Even though we’re only a quarter of the way through the NFL
season, this week’s must-see games have a hint of playoff atmosphere about
them. Two involve division rivals whose
rematches later in the season will probably have implications for the
post-season. Two are rematches of last
year’s divisional playoffs and the losers will be looking for redemption on
Sunday…
New York Jets @ New
England Patriots (4:15 PM ET, CBS):
If you live in either New York or Boston, you don’t have to follow
football to know that these two teams hate each other. And the two games these teams play against
each other have been determining the division championship for several
years. In fact, this is a rematch of
last year’s AFC divisional playoff game (the Jets beat New England 28-21). The Jets offensive line has been struggling,
in part because of an injury to starting center Nick Mangold who is expected to
play but won’t be 100%. On the opposite
side of the ball, the Patriots defense has been uncharacteristically bad this
season, ranking last in the league in passing and overall defense through the
first four weeks of the season. Their
relative bright spot is in rushing defense, ranking slightly better at 18th
in the league, and will certainly be looking to exploit the ailing Jets
offensive line. Plus, Tom Brady has cut
his Bieber-do and is back to an all-business look:
Packers @ Falcons
(Sunday Night Football, 8:20 PM ET, NBC):
Another playoff rematch features the Super Bowl Champions against the
team they humiliated in last year’s NFC divisional playoff game (Green Bay won
handily, 48-21). The Falcons haven’t
seemed to recover from that demoralizing defeat and are not living up to
expectations this year. Its defense in
particular has been a disappointment, ranking exactly average, at 16th
in total defense. They won their last
game by a too-close two points after leading the Seattle Seahawks 27-7. The World Champ Packers seem to have picked
up where they left off last year, as they remain one of only two undefeated
teams left in the league. The Packers
currently lead the league in scoring and QB Aaron Rodgers has the NFL’s best
passer rating.
Bears @ Lions (Monday
Night Football, 8:30 PM ET, ESPN):
Regular Naptime Huddle readers
should remember the video of the touchdown catch by Calvin Johnson that was ruled a no-catch because he didn’t control the
ball throughout the act of catching the ball.
That no-catch was against the Chicago Bears last season and would have
been the game-winner. That call, and
resulting loss, seemed to let the air out of the Lions’ sails too early in
their season. As the only remaining
undefeated team with the Champion Green Bay Packers, the Lions have had a well-documented turnaround* and face
the Bears with renewed confidence, and—dare we say—swagger. Meanwhile, Jay Cutler is under the heat lamps
in Chicago, and it isn’t even winter yet.
He can’t be blamed for all the offense’s struggles—only St. Louis QB Sam
Bradford has been sacked more than Cutler so far this year—but he is a popular
target for hometown critics. Will the
Chicago O-line have Cutler’s back this week, or will the Lions continue their
winning ways?
Bye Weeks: Finally, note that the bye weeks have started and the
following six teams have a break Sunday:
Baltimore Ravens, Cleveland Browns, Dallas Cowboys, Miami Dolphins, St.
Louis Rams and the Washington Redskins. Most
of these teams should be thankful for the time to regroup: Dallas (embarrassing collapse against the
Lions), Cleveland (2-2), Miami (0-4, injuries), Baltimore (injuries) and St.
Louis (0-4). Washington, on the other
hand, is hoping that the break in momentum doesn’t end the explosive start to its
season. By the way, if you have a
fantasy team, don’t forget to bench any players you have on these teams. If your spouse or friends are doing fantasy,
be a pal and remind them, too!
