San Francisco 49ers (0-3) vs Atlanta Falcons (2-1)
49ers have had a rough start to their season. They are still winless and have an offense playing inept. This week they fired their offensive coordinator hoping to turn things around and get going. New offensive coordinator Mike Johnson hopes to start this week in Atlanta. One thing he must address is his quarterback situation. Alex Smith has a dismal 66.2% passer rating having thrown just 2 TDs and 5 INTs so far this season. Vernon Davis only has 193 yds receiving with 0 TDs and Frank Gore has only rushed for 193 yds total and 1 TD. A solid defense cannot keep you in games if they are spending all their time on the field because the offense can't score. They will need to make fast changes if they hope to stay competitive in their division. Falcons are coming off a surprising overtime win against the Saints last week in New Orleans. They remain in a 3 way tie for the NFC South division lead. Matt Ryan is having a great season thus far with a 94.3% passer rating 5 TDs and 1 INT. His go to receiver Roddy White has caught 25 passes for 258 yds and 2 TDs and Michael Turner has had 58 rushes for 231 yds and 1 TD. This looks to be a good season for the Falcons if they can continue to play at this level. I do believe that the 49ers will be able to right the ship and get things going in a positive direction, but I dont think it will happen this week against the Falcons. Prediction: Falcons
New York Jets (2-1) vs Buffalo Bills (0-3)
The Jets had some struggle last week in their secondary with Darelle Revis out with a hamstring injury. Despite this fact the defense still played well enough to keep them on a winning track. After struggling in Week 1 Mark Sanchez has been playing extraordinary. Last week he finished with a 120.5% passer rating, 256 yds and 3 TDs. Dustin Keller finished with almost 100 yds and 2 TDs. They are going to be a serious contender in the AFC this year. Buffalo Bills have been continuing their years of horrendous play. They have started off winless and cut quarterback Trent Edwards in a hope to try to turn things around. This week they are starting Ryan Fitzpatrick who finished last week with 247 yds, 2 TDs and 2 INTs. He will need to get his receiving core some TDs as they are sorely lacking in TDs so far this season. Their defense needs to step up their game or this will be another long season. Even without Revis for another week this should be a easy win for the Jets. Prediction: Jets
Baltimore Ravens (2-1) vs Pittsburgh Steelers (3-0)
This is going to be a great defensive AFC North battle. Ravens are 1 game behind the division leading Steelers. After struggling in week 2 Joe Flacco recovered last week to finish with a 128.7% passer rating completing 22 of 31 for 262 yds and 3 TDs. With Derrick Mason hurt Anquan Bolding stepped up huge finishing with 8 receptions for 142 yds and all 3 of Flacco's TDs. Ravens defense is consistently rated within the top 5 across the board. Steelers have been on a roll and finding ways to win even without Big Ben at QB. With Dennis Dixon out Charlie Batch got the start last week and completed 12 of 17 for 186 yds 3 TDs and 2 INTs. He gets the start this week at home facing the menacing Ravens D. He will need Rashard Mendenhall to have another game like last week where he finished with 143 yds rushing and 1 TD. Steelers are undefeated because of the top rated defense in the league. This will be a low scoring game since both teams are ferocious on D, but Steelers should be able to make enough moves to pull out the win. Prediction: Steelers
Carolina Panthers (0-3) vs New Orleans Saints (2-1)
Panthers are having a horrible season so far. Even making the switch to Jimmy Clausen resulted in a dissmal game where the rookie quarterback threw for just 188 yds and 1 INT. Steve Smith is nursing a thigh injury and is probable for the game. He has only 2 TDs so far this season. Running back Deangleo Williams is still without his 1st TD of the season. Panthers will need to take some drastic measures on offense if they hope to get going this season. Saints are coming off a stunning overtime loss to the Falcons last week. Drew Brees threw for 365 yds and 3 TDs but also 2 INTs. His leading rusher Pierre Thomas was stuffed for just 30 yds but his leading receiver Lance Moore still managed to catch 6 balls for 149 yds and 2 TDs. Their D behind Johanthan Vilma didnt play up to their best last week so will be looking to get revenge against a weak Panthers team. Predicition: Saints
Denver Broncos (1-2) vs Tennessee Titans (2-1)
Broncos lost a tough fought game last week against the Colts at home. This was definitely not 1 of the Broncos better performances and they will need to pick it up if they hope to catch the division leading Chiefs. Last week Kyle Orton completed 37 of 57 for 476 yds 1 TD and 1 INT. Receiver Brandon Lloyd stood out last week catching 6 passes for 169 yds and Orton's only TD. With Knowshon Moreno out, RBs Laurence Maroney rushed for only 24 yds and Correll Buckhalter was held to just 12 yds. They will need to get their running game in order or they will continue to struggle throughout the season. Titans handed the Giants a shocking upset last week in the Meadowlands. Vince Young finished with a 105.7% passer rating by completing 10 of 16 for 118 yds and 1 TD. Running back Chris Johnson rushed for 125 yds on 32 carries for 2 TDs Titans D looked fantastic against the Giants last week. If they can keep this up they can stay competitive in the tough AFC South division. This should be a surprisingly good match up. Prediction: Broncos
Cincinnati Bengals (2-1) vs Cleveland Browns (0-3)
Bengals won last week against the Panthers despite the poor play of their offense. Palmer completed only 19 of 37 for 195 yds, 1 TD and 2 INTs. Neither Terrell Owens nor Chad Ochocinco caught a TD nor had more than 45 yds receiving. Cedric Benson was held under 100 yds but did manage to score a TD. Bengals defense is what has kept them in games but they will need their offense to score more points as the season continues. Browns are once again getting off to a very poor start. They are 1 of just 5 remaining winless teams. QB Jake Delhomme has been out for 2 weeks and is still questionable this week, but Seneca Wallace has stepped in and played pretty well for Cleveland. Last week he completed 18 of 24 for 141 yds and 1 TD. RB Peyton Hillis had a great game as well finishing with 144 yds and 1 TD. This week they are facing their cross town division rival who they always play tough, but if their defense doesnt come to play this is going to be another L on the board for them. Prediction: Bengals
Detroit Lions (0-3) vs Green Bay Packers (2-1)
Lions have been playing without their starting QB Matthew Stafford since week 1. Shaun Hill has stepped into replace him and has struggled badly. Last week he finished with 237 yds, 1 TD and 2 INTs. Rookie RB Jahvid Best was held to under 30 yds rushing. He is now questionable for this week with a toe injury. Detroit's defense is 1 of the worse in the entire league. Lions are going to have a terrible season which is nothing new but made worse by losing their starting QB for most of the season. Packers lost a close game against the Bears last week in Chicago. Even in defeat QB Aaron Rodgers completed 34 of 45 for 316 yds, 1 TD and 1 INT. This will not be as tough of a contenst for the Packers and they should get back on the winning track this week. Prediction: Packers
Seattle Seahawks (2-1) vs. St. Louis Rams (1-2)
The Seahawks behind new head coach Pete Carroll have looked really really good in wins or really really bad in their only loss so far. QB Matt Hasselback has already thrown more INTs (5) than he has TDs (4) so far this season but did play well enough to get the win last week against San Diego. RB Leon Washington was the game's biggest bright spot by running back 2 kickoffs for TDs to clench the win for the Seahawks. Seahawks have to get more reliable if they hope to compete for the division title at the end of the season. Rams are still one of the worst in the league. Despite this fact they are coming off a good win last week against the Redskins at home. Their rookie QB Sam Bradford finished with 235 yds, 1 TD & 1 INT. Steven Jackson scored 1 TD but was held under 60 yds rushing. The last 10 meetings of these 2 teams has resulted in a win by the Seahawks and I think they will easily get their 11th. Prediction: Seahawks
Indianapolis Colts (2-1) vs Jacksonville Jaguars (1-2)
Colts are absolutely 1 of the league's top teams. You can always expect a great game when watching them play behind the leadership of QB Peyton Manning. Manning has already thrown for more than 1000 yds so far this season in just 3 games! Last week he finished with a passer rating of 109.2% by completing 27 of 43 for 325 yds and 3 TDs against the Broncos in Denver. Austin Collie looked superb last week with 12 catches for 171 yds and 2 TDs. Colts defense has played beautifully this season and if they can stay healthy should keep them on a winning track. Despite having won 1 game, the Jaguars have played terribly. QB David Garrard played so poorly in week 2 he had to be benched. Last week he finished with another pick and only 105 yds throwing. His play has been so poor, the Jaguars signed the recently released QB Trent Edwards in hopes to potentially bring some life to the struggling offense. This match-up is typically a good one since they are division rivals, but if the Jags continue to struggle on the offensive side of the ball this game will be over quickly. Predicition: Colts
Houston Texans (2-1) vs Oakland Raiders (1-2)
Texans lost the battle for Texas last week against the cross town Cowboys. QB Matt Schaub struggled last week throwing 2 INTs and only 1 TD. RB Arian Foster rushed for 106 yds but hasnt scored a TD since week 1. Even WR Andre Johnson was held under 65 yds receiving and 0 TDs. Texans defense did not show up to play last week. This week they will need to play better to stay tied atop the AFC South division. The Raiders lost a close one against the Cardinals in Arizona last week. However, they have played a bit more reliable behind the leadership of QB Bruce Gradkowski. Last week he finished with 255 yds, 1 TD & 1 INT. His biggest target has become WR Louis Murphy who finished last week with 119 yds on 5 receptions. RB Darren McFadden averaged 4.2 yds per carry against the Cardinals finishing with 105 yds on 25 carries and a TD. Raiders defense is suspect at times and has been killed in the passing game. If they cannot find a way to get more wins they will not finish well in the AFC West division. Prediction: Texans
Arizona Cardinals (2-1) vs San Diego Chargers (1-2)
Cardinals won a close one against the Raiders last week at home. This despite the only mediocre play of QB Derek Anderson who threw for only 122 yds, 2 TDs and 1 INT. Cardinals will need RBs Beanie Wells and Tim Hightower to stay healthy and play with some urgency to keep the Cardinals tied atop their division. Chargers lost a close one against the Seahawks in Seattle. Chargers are notorious for starting off their season slow every year so dont let their losing record fool you. QB Philip Rivers has still thrown for more than a 1000 yds so far this season. He finished last week with 455 yds, 2 TDs and 2 INTs. His big go to guy TE Antonio Gates finished with 7 catches for 109 yds and 1 score. Chargers are still without their rookie RB sensation Ryan Matthews who is probable for this week. Their defense will also be without Shawn Merriman who is doubtful with a calf injury. Despite these factors I expect Chargers to finish the day at .500. Prediction: Chargers
Washington Redskins (1-2) vs Philadelphia Eagles (2-1)
The week's most talked about match up for obvious reasons! Not only is it a big division match-up but this will be the 1st time QB Donovan McNabb faces his old team against QB Michael Vick who he fought for the Eagles to sign just last year. McNabb has had a pretty good season so far having an overall passer rating of 89.2% with 2 TDs and 1 INT. Last week he completed 19 of 32 for 236 yds, 1 TD and 1 INT. WR Santana Moss finished the game with 6 receptions for 124 yds and 1 TD. This week the Redskins defense must do better and keep the Eagles from running all over them. Meanwhile the Eagles have taken the lead in the NFC East division behind the great playing of QB Michael Vick. In just 3 short weeks Vick has an overall passer rating of 110.2% with 6 TDs and 0 INTs. He has shown the great elusiveness and field vision that made him great in his days in Atlanta. Last week he finished with his best game so far completing 17 of 31 for 291 yds and 3 TDs. He has found a great receiver in DeSean Jackson who last week torched the Jags on 5 receptions for 153 yds and 1 TD. LeSean McCoy has added depth to the running game that has been badly needed for years. This should be a great battle in Philly but even with McNabb playing with a chip on his shoulder the Eagles have too many offensive weapons that the Redskins cant answer. Prediction: Eagles
Chicago Bears (3-0) vs New York Giants (1-2)
Bears have been on a roll so far this season starting undefeated. This has been fueled behind QB Jay Cutler who has played phenomenal. Last week was not one of his better games where he completed only 16 of 27 for 221 yds 1 TD & 1 INT. Chicago has a potent defense that has been playing terrific each week. The Giants have played disappointingly so far this season. QB Eli Manning has had a rough start. Last week against the Titans he finished with 0 TDs and 2 INTs. RB Ahmad Bradshaw finished with 88 yds and 1 TD. The Giants D has looked soft playing nowhere near their potential. They will need to play with some urgency in the coming weeks or finish near the bottom of the NFC East division. Prediction: Bears
New England Patriots (2-1) vs Miami Dolphins (2-1)
Patriots have gotten off to a good start. They are in a 3 way tie with the Dolphins and Jets in the AFC East division. Last week QB Tom Brady finished with his highest QB rating so far this season with 142.6% rating on 21 of 27 for 252 yds and 3 TDs. WR Randy Moss finished with just 2 receptions but both of those were for TDs. With Kevin Faulk out for the season with a torn ACL, RB BenJarvus Green-Ellis stepped up last week and rushed for 98 yds on 16 carries and 1 TD. Their defense has been good enough to keep Brady on the field. Dolphins are the surprise team in the AFC East. They lost a close one last week to division rival Jets. QB Chad Henne completed 26 of 44 for 363 yds 2 TDs and 1 INT. His #1 wideout Brandon Marshall finished with 10 catches for 166 yds and 1 TD. Their defense is playing very well. This should be a good Monday night game but I expect the Patriots to be able to pull out the win. Prediction: Patriots
No comments:
Post a Comment