Jazz: Cue the Family Guy clip. VICTORY IS MINE! For the first time this season I came out on top with a 4-3 record, which was exactly one game better than Ed. At this rate I will catch up and pass him if the NFL extends the season to 48 weeks. It might have been better but the Jets’ win was tempered by the Steelers pulling off an upset. And considering Gang Green is visiting New England this week, perhaps they should make it 57 weeks.
Ed: I’m back from my travels, and trying to recover from a major case of jet lag — which is usually better than Jets lag. (I’m here all week, folks, and don’t forget to tip the waitress.) My 3-4 record brings my season to 31-8, which makes it really, really tempting to rest on my partial laurels. But with the Steelers finding ways to win this season, who am I to shy away from competition? Besides, this week Jazz and I are in almost total agreement, as it turns out.
Jazz: As I said, this week the Jets visit the Patriots. Despite having the best defense in the league and the 3rd best rushing offense they go into this match seven point underdogs. But faith springs eternal and I’ll take New York for the win anyway. The Steelers visit the Chiefs as three point underdogs, so I’m going to count on Kansas City to perform to expectations to offset a potential loss by New York and take the Chiefs. Finally, the Vikings to Detroit in a match which is essentially a draw on paper. The 1-5 Lions are DUE, though, so I’ll go with Detroit.
Ed: Landry Jones gets the start for the Steelers this week against the Chiefs. Jones came out of oblivion last week to provide Pittsburgh with a much-needed spark and ended up looking like the second coming of Ben Roethlisberger, rallying the Steelers to provide the upset against Arizona. With Roethlisberger inactive to give his knee another week to heal, look for Jones to do it again against the Chiefs, 27-21. The Jets are having a surprisingly good season, but the Patriots are too tough at home; 33-24, New England. Detroit has only gotten blown out once this year, so they’re competitive and can play well enough to win — and the Vikings are a poor road team. The only fly in the ointment is Detroit’s 27th ranked rushing defense, but the Vikes have the worst passing offense in the league, and that means the Lions can load up against Adrian Peterson and the run. I’ll go with the Lions in a close game, 21-17.
Jazz: Four more games to round out the week. (All times eastern)
- Buccaneers at Redskins (1:00 pm, FOX) – Washington is a slight favorite which means they should get creamed. I’ll go with the Bucs.
- Cowboys at Giants (4:25 pm, Fox) – While I’m sure I’ll live to regret this one, the Cowboys are starting Matt Cassel and I think the Giants can handle him. I’ll go with New York.
- Eagles at Panthers (8:30 pm, NBC) – Carolina isn’t going to go undefeated this year, but the Eagles aren’t the team to stop them. Panthers in a close one.
- Ravens at Cardinals (Monday 8:30 pm, ESPN) – The Cardinals are a huge favorite over the struggling Ravens on Monday night and it will probably be boring, but we always pick the Monday night game. I’ll take Arizona.
Ed:
- Buccaneers at Redskins (1:00 pm, FOX) – This should be a defensive battle, and Tampa Bay has the better defense. 17-14, Bucs in a snoozer.
- Cowboys at Giants (4:25 pm, Fox) – Matt Cassel is a good pickup for the Cowboys, but the Giants at home have something to prove after last week’s embarrassing loss to the Eagles, and Cassel will need more than one game to get his legs under him. 28-17, Giants.
- Eagles at Panthers (8:30 pm, NBC) – After a slow start, the Eagles have scored two blowout wins in a row. Tonight, though, they’re playing the undefeated Panthers in Carolina. Stick with the Panthers, but it should be an exciting game — 31-28, maybe in OT.
- Ravens at Cardinals (Monday 8:30 pm, ESPN) – If Mike Tomlin hadn’t coached himself out of a win a couple of weeks ago, Baltimore would still be looking for its first win. Their offense is actually impressive, ranked 8th in the league, but their defense is ranked 27th — and the Cards have the 5th ranked offense in the league, playing at home. This one could be a blowout. Arizona 35, Ravens 17.