Week 5: NFC>AFC

It’s safe to say that my theory completely backfired on me. Can’t say I didn’t deserve it though. I tried to cover my tracks and help myself by saying that weeks 1-3 were too hard to pick, I should have figured that this would happen. It’s fair that week 4 would have some unpredictable outcomes. Kansas City over Denver though? Really? I guess I forgot that Herm Edwards plays to win the game. Now I feel bad for hating on them so much. But not that bad. And who could have picked the ever so potent Jets offense (joke) to drop 56 points? Whatever, the past is the past and I will just make up for it this week.

If there is one thing that I’ve taken away from this football season so far, it’s this: the NFC is the new AFC. Seriously, the AFC is no longer the power conference. Brady is done and so are the Pats it would appear, the Colts and Peyton Manning are not the same as they’ve been in past years, San Diego can’t put all their talent together, and the Jags and Steelers have been shaky. I underestimated how good of a brother Peyton Manning is, because clearly he gave a lot of his talent to his little bro Eli sometime late last season (and that includes acting skills as well, Eli is really blossoming in that department though he has work to do if he wants to match Peyton). The class of the AFC is the Titans and the Bills. These are two solid teams, but let’s face it, neither is a serious title contender as of right now. Who is the legitimate championship threat from the AFC? Denver was a possibility until KC brutally exposed their defense, which definitely needs to be patched up. I don’t know if there is anyone who could challenge the juggernaut that is the NFC East. Washington aside, though they are a good team, I don’t think the other three teams could be beaten by any AFC team right now. Look at all the big matchups between conferences this year, almost all have been won by the NFC. Chicago over Indy, Philly over Pitt, Carolina over San Diego, all won by the NFC team. There have only been a couple of exceptions (Indy over Minnesota, Denver over New Orleans). I guess you could say the Jets over the Cardinals too, but any game with a team from the NFC West doesn’t count. It’s a shame that a team from that division has to go to the playoffs. It’s going to be a free win for whoever draws that card in the first round. There’s actually a decent chance that a team with a losing record could host a playoff game. I know we like football because of the parody, but come on something like that should never happen. Let’s get to some picks.

Indianapolis (-4) over Houston

The Texans showed promise last week against Jacksonville, reminding people of why they were 8-8 last year and had high hopes for this year. Fact of the matter is, Indy is not falling to 1-3 and 0-2 in the division. I’m not convinced that the Colts are fading from the picture already; they still have some good years left.

Tennessee (-1) over Baltimore

A Raven’s defensive player called Kerry Collins so slow that his 40 speed needed to be measured with a sundial. If there’s one thing I know, it’s that you don’t feed the fire that is Kerry Collins. Just kidding, I don’t even know what that means, but Tennessee will win in a low scoring slugfest.

San Diego (-6) over Miami

Despite the troubles that the Chargers have had this year, they will not lose to Miami with all the talent they have. Miami’s sneaky little scheme may have worked one week against the Pats, but in the NFL, something like that can only be used and work once. Dolphins fans, don’t get too excited over the upset of the Pats two weeks ago. You’re still the Dolphins.

Carolina (-9.5) over Kansas City

It’s safe to say that Carolina’s defense is much better than Denver’s, and Kansas City will not be able to repeat the miracle they performed last week. Plus, with the reunion of the Steve Smith and Muhsin Muhammed, the greatest combo since peanut butter and jelly, Carolina is unstoppable. Not really, but was just a big fan of that combo back when the Panthers went to the Super Bowl.

Washington (+6.5) over Philadelphia

Washington was really impressive last week winning in Dallas, but to ask them to win on the road in this division for the second straight week is just too much. I like the ‘Skins to cover, but they won’t beat the Eagles with McNabb and Westbrook both playing.

Chicago (-3.5) over Detroit

The Bears are a tough team to get a read on. They beat Indy and then surprisingly upset Philly last week, but I still don’t have confidence in them. Even the games they lost were close and to good teams. One thing I do know about them is that they’re better than the lowly Lions.

Atlanta (+5.5) over Green Bay

Forget just the Bears, all three respectable NFC North teams are hard to get a read on. I just can’t tell how good each of the teams actually is. Atlanta has a lot of things working in their favor. Matt Ryan has a bright future, and Michael Turner has unveiled what a beast he is. Atlanta has all but forgotten about the Michael Vick debacle, and I like the Falcons to pull an upset especially with Rodger's injured shoulder.

New York (-6.5) over Seattle

I would say that the Seahawks would have a remote chance if the game was in Seattle and the Giants weren’t also coming off a bye week. But that’s not the case here.

Tampa Bay (+3.5) over Denver

Ok, it’s time to start believing in the Bucs. Denver’s underbelly was exploited last week, and Tampa will hit them where it hurts. Cutler won’t be able to put up the big stats he has been this year against the Bucs defense either.

New England (-3) over San Francisco

Ronnie Brown and the Dolphins ran all over the, to put it nicely, “mature” Pats defense. It scares me to think what Frank “the Tank” Gore could do. But has it really gotten that bad that I’m picking the 49ers to beat Belicheck’s Patriots? Nope, no way, won’t go there.

Buffalo (+2.5) over Arizona

Wait, so let me get this straight. What do the Cardinals get for getting blown away by the Jets and giving up 56 points? They get favored to beat the team leading the Jets division the very next week. The venue maybe has changed, but not the entire Cardinals’ team, they’re still the same.

Dallas (-16) over Cincinnati

The Bengals are going to be like pigs to the slaughter when they walk onto the field. The Cowboy’s are going to take out all their aggression and frustration from last week’s loss and unload on the Bengals. Poor Cincy, they don’t stand a chance. O yeah, and Ocho Cinco doesn’t come through on his promise.

Pittsburgh (+5.5) over Jacksonville

The Steelers will cover, but they will not win. The Jaguars have the Steelers number, as they beat them in both meetings last year, including a playoff win in Pittsburgh. Couple that with virtually no running game available for Sunday night, and things don’t look good for Pitt. Gut instinct is the only reason I have for them even covering.

Minnesota (+3) over New Orleans

Who the hell made Minnesota’s schedule? It is quite possibly the most difficult schedule in the history of the world. They got absolutely screwed. They can’t fall to 1-4 and keep their playoff hopes alive.


Last Week: 5-8


*I forgot to post this before the games started, but rested assured the picks were already made