2007 NFL Week Ten Predictions
| 7
|
by Napoleon15
Here are my weekly NFL predictions, cross-published from my blog [1]. Some big stories again this week. First, there was the "Game of the Millennium" between the New England Patriots and the Indianapolis Colts. Second, RB Adrian Peterson of the Minnesota Vikings put in another ridiculous performance, running roughshod over the San Diego Chargers. The next big story, for me, is that my Denver Broncos are now as bad as I've ever seen them.
The Game of the Millennium was overhyped, which is no surprise, but it was a good game. I think both teams held some things back, just in case they meet in the playoffs. Tom Brady was held in check for most of the game, but with his team down by ten in the fourth quarter, he showed why is the best quarterback in the game. He suddenly came alive, leading the Pats to two quick touchdowns. That's Tom Brady: nearly unstoppable late in the game. Peyton Manning and the Colts got the ball back with just over three minute left on the clock, but then got sacked and fumbled away the ball and the game. If these two teams meet in the playoffs again, it will most likely be on a frozen field in Foxboro where Manning often struggles and Brady excels.
Adrian Peterson is looking almost superhuman these days, which is good because the Vikings don't have much of a passing game. His 30 carry, 296 yard performance on Sunday would have been astounding under any circumstances, but especially because he did it against a good San Diego defense. He now has the single-game rushing record, and could have the single-season rushing record by the time this season is over. And this guy's a rookie?! In a few weeks, he could perhaps top 500 or even 600 yards against the Denver Broncos. Seriously, though, he could perhaps top 300 yards in that game.
Speaking of the Broncos, last week's 44-7 loss to the Lions (that's right, the Lions) is a new low in an abysmal season. What makes it even worse is that the game wasn't anywhere near that close. Had the Lions not let up in the fourth quarter, they could have easily topped 50 points and simultaneously shut out the Broncos. Making things even worse, Jay Cutler was injured and Travis Henry was re-injured, meaning that the Broncos "offense" will now be even worse than before.
Here are my weekly predictions. I dropped off a little bit last week, finishing 9-5. My season record is now 84-46.
Carolina Panthers 23, Atlanta Falcons 20. Normally, this game would not be hard to pick, but with the Panthers' quarterback status uncertain, I'm not completely sure who to pick here. Carolina's a better team, though.
Minnesota Vikings 24, Green Bay Packers 21. Look out Pack --- here comes Adrian Peterson! The outcome of this game depends on whether Adrian Peterson gets enough carries or not. I'm betting that he will.
Kansas City Chiefs 27, Denver Broncos 10. Cheer up, my fellow Bronco fans: we're only one game out of first place! Until Sunday, that is.
Buffalo Bills 24, Miami Dolphins 19. Buffalo is actually playing fairly well right now. They've won four of their last five games, I believe.
New Orleans Saints 35, St. Louis Rams 13. Same as above. The Saints are playing well, the Rams are not.
Pittsburgh Steelers 23, Cleveland Browns 16. The Browns stand a legitimate chance of winning this game, and I'd like to see them win. The Steelers are still better, though.
Jacksonville Jaguars 31, Tennessee Titans 24. Vince Young is not Superman, after all. At least not when he's hampered by an injury, as he is now.
Philadelphia Eagles 27, Washington Redskins 24. Getting crushed by the Patriots can keep a team reeling for weeks. Look at the Chargers; they lost two in a row after losing to New England 38-14 in Week Two.
Baltimore Ravens 24, Cincinnati Bengals 21. Neither team is very good at all, but I think Cincy is worse.
Detroit Lions 34, Arizona Cardinals 21. Are the Lions really as good as they looked last week? Probably not, but they're still good.
New York Giants 27, Dallas Cowboys 24. The Cowboys haven't quite recovered from the Patriots yet, and the Giants are much better than they were in Week One.
Chicago Bears 23, Oakland Raiders 20. If I'm not mistaken, Brian Griese last played the Raiders as a Denver Bronco, and that was his final game as a starter in Denver. Now he gets a chance at revenge.
Indianapolis Colts 34, San Diego Chargers 13. The Colts proved that they are on the Patriots' level, and that's bad news for the Chargers.
Seattle Seahawks 21, San Francisco 49ers 19. Shaun Alexander has historically put in big performances on prime time. Maybe he rediscovers his old self in this game.
