NFL Football Pool Game

[Hostrauser]

Bye-Week Commentary
Detroit Lions: How sad is the NFL if this team might only be the 3RD-worst team in the league? In 180 minutes of football this season, the Lions have held the lead for precisely 2:24. The defense is small and fast, but small means weak and they can't stop anybody. Next up: Matt Forte and the Chicago Bears, then Adrian Peterson and the Minnesota Vikings. Hello, 0-5. Oh, Matt Millen's been fired? Great. Maybe this team will be half-way decent in four or five more years.

Indianapolis Colts: All the talking heads on TV keeps talking about how this team isn't panicking, how they'll be fine. I don't see it. Their defense can't stop anybody. Their offense line is swiss cheese, meaning they can't run the ball and Peyton is under constant pressure (his two picks per game versus the Jaguars and Vikings the past two weeks were the first time he's thrown multiple picks in back-to-back regular season games since 2002). Their remaining schedule includes road games at Green Bay, Tennessee, Pittsburgh, San Diego and Jacksonville, and home games versus Baltimore, New England, and Tennessee; I see a minimum of six losses there, maybe seven or eight. This team is LUCKY to be 1-2, and I've seen nothing from this team that leads me to believe they'll be better than 6-10 or 7-9.

Miami Dolphins: Let's temper our enthusiasm: this team was 1-15 last season and comes out of the bye with a road game at San Diego. Still, the schedule is managable (games against Houston, Oakland, St. Louis and Kansas City still remain), so somewhere in the range of 4-12 to 6-10 isn't out of the question. Baby steps. Talk about .500 next season.

New England Patriots: To lose at home is bad. To get blown out at home by one of the worst teams in football is horrid. Matt Cassel trying to fill Tom Brady's shoes might be the least of the Patriots problems. Talk all you want about the Patriots' inability to stop Ronnie Brown's trick play (over and over and over and over again), there are deeper concerns than that. Ricky Williams also rushed for almost 100 yards on the Pats, and Chad Pennington was 17 of 20 for 226 yards (Brady-like numbers). The Dolphins racked up 461 yards of offense and the Patriots defense registered zero sacks and zero turnovers. The Patriots are yielding over 140 yards rushing and over 330 yards total per game, and they haven't exactly faced offensive juggernauts in the Chiefs, Jets and Dolphins. DANGER, DANGER WILL ROBINSON!!

New York Giants: The Giants should spend the off-week working on their secondary, the weak-link that let Cincinnati stay in the game. Despite a pass-rush that got six sacks against Carson Palmer, Palmer still completed almost 70% of his passes for almost 250 yards. They come out of the break to face Matt Hasselbeck and the Seahawks, so if they don't straighten things out he'll pick their zone apart.

Seattle Seahawks: Seattle's next five games: at Giants, vs. Packers, at Bucs, at Niners, vs. Eagles. That's a pretty nasty stretch. I'm not ready to write this team off yet (they can run the ball and stop the run, so you have to expect a change in fortunes at some point), but they don't have an easy road to the playoffs after their slow start.

Sunday, September 28th
1. San Francisco 49ers @ New Orleans Saints
San Francisco: A risky pick, but I like the way the Niners are playing. They are a middle-of-the-pack NFL team now, not bottom of the barrel, and they're a team that can spring an upset or two and find themselves in the playoffs. I like the match-ups they have against New Orleans, too.
New Orleans: That's two games in a row now that the Saints choked away, two games they should have won. Colston's out, now Shockey's out too; who is Drew Brees going to throw to? This team can't win with the run game.

2. Denver Broncos @ Kansas City Chiefs
Denver: Remember my statement about Bill Belichick selling his soul to the devil? I meant Mike Shanahan. When was the last time a team gave up 70 points in two games and went 2-0? When was the last time a team whose defense is 30th out of 32 teams in yards allowed and 29th out of 32 in points allowed (even with holding Oakland to 14 in the opener) started a season 3-0? I'm not going to say they suck, or they won't contend for the playoffs, or anything like that; I'm going to say this: the Broncos are leading a charmed life right now, and will have to come back to earth eventually. Plus, you know, I hate them.
Kansas City: Ugh. I know, this is pick suicide. Tyler Thigpen looked completely out of his element as an NFL QB. This is pretty much the "lock" pick of the week and I'm going against it, because... ah, forget it. It's too depressing to talk about the Chiefs.

3. Arizona Cardinals @ New York Jets
Arizona: Someday, somewhere, someone will finally be able to explain how Kurt Warner can play like either an NFL MVP or a third-string QB, but nothing in between. Arizona is just thankful he's on one of his MVP-kicks, because the Matt Leinart experiment isn't working out as planned. Cardinals' pass defense has been pretty solid, and this is another game where I really like the match-ups for the NFC West team.
New York: They don't have a running game and Brett Favre won't be 100%, but the thing that worries me most about the Jets is how they gave up half-a-hundred to the Chargers in a 20-point beating and handled it with a shrug. Did you see that post-game locker room? A lot of nonchalance, little anger or consternation. I do not like (or respect) teams who lose by 20 points and you can't find a scowl or frown anywhere in the locker room.

4. Atlanta Falcons @ Carolina Panthers
Atlanta: They have beat two crap teams at home and gotten pounded in their one road game: coincidentally, against a defensively tough NFC South opponent. Which is exactly the match-up they have this week. The run is Atlanta's meal ticket, and you just know Carolina is going to clamp down on Michael Turner and make Matt Ryan beat them. Right now, at this point in his career, I don't think he can.
Carolina: Carolina, like Denver, is living on borrowed time. Two squeaker wins, two last minute plays going the other way is all that separates them from 0-3. 11 false starts in the past two weeks. A negative point-differential. All bad signs. The good? OL is getting healthy, and Atlanta doesn't have nearly the defense the Panthers first three opponents had. Minnesota was a trap game, I can't hold that against them. But this is a divisional opponent at home. No excuses, Carolina.

5. Minnesota Vikings @ Tennessee Titans
Minnesota: The Vikings rank last in the NFL in red-zone offense: one TD in eight trips inside their opponent's 20. That does not bode well (see below). The Vikings defense has been pretty good so far, but I don't think this team has the intestinal fortitude to tough out a win in Nashville. A nice goal would be to leave the stadium with a healthy Adrian Peterson.
Tennessee: If I had to choose Super Bowl teams after three weeks, the Titans would be my AFC pick. The QB situation concerns me, but Jeff Fisher has built an old-school, "Iron Curtain"-style defense that is playing very, very nasty right now. The Titans are 1st in the NFL in points allowed per game, and the defense seems to do their best work in the red zone. On the other side of the ball, the Titans also lead the NFL in red zone offense: seven TDs in eight attempts.

6. Green Bay Packers @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Green Bay: Defensive secondary is riddled with injuries, and now they face a QB who chucked it up 67 times for 407 yards against an even better defense last week. Plus, the offensive line is finally getting healthy, but that means position juggling: all three interior linemen will be starting their first game of the season at their respective positions. And Ryan Grant is running on a gimpy hammy. I just don't have a good feeling about this team this week.
Tampa Bay: Most impressive part of last week's come from behind win against Chicago? Brian Griese dropped back to pass 67 times but wasn't sacked even once. Monte Kiffin loves to torment young quarterbacks (right, Matt Ryan?) so I expect Aaron Rodgers will have a bit of a rough go at it this week. And the Bucs are one of the few NFL teams that I think have a significant homefield advantage. Tampa always seems to play about 25% better with the 12th man behind them.

7. Houston Texans @ Jacksonville Jaguars
Houston: Thanks to Hurrican Gustav, the Texans still haven't played a home game. And their road schedule has been brutal: Steelers, Titans, and now Jags. On the plus side, after this they don't have another road game until November. But the Texans haven't even been competitive this season, and there's no reason to think that will change this week.
Jacksonville: Coming off a big win, Jack Del Rio has to make sure his team doesn't have a let-down game. David Garrard still looks like a one-hit wonder, but with the porous Texans' run defense in town, look for Taylor and Jones-Drew to have big days.

8. Cleveland Browns @ Cincinnati Bengals
Cleveland: Quick: name which team has scored the fewest points in the NFL this season. You're looking at them. Although these teams have combined for TWO 90+ point offensive spectaculars in the past four or five seasons, so I guess anything's possible. Derek Anderson to Braylon Edwards just isn't looking like a money combo so far this season.
Cincinnati: Can they build off the surprising tenacity they showed in the Meadowlands? This is a good place to start. Bengals have won 7 of the past 10 against the Browns, with their last home loss in the series back in 2003. And, hobbled or not, I'll still take Carson Palmer over Derek Anderson or "that dude from Notre Dame."

9. San Diego Chargers @ Oakland Raiders
San Diego: This is a pass-first offense. LT has probably passed his apex as a runner, and with his gimpy wheels is mainly being used to keep defenses honest. But this is Phillip Rivers' show, and *HE* (not LT) will dictate how far this team goes. LT is not going to run for 150-200 yards any more. LT will get 20-25 carries for 75-100 yards, Darren Sproles will chip in some extra rushing yardage, and that will be more than enough for this offense. Defensively? Improvement shown (pass rush, run defense), more improvement needed (zone coverage is still terrible; you've got the talent in the secondary to play man, so do it).
Oakland: Unsolved Mysteries: How is Oakland staying competitive in games when their QB isn't even getting 10 completions? Jamarcus Russell has 15 completions TOTAL in the past two games. Unless Oakland's planning on converting to an Air Force/Navy-style "triple option" offense, that number won't do. Also, their defense choked big in the fourth quarter last week. Not a good sign when that's your bread and butter unit.

10. Buffalo Bills @ St. Louis Rams
Buffalo: Gutting out a tough win is an important character-building step for any playoff hopeful; but there's simply no excuse if they let the Rams hang around this game. Personally, I'm expecting Trent Edwards to scorch them.
St. Louis: Might we be witnessing the worst team in NFL history? Should the 1976 Tampa Bay Buccaneers be concerned? Food for thought, based on the worst teams in the NFL the past three seasons... The 2005 Houston Texans, 2-14, # of games lost by 24 or more points: 2; the 2006 Oakland Raiders, 2-14, # of games lost by 24+: 1; the 2007 Miami Dolphins, 1-15, # of games lost by 24+: 1... and the 2008 St. Louis Rams, 0-3, # of games lost by 24+: 3. Going back to last season, the Rams have lost seven straight by an AVERAGE of 37-14. That's just hideous.

11. Washington Redskins @ Dallas Cowboys
Washington: After three weeks, is there any doubt the NFC East is the strongest conference in football? If there's a pretender in the group, though, my money's on Washington. I wouldn't consider their defense OR their offense to be better than any other team in their division. Poor Redskins: this might be the best team they've had in a decade and they're still going to finish last in the NFC East. I can see them finishing 8-8 and still be in the cellar.
Dallas: After three weeks, the Cowboys look like a team without many flaws. The offense has been near unstoppable, and the defense has been stout (even with the Eagles game, Dallas' defense is in the Top 10 overall in the NFL). The schedule is also a peach, and I see no reason this team doesn't start out at least 7-0. I'm a San Diego fan, though, so I'm very familiar with Wade Phillips and his track record. Somewhere down the line, the Cowboys defense will utterly collapse in the fourth quarter of a big game. Bank on it.

12. Philadelphia Eagles @ Chicago Bears
Philadelphia: Throw out the Dallas game, and the Eagles defense has given up only three field goals in eight quarters. And Tony Romo won't be lining up across from them Sunday night. Jim Johnson's defense is a terror: nine sacks on Ben Roethlisberger. Normally, when a team blitzes every play they are susceptible to the run, but the Eagles also stuffed Willie Parker to 13 carries for only 20 yards. And if Brian Griese can chuck 400 yards against the Bears, what do you think Donovan McNabb is going to do? (McNabb amazes me: I thought he was washed up two seasons ago, his knees have the structural integrity of boiled chicken, and yet he still goes out there every game and has been lethal as a pocket passer.)
Chicago: This game is a match-up nightmare: every weakness the Bears have (passing offense, secondary) the Eagles are good at exploiting; every strength the Bears have (rushing offense, pass rush) the Eagles are good at stifling. How well do YOU think Kyle Orton will handle Johnson's 1,001 blitz packages? Oh, and Devin Hester will probably miss another game, as he's been held out of practice this week. This game could get ugly.

Monday, September 29th
13. Baltimore Ravens @ Pittsburgh Steelers
Baltimore: As nervous as I am with a fairly unimpressive rookie QB heading into Heinz Field, the Ravens are healthier and have a defense out for blood (Ravens were embarrassed 38-7 here last season with a banged up defense, and the defense definitely wants to atone). This is a bitter rivalry game, and it could get brutal.
Pittsburgh: Too many injuries for me to feel comfortable with this team this week. Ben Roethlisberger is still picking grass from his teeth, and you know the Ravens are going to watch that Eagles' game film for weakness. But the Steelers can't lean on the run game: Pro Bowl RB Willie Parker is out. And Pro Bowl DT Casey Hampton is out, too, meaning Baltimore's run game just went giddy. Whatever you do, take the under: the COMBINED (for and against) point total for Pittsburgh's last two games? 37.

Bonus Question 1: What will be the Point Spread of Game #12 (Philadelphia Eagles vs Chicago Bears)? 17 (33-16, Eagles)

Bonus Question 2: What will be the Final Total Points of Game #13 (Baltimore Ravens vs Pittsburgh Steelers)? 30 (17-13, Ravens)

[jacjar1]

Well I have read all posts so here goes...At least Oregon State isnt playing on Sunday...

Sunday, September 28th
1. New Orleans Saints
2. Denver Broncos
3. Arizona Cardinals
4. Atlanta Falcons
5. Tennessee Titans
6. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
7. Jacksonville Jaguars
8. Cincinnati Bengals
9. San Diego Chargers
10. Buffalo Bills
11. Dallas Cowboys
12. Philadelphia Eagles
Monday, September 29th
13. Pittsburgh Steelers


Bonus Question 1: 20

Bonus Question 2: 31

[fieldshowqueen]

Sunday, September 28th
1. New Orleans Saints
2. Denver Broncos
3. Arizona Cardinals
4. Carolina Panthers
5. Tennessee Titans
6. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
7. Jacksonville Jaguars
8. Cincinnati Bengals
9. San Diego Chargers
10. Buffalo Bills
11. Dallas Cowboys
12. Philadelphia Eagles
Monday, September 29th
13. Pittsburgh Steelers

Bonus Question 1: 10
Bonus Question 2: 34

[Marianne]

1. New Orleans Saints
2. Denver Broncos
3. Arizona Cardinals
4. Carolina Panthers
5. Tennessee Titans
6. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
7. Jacksonville Jaguars
8. Cleveland Browns
9. San Diego Chargers
10. Buffalo Bills
11. Dallas Cowboys
12. Philadelphia Eagles
13. Pittsburgh Steelers

BQ1: 7
BQ2: 42

[Marianne]

Here are the results for Week 4:


WEEK 4 RESULTS
1. 70.714 Marianne
2. 61.607 fieldshowqueen
3. 52.500 Hostrauser
4. 52.321 jacjar1
5. 47.857 The Aceman
6. 41.964 bigmikedrivesbmw
7. 38.929 Nreuest
8. 32.857 LoyalTubist



SEASON AVERAGE THROUGH WEEK 4
1. 65.728 Marianne
2. 63.086 fieldshowqueen
3. 62.461 Hostrauser
4. 56.954 Nreuest
5. 52.633 jacjar1
6. 51.665 bigmikedrivesbmw
7. 51.445 The Aceman
8. 23.398 LoyalTubist

RECAPS

[Marianne]

THE GAME IS NOW OPEN
FOR PICKS FOR
Regular Season Week 5

Pick The Winner Of Each Game: (40 Points Each)


Sunday, October 5
1. Seattle Seahawks @ New York Giants
2. San Diego Chargers @ Miami Dolphins
3. Indianapolis Colts @ Houston Texans
4. Atlanta Falcons @ Green Bay Packers
5. Chicago Bears @ Detroit Lions
6. Kansas City Chiefs @ Carolina Panthers
7. Tennessee Titans @ Baltimore Ravens
8. Washington Redskins @ Philadelphia Eagles
9. Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ Denver Broncos
10. Buffalo Bills @ Arizona Cardinals
11. Cincinnati Bengals @ Dallas Cowboys
12. New England Patriots @ San Francisco 49ers
13. Pittsburgh Steelers @ Jacksonville Jaguars
Monday, October 6
14. Minnesota Vikings @ New Orleans Saints



Bonus Question 1: What will be the Point Spread of Game# 13 ( Pittsburgh Steelers vs Jacksonville Jaguars )?
(15 points, minus the variance of your guess from the actual points scored.)

Bonus Question 2: What will be the Final Total Points of Game# 14 ( Minnesota Vikings vs New Orleans Saints )?
(25 points, minus the variance of your guess from the actual points scored.)

Deadline for picks is kickoff of the first game of the week ( Sunday, October 5 ). Approximately 1:00 PM Eastern.

[bigmikedrivesbmw]

1. New York Giants
2. San Diego Chargers
3. Indianapolis Colts
4. Atlanta Falcons
5. Chicago Bears
6. Carolina Panthers
7. Tennessee Titans
8. Philadelphia Eagles
9. Denver Broncos
10. Buffalo Bills
11. Dallas Cowboys
12. New England Patriots
13. Jacksonville Jaguars
14. Minnesota Vikings



Bonus Question 1: 6

Bonus Question 2: 45

[Nreuest]

Sunday, October 5
1. Seattle Seahawks @ New York Giants
I just don't see the Giants losing just yet. This might be the year Seattle misses the playoffs.

2. San Diego Chargers @ Miami Dolphins
As long as the defense keeps improving and Stephen Cooper adjusts quickly, the Chargers should win. Last weekend proved the offense can't be held for 60 minutes.

3. Indianapolis Colts @ Houston Texans
Pretty much a must-win for both teams, but Indianapolis isn't the same team anymore. Their run defense has been pushed around a lot, and Houston can at least put up a few points. If they can do it against Jacksonville, they will against Indianapolis.

4. Atlanta Falcons @ Green Bay Packers
I picked Atlanta last week, that's why I'm not picking them anymore lol. Aaron Rodgers will suck it up this week and get the Packers back on track.

5. Chicago Bears @ Detroit Lions
Detroit's defense is unbelievable. If Kyle Orton is to get better, this is the perfect place to start.

6. Kansas City Chiefs @ Carolina Panthers
Panthers are not who I thought they were. KC won big, but that was a divisional game, anything could've happened.

7. Tennessee Titans @ Baltimore Ravens
Battle of the defenses. Baltimore was close to beating Pittsburgh and they'll challenge the Titans. But Titans win.

8. Washington Redskins @ Philadelphia Eagles
I'm not sure what to think of the NFC East, so I'll just go with home field advantage.

9. Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ Denver Broncos
I just want to bet against Denver. If the CHIEFS can force turnovers and win against their high-scoring offense, Tampa will do it better.

10. Buffalo Bills @ Arizona Cardinals
The Bills look like the team to beat in the entire AFC. That'll end once the Chargers play them, but Arizona has been getting pushed around. They're an early disappointment starting 2-0, now about to lose 3 straight.

11. Cincinnati Bengals @ Dallas Cowboys
Can't really bet against Dallas all year. This is my top lock of the week.

12. New England Patriots @ San Francisco 49ers
I don't know what to think of the Patriots now, Cassel has talent around him but he doesn't know how to use it. The 49ers win a close one.

13. Pittsburgh Steelers @ Jacksonville Jaguars
I can't picture the Jaguars winning. Steelers are going to keep improving while the Jags still struggle. It'll be close though.

Monday, October 6
14. Minnesota Vikings @ New Orleans Saints
Offenses win games, defenses win championships. This is not a championship game, the Saints win.



Bonus Question 1: What will be the Point Spread of Game# 13 ( Pittsburgh Steelers vs Jacksonville Jaguars )?
4

Bonus Question 2: What will be the Final Total Points of Game# 14 ( Minnesota Vikings vs New Orleans Saints )?
51

[The Aceman]

Sunday, October 5
1. New York Giants
2. San Diego Chargers
3. Indianapolis Colts
4. Atlanta Falcons
5. Chicago Bears
6. Carolina Panthers
7. Tennessee Titans
8. Philadelphia Eagles
9. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
10. Buffalo Bills
11. Dallas Cowboys
12. San Francisco 49ers
13. Jacksonville Jaguars
Monday, October 6
14. @ New Orleans Saints



Bonus Question 1: 9

Bonus Question 2: 35

[Hostrauser]

This week's commentary features the "Stat O' Concern"

Bye-Week Commentary
Cleveland: 210.8. The Browns' average offense yardage per game. For comparison, the Miami Dolphins have run 45 fewer plays from scrimmage in one fewer games, but still have almost 100 yards more total offense than the Browns.

New York Jets: 86.5. Rushing yards per game for the Jets, 28th of 32 NFL teams. They also only have one rushing TD the entire season, tied for last in the NFL.

Oakland: 64. Have allowed 64 points in the 4th quarter this season, 16 ppg.

St. Louis: 32. 32nd ranked offense (pts scored), 32nd ranked defense (pts allowed). Out of 32 NFL teams.


Sunday, October 5
1. Seattle Seahawks @ New York Giants
Seattle: -47. Seahawks point differential in their previous six games in the Eastern Time Zone. They've gone 1-5 in those games.
New York Giants: 63.3%. Opposing QB completion rate, despite 13 sacks and constant pressure. Middle of the pack in the NFL, but it's tough to find statistical weaknesses on this team.

2. San Diego Chargers @ Miami Dolphins
San Diego: -29. Chargers' first half point differential in road games so far this season (17-46).
Miami: 31.7. Dolphins opponents' AVERAGE return yardage on kickoffs, with the electrifying Darren Sproles coming to town.

3. Indianapolis Colts @ Houston Texans
Indianapolis: 24:42. Average time of possession per game, worst in the NFL by almost two minutes. Peyton can't win games if he's not on the field.
Houston: 99.8. Opponents' QB Rating through three games, 27th in the NFL. Not good with you-know-who coming to town.

4. Atlanta Falcons @ Green Bay Packers
Atlanta: 1. Combined number of sacks by everyone on the team NOT named John Abraham.
Green Bay: 6. Career passing yards for Matt Flynn, Green Bay's QB on Sunday if Aaron Rodgers' shoulder hasn't healed enough.

5. Chicago Bears @ Detroit Lions
Chicago: 0.333. Chicago's surprising winning percentage in Detroit the past 15 seasons (5-10).
Detroit: 21. All three of Detroit's opponents so far have gone into half-time with 21 points (and the lead).

6. Kansas City Chiefs @ Carolina Panthers
Kansas City: 486. Number of rushing yards given up by the Chiefs in just two games (Oakland, Atlanta). 21 NFL Teams have given up less rushing yardage on the entire season. Amazingly, two teams are worse on a ypg basis: KC's rush defense ranks "only" 30th out of 32 teams. (Those two teams are Detroit and Indianapolis, btw.)
Carolina: 25.5. Carolina's 3rd down conversion rate (13 of 51), 30th in the NFL, ahead of only Oakland and St. Louis.

7. Tennessee Titans @ Baltimore Ravens
Tennessee: 73.8. Tennessee's combined QB rating for the season. Kerry Collins or no, if the Titans ever need the QB to win a game for them, they might be in trouble.
Baltimore: 24. The number of ribs in the human body. If Willis McGahee's are hurting, Baltimore's in big trouble.

8. Washington Redskins @ Philadelphia Eagles
Washington: 0. Number of offensive turnovers by the Redskins so far this season. Why is that a cause for concern? They're due.
Philadelphia: 0.231. David Akers' conversion rate on field goals of 40+ yards the past two seasons (3 of 13). Once automatic, Akers' range seems to have fallen off a cliff.

9. Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ Denver Broncos
Tampa Bay: 540. Number of penalty yards assessed against the Bucs so far this season, most in the NFL.
Denver: 6.6. Yards per play given up by the Denver Efense, 31st in the NFL.

10. Buffalo Bills @ Arizona Cardinals
Buffalo: 11:23. Amount of time (out of 90:00) the Bills have held the lead in the first three quarters of their previous two games. Legitimate Super Bowl contenders don't have to come from behind every game, guys.
Arizona: 100%. The stunning 4th down conversion rate for Arizona opponents (5 for 5). Whisenhunt's team has yet to stop a 4th down try this season.

11. Cincinnati Bengals @ Dallas Cowboys
Cincinnati: 5 and 45.5. I couldn't choose just one. Five is the number of times WR Chris Henry has been arrested. The Bengals' resident choir boy starts Sunday now that he's off suspension by the NFL. 45.5 is the career rushing yards per game average for Cedric Benson, the Bears' cast-off whom Cincinnati bafflingly thinks is going to salvage their run game.
Dallas: +2, 359. Dallas's point differential and average yards allowed in home games this season (compared to +29, 269.5 for road games).

12. New England Patriots @ San Francisco 49ers
New England: 17-1. The Patriots' record the last five seasons in regular season games immediately following a regular or post-season loss. (I cheat: this is a stat o' concern for the Niners.)
San Francisco: 9. Number of fumbles in the first four games (6 lost).

13. Pittsburgh Steelers @ Jacksonville Jaguars
Pittsburgh: 7 & 1. 7 = number of starters on IR or injured list. 1 = number of healthy running backs left by the 4th quarter of Monday Night's game.
Jacksonville: 6 & 6. 6 = number of touchdowns scored by the offense. 6 = number of turnovers committed by the offense.

Monday, October 6
14. Minnesota Vikings @ New Orleans Saints
Minnesota: 1:2. Ratio of touchdowns (5) to turnovers (10) for the Vikings, which helps explain how they can outproduce their opponents by almost 50 ypg and still be 1-3.
New Orleans: -35.8. Difference between Saints' rushing ypg and opponents' rushing ypg and, hey, don't the Vikings have a decent running back?


Bonus Question 1: What will be the Point Spread of Game #13 (Pittsburgh Steelers vs Jacksonville Jaguars)? 10

Bonus Question 2: What will be the Final Total Points of Game #14 (Minnesota Vikings vs New Orleans Saints)? 54

[LoyalTubist]

Will be out of Vietnam on Saturday at 1:00 am, Vietnam time.

1. New York Giants
2. San Diego Chargers
3. Indianapolis Colts
4. Green Bay Packers
5. Chicago Bears
6. Carolina Panthers
7. Tennessee Titans
8. Philadelphia Eagles
9. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
10. Buffalo Bills
11. Dallas Cowboys
12. San Francisco 49ers
13. Jacksonville Jaguars
14. New Orleans Saints

Bonus Question 1: 2

Bonus Question 2: 45

[fieldshowqueen]

Sunday, October 5
1. New York Giants
2. San Diego Chargers
3. Indianapolis Colts
4. Atlanta Falcons (hear me Arthur! ... I'm taking a real chance here)
5. Chicago Bears
6. Carolina Panthers
7. Tennessee Titans
8. Philadelphia Eagles
9. Denver Broncos
10. Arizona Cardinals
11. Dallas Cowboys
12. New England Patriots
13. Jacksonville Jaguars
Monday, October 6
14. New Orleans Saints

Bonus Question 1: 7
Bonus Question 2: 48

[The Aceman]

Marianne, I changed my game four pick to the Atlanta Falcons and my BQ2 from 28 to 35, FYI.

[FluteOfTheNewWorld]

Sunday, October 5
1. Seattle Seahawks @ New York Giants
2. San Diego Chargers @ Miami Dolphins
3. Indianapolis Colts @ Houston Texans
4. Atlanta Falcons @ Green Bay Packers
5. Chicago Bears @ Detroit Lions
6. Kansas City Chiefs @ Carolina Panthers
7. Tennessee Titans @ Baltimore Ravens
8. Washington Redskins @ Philadelphia Eagles
9. Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ Denver Broncos
10. Buffalo Bills @ Arizona Cardinals
11. Cincinnati Bengals @ Dallas Cowboys
12. New England Patriots @ San Francisco 49ers
13. Pittsburgh Steelers @ Jacksonville Jaguars
Monday, October 6
14. Minnesota Vikings @ New Orleans Saints



Bonus Question 1: 10 points

Bonus Question 2: 41 points

[Nreuest]

Marianne, I changed my game four pick to the Atlanta Falcons and my BQ2 from 28 to 35, FYI.

I'd actually like to change my pick to Atlanta as well