NFL Week 5: Games to Watch

This week seems a little down in terms of big games on the schedule. I’ve selected four of the best ones to preview. Last week I went 2-2 on these preview games; overall I'm 12-4.

Here’s a quick look at a few of the big games on tap this weekend.

TITANS (3-1) @ STEELERS (2-2)

Tennessee is one of the surprise teams of the first quarter of the NFL season. If you asked somebody to predict the Titans’ record with Kenny Britt out for the season and Chris Johnson not contributing much, not many would have said anything above .500. And the Steelers are on the opposite side; they are struggling mightily with injuries and poor play. I still give the nod to the ‘burgh on this one.

Pittsburgh 20, Tennessee 19

EAGLES (1-3) @ BILLS (3-1)

This game featuring two teams doing the opposite of what they were expected to do. Many people though Philly was going to light the world on fire with all its talent, and the Bills were supposed to be … well, the Bills. Their records are flip-flopped from what the experts thought would happen. But even with the Eagles struggling, they will win this one with their backs firmly against the wall.

Philadelphia 27, Buffalo 24

 PACKERS (4-0) @ FALCONS (2-2)

This rematch of last year’s Divisional Playoffs pits two teams seemingly headed in opposite directions. The Packers are flying high and blowing out everybody they play, despite playing less-than-stellar defense. The Falcons are schizophrenic, playing great one week and mailing it in the next. The offense was expected to be explosive with the addition of Julio Jones. Another loss for Atlanta this week.

Green Bay 35, Atlanta 27

BEARS (2-2) @ LIONS (4-0)

The only O-line in football more offensive than the one in Pittsburgh is this unit in Chicago. Cutler is getting killed. If not for their special teams, the Bears would be in a world of hurt. Combine a bad offensive line with one of the best defensive lines in football (Detroit), and it may be a long day for the midgets of the Midway. No come-from-behind dash this time as the Lions go crazy at home, and it isn’t as close as the score indicates.

Detroit 31, Chicago 21

Missouri Round-up

This weekend should be a good one for Missouri’s football teams. Mizzou travels to Manhattan to take on Kansas State, and based on how the team looked two weeks ago in Norman against OU, I say they come out with a win. And it looks like the best case scenario for both the state’s NFL teams. The Chiefs head to Indianapolis to take on the winless Colts. Indy looked better on Monday Night against Tampa Bay, but I think KC gets win No. 2 in Indiana. And the hapless Rams are on their BYE week, so at least they won’t lose.

As always, thanks for reading.

Steve

NFL Power Rankings: Week 5

The NFL regular season has passed the quarter pole, and we are beginning to see which teams are for real (Packers, Patriots, Lions), which ones are still pretending (Dolphins, Vikings, Rams) and which ones we aren’t sure about just yet (Bears, Raiders, Cowboys). 

The NFL Power Rankings are published bi-weekly here on MTSS, being updated every odd-numbered week based on team results to date. Our rankings are our best (kind-of) educated guess at which team would beat the ones listed below it in the rankings. You get the idea. The biggest movers were Tennessee (+12) and Philadelphia (-14). If you have been paying attention, those should make sense.

(Week 3 rankings are in parenthesis.)

1.  (1) Green Bay (4-0) – Aaron Rodgers is the early season MVP. Brett who?
2.  (7) Baltimore (3-1) – Dominating defense; struggling offense.
3.  (2) New England (3-1) – Tom Terrific breaking records every week.
4.  (8) Detroit (4-0) – Unbelievable back-to-back comebacks in Weeks 3-4.
5.  (3) New Orleans (3-1) – Hitting on all cylinders since the Week 1 loss to Packers.
6.  (11) Houston (3-1) – The new 3-4 defense is definitely improved.
7.  (16) Buffalo (3-1) – A great start, then the trap game against the Bungles.
8.  (9) San Diego (3-1) – Chargers haven’t beaten anybody good as of yet.
9.  (15) New York Giants (3-1) – The G-Men not expected to be 3-1 at this point.
10. (22) Tennessee (3-1) – One of the few teams playing solid D this year.
11. (20) Washington (3-1) – Still not sure how good they are or aren’t.
12. (21) San Francisco (3-1) – One of this season’s early season surprises.
13. (14) Tampa Bay (3-1) – Haven’t really beat anybody yet, but appear strong.
14. (4) New York Jets (2-2) – Offense is struggling mightily. Sanchize stinks.
15. (13) Chicago (2-2) – Devin Hester is great. The O line is another story. Porous.
16. (10) Pittsburgh (2-2) – Ben is hurt. The defense is getting old. Struggling.
17. (17) Oakland (2-2) – Hue says they will win the division. Maybe.
18. (5) Atlanta (2-2) – Not as good as expected. Offensive identity is unclear.
19. (12) Dallas (2-2) – Who really knows what this team is. Rough so far.
20. (6) Philadelphia (1-3) – The Dream Team is having a nightmare season.
21. (25) Cincinnati (2-2) – They lose easy ones and win tough ones.
22. (24) Cleveland (2-2) – One of the least threatening offenses in the league.
23. (27) Carolina (1-3) – Cam continues to light it up. Team is competitive now.
24. (19) Arizona (1-3) – Kolb struggling. Defense improving. Cards have hope.
25. (26) Jacksonville (1-3) – Gabbert at the controls now; needs WR help badly.
26. (31) Kansas City (1-3) – Finally in the win column. Now beat somebody with a win.
27. (23) Denver (1-3) – John Fox still figuring out what he has. Should use Tebow more.
28. (32) Seattle (1-3) – The Hawks are actually improving, but headed for division cellar.
29. (28) Indianapolis (0-4) – Reggie Wayne was right. Painter should be starting.
30. (18) St. Louis (0-4) – The Rams get worse every week. Spags may be in trouble.
31. (29) Minnesota (0-4) – Donovan is terrible. Time to see what Ponder can do.
32. (30) Miami (0-4) – Too many holes to plug in this sinking ship.

So what do you think? Sound off. Let us know where you think we’ve got it right, and for sure where you know we have it wrong. Join the conversation.

As always, thanks for reading.

Steve

NFL Week 4: Games to Watch

Many football coaches break their seasons up into segments, and for NFL head coaches that break comes in quarters. So as we head into the final week of the first quarter of the regular season, many coaches will be pushing hard to end that first piece on a positive note. And quite frankly, several team with high expectations need some positive momentum (specifically, both Missouri teams as the Rams and Chiefs are both 0-3).

Last week's record on these preview games was 3-1; overall I'm 10-2. Not bad for an amateur. The Swami has got nothing on me.

Here’s a quick look at a few of the big games on tap this weekend.

 
TITANS (2-1) @ BROWNS (2-1)

Tennessee could potentially be undefeated if they hadn’t blown that game against Jacksonville in Week 1. The team is coming off wins over Baltimore and Denver and heads to Cleveland. The Browns have had a cakewalk schedule so far, beating the Colts and Dolphins. The Brownies protect their home field in a close one.

Cleveland 19, Tennessee 17

 
LIONS (3-0) @ COWBOYS (2-1)

Everybody is jumping on the Lions bandwagon these days. I picked them as a wildcard playoff team before the season began, so I like them, too … but not this much. Dallas is beat up and Romo is ailing, but the defense is good enough to hold off the hard charging but very inexperienced Lions.

Dallas 28, Detroit 24

 
PATRIOTS (2-1) @ RAIDERS (2-1)

I am sure the “Hoodie” was ticked off in practice this week as his Patriots blew a 21-point lead at Buffalo last weekend. The Raiders know how they feel, losing a close one to those same Bills in Week 2. This game matches two high-powered offenses: New England passing and Oakland running. Even though they are traveling, I’m giving the edge to the Pats.

New England 30, Oakland 27

 
JETS (2-1) @ RAVENS (2-1)

Rex Ryan takes his Jets back to Baltimore to face off against the Ravens and the defense he built there. The Jets’ vaunted defense hasn’t been real good so far, giving up 61 points in three games. The Ravens absolutely slammed the Lambs in St. Louis last week, and I’m sure they want to make a statement at home.

Baltimore 27, New York Jets 20

Missouri Round-up

This weekend should be significantly more positive than last for Missouri’s football teams. Mizzou gets this Saturday off after traveling to Norman and putting up a good fight against then No. 1 ranked OU. The Tigers go to Manhattan next week to take on Kansas State. And both the state’s NFL teams have favorable match-ups. The Rams host the Redskins and should be able to take advantage of QB Rex Grossman. In KC, the Chiefs welcome the winless Minnesota Vikings to town. Both teams at least have a chance to compete for wins this weekend so we should all be able to go to church Sunday with a smile on our face.

As always, thanks for reading.

Steve