Week 4 – NFL Predictions

Last week my predictions went horribly wrong, with me getting 9 right and 6 wrong. Though if anyone seen the Dolphins hammering the Pats then I am impressed.

 

So here goes this weeks attempt and hopefully I’ll do better than last week.

 

Saints to beat the 49ers:- Yes the Saints have no pass defence but surely they have to put the Saints away if they want to be taken seriously this season.

 

Packers to beat the Bucs: – The Packers lost last week against a good Cowboys team and the Bucs won versus a decent Bears team but I fancy the Packers to get back on track with a win down in Florida.

 

Jags to beat the Texans: – Jags got the win they needed last week and should manage another victory this weekend versus a defence which doesn’t stop the run well.

 

Browns to beat the Bengals: – Bengals were unlucky to lose last week but I still believe that the Browns are a better team than them.  Lewis might have saved his skin for the time being but losing this weekend will put the pressure on him again.

 

Panthers to beat the Falcons: – This is a much closer game than people anticipated at the start of the season.  Turner looks good and Matt Ryan has impressed so far in his NFL career but the Panthers should have enough ability to beat the Falcons.

 

Cardinals to beat the Jets: – Having watched the Jets three times I fail to see what all the hype was about after the Dolphins game.  This is a team which is lucky to not be 0-3 and yet people seemed to think that they would win the AFC East.  Don’t be confused Favre doesn’t instantly make this average team super and it is showing up already this season.  On the Favre subject, another couple of games like he had last week and the Jets will wish they hadn’t wasted those draft picks on him.

 

Titans to beat the Vikings: – Titans have surprised people this season but they have a solid team which is better with Collins at QB.  Young is just the new Vick and needs to seriously upgrade his passing when or should that be if he gets back to starting for the Titans.  Early front runner for Defensive MVP surely has to be Bullocks who looks superb.

 

Broncos to beat the Chiefs: – Let’s not waste anytime talking about the Chiefs they are simply that bad.  The Broncos have looked brilliant this season and there is no reason for them to not continuing to look good this week.  Early front runner for league MVP Jay Cutler must love the way the Broncos are playing at the moment.

 

Chargers to beat the Raiders: – The Raiders are improving but just not that quickly.  Will be interesting to see how they react to the late lost last week.  Chargers are getting healthy again and are looking good at the same time.

 

Bills to beat the Rams: – Anyone on the planet think that the Bills will lose this game?  No really anyone?  The Rams have a great chance to go the season 0 – 16 they are simply that bad.

 

Cowboys to beat the Redskins: – The only way Washington can win this game is if they defend the deep pass better than they usually do versus Dallas.  They hopefully will but still think that the Cowboys will win this one.

 

Eagles to beat the Bears: – This one might not be very pretty but it will have some big hits in it. The Eagles should have enough offensive quality to win this one but all bets are off if Westbrook and McNabb don’t play.

 

Steelers to beat the Ravens: – Pittsburgh had a chance to show they were the best team in the AFC last week and blow versus the Eagles.  They must get better protection for Big Ben or there season will be over when Roethlisberger gets in juried.  Flacco is doing better than I thought but he will need to play well to beat a defence coached by LeBeau.

 

NFL Week 3

It is week 3 of the NFL this weekend and we are already in some must win situations for teams.  The usual craziness has occurred the first two weeks with some hot favourites to win the Super Bowl this season starting 2-0 and some unexpected teams starting 2-0.   The team with the biggest problem right now is the Vikings, not only have they started 0-2 but the other two main teams in the division (Chicago and Green Bay) have started well.  Chicago in particular has looked good in both their games and was unlucky to lose to the Panthers last week.  To add to the Vikings problems they have decided to ditch Jackson (which really isn’t a surprise) and go with Gus Ferrotte.  This seems like a sensible move but if the Vikings don’t beat Carolina on Sunday then questions will be asked.

Here are my tips for this weekend.

Falcons to beat the Chiefs (not that hard to predict)
Bills to beat the Raiders (Oakland have had a solid start but the Bills look better)
Bears to beat the Bucs (Orton is managing to keep Chicago going in the right direction)
Panthers to beat the Vikings (new QB or not Carolina should be good enough)
Pats to beat the Dolphins (Cassel and that defence are still to good for the Fins)
Giants to beat the Bengals (How much longer can Lewis hang onto his job?)
Titans to beat the Texans (Home advantage should see the Titans through this one)
Redskins to beat the Cardinals (Campbell looked much better last weekend versus the Saints)
Broncos to beat the Saints (Denver looked exceptional versus a good secondary last week so against the Saints secondary they might put 50 points)
49ers to beat the Lions (unsure about this one but feel the 49ers will sneak it after their emotional win last week)
Seahawks to beat the Rams (Seahawks are playing badly but not quite badly enough to lose to the Rams)
Browns to beat the Ravens (Ravens might be well rested but Cleveland know they must kick start their season soon)
Colts to beat the Jaguars (The Jags season could almost be over if they lose this one since that means they will have lost two divisional games)
Steelers to beat the Eagles (Philly were unlucky on Monday night but the Steelers won’t be showing them much sympathy)
Packers to beat the Cowboys (The best game of the weekend in my opinion and I think Aaron Rodgers will take another huge step in helping the Green Bay faithful forget about Brett)

Sunday night
Chargers to beat the Jets (Jets are still a fairly ordinary team and although San Diego have started 0-2 they still have way too much talent not to be beating teams like New York)

 

Football Football Football

Well there was some good results today and there was some excellent results today.  Liverpool took Man Utd apart in the second half and won 2-1, Stirling beat Alloa in the big derby of the day 3-2 and good old Gala Hotspurs won 6-2 versus a very poor Chirnside team.

Liverpool first then, a lucky (ok very lucky) first goal gave Liverpool the break they have been missing in games versus the other big teams.  But after the own goal by orange boy Brown (hardly his fault but funny anyway) Liverpool were by far and away the better team.  In the second half they simply were too good for Man Utd.  Is this a case of Man U having to many big name players and having to play them all for ego reasons?  Mascherano in particular was superb and if there is a fitter player in the premiership I will be amazed.  Well done to Rafa for not doing anything stupid with Torres and having faith in his team to beat the champions.

Stirling are getting on but they really should be putting teams like Alloa away with more conviction than they did today by all accounts.  Yet I am happy enough since a win is a win and at the moment Stirling need all the help they can get.

Finally Gala Hotspurs.  They were 4-1 up by the time I actually made the game and it was back to the usual of everyone trying to score a Ricky Villa goal instead of playing quality football that they had been playing to get to 4-1 in the first place.  We have alot of new players and some of them, Liam for instance, should be playing at a much higher standard than the Hotspurs.

Wordle

Found this really interesting program on the Internet called Wordle.  See what it can produce.

The Rest of the NFL

 

Having failed to preview all the divisions before the start of the NFL season I will just give a quick run down of all the teams that I haven’t gotten round to.  Obviously some predictions will have changed like the fortunes of the Jets and the Pats for obvious reasons.

NFC South

Although the Falcons won in week 1 they are still unlikely to win lots of games this year but you are likely to see Michael Turner having lots of big games.  They need to run the ball lots to allow Ryan to mature and become the QB he could be rather than the new Joey Harrington.  The Saints offence should see them win the division but the Panthers and Bucs will push them hard for it.

Division Positions:
Atlanta Falcons – 4th
Carolina Panthers – 2nd
New Orleans Saints – 1st
Tampa Bay Buccaneers – 3rd 

AFC North

This division is split into two, Steelers and Browns who are good and the Ravens and Bengals who are rubbish.  The Steelers should be one of the favourites for the Super Bowl after the sudden decline of the Pats and I can see them going deep into the play-offs but they need to shore up home field advantage.  This year should see the end of Lewis’s tender with the Bengals since they have too many good players to be as bad as they are.

Division Positions:
Baltimore Ravens – 3rd
Cincinnati Bengals – 4th
Cleveland Browns – 2nd
Pittsburgh Steelers – 1st 

AFC South

The Colts own this division and I see no reason for this to change.  Lots of experts fancy the Jaguars to come through strongly but they couldn’t get it done in week 1 versus the Titans and this must surely put doubts on their creditable to win this division let alone the Super Bowl.  The Texans and Titans are two teams who are going in different directions.  The Texans are getting slightly better each year and should continue to do this but the Titans are a team that needs a leader somewhere on the pitch.  Vince Young doesn’t seem able to make the grade at QB in the NFL because his passing is so bad and the fans are started to get onto his back.  This has resulted in numerous stories in the press about his state of mental health.  Not really what Jeff Fisher wanted  

Division Positions:
Houston Texans – 3rd
Indianapolis Colts – 1st
Jacksonville Jaguars – 2nd
Tennessee Titans – 4th

AFC East

How things can quickly change in the NFL.  With Pollard’s tackle on Tom Brady not only did this division change but so did the whole outcome of the AFL and probably who will win the Super Bowl.  There is now suddenly huge pressure on Favre and the Jets to win the division and for teams like the Chargers, Jaguars, Steelers and Colts to make the Super Bowl since most peoples favourites are without their best player.  I can see the Pats falling from the top of the AFC East division but I think that the Bills are the team to beat and not the Jets like a lot of people.  It also wouldn’t surprise me if Bill Belichick gets the Pats to perform at a much higher level than everyone thinks is possible.  With a fairly easy schedule and a coaching guru the Pats will get 2^nd place in the division and the number 6 play-off spot.  Wonder if there is any chance of the Pats making a big trade offer to the Browns for Brady Quinn.  This is a player that was groomed by Weiss, a man Belichick trusts and may be available for the right price.

Division Positions:
Buffalo Bills – 1st
Miami Dolphins – 4th
New England Patriots – 2nd
New York Jets – 3rd

AFC West

Denver did what everyone expected on MNF and that was hammer a very poor Raiders team.  The Chargers didn’t get off to the best start losing a home game versus the Panthers and losing Merriman in the process.  Personally I don’t think he will be that big a lose to this team but what they do need to start doing again is moving the ball on offence.

The Raiders and the Chiefs are still totally in rebuilding mode and both will have problems for the foreseeable future. The Raiders because they spent big on average players like Hall (schooled by a rookie in week 1) and the Chiefs because they simply have Herman Edwards in charge.

Division Positions:
Denver Broncos – 2nd
Kansas City Chiefs – 3rd
Oakland Raiders – 4th
San Diego Chargers – 1st

 

 

 

 

NFL Preview

NFC West

These two gents should have a sucessful season again but will they reach the deep into the play-offs?

Arizona Cardinals

Arizona were a team that many fancied to do well last year under the guidance of Matt Leinart with his explosive wide receivers and the everlasting James at running back but it all seemed to disappear into nothingness until Kurt Warner stepped in.  Again this season they seem to have the look of a decent team that could make a run at winning a weak division.  BUT I think that they will struggle due to a poor defence and an aging QB and RB.  They should have enough to see off a poor Rams team and an evener poorer 49ers team but they are nowhere near good enough to challenge the Seahawks or get a wild card spot.

 

Overall I think that if the Cardinals have a 8 – 8 season then they can class it as a success but do this they need to win all 4 games they play against the 49ers and Rams.  Division Position: 2^nd.

 

St. Louis Rams

This team had a horrible season last year but this was down to injuries to key players on the offensive side of the ball.  A team as lacking in talent as the Rams just cannot afford injuries to Pace (OL), Bulger(QB) or Jackson (RB).  This year expect Jackson to see lots and lots of the ball especially now that they have let the receivers’ corp. get so light in talent. 

 

The defence should hopefully be better with the addition of Long but like Mario in Houston he will need a season or so to get settled into the position in the NFL.  Like Mario, Long will have some heads wondering why they took this guy instead of someone like McFadden but over the long term I think he will become a star.

 

Overall a disappointing season for the Rams faithful again but not as disappointing as last year.   They should finish above the 49ers but don’t look for beyond 5 wins for them this season.  Division Position: 3^rd.

 

San Francisco 49ers

This team seriously needs a coaching team that will not change year in year out.  Poor Alex Smith has had a different offensive coordinator each of his years in the NFL and this has visually slowed down his progress.  He must be missing Norv Turner so much since under his guidance he looked the sort of player who was worthy of being a number one pick.  

 

The team has tried to add talent to both sides of the ball but I’m not sure it is enough to help a team that has J.T. Sullivan starting at QB.  Plus they also have the disadvantage of running a Mike Martz offence which allows the opposition to ignore the run and focus on shutting down the receivers.

 

Overall the 49ers have an excellent chance of getting the number 1 pick in next years draft but I think they escape with at least 3 wins and get the second or third pick.  Division Position: 4^th.

 

Seattle Seahawks

This team must love being in this division, each year they seem to do just enough to win the division and secure a bye week in the play-offs.  Again they have a good chance of doing the same this year but you might find that they get off to a slow start due to the lack of running game.  Julius Jones has shined in preseason and Morris has been given the starting job, look for defences to attack Matt Hasselbeck since they won’t honour the run until the new RB’s show they can produce at this level.

 

The defence will produce a lot of sacks and interceptions during the regular season but will they be able to produce this form in the play-offs when the calibre of opposition gets that little bit better?  Personally I’m not so sure.

 

Overall the Seahawks walk one of the easiest division in football and get to the play-offs again but it will be a short trip into the play-offs.  Division Position: 1^st.

NFL Preview

NFC EAST

Today I am giving my humble opinions on the toughest division in football, the NFC East.  The divsion has some of the top players in the NFL along with some of the up and coming youngsters.

 

Dallas Cowboys

A team that many feel should have won the NFC Championship last year but failed to produce the goods when it really needed to.  This ability or lack of ability to win the big time games  may have a bigger mental affect than the team or media think.   Romo has shown that he has the ability to bounce back from a nightmare performance, who can forget Seattle.

Dallas have strength in all the key areas and in theory should be pushing for a run at the championship but in this division anything is possible.  

That is why I only think that the Cowboys will finishing 3rd and will missing the play-offs.  Division Position:3rd.

New York Giants

Being Super Bowl champions normally means you have a good chance of at least getting to your conference game but this again is a team that might struggle to perform to that level.  The lose of key defensive players through injury and retirement mean that the front four which is won the Super Bowl is halved before you even start picking up injuries during the season.

Having said that I honestly think that the Giants will win the NFC East but will struggle in the play-offs.  Last season they produce a remarkable string of wins on the road and you would think that this is unlikely to happen again but you never know.  Division Position: 1st.

Philadelphia Eagles

A team that would easily win two or three divisions in the NFL but in this division they will struggle again.  The Eagles having been searching for that number 1 receiver for years and had one in Owens for a season.  Just a pity that the man is a clown.  This lack of a number 1 means that the opposition can attack McNabb and only have to worry about Westbrook.

If the Eagles do finish bottom of their division again this season then you have to think that Andy Reid’s job is on the line but since he seems to be worshipped in the Eagles organisation it might not be.

Overall I see the Eagles struggling to get to .500 and finishing rock bottom of the NFC East again.  Division Position: 4th.

Washington Redskins

Washington have a new coach in Jim Zorn and because of this they have been written off by all the experts.  personally I like the look of the team and especially the young QB Campbell.  Under Zorn’s tuition he could become a special player but the next two years is make or break for him.  The Skins also have a good looking defence, strengthened by the arrival of Talyor, a decent looking offence (under the guidance of a offensive guru) and a solid enough special teams.   For these reasons I think the redskins will make the play-offs again this year but might not get past the wild card game.  Division Position: 2nd.