We have another major NFC East divisonal game to examine, an AFC South game that no one expected to be as important as it is, and a couple of undefeated teams trying to stay on track against solid opponents
Washington Redskins (3-1) at Philadelphia Eagles (2-2)
This game is crucial for the stumbling Eagles. Three playoff teams are going to come out the NFC East and the Giants and Cowboys are almost a lock. It’ll be up to Philadelphia and Washington to fight it out in these divisional contests to see who will take that second wildcard slot come January. Donovan McNabb and crew are coming off a tough loss at Chicago, but should be getting back tight end L.J. Smith off the injury list. Brian Westbrook is still a game-time decision so Correll Buckhalter may have to continue picking up the slack on the ground. Washington should be feeling great after they beat Dallas in Texas last Sunday. Jason Campbell is finding deep threat Santana Moss with increasing regularity, which can only help out Clinton Portis and the running game. Coach Jim Zorn must keep his team on target if they want to rise to 2-1 against their division.
Tennessee Titans (4-0) at Baltimore Ravens (2-1)
These teams would appear eerily similar on first glance: their defenses are stout and aggressive, their wide receivers are fairly average, and their quarterbacks need to play safe in the passing game. Look closer and you’ll see the huge advantage the Titans have. Their running backs are just plan outperforming the Ravens’ backfield. Lendale White and Chris Johnson are one of the best tailback combinations in the league, while Willis McGahee can’t stay on the field. That puts the pressure on Ravens second year man Le’Ron McClain and rookie Ray Rice to carry the load. Expect each team to stack eight men in the box to shut down the run until either quarterback makes the defense pay for it.
Indianapolis Colts (1-2) at Houston Texans (0-3)
Peyton Manning and the Colts used their early bye week to de-rust their offense after three shaky outings. It should have also allowed their injured players more time to adequately heal. A healthier Dallas Clark is always welcome, though Pro Bowl safety Bob Sanders probably won’t return to the line-up this week. Houston will attempt to take advantage of his absence by putting an emphasis on their running attack with rookie Steve Slaton and a returning Ahman Green. In this AFC South meeting, the Texans need to make a stand, or their season will be over after only weeks. For the Colts, it’s their chance to return to .500 and to start catching up to the division-leading Titans.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-1) at Denver Broncos (3-1)
Brian Griese will try again this week to lead the Bucs to victory against a former team. If he’s still hung up on leaving Denver though, he holds a grudge really well. Still, holding down Denver’s high-powered offense will be an impressive feat if the Bucs defense can manage it. In fact, if they can it will make this match-up pretty even in terms of offense on defense. Going up against two tough defensive units the past two weeks in Chicago and Green Bay, Griese should welcome the chance to throw against one of the worst defenses in the NFL. Denver needs to start playing up to their potential on both sides of the ball. With Dre’ Bly and Champ Bailey in their secondary, I expect more interceptions than the one they’ve nabbed so far. Jay Cutler and the offense should rebound after their showing against Kansas City, but they can’t be required to score 35 every week. Holding Tampa under 20 should be enough to get the Broncos to 4-1.
Pittsburgh Steelers (3-1) at Jacksonville Jaguars (2-2)
Another smash-mouth affair airs this Sunday night, as the Steelers look to avenge their playoff loss to the Jaguars. (Is it just me, or do the Steelers and Cowboys get a ton of primetime games?) The problem is Pittsburgh may be too banged up to do the job. After losing starting lineman Kendall Simmons and rookie running back Rashard Mendenhall for the season, the Steeler running game is running on empty. So much that they resigned Najeh Davenport, whom they cut shortly after drafting Mendenhall. Willie Parker isn’t expected to return until Oct. 19th, so Big Ben Roethlisberger will take to the air against the Jacksonville defense. The no-huddle provided a much-needed spark versus the Ravens last Monday night, so it should make a repeat appearance.
After carrying his team to a win last week against Houston, QB David Garrard needs a solid running game behind him if the Jaguars hope to emerge triumphant. Garrard can’t be needed to play hero every week, or the Jags won’t even make it into the playoffs. Their success goes leg-in-leg with running backs Maurice Jones-Drew and Fred Taylor. If they can combine for over 120 yards rushing, Jacksonville will leave week 5 at 3-2.
Buffalo Bills (4-0) at Arizona Cardinals (2-2)
Dick Jauron may not be the most exciting coach in the NFL, but he sure has his Bills playing well. Buffalo may be the most surprising team in the league right now, as no one could have predicted a 4-0 start. With two come from behind wins the past two weeks versus Oakland and St. Louis, Buffalo has the confidence to not only play with a lead, but to play from behind (even if it was against horrible opponents). Arizona would like nothing else than to hand Buffalo their first loss but that means two things: Kurt Warner can’t turn the ball over six times in one game and they might actually have to try playing defense. Giving up fifty-six points to Favre and the Jets is just pathetic. No one should give the Cardinals much of a chance, but then that’s “why they play the game.”
