Week 5's Final Drive
Week five has to be considered the weekend of the young quarterbacks. This past weekend saw three teams start rookies behind center, and, honestly, they all performed better than expected. In addition to the first year signal callers, we also got to watch baby-faced starters in San Diego and San Francisco provide their teams with reasons for excitement in the future.
First Down - Top Stories from the Past Weekend
-It may have taken 100 touches for Reggie Bush to score his first NFL touchdown, but he made sure the first one would be memorable. With the game clock showing less than five minutes left in the game, Reggie started pumping up the crowd with anticipation as if he new something big was on its way. Bush was in on punt coverage and after receiving the short kick went to the wide side of the field, alluded one tackle, waited for Aaron Stecker to knock another Buccaneer on his back, and then danced home with the game winning touchdown. There truly is something special about Mr. Bush. Sorry Texans fans.
-The Chicago Bears are calling up the ghosts of Mike Ditka’s 1985 “Monsters of the Midway.” Going into this year, everyone expected the Bears defense to be among the best in the league, but their offense has been almost as dominant. Their week five opponent, the Buffalo Bills, have consistently battled tough in every game, yet Da Bears absolutely destroyed them. This game was reminiscent of those classic, week one college football battles in which the USCs, Notre Dames, or Ohio States of the world are favored by about 50 points over their opponents. This is not supposed to happen in the parity-laden National Football League. Good luck to the rest of the NFC North.
-The defending Super Bowl Champion Pittsburgh Steelers are in deep trouble. The Steelers have now dropped three straight games and are looking at a huge hole in their divisional race with both the Bengals and Ravens. I know Ben Roethlisberger claims to be all the way back from his injuries, but it’s fairly obvious to any observer that there is something amiss with Big Ben. While it may not be a physical injury keeping his performance down, you have to wonder if his psyche is a bit shaken.
-The media darlings in Indianapolis are going to be in serious trouble this year if they do not wake up their run defense soon. Any true football fan knows that the keys to winning in the postseason are the ability to run the football and stopping the run. While the Colts seem to be getting by without Edgerrin James in the backfield, their run defense is ugly. The Colts now rank second to last against the run; all you have to do is look at the other AFC heavyweights to know that Indy had better learn how to tackle or else they will be going home early again this January.
-In the highly anticipated Eagles versus Cowboys game, or should I call it “TO versus McNabb” game, the media got everything they possibly could have wanted. No matter how you look at it, this was a great football game to watch. There were big plays all over the field and critical mistakes made at inopportune moments. I do not think anyone would call this a well played game, but it was as entertaining a game as I have seen in the young season. The best part of it all is that these teams are guaranteed to meet again at least once more this season.
Second Down - Top Ten
Chicago - There is no question about who the number one team in the league is now; the only remaining question is whether they will lose a game.
San Diego - The Chargers put on quite a show Sunday night, and for anyone that had not seen them play, you got a great look at the best run stuffer in the league in Jamal Williams.
Philadelphia - Donovan McNabb and company made a big statement against the ‘Boys on Sunday. I, for one, definitely overlooked the Eagles going into this season.
Indianapolis - Undefeated is still undefeated; however, their perch atop the AFC looks extremely shaky right about now.
Atlanta - The Falcons must have taken the bye week to rest their legs after running all over the field during the first four weeks.
New England - The Patriots might not win pretty each week, but all that matters is getting that W.
Denver - The best defense in the AFC is located in the Mile High City right now. The one question with this team is which Jake the Snake is going to show up each week.
Cincinnati - The Bengals needed this week off to get their pride back. I expect Carson Palmer and company to rebound in a big way against Tampa Bay.
Baltimore - Unless the Ravens offense wakes up soon, Baltimore fans might once again be disappointed come playoff time.
New Orleans - The Saints are not running away from opponents, but wins are wins and the Superdome looks like it could be a house of horrors for road teams.
Third Down - Top Games from Next Week
Carolina Panthers at Baltimore Ravens
New York Giants at Atlanta Falcons
Philadelphia Eagles at New Orleans Saints
Seattle Seahawks at St. Louis Rams
Kansas City Chiefs at Pittsburgh Steelers (This one is a stretch to say the least)
Fourth Down-Who I Like and Why
Buffalo at Detroit - After getting embarrassed in Chicago I expect the Bills to put allot of pressure on Jon Kitna and let Willis McGahee lead them to victory.
Carolina at Baltimore - The Ravens will bounce back strongly after a disappointing loss on Monday night and run the ball down the throat of underachieving Panthers run defense.
NY Giants at Atlanta-The Falcons dominating running game will prove to be too difficult a challenge for the pass rush-happy Giants.
Houston at Dallas - Bill Parcells will have his Cowboys pumped after their turnover-plagued loss in Philadelphia. The Cowboys talent will prevail in a blowout win.
Tennessee at Washington - After putting up a gallant fight against the Colts, I expect a let down for the young Titans. Joe Gibbs and company will bounce back from a tough week with a solid win.
Cincinnati at Tampa Bay - After licking their wounds from the beating the Patriots put on them, I expect Cincinnati to handle the winless Bucs in Tampa.
Philadelphia at New Orleans - The one area Philadelphia is struggling in is run defense, while the strength of the Saints is running the ball. This will spell a big win for New Orleans.
Seattle at St. Louis -In a battle for the NFC West divisional lead, the Seahawks will make a statement to the up-and-coming Rams that the division still goes through the Great Northwest.
Miami at NY Jets – The Jets at home over a sinking Dolphins team - that is basically all that needs to be said.
Kansas City at Pittsburgh - The defending champions will get a much needed victory at home over the injury plagued Chiefs.
San Diego at San Francisco - In a huge mismatch, the Chargers talent will prove to be way too much for the young 49ers.
Oakland at Denver - Even though Oakland is struggling badly, you know Mike Shanahan will be looking for blood against the hated Raiders. Expect Denver to rough up a brutal Raiders team.
Chicago at Arizona - Hopefully Matt Leinart has gotten used to avoiding pass rushers because the Monsters of the Midway are going to wreak havoc on the Cardinals weak offensive line en route to victory.
First Down - Top Stories from the Past Weekend
-It may have taken 100 touches for Reggie Bush to score his first NFL touchdown, but he made sure the first one would be memorable. With the game clock showing less than five minutes left in the game, Reggie started pumping up the crowd with anticipation as if he new something big was on its way. Bush was in on punt coverage and after receiving the short kick went to the wide side of the field, alluded one tackle, waited for Aaron Stecker to knock another Buccaneer on his back, and then danced home with the game winning touchdown. There truly is something special about Mr. Bush. Sorry Texans fans.
-The Chicago Bears are calling up the ghosts of Mike Ditka’s 1985 “Monsters of the Midway.” Going into this year, everyone expected the Bears defense to be among the best in the league, but their offense has been almost as dominant. Their week five opponent, the Buffalo Bills, have consistently battled tough in every game, yet Da Bears absolutely destroyed them. This game was reminiscent of those classic, week one college football battles in which the USCs, Notre Dames, or Ohio States of the world are favored by about 50 points over their opponents. This is not supposed to happen in the parity-laden National Football League. Good luck to the rest of the NFC North.
-The defending Super Bowl Champion Pittsburgh Steelers are in deep trouble. The Steelers have now dropped three straight games and are looking at a huge hole in their divisional race with both the Bengals and Ravens. I know Ben Roethlisberger claims to be all the way back from his injuries, but it’s fairly obvious to any observer that there is something amiss with Big Ben. While it may not be a physical injury keeping his performance down, you have to wonder if his psyche is a bit shaken.
-The media darlings in Indianapolis are going to be in serious trouble this year if they do not wake up their run defense soon. Any true football fan knows that the keys to winning in the postseason are the ability to run the football and stopping the run. While the Colts seem to be getting by without Edgerrin James in the backfield, their run defense is ugly. The Colts now rank second to last against the run; all you have to do is look at the other AFC heavyweights to know that Indy had better learn how to tackle or else they will be going home early again this January.
-In the highly anticipated Eagles versus Cowboys game, or should I call it “TO versus McNabb” game, the media got everything they possibly could have wanted. No matter how you look at it, this was a great football game to watch. There were big plays all over the field and critical mistakes made at inopportune moments. I do not think anyone would call this a well played game, but it was as entertaining a game as I have seen in the young season. The best part of it all is that these teams are guaranteed to meet again at least once more this season.
Second Down - Top Ten
Chicago - There is no question about who the number one team in the league is now; the only remaining question is whether they will lose a game.
San Diego - The Chargers put on quite a show Sunday night, and for anyone that had not seen them play, you got a great look at the best run stuffer in the league in Jamal Williams.
Philadelphia - Donovan McNabb and company made a big statement against the ‘Boys on Sunday. I, for one, definitely overlooked the Eagles going into this season.
Indianapolis - Undefeated is still undefeated; however, their perch atop the AFC looks extremely shaky right about now.
Atlanta - The Falcons must have taken the bye week to rest their legs after running all over the field during the first four weeks.
New England - The Patriots might not win pretty each week, but all that matters is getting that W.
Denver - The best defense in the AFC is located in the Mile High City right now. The one question with this team is which Jake the Snake is going to show up each week.
Cincinnati - The Bengals needed this week off to get their pride back. I expect Carson Palmer and company to rebound in a big way against Tampa Bay.
Baltimore - Unless the Ravens offense wakes up soon, Baltimore fans might once again be disappointed come playoff time.
New Orleans - The Saints are not running away from opponents, but wins are wins and the Superdome looks like it could be a house of horrors for road teams.
Third Down - Top Games from Next Week
Carolina Panthers at Baltimore Ravens
New York Giants at Atlanta Falcons
Philadelphia Eagles at New Orleans Saints
Seattle Seahawks at St. Louis Rams
Kansas City Chiefs at Pittsburgh Steelers (This one is a stretch to say the least)
Fourth Down-Who I Like and Why
Buffalo at Detroit - After getting embarrassed in Chicago I expect the Bills to put allot of pressure on Jon Kitna and let Willis McGahee lead them to victory.
Carolina at Baltimore - The Ravens will bounce back strongly after a disappointing loss on Monday night and run the ball down the throat of underachieving Panthers run defense.
NY Giants at Atlanta-The Falcons dominating running game will prove to be too difficult a challenge for the pass rush-happy Giants.
Houston at Dallas - Bill Parcells will have his Cowboys pumped after their turnover-plagued loss in Philadelphia. The Cowboys talent will prevail in a blowout win.
Tennessee at Washington - After putting up a gallant fight against the Colts, I expect a let down for the young Titans. Joe Gibbs and company will bounce back from a tough week with a solid win.
Cincinnati at Tampa Bay - After licking their wounds from the beating the Patriots put on them, I expect Cincinnati to handle the winless Bucs in Tampa.
Philadelphia at New Orleans - The one area Philadelphia is struggling in is run defense, while the strength of the Saints is running the ball. This will spell a big win for New Orleans.
Seattle at St. Louis -In a battle for the NFC West divisional lead, the Seahawks will make a statement to the up-and-coming Rams that the division still goes through the Great Northwest.
Miami at NY Jets – The Jets at home over a sinking Dolphins team - that is basically all that needs to be said.
Kansas City at Pittsburgh - The defending champions will get a much needed victory at home over the injury plagued Chiefs.
San Diego at San Francisco - In a huge mismatch, the Chargers talent will prove to be way too much for the young 49ers.
Oakland at Denver - Even though Oakland is struggling badly, you know Mike Shanahan will be looking for blood against the hated Raiders. Expect Denver to rough up a brutal Raiders team.
Chicago at Arizona - Hopefully Matt Leinart has gotten used to avoiding pass rushers because the Monsters of the Midway are going to wreak havoc on the Cardinals weak offensive line en route to victory.
posted by marinjos at 1:21 PM
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