A rather extreme schedule as of late has prevented my usual innaccurate pontifications on the world of football. Surely, my sense of knowledge and expert ability has been disproven by now, yet the joy of continuing such discourse is reward enough.
Some commentary on the general state of each team seems appropriate as well; however, my interests at this time lie in fandome and its vicissitudes. I've noticed the peculiar predication of some to, when others have wrongly chosen against their teams, project the notion that some internal bias exists. As if my choosing the Jets, Bucs, or whomever to win or lose is based upon some deep-seated prejudice and malevolence. This is funny. Sometimes, I simply think that one team presents a good matchup, nothing more. These decrees of disrespect are odd to me. J'Accuse! It's even more odd and noteworthy when it comes from the team itself. The New York Football Giants have whined and moaned incessantly that they get no respect. Let's put aside the bizarre notion that this is where they draw their inspiration to win each Sunday, (as if competitive spirit and an extreme paycheck weren't motivation enough), but now I hear Mr. Amani Toomer claiming that there still isn't sufficient respect, (despite the abundance of pundits putting the Giants at the very top of their respect list). I hear others, once praised, spouting that they preferred to be the underdog, (citing the "inspiration" argument repetitively), or that they derive no real pleasure from such a compliment. It's all odd.
Therefore, al I want to say is that if I should choose your team to lose this week, please rest assured that it is not because I do not "believe" in your team, or that I harbor any great disrespect, or that, even more absurdly, I don't believe your team has any real character or ability at all. These are all untrue. Unless, of course, you're talking about the Philadelphia Eagles, a team I despise to such depths of near insanity.
Also, please excuse my writing style this week. I am deeply immersed in a dissertation whose data is derived from late 19th and early 20th century German writings.
And now ....
Chicago at Atlanta - Gard calls Atlanta paper tigers, asserting that they haven't really beaten any good teams, (an argument that could be made, but not by me, about Tennessee, the Giants, and his beloved Saints). I don't believe in paper tigers. This is the NFL, not the Pac-10. A win is a win. Atlanta, before the season, was thought to be a 2 win team. But let's look at what is making them good. It would have to be the combination of a strong play from Michael Turner, an experienced veteran with low mileage, and the accuracy and intelligent play of Matt Ryan. Who knows what Ryan will become, I don't, but his accuracy and strong play has been impressive. Now, I haven't seen Chicago or Atlanta play much, but I'm, right now, in a moment of inspiration, feeling inspired to choose Atlanta. Who knows why. I like Chicago, I really do, and they're playing better than I thought they would have at this point. At home, I'm going to give a big upset to Atlanta, (which I know I'll be villified for). Sorry Jive! Don't hate me.
Baltimore at Indianapolis - Indy is allowed a down season, they've been good for so very long. (Let's not forget that the Pats had a down season a couple of years back also, they can't all win 13 games every year). Baltimore has a little more tooth in their fight than I originally thought they did, and that will prove them well in this win. Baltimore in a 16-13 type game.
Detroit at Minnesota - What if Detroit plays inspired this game after Millen is gone? What if they showcase Roy Williams to trade him? What if Minnesota is caught sleeping? What if Detroit surprises? I just can't see it. Detroit will win a couple of games, because they're bad, but again, this is the NFL, but Minnesota wins this week to start to right their ship.
Oakland at New Orleans - Al Davis has sued the league, stating that games should only be 3 quarters long, (never mind the oxymoron of having only 3 quarters). Should he win, the Raiders would be 4-1 or something. New Orleans, a win one, lose one kind of team, has enough to beat Oakland, which plays just well enough to lose, but I am worried about New Orleans in general. Yes, yes, I know, they're all hurt. And while that's true, there's really nothing to do about it. New Orleans wins and the new Raiders coach, (whoever it is), doesn't get a win straight away. Can the Raiders continue their awesome rushing production against NO?
Cincinnati at NY Jets - Who the hell knows? Who the hell cares? Ooh, Favre, that's enough for them to televise this ridiculous game. Let's give it to the home team Jets, but I don't really give a ****.
Carolina at Tampa Bay - I like the defense that TB has been playing. A tough game against Denver last week, which really managed to tighten their own defense up. I like Carolina to pull this out in a very blah division. God, what if Atlanta freakin' won that division? Ain't gonna happen, but could you imagine?
St. Louis at Washington - Clinton Portis. Washington.
Miami at Houston - Who will be QB for Houston? Unfortunately, Miami's defense is getting lost in the Wildcat headlines. The fact is that Miami is playing very well right now, against some good teams. Miami should win this one based on defense. I like Slanton though. Is that his name?
Jacksonville at Denver - You know, if Jacksonville's D was their D from last year I would pick them, but it's not, so I can't. Denver wins, and they're a good team. If they fix their defense, they can be very good. A Tennessee/Denver AFC Championship game would be entertaining. It would be hard fought, just good football.
Philadelphia at San Francisco - JT O'Sullivan is in real trouble with the Philly D, and that's what gets Philly the win. I hate the Eagles.
Green Bay at Seattle - "We don't need Favre!" "Rodgers is the real deal!" "GB is better with Rodgers!" That didn't last long, huh? Hey, GB looked good after two weeks. Of course, one of those games was against Detroit, (who had a near comeback in the 4th quarter, which some forget). Me and my dead grandmother could probaby beat Detroit right now. Wait, what did I say about this being the NFL? Whatever. Green Bay is good enough to beat a Seattle team that looks lost.
New England at San Diego - Two underacheiving teams. Of course, is NE underachieving wthout their QB? Probably not. This just goes to show how important QB is, eh? San Diego, at home, will have enough to beat NE. Let's not forget that SF came closer than they should've to beating NE. I like this writeup because instead of typing ful names I can say NE, SD, SF, GB, and whatever else is easily abbreviated.
NY Giants at Cleveland - The Giants are playing very well and will win this game quite easily, I believe.
Dallas at Arizona - Dallas is no longer everybody's darling. They lost a game by two points to a tough division opponent, so now they're mired in problems. And of course Pacman is in all sorts of trouble and Owens is the worst human being of all time, (Stalin was more charming), so Dallas sucks. Also, don't forget, Dallas barely beat Cincinnati, so they're horrible. The reality of the situation, I think, is this: Arizona is playing fairly well right now. They're passing attack will present problems for Dallas, especially without Newman, (a great CB who has been very slowed by injuries the last two seasons). Fitzgerald may have a good game. The difference will be Dallas' ability to get a pass rush on the immobile and turnover-prone Warner. If Dallas succeeds, they should win with a couple of turnovers. Now, I don't expect a Dallas blowout, (although 10 points is possible), so more dismissing of the Cowboys to follow. Washington, Dallas, and NY probably aren't going to lose much out of their division. These teams might have a collective 2 losses going into week 9's Dallas/NY matchup. I like Dallas in another struggle. Let's see if Dallas can play hard and have a good defensive showing.
The offense has finally arrived!
