We will learn a lot about a some of the league's better teams so far this season in Week 8.
GAMES OF THE WEEK
COLTS (6-0) at BRONCOS (5-1): This is the game of the early season. The Colts' high-powered offense is second in the AFC in scoring offense, mainly on the strength of their passing attack. Denver's defense has yielded a league-low 44 points, but it's offense has scored just 79 points, second-worst to the Raiders' 72. If Indianapolis gets the lead early, it will win. But I don't think that will happen in the Mile High City. Denver grounds out a close victory.
RAVENS (4-2) at SAINTS (5-1): Which quarterback has been more valuable to his new team: Baltimore's Steve McNair or New Orleans' Drew Brees? We'll find out - if McNair, who is injured, plays. Another good defense (Ravens) vs. good offense (Saints) matchup. Whether McNair plays or not, New Orleans is for real and will win again to stay unbeaten at home.
RAMS (4-2) at CHARGERS (4-2): What a terrific Southern California matchup! Oh, never mind. ... Both of these teams have something to prove. The Rams feel they were robbed against Seattle two weeks ago, and the Chargers gave away a game at Kansas City with three first-quarter turnovers. This could be a shootout because San Diego's defense is banged up, and St. Louis' defense can't stop the run. RB LaDainian Tomlinson and the Bolts edge the Rams.
GAMES OF THE WEAK
CARDINALS (1-6) at PACKERS (2-4): It pains me to no end to put the Packers in this category two weeks in a row, but this game has clunker written all over it. Assuming Brett Favre has anyone other than undrafted free agents to throw to, the Packers will hold on to beat Arizona, thus ending the Dennis Green era in the desert.
STEELERS (2-4) at RAIDERS (1-5): Once upon a time, say the 70s or 80s, this would have been the marquee game of the season and a probable playoff matchup. But here we find a struggling Super Bowl champion that has had numerous injuries and uncharacteristic defensive lapses against a team that runs an offense that harkens back to the 70s. Pittsburgh begins to claw its way back into the playoff picture with a victory.
WORTH A PEAK
FALCONS (4-2) at BENGALS (4-2): If Cincinnati can't stop the run, it won't matter if Carson Palmer is healthy or not. Expect Atlanta to run wild in the "jungle."
COWBOYS (3-3) at PANTHERS (4-3): A crossroads game for both teams. A fourth loss before the midpoint of the season would cement both teams solidly in third place in the NFC's top two divisions. Carolina rates a slight edge at home, but stranger things have happened than Tony Romo leading Dallas to a road victory. I just can't think of any right now.
Friday, October 27, 2006
Hart-less decision
What exactly was Atlanta Thrashers coach Bob Hartley thinking on Thursday night going into a shootout against the Philadelphia Flyers?
Hartley pulled goaltender Johan Hedberg, who had stopped 29 of 31 shots in regulation and overtime, for the shootout and replaced him with No. 1 goalie Kari Lehtonen, who promptly surrendered goals to the first two shooters he saw, leading to Atlanta's loss.
This was a boneheaded move for two reasons: Hedberg had played very well, AND what sort of message does this send to Hedberg, the team's backup goalie. Given Lehtonen's injury history, it's likely the Southeast Division leaders will need to lean on Hedberg in the net at some point this season.
... Meanwhile, who will stop the Sabres, who have tied an NHL record with 10 victories to start the season? The Thrashers travel to Buffalo on Saturday night. ... Buffalo is winning with good puck movement, speed, balanced scoring and very good goaltending from Ryan Miller. It's interesting to note that the team Buffalo tied for the record, the 1993-94 Toronto Maple Leafs, did not even advance to the Stanley Cup Finals after that start.
Hartley pulled goaltender Johan Hedberg, who had stopped 29 of 31 shots in regulation and overtime, for the shootout and replaced him with No. 1 goalie Kari Lehtonen, who promptly surrendered goals to the first two shooters he saw, leading to Atlanta's loss.
This was a boneheaded move for two reasons: Hedberg had played very well, AND what sort of message does this send to Hedberg, the team's backup goalie. Given Lehtonen's injury history, it's likely the Southeast Division leaders will need to lean on Hedberg in the net at some point this season.
... Meanwhile, who will stop the Sabres, who have tied an NHL record with 10 victories to start the season? The Thrashers travel to Buffalo on Saturday night. ... Buffalo is winning with good puck movement, speed, balanced scoring and very good goaltending from Ryan Miller. It's interesting to note that the team Buffalo tied for the record, the 1993-94 Toronto Maple Leafs, did not even advance to the Stanley Cup Finals after that start.
Wednesday, October 25, 2006
The excellent hockey adventure
Coming in November, I will get a firsthand look at the NHL from the birthplace of hockey - Canada. Check in often during the week of Thanksgiving as I chronicle my adventures with my faithful sidekick in the Great White North. Game on, eh!
NFL review
I've established one thing after last week: I can pick games between bad NFL teams, but I don't know what I'm writing about in the games involving teams with records better than .500.
One of the more interesting storylines this week is the quarterback situations at various NFC teams.
Here is a look at some of them.
SEATTLE: Now we find out if Seneca Wallace is more than an exhibition season superstar. Unfortunately for him and the Seahawks, he won't have RB Shaun Alexander to hand off to in his first game replacing the injured Matt Hasselbeck. Wallace's speed will add a different dimension to the Seahawks' offense, but it's tough to envision Seattle having much success withouth Hasselbeck and Alexander. Fortunately for Seattle, the NFC West stinks, meaning they have a very good chance of reaching the playoffs.
ARIZONA: Clearly the Cardinals still are in rebuild mode, so going with rookie QB Matt Leinart makes sense. I also believe Kurt Warner has some sort of hand injury, and probably has for a few seasons, that hampers his ability to hold onto the ball. The Cards' future is with Leinart, and their season is essentially over so getting Leinart experience will only help.
DALLAS: Cowboys fans, are you ready for the Tony Romo era? Yes, Drew Bledsoe's lack of mobility was a big problem in the loss Monday night to the Giants, but Coach Bill Parcells knew that (having coached Bledsoe in New England as well as Dallas). So I put this loss and the failure of the Cowboys to protect Bledsoe, who gives Dallas the best chance to win because of his arm and experience, on Parcells and his staff. Design protection schemes that work. Benching Bledsoe is not the answer.
WASHINGTON: The Redskins are in a bye week, and it will be interesting to see if Mark Brunell remains their starting QB. I have a hard time believing second-year man Jason Campbell is ready to lead them on a playoff push. Washington's big problem has been injuries on defense and a group of vastly underachieving free-agent receivers. Aside from Santana Moss, Brunell has few options in the passing game.
One of the more interesting storylines this week is the quarterback situations at various NFC teams.
Here is a look at some of them.
SEATTLE: Now we find out if Seneca Wallace is more than an exhibition season superstar. Unfortunately for him and the Seahawks, he won't have RB Shaun Alexander to hand off to in his first game replacing the injured Matt Hasselbeck. Wallace's speed will add a different dimension to the Seahawks' offense, but it's tough to envision Seattle having much success withouth Hasselbeck and Alexander. Fortunately for Seattle, the NFC West stinks, meaning they have a very good chance of reaching the playoffs.
ARIZONA: Clearly the Cardinals still are in rebuild mode, so going with rookie QB Matt Leinart makes sense. I also believe Kurt Warner has some sort of hand injury, and probably has for a few seasons, that hampers his ability to hold onto the ball. The Cards' future is with Leinart, and their season is essentially over so getting Leinart experience will only help.
DALLAS: Cowboys fans, are you ready for the Tony Romo era? Yes, Drew Bledsoe's lack of mobility was a big problem in the loss Monday night to the Giants, but Coach Bill Parcells knew that (having coached Bledsoe in New England as well as Dallas). So I put this loss and the failure of the Cowboys to protect Bledsoe, who gives Dallas the best chance to win because of his arm and experience, on Parcells and his staff. Design protection schemes that work. Benching Bledsoe is not the answer.
WASHINGTON: The Redskins are in a bye week, and it will be interesting to see if Mark Brunell remains their starting QB. I have a hard time believing second-year man Jason Campbell is ready to lead them on a playoff push. Washington's big problem has been injuries on defense and a group of vastly underachieving free-agent receivers. Aside from Santana Moss, Brunell has few options in the passing game.
Saturday, October 21, 2006
Two weeks in on NHL
Some thoughts on the 06-07 NHL season so far:
* Speed is essential. The teams with the highest point totals so far (Buffalo and Atlanta in the Eastern Conference and Minnesota, San Jose, Anaheim and Dallas) all have plenty of it. It's an ingredient (along with great goaltending) that put Carolina and Edmonton in spring's Stanley Cup Finals.
* Discipline is essential because the refs appear even more resolute in their willingness to call penalties. And capitalizing on the power play goes hand-in-hand with that. Four of the aforementioned teams (Dallas is the exception) have top-10 power plays.
Change of scenery can do a player good. In Ottawa, talented wingers Martin Havlat and Bryan Smolinski were complimentary parts. In Chicago, they're in starring roles and playing like it. Havlat leads the NHL with 13 points and Smolinski is a point-per-game player for the Hawks, who are tied for the Central Division lead going into Saturday's games.
* Speed is essential. The teams with the highest point totals so far (Buffalo and Atlanta in the Eastern Conference and Minnesota, San Jose, Anaheim and Dallas) all have plenty of it. It's an ingredient (along with great goaltending) that put Carolina and Edmonton in spring's Stanley Cup Finals.
* Discipline is essential because the refs appear even more resolute in their willingness to call penalties. And capitalizing on the power play goes hand-in-hand with that. Four of the aforementioned teams (Dallas is the exception) have top-10 power plays.
Change of scenery can do a player good. In Ottawa, talented wingers Martin Havlat and Bryan Smolinski were complimentary parts. In Chicago, they're in starring roles and playing like it. Havlat leads the NHL with 13 points and Smolinski is a point-per-game player for the Hawks, who are tied for the Central Division lead going into Saturday's games.
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