As we near the quarter point of the NFL season teams have begun to display their true identity. Gone are the predictions and here are the facts. Yes some teams are still establishing themselves, but in the NFC East things have remained the same.
The Eagles, Cowboys, and Giants have not changed philosophies or signal callers, therefore they remain what we remember them to be. The Redskins are led by a rookie quarterback who shocked the NFL world with a week one win in New Orleans, only to lose in St. Louis, such is the life of a rookie.
In the NFL each week brings about a new story, but the characters remain the same. Based on continuous character portrayal and reoccurring roles here is K.Jones’ week four predictions:
Washington Redskins (1-2) vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1-2)
Last week the Cincinnati Bengals “big played” themselves to a victory against the Washington Redskins. The Bengals had touchdown plays of 73 yards, 48 yards, and 59 yards to account for 18 of their 38 points. Expect Tampa Bay’s anemic offense to have similar secondary gauging plays.
The Redskins enter the contest without their best pass rusher and defensive player in Brian Orakpo. The ‘Skins have given up 32, 31, and 38 points in the three games leading up to Sunday. Unless Charles Mann and Darrell Green plan on walking through that door, expect another big scoring output.
Prediction: Redskins – 26, Tampa Bay – 31
New York Giants (2-1) vs. Philadelphia Eagles (2-1)
The Giants are the best of 2-1, and the Eagles are the worst of 2-1. New York has won back to back games and appear to have found their mojo, conversely Philly is coming off a shellacking in Arizona and apparently have adopted the mantra sharing is caring (12 turnovers in three games). Lost in the Philly turnover fest is how pedestrian their offense has played.
Philly scored 17 points against a Cleveland Browns team that gave up 34 points the following week to the Cincinnati Bengals. Philly entered week four averaging 15.7 points per, which is good enough for 31st in the league. Conversely, the Giants rest at third in the league with 31.3 scored a game and totaled over a thousand yards in last two games.
The quarterback position is where the Giants will win this game. Manning, although 5-4 all-time against Philly, has been playing well and his confidence permeates through the team. Meanwhile, Vick has played like the tremendous athlete and not a tremendous quarterback.
Prediction: Giants – 33, Eagles – 16
Chicago Bears (2-1) vs. Dallas Cowboys (2-1)
This game will tell us a lot about both teams. If Chicago goes to Texas Stadium and dominates the Cowboys early, and sustains that domination throughout the game, then pundits should begin to speak of the Bears in the same glowing terms in which they speak of the 49ers. If Dallas manages to dominate the Bears it will be clear that Chicago is not ready for the limelight, and the Cowboys are a playoff team.
The Cowboys are known to pull some wins out of their, um, hats (Indianapolis Colts in 2006, Green Bay Packers in 2007, Philadelphia Eagles in 2008, New Orleans Saints in 2009, Indianapolis Colts in 2010 and San Francisco in 2011) this will be no different. The Bears have struggled on the road going 3-7 in their last ten road games spanning back to last season.
Defensively Dallas Cowboys outside linebacker DeMarcus Ware (4.0 sacks) may be the best in the game today and the Bears have been very accommodating to pass rushers in the past. Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler will struggle to find time to get the ball to newly acquired wide receiver Brandon Marshall.
If Chicago hands the off ball 30 times plus to running backs Matt Forte and Michael Bush the Bears should walk away with a win, but if it didn’t rain some much in Seattle it would be California. Meaning it is unlikely to happen, which is why Dallas’ defense will lead them to victory.
Prediction: Bears – 16, Cowboys - 23