A slew of division match-ups are highlighted in this week’s NFL schedule. First place is up for grabs in the NFC East and one team hopes to avoid falling further behind the Colts in the AFC South. What games should you be watching? Find out in the Opening Drive of week nine!
(4-3) Baltimore Ravens at (5-2) Cincinnati Bengals
With the Ravens, Bengals and Steelers all making a case for their place atop the AFC North, this game will go a long way in deciding the final two. If Baltimore is swept by Cincinnati, they’ll drop back to .500 while the Bengals and Steelers fight it out. The Ravens dominated Denver in the second half of last week’s game, thanks to Joe Flacco’s efficiency with the football. He’ll need a repeat performance if he’s going to keep up with Carson Palmer, who is playing on a Pro Bowl level. Both offenses have depending on a balanced attack, so look for each defense to shut down the run.
(5-3) Houston Texans at (7-0) Indianapolis Colts
This is without question the best Texans squad in the franchise’s short history. With a solid pass rush and effective ground attack, the Texans are designed to beat the Colts. Still, I’ll believe they can beat them in Indy when I see it, not before. Peyton Manning is at the top of the NFL quarterback heap yet again, but he’ll need his defense to hold up down the stretch to make it to another Super Bowl. Now that former defensive player of the year and safety Bob Sanders is out for the season with a torn biceps, that D won’t have any room for mistakes.
(3-4) Miami Dolphins at (5-2) New England Patriots
If Miami loses this game, any shot of taking the division for a second straight year is lost. New England will be squarely in the driver’s seat as Tom Brady gets more acclimated to the speed of the game again. Doesn’t bode well for the rest of the AFC East. Still, Miami has another chance to turn some heads with a strong performance. I expect to see some new Wildcat tweaks against the team Miami used as the guinea pig for the formation a year ago. To Miami's Joey Porter: we all knew Tom Brady had his own set of rules way before you said it. Thanks for arriving late to the party, motor-mouth.
(4-3) San Diego Chargers at (5-3) New York Giants
With their typical slow start, San Diego has another hole to dig out of in the AFC West. For the second consecutive season, they’ll have to overtake the Denver Broncos to get into the playoffs. Unfortunately for Norv Turner’s boys, this isn’t last year’s Broncos. Philip Rivers faces off against the man who forced his way out of San Diego on draft day in a trade. Eli Manning’s Giants are stumbling but have the bonus of a bye next week. Tom Coughlin will have his team ready to play in front of their home crowd.
(5-2) Dallas Cowboys at (5-2) Philadelphia Eagles
Remember a few weeks ago when I said the Cowboys were finished if they don’t start winning? Well, they started. Now in week nine they’re playing for sole possession of first place in the NFC East on Sunday Night Football. Tony Romo has been the improved quarterback Cowboy fans thought he would be, even without a healthy connection with receiver Roy Williams. Romo’s mistake free play has brought the ‘Boys back to life, but now they head to Philly to take on the rival Eagles. Donovan McNabb has only thrown one interception this season (but he did miss a few games, so that has to matter). With each team’s ability to rush the passer, establishing the rush and the short pass will be paramount. Even if Brian Westbrook misses the game to recover from his concussion two week ago, LeSean McCoy can pick up the slack.
(5-2) Pittsburgh Steelers at (6-1) Denver Broncos
Ooo… AFC Showdown! Monday’s night’s contest between the Broncos and Steelers won’t completely decide home field advantage in the playoffs (the Colts and Pats will have something to say I’m sure), but it will go a long way. Pittsburgh has regained their championship swagger after some early troubles, and I don’t think it’s a coincidence that Troy Polamalu and the Steeler running game returned as well. Rashard Mendenhall has taken over for Willie Parker and is running away (pun SO intended) with the opportunity. Now Big Ben Roethlisberger isn't as pressured in the pocket.Denver’s defense will be hoping to rebound after being embarrassed by Baltimore last week, but the offense will have to put up points if they have any hope of stymieing the Steelers.
Enjoy the games, check back tomorrow for my Bears gameday preview!
Keywords: Baltimore Ravens, Ben Roethlisberger, Bob Sanders, Brian Westbrook, Carson Palmer, Cincinnati Bengals, Dallas Cowboys, Denver Broncos, Donovan McNabb, Eli Manning, Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Joe Anello, Joe Flacco, Joey Porter, Miami Dolphins, New England Patriots, New York Giants, NFL, Peyton Manning, Philadelphia Eagles, Philip Rivers, Pittsburgh Steelers, Rashard Mendenhall, Roy Williams, San Diego Chargers, Tom Brady, Tony Romo, Troy Polamalu
