Ashton Youboty, who came out a year too early is proving that he’s going to be a damn good corner, or even FS, sometime very soon. Whitner will never live up to his high first-round selection, as he was taken about five to 10 picks too early, but he’s still very reliable.
With all this said, if Cassel can find Moss, the Bills might have some issues, otherwise, even with a healthy Brady, the Bills matchup pretty well, at least on paper. I’m not sure how the Patriots win this game unless their defense does it for them. A steady dose of Lynch and Jackson should keep that defense from getting too aggressive.
Buffalo takes it outright: 24-21.
New Orleans Saints @ Atlanta Falcons (-1)
In a situation like this, where a great running game is facing a great passing game, I’d almost always go for the running game. The NFC South is a bit wacky though, and I’m tempted to just take the home team. However, they’re playing in a dome, and New Orleans is just too good to really blow this game.
New Orleans needs this game, and they’ll make Matt Ryan beat them. They’re coming off a bye week, and a big W over SD the week before; so, assuming everyone plays (W. Smith & McAllister), they should be fine.
Grant, Ellis, and Smith should cause more than enough problems for the Falcons, with Vilma cleaning up the mess. This is going to say a lot about M. Ryan: He should be able to put up a 300-yard game, and he’ll have to if the Falcons have a shot.
New Orleans takes it 31 – 27.
St Louis Rams @ New York Jets (-7.5)
Haslett has the Rams playing football, unfortunately “football” doesn’t include pass defense. It might come down to whether or not S. Jackson is finally 100 percent or not, but I don't believe that to be the case.
I like the Jets' defense this year, and particularly the additions. They should be coming together by about this point, and they’re only going to get better. Favre should approach 300 yards and the new comers, K. Jenkins, and C. Pace, should really have a field day.
The Jets should cover, and cover easily. However, this is a Jets team that will give up the late scores, which could cause issues if the spread gets too large. Obviously, check the game-day weather but:
Jets 31 – STL 17
Seattle Seahawks @ Miami Dolphins (-9)
I’m not certain how Miami is going to win this game, and nine points is a lot to give a team that doesn’t have a clear-cut advantage on either offense or defense. Basically, it comes down to whether or not the merely passable secondary of Seattle is going to get too frustrated by Miami’s dinking and dunking.
Seattle should be able to move the ball, at least for few extended periods of time, and Seneca Wallace should provide the mobility required to get away from Jerry Porter, et. al.
What Seneca Wallace does after he escapes the initial pressure is the deciding factor in this game. If he starts throwing picks, Miami will cover the nine points and more. If he allows himself to work within Holmgren’s system, the ‘Hawks have a shot for a pretty big upset.
How much impact did Jason Ferguson’s departure have on the Dallas Cowboys?
Miami’s become respectable and have beat some darn good teams. Porter is once again a rush linebacker, and Channing Crowder is racking up the tackles.
The Seahawks have started looking like Holmgren’s Seahawks and can win the game outright, or at least have a chance to at the end.
Miami 20 – Seattle 24
Green Bay Packers @ Minnesota Vikings (-2.5)
Well, if this game were played on a neutral site, I’d have to go with Green Bay, and with the three points they’re giving the home team, I’ve gotta assume they’re saying GB and MIN are equally matched.
Minnesota can run the ball and stop the run with the best of them. Green Bay cannot run the ball at all this year, and I haven’t the slightest idea why. If this game were in early November and was at Lambeau, I’d be tempted to take the Vikings, but the domed confines of Minnesota almost favor Green Bay.
Green Bay wins a close one, for absolutely no justifiable reason: 22 – 21
Carolina Panthers (-8.5) @ Oakland Raiders
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