Setting Up For November 4

NFL week 7 officially ended this evening, with Peyton Manning and the Colts defeating their divisional foe Jacksonville Jaguars, 29-7. The Colts have started the season 6-0 for the third straight season.

There were questions on whether the Colts would be able to stop the Jaguars ground game that ran all over them last year in a 44-17 win for the Jags. I think the Colts responded well, holding the Jaguars to 117 rushing yards and one touchdown.

If the Colts beat the Panthers, and the Patriots beat the Redskins in week 8, it will set up a big AFC game of two undefeated teams. The Pats are being tagged as the team to beat, while the Colts are looking to get respect as the defending Super Bowl champs.

The win for the Colts sets a blueprint that is all too familiar in the AFC South: chasing the Colts. Indianapolis dominated this contest, in a game deemed to be a measuring stick for Jacksonville and how close they are to the Colts.

Tony Dungy said the 2007 version of the Colts are better and faster than the 2006 version, and I believe him.

Bob Sanders is a beast. Last year, Sanders was sorely missed by the Colts defense for much of the season and we saw his impact in the playoffs. He came up with huge tackles, pass deflections, and one interception against the Jaguars.

November 4, mark you calendars. You are going to want to watch the game with me on that day, I promise.

As for my week 7 picks... I have had better weeks.

Week 7 record: 8-6
Overall record (started in week 3): 41-30

College football side note: I have to apologize to the UCLA Bruins for picking Cal to dismantle them. I doubted the Bruins mainly because Patrick Cowan was not starting the game. To my surprise he did, and helped the Bruins keep their undefeated conference record intact. It was a great game largely in part because I was there. College football games are the best to attend so get your butt to a game near you.

Week 7 Almost Over

I normally give my summary of the NFL week after the Monday night game, but this week is different because the Indianapolis Colts are playing at the Jacksonville Jaguars today. They get their own post.

The media's favorite team, New England Patriots, dismantled the Miami Dolphins. Tom Brady, you heard about this guy right? Well, he threw 6 TDs on Sunday and is on pace to throw 62 on the year. The backup QB for the Patriots scared Bill Belichick and had to send Brady back into the game in the middle of the fourth quarter.

Brady immediately went back in after Matt Cassell threw an interception that was returned for a TD and cut the deficit to a mere 21 points. How did Brady respond? With an "eff you" TD to make the score 49-21.

The sad part in the game? Dolphins RB Ronnie Brown went down with a knee injury and looks like he will be out for the rest of the season. He was the only bright spot for the Dolphins this year, and more importantly, he was my main man on my fantasy football team. Goodbye fantasy football season.

Even my favorite lounge singer, Phil Shane, knows what important event that is occuring on November 4. Colts v. Patriots.

Quick shots:
Willis McGahee returned to Buffalo and his team lost. Jeff Garcia fumbled the game away to the Lions. Saints win the suck-off fest against the Falcons. Giants have one five in a row. The Redskins squeezed by the Cardinals (Neil Rackers missed a FG as time expired; thanks Rackers, you cost me points). Rob Bironas can kick FGs; he kicked a record 8 FGs to lead the Titans to victory. The Bengals won a game (thank the Jets)! The Chiefs are in first place in the AFC West after winning a close game with the Raiders (ninth straight over them). Dallas got a boost from their special teams to help them over the Vikings. St. Louis joined Miami at 0-7. The Broncos almost gave the game back to the Steelers before kicking getting a game-winning FG as time expired.

And the Chicago Bears-Philadelphia Eagles matchup.
Brian Griese is trying to make sure Rex Grossman stays on the bench, as he guided the Bears from their own 3-yard line on their final drive for a TD to take a 19-16 lead with nine seconds left.

The interesting part? Griese called all but one of the plays on the final drive because the audio in his helmet was not working. Take that Grossman.

Be sure to catch tonight's game. Week 7 picks record coming tomorrow (about .500 on the week, ugh).

NFL Week 7 Picks

Let me try this again....

It is time, it is time my friends. Week 7 NFL picks, the fifth installment of weekly picks in the NFL season by First to Third (started in week 3).

Games of the week:
Kansas City v. Oakland - With San Diego looking like they are ready to act like the 14-2 team they are, this game is important for the these AFC West squads to stay close to the Chargers in the standings.

Houston v. Tennessee - Why is this game important you ask? Same reason as above. If either of these teams want a chance in the AFC South then they must win their division matchups. Sure, they are chasing Indianapolis and Jacksonville, but you never know what might happen.

Indianapolis v. Jacksonville - 5-0 v. 4-1. AFC South matchup. Monday night football. Last time they met the Jaguars ran all over the Colts. This is the big daddy of the games this week.

Now onto the picks:

Baltimore Ravens @ Buffalo Bills - Kyle Boller will start for the Ravens and they are 2-0 in his starts this year. Willis McGahee will return to Buffalo to face his former team and try to make a statement. Baltimore.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ Detroit Lions - Both running games are not great for these teams, leaving a lot of responsibility on the quarterbacks. Bucs QB Jeff Garcia has not thrown an interception this year (please do not let me jinx him, he is on my fantasy team) and that will be the difference in this game. He is more careful with the ball and will guide the Bucs to victory. Tampa Bay.

Tennesse Titans @ Houston Texans - One of my "games of the week" and it might not include a certain Madden '08 coverboy, Vince Young. I am banking on the fact that Young will not be playing in this game when I make this pick. If he did play I would have no problem picking the Titans. Houston.

New England Patriots @ Miami Dolphins - My goodness. 6-0 v. 0-6. All I hope is that Ronnie Brown scores a pair of touchdowns on Sunday. Laurence Maroney, you are a wuss, play already. I remember when the Dolphins upset the Patriots in 2004, 29-28. I was at a Friday's enjoying a cold beverage with my girlfriend at the time. I was watching the game while she was talking my head off; I, of course nodded my head and wrinkled my eyebrows to show some interest in what she was saying. Needless to say, I had no problem dropping $100 on drinks that night after the game. I was happy. New England.

San Francisco 49ers @ New York Giants - The Giants are playing like they want to get the attention of NFL analysts, who were previously enamored with the Cowboys. Well, I think the Giants are making their case after winning four consecutive games following an 0-2 start. Brandon Jacobs, just get in the end zone once. New York.

Atlanta Falcons @ New Orleans Saints - I am not ready to proclaim that the Saints offense is back, but last week was a start. Byron Leftwich will be the starting QB for Atlanta, but their offensive line will remain the same. That is a problem, especially with Leftwich starting. New Orleans.

Arizona Cardinals @ Washington Redskins - The Cardinals may be forced to start either Tim Rattay or Tim Hasselbeck in place of Kurt Warner; both Tim's cannot carry this squad over the Redskins. The good news? Tim Hasselbeck's wife, The View star Elizabeth Hasselbeck, took an early maternity leave in hopes of seeing her husband play football. Washington.

New York Jets @ Cincinnati Bengals - Ugh. Where is the option where I pick neither team? I like the Bengals offense better than the Jets. But my cousin Gabe's football team can throw up 30 points on the Bengals defense right now. I hate to pick them, but...Cincinnati.

Kansas City Chiefs @ Oakland Raiders - The Chiefs were able to get some points on the board thanks largely to the aforementioned defense of the Bengals. This week they face the Raiders in Oakland. Raiders running back LaMont Jordan is going to have a good game, I can just feel it. Oakland.

Minnesota Vikings @ Dallas Cowboys - Adrian Peterson will face a tough Dallas run defense. Dallas running backs will face a tough Minnesota run defense. Vikings QB Tavaris Jackson cannot throw like Cowboys QB Tony Romo. Dallas.

Chicago Bears @ Philadelphia Eagles - If Chicago wants a chance to compete in this game, they better have figured out what is wrong with their run defense. Both teams have been inconsistent this year so this can be anyone's game. Chunky soup... wait Brian Urlacher also endorses the stuff; well Donovan McNabb is better than Brian Griese. Philadelphia.

St. Louis Rams @ Seattle Seahawks - Rams QB Marc Bulger and his broken ribs will be playing this Sunday to try and break a six-game losing streak for the Rams. The Seahawks have been horrible as of late. I think the Dolphins need company at 0-7. Seattle.

Pittsburgh Steelers @ Denver Broncos - The Steelers are getting some offensive firepower back this week following a bye week. Flying under the radar so far, the Steelers are 4-1 coming into this matchup, looking to stay in the hunt for the best record in the AFC. Pittsburgh.

Indianapolis Colts @ Jacksonville Jaguars - DO NOT MISS THIS GAME. It will be as good as advertised, wait, this isn't the "showdown in Dallas"? Who cares then? Trust me. This will be a great game between the AFC South rivals. The Jags have won four straight, while the Colts are coming off a much needed bye week. Expect the Colts to have Joseph Addai, Marvin Harrison, and Bob Sanders back this week. Indianapolis.

Week 6 record: 9-4
Overall record (started in week 3): 33-24

Enjoy your Sunday football, and do not forgot to catch Cal beating up on UCLA on Saturday.