Finally the Packers have come out firing harder than Vince Vaughn after a giant line of blow. They showed their potential against a top Houston team by dissecting them and then taking them down piece by piece. It’s difficult to put into words how potent Aaron Rodgers is, but if he continues to play at the level of last week, last year, etc... then he has the potential to be in the top 5 QB’s in NFL history. I mean, it’s rare that he plays a game where he finishes under a 100 QBR. Last week, against 1 of only 2 teams with winning records in the AFC, Houston Texans, Rodgers threw for 338 yards, 6 TD’s, and 0 picks for a measly QBR of 133.8. In the last three games, he’s put up staggering numbers, 13 TDs, and a rating of 124.5. They have weapons on offense with the likes of Jennings (although hampered with a groin Injury), Nelson (3 TD’s last week), the rising James Jones (7 TD’s), and Finley. There's no point in naming their running back because they don't need one.
As for the Rams, they apparently are afraid to score points. Last week in a loss against a mediocre Dolphins team, the Rams managed to put up 462 yards but only scored 14 points. The yardage last week was an anomaly, but their scoring was not. Their offense is as good as Channing Tatum’s acting ability with 9 TDs, good for 30th in the league; and they're averaging just 18.3 ppg and 308.7 ypg- 28th offense. Ok so the Rams have an opportunity to go 4-0 at home, but I HIGHLY DOUBT IT. They cannot compete with the aerial assault of the Packers. Stephen Jackson, the heart and soul of the Rams, has average 113.5 ypg against the Packers and there is probably no one I feel worse for then him since he continues to dominate the game but people always forget he exists since his team exudes failure. He should have another explosive game against a Packers team that is allowing an average of 110.2 yards on the ground, but that’s their only weapon. They have an accurate, over-priced, and small-armed QB in Sam Bradford who is deadly at short range but they simply do not have anyone to throw to. I mean, their top receivers are Brandon Gibson (1674 yards TOTAL in a 4 year career) and rookie Chris Givens. Yea, they're screwed. Besides the first game of the season, they haven't scored above the teens in a game.
Now the Rams have James Laurinaites on D (7th most tackles in NFL with 55) who is turning into a top tier LB, the most hated man in football Cortland Finnegan at corner, and elite safety in Mikell, but the fact that they are a respectable 7th in yards allowed per game means nothing to the Packers. The Packer’s defense has the He-Man wannabe Clay Mathews (8 sacks, second most in the NFL). They also have the ageless Charles Woodson and great role players in AJ Hawk and BJ Raji. Their defense has allowed an average of 110.2 ypg I wouldn’t be surprised if the Packers go into the playoffs with a home field bye at minimum, even after a subpar start. They should win this one as easy as convincing Pamela Anderson to make a sex tape.
4:25pm NY Jets (+10.5) vs. the New England Patriots
Besides the Baltimore / Texans game, this is the biggest game of the weekend hands down. Both teams absolutely hate each other, it’s a fact. Like usual, Rex Ryan has already started the banter by stating the Jets will win and while he's usually incorrect, they always play well against the Patriots when he predicts this going into the game. OK, last year they were swept by the Pats by an average of 15 points, but this year the Pats appear to be the weakest they've been in many moons.
The Jets might be the most inconsistent team in football and they're a team who loves to play to the level of their opponent, which means they're mentally weak. Is love the right word? Anyway, their offense should be slightly more potent with the healthier Sanchez safety valve, Dustin Keller, back for his second week. That said, Sanchize threw for 82 yards, but a decent 2 TD and 0 Pick performance last week in a crushing victory over the amazing Indianapolis Colts…Nevermind. The real questions is what would they have done with Teboner in there and will we be seeing him? Due to the depletion of the Jet’s RB back-ups, apparently Tebow will be playing some running back which in my opinion is the best possible position for a meat stick who can’t really throw the ball. He should have played RB since his pro inception. This could cause some match-up issues if he runs the ball well and Sexy Rexy decides to throw a few Wildcat plays in there. Their starter, Shonn Greene, finally had a decent week last week (161 yards and 3 TDs) and it appears their offensive line is starting to congeal so watch as they move the ball efficiently against a Patriots team whose defense appears to have several kinks in the armor.
The Patriots offense is looking sharp as they rank 3rd in passing yards and a surprising 4th in rushing yards. The lowest amount of points they've scored this season is 20. Even after being blackballed the first two weeks, Wesley Welker has caught fire quicker than Snoop Dogg’s blunts and is second in the league with 48 receptions this season. Brandon Lloyd has been playing well, but this is a team that needs their tight-ends healthy and right now Hernandez and Gronk are injured. Over 60% of their offense sets are two TE formations. Sure the Jets have their share of the walking dead in Keller, Hill, and all-pro center Nick Mangold, all injured, but the TE’s are so important to the Pat’s offense that they struggle significantly when one of the two are out or barely able to play. Now, the Jets secondary is more vulnerable without Revis and his goddamn island, but Cromartie seems to be filling in nicely as the top corner. I mean they had the potential to be number 1 in the league but are still unreal at number six in pass-defense. The issue though is that with Revis gone, overall their secondary is more susceptible. They still have Cromartie, the father of a nation (Of illegitimate children), and they have the best safety tandem in the NFL between Yeremiah Bell and when healthy LaRon “Steroid Maniac” Landry.
Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Cincinnati Bengals (o45)
There is no such thing as defense this year as more games turn into scorathons than barn-burners. This game will be no exception. The Bengals’ offense is looking sound thus far this season, with AJ Green leading the league in receiving yards (628) and tied for second with TD’s (6). Only James Jones has more. They're 8th in the league in passing yards but could use some work in their running game as when it comes to that they rank 21st. They have the law firm (BenJarvus Green-Ellis) as a sound running back who won’t put up crazy numbers but also won’t make mistakes that will cost the team. In the only two games he's fumbled this season, they won. Essentially, they plan on airing the ball out and one of the biggest X-Factors, Troy “Get a haircut hippie” Polamalu likely won’t play. The same goes for RT Marcus Gilbert, and Nose Tackle Alameda Ta’Amu. The Steelers at this point remind me of a dying dog on defense.
The Steeler’s offense will only go as far as Roethlisberger will take them as their RB’s have had health issues all season. Both Mendenhall and Redman are questionable again so they will need a big game out of their young speedsters Antonio Brown (346 yards and 1 TD) and Mike “The bullet” Wallace (345 yards and 4 TD’s). Throw in an underrated Heath Miller and the fact that Big Ben has the ability to convert 3rd and 15’s with ease and there should be points placed on the board. Plus the Bengals rank 17th in opposing passing yards even though they have only played against 1 good QB in Joe Flacco, then the rest are young and/or mediocre. The opposing players at the helm consist of an abysmal Blaine Gabbert and four rookies (Wheeden twice, RG3, Tannehill). None of these players have the skills of Big Ben. Watch as this game ends up being 35-30, Steelers win.
Record
Week 6
1-2
Week 5
1-2
Week
4
3-0
Week 3
2-1
Week 2
1-2
Week 1
0-1
3-0
Week 3
2-1
Week 2
1-2
Week 1
0-1
TOTAL
8-9
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