Week 9 picks: Eagles, Cowboys battle for NFC East lead
Donovan McNabb(notes) knows how to duck pressure and avoid interceptions.
That's about to change, however, as the latest battle for supremacy in the conference's marquee division features two of league's best all-around teams. The first of two matchups in the second half is good enough to be the. …
NFC Game of the Week
If you've watched these passing games operate the past few weeks, they're getting along just fine without a Terrell Owens(notes) type. Youngsters Miles Austin(notes) and DeSean Jackson(notes) have exploded on the scene as consistent big playmakers, opening up the rest of the field nicely for Tony Romo(notes) and Donovan McNabb.
Dropping back often in a one-dimensional offense is a bad idea in this game, however, when you account the pass-rushing prowess of both defenses. It will come down to which team can get the better running back production and force more takeaways.
For the Eagles to win, they need to stay a bit grounded, getting enough touches for Brian Westbrook(notes), Leonard Weaver(notes) and LeSean McCoy(notes), to help set up McNabb's downfield strikes. Dallas will trying to get Marion Barber(notes), Felix Jones(notes) and Tashard Choice(notes) going. Philadelphia will have more success, just because of all the mismatches Westbrook can create with help from a massive offensive line.
As for protecting the ball, McNabb is more adept at avoiding interceptions when under pressure, while Romo will need to be wary of ballhawks such as Asante Samuel(notes). Eagles 20, Cowboys 17.
AFC Game of the Week
The keys to containing the Broncos' offense is consistently stopping the run and bringing good physical coverage on Brandon Marshall(notes). When those are accomplished, it puts Kyle Orton(notes) in unmanageable third down situations, where he must face a ferocious pass rush. The Steelers, with the speed and aggressive nature of their 3-4, are capable of doing just that.
Offensively, look for the visitors to come out up-tempo on Monday night, with Ben Roethlisberger(notes) spreading the ball around on quick strikes. He'll look to work the middle of the field, looking for tight end Heath Miller(notes) short, Hines Ward(notes) in traffic and No. 3 wideout Mike Wallace(notes) deep, away from the perimeter coverage of Champ Bailey(notes). Marshall and Eddie Royal(notes) will help Denver stay in the game, but the Steelers just match up well here. Steelers 20, Broncos 17.
Philip Rivers'(notes) mission: Take another step toward his Class of 2004 mates. Quarterbacks of the Week
Philip Rivers'(notes) mission: Take another step toward his Class of 2004 mates.
Along with Big Ben, Philip Rivers and Eli Manning(notes) will be forever linked as the superb QB draft class of '04. Of course, Rivers is trying to get what the other two have: A Super Bowl ring. With some help from Roethlisberger, and a fine performance here, Rivers can feel better about his team's playoff chances.
The Giants are battling through injuries in their secondary, and Rivers has picked defenses apart with playmakers Antonio Gates(notes), Vincent Jackson(notes), Darren Sproles(notes) and Malcom Floyd(notes). San Diego even showed a semblance of a running game last week, while both Brandon Jacobs(notes) and Manning have hit a slump in New York's three-game losing streak. Just a hunch, but the Bolts get the rare East Coast upset. Chargers 27, Giants 23.
Rematch of the Week
The Ravens' defense has a lot of pride, and it showed that last week with a dominant performance against previously undefeated Denver. The struggles were there early in the season, as teams found some running room and the secondary was exploited. Cincinnati, which moved the ball easily in the Week 5 meeting, will have a hard time with the rematch.
Baltimore is back to playing a physical, swarming style, will look to shut down Cedric Benson(notes) early and come hard after Carson Palmer(notes). Offensively, look for the Ravens to try to help their defense by opening with a quick-strike passing game with Joe Flacco(notes) finding all his backs and receivers. Ravens 27, Bengals 24.
Lock of the Week
Seattle has a great chance for its third home shutout of the season, especially if young stars Calvin Johnson(notes) and Kevin Smith(notes) can't go for the Lions to help rookie quarterback Matt Stafford. Look for another passing Matt, Hasselbeck, to have a big day, using T.J. Houshmandzadeh(notes) and Nate Burleson(notes) to torch Detroit's secondary. The 'Hawks will finish things off by sacking Stafford often in the second half. Seahawks 33, Lions 0.
Now that the Titans have a victory, Chris Johnson will run them to another one. Upset of the Week
Now that the Titans have a victory, Chris Johnson will run them to another one.
Superstar second-year running back Chris Johnson thinks the Titans have a realistic chance at winning out and finishing at 10 victories, and it continues here. Jeff Fisher's team is bound to get healthier with each week, more resembling the one that went 13-3 last season.
The schedule is also favorable enough to get on a second-half roll. San Francisco doesn't have the passing game to exploit Tennessee's defensive weaknesses, and in the battle of prolific rushers, Johnson will outduel Frank Gore(notes). Titans 16, 49ers 10.
Rest of the Week
The Bears have been one of the league's best home teams, and the Cardinals have been in a turnover funk offensively. Now that the hosts have Matt Forte(notes) going again, it takes pressure off Jay Cutler(notes). Look for them to control the clock, win the special teams battle and get one big pass play to make the difference. Bears 20, Cardinals 17.
The Packers have preyed on their weaker opponents all season, and the Bucs are the league's last winless club. They don't have the front to rattle Aaron Rodgers(notes), and their secondary will continue to give up more big plays to Greg Jennings(notes) and Donald Driver(notes). Josh Freeman(notes) makes his first start under center for Tampa, and he'll get a heavy dose of Dom Capers' attack packages. Packers 34, Bucs 10.
This is the biggest opportunity the Texans have had in their short franchise history, to move to 6-3, beat the division leaders and get a shot at their first AFC South crown. Unfortunately, their defense has no answer for a red-hot Peyton Manning(notes). So going into catchup mode means a one-dimensional passing offense, which plays perfectly into the hands of the Indy' D. Colts 34, Texans 17.
Maurice Jones-Drew(notes) is doing his best to put the Jags on his back, and drag them into the wild-card mix. He'll drive the Chiefs' would-be tacklers batty, and David Garrard(notes) will put on the finishing touches with a deep ball. K.C. hopes its offense will at least get some spark from Jamaal Charles(notes) and Chris Chambers(notes). Jaguars 30, Chiefs 20.
Coming off an open week, Bill Belichick will have plenty of blitz and coverage surprises for Dolphins second-year QB Chad Henne(notes). On the other side, Jason Taylor(notes) and Joey Porter(notes) will do their best to get into Tom Brady's(notes) face, but he'll get the ball out quickly enough to have Randy Moss(notes) and Wes Welker(notes) burn Miami's young secondary. Patriots 23, Dolphins 16.
Roddy White(notes) and the Falcons' passing game are an edge against the 'Skins.
The Redskins make many mistakes offensively, and the Falcons' defense thrives on capitalizing on such errors all over the field. It will be good battle to see if Washington's front seven can slow down Michael Turner(notes), but the threats of Tony Gonzalez(notes) and Roddy White downfield will prove to be too much, especially with Matt Ryan(notes) getting extra juice from the Georgia Dome crowd. Falcons 24, Redskins 13.
Carolina Panthers at New Orleans Saints
The Saints have shown a crack in the armor—their inability to slow down, fast powerful backs in the mold of DeAngelo Williams(notes) and Jonathan Stewart(notes). The Panthers will need to keep pounding it, because they can't expect Jake Delhomme(notes) to outduel Drew Brees(notes) in a shootout. The problem is, New Orleans will force enough passing situations and takeaways where it can adequately pad the lead it builds with Brees overworking the visitors' corners. Saints 45, Panthers 21.
Byes of the Week
The Bills are likely going back to Trent Edwards(notes) at quarterback for Week 10's game at Tennessee, but if he is healthy and struggles, they should take another long look at Ryan Fitzpatrick(notes). …
The Browns made headlines by firing GM George Kokinis, making many wonder if coach Eric Mangini is next. Their woes will be discussed plenty next Monday night against Baltimore… .
The Jets are having the typical ups and downs associated with having a rookie quarterback, and three straight division losses to Buffalo and Miami have hurt their playoff chances. This team is still probably a year or two away… .
The Raiders are an interesting team. Although they have enough talent on the field to be a thorn in many opponents' sides, overall they remain a mess with the way the powers who be run their organization… .
The Rams can celebrate their first win after 17 consecutive losses with some extra rest. They better enjoy it, because undefeated New Orleans is up next… .
How come we don't hear any Favre hype when the Vikings play other NFC North teams? With Green Bay out of the way, the next weird feeling will happen when he plays Chicago in Week 12.
Stats of the Week
Week 8 record: 8-5
Season-to-date record: 81-35
Vinnie Iyer is a staff writer for Sporting News. Email him at viyer@sportingnews.com.
More from Sporting News: NFL Power Poll: Texans gaining playoff momentum
Updated Nov 5, 12:16 am EST
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How 'bout dem Cowboys!!!!!
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SCSF, I am guessing you wouldn't see that because from your post you seem like an angry person too. Sorry. Are you that guy that beats up the refs at his kid's pee wee games?
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the Chargers own the Raiders wtf Barely beat ......
13x's in a row over 6.5 seasons............Chargers own the Raiders and for 4 out of the last 5 years the AFC WEST. If the predictions are true.... expect the bolts to win this div again, while Denver chokes away another good start of a season. Denver has the harder schedual and if the bolts pull to w/ in 1 game prior to the rematch in Denver..... only a rule changing call saved their @sses last year !
Chargers are healthier then ever this season and are looking to finish the season strong. Denver's best o-linemen just was injured and that's going to slow down that run game of theirs, we all are about to see what Orton is all about when facing 3rd and 8, 10, 12
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"They have a whiny running back who pouts more than spoiled brat. A qb that is a future wife beater and a "star" OLB that used steriods"
A QB who i a future wife beater? dude get off the crack. Rivers is a good ol' boy and very religious. I understand the perception of LT and Meroidman, but Rivers is a class act. Why they are media darlings, I don't know either but I do know that they will upset the G-Men...
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