I thought I'd take the time to change gears here, so here goes!
After last night's trip to Blowout City for Jacksonville, their make up for next year is looking more and more doubtful since Jack Del Rio was canned a few weeks ago and the Blaine Gabbert project is falling off the rails. Where these guys will end up is anybody's guess. They still have a solid running back in Maurice Jones-Drew, but an inconsistent quarterback would make any team look horrible. Just ask the Indianapolis Colts, who should find themselves on the clock starting Monday.
So let's start looking at this weekend's matchups:
Dallas / Tampa Bay
Got nothing better to do on a Saturday night? My guess is you're more likely to watch the Leafs play whatever version of the Vancouver Canucks that shows up. I'm more likely to watch my beloved Habs freeze the Devils. Either way, this one's easy. Unless Tony Romo reallys screws up, expect them to beat the Bucs by at least 10.
Miami / Buffalo
The Bills are pissed! They had a great start, defeating the now mortal Raiders, the Patriots and even those pesky Ravens. And then went to Cincinatti and screwed it all up. Then they lost to the Cowboys, the Jets and then to really get their goat, they lost to the Dolphins. Expect a different Bills team to show up and start showing that the beginning of the season was not a fluke. The Bills by 7.
Washington / NY Giants
So which of either team will show up? Well we know that Rex Grossman is starting for Washington, so expect the Giants to get some turnovers. The Giants by 10.
Green Bay / Kansas City
Home field advantage will not be enough for the Chiefs. The Packers by 21.
Seattle / Chicago
Part of me says that Seattle could pull this off, but they will be in Chicago and the Seahawks playoff hopes are down the drain anyway. But without Jay Cutler and with Marion Barber getting Tebowed, this game will be close. The Bears by 3.
New Orleans / Minnesota
Drew Brees vs. Christian Ponder, 'nuff said. But not without Jared Allen reminding Brees that he is still a factor in Minnesota. The Saints by 14.
Carolina / Houston
So will rookie sensation Cam Newton have something in mind for the Texans? You know he will. How about two rushing touchdowns? Panthers by 3.
Tennessee / Indianapolis
The Indianapolis Colts will be on the clock after this. The Titans by 14.
Cincinatti / St. Louis
Sam Bradford is having a really bad year. Bengals by 14.
Detroit / Oakland
Caution: AFC West Tebowing in progress... Lions by 7.
NY Jets / Philadelphia
So which Jets will show up? The one that the Patriots hope they won't have to play again in the divisional championship. Jets by 7.
Cleveland / Arizona
The right Colt McCoy will show up. The QB quandry continues in Phoenix. Browns by 10.
New England / Denver
Conventional wisdom says don't bet against Brady, but conventional wisdom also said that hell would freeze over before Tebow would get five wins in a season. Bill Belichik's strategy is simple. Score early and score often. Denver's strategy is just as simple. Keep them close. So how this ends will depend on how it begins. One thing is for sure. The Broncos have a tough-minded fearless quarterback and a tougher defense. Tim Tebow could actually go toe to toe with Brady and if that happens,
Baltimore / San Diego
Which Ravens team will show up for this one? The one that had better not show up when the Super Bowl comes driving through Pittsburgh. Chargers by 4.
Pittsburgh / San Francisco
A banged-up Ben Roethlisberger wants to play this game, but he needs to be 100% against one of the hottest teams in the NFC. Steelers win on a field goal.
