With a busier schedule than normal, the Opening Drive was relegated to Sunday morning! Here’s my quick takes on some of the weekend’s NFL match-ups.
(3-2) Baltimore Ravens at (5-0) Minnesota Vikings In one of the better match-ups of the weekend, Brett Favre and the undefeated Vikes get their toughest challenge to date when the surely fuming Ravens come to town. I don’t know if I can imagine that team after losing three straight. I’d be scared. Still, Minnesota has a stout defense of its own. Favre and Joe Flacco need to protect the ball because each offense excels at cashing in on turnovers. Man I hope the Ravens win.
(5-0) New York Giants at (4-0) New Orleans Saints
Total lossless action Batman! Eli and the G-Men head to Louisiana to face a fresh Drew Brees and the New Orleans Saints. Both of these defenses aren’t getting enough love because their quarterbacks are hogging all the attention with outstanding play. Manning has shined in spite of his young receivers and Flacco might have the best long ball in the league.
(1-4) Cleveland Browns at (3-2) Pittsburgh Steelers
Is Brady Quinn being traded? Is that why his house is up for sale? Who cares? The Browns suck and will continue to be awful as long as Eric Mangini keeps trading away their best players. “I want to run a ball control offense, so I’ll have Derek Anderson as my starter! Going 2 for 17 is efficient enough for me!” He needs to stop, just like Cleveland’s winning streak will on Sunday. Pittsburgh should lay the wood to these streaking Browns.
(0-5) Kansas City Chiefs at (2-3) Washington Redskins
In the wacky world of the Redskins, things aren’t going exactly as owner Daniel Snyder planned. They’ve beaten the Bucs and Rams but lost to the lowly Lions and the pathetic Panthers. Now they get the Kansas City Chiefs, who are winless just as those teams were. If the ‘Skins can’t turn things around expect a clean sweep of the coaching staff at the end of the season.
(0-5) Tennessee Titans at (3-2) New England Patriots
This is the last week you’ll see Kerry Collins starting for the Titans. When they lose to New England, they’ll be 0-6 and just looking for a spark on offense. Just like last week, Vince Young will probably fund his way into this one by the end if the score is out of hand. The Patriots may be having more issues than we expected this season, but they won’t give the Titans their first win. Tom Brady will dissect a secondary missing its two starting corners. Oh yeah, Junior Seau has un-retired again, without the Favre-like hooplah.
(5-0) Denver Broncos at (3-2) San Diego Chargers
Monday night is the stage for an early AFC West showdown. The undefeated Broncos are pulling away in the division, but the Chargers have a chance to bring them back a notch. Philip Rivers must push this offense and be aggressive against Denver’s surprising defense. Kyle Orton just needs to find his playmakers in space and protect the ball like he has through five games already.
Happy NFL Sunday everyone!
Keywords: Baltimore Ravens, Brady Quinn, Brett Favre, Cleveland Browns, Daniel Snyder, Denver Broncos, Derek Anderson, Drew Brees, Eli Manning, Eric Mangini, Joe Anello, Joe Flacco, Junior Seau, Kansas City Chiefs, Kerry Collins, Kyle Orton, Minnesota Vikings, New Orleans Saints, New York Giants, NFL, Philip Rivers, Pittsburgh Steelers, San Diego Chargers, Tennessee Titans, Vince Young, Washington Redskins
