NFL 2007 Forecast: Week 9

Well, we're halfway through the 2007 season and what a season it has been! A couple of teams are playing in a league of their own while a few others are on the radar and don't want to be forgotten. As usual during this time of the season, there's a cartel of teams that are hovering around the .500 mark but still in the mix of being candidates for the playoff season. There are yet other squads who are hanging off a cliff by the tips of their fingers while the rest are bottom-feeding and need to address some serious issues for the sake of their franchises.

Here's a look at how the divisions appear to be shaping up and who I'd give NFL awards to based on their first-half performance.

In the AFC East, I think it's a given that the Patriots can be crowned division champs now. While the gap between Indy and the rest of the AFC South isn't as large, they have a commanding presence that will more than likely widen but I wouldn't count out Tennessee and their young defense to be in the thick of the playoff hunt. The AFC North appears to be Pittsburgh's. Baltimore and Cleveland are a game behind at 4-3, and my money is actually on Cleveland who could be the front-runner in this season's Cinderella team. It's nothing but a bottle neck in the AFC West where San Diego is starting to throw it in fifth gear to separate itself from KC and Denver who could be the worse 3-4 team in the league.

Dallas began the season as the team to beat in the NFC but the Giants have something to say about that as they have hung around near the top of the NFC East after winning six straight. Washington is 4-3 but very well could make a playoff run with Gibbs at the helm. Philly is 3-4 making this the most competitive division in the NFC. In the NFC South, Carolina and Tampa's grip on the division appears to be slipping with is good news for the surging Saints. If anyone wants to win the NFC West, please raise your hand. Seattle is inconsistent, Arizona is having QB problems, San Fran can't score, and the Rams need Jesus.

My first-half award for Coach of the Year has to go to Packers coach Mike McCarthy who has done wonders to get this team to 6-1 with a rattled running game. His defense is oozing chemistry and it doesn't help having #4 at QB.

Rookie of the Year is hands down Vikings RB Adrian Peterson. He's the NFL's leading rusher at 740 yards and will be the anchor that this Minnesota needs to build around for the future.

My league MVP is, of course, Tom Brady. The Patriots QB is on pace to shatter many passing records this season and appears to be impenetrable. And, there's no doubt that Brett Favre deserves some recognition as well.

Let's take a look at Week 9 and see how this second-half might begin. Enjoy, football fans!

• San Diego Chargers(4-3) at Minnesota Vikings (2-5): CBS, 1pm EST - L.T. vs. A.P. The match-up of two of the league's most explosive runners will be fun to watch as they each face stout run defenses. EDDIE'S PICK - SAN DIEGO
• Jacksonville Jaguars (5-2) at New Orleans Saints (3-4): CBS, 1pm EST - The Saints are marching back to respectability as is the Jaguars running attack. The difference could be at QB and the edge is huge in Drew Brees' favor. EDDIE'S PICK - NEW ORLEANS
• Cincinnati Bengals (2-5) at Buffalo Bills (3-4): CBS, 1pm EST - This has sloppy written all over it. I can't believe I'm going to say this, but it appears that these are two teams going in different directions. The Bengals are unravelling, and the Bills appear to have something working despite the return of J.P. Losman. EDDIE'S PICK - BUFFALO
• Denver Broncos (3-4) at Detroit Lions (5-2): CBS, 1pm EST - Not only is Detroit turning heads with their offense and takeaway-happy defense, but their running game is picking up and this is not good news for the league's worst run defense. EDDIE'S PICK - DETROIT
• Carolina Panthers (4-3) at Tennessee Titans (5-2): FOX, 1pm EST - This Titans defense vs. the subpar offense of Carolina just might create a mismatch and give Vince Young some shorter fields to work with. EDDIE'S PICK - TENNESSEE
• Arizona Cardinals (3-4) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-4): FOX, 1pm EST - Coming off a bye typically gives the team an edge. Speaking of which, Edgerrin James will have to have a big game due to the QB ailments hampering the Cards right now, and this Bucs 8th-ranked defense might have something to say about that. EDDIE'S PICK - TAMPA BAY
• Washington Redskins (4-3) at NY Jets (1-7): FOX, 1pm EST - Winterize your yard. EDDIE'S PICK - WASHINGTON
• San Francisco 49ers (2-5) at Atlanta Falcons (1-6): FOX, 1pm EST - Both of these squads are very close to preparing for next year so it might be a good time to catch Bee Movie. EDDIE'S PICK - ATLANTA
• Green Bay Packers (6-1) at Kansas City Chiefs (4-3): FOX, 1pm EST - Brett Favre has beaten 31 teams in his illustrious career. The only team that he hasn't beaten is KC who is 21-4 vs. the NFC at home. While Favre is having a historic season, this atmosphere and surging Chiefs team should bring the Pack back down to earth. EDDIE'S PICK - KANSAS CITY
• Seattle Seahawks (4-3) at Cleveland Browns (4-3): FOX, 4:05pm EST - Which Seattle team will show up for this critical game for both teams? I bet I know which Browns team takes the field. EDDIE'S PICK - CLEVELAND
• Houston Texans (3-5) at Oakland Raiders (2-5): CBS, 4:15pm EST - Both teams have lost three straight, and Houston is the only NFL team that the Raiders have never beaten. Will there be a JaMarcus Russell sighting this week? EDDIE'S PICK - OAKLAND
• New England Patriots (8-0) at Indianapolis Colts (7-0): CBS, 4:15pm EST - This is the first time in NFL history that two undefeated teams with 7-0 or better records have faced each other. Indy has won the past three contests vs. the Patriots and twelve straight games (including playoffs). New England is smoking hot and have won 11 straight. You've heard the hype. You couldn't find two more balanced and evenly-matched teams to bring you this "Super Bowl" game in the middle of the season. Sit back and watch history. EDDIE'S PICK - INDIANAPOLIS
• Dallas Cowboys (6-1) at Philadelphia Eagles (3-4): NBC, 8:15pm EST - Don't look at the records or standings. You can talk match-ups and stats all day long and all of that would favor the Cowboys. QB Tony Romo has never played at The Linc. That speaks volumes despite his new lucrative contract. EDDIE'S PICK - PHILADELPHIA
• Baltimore Ravens (4-3) at Pittsburgh Steelers (5-2): ESPN, 8:30pm EST, MNF - Since 1992, Pittsburgh is 11-0 at home on Monday Night Football. The league's top two defenses will square off but I think the Steelers will have an easier time stopping the Ravens offense. EDDIE'S PICK - PITTSBURGH

BYE: MIAMI, NY GIANTS, CHICAGO, ST. LOUIS

STANDINGS:
Cris Collinsworth: 9-4, 78-38
Eddie Chinn: 10-3, 78-38
Bob Costas: 8-5, 77-39
Chris Mortensen: 8-5, 75-41
Cris Carter: 8-5, 73-43
Dan Marino: 8-5, 72-44
Sean Salisbury: 9-4, 72-44

Week 8 Reflections

This just in....

New England just scored again. They converted a 4th and 16 from the Washington 20 and then Randy Moss hauled in his 6th TD catch to put the Pats up 98-10. Joe Gibbs went home, the rest of the fans have huddled in one of the end zones and are in the middle of a serious poker tournament, and Bill Belichick is taking a nap on one of the bleachers while his 4th-string QB calls the plays. It's really getting ugly (and putrid) in FedEx Field as just about every NFL offensive record for a single game has been broken today by the New England offense. Half the refs are lawyers and have had to call in to clients with their blue-tooth headsets while running down the field and calling penalties (54 total.)

Ok, yes, this is a stretch as I know the NFL game is not timeless like baseball, but don't tell the Redskins that as they probably thought the game was never going to end. While this extremely exaggerated mind picture leans towards being a fable, there's nothing fake about just how good this Patriots team has been this year. They have scored 331 points through eight games giving them 41.4 points per game. The NFL record for most points averaged per game in a season is 38.8 by the 1950 Los Angeles Rams. Tom Brady has already thrown for a career-high 30 TD passes in one season and we're entering Week 9. He is on pace to shatter Peyton Manning's single-season TD pass record of 49.

While New England continues its supreme dominance and faces an epic showdown with the unbeaten Colts this Sunday, they have also shown that this is a great time to be a sports fan in the New England area.

The Boston Red Sox swept the Rockies in the World Series to become MLB champions for the second time in four years. In true Patriots fashion, the Sox plowed through Colorado in four straight games before some US citizens were even aware that the World Series had begun.

The Boston Celtics have basically been handed the Atlantic Division crown by fans and media pundits. After acquiring Kevin Garnett, who's like a praying mantis on steroids, and sharp-shooter Ray Allen to along with mainstay Paul Pierce in the off-season, the Celtic Pride's new three-headed monster should wreck havoc in the NBA this season.

The Boston College Eagles are ranked #2 in college football and are looking at a very possible national championship game in January depending on the emotional state of the BCS.

The Boston Bruins are 7-4 and one of the hottest teams in the NHL winning those seven games in their last ten. The fact that I even know this gives me reason to think that I need a CAT scan.

Could it be that the explosive nature of the Patriots is so infectious that the other sports teams are catching it?

Other notes and observations from Week 8:

• Brett Favre is having a magical season and the highlight has to be the 82-yard bomb to Greg Jennings on the first play of OT to beat Denver on their home turf in the cold. I feel honored just to watch him on TV.
• Don't look now, but New Orleans and San Diego are simmering as they look to boil over and make a serious run to win their divisions after sluggish starts.
• Why are we playing in London and not Los Angeles?
• It's entirely possible that the Patriots will have more wins this year than all of their divisional opponents combined.
• Drew Bledsoe turned down an offer to play for Jacksonville. Trust me, it's a good thing.
• Dallas' bye couldn't have come at a better time as their next three games are at Philly, at NY Giants, and home to the Skins.
• Titans QB Vince Young is developing into a star and is finding ways to win football games, but I'm beginning to wonder if he'll ever meet the hype that was generated when he was drafted. At the rate he's going, he's definitely looking to be the next McNair instead of the next McNabb.

GAMES TO KEEP AN EYE ON IN WEEK 9
DENVER AT DETROIT, DALLAS AT PHILLY, CAROLINA AT TENNESSEE, JACKSONVILLE AT NEW ORLEANS, GREEN BAY AT KC, BALTIMORE AT PITTSBURGH, NEW ENGLAND AT INDIANAPOLIS.

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