This is my power top 16: 1. Chicago Bears (6-0) NC 2. Indianapolis Colts (6-0) +1 3. Denver Broncos (5-1) +1 4. New England Patriots (5-1) +1 5. New Orleans Saints (5-1) +1 6. San Diego Chargers (4-2) -4 7. New York Giants (4-2) +4 8. Cincinnati Bengals (4-2) +6 9. Carolina Panthers (4-3) -2 10. Baltimore Ravens (4-2) +2 11. Minnesota Vikings (4-2) +7 12. Atlanta Falcons (4-2) +5 13. St. Louis Rams (4-2) NC 14. Philadelphia Eagles (4-3) -5 15. Seattle Seahawks (4-2) -7 16. New York Jets (4-3) NA Honorable Mention: Kansas City Chiefs (3-3)
Almost agree. Right now I would have Indy ahead of Chicago until we see how the Bears bouce back from last week. Plus I would have NE and NO ahead of the Broncos because of Plummer. Denver won't do anything with him at the helm. Surprised Shanahan hasn't realized that yet.
I really like Denver's D and Shanahan's run first, pass 2nd philosophy. This takes the pressure off Plummer. I'm not saying he won't throw 4 INTs in the very first playoff game, but for the regular season this is definitely a team to be reckoned with. Indy's win was impressive, but alas, it was against maybe the worst team in football right now, the Redskins (Oakland finally won).
I think I would have to put the Chargers--and possibly the Bengals ahead of the Saints (which I know isn't the "popular" thing to say right now...sorry guys ). I admit that I am pleasantly impressed with their play thus far--no one would have figured N.O. to be sitting at 5-1 at this point. But I don't see them running through the next stretch of 6 games and going 5-1 in those. Baltimore -- Ravens' "D" could be extremely tough to score even 10 points on. Tampa -- with even another game under his belt, their rookie QB is looking better and better (and we needed Bush's punt return late in the game to win the last time). Pittsburgh -- this might be the 2nd "easiest" game over the next 6 weeks. And we're talking about the defending SB champs here! :shock: Cincy -- lots of talent. They are a ledgit contender. Atlanta -- dirty birds looking for payback after getting embarrassed on national TV. And if Mora is opening up the Falcon offense, and Vick begins to respond positively over the next few weeks.... San Fran -- "easiest" game over the next 6. ...over-all, a 3-3 record at the end of the next 6 weeks would definately be considered a good stretch. 4-2 would be phenominal...but I also would be totally surprised if they went 2-4 either.
Ravens - I am putting my faith in our new great coach. He has had 2 weeks to prepare for a tough ravens defense. I am hoping he puts together a great gameplan and the Saints can pull it off. If the Saints get lucky and win the turn-over battle. We might pull a "W" off in this one. Tampa - I think we can beat this team again even at their place. Not to overly concerned. I think this is one of our wins in the next 6 games. Pittsburg - Looking down, Big (Little) Ben suffered a concusion Sunday and this team just isn't the same. Should be an easy Saints win. Cincinatti- Not real sure whose going to win this one. It could really go either way and should be a good game. Atlanta - I think Atlanta will win, but it will be a close game. The Saints could get lucky here and pull out a "W". Took the falcons a feild goal to win. San Fran - Can't the saints just schedule Tulane? Be about as easy of win and not so much traveling. The saints could realisticly come out of the next 6 games at 9-3. However, I would gladly take 8-4 I think Indy will be the first undefeated team to choke. The bears are way ahead of the rest of the NFL right now.
Win Baltimore -- Payton comes up with a great gameplan and Saints win easily Win Tampa -- more pressure on the young TB qb this time around yields costly turnovers Loss Pittsburgh -- Pitt will unfortunately have the shyt together by then Win Cincy -- what a great game this will and on Sunday Nite football no less Loss Atlanta -- Saints fail to contain Vick this time around Win San Fran -- nice practice game to prepare for the remaining schedule 9-3
Baltimore: Win. The Ravens will be starting either an injured McNair or Boller. Tampa: Loss. They are rapidly improving. Pittsburgh: Loss. They are a playoff team who has fallen behind in the race for the playoffs. They will win this game by sheer will if it is close. Cincinnati: Win. No rationale behind this I just think Cincinnati is overrated. Atlanta: Win. The Atlanta D has been horrid the last two games. If they don't get their stuff together, a win for NO. San Fran: Win. Definite trap game.
But the Ravens have also had 2 weeks to prepare for the Saints (they were off this past week as well), so the "extra time to prepare due to bye week" as an advantage for either team is moot. Baltimore doesn't scare me with their offense. I just have a feeling that in order to win this game, the Saints have got to put the ball in the endzone 2--maybe even 3 times.
The key to the Ravens game is no turnovers by the Saints. And that I am confident we won't do. Brees is such a smart quarterback and we're not fumbling very much this season. I think the Saints will win 16-10.
Well then u better take the saints and the under..... Oct. 29 Baltimore 9 a.m. at New Orleans Favorite NO NO NO Point spread -2½ -2½ -2½ Total 36o/u 36o/u 36o/u Total money line -110 -110 -110
