NFL: Week 7 Picks and Bengals Mid-Season Grade
Bengals Mid-Season Grade: A
"Holy Crap." It has been an excellent start to the season for the Cincinnati Bengals who 4-2 heading into their bye week. The Bengals are tied with the Steelers for second in the AFC North and only a half a game behind leader Baltimore.
Only three teams, San Francisco, New England and Green Bay have more wins than the Bengals and only six teams have a better record than Cincinnati. Many experts had the Bengals winning no more than four games going into the season and after six games, they already have four wins. The Bengals two losses were by a combined seven points and one of those losses were to the 5-1 49ers.
Rookie's Andy Dalton and A.J. Green have better than advertised, the defense had been outstanding and the special teams have been very solid all season. Defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer believes his unit can be even better and with every snap, Andy Dalton and the offense continue to get better.
The second half of the season should be very interesting to watch and the Bengals have a lot of winnable games remaining. Seattle, Arizona and St. Louis are a combined 3-12, but the Bengals have to travel to Seattle and St. Louis. Houston and Tennessee are the two best teams in the AFC South and Houston should be healthy when they come to Cincinnati December 11th.
Easily, the biggest test of the season will be week 10-13. This stretch of the season will be where we find out just how good the 2011 Cincinnati Bengals really are. The Bengals have four straight division games where the Steelers come here, then a trip to Baltimore, home against Cleveland and then at Pittsburgh. If the Bengals can at least split those four games or even win three of them, I think we will see them in the playoffs.
The Bengals should beat all three of the remaining NFC opponents; they should beat Cleveland at home, and at least split between Tennessee and Houston. That gives the Bengals nine wins, and then one or two wins against the Ravens and Steelers puts them at worst 10-6. That should be enough wins to get into the playoffs with a Wild Card spot or maybe even a division title, which I can't believe I'm saying, depending on how Pittsburgh and Baltimore play the rest of the season.
Cincinnati is half way through the season, if you count the preseason, and so far they have been nothing but a great surprise. I almost gave the Bengals an A+ for the first half of the season, but that's hard to do with two losses, but it has been a great start. However, if the Bengals want to make a run at the playoffs, the second half of the season will have to be just as good.
Week 7 Picks (Home team in CAPS)
DETROIT over Atlanta: The Lions will be looking to rebound this week after losing their first game of the season to the 49ers last Sunday. Detroit will be without RB Jahvid Best, who suffered a concussion, and RB Jerome Harrision who had surgery on a brain tumor. The Lions had traded Harrison to Philadelphia for Ronnie Brown, but when Harrison was receiving a physical, doctors discovered the tumor. The trade almost certainly saved Harrison's life and it's just amazing how stuff works out sometimes.
Atlanta needs this one with New Orleans and Tampa Bay already 4-2 in the division and both play very winnable games on Sunday. It should be a close game and I like the Lions at home.
Tampa Bay over Chicago: Who's the home team, you ask? Is it a typo? No, the answer is neither team is home this weekend, as Tampa Bay and Chicago travel across the pond to play in Wembley Stadium in London, England. Buccaneers RB LeGarrette Blount is out with a knee injury and DT Gerald McCoy is still questionable with an ankle injury. With or without these guys, as long as Tampa doesn't kick the ball to Devin Hester, they beat the Bears in London.
CLEVELAND over Seattle: The Seahawks have to win this game with the 49ers being 5-1 in the division. A loss would put Seattle at 2-4 and almost out of it with ten games to go. And I don't see it happening. Browns RB Peyton Hillis is questionable after suffering a hamstring injury last week and Cleveland sure could use him back in the lineup. Browns in a close one.
Game of the Week
Denver over MIAMI: It's Tebow Time. After the benching of Kyle Orton two weeks ago, head coach John Fox inserted Tim Tebow as the Broncos quarterback and he almost led them to a come from behind win against San Diego. After a bye week, Tebow will finally get his chance to be a starting quarterback in the NFL and he couldn't have asked for a better place to start than Miami, Florida.
Tebow is from Florida, he went to college at the University of Florida and the Dolphins are even honoring one of Tebow's National Champion Florida Gators teams during the game. Tebow also won a state championship his senior year of high school and he won the 2009 BCS National Championship as a junior at Florida in Sun Life Stadium. The Dolphins have sold thousands, and I mean thousands, of tickets since Tebow was named the starter in Denver. It's practically a home game for Tebow in Miami even though he will be wearing a Denver Broncos uniform.
As ESPN's Adam Schefter said this week, "It's probably the most hype ever in the history of the league for a game that features two teams with a combined 1-9 record." A lot of questions surround Tebow's ability to be a starting quarterback in this league, but I don't think any of that matter. He may not have the quarterback skills of a Peyton Manning or Tom Brady, but what he does have are the intangibles. His leadership, determination, and work ethic are off the charts, and he the kind of guy that teammates want to play for. I don't know if Tebow will ever make it in the NFL as a quarterback, but his will to win, is enough for the Broncos to win on Sunday.
TENNESSEE over Houston: With the Colts being without Peyton Manning, it looks like it will either be the Texans or Titans coming out of the AFC South. Houston has been hit hard by injuries with LB Mario Williams being lost for the season, RB Arian Foster missing time to start the season and now star WR Andre Johnson. The Texans offense has struggled without Johnson and he will miss Sunday's game against Tennessee with a hamstring injury. The Titans have struggled to run the ball with Chris Johnson, but QB Matt Hasselbeck has played very well in his first season in Tennessee. Titans are at home and with Andre Johnson not playing, I like Tennessee.
San Diego over NY JETS: The way the Jets are playing on offense, they would probably struggle to put on points against LSU or Alabama. San Diego has to make the long trip east and even with QB Philip Rivers' slow start to the season; I like the Chargers on the road. Rex Ryan had a few comments this week about how he thinks he would have won a Super Bowl in San Diego had he been hired instead of Norv Turner. So, watch for the postgame handshake.
Washington over CAROLINA: This is a tough one to pick. Washington has the better record and has looked good at times this season, but they are making a change at quarterback. John Beck replaces Rex Grossman as the starter this week, after Grossman threw four interceptions last week against Philadelphia.
Carolina on the other hand, has also looked good at times too. Cam Newton has the Panthers playing very well and four of Carolina's five losses have been by seven points or less. The Redskins have the advantage on defense and I think Beck plays well enough for Washington to pull out a win.
OAKLAND over Kansas City: Here's Carson. After being traded from the Cincinnati Bengals Tuesday, Carson Palmer could find himself on the field this Sunday against Kansas City. Raiders head coach Hue Jackson, still will not reveal if Carson will start, but indications are he will be sitting this one out. The Raiders have a good defense and have the league's leading rusher in Darren McFadden, so they should be fine against the 2-3 Chiefs. The Raiders have a bye next week, so expect to see Carson out on the field for the Raiders November 6th against Denver.
Pittsburgh over ARIZONA: Much like Seattle, this is a must win game for Arizona. A loss puts them at 1-5, a full four games back of the San Francisco 49ers, and basically ends their season. Could they still comeback despite a loss, yes, but will they, I think not. Steelers struggled to hold off Jacksonville last week, but they won't have any trouble with Arizona in "The Big Toaster."
DALLAS over St. Louis: The Cowboys may be their own worst enemy, but this Sunday they will be the Rams. St. Louis is still looking for their first win of the season and with QB Sam Bradford out with an injury, they will continue to look for it going into next week.
Green Bay over MINNESOTA: The Vikings will be making a change at quarterback by starting rookie QB Christian Ponder over veteran Donovon McNabb on Sunday. Ponder will get the distinct pleasure of making his first career start against the reigning Super Bowl champion Green Bay Packers. Good luck kid. Packers remain unbeaten, which begs the question, can they run the table? ESPN's Adam Schefter explains.
NEW ORLEANS over Indianapolis: The last time the Colts and Saints meet it was Super Bowl XLIV and oh how times have changed. New Orleans is tied for first in the NFC South at 4-2, while the Colts continue to struggle without Peyton Manning and are 0-6. Indianapolis will win eventually, but not this week.
Baltimore over JACKSONVILLE: Jacksonville hung in tough with the Steelers last week and they had some chances against the Bengals, but they are still 1-5. Baltimore may be the best team in the AFC and they certainly are one of the best teams in football. It's going to be another long day at the office for the Jaguars offense. Ravens win big.
Last Week: 10-3
Overall: 64-26
"Holy Crap." It has been an excellent start to the season for the Cincinnati Bengals who 4-2 heading into their bye week. The Bengals are tied with the Steelers for second in the AFC North and only a half a game behind leader Baltimore.
Only three teams, San Francisco, New England and Green Bay have more wins than the Bengals and only six teams have a better record than Cincinnati. Many experts had the Bengals winning no more than four games going into the season and after six games, they already have four wins. The Bengals two losses were by a combined seven points and one of those losses were to the 5-1 49ers.
Rookie's Andy Dalton and A.J. Green have better than advertised, the defense had been outstanding and the special teams have been very solid all season. Defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer believes his unit can be even better and with every snap, Andy Dalton and the offense continue to get better.
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| The Bengals defense is one of the main reason why they 4-2. (Photo Courtesy Bengals.com) |
Easily, the biggest test of the season will be week 10-13. This stretch of the season will be where we find out just how good the 2011 Cincinnati Bengals really are. The Bengals have four straight division games where the Steelers come here, then a trip to Baltimore, home against Cleveland and then at Pittsburgh. If the Bengals can at least split those four games or even win three of them, I think we will see them in the playoffs.
The Bengals should beat all three of the remaining NFC opponents; they should beat Cleveland at home, and at least split between Tennessee and Houston. That gives the Bengals nine wins, and then one or two wins against the Ravens and Steelers puts them at worst 10-6. That should be enough wins to get into the playoffs with a Wild Card spot or maybe even a division title, which I can't believe I'm saying, depending on how Pittsburgh and Baltimore play the rest of the season.
Cincinnati is half way through the season, if you count the preseason, and so far they have been nothing but a great surprise. I almost gave the Bengals an A+ for the first half of the season, but that's hard to do with two losses, but it has been a great start. However, if the Bengals want to make a run at the playoffs, the second half of the season will have to be just as good.
Week 7 Picks (Home team in CAPS)
DETROIT over Atlanta: The Lions will be looking to rebound this week after losing their first game of the season to the 49ers last Sunday. Detroit will be without RB Jahvid Best, who suffered a concussion, and RB Jerome Harrision who had surgery on a brain tumor. The Lions had traded Harrison to Philadelphia for Ronnie Brown, but when Harrison was receiving a physical, doctors discovered the tumor. The trade almost certainly saved Harrison's life and it's just amazing how stuff works out sometimes.
Atlanta needs this one with New Orleans and Tampa Bay already 4-2 in the division and both play very winnable games on Sunday. It should be a close game and I like the Lions at home.
Tampa Bay over Chicago: Who's the home team, you ask? Is it a typo? No, the answer is neither team is home this weekend, as Tampa Bay and Chicago travel across the pond to play in Wembley Stadium in London, England. Buccaneers RB LeGarrette Blount is out with a knee injury and DT Gerald McCoy is still questionable with an ankle injury. With or without these guys, as long as Tampa doesn't kick the ball to Devin Hester, they beat the Bears in London.
CLEVELAND over Seattle: The Seahawks have to win this game with the 49ers being 5-1 in the division. A loss would put Seattle at 2-4 and almost out of it with ten games to go. And I don't see it happening. Browns RB Peyton Hillis is questionable after suffering a hamstring injury last week and Cleveland sure could use him back in the lineup. Browns in a close one.
Game of the Week
Denver over MIAMI: It's Tebow Time. After the benching of Kyle Orton two weeks ago, head coach John Fox inserted Tim Tebow as the Broncos quarterback and he almost led them to a come from behind win against San Diego. After a bye week, Tebow will finally get his chance to be a starting quarterback in the NFL and he couldn't have asked for a better place to start than Miami, Florida.
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| There are going to be a lot of #15 Bronco jersey's in the stands Sunday in Miami. (Justin Edmonds/DenverBroncos.com) |
As ESPN's Adam Schefter said this week, "It's probably the most hype ever in the history of the league for a game that features two teams with a combined 1-9 record." A lot of questions surround Tebow's ability to be a starting quarterback in this league, but I don't think any of that matter. He may not have the quarterback skills of a Peyton Manning or Tom Brady, but what he does have are the intangibles. His leadership, determination, and work ethic are off the charts, and he the kind of guy that teammates want to play for. I don't know if Tebow will ever make it in the NFL as a quarterback, but his will to win, is enough for the Broncos to win on Sunday.
TENNESSEE over Houston: With the Colts being without Peyton Manning, it looks like it will either be the Texans or Titans coming out of the AFC South. Houston has been hit hard by injuries with LB Mario Williams being lost for the season, RB Arian Foster missing time to start the season and now star WR Andre Johnson. The Texans offense has struggled without Johnson and he will miss Sunday's game against Tennessee with a hamstring injury. The Titans have struggled to run the ball with Chris Johnson, but QB Matt Hasselbeck has played very well in his first season in Tennessee. Titans are at home and with Andre Johnson not playing, I like Tennessee.
San Diego over NY JETS: The way the Jets are playing on offense, they would probably struggle to put on points against LSU or Alabama. San Diego has to make the long trip east and even with QB Philip Rivers' slow start to the season; I like the Chargers on the road. Rex Ryan had a few comments this week about how he thinks he would have won a Super Bowl in San Diego had he been hired instead of Norv Turner. So, watch for the postgame handshake.
Washington over CAROLINA: This is a tough one to pick. Washington has the better record and has looked good at times this season, but they are making a change at quarterback. John Beck replaces Rex Grossman as the starter this week, after Grossman threw four interceptions last week against Philadelphia.
Carolina on the other hand, has also looked good at times too. Cam Newton has the Panthers playing very well and four of Carolina's five losses have been by seven points or less. The Redskins have the advantage on defense and I think Beck plays well enough for Washington to pull out a win.
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| The arrival of Carson Palmer has the Raiders thinking about more than just a playoff berth. (Ben Margot/AP) |
Pittsburgh over ARIZONA: Much like Seattle, this is a must win game for Arizona. A loss puts them at 1-5, a full four games back of the San Francisco 49ers, and basically ends their season. Could they still comeback despite a loss, yes, but will they, I think not. Steelers struggled to hold off Jacksonville last week, but they won't have any trouble with Arizona in "The Big Toaster."
DALLAS over St. Louis: The Cowboys may be their own worst enemy, but this Sunday they will be the Rams. St. Louis is still looking for their first win of the season and with QB Sam Bradford out with an injury, they will continue to look for it going into next week.
Green Bay over MINNESOTA: The Vikings will be making a change at quarterback by starting rookie QB Christian Ponder over veteran Donovon McNabb on Sunday. Ponder will get the distinct pleasure of making his first career start against the reigning Super Bowl champion Green Bay Packers. Good luck kid. Packers remain unbeaten, which begs the question, can they run the table? ESPN's Adam Schefter explains.
NEW ORLEANS over Indianapolis: The last time the Colts and Saints meet it was Super Bowl XLIV and oh how times have changed. New Orleans is tied for first in the NFC South at 4-2, while the Colts continue to struggle without Peyton Manning and are 0-6. Indianapolis will win eventually, but not this week.
Baltimore over JACKSONVILLE: Jacksonville hung in tough with the Steelers last week and they had some chances against the Bengals, but they are still 1-5. Baltimore may be the best team in the AFC and they certainly are one of the best teams in football. It's going to be another long day at the office for the Jaguars offense. Ravens win big.
Last Week: 10-3
Overall: 64-26
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