Upon Further Review: Week 3 Fallout - Week 4 Picks

Day 334

You know it takes forever for the new NFL season to arrive and suddenly it is gone. Can you believe that Week 4 is this week? Bye weeks have already started and we are a quarter of the way through the season?

And as usual, Week 3 was entertaining. Lots of good games and a few surprises.

Rising: New York Jets. I didn't know if the Jets could recover from its opening day egg but after quality wins against rival AFC East teams New England and Miami, the Jets are back where they should be. QB Mark Sanchez has surprised me with his decisions and the offense is looking really good. I cannot wait for WR Santonio Holmes to get involved. The Jets only won 2 AFC East games all of last year and already they have won two.

Falling: Washington Redskins. It seems like it was forever when the Redskins won. A two-game losing skid normally shouldn't be too problematic but losing against the St. Louis Rams is. Hopefully for the Redskins this does not become a trend.

Rising: Chicago Bears. I sure didn't think that the Bears would be the last NFC team to be undefeated. I still am not convinced that the Bears are a great team but after big wins over Green Bay and Dallas you certainly cannot look past this team.

Falling: San Diego Chargers. I cannot figure out this team. The only thing I know is that when they win, they win big. And when the lose, they lose barely but to teams they really shouldn't be losing to. Charger fans shouldn't worry, the Chargers do this every year.



Last week I scored 10/16 so I did finally manage to get into double figures. There are two less games this week so I really need to bring my A game (and stop trying to will the Raiders to win) and make some good picks.

San Francisco at Atlanta:
I am off the 49er bandwagon. This is a team in real trouble. They are not out of the race in the NFC West even with a loss. I am more worried that the chips will really begin to fall.
Winner: Atlanta Falcons

Cincinnati at Cleveland:
The Browns are competitive and the Bengals really need to concentrate on this game and not look past the pesky Browns. The Bengals defense will come up big.
Winner: Cincinnati Bengals

NY Jets at Buffalo:
I am recalling those horrible, horrible games the Jets had against the Bills last season. This is another game that looks like a blowout on paper. The Bills will fight but the Jets will pull out a scared winner. It will be closer than you (and the Jets) think.
Winner: New York Jets

Seattle at St. Louis:
I figured both of these teams would be awful but they certainly are fighters. The Rams got a good win last week and Seattle is in 1st place in the NFC West. This can either be a fantastic game or a very sloppy one. I think Seattle has a little more experience and talent.
Winner: Seattle Seahawks

Denver at Tennessee:
The Titans looked really good last week and while the Broncos have fight in them they just couldn't contain the passing game, they should have an easier time containing Vince Young. But perhaps you have heard of this running back that plays for the Titans.
Winner: Tennessee Titans

Detroit at Green Bay:
Normally I don't like to take the loser of last week's Monday Night game. But the Packers are at home and they are facing the Lions. Nothing like a little scrimmage to put things back into place.
Winner: Green Bay Packers

Baltimore at Pittsburgh:
The Steelers have been very impressive but this time they face a mean defense and I am not sure that Batch or whoever is quarterbacking for the Steelers can handle it. The Ravens also look impressive throwing the ball, especially to Anquan Boldin. This will be a slugfest.
Winner: Baltimore Ravens
Carolina at New Orleans:
Carolina has been awful and the Saints look a little weaker than normal. It will still be a blowout but not a huge one.
Winner: New Orleans Saints

Indianapolis at Jacksonville:
The Jags look helpless and the Colts monster passing game will make matters worse for the Jags. Jones-Drew really needs to get back to his usual performance for the Jags to have a chance.
Winner: Indianapolis Colts

Houston at Oakland:
Houston got hit hard by reality last week and it is a good thing that the Raiders are up next. They will be tough at home but Houston has way more talent.
Winner: Houston Texans

Washington at Philadelphia:
McNabb is going home with a two-game losing streak. Philly suddenly looks really good with Vick leading the Eagles. The Eagles have more momentum but can that match McNabb's passion for beating his old team?
Winner: The answer is no. You can't go home again. Philadelphia Eagles

Arizona at San Diego:
It all depends if we get the Chargers of Week 2 or the Chargers of Week 1 and 3. It is early in the season so the Chargers should lose right?
Winner: San Diego Chargers

Chicago at NY Giants:
The Giants have looked utterly lost these last two weeks and are in some big trouble. The Bears look fantastic. This really could swing either way.
Winner: Chicago Bears

Monday Night
New England at Miami:
I will be at the concert Monday night and I am glad that my two "favorite" teams are playing so I won't miss much. Actually this will be a good game and I am interested to see how these two match up with each other. Either team can win this but my gut is picking the Dolphins.
Winner: Miami Dolphins

Upon Further Review: NFC North

Day 307

Still no Revis.

I cannot believe that we are less than ONE week away from Kick Off!

I am looking forward to the opening of the season with a rematch of last year's NFC Title game with the Minnesota Vikings visiting the SuperBowl Champion New Orleans Saints!

I am really giddy for this season to begin. And how fitting that one of those teams is from the great Norris Division and home to Old Man Favre. And it is even more fitting since Brett Favre is my favorite player of all-time and according to Kristy is the best looking QB in the league. I was a Packers fan before Brett came to the team. I was a fan of WR Sterling Sharpe but it was Brett that made me a fan. He was the first jersey I got and I have three separate Favre jerseys. I remember exactly where I was when he announced he was going to quit football so he could enter rehab (and won the Superbowl that year), I remember when he retired. Each time. I remember jumping for joy when I found out Brett was a Jet! And I cheered for him last year. My family and I are planning to visit Canton, Ohio for his Hall of Fame induction.

NFC NORTH PREDICTIONS

1) Minnesota Vikings

What I Like:
The Vikings were one turnover away from making the SuperBowl and the team is intact for another run for the title. Luckily for the Vikings Favre decided to come back. If Favre didn't come back, the Vikings would be a Wildcard team but with Brett they should go deep in the playoffs again. This is the Viking's division and until they are defeated they will be NFC North Champs.

What I Don't Like:
There are three things that concern me about the Vikings. Can Brett Favre play at the same high level as last year being another year older? Every time he gets hit I wonder if it is last. I am also concerned with the state of the receiving corp. It has been hit with injuries and the Vikings brought WR Javon Walker (he was Brett's guy in Green Bay) and they traded for WR Greg Carmillo from the Dolphins but will Brett have enough time to connect with these new receivers? I also worry about the pressure. They know they are good and should be in the SuperBowl but will the pressure be too much? Obviously, I think they will overcome those obstacles since I am picking them to take the NFC North.

2) Green Bay Packers

What I Like:
I think this is the year for QB Aaron Rodgers to really shine. He is a year removed from the Brett Favre Bowls and has the Packer Nation in his hands. The team is also intact from last year and they were an interception away from going further into the playoffs. They were good last year with injuries, they can really challenge for the NFC North title with a healthy bunch.

What I Don't Like:
Injuries and a poor offensive line almost killed QB Aaron Rodgers last season. I know the Packers worked on solidifying this line during the off season and training camp and hopefully the line will meld together and you know that they are praying that they all stay healthy. I am still not convinced that the line can really protect.

3) Chicago Bears

What I Like:
The Bears brought in some valuable free agents. DE Julius Peppers will have an immediate impact on the defense and RB Chester Taylor will push RB Matt Forte for the starting job hoping he will return to the performance of his rookie season. The Bears also brought in Mike Martz to help develop QB Jay Cutler who seems to be regressing instead of progressing. The Bears are a better team than they were last year.

What I Don't Like:
The Bears just don't have enough talent to keep up with the Packers and Vikings and QB Jay Cutler needs to mature. He has the talent but he has not proven himself as a leader.

4) Detroit Lions

What I Like:
The Lions are finally erasing a decade's worth of mistakes (RE: The McMillian Years) and are finally putting a team together that has some talent. I was impressed with rookie QB Matt Stafford's game against Cleveland where he won a game at the end with a dislocated shoulder. The Lions actually have a QB that can lead and could make the Pro Bowl. They also drafted speedster RB Jahvid Best and that may pay off sooner than later. There is a lot to like about the Lions this year but when you go 2-30 in the last two years things have to look better. They might not be the worst team in the NFC North division this year, they do have a chance of surpassing the Bears.

What I Don't Like:
They are still the Lions and they have some holes in the defense, especially in the secondary that will haunt them especially against NFC North opposing QBs. They will also have to shed the loser mentality of a decade of misery.

NEXT WEEK: Playoff predictions and I pick the winner of the Saints/Vikings game as the NFL season is finally here!