Post by riley82 on Aug 21, 2010 13:21:58 GMT -5
Week 4 has some great matchups, a lot of teams are coming off tremendous victories while others some disappointing losses. With that said, here are the week 4 predictions:
BILLS vs. JETS
Analysis:
This division game between these two squads is a pivotal one for the Jets who lost to their division rival, the Dolphins last week. The Bills however are coming of an upset victory over the New England Patriots in the form of a game-winning field goal. Both teams had no problem moving the ball against their opponents, especially through the air, the Jets had one key setback, Mark Sanchez threw 4 pics. This spells trouble for the Jets as the Bills forced Brady into 3 mistakes last week.
Prediction:
A lot of yards through the air is without question, 35 - 20, Bills
RAMS vs SEAHAWKS
Analysis:
When your leading receiver is your running back, you know you have a problem, ala the Seattle Seahawks. However, the opposition, the St. Louis Rams. are quite a mess themselves. Both teams struggled last week to score points, the Rams barely scraping off 21 thanks to a kick return for a touchdown by Avery, were shutout in the second half against Washington. The Seahawks could not crest the 20 point mark and only mustered a touchdown in the second half as they were railroaded 41 - 17 by the Chargers. Neither team was able to stop the run so I don't expect that to change this week, which in this case favors the Rams.
Prediction:
A low scoring game in this one, 21 - 10, Rams
PANTHERS vs. SAINTS
Analysis:
Saints win 41 - 7, nothing new right? Wrong! The Saints D stepped it up last week shutting down the Falcons, giving less than 140 yards of total offense. Bad news for the Panthers who were shutout themselves in the second half against the Bengals. They were not able to run the ball and couldn't stop the run, which spelled disaster as they rode their way to a crushing defeat, 48 -17. Unfortunately for the Panthers, there is no escaping the rushing attack as the Saints mowed through the defense of Atlanta for over 200 yards on the ground.
Prediction:
This one's easy, if you can't stop the run then you can't stop play action and you can't stop Brees, 45 - 13, Saints
LIONS vs PACKERS
Analysis:
The Lions lost to division rival, Minnesota, last week in perhaps the most embarrassing defeat in their franchise long embarrassment in the NFL, 21 - 67. However, the numbers tell a different story. The Lions gained over 450 yards of offense last week and held the ball for an incredible, 20 minutes! So how do you lose so badly? Try converting only 22% of your third downs, trust me, that'll do it. The Packers on the other hand are looking quite composed at 2 - 1 after man-handling the Bears 38 - 7. Ryan Grant ran the ball well on 21 carries picking up 107 yards to accompany Aaron Rodgers' 230 yd performance. The Packer defense flexed its might against the Bears producing 3 interceptions and keeping them under 120 yards of offense.
Prediction:
The Lions should be a bit nervous heading into this one, however help in the form of new ownership will perhaps bring good fortune but not a win, 35- 24, Packers
BENGALS vs BROWNS
Analysis:
What can brown do for you? How about deliver you a win free of charge regardless of how hard they've worked. The Browns are one of just three teams who are win-less and they have no one to blame but themselves. The Browns have lost each of their first three games in the fourth or overtime after having the lead late. The Bengals on the other hand, are hastily dealing out beat downs, including their last two games, which they have won by 20 or more almost solely on the arm of Carson Palmer with the exception of Cedric Benson's 150+ performance against the Panther last week.
Prediction:
UPS delivers right on time once again this week as the Browns give up another victory, 21 - 35, Bengals
RAVENS vs STEELERS
Analysis:
Confidence can be mistaken for cockiness, but if you're the Steelers, you have no problem backing it up. Undefeated are the Steelers at 3 - 0 and that record, according to owner Siggyman, will stay that way at the end of the season, "and btw steelers are goin 16-0", announced the owner on the maddenchamps website Friday afternoon. The Steelers have been rolling through the competition so far posting defeats over Atlanta, Tennessee and blowing out the Bucs last week. The Ravens are a toss up, you never know what you're going to get. They've won close games in the clutch but also were blown out in week two by the Bengals. In addition, the Ravens defense has been unusually giving on the rushing side of the ball giving up 100+ in all of their games.
Prediction:
Definitely tricky, but when you're hot you're hot, 31 - 20, Steelers
BRONCOS vs TITANS
Analysis:
When you give up 450+ yards of offense, and over 350 of them are through the air, the general expectation is you're going to lose. This was not the case, for both of these teams in fact. The Broncos and the Titans were featured in two of the highest scoring games of the week last week, each team scoring over 40 points while giving up 40+ to make things interesting for fans. The split between the two is summed up in just one word, defense. Despite the atrocious display of it in last week's game, the Titans defense has done very well in its previous games giving up no more than 14 up until the game against the Giants. Compared to the Titans D, the Bronco defense is nearly invisible, donating touchdowns like pennies on the ground. To be accurate, the Broncos have yet to hold a team to field goal yet this season.
Prediction:
It'll be raining footballs in this game for the Broncos D, 35 - 17, Tennessee
49ERS vs FALCONS
Analysis:
The problem with the Falcons is scoring, they've been shut out in each of their first three games in the second half. That's right, zip, nada, ZERO. And we all know, if you can't score, you can't win, period. The niners are able to score however, and in bunches at that. Bundling up 20 points or more in 2 of their last three games in the second half. But the problem for the niners is their defense, which gave up over 400 yards of offense to the Chiefs in last week's game. The Falcons, with the exception of last week's spanking put on them by the Saints have actually done really well this year defensively, allowing less than 150 yds against the Cards and less than 250 competing against the red-hot Steelers.
Prediction:
I think the Falcons get over the scoring hump this game and win it, 24 - 20, Atlanta
COLTS vs JAGUARS
Analysis:
The Colts, 0 - 3, it couldn't be, but it is. The Colts are surprisingly win-less in their first three games and they can thank their defense for it. The Colts' D is truly, "the gift that keeps on giving". They've allowed 35+ points in every game this season. They simply can't stop anybody. Not Matt Shaub and the Texans, not Matt Cassel and the Giants, not even Kyle Orton and the Broncos. No matter how good Manning may be, he can't carry the Colts if the other side of the ball isn't pulling their weight. This lack of defense must run in the division as the Jags aren't much better, giving up 30+ in their last two, including 21 in one quarter to the Chargers and allowing the Eagles to trounce them 34 - 8 last week.
Prediction:
Unfortunately, I'm going to have to go with the best of the worst, the defenses are bad but one thing the Jags did well last week, force mistakes, the same will be in this one, 42 - 38, Jags
TEXANS vs RAIDERS
Analysis:
Oakland, in second place in the AFC West? The apocalypse must be upon us! Or perhaps it's this, Oakland's defense is, dare I say it, good, and I mean good. Excluding week 2's meltdown, the Raider's D has only given up 12 points this season, throw in the 24 from week 2, 36 points over three games gives them a 12 point spread on average. Combine that with an offense that isn't very explosive but can get it in the endzone, well, there you have the 2 - 1 Raiders. The other side of the spectrum lands you the Houston Texans who gave up 400 yards in each of their last two games. This trend may not hurt them this week as the Raiders aren't quite a high scoring team but never-the-less, they should be on their "p's and q's" in this one.
Prediction:
Most likely the tightest game of the week, 20 - 21, Raiders
REDSKINS vs EAGLES
Analysis:
Once again, as it is every year, the Redskins and Eagles find themselves duking it out for position in the NFC East behind the Cowboys who have a bye this week. Both teams are coming off handy victories and racking up over a hundred yards on the ground. Not to mention the defenses are looking fairly sharp so far this season, neither team has yet to give up 30 or more to the opposition. The deciding factor in this one? The ability to run the ball. The Redskins' run defense is pretty stingy only giving up 37 against the Rams, 77 to the Texans and the only team to crest the 100 yard mark, the Cowboys at 102. And the Eagles struggled to run the ball against the Lions who did give up 67 last week to the Vikings.
Prediction:
Both teams will want it but the Skins will pull it out, 28 - 13 Washington
CHARGERS vs CARDINALS
Analysis:
As has been the case with all teams who struggle to score, the Cardinals have a losing record, 1 - 2, failing to score more than seven points in their last two games. To make matters worse they haven't faced stiff competition up until this point, but that is about to end. The Chargers have put 40+ on the Chiefs, Jags, and Seahawks in their first three games. The ability to put up monster numbers is the deal-breaker for the Cardinals and will be their downfall this week.
Prediction:
Chargers win it easily, 44 - 20, San Diego
GIANTS vs BEARS
Analysis:
Some may flinch at the idea of only scoring 7 points in a game while giving up more 30 to the other team, this includes the Chicago Bears. The Bears are a franchise that prides themselves on defense but this season they have shown anything but that, relinquishing 41 to Detroit, 31 to Dallas, and 38 to Green Bay. The Giants face a similar dilemma but the quality of their opponents has been much greater, everyone knows you're going to give up points to the Panthers, Colts and Titans in this year's league. In addition, the Giants do one thing well, score.
Prediction:
Giants topple the Bears, 38 - 10, New York
PATRIOTS vs DOLPHINS
Analysis:
It was only a few years ago that both of these teams went 11 - 5, this year however both teams find themselves struggling to win games. The Patriots up until last week have had trouble scoring points this season, something new to fans in New England. The Dolphins are the opposite able to put up points at ease yet, they won their first game last week. The godsend for these two teams is that the AFC East is wide open and is still anybody's division, the winner of this game grabs a much needed foothold in second place behind the Bills who have been known to falter mid-season.
Prediction:
The Pats will find their scoring stride in this one but Miami will be able to control the pace of this game with their running attack, 24 - 21, Dolphins
That concludes this week's predictions, good luck to all teams this week and see you again for Monday's breakdowns.
BILLS vs. JETS
Analysis:
This division game between these two squads is a pivotal one for the Jets who lost to their division rival, the Dolphins last week. The Bills however are coming of an upset victory over the New England Patriots in the form of a game-winning field goal. Both teams had no problem moving the ball against their opponents, especially through the air, the Jets had one key setback, Mark Sanchez threw 4 pics. This spells trouble for the Jets as the Bills forced Brady into 3 mistakes last week.
Prediction:
A lot of yards through the air is without question, 35 - 20, Bills
RAMS vs SEAHAWKS
Analysis:
When your leading receiver is your running back, you know you have a problem, ala the Seattle Seahawks. However, the opposition, the St. Louis Rams. are quite a mess themselves. Both teams struggled last week to score points, the Rams barely scraping off 21 thanks to a kick return for a touchdown by Avery, were shutout in the second half against Washington. The Seahawks could not crest the 20 point mark and only mustered a touchdown in the second half as they were railroaded 41 - 17 by the Chargers. Neither team was able to stop the run so I don't expect that to change this week, which in this case favors the Rams.
Prediction:
A low scoring game in this one, 21 - 10, Rams
PANTHERS vs. SAINTS
Analysis:
Saints win 41 - 7, nothing new right? Wrong! The Saints D stepped it up last week shutting down the Falcons, giving less than 140 yards of total offense. Bad news for the Panthers who were shutout themselves in the second half against the Bengals. They were not able to run the ball and couldn't stop the run, which spelled disaster as they rode their way to a crushing defeat, 48 -17. Unfortunately for the Panthers, there is no escaping the rushing attack as the Saints mowed through the defense of Atlanta for over 200 yards on the ground.
Prediction:
This one's easy, if you can't stop the run then you can't stop play action and you can't stop Brees, 45 - 13, Saints
LIONS vs PACKERS
Analysis:
The Lions lost to division rival, Minnesota, last week in perhaps the most embarrassing defeat in their franchise long embarrassment in the NFL, 21 - 67. However, the numbers tell a different story. The Lions gained over 450 yards of offense last week and held the ball for an incredible, 20 minutes! So how do you lose so badly? Try converting only 22% of your third downs, trust me, that'll do it. The Packers on the other hand are looking quite composed at 2 - 1 after man-handling the Bears 38 - 7. Ryan Grant ran the ball well on 21 carries picking up 107 yards to accompany Aaron Rodgers' 230 yd performance. The Packer defense flexed its might against the Bears producing 3 interceptions and keeping them under 120 yards of offense.
Prediction:
The Lions should be a bit nervous heading into this one, however help in the form of new ownership will perhaps bring good fortune but not a win, 35- 24, Packers
BENGALS vs BROWNS
Analysis:
What can brown do for you? How about deliver you a win free of charge regardless of how hard they've worked. The Browns are one of just three teams who are win-less and they have no one to blame but themselves. The Browns have lost each of their first three games in the fourth or overtime after having the lead late. The Bengals on the other hand, are hastily dealing out beat downs, including their last two games, which they have won by 20 or more almost solely on the arm of Carson Palmer with the exception of Cedric Benson's 150+ performance against the Panther last week.
Prediction:
UPS delivers right on time once again this week as the Browns give up another victory, 21 - 35, Bengals
RAVENS vs STEELERS
Analysis:
Confidence can be mistaken for cockiness, but if you're the Steelers, you have no problem backing it up. Undefeated are the Steelers at 3 - 0 and that record, according to owner Siggyman, will stay that way at the end of the season, "and btw steelers are goin 16-0", announced the owner on the maddenchamps website Friday afternoon. The Steelers have been rolling through the competition so far posting defeats over Atlanta, Tennessee and blowing out the Bucs last week. The Ravens are a toss up, you never know what you're going to get. They've won close games in the clutch but also were blown out in week two by the Bengals. In addition, the Ravens defense has been unusually giving on the rushing side of the ball giving up 100+ in all of their games.
Prediction:
Definitely tricky, but when you're hot you're hot, 31 - 20, Steelers
BRONCOS vs TITANS
Analysis:
When you give up 450+ yards of offense, and over 350 of them are through the air, the general expectation is you're going to lose. This was not the case, for both of these teams in fact. The Broncos and the Titans were featured in two of the highest scoring games of the week last week, each team scoring over 40 points while giving up 40+ to make things interesting for fans. The split between the two is summed up in just one word, defense. Despite the atrocious display of it in last week's game, the Titans defense has done very well in its previous games giving up no more than 14 up until the game against the Giants. Compared to the Titans D, the Bronco defense is nearly invisible, donating touchdowns like pennies on the ground. To be accurate, the Broncos have yet to hold a team to field goal yet this season.
Prediction:
It'll be raining footballs in this game for the Broncos D, 35 - 17, Tennessee
49ERS vs FALCONS
Analysis:
The problem with the Falcons is scoring, they've been shut out in each of their first three games in the second half. That's right, zip, nada, ZERO. And we all know, if you can't score, you can't win, period. The niners are able to score however, and in bunches at that. Bundling up 20 points or more in 2 of their last three games in the second half. But the problem for the niners is their defense, which gave up over 400 yards of offense to the Chiefs in last week's game. The Falcons, with the exception of last week's spanking put on them by the Saints have actually done really well this year defensively, allowing less than 150 yds against the Cards and less than 250 competing against the red-hot Steelers.
Prediction:
I think the Falcons get over the scoring hump this game and win it, 24 - 20, Atlanta
COLTS vs JAGUARS
Analysis:
The Colts, 0 - 3, it couldn't be, but it is. The Colts are surprisingly win-less in their first three games and they can thank their defense for it. The Colts' D is truly, "the gift that keeps on giving". They've allowed 35+ points in every game this season. They simply can't stop anybody. Not Matt Shaub and the Texans, not Matt Cassel and the Giants, not even Kyle Orton and the Broncos. No matter how good Manning may be, he can't carry the Colts if the other side of the ball isn't pulling their weight. This lack of defense must run in the division as the Jags aren't much better, giving up 30+ in their last two, including 21 in one quarter to the Chargers and allowing the Eagles to trounce them 34 - 8 last week.
Prediction:
Unfortunately, I'm going to have to go with the best of the worst, the defenses are bad but one thing the Jags did well last week, force mistakes, the same will be in this one, 42 - 38, Jags
TEXANS vs RAIDERS
Analysis:
Oakland, in second place in the AFC West? The apocalypse must be upon us! Or perhaps it's this, Oakland's defense is, dare I say it, good, and I mean good. Excluding week 2's meltdown, the Raider's D has only given up 12 points this season, throw in the 24 from week 2, 36 points over three games gives them a 12 point spread on average. Combine that with an offense that isn't very explosive but can get it in the endzone, well, there you have the 2 - 1 Raiders. The other side of the spectrum lands you the Houston Texans who gave up 400 yards in each of their last two games. This trend may not hurt them this week as the Raiders aren't quite a high scoring team but never-the-less, they should be on their "p's and q's" in this one.
Prediction:
Most likely the tightest game of the week, 20 - 21, Raiders
REDSKINS vs EAGLES
Analysis:
Once again, as it is every year, the Redskins and Eagles find themselves duking it out for position in the NFC East behind the Cowboys who have a bye this week. Both teams are coming off handy victories and racking up over a hundred yards on the ground. Not to mention the defenses are looking fairly sharp so far this season, neither team has yet to give up 30 or more to the opposition. The deciding factor in this one? The ability to run the ball. The Redskins' run defense is pretty stingy only giving up 37 against the Rams, 77 to the Texans and the only team to crest the 100 yard mark, the Cowboys at 102. And the Eagles struggled to run the ball against the Lions who did give up 67 last week to the Vikings.
Prediction:
Both teams will want it but the Skins will pull it out, 28 - 13 Washington
CHARGERS vs CARDINALS
Analysis:
As has been the case with all teams who struggle to score, the Cardinals have a losing record, 1 - 2, failing to score more than seven points in their last two games. To make matters worse they haven't faced stiff competition up until this point, but that is about to end. The Chargers have put 40+ on the Chiefs, Jags, and Seahawks in their first three games. The ability to put up monster numbers is the deal-breaker for the Cardinals and will be their downfall this week.
Prediction:
Chargers win it easily, 44 - 20, San Diego
GIANTS vs BEARS
Analysis:
Some may flinch at the idea of only scoring 7 points in a game while giving up more 30 to the other team, this includes the Chicago Bears. The Bears are a franchise that prides themselves on defense but this season they have shown anything but that, relinquishing 41 to Detroit, 31 to Dallas, and 38 to Green Bay. The Giants face a similar dilemma but the quality of their opponents has been much greater, everyone knows you're going to give up points to the Panthers, Colts and Titans in this year's league. In addition, the Giants do one thing well, score.
Prediction:
Giants topple the Bears, 38 - 10, New York
PATRIOTS vs DOLPHINS
Analysis:
It was only a few years ago that both of these teams went 11 - 5, this year however both teams find themselves struggling to win games. The Patriots up until last week have had trouble scoring points this season, something new to fans in New England. The Dolphins are the opposite able to put up points at ease yet, they won their first game last week. The godsend for these two teams is that the AFC East is wide open and is still anybody's division, the winner of this game grabs a much needed foothold in second place behind the Bills who have been known to falter mid-season.
Prediction:
The Pats will find their scoring stride in this one but Miami will be able to control the pace of this game with their running attack, 24 - 21, Dolphins
That concludes this week's predictions, good luck to all teams this week and see you again for Monday's breakdowns.