My Philadelphia Eagles host divisional rivals, the Dallas Cowboys at 1pm. Thanks to the horrible performance by the NY Giants this season, the number one spot in the division is still up for grabs. With the Redskins playing the Bears and both teams with a 3-3 record, who will take that #1 spot today? Not just because they're my team, and maybe I'll regret this by 4:30 today, but I'm going with the Eagles. Don't get me wrong, it will be a very close game, but Dallas has a lot of injuries and the Eagles' offense is on a roll after last week's win over the Bucs. Despite QB Michael Vick being out, backup Nick Foles can get the job done. He put up some solid numbers last week, completing 3 touchdown passes and running one in for a 4th. Tony Romo is having one of his best seasons, but his defense is struggling. With Demarcus Ware out, the Cowboys defense will need to step it up against the likes of LeSean McCoy and DeSean Jackson.
Also at 1pm, another divisional match up, the Buffalo Bills head to sunny Miami. The Bills have been shocking everyone this season. Despite their 2-4 record, rookie QB E.J. Manuel has been a great leader on the field. Unfortunately this week, he'll have to lead from the sidelines. Manuel suffered a knee injury in Cleveland and will sit out for today's game against the Dolphins. And I don't think the Bills can pull off a win without him. This is a perfect opportunity for Miami QB Ryan Tannehill to lead his team to a 4-2 record after today. The Dolphins look well rested coming off a Bye week. Their injury report is the smallest of any other team, with almost all of the previously injured players probable for today's game. It will be quite an upset is the Dolphins don't take the W at home today.
Also in the AFC East, the 5-1 Patriots head to the Meadowlands to tackle the 3-3 NY Jets. If you look at the numbers, these two teams, offensively and defensively, are surprisingly a pretty even match. Even Rookie Geno Smith's numbers rival veteran star Tom Brady. The one difference today, Gronk is back. The Patriots finally get Ron Gronkowski back on the field, which means more receiving yards and more TD's. Which means...a win. As long as Brady can hold on to the ball this week, the Pats will go home 6-1 after today and the Jets will have to bounce back from a losing record next week against the Bengals.
Now, let's have a brief chat about the 4pm games before we look to the
big one tonight. Can the Chiefs remain undefeated? Yes they can. Andy Reid is
doing a great job in Kansas City. They stay home to host the Texans this
afternoon. Houston QB Matt Schaub is out with an ankle injury and Case Keenum will start. The former 3-string QB is taking over after 2nd string T.J. Yates face-plainted in Schaub's place last week. Even is Schaub was playing this week, the Chiefs would still take this one.
The Packers host the Browns. Green Bay is only trailing the Bears and Lions by one win in their division. It seems they are taking on the mantra 'slow and steady wins the race' this season. Their ranked 2nd in overall yards in the league, 5th in average points, and #9 in the Power Rankings after Week 6. Three seasons laster, the former Super Bowl champs still look good; they're still putting up great numbers, they're keeping their injuries to a minimum and if they keep it up, you will without a doubt see the Packers go far in the playoffs.
A long time rivalry this afternoon, Steelers v. Ravens. Both teams are hungry. After coming off a Bye, the Steelers finally grabbed their first win last week against the NY Jets. The question is can they keep it up? It could be a close one for these AFC North teams, who's records are only separated by 2 wins and a loss, but the Ravens will take a win back to Baltimore with them.
Unless you've been living under a rock for the past 7 weeks, you know that Peyton Manning is heading back to Indianapolis tonight. With all the hype this week, many are comparing Manning and Andrew Luck. The truth is, there is no comparison. Peyton Manning is Peyton Manning. A Super Bowl MVP. A Pro Bowl MVP. A record holder. And Super Bowl Champ. And Andrew Luck is Andrew Luck. He came into Indy with big shoes to fill, but he's done a great job and is building his own legacy. In his first two NFL seasons, Luck is off to a 15-7 start. Who's to say he can't be where Peyton is in 15 years? He definitely has the potential. If anything, all this talk about Peyton returning to his old stomping grounds will only empower Luck to player better and harder, and a fire should be lit under the Colts to win. But I've said it before and I'll say it again. Peyton Manning is an incredible athlete. He is the best QB in the NFL now, and maybe ever. He has a great group of receivers and a strong defense. Luck and the Colts can certainly stand up to the Broncos, but Denver will take home a win and stay undefeated. Manning will add to his already astonishing stats, and make Jim Irsay eat his words.
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