NFL: Week 10
ESPN's John Clayton's NFL midseason report was released on Tuesday, and he gave the Cincinnati Bengals an A for the first half, in which they went 6-2, and are in first place in the AFC North with a rookie quarterback. If the Bengals are going to get an A for the second half of the season, it starts with a date on Sunday against the arch rival Pittsburgh Steelers, who Bengals fans despise.
The Steelers defense will be unlike anything rookie QB Andy Dalton has seen all season and he will certainly be tested Sunday. Linebackers James Harrison and LaMarr Woodley will be bringing heavy pressure from the outside all day and safety Troy Polamalu will be all over the field, yet again when isn't he?
If the Bengals are to take the next step and prove to all the critics that they are indeed for real, they have to beat the Steelers on Sunday. A win not only gives the Bengals their seventh victory of the season, but it puts them into the driver's seat in the AFC North as they try and clinch a playoff spot.
Can the Bengals beat the Steelers? I think they can and I know they can. The defense has to continue to play like they have and they must tackle Ben Roethlisberger when they get the chance. Andy Dalton has to get rid of the ball quickly, and tackles Andre Smith and Andrew Whitworth, must do their job against Woodley and Harrison. It will not be an easy, but winning in the NFL and in the AFC North is anything but easy.
I think Cincinnati wins it, Bengals 23, Steelers 20, and come Monday morning, the Bengals will still be in first place. Who-Dey!
Week 10 (Home team in CAPS)
SAN DIEGO over Oakland: I was still on the Chargers bandwagon going into their Thursday date with the Raiders, but after a 24-17 loss, their fourth in a row, I'm off. San Diego has a very talented team, but they continually underachieve, and they may be in danger of missing the playoffs.
New Orleans over ATLANTA: Big divisional game in Atlanta on Sunday as first place in the NFC South is on the line. Both teams are coming off victories last week and I like the high flying Saints offense and Drew Brees in this one.
DALLAS over Buffalo: After losing last week at home to the Jets, the Bills need a win to take back control of the AFC East, but that's easier said than done. The Cowboys are tough to beat at home and I like Dallas in a close one.
CLEVELAND over St. Louis: The Disappointment Bowl. Cleveland, 3-5, and St. Louis, 1-7, were supposed to be much improved from last season, but so far that has not been the case. The Browns are in their second year under President Mike Holmgren and the Rams were hoping to build off a 7-9 season that left them one win from the playoffs. Needless to say, both have been major disappointments and I like the Browns to win at home Sunday in this week's most meaningless game.
KANSAS CITY over Denver: Rumor has it that Tim Tebow and the Broncos will be running a bit of the read option, something Tebow did a lot at Florida, Sunday in Kansas City. Tebow will still have to be somewhat effective throwing the ball, but this makes him a triple threat. Still, I think the Chiefs will rebound after getting embarrassed by the winless Miami Dolphins last week.
CAROLINA over Tennessee: I was not impressed by the Titans last week against the Bengals and with Cam Newton and the Panthers coming off a bye, I like Carolina at home. Do look for a lot of Titans RB Chris Johnson as the Panthers are ranked 28th in the league at stopping the run.
Jacksonville over INDIANAPOLIS: Indy's chances of winning a game this season are slowing slipping away and opportunities like the Jaguars at home don't come around very often. However, the Colts are really bad the just might go 0-16. Hello Andrew Luck?
MIAMI over Washington: The Redskins have lost four in a row and the Dolphins are coming off their first win of the season after defeating Kansas City 31-3 last week. For the first time all season, I'll take Miami.
PHILADELPHIA over Arizona: Kevin Kolb returns to Philadelphia on Sunday that features two teams that are having disappointing seasons. The Cardinals are 2-6 and the Eagles, aka the "Dream Team," have been disappointing at 3-5. Both teams are probably out of the playoff picture, especially the Cardinals, but if the Eagles are to make a run at it they need a win Sunday, and I think they get it.
Houston over TAMPA BAY: The Texans are playing really well right now, winners of three straight, and the Buccaneers are just too inconsistent for me to pick them. I'll take Houston on the road in Tampa.
Baltimore over SEATTLE: Baltimore rides the momentum from winning in Pittsburgh last week and drops the Seahawks on the road.
Detroit over CHICAGO: Chicago not lost since Monday night, October 10th, in Detroit and they have looked really good since. Detroit has had trouble stopping the run, so expect to see a lot of RB Matt Forte, who is having an excellent season. The Bears are favored because they are at home, but I really like this Lions team, and I think they win a close game.
Game of the Week
SAN FRANCISCO over NY Giants: Before the season started who would have thought that Giants v. 49ers in Week 10 would be a matchup of two teams with a combined record of 13-3. Jim Harbaugh's 49ers could clinch the division next week and the Giants are slowly running away with the NFC East. I'm still not sure about the 49ers, but I'll jump on the bandwagon this week and pick San Francisco to win at home.
New England over NY JETS: New England's defense is a major cause for concern, but I don't think I've ever seen Tom Brady lose three in a row. Patriots win a close one and regain control of the AFC East.
GREEN BAY over Minnesota: Only an idiot picks against Aaron Rodgers right now and I wasn't born yesterday.
This Week: 0-1
Last Week: 8-6
Overall: 87-44
The Steelers defense will be unlike anything rookie QB Andy Dalton has seen all season and he will certainly be tested Sunday. Linebackers James Harrison and LaMarr Woodley will be bringing heavy pressure from the outside all day and safety Troy Polamalu will be all over the field, yet again when isn't he?
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| Andy Dalton and the Bengals will be facing their biggest challenge yet when the Pittsburgh Steelers come to The Jungle on Sunday. (Courtesy 700wlw.com) |
Can the Bengals beat the Steelers? I think they can and I know they can. The defense has to continue to play like they have and they must tackle Ben Roethlisberger when they get the chance. Andy Dalton has to get rid of the ball quickly, and tackles Andre Smith and Andrew Whitworth, must do their job against Woodley and Harrison. It will not be an easy, but winning in the NFL and in the AFC North is anything but easy.
I think Cincinnati wins it, Bengals 23, Steelers 20, and come Monday morning, the Bengals will still be in first place. Who-Dey!
Week 10 (Home team in CAPS)
SAN DIEGO over Oakland: I was still on the Chargers bandwagon going into their Thursday date with the Raiders, but after a 24-17 loss, their fourth in a row, I'm off. San Diego has a very talented team, but they continually underachieve, and they may be in danger of missing the playoffs.
New Orleans over ATLANTA: Big divisional game in Atlanta on Sunday as first place in the NFC South is on the line. Both teams are coming off victories last week and I like the high flying Saints offense and Drew Brees in this one.
DALLAS over Buffalo: After losing last week at home to the Jets, the Bills need a win to take back control of the AFC East, but that's easier said than done. The Cowboys are tough to beat at home and I like Dallas in a close one.
CLEVELAND over St. Louis: The Disappointment Bowl. Cleveland, 3-5, and St. Louis, 1-7, were supposed to be much improved from last season, but so far that has not been the case. The Browns are in their second year under President Mike Holmgren and the Rams were hoping to build off a 7-9 season that left them one win from the playoffs. Needless to say, both have been major disappointments and I like the Browns to win at home Sunday in this week's most meaningless game.
KANSAS CITY over Denver: Rumor has it that Tim Tebow and the Broncos will be running a bit of the read option, something Tebow did a lot at Florida, Sunday in Kansas City. Tebow will still have to be somewhat effective throwing the ball, but this makes him a triple threat. Still, I think the Chiefs will rebound after getting embarrassed by the winless Miami Dolphins last week.
CAROLINA over Tennessee: I was not impressed by the Titans last week against the Bengals and with Cam Newton and the Panthers coming off a bye, I like Carolina at home. Do look for a lot of Titans RB Chris Johnson as the Panthers are ranked 28th in the league at stopping the run.
Jacksonville over INDIANAPOLIS: Indy's chances of winning a game this season are slowing slipping away and opportunities like the Jaguars at home don't come around very often. However, the Colts are really bad the just might go 0-16. Hello Andrew Luck?
MIAMI over Washington: The Redskins have lost four in a row and the Dolphins are coming off their first win of the season after defeating Kansas City 31-3 last week. For the first time all season, I'll take Miami.
PHILADELPHIA over Arizona: Kevin Kolb returns to Philadelphia on Sunday that features two teams that are having disappointing seasons. The Cardinals are 2-6 and the Eagles, aka the "Dream Team," have been disappointing at 3-5. Both teams are probably out of the playoff picture, especially the Cardinals, but if the Eagles are to make a run at it they need a win Sunday, and I think they get it.
Houston over TAMPA BAY: The Texans are playing really well right now, winners of three straight, and the Buccaneers are just too inconsistent for me to pick them. I'll take Houston on the road in Tampa.
Baltimore over SEATTLE: Baltimore rides the momentum from winning in Pittsburgh last week and drops the Seahawks on the road.
Detroit over CHICAGO: Chicago not lost since Monday night, October 10th, in Detroit and they have looked really good since. Detroit has had trouble stopping the run, so expect to see a lot of RB Matt Forte, who is having an excellent season. The Bears are favored because they are at home, but I really like this Lions team, and I think they win a close game.
Game of the Week
SAN FRANCISCO over NY Giants: Before the season started who would have thought that Giants v. 49ers in Week 10 would be a matchup of two teams with a combined record of 13-3. Jim Harbaugh's 49ers could clinch the division next week and the Giants are slowly running away with the NFC East. I'm still not sure about the 49ers, but I'll jump on the bandwagon this week and pick San Francisco to win at home.
New England over NY JETS: New England's defense is a major cause for concern, but I don't think I've ever seen Tom Brady lose three in a row. Patriots win a close one and regain control of the AFC East.
GREEN BAY over Minnesota: Only an idiot picks against Aaron Rodgers right now and I wasn't born yesterday.
This Week: 0-1
Last Week: 8-6
Overall: 87-44
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