We take a look at the Brady-Manning bowl, a huge NFC East showdown and pay hommage to the track suit.
Let’s just say the Bears 16-0 shutout win over the Dolphins was far from the best Thursday night game I have ever seen.
The big problem for the Dolphins was a lack of healthy bodies. The healthy players they did have, such as receiver Brandon Marshall, ended up getting injured.
The results were predictable as the Bears made the most of their good fortune and improved to 7-3 on the year.
Time now to take a look at some of the key games this weekend.
Back up the Brinks Truck Game
Giants @ Eagles
After what Vick did to the Redskins, the hype machine for the Sunday night NFC East showdown between the Eagles and the Giants is going to be off the charts.
There’s no question that Vick’s record performance Monday helped elevate his free agent price tag in a big way. One week after getting their butts kicked by the Cowboys, the Giants will be a little shorthanded for this crucial game.
Receiver Steve Smith is out with a torn pectoral muscle and receiver Ramses Barden has an ankle injury and is done for the year. A bigger concern for Tom Coughlin and his coaching staff is what to do with Michael Vick.
The Giants defence got burned by John Kitna and Dez Bryant last week. This week they will have to contend with Vick and DeSean Jackson. After reviewing the game film of Vick's demolition of the Redskins, Giants head coach Tom Coughin was half-joking when the told the New York media that "I got indigestion and stomach aches."
Battle of the Legends Game
Colts @ Patriots
During the 1980s, NBA highlights were dominated by the head-to-head battles between Magic Johnson and Larry Bird.
In current era of the NFL, football fans have an equally compelling matchup between equally dynamic superstars, the Colts’ Peyton Manning and the Patriots’ Tom Brady. Over the past 10 years, Brady and Manning have led their respective teams to the Super Bowl six times. Brady has three rings, Manning only one.
Manning has thrown for at least 4,000 yards in a single season 10 times and he’s on pace for an 11th this year.
Brady threw 50 touchdowns in 2007, breaking Manning’s previous single-season record of 49. This year, Brady has thrown 17 touchdowns and four interceptions. Manning has thrown 16 touchdowns and four interceptions.
Here’s the most important stat when considering this match up: Brady is 7-4 all-time in head-to-head games against Manning, including 2-3 in playoff games. The really big concern for the Colts is their alarming number of injuries heading into this game.
Al Davis Track Suit Game
Raiders @ Steelers
As a tribute to the ultimate Raider– Al Davis –Tom Cable should make all of his players wear vintage 1970s Al Davis Silver and Black track suits for their road trip to Pittsburgh.
The Raiders are meeting the Steelers at a good time.
Injuries are beginning to take their toll in Pittsburgh and the Steelers’ offensive line is coming off a game where they were exposed by the Patriots defence. One of the main reasons for the Raiders resurgence this season has been the improved play of their defensive line.
Led by Richard Seymour, the Raiders front four has been wreaking havoc on opposing offensive lines over the past month. That will be one of the Steelers biggest concerns; finding a way to keep Seymour and company at bay and keeping Ben Roethlisberger upright.
Big Ben was sacked five times in their loss to the Patriots. Defensively, the Steelers are the toughest team in the NFL to run against. Led by the re-born Darren McFadden, the Raiders have one of the best running attacks in the entire league.
Final Stand for Brett Favre Game
Packers @ Vikings
Mathematically, the Vikings are still alive. However, the only way the Vikings can get into the post season is to run the table the rest of way. Considering the way Brett Favre has been struggling through this season, the idea that the Vikings could run the table defies logic.
I was speaking to Vikings defensive end Jared Allen Thursday and he admitted that "turnovers have been killing us this year."
Allen also feels the biggest thing missing from the Vikings this year is the winning attitude they had in 2009.
"We need to get some confidence and swagger back," he explained. We have the ability, we have the talent, this team is here and it only takes one little thing to spark that enthusiasm."
Getting that swagger back against a team like the Packers won’t be easy. With 28 sacks and 14 interceptions, the Packers defence is one of the NFC’s best at forcing turnovers.
The Ickey Shuffle Game
Bills @ Bengals
During the heyday of my mullet and Zubaz pants, the Ickey Shuffle and the Bengals were one of the best teams in the AFC.
I only bring that up because the last time the Bengals beat the Bills was way back in 1988, the glory days of Ickey Woods and those wicked, awesome Zubaz pants.
Coming off of their first win of the season, the Bills will be trying to extend their winning streak over the Bengals to an impressive 10 games.
The Bengals come into this game with the title as one of the most disappointing teams in the NFL for 2010. The biggest reason for the Bengals struggles? They are not running the ball enough.
Last year the Bengals were ranked ninth in the league in rushing. This year, riding a six-game losing streak, the Bengals are ranked 26th running the football. Another treat for football fans, Gus Johnson of CBS is going to call the game.
Cowboys State of the Union
Jason Garrett’s impact is already being felt with the Cowboys.
Not only did they lay a sound beating on the Giants last week, but Garrett fined running back Marion Barber for violating his new dress code. Garrett also has the Cowboys practicing in full pads and he has grabbed the attention of a team that was in dire need of a major butt-kicking.
If there is one player in Dallas who has been playing hard every game, it is rookie receiver Dez Bryant. In his last five games, Bryant has caught five touchdowns and scored another on a punt return.
My Vegas Special:
While I think the Saints are a solid team, I am not convinced their offence can cover an 11-point spread over the Seahawks.
I like Seattle to cover the spread.
