Weekend Preview: What to Watch

As we get closer to the weekend, here is my rundown of the must-see action on Sunday…

Tennessee (8-0) at Chicago (5-3)

Great theater in Chicago’s south loop on Sunday. Rex Grossman is back (unless Kyle Orton pulls off a miracle), the undefeated Titans are coming to town, and November weather is officially going to arrive by game time. I want to pick the Titans, I really do, but they have two things going against them. One is the run defense of the Bears, giving up only 81 yards a game—not good for a Titans team that lives and dies with RBs Chris Johnson and LenDale White. Secondly, the Bears are an unfamiliar NFC team to the Titans. The Titans don’t know the Bears personnel like they do the Colts, Jags, Texans, or any of their AFC opponents. Does this really matter? In some regards, yes. Expect the Bears to add something (exotic play, new blitz package, etc.) that the Titans haven’t seen on film. I don’t expect this game to be fun to watch—it might equal going to the dentist—but it should be a ball game deep into the 4^th quarter.  It might come down to Kerry Collins and Grossman in the turnover battle. For the second straight week I am picking against the Titans—I like the Bears in a low scoring slugfest.

Buffalo (5-3) at New England (5-3)

Huge game in Foxborough folks—huge. Remember when the Bills were 4-0? How about when we wrote off the Pats after Brady went down? Two teams tied for first in the AFC East (with the Jets), hoping to move a game up in November—when it counts. Considering the amount of injuries the Bills are playing with (Schobel, Whitner, Reed), they are going to have to force some turnovers in their Tampa 2 scheme, and find a way to get the ball into Marshawn Lynch’s hand—and see if he can do something with it. Trent Edwards has struggled against pressure in recent weeks, so look for Bill Belichick to come up with some blitz schemes to rattle the young quarterback. Randy Moss usually shows up in these big time games. With a hurting secondary in Buffalo, why not throw it deep? In November, little mistakes in a football games are multiplied, that’s why I like the Pats at home—a veteran team that will take care of the football, tackle well, and contain the Bills on special teams. It will be close, but NE pulls away in the 4^th quarter—because they have been there before.

Green Bay (4-4) at Minnesota (4-4)

With the underdog Bears hosting the Titans, the winner of this one thinks they will move into a tie for first place in the NFC North. The question here is simple: does Adrian Peterson get 30 or 35 carries against a soft run defense of the Packers? It is easy to pick the Vikes in the Dome, but I don’t like seeing Gus Frerotte dropping back against this Green bay secondary—they make too many plays. If Minnesota can consistently move the chains with Peterson (and hope he breaks two big runs), then they will be in this one and probably win it. However, Green Bay will cause turnovers, and Aaron Rodgers should continue to play at a high level. It is about time to see RB Ryan Grant earn some of that new cash he has in his back pocket. If they can build a lead, they need to ride Grant into the ground and get out of there with a win. The Metrodome is no vacation for opposing teams, and I want to go with the Vikings at home, but I really can’t figure this team out. Are they really a contender? I don’t think so. Take the Pack.

Indianapolis (4-4) at Pittsburgh (6-2)

Indy had an impressive win at home on national TV against the Pats last Sunday night, however, the Steelers had an even more impressive win on the road on national TV against the Redskins Monday night. Does anyone else think Peyton Manning is in for a long day at Heinz Field? The fact remains that the Colts cannot run the football (averaging only 70 yards a game)—not good when playing the leagues #1 defense in Pittsburgh. Lots of attention is being placed on the shoulder injury to Ben Roethlisberger, but I still think Byron Leftwich will fill in admirably in Big Ben’s absence. He moved the ball against a good Redskins’ defense. Manning is going to have to get rid of the ball early, hope his defense can bait Leftwich into some bad throws, and pray that James Harrison, Lamar Woodley, and Troy Polamalu don’t put him out for the season. I think the Colts will make some noise this season, just not on Sunday. The Steelers beat up the Colts.

NY Giants (7-1) at Philadelphia (5-3)

A classic NFC east battle to top off your Sunday viewing marathon. How good are the Eagles? They don’t dominate in any area, but they are good in all of them. The NFL is fickle, as we have already begun to crown the Giants as the kings of the NFC, but a loss here and they might not even be kings of the East. Donovan McNabb is having an outstanding season, and Brian Westbrook is healthy—so they can play with anybody, especially with their attacking defense. Look, we know the Giants are talented, fast, and physical up front, but this one is on the road at The Linc—maybe the toughest environment in the NFL. I expect the Giants to continue to pound the ball with RB Brandon Jacobs, use play-action to get the ball to Plaxico Burress (if he isn’t suspended again by Tom Coughlin), and play excellent defense. Not a bad game plan, huh? It’s not going to work in Philly folks. This Eagle team is primed for a big time run. After blowing out Seattle on the west coast, they come home and beat the Giants in front of a national audience. Then—maybe—we will start to take them seriously. 

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