Week Five wrapped up last night with a Jets upset over Atlanta, and really, the thing that stands out to me about this week, just when you think you've got it figured out....
You don't! It's just crazy.
My picks this week were my best since week 2. I feel good coming out of this week, but the NFL is just so unpredictable, it's hilarious. We'll recap this week's games.
DENvsDAL - I wish this game would have been on in my market. This game was unbelievable! The two QBs combined for almost a thousand freaking yards and ten touchdowns. The two teams together combined for over a thousand yards. I can't kill Romo here. He played so well. He took Peyton Manning toe to toe, and to the brink. Even though they lost, you have to feel good about Dallas. And as bad as the NFC East is, the Cowboys need to start creating separation.
NEvsCIN - I watched most of the 2nd half of this game. This was a game I had right this week, and I won't say I told you so, because if it wasn't for a torrential rain, the Patriots would have had a great shot at a game winning drive. But give credit to the Bengals defense who stepped up when they needed them to. The Bengals offense looked awful. Andy Dalton looks completely lost right now and finding AJ Green anywhere on the field is a chore for him. That has to be a concern for the Bengals. The Pats offense looked like a team who was playing with a bunch of no name receivers. The Pats should be fine going forward, but they need Gronk and Amendola at least healthy enough to play at the same time.
NOvsCHI - I watched the first half of this game before flipping over to the Bengals/Pats game. Here's what I takeaway from this one. The Saints are back, and Rob Ryan has this defense just flying all over the field. They're a bunch of ball hawks on defense. They took away everything the Bears wanted to do. Brandon Marshall and Matt Forte were non-factors all afternoon. I did like seeing Alshon Jeffry assert himself as another playmaker in this offense. I'm very high on him. The Saints are rolling and are showing no signs of slowing down.
DETvsGB - If Calvin Johnson would have played in this game, I'm not sure the Lions lose. But he didn't, and the Packers played just good enough to pull one out. I'm very concerned the Packers weren't better out of the bye, especially at home. This is one of those losses you can feel good about if you're Detroit. With Clay Matthews out for a month, the Packers will be hard pressed to keep their heads above water.
INDvsSEA - I tuned in for a good chunk of this game. Rarely does Seattle beat themselves, but on this day, they did just that. The Colts played a valiant game, and Andrew Luck in just his second year is almost unstoppable. The Colts going forward have a great chance to lock up the AFC South. I'm done doubting the Colts and their inefficiencies. I still like Seattle. I picked the Colts in this game, which I had forgotten. But going east for Seattle was tough. I think they're still in the upper tier of elite NFC teams.
BALvsMIA - I think Mike Wallace just dropped another pass? I didn't get to watch much of this game, but the final half of the 4th quarter came on at some point and so I tuned in. If Mike Wallace doesn't drop everything thrown to him in the final 2 minutes, the Dolphins probably drive down and score. But Joe Flacco and the Ravens made plays down the stretch, after it really looked like Miami had taken control of the game. This was a very nice road victory for Baltimore. The Dolphins had a chance for a victory that would have given them increased swagger nationwide.
HOUvsSF - You knew it would be a tough game for Houston on the road, but what a major disappointment. I truly don't know what has happened to Matt Schaub? I truly don't know. The worst thing while the defense has not been great, Schaub has been less impressive as the weeks go by. He's the AFCs Eli Manning right now. I'm very concerned about Houston and their chances of winning the division are starting to fall by the wayside with the way Indy is playing. San Francisco seems to be bouncing back after a couple tough losses. I still believe in the Niners.
NYJvsATL - I can't say much else about the Jets except they are playing very good defense. A late run by Atlanta made this game a lot closer than it looked. I'm very concerned about the Falcons right now. If their defense is allowing a team like the Jets to move the ball on them, I just don't see how things end well for them. The Jets clearly were cutting back how aggressive they'd be down the field with Geno Smith, and the rook was absolutely stellar on a last minute drive that got the Jets the win. Going forward I'm concerned about the Falcons, and I don't know what to make of the Jets at this point.
Other notes from Sunday:
PHIvsNYG - The Giants are just in free fall. The big plays they were banking on just didn't happen enough. Eli continues to look terrible. A lot of people want to blame it on the receivers and tipped passes bla bla bla... The fact is he's not making good decisions and is not getting protection. The Eagles played just good enough and this game was actually closer than the final score indicated.
KCvsTEN - The Chiefs had to make a comeback after a very comfortable lead slipped away. The Titans continue to surprise with their better than expected play. At 5-0, the Chiefs are setting themselves up to give Peyton Manning and the Broncos a run for their money.
JAXvsSTL - I'm not surprised from this game, and the fact the Rams gave up 20 points to the Jags makes me think this defense just isn't as good as I thought it was.
SDvsOAK - Terrell Pryor played a terrific ball game. I've been very impressed with him this season. He's making good decisions. He knows his limits and isn't forcing things. San Diego is getting great offensive production, but turnovers or penalties or defensive break downs are keeping them from competing.
ARIvsCAR - The Arizona offense continues to look awful as they didn't get an offensive TD until halfway through the 3rd quarter. The Cam Newton turnovers did in Carolina as they couldn't get into the end zone. The Cardinals though move to 3-2 and if they can improve, they could be a sneaky Wild Card contender.
Big winners from week 5:
Indianapolis - Sunday's win over the Seahawks not only was a great come from behind win, but the Colts were able to solidify their first place hold in the AFC South. While the Colts don't have the most talent in the league, credit them for taking what they have and making the most of it. I'm a believer in Indy right now.
Dallas - Yes the Cowboys lost, but Tony Romo may have played the most impressive game he's had yet in a Cowboys uniform and went toe to toe with the Broncos and Peyton Manning. The Cowboys have some big matchups coming up that could give them a solid hold on the NFC East before their week 11 bye.
New Orleans - The Saints went on the road in a tough place to play, and just outplayed the Bears from start to finish. The Saints are quickly rising up a lot of power rankings, and for good reason. The Saints are playing so well in every aspect of the game right now.
Cincinnati Bengals - While the offense looks lost, the defense in Cincinnati stepped up big and bounced back after a couple tough performances. If the Bengals can get their offense to pick back up, the are going to run away with this AFC North.
San Francisco 49ers - The Niners played a nearly flawless game Sunday and the Niners seem to be back on track. The Niners first five games were going to test them, and they made it through just a game out of the West lead. The Niners have four very winnable games in the next five weeks. If they can run the go into the bye on a four game win streak, the last stretch of their season is very favorable.
Biggest Losers -
Houston Texans - The Texans offense continues to struggle and the defense is not playing like a defense that was expected to dominate and lead them to a runaway division title. The Texans need to do something before this spirals out of control.
Chicago Bears - While it was going to be a tough game for Chicago, the Monsters of the Midway had a chance to really send a message they were legit. They flat out missed it and really could not get anything going. The Bears need a win Thursday against New York, which I think they will get.
New York Giants - A home game, against a very poor Eagles defense was the perfect recipe to get the Gmen back on track, but they flat out tanked. I looked at their schedule and really thought there is a chance they go into their week 9 bye 0-8. I still think that. While they have a couple winnable games after this week's Bears game, they've had winnable games, but they have yet to really show up and prove they are even capable of winning a football game. I've said it a lot already, but the Giants are in trouble.
Atlanta Falcons - The Falcons have lost too many winnable games, and for a team that is known to have a big home field advantage, the games they're losing are normally wins for them. The defense is not playing well and Matt Ryan isn't been as sharp as he usually is. I think a lot of it has to do with a lack of a reliable running game.
Miami Dolphins - Now having lost two straight, the Dolphins had a chance to show people the things they're doing need to be taken seriously. But a tough home loss to the defending Super Bowl Champs wasn't necessarily a bad one, but it looked like they were ready to take control of the game and keep themselves in line in the division after New England lost.
I'm saving power rankings for next week, I think weekly power rankings are dumb because some people take too much stock in a team losing one game. Let's see what teams like Seattle or New England do off their first loss.
Like I said at the start, just when you think you've got things figured out in the NFL...
You don't!
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