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2002
Forecaster record to date:� 105 wins
against 70 losses and 1 tie.
This feature is the sole opinion of Chris Smith and it may not
correspond to the rankings / projections of the Footballguys.com website.
Thursday Games
New England Patriots 6-5 at Detroit Lions 3-8
Game Forecast�
Every game is critical now
if you are in the midst of the competitive AFC playoff picture.� There are still fourteen teams within two
games of one another and one loss can completely revamp the playoff picture.� Right now the Patriots are trailing six
teams who have only four losses and are mired in a group of four teams that
have five losses apiece.� The Patriots
were solid in the passing attack again this weekend but are still struggling to
put together a viable running attack week after week.� Antowain Smith had a brutal 3.2 yards per carry against the
Vikings next week and his ineffectiveness forces the Patriots to be too
one-dimensional.� Tom Brady is having an
outstanding season and he should have no problem throwing for a minimum of 270
yards and 3 scores against a Lions team that is basically playing for pride and
draft positioning.
James Stewart has been the best
thing about the Lions offense this year.�
Joey Harrington doesn�t have the weapons to make things happen on the
field so the offense relies on Stewart to get the job done.� He hasn�t disappointed when healthy this
season but is listed as questionable with a sore back.
Must Starts: Tom Brady, Antowain Smith, Troy Brown
Possible
Starts: James
Stewart(questionable), David Patten, Mikhael Ricks, Germane Crowell
Only in
a Pinch: Christian
Fauria, Bill Schroeder, Joey Harrington, Kevin Faulk, Deion Branch, Scotty
Anderson
Fantasy related Injuries � James Stewart � questionable / A.Z. Hakim - out
Final Thoughts:� The Patriots are better than the
Lions on offense and superior on defense.�
It all adds up to an easy road victory for the Patriots as they struggle
to stay in the playoff picture.
Predicted
Score: Patriots
24 at Lions 13
Washington Redskins 5-6 at Dallas Cowboys 4-7
Game Forecast�
What would Thanksgiving be
without the presence of the Dallas Cowboys?� This week is even better as the Cowboys face
off against long-time rivals, the Redskins who are looking to go to .500 with a
victory.� Stephen Davis has been
averaging only 3 yards per carry over the last couple of games but did pound in
3 touchdowns against the Rams last week.�
The Redskins need to get the ball into his hands 20+ times per game in
order to have some success but they go away from the run too often in football
games.� The Dallas Cowboys are great
against the run though so it may be tough to find success on the ground.
The Cowboys found some offense
last week courtesy of Joey Galloway who had a monster week at the expense
of Jaguars defenders who is cut through with ease.� Chad Hutchinson finally had a game to get excited about with over
300 yards passing and 2 touchdown passes.�
The Cowboys can be a very solid football team if they get a decent
performance from the passing game.�
Emmitt Smith continues to get all the carries for the team and Troy
Hambrick is becoming more and more of an afterthought for the team.� Perhaps the Cowboys will be running the ball
with a Larry Johnson, Willis McGahee or Chris Brown in the 2003 season.� The Cowboys have built one of the best
defenses in the entire NFL.� Something
to look for next year is a playoff push from the team.
Must Starts: none
Possible
Starts: Stephen
Davis, Rod Gardner, Joey Galloway
Only in
a Pinch: Chad
Hutchinson, Emmitt Smith, Troy Hambrick, Antonio Bryant, Derrius Thompson
Fantasy related Injuries � none
Final Thoughts:� This game looks boring on paper
and that will likely be the end result on the field as well. If you like
watching overmatched offenses go up against strong defenses though, this game
is for you.� Turnovers will be the
difference in this game and the Boys will win a close one.
Predicted
Score: Redskins
14 at Cowboys 16
Sunday Games
Pittsburgh Steelers 6-4-1 at Jacksonville Jaguars 5-6
Game Forecast�
The Jaguars suffered a critical
blow to their playoff chances with a defeat to the Cowboys last week.� At five wins on the season, they now trail
too many teams in the AFC to have a truly legitimate shot at the playoff unless
they run the board and win their remaining five football games.� Fred Taylor had a solid outing last week and
ended up with 100 yards rushing but it was still frustration for fantasy owners
because Stacey Mack once again vultured the goal line carries and stole
the touchdown.� Jimmy Smith had a solid
game for the team but Mark Brunell isn�t getting enough points on the board on
a weekly basis and that is the reason they are sitting below .500 after eleven
games.
The Steelers had a huge win
without starting quarterback Tommy Maddox last week and Kordell Stewart was
very effective.� However it must be said
that the Bengals have perhaps the worst pass defense in the NFL and cannot
tackle to save their lives.� The Hines
Ward touchdown was a result of horrible defense more so than brilliance
from the quarterback position.� However
Stewart did well enough to perhaps earn another start this week.� Bill Cowher will not announced who the
starter will be until likely kickoff but it does sound like Maddox should be
ready to go this weekend if the team needs him.� The Jaguars secondary is better than the Bengals but can
certainly be exploited down the field and Hines Ward / Plaxico Burress should
continue to have success.� Jerome Bettis
handled all the rushing chores for the team and had mixed results.� He scored 2 touchdowns on the day but only
managed 79 yards on 22 carries against a team that gives up more than 4 yards
per carry.
Must Starts: Hines Ward, Jimmy Smith
Possible
Starts: Mark
Brunell, Kordell Stewart (Tommy Maddox), Plaxico Burress, Jerome Bettis, Fred
Taylor
Only in
a Pinch: Amos
Zereoue, Stacey Mack, Antwaan Randle El, Bobby Shaw, Kyle Brady
Fantasy related Injuries � Tommy Maddox - questionable / Pat Johnson � questionable
/� PK Tim Seder was released
Final Thoughts:� The Steelers are the better team
and should win this weekend.� The only
question is who will be the quarterback for the team.� If it is Stewart, expect Hines Ward to have another huge game but
if Tommy Maddox is back in there, Burress should have a big game.
Predicted
Score: Steelers
20 at Jaguars 13
�
Miami Dolphins 7-4 at Buffalo Bills 5-6
Game Forecast�
Don�t look now but Ray Lucas has the Miami Dolphins back on
track.� Lucas has completed 66 % of his
passes in the last three football games and hasn�t thrown an interception
during that stretch.� He has the offense
rolling once again and it couldn�t have come at a better time for the Miami
Dolphins who looked to be in danger of slipping from the playoff picture only
two short weeks ago.� Ricky Williams was
sensational last week against the Chargers and appears to be healthy and ready
to dominate down the stretch this season.�
One of the surprises over the last two weeks has been the play of James
McKnight who is finally paying dividends for the team after a long session of futility.�
The Bills have collapsed after a strong start and are
now officially in a must win situation.�
Drew Bledsoe and the passing attack have been horrible the last couple
of games with Bledsoe being the 34th rated quarterback over that
time period.� The Bills were due for a
letdown after their tremendous start on offense but nobody expected them to
struggle as much as they have.� The
positive for the team is the play of Travis Henry who continues to get stronger
as the season goes on.� The Dolphins are
tough to run against but Henry did have lots of success in the first meeting
this season and the Bills will try to get him going again.�
Must Starts: Ricky Williams, Peerless Price, Eric Moulds, Travis
Henry, Randy McMichael
Possible
Starts: Chris
Chambers, Ray Lucas, Drew Bledsoe, James McKnight
Only in
a Pinch: Larry
Centers, Jay Riemersma, Josh Reed, Rob Konrad
Fantasy related Injuries � Jay Fiedler (out one more week)
Final Thoughts:� Buffalo stormed into
Miami back in week seven and destroyed the Dolphins who were starting Ray Lucas
at quarterback for the first time. That was the game Lucas himself said was the
worst game anybody played at quarterback in the history of the NFL and not too
many people argued that point with him.�
The Bills had a long touchdown from Eric Moulds and a solid running
attack led by Travis Henry.� It was the
turnovers that were the difference in the game and the Dolphins will certainly
be focused to avenge that ugly loss.�
Look for Ray Lucas to have his revenge and to end up with a
couple of touchdown passes and no interceptions in likely his final start with
Jay Fiedler almost ready to resume his starting duties.
Predicted
Score: Dolphins
21 at Bills 20
�
Baltimore Ravens 5-6 at Cincinnati Bengals 1-10
Game Forecast�
A meaningless game for both
teams but it could end up being a fun football game to watch.� One of the hottest offenses in the entire
NFL is the Bengals who are both running and passing with effectiveness.� Jon Kitna and shed the �Shitna� label
and actually has Bengal fans excited over his performance.� He has thrown for almost 300 yards per game
over the last few football games and has the team going in the right direction.� Chad Johnson has finally emerged as a
legitimate star receiver and has a remarkable 365 receiving yards over his last
three football games.� It didn�t seem
likely during the early stages of this season that a Bengals receiver would
have 365 yards receiving on the year, let alone in a three game stretch.
The Ravens have been better than anticipated this season but
have slipped out of the playoff picture at 5-6.� The team is playing solid defensive football despite Ray Lewis
being gone for the season and that keeps them in most football games.� Jamal Lewis has been outstanding over the
last few games and provides most of the offense.� Jeff Blake has been very quiet at quarterback and hasn�t been
able to spark the team with Chris Redman sidelined.� Todd Heap continues to catch passes but hasn�t been able to match
the terrific production he had at the start of the season.
Must Starts: Jamal Lewis, Travis Taylor, Todd Heap, Corey Dillon,
Chad Johnson
Possible
Starts: Jon
Kitna, Jeff Blake, Matt Schobel
Only in
a Pinch: Brandon
Stokley - questionable, Peter Warrick
Fantasy related Injuries � Brandon Stokley � questionable / Brandon Bennett -
questionable
Final Thoughts:� These two teams put up a
surprising 65 points when they met in week ten led by a huge game from
Jamal Lewis who ran for 135 yards and 2 touchdowns and two long kick returns
for touchdowns.� The scoring will likely
dip from that amazing output three weeks ago but both offenses should get their
share of chances this weekend.
Predicted
Score: Ravens
17 at Bengals 20
�
Carolina Panthers 3-8 at Cleveland Browns 6-5
Game Forecast�
The Browns have been very
inconsistent all season but appear to be getting their act together at just the
right time for a strong playoff push.�
Going into New Orleans last week and destroying the Saints was a huge momentum
builder and they could ride that big win into a playoff spot.� Tim Couch is playing solid football and
getting the ball into the end zone and more importantly, William Green has
finally emerged as a solid running back and has 210 rushing yards over the last
two contests.� Dennis Northcutt and
Quincy Morgan have definitely become the top two receivers on the team with
Kevin Johnson becoming a phenomenal # 3 receiver.� The Browns are a team with a lot of offensive weapons and appear
to be getting stronger as the season wears on.�
What can be said about the
Panthers game last week?� That was one
of the biggest disgraces the NFL has seen in a long time.� The Panthers did not show up, played without
passion and looked as though they were already thinking about their golf
games.� If I were the coach of that
team, I would bench the entire starting unit from last week and give a chance
to the backups to showcase their stuff.�
That was a disgusting effort from the team and they should feel
embarrassed.
Must Starts: Tim Couch
Possible
Starts: Quincy
Morgan, Dennis Northcutt, William Green, Wesley Walls, Lamar Smith, Kevin
Johnson
Only in
a Pinch: Andre
Davis, Steve Smith?, Muhsin Muhammad, Rodney Peete
Fantasy related Injuries � Jamel White - questionable
Final Thoughts:� The Panthers have folded like a
cheap tent and stink like a dirt-cheap bottle of wine.� With the Browns surging, look for another
laugher in this one.�
Predicted
Score: Panthers
10 at Browns 31
�
Chicago Bears 3-8 at Green Bay Packers 8-3
Game Forecast�
The Packers are reeling
after losing two straight football games.�
They went from favorites to capture the home-field advantage back in
week eleven to fighting for the chance to have one of the two bye weeks
available in round one of the playoffs.�
Brett Favre has been horrible the last couple of weeks but that was in
Minnesota and Tampa Bay where he notoriously does not do that well.� Expect a huge turnaround this week
against a team simply playing out the string for this season.� I expect 350 passing yards from Favre and a
big game from Donald Driver, Bubba Franks and Ahman Green.� The Packers may put up 50 points.� They did lose offensive lineman Chad Clifton
for the season though and will have to do it with changes on the offensive
line.� On a side note, the lack of
effort that Terry Glenn showed on two Favre interceptions last week against the
Buccaneers was horrible.� (Note to
Glenn:� Football is a contact sport!� If you are going to shy away from contact,
take up Chess.)
The Bears pulled off a come from
behind victory last week but it was against the Lions and the fact they needed
a fourth quarter comeback is a huge indicator of how badly it is going for the
team.� Anybody out there want to make a
wager that they go quarterback in round one of the NFL draft this season?� The Bears are in desperate need of a
quarterback who can lead them into the next decade and neither Chris Chandler
nor Jim Miller is the answer.�
Apparently, the team is fed up with the lack of production from Anthony
Thomas and is giving Leon Johnson more carries this Sunday.� I believe most of the Bears rushing
difficulties stem from problems on the offensive line but it is impossible
to ignore the lack of production Thomas has had this season.� As usual, the only Bear player putting up
big numbers is Marty Booker who shines week after week.
Must Starts: Ahman Green, Brett Favre, Donald Driver, Bubba
Franks, Marty Booker
Possible
Starts: Jim
Miller, Terry Glenn
Only in
a Pinch: Dez
White, Marcus Robinson, Javon Walker, Anthony Thomas, Leon Johnson
Fantasy related Injuries � Chris Chandler � doubtful
Final Thoughts:� The Packers destroyed the Bears
back in week five on Monday Night Football led by an awesome performance by
Brett Favre (353 passing yards and 3 touchdown passes) and a strong rushing
attack from Ahman Green.� The Packers
dominated the Bears last time and will do so again this week.
Predicted
Score: Bears
17 at Packers 42
�
Arizona Cardinals 4-7 at Kansas City Chiefs 5-6
Game Forecast�
The Chiefs lost a game they
absolutely had to win this week against the lowly Seahawks and now need to
basically win every game from this point on to make the playoffs.� Priest Holmes is perhaps in the midst of the
finest performance in the history of both the NFL and fantasy football.� With 1787 total yards and a staggering 20
touchdowns in only 11 games, his numbers this year will likely go down in
history as one of the finest in NFL history.�
What the Chiefs are missing on offense is the presence of a legitimate #
1 receiver to take the pressure off of Trent Green.� Don�t be surprised to see the Chiefs draft a player such as
Charles Rogers from Michigan State to give the offense a legitimate outside
threat.
The Cardinals stink!� Without David Boston, the passing attack is
pathetic and Jake Plummer is likely seeing his final days with the team unless
he takes a huge pay cut.� On a positive
note is the play of Marcel Shipp who has become the man for the Cardinals at
the running back position. Thomas Jones is out for the season and may be out of
the Cardinals future plans as well.
Must Starts: Priest Holmes, Trent Green, Tony Gonzalez, Eddie
Kennison
Possible
Starts: Marcel
Shipp, Jake Plummer, Freddie Jones, Frank Sanders
Only in
a Pinch: Johnnie
Morton, Marc Boerigter, Jason McAddley
Fantasy related Injuries � Thomas Jones � out for season
Final Thoughts:� The Chiefs will be angry about
the loss to the Hawks and will take out their frustration on the lowly
Cardinals.� This game could get ugly in
a hurry.
Predicted
Score: Cardinals
17 at Chiefs 41
�
Atlanta Falcons 7-3-1 at Minnesota Vikings 3-8
Game Forecast�
The Falcons are on a huge roll,
playing great on offense and superb on defense and having lost in seven
games.� Michael Vick has only thrown 2
interceptions in 252 pass attempts and has been much more efficient as a passer
than anybody expected before the season started.� The Falcons rushing attack is a three-headed monster with Vick
getting the job done along with Warrick Dunn and T.J. Duckett and the receiver core
is gathering momentum with the likes of Brian Finneran and Trevor Gaylor.� The defense has been stellar over this
winning streak but has been playing a little over their heads.
The Vikings are in the midst of
another disappointing season but have been playing better as of late.� They knocked off the Packers two weeks ago
and almost came back against the Patriots in New England last week.� Michael Bennett was held in check by the
Patriots defense but did have a 3.9-yard per carry average against a very solid
defense.� He suffered a strained calf
muscle but should be able to play this weekend.� Daunte Culpepper and Randy Moss continue to suffer through an
agonizing season in which both players are putting up sub-par numbers.�
Must Starts: Michael Vick, Warrick Dunn, Alge Crumpler, Daunte
Culpepper, Randy Moss
Possible
Starts: T.J.
Duckett, Brian Finneran, Trevor Gaylor, Shawn Jefferson, Byron Chamberlain,
Michael Bennett - questionable
Only in
a Pinch: Moe
Williams, D�Wayne Bates
Fantasy related Injuries � Michael Bennett - questionable
Final Thoughts:� I may be way off base on this
one but I see a Vikings upset coming this week.� The Falcons confidence may have jumped too high after a victory
against the Panthers that was entirely too easy last week.� The Vikings are actually playing decent
football over the last few contests and should have some success on the
offensive side of the ball.� Look for
100+ yards from Randy Moss and a good day running the football from Michael
Bennett.� UPSET of the week.
Predicted
Score: Falcons
24 at Vikings 27
�
Tennessee Titans 6-5 at New York Giants 6-5
Game Forecast�
Both of these teams suffered
crippling losses to team they should have been able to defeat last week which
puts a huge crimp in their playoff dreams for this season.� Losing this game will likely mean the
playoffs will stay out of reach for this season.� The Giants have no excuse for losing to a team like the Texans
while being in the midst of a playoff hunt.�
The Texans play with emotion but are clearly overmatched and should only
win when going against a team that is not ready to play football on that given
day.� That is what happened to the
Giants last week and there is no excuse for it.� Kerry Collins had a horrible game for the team and is not getting
the job done on offense.� Tiki Barber
had a solid outing as did Amani Toomer and both will need to be equally as
effective this time.� The Giants pass
defense is terrific and will likely be able to limit the success of Steve
McNair and the passing game.
The Titans lost a critical game to
the Ravens last week.� A win would have
helped the Titans jump into the top tier of teams all tied at 7-4 on the season
but now are in a big-time dog fight to find a playoff position.� Steve McNair had his worst week in a long
time for the Titans last week and failed to throw a touchdown pass for the
first time in two seasons.� Eddie George
had no success against the Ravens last week and Derrick Mason was extremely
quiet.� The Titans will need all three
of those players to have good games to win in New York.
Must Starts: Eddie George, Tiki Barber, Jeremy Shockey, Amani
Toomer
Possible
Starts: Steve
McNair, Derrick Mason, Frank Wycheck, Kerry Collins
Only in
a Pinch: Herman
Moore, Ron Dayne, Drew Bennett, Ron Dixon
Fantasy related Injuries �Kevin Dyson- doubtful
Final Thoughts:� The Giants are a good home team
and should prevail due to a superior defense.�
Look for good numbers from Tiki Barber yet again as he quietly has an
outstanding season.��
Predicted
Score: Titans
13 at Giants 20
�
Houston Texans 3-8 at Indianapolis Colts 7-4
Game Forecast�
Don�t look now but the Colts are
playing inspired football.� Winners of
three games in a row and coming off a massive win against the Broncos in snowy
Denver, the Colts confidence is high, the defense is coming together and Peyton
Manning can smell the playoffs.� The
Colts are a team that can do some damage in the post-season and they are
rolling in a big way right now.� Look
for big numbers from both the passing and rushing attacks against the Texans.
The Texans will have a letdown
after their win last week against the Giants.�
They are overmatched and outclassed by a fired up Colts team and will
struggle to get anything started on offense.�
Must Starts: Corey Bradford, Peyton Manning, Marvin Harrison,
Edgerrin James, Billy Miller,
Possible
Starts: Reggie
Wayne, David Carr, Marcus Pollard -
questionable
Only in
a Pinch: Qadry
Ismail, Jabar Gaffney, James Allen, Jonathon Wells
Fantasy related Injuries � Marcus Pollard - questionable
Final Thoughts:� In the first meeting back in
week three, the Colts yawned their way to an easy 23 to 3 victory against the
Texans in Houston.� Expect another easy
game with the Colts going on cruise control after the third quarter.� Manning should get a minimum of two
touchdown passes and expect at least 20 carries for Edgerrin James.� Hats off to Mike Vanderjagt by the way who
not only kicked one, but two clutch 50-yard field goals to win the game for the
Colts in the snow.� That was very
impressive.
Predicted
Score: Texans
10 at Colts 31
�
Denver Broncos 7-4 at San Diego Chargers 7-4
Game Forecast�
It is a funny year in the
AFC.� First one team is hot, then
another and then yet another but nobody appears capable of taking the mantle as
the best team in the conference.� Both
the Broncos and the Chargers have looked like the best team in the conference
at times this season but both have also had moments of futility.� That is especially true of the Chargers who
have lost thee of the past four games and needed overtime to win the
fourth.� Ladainian Tomlinson hasn�t had
room to run the ball effectively over the last few games, Curtis Conway has
disappeared from the offense and Drew Brees has been quite awful.� The Chargers collapsed over the second half
last season and that has to be front and center in the minds of the players who
went through it last year.�
The Broncos appeared to have game
won last week, which would have left them as the top team in the AFC.� However the offense decided to pass the ball
on third down with the Colts having no timeouts and under two minutes left in
the game.� The ball was incomplete, the
clock stopped and that gave the Colts enough time to drive down the field and
kick a game tying field goal in the snow.�
A bone-headed call and one that cost them the game in all likelihood and
have them back in a dogfight for the playoffs.
Must Starts: Steve Beuerlein, Rod Smith, Curtis Conway, Clinton
Portis, Ladainian Tomlinson
Possible
Starts: Drew
Brees, Stephen Alexander, Ed McCaffrey
Only in
a Pinch: Mike
Anderson, Dwayne Carswell, Tim Dwight, Shannon Sharpe - questionable
Fantasy related Injuries � Brian Griese � questionable / Shannon Sharpe -
questionable
Final Thoughts:� These two teams faced one
another in week five.� Ladainian
Tomlinson was held in check with only 48 yards on 14 carries while Clinton
Portis had his first big game with over 100 yards rushing and a score.� The best receivers on the day were Curtis
Conway and Ed McCaffrey.� The Broncos
have won three of the last four meetings against the Chargers in San Diego.
Predicted
Score: Broncos
21 at Chargers 17
�
Seattle Seahawks 4-7 at San Francisco 49ers 7-4
Game Forecast�
The Seahawks surprised the world
last week with an upset of the Chiefs. �Matt Hasselbeck is beginning to play better football and Koren
Robinson is developing nicely as a top-tier receiver.� Things are actually looking up for the Seahawks next year if they
can get the offensive line back healthy.�
The Hawks will be in tough against an angry 49ers team this week though.
Why are the 49ers angry?� Perhaps because they were embarrassed at
home on Monday Night Football by a team led by a quarterback who hasn�t played
in three seasons.� The 49ers thought
they had lucked out by not having to face Donovan McNabb and it showed with a
lackluster effort on defense that cost them not only the game but could hinder
their shot at a bye during the first week of the playoffs.� Expect the team to come out focused and
determined this week and they will bury the Seahawks.
Must Starts: Garrison Hearst, Terrell Owens, Jeff Garcia
Possible
Starts: Shawn
Alexander, Koren Robinson, Tai Streets, Matt Hasselbeck
Only in
a Pinch: Itula
Mili, Darrell Jackson, J.J. Stokes
Fantasy related Injuries � Kevan Barlow - doubtful
Final Thoughts:� In their first game on Monday
Night Football back in week six, the 49ers needed a fourth quarter touchdown to
put the Seahawks away.� However Trent
Dilfer was the quarterback in that game and the Seahawks were at home. �This weekend, the 49ers will put a beating on
the Hawks and roll to an easy victory.�
Expect a good rushing performance from Garrison Hearst (could reach 140
rushing yards and a score or two) and a good performance from Jeff Garcia.
Predicted
Score: Seahawks
10 at 49ers 34
�
St. Louis Rams 5-6 at Philadelphia Eagles 8-3
Game Forecast�
My hat is off to Andy Reid, the
entire Philadelphia Eagles coaching staff and each and every player on the
entire team.� Nobody expected them to be
without Donovan McNabb and to go into San Francisco to lay an ass whooping down
on the 49ers but that is exactly what transpired.� Koy Detmer appeared to be the next coming of Joe Namath (although
he looks as though as has an allergic reaction to the weight room) and when he
was knocked from the game, A.J. Feeley looked more than capable of moving the
team down the field.� The Eagles defense
and special team unit played so well on Monday Night Football that even Ryan
Leaf could have led the team to victory.�
Kudos to everyone associated with the Eagles.� That was one hell of a sweet victory for the franchise and the
Super Bowl dream is obviously not dead.
St. Louis suffered a huge blow to
their playoff aspirations in Washington last week when a boneheaded call by the
coaching staff at the end of the game and butter fingers from Kurt Warner cost
the Rams a possible victory.� The
quarterback controversy in St. Louis is now roaring loudly and Warner will need
to have a great week to get the monkey off of his back.� As I pointed out last weekend, Warner has
faced much stiffer competition than Marc Bulger has but it is impossible to
ignore the success of Bulger over Warner who has yet to win a game this
season.� Marshall Faulk will likely sit
once again this weekend so it is absolutely imperative that the Rams come out
hard and play perfect football to knock off the Eagles in Philadelphia.
Must Starts: none
Possible
Starts: Kurt
Warner, Torry Holt, Isaac Bruce, Ernie Conwell, Duce Staley, Trung Canidate
Only in
a Pinch: A.J.
Feeley, James Thrash, Todd Pinkston, Antonio Freeman, Dorsey Levens, Ricky
Proehl, Chad Lewis, Brian Westbrook
Fantasy related Injuries � Marc Bulger � questionable / Marshall Faulk - doubtful /
Koy Detmer - out
Final Thoughts:� The Rams are not the same team
without Marshall Faulk in the lineup.�
The Eagles will play a great game on defense and edge out the Rams.
Predicted
Score: Rams
17 at Eagles 20
�
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 9-2 at New Orleans Saints 7-4
Game Forecast�
This is a great contest.� The Saints have collapsed over the last
couple of weeks and are in danger of falling out of the playoff race if they
don�t get this turned around.� It will
be tough to turn it around this week though against the Buccaneers who are the
best team in the NFL at this time. �The
Buccaneers defense has been overpowering all season and appears to be getting
stronger as the year wears on.�� Brad
Johnson has been outstanding the last couple of games and has the offense doing
enough to help the team win each week.�
Michael Pittman continues to be a huge disappointment for the team and
they will likely try to draft a running back at some point next year although
they are without their draft choice in round one (gave it to the Raiders for
the right to sign coach Jon Gruden).�
The Buccaneers are giving up a miniscule 11.5 points per contest and
have far and away the best pass defense in the NFL.
Two weeks ago, the Saints were
tied atop the division at 7-2 and were being talked about as serious contenders
for the Super Bowl.� Now, two weeks
later, the team is reeling, have slipped to third place in the division and
will need to play excellent football from this point on to make the
playoffs.� The team obviously missed
Deuce McAllister last weekend and will welcome him back with open arms this
week.� He gives the offense balance and
helps open up the passing lanes.� The
Saints are not the same team without him.�
I would expect the Saints to try and win this game on the ground like
they did in week one against this team.�
Expect a lot of carries from McAllister.
Must Starts: Aaron Brooks, Joe Horn
Possible
Starts: Brad
Johnson, Deuce McAllister - questionable, Keenan McCardell, Dante Stallworth,
Keyshawn Johnson - questionable
Only in
a Pinch: Michael
Pittman, Mike Alstott, Jerome Pathon, Ricky Dudley
Fantasy related Injuries � Keyshawn Johnson - questionable / Deuce McAllister -
questionable
Final Thoughts:� It was way back in week one when
these two teams hooked up.� The Saints
won in overtime on a muffed punt to get their season off to a great start.� Deuce McAllister needed 31 carries to get
over 100 yards but did have a pretty strong game against a wonderful
defense.� The Buccaneers will be out to
prove week one was a fluke.� Expect a
hard-hitting game between two divisional rivals battling for first place in a
great contest between three deserving teams.
Predicted
Score: Buccaneers
17 at Saints 14
Monday Night Football
New York Jets 6-5 at Oakland Raiders 7-4
Game Forecast�
Several weeks back, this game
looked like a Monday Night Stinker.��
However the Jets are coming into this game winners of four games in a
row while the Raiders have won three in a row.�
All of a sudden, this game has major playoff implications and looks like
a dandy of a football game.� Chad
Pennington has had an unbelievable first season as a starting NFL
quarterback.� His numbers are sizzling
and he has led the team back from the dead with his outstanding play.� He is completing over 70 % of his passes and
has twice as many touchdowns as interceptions.�
He has become on of the finest quarterbacks in the league.� Curtis Martin looked like a lock not to hit
1000 yards rushing for the first time in his career but he has been running
well the past few weeks, is over his ankle sprain and is now on pace to eclipse
the mark.�� Nice work from a future Hall
of Famer.
The Raiders are back on track
after a baffling four game losing streak.� Rich Gannon has been on fire once again.� Not only is Rich Gannon having an
outstanding season, but also he is having the type of season in which legends
are made.� He is on pace to break Dan
Marino�s single season yardage record and is completing a gaudy 69 % of his
passes.� It is hard to believe from 1987
to 1997, he did very little in the NFL.�
Most of his 25,791 passing yards have come in the last five
seasons.� Charlie Garner had been very
quiet on the ground over the past six weeks but finally put up good numbers
against the Cardinals last weekend.�
Much of his production this season has come in the passing game as the
Raiders have often ignored the run.� He
is on pace for over 1000 yards receiving.�
Jerry Porter has emerged not only as a gifted third receiver but a star
receiver in his own right.� He has had
the luxury of learning behind two of the finest receivers to ever play the game
and now Porter has come into his own and will be a star next year.� His eight touchdowns lead the
receivers.��� Jerry Rice is on pace for
100 receptions.� How old is this guy
again?
Must Starts: Rich Gannon, Jerry Rice, Charlie Garner, Laveranues
Coles, Chad Pennington
Possible
Starts: Jerry
Porter, Tim Brown, Curtis Martin, Wayne Chrebet, Anthony Becht,�
Only in
a Pinch: Doug
Jolley, Santana Moss, Lamont Jordan
Fantasy related Injuries � Ritchie Anderson - questionable
Final Thoughts:� The last time these two teams
met was in the playoffs a season ago.�
The Raiders won convincingly in that game and will try to do so again
this time.� Don�t count out the Jets who
are playing solid football though.
Predicted
Score: Jets
23 at Raiders 27
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