From: ew2r+@andrew.cmu.edu (Erik Karl Witte)
Newsgroups: rec.sport.football.pro
Subject: Comments, this weeks games
Date: 30 Sep 92 23:37:01 GMT
Organization: Freshman, MCS general, Carnegie Mellon, Pittsburgh, PA

The following are some random thoughts on the games this weekend.

CHICAGO at MINNESOTA.  This is a big division game for this early in the
season.  Anyone who has been following the NFC Central knows how screwed
up it is.  If Minnesota can soundly beat Chicago, they will become one
of the teams to beat in all of the NFL, not just the NFC Central. 
Chicago needs to win to tie with Minnesota, and if Tampa loses as well
(which is not real likely), there will be a 3-way tie for first at 3-2. 
If Green Bay wins, too, there could be a 4-way tie.  My prediction,
Minnesota by 7.

GREEN BAY AT ATLANTA
Both teams need a win to have a chance in their division.  Altlanta is
floundering, and has fallen to 1-3 and is behind the lowly Rams in the
NFC West.  They really need to assert themselves.  If Atlanta is going
to win, a few things must happen.  They have to stop Favre.  He will
have a lot of confidence after last weeks game, and that will affect
other players, too.  Favre likes to throw short passes.  Although McKyer
and Sanders will make it tough on the WR's, the Falcons have a soft
underside and will be vulnerable to lots of short plays.  If Green Bay
wins, they will guarantee themselves a tie for second in Central.  My
prediction, Green Bay bay 3.

INDIANAPOLIS AT TAMPA BAY
Indianapolis has had a week off and George will be back.  They have an
improving defense but their offense is still stuck in first gear.  Look
for them to get beaten soundly, if not whipped by the Bucaneers.  Tampa
Bay is a good team this year.  This game is a battle of two young teams
trying to establish themselves as playoff-calibre teams.  Tampa Bay very
well might be, Indianapolis is not.  Tamp by 13.

MIAMI AT BUFFALO
Two Undefeated division rivals clash!  NOBODY MISS THIS GAME!  I'm
really biased in this game, and I'd like to predict the Bills by 27
(their average margin of victory so far), but I know better than that. 
Watch Keith Jackson accomplish absolutely nothing in his first game in
the baby blue, and sit back and enjoy as two offensive powers air it
out.  Buffalo has averaged 38 points a game and Miami has averaged 24. 
These are teams that can rack up points in a hurry.  This game may very
well be the biggest of the first few weeks (along with Dallas-Philly). 
If Buffalo wins, they climb to 5-0 and the best record in football. 
They will then coast a while with some easy games before they have to
gear up for some late season biggies.  If Miami wins, they steal first
in the AFC East and assert themselves as an AFC power.  I predict
Buffalo by 10.

NEW ORLEANS AT DETROIT
Detroit may just manage to lose again.  A battered offense takes on an
overpowering defense.  Detroit will get shut down in a big way.  Watch
Barry Sanders run well despite no blocking and an absolutely miserable
performance by the rest of the team.  My prediction:  Saints by 6.  Why
so little?  The Saints aren't exactly known for a high-powered offense. 
They win games on defense (opponents average 11 ppg), and that's exactly
what will happen Sunday.  Only Philadelphia has allowed fewer points
(27) and only Buffalo and Kansas City are close (45 and 47) but they
haven't played the toughest teams.

KANSAS CITY AT DENVER
I'm not as familiar as I should be with these teams.  I do know this -
Kansas City has the best secondary and Denver has one the best QB's.  If
KC can hold down Elway, they can win a close game.  KC by 4

SAN FRANSISCO AT L.A. RAMS
I don't know if I should bother mentioning this game.  The Rams are 2-2
despite averaging a TD less than their opponents each game.  No other
team has won 2 games while averaging just over 12 points per game.  San
Fransisco by 17.

N.Y. GIANTS at L.A. RAIDERS
Battle of the miserable!  The Raiders, quite simply, suck, and the
Giants have yet to beat a team (Chicago beat themselves).  Giants by 8.

SEATTLE AT SAN DIEGO
See review of NY vs LA.  This is a pivotal game in the AFC West, it
determines who gets to take a distant third.  There are only two teams
in the AFC West as far as I'm concerned (KC and Denver).  Seattle did
look not so horrible in keeping up with the Dolphins, though, so I'll
give them a 4 point win.

WASHINGTON AT PHOENIX
The SuperBowl Champs deserve an easy win.  Winning puts them in a tie
for second with whoever loses the Monday Night game behind whoever wins
the Monday Night game.  Washington by 9 (they'll take a bit of a
vacation).

NEW ENGLAND AT N.Y. JETS
This game belongs with the Giants-Raiders game and the Seahawks-Chargers
game.  Both teams are horrible.  New England has managed 13 points in
three games.  That's not enough to support what was the leading defense
before they played Buffalo.  The Jets also suck.  They average as many
points per game as NE has scored all year, but all that says is that the
Jets suck, too.  Jets by 3.  Don't watch this game unless you have to.

GAME OF THE WEEK!!!
Monday Night has DALLAS AT PHILADELPHIA!
After having last week off, these two 3-0 teams are ready to rock the
nation.  Do not miss this game!  Philadelphia all of a sudden has a
running game and the top-ranked QB in the league (we all knew Randall
could run, but he can throw, too.)  Watch Emmitt Smith take on the #1
defense in points allowed.  Philadelphia has allowed just 9 a game, but
Dallas has averaged almost 30 a game.  This will be a great game to
watch.  I predict Philadelphia by 7.

Get psyched for a week of great games.  There are 4 undefeated teams
now, next week there will be only 2.  Who will they be?
As usual, any comments or questions?  I didn't type all this in for
nobody to respond!


Erik Witte

ENTER MY POOL! (see the post NEW NFL POOL-OPEN TO ALL from 29-Sep-92)
Newsgroups: rec.sport.football.pro