After two weeks of predictions it is difficult to determine if luck or knowledge has led yours truly to a 3-3 record. The answer should come in week six. This upcoming six slate of games offer very evenly matched teams with Philadelphia Eagles taking on the Detroit Lions, where records really do not match the talent level on both clubs.
In the case with the Dallas Cowboys going up against the Baltimore Ravens, attempting to identify whose defense will find an exploitable match-up. Also, there will be a game within a game between embroiled Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco and embattled Dallas Cowboys’ signal caller Tony Romo.
Both the New York Giants and Washington Redskins take on a pair of 4-1 teams in the Minnesota Vikings, on the road against the Redskins, and the Giants traveling to the left coast for what amounts to a Clash of the Titans when they take on the San Francisco 49ers.
There will be no surprises if the home or away teams win in these match-ups, as there is no advantage for any of Sunday’s match-ups.
The Philadelphia Eagles lost to the Pittsburgh Steelers last week 16-14, behind two turnovers from quarterback Michael Vick and a late game collapse by their defense. Vick continues to turn the ball over at an unprecedented clip, and after last week’s two give backs his total now sits at 29 fumbles in 29 starts.
Lucky for the Eagles the Detroit Lions defense does not force a great deal of turnovers, or any turnover for that matter, as the Lions have zero interceptions and three fumble recoveries. With all that said expect the Lions to get after Vick and force the mercurial quarterback to continue his sharing philosophy.
The Eagles in the Andy Reid era have been an offensive juggernaut but this season have faltered more threw flew. The Lions could be the break in the damn the Birds have needed to get rolling Detroit was reeling headed into the bye week, losing three in a row, but are still capable of putting thing together for at least one week. Which team will find a way to exploit the other team’s weakness will walk off a winner, and yes that qualifies as the “duh” comment of the day. Detroit’s defense is more likely to get turnovers out of Vick than the Eagles quarterback is likely to exploit the Lions’ defense, Lions win 24-20.
The Cowboys travel to Baltimore to take on the Ravens, who have played their games close to the vest this season. Since week one Baltimore has won three games by a total of 11 points, including last week’s 9-6 offensive explosion.
On the other side of the ball Dallas comes to town after getting shellacked by the Chicago Bears 900-18, actually it was 38-14 but felt more like 900-18. The extremely lopsided score keeps with the flow Cowboys’ season. When the Boys’ have lost they have lost big and when they have won close. However, two weeks ago against the Bears the Cowboys looked abysmal and defeated.
Dallas’ offense has struggled all season and their struggles came to a culmination with a five interception clunker two Mondays ago, now the Boys get the high ranked and effective Ravens defense. While it is easy to expect the Cowboys to continue their turnover ways, after further review that would be the wrong move. Prior to the cinco fiasco Dallas had done a fairly good job taking care of the rock.
The problems of Cowboys’ wide receiver Dez Bryant should not hurt the Boys’ in this contest because should the wide receiver have a lapse he will be bench bound. The Ravens are suspect against the run and last week alone gave up 214 rushing yards to the Kansas City Chiefs, expect to see a lot of running on the part of Dallas.
For one week and one week only the Cowboys will focus on getting a seal here and a seal there so they may go up the alley. Dallas will run early and often thus holding onto the ball forcing Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco into a two minute offense earlier the quarterback would like. Discipline and sound judgment will be the factors that lead the Cowboys to 24-23 surprise win.
The Washington Redskins lost to the Atlanta Falcons 24-17, but the bigger loss may have been that of rookie quarterback Robert Griffin III. All news coming out of Redskin camp is RG3 will play, but how effective will he be against a Minnesota Vikings team that has played exceptional well against the run. Currently the Vikings rank sixth in yards allowed and second in yard per and rushing touchdowns.
Washington will struggle in this contest because they will need to air it out to win, and frankly are not equipped to do so. The Redskins are 27th in passing attempts and that would make sense considering their rookie quarterback.
Minnesota has held their last four opponents under one hundred yards rushing, and their last two barely broke the 50 yard mark. Washington could attempt to force the issue and run without results but that would keep the game close. In order to win the Redskins are going to have to open up the offense, which would expose an already woozy Griffin. The Redskins will fight and keep a Vikings offense that ranks 23rd in passing touchdowns and 11th in rushing touchdown under control. The question will be can where will Washington find points, and the answer is nowhere. Vikings win 19-12.
The New York Giants amassed over 500 yards of total offense last week against the Cleveland Browns, for the second time this season. The Giants head to San Francisco offense in tow as they rank second in the league in points per game and swagger on deck, as they sit 4-1. The 49ers boast the highest rated passer in the league in quarterback Alex Smith with a 108 passer rating.
The team from the Bay also has the number one scoring defense in the league. The Niners have given up three points in their last two games, while scoring a combined 79 points. The 49ers have also forced two or more turnovers in three of their five games, as has the Giants.
Both teams are physical at the point of attack and both teams tackle fairly well. In a game where the teams are so evenly matched, it is usually your playmakers that will win or lose the game for you. Whose playmakers will stand up and make the jaw dropping play and there is no bigger playmaker in this game than Giants quarterback Eli Manning.
Manning has proven in the biggest of games he is not afraid nor is he deterred to go for the “big” play. Manning is the best player in this game on either side of the ball and will have the biggest impact on the game. The quarterback plays well on the road and has a career road record of 36-26, including going 5-3 in the last two seasons. Manning will shine again late in this one and the Giants will walk away victorious 24-21.