The storyline that wouldn't die is now
dead, at least until January 9, 2010.
That's the day the NFC playoffs begin, and the Green Bay Packers hope to hold
a place of residency in that bracket. If the Pack (4-3) gets there, chances are
the Minnesota Vikings (7-1) will be somewhere within close proximity in the
playoff field. Perhaps the rival duo will even get to see one another again,
in what would be just their second postseason meeting of all time.
But unless and until that day comes, the Packers will not have to face
questions about Brett Favre anymore. The awkward square dance that has taken
place between the icon and the organization that employed him happily for 16
years is over, and though Green Bay certainly wasn't hoping to go 0-2 against
the hated Vikings this year, Favre did not end the Packers' season when he
beat them twice in a five-week span.
In fact, even after their 38-26 home loss to Minnesota on Sunday, the Packers
find themselves just a half-game behind the Giants (5-3) for the final Wild
Card spot in the NFC.
The upcoming schedule sets up favorably for Green Bay, with road games against
the woeful Buccaneers (Nov. 8) and Lions (Nov. 26) sandwiched around
challenging but winnable home tests against the Cowboys (Nov. 15) and 49ers
(Nov. 22).
Though Green Bay is far from a perfect team, with major problems in the areas
of offensive protection and defensive pass rush, to name but a couple, the
notion of Mike McCarthy's club getting to December with a chance to do some
damage remains very much intact.
"It was talked about after the game," said McCarthy on Monday. "These division
games are worth a game and a half, sometimes two. So, you know, this was a
tough one. No doubt about it. It was a tough one for everybody. Tough one for
our fans...but we need to get ready. Tampa is a different opponent with new
coordinators and a new head coach down there. So, we've got to make sure we're
prepared for those guys. Winning on the road is always tough. But the
opportunity to go 3-1 in the second quarter to put us at 5-3 at the halfway
mark, that's our goal."
Frankly, though the Buccaneers aren't simply going to lay down for the
Packers, the fact that the league's lone remaining winless team will also be
fielding a first-time starting quarterback, Josh Freeman, speaks very well of
Green Bay's immediate chances for recovery.
Also encouraging for McCarthy and company is the fact that the Packers battled
to the finish against the Vikings for the second time this year, despite once
again falling behind by what was thought to be (and ultimately was) an
insurmountable 24-3 deficit.
But Aaron Rodgers and the Packers scored on their first four possessions of
the first half and recovered a critical fumble during that stretch as well, and
with just under six-and-a-half minutes to play, Green Bay was trailing just
31-26 and was holding the football inside the Minnesota 30-yard line.
Almost nothing went well for the Pack for the rest of the day, as a subsequent
missed field goal by Mason Crosby was followed by another patented Favre
touchdown drive, and Green Bay was saddled with its first home-and-home sweep
at the hands of the hated Vikings since 2005.
But McCarthy saw the silver lining in the comeback effort, even if it fell
short.
"I told them at halftime that this second half was going to be a turning point
in our season. It was important for us to go out there and turn this game
around and make a run and win this game. I felt that was happening there in
the third quarter.
"I thought there was a lot of positive things."
Let's take a look at the week that will be in the National Football League:
NFL POWER POLL
The Sports Network's updated NFL Power Poll, which ranks all 32 league teams,
can be found at:
http://www.sportsnetwork.com/merge/tsnform.aspx?c=sportsnetwork&page=
nfl/misc/nfl-poll.htm
FANTASY FOCUS
Find Fantasy Editor Steve Schwarz's latest analysis at:
http://www.sportsnetwork.com/merge/tsnform.aspx?c=sportsnetwork&page=
fantasy/index.aspx
SUICIDE POOL PIX
1. Atlanta (vs. Washington) - Even on a short week, angry Falcons will take
out frustrations on plodding Redskins.
2. Green Bay (at Tampa Bay) - Packers get well against youngster Josh Freeman,
who isn't yet ready to beat a quality opponent.
3. New Orleans (vs. Carolina) - Panthers don't have the offensive personnel to
match Drew Brees score-for-score.
THE GAMES
I was 10-3 in my picks for a second straight week, and also went 10-3 against
the spread. In a true rarity, all of my straight-up picks and against-the-
spread picks matched in the won-loss column. I had the Giants over the Eagles,
the Jets over the Dolphins, and the Lions over the Rams, but was right
everywhere else. Fascinating stuff, I know. My record for the year is now
78-38 (.672), and 65-50-1 (.565) with Vegas in the picture.
Washington (2-5) at Atlanta (4-3), Sunday, 1:00 (Atlanta -11)
Storylines: Falcons trying to avoid first three-game losing streak since 2007,
when they dropped six in a row...Redskins (three straight losses) last lost
four in a row in 2007, when their four-game losing streak was followed by a
four-game win streak that propelled them into the playoffs...Redskins
cornerback/punt returner DeAngelo Hall, a first-round draft choice of the
Falcons in 2004, returns to Atlanta for the first time since leaving via free
agency after the 2007 campaign...Hall was released by the Raiders days after
being part of a defense that allowed 220 passing yards in a 24-0 home loss to
Matt Ryan and Atlanta last Nov. 2nd...Redskins have not scored more than 17
points in a game this season...Falcons have won six straight home games, and
are 10-1 at the Georgia Dome during the Mike Smith/Matt Ryan era...Redskins
tight end Chris Cooley (ankle) will be out until at least Nov. 29th...
Washington placed left tackle Chris Samuels (spine) on injured reserve last
week..Falcons lead the league in fourth-down efficiency (83.3)...Redskins
defense is last in the league in takeaways (7) and is tied for last in
interceptions (3)...Atlanta has forced an NFL-high 11 lost fumbles.
Fast Fact: The Falcons' leading pass-catcher in their most recent home victory
over the Redskins, on Sept. 20, 1987, was then-tight end and current Arizona
Cardinals head coach Ken Whisenhunt (six receptions).
Prediction: Falcons know their season is on the brink of spinning out of
control, and luckily for them, the Redskins' season already has. Falcons 28,
Redskins 10.
---
Arizona (4-3) at Chicago (4-3), Sunday, 1:00 (Chicago -3)
Storylines: NFL's oldest rivalry, which began in 1920 as the Chicago Cardinals
vs. the Decatur Staleys, renewed for the 88th time...Bears facing Cardinals
for the first time since infamous "the Bears are who we thought we there" rant
by then-Arizona head coach Dennis Green following a 24-23 Chicago win in
2006...Arizona is 3-0 on the road for the first time since 1982...Cardinals
trying to recover from a 34-21 loss to the Panthers last week, in which
quarterback Kurt Warner committed six turnovers (five INT, one fumble)...
Arizona owns a one-game lead over San Francisco in NFC West...Bears are 3-0 in
home games during the Jay Cutler era...Cardinals are last in the league in
rushing offense (64.9 yards per game), and are the only team in the league
without a rush of 20 yards or longer...Bears defensive end Adewale Ogunleye is
tied for the NFL lead in defensive fumble recoveries (3)...Cardinals wide
receiver Anquan Boldin (ankle) and Darnell Dockett (ankle) both expected to
play despite injuries.
Fast Fact: The Cardinals, who were based in Chicago from 1920 to 1959, are 0-2
in the Windy City since the then-St. Louis Cardinals won there in 1982.
Prediction: Calendar has turned to November, which means it's time for the
Cardinals to stop showing up on the road. Bears 26, Cardinals 21.
---
Baltimore (4-3) at Cincinnati (5-2), Sunday, 1:00 (Baltimore -3)
Storylines: Bengals look to maintain at least a share of first place in the
AFC North, while Ravens try to pull even with Cincinnati and avenge a 17-14
home loss to the Bengals on Oct. 11th...Ravens looking to avoid a third
straight road loss after falling late to the Patriots (27-21) and Vikings
(33-31)...Cincinnati is 8-2 in its last 10 games dating back to last
season...Bengals last swept a home-and-home against the Ravens in 2007...
Cincinnati running back Cedric Benson snapped the Ravens' 39-game streak
without allowing a 100-yard rusher when he went for 120 yards on 27 carries
against Baltimore in Week 5...Bengals tackle and first-round draft choice Andre
Smith (foot) could see action for the first time as a pro...Bengals released
tackle Scott Kooistra and signed fullback Fui Vakapuna on Tuesday...Fullback
Jeremi Johnson (knee) and safety Roy Williams (forearm) both expected to play
for the Bengals...Ravens rookie return man Lardarius Webb scored his first
career touchdown on a 95-yard kickoff return against the Broncos last week.
Fast Fact: The Ravens (34-3 winners at the Bengals last season) haven't won
back-to-back games in Cincinnati since 2000, when they polished off a three-
game winning streak there.
Prediction: For the second straight week, Ravens will display focus in the
knowledge that their season depends on a victory. Ravens 23, Bengals 17.
---
Houston (5-3) at Indianapolis (7-0), Sunday, 1:00 (Indianapolis -9)
Storylines: Colts, one of two remaining unbeatens, trying to start 8-0 for the
first time since 2006...Colts have won 16 consecutive regular season games, and
have won nine straight at home...Texans' 5-3 record is best first-half showing
in team history...Houston lost Pro Bowl tight end Owen Daniels (knee) for the
season in last week's win over the Bills...Starting running back unknown for
Texans after Steve Slaton was benched early in last week's game following his
seventh fumble of the season, and replacement Ryan Moats rushed for 126 yards
and three touchdowns on 23 carries...Texans are 0-7 all-time in Indianapolis
and 1-13 against the Colts overall...Texans quarterback Matt Schaub leads the
NFL in passing yards (2342), and is tied for the league lead in touchdown
passes (16)...Houston wide receiver Andre Johnson leads the NFL in receiving
yards (697)...Colts lead the league in passing offense (316.3 yards per game),
completion percentage (71.2), third-down efficiency (51.1), sacks allowed (5),
and are tied for the league lead in touchdown passes (16)...Colts are No. 1 in
NFL scoring defense (13 points per game), touchdowns allowed (8), and touchdown
passes allowed (3).
Fast Fact: In their 31-27 win at Houston last season, Indianapolis became the
first team in NFL history to erase a 17-point deficit with less than four
minutes to play to win in regulation.
Prediction: Texans make for a nice story, but explain how a poor secondary is
going to handle the Colts passing game. Colts 38, Texans 20.
---
Kansas City (1-6) at Jacksonville (3-4), Sunday, 1:00 (Jacksonville -6.5)
Storylines: Chiefs running back Larry Johnson will serve a one-game suspension
for conduct detrimental to the team following use of an anti-gay slur and
criticism of head coach Todd Haley after the Chiefs' Week 7 loss to the
Chargers...Jamaal Charles expected to start at running back for Chiefs...Kansas
City signed veteran wide receiver Chris Chambers on Tuesday...Jaguars head
coach Jack Del Rio played two seasons at linebacker with the Chiefs
(1987-88)...Jaguars running back Maurice Jones-Drew,.who rushed eight times for
177 yards and two TDs in last week's loss to the Titans, leads the NFL in
touchdowns (10) and rushing touchdowns (10)...Kansas City is last in the league
in third-down efficiency (21.0) and is the only team in the league without a
rushing touchdown...Chiefs are tied for last in the NFL in interceptions
(3)...Jaguars have recorded a league-low five sacks...Chiefs placed safety
Jarrad Page (calf) on injured reserve and signed cornerback Travis Daniels (ex-
Dolphins, Browns) on Tuesday.
Fast Fact: The Chiefs have gone 35 consecutive quarters without a rushing
touchdown, since a second-quarter plunge by then-quarterback Tyler Thigpen
against the Dolphins on Dec. 21, 2008.
Prediction: Chiefs will play well in their one-week vacation from Larry
Johnson, but won't show enough firepower to win. Jaguars 20, Chiefs 15.
---
Miami (3-4) at New England (5-2), Sunday, 1:00 (New England -10.5)
Storylines: Patriots can extend lead in AFC East to two full games with a
victory...Dolphins return to New England for the first time since a surprising
38-13 rout of the Patriots last September...New England defeated Miami in the
return matchup, 48-28...Patriots are 4-0 at home this season and have won five
in a row at Gillette Stadium...Miami has won five straight games against the
AFC East since loss to New England last year...Laurence Maroney slated to start
at running back for New England with Sammy Morris (knee) doubtful...Dolphins'
Ted Ginn, who last week became the first NFL player since 1967 to return two
kickoffs for touchdowns in a quarter in a 30-25 win over the Jets, leads the
NFL in kickoff return average (34.9) and is tied for the league lead in kickoff
return touchdowns (2)...Patriots have allowed an NFL-low one rushing touchdown
on the year...Dolphins have had a league-high three interceptions returned for
touchdowns...Patriots end Jarvis Green will miss Sunday's game following knee
surgery, and Mike Wright expected to start in his place.
Fast Fact: The Dolphins (38-13 winners at the Patriots last season) have not
won back-to-back games at New England since 1999-2000.
Prediction: Dolphins' season could turn on the result of this game, but their
intensity won't be enough against superior Pats. Patriots 24, Dolphins 21.
---
Green Bay (4-3) at Tampa Bay (0-7), Sunday, 1:00 (Green Bay -10)
Storylines: Buccaneers, the NFL's lone remaining winless team, will turn to
first-round rookie quarterback Josh Freeman (Kansas State) for the first
time...Freeman is Tampa's third starter this year, following Byron Leftwich
(0-3) and Josh Johnson (0-4)...Bucs still seeking the first win of the Raheem
Morris era...Bucs trying to avoid their first 0-8 start since starting the 1985
season 0-9...Buccaneers have lost 11 straight dating back to last season, their
worst skid since finishing their NFL-record 26-game skein in 1976-77...Packers
quarterback Aaron Rodgers leads the NFL in passer rating (110.4)...Green Bay
has allowed a league-worst 31 sacks...Packers have committed a league-low five
turnovers and are tied for the league lead in turnover margin (+12)....
Buccaneers signed ex-Chiefs kicker Connor Barth earlier this week and released
Shane Andrus...Tampa Bay has made a league-low two field goals on the
year...Buccaneers cut cornerback Marcus McCauley and signed rookie CB Mike
Mickens on Tuesday...Green Bay could start veterans Chad Clifton and Mark
Tauscher at tackle this week after the team allowed six sacks in their absence
last week against the Vikings.
Fast Fact: The last two rookies to start at quarterback for Tampa Bay (Bruce
Gradkowski in 2006, Shaun King in 1999) have each won their first home start.
Prediction: Hard to like Freeman's prospects for success against a playmaking
Packers secondary. Packers 31, Buccaneers 14.
---
Carolina (3-4) at New Orleans (7-0), Sunday, 4:05 (New Orleans -14)
Storylines: Saints seeking their first 8-0 start in team history...Panthers
quarterback Jake Delhomme expected to start despite suffering a chest injury
that limited him in last week's 34-21 win at Arizona...Panthers swept the
Saints in a home-and-home last year and have won seven straight road games in
the series since last losing in New Orleans in 2001...Saints quarterback Drew
Brees is tied for the NFL lead in touchdown passes (16)...New Orleans safety
Darren Sharper leads the league in interception return yards (317), pick-six
touchdowns (3), and is tied for the lead in INTs (7)...Saints lead the NFL in
total offense (428.7 yards per game), scoring offense (39.0 points per game),
touchdowns (36), and rushing touchdowns (14)...Carolina is No. 1 in NFL passing
defense (160.6 yards per game)...New Orleans defense leads the league in
opponents' third-down percentage (30.5), opponents' completion percentage
(51.3), interceptions (16), interception returns for touchdowns (5), and is
tied for the league lead in takeaways (21)...Panthers have thrown an NFL-high
14 interceptions...Panthers fullback Brad Hoover (high ankle sprain) expected
to be out Sunday.
Fast Fact: Panthers head coach John Fox has a 10-4 record against the Saints
in his career, including 7-0 in road games, and is 5-1 head-to-head against New
Orleans' Sean Payton.
Prediction: Saints never have things easy against the Panthers, but are too
powerful at this point for the Carolina "D" to contain. Saints 30, Panthers 17.
---
Detroit (1-6) at Seattle (2-5), Sunday, 4:05 (Seattle -10)
Storylines: Seahawks take the field for first time since outbursts by wide
receivers T.J. Houshmandzadeh and Deion Branch in last week's loss to
Dallas...Lions have lost four straight since win over the Redskins in Week
3, and are trying to snap a 15-game road losing streak since a win at the
Bears on Oct. 28, 2007...Seahawks have lost five of their last six and were
27-3 losers to Arizona in their most recent home appearance...Wide receiver
Calvin Johnson (knee) questionable to return for Detroit after missing the last
two games...Seahawks and Lions will be squaring off for the first time since
March trade that sent linebacker Julian Peterson to the Lions and defensive
lineman Cory Redding to the Seahawks...Seahawks released veteran running back
Edgerrin James and cornerback Travis Fisher earlier this week...Seattle
cornerback Ken Lucas (shoulder) expected to play, but tackle Sean Locklear
(ankle) likely to remain out...Detroit running back Maurice Morris, who gained
2,612 yards as a member of the Seahawks from 2002 through 2008, will meet his
former team for the first time...Seattle defense is tied for last in the league
in interceptions (3).
Fast Fact: The Lions are 0-15 in November road games since their last such
win, a 31-21 triumph at the New York Giants on Nov. 19, 2000.
Prediction: Lions will play with some edge after embarrassing loss to Rams, but
desperate Seahawks will flex their muscles when it counts. Seahawks 27, Lions
19.
---
San Diego (4-3) at N.Y. Giants (5-3), Sunday, 4:15 (N.Y. Giants -5)
Storylines: Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers and Giants signal-caller Eli
Manning, who had their rights exchanged for one another on draft day 2004, to
meet in a head-to-head setting for the first time. Rivers was a backup to Drew
Brees when the Chargers last met the Giants in 2005...Giants have lost three
in a row for the first time since 2006, when they dropped four straight...Big
Blue is a half-game back of the Eagles and Cowboys in the NFC East as Week 9
begins...Giants, who have allowed 112 points during their three-game skid,
expected to have linebacker Michael Boley (knee) and defensive tackle Chris
Canty (calf) back in the lineup Sunday...Chargers released veteran wide
receiver Chris Chambers earlier this week...Giants wide receiver Steve Smith
leads the NFL in receptions (53)...Giants kicker Lawrence Tynes leads the
league in made field goals (17) and points (74)...San Diego is last in the
league in yards per carry (3.1)...Chargers have forced an NFL-low two lost
fumbles...Chargers linebacker Tim Dobbins (knee) expected to miss Sunday's
game, but LB Kevin Burnett (ankle) slated to return.
Fast Fact: In his only previous meeting against the team that drafted him No.
1 overall in 2004, Giants quarterback Eli Manning was 24-of-41 for 352 yards,
two touchdowns and no interceptions in a 45-23 loss to the Chargers on Sept.
25, 2005.
Prediction: Chargers are too one-dimensional to make the reeling Giants defense
pay. Giants 28, Chargers 16.
---
Tennessee (1-6) at San Francisco (3-4), Sunday, 4:15 (San Francisco -4.5)
Storylines: San Francisco rookie wide receiver and first-round draft choice
Michael Crabtree to make his home debut as a member of the 49ers....Titans
trying to build on their first win of the season, a 30-13 home triumph over
the Jaguars last Sunday...Tennessee quarterback Vince Young seeking to move to
2-0 as a starter this year...49ers are 1-4 since starting the year at 2-0,
including three straight losses...Quarterback Alex Smith expected to make his
first home start as a 49er since Oct. 28, 2007, when he presided over a 31-10
home loss to the Saints...San Francisco to be without cornerback Nate Clemens
(shoulder) and tackle Joe Staley (knee) for at least six weeks after both were
injured in last week's loss to the Colts...Titans running back Chris Johnson
leads the NFL in rushing yards (824), Tennessee leads the league in yards per
carry (5.5), and the team is tied for first in rushes of 20-plus yards (11)...
San Francisco is allowing an NFL-low 3.2 yards per rush...49ers tight end
Vernon Davis leads the NFL in touchdown catches (7)...Tennessee is last in NFL
scoring defense (30.1 points per game), passing defense (282.4 yards per game),
opponents' completion percentage (71.2), and rushing touchdowns allowed (19).
Fast Fact: Titans head coach Jeff Fisher (7th Round) and 49ers head man Mike
Singletary (2nd Round) were both selected by the Chicago Bears in the 1981 NFL
Draft, and were teammates for four seasons together in Chicago (1981-84).
Prediction: Vince Young rollercoaster will hit a valley this week, as hard-
hitting 49ers defense takes it to him. 49ers 35, Titans 13.
---
Dallas (5-2) at Philadelphia (5-2), Sunday, 8:20 (Philadelphia -3)
Storylines: Winner will gain sole possession of first-place in the NFC East...
Cowboys, who have won three straight, play the Eagles for the first time since
a 44-6 loss in Philadelphia in Week 17 of last season knocked them out of the
playoff picture...Eagles running back Brian Westbrook (concussion) considered
questionable after missing last week's 40-17 win over the Giants, and rookie
LeSean McCoy would make his second straight start if Westbrook is
unavailable...Dallas quarterback Tony Romo has thrown for 918 yards and eight
touchdowns without an interception during the team's three-game win streak...
Three of Eagles wideout DeSean Jackson's six offensive touches over the past
two games have gone for touchdowns...Cowboys' Patrick Crayton leads the NFL in
punt return average (16.6) and punt returns for touchdowns (2), and can set a
league record for punt return touchdowns in consecutive games (3) with a TD
against Philadelphia... Eagles are tied for the league lead in takeaways (21)
and turnover margin (+12)...Dallas kickoff returner and former Eagle Allen
Rossum (hamstring) questionable after missing last week's contest.
Fast Fact: The Eagles have scored 81 points in their past two games against
the Cowboys, their highest two-game total since the series began in 1960.
Prediction: Not a good matchup for Romo, who won't be facing the forgiving
secondaries he's seen the last three weeks. Eagles 27, Cowboys 17.
---
Pittsburgh (5-2) at Denver (6-1), Monday, 8:30 (Pittsburgh -3)
Storylines: Steelers have won four straight, and are 4-0 on Monday Night
Football during the Mike Tomlin era...Broncos seek to bounce back from their
first loss of the year, a 30-7 setback in Baltimore last Sunday...With a win,
Steelers will either take over sole possession of first place (with a Baltimore
win in Cincinnati on Sunday) or maintain a share of first place (with a
Cincinnati win)...Broncos, who will play at home for the first time since Nov.
11, are 3-0 at Invesco Field at Mile High during the Josh McDaniels era...
Denver has thrown a league-low one interception...Broncos lead the NFL in total
defense (266.7 yards per game)...Steelers are No. 1 in the league in rushing
defense (76.6)...Steelers have allowed a league-high-tying two kickoff returns
for touchdowns... Pittsburgh free safety Ryan Clark considered questionable due
to medical condition that is aggravated at high altitudes, and Tyrone Carter
would likely start if Clark is unavailable...Broncos right tackle Tyler
Polumbus to make first career start in place of the injured Ryan Harris
(dislocated toes).
Fast Fact: The Steelers are 0-4 in regular season matchups played in Denver
since recording their last such win, in 1990.
Prediction: Steelers are fresh and rested coming off their bye, and will play
with more urgency given their place in crowded AFC North. Steelers 17, Broncos
12.
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