who can catch everything, and a 5'6" running back who could outrun a rocket sled. They also look great in powder blue and have very pretty cheerleaders! How will they match up with New York? Well, first, the Giants' D hasn't showed up to play since the Scoring Machines came to town three weeks ago, and this could prove dangerous as Philip Rivers is very capable of going deep. Traditionally, the Chargers are mediocre in early fall, and then stage roaring, fizzing December comebacks.* They are definitely on the upswing, but have played mediocre teams and are very far from their peak. On the ground, power-back Brandon Jacobs has had three very good games, and may get his confidence boosted further against a Chargers' run defense that is ranked 27th. It really depends on where the key mismatches are, but I'm banking on a huge day for Jacobs and the Giants eeking out a "W" today.
Maybe Michael Strahan should stop commentating, acting, and singing the Five Dollar Footlong song and rush to the aid of the Giants' secondary! Source: Pigskinlovinglady.
Obligatory Fighting Nucleophiles Prognostication: I just realized that the Guru program in my league predicts the woeful 'Nukes to win by 22 today, despite being a little thin at wideout. I also just realized, much to my dismay, that I am playing The One Guy Who Has Drew Brees. Godfrey Daniel, I'm so dead. When the Nukies lose today, I will respectfully shoot myself in the foot once for every touchdown Brees scores.
That's all for now. College ball and news later!!
*And then, as the joke goes, make it to the playoffs and remember that they are coached by Norv Turner.
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