I've Got a Feeling: NFL Week 4
| 5
|
by TheBatman
CR's look at some (already) important matchups
PIT v. ARI
The Steelers are looking at 4-0. The Cardinals are looking at making a statement. There's some soap opera to this game too. Ben Roethlisberger has been less than secretive about his discontent with the old regime, practically falling over himself to compliment Bruce Arians at every opportunity. So much so that HC Mike Tomlin called BigBen in and had a talk to get the young QB's head on straight. Then there's the Matt Leinhart/Kurt Warner scenario unfolding. Who knows what's going on in Leinhart's head, since Whiz took over, but he's not the same. Here's what's also true; Kurt Warner is 6 years away from the guy who played lights out with St.Louis. He lost that job and couldn't keep Eli Manning on the bench in NY. He couldnt keep Matt Leinhart on the bench last year, either. So suddenly, Whiz panics and pulls Leinhart last week. Welcome to Bill Cowher west, a coaching staff that would rather be mediocre with burned out pluggers, than develop young players with unlimited upside. Still, the Cards will be sky high for this game, even career backup Chukky Okkobi assailed Tomlin for cutting him. Where I come from, you should be assailed for not cutting a backup center making 2 mil who can't beat out a one-legged starter for three years running.
SF exposed Dick LeBeau's fire zone blitzes to quick hitters, last week though. If Leinhart doesn't get a score on the first possession, expect to see Warner. If Warner can keep from literally shattering on first contact the Cards, who always play the Steelers tough, have a shot.
HOU at ATL
The best QB the Falcons had this decade now plays in Houston. Does Arthur Blank feel like a jackass? He should. Will Schaub press to beat his old team? No. Schaub is probably peeing his pants with glee over being traded from the train wreck in ATL. I'd bet he'd be the first send Arthur Blank a Christmas card or Mike Vick a cake with a file in it. Everyone's thinking that ATL will rise up this weekend, if only because 2/3 or HOU's playmakers are on the bench. Still, I think the Falcons are done for the year. No team can endure the nightmare they have and come out slugging. HOU should take this one.
CIN at NE
This is one of thsoe games where I think the underdog (CIN) shocks the fave by one or two points, or the fave scores 186 points by halftime. That's the thing with Cincy. They can be awesome, or they can give up 51 to the Brown (there is no plural for Brown). This year, they look befuddled. I think the character issues in Cincy are coming home to roost. Something tells me the Bengals will play it close, though. Randy Moss is due for a game off, anyway.
PHI at Jersey/A
Some say Dumbavan McChoke was extra motivated by the backlash from his racist rant last week. I think his problem was wrapped around his surgically repaired knee. Watch McNabb throw with the brace on, and then with it off. He favors the leg when the brace is on, and doesn't follow thorugh. That's suicide for a QB who was never a pinpoint passer to begin with. I'm more interested to see which Eli Manning shows up this week, not whether Dumbavan wears his brace or not, though. I feel the Giants in this one, with Plexiglass doing his best Willis Reed impression for at least a quarter.
TB at CAR
David Carr sucks. Jeff Garcia does not. This is Carr's big chance to prove that Houston simply didn't have the players to block for him. He won't be making Bob McNair sorry this weekend. Or any weekend.
DEN at IND
The Broncos could be 1-5 in three weeks, and dead to rights if they don't start running the ball. It starts this weekend in Indy, a team that is always one Bob Sanders away from being unable to stop anyone, much less the cut-blockers. Indy was very close to a letdown in TN and I think they'll be a little ripe this weekend.
CHI at DET
CHI fans are thrilled that Brian Griese (see Kurt Warner) is starting now. That should last a game. Griese is 39-33 in his career. The Bears got smoked on defense last week and DET can score on anyone. Look for a down to the gun finish. That favors Detroit, because as much as Kitna is a plugger, Griese is a choker.
OAK at MIA
Is there anyone in the USA that isn't rooting for Duante Culpepper to light up the fish? Is there anyone who thinks Cam Cameron is an NFL HC? Can anyone figure out how Miami thought blowing all that money on Joey "Part-Time" Porter would make the Dolphins better? All these and more questions will be answered on this weeks edition of "The Miami fan's stomach turns".
BAL at CLE
The Ravings are aging and their defense doesn't finish very well. Steve McNair appears to have used up 8 of his 9 lives. The Brown (ther is no plural for Brown) are much better than the team that committed 4 penalties on the same play in week one. The Ravens are a few lucky breaks from 1-2. Don't be surprised to see Brady Quinn if Anderson struggles early. I like the Brown in this match.
Those are the games that interest me this week. How 'bout you?
