Pigskin Prognostications: Week Five

Last week, after their close loss against the Redskins, Cowboys' receiver Terrell Owens whined and cried because they didn't get him the ball often enough for the 'boys to win. Romo only threw him the ball fourteen times, not counting the two end-arounds T.O. ran. I expect that this week, they'll throw him the ball at least twenty times, and they may even play him at tailback, too. Fortunately for the Cowboys, they're playing the Bengals this week, so the lack of a running game and the eyeballing of only one receiver won't hurt them. T.O. should be crying because my fantasy football team is probably going to get squashed.

Titans 13 , Ravens 10 - Should be a great one, pitting the League's top two defenses, but I think Collins commits fewer mistakes than Flacco in this one.

Panthers 20, Chiefs 10 - Are the Chiefs for real? No, because they played the Broncos terrible defense last week. Carolina will keep Kansas City's Larry Johnson under the century mark, forcing the Chiefs to throw much more often than they want to.

Bears 24, Lions 13 - Detroit's Jon Kitna is reportedly on a short leash, but it's not his fault that the Detroit D can't stop anybody. If you're always playing catch-up, and you're forced to throw sixty-five percent of the time, and since Vince Lombardi was right than when you throw the ball only three things can happen, and only one of those things are good, then the odds are that you'll be 0-5 at the end of the fifth week.

Packers 17, Falcons 14 - Green Bay QB Aaron Rodgers--if he plays--won't go to the air often because of his bum shoulder, but the Pack should be able to ground it out against a shaky Atlanta defese.

Colts 31, Texans 20 - The Colts should be able to have at least one of their injured starting O-line back after their bye, and Manning should have time to throw, and when Manning has time to throw to healthy receivers....

Chargers 27, Dolphins 24 - The Chargers will light up the scoreboard again, and the Dolphins don't have the firepower to keep up.

Giants 24, Seahawks 16 - Seattle finally gets two of its top receivers--Deion Branch and Bobby Engram--back from injury, and New York will be without Plaxico Burress, but the Giants have looked steady, solid, and (at times) formidable all year, and the same can't be said of the Seahawks. Well, it could, but it'd be wrong.

Eagles 24, Redskins 23 - The 'skins are coming off a huge win at Dallas, and Philly lost a close one last week at Chicago, but...the Eagles are playing at home, and I like McNabb's chances against a beat-up Washington secondary. This should be a good one, though.

Buccaneers 28, Broncos 17 - Who comes out on top? The great defense or the great offense? Answer: Tampa Bay, 'cause they can either run or pass if the opposing defense takes one away, and this week I think Denver takes away the run--if they can. They couldn't last week.

Bills 24, Cardinals 20 - Something's just not right (again) about Warner's passing--it could be the wrist, it could be the thumb, but whatever it is--coupled with his recent poor decision-making--should keep the Cardinals from the win against a suprisingly solid Buffalo team.

Cowboys 31, Bengals 13 - If Carson Palmer plays, this one could be closer; if not, it'll be worse. Either way, the Cowboys are far too talented to lose to the woeful Bengals, no matter how many times they do or don't throw the ball to T.O.

Patriots 17, 49ers 13 - What was surprising last week wasn't that San Fran couldn't stop the Saints' offense (nobody else has this year), but that the Saints defense stymied the 49er defense. Imagine what a good defense will do.

Steelers 20, Jaguars 17 - Yeah, I know Pittsburgh's hurting in all the important spots: quarterback, running back, nose tackle, & cornerback, but these guys are tough and battle-hardened, and I believe they can rough it out one more week--against another tough defensive team--till their much-needed bye week arrives.