Monday, July 18, 2005
NFL 2005: 15 Games to Watch
Oakland @ New England (September 8)
We all know what the outcome will be: a Patriot win, probably decisive. But it's the 2005 opener, and Randy Moss is in Raider black (which often leads to correctional facility orange) and the Pats open defense of their two consecutive Super Bowls without offensive coordinator Charlie Weis and defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel. Eric Mangini has taken over defensive duties, and, as of now, an offensive replacement hasn't been named. Head coach Bill Belichick will probably call the shots.
On paper, the Raider offense has firepower, but New England defenses have often proved that paper is reduced to shreds on the Gillette Stadium grass. Don't be surprised if return specialist Chad Morton endears himself immediately to the Pats' faithful with a touchdown.
Cincinnati @ Cleveland (September 11)
When these teams met last year, they combined for 106 points in a Week 12 game won by the Bengals, 58-48. While the Browns seem to be the last AFC North team mentioned as a playoff contender, they will surely be capable of an opening week upset of the Bengals, who hope for a one or two game improvement on last year's 8-8 record. The Browns, under the supervision of new coach Romeo Crennel, may be two or three years from the playoffs, but they will begin to mark their territory in the North, much to the delight of an anticipatory Dawg Pound.
Green Bay @ Detroit (September 11)
If Lions' quarterback Joey Harrington can't make it work with this offense, which includes wideouts Roy Williams, Charles Rogers, and rookie Mike Williams, plus emerging superstar Kevin Jones at running back, then his days as a starter are finished. Of course, Harrington may not even be the starter in the Lions' opener — Jeff Garcia has reunited with coach Steve Mariucci and may be awarded the QB spot. Either way, the Lions hope to prove that they have an offense that affords them contention is the NFC North, which lately has been a two-team race between the Packers and Vikings.
Philadelphia @ Atlanta (September 12)
The Falcons will seek to avenge last year's 27-10 NFC Championship loss to the Eagles, and possibly get a jump on homefield advantage in the 2005 playoffs, assuming 2004's success was no fluke. A win here will be important to the Falcons — in their next four games, they face Seattle and Buffalo on the road, then host Minnesota and New England. 3-2 in those five should make them happy. Will Philly be graced by the presence of Terrell Owens, or will he continue to hold out for a new contract and alienate the few supporters he has left?
Washington @ Dallas (September 19)
The Cowboys have won four in a row, and 14 of last 15, in what has become a lopsided rivalry. Joe Gibbs may be waving the white flag, signifying his last lap as 'Skins coach, or maybe it's the white flag of surrender, if he doesn't lead Washington to a win over the Cowboys. And speaking of "waving," noted gun-waver and general menace to society Sean Taylor, Redskins safety, will probably be on the field, where he can legally assault his opponents. Those opponents include running back Julius Jones, set for a breakout season, and new Cowboy Drew Bledsoe, whom Taylor should have no trouble catching, even while carrying a firearm, a team of defense lawyers, and a pending jail sentence.
Miami @ Buffalo (October 9)
Ricky Williams returns from a four-game drug suspension, and a couple of years wandering the earth searching for the meaning of life in a bong. I'm sure Ricky's as curious about his performance as you and I are. One thing's for sure: he won't have to worry about defenders dragging him down by his dreadlocks. Even if Williams returns at his optimum playing weight (about 235 pounds, or about 107 kilos), the sturdy Bills' defense will probably leave Williams feeling dazed and confused.
Pittsburgh @ San Diego (October 10)
By the time this Week 5 showdown kicks off, we should know whether these two teams are in line to duplicate last year's success. Remember, at the onset of last season, no one had these two pegged as real contenders. They were wrong. This year, everyone has them in the playoffs. Are they right? And what about quarterbacks Ben Roethlisberger and Drew Brees? Both are intent on keeping the word "fluke" away after their stellar 2004 campaigns. The Steelers will be rested from a Week 4 bye, while the Chargers will likely be worn from a physical matchup in New England. The Chargers are at home, where they were 7-1 in 2004. Of course, the Steelers were 7-1 on the road.
Green Bay @ Minnesota (October 23)
Can the Vikings win with defense? Can they win without Randy Moss? We should know by this Week 7 contest, when the Pack and Vikes meet for the first time since January's 31-17 Minnesota wildcard win at Lambeau Field. The Minnesota defense include such newcomers as cornerback Fred Smoot, nose tackle Pat Williams, and free safety and former Packer Darren Sharper. The winner seizes an early edge in the race for the division. These two teams battled to the wire for the title last year. The Vikes are much improved, at least on defense, while Green Bay has made few changes. Currently holding out Packers wide receiver Javon Walker should come to his senses, with a little Brett Favre motivation, and be a factor in this game.
Buffalo @ New England (October 30)
New England will enter this ESPN Sunday night game rested, thanks to a bye week, from a brutal stretch of four of their first six games on the road against three playoff teams (Pittsburgh, Atlanta, Denver) and Carolina (who just missed the playoffs). If the Bills are the same team they were in the second half of 2004, they could, possibly, be 5-2, and a win could give them an early edge in the competitive AFC East. Whether or not the Bills are the same team that finished 2004 7-2 in their last nine games falls mainly on the shoulders of new QB J.P. Losman. If Losman produces, Willis McGahee will find room to run much easier. If Losman looks to be the weak link, the Patriots will certainly know it by this Week 8 showdown.
Baltimore @ Pittsburgh (October 31)
Another gigantic Halloween game in the Steel City, and, in this most heated of NFL rivalries, expect both teams to be in evil mode. Last year, Pittsburgh ended the Patriots' 21-game winning streak with a 34-20 win on October 31. Will five months of freedom have allowed Baltimore running back Jamal Lewis to regain the form that saw him rush for over 2,000 yards in 2003? Only "time" will tell. Last year, when the Steelers and Ravens met for the first time, in Week 2, Baltimore whipped the Steelers 30-13. Pittsburgh didn't lose again until the AFC Championship Game.
The Halloween matchup is the first of two Ravens/Steelers contest in less than a month. The division title may rest on the outcome of those two games. The Ravens' defense will be frightening as usual — their passing game should be improved with the acquisition of WR Derrick Mason an the draft selection of WR Mark Clayton of Oklahoma. Pittsburgh won't run away with the division this year. Even the Bengals may have a voice in the AFC North crown.
Indianapolis @ New England (November 7)
As far as playoff implications are concerned, this game will probably have more meaning to the Patriots (the Colts may well have the AFC South in hand by Week 9). But the Colts know that to be taken seriously as a Super Bowl contender, they must overcome the mental barrier that the Patriots exert against them. Regardless of the consequences, expect Colt players to downplay New England's dominance with quotes like this: "No, I don't feel like they have a mental edge against us. We just to execute and play our game." Something they haven't done before. It will be early November with a few snow flurries adding to the drama to be witnessed by a captive Monday Night Football audience. Can the Colts win and evict the monkey known as King Kong from their back?
St. Louis @ Seattle (November 13)
The Rams and Seahawks met three times last year, with the Rams sweeping the series, including a 27-20 wildcard round victory at Qwest Field. Genius/dumbest coach in the league, Mike Martz, hopes his Rams can again overcome genius/most-overrated coach in the game, Mike Holmgren, and his Seahawks and win the West. Martz has named Steven Jackson starting running back — it remains to be seen whether Martz will let him run it. Currently, Seahawks' running back Shaun Alexander is holding out for a long-term contract. Who knows if he'll be in uniform come Week 10, and, if he is, will it be a Seattle uniform?
Oakland @ San Diego (December 4)
Will this game matter come Week 13? Of course it will, despite the records. It's the AFC West — it matters because everybody wants to beat the Raiders. Last year in San Diego, the Raiders got blasted, 42-14, and I'm sure they remember. Featured are two of the NFL's most dynamic athletes, Oakland's Randy Moss and San Diego's LaDainian Tomlinson. Moss joins Jerry Porter, Ronald Curry, and Doug Gabriel to give the Raiders arguably the league's best WR corps.
No one doubts the Raiders will score more, with Moss and running back LaMont Jordan from the Jets adding punch. Will they score enough? Last year's raider defense ranked 30th in the league, and Tomlinson rushed for 235 yards and two TDs on 56 rushes in two games versus the Raiders.
Philadelphia @ Arizona (December 24)
If the Cardinals have indeed improved as some have predicted, this game may actually mean something to them. In the NFL's weakest division, the NFC West, Seattle won the division with a 9-7 record. Arizona finished three games back, at 6-10, with two of those losses to San Francisco, one of the league's worst teams. The Cardinals also lost five of their last seven games to shatter any playoff hopes.
Assuming they are healthy when this game is played, Arizona will be bolstered by strong three-man WR corps (Anquan Boldin, Larry Fitzgerald, and Bryant Johnson), and two potentially explosive running backs in Marcel Shipp and rookie J. J. Arrington. And QB Kurt Warner will be at the helm, which may or may not be a good thing. The Eagles are still easily the class of the NFC East, and probably the NFC, in general.
Carolina @ Atlanta (January 1)
Let's hope this Week 17 contest is for all the NFC South marbles. Otherwise, this game wouldn't be on the list. And let's hope injuries don't plague the Falcons or the Panthers — otherwise, this might be a battle of teams with 7-8 records. In 2003, Michael Vick's broken leg ruined Atlanta's season. Last year, only a year removed from the Super Bowl, injuries to running backs Stephen Davis and DeShaun Foster and wide receiver Steve Smith left Carolina in array, although they still made a valiant playoff run. If all of the big-name players are healthy for this one, it could be a classic in a budding NFC South rivalry.