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.

What we learnt from Week 6 of the NFL

The New Orleans Saints and the Denver Broncos are Super Bowl contenders.  Noone will fancy playing either of these teams in the play offs especially if they get home field advantage.  Denver in January is not the place you want to go to unless it is for winter sports and the Superdome with a big crowd will also be a formidable place.  Both these posted big wins over teams everyone thought would be challenging for their divisions.

Washington and Tennessee have real big problems.  The Redskins have had the easiest schedule in the NFL and yet are still only 2 – 4, Jim Zorn is no longer play calling on the offensive side of the ball and let’s face it everyone thinks he will be sacked during the bye week.  The Titans on the other hand have a coach who the owner believes in and so there is unlikely to be any change at head coach but there might be change at a few other positions.  QB springs to mind since Kerry Collins isn’t lighting the heather on fire and they do have a high draft pick sitting on the bench in Vince Young.  I wouldn’t be surprised if either of these teams made a move for a QB during the off season.

Minnesota have everything working well and even have a little luck since they really should have lost the game on Sunday versus the Ravens.

The New York Jets, Philadelphia Eagles and Seattle Seahawks have little chance of making the play offs if they continue to play at their present level.

Finally never has there been a season where so many teams know their season is over after 6 weeks.  Look for a lot of rookies to get some playing time over the next 11 weeks so that teams can make a decision about keeping them or by getting rid of them during the off season especially if there is an uncapped year.

NFL Week 6 Predictions

Cincinnati to beat Houston

The Texans are a strange team that can put up big numbers but at the same time can let the opposition have a good day.  The Bengals are good enough and confident enough to have a great day on offence and should get win number 5 here.

Green Bay to beat Detroit

The Packers O-line is terrible but yet Rodgers still manages to put up decent numbers.  This tells you that if the Packers can sort out the 0-line they can be challengers for the NFC North title.  After having a bye week look for them to better but not that much better.

Jacksonville to beat St Louis

The Jaguars have problems but then so do the Rams.  Jaguars are at home so they should win but only if they pound the ball with Maurice Jones-Drew.

Baltimore to beat Minnesota

Ray Lewis and the Ravens are hurting after a couple of big losses and ones they feel were down more to the officials than them (not sure I agree with them mind), so look for them to get a huge win in Minnesota.  AP will have a decent day but not sure he’ll break the 100 yard mark.  Also look for Favre to be under a lot of pressure.

New Orleans to beat New York

The Saints have had a bye week to get healthy and the one thing the Giants aren’t is healthy especially in the secondary.  Yes the back ups have played well but not sure how long that can last.  Look for Brees to throw is usual ton of balls and to put up big numbers again.

Pittsburgh to beat Cleveland

The Steelers are so hot and cold it is frightening but they are playing the Browns so they should win easily.  Big Ben and Mendanhall to both have big games.

Tampa Bay to beat Carolina

Yes the Panthers won last week but it was only against the Redskins.  Yes the Bucs can’t beat anyone but somehow I think this is their week to surprise everyone.

Washington to beat Kansas City

Surely my beloved Redskins can beat the Chiefs surely!  I’m going to say yes but don’t be shocked to see the Chiefs picking up their first win here.

Philadelphia to beat Oakland

The Raiders are glad that the Rams, Browns and Bills are in the league since it keeps attention away from them and just how bad they are.  Sorry to see Russell struggling so badly but then again he shouldn’t have been so greedy and ruined his rookie year.  Eagles will win be 30 this week.

Seattle to beat Arizona

Who knows who will win this game since both teams are hot and cold.  So going to pick the Seahawks since they are at home.

Tennessee to beat the Patriots

I think this is the shock of the week and it better be for Jeff Fishers sake or he is going to make a tough decision about the QB position really soon.  Patriots will lose 2 in a row for the first time in ages or at least it feels like ages.

New York to beat Buffalo

Does anyone think that the Bills will win this one?  Nope didn’t think so.  Easy win for the Jets.

Atlanta to beat Chicago

The Bears to lose a close one and this make the NFC North really interesting.  Plus this lose might get rid of the silly talk about Jay Cutler for MVP.  Falcons should continue on from were they left off last week.

Denver to beat San Diego

The Broncos to win again and this will surely annoy all the so-called experts who wrote they off during the off-season.  The Chargers continue to show that they talk a good game but more often than not fail to show up when really needed.

My thoughts about Week 5 in the NFL

Week 5 showed some interesting things in the NFL starting with the Bengals proving they are for real after beating the much fancied Ravens in Baltimore.  Yes they needed help from Ray Lewis but yet again Carson Palmer showed he is still a quality QB.  Cincinnati are one miracle play away from being perfect.

Though speaking of the week 1 loss to the Broncos brings us nicely onto Denver.  This team was written off at the start of the season but McDaniels, Orton and a quality defence has shown that this team has a good chance of making the playoffs.  Orton hasn’t done anything pretty but he hasn’t done anything wrong either.

Week 5 also showed that the NFC East is between 2 teams Philly and NY since both the Redskins and the Cowboys really are just not that good.  Although the Cowboys won they only beat the Chiefs and Washington, in fact let’s not even go there since it just upsets me.

Buffalo and Cleveland could just be the two worse teams to have played in the NFL and to say that the game on Sunday was dreadful would be an understatement.  6 – 3?  I have been to higher scoring football games (that is proper football!)

The Colts and the Giants both look good and I expect that you properly won’t get very good odds for a Manning bowl in Miami at the end of the season.  Both the Manning brothers are also clear MVP leaders along with Jared Allan of the Vikings.

Finally week 5 showed that a lot of teams are still searching for an identity.  Take Jacksonville and Seattle for two good examples.  Either these teams are either good or rotten but they are hardly good or rotten two weeks in a row.  Look for the Jags to bounce back this week and play well and if you do fantasy football but little Jones-Drew in your team since he should see a lot of the ball versus St Louis.

NFL Predictions week 12

Ravens to beat the Eagles – Philly lose this one and their season is all over.  The fans will boo McNabb and demand Reid out on talk radio but both of these guys will be around next year.

Bears to beat the Rams – Yes the Bears were shocking last week but this is the Rams they are playing.

Titans to beat the Jets – Jets better hope Favre gets out of here in once piece.

Dolphins to beat the Pats - just when Cassel looks good the Pats will lose another game and their playoff dream will also be over.

Browns to beat the Texans – Quinn is playing well and looking the part.

Bucs to beat the Lions - Bucs will easily win this one.

Jaguars to beat the Vikings – Vikings will somehow manage to lose this one but AP will probably still have a big day.

Bills to beat the Chiefs – This could a pretty tight game but I fancy the Bills.

Cowboys to beat the 49ers - Dallas to sneak a close one.

Broncos to beat the Raiders – How many people will even watch this game?  Really about 2.

Falcons to beat the Panthers – This could be a great match but I fancy the Falcons to sneak it.

Giants to beat the Cards – Yes Arizona is playing well but then so are those Giants

Redskins to beat the Seahawks – Seattle is so poor I have no idea who is even playing QB for them this week.

Colts to beat the Chargers – You can’t defend the pass and you face Manning then you have problems.  Though look for both QBs to have big numbers.

Packers to beat the Saints – Green Bay looked good last week and they will continue that into this week.

NFL Predictions week 11

Well I started off poorly this week getting Thursday’s game wrong.  The Jets looked great then rotten but managed to hold it together to get the win.  The Pats have shown that they are still a threat and this division looks like it might come down to the wire.

Rest of Week 11 Predictions

Eagles to beat the Bengals – The Eagles should have enough to easily win this game.

Giants to beat the Ravens – Big test for young Flacco and the Ravens but the defending champs just look too good at the moment.

Falcons to beat the Broncos – Never thought I would say this but Denver can’t run the ball and Atlanta can so I’m taking the Falcons to win this one.

Dolphins to beat the Raiders – Look for Williams and Brown to have big numbers in this game.  Pennington is also showing he is still able to run an offence in the NFL.

Colts to beat the Texans – If the Texans can lose the game versus the Colts earlier in the season they can surely lose this one.

Saints to beat the Chiefs – This is a hard one to predict since the Chiefs are getting better but I do fancy the Saints to sneak it but not by much.

Packers to beat the Bears – Green Bay lose this one and their season is pretty much done so I think they will get by the Bears but it won’t be pretty.

Bucs to beat the Vikings – The Vikings are playing well but they are up against a good defence this week unlike the last couple of weeks.

Panthers to beat the Lions – Have I mentioned the fact I think the Lions might go 0 – 16?  If not then I do, easy Panthers win here.

49ers to beat the Rams – The 49ers were unlucky on Monday night so I think they take that good form forward and beat the Rams for Singletary’s first victory.

Cardinals to beat the Seahawks – Seattle are getting healthier but Arizona is playing with so much confidence at the moment.

Titans to beat the Jaguars – No idea what Jacksonville team you are going to get so I’m taking the consistent team, Tennessee to win this one.

Chargers to beat the Steelers – The Steelers have been playing poorly of late and the Chargers need a win so San Diego to win this one.

Redskins to beat the Cowboys – I normally predict against Washington but I honestly feel this is game the Redskins can win. 

NFL Preview Week 10

Well I totally forgot to do my predictions last week so I’ll try this week for my 80%. 

 

Week 10 features the first Thursday night game, great if you live in Scotland like me and get this free with Sky not so great if you live in America and don’t have the NFL network.  This seems totally strange to me but hey since I can get it I’m happy.

 

So here goes:

Browns to beat the Broncos – The Brady Quinn era starts in Cleveland tonight and luckily for him he is facing a terrible defence which is missing its best player, Champ Bailey.  The more interesting part to the Quinn starting is where Anderson ends up.  There is plenty of teams in need of a decent QB and I would say he is a decent QB so good luck to him when he moves.

 

Falcons to beat the Saints – Turner will have fun running all over the Saints defence.

 

Titans to beat the Bears – So good old fashioned football going to be played here.  Both teams like to run the ball but for me the Titans have the better running backs in Johnson and White.  Look for the Titans to play 8 and 9 man fronts since they know that Grossman shouldn’t beat them.

 

Lions to beat the Jags – Jacksonville are a team with no confidence and no running game plus they have shown that they an lose games to poor teams.  Look for Detroit to win their first game of the season.

 

Texans to beat the Ravens – I like the look of the Ravens but for some reason I really fancy the Texans to win this one.

 

Dolphins to beat the Seahawks – The Seahawks have real problems at he moment and the Fins are playing well.  Look for Pennington to guide them to another victory on Sunday.  By the way Miami have a real chance of winning this division.

 

Packers to beat the Vikings – Still not sold on the Vikings and so I think that Rodgers and the Packers get back to winning ways in the dome.

 

Pats to beat the Bills – New England will be hurting after losing to the Colts but look for them to win a crucial divisional game versus the Bills.

 

Jets to beat the Rams – The Rams have been improving but I think that Favre and the Jets will win comfortable at home.

 

Panthers to beat the Raiders – Things don’t get any easier for the Raiders and Russell.  After a poor performance last week they get a better team with a better defence to play.  Look for Peppers to cause chaos in this game.

 

Steelers to beat the Colts – The Colts will lose this game because the Steelers can run the ball and their defence is looking great again.

 

Chargers to beat the Chiefs – The Chiefs look good but the Chargers should come back from the bye week hungry for a victory that could see them become joint top of the division again.

 

Eagles to beat the Giants – I can see the Giants losing this one because of how important a game it is for the Eagles.  If they lose this one then they are pretty much out of the NFC East.

 

Cards to beat the 49ers – What a terrible Monday night game this will be.  The Cards and Warner will throw for thousands of yards versus this very poor San Fran team.