As we enter week number seven of the NFL season, I am trying to
determine which team is the worst. I have it down to four candidates,
three of which are obvious. The three winless teams in the NFL, the
Indianapolis Colts, Miami Dolphins and St. Louis Rams are the clear
choices, and I am going to throw the Jacksonville Jaguars into the mix
as well. However, Jacksonville has won a game ( this doesn't mean they
are better than the other three teams ) so they really can't be
considered the worst.
As for the other three choices, I have to go with Miami. Not only are
they a bad team right now, their coach, Tony Sparano, continues to be a
terrible coach. There isn't a lot of talent in Miami, and upper
management has said they need a franchise quarterback, especially now
that Chad Henne is likely an afterthought. They are a total mess right
now. The Colts, though winless, basically are winless because they lost
Peyton Manning. And though I believe it was the beginning of the end
for the Colts this year anyway ( even with Manning ) they would have
been decent. And the Rams, though winless as well, do have a franchise
quarterback in Sam Bradford, and an upper echelon running back in
Steven Jackson so I cannot count them. Therefore, in my opinion, the
Miami Dolphins are the worst team in the NFL.
And wow is all I can say for the Oakland Raiders, but wow in
a bad way, I think anyway. Carson Palmer is clearly an upgrade at
quarterback, but I don't think he has been that great since his knee
injury a few years ago. The Raiders gave up a 2012 first round pick,
and a second round pick in 2013 in order to get Palmer. The 2013 turns
into a number one pick if the Raiders reach the AFC Championship in the
next two years ( they won't). The problem with all of this is that the
Raiders now do not have a 2012 draft pick until the fifth round (
except possible free agent compensatory picks ) and minimal picks in
the 2013 draft. They are clearly mortgaging their future with Palmer. I
don't understand giving all of the picks, but if Palmer works out than
it won't matter. But for the Raiders and their fans, Palmer better work
out.
As always, home team in CAPS.
Pittsburgh 3 1/2 Arizona
The Cardinals are coming off of a bye week, but it won't matter here.
Kevin Kolb has hit the skids, and the Cardinals are really playing
poorly. The Steelers could be getting their act together. I like them
here.
Steelers 26-13
CLEVELAND 4 1/2 Seattle
Neither team here is very good, and Peyton Hillis is taking some heat
in Cleveland. The Seahawks are coming off of a bye week, but they still
are not a good team. I think the Browns should be able to take it at
home.
Browns 20-14
DALLAS 12 St. Louis
The Cowboys should have won last week, and at home they shouldn't have
too many problems this week against the Rams. St. Louis had the extra
week to get ready, but I just don't see how they can cover the points
against the Cowboys.
Cowboys 31-16
Green Bay 9 1/2 Minnesota
The Packers are now the only undefeated team in the NFL, and they will
still be after this week. Donovan McNabb's career could be over because
he is getting benched for rookie Christian Ponder. It isn't going to
matter because the Vikings are not a good team. This one could be over
at halftime.
Packers 36-10
Tennessee 3 1/2 Houston
The Titans have actually been pretty decent this year, and they are
coming off of a bye week. The Texans, as usual, have been disappointing
but they have had injuries. I think this is a must win for Houston to
salvage their season. This was the year they were expected to make
their run, and a loss here will stop them in their tracks. I'll take
the Texans.
Texans 26-20
CAROLINA 1 Washington
The Panthers have had a couple of close losses this year, so I think
this is the game they pull out. Cam Newton has slowed down but has
still been impressive. Rex Grossman gave one of the worst quarterback
performances in recent memory last week. I think the Redskins will
start to fade. Take Carolina here.
Panthers 24-21
MIAMI 1 Denver
I can't believe the Dolphins are favored here, but I guess a one point
spread is pretty even. The Broncos are coming off of a bye week, and
Tim Tebow will finally make his debut as the starting quarterback. I
don't know what took so long. I don't know how good he is going to be,
but he brings a lot of enthusiasm, and he can't be any worse than
anything else Denver has thrown out there. Miami is terrible right now,
so I have to go with Denver.
Broncos 23-17
San Diego 1 New York Jets
This is another pretty even game, and it should be a good one. The
Chargers were off last week, and the Jets had an easy Monday Night
victory. New York needs to get on a roll, and I have never been sold on
the Chargers as contenders. I think San Diego comes in though and pulls
out a win in this very close game.
Chargers 26-23
DETROIT 3 1/2 Atlanta
It turns out the Lions are mortal, but I don't think anybody expected
them to go undefeated. Jim Schwartz looked like a total dope after the
game. May be he should keep the handshakes private. May be nobody will
ever know everything that was said on the field, but I don't think
Schwartz came off looking too good. And speaking of not looking too
good, are the Falcons. They won last week but I think they are
struggling. I like Detroit to rebound here.
Lions 30-20
Chicago 1 TAMPA BAY
I think the point spread is wrong here, but again one point is pretty
meaningless. I have not been impressed with the Bears, and the Bucs are
coming off of a big win last week. After some struggles I think Tampa
Bay will have a pretty good season. I like them here.
Buccaneers 20-17
Baltimore 7 1/2 JACKSONVILLE
I think the Ravens are the best team in the AFC right now, and I don't
see a poor Jacksonville team getting in their way. I don't see too many
problems for Baltimore this week.
Ravens 27-10
Game of the Week
OAKLAND 3 1/2 Kansas City
Yes, this is an odd choice for Game of the Week, but the debut of
Carson Palmer makes it a game to watch. Unfortunately, I don't think
the game will be that good because Kansas City is really struggling. If
the Raiders can win this game, they will be 5-2, and people might start
to pay attention. Might.
Raiders 29-14
Stinker of the Week
New Orleans 14 Indianapolis
This game is the Stinker because I think it will be so one sided. The
Saints lost a tough one last week, and well we all know about the
Colts. This game will keep them winless. The points are high but this
could be a laugher for New Orleans.
Saints 42-13
Record For Week Six: 5-7-1 ( 8-5 without the spread )
Record Through Week Six: 42-44-4 ( 56-34 without
the spread )
Game of Week Record: 4-2
Stinker of Week Record: 1-5
Jim Poore has been a long time contributor to Patriots Insider with his weekly picks column. Let him know what you think. Email him here:
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