NFL 2007 Forecast: Week 8

My business travels have landed me in the City of the Winless Ewes.

I'm sitting here on the 4th floor of the office building overlooking Hwy. 40 in St. Louis as the sun is setting and cars are beginning to pile up for the crawl home. I'm guessing that about every third car is being filled with angst and bewilderment, just as it has in my Chevrolet Aveo, from sports talk radio shows on how to deal with the state of affairs.

For those that forgot the Rams are still located here, they are 0-7 which doesn't represent just how bad it really is here.

The offensive line is decimated with injuries and that's making it sound good. I heard that the other day the media was gathered outside the room where the Rams coaching staff was meeting, and offensive line coach Paul Boudreau stepped out and asked if anyone played guard or tackle.

In last week's ghastly performance against the Seahawks, Marc Bulger approached the sidelines after arising from beneath the turf following one of his seven sacks. He yelled something at coach Scott Linehan along the lines of, "Do you plan on having anyone block for me?" Linehan replied that he should have gotten rid of the ball in the midst of the seven behemoths breathing down his neck. Bulger rolled his eyes and looked away and you could just see the cartoon dialogue box above him saying, "Whatever. You're an idiot."

They are ranked 28th in rushing and 30th in total offense while their defense is 24th. Rams QB's have committed 15 turnovers this season, and St. Louis has been outscored 121-33 in the second half.

They are the Miami of the Midwest.

Coach Linehan was also seen at last Thursday's practice before the Seattle game blowing up at his team which confirmed reports from NFL insiders that he's cracking under the pressure. A loss to Cleveland following the shellacking in Seattle could result in his firing during the Rams bye week.

The sun has now disappeared below the horizon much like the Rams season.

• Indianapolis Colts (6-0) at Carolina Panthers (4-2): CBS, 1pm EST - When Panthers QB Vinnie Testaverde played in his first NFL game with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 1987, Peyton Manning was 11. Pops must control the clock with long time-chewing drives to keep The Youngster on the sidelines if Carolina is going to have a prayer to win one of the biggest games in the club's history. EDDIE'S PICK - INDIANAPOLIS
• Cleveland Browns (3-3) at St. Louis Rams (0-7): CBS, 1pm EST - Browns coach Romeo Crenell came to Cleveland as a defensive wizard and Rams coach Scott Linehan was hired from Miami as an offensive guru. Cleveland is 32nd in total defense, and St. Louis is 25th in total offense. EDDIE'S PICK - ST. LOUIS
• Pittsburgh Steelers (4-2) at Cincinnati Bengals (2-4): CBS, 1pm EST - Six straight losses to Pittsburgh at home is not the kind of record that Cincy fans admire when they think of their hated divisional rivals. If things don't start changing in Cincy, they better get used to it. EDDIE'S PICK - PITTSBURGH
• Oakland Raiders (2-4) at Tennessee Titans (4-2): CBS, 1pm EST - A very porous run defense is just what the Titans need as they look to swat Oakland aside to keep up in the AFC South. EDDIE'S PICK - TENNESSEE
• NY Giants (5-2) at Miami Dolphins (0-7) FOX, 1pm EST (IN LONDON, ENGLAND) - Things continued to unravel for the Dolphins as they traded their top receiver, Chris Chambers, to San Diego last week. Now, they must head overseas for the league's first regular-season game on the other side of an ocean and face the red-hot Giants. Cheerio, Miami. EDDIE'S PICK - NY GIANTS
• Philadelphia Eagles (2-4) at Minnesota Vikings (2-4): FOX, 1pm EST - Is it just me or is nine-year Kelly Holcomb a much better option for the Vikes than the enigmatic Tarvaris Jackson right now? EDDIE'S PICK - PHILLY
• Detroit Lions (4-2) at Chicago Bears (2-4): FOX, 1pm EST - Bears QB Brian Griese is playing like his life is on the line and that's a good think when you're trying to stay with Green Bay and Detroit. EDDIE'S PICK - CHICAGO
• Buffalo Bills (2-4) at NY Jets (1-6): CBS, 4:05pm EST - I'd rather watch Wild Hogs. EDDIE'S PICK - BUFFALO
• Jacksonville Jaguars (4-2) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-3): CBS, 4:05pm EST - Quinn Gray gets his first NFL start for Jacksonville, and that's really all that you need to know. EDDIE'S PICK - TAMPA BAY
• Houston Texans (3-4) at San Diego Chargers (3-3): CBS, 4:05pm EST - It has just recently been reported that Qualcomm Stadium will be ready to host this game after rumors that the contest might have to be relocated due to the wildfire tragedy in southern California. Now the red-hot Chargers can play in front of their home fans with more than football on their minds and that's just not what the Texans need right now. EDDIE'S PICK - SAN DIEGO
• New Orleans Saints (2-4) at San Francisco 49ers (2-4): FOX, 4:15pm EST - Momentum is on the Saints' side while the Niners are suffering from scoring-anxiety. EDDIE'S PICK - NEW ORLEANS
• Washington Redskins (4-2) at New England Patriots (7-0): FOX, 4:15pm EST - I'm telling you, I have a good feeling about this one, Skins fans. This is by far the best defense that the Patriots have faced yet this year, and Skins QB Jason Campbell is taking his biggest test of his first NFL semester, but he's been a pleasant surprise in hostile environments on the road. I'm also sick with the flu this week. EDDIE'S PICK - NEW ENGLAND
• Green Bay (5-1) at Denver (3-3): ESPN, 8pm EST, MNF: There's a lot to be excited about in Mile High these days with the Rockies in the World Series, and the Broncos coming off a much-needed and emotional win vs. the Steelers last week. They are back on the national stage at home vs. the legendary Favre and Co. Don't be ignorant and just TiVo the baseball game going on across I-25. EDDIE'S PICK - DENVER

BYE: DALLAS, ARIZONA, KANSAS CITY, ATLANTA, SEATTLE, BALTIMORE

STANDINGS
Cris Collinsworth: 8-6, 69-34
Bob Costas: 10-4, 69-34
Eddie Chinn: 10-4, 68-35
Chris Mortensen: 10-4, 66-37
Dan Marino: 10-4, 64-39
Sean Salisbury: 10-4, 63-40

Week 7 Reflections

I'm out of town on business this week so, due to my work schedule and other restrictions, my review of this week's games will be somewhat condensed.

This commentary is coming to you from St. Louis, MO where Scott Linehan is a very hot topic; so hot that I'd be surprised if Linehan isn't in Alaska right now until practice resumes Wednesday. To say that the local fans are tying a collective noose would be an understatement. I agree with an article in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch by Bryan Burwell that it wouldn't make sense to fire Linehan right now though.

As Burwell points out, baseball and basketball seasons seem to be endless so making a change midway through a season can make a difference and save what could be a disastrous year. In the NFL, it rarely makes any sense to fire a coach in the middle of a season due to all that is put into the team leading up to the regular season. You have your layers of assistants and fixed rosters on top of it only being a 16-game schedule.

It usually always makes sense to let the coach finish the season and at least give him the respect to finish what he started. In some cases, there just might be a silver lining that appears by the end of the season that someone else can come in and utilize.

At this point in the season, I would say that Linehan is at the top of the list of coaches to be given the pink slip when the gun sounds ending Week 17.

Next on that list just might be Marvin Lewis of Cincinnati. I'm stunned that he isn't bald from pulling his hair out on his team's infatuation of being lawless rebels. The Bengals did bounce back with a win over the Jets (if you call that "bouncing back") but I get the feeling that it's just a matter of time before we begin talking about the Bengals being in the top-10 of the NFL Draft. Lewis is a prime candidate of someone who needs a change of scenery.

While I think their jobs are safe for the time being, it wouldn't be a bad idea to keep an eye on John Fox of Carolina and Jon Gruden of Tampa Bay. Both coaches were losing their grip on the team and their respective cities when the season first started, but they have done a good job so far of keeping the Panthers and Bucs in the heat of the battle for the NFC South.

Coach Tom Coughlin was "Dead Man Walking" after Week 2 following an off-season of the Giants team chemistry unraveling. The G-men have gone on to win five straight and are the hottest team in the NFC much in part to their undaunted defense. I still believe that it might take a playoff berth and maybe a playoff win to save his job.

The division races are heating up as we approach the midway point next week so you can expect to hear more talk of coaches on the hot seat as we move forward.

Other notes and observations from a very lukewarm Week 7:

• Pittsburgh has not allowed a RB to reach 100 yards in 26 straight games dating back to Nov. 28, 2005 when Edgerrin James racked up 124 yards as a Colt.
  
• Titans K Rob Bironas is getting tons of press over setting the NFL record for hitting 8 field goals in one game. That is something, but what does that say about the Titans offense? I wouldn't get too proud.
• Patriots QB Tom Brady is playing like a flowing faucet with no shut-off valve . You just can't stop the flow. A major flaw that is being overlooked is their running game which isn't getting much production lately. It's just a matter of time before defenses will figure out how to stop this passing attack. It's a numbers game.
  
• When it rains it pours. Dolphins RB Ronnie Brown and CB Renaldo Hill are out for the year with torn ACL's.
  
• Falcons QB Byron Leftwich went down with a high ankle sprain which means it's back to The Joey Harrington Show.... a collective sigh has spread across the city of Atlanta.
• The Chad Pennington Era just might have ended Sunday after their 38-31 loss to Cincy. Coach Eric Mangini does not know how to smile right now, and he shouldn't.
  
• Something tells me that J.P. Losman won't be a Bill next year unless he accepts the reality that his gene strands are that of a career backup.
• The Giants face the horrific Dolphins in London this Sunday. It's the first NFL regular-season game to be played outside North America. So, this is how the NFL chooses to sell the NFL product to England? Why couldn't they get New England and Atlanta?

GAMES TO KEEP AN EYE ON IN WEEK 8

Detroit at Chicago, Jacksonville at Tampa Bay, Washington at New England, Green Bay at Denver

NFL 2007 Forecast: Week 7

You hear fans and media argue and debate all the time just exactly who is, and what makes, the greatest RB in NFL history. They compare Super Bowl titles, total rushing yardage, number of TD's, being a great receiver, tackle-breaking ability, average yards per carry, and how many sponsors they endorsed.

The list typically always includes Emmitt Smith, Barry Sanders, Jim Brown, Walter Payton, Earl Campbell, Eric Dickerson, and Marshall Faulk. The reason that these players are among the greats of all-time is because they possessed the one element that I personally believe is one of the most important ingredients in determining a great runner.

They made you hold your breath every time they touched the ball.

It didn't matter where these athletes played. Fans rose to their feet when these running backs were handed or thrown the pigskin. If you were watching the game at home, you sacrificed a few more seconds of thirst before going to get your beer, you made the pizza guy wait at the door even after the fifth doorbell chime, and you crossed your legs and bit you lip if you had to go to the bathroom.

Over the last few years, the NFL has had a few running backs that have that same effect when they have the ball in LaDainian Tomlinson, Reggie Bush, and Larry Johnson. I have one more to add and his name is Adrian Peterson.

Just how good is A.P.?

The standard for rookie RB's to measure themselves against is Eric Dickerson's rookie year in 1983 when he rushed for 1,808 yards on 390 carries and 18 TD's while sporting a 4.6 average yards per carry. Peterson is on pace to finish the 2007 season with 1,942 yards on 307 carries for 13 TD's and a 6.3 average. He introduced himself to the NFL as a bonafide threat last week when he torched the Bears defense for 361 total purpose yards! The Monsters of the Midway are no more.

This Palestine, TX native is 6'1" and 217 lbs. and does have the speed of Eric Dickerson and can shift gears with pure precision like Gale Sayers. Whether he hits the gap, goes around the end, or catches a screen, this running back will put on a show that just might rival Barry Sanders. He reminds me of Marshall Faulk but much bigger.

I simply felt the need to pause and give tribute to this player after the kind of week he had last week as it was one for the ages.

What will happen this week? Stay tuned...

• Baltimore Ravens (4-2) at Buffalo Bills (1-4): CBS, 1pm EST - This is a homecoming for Ravens RB Willis McGahee who spent the first four years of his career in Buffalo and it will be an ugly one. Speaking of ugly, Buffalo is starting rookie QB Trent Edwards in place of J.P. Losman vs. this stingy Ravens D. EDDIE'S PICK - BALTIMORE
• New England Patriots (6-0) at Miami Dolphins (0-6): CBS, 1pm EST - If you removed the fish from the helmet, you'd swear these Fins were an expansion team. The rancidity will be suffocating by the first quarter. EDDIE'S PICK - NEW ENGLAND
• Tennessee Titans (3-2) at Houston Texans (3-3): CBS, 1pm EST - Vince Young is from Houston and was passed up by the Texans in the 2006 draft who went on to take DE Mario Williams #1 overall. V.Y. is nursing a strained quadricep but something tells me he'll wake up feeling ready to play. The Titans have won four straight vs. the Texans. EDDIE'S PICK - TENNESSEE
• Atlanta Falcons (1-5) at New Orleans Saints (1-4): FOX, 1pm EST - The Saints sense the urgency to save their season and last week's victory in Seattle will give them the momentum to face Atlanta who apparently are grasping for straws as they have now turned over the season to Byron Leftwich. EDDIE'S PICK - NEW ORLEANS
• Arizona Cardinals (3-3) at Washington Redskins (3-2): FOX, 1pm EST - It's like blood leaking into an ocean of sharks as Arizona just might have to go with fragile 3rd-string QB Tim Rattay replacing a battered Kurt Warner (I know, surprising, huh?) The Redskins defense is going to have a field day. EDDIE'S PICK - WASHINGTON
• San Francisco 49ers (2-3) at NY Giants (4-2): FOX, 1pm EST - While I still think it's going to take a playoff berth or a playoff win to still save Couglin's job, the Giants are becoming a remarkable story as they started the year 0-2 and are now showcasing a suffocating defense. The Niners enter the Meadowlands at the wrong time. EDDIE'S PICK - NY GIANTS
• Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-2) at Detroit Lions (3-2): FOX, 1pm EST - This Tampa defense is not the type of unit you want to face if you lead the NFL with being sacked 25 times. QB Jon Kitna and his O-line must do all they can to create time to get the ball to their weapons or they will continue to lose traction in the NFC North. EDDIE'S PICK - TAMPA BAY
• Kansas City Chiefs (3-3) at Oakland Raiders (2-3): CBS, 4:05pm EST - Chiefs RB Larry Johnson has been a cancer to Oakland the past six games amassing 634 yards and nine TD's. I don't see Culpepper and Co. being able to control the ball and keep L.J. off the field as he faces the league's 28th-ranked rush defense. EDDIE'S PICK - K.C.
• NY Jets (1-5) at Cincinnati Bengals (1-4): CBS, 4:05pm EST - I think I'm going to throw up. EDDIE'S PICK - CINCINNATI
• St. Louis Rams (0-6) at Seattle Seahawks (3-3): FOX, 4:15pm EST - Marc Bulger announced last week that he is ready to come back. My question is...to what? EDDIE'S PICK - SEATTLE
• Chicago Bears (2-4) at Philadelphia Eagles (2-3): FOX, 4:15pm EST - Philly's remote chances of getting into the NFC East race depends on how they handle a Bears team whose defense is dismantling and their offense is providing turnovers. QB Donovan McNabb has never lost to Chicago. EDDIE'S PICK - PHILADELPHIA
• Minnesota Vikings (2-3) at Dallas Cowboys (5-1): FOX, 4:15pm EST - There's one explosive weapon on the Vikings team and that's rookie RB Adrian Peterson who had a monster game vs. Chicago last week. Expect the Dallas defense to stack the box and force QB Tarvaris Jackson to try and beat their porous secondary with even a worse receiving corps. Minnesota has the worse pass coverage in the NFL. EDDIE'S PICK - DALLAS
• Pittsburgh Steelers (4-1) at Denver Broncos (2-3): NBC, 8:15pm EST - Both QB's will have a difficult time putting up big numbers so the focus will be on stopping the ground attacks. Denver ranks last in run defense but 8th in rushing while Pittsburgh is 4th in run defense and 2nd in rushing. Mile High has not provided the home-field advantage that it once did. EDDIE'S PICK - PITTSBURGH
• Indianapolis Colts (5-0) at Jacksonville Jaguars (4-1): ESPN, 8:30pm EST - Make sure your seat belt is fastened as this is going to be a ride! A Jag defense that is allowing a 11.6 points per game vs. a Colts offense that speaks for itself, and QB David Garrard (with no INT's this season) vs. a Colts secondary ranked #2 will be very entertaining to watch. EDDIE'S PICK - INDIANAPOLIS

BYE: CAROLINA, CLEVELAND, GREEN BAY, SAN DIEGO

STANDINGS

Cris Collinsworth: 7-6, 61-28
Bob Costas: 10-3, 59-30
Eddie Chinn: 8-5, 58-31
Chris Mortensen: 7-6, 56-33
Dan Marino: 6-7, 54-35
Sean Salisbury: 8-5, 53-36

Week 6 Reflections

After watching NFL football for 32 years, this league continues to amaze me. I'm beginning to realize that I haven't seen it all and may never see it all. This insitution continues to find ways to make itself unique and incalcuable. Every single NFL Sunday, the identity of a game or team can transform right before your eyes leading to this hardcore truth.

Anything can happen to anybody anytime.

Week 6 showed that every now and then you can forget parity. Certain storylines, unexpected performances, injuries, and hidden records are just a few examples of things that can make you sit back in your recliner when the final gun sounds ending the final game of the week and just shake your head.

Vinny Testaverde's story is approaching the level of NFL folklore. On October 10th, the Carolina Panthers signed Vinny (who turns 44 next month) to serve as the backup to David Carr who was Jake Delhomme's backup at the start of the season. Delhomme went on injured reserve after an elbow injury two weeks ago and Carr injured his back last week so they needed some insurance.

They called Vinny the day after he turned down the Arizona Cardinals backup job after injuries to Matt Leinart and Kurt Warner (yeah, stunning I know.) Four days later, Vinny is starting against Arizona and beat them 25-10 behind 20 of 33 passes for 203 yards and one TD. He'd been out of football for 5-6 weeks after getting cut by New England this year and was laying on the couch last Sunday watching when Carr got hurt.

In this game, he threw a pass to rookie WR Dwayne Jarrett who was born the year Testaverde won the Heisman Trophy. His backup entering the game was rookie QB Matt Moore whose father is 2 years older than Vinny. He's also four years older than his offensive coordinator and has thrown more passes and won more games as a QB than Carolina has accomplished in their history. Panthers WR Drew Carter remembers watching Vinny quarterback the Cleveland Browns. He was 7.

This is just one of many amazing plots and events that unfolded Sunday.

• In their 16-9 loss to the Eagles, the NY Jets had no penalties. It marked the 10th time this decade that a team was not penalized. The Jets have done it three times.
• Other records Sunday: Brett Favre has now thrown more INT's than any NFL QB. Chiefs TE Tony Gonzalez broke the record for most TD receptions by an NFL tight end. Pats QB Tom Brady set a personal career high with 5 TD passes while LaDainian Tomlinson tied his personal best day by scoring 4 TD's. It was the third time he's done this and the first time at home.
• Vikings rookie RB Adrian Peterson accumulated 361 all-purpose yards vs. Chicago. It was the third-highest total in NFL history....and he's a rookie. Did I mention he was a rookie?
• The San Diego Chargers have woken up from their deep slumber by exploding for 69 points in their last two games. They are now 3-3 on the season and have jumped right back in the AFC race.
• The New Orleans Saints won their first game of the season by somehow beating Seattle on the road.
• Tampa Bay and Carolina are each 4-2 which is astonishing considering that Tampa Bay's running back corps and Carolina's QB situation (despite Vinny's fairy tale game) are very shaky. Both coaches appear to be saving their jobs.
• All four of Carolina's victories have come on the road which means they've lost both their games at home.
• With Dallas' loss and Green Bay's win, the NFC is evening out a bit. These two teams meet Nov. 29th.
• St. Louis, Miami, NY Jets, Cincinnati, and Atlanta need a miracle to save their season if they have visions of making the playoffs.

GAMES TO KEEP AN EYE ON IN WEEK 7
Tampa Bay at Detroit, Tennessee at Houston, Kansas City at Oakland, Chicago at Philadelphia, Pittsburgh at Denver, Indianapolis at Jacksonville

NFL Forecast: Week 6

I don't know about you, but my blood flow is picking up the pace about this time of year every NFL season which is saying a lot because it's already been rushing like a Rocky Mountain river after a 3-day thunderstorm. As I approach each Sunday, my feet also begin to tap a little faster in anticipation of seeing which teams will impress or depress. I've already gone through one pair of tennis shoes.

Yes, it is still officially early in the season and pretty much anything can happen, but after five weeks of NFL battles, the identity of this year's NFL season is beginning to take shape. Teams such as New England, Dallas, and Indianapolis appear to have every aspect of their squad in a higher gear than everyone else.

Pittsburgh and Green Bay are playing solid ball and are currently a threat to win their divisions.

The jury is still out on some other 1-loss teams in Tennessee, Jacksonville, and Washington as they still need that one game to announce that they have arrived. The next few weeks are crucial to the teams hovering around .500 if they want to be taken seriously. New Orleans, Miami, St. Louis, Buffalo, NY Jets, and Atlanta are having seasons that are putting them on the fast track to having a top-ten pick in the 2008 draft.

Every now and then, there's a game that comes along that is capable of putting fanatic NFL fans in I.C.U. It's a defining moment that makes you pause and pay tribute to heart and excellence which are critical factors for the success of a NFL franchise and are also important elements of the league's uniqueness.

Dallas and New England are operating on both this season from the coaching staff on down. The Patriots are on a level of superiority that makes it very hard for opponents to expose so Dallas will have their hands full. The Cowboys are coming off one of the wildest comebacks in team history, but they will need to be in the right mindset, mentally acute, and want it more if they intend on dropping their anchor at this elite level.

Enjoy Week 6, football fans...and don't forget your blood pressure medicine.

• St. Louis Rams (0-5) at Baltimore Ravens (3-2): FOX, 1pm EST - Some things never change. The punchless Rams are still looking for their first victory, and Baltimore's offense needs personality. EDDIE'S PICK - BALTIMORE
• Washington Redskins (3-1) at Green Bay Packers (4-1): FOX, 1pm EST - Coach Joe Gibbs has this team believing in themselves and in their new young leader, Jason Campbell. The Skins are coming off a bye week and could really use a win to stay near the top of their division considering who Dallas plays this week. Green Bay lost to Chicago in Lambeau and won't be ready to let that happen twice in a row. EDDIE'S PICK - GREEN BAY
• Minnesota Vikings (1-3) at Chicago Bears (2-3): FOX, 1pm EST - An emotional, come-from-behind victory in Green Bay has Chicago believing that it can salvage its season. Beating teams that they're supposed to beat will certainly help starting this week vs. a Vikings team that must step it up on the road. EDDIE'S PICK - CHICAGO
• Philadelphia Eagles (1-3) at NY Jets (1-4): FOX, 1pm EST - Both teams are struggling this season due to injuries and inconsistency. Philly thrives on creating turnovers, pressuring the QB, and stopping the run. This is not good news for the Jets who just might pull Pennington if he doesn't get off to a good start. The Jets have never beaten Philadelphia. EDDIE'S PICK - PHILLY
• Tennessee Titans (3-1) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-2): CBS, 1pm EST - Just how good are these teams? Vince Young finds ways to win and that Titans defense appears to be for real. Tampa's running game is decimated due to injuries but their defense is regaining its intimidating form. This is a crucial game for Tennessee as they look to stay on the heels of Indianapolis and in the playoff hunt. Tampa QB Jeff Garcia has not thrown an INT this season. EDDIE'S PICK - TENNESSEE
• Cincinnati Bengals (1-3) at Kansas City Chiefs (2-3): CBS, 1pm EST - The league's worst run defense and 29th-ranked overall defense just might be the elixir that KC needs to stay in the thick of things in the tight AFC West. RB Larry Johnson must run buck wild while the Chiefs D mustand keep the Cincy offense out of the red zone where they are 100% in scoring inside the 20. It will be interesting to see how the Bengals respond to coach Marvin Lewis' tirade after last week's blowout in New England. Oh, and another Bengal was suspeneded for violating the league's substance abuse policy. EDDIE'S PICK - KANSAS CITY
• Houston Texans (3-2) at Jacksonville Jaguars (3-1): CBS, 1pm EST - This is a crucial AFC South match-up for both teams being in the same division as the Colts. J-town continues to improve each week vs. the run and that is dangerous considering they allowed a franchise-low 10 yards last week vs. KC's Larry Johnson. Houston's offense will have a very tough time moving the ball so the key will be for Houston's defense to rattle QB David Gerrard (no INT's this season) and get shorter fields to operate. EDDIE'S PICK - JACKSONVILLE
• Miami Dolphins (0-5) at Cleveland Browns (2-3): CBS, 1pm EST - Highly-touted Notre Dame QB Brady Quinn was passed up by Miami in the 2007 draft who decided to begin the Cam Cameron era with a fragile Trent Green at the helm. Cleveland then drafted the hometown kid to become their future. Quinn is now #2 behind the hot Derek Anderson who should find success vs. this 24th-ranked defense. EDDIE'S PICK - CLEVELAND
• Carolina Panthers (3-2) at Arizona Cardinals (3-2): FOX, 4:05pm EST - Both teams are playing very similar football this year as they are about average on defense and have had struggles keeping consistency at QB. The Cardinals offense has been more productive overall and will start Kurt Warner in place of Matt Leinart who's out with a broken collarbone. David Carr starts for the Panthers who must run the ball effectively and move the chains if they plan on leaving the desert with a win. EDDIE'S PICK - ARIZONA
• Oakland Raiders (2-2) at San Diego Chargers (2-3): CBS, 4:15pm EST - Last week, the Chargers finally tasted victory for the first time in a month by destroying Denver in Mile High and it was very good. They welcome the much-hated Oakland Raiders who should find it hard to establish any rhythm against a defense that is finding its groove back. The winner has the inside edge for leading the AFC West. EDDIE'S PICK - SAN DIEGO
• New England Patriots (5-0) at Dallas Cowboys (5-0): CBS, 4:15pm EST - Where the hell do you start? Brady vs. Romo, T.O. vs. Randy Moss, and Belichick vs. Phillips. Both teams possess great lines in the trenches and are the top two scoring offenses in the league. This was not a colossal game when the NFL schedule first came out, but due to resiliency and talent, both teams are undefeated and are simply playing for NFL superiority through Week 6. This is only the fifth time in NFL history that two undefeated teams with at least 5 wins have faced each other. You can expect a raucous Texas Stadium crowd as they welcome Moss who has scored at least 2 TD's in every game that he's faced Dallas. Expect a close game. New England has never won in Texas Stadium. EDDIE'S PICK - DALLAS
• New Orleans Saints (0-4) at Seattle Seahawks (3-2): NBC, 8:15pm EST - If the Saints want to explode out of their dismal season, then it starts on the road vs. a Seattle team that is still smarting from their shutout loss to Pittsburgh last week. The Seahawks have won the past three meetings by a combined score of 68-27, and coach Mike Holmgren is 5-0 vs. the Saints in his career. EDDIE'S PICK - SEATTLE
• NY Giants (3-2) at Atlanta Falcons (1-4): ESPN, 8:30pm EST MNF - I would imagine that Michael Vick, not Joey Harrington, was the catalyst that drove the league to schedule this game on national TV. Harrington was sent a message last week when he was pulled for Byron Leftwich towards the end of Atlanta's loss to Tennessee. Considering the Giants massive pass rush capability, I expect Falcons fans might see the Leftwich era begin before halftime. NY has not lost in Atlanta since 1978. EDDIE'S PICK - NY GIANTS

BYE: BUFFALO, DENVER, DETROIT, INDIANAPOLIS, PITTSBURGH, SAN FRANCISCO

STANDINGS

Cris Collinsworth: 12-2, 54-22
Eddie Chinn: 11-3, 50-26
Bob Costas: 10-4, 49-27
Chris Mortensen: 12-2, 49-27
Cris Carter: 10-4, 48-28
Dan Marino: 12-2, 48-28
Sean Salisbury: 12-2, 45-31

Week 5 Reflections

Have you gotten your breath back? Is your heart rate back to normal? Has your voice returned?

Week 5 was saturated with everything that is great about this league and this game.

There is something very impressive about a defense that pitches a shutout in today's game so for Pittsburgh to stifle a decent Seahawks team was amazing and confirmed that the Steelers are a true threat in the AFC. Speaking of defense, Washington put on perhaps the best performance of the week by squeezing the flowing Detroit offense to a drip.

Home fields that historically have a winning aura around them had the breath knocked out of them this week. Arrowhead Stadium has traditionally been inhospitable to visiting teams, but Jacksonville showed up and had a good time dominating Kansas City. I remember when Mile High was a pot hole to opposing teams but this year (after barely beating Oakland), Jacksonville and San Diego have glided across the Bronco turf with ease. It appeared that Lambeau Field had regained its mystique after solid defeats of Philly and San Diego but Chicago came in last Sunday and slipped away like a greased pig with a W.

And, how about those game-winning field goals as time expires? This week showcased three such thrillers, and each of them were decided by 50+ long field goals. Houston's Kris Brown tied an NFL record with three field goals of 50 yards or more by nailing kicks of 54, 54, and the game-winner of 57. Carolina's John Kasay crushed a Saints comeback effort with a 52-yarder as time expired.

Which leads to the wild night in Buffalo to cap off an exhilarating and heart-stopping weekend.

The resilient Dallas Cowboys stayed undefeated by paralyzing Buffalo with a dramatic win after rookie Nick Folk drove it home from 53 yards....twice. Dallas recovered a beautifully executed on-side kick, completed two passes, and then turned it over to Folk who nailed it from 53. Buffalo head coach Dick Jauron called timeout just before the kick to rattle the youngster, but gained about 20 more gray hairs after Folk did it again.

Unbelievable.

Other notes and observations from Week 5:

• Buffalo became the 2nd team in NFL history to score on two INT returns and a kickoff return for a TD in one game.
• Vince Young is flying under the radar this year as a QB who finds ways to win. VY registered a 34.5 passer rating while throwing 3 interceptions yet beat Atlanta 20-13. Keep your eye on Tennessee.
• Carolina is 3-0 on the road and 0-2 at home. This is not a typo.
• "Invincible" (not the movie) comes to mind when I think of Indy and New England. Randy Moss is shutout of the end zone and the Patriots still roll. The Colts are without WR Marvin Harrison, RB Joseph Addai, and SS Bob Sanders and still steamroll the Buccaneers 33-14.
• What a great storyline St. Louis! Kurt Warner comes in after Matt Leinart broke his collarbone to lead the Cardinals to victory against his former team on his old playing turf.

GAMES TO KEEP AN EYE ON IN WEEK 6
NEW ENGLAND AT DALLAS, WASHINGTON AT GREEN BAY, OAKLAND AT SAN DIEGO, CAROLINA AT ARIZONA

NFL 2007 Forecast: Week 5

Vince Lombardi once said, "Some of us will do our jobs well and some will not, but we will be judged by only one thing-the result."

NFL head coaches and their staffs are judged by the results of their jobs and that could be anything from their substitution decisions during the game, their play-calling on a certain drive in the third quarter, the flow and chemistry of the team from week to week, and their accomplishments.

Back in the days when the Great Lombardi patrolled the sidelines, team owners paid attention to the product that the coaches and players worked together to create and produce, but they weren't as trigger-happy as today's NFL owners when it came to dealing with "the result."

Gone are the days of Tom Landry, Chuck Knoll, Paul Brown, Bill Cowher, and Mike Shanahan.

Today, teams are based on the same principles and philosophies as that of Fortune 500 companies, to the point that head coaches are better off renting than owning their own homes.

While it is still a little early to start labeling a team as a failure for this season, the performances and "results" on the field are beginning to reflect whose ear pads on their headsets might be more soaked in sweat as they look up to the owner's box.

• Brian Billick - Ravens GM Ozzie Newsome and his scouting department do an outstanding job in finding superb talent for Coach Billick and Co. It's his job to utilize that strength and produce bankable success. Not happening.
• Tom Coughlin - The last two wins could very well be a last-minute climb to a higher altitude before the plummeting continues. A loss to the cross-town Jets will have many fans looking for a parachute.
• John Fox - Carolina fans are turning against him, but what else is new. Every NFL team has fair-weather fans that want the coach to take the fall, but Mr. Richardson may have his hand forced to find a new coach if this team doesn't start winning and that starts with its defense playing with passion and heart.
• Scott Linehan - St. Louis is a franchise that has taken a really bad wrong turn and is now lost. Yes, Linehan has the credentials as a great O-coordinator which should always mean that you are going to be a great head coach. Right, Norv Turner?
• Norv Turner - For the third time......STAY IN THE COACH'S BOX!

This is a critical week for several teams as they frantically search and reach for anything that will keep them from succumbing to the quicksand's suction.

• Cleveland Browns (2-2) at New England Patriots (4-0): CBS, 1pm EST - An intriguing coaching battle takes place in Foxboro as ex-Pats defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel returns to his old stomping grounds and faces his former partner-in-crime Bill Belichick who started his coaching career in Cleveland. I expect Cleveland to keep this one very close....within 3 TD's. EDDIE'S PICK - NEW ENGLAND
• N.Y. Jets (1-3) at N.Y. Giants (2-2): CBS, 1pm EST - The Battle of the Big Apple pits a Jets team that can't find its identity on defense or at QB vs. a Giants team whose D-line is playing lights out. EDDIE'S PICK - N.Y. GIANTS
• Jacksonville Jaguars (2-1) at Kansas City Chiefs (2-2): CBS, 1pm EST - Both squads have their defenses clicking, but K.C. has the momentum and returns to their fortress after a huge road win last week in San Diego. J-town has had trouble stopping the run which is excellent news for Larry Johnson. EDDIE'S PICK - KANSAS CITY
• Miami Dolphins (0-4) at Houston Texans (2-2): CBS, 1pm EST - This has been a very frustrating season for Miami who has shown zero consistency at any position. Houston has only faced Miami twice and won both times. In a very competitive AFC South division, the Texans can't afford to lose ground. EDDIE'S PICK - HOUSTON
• Carolina Panthers (2-2) at New Orleans Saints (0-3): FOX, 1pm EST - Go figure this one: Carolina is 0-2 at home and 2-0 on the road. They enter the Superdome to face a Saints team that knows they are on the brink of a lost season and have had two weeks to think about it. EDDIE'S PICK - NEW ORLEANS
• Atlanta Falcons (1-3) at Tennessee Titans (2-1): FOX, 1pm EST - Joey Harrington vs. Vince Young. I'm sorry, I don't know what else to say. EDDIE'S PICK - TENNESSEE
• Seattle Seahawks (3-1) at Pittsburgh Steelers (3-1): FOX, 1pm EST - I think this is probably the most exciting game of the week as this Super Bowl XL rematch pits a Seattle team that is the most balanced team in their division vs. a Pittsburgh team that is very hard to beat at home and possesses a running attack anchored by Willie Parker. The Steelers have won 8 straight games vs. NFC opponents at home. EDDIE'S PICK - PITTSBURGH
• Arizona Cardinals (2-2) at St. Louis Rams (0-4): FOX, 1pm EST - Before the season began, I would have guessed that these records would be reversed. The Rams are simply playing pitiful football mostly due to injuries and shaky depth which is typically a lethal combination. Arizona has the elements to become a well rounded squad, and RB Edgerrin James should have a huge day. EDDIE'S PICK - ARIZONA
• Detroit Lions (3-1) at Washington Redskins (2-1): FOX, 1pm EST -You hear about the chess match between coaches and the war in the trenches, but a battle between WR's and a secondary does not get much press. The super-sized receivers of Detroit up flying among the Skins secondary, which features four #1 draft picks, will be like a dogfight in the sky. Detroit is 0-20 on the road vs. Washington and coach Joe Gibbs has never lost to Detroit posting an 11-0 record. EDDIE'S PICK - WASHINGTON
• Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-1) at Indianapolis Colts (4-0): FOX, 4:05pm EST - This will be a great litmus test for the Bucs as they face the elite world champions on their home turf. The jury is still out on how solid and serious this Tampa team is and losing RB Cadillac Williams and LT Luke Petitgout only compounds things. The Bucs defense has allowed a league-low 11 points/game and will enjoy facing Manning and Co. EDDIE'S PICK - INDIANAPOLIS
• San Diego Chargers (1-3) at Denver Broncos (2-2): CBS, 4:15pm EST - A very disappointing early season has befuddled the Chargers, and the Broncos are struggling to stop the run while also dealing with drug issues concerning RB Travis Henry. Jacksonville proved two weeks ago that Mile High Stadium is penetrable so expect L.T. to lead a Chargers resurgence as they take a step forward to save their season. EDDIE'S PICK - SAN DIEGO
• Baltimore Ravens (2-2) at San Francisco 49ers (2-2): CBS, 4:15pm EST - If there's a weakness to the stout Baltimore defense it's the 19th-ranked secondary which faces ex-Ravens QB Trent Dilfer who led Baltimore to the Super Bowl in 2000. The Niners offense though is ranked last in the league and must have one amazing performance by RB Frank Gore for them to have a prayer. EDDIE'S PICK - BALTIMORE
• Chicago Bears (1-3) at Green Bay Packers (4-0): NBC, 8:15pm EST - I don't care what the records show. Both teams could be 0-15, and this historic NFC North rivalry is still pure magic to watch. This week's battle takes place in Lambeau Field and the mystique is back! EDDIE'S PICK - GREEN BAY
• Dallas Cowboys (4-0) at Buffalo Bills (1-3): ESPN, 8:30pm EST, MNF - And you thought Super Bowls XXVII and XXVIII were overpowering? EDDIE'S PICK - DALLAS

STANDINGS
Cris Collinsworth: 7-7, 42-20
Eddie Chinn: 6-8, 39-23
Bob Costas: 8-6, 39-23
Cris Carter: 5-9, 38-24
Chris Mortensen: 10-4, 37-25
Dan Marino: 5-9, 36-26
Sean Salisbury: 5-9, 33-29

BYE: PHILADELPHIA, MINNESOTA, CINCINNATI, OAKLAND

Week 4 Reflections

The first tidal wave of upsets swelled up and came crashing down with thunderous authority in Week 4. The repercussions of such a jolt in Week 4 typically doesn't spell doom for a team on the rise since the season is early, but it can serve as an awakening agent for a struggling team and redirect them going the other way.

Teams that showed they could be coming out of their cocoon are Kansas City, Arizona, and Cleveland. Those that shouldn't be fazed with their loss are Pittsburgh, Houston, and probably Denver.

Cincinnati, San Diego, Chicago, St. Louis, and Atlanta are in serious jeopardy.

Other observations from Week 4:

1. Do you think the San Diego Chargers are regretting letting Wade Phillips go to Dallas?


2. The QB of the future for Chicago is currently not on the team.


3. One of the raps on Brett Favre last season was his riskiness which led to 18 INT's for the season. This year he has two and has maintained his high level of competitiveness.


4. Daunte Culpepper rushed for 3 TD's last week and threw for 2 more. The jury is still out on whether his career can be revived to a level higher than he's experienced, but expect many teams to come calling for his services in the off-season.


5. The season-ending injuries to RB Cadillac Williams and LT Luke Petitgout could turn out to be the tentacle that grabs Jon Gruden and the Bucs around the leg and pulls them back under water.


6. I found a flaw in New England's machine. They are ranked 32nd in punting net yards.


7. It's like peanut butter without jelly, a McDonald's minus the Big Mac, and Roger Ebert with no thumbs as Peyton Manning is very likely to be without Marvin Harrison this Sunday after his knee injury.