Some decently big games coming up. St. Louis vs. Carolina and Cincinnati vs. New Orleans don't make the cut because in each game one of the teams is sub-.500, and I've already given the single exception this week to my beloved San Francisco 49ers. End of the article: 5 Reasons Why The 49ers WILL Win This Sunday! But now:
Picks of the Week! I took a bye week after my first winning weekend, and now stand at 8-11. But I'm getting better all the time ... Lesgo!
1. Atlanta at Baltimore. This looks like a no-brainer based on last week. But Baltimore's banged up. Ray Lewis is unlikely to play, and his backup is out for the game. But Atlanta is missing their two stud defensive ends and the rest of their defense is hurt. Look for Mark Clayton to run right past injured backup CB Jimmy Williams, who replaces Jason Webster. Both teams will run all over the place, and no Ray Lewis equals Dunn and Norwood breaking embarassingly long runs. Ravens 24, Falcons 14.
2. Chicago at New York Jets. I'm calling this in advance as the best game of the week. Chicago's defense is the perfect test for Pennington, but I give him a chance if Harrington can score on them. Berrian's ribs may keep him from hitting that extra gear against a banged up Jets secondary. I'll give this one to the Jets, who are still not being taken seriously. And even if they lose, they don't have any challenging games left the rest of regular season. Rex Grossman turns the ball over at least 4 times. Jets 24, Bears 20.
3. Indianapolis at Dallas. C'mon, does anybody think this is gonna be a game? The Cowboys lose their only pass rusher, Ellis, for the game, and there's no way that Dallas can cover Indy's receivers for more than three seconds. Dallas can run all over the Colts, but they're gonna have to pass to stay in the game, and that's where the problems start. Colts 48, Cowboys 27.
4. San Diego at Denver. I don't know how to call this one. San Diego can frustrate Denver's offense, causing lots of turnovers, and then capitalize on them with an explosive offense. Denver allows the least points a game, and San Diego hasn't played a top ten defense since Baltimore, who beat them by holding them to 12 points. And Javon Walker seems to get into the end zone at least once a game. Plummer almost loses it for Denver, but they manage to play to the home crowd and stuff LT. Broncos 20, San Diego 16.
5. New York Giants at Jacksonville. If the Jags don't put Leftwich in, they can kiss this game goodbye. The Giants come out of that last game angry and on a short week, but according to the Jag's injury report the entire team died on Tuesday. Garrard impresses with his play, but Leftwich has got to be the most underrated quarterback in the game today. Nobody notices that he has a better TD-INT ratio, passer rating or completion percentage than Garrard. But feel free to let him go so the Niners can get him. Anyways, the Jags have only lost two games in a row once in the last two years, and they don't do it here. Jaguars 27, Giants 17.
6. Seattle at San Francisco. The moment you've all been waiting for!
FIVE REASONS THE 49ERS WILL BEAT THE SEATTLE SEAHAWKS AND RESTORE ALL THAT IS GOOD AND RIGHT WITH THE WORLD:
1. Frank Gore. Seattle won't be able to stop him, they give up 100 yards rushing to almost every team. He will break one as the Seahawks try to gang up at the line of scrimmage and he gets that one seal block he needs.
2. Vernon Davis. Even if he can't catch balls yet, him being on the field will draw Julian Peterson away from the backfield, which is always a good thing.
3. San Francisco's pass rush. Seattle's quarterbacks have been sacked 32 times, third to Oakland and Cleveland. Their quarterbacks have combined for eleven interceptions. Put the rush on and you can shut down their offense.
4. Matt Hasselbeck. They will try to start him, and he won't be ready. The 49ers should get some early points off turnovers before Wallace comes back in.
5. The San Francisco 49ers crowd. I spent the weekend in the city feeling out the reaction to the news of a move to Santa Clara, and some said good riddance. Most opined for the better days, under better management. The York family has destroyed a cherished franchise, and only by wresting it back will the tradition continue. But the fans are smart enough to recognize the difference between the team, which they have always loved, and the organization, which has let them down. It is a sad realization that often must be made in today's sports world, where your local team only loves you if you buy them new things, like an expensive prostitute.
But I digress. 49ers 20, Seattle 12. Go Niners!
Picks of the Week! I took a bye week after my first winning weekend, and now stand at 8-11. But I'm getting better all the time ... Lesgo!
1. Atlanta at Baltimore. This looks like a no-brainer based on last week. But Baltimore's banged up. Ray Lewis is unlikely to play, and his backup is out for the game. But Atlanta is missing their two stud defensive ends and the rest of their defense is hurt. Look for Mark Clayton to run right past injured backup CB Jimmy Williams, who replaces Jason Webster. Both teams will run all over the place, and no Ray Lewis equals Dunn and Norwood breaking embarassingly long runs. Ravens 24, Falcons 14.
2. Chicago at New York Jets. I'm calling this in advance as the best game of the week. Chicago's defense is the perfect test for Pennington, but I give him a chance if Harrington can score on them. Berrian's ribs may keep him from hitting that extra gear against a banged up Jets secondary. I'll give this one to the Jets, who are still not being taken seriously. And even if they lose, they don't have any challenging games left the rest of regular season. Rex Grossman turns the ball over at least 4 times. Jets 24, Bears 20.
3. Indianapolis at Dallas. C'mon, does anybody think this is gonna be a game? The Cowboys lose their only pass rusher, Ellis, for the game, and there's no way that Dallas can cover Indy's receivers for more than three seconds. Dallas can run all over the Colts, but they're gonna have to pass to stay in the game, and that's where the problems start. Colts 48, Cowboys 27.
4. San Diego at Denver. I don't know how to call this one. San Diego can frustrate Denver's offense, causing lots of turnovers, and then capitalize on them with an explosive offense. Denver allows the least points a game, and San Diego hasn't played a top ten defense since Baltimore, who beat them by holding them to 12 points. And Javon Walker seems to get into the end zone at least once a game. Plummer almost loses it for Denver, but they manage to play to the home crowd and stuff LT. Broncos 20, San Diego 16.
5. New York Giants at Jacksonville. If the Jags don't put Leftwich in, they can kiss this game goodbye. The Giants come out of that last game angry and on a short week, but according to the Jag's injury report the entire team died on Tuesday. Garrard impresses with his play, but Leftwich has got to be the most underrated quarterback in the game today. Nobody notices that he has a better TD-INT ratio, passer rating or completion percentage than Garrard. But feel free to let him go so the Niners can get him. Anyways, the Jags have only lost two games in a row once in the last two years, and they don't do it here. Jaguars 27, Giants 17.
6. Seattle at San Francisco. The moment you've all been waiting for!
FIVE REASONS THE 49ERS WILL BEAT THE SEATTLE SEAHAWKS AND RESTORE ALL THAT IS GOOD AND RIGHT WITH THE WORLD:
1. Frank Gore. Seattle won't be able to stop him, they give up 100 yards rushing to almost every team. He will break one as the Seahawks try to gang up at the line of scrimmage and he gets that one seal block he needs.
2. Vernon Davis. Even if he can't catch balls yet, him being on the field will draw Julian Peterson away from the backfield, which is always a good thing.
3. San Francisco's pass rush. Seattle's quarterbacks have been sacked 32 times, third to Oakland and Cleveland. Their quarterbacks have combined for eleven interceptions. Put the rush on and you can shut down their offense.
4. Matt Hasselbeck. They will try to start him, and he won't be ready. The 49ers should get some early points off turnovers before Wallace comes back in.
5. The San Francisco 49ers crowd. I spent the weekend in the city feeling out the reaction to the news of a move to Santa Clara, and some said good riddance. Most opined for the better days, under better management. The York family has destroyed a cherished franchise, and only by wresting it back will the tradition continue. But the fans are smart enough to recognize the difference between the team, which they have always loved, and the organization, which has let them down. It is a sad realization that often must be made in today's sports world, where your local team only loves you if you buy them new things, like an expensive prostitute.
But I digress. 49ers 20, Seattle 12. Go Niners!
