Cutler blows it again

Having just suffered the highlights of last nights game I have to say Jay Cutler pretty much proved once and for all that he truly isn’t that great a QB.  You seriously can’t turn the ball over thatoften in the red zone and still think your the man.  Denver must be killing themselevs laughing right now since Orton seems to be just as good or even better than Cutler plus they got all them draft picks.

This pretty much means the last two big trades have been huge mistakes, Roy Williams and Jay Cutler.

Thursday night football

I nearly forgot that this Thursday is the first of the NFL network games, Chicago Bears @ San Francisco 49ers.
This is turning into a must win game for the Bears since another defeat will mean they are nearly out of the playoff picture.  On a plus point from their point of view they are playing a San Fran team that must be so low on conifedence it is scary.

Due to this I think the Bears will win this game fairly easily as long as Cutler doesn’t throw more picks than TDs.

NFL Power Rankings Week 9

1. Colts – They keep winning even though they needed the help from Lady Luck
2. Saints – This team also keeps producing the goods.
3. Vikings – The bye week will have done this team the world of good.
4. Bengals – Huge game this weekend.
5. Steelers – See above
6. Patriots – Brady versus Manning is just going to be fun to watch.
7. Cowboys – Romo is showing some signs of actually be quite good.
8. Broncos – This team needs a win soon to stop the rot.
9. Cardinals – They keep showing that last years play off run away from home wasn’t just luck.
10. Falcons – Atlanta finally have the running game going.
11. Chargers – Rivers and co pulled the win out of the bag last week.
12. Eagles – McNabb and co need to start beating some decent teams and not just the poor ones.
13. Ravens – What has happened to this teams defence.
14. Texans – Houston were so unlucky to not win last weekend versus the Colts.
15. Jets – The defence needs to come off the bye week with all guns firing.
16. Giants – New York is slowly falling apart.
17. Packers – Massive lose to Tampa Bay pretty much ends all hope this team had of making the playoffs.
18. Dolphins – The wildcat nearly worked again versus the Pats but not quite.
19. Bears – How can this team win games by so many points then lose games by so many points?
20. Jaguars – Just keep giving the ball to MJD and then hit Sims-Walker on the play fake.
21. Panthers – This team just needs to run the ball more often.
22. 49ers – Has Crabtree ruined the 49ers chemistry?
23. Seahawks – I just can’t decide how good or bad this team is.
24. Titans – Tennessee has finally gotten the running game going and suddenly they are winning.
25. Bills – Will all this Vick talk distract the team?
26. Raiders – How will Oakland hurt itself his week?
27. Redskins – Washington isn’t far off being the worse team in the league.
28. Chiefs – If Kansas wants to be taken seriously they need to beat team like Jacksonville.
29. Rams – Steven Jackson is still the only plus point in this team.
30. Lions – They need to win a few more games this season to call it progress.
31. Buccaneers – Freeman is a huge plus point for this team and he may turn into this years Aaron Rodgers.
32. Browns – Do you get the feeling their will be a new coach next season.

NFL Preview 9

Atlanta to beat Washington
No way this poor Redskins team manages to beat the Falcons especially after such a good performance from Atlanta on Monday night.

Arizona to beat Chicago
For some reason the Cardinals are a better away team than home team this season and so I am going to take them to pull off an upset over Chicago this weekend.

 Indianapolis to beat Houston
If the Texans want to be taken seriously this season then they must beat the Colts on Sunday. This will put them to wthin touching distance of Indianapolis and give them a great chance to at least get a wild card spot.

Cincinnati to beat Baltimore
Probably the toughest game to call this weekend and I fancy the Bengals for some reason. Baltimore will be looking for revenge after getting beaten in week 5 by the Bengals, so look for the defence to play hard especially Ray Lewis since it was his head hit that cost them the game the last time.

Jacksonville to beat Kansas City
There is always one game on that noone cares about and this is it. Jaguars to win if they give the ball to MJD more than 8 times in a game.

Green Bay to beat Tampa Bay
The Packers need a win here to keep on the heels of the Vikings and should manage it against one of the worst teams in the NFL.

New England to beat Miami
I’m guessing we will get a lot of Wildcat in this game but look for Tom Brady to do his usual thing which is simply winning games.

New Orleans to beat Carolina
Yes the Panthers beat Arizona last week but this week they come up against a team that is managing to win in lots of different ways. The New Orleans defence will be looking to pick off Delhomme since he has had trouble looking after the ball this season.

Seattle to beat Detroit
This is probably another game that not many people are that bothered about. Seattle to win because they have a better QB.

Tennessee to beat San Francisco
They looked more like the Titans of last year on offence now all they need to do is sort out the defence. I still fancy the Titans to pull off another win and put the 49ers  season to bed. The 49ers have looked a lot worse since Crabtree got into the line up.

San Diego to beat New York
Rivers will be over the moon to be facing this Giants secondary. Vincent Jackson and Malcolm Floyd should both have big games.

Dallas to beat Philadelphia
This game last year nearly cost Wade Phillips his job but things should go better this year. I actually hope the Eagles win this so going on my logic that means the Cowboys will win. Look for lots of points in this game.

Denver to beat Pittsburgh
Just for the record Clark should not play in this game for the Steelers, no way any game is more important than your health. A few soccer players over here in Britain have found this out the hard way. Onto the game I fancy the Broncos to get back to winning ways with a victory over a decent Steelers team.

NFL Power Rankings Week 8

Indianapolis Colts - This team just keeps playing well and winning soso not much more you can say about them.

New Orleans Saints - Another good victory against a divisional rival .  This team most be looking forward to their next three games and a chance to be 10-0.

Minnesota Vikings – Favre will be happy after beating the Packers in their won back yard but now they most keep winning.

Denver Broncos – The actual score line will hurt more than the lose but this team still have a chance to go 10-6 at least.

New England Patriots - It is a good bye week when your main rivals beat up each other and extend your divisional lead.

Cincinnati Bengals - This team is a real threat to someone in the playoffs if they can remain healthy.

Dallas Cowboys – HUGE game versus the Eagles next week.  Romo is looking better though but everyone remembers the last game in Philly.

Philadelphia Eagles – Just like the Cowboys this is a HUGE game since whoever wins it takes advantage in the NFC East with the Giants in freefall.

Pittsburgh Steelers – Slowing beginning to look like the Super Bowl champs.

Houston Texans - Made franchise history this week but if they want to show they can compete with the big boys they need to play beat the Colts on Sunday.

Baltimore Ravens - A good win over Denver last week but they need to start winning on a consistent basis.

New York Giants - Boy does this team need a bye week soon.  The Chargers will love playing against this dodgy defence.

Arizona Cardinals - For a change this team can’t win at home and are great away from home.  Bad defeat to the Panthers on Sunday.

Atlanta Falcons - Coming close to beating the Saints just isn’t good enough at the moment.

Chicago Bears - They need to start winning away from Solider Field.

Green Bay Packers – Their season is over if Rodgers keeps getting beat up like he did on Sunday.

San Diego Chargers - Rivers will be looking forward to the Giants on Sunday.

New York Jets – Why can’t they beat the Dolphins?

Miami Dolphins - Boy did Ted Ginn Jr look good running back kick offs.

Carolina Panthers – Finally the coaching staff remembered to run the football.

Jacksonville Jaguars – Just waiting on Jones-Drew to start complaining about never getting the ball.  come on guys he got over 150 yards on 8 touches and then you decide to let David Garrard win you the game.

San Francisco  49ers – Alex Smith looked good for two weeks running, now he only needs to win a game.

Buffalo Bills – This team needs to start producing results against dgood teams and not just the bad ones in the league.

Seattle Seahawks - Really just not playing all that well.

Washington Redskins - This is the only team that looks better when they aren’t playing.

Oakland Raiders - Still can’t believe they beat Philly this year.

Tennessee Titans - Could this be the start of a run  of results?

St Louis Rams - finally Steven Jackson got some reward for all his hard work.

Kansas City Chiefs – Need a win this weekend.

Detroit Lions – Losing to the Rams is a bad thing.

Cleveland Browns - They could well be the worse team in the NFL right now.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers - This is one ugly football team.

NFL Predictions week 8

Denver to beat Baltimore

Both teams are coming off a bye week and should be rested and healthy but I can see the Broncos winning this by simply playing Ravens football.  Great defence with lots of pressure and having a QB that looks after the ball.

Houston to beat Buffalo

Schaub and the Texans must be looking forward to playing the Bills even if it is in Buffalo.  Look for Schaub to continue throwing the ball a lot and for the Texans to pick up another win.

Chicago to beat Cleveland

Any team could beat the Browns at the moment and the Bears are actually ok at home it’s only away from Solider Field that Cutler loses the plot.

Dallas to beat Seattle

Romo seems to have finally found someone to replace TO pity it isn’t the man they gave up so many draft picks for.  Austin must be a certain starter on so many fantasy teams this weekend.

Dolphins to beat New York Jets

This could be a close game again but I think Henne and Brown will do enough offensively to handle the Jets good running game.  This game might be decided by who gets the most pressure off their defence.

Indianapolis to beat San Francisco

Peyton Manning will throw for 3 touchdowns at least and the 49ers will probably give up on Alex Smith again once the Colts defence start getting pressure on him.

New York Giants to beat Philadelphia

Just know sure about this game but think the Eli Manning will have enough in his locker to win this game plus he normally plays well against divisional rivals.

Detroit to beat St Louis

The Lions to win their second game of the season and for the Rams to look like a 0-16 team.  Starting to feel sorry for Steven Jackson being stuck in St Louis.

San Diego to beat Oakland

The Raiders let me down last week so they’ll probably do it again to me this week but surely Rivers and the Chargers will win this one.

Tennessee to beat Jacksonville

Yes I am taking the Titans to win this but only because the Jaguars have been so inconsistent.  Plus I just don’t think a Jeff Fisher coached team can be that bad all season.

Green Bay to beat Minnesota

The game everyone will be talking about this week.  Hopefully it will be nice and cold for Brett coming home and the Packers and Rodgers will win it.  Not sure what it is about the Vikings but for some reason I just don’t like them that much so maybe this is wishful thinking.

Arizona to beat Carolina

Warner and the Cardinals will be happy to play this poor team on national TV since it will allow them to show that they can still be Super Bowl contenders again.

New Orleans to beat Atlanta

This is turning into a must win game for the Falcons but I just think Brees and the Saints defence will be too strong for them.  Atlanta must get Michael Turner going soon or this season will be over soon.

NFL Power Rankings after week 6

1. Saints

They look scary on offence with so many weapons and nowadays they have a decent defence with Sharper looking like he will intercept a ball almost every game.  Remind me alot of the Colts on their Super Bowl run.

2. Colts

Manning looks good, Wayne looks good and they have a nice 1-2 running game with Addai and Brown.  Also helps the rest of the division is pants at the moment.

3. Vikings

Nothing seems wrong with this team and they would be 1 or 2 on my list is because Brett Favre has blown up late in the season for the last two years.  This team needs home field advantage in the play offs since Favre doesn’t like the cold weather.

4. Broncos

They are unbeaten, they look good on defence and Orton is winning games without doing anything fancy.  They also have a easy division and should have the division wrapped up pretty soon.

5. Giants

Yes they got spanked by the Saints but they have a banged up secondary and no every team has Drew Brees at QB.  Need to get more pressure from there front 4 so they don’t need to blitz so much.  The next 3 weeks will show for sure if they are a Super Bowl contender or not.

6. Falcons

A big win versus the Bears shows that Matt Ryan can take this team a long way.  Having Tony Gonzalez in the red zone helps alot too.

7. Patriots

Tom Brady and the offence had fun versus the Titans and now they must show they can do this week in and week out.

8. Bengals

Losing to the up and down Texans this week have seriously hurt this teams reputation and losing Odom for the season will hurt them more.

9. Steelers

They have started winning again, Mendanhall is running the ball well and Big Ben is putting up career numbers plus Troy is back on the defence.

10. Packers

There are alot of teams at 3-2 in the NFL and this is probably the one I personally wouldn’t want to be facing.  They have the potential to put up big numbers on offence and a defence that can cause some damage.

11. Cardinals

Arizona are starting to function on offence and because of their division they have a chance of getting in the play offs again with a .500 record.

12. Bears

Surely fans must be asking why they wasted so many picks on Cutler when Orton is winning with a Broncos team that doesn’t seem that much better on paper.  I think that if this team fails to make the play offs this year Lovie Smith is gone.

13. Ravens

They looked good the first 3 weeks and average the last 3 weeks.  Maybe they should have kept Stover has the kicker.  Defence needs to start playing better.

14. Eagles

One week they are destroying teams and next week they are losing to the Raiders.  This lose could come back to haunt them.

15. Cowboys

Romo needs to be more consistent and the defence needs to start making plays.

16. 49ers

Still not sure Shaun Hill is the answer at QB.  The team needed the bye week after being ripped a new one by Atlanta the other week.

17. Texans

So inconsistent it is unbelievable!  Great catch by Daniels this week though.

18. Jets

Sanchez is turing the ball over far too much for this team to win.  They are based on the old Ravens which is a strong defence and a QB who protects the ball.  They lose either of these things and they aren’t going to win games.

19. Jaguars

So inconsistent it is unbelievable!  Maurice Drew-Jones rushed well this week but will he do next week?

20. Dolphins

Henne played well versus the Jets but asking him to play like that all season may be asking too much.  Expect lots of Wildcat for the remainder of the season.

21. Chargers

Rivers and Merriman spend far too much time mouthing off at opponents rather than focusing on their own play.  Norv Turner can’t last another year in San Diego.

22. Seahawks

Just have too many holes at the moment to win on a consistent basis.

23. Bills

Trent Edwards getting hurt won’t help this team.  Actually surprised how bad this team have been this season.  Yet another coach that must go at the end of the season.

24. Panthers

Too tough a division for a team that is plainly not playing that well.

25. Raiders

Nice win this week but who really cares about this team anymore.

26. Redskins

Zorn is gone soon and so this team needs to find a head coach who is going to stay in place for 3 or more years and make a difference.  They will draft a QB with next years first round pick.

27. Lions

Out of all the teams in with only 1 win this season this is the only one that looks like it has some talent on its roster.

28. Chiefs

Yes they beat the Redskins but this isn’t something to brag about these days.

29. Browns

Cleveland don’t look any better under Mangini.

30. Titans

Jeff Fisher is too good a coach for this team to keep playing this badly.

31. Rams

They had a chance to win on Sunday bit blow it, story of their season so far.

32. Buccaneers

Man this team down right stinks.  The Pats will look forward to playing them next week in London.

Predictions for NFL week 5

Ravens to beat the Bengals

Baltimore is playing well but so are the Bengals but I just think the Ravens will have too much for them.  Look for the Ravens defence to play much better after last week.

Panthers to beat the Redskins

Is anyone interested in this game?  Really two bad teams and I fancy the Panthers to win because they are at home.

Bills to beat the Browns

The Browns can’t score on offence and to make things worse they have traded Edwards to the Jets.  Guess they have already written off the season.  The Bills aren’t much better but are at home at least.

Steelers to beat the Lions

Detroit has won one game this season but they aren’t going to get win number 2 this weekend.

Cowboys to beat the Chiefs

Chiefs need to get a win soon but I can’t see it happening this weekend versus the Cowboys.  Look for the Dallas defence to play well and for Romo to have a slightly better game than he has been having.  Though it is nice to see Romo getting found out for what he really is a decent QB rather than this superstar people were making him out to be.

Vikings to beat the Rams

Peterson to get over 200 yards? Wouldn’t put it past him or for Favre to have a big game.  The Rams are probably the worse team in the NFL at the moment.

Giants to beat the Raiders

Oakland just isn’t that good and won’t be when they have a thug has head coach or a nut job as an owner. Manning and the Giants look good and should make it 5 – 0.

Eagles to beat the Buccaneers

McNabb is back and they defence is playing well whereas noone is playing all that well for the Bucs.

49ers to beat the Falcons

San Fran is playing well and I thing they will have enough to beat the Falcons on Sunday.

Cardinals to beat the Texans

I can see both teams putting up a lot of points this weekend and also look for Fitzgerald and Johnson to have big games.  Fancy the Cardinals since they are home.

Broncos to beat the Patriots

Broncos are playing well which isn’t good news for all the McDaniels haters but something I’m personally not shocked about.  Orton is playing well enough to win games and the defence is finally showing how good it can be.

Jaguars to beat the Seahawks

Just not sure about this game since both teams aren’t that great but the Jags are slightly better.

Colts to beat the Titans

When you are winless the last team you want to play is the Colts on fire and Manning playing as well as he has for a few years.  Peyton is already MVP favourite and quite rightly since without this team would be average at best.

Jets to beat the Dolphins

Two young inexperience QBs in this game but the difference is Sanchez has a great defence to get him the ball back a lot.

MVP favourite

San Francisco 49ers the 25th best team in the NFL

The 49ers have again changed offensive coordinators and so yet again the QBs in the team have to learn a new system.  This is one of the reasons that Alex Smith has failed to live up to his potential although injury has also hampered him.  This is actually a shame since I feel he is properly a very good QB but needs a change of scenery to live up to the potential he showed in college.  Another player who failed to live up to his potential last year was Frank Gore again due to injury mainly and Mike Martz running a throwing offensive scheme.  Then the third offensive player who failed to live up to his potential was Vernon Davis.  Here is a player who has the ability and talent to be one of the best tight ends in the league but his attitude and work rate is holding him back.  Vernon Davis is easily better than Winslow but doesn’t do enough in games to justify the draft pick the 49ers used on him.

 For the 49ers to have a decent season they need all three of these players to step up to the plate though it is still doubtful if Smith will actually get the starting job but I have the feeling the 49ers will give him one more chance this season.  If these players can get the offense going then a highly talented defence should give them a lot of wins, especially in the weak NFC West division.  This defence includes one of the top linebackers in Patrick Willis and cornerback Nate Clements.

 Coach Mike Singletary who is in his first full season of being a NFL coach will try to introduce a new work effort into this team but may need to work on his people skills.  He especially needs to learn that not every player on the team has as much talent as he did or as the players who were on that Bears team of ’85.

 Though I think they will be ok this season I still only think they will win 5 games.

St Louis Rams the 30th best team in the NFL

When you look at the schedule for the St Louis Rams this upcoming year, you really don’t see a lot to be pleased about, especially when you see that they are facing the AFC South and the NFC North this season.  Let’s look at some of the main players in these teams:-

• Aaron Kampman – DE / LB Green Bay
• Jared Allen – DE Minnesota
• Tommie Harris – DT Chicago
• Mario Williams – DE Houston
• Dwight Freeney – DE Indianapolis
• Kyle Vanden Bosch – DE Tennessee 

 All of these gentlemen and a few more will be loving the fact they have a game versus the Rams and their dodgy offensive line.  This was the major problem with St Louis last year and although they did draft a quality lineman in Jason Smith he might not be enough to keep Marc Bulger healthy for the season.

 The Rams are yet another team to bring in a new coach, this time it is defensive guru Steve Spagnuolo from New York Giants.  This is probably the best coaching move by any team in the NFL this year but like Tom Cable, Josh McDaniels and Jim Schwartz, he is going to need at least 3 years to sort out this roster.  Although the Rams do have some nice players in Steven Jackson, Marc Bulger and Will Witherspoon they also have some really glaring holes in their roster.

 The Rams biggest problem is that they may be be 0 – 3 by the time they play the 49ers in week 3 with 2 of their first 3 games being on the road.  Then you add in the fact the first home game is against the Packers who might have actually worked out the 3 – 4 defense by then.  In fact if you actually study the Rams schedule they have a fair chance of being 0 – 8 by the time they hit their bye week in week 9, since they only have  3 games at home.  Though you do hope they beat the Lions in week 8.

 Overall this will be a tough season for St Louis and they will finish it 3 – 13 and will have the number 3 pick in the 2010 draft.