For fans of the NFC East, there has not been much to brag about thus far into the 2013 season. The best of the worst, the Dallas Cowboys, sit at 5-4; and a trip to New Orleans will do little to change the team’s fate. Philadelphia dispatched the Oakland Raiders, and a fortunate injury to Packers’ superstar Aaron Rodgers makes a Week 10 date with the pride of the NFC North not so daunting a task as it was prior to Rodgers’ injury. Just out of sight but never out of mind of the division-leading Cowboys is the Washington Redskins, a team whose name is the only thing more controversial than its win percentage. A trip to Minnesota for “Thursday Night Football” may be just what the doctor ordered for the ailing Redskins. Last in the division and most certainly least are the New York Giants, who will welcome the Darren McFadden -;less Raiders to the Meadowlands.
Philadelphia Eagles(4-5) @ Green Bay Packers(5-3)
Had Aaron Rodgers not been forced out of Green Bay’s Monday Night battle in the house that Lombardi build, this would have been quite a different article. Nick Foles vs. Rodgers does not have the same ring as Foles versus Seneca Wallace. Philadelphia, your Eagles have hope, and it is all because of a broken collarbone. Green Bay will have to lean heavily on their two-headed rushing attack of Eddie Lacy and James Starks. But what does this mean for Philadelphia?
Without Rodgers, and Randall Cobb for another few weeks, the Packers offense is depleted, and the rare road-win at Lambeau Field is within Chip Kelly’s grasp. Expect heavy doses of Lacy and Starks on Sunday, but how will Billy Davis’ defense combat this strategy? Fortunately, the league’s 32nd ranked passing defense will not have much of a problem Sunday, as the unit averaging 307.6 yards allowed per game will not face a tough test in Wallace. However, the Eagles’ front seven will be tested by Lacy and Starks, and only time will tell if the unit allowing 111.8 rushing yards per game will be up to the challenge presented by Green Bay. Both teams remain in the hunt for their respective division titles, and Sunday’s inter-conference match up is important to the future of both franchises.
Prediction: Eagles 24 Packers 20
Call me crazy, but it does not seem as if a Seneca Wallace-led Packers offense will be able to keep up with LeSean McCoy and the Eagles’ third-ranked ground game. While the Eagles offense won’t set any records, expect a solid performance out of Foles, and Philadelphia will escape Lambeau Field with a win.
Oakland Raiders(3-5) @ New York Giants(2-6)
Buckle up for this one, as two underperforming franchises face off in a battle many will hope to forget. Without Darren McFadden and David Wilson both teams will continue their atrocious ground campaigns. Though the return of Andre Brown is nearing, expect a limited snap count for the near future. Outside of Terrelle Pryor and McFadden, there is not a single capable rusher on the Raiders’ roster. For New York, a rash of injuries have led us to the committee of Peyton Hillis, Brandon Jacobs, and rookie Michael Cox to shoulder the load. More bad news for the league’s 30th-ranked rushers is that a stalwart Raiders’ front-seven allows just 94.6 yards per game on the ground, which may spell disaster for New York. Fortunately for those unfortunate enough to call the Giants’ their favorite team this season, Oakland’s 25th ranked passing defense is fresh off of a horrendous performance in which they let Philadelphia’s Foles tie the NFL single-game record for passing touchdowns. Eli Manning should have his way with an atrocious Raiders’ secondary on Sunday.
New York’s problem has not been throwing the ball, as Eli’s passing attack currently ranks 13th with an average of 257.9 yards per game. Though they average just 69.9 yards per game, New York’s rushing attack has not been the team’s main issue either. In games where Manning has not thrown an interception, the Giants are 2-0, and are winless in their other six contests. The formula is simple, if Eli can go four quarters without an interception, the Giants should have no problem dispatching of the hopeless creatures from the Black Hole.
Prediction: Giants 24 Raiders 13
Eli Manning and a talented Giants vertical-offense should have no issue besting one of the league’s worst secondary units. Whether Jon Beason and the Giants’ defense can stop a banged-up Pryor remains to be seen, but nonetheless, this will be an easy home-win for big blue.
New Orleans Saints(6-2) @ Dallas Cowboys(5-4)
Two division leaders in prime time, the NFL does not get much better than this. The actually talented New Orleans Saints will head to Dallas for “Sunday Night Football” to take on the actually-overrated Dallas Cowboys. Sean Peyton has rejuvenated a Saints team that was absolutely atrocious a year ago, and ex-Cowboy defensive coordinator Rob Ryan returns to Dallas to take on his former team. In a game featuring 3rd and 9th ranked passing offenses, this vertical showcase will be a contest most fans won’t want to miss. Adding to the excitement is the anticipation of the return of Dallas’ premier pass-rushing talent, Demarcus Ware.
New Orleans is a passing-team, this much is known. While its 79.8 rushing yards per game average is a tad unsightly, the 317.6 yards per game Drew Brees creates with his cannon of an arm is far from it. Where the Saints struggle is when another team can control the tempo against the league’s 25th ranked rushing defense. Balance has been the problem for Dallas this year, as an injured DeMarco Murray has not gained much momentum in the past few weeks. The key to success for Dallas in this contest will be the play of Murray and the Cowboys’ ability to control the clock and time of possession. If the ball is in Drew Brees’ hands in a vital moment, Dallas will have no hope. Keep Brees off of the field and there is a chance for victory, it’s that simple.
Prediction: Saints 34 Cowboys 31
In a shootout reminiscent of the old-west, Drew Brees and the Saints’ high-powered offense will prove too much for an overrated Cowboys team. Dallas continues to struggle to find balance in its offense, and couldn’t keep their local Girl Scout troop out of the end zone. Expect business as usual for a Payton-coached Saints’ team, and the NFC South leaders will roll their NFC East counterparts.