NFL Schedule Over/Under, Part II
Part 2 of the NFL Over/Under series. You can also read Part I for the first half of the season.
Week 10: Tom Brady passing touchdowns over shots of Peyton Manning pouting on the sideline in week 10’s Patriots at Colts game.
Since the Colts will inevitably lose, we’ll be treated to Manning sitting on the bench (alone) with the helmet mark across his forehead after he either throws an interception (or drops the ball into Rosevelt Colvin’s hands) or takes a big sack to end a drive. And he’ll have nobody to blame but himself, despite what the commentators will tell you.
Week 11: Games Darren McFadden has missed due to injury over Cedric Benson rushing touchdowns, both through week 11 in week 11’s Raiders at Bengals game.
This was a tough call, as McFadden pulled a “Double LT” last season (although he was absolved because the Raiders didn’t make the playoffs) while Cedric Benson continues to defy his draft status. In fairness he did show signs of competency after he signed with the Bengals late last season, but it’s the Bengals. Carson Palmer will be injured by this point in the season, and without the crafty Crimson Ryan Fitzpatrick in town to open up the running game (hah….hah…) even the Raiders should be able to stack the box. Since Andre Smith will probably leave the game early for unannounced reasons, the Bengals O-line won’t be effective against the run.
Week 12: Brandon Jacobs rushing touchdowns against Denver over Denver wins through week 12 in week 12’s Giants vs. Broncos game.
Remember how everyone thought the Broncos needed players for their transition to a 3-4 defense, and that they had two first-round picks in the draft to start? Yeah, not so much. Instead of trading up for the only nose tackle in the draft in BJ Raji, drafting a standout defensive end like Brian Orakpo, or an outside linebacker like Brian Cushing or Clay Matthews, the Broncos opted for a running back (even though they signed 4 in free agency), a defensive end widely regarded as a reach at #18 (Robert Ayers), then traded up in the second round for cornerback Alphonso Smith, who is 5′9″. Can anyone explain this to me?
Week 13: Combined turnovers over margin of victory in week 13’s Ravens vs. Packers game.
This should be a defensive battle if the Packers can figure out their 3-4 by week 13. The Packers still have a decent secondary and Joe Flacco will just be a caretaker again in 2009. Brett Fav…err, Aaron Rodgers will have trouble with the Ravens’ usually stellar defense.
Week 14: Total points scored over Trent Edwards passer rating in week 14’s Bills at Chiefs game.
This isn’t really a knock on Edwards, as last year these two teams combined for 85 points in a shootout between Edwards and the dynamic duo of Tyler Thigpen/Quinn Gray. With Matt Cassel at the helm in Kansas City, one would expect similar results.
Week 15: Number of side-by-side comparisons of Matt Ryan to Mark Sanchez flashed onscreen during the first quarter over number of touchdowns thrown by both quarterbacks in week 15’s Falcons/Jets game.
The hype machine is going to be going strong, especially if both teams are doing relatively well. I fully expect both teams to be somewhere around 9-7 at this point in the season, so this game will have playoff relevance. The difference of course is that the Jets will be getting by on their defense while the Falcons will be riding on the back of Michael Turner.
Week 16: Brian Westbrook fantasy points (ESPN standard scoring) -10 over Denver rush attempts in week 16’s Denver at Philadelphia game.
I fully expect the Eagles to blow out the Broncos at home in week 16. Unless Brian Westbrook decides to have his token injury during what will probably be a crucial time in the Eagles’ playoff hunt, he should be able to run all over the hapless Broncos.
Week 17: Philip Rivers interceptions through week 17 -6 over Albert Haynesworth sacks through week 17 in week 17’s Redskins at Chargers game.
In case it wasn’t obvious, I’m in the camp that says Albert Haynesworth is definitely not worth a $114 million contract. Disruptive interior lineman? Certainly. Motivated to play when he’s not up for contract renegotiation? Well, his two best years were when he was under the franchise tag. I’m expecting roughly 5 sacks from Haynesworth in ‘09 and somewhere around 12 interceptions from Rivers.
Technorati Tags: Tom Brady, New England Patriots, Peyton Manning, Indianapolis Colts, touchdown, Darren McFadden, Oakland Raiders, Al Davis, Cedric Benson, Cincinnati Bengals, LaDainian Tomlinson, Carson Palmer, Andrew Smith, Ryan Fitzpatrick, Brandon Jacobs, New York Giants, Denver Broncos, BJ Raji, defensive end, Brian Orakpo, Josh McDaniels, Clay Matthews, linebacker, running back, quarterback, Brian Cushing, Clay Matthews, Robert Ayers, Alphonso Smith, cornerback, turnover, Baltimore Ravens, Green Bay Packers, Aaron Rodgers, Joe Flacco, Brett Favre, defense, offense, Kansas City Chiefs, Matt Cassel, Buffalo Bills, Trent Edwards, points, passer rating, Tyler Thigpen, Quinn Gray, Matt Ryan, Michael Turner, Atlanta Falcons, Thomas Jones, New York Jets, Mark Sanchez, Brian Westbrook, Philadelphia Eagles, Donovan McNabb, ESPN, Philip Rivers, Albert Haynesworth, sack, Washington Redskins, franchise tag
