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The Ultimate Source for your Ph.D. in Pigskin |
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The First Big Game Well, it's finally here. The first big game of the 2007 season. Unfortunately, the NFL scheduling gods have screwed us with mismatches, blowouts, or simply bad teams playing each other so far. However, on Sunday we will be presented with the first really, really good game of the year. Yes, it's time for Miami-Cleveland. OK, OK, you probably saw that bad joke coming. Of course, I'm referring to New England-Dallas, and we will finally find out how good each of them are. Through their first five games, both teams have beaten bad teams and for the most part, they have looked pretty impressive while doing it. But now, the rubber meets the road. For those of you who regularly read this site, my prediction below will not surprise. This is the first of several tests for New England. On November 4th, they'll mix it up with Indianapolis, followed by a battle with Pittsburgh on December 9th. But, for the time being anyway, this matchup should provide a measuring stick in two areas. First, how good/great are the Patriots? Second, will any NFC team pose any real threat to the AFC's best? Picks appear in bold. St. Louis at Baltimore (-9) I simply can't believe what's happened to the St. Louis offense. And from the email I'm getting, neither can about 2 million fantasy football players. Minnesota at Chicago (-4.5) Sunday night's victory over the Packers was a big one for Chicago. With it, they're right back in the division race. Without, they would have been done like dinner. Miami at Cleveland (-4) The Browns are playing really well right now - well, at least in comparison to the way they usually play. Washington at Green Bay (-3) If there's one thing that was made readily apparent in last week's prime time game, it's that the Packers have to do something soon to correct their running game woes. As good and savvy as Brett Favre is, he simply can't do it alone. Houston (+6.5) at Jacksonville Vegas must know something I don't, because the Jaguars aren't even beating bad teams by a wide margin. Still I'm going to go with the Texans. Cincinnati (-3) at Kansas City This game scares the hell out of me. Larry Johnson is starting to come around and the Bengals' defense (kind of a contradiction in terms, isn't it?) can't stop anyone. Philadelphia (-3.5) at New York Jets This game doesn't scare me at all. Tennessee (+3) at Tampa Bay Tennessee should take this one, but remember, the Bucs have always had Michael Vick's number. As a matter of fact, it took Vick three years to even finish a game against Tampa. Don't be surprised if Monte Kiffin has something in store for Vince Young. Carolina (+4.5) at Arizona The recent bickering between the Panthers' defensive players might be just the thing to get their season turned around. New England (-5.5) at Dallas I've said it since the beginning of the season, THE PATRIOTS ARE THE BEST TEAM IN FOOTBALL AND THE ONLY TEAM, AND I MEAN THE ONLY TEAM, THAT WILL CHALLENGE THEM IS THE COLTS. Oakland at San Diego (-9.5) If there's one thing that's become very apparent since LT arrived in San Diego, it's that he holds a grudge against Al Davis and the Raiders. I have no idea what it is, but he absolutely destroys them. New Orleans at Seattle (-6.5) I feel absolutely terrible for Saints' fans. They came back and supported the team, made it one of the truly great stories in NFL history, only to be witness to this crap. New York Giants (-3.5) at Atlanta Ugh! That's all I can say. Ugh! Last Weeks Record: 6-7-1 Overall Record: 35-36-5 |
