Where's the Outrage?

I got two out of three on Thanksgiving, but then again, just about everybody got two out of three on Thanksgiving. I figured that with their backs against the wall, the New York Giants would step up. They were completely unable. They seem to have more problems than they can overcome. I think their chances of making the playoffs are very slim.

The Early Games
the Tampa Bay Buccaneers versus the Atlanta Falcons. If Atlanta is seriously gonna make a run for the playoffs, they have to win this game. I look for Atlanta to play hard and come away with a victory.

The Miami Dolphins versus the Buffalo Bills. Miami is in a similar situation to the Falcons. They are playing a team that is, at least on paper, inferior. Miami has to win this game if they’re going to be taken seriously. I look for Miami’s defense to force turnovers. I look for Miami to figure out a way to win. If Miami only had a quarterback, they would be almost unstoppable.

The Washington Redskins versus the Philadelphia Eagles. Who knows? I think this is going to be a hard-fought game. The Redskins have a strong defense. Unfortunately, their offense is mediocre. The Eagles are struggling both on offense and defense. They still have Donovan McNabb who can make a big play at any time. The Eagles need a victory in order to stay with the Giants at 6-5. Look for the Eagles to do enough to win.

The Seattle Seahawks versus the St. Louis Rams. Why?

The Carolina Panthers versus the New York Jets. Poor Mark Sanchez. He, like many other rookie quarterbacks, came into the league with all of this hype. He got paid a lot of money. He had tons of interviews. We heard about how hard he was working and how he understood the offense. For the first three games of the season, he appeared to be living up to all of this hype. That was then. Sanchez has thrown 11 interceptions in the last five games. On the other side of the ball, Jake Delhomme has the uncanny knack of throwing an interception at just the wrong time. Both of these quarterbacks need a strong running game. This game is gonna come down to turnovers. Whichever quarterback can take care of the ball should win the game. I look for the Jets to win this game.

The Cleveland Browns versus the Cincinnati Bengals. Don’t get fooled by the offensive output of the Cleveland Browns. Last week was a fluke. They were playing the Detroit Lions. Look for the Cincinnati Bengals to right their ship and put a hurting on the Browns. I look for the Bengals to win by more than 10.

The Indianapolis Colts versus the Houston Texans. The Colts have had some offensive problems over the last several weeks. They’ve been able to move the ball but have not put up many points. The Houston Texans are a head scratcher. I have no idea how they lost last week. I don’t know how you let Vince Young run the ball. You have to make him throw the ball to beat you, but they didn’t. Dwight Freeney did not even make the trip. This could be significant. This is the perfect trap game for the Indianapolis Colts. I’m to pick the Houston Texans in an upset. Yeah, I know, picking against Peyton Manning is never a good plan. I’m gonna live dangerously.

The Afternoon Games
the Kansas City Chiefs versus San Diego Chargers. In spite of the Chiefs playing hard, I’ll think they have enough weapons to hold off the San Diego Chargers. I look for Philip Rivers to push the ball down the field. I think this game might be over by halftime. The Chargers by more than two touchdowns.

The Jacksonville Jaguars versus San Francisco 49ers. I have no idea how the Jaguars still have a shot at a playoff spot. They start off playing such mediocre football. Slowly but surely they’ve found ways to win games. I just don’t think the San Francisco 49ers have the talent to consistently beat anybody yet. Is Alex Smith going to be their quarterback? If they had some consistent quarterback play, I think that would be in more games. I give a slight edge to the Jaguars.

The Minnesota Vikings versus the Chicago Bears. Chicago just does not have the talent to keep up with an incredibly talented Minnesota Vikings team. Look for Bret Farve and Adrian Peterson to be sitting down most of the second half. The Vikings should cruise to victory.

The Arizona Cardinals versus the Tennessee Titans. It is clear that the Titans are playing better football after a disastrous beginning of the season. In spite of the fact that some people are talking about the Titans running the table, I don’t think it’ll happen. Arizona has played up and down this year. Being in the NFC West, Arizona can afford to play somewhat mediocre football. It is time for Arizona to play like they are defending champs of the NFC. Kurt Warner is expected to play. Chris Johnson leads the league in rushing, averaging over 6 yards per carry. This should be a very entertaining game if Kurt Warner can protect the ball. I look for this game to be high-scoring. I think Chris Johnson will get his hundred yards but it won’t be enough, as Kurt Warner will surgically dissect the Titans’ secondary.

The Baltimore Ravens versus the Pittsburgh Steelers. Unfortunately, Ben Roethlisberger is not gonna play for the Steelers. Their second string quarterback, Charlie Batch, is also injured. You cannot roll into Baltimore with your third string quarterback and expect to win the game. Look for the Ravens to make enough plays to win this game. As a surgeon, I thought it was crazy for the Steelers to risk playing Roethlisberger. I don’t care how many tests you passed. We don’t know enough about head injuries to be able to adequately predict who will do well and who won’t. He is the franchise. Protect the franchise.

Monday Night Football
The New England Patriots Versus the New Orleans Saints. Now this is the game that has been hyped for the past 10 days. Everyone is looking forward to this game. The Superdome will be rocking. If you are even a little bit of a football fan, you have to watch this game. This game will feature two of the best quarterbacks in the league. Both teams have mediocre defenses. Both teams have high-powered offenses. I think this game comes down to the defensive line of the New Orleans Saints versus the offensive line of the New England Patriots. I think the Saints will put enough pressure on Brady to make a difference. I also look for New Orleans to try to do something to jump out to an early lead. I think they want to pressure the Patriot offense. Make them play catch-up. I look for this game to be a 24-21 type score. At the end of the day, once the smoke is cleared, I think the New Orleans Saints will remain undefeated.

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