NFL Week 7 thoughts

8-0 vs. 9-0 is looming: New England have a hope game against Washington and Indianapolis must play the unpredictable Panthers, but it’s hard to see anybody interfering with the clash of the remaining unbeaten teams and the two best the league has to offer. New England Patriots at Indianapolis Colts, Sunday 4th November, 4.15 PM EST. Don’t miss it by any means.

Priest Homes: His four rushes went for: no gain, 3, 8, -2. So aside from a long gain of 8 he averaged 0.33 yards per carry. It’s still nice to see a player of Priest’s achievements back in the game and healthy. If he can recapture anything like the brilliance he once enjoyed then Kansas could be onto a good thing.

Rob Bironas: Tennessee weren’t great, but when your kicker sets you up with 26 points you can get away with it. Bironas is in the record books now, but more importantly he’s kept Tennessee rolling along in spite of a near-capitulation in the final quarter against Houston.

Brian Griese: Even if he was the fallback quarterback, the Bears must be pleased to have a guy back there again who can hold his nerve. There are tougher tests to come, but they might feel a bit steadier with Griese back there.

Devin Hester: See what happens when you don’t kick the ball to him? Hester got 41 yards from three catches so he might yet turn those ball-in-hand skills into great receiver skills, but Philly wisely stopped Hester returning the ball and he did nothing on the return. A few out of bounds kick-offs well used, for my money.

Redskins switch off: It’s not the first time this season the Redskins have taken a lead and then switched off for the final stages of the game. You need to fix that and soon guys, because if you let up on the Patriots then last-minute field goals won’t come into it, you’ll be dead on the water.

Michael Strahan: A couple of sacks and a few tackles for Strahan, it’s nice to see him back in business after his various personal and professional woes. This was the quarterback-hassling Strahan of old and New York will be hoping he stays this way to boost their already solid defensive unit.

Does nobody learn from the mistakes of others? That final Bears drive against Philly looked to be another example of teams inviting quarterbacks to throw against them late in the game. It’s happened with Jay Cutler and Tony Romo a few times this year just to name two. If you’re winning by a touchdown or more, great. Sit deep and try to smother them. But when you’re defending a game where a last minute field goal will consign you to a certain defeat at least put some pressure on the quarterback and give him one more thing to worry about.

NFL Week 8

London Calling
A long flight across the pond to take part in the first regular season game to be played outside North America is the least of Miami’s problems as Ronnie Brown, the brightest point of a dismal season to date, has gone down for the season. Still, certainly for the people in the NFL offices and those promoting the game in London it’s a huge event, and for the fans too. It might have been more ironic had Jason Taylor picked up the injury given that they’ve constructed an animatronic figure of him over twenty feet tall. The largest of its kind in the world, I believe.

But beyond that, while I would hope plenty of Giants and Dolphins fans have got tickets to see their teams I suspect there will be an awful lot of neutrals such as myself which will hopefully mean the game and the crowd have a bit of a party mood and will just be enjoying the occasion. With so much fanfare and many things to do in the build up to the game, it’s easy to forget that while it’s “just” a regular season game, that’s also the reason we’re all so excited in the first place. Okay, so the Giants could squash the Dolphins at this rate anyway, but we’re going to see less fluff than if it was a pre-season affair and the fans are guaranteed to see a lot of time from the big name players. Especially given that as opposed to succumbing to the temptation of booking the players into all sorts of media events they’ve made a concerted effort to ensure the players have as normal a schedule as possible as the game approaches so that when the time comes the players won’t be against the idea of doing it again.

I’ve luckily got tickets for the game, so I will of course be trying to take in as much of the events as possible and reporting back on the whole experience from this unique point of view. Even if the game itself is far from a classic, the occasion will hopefully be a good one for all involved.

I’m sure there’s a joke to be made about the Dolphins being comfortable in typically damp British weather but I just can’t find it. It’s probably better that way.

Game predictions
Cleveland Browns vs. St. Louis Rams
It just doesn’t get any better for the Rams. As if their injury-ravaged squad wasn’t depleted enough they’ve taken the decision to release lineman Claude Terrell was arrested and charged with assaulting his wife. At the start of the season they’d have been hoping that a home game against Cleveland would be one in the bag, but their dreadful first half of the season won’t fill anybody with confidence that they can defeat a surprisingly free-scoring Browns team.

Detroit Lions vs. Chicago Bears
I said last week I was having a hard time guessing how the Lions would play in any given game, and sure enough they proved me right by winning when I had them down for a loss. Chicago did much the same as they got a road win against the Eagles, looking more resilient on defense and steadier on offense in the process. Part of the Lions success against Tampa can be put down to improved production on the ground, but I don’t feel compelled to call a win over the Bears in the Windy City.

Indianapolis Colts vs. Carolina Panthers
Last week the Colts completely ignored the script which had consigned them to a tough, gritty divisional battle against the Jaguars and wrote themselves a new one where they cantered to a victory. Had they been drawn into a physical battle with the Jags as I expected, I might have been inclined to at least consider giving the nod to the bye-week-rested Panthers. I’m afraid Vinny Testaverde’s story will hit a bump this week as he’s outshone by one of the best two quarterbacks in the NFL.

**Second Game of the Week***
New York Giants vs. Miami Dolphins
I’ve given this “Second Game of the Week” as much for novelty value of it being in London because the game itself isn’t promising much, especially as the ‘Fins keep losing players to injury. New York will probably get a comfortable win, but it’s my first NFL game and damn it, I’m going to enjoy this one if it kills me.

Oakland Raiders vs. Tennessee Titans
Oakland were beaten by an incredibly average Kansas City in Oakland last week, which isn’t the boost a team needs to turn itself around. They look likely to be the stragglers in an increasingly competitive AFC West. Okay, so they’re facing a Tennessee team who had to really on a record-breaking performance from their kicker and missing their quarterback so that gives them a better chance, right? Wrong. All last week’s game in Houston showed is that Tennessee have players all over the field who can help them win a game they don’t necessarily deserve to win.

Philadelphia Eagles vs. Minnesota Vikings
I’m sure there are more unpredictable teams this year than there were last year. Minnesota aren’t so much unpredictable as it being hard to discern just how far their one-dimensional ability will take them. They’re good on and against the run, and pretty poor with the pass both on offense and defense. The Eagles meanwhile, still have the personnel to do teams damage but don’t always manage to get themselves into a position to do so. I’m gonna plump for the Eagles on the basis of them looking a much more balanced, rounded team.

Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Cincinnati Bengals
Surely, surely the Steelers have too much going for them in this fixture for them not to win? I’m a huge fan of Carson Palmer and on his day, given a healthy set of receivers, he can and will do horrible things to the poor defense who are on the receiving end. Can you assume that’s going to happen though and pick Cincy in the face of the offense they have to stop? Roethlisberger has enjoyed a good season to this point and coupled with an explosive running game I don’t see Cincinnati surviving this one. Their best bet is to turn it into a shootout and see if Big Ben can keep up with Palmer.

Buffalo Bills vs. New York Jets
This might be the first time I’ve backed Buffalo to get a win this year, and I’d be lying if I told you I don’t feel distinctly uncertain. Marshawn Lynch is a fine young running back and there are far worse players to build your hopes around, but this pick is really based on a gut feeling (unless that’s the ham and pickle sandwich I just ate) and I can never quite sit happy with those. If I’m picking between two teams I’m not keen on I’ll usually give home field advantage more consideration when making my prediction, but 31 points against Cincinnati doesn’t tell you much. Their failure to get Thomas Jones going against that Bengals D, however, does.

Houston Texans vs. San Diego Chargers
Two wins out of three divisional games was exactly the tonic San Diego needed to bring their record level once more going into their bye week. All rested up, they’ll be eager to get back on the field, even amidst problems in California at the moment, and prepared to beat Houston to get a winning record again. An injury to Matt Schaub (apparently day-to-day at the moment) doesn’t bode well for the Texans as they’ve now had problems with injuries to their star quarterback, running back and wide receiver. They’ll try their hardest to cut down the number of turnovers they lost last week, but that doesn’t change the fact they’re visiting a San Diego team with a definite point to prove. A lot of Chargers have a lot of non-football stuff going on right now, but on the field they'll be in business mode. If you'd asked me whether the Chargers would beat the Texans on a neutral field I'd have said, "Yes, sir." Unfortunately there is a now a chance for that to be put to the test.

Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
I was umming and ahhing over this one and left it ‘til last because it’s one of the trickier games to call this week. Or it was at least. With David Garrard going down hurt and Maurice Jones-Drew potentially missing the match (or facing a lighter workload) the chances of Jacksonville breaking down that Tampa defense are looking fewer. I think Jeff Garcia will probably continue to do exactly as he has been doing and manage a careful but effective game for a Bucs win.

New Orleans Saints vs. San Francisco 49ers
In New Orleans the 49ers see a defense that’s arguably the weakest they’ve played since week 2, which is one reason for them to believe they can get a home win against the Saints this week. On the other hand, New Orleans are definitely on the comeback trail, the 49ers are struggling to get things going on offense and in their last two home games have garnered a grand total of ten points for them. If you can think of a good reason -other than New Orleans’ early-season troubles- for picking San Fran in this game then you’re a better man than me.

***Game of the Week***
Washington Redskins vs. New England Patriots
Nothing at all against Washington here, because in spite of their near-disaster against Arizona last week I like them a lot. It’s just that I’m afraid I couldn’t pick anybody to go to New England and beat a fully functioning Patriots team. I do think though that Washington are capable of roughing up Tom Brady and they have as solid a pass defense as anybody the Pats have faced so far. The Patriots will win though, make no mistake about it.

Green Bay Packers vs. Denver Broncos
This match-up is looking far more favorable than you might think for Denver. While they’re struggling to offer anything resembling a tough rush defense, the Packers are one of the worst rushing teams in the league. Brett Favre is having a great year, but Denver do well against the pass and Green Bay don’t possess the receivers to force Denver to get spread too thin by having to man-cover everybody. Denver are best on the run where the Pack are reasonable, but even without Javon Walker they may get enough through the air out of Cutler to put Green bay on the back foot. Not that I’m trying to decide a game based purely on strengths and weaknesses because sport doesn’t work that way. I do think however that this is a game where too much will fall in Denver’s hands for them not to win.

PFC Staff Fantasy Picks

If you’ve been following this column, you’ll have read the fantasy football game between a few of the PFC staff we’re running for a bit of fun and maybe a few fantasy football pointers

Kevin Figg picked Jeff Garcia, Larry Johnson, Chad Johnson and Chris Cooley for respective scores of 17, 10, 4 and 0 for a total of 31 points not helped by a lack of touchdowns for Cooley and Chad Johnson.

Chris Pokorny went for Tom Brady, Willie Parker, Reggie Wayne and Chris Cooley. Tom Brady had another record-breaking day and hauled in a huge 43 points, while the others got him totals of 4, 4 and 0 giving Chris a deceptively high total of 51 points for week 7.

I, meanwhile, went for Tony Romo, Brian Westbrook, Chad Johnson and Tony Gonzalez. They respectively got me 10 ½, 4, 4 and 2 to get me a poor week 7 sum of 20 ½.

Tom Brady’s helped Chris stay atop the table and extend his lead in spit of the rest of his team underperforming, and with myself and Kevin struggling with receivers and tight ends it was a generally low-scoring week for the three of us.

Chris Pokorny - 257 ½
Kevin Figg - 217
Ian Hetherington - 209


Kevin Figg:
QB: Eli Manning (Giants) vs. Dolphins - That Dolphins defense is in shambles and the Giants offense is starting to hit its stride.

RB: Marshawn Lynch (Bills) vs. Jets - The Buffalo offense will get going against the struggling J-E-T-S.

WR: Roy Williams (Lions) vs. Bears - That Bears defense has not been as dominant as expected, and you know the Lions will be airing it out.

TE: Dallas Clark (Colts) vs. Panthers - Can't go wrong with any recieving threat against that overrated Panthers defense.

Chris Pokorny
QB: Derek Anderson (Browns) vs. Rams - Throwing the ball has been the primary method of attack for the Browns. Against the Rams' defense on the road, Anderson will try to jump start the offense after getting off to slow starts on the road.

RB: Willie Parker (Steelers) vs. Bengals - The Steelers stayed away from the running game too much against the Denver Broncos poor run defense. They won't make the same mistake against the Bengals.

WR: Plaxico Burress (Giants) vs. Dolphins - Europe will quickly get used to seeing Burress, as he should have no problem using his height advantage against the Dolphins the same way that Braylon Edwards and Randy Moss did the previous two weeks.

TE: Antonio Gates (Chargers) vs. Texans - The addition of Chris Chambers won't take full effect until later in the season, but it should create some additional openings for Gates fairly soon.

Ian Hetherington
QB: Peyton Manning (Colts) vs. Panthers - He might not put up Bradyesque numbers, but he should still enjoy himself against a susceptible Panthers D.

RB: Reggie Bush (Saints) vs. 49ers - One of my bolder picks given Bush’s slow start, but I have a feeling he’s going to be a big part of a New Orleans win this week.

WR: Braylon Edwards (Browns) vs. Rams - Derek Anderson will be looking to put the ball in the air against St. Louis, and Edwards has been a favored target of his thus far.

TE: Chris Cooley (Redskins) vs. Patriots - Jason Campbell isn’t going to lead the ‘Skins to a win by trying to outgun Brady, and Cooley could be the go-to guy for the young QB as the Redskins try to ensure they stay in the game.

SCORING SYSTEM:
Quarterbacks: Touchdown = 6 points; 50 yards passing = 1 point; interception or fumble (lost) = -½ point

Running back: Touchdown = 6 points; 50 rushing/receiving yards = 2 points; fumble (lost) = -½ point

Wide receiver: Touchdown = 6 points; 50 receiving yards = 2 points; fumble (recovered by defense) = -½ point

Tight end: Touchdown = 6 points; 50 receiving yards = 2 points; fumble (recovered by defense) = -½ point