Miami Dolphins @ Cincinnati Bengals
The Bengals have won 3 straight, since a tough opening weekend loss to the Baltimore Ravens and face the 1-3, Miami Dolphins in what looks like being a good match up for them. The Dolphins rank 30th in pass defense and most of the Bengals success this year has come from passing the ball. The Bengals have 9 passing touchdowns and just 3 from their running game. This Miami team are the best in the league at defending the run so it looks as though the Dolphins weaknesses, play right into the hands of the Bengals strengths. Fantasy players would do well to start, Andy Dalton, AJ Green and maybe even, Andrew Hawkins. The Dolphins will need to have a big day from their rushing attack. They rank 5th in the NFL, running the ball and the Bengals run defense is 24th. Reggie Bush is the Dolphins biggest weapon today and I expect the Dolphins to put the ball in his hands.
Prediction - Has to be a Bengals win.
Green Bay Packers @ Indianapolis Colts
The Colts are coming off their bye week and it will be interesting to see how they respond to the news of their head coach, Chuck Pagano, being diagnosed with leukemia. Some teams will be inspired to play better and some teams will be left playing with a heavy heart. Ultimately, when you hear news like this, it puts life into perspective and makes the wins and losses we all want from our teams, mean little. On the game, the Colts will have to protect quarterback, Andrew Luck. For an NFL rookie, meeting Clay Matthews for the first time would be a daunting experience. So far the Colts have done a good job of protecting him, with only 5 sacks in 3 games. The Packers have a good defense though and it will be tough to beat the Packers. Green Bay have been less than impressive but they showed good resilience to come back and win last week against the Saints. They finally got some protection for Aaron Rodgers and it is something they need to continue. Rodgers has been sacked 16 times this year and it has effected his performances. If the Packers protect Rodgers, he can beat any team in the league on his own.
Prediction - As much as I'd like to see the Colts do it for Pagano, I think it'll be a heroic effort but the Packers win the game.
Baltimore Ravens @ Kansas City Chiefs
I think this could be a decent game and Baltimore won't get it all their own way. The Ravens rank 4th in passing this year and 12th in rushing. Joe Flacco is having the best season of his career but my biggest concern for the Ravens is their defense. They are currently 29th against the pass and 13th against the run. The Ravens are traditionally one of the best defenses in the league but the loss of Terrell Suggs has hit them hard. Kansas lead the NFL in rushing and are 17th in passing. If they can attack the Ravens and avoid the turnovers that have killed them this year, then this game can be close and maybe even provided a shock result.
Prediction - Kansas to keep this one tight but the Ravens will edge it in the end, most likely off the back of a Chiefs turnover.
Cleveland Browns @ New York Giants
Both teams have lengthy injury reports heading into this game and both have key players ruled out. The Giants are 2-2 after 2 divisional defeats to the Cowboys and Eagles but it's hard to see them lose this one. Eli Manning has been putting up some big numbers this season and against the 28th ranked pass defense, it's hard to see that trend changing. The Browns are 0-4 and they have been unlucky in a few of those losses but unfortunately for them, the NFL doesn't award wins for unlucky and they, along with New Orleans, have the worst record in the league. The worst record in the league, going to face the defending Superbowl champions, there can only be one winner, can't there?
Prediction - A straight forward win for the Giants.
Philadelphia Eagles @ Pittsburgh Steelers
This is a big game for both sides. The Eagles find themselves at 3-1 but they have 3 sides in their division at 2-2 so any slips up will be punished. The Steelers, simply cannot afford to drop to 1-3. The Bengals and Ravens are both 3-1 and have winnable games this week to go 4-1. 3 games back, even this early in the year, is a pretty deep hole to get out of. The match ups look quite interesting in this game. The Steelers are 7th in passing and 30th in rushing. The Eagles defense are 7th against the pass and 12th against the run. The Eagles rank, 10th in passing and 7th in rushing. The Steelers defense are 3rd against the pass and 14th against the run. It looks like the easiest way to decide the winner of this game is to flip a coin.
Prediction - Heads - Steelers, tails - Eagles, heads it is, Steelers win.
Atlanta Falcons @ Washington Redskins
The Atlanta Falcons got a look at a similar quarterback last week against the Carolina Panthers and they didn't do a good job of dealing with it. This could be another big day for RG3 and the Redskins. The Falcons managed to win against Carolina but things could be tougher on the road. One thing I do expect in this game, is a lot of points. The Falcons have a decent passing game and the Redskins rank 31st in the league, against the pass. The Falcons are 29th against the run and are up against the 2nd best rushing attack in the league. For fantasy owners, RG3 is a must. The Falcons will throw for big yards, the only problem is knowing whether Julio Jones, Roddy White or Tony Gonzalez will be the guy catching the passes.
Prediction - I've a suspicion that the Redskins might just win this one.
Seattle Seahawks @ Carolina Panthers
Seattle head to Carolina at 2-2 and I wouldn't be surprised if we are coming to the end of the Russell Wilson era in Seattle. He has been very poor and Seattle are the only team in the NFL who have ran for more yards, than what they have thrown. The Seahawks are averaging 131 yards in the air and it's nowhere near good enough. They are 6th in rushing but the offense is averaging 282 yards per game. There are 7 teams in the NFL who average more than that by passing alone. The defense is good but they need more help from the offense. The Panthers were unlucky not to beat the Falcons last week in Atlanta and will be looking to bounce back in this game. I can't see this being high scoring and should be a decided by a touchdown or less.
Prediction - The Panthers to win this one.
Chicago Bears @ Jacksonville Jaguars
The Bears travel to Jacksonville looking to keep up their solid start to the season. The Jags haven't been great this year and find themselves at 1-3. The Jags have been struggling on offense and it's hard to see how they are going to score against this Bears defense. The Bears have a few key players on the injury report but they are all listed as probable. If they make it onto the field, it's hard to see the Bears lose this one. I am a big fan of the Bears rushing attack this year. Michael Bush and Matt Forte are both good enough to start at most teams in the league and if they can get them working in tandem then they will be a dangerous combination.
Prediction - Easy Bears win.
Tennessee Titans @ Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings are one of the biggest surprises this year. In my preseason preview, I said they'd win 3 games all season. They won 3 games in September and things are looking good in Minnesota at the minute. Adrian Peterson has come back from injury in good shape but most surprising has been the early season form of quarterback, Christian Ponder. Ponder still hasn't thrown an interception this year and it's a huge improvement on last year. Ponder had 13 interceptions last year and if he keeps up this form then the Vikings could be a surprise playoff team. The Titans story isn't nearly as positive. 1-3 and without quarterback, Jake Locker. They finally got a decent display from Chris Johnson last week but the jury is still very much out on whether he will get back to his old form.
Prediction - The Vikings to keep up the good start and go 4-1.
Denver Broncos @ New England Patriots
The one everyone loves, Manning v Brady. It has a new look about it this year as Peyton is facing Tom Brady for the first time as a Bronco. Both teams are 2-2 but would have expected to be in a better position. The Patriots still have that explosive offense and have even improved their run defense, this year but the problem is still their pass defense. Obviously this plays into Denver's hands and there's not many better quarterbacks than Peyton Manning to take advantage of it. The Broncos have a decent defense, ranking in the top half in both pass defense and run defense. As much as I look at defensive stats, ultimately I think this comes down to Brady v Manning again.
Prediction - Brady v Manning, I'm in the Tom Brady camp everytime. Pats win.
Buffalo Bills @ San Francisco 49ers
The wheels came off the Bills last week in the second half against the Pats and a trip to San Francisco isn't a great place to be going to after such a morale sapping defeat. The Bills quarterback, Ryan Fitzpatrick has some crazy stats. He leads the league with 12 touchdown passes but he is also tied for 2nd in interceptions, with 7. If Fitzpatrick can look after the ball better and up his completion percentage a little, then the Bills will be a serious threat to anyone. The 49ers bounced back from defeat in Minnesota with a huge win in New York, over the Jets. I think the key to this 49ers team is the 1st quarter. If the 49ers get their noses in front, they'll be happy to let their running game and defense win the game. If you get ahead of them and they have to put the ball in Alex Smith's hands, then bad things can start to happen to them.
Prediction - I think this game will be tighter than many expect but the 49ers should pick up the win.
San Diego Chargers @ New Orleans Saints
Sunday Night Football, sees another interesting match up as the Chargers face the Saints. The Saints have a great passing game and rank 3rd in the league. The Chargers pass defense is 18th. The Chargers should be able to stop the Saints running the ball and I think the Chargers hopes lie in getting their own running game going. The Saints are the worst team in the league, against the run and if the Chargers are to win they need to put the ball in the hands of Jackie Battle and Ryan Mathews.
Prediction - The Saints agony to end, with their first win of the season.
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