Have you Tebowed yet?
It’s another strange week in the NFL. The Buffalo Bills play a “home” game in Toronto, “Tebowing” becomes the new craze and the Indianapolis Colts, a team that had a legitimate chance to go 16-0 a few years ago, could actually go 0-16 this year.
It’s Week 8 in the old National Football League. This week, the Falcons, Bears, Packers, Jets, Raiders and Buccaneers have the byes. Among the big games, Minnesota is at Carolina (it’s big because it’s Cam Newton against Christian Ponder); Detroit is at Denver (it’s bigbecause it’s Matt Stafford against Tim Tebow); New England plays at Pittsburgh (it’s big because it is); Washington plays Buffalo in Toronto (it’s big because it’s in Toronto); Dallas is at Philadelphia (it’s big because it’s Romo vs. Vick) on Sunday night and San Diego plays at Kansas City on Monday Night Football (it’s big because it’s Monday Night Football).
By the way, have you participated in a little “Tebowing” yet. For the uninitiated, a young New York fan named Jared Kleinstein, said he “was mesmerized by Tebow’s peaceful demeanor kneeling on the turf amid all the chaos going on around him.” He launched a website where fans could submit photos of themselves Tebowing: getting down on a knee and praying, even if everyone else around you is doing something completely different. Apparently, it’s catching on.
I think Dr. Football should probably do it. Not the Tebowing part, but the actual praying part. Last week, The Doc was 7-6 both straight up and against the spread, so he’s now 62-41 straight up this season and 53-50 against the spread.
Meanwhile The Coach went 8-5 straight up (70-33) and 7-6 against the spread (53-50).
This week, Doc Football writes our rationalizations. The Coach reserves the right to disagree.
SUNDAY AFTERNOON
Curtis Painter of the Colts
Indianapolis Colts (0-7) at Tennessee Titans (3-3)
Line: Titans by 8.5.
The Colts took a pretty good beating last Sunday in New Orleans and probably can’t play any worse. Colts QB Curtis Painter will have more time to get the ball downfield as Tennessee’s defense is nowhere near as talented as the Saints defense. However, the Titans resurging Matt Hasselbeck — at least he was “resurging” until he got hammered by Houston last week — will put more points on the board. We’re looking at two teams that aren’t that good, but Tennessee is just a little less bad that the Clots… I mean the Colts.
Dr. Football: TITANS TO WIN AND COVER.
The Coach: TITANS TO WIN AND COVER.
Jacksonville Jaguars (2-5) at Houston Texans (4-3)
Line: Texans by 9.5
The Jags defense put on quite the clinic on Monday night against the Ravens…where did that come from? Houston put up 41 points last week, but probably won’t to do that again this week. Jacksonville’s weakness is their offense, and that is going to be the key in this game as this time Houston’s defense will dominate. The Texans will be able to work underneath against the Jaguars’ defense; something the Ravens were not able to do by using tight end Owen Daniels and running back Arian Foster as their key receivers.
Dr. Football: TEXANS TO WIN AND COVER.
The Coach: TEXANS TO WIN AND COVER.
Jared Allen
Minnesota Vikings (1-6) at Carolina Panthers (2-5)
Line: Panthers by 3
An interesting matchup because of the two rookie QBs. Last week, Christian Ponder provided an immediate spark for the Vikings, something Cam Newton has done all season for the Panthers. The difference maker in this one is Ponder’s teammates; Adrian Peterson and Jared Allen. Peterson should rumble for a huge day against the Panthers’ run defense while Allen should pad his sack total against Newton, who was dropped four times against the Redskins last week.
Dr. Football: VIKINGS TO WIN.
The Coach: VIKINGS TO WIN.
New Orleans Saints (5-2) at St. Louis Rams (0-6)
Line: Saints by 13.5
The Rams are in danger of being as embarrassed as the Colts were last Sunday as their defense is worse than the Colts. The Saints scored 62 points last week, which is more than St. Louis has all season. The Saints will completely dominate offensively and defensively. The Rams don’t have much of a chance at even scoring a point in this game. This will be a blow-out.
Dr. Football: SAINTS TO WIN AND COVER.
The Coach: SAINTS TO WIN AND COVER.
Kevin Kolb of the Cardinals
Arizona Cardinals (1-5) at Baltimore Ravens (4-2)
Line: Ravens by 12.5
The question after last week’s Monday nighter was what happened to the Ravens offense? Their defense did their job almost perfectly and you could see the frustration on Ray Lewis’ face each time the offense failed to produce anything. This week Joe Flacco and company face a weak Cardinal defense and should have no problem moving the ball down field. “Should”. As usual, Baltimore’s defense will show up and control this game.
Dr. Football: RAVENS TO WIN BUT NOT COVER.
The Coach: RAVENS TO WIN BUT NOT COVER.
Miami Dolphins (0-6) at New York Giants (4-2)
Line: Giants by 9.5
Miami stinks. The Giants defense will have no problem keeping the Dolphins out of the end-zone as this is exactly why the Dolphins have no wins – their offense is a mess. The Dolphins were struck down by Tim Tebow last week to stay winless, and now they face a more experienced passer (and former Super Bowl MVP ) in Eli Manning, who will make the Dolphins defense look silly.
Dr. Football: GIANTS TO WIN AND COVER.
The Coach: GIANTS TO WIN AND COVER.
Freddie Jackson of the Toronto Bills
Washington Redskins (3-3) at Toronto Bills (4-2)
Line: Bills by 6
The Redskins’ defense struggled against a strong quarterback-receiver connection last week (Cam Newton-Steve Smith), and it will have similar trouble with Ryan Fitzpatrick and Stevie Johnson. If the Bills protect QB Ryan Fitzpatrick often enough, they will have no problem winning this game. If they don’t, they will need to rely on their defense, and that should be no problem with Tim Hightower and Santana Moss out for the Redskins.
Dr. Football: BILLS TO WIN AND COVER
The Coach: BILLS TO WIN AND COVER.
Detroit Lions (5-2) at Denver Broncos (2-4)
Line: Lions by 3
Detroit could be without QB Matthew Stafford this week due to an ankle sprain (although I am told he looked good Thursday practicing with a boot on).Regardless of whether it’s Matthew Stafford, Shaun Hill or Drew Stanton as Detroit’s quarterback, the Broncos’ pass defense can’t stop Calvin Johnson. Denver is putting their faith into QB Tim Tebow, and I’m not sold on him yet. He might spend all afternoon running from Ndamukong Suh, who will be in seek-and-destroy mode. The Lions defense may allow some rushing yards, but will be dominate against the pass.
Dr. Football: LIONS TO WIN AND COVER.
The Coach: LIONS TO WIN AND COVER.
Tom Brady
New England Patriots (5-1) at Pittsburgh Steelers (5-2)
Line: Patriots by 3
As with every season, the Patriots best defense is their offense eating away at the clock. This will be the key to this game. The Steelers defense is allowing over 100 rush yards per game, and New England has a trio of great running backs to dominate this game. Ben Roethlisberger comes into the game sizzling, and for the Steelers to have a shot at beating Brady they must let him loose. The Patriots don’t have the cornerbacks to handle all three of the Steelers young speedsters; Mike Wallace, Antonio Brown and Emmanuel Sanders. This should make for a fun, high-scoring game, but you can’t go against a Bill Belichick-coached team coming off a bye. This will be the Game of the Week.
Dr. Football: PATRIOTS TO WIN AND COVER.
The Coach: PATRIOTS TO WIN AND COVER.
Cleveland Browns (3-3) at San Francisco 49ers (5-1)
Line: 49ers by 8.5
Cleveland’s defense just cannot seem to get it together against the run, so my guess is that the 49ers game plan is going to be use Frank Gore and Kendall Hunter a lot. This has the makings of a game-long defensive struggle, but with Michael Crabtree and former Brown Braylon Edwards expected to return, expect the 49ers to run away with this one (you see what I did there…”run away”).
Dr. Football: 49ers TO WIN AND COVER.
The Coach: 49ers TO WIN AND COVER.
Andy Dalton
Cincinnati Bengals (4-2) at Seattle Seahawks (2-4)
Line: Bengals by 3
Seattle has too many offensive questions; who will it be at QB? Charlie Whitehurst or Tavaris Jackson? Is Marshawn Lynch healthy enough to play? The Bengals have a real opportunity to put this game away early. QB Andy Dalton and WR A.J. Green are firing on all cylinders and while the Seahawk defense is talented, they won’t be able to stop this duo. And Cedric Benson’s suspension gives Cincy more pop in the running game with replacement Bernard Scott.
Dr. Football: BENGALS TO WIN AND COVER.
The Coach: BENGALS TO WIN AND COVER.
SUNDAY NIGHT
Dallas Cowboys (3-3) at Philadelphia Eagles (2-4)
Line: Eagles by 3.5
Defensively, Dallas is ranked in the top three against the run. This is going to make for an interesting match-up against Eagles QB Michael Vick, and RB LeSean McCoy. The Eagles under Andy Reid are 12-0 in the week after a bye and they just started to figure things out before their week off, especially on defense. But Philly’s offensive line has struggled all season to protect Vick, and this week it’s going to be no different. The game will be close, but the Cowboys offense will prevail both on the pass and the run (The Coach sez: Romo will be pressured, will panic and will go fetal).
Dr. Football: COWBOYS TO WIN AND COVER.
The Coach: EAGLES TO WIN.
MONDAY NIGHT
Mike Tolbert of the Super Chargers
San Diego Chargers (4-2) at Kansas City Chiefs (3-3)
Line: Chargers by 3.5.
Forget about trick-or-treating, Arrowhead Stadium is hosting a MNF battle for first in the AFC West! I think this is the game where Philip Rivers will finally stand up. Vincent Jackson and Antonio Gates might be banged up, but their size will be a big advantage in this one. Rivers will also expect consistent support from Ryan Mathews and Mike Tolbert in the running game. Kansas City started off horribly this season, but has improved week to week. QB Matt Cassel has played well, proving that without RB Jamaal Charles, the Chiefs can contend. The stadium will be rocking, but the Chargers will take the fans out of it early.
Dr. Football: CHARGERS TO WIN AND COVER.
The Coach: CHARGERS TO WIN BUT NOT COVER.