Film and Felt

Did I say all would be back to normal in a matter of days?  Scratch that…but we’re almost there!  Anyway, coming off a perfect 4-0 week, predictions for this round’s games:

Seahawks over Packers

My upset of the week.  These teams are very similar; dynamite passing attacks with deep WR cores, fast defenses, and not much emphasis on the run.  Ryan Grant gives Green Bay the edge in the running game (Shaun Alexander looks done; Seattle needs to give the ball to Maurice Morris and Leonard Weaver here),  but it’s unlikely that this game comes down to the trenches.  It’s much more likely that the team which forces more turnovers and converts more downfield bombs will emerge the victor.  Charles Woodson is banged up, and GB hasn’t really been sharp in almost a month now.  Meanwhile, Seattle pulled away from an emotionally charged Redskin team last week, and matches up with Green Bay as well as anyone.  Expect Matt Hasselbeck to spread Green Bay out and give them a dose of their own medicine…and expect Marcus Trufaunt to make a game-changing play.  This one could go either way, but I think Brett Favre tosses a killer INT, and Seattle pulls it out.  Seahawks 27, Packers 24

Patriots over Jaguars

Blah blah, Jacksonville matches up well with New England, blah blah.  Well, theoretically, they do, with two excellent running backs, a QB who doesn’t turn the ball over, and a tough front 7.  To have a chance at beating New England, you have to control the clock and minimize their big plays.  And one thing’s for sure; the Jaguars won’t be afraid of the Patriots.  They’ll fight and claw.  But they just don’t have the horses to complete with New England over 60 minutes.   David Garrard threw 3 INT’s all season…and then tossed two last week as Jacksonville barely escaped with a win.  He’ll have to be perfect today.  The Patriots’ D isn’t anything special, but it comes up big when it needs to, and Jacksonville lacks the downfield weapons to keep New England’s front 7 honest.  If the Pats come out firing and take a quick 14-0, 17-0 lead, this one’s over.  And unfortunately (as I hate the damn Pats), I think they do just that.  Brady & co. may yet be stopped in their quest for perfection, but it won’t be this round.  Patriots 30, Jaguars 13

Colts over Chargers

I’m seeing way too many predictions of a blowout here for my tastes.  San Diego has oodles of talent; they’ve won seven straight games; and they beat Indy (albeit a banged-up Colts team) earlier this year.  The key here is Philip Rivers.  He needs to play like he did in the second half last week for the entire game, which is an especially daunting task if Antonio Gates is unable to go.  LaDainian Tomlinson also must put up much bigger numbers than last week’s sleepwalk.  Thing is, both these things could happen against an Indy team that’s been on cruise-control for three weeks, and is without Dwight Freeney.  Chris Chambers and Vincent Jackson are both capable of keeping Indy’s defense from exclusively keying on Tomlinson.

…that said, I don’t think San Diego pulls it out.  Peyton Manning finally has his full arsenal healthy, and even a rusty Marvin Harrison won’t keep Manning from putting up points in bunches.  Indy’s swarming defense is likely to cause Rivers fits and force some turnovers.  And despite the fact that Tony Dungy’s squad hasn’t shown it, I think the defending champs feel slighted by all the attention New England’s received, and are chomping at the bit to get another crack at the Pats.  San Diego fights, but Indy gets their wish.  Colts 30, Chargers 20

Cowboys over Giants

A great performance by Eli Manning last week has Giant fans dreaming of a Super Bowl run.  It’s not out of the question.  New York has a great pass rush, and Ahmad Bradshaw & Brandon Jacobs are giving the Giants the Thunder & Lightning production that Tiki Barber & Ron Dayne (well, mostly Dayne) never lived up to.  The Giants know Dallas well, and the Cowboys haven’t played sharp football in awhile.  Tony Romo’s struggles of late, albeit in mostly meaningless scenarios, are particularly worrisome for Dallas lovers.

Still, I don’t think the Giants match up that well with the Cowboys.  If Terrell Owens plays, New York’s secondary has no answer for Owens, Witten, Crayton, and co.  Marion Barber always gives the Giants fits,  and if Romo isn’t overanxious, he’ll be dying to erase the bad taste of last year’s playoff loss to Seattle.  On the other side of the ball, Manning must play as well as last week, and turn in a few more downfield plays; deep is where Dallas is most vulnerable.   Kevin Boss is the X-Factor here; can he stretch the middle against Roy Williams?  I think this a hotly contested game with a few on-field scuffles, and if Romo struggles, the Giants could snatch it away.  But I predict Romo comes out focused, and leads Dallas to the win.

Cowboys 27, Giants 20