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NFL FORECAST
Things sure looked different in the AFC East when the Bills’ Drew Bledsoe led Buffalo to a 31-0 whipping of the Patriots in Week One. This will be close, because the defenses can shut down the offenses. Philadelphia 24 *Washington 14 The Redskins came almost all the way back on the Eagles 12 weeks ago, falling a missed two-point conversion short, 27-25. Staying on the ground, Philly will sweep Washington for the second straight year. *San Francisco 28 Seattle 23 Our upset of the week, in which the 49ers will dice the Seahawks’ defense at home. It was S.F. that came almost all the way back against Seattle in October, losing on a late Josh Brown field goal, 20-19. (Sunday) *Atlanta 20 Jacksonville 17 On neutral ground, we’d pick the Jaguars, who are outperforming the Falcons on both sides of the ball and are 2-0 in the series, but this will be Michael Vick’s second and last outing for the home crowd. *Baltimore 19 Pittsburgh 9 A different Pittsburgh pounded a different Baltimore 34-15 in a season opener that wasn’t as close as the score. Defense will rule here, and the Ravens will win two from the Steelers for the first time. Carolina 17 *N.Y. Giants 14 A team seriously doubting itself, the Panthers should be able to handle the Giants (if they can slow N.Y.’s passing game), but anything may happen. These teams have met only once, a Carolina win in 1996. *Cincinnati 27 Cleveland 13 Until Jon Kitna’s three scoring passes led the Bengals past the Browns 21-14 13 weeks ago, Cincy hadn’t won a game and looked like it was headed nowhere. The Bengals will need the run to get the sweep. Dallas 23 *New Orleans 19 Though this has the whiff of a potential upset, the Saints’ strength is their ground game, and the Cowboys should be able to trip them up. N.O. prevailed in their most recent meeting, four years ago. *Green Bay 26 Denver 22 Another upset, since both the Packers and Broncos have solid, run-focused offenses but only Denver has a consistent defense. The Broncos made short work of G.B. the last time they battled, in ’99, 31-10. Indianapolis 35 *Houston 12 In Week Eight the Colts took their third straight from the Texans, 30-21, paced by Peyton Manning’s three TD passes. Houston’s secondary doesn’t have much hope against the league’s best passing team. *Kansas City 27 Chicago 13 Unlike the Texans, the Bears’ secondary can challenge a top-notch air game — like the Chiefs’ — though K.C. will want to end the regular season with a statement. Chicago beat K.C. last, four years ago. *Miami 25 N.Y. Jets 17 The Dolphins’ Ricky Williams ran for 125 yards and a TD as Miami got its first win over N.Y. in N.Y. since ’97 in September, 21-10. The Dolphins’ offense continues to disappoint, so they’ll depend on D. Minnesota 28 *Arizona 20 Proof that a world-class offense can get you only so far, the Vikings are down to this last gasp, and it’s hardly a sure thing. Minnesota has won five in a row over Arizona, most recently 31-14 in ’00. St. Louis 29 *Detroit 16 If we were the Rams, we’d spend this game working on a running attack that needs all the work it can get. Two years ago St. Louis decisively ended Detroit’s three-game winning streak in the series, 35-0. *San Diego 21 Oakland 19 As two of the season’s biggest disappointments stumble off into the sunset, all we can hope from their truly hole-filled defenses is that they’ll match the Week Four drama of the Raiders’ 34-31 OT win. *Tennessee 20 Tampa Bay 13 This will hinge on 1) whether the Titans can run on the Buccaneers and, more important, 2) whether Tennessee can do anything to stop T.B.’s passing. The Titans needed OT to get past the Bucs in ’01, 31-28.
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