College football is already seven weeks deep. The NFL will hit their sixth week this afternoon. This time of year just absolutely flies. Christmas will be here by tomorrow. I always anticipate the season and then it’s gone in a flash. You’ve got to really enjoy it while it’s here. And I do. I watch hard on the weekends and then prepare for the upcoming week on Monday.
College football has 13 undefeated teams left. The NFL has two. Both levels are certainly challenging to win on, and they’re a different breed of football. This week, the main headline is controlled by Detroit. Can they go 6-0? I was proved wrong last week when I asked for Denver for silence the Tim Tebow news. But they didn’t. Next week, he’s starting for the first time this year. The Broncos were in a pinch and the pressure from the fan base got his start. I think Tebow is set up for failure.
Without further adue, let’s jump into these games:
49ers @ Lions: These are two of the biggest surprise teams in the NFL. The 4-1 49ers and the 5-0 Lions. I honestly thought the 49ers would be in garbage city, after an abysmal year last year. But new coach Jim Harbaugh has sparked Alex Smith to life. Simply put, he just turns QB’s around. I see a close game, with San Francisco limiting Detroit on offense. But Lions win, 27-21.
Rams @ Packers: This line is humongous in Vegas standards. The rolling Packers are a two touchdown favorite at home. Usually in the NFL you don’t see spreads that big. But Aaron Rodgers is carving up defenses, connecting on 71% of his passes, leading the league. That’s an absurd number considering this is a professional league. Packers win by three scores. Blowout of the week.
Panthers @ Falcons: I will probably end up saying this every week, but Cam Newton has transformed the Panthers. He’s taken them to the top on his shoulders. Now, they are 1-4, but they’ve lost by a combined 18 points in those four games. Those are all decided by one possession. I see him doing the same in Atlanta and stealing a win. Steve Smith is back to being a top wide receiver in the league.
Colts @ Bengals: Colts fans have to be begging for Peyton Manning to come back by now. Indianapolis is one of three winless teams in the league, along with St. Louis and Miami. But by a lot of standards, the Bengals aren’t a ton better. This game will attract no attention from the media, but will come directly down to the wire. I see Indianapolis getting win No. 1.
Bills @ Giants: If any line sticks out to me from Vegas, it’s the Bills getting three points on the road. Statistically, the Bills have the third best scoring offense in the game. And the Giants are no elite defensive team, mainly in the secondary. I see Ryan Fitzpatrick torching the G-Men all day. Bills by 10.
Jaguars @ Steelers: It took four weeks for the Steelers defense to appear last week. Always know for their ball hawking defenders, Pittsburgh was no steel curtain in the seasons first month. At the right time in the year, when they need a win, they run into the leagues second worst offense at 59 points in five games. Steelers in a rout if they don’t turn the ball over.
Eagles @ Redskins: With Trent Cole out for the Eagles, I sense problems defending the run up front, which the Eagles haven’t done all year. It all started with Michael Turner, then Frank Gore and then Fred Jackson. Washington’s strength is the running game. Ryan Torain is a force to bring down. I like my Redskins at home.
Texans @ Ravens: This game is one of the marquee match-ups of the week. Baltimore comes to town 4-1 looking to spoil some games on the Texans turf. I just don’t see if happening though. Despite Andre Johnson being out, the Texans proved that Joel Dreesen and Jacoby Jones can be good fillers. Arian Foster is healthy. Texans by 6.
Browns @ Raiders: We get a fun matchup here of two teams on the rise and ready to wreak havoc in this league. The Browns are actually a good team, with a shutdown corner in Joe Haden and quarterback Colt McCoy who is making plays. It’s tough winning in the black hole in Oakland. Plus this team wants to keep winning for Al. I see a 35-30 type of Oakland win.
Cowboys @ Patriots: This to me is the game of the week. I cannot wait for the fireworks to hit the sky in this one. The aerial show will be in full force. Wes Welker will get his 10 catches and Dez Bryant might tear up the Patriots cornerbacks. The Patriots have won 19 straight home games. This may end to the Cowboys, that is if Tony Romo doesn’t turn the ball over. This will be a fun, fun duel. You know Tom Brady doesn’t want to lose. Patriots edge Dallas on a field goal.
Saints @ Buccaneers: The fact that this is an in-division game will make it intriguing to watch. Both teams will be all out. Right now, the Saints have a better flow of offense. The Buccaneers need to find a way to get Mike Williams involved. He has one touchdown all year, in week one. Saints win by 8 on road.
Vikings @ Bears: This rivalry has all the making to be a fun game. But when will Donovan McNabb actually put the Vikings on his back? Last week, the only reason Minnesota won their first game is because Adrian Peterson said give me the ball so I can score. He did with three touchdown entrances. If they want to win, they need a balance of the pass and run. That’s my key. Percy Harvin has to catch a touchdown.
Dolphins @ Jets: The Jets are struggling, ever since blowing a lead out in Oakland three weeks ago. They haven’t been the same since. But now they found the perfect win to get a free win and get back on the ball. Miami is not much without Chad Henne. It makes Brandon Marshall a non-threat on offense. It Miami walks into New York and wins, the media will want Rex Ryan by the neck.