By Scott Burks
NFC
Arizona Cardinals at Carolina Panthers.
This is arguably the red-headed step-child of the match-ups. I
also think this is the "ass-whupping of the week" game. The
Cardinals did do the unthinkable and won a playoff game last week.
However, the magic ride is going to come to an end tomorrow in
Charlotte. Look for Panters RBs DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan
Stewart to run all over the Cards defense. Plus Cards offense
minus WR Anquan Boldin equals trouble for the Cards. Panthers 30, Cardinals 10.
Philadelphia Eagles at New York Giants. The Eagles are scary.
They are utterly fearless, and they are one of maybe two teams (the
Panthers being the other) who are not scared of facing the defending
champion Giants at the Meadowlands. Having said that, I like the
Giants' chances in this one. They are well-rested, they know the
Eagles well, and aside from Justin Tuck, they are healthy.
Speaking of the Eagles, Brian Westbrook will be playing hurt again.
He is what makes the Eagles offense go and if he is not right, it'll be
a long day for Philly. Giants 17, Eagles 13.
AFC
San Diego
Chargers at Pittsburgh Steelers. It's laughable to hear all
the "experts" on ESPN and such fawn all over the Chargers and think that
RB Darren Sproles is all of the sudden Jesus in cleats. Pul-leeze.
Stop it! First of all, the Chargers beat a Colts team whose
defense had been suspect all year. The Steelers defense was ranked
#1 in every statistical category most of the season. Sproles will
have a hard time going against that run defense of the Steelers.
Second, the Chargers will be playing in frigid conditions and a possible
wet, snowy field in Heinz Field. I'd like to see Sproles try to
run on that field on Sunday. Finally, despite the close score of
their earlier match-up (11-10 win for Pitt), the Steelers thoroughly
out-played the Chargers. The Steelers out-gained the Chargers
410-213 yards. Willie Parker ran for 115 yards while Big Ben
passed for 308 yards with no interceptions. The reason the score
was so close was because the Steelers were penalized 13 times (the
Chargers were penalized twice). Fat chance that happens again.
Steelers 27, Chargers 12.
Baltimore Ravens at Tennessee Titans.
For those who love defense, this is the game to watch. In fact
this game, in my opinion, is the game of the week. Both teams are mirror images of each other. Both teams like to run the
football, play outstanding defense, pop teams in the mouth, and not make the “big mistake”.
Both quarterbacks are efficient, in that they won’t lose the game for
their teams. That said, the Titans will win the rematch.
Albert Haynesworth and Kyle Vanden Bosch will back and that is huge for
the Titans defensive line. The Ravens run will end in Tennessee,
which is too bad for me because I enjoy watching the Ravens defense pop
offenses in the mouth. Nevertheless, I will be watching.
Titans 13, Ravens 9.
