Fifth Down, Week Seven

Boy, did I call 'em wrong this time. I said most of these would be tight, close games. Heh. That's what lack of sleep will do to you. Or to me. Probably me. Here's the roll call (my original picks are in italics):

Chargers 21, Bills 13. Loss. The opening to this one was delayed for technical reasons, so I never tuned back in to watch it, but from the highlights and the box score, it seems as if Buffalo--now atop the AFC East at 5-1--is back to playing solid football now that Trent Edwards has returned at QB. SD's LT? Where was he? Actual score: Bills 23, Chargers 14.

Saints 27, Panthers 24. Loss. Wow! That Carolina D stymied Drew Brees, and it's the first time he's been slowed this year. Carolina clogged the middle and blanketed his underneath routes, forcing numerous batted balls and forcing Brees to wait to throw the deep routes, and by the time most of them developed, he was on his back or being harrassed into bad throws. Other teams will use this game as a blueprint on how to stop New Orleans. Actual score: Panthers 30, Saints 7

Bears 20, Vikings 13. Win. I figured this would be a somewhat low-scoring affair, and lo-and-behold, the two teams combine for eigty-nine points, by far the most the two have ever amassed when playing one another. Minnesota's Peterson had a monster game, but their QB--and their special teams--found new ways to lose every other possession. Actual score: Bears 48, Vikings 41

Steelers 31, Bengals 10. Win. Cincinnatti's interim QB Fitzpatrick is improving, as is the Bengals' running game, but Cincinnatti is just so far behind all their opponents, that it might be impossible for them to win more than two games the rest of the season. Actual score: Steelers 38, Bengals 10

Titans 27, Chiefs 6. Win. Tennessee, now undefeated, rushed for over three-hundred yards against Kansas City, who've lost their starting QB (again), this time for the year, and their second-string QB went down, too. I think we can turn them over now, 'cause they are done. Actual score: Titans 34, Chiefs 10

Dolphins 15, Ravens 12. Loss. The Ravens defense--even without some of its star players--is still imposing, and once they figured out how to stop Miami's Wildcat formation by having the defense line stay home and hold the line, Miami had other way to win. Actual score: Ravens 27, Dolphins 13

Giants 28, 49ers 10. Win. The score--SF scored late on a blocked FG for a TD--is illusory, as the Giants--especially monster halfback Brandon Jacobs--mauled the 49ers. Actual score: Giants 29, 49ers 17

Cowboys 19, Rams 13. Loss. I believe enough hyperbole has been used in detailing the dovetailing of Dallas' recent fortunes, so I'll focus on the Rams' (new) coach Jim Haslett, who has his team playing fiery, go-get-'um, leave-it-all-on-the-field football. St. Louis hasn't look this inspired since The Greatest Show on Turf era. Actual score: Rams 34, Cowboys 14

Texans 24, Lions 12. Win. I feel bad--sort of--for Detroit receiver Calvin Johnson, 'cause he's the lone shining star of a team that looks as if it has give up. Actual score: Texans 28, Lions 21

Colts 31, Packers 20. Loss. What in the world has happened to Peyton Manning's timing? His throwing? His leadership? I feel nervous watching them. Actual score: Packers 34, Colts 14

Jets 17, Raiders 9. Loss. Wow. I didn't watch this one, 'cause who wants to watch the Raiders? Apparently, the Jets should have before they played them. Actual score: Raiders 16, Jets 13

Redskins 20, Browns 13. Win. The Browns' defense keeps improving; its offense does not. Actual score: Redskins 14, Browns 11

Buccaneers 27, Seahawks 10. Win. Complete dominaton by Tampa Bay, and Jeff Garcia has his swagger back, and the dual threat of Graham and Dunn is working well, and the defense is as fierce as ever. If the Bucs play the rest of their games liked they played this one, they're talented enough to win the conference. Actual score: Bucs 20, Seahawks 10

Broncos 24, Patriots 17. Loss. Bill Belicheck is one hecukuva coach. Their defense is aged and hurting more and more each week, but yet they come in and shut Cutler down, completely-utterly down. And Cassel throws three TDs. If they manage to make it to the playoffs, BB has to be considered (again) for Coach of the Year. Actual score: Pats 41, 7