NFL Matchup Week 5

So much going on and so little time for me. If you've been reading, I have been a little lax on the postings this week. Trying to get ready for some vacation time with Mrs. Inquisitive Mind and a lot has been going on. So, after Friday (October 3rd) you'll probably see the same content out here until I return on Saturday (October 11th). Last week was a terrible 5 - 8 on my picks, so it can't get any worse. For the year, I'm 37 - 23. Not bad, but still broke in Vegas. So, enjoy this week's matchups.

Kansas City @ Carolina - Fresh off of an upset against the Denver Broncos, the Chiefs look to take their act on the road. Carolina demolished the Falcons and everyone in the league was reminded that if you don't prepare and come out and play, even a team that's as good as the Broncos can be beaten by a team as bad as the Chiefs. Winner - Panthers.

Chicago @ Detroit - The Bears defense finally held (well at least on that 4th and 1) and got a win against the Eagles. For the win they are given a gift of going to Detroit to play the Lions. The Lions have had and will continue to have lots of moving parts within their organization, but I think the players are going to motivated a little to do something. The Bears are favored by 4 points and Kyle Orton seems to be in a nice rhythm. I like the Bears and I agree that this one could go either way, a Bears blowout or a Bears close win. Winner - Bears.

Atlanta @ Green Bay - The biggest question of the game is whether Aaron Rodgers is able to make his 5th consecutive start or not. This game is in Green Bay and the Packers have a lot to prove after a tough loss in Tampa. Green Bay's running game is still hurting along with Rodgers' shoulder. Michael Turner gets to run against two stout defense two weeks in a row and I like Matt Ryan, but I don't think playing on the frozen tundra (no, not frozen yet, but it'll get there) in Green Bay is going to be fun for him. Winner - Packers.

San Diego @ Miami - The Dolphins shocked the world two weeks ago, then went on a bye week where their backup running back admitted to 'wanting to puff puff pass', they still don't have Jason Taylor back, and they get to welcome a nicely tuned Chargers team to South Beach. There is nothing, including Ronnie Brown running for 4 TDs, that will make me pick the Dolphins. Winner - Chargers.

Seattle @ New York Giants - The Seahawks get to travel all the way across the country just to get to wonderful Giants stadium so that they can be introduced to the Giants defense. Their last game was a scrimmage against the Rams, but now they face a real test. The Giants escaped from the Bengals in their last game and then they got a chance to watch the rest of their NFC East foes knock each other out last week. I expect big things from Plaxico for the rest of the year (although he'll sit this game) and I hope his off the field issues don't get him suspended by the league. Winner - Giants.

Washington @ Philadelphia - The Eagles have surprised many, including me with their wins and their 'shoulda won' against the Bears last week. Westbrook returned to practice, but it's not sure whether he will play this week. My best bet is that he'll play. The Redskins pulled of the 2nd biggest shocker of the year by beating the Cowboys in Dallas. I will say this again, Jason Campbell looked good in leading that Redskin team last week. If he can continue to play like this, the Redskins are going to be very dangerous, and could possibly win the NFC East. Winner - Redskins.

Tennessee @ Baltimore - The Titans come in on a 4 game winning streak and looking 'marvelous darling'. They have played Jeff Fisher ball, a good run game, timely passing, and great defense. They go to Baltimore to take on the Ravens who have to be spent after their overtime loss to the Steelers on Monday night. I love the heart of the Ravens, but I don't think they have enough bodies to pull off a W. Winner - Titans.

Indianapolis @ Houston - Will the good football team stand up? We know that's not Houston, but at 1-3, this is a must win for the Colts. They should have most of their starters back, although still without Bob Sanders. I'm not so much concerned about the Colts D though. Their offense is getting scores, either that or I'm just used to the Colts getting 28+ a game. Houston should serve as a sacrificial lamb for the Colts season, although Matt Schaub played pretty well last week. Is he finally getting his legs? Winner - Colts.

Tampa Bay @ Denver - Two weeks in a row? After riding high the Broncos were taken down several notches by the lowly Chiefs. This time, the Broncos are playing a much better defense, but their advantage is that they are playing in Denver. I think the team with the stronger running game wins this and that means,........Winner - Bucs.

Buffalo @ Arizona - With Anquan Boldin questionable with a fractured sinus (didn't know you could fracture your sinus), I'm not sure what to do on this one. I would have said that this is one of those games that should have lots of fireworks (scores), but with the dynamic duo of Boldin and Fitzgerald down to one and the health of Kurt Warner's hand, I think this could turn into a knock 'em down, drag 'em out kind of deal. The Bills will turn to Marshawn Lynch and Trent Edwards is due another big game. Winner - Bills.

New England @ San Francisco - When you think about greatest teams of all time, you'd like this matchup, maybe a little of the Joe Montana 49ers against the Brady led Pats, and this would be something that would have a lot of meat on it. With these two teams as they are now, this looks like cookout food the day after the cookout. The Pats have question marks at QB, and the 49ers have a decent little team. I originally went with the Pats on this one, but something is telling me that the 49ers are able to handle the wrinkles that the Pats come up with after their bye week. Winner - 49ers.

Cincinnati @ Dallas - If Palmer is healthy then this is a good game, not a great game, but a good one. With the chances of Fitzpatrick starting again this week and no leprechaun in sight, this has the makings of a drubbing. The Bengals come to the Big D after they lose to the Redskins. Marion Barber didn't get his touches, Jason Witten didn't get his touches, and TO only got 20 opportunities,.....I think the lights on the scoreboard get tested this week. Winner - Dallas.

Pittsburgh @ Jacksonville - Another tough game for the Steelers (who did they piss off to get this schedule?). Jacksonville will benefit from getting Garrard in a flow and their running game will be tested by the Steelers D. The Steelers on the other hand have a banged up QB, a dude off the street running the ball for them, and they get to travel on a short week after having played on Monday night. Both defenses will keep this tight and I think the Jags win a close one. Winner - Jags.

Minnesota @ New Orleans - Get your popcorn. The Vikings do great at stopping the run, but their pass defense is a sieve. If they can't get a pass rush, Drew Brees might hurt himself from throwing the ball 80 times. The Saints also have Duce McAllister back which will help Reggie Bush get some better matchups against that passing D of the Vikings. The Vikings have a new/old/new again starter in Tavaris Jackson. Did the demotion light a fire under this guy so that he'll be more aggressive? I guess we'll see. Winner - Saints.

NFL Week 4 Wrap Up

Good games all weekend. Lots of ups and downs to go with them. We'll see how I did.

Cleveland @Cincinnati - Don't I get a do over on this one because of Carson Palmer not playing? This was truly an ugly game. This was more of a soccer game (a lot of running around for not a lot of points). Ryan Fitzpatrick made his first start since 2005 and the rust was evident with his 21 of 35 for 156 yards, 1 TD, and 3 INTs. Chad Johnson got his first TD of the year and that was the highlight for the Bengals. Derek Anderson was able to keep his job for at least another week. Inquisitive Mind 0 - 1 for the week.

Minnesota @ Tennessee - The Titans were again led by their defense and they are probably the most interesting 4-0 team in the league. They have lost their starting star QB for an uncertain amount of time, but somehow they get it done each week. Kerry Collins was average (18 of 35 for 199) but the rookie running back, Chris Johnson, had two TD runs. Adrian Peterson was able to get his 80 yards and 2 TDs, but Gus Frerotte was hurt (cut hand) and Tavaris Jackson is now the starter again. Frerotte, you got hit fair and square, don't cry about it. Inquisitive Mind 0 -2 for the week.

Denver @ Kansas City - I see a pattern here. Every time I say a game is going to be an utter blowout, it goes the other way. I don't know if it's me or just karma. The Chiefs invited the Broncos in to Arrowhead and ate them alive. Larry Johnson got his 20+ carries (28) and 198 yards to go along with 2 TDs. The Chiefs D got 4 turnovers and that helped Damon Huard manage the game. Denver is only 3-1 but this was a not what anyone expected, not even the Chiefs. Inquisitive Mind 0 -3 for the week.

San Francisco @ New Orleans - The Saints D dominated from the beginning and didn't let the 49ers get on a roll. JT O'Sullivan accounted for the 3 turnovers from the 49ers (2 INTs, and 1 fumble) which the Saints converted into scores. Drew Brees went for 23 of 35 for 363 yards, 3 TDs, and 1 INT. Duce McAllister returned and gave the Saints ground game some ooomph. Inquisitive Mind 0 -4 for the week.

Arizona @ New York Jets - Dayum! I'm already 0 -4 and then this happens. Brett Favre decides that he wants to show exactly how well connected he is with his receivers. Favre goes for 24 of 34 for 289 yards, 6 TDs and 1 INT. Favre connected with 8 different receivers and Laveraneus Coles 8 times for 105 yards and 3 of those TDs. Arizona never got out of the corner as the Jets pummeled them from the beginning, 34 - 0 at halftime. Other than the loss, the Cardinals got a scare when Anquan Boldin as carted off the field after getting hit in the head. Reports on him are coming in. Inquisitive Mind 0 - 5 for the week.

Green Bay @ Tampa Bay - Finally a W for me. The Bucs D started this game strong and confused Aaron Rodgers and the rest of the Packers for the entirety. Both Brian Griese and Aaron Rodgers threw 3 INTs but the biggest difference in the game is Tampa's D stopping the anemic running game of the Packers. What made this loss even worse for the Packers is that Rodgers may have a separated shoulder. Who's his backup? Prayers go out to Matt Bryant and his family for their loss of their 3 month old son Matthew Tryson Bryant (I'm not sure how he even played today with his heavy heart). Inquisitive Mind 1 - 5 for the week.

Atlanta @ Carolina - This was a pretty dominate performance by the Panthers. They really put a clamp on the Falcons running game and then did the same to Matt Ryan. The Panthers didn't get a lot of production out of either of their running backs, but they totaled 109 yards on 30 carries, enough to eat the clock and go home with the win. Steve Smith scored his first TD of the year, while referee Ed Hoculli may have found himself in the midst of another bad call controversy. Peppers had a clean hit on Ryan. Inquisitive Mind 2 - 5 for the week.

Houston @ Jacksonville - When your kicker is probably your MVP 4 weeks into the season, it tells you how much your team is struggling. The Jaguars continue to get these wins when they should be losses. Matt Schaub played lights out for the Texans with his 29 of 40 for 307 yards and 3 TDs, but when it counted, David Garrard led his team down the field and put Josh Scobee in the position to win yet another game for the Jaguars. Inquisitive Mind 3 - 5 for the week.

San Diego @ Oakland - As I watched this game I couldn't believe my eyes. I thought maybe whatever the Chiefs were drinking, that the Raiders got some too. The Raiders jumped out to an early 15 - 0 lead at halftime led by a defense that came to play and pretty good play by Jamarcus Russell (who quietly out played Phillip Rivers). In the 4th quarter the Chargers scored 25 points. 25 points in the 4th when they looked inadequate the entire game. This definitely has to hurt the Raiders more than any other loss this year. This was probably the last game that Lane Kiffin coaches as the Raiders head coach. He actually had Janikowski try a 76 yard field goal. SEVENTY SIX YARD FIELD GOAL. You don't even try that on Madden. Inquisitive Mind 4 - 5 for the week.

Buffalo @ St. Louis - This should have been a relatively easy blow out, but the Rams made this a game early in the first half. They led going into halftime, 14 to 6. Scott Linehan was excited about his chance of keeping his job and then after that it went awry. The Bills started to dominate on D (interception by Jabari Greer for a TD) and on offense (TDs by Fred Jackson, and Lee Evans). Scott Linehan may be without job soon. Inquisitive Mind 5 - 5 for the week.

Washington @ Dallas - All I can say is the Redskins D held Marion Barber to 26 yards and no TDs. That in itself should tell you the outcome of the game. The Redskins really shut down the Dallas O and kept both Barber and TO limited. Jason Campbell looked great. Clinton Portis provided the ground game (121 yards on 21 carries), but again, Jason Campbell played like the seasoned veteran QB instead of Romo. He moved the Redskins around the field and often found Santana Moss (8 catches for 145 yards). The Redskins went into Dallas and won there, something that many felt was impossible this year. Maybe the Redskins are the toast of the NFC East? Inquisitive Mind 5 - 6 for the week.

Philadelphia @ Chicago - This was supposed to be a homecoming for Donovan McNabb. Let's just say it was a little bittersweet. Although Mama McNabb rolled out the food for her son and his teammates, the game went south late in the 4th. The Eagles should have won this game, but the Bears found a way not to lose this one. The highlights are really all about the Bears. The D held the Eagles out of the end zone late in the 4th on a 4th an 1, Matt Forte ran well (how did this guy slip in the draft?), and Kyle Orton stretched the field enough to keep the Eagles D honest. Inquisitive Mind 5 - 7 for the week.

Well it was a rough week and I'm not feeling any better about Monday's game and my pick of the Ravens. We all can have a bad week though, right? We'll see what happens.

Redskins at Giants Week 1 Recap

Well, to say that this game was exciting would definitely be the wrong thing to talk about. This resembled a 5th preseason game in my mind. The Redskins actually looked like they need two more preseason games to get it together. The Giants won the game 16-7 in a boring affair, but at least gives the Giants a game up in the NFC East. Things I noticed:

Antwaan Randle El - Two offside penalties for a WR? Are you kidding me? I mean in the same game, 2 of them? You are looking down the line at the ball, no excuse. That's like a nose guard/tackle jumping offside when the ball is right under his nose. Decent stats, 7 catches for 73 yards, although the majority of them were on one play (26 yard pass reception).

LaRon Landry - Welcome to the league again. I have to give it to this guy, he likes to hit, even when the the person he was hitting was 75 lbs heavier and running down hill right at him. Brandon Jacobs hit this guy and I'm sure his spinal cord compacted for a second or two. But Landry got up and stayed on the field and played well. 6 tackles and half a sack and almost 2 interceptions.

Jason Campbell - You stare at Beyonce, Kim Kardashian (don't let Reggie catch you doing it), Stacy Dash, and Jessica Alba. You do not stare down your receivers or it's going to be a looooong season for the Redskins. I was somewhat surprised how badly Campbell played in the first half, but they still had a chance to win the game. Maybe it's just opening night jitters, but I expect more from him.

Justin Tuck - I said he'd be the difference maker for the Giants on defense, I just forgot to add Mathias Kiawanuka to that list too. The two of them handled the Redskins' offensive line for the majority of the game and dominated them. Spagnola was bringing the heat too. I was sitting there counting blitzes and I lost count after about 20. I guess you don't talk trash about the guy that you almost gave your head coaching job to when he's running the defense that you play Week 1 (Snider said that Spagnola wasn't even close to getting the job Zorn has, around the same time that Spagnola said he withdrew his name from consideration).

Redskins Defense - Hey I got rid of them in Fantasy Football because I thought they'd play like they did early in this game for the entire year. They were able to right their ship and stop the Giants, except Brandon Jacobs, for the 2nd half of the game. I might have to think about picking them back up later in the year. They were also without Shawn Springs and lost Fred Smoot for a few plays with a bad back.

Brandon Jacobs - 'That hurt!!!!' That's what had to be going on in the minds of everyone trying to tackle him last night. This guy was looking for people to hit, even after the whistle. 6'4" 275, with speed, that's something I don't want to see coming through the hole at me, unless I have a sledge hammer.

Eli Manning - He was average. Nice move to get in the end zone on the bootleg, but other than that he was average. He got lucky that the Redskins let go two of his passes, but he gets the win.

All in all, a decent, yet boring game. This had to hurt the Redskins more than anyone else because as badly as they played, they were still only 9 points out. They had opportunities but squandered them. That's at least the silver lining in the whole deal. Here's to next week.

NFL Preview: Redskins at Giants

Well it's the first 'live' game of the year. The Redskins travel to the Meadowlands to take on the New York Football Giants. The Redskins are coming off of a year where they lost a star player but ended up rallying late in the season to make the playoffs. The Giants had an up and down year, but at the end of the year their QB play and defense got on a roll that allowed them to win the Superbowl against the 'best' team in the NFL, the New England Patriots.

This matchup tonight will feature two different teams hoping to rebound from some difficult situations and start off 2008 with a bang. The Giants are coming in with a decimated front line after losing Michael Strahan (to retirement), Osi Umenyioura (to injury), and moving the rest of the guys around to adjust. Justin Tuck will get an opportunity to show that he can play on the line (switching from LB to DE) and I think he'll be the key to the game for the Giants on the defensive side of the ball. Tuck is a man, in the mold of Strahan, not too bulky, but he's huge. He can run and has a nose for the ball. In short, he's a monster. On offense the Giants will be led by Eli Manning (I'm really not a fan; that throw to Tyree last year in the Superbowl was luck) and a good ground game with Brandon Jacobs and Ahmad Bradshaw. That's Thunder and Lighting for you right there. Add the height of Plaxico Burress and the Giants have the advantages across the board.
The Redskins come to town with an inexperienced (in this system) QB, Jason Campbell, but a good ground game with Clinton 'If Healthy' Portis. They have some good WRs that can stretch the field and Chris Cooley to do everything else underneath. On the defensive side of the ball, they have an injured Jason Taylor (gametime decision), but that's about it. Andre Carter and Cornelius Griffin should help with the push up the middle which should make Manning throw the ball up for grabs a few times. The Redskins running game is key for them to win tonight.

Who ya got?

Well, I gotta go with the Giants, but a lot closer game than I think most people predicted. 24-21 Giants. It should be exciting, and if it isn't we just have to wait until Sunday.