Posted on 09/20/2006 11:09:37 AM PDT by Dysart
Whereas last weekend’s college football slate gave us “Separation Saturday”, this weekend’s NFL schedule should provide us with a “Shakedown Sunday.” Or, if you include the Monday night game, which you should — a “Shakedown Sunday (and Monday).” Catchy, right? Every winning slogan should have parentheses. The 2-0 Colts play the 2-0 Jaguars; The 2-0 Vikings play the 2-0 Bears; and the 2-0 Saints play the 2-0 Falcons. Three divisions — six undefeated teams — tons of excitement! Cue the Grateful Dead’s Shakedown Street!
As for this week’s rankings, the big movers are the Jacksonville Jaguars who jumped 8 spots from No. 11 to No. 3. With convincing wins over Dallas and Pittsburgh on national TV, the Jags are making folks notice them. It’s not like they’re coming out of nowhere. After all, they did go 12-4 last year. Another team on the rise is the Atlanta (No. 9 to No. 7), whose rushing attack has been so dominant that it can be compared to those mid-90’s Nebraska squads with Tommie Frazier, Ahman Green, and Lawrence Phillips. The Niners (No. 30 to No. 22), Vikings (No. 14 to No. 13), and Bills (No. 27 to No. 19) also saw some significant bumps in their rankings.
(Excerpt) Read more at msn.foxsports.com ...
I'm with him on the Raiders bringing up the rear, however, but my dog could have nailed that one.
I think da Bears, Chargers, Falcons, and Ravens are the Top 4 teams in the NFL. Indy and Cinci are next, IMHO. The Colts defense just ain't that good this year. With Feeney, Stokley, Vineteri hurting, the Colts could easily lose to the Jags this week.
I left out Jacksonville, who are in the mix too with the Colts and Cinci.
Raiders dead last. I predicted on a Raider discussion forum that they'd end up 0-16. This is worst Raider team in their history.
I would tend to agree except I think the Colts defense may be that bad. Cincinnati has a better defense, but still only above average. The 5 defenses in the league that can keep the Colts and Cinci in reasonable check, all have solid offenses this year. The Colts and Cinci both have tough games this week, so we will learn more.
NFL ping
Cincy got really banged up last week and one of their best receivers TJ Houshmandzadeh is still questionable for Sunday. It will be a tough match against Pittsburgh, since a) they are playing at Heinz, b) the Steelers want to avenge MNF's showing, and c) they are intense rivals.
Though it will be a tough game, I think the Bengals win. But I'm certainly not an infallible prognosticator of the pigskin.
They'll win 1 game. Don't they play Tennessee? That will be the toilet bowl game of the year.
Cincy's defense took a major hit when they lost Pollack for the year, and their safety Jackson is out for this week. Also their o-line is a bit Frankensteinian due to injuries.
If they can stop the run against Pittsburgh, they win. They were able to shut down Larry Johnson of the Chiefs, but Willy Parker will be a different story. If they can keep him from getting to the outside then he will not be effective.
If there was a ranking of the Luckiest teams the Vikings would be hands down No. 1. That is the only thing which concerns me about Sunday's game.
They have looked impressive the last 2 games. Frank Gore is a monster and Alex Smith is looking like the #1 overall pick. I guess he has learned well from his rookie mistakes.
DA BEARS, DA COLTS! omg, if they both end up in the Superbowl im gonna be a mess... :\
they should go dead last and then draft a QB or trade down for 2 picks and get a QB AND another O-lineman
I wonder if Chad Johnson has found his marbles yet. He looked pretty out of it in the locker room interview. ...He didn't even remember the hit that shook his head loose.
It was a brutal hit. He had just had stiches and perhaps was given a painkiller, so that might have contributed to his loopiness. He gave an interview the next day and was joking and saying "it was a good hit--he can tell his grandkids that he didn't stop 85 but he did knock him out." He watched the hit on a videotape.
The official story is that there is no concussion and he will start Sunday. We'll see. Without CJ it would be a very steep hill to climb.
With Jackson, Alexander, and now Branch, the Seahawks could go all the way.
If the refs let them.
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