(Note: The post was delayed because I was out in the woods of western PA away from computers over the weekend. Not Matt’s fault at all. – Bam )
Week Five
Pittsburgh – Bye Week
The Steelers are on their bye week. A well deserved rest for a 3-1 team without their franchise QB.
Jacksonville @ Buffalo
The Jacksonville Jaguars (2-2) are coming off an improbable win against Indianapolis last week, while the Buffalo Bills (0-4) lost to the Jets at home. Many see this game as an easy win for the Jaguars, and I usually wouldn’t argue with that pick, but I just feel that this game is set-up perfectly to be the Buffalo’s first win. Why is this the perfect set-up you ask? Three reasons. David Garrard, Ryan Fitzpatrick, and Location.
Buffalo will win this game because: (1) David Garrard. He hasn’t been able to play consistently this year, and I think that pattern will continue. He had a terrific game against Indy, which spells doom for him this week. (2) Ryan Fitzpatrick. Like Garrard, he has been a streaky player in the NFL too. He has had two starts this season, one terrific game against New England and an ineffective, albeit mistake free, start last week. Against a weak Jag’s secondary, I see him having a big day. (3) Location. The game is in Buffalo, and anyone who has watched the Bills this year will probably agree that if they win a game this year it is going to be at home.
The Bills get their first win of the season.
Philadelphia @ San Francisco
The entire world knows where the Eagles (2-2) stand right now. They are coming off a loss to the McNabb’s Redskins and their QB Michael Vick was injured in the loss. Now they have Kevin Kolb at the helm…again… as they visit the 49ers. San Francisco (0-4) would probably trade an injury to their quarterback, Alex Smith, for two wins, especially after his awful outing last week against the Falcons (188 yards passing 1 touchdown / 2 interceptions).
Both teams have the ability to have great running games, the Eagles with McCoy and the 49ers with Gore. Both teams also have good, but not great, defenses. I will say that I think San Francisco’s defense has the better upside, and in my eyes have been under-performing. With these even match-ups, the better performing quarterback will win this game for his team. Both quarterbacks are playing to show fans/coaches/and possibly other GM’s that they belong as a starting quarterback in this league. I think Smith will have the better game, and therefore 49ers will get the win.
San Francisco upsets the Eagles.
Minnesota @ New York Jets
I feel that I am always talking about either Brett Favre or the Jets, and lucky me (he writes with sarcasm)…this week I get to do both in the same game. Vikings (1-2) are coming off their bye week, while the Jets (3-1) are coming off a win against the Bills. This is a big game for both teams, but the pressure is really on the Vikings. This is a team that bought Favre out of “retirement” only to start 1-2. Then they bring in Randy Moss via a trade from New England, to try to give Favre some weapons to play with. If this doesn’t work…there is going to be panic in Minnesota, because this team that needs to win now!
Both teams are going to be receiving a boost in personnel this week. Minnesota will have Randy Moss back in a purple uniform. The Jets will have Reevis back in the line-up after missing last week’s game, they will also start Santonio Holmes, the former Pittsburgh Steelers Superbowl MVP, for the first time this season after he was suspended for the first 4 games of the season.
I love that the Vikings added Moss, and they know they have to stretch the field. However, in order to throw the ball deep…you need time in the pocket, which the Vikings haven’t had. I think every team in the NFL knows if you can pressure Favre, he makes mistakes. I think the Jets will pressure Favre all game, and will benefit from a turnover or two. I think Sanchez/Holmes will have a better game than Favre/Moss and the Vikings will be in panic mode once they are (1-4) heading into week 6.
Jets beat up on Vikings and Favre.
STAFF PICKS
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WEEK 5 |
Bam |
Brian |
George |
Matt |
|
2010 Record |
37-25 |
34-28 |
40-22 |
38-24 |
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Jacksonville |
Buffalo |
Buffalo |
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Cincinnati |
Cincinnati |
Cincinnati |
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Atlanta |
Atlanta |
Atlanta |
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|
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Detroit |
Detroit |
St. Louis |
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|
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Indianapolis |
Indianapolis |
Indianapolis |
|
|
|
Washington |
Green Bay |
Green Bay |
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|
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Carolina |
Chicago |
Chicago |
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Denver at Baltimore |
|
Baltimore |
Baltimore |
Baltimore |
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Houston |
Houston |
Houston |
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|
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New Orleans |
New Orleans |
New Orleans |
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|
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San Diego |
San Diego |
San Diego |
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|
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Dallas |
Dallas |
Dallas |
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|
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San Francisco |
Philadelphia |
San Francisco |
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Minnesota at New York Jets |
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New York Jets |
New York Jets |
New York Jets |
Bye Week: Dolphins, Steelers, Patriots, and Seahawks.
