Boards
NFL WEEK 4; Tebow Time? REFS TIME!
WEEK 4: Tebow time?! REFS TIME!
So week 3 is in the books, bye weeks start this week (Pittsburgh, Indianapolis) but everyone else is in the game as normal, AND THE PROFESSIONAL REFS ARE BACK. Baltimore beat but didn't destroy Cleveland, who put up a strong fight as their bitter, chipped-shoulder, rivals. HERE'S THE WEEKEND:
TV:
6pm, Sky Sports
New England Patriots (1-2) @ Buffalo Bills (2-1)
For the better part of the decade, the Patriots have had a pretty comfortable hold on the Bills, but recently the Bills have become a strange anomaly who should never be written off. The last 2 years since Fitzpatrick took the helm has been highly fascinating and entertaining, and even if not that successful sure as been exciting. The Bills have been explosive at blowing leads or big come backs, particularly at division rivals, however the injury to CJ Spiller is killer to their chances, particularly to a bloodthirsty 1-2 (lol) Patriots. The Bills fans will be loud and behind their team to go 3 and 1 and sink the Pats to the opposite, but I feel its a lot more likely that these teams even out by the end of the day.
Pats by 7.
9:25pm, Sky Sports
New Orleans Saints (0-3?!) @ Green Bay Packers (1-2?!)
Here are two angry teams. Now the refs are back there is no reason why these two hard done by, underachieving teams can't vent their frustrations at each other. Both teams have arguably got off to terrible starts due to outside reasons (though its harder to be sympathetic towards the Saints) but these are still two explosive offences, so this could well be a shoot-out. A still raging Lambeau crowd and a strong(er) defence should see the Packers through this one, but this should still be a highly entertaining one.
Packers by 4-5
Sunday/Monday 1:20am, Channel 4
New York Giants (2-1) @ Philadelphia Eagles (2-1)
Here's one the most fun rivalries in recent years. One slightly overachieving team who just happen to have won 2 titles in 5 years, one underachieving team who have lost several opportunities and 2 superbowls. The Giants looked highly impressive on the road on prime-time against the Panthers last week, whereas the Eagles failed to even scratch the sleeper Cardinals. These two will be looking to win the division, so this is already a highly important match for both these teams, who are (supposed to be) very strong on both sides of the ball. The Giants proved they could do it with their bench last week in a slew of injuries, whereas the Eagles are barely doing it with their starters.
Giants by 3.
Monday/Tuesday 1:30am, BBC Red Button
Chicago Bears (2-1) @ Dallas Cowboys (2-1)
In the 80s this would be an NFC Championship game. These days not so much, but both these teams continue hacking away and look to get into the play-offs at least in very difficult divisions. Both these teams have dispatched beatable teams but failed at stronger oppositions, so these two should more or less cancel each other out. The Bears have been slightly more impressive in their play so far, and New Cowboy stadium still isn't the fortress they hoped it to be, so I'm gonna go with Da Bears but it will be tight (by 3)
THE REST:
Tennessee (1-2) @ Houston (3-0) Tennessee got on the board with a mad shoot-out against Detroit, who only lost due to a poor 4th down OT decision. Still Tennessee showed they have some offensive prowl, but division rivals Houston look highly impressive so far, particularly at home. This could be a long day and season for the Titans (Texans by 7)
San Diego (2-1) @ Kansas City (0-3) San Diego surely can't fuck this up again? Well they can, they're San Diego, but KC look rotten. (SD by 7+)
Minnesota (2-1) @ Detroit (1-2) The NFC North is upside down, but that could change today in what will probably be another shoot-out. The Vikes were very impressive in keeping the Niners quiet last week, but I think this will mean too much to Detroit after last week's mess (by 3) (p.s Madden Curse could be real)
Carolina (1-2) @ Atlanta (3-0) Does anyone hear Sophmore Slump? Cam's just not got it together this year, though its not all his fault. However the Georgia Dome may be where he got his first win as a pro last year, the Falcons look too good to turn down right now (by 7)
Seattle (2-1) @ St Louis (1-2) Jeff Fisher's St Louis seem to be determined not to be everyone's whipping boys this season, but they still had to win ugly to beat RGIII at home a couple weeks back. The Seahawks, last week's debacle aside, look highly impressive, particularly on D, but they do have a history of choking. (SEA by 4-5)
San Francisco (2-1) @ New York (2-1) The Niners went from the best team in the league to be reduced to a much more humbled and human affair at Minnesota last week. New York however are all over the place, going from impressive to terrible to middling in a matter of 3 weeks. The Jets made far harder work of their win at Miami than needed last week, and worse of all, they lost Derell Revis in the process. They still have Antonio Cromatie to keep them with a fighting chance at corner, but the Niners will be baying for blood after last week. (SF by 4-5)
9PM:
Miami (1-2) @ Arizona (3-0) though one of these team's records wouldn't necessarily show it, these have been two pleasant surprises this year, with Miami NOT turning out to be the worst team in the league and Arizona building on a run that started at the end of last season that now sees them in a group of only 3 perfect teams. Zona were very impressive keeping the Eagles at bay last week and if they can play like that, Miami shouldn't be a problem. Don't completely write the Fins out though. (Cards by 4-5)
Oakland (1-2) @ Denver (1-2) Oakland finally got a win on the board by somehow being allowed back into their own ballpark by the Steelers last week. Darrius Heyward-Bay got hit HARD and with no re-percussions last week and is out, but Oakland have never had a problem pulling out Receivers from the bench out of nowhere to have big games. The Broncos however need to get back to week 1 where they impressively stuffed those same Steelers at home. I can't see Peyton allowing it any further. (Broncos by 4-5)
Cincinnati (2-1) @ Jacksonville (1-2) ROOOOAAAWWWWWRRRR. Cincy by 4-5.
Washington (1-2) @ Tampa Bay (1-2) Tampa are pretty terrible, RGIII isn't. Surely this week it'll be fine. However, Garcon still being out is a big concern. (Skins by 3)
And that's us for another week, lets talk football. FOOTBALL