NFL Week Seven predictions

Nothing clever or inspirational this time but hey, I'm not in last place anymore. On to the picks...

Kansas City (4-2) at Miami (2-4) - 1:00 p.m.

Pratik says: Kansas City scraped by Washington and I consider them a far better team than Miami. Give this one to the Chiefs.

Abe says: Ricky "Sticky-Icky" Williams rushed for less than 10 yards on five carries in his season debut last week. Priest "The Beast" Holmes, on the other hand, will storm into Miami with more force than Hurricane Wilma.

Phil says: Last week, the Bucs annihilated Miami's running game. What was supposed to be Ricky Williams's glorious reemergence from a cloud of smoke was a clear failure as he was held to eight yards on five carries. This week he will have a slightly better performance but nothing compared to the Chiefs' Priest Holmes and Larry Johnson. Both teams will try to win on the ground giving the advantage to the Chiefs. Holmes and Johnson will team up for more than 200 total yards giving the Chiefs the W.

Josh says: This game was moved to Friday because of Hurricane Wilma, and look for Kansas City to cause as much damage as the storm. Priest Holmes's clutch touchdown helped the Chiefs beat the Redskins last week at Arrowhead, and expect more of the same as the Chiefs beat the Dolphins in Miami.

Sunday, October 23, 2005

Detroit (2-3) at Cleveland (2-3) - 1:00 p.m.

Pratik says: I refuse to pick Detroit from now on until Jeff Garcia is at the helm. Joey Harrington is simply not good enough to succeed in the NFL.

Abe says: Ew, what an ugly one. Joey Harrington is horrible, plain and simple. Trent Dilfer is mediocre, but better than Harrington, so I'll holler at the Browns for the second week in a row.

Phil says: This was the year that Joey Harrington was supposed to break out. With a stacked offensive line and wide receivers most quarterbacks only dream about surrounding him, he has flopped. So far he has thrown two picks for defensive TD's and has a dismal QB rating of only 55.6. With so much of the offensive scheme ridding on his clearly unstable shoulders Cleveland will have no trouble on defense. If Trent Dilfer can jump-start the offense Cleveland should roll.

Josh says: The only reason people thought Detroit would win any games this season was because of their receiving corps. Unfortunately both Roy Williams and Charles Rodgers are injured (again) so it is really hard to pick the Lions. Cleveland gets a win at home.

Green Bay(1-4) at Minnesota (1-4) - 1:00 p.m.

Pratik says: Even if Green Bay has no defense, they can still shut down the hapless Vikings offense. Besides, Brett Favre alone is more than the Vikings can handle at the moment.

Abe says: Minnesota can't score and can't play defense, but then again, neither can Green Bay, so I'll defer to the home team and give the Purple People the win in the ugliest game of the week.

Phil says: I hate the NFC north. In one of the traditionally powerful divisions, there is not one team that deserves to make the playoffs. The usually dominant Vikings and Packers both only have a single victory. That being said Green Bay's came last week in impressive 52-point explosion. Momentum and, of course, Favre will bring them the win.

Josh says: Minnesota is in absolute disarray. Daunte Culpepper has struggled all season, Fred Smoot got caught having a sex cruise (believe it) and Onterrio Smith is being sued for sexual assault. Brett Favre has looked sharp this season and Green Bay wins this one coming off their bye week

Indianapolis (6-0) at Houston (0-5) - 1:00 p.m.

Pratik says: Notice how in just about everything except the Bible, in any David v. Goliath matchup, Goliath wins? Same kind of thing here.

Abe says: This game is like me versus Phil in a spelling bee: no contest.

Phil says: Undefeated versus winless. This will be similar to the time the Texans took a last stand at Alamo. It might look valiant, but no matter what it's going to end in a slaughter.

Josh says: This game is just unfair. Arguably the league's best offense goes up against one of the worst defenses. Houston should not even be allowed to step on the same field as the Colts. The Colts thrash the Texans in the week's biggest blowout.

New Orleans (2-4) at St. Louis (2-4) - 1:00 p.m.

Pratik says: I don't care if Jamie Martin is quarterbacking the Rams, they're still better than a Deuce-less New Orleans squad.

Abe says: The Saints completely surprised me last week, nearly toppling the Falcons in San Antonio. I almost took St. Louis is this one, but then I remembered that Jamie Martin is starting at quarterback for the Rams.

Phil says: New Orleans lost last week to the then winless Packers by 7 touchdowns. See, St. Louis actually is good which proposes problems to these lowly Saints. As Favre did last week, Jamie Martin should light up the Saints defense for the victory.

Josh says: Even though they are missing Marc Bulger, the Rams beat the Saints because of Steven Jackson. Jackson will get more touches than he has all season and with Bulger out, this could be the start of a new offensive philosophy in St. Louis.

Pittsburgh (3-2) at Cincinnati (5-1) - 1:00 p.m.

Pratik says: This is the game of the week. I don't care about how Cincinnati has defeated teams with a combined 5-17 record, it's not their fault that they're playing patsies every week. Pittsburgh has been hit pretty hard by injuries and until they can show me that they can win without Big Ben and Hines Ward in the lineup, I'm going with the mini- Indianapolis Colts (i.e. Cincy).

Abe says: The best game of the week features Carson Palmer and the high-flying Bengals against the grind-it-out Steelers. Why the Bengals? Their receivers: Chris Henry, T.J. Howeveryouspellit and Chad Johnson.

Phil says: Here is a great match up. Bill Cowher's smash mouth vs. the new gun sling offense of Marvin Lewis. Though the coaches have different styles, both the Bengals and Steelers rely on great running games, steady quarterbacks and a stifling defense. The major difference is the Benglas ability to produce turnovers that have them in first place in the league in turnover ratio. It will be a hard fought game but the Bengals will win off a few key takeaways.

Josh says: At home against a Steelers team without a healthy Big Ben and Hines Ward, the Bengals squeak out a win at home. The Steelers will have a tough time balancing their offense with inconsistent Tommy Maddox at quarterback.

San Diego (3-3) at Philadelphia (3-2) - 1:00 p.m.

Pratik says: Two letters this time: LT.

Abe says: San Diego is on a tear, and Philly is beginning to break down (running back Brian Westbrook is unhappy with his workload), but I like Philly to bounce back in this matchup. The Eagles have one of the toughest home-field advantages in the league, and I'm still not sold on the Chargers' defense.

Phil says: The Chargers made two trades just before the deadline. One acquiring A.J. Feely was rather unimportant, but trading Toniu Fonoti, the team's stud left guard, may play a major part in both this game and the teams future. The Eagles, like many teams this year, will now find it much easier to get into the Chargers back field. Yet the leagues best offensive player, LaDainian Tomlinson will be the deciding factor in bringing the Chargers a nail biting victory.

Josh says: The Philly defense accomplishes what no other team this season has been able to do: contain LT. By containing LT, the Eagles shut down San Diego's bread and butter offense. At home and coming off their bye week the Eagles rebound from their thrashing in Dallas.

San Francisco (1-4) at Washington (3-2) - 1:00 p.m.

Pratik says: So, instead of watching this game, I'll be at an MIT interview. Now, I don't really like missing any Redskins games, but they're playing the 49ers! Washington's defense + rookie QB Alex Smith + 90,000 fans at FedEx screaming their heads off = bad day for San Francisco.

Abe says: Thank the heavens for the 49ers. The Redskins come into week seven on a two-game slide, losing two winnable games to top-tier teams by a total of 9 points. If there is any game LaVar Arrington could make a triumphant return in, it's this one. Niners' QB Alex Smith is still learning the ways of the NFL, and with a shaky O-line he should be seeing a lot of the turf on Sunday.

Phil says: Not even Washington can lose this one. Clinton Portis will have a field day on an injury plagued 49er's defense leading the way to Washington's fourth win.

Josh says: With rookie Alex Smith quarterbacking the struggling 49ers, San Francisco stands next-to-no chance at winning this game at Washington. Also, Mark Brunell is amazing.

Dallas (4-2) at Seattle (4-2) - 4:05 p.m.

Pratik says: I refuse to pick Dallas, especially after they've gotten so lucky the past two weeks. This can't keep happening and I'm sure they're lucks going to run out against Shaun Alexander and the Seahawks.

Abe says: Seattle is on point right now on the offensive side of the ball, and they got a great 60 minutes of practice in last week against the Texans, so I like the home team in this one. Shaun Alexander has another 4-score day against the hated Cowboys.

Phil says: Parcells again looks like a genius as he has another sub par Cowboy team on top of the NFC East. Both teams want to control the clock and move the football on the ground to open the field up for play action passes. These nearly identical offenses based on similar successful styles have only one major difference: player ability. As good as the young Julius Jones is, he is no Shaun Alexander. This along with Drew Bledsoe's recently inconsistent play will bring Dallas crashing down.

Josh says: Look for a big game from Matt Hasselbeck as the Cowboys focus on shutting down Shaun Alexander. Alexander scored four touchdowns last week. With Julius Jones hampered with a high ankle sprain the Cowboys will have a tough time establishing a run game.

Baltimore (2-3) at Chicago (2-3) - 4:15 p.m.

Pratik says: Aiya...both of these teams are basically the same. I'll take Chicago because of the slight home field advantage.

Abe says: In a battle of defensive-minded teams, I like the one that has at least some semblance of an offense. The Bears put up 28 points last week (ok, so it was against Minnesota, but still) and rookie quarterback Kyle Orton is holding down the fort nicely for Chi-town. Gimme Da Bears in a blowout.

Phil says: Both teams have great defense and are relying on terrible quarterbacks to lead their team. But I just can't see a NFC North team beating the Ravens. Yes, the division is that bad.

Josh says: Defense vs. defense. I think I'll pick defense. Baltimore gets a win away from home as Anthony Wright continues to get the job done as the Ravens' starter.

Buffalo (3-3) at Oakland (1-4) - 4:15 p.m.

Pratik says: Moss-less Raiders take on the Bills? I'll take the Bills...

Abe says: Finally a cupcake on Oakland's schedule; the Bills are inept and confused on the field. The Raiders powerful offense runs up the score on a lousy and disappointing Buffalo team.

Phil says: At home the Raiders will finally get to see their offense really get to work. Though Buffalo's defense has allowed only 11 touchdowns in their first six games, the fact sill remains that they can't stop the run. Lamont Jordan will pour it on early forcing the Buffalo safeties to play up to stop the run opening up the field for Randy Moss and Kerry Collins. This high scoring affair will be dominated by Moss and the deep ball, giving Oakland their second home win.

Josh says: Oakland can't contain Willis McGahee but they still beat the Bills at the Black Hole. In wake of Randy Moss's injury, Jerry Porter tears apart the Buffalo secondary and Lamont Jordan balances out the Raiders' offense attack.

Denver (5-1) at New York Giants (3-2) - 4:15 p.m.

Pratik says: Denver's been playing great all season long and they're going to keep it up against a Giants team still reeling from last week's close overtime loss.

Abe says: Simply put, Eli ain't Peyton. The Broncos beat the Patriots last week and they'll continue their roll this weekend. There is something special brewing in Denver...

Phil says: When you can run the ball the way Denver can with just about any running back you just keep winning. New York's Tiki Barber and Eli Manning will give them a game but nothing Denver defense can't handle. Make it five straight for Denver.

Josh says: With their newfound rushing attack of Tatum Bell and Mike Anderson, the Broncos' offense has been flourishing. Putting less pressure on Jake Plummer and more on Bell and Anderson, Plummer has been able to get outside and bootleg the way he likes. The Broncos, coming off a win last week over the world champion Patriots, ride their success to a win in the Big Apple.

Tennessee (2-4) at Arizona (1-4) - 4:15 p.m.

Pratik says: Tennessee. Because they play the Cardinals.

Abe says: To be honest, neither of these teams deserves to win this week, but I'll take the Cards just because of Larry Fitzgerald- the kid is a superstar in the making.

Phil says: Arizona and Tennessee are just terrible football teams. Tennessee has proved that they can score but haven't stopped a real offense all season. That won't really matter though, because they are playing Arizona. It will be a terribly boring win for the Titans.

Josh says: Steve McNair is one of the toughest NFL players of all time, but even he can't save his secondary from the Arizona passing attack that features star wideouts Anquan Boldin and Larry Fitzgerald.

Monday, October 24, 2005
New York Jets (2-4) at Atlanta (4-2) - 9:00 p.m.

Pratik says: You know, I think that Matt Schaub (Atlanta's backup) may be better than the Jets starting QB Vinny Testaverde.

Abe says: Matt Schaub is the Falcons MVP. He has stepped in for Michael Vick recently and Atlanta's offense hasn't skipped a beat. As for their defense, it's consistently among the best in the NFL.

Phil says: The Jets aren't dead yet. Even without their starting QB Chad Pennington, who is out for the season, they still have a great back in Curtis Martin and a solid defense. But they are up against a premier opponent in Atlanta. The Falcons will continue their rushing dominance even without Michael Vick. The Jets will keep it close but won't have enough left in the fourth quarter to run with Warrick Dunn. Atlanta by a TD.

Josh says: Warrick Dunn gets more carries than usual this week with T.J. Duckett nursing an ankle injury. The performance of Dunn will determine the outcome of the game, but look for him to step up. The Falcons' defense stops Curtis Martin and beats the Jets at home.