We start out this week with the world champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers coming to Philly to try and embarrass the Eagles. (As if the Eagles weren't doing a good enough job of that themselves.) In theory, this could be a pretty good game. The Eagles' defense is back to playing pretty good football and arguably the two best defensive players are Fletcher Cox and Javon Hargrave, the two defensive tackles. Tom Brady hates pressure in his face and those two guys are getting in the face of a lot of quarterbacks this year. Offensive lines have to decide whether to help their left guard or right guard and whichever one they help, the other one gets beat. Brady should have a big old defensive tackle in his face on a fairly regular basis on Thursday night.
On offense, the Eagles tend to get into ruts. Last week they decided they could beat Carolina's blitzes by throwing screen passes. The problem was that was pretty much all they tried to do for the first half of the game. Screen left, screen right, screen left, and punt. Suffice to say the element of surprise was missing a wee bit. Once they remembered they could throw the ball down the field and not just across it things opened up a bit. This is an "I hope the Eagles win," but I'll pick the Bucs to get the win game.
Miami goes to Jacksonville in an epic battle for that first overall draft pick in 2022 and yet another effort to break Brits from the habit of following NFL football. (For the love of God, do we ever send them good games?) Jacksonville has a one-game lead over the Dolphins in that race for the first overall pick, but the Dolphins are trying hard to lose their way back into contention for the pick. I'll give this one to the Dolphins who at least have a competent coaching staff.
KC goes to the WFT in a battle to see which team has the most disappointing defense this year. KC has given up 163 points so far while the WFT has given up 155. KC has scored 154 while the WFT has only scored 123. That KC offense should eat against the WFT defense and I'll take KC for the win.
The Rams go to Tear Up Your Knee field to take on whoever the Giants have left to put on the field. Not a good week to be the Giants. Sure, the Rams are a west coast team coming east for an early game, but the Giants don't have any healthy players left. I'll take the Rams in a romp.
Houston goes to Indy in a battle of two 1-4 teams. Indy kind of got robbed on Monday night. I don't see them getting robbed again. I'll take the Colts in this one.
The Bengals get a bye, well they play the Lions which is the next best thing. I'll take the Bengals in a romp.
Green Bay goes to Chicago. The game is in Chicago which gives the Bears a little edge and the NFC North is somewhat unpredictable, but I'll take Green Bay.
The Chargers take on the Ravens. Another west coast team coming east for an early game. The Ravens have a short week to prepare having played on Monday night, but Lamar Jackson is scary good when he wants to be. I'll take the Ravens in this one.
Minnesota goes to Carolina. The Panthers didn't look good last week against the Eagles, and the Eagles tend to make anyone look good. One of the Eagles' DBs said pregame that Sam Darnold can't tell the difference between man and zone coverages, and he showed it by throwing three interceptions last week. I'll take the Vikings in this one.
Arizona goes to Cleveland in what should be a pretty good game. The Cards are playing some of the best football in the league right now while the Browns are more hot and cold. I'll take the Cards in a pretty good game.
The Raiders take on the Broncos. Was Jon Gruden holding the Raiders together or driving them apart? We'll start to find out on Sunday as they play their first game without him. Teams tend to rally from adversity and finding out your head coach was a racist, homophobic, idiot who got himself fired would qualify as adversity. I think that Broncos defense can hold the Raiders in check though and get the win. I'll take the Broncos.
Dallas goes to New England in what could be a letdown game for the Cowboys. Teams tend to start believing their own press after a while and the Cowboys may be in that area these days. Still, they're the more talented team, and even on the road, they should find a way to beat the Patriots. I'll take the Cowboys, but this wouldn't shock me as an upset and the Cowboys lose.
The 2-3 Seahawks take on the 2-3 Steelers in a battle on Sunday Night to see which team keeps their playoff hopes alive. I don't have a clear favorite in this one, so I'll give the slightest edge to the Steelers since they're playing at home.
And we end week six with Buffalo taking on Tennessee. This could be an AFC Championship preview. It should be another good MNF game. I'll take the Bills though.
Fly!!! Eagles!!! Fly!!!
Blogs & Forums
