Ron Glover’s Week 3 NFL Predictions
In what I’ve tabbed as the Game of the Week, the Dallas Cowboys (2-0) fresh off of their Monday night victory over the Philadelphia Eagles travel to Green Bay to take on Aaron Rodgers and the undefeated Packers. Other games of interest include Philadelphia vs. Pittsburgh and Jacksonville vs. Indianapolis.
Sunday September 21, 2008
Carolina (2-0) at Minnesota (0-2) 1pm: Steve Smith returns to a Panthers team full of confidence as they look to take advantage of a Vikings squad on a downward spiral.
The Pick: Panthers 23 - Vikings 17
Kansas City (0-2) at Atlanta (1-1) 1pm: The Chiefs defense averages 213 yards against the run. Michael Turner and Jerious Norwood haven’t stopped salivating.
The Pick: Falcons 20 - Chiefs 7
Oakland (1-1) at Buffalo (2-0) 1pm: The Bills have a stingy defense, the Raiders can take their shots, but to pull off the upset they need turnovers in bunches. Something the Bills don’t do.
The Pick: Bills 28 - Raiders 13
Tampa Bay (1-1) at Chicago (1-1) 1pm: Bucs vs. Bears is always hard on the eyes, Brian Griese doesn’t do enough to scare his former teammates into submission.
The Pick: Bears 17 - Bucs 13
Houston (0-1) at Tennessee (2-0) 1pm: The Texans come back and try to play football now, this is the easy part.
The Pick: Titans 24 Texans 10
Cincinnati (0-2) at New York Giants (2-0) 1pm: A physical Giants squad will out muscle the Ben-gals on both side of the rock to complete the demolition of a team two seasons removed from Super Bowl contention.
The Pick: Giants 31 - Bengals 14
Miami (0-2) at New England (2-0) 1pm: Matt Cassell throws three TD’s in his first home start, the offense runs like Tom Brady never left. Wait they’re playing the ‘Phins.
The Pick: Patriots 31 - Dolphins 0
Arizona (2-0) at Washington (1-1) 1pm: Imagine if the Cardinals were still in the NFC East? When these former division foes meet on Sunday, you’ll think they were.
The Pick: Cardinals 23 - Redskins 21
New Orleans (1-1) at Denver (2-0) 4:05pm: Reggie Bush and Jeremy Shockey matching up against the Broncos linebackers poses a problem for Mike Shanahan. As Broncos receivers Brandon Marshall and Eddie Royal do for the Saints secondary. This will be a good one.
The Pick: Broncos 31 - Saints 30
St. Louis (0-2) at Seattle (0-2) 4:05pm: Maybe these two can play the rest of the season out against one another.
The Pick: Rams 17 - Seahawks 13
Detroit (0-2) at San Francisco (1-1) 4:05pm: Failure to establish and stop the running game will doom the Lions. The good thing is that the Lions hear less booing on the road.
The Pick: Niners 35 - Lions 17
Cleveland (0-2) at Baltimore (1-0) 4:15pm: The Browns are desperate for a win, I expect the defense to take some chances against the rookie Joe Flacco and hope for the best. Jamal Lewis always looks forward to going up against his former mates.
The Pick: Browns 24 - Ravens -13
Pittsburgh (2-0) at Philadelphia (1-1) 4:15pm: The Birds #1 ranked run defense will be tested against Willie Parker and Rashard Mendenhall. Getting in Big Ben’s face is essential in winning this one on 5 days rest.
The Pick: Eagles 20 - Steelers 17
Jacksonville (0-2) at Indianapolis (1-1) 4:15pm: With Bob Sanders out 4-6 weeks and an offense yet to find it’s legs, the time is right for the Jags to jump on the Colts. Problem is the Jags have gaping holes on their offensive line, and Dwight Freeney is back.
The Pick: Colts 28 - Jags 20
Dallas (2-0) vs. Green Bay (2-0) 8:15pm: I believe that the Eagles gave others a glimpse into how to handle the Boys. Rodgers played well against them last year when Favre was knocked out of the game. On offense I think Green Bay’s weapons match up well against Dallas, hell they match up well across the board. Lives up to the billing.
The Pick: Packers 24 - Cowboys 21 (Madden Divorces Brett Favre)
Monday September 22, 2008
New York Jets (1-1) at San Diego (0-2) 8:30pm: Somebody has to pay for the Chargers two painful losses and the Jets are in the way. The Chargers will take away the run, forcing Favre to throw, playing into the hands of their opportunistic secondary.
The Pick: Chargers 31 - Jets 14
Record Last Week 8-7
Season 8-7
Sphere: Related Content
September 19th, 2008 at 5:55 pm
TBR: There’s no pick for the Browns-Baltimore game.
September 19th, 2008 at 5:59 pm
Do you remember what happened the last time the Colts played the Jaguars without Bob Sanders?
It was REALLY ugly. The Jags had 300 yards on the ground. I know they’re banged up, but I think they can get close to that. I do not like Cover 2 defenses when that big-hitting safety is out. Remember how awful the Bears defense was once Mike Brown was out of the picture? The defensive scheme simply doesn’t work without that speedy, all-knowing body crusher out there to cause havoc. No Sanders, no love. I like the injured Jags to squeak it out.
I like the rest of your picks though (’Cept for my Steelers and your Eagles, but that’s to be expected). If I were a betting man, I’d go the exact same way. Keep it coming!!
September 19th, 2008 at 6:13 pm
Thanks Temple, I like the Browns 24-13.
The Colts and Jags IMO can go either way it may be closer than I picked.
September 19th, 2008 at 6:40 pm
No question. If J’ville’s line is really too banged out to lean on them scrawny Colts, it’ll be a wrap.
September 19th, 2008 at 6:43 pm
This may be the week Freeney gets 3-4 sacks.
September 19th, 2008 at 7:16 pm
If the Brownies don’t win this week you can bet on two things:
1. The Brady Quinn watch will officially begin
2. Romeo Crennel will officially put his wobbly butt on the “hot seat”.
Extra Wishful thinking—Bill Cowher will come to his old team and become a leading coaching candidate even tho I REALLY cannot stomach the idea of another 3 year “rebuilding project”.
September 19th, 2008 at 8:42 pm
TBR,
Thanks for picking my 49ers
September 19th, 2008 at 8:49 pm
I’m tryin to believe in them
September 20th, 2008 at 1:15 am
The Cowboys scored 41 points. I definitely hope teams keep following that blueprint to “handle” them all season.
September 21st, 2008 at 2:30 pm
Great picks.
Romeo and Marvin a pretty much Done. But so is Garrard if they lose this game.
I like the saints againts the Broncos. Fumbling, INT game throwing Cutler got lucky last week. This week his luck ends.
Sadly the Eagles will lose to the steelers. Mouse Davis Jr. AKA Andy Reid will pass the ball 80% of the time against the steelers. Putting Donovan and the defense in a bad situation.
September 21st, 2008 at 7:38 pm
Ewwww………The Patroits are getting stumped.
September 21st, 2008 at 8:10 pm
Did the Patriots just quit ? and the G-Men and Bucs are playing in overtime.
September 21st, 2008 at 8:11 pm
D@mn ATL won again.
September 21st, 2008 at 8:24 pm
Damn Tony Hunt just got rocked three times at once.
September 21st, 2008 at 8:25 pm
whats the score mizzo?
September 21st, 2008 at 8:29 pm
Orgin the Falcons are playing the Chiefs who are even more QB deprived than the Lions.
September 21st, 2008 at 8:42 pm
3-0 Pittsburgh. Hunt was sleep for a sec after getting popped and fumbled as Philly was going in for the score on the opening drive. Big Ben led them down the field even though Philly was blitzing the entire drive. Drive stalled at the 20, so they got the three.
September 21st, 2008 at 8:47 pm
I like Tomlin’s energy on the sideline. I want to talk to him. He’s got a great opportunity in Pittsburgh.
September 21st, 2008 at 8:47 pm
Thanks Mizzo. Hopefully Mouse Jr. won’t call 70% passing plays.
Yeah I know Eric……….I just wanted them to go 0-16 this year.
Miranda looks like you will have to hear another week of “Boy the falcons look good with a real QB” talk.
September 21st, 2008 at 8:50 pm
Damn Donovan looks good. He’s 10-10.
September 21st, 2008 at 8:51 pm
Westbrook was just injured (foot) so they are gonna air it out.
September 21st, 2008 at 8:56 pm
Yeap I just saw.
Dang what would that eagles team be without Mcnabb.
Glad to see Donovan pass that fool Ron J.
September 21st, 2008 at 9:03 pm
Eagles are sending the house at Big Ben.
September 21st, 2008 at 9:24 pm
Props to Phil Simms for pointing out how stupid some Eagles fan are for calling for a QB change. I guess it continues to boggle the minds of people outside of EagleNation the disrespect McNabb continues to get by his hometown fans. The only former QB who never calls out Philly fans is Jaworski. Hmmm…wonder wassup with that?
September 21st, 2008 at 9:31 pm
Harvey Dent that is something exclusive to this season. Yeah Donovan got props here and there, but Carson Palmer was better in their eyes.
September 21st, 2008 at 9:33 pm
Who was that who missed the block……..Buckhalter or booker.
Man these backs are horrible pass blocking.
September 21st, 2008 at 9:38 pm
True mizzo ever since Palmers first year as a full time starter fools have considerded him better then Mcnabb.
Hey Mizzo I bet 5 dollars that almost no fans or MSM is calling for palmer to be benched now that they are 0-3. But I bet there are a ton of folks calling for Marvin lewis to go.
September 21st, 2008 at 9:39 pm
If N.O. keeps the game close Cutler will give them the game with a fumble or INT.
Unless there is more hanky panky from the refs.
September 21st, 2008 at 9:42 pm
You know the drill. There are rarely quarterback controversies anymore in the NFL unless a Black quarterback is involved.
Giants 0-2 last season but stuck with Manning.
Vikings 0-2 and the entire nation calls for Jackson’s head. How the hell can you bench a guy for the entire season when his receivers missed two critical passes in the fourth AND there was a non call on pass interference? WTF.
September 21st, 2008 at 9:44 pm
Cutler has a sick arm–real sick–but gets the happy feet when the heat is on.
September 21st, 2008 at 9:58 pm
Exactly Mizzo exactly.
Oh and one last note. Check out how the white media spins things. Terrelle (sp?) Pryor throws for 4 TDs and leads OSU to a win. What does the media say? Well they stated that the former starting QB Todd Beckman should be upset because his position was taken away from him and that he should be given the job back because he is a senior who led this team to the nation championship game.
September 21st, 2008 at 9:59 pm
Origin, that ATL/KC game doesnt count - seriously, it so doesnt. History fact for the game, the Chiefs are the first team since 1960 that has started a different QB in the first 3 games.
Matt Sch-aub su-ucks….Matt Sch-aub su-ucks……
September 21st, 2008 at 10:04 pm
Damn Miranda you sports writer you…
McNabb is hurt. Westbrook is hurt.
Kolb’s first pass was intercepted.
Damn.
September 21st, 2008 at 10:05 pm
Matt does suck HAHA and folks actually were saying he is better then Vick. That dude plays with a all-pro WR (Johnson) and he can’t even get him the ball.
September 21st, 2008 at 10:28 pm
I noticed Schaub’s line today and had to giggle about all the backup QB love he got in ATL when playing behind Vick. What’s his excuse though because he does have an all-pro wideout and an emerging star in Slaton. Maybe he’s just not that good and maybe there was a reason Vick was the starter down there.
Just a hunch though but I’m probably wrong because a real QB can always win instead of these running backs who play quarterback.
September 21st, 2008 at 10:34 pm
Yeap you know Harvey those mobile QBs never revolutionized the game.
I mean realy there were tons of players with the mobility of Alex Smith, Big Ben, Culpepper, Vick, Mcnabb, Cutler, Russell, A young Farve, Romo, Garcia and Rogers (green bay) playing in the 80s.
Now whats all this talk of how they revolutionized the game…..please.
I see statue pocket passers like Bledsoe everyday in the league today………..LOL!!!!
September 21st, 2008 at 10:36 pm
Well looks like Romeo is done……..we are down to 4 starting black QBs this year. And at the end of the year we will be down to 3 black head coaches. Bye Bye Marvin Lewis, Romoe and Herman Edwards.
September 21st, 2008 at 11:17 pm
Damn Leftwich is looking good spelling Big Ben.
September 21st, 2008 at 11:23 pm
Yeap…..there is no way this dude shouldn’t be starting in the league.
If he was on my bears we would be undefeated.
September 21st, 2008 at 11:25 pm
Whew Garrad saved his job today. Cause if they lost he would have been benched.
September 21st, 2008 at 11:42 pm
I really thought the Steelers would win this game going in because of the way the Eagles lost Monday’s game and just the physicality of the Steelers on both sides of the ball which always gives the Eagles fits. I was impressed with the way the defense stepped up today with the nine sacks and the way McNabb took the pounding but came back into the game to lead HIS team.
The Eagles for all their spectacular plays on offense and defense can be kinda soft at times but today they came out and out-Steelered the Steelers. I still don’t know what this team can be this season but these first three games are showing me something I haven’t seen in the Eagles since before SB39 and that’s toughness and depth. Make the running game a more feared facet of the offense and this could be a special season.
PS. Good bounce back game for Weapon X today. That’s Brian Dawkins for all ya’ll that don’t know and the ones that forgot.
September 21st, 2008 at 11:46 pm
Kudos to Jason Campbell too. I’m no fan of Washington but after this week with the continuing Vince Young situation and Tavaris Jackson’s benching, it was good to see the young man once again show his skill under what Keith Olbermann said not too tounge-in-cheek was his 18th offensive coordinator. Give this kid some stability in the coaching staff and he could be the next big thing in the NFL.
September 21st, 2008 at 11:53 pm
It boggles my mind how many of the starting QBs in the NFL ROYALLY SUUUUUUUUUUCK.
Matt Schaub owes Mike Vick 25% of all of his earnings….if it wasn’t for Vick’s haters, Schaub would be in his rightful place as a perennial back-up.
Didn’t I hear that Belicheck could out-coach anyone regardless of who his starting QB was? Did I hear incorrectly?
September 22nd, 2008 at 12:02 am
Yeah I am happy for both Mcnabb and Campbell. But don’t forget about Garrard he was on his way to a one way trip to the bench.
Also Isn’t it something how when a QB is surrounded with talent he can actually win. Thank goodness that Synder surrounded Campbell with talent. Cause if he ha to learn another offense without talent. He may be on the bench.
Once again how does Carson Palmer and Schaub have jobs???
Miranda I would say that Schuab owes 75% of his pay to Vick and the ignorant fans in ATL. Boy oh boy houston won’t be good for along time.
September 22nd, 2008 at 12:03 am
Yeah Harvey I though Pittsburg would win too. Especially with Reid thinking he is running the run and shoot offense. Pass, pass pass and more pass.
September 22nd, 2008 at 12:03 am
GO 49ers YEAH!
September 22nd, 2008 at 12:13 am
Sorry about slighting Garrard, O, but honestly I’m not a big fan of his. Something about him just seems a little too Whitlockian about him for my tastes. Until he says something stupid though I’ll give him a pass and respect for gutting out a tough one on the road.
Hmmm, another thing Black QB’s are not supposed to be able to do and that’s win the close ones.
TSF-bangin’ and scorin’ every trip down the court and slayin’ the stereotypes.
September 22nd, 2008 at 12:29 am
I thought Adam Jones had dropped Pac-man from his name
September 22nd, 2008 at 12:45 am
Kerry Collins 14-26 189 yds 1 td against the Texans VY had similiar stats last year and won games just like Collins did, A friend of mine told me when the Young saga started that the media and white fans wanted these Black QBS to be a star almost immediately and he called it the Super Nigga Effect. When a Black Ball Player in a sport has to almost like Robo Nigga
in order to get any respect. Outside of Dan Marino and Ben Rothesiberger no QB comes in the and lights it up.
But this standard is not afforded to Black QBS and when they fuck up or want to be treated with the same deference there is the fair -weather sports fan and MSM who feels that Niggers shouldn’t get any preference like Garcia did with the Bucs when he was guaranteed the starting job, that what I think Culpepper felt he deserved after proving he was over the knee injury. Aikman and many other QBS said it took them 5 years before the game slowed down when they could show their gifts, but my friend said like Obama whom he feels is more Presidental than Mc Cain and Palin (they are a team) is having to play Super Nigga too and that can be draining on a black person.
These people don’t give you a chance to grow and develop your skills and when you do they still don’t think you are good enough (Kwaku, David Mac) it would not matter if VY, DMac and any other Black QB won a ring the majority society will never give you proper credit for your skills and you will have House Niggas like Sharp and Whitlock questioning even worse than the MSM. My advice is for VY and others is to do what Tyler Perry has done ignore both the House Niggas and the MSM and do your thing and be the best QB you can be and stop trying to be Super Nigga because these people will never respect you anyway.
September 22nd, 2008 at 12:46 am
Yep Michelle - the 49ers beat the Lions…..but good grief, I really think the Lions fans are gonna snap for real and riot like its ‘68 if Millen is still there in 2009.
Harvey, I know that feeling…I have it too, dont know what it is, but I ignore it because I get the trials and tribulations of the black QB even when they dont (pointing at VY and Campbell).
Origin, it is just miserable here. Dammit, I live 2 blocks from the Dome. 2 years ago, after a win the streets were full, the food was on, the music was loud, it was tailgating until folks were good and full and lit! Way into the night!…..now, I’ll be damned if the game didn’t end at 4:05pm and EREbody was gone by 5pm….and by erebody, I mean the 45,000 that actually came to the “sell out”….it is SOOOOOOOOOOOO Dry! There are no more tailgating parties by The Stews, no more good fish samiches, no more good bootleg T-shirts on MLK (and I was wanting a good bootleg Obama tee, guess I gotta go to West End), it is SOOOOOOOOOOOOO dry! Y’all it used to be SO much fun here on a Sunday! They took our heartbeat! UGH! I hope Blank and these “sponsors” have to buy up 20,000 seats every darn home game for the next decade!
September 22nd, 2008 at 12:48 am
HD, he did……but well…..for some he will be “Pacman” no matter what he does. You know that everybody ain’t allowed to “move on”.
September 22nd, 2008 at 11:39 am
Miranda,
Are you sure that it was 45,000 that came out? I was thinking around 35,000……but I could be wrong.
September 22nd, 2008 at 1:17 pm
Seems like muhphukkas in Pittsburgh never heard of a 2 tight end formation. They got their asses whoooooooooooooped!!
Big up to the Eagles Defense. The Eagles offense was along for the ride, but performed well enough to cash in the W.
JJRS-ONE. DAMN!!!
September 22nd, 2008 at 1:31 pm
Eric D:
Don’t forget about the dreaded Randall Cunningham Effect.
When a team is so bad that the coaching staff becomes a revolving door. Newoaching staff comes in, promises made, expectations high, team sucks, loses, coaching staff gets fired, new coaching staff gets hired, QB has to learn another system and philosophy, team sucks, coaching staff gets fired, repeat until QB is broken down and ends up wearing a Vikings and Cowboys uni, respectively. Ugh.
September 22nd, 2008 at 2:05 pm
How ’bout them Jag-wires?!?
September 22nd, 2008 at 2:27 pm
Grandnubian,
You would think the red seats would camoflauge it a bit better….but when whole sections are empty I think it actually stands out more…but at least the colors blend well! LOL
September 22nd, 2008 at 2:40 pm
Eric Daniels:
That’s great advice for QBs except it doesn’t fit the position. The QB is SUPPOSED to be respected. So, when you tell a QB that respect doesn’t matter - they don’t get it. If it matters that Manning and Brady and Cutler be respected, how can it not matter for Black QBs? Aren’t QBs supposed to be a link between players and management - the walking embodiment of the franchise? Wasn’t Steve McNair perceived as Mr. Titan - a true son of Tennessee (even amidst the white supremacist hand wringing). Wasn’t he an MVP?
Will these people learn that they are Black folks who happen to be quarterbacks AND NOT quarterbacks who happen to be black? Eric - if they ever learn that subtle distinction, your advice will make pure and perfect sense. If they don’t, they’ll forever beat their heads against the walls of the cage.
My take away from this weeks games was the sad fact that Visanthe Shancoe was able to hang on to a TD pass from Gus Frerotten this week. His hands of stone cost the Vikes a chance to beat the migthy Colts. Jackson’s mental toughness is likely pretty high…I don’t see any reason why he should take personal what has transpired. He’s still learning the game and throws a beautiful short and deep ball. He has considerable room to improve. Ultimately, if the Vikings are going to compete at the highest levels, they’ll have to come back to him. Childress knows, as did Wayne Fontes, that Gus Frerotte is not the answer. If the Vikings don’t want to become the Lions, they’ll end this experiment sooner than later — and then they’ll go out and get a tight end with reliable hands.
September 22nd, 2008 at 2:50 pm
Jumping ahead a little bit. With Zinger the Americans winning the Ryder Cup this weekend, how long before we see the “How Not Having Tiger Woods Playing Is Better For Golf” story?
September 22nd, 2008 at 3:10 pm
They will not write that story bruh. Too much money at stake. Golf would become Isiah’s Nightmare…
September 22nd, 2008 at 3:24 pm
It’s already been written.
http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080807/COL08/808070361/1063/SPORTS15
September 22nd, 2008 at 3:30 pm
Sharp’s piece was written before the Cup. Now that he’s become a prophet, there should be several more taking the same line of approach.
It’s not as if this line of thinking is unprecedented — and it has no bearing on Tiger’s skill set. Which basketball team won 19 games in a row sans a really, really, really big star? Which football team won the Super Bowl without Barber OR Shockey? Which rag-tag team made the playoffs by winning six in a row down the stretch without Donovan McNabb?
We could on and on about scrubs increasing their concentration and effort in the absence of a superior talent. It happens all the time.
September 22nd, 2008 at 3:35 pm
Figures it would be Sharp.
September 22nd, 2008 at 5:58 pm
I’m trying to figure out why the Steelers’ offensive coordinator didn’t spread out the offense with 4 or 5 WR sets and have Ben take 3 step drops and hit his receivers with some quick slants to combat all the blitzing the Eagles were doing. That would have at least kept the defense honest and allowed the offense to run a few draw plays with the run. That’s what Dallas did last Sunday and they had some success at it.
September 22nd, 2008 at 6:33 pm
Too much speed in the middle of the field with those linebackers, also very dangerous because of the press coverage.
September 22nd, 2008 at 7:19 pm
@TBR
I feel what you’re saying but since Dallas had success with it, there’s no reason why the Steelers couldn’t do the same thing with the quick slants or screens to Parker.
I think it was poor coaching/playcalling.
September 22nd, 2008 at 7:23 pm
I’m in agreement with that since Pitt probably has a better receiving corps and running game.
You know how some coaches refuse to make adjustments (Reid is notorious for it) come hell or high water. I think since they were only down one score I think Tomlin was looking for lightning in a bottle.
September 22nd, 2008 at 10:25 pm
LOL at the notion that Golf is a team game.
September 22nd, 2008 at 10:54 pm
“You know how some coaches refuse to make adjustments (Reid is notorious for it) come hell or high water. I think since they were only down one score I think Tomlin was looking for lightning in a bottle.”
Yeah, i definitely feel you on that one bruh. But they (the Steelers) better correct the problem quickly because they have the Ravens on Monday night and the Ravens D-Coordinator (Ryan) is gonna bring it!!!
September 23rd, 2008 at 8:22 pm
Temple you are right about the QB postion it involves a postion of respect like MLB and Center because of the very nature of the leaderships roles in Football. What I am saying is kinda of a benign neglect of pleasing white sports fans and black apologists because they want “SuperNigga” not a QB learning the NFL game which takes time for a postion such as QB to become a complete player where those gifts can be enhanced.
And you are right about when are these Black celebrites and in this example Black NFL QBS realize they are always going to be judged as a “Black QB”, not the opposite because you are being judged on and off the field according to your race not your character and if VY and the Black QBS don’t understand that reality they are going to continue to struggle. The only thing that matters if your teammates , coaches, management respect your skills, the fans and media are not part of your development unless you let hem in your head.