Wednesday, October 03, 2007
(1:32 PM) | Brad:
Football Blogging
Another week of football has come and gone, and we're just days removed from the start of a new one, so I guess it is time for a new sports-related post.Actually, we're only one day away from the epic UK-South Carolina game. I grew up in Lexington, Kentucky, and my dad works at the University of Kentucky, so go ahead and color me nostalgic if I have a soft spot for their historically inept football program. Sure, they've been to a few bowls in my lifetime, but really only deserved to be there in the two they won (in 1984 & 2007) and Bill Curry's team in '93 that barely lost to Clemson in the Peach Bowl. [I was around for their 1976 Peach Bowl win over North Carolina, as well as their 10-1 season in 1977, but was too young to care.] The two in the late-90s, the infamous Hal Mumme era, were smoke-and-mirror affairs that all but killed my affection for the team in a way that watching the great Freddie Maggard throw up a lame-duck 20-yard hail mary never could. So, yeah, I'm pretty excited about this year's team. I don't at all believe they're one of the ten best teams in the country, but I certainly welcome being proven wrong. Beating the gloriously smarmy Steve Spurrier in Columbia would be a positive first step to doing so.
Ah, but this space isn't for the amateur ranks of college football. (Though, really, it's been a great season so far. Did you see that Cal-Oregon game? One of the best second halfs of football I've seen in a while.) No, we reserve this space for the egomaniacal ranks of the NFL. I've not yet established a format for these posts. Maybe by Week 10 I will have hit on something that works. Anyway. This week, some thoughts on a few of the key games ... and, as always, we welcome your comments decrying my idiocy.
Carolina @ New Orleans (-3): The Saints are going to get their first win here, and might even cover the spread in the process. I supported David Carr during his disastrous tenure in Houston. I kept insisting it was the team and personnel, not him alone. We'll figure it out this year for sure. With Delhomme's career in jeopardy, Carolina has the unfortunate position of being the team that hosts the dying days of two QBs. If New Orleans can't get their act together, after a buy, and while facing a John Fox team that has never figured out how to use a backup QB (see, as evidence, his attempt to turn Wenke into a gunslinger last year), then they may want to tear down the levee and start over again.
Seattle (+6) @Pittsburgh: I said as recently as Monday that I think that Pittsburgh destroys Seattle in this game. But the more I think about it, the more I'm not sure. This isn't due to my dislike of Pittsburgh, although I know it's going to look that way to Cynic Librarian. In fact, my dirty secret while living in Cincinnati was that I kind of like them. Great defense. Pounding running game. Wonderful fans. What's was their to dislike? I just have a feeling about this Seattle team. I watched them last week against the 49ers, and they have the tools to get their shit together. The defense isn't bad. The offense's timing seems to be coming together. Engram is healthy this year, and I think he & Branch should put the fear of god in most NFC teams. They won't completely overwhelm teams. But, I see them quietly generating a 11-5 record, walking away with the NFC West, and meeting Dallas in January. All this is to say, I think they match up pretty favorably with Pittsburgh. I don't think they'll win it, but it's going to be a dogfight. (Too bad Joey Porter isn't around anymore.) Six points is just too much for Pittsburgh to be giving here.
Detroit (+3.5) @ Washington: How incredible is it that Detroit is 0-20 in road games against Washington? This dates back to 1939! It comes to an end this week. Washington's most quality win is against a bad Philly team, which, admittedly, spanked Detroit. But, nothing about Detroit's season will make sense when all is said and done. Washington's defense is good, but I've more faith in God curing Kitna of another concussion than I do in this Redskin offense.
Tampa Bay @ Indianapolis (-10.5): Is Marvin playing in this game? Does it matter? The Colts know they have to keep winning if they have any shot at homefield advantage. They won't look past the Bucs. The only thing I'm a little leery about is the thought of the Colts giving up this many points to a team with a halfway decent pass defense. But, it's at home, and the Bucs haven't faced a quality team since they got pounded by two TDs in Week One against a Seattle team that looked in disarray. Pittman doesn't inspire me at all, no matter what all the fantasy gurus are saying this week. I dropped Indy's defense in my fantasy league, out of a desperate need to fill in the holes caused by the bye, and I'm kind of regretting it right now. I think they could come up big. Jeff Garcia won't be able to scramble around for first downs and TDs against an Indy defense that's sure to smell blood now that Petitgout is out. I smell a fumble or TD returned for a TD. What was I thinking in keeping Chicago's defense?
Chicago @ Green Bay (-3): Here's why I kept the Bears. They're banged up on defense, yes. Their offense has continually, and will continue, to put the defense in binds. I know all this. And yet, it's Favre. I have to think he is due for an interception meltdown game. And, as shown in last week's game against Detroit, the Bears defense can give up points, and I can still come out a winner. I'm hoping this will happen this week. I'm going to be watching baseball, though. The man-love of Madden for Favre and Brady is gayer than four guys blowing three guys. It's too much love in one booth. I can't deal with it.
