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PAFL Week 5 – Write ups
So the trade deadline has come and gone, and some teams were buyers (Green Bay and Minnesota), some were sellers (Arizona and Tennessee) while others seemed to just stand pat (Cincinnati and Jacksonville). The quarter pole shows a bit of shuffling from what the results were in seasons past…will they stay that way going forward though?
Arizona (2-2) @ Minnesota (2-2)
So this game is already in the books, and this is one of several games in the next few weeks that could impact the final playoff standings. While I think the top teams in the NFC have started to float to the top, there will be competition among 4-5 teams for the final couple of spots. The name of this game was the Cardinals getting their running game going while Minnesota never could. The only way newly acquired Derek Carr will be able to be at all effective will be with a balanced offense, though Jared Goff did have a fine game in the loss. Arizona 37 – Minnesota 24
Cleveland (3-1) @ Miami (0-4)
Cleveland bounces back last week with a solid win at home against a very tough Vikings squad, and get to take a bit of a breather this week heading out to South Beach. While no game is ever a given, the Browns’ D has been all but impossible for mortals to score on (Jacksonville doesn’t count), so I am guessing for Miami to upset Cleveland, they will have to outscore them…mmmmm Cleveland 30 – Miami 10
Indianapolis (1-3) @ Pittsburgh (2-2)
Indy traded QB Derek Carr this last week with thoughts of a future QB taking the reins, and with Russell Wilson filling in for the time being. While Pittsburgh is hardly an easy out, the Colts have a very good defense, which will make it hard for the Steelers to overcome. I think that a bit of reality will settle in at the Steel City this week, and Indy pulls off a tough, close win. Indianapolis 24 – Pittsburgh 21
New Orleans (4-0) @ Cincinnati (3-1)
Hello Don, meet Mr Reality; New Orleans has enjoyed a fairly simple schedule and combined that with some good coaching to start 4-0. While all things are possible, this is a game that I think Nino is looking to solidify his lead in the AFC Central and maybe bring a bit of reality back to the Big Easy. New Orleans 14 – Cincinnati 24
Detroit (1-3) @ Chicago (2-2)
So whoever kidnapped Calvin and took over his Bears has now officially been rid of, as Buffalo walked into Chicago, took a 16-7 lead before waking up Calvin and losing by 12 points, all in about 30 minutes. Doing all that against one of the better teams in the league is not all that crazy; this week, Detroit will try to right their ship against the NFC’s top seed from last year. Sorry Tim, probably not going to happen Detroit 17 – Chicago 31
Kansas City (2-2) @ Jacksonville (4-0)
I know it sounds like a broken record, but Paul deserves all sorts of credit for the job he has done rebuilding the Chiefs, but that healthy dose of respect will have to take a back seat against last season’s Super Bowl champs There are crop rotations that happen more often than scoring does against Jacksonville, and while Kansas City has started with a top-5 offense, that rank will most likely take a bit of a hit this week. Kansas City 14 – Jacksonville 31
New York (N) (2-2) @ Carolina (3-1)
Not only does this game have major playoff implications down the road for the Giants, it also could be the only thing that stops the Panthers from taking significant control of the NFC East, even this early in the season. Don’t get me wrong…a win by Carolina hardly wraps up the division for Doug, but everyone will have to pull out the stops to try to overtake him. My take…Carolina is for real and manages to keep Baker in check. New York (N) 21 – Carolina 24
San Francisco (0-4) @ Seattle (1-3)
Seattle’s status as a team rebuilding was kind of known from the get-go, but I think most observers would think the 49ers would have a win or two by now. A big part of the reason is just an off-year by too many guys that carried the team last year, and part of if just bad fortune. This week, I think San Fran gets off the slide and finally puts one in the win column. San Francisco 21 – Seattle 14
Green Bay (4-0) @ Buffalo (3-1)
Definitely the GOTW in my books, as Buffalo comes off a heartbreaking loss to the Bears and faces the surprise team of the NFC so far this season in Green Bay. Seriously, this a toss-up game, as it would not be out of the question for either or both of these teams to make a Super Bowl run. Since picking a tie would be cheating…I am going to go ever so slightly with the Bills, as they are the more battle-tested team over the last few years. Green Bay 17 – Buffalo 20
Denver (2-2) @ Las Vegas (4-0)
Unlike last year, the Raiders are taking control of this division early, and have managed to win games by double digits each week. Denver did manage to win convincingly last week, but that was San Francisco, not Las Vegas. Going to have to go with the Raiders this week, as they look to be prepared in Week 9 to go against the Bengals. Denver 13 – Las Vegas 31
Los Angeles (A) (4-0) @ Atlanta (0-4)
So….Daniel finally got his connection issues behind him, and managed to solidly thump Dallas last week, so those hoping for a back door way to a win over LAC just saw their dreams slide away. Last year, the question was whether Daniel could play with the big boys…this year, it’s whether any of the big boys can keep up with Daniel. Atlanta will need some major heavenly intervention in this one. Los Angeles (A) 35 – Atlanta 10
Dallas (0-4) @ Washington (2-2)
Andy and the Commanders pulled off an impressive win over New York, and getting the statistical tie-breaker for 2nd in the NFC East. This week they get the sliding Cowboys and look to ride the Derrick Henry Express against a very vulnerable and injured Cowboys defense. With a win this week and a tough game next week against the Chargers, the Commanders look to have 3 very winnable games afterwards to set themselves up for a 2nd half playoff run. Dallas 17 – Washington 24
Los Angeles (N) (2-2) @ Tampa Bay (1-3)
The Rams did what they were supposed to do last week against Atlanta, and look to do the same this week against a Tampa team before playing a string of tough tames the next few weeks. The Bucs won their first game last week, and have managed to look much better so far this year than they did last year. The Rams had better take this game seriously, if they want to continue on a playoff path. Los Angeles (N) 27 – Tampa Bay 24
Philadelphia (1-3) @ Tennessee (1-3)
OK…have to say I didn’t expect the Eagles to be 1-3 at this point in the season; what’s really shocking is that all 3 of Philly’s losses were by double digits. Yes, all of those teams look poised to make deep runs in the playoffs, but it does indicate just how far the Eagles have slid. Tennessee has a new owner and a new attitude, but unfortunately for Craig, not a new roster. Time usually heals all wounds and deficient play, and I see this where Philly becomes a winner and possibly gets back to .500 before facing Chicago. Philadelphia 21 – Tennessee 14
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