It’s a big week in the NFL. At least I think it is. What actually makes it a big week I’m not sure. It’s not like it’s any bigger than last week or next week. It’s just a week. Maybe by saying “big” it’s suppose to make us more “pumped” for the games? I do know it is a big game for Cleveland this week. We said back on the MNF game against the Giants that the season was on the line. The Browns responded with a great win only to follow it up with a much more typical Browns performance against the Redskins. This week the season is on the line again against Jacksonville. Win and they can still salvage the season; lose, and there’s no way they overcome 2-5. They’d have to go no worse than 7-2 the stretch and does anyone see that happening? After JAX, the Browns have to winnable games with Baltimore and Denver at home. They need this game.
But will they get it? Who knows. The easy answer is no because they aren’t good. But the last time we thought the Browns were done they beat the undefeated Super Bowl champs in convincing fashion. JAX has a good defense and it screams another horrible for Derek Anderson. The Jaguars have a good run game that screams double 100 yard games for MJD and the Old Man. There is absolutely no reason to think the Browns can win this game. So that’s why I’m picking them to win.
In the Akron Beacon Journal this morning, the worst columnist in the history of sports writers, Patrick McManamon said the Browns should release K2. Good call there genius. Just because he said something semi negative about the organization you want to get rid of him? I get it though. Let’s just let our more reliable receiver walk away for nothing. He was pissed and said what he needed to say and it’s over. He’s a football player so he’ll continue to play football and play hard for the Browns. Why you would want to get rid of someone with that much talent who, even though he seems a little bit crazy, has been a great teammate, makes about as much sense and trading DA and Brady Quinn for Vinny Testaverde.
On to the games… (7-7 last week for a 51-45 overall record. How’s everyone else doing?)
BROWNS at Jacksonville - for no other reason than I want to.
TAMPA BAY at Dallas - So Wade Phillips has decided to take over the play calling on defense to become “more proactive.” Really? The head coach of a “Super Bowl contender” needs to do something to become more proactive? Yeah, I’d say this team is done. And I haven’t even mentioned Brad Johnson. Did someone say Drew Henson? Rumor has it, the Cowboys are interested in him.
WASHINGTON vs Detroit - I can’t decide who to root for here. The Redskins to keep my dream of two winless teams in one season alive. Or the Lions because the Redskins are now up to Bengals/Ravens hate level. I think Washington wins but they haven’t looked too good the last too weeks so I wouldn’t be totally shocked (and would be completely happy) if the Lions won.
MIAMI vs Buffalo - Everyone is giving the Bills the AFC East title already (I still think the Pats win it) Trent Edwards has done more talk shows this week than Al Roker in his life. Miami was my surprise team this year so I’m sticking with them.
NEW ENGLAND vs St. Louis - The magic of Jim Haslett runs out and the magic of Matt Cassel picks up. In other Patriot news, Tom Brady’s surgery reportedly didn’t go well. I don’t understand this. How can someone like Brady, who has the choice of any doctor in the country at his disposal, not have a successful surgery? And how can it get infected, not once, but twice? This doesn’t make any sense. I know a couple people you had ACL surgery and it was fine for them. How can Brady not get a good doctor and where are they doing the surgery where it can get infected? Then it gets infected while they do a procedure to get rid of the infection. This really boggles the mind.
NEW ORLEANS vs San Diego (in London) – The Saints continue their good one week bad the next. Well they may still look bad because of the awesome weather in England, but not as bad as the Chargers. If the Chargers can travel three hours east and play well on the east coast, how are they going play well traveling to another country? Saints win an ugly one.
NY JETS vs Kansas City - The Chiefs may have the worst run defense in NFL history and that bolds well for Thomas Jones fantasy owners. But if Daunte Culpepper comes out from the locker room with the Chiefs after halftime, he could led a huge second half rally that will have KC only lose 34-6 instead of 34-0.
PHILADELPHIA vs Atlanta - Westbrook is back, he plays well, Eagles win, then after the game they find another injury to him. In Falcon news, former kicker Tony Zendejas is on trial for charges that he drugged and raped women. So I guess the pick up line “What do you mean you don’t know who I am? I’m Tony Zendejas. I kicked for the Rams, Oilers, Falcons and 49ers,” doesn’t as good as I thought it would.
BALTIMORE vs Oakland – No way does Oakland win two games in a row.
ARIZONA at Carolina – That’s assuming if Anquan Boldin plays, Kurt Warner doesn’t start crying and play like his wife Brenda looks.
HOUSTON vs Cincinnati - My biggest fear this week is both the Bengals and the Lions win.
PITTSBURGH vs New York Giants - This is the best match-up of the week. I really want the Giants to win but this is the kind of game the Steelers always find a way to win. Roethlisberger could have four turnovers and yet they’ll win. It’s at Pittsburgh and people don’t seem to be putting the Steelers as one of the top teams in the NFL. I hate to say it but they are and they win this game. Please, please prove me wrong NYG.
SAN FRANCISCO vs Seattle – If the Steelers-Giants game is the best match-up of the week, this is by far the worse.
INDIANAPOLIS at Tennessee – Colts in prime time on Monday Night against the undefeated Titans. Time for them to show exactly what kind of team they are and that they aren’t ready to give up the reigns in the AFC South. Colts aren’t done yet.
No Sunday night game this week because of the World Series. Bad move by NBC because they could throw the Lions and Seahawks out there and it would get better ratings than the WS. Oh well. GO BROWNS!!!
