We're At .500 Walker's Rants ready for NFL Week 4 Pick'em
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by BigPPup
Last week we went 1-2 that puts Walkers Rants at 2-2 on the season and in good shape going into week four of the NFL season.
The Green Bay Packers are one of the hottest teams in the NFL this season. Brett Favre is performing at his peak, and their young defense has come together and is fierce against the run. The success of the Packers passing game has been the key to their early wins. The ground game is coming along, but because of a weak offensive line, Green Bay’s runningbacks have yet to establish themselves as a credible threat.
The Minnesota Vikings made the switch at quarterback to Kelly Holcomb. Although he is not a Pro-Bowl caliber player, Holcomb has put up some respectable numbers in the past. Adrian Peterson is developing each week as a running back, and he will help to take pressure off a struggling passing game. Entering the season, defense was the Vikings specialty, to this point it has let them down.
Last weekend Favre tied Dan Marino’s touchdown record, and he will break it this weekend. That will be the highlight of the weekend for the Packers. Brett Favre has struggled in domes in the past, and his struggles will continue on Sunday. Green Bay will be a good opportunity for the Vikings to rehab a struggling defense.
Minnesota Wins: 21-13
The Indianapolis Colts are the defending Super Bowl champions. At this point of the season, the Colts are undefeated, but have been less than impressive. Close wins over Tennessee and Houston; have many critics wondering if Manning and company have what it takes to repeat. Manning has been quiet to this point of the season, only tossing three touchdown passes in the last two weeks.
The Denver Broncos once again have a great rushing attack thanks to Travis Henry, and the zone blocking scheme. Jay Cutler is slowly progressing as he adapts to being a fulltime NFL starter. However, don’t start comparing him to John Elway just yet, he still needs time to mature, and an injured Javon Walker will not help him out the maturation process.
The Colts and the Broncos seem to play every season, and every year it’s the same outcome. The Denver defense simply cannot match up with Indy’s offense. Their linebackers are too concerned about covering the run in the box, leaving them unable to help out with the mid range out and dig routes that Manning loves to check down to. Last season Reggie Wayne had 10 catches for 135 yards in a Colts victory. Look for the Colts receivers to have a field day against the Bronco’s coverage. Denver will play man coverage and leave their corners on an island; Peyton will realize this early and put his receivers into a position to be successful.
Indianapolis wins: 31-17
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have experienced a resurgence with Jeff Garcia as their quarterback. He has the Bucs off to a surprising 2-1 start, and probably has done enough to save John Gruden’s job. Garcia found success by hooking up with fellow old man Joey Galloway. With Cadillac Williams still experiencing growing pains in his transition to the NFL, Garcia has provided a much needed spark to a stagnant offense.
The Carolina Panthers were the talk of the NFC last season and they flopped on their face due to injury. Now the injury bug has bit them once again, and Jake Delhomme has a banged up elbow that has kept him out of practice twice this week. This is bad news for a team that has a talent like Steve Smith at wide out. The Panthers need to find a way to get back to their roots of being a strong running team. Foster has to find some of the skills he posses two seasons ago that made him a standout player.
The Panthers may have to start David Carr on Sunday, and that could be very bad news. Steve Smith is only as good as the person who can get him the ball. The Panthers would have lost last weekend to Atlanta if not for a complete meltdown by Falcons DB DeAngelo Hall. The Panthers may still be the top team in the NFC South, but the Bucs are ready to have a surprising year.
Tampa Bay wins: 24-21
