NFL Picks Week 5

[Jedi Master Carr]

Okay same rules imply

here are the games





October 6

Arizona vs
Carolina

Cincinnati vs
Indianapolis

New England vs
Miami

NY Giants vs
Dallas

Oakland vs
Buffalo

Pittsburgh vs
New Orleans

Tampa Bay vs
Atlanta

Washington vs
Tennessee

Kansas City vs
NY Jets

San Diego vs
Denver

Philadelphia vs
Jacksonville

St. Louis vs
San Francisco

Baltimore vs
Cleveland


October 7
Green Bay vs
Chicago

[Daiquiri Van-Derveld]

*picks blindly by closing her eyes and jabbing a finger at the screen*

1. Panthers

2. Colts

3. Phins

4. Cowboys

5. Raiders

6. Saints

7. Buchs

8. Skins

9. Chiefs

10. Broncos

11. Eagles

12. 49ers

13. Browns

14. Bears (cringes)

[Lilaena De'Ville]

:D

October 6

Arizona vs
Carolina WIN

Cincinnati WIN vs
Indianapolis

New England vs
Miami WIN

NY Giants WIN vs
Dallas

Oakland vs
Buffalo WIN

Pittsburgh vs
New Orleans WIN

Tampa Bay WIN vs
Atlanta

Washington vs
Tennessee WIN

Kansas City WINvs
NY Jets

San Diego WIN vs
Denver

Philadelphia WIN vs
Jacksonville

St. Louis vs
San Francisco WIN

Baltimore WIN vs
Cleveland


October 7
Green Bay WIN vs
Chicago

:rolleyes, lets see how I do this time. ;)

[Jedi Master Carr]

Just want to let you know LD You missed two games.

[Figrin D'an]

I'd better do this now, or I might forget tomorrow... going to be out of town for the weekend...


Arizona at Carolina (W)

Cincinnati at Indianapolis (W)

New England at Miami (W)

NY Giants (W) at Dallas

Oakland at Buffalo (W)

Pittsburgh (W) at New Orleans

Tampa Bay at Atlanta (W)

Washington at Tennessee (W)

Kansas City (W) at NY Jets

San Diego (W) at Denver

Philadelphia (W) at Jacksonville

St. Louis at San Francisco (W)

Baltimore at Cleveland (W)


Green Bay (W) at Chicago

[Lilaena De'Ville]

:o

I did that on purpose, to see if anyone was paying attention... >_<

[dbn]

Tampa Bay
Oakland
Dallas
Tennessee
Indianapolis
Miami
New Orleans
Carolina
Kansas City
San Diego
St. Louis
Philadelphia
Baltimore
Green Bay

[Sene Unty]

I better do this now because I wont get a chance later....gonna be at a funeral all weekend long. My girlfriends grandfather if anyone wanted to know.....

Carolina

Indianapolis

Miami

NY Giants

Oakland

New Orleans

Tampa Bay

Washington

Kansas City

Denver

Jacksonville

San Francisco

Cleveland


October 7

Green Bay


Lucky shoes dont let me down! :D

[Jedieb]

October 6

Arizona vs Carolina WIN

Cincinnati vs Indianapolis WIN

New England vs Miami WIN

WINNY Giants vs Dallas

WINOakland vs Buffalo

WIN Pittsburgh vs New Orleans

WINTampa Bay vs Atlanta

Washington vs Tennessee WIN

WIN Kansas City vs NY Jets

San Diego vs Denver WIN

WIN Philadelphia vs Jacksonville

St. Louis vs San Francisco WIN

WIN Baltimore vs Cleveland

October 7
WIN Green Bay vs Chicago

Tough week. My picks don't nearly reflect who I'll rooting for. That Miami V. New England game should be battle. The Dolphins need to run hard on NE, and Zach Thomas and the Dolphin linebackers need to do a great job with the Pats short passing game. I think Miami has the speed to make the suddenly pass happy Pats ineffective.

[JMK]

October 6

Arizona vs
Carolina (W)

Cincinnati vs
Indianapolis (w)

New England vs
Miami (W)

NY Giants vs
Dallas (W)

Oakland (W)vs
Buffalo

Pittsburgh (W)vs
New Orleans

Tampa Bay vs
Atlanta (W)

Washington vs
Tennessee (W)

Kansas City (W)vs
NY Jets

San Diego (W)vs
Denver

Philadelphia (W) vs
Jacksonville

St. Louis vs
San Francisco (W)

Baltimore (W) vs
Cleveland


October 7
Green Bay (W) vs
Chicago

[sirdizzy]

Arizona
Indianapolis
New England
NY Giants
Oakland
New Orleans
Tampa Bay
Tennessee
Kansas City
Denver
Philadelphia vs
San Francisco
Cleveland
Green Bay

[Jedi Master Carr]

Arizona W vs
Carolina

Cincinnati vs
Indianapolis W

New England W vs
Miami

NY Giants W vs
Dallas

Oakland vs
Buffalo W

Pittsburgh vs
New Orleans W

Tampa Bay W vs
Atlanta

Washington vs
Tennessee W

Kansas City W vs
NY Jets

San Diego W vs
Denver

Philadelphia W vs
Jacksonville

St. Louis vs
San Francisco W

Baltimore vs
Cleveland W

October 7
Green Bay W vs
Chicago

[ReaperFett]

Carolina
Cincinnati
Miami
Dallas
Buffalo
New Orleans
Atlanta
Washington
Kansas City
Denver
Philadelphia
San Francisco
Cleveland
Green Bay

[jjwr]

My Fearless Forecast!!


Arizona vs
Carolina (W)

Cincinnati vs
Indianapolis (W)

New England vs (W)
Miami

NY Giants vs
Dallas (W)

Oakland vs (W)
Buffalo

Pittsburgh vs
New Orleans (W)

Tampa Bay vs
Atlanta (W)

Washington vs
Tennessee (W)

Kansas City vs (W)
NY Jets

San Diego vs
Denver (W)

Philadelphia vs (W)
Jacksonville

St. Louis vs
San Francisco (W)

Baltimore vs
Cleveland (W)


October 7
Green Bay vs
Chicago (W)

[Nathanial K'cansce]

Bah...

Only time I have to make the picks...

Since I doubt I'll be awake before the first kickoff.


Carolina


Indianapolis


Miami

NY Giants


Oakland



New Orleans

Tampa Bay

Tennessee

Kansas City


San Diego

Philadelphia


San Francisco


Cleveland


Green Bay

[JonathanLB]

Carolina
Indianapolis
Miami
NY Giants
Oakland
New Orleans
Atlanta
Tennessee
Kansas City
Denver
Philadelphia
San Francisco
Cleveland

Green Bay

[JMK]

Boy that was a dominating first half by the Dolphins!
I hope you all were watching! :p

[Jedi Master Carr]

It makes the shredding by my Chiefs look even more impressive :p

[JMK]

Wow, this is looking like a brutal week for me in the standings. I'm 3-5 right now, and the Chargers are already down to the Broncos. :mad

[JediBoricua]

Boy do the Rams suck...

[Jedi Master Carr]

Have to say my Chiefs sure like to keep the games exciting, they won just minutes ago on a Priest Holmes TD from Trent Green 29-25. Also they had 504 yrds of Offense that is incredible, unfortuntely they gave up almost 350 yards which is not good. Well at least they will be an exciting team to watch all year.

[JMK]

Wow Sene, you're lined up for the same kind of week I had in week 3! Nice picking!

Myself on the other hand, will be lucky to finish at 7-7.

[Jedieb]

It looks like tonight's Ravens V. Browns game is going to be huge for some us. Does anyone have more than 8 wins so far?

[Jedi Master Carr]

I only have 7 I am praying Cleveland wins.

[Jedieb]

Carr, your Chiefs are lighting it up every week, but that defense is simply wretched. Unless you guys get that straightened out you're going to falter come Nov. & Dec. Plus, you're in a tough division. At 3-2 you're in last place, that's tough. But, you're making strides. I think next year may be your year.

[Lilaena De'Ville]

*roots for Baltimore again* :D They didn't let me down last week! ;)

[JMK]

Sene's having a big week so far, he's got 11 wins already. But he chose Cleveland, so that may be the end of his perfect week.

[Figrin D'an]

My picks are getting worse every sucessive week... I need Cleveland and Green Bay to win just to finish at .500. I'm about ready to give up trying to predict anything for the remainder of the season. The old adage of "Any team can win on any given day" is supposed to be a mild consideration, not the accepted norm.

[JMK]

I agree. Trying to rationalize who's got a better pass-rush, or terrific running game compared to some other team is becoming nuts. I'm almost at the point where I want to pick against certain teams like cincy, st. louis and the jets, but I don't know what to think anymore. If I wasn't so lazy, I'd like to research the home teams records in the past few years, and especially this year. I'm willing to bet that home field is not so important anymore. As for today, visiting teams are 7-6 (the Ravens seem well on their way to a win). Me so confused. :x

[Figrin D'an]

I am seriously considering just flipping a coin for all the games next week...

[Nathanial K'cansce]

7-5 so far...

That's good? Right?

:uhoh

[Jedieb]

That's just the way the league is. You have to look at who's hot, who matches up well that week, etc. Take the Ravens. Two weeks ago I never would have picked them on the road against Cleveland, but after seeing their defense last week, I thought they were a good pick. Then you have Denver and San Diego. I still think the Chargers are a good team, but Denver had to rebound after their embarrasing Monday night loss. At least we're not going up against the point spread! The bookies must be having a field day this year.

Snack, 7-5 isn't bad for this week, you've got a shot at going over .500.

[Jedieb]

Over 7 minutes to go and the Browns have closed to within 8. Ray Lewis is out of the game and the Browns have some life with Holcombe under center. We could be looking at overtime....

[Jedi Master Carr]

Well I am hoping there defense improves, Sims missed all of training camp and I think he will get better and better as the season progresses, and then we got two young LBS Futia, and Atkins who both look good. Still our biggest problem was losing Woods for the Season, he is a great FS and I think that is why are passing defense is as bad as it is, we could get better the question is how much? Also I am not sure if we will falter in November because that is when they they play some terrible teams, Buffalo (who may have a worst defense than KC), Seattle, St Louis, and Arizona (its a home game I don't see them winning in Arrowhead) They should win 3 of those four, the problem is the division games. Realistically I think KC will be at least .500 maybe 9-7, they could win 10 games but I don't think that would even be enough this year to win the wild card, heck Kansas City could have a better record than the winner of the AFC North.

[Jedieb]

One of the things I hate about picking games like this is that I end up watching games with mixed emotions. Take tonight, I really would have liked to see Cleveland win. I DESPISE Ray Lewis and the Ravens. But objectively, I thought they had the better chance of winning so I picked them. So I find myself torn between rooting for the team I think can win, and the team I WANT to win. Blah, the Browns are going to lose. Yeah, my pick won the Sunday night game! :\

[General Hein]

DUDE! Baltimores my team!

[Daiquiri Van-Derveld]

I think, until we hear the results of the Browns' game, that Im 9-3...right?? Oh oh oh!! Yay me!! :D :D

[Lilaena De'Ville]

What am I at? I don't know who won what. :huh

[Figrin D'an]

Week 5 results (minus Green Bay/Chicago):


Lady Daiqiuri: 9-4
Lilaena De'Ville: 7-6
Figrin D'an: 5-8
dbn: 7-6
Sene Unty: 11-2
Jedieb: 9-4
JMK: 6-7
sirdizzy: 9-4
Jedi Master Carr: 7-6
ReaperFett: 6-7
jjwr: 6-7
Darth Snack: 8-5
JonathanLB: 8-5

[Daiquiri Van-Derveld]

Boo on my picks that lost! Yay for my picks that won! This has been my best week yet! :crack

[JonathanLB]

Finally, this week I actually beat a lot of people, and I need it badly because I'm in like dead last here. This was a good week for me, but I should have went with my instincts and picked the Bucs over Atlanta. I read an SI column and the guy picked the upset and I thought, "Well... you know I think Atlanta is pretty good this year even though their record may not say it," but oops.

Also I should have picked home team in the Washington vs. Titans game. That was just dumb. The rest surprised me, but I should have had a slightly better week. Oh well.

How about my Niners?! Heck yes. :) I turned it off before whatever meaningless thing happened at the end, I thought it was 37-6, that's just stupid. Some meaningless TD apparently.

[Nasseeri Haalleerraa]

:Poke My 9ers! :)

[JonathanLB]

Top of their division, alas! :) This is the return to glory.

I think the Niners are one of league's best teams and this is the year they will start to have Super Bowl chances. They've got a ways to go before I think they are really the best team in the league, but they can definitely prove it. They have a great defense (60 points allowed in 4 games is quite good I think), but the offense is just getting rolling. The last two weeks it has been coming together, but the game vs. the Rams was the only good offensive effort overall, so far, for the Niners this season. The Washington game was great for the running, but I was disappointed in the offensive effort.

The Niners schedule for the rest of the year looks quite difficult. The easiest game they have is like vs. St. Louis again at the end of the season. There is a game vs. Seattle, that should be pretty easy, but besides that, it's tough. New Orleans will be really tough, and the Oakland game at Oakland is going to be hard too. I doubt Arizona will be a total pushover, but hopefully the Niners can take care of them.

I'd like them to have home field throughout the playoffs. Then I think they could actually make it to the Super Bowl.

[JonathanLB]

Right now, the Niners have the 3rd best defense in the entire NFL, by points allowed. I think that's actually accurate, because that defense has also led to many interceptions and they've played even better than the points allowed might indicate (ahem, like when the offense screwed the defense over in the Denver game, which is the only reason why 24 points were allowed, otherwise it wouldn't have been 20, no way).

Their offense in PPG is sure lacking, though. That's not usual. I expect it to turn around quickly, beginning with this 37 point outing, hehe. I think the Niners should end the season with one of the best 5 defenses and best 5 offenses, which combined will make them a deadly opponent.

[Jedieb]

If DA Bears win tonight Sene wraps it up and Lady D. will take second. izzy and I will stay tied at third. Either way, some moves are going to be made in the season standings.

Best team in football so far? This seems to change from week to week but the Raiders seem to be at the head of the pack. Then I'd throw in the Dolphins and Bucs. If KC had any kind of defense I'd put them right up there but they're just too weak on that side of the ball. Denver bounced back and looks strong again. Here's this week's top five for me:
1. Oakland (But how good will they be in Dec.?)
2. Miami (Again, how good will they be in Dec.?)
3. Bucs (Tampa starting a season hot, what's next, dogs and cats living together?)
4. Denver (The defense is solid, but can the same be said of their QB?)
5. Eagles (They've been inconsistent, but when they're good, they're better than most. Can the get it together late in the year?)

Worst
1. Rams (The team is completely and utterly lost. I've never seen a defending conference champ retain most of its talent and fall apart so badly. I rank them worse than the Bungles because they've fallen from such a great height. Plus, I've seen the Bungles play a couple of times, I really think they could beat the Rams if they played them right now.)
2. Bungles

[Jedieb]

Here's some help for Figrin, the season totals going into tonight's game:

Sene Unty: 46-27
sirdizzy: 46-27
Darth Snack: 45-28
Jedieb: 43-30
Jedi Master Carr: 43-30
JMK: 43-30
Lady Daiquiri: 42-31
jjwr: 41-32
ReaperFett: 41-32
Figrin D'an: 39-34
dbn: 38-35
JonathanLB: 33-40

Lilaena De'Ville: 12-15
Taylor Millard: 9-7

Somebody let me know if I've made a mistake.

[Sene Unty]

Oh man someones looking out for me. Best this week so far and floating to the top of the standings! Its the lucky shoes I tell ya! :D

Now Green Bay just has to win :D

[JMK]

Geez, GB had better win!!

[Sene Unty]

Hey JMK maybe you should start coping my picks!! :D J/K

[JMK]

Maybe I will!!!


Found this link at miami.com in the Dolphins section, looking good for tonight's game:


Brett Favre Has Bears' Number
NANCY ARMOUR
AP Sports Writer

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (AP) - Take a look at Brett Favre's career statistics, and a pattern begins to stand out.

Most completions in a game? Thirty-six, against the Chicago Bears. Most passing yards in a game? That'd be 402, against the Bears. Longest touchdown pass? A 99-yarder, against the Bears.

Most TD passes in a game? Five, first done against the Bears. Most touchdown passes against one team? Thirty-nine against, yep, you guessed it, the Bears.

The NFL's most storied rivalry has been decidedly lopsided in recent years, and the Green Bay Packers have Favre to thank for that. He's 16-4 against Chicago, Green Bay's opponent Monday night.

Favre's not quite sure why he's had so much success against the Bears.

"Much has been made about that over the past 10 years," he said. "I don't really have an exact answer."

There's no great secret, Bears defensive coordinator Greg Blache said. Favre is just good.

And when he plays the Bears, more often than not, he's very, very good

[Nathanial K'cansce]

Ah well. I had a nice ride on top.

*plots to take it back*

[JMK]

Like any good Sith Lord, I'm going to sit back, bide my time, and take back all the power when the time is right! You have not seen the last of JMK! :wings

[JonathanLB]

There is absolutely no way I'd rank Philly with two losses above the Niners, LOL.

The Bucs are not better either. I think the Niners are the best of the NFC, I'm just worried about the AFC.

I would put Oakland as my #1 team right now until I watch the Niners defeat them, hehe, then I can change my rankings :)

I'd probably say Oakland, then Miami, then maybe Denver, and the Niners in 4th...

[Jedi Master Carr]

Well Philly looked great in there previous games, have no clue what happened Sunday, right now then New Orleans might be the best team in the NFC, they have a great defense, and a great running game, still not sure about there QB though.

[Jedieb]

The Niners haven't shown me anything to indicate that they're atop the NFC. The Bucs and Eagles have both played better ball. Somebody putting them atop the NFC may explain why they're wallowing in the cellar with their picks. :lol

Philly has shown some serious lapses. One minute they look like world beaters, then it looks like McNab is the only player on offense. Did anybody see him step back from the center and puke yesterday? Right out of Any Given Sunday.

[Sene Unty]

I love the quote Jedieb...I just noticed it

[Jedieb]

Bah, compliments will get you nowhere! You're errie skill to pick games makes you my mortal enemy until the end of the season. Come what may....

Never thought I could stomach any musical except Grease, but that movie is simply amazing.

[JMK]

Those poor Eagles, more aptly, poor Donovan McNabb. How much more can one guy do? 200 something yards of passing along with 100 yards of rushing? If I were starting my own team, he's be the guy I want to start it with.

I agree with Jon's first 3 though. Raiders are clearly the class of the NFL right now. Followed by the Dolphins and Denver. The Bucs are right up there too.

[Jedieb]

Isn't it funny how the Pats are dropping out of people's top 5? They looked incredible those first 2 games, but if you can't stop the run, you're in DEEP trouble. Another team that may sneak up on people is Baltimore. Like the Eagles, they're a one man force with Lewis. Once he got knocked out of last night's game the whole defense changed and Cleveland got right back into it. They still have 7 starters from their Superbowl defense and they could easily get a Wild Card or even their division. They can run the ball effectively and they've won with a mediocre QB before. I don't think they're the team they were 2 years ago. but they may be good enough to hurt some unprepared teams. Just ask Denver.

[JMK]

Alot of folks were just waiting for the Pats' bubble to burst. Has it? I'm not prepared to say that yet, but they didn't show me much yesterday. The Dolphins controlled the ball for over 29 minutes of the game by pounding them with Williams. Sure the Pats successfully stopped the opposing RB from running wild, but Williams rushed 36 times. How are you supposed to score if you don't have the ball?

[Jedieb]

I think they're in trouble against teams that can run the ball. Williams just hammered them yesterday. He didn't have to break off a big run, he just kept the chains moving. Fiedler was very impressive. I don't think people give him enough credit. 3 of the pics he threw last week were when the Dolphins were in catch up mode because the defense had let them down. His TD run yesterday reminded me of his game winning scramble against Oakland last year. He may not be able to single handedly win a game the way Marino could, but if the defense and Williams do their part, Fiedler can be as effective as any QB in the league. Plus the Dolpins seem to have some of the biggest and most talented receivers in the league. But can they get in gear when the temperature drops? Can Oakland's old legs stay away from last year's late season lapse? I think one of those 2 teams may falter down the stretch. One thing is for certain, the Bungles will still suck.

[JMK]

Listening to Jim Rome talk about the Bungles is too funny for words. He must have had a take on it after they almost made a game out of their matchup with the Colts. I'm sorry I missed it!

[Nathanial K'cansce]

Maybe not this season, but next season Buffalo will have a good team. Price and Moulds will be use to Drew, and Henry will have a lot more experience in running... given he stays healthy. Hell, they gave Oakland a otugh fight until the 2nd half yesterday.

Only thing that is keeping the Bills down are penalties, special teams, and their defensive backs.

[Jedieb]

Bledsoe has just been amazing. He's been playing as well as I've ever seen him, but the Bills are an even more one sided team than the Chiefs. The Chiefs can at least play some decent special teams, the Bills have actually thrown games away with their poor special teams. If the Bills can get their defense straightened out next year then they could be battling the Chiefs in the championship game next year.

[JMK]

SHHHH!!! One of the Bills might hear you! We can't have them being any good!

[Jedieb]

The long national nightmare that was the Jim Kelly Bills is long gone. Bledsoe can get it done. But good grieg, if they were to lose another one...

[JMK]

21-7 Green Bay at the start of the second quarter. Looking good so far...

[Jedieb]

Favre (Thanks to There's Something About Mary I'll never misspell his name) is just picking them apart. He could end up with 4 or 5 TD's tonight.

[JMK]

Do you think if Favre swung that way, he'd date Madden? I swear if you gave Madden a ring, he'd run down to the field, get on one knee and ask for his non-throwing hand in marriage. He loves him way too much.

[Jedieb]

Madden is hilarious. When he loves a guy, he goes all out. Favre just threw a great pass so he comes the love...

[JMK]

I just bought Madden 2003 for my PS2 and he's even hilarious in that. MNF will live forever in my home!

It'll be a sad day for football when Madden passes on or retires from the booth.

[Figrin D'an]

Go Pack Go! :)

Being a Packers fan, the pain of my crappy picks this past weekend will be quelled some by annual "Brett Favre Touchdown Pass Extravagaza" against the Bears. Favre is now over 40,000 passing yards in his career, and is only 2 TD's away from 300.

:cool

[JMK]

Is it me, or has he seemed to just creep up on that milestone?

[Jedi Master Carr]

I have Madden 2003 as well its a great game. Back to Buffalo, my Chiefs actually play them later this year, I have a feeling that could be the highest scoring game of the year. Bledsoe and Green both throwing for 400 yards.

[Figrin D'an]

Week 5 results:


Lady Daiqiuri: 9-5
Lilaena De'Ville: 8-6
Figrin D'an: 6-8
dbn: 8-6
Sene Unty: 12-2
Jedieb: 10-4
JMK: 7-7
sirdizzy: 10-4
Jedi Master Carr: 8-6
ReaperFett: 7-7
jjwr: 6-8
Darth Snack: 9-5
JonathanLB: 9-5

All but two people had Green Bay over Chicago.



Seaon Totals:

Sene Unty: 47-27
sirdizzy: 47-27
Darth Snack: 46-28
JMK: 44-30
Jedi Master Carr: 44-30
Jedieb: 44-30
ReaperFett: 42-32
jjwr: 41-33
Lady Daiquiri: 41-33
Figrin D'an: 40-34
dbn: 39-35
JonathanLB: 34-40

Lilaena De'Ville: 13-15
Taylor Millard: 9-7

[Daiquiri Van-Derveld]

My Dad promised that the Bears would win! :cry

[JonathanLB]

Well I'm kinda sorta close to being back to .500. Crap!

I've had good weeks lately though, mostly...

[JonathanLB]

Haha, nice. I beat or tied every expert at ESPN, so anyone who beat me beat every expert at ESPN.

There are 7 of them predicting. I beat 6 of them flat out, and the other one tied me at 9-5.

Overall, their records are far better than mine, duh. Still it does prove that NFL predicting isn't exactly something where an "expert" is so much better at it than anyone else. In fact, they could have learned a lot from my picks :D

[jjwr]

Another interesting week in the NFL, the Dolphins look good but I'm overly concerned about them yet, the Pats always lose to them early in the year, just one of those things that happens regardless. Just like the Lions either almost beating or beating the Packers, doesn't matter who the teams are it just happens.

The pats defense played 100% better against the run, Williams had 105 yards but on like 34 carries, only a 2.9 avg so thats quite respectable. I still don't trust Fiedler, if the Dolphins do go down big early can he get the win coming from behind? Thats what would worry me most, the defense will have bad days and Ricky will have bad days, when they do can Fiedler win it all?

As for the Pats, man they gotta find a running game, it seems they do very well or it just flat out sucks, admittedly it wasn't exactly dominating last year either but it was better than this, then again that Dolphins defense is very quick and Anotowan isn't exactly the quickest runner, they should do better against the Packers this week.

6-8.....that'll teach me to try and reach for a few :) Whenever I do that I fall flat on my face!

How about those Raiders? Anyone think they're for real? I can't see them holding up this pace all year, last year they started out really hot and fell hard, at their age and with their bye week already gone it could be tough.

I've been checking out the standings and the top few teams, no one team(except for the Raiders but we already discussed that) seems all that dominant, some good teams like the Bronco's, Dolphins, Bucs are all starting out great but none of them look invincible by any means. Heck the Bucs don't look that good at all, the Packers(4-1) still have no defense(Miller throws for 350+), SF hasn't looked all that impressive, Indy is interesting but still weak on defense, Miami great D but if Ricky Falters. Anyone can beat anyone, great year in the NFL!

[JMK]

Williams had 105 yards but on like 34 carries, only a 2.9 avg so thats quite respectable.
While the totals aren't stunning, it's just what the Dolphins wanted really. Sure they didn't eat up the field with the run, but they sure as hell ate up over 39 minutes of the clock. How are the Brady bunch supposed to win when the Dolphins own 2/3 of the clock?

I'm still with you on Fiedler though. I don't know if he can do it all by himself.

[Figrin D'an]

I wouldn't put much stock in the 350 yards passing that Jim Miller had on Monday Night. Most of those yards came late in the second half, against a secondary that was without three starters (McKenzie, Sharper and Williams were all out of the game that point), and the Bears were forced to go to the air late because they were so far behind, and because Green Bay had held Anthony Thomas to just 45 yards rushing.

Green Bay's D is playing better, but they need to get healthy... and now, it looks like Joe Johnson could be gone for the rest of the season with a torn tricep. The Packers defensive line is pretty deep, but losing a pro bowl player like Johnson will still hurt a lot. Vonnie Holiday is already out for a while...

Terry Glenn looks like he finally is fitting in to the Packers offensive system. 8 catches for 154 yards on Monday, including a couple of just plain amazing fingertip grabs. Ahman Green still appears to be less than 100%. Hopefully another week will have him ready to go.

Green Bay/New England will be a very interesting game... should tell us a lot about both teams. It's the kind of game that looks like it'll turn into a shootout between Brady and Favre. Whichever defense steps up will likely decide the game.

[Jedieb]

That's a tough road game for the Packers. It's going to be a tough pick. Will NE lose 3 in a row? Will they be able to slow down Ahman Green AND Favre? If NE had come off a win, or the game was at Lambeau I'd take the Packers in a heartbeat. I think this may be a game that'll split many of us next week.

[jjwr]

How are the Brady bunch supposed to win when the Dolphins own 2/3 of the clock?

What suprised me the most was that most of those first downs came from Fiedler throwing the ball. Williams would get stopped on 1st and 2nd and Fieldler kept making the short throws for first downs. Had the Patriots defended the pass better then the time of possession would have been much better.

I'd still be very wary of Terry Glenn, don't put too much stock in the guy as odds are he'll break your heart.

He has all the talent in the world, great routes, great speed, incredible hands....but a slightly scrambled noggin. He could have been one of the best receivers in the NFL, he gets injured easily and lets other things affect him, sadly he'll have a great year now and again but that'll be his legacy.

The Packers defense still looks soft, Thomas was running reasonably well, no huge runs but the Packers kept on pounding the points in and it forced Chicago to throw it and they don't have the most dynamic passing game. I think Brady will have a very good day against that Green Bay secondary, question is how well will the Patriots D do against the Packers offernse. Should be a great game.

[JMK]

It should be a shootout, that's for sure!

[Jedieb]

never mind