NFC teams cream of the crop
Dave Gross, Canwest News Service
Published: Thursday, November 27, 2008
The days where the AFC laid claim to being the dominant conference are finally history -- but what a lengthy run by the mainstays.
New England has floated back to the pack thanks to the untimely demise of Tom Brady; Indy remains solid, but aging; the Steelers are revealing holes; and the Chargers look tired. Tennessee, of course, is enjoying a remarkable year.
The best division -- by a healthy margin -- is the NFC East where the worst team -- Philadelphia -- can still beat any other on any given Thursday, Sunday or Monday.
The Giants are clearly the class of the league, Dallas has its mojo back and the 'Skins aren't far behind.
There's fresh blood in the NFC to boot. Atlanta is young and charging, while Arizona might be the most entertaining show on the circuit. Both the Cards and Falcons should push it up another level this week.
Thursday
Tennessee (10-1) at Detroit (0-11) (+11) -- Had the makings for a Perfect Storm before the Jets halted the Titans, in the NFL's latest quest to shut Mercury Morris up. A short week is a good thing for both -- it gives the Titans a chance for a quick rebound, and it helps the Lions get a little faster to the end of their season. It's a big number spread, but take Tennessee.
Seattle (2-9) at Dallas (7-4) (-12) -- The Cowboys still have some heavy sledding ahead, including back-to-back weeks against the Steelers and Giants, but they're firmly back in the playoff picture. Last week proved how much Tony Romo means to their success. Seattle played with gumption on Sunday, but there's not enough to slow down the Cowboys. Take Dallas.
Arizona (7-4) at Philadelphia (5-5-1) (-2) -- Donovan McNabb, what have you done for us lately? Incredible the hatchet job done by the national media on McNabb who's struggled the past two weeks. Arizona can't win in the east, and given that this is a short week as well: Take Philadelphia.
Sunday
San Francisco (3-8) at Buffalo (6-5) (-7) -- The Bills finally found their missing moxy last week and will continue to be flashy this Sunday against the 29th-rated pass defence. Take Buffalo.
Baltimore (7-4) at Cincinnati (1-9-1) (+7) -- Sporting a defence that's ranked fourth in points allowed and second in yards per game, the Ravens defence remains their strong suit. Sporting an offence that's ranked 31st in points and last in yards per game, the Bengals defence better bring oxygen masks -- they'll be living on the playing field Sunday. Take Baltimore.
Indianapolis (7-4) at Cleveland (4-7) (+4.5) -- This is a key game for the Colts who are in the midst of resurgence. Not so much for the Browns who likely won't have wunderkind Brady Quinn (finger) the rest of the year. Take Indianapolis.
Carolina (8-3) at Green Bay (5-5) (-3) -- Meet the Panthers: The most frustrating team in the league. Are they an NFC contender? Seemingly it depends on whether the moon is in retrograde, or we're experiencing a celestial sphere. After a consultation with the ghost of Sir Isaac Newton, take Green Bay.
Miami (6-5) at St. Louis (2-9) (+8) -- The Dolphins continue to win games they should (Seattle, Oakland) and put this week's opponent in the same bracket. Miami has a forgiving schedule -- after the Bills next week, they get the 49ers and Chiefs. Take Miami.
New Orleans (6-5) at Tampa Bay (8-3) (-3) -- Drew Brees is on pace to set a number of records, including passing Dan Marino's mark for passing yards in a season. The Bucs' pass defence, though, is the NFL's second best. Tampa's rolling, winners of five of its last six games. Take Tampa Bay.
N.Y. Giants (10-1) at Washington (7-4) (+3.5) -- Great match up between Brandon Jacobs -- who could have played last week but rested his knee -- and Clinton Portis. But let's face facts here, the Giants prove week after week they are practically flawless in all aspects of the game. Take New York.
Atlanta (7-4) at San Diego (4-7) (-5) -- The Chargers were close against both Pittsburgh and Indianapolis the last two Sundays, but lost both. The Falcons keep getting better and more confident with each week. Take Atlanta.
Pittsburgh (8-3) at New England (7-4) (-1) -- You have to feel for the Steelers. After getting a breather against the Bengals, they get the Pats, Cowboys, Ravens and Titans in subsequent weeks. What they'll have left once the season ends is a good question, but this week, with a re-juiced offensive line, they'll have enough against an injury-riddled New England club. Take Pittsburgh.
Denver (6-5) at N.Y. Jets (8-3) (-7) -- New York's 'other' team has taken on celebrity status. The Jets have become the media's flavour of the week and will hold onto the status against a poor pass defence. Brett Favre is hot at the right time -- just one pick and five TDs in his last three games. Take New York.
Kansas City (1-10) at Oakland (3-8) (-3) -- In a shocking development, the Oakland Raiders are favoured to win a football game for the first time since John Madden was a coach and not a video game. The Raiders have discovered a run game, too, and face the NFL's 31st-ranked run defence. Take Oakland.
Chicago (6-5) at Minnesota (6-5) (-3) -- If the Vikes ever stumbled on an effective pass attack they'd be a serious playoff threat. Still, that stout run defence, capable pass D and Adrian Peterson will give the Bears too much to chew on. Take Minnesota.
Monday
Jacksonville (4-7) at Houston (4-7) -- Not quite the ratings grab the long foreheads at Monday Night had envisioned. The Jags playoff hopes drowned last week; Houston's been toast since Sage Rosenfels gift-wrapped a win for Indy several weeks back. A good example how Vegas has saved meaningless games from being, well, meaningless. Take Jacksonville.
Published: Thursday, November 27, 2008
The days where the AFC laid claim to being the dominant conference are finally history -- but what a lengthy run by the mainstays.
New England has floated back to the pack thanks to the untimely demise of Tom Brady; Indy remains solid, but aging; the Steelers are revealing holes; and the Chargers look tired. Tennessee, of course, is enjoying a remarkable year.
The best division -- by a healthy margin -- is the NFC East where the worst team -- Philadelphia -- can still beat any other on any given Thursday, Sunday or Monday.
The Giants are clearly the class of the league, Dallas has its mojo back and the 'Skins aren't far behind.
There's fresh blood in the NFC to boot. Atlanta is young and charging, while Arizona might be the most entertaining show on the circuit. Both the Cards and Falcons should push it up another level this week.
Thursday
Tennessee (10-1) at Detroit (0-11) (+11) -- Had the makings for a Perfect Storm before the Jets halted the Titans, in the NFL's latest quest to shut Mercury Morris up. A short week is a good thing for both -- it gives the Titans a chance for a quick rebound, and it helps the Lions get a little faster to the end of their season. It's a big number spread, but take Tennessee.
Seattle (2-9) at Dallas (7-4) (-12) -- The Cowboys still have some heavy sledding ahead, including back-to-back weeks against the Steelers and Giants, but they're firmly back in the playoff picture. Last week proved how much Tony Romo means to their success. Seattle played with gumption on Sunday, but there's not enough to slow down the Cowboys. Take Dallas.
Arizona (7-4) at Philadelphia (5-5-1) (-2) -- Donovan McNabb, what have you done for us lately? Incredible the hatchet job done by the national media on McNabb who's struggled the past two weeks. Arizona can't win in the east, and given that this is a short week as well: Take Philadelphia.
Sunday
San Francisco (3-8) at Buffalo (6-5) (-7) -- The Bills finally found their missing moxy last week and will continue to be flashy this Sunday against the 29th-rated pass defence. Take Buffalo.
Baltimore (7-4) at Cincinnati (1-9-1) (+7) -- Sporting a defence that's ranked fourth in points allowed and second in yards per game, the Ravens defence remains their strong suit. Sporting an offence that's ranked 31st in points and last in yards per game, the Bengals defence better bring oxygen masks -- they'll be living on the playing field Sunday. Take Baltimore.
Indianapolis (7-4) at Cleveland (4-7) (+4.5) -- This is a key game for the Colts who are in the midst of resurgence. Not so much for the Browns who likely won't have wunderkind Brady Quinn (finger) the rest of the year. Take Indianapolis.
Carolina (8-3) at Green Bay (5-5) (-3) -- Meet the Panthers: The most frustrating team in the league. Are they an NFC contender? Seemingly it depends on whether the moon is in retrograde, or we're experiencing a celestial sphere. After a consultation with the ghost of Sir Isaac Newton, take Green Bay.
Miami (6-5) at St. Louis (2-9) (+8) -- The Dolphins continue to win games they should (Seattle, Oakland) and put this week's opponent in the same bracket. Miami has a forgiving schedule -- after the Bills next week, they get the 49ers and Chiefs. Take Miami.
New Orleans (6-5) at Tampa Bay (8-3) (-3) -- Drew Brees is on pace to set a number of records, including passing Dan Marino's mark for passing yards in a season. The Bucs' pass defence, though, is the NFL's second best. Tampa's rolling, winners of five of its last six games. Take Tampa Bay.
N.Y. Giants (10-1) at Washington (7-4) (+3.5) -- Great match up between Brandon Jacobs -- who could have played last week but rested his knee -- and Clinton Portis. But let's face facts here, the Giants prove week after week they are practically flawless in all aspects of the game. Take New York.
Atlanta (7-4) at San Diego (4-7) (-5) -- The Chargers were close against both Pittsburgh and Indianapolis the last two Sundays, but lost both. The Falcons keep getting better and more confident with each week. Take Atlanta.
Pittsburgh (8-3) at New England (7-4) (-1) -- You have to feel for the Steelers. After getting a breather against the Bengals, they get the Pats, Cowboys, Ravens and Titans in subsequent weeks. What they'll have left once the season ends is a good question, but this week, with a re-juiced offensive line, they'll have enough against an injury-riddled New England club. Take Pittsburgh.
Denver (6-5) at N.Y. Jets (8-3) (-7) -- New York's 'other' team has taken on celebrity status. The Jets have become the media's flavour of the week and will hold onto the status against a poor pass defence. Brett Favre is hot at the right time -- just one pick and five TDs in his last three games. Take New York.
Kansas City (1-10) at Oakland (3-8) (-3) -- In a shocking development, the Oakland Raiders are favoured to win a football game for the first time since John Madden was a coach and not a video game. The Raiders have discovered a run game, too, and face the NFL's 31st-ranked run defence. Take Oakland.
Chicago (6-5) at Minnesota (6-5) (-3) -- If the Vikes ever stumbled on an effective pass attack they'd be a serious playoff threat. Still, that stout run defence, capable pass D and Adrian Peterson will give the Bears too much to chew on. Take Minnesota.
Monday
Jacksonville (4-7) at Houston (4-7) -- Not quite the ratings grab the long foreheads at Monday Night had envisioned. The Jags playoff hopes drowned last week; Houston's been toast since Sage Rosenfels gift-wrapped a win for Indy several weeks back. A good example how Vegas has saved meaningless games from being, well, meaningless. Take Jacksonville.
posted by The Gryphon at 8:41 AM
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