Post by atpnfl on Oct 17, 2013 18:38:49 GMT
Week 7 Preview
Week 6 was everything you could hope for in a week of football. Explosive plays, massive defensive stops and down to the wire games were the hallmark of the NFL this past week, and with the exception of the Texans fans, who should be ashamed, the fans lapped it up. Going into week 7, we have two undefeated teams in the same division for the first time in 70 years, the NFC (L)east being the worst division in football and Bill Belichick preparing to prove why his Patriots have been the class of the NFL for the past decade. Like last week, we’ll preview every game, and give a prediction for the results, we went 10-5 last week.
Seahawks @ Cardinals
5-1 3-3
After a slightly sloppy yet convincing win over the Titans, Seattle head to the desert on Thursday Night to face off against the Cardinals. While convincing on defence, Arizona constantly stall on offence at the moment, and going up against the killer duo of Russell last name Wilson and Beast Mode Marshawn Lynch should be more than they could handle. An important division game, a win here for Seattle places the NFC West even further out of San Francisco’s reach.
Seahawks Win
Patriots @ Jets
5-1 3-3
Against the Saints Sunday night, Tom Brady reminded the entire sporting world exactly who he is. Going into the Meadow lands to face the Jets this week he looks to do do it again. The Jets have shown flashes of brilliance so far this season, but without leading receiver Kellen Winslow it will be difficult for the Jets to pull back in division.
Note: If Gronk doesn’t come back this week the Patriots should really begin to worry. All the news coming out of Foxborough is he is both healthy and dominant in practise, so he really should have come back last week, but we’ll wait and see.
Patriots Win
Cowboys @ Eagles
3-3 3-3
In a game that will plae the leader of the NFC East, this game grows more and more interesting. While still poor, the Lone Star defene is distinctly better than that of Philadelphia, though without Demarcus Ware it will be difficult to get at the Quarter Back, be he Nick Foles or Michael Vick. Who wins this game will depend on which Tony Romo shows up. If its the Romo from the Redskins game I think they’ll struggle but if Tony “Ohno” shows up, I think this is an easy win for Dallas
Cowboys Win
Bears @ Redskins
4-2 1-4
It would appear that my evaluation of RGIII last week was correct. The bye week helped him become healthier, but it appears that with his returning ability to run, his accuracy is diminishing. Against this injury ridden Chicago defence it may not matter, however the Bears offence will still abuse this awful Redskins defence, and unless Cutler completely regresses, this is an easy Chicago win.
Bears Win
Chargers @ Jaguars
3-3 0-6
I’ll say this right now. I don’t think the Jaguars are the worst team in the league. They made Peyton Manning look human and kept it a close game till half way through the third quarter. San Diego have won games they shouldn’t and lost games they should have easily won this year, so I think, with Justin Blackmon leading the charge, the Jags get their first win this week.
Jaguars Win
Bills @ Dolphins
2-4 3-2
An interesting game for the future of the division, as a win here could position either team to make a run at the division title should the Patriots fall off. The Dolphins have had time to prepare well and should have resolved their offensive line issues. The Bills, who played surprisingly well without E.J. Manuel, will look to continue a run of good form, but against a slightly more talented Miami team coming off a bye, it’ll be a difficult game to win.
Dolphins Win
Rams @ Panthers
3-3 2-3
Week 6 provided surprising shows of dominance by both teams, which makes this match up than it would have been a week ago. Cam Newton is one of the most talented Quarter Backs in the league, and if the play calling is as innovative as it was last week, I don’t see how the Rams defence will be able to step up and stop them. The Panthers defence is one of the best in the league, and should be able to hold Bradford in check.
Panthers Win.
Bengals @ Lions
4-2 4-2
One thing we learned last week from the Lions: even if he isn’t involved in the game much, Calvin Johnson is a difference maker. This offence looked limp without him but last week he only had to be a threat for Stafford to make plays. Look for much of the same this week, and while the Bengals are talented but look for Andy Dalton to get put down by Ndahmukong Suh from the get go.
Lions Win
Buccaneers @ Falcons
0-5 1-4
A division game that has very little importance to the division its in, these two highly disappointing teams are playing more for dignity and the coaching staff than for any realistic post season hopes. It isn’t too far from the imagination that both of these coaches could be looking for work come January. While the Bucs defence is more talented across the board than Atlantis, I don’t trust the skills of a rookie QB to beat Matt Ryan at home, especially coming off a bye week.
Food for thought: Greg Schiano’s seat might not be too hot right now, but depending on how Monday Night Football goes, this time next week it could be aflame.
Falcons Win
49ers @ Titans
4-2 3-3
Last week proved something to me, this 49ers team has more questions than people are willing to admit. Until the final quarter they couldn’t move out of reach of an offensively weak Arizona team despite Vernon Davis having a career day (and handing me my first fantasy loss besides) If the titans play smart, strong football, this game is entirely theirs for the taking. But I don’t trust Ryan Fitzpatrick.
49ers Win
Texans @ Chiefs
2-4 6-0
This game could get embarrassing. The Texans out gained St Louis in every phase of the game and still got destroyed. Kansas City got 10 sacks in the last game. Houston’s best Quarter Back is an injured pick 6 machine and his back ups don’t appear to be breaking the trend. Ugly isn’t the word.
Chiefs Win
Ravens @ Steelers
3-3 1-4
One of the more hyped up rivalries in the NFL today, this could very easily devolve into whose offence is worse. Pittsburgh finally have a win, largely off the spark rookie running back Le’Veon Bell provided since their trip to London, while the Ravens managed to keep up with a far more powerful Green Bay team and are helped by the return of Jacoby Jones. This Steelers defence is not what it used to be and are susceptible to the deep ball Flacco throws so well.
Ravens Win
Browns @ Packers
3-3 3-2
With a depleted receiver corps and a still suspect defence, the Packers welcome a talented Browns team to Lambeau Field and hope to draw into contention for the division crown. With Brandon Weeden at the helm, Browns fans still have cause for concern, but the defence is more than capable of holding down Aaron Rodgers. This will be a close fought battle but look for Eddie Lacy to be impact player of the game.
Packers Win
Broncos @ Colts
6-0 4-2
The saviour is returning to the promised land. In week 7’s Marque Match up, Peyton Manning returns to the house he built to face off against his physical and intellectual successor. The Colts played poorly on Monday night, but Andrew Luck always puts them into a position to win and will be able to take advantage of the Bronco’s defence in much the same way Tony Romo did. Despite the return of Von Miller, Manning has a penchant for under-performing in big (normally playoff) games, and if this Colts team lives up to it’s potential, Peyton will leave his former home with his first loss.
Colts Win
Vikings @ Giants
1-4 0-6
I said earlier I don’t believe that the Jaguars can’t the worst team in the league. That dubious honour lands with the Giants. This team is bad on every side of the ball, and no amount of deep bombs to Hakeem Nicks and Victor Cruz will fix that. New Vikings starter Josh Freeman is playing for his future as an NFL QB, as well as his old coaches job, and is far more talented than Schiano put across. If he has a true grasp of the Vikings offence, which includes hand-off’s to 28 and deep throws to 15, then this is an easy win for the Vikings.
Vikings Win
Bye Weeks
Oakland Raiders
After a loss in division against the Chiefs, the Raiders go into their bye week looking to get healthy and prepare for the rest of the season. Despite being 2-4, this team looks far more talented than most people realise, and Terrelle Pryor is a difference maker. Looking at the upcoming schedule, they could easily compete in every game till at least late November and with a bit of luck, could finish the season above .500
New Orleans Saints
After a difficult last minute loss to the New England Patriots, (Rob Ryan’s face said it all) the Saints go into their bye week 5-1, which any fan would have taken after the start last season. They will look to improve the run game, and pray beyond all hope that Jimmy Graham isn’t too seriously injured. Examining the schedule, it is entirely possible they could run the board from this point on, with Dallas, San Francisco and Seattle (in Seattle) being the most difficult games.
Week 6 was everything you could hope for in a week of football. Explosive plays, massive defensive stops and down to the wire games were the hallmark of the NFL this past week, and with the exception of the Texans fans, who should be ashamed, the fans lapped it up. Going into week 7, we have two undefeated teams in the same division for the first time in 70 years, the NFC (L)east being the worst division in football and Bill Belichick preparing to prove why his Patriots have been the class of the NFL for the past decade. Like last week, we’ll preview every game, and give a prediction for the results, we went 10-5 last week.
Seahawks @ Cardinals
5-1 3-3
After a slightly sloppy yet convincing win over the Titans, Seattle head to the desert on Thursday Night to face off against the Cardinals. While convincing on defence, Arizona constantly stall on offence at the moment, and going up against the killer duo of Russell last name Wilson and Beast Mode Marshawn Lynch should be more than they could handle. An important division game, a win here for Seattle places the NFC West even further out of San Francisco’s reach.
Seahawks Win
Patriots @ Jets
5-1 3-3
Against the Saints Sunday night, Tom Brady reminded the entire sporting world exactly who he is. Going into the Meadow lands to face the Jets this week he looks to do do it again. The Jets have shown flashes of brilliance so far this season, but without leading receiver Kellen Winslow it will be difficult for the Jets to pull back in division.
Note: If Gronk doesn’t come back this week the Patriots should really begin to worry. All the news coming out of Foxborough is he is both healthy and dominant in practise, so he really should have come back last week, but we’ll wait and see.
Patriots Win
Cowboys @ Eagles
3-3 3-3
In a game that will plae the leader of the NFC East, this game grows more and more interesting. While still poor, the Lone Star defene is distinctly better than that of Philadelphia, though without Demarcus Ware it will be difficult to get at the Quarter Back, be he Nick Foles or Michael Vick. Who wins this game will depend on which Tony Romo shows up. If its the Romo from the Redskins game I think they’ll struggle but if Tony “Ohno” shows up, I think this is an easy win for Dallas
Cowboys Win
Bears @ Redskins
4-2 1-4
It would appear that my evaluation of RGIII last week was correct. The bye week helped him become healthier, but it appears that with his returning ability to run, his accuracy is diminishing. Against this injury ridden Chicago defence it may not matter, however the Bears offence will still abuse this awful Redskins defence, and unless Cutler completely regresses, this is an easy Chicago win.
Bears Win
Chargers @ Jaguars
3-3 0-6
I’ll say this right now. I don’t think the Jaguars are the worst team in the league. They made Peyton Manning look human and kept it a close game till half way through the third quarter. San Diego have won games they shouldn’t and lost games they should have easily won this year, so I think, with Justin Blackmon leading the charge, the Jags get their first win this week.
Jaguars Win
Bills @ Dolphins
2-4 3-2
An interesting game for the future of the division, as a win here could position either team to make a run at the division title should the Patriots fall off. The Dolphins have had time to prepare well and should have resolved their offensive line issues. The Bills, who played surprisingly well without E.J. Manuel, will look to continue a run of good form, but against a slightly more talented Miami team coming off a bye, it’ll be a difficult game to win.
Dolphins Win
Rams @ Panthers
3-3 2-3
Week 6 provided surprising shows of dominance by both teams, which makes this match up than it would have been a week ago. Cam Newton is one of the most talented Quarter Backs in the league, and if the play calling is as innovative as it was last week, I don’t see how the Rams defence will be able to step up and stop them. The Panthers defence is one of the best in the league, and should be able to hold Bradford in check.
Panthers Win.
Bengals @ Lions
4-2 4-2
One thing we learned last week from the Lions: even if he isn’t involved in the game much, Calvin Johnson is a difference maker. This offence looked limp without him but last week he only had to be a threat for Stafford to make plays. Look for much of the same this week, and while the Bengals are talented but look for Andy Dalton to get put down by Ndahmukong Suh from the get go.
Lions Win
Buccaneers @ Falcons
0-5 1-4
A division game that has very little importance to the division its in, these two highly disappointing teams are playing more for dignity and the coaching staff than for any realistic post season hopes. It isn’t too far from the imagination that both of these coaches could be looking for work come January. While the Bucs defence is more talented across the board than Atlantis, I don’t trust the skills of a rookie QB to beat Matt Ryan at home, especially coming off a bye week.
Food for thought: Greg Schiano’s seat might not be too hot right now, but depending on how Monday Night Football goes, this time next week it could be aflame.
Falcons Win
49ers @ Titans
4-2 3-3
Last week proved something to me, this 49ers team has more questions than people are willing to admit. Until the final quarter they couldn’t move out of reach of an offensively weak Arizona team despite Vernon Davis having a career day (and handing me my first fantasy loss besides) If the titans play smart, strong football, this game is entirely theirs for the taking. But I don’t trust Ryan Fitzpatrick.
49ers Win
Texans @ Chiefs
2-4 6-0
This game could get embarrassing. The Texans out gained St Louis in every phase of the game and still got destroyed. Kansas City got 10 sacks in the last game. Houston’s best Quarter Back is an injured pick 6 machine and his back ups don’t appear to be breaking the trend. Ugly isn’t the word.
Chiefs Win
Ravens @ Steelers
3-3 1-4
One of the more hyped up rivalries in the NFL today, this could very easily devolve into whose offence is worse. Pittsburgh finally have a win, largely off the spark rookie running back Le’Veon Bell provided since their trip to London, while the Ravens managed to keep up with a far more powerful Green Bay team and are helped by the return of Jacoby Jones. This Steelers defence is not what it used to be and are susceptible to the deep ball Flacco throws so well.
Ravens Win
Browns @ Packers
3-3 3-2
With a depleted receiver corps and a still suspect defence, the Packers welcome a talented Browns team to Lambeau Field and hope to draw into contention for the division crown. With Brandon Weeden at the helm, Browns fans still have cause for concern, but the defence is more than capable of holding down Aaron Rodgers. This will be a close fought battle but look for Eddie Lacy to be impact player of the game.
Packers Win
Broncos @ Colts
6-0 4-2
The saviour is returning to the promised land. In week 7’s Marque Match up, Peyton Manning returns to the house he built to face off against his physical and intellectual successor. The Colts played poorly on Monday night, but Andrew Luck always puts them into a position to win and will be able to take advantage of the Bronco’s defence in much the same way Tony Romo did. Despite the return of Von Miller, Manning has a penchant for under-performing in big (normally playoff) games, and if this Colts team lives up to it’s potential, Peyton will leave his former home with his first loss.
Colts Win
Vikings @ Giants
1-4 0-6
I said earlier I don’t believe that the Jaguars can’t the worst team in the league. That dubious honour lands with the Giants. This team is bad on every side of the ball, and no amount of deep bombs to Hakeem Nicks and Victor Cruz will fix that. New Vikings starter Josh Freeman is playing for his future as an NFL QB, as well as his old coaches job, and is far more talented than Schiano put across. If he has a true grasp of the Vikings offence, which includes hand-off’s to 28 and deep throws to 15, then this is an easy win for the Vikings.
Vikings Win
Bye Weeks
Oakland Raiders
After a loss in division against the Chiefs, the Raiders go into their bye week looking to get healthy and prepare for the rest of the season. Despite being 2-4, this team looks far more talented than most people realise, and Terrelle Pryor is a difference maker. Looking at the upcoming schedule, they could easily compete in every game till at least late November and with a bit of luck, could finish the season above .500
New Orleans Saints
After a difficult last minute loss to the New England Patriots, (Rob Ryan’s face said it all) the Saints go into their bye week 5-1, which any fan would have taken after the start last season. They will look to improve the run game, and pray beyond all hope that Jimmy Graham isn’t too seriously injured. Examining the schedule, it is entirely possible they could run the board from this point on, with Dallas, San Francisco and Seattle (in Seattle) being the most difficult games.