The long week is finally over, and we can turn our attention to this weekend’s games. A lot of teams are going into what could be make or break games on Sunday and Monday. Many of those teams aren’t used to being put in their current positions. Which teams will rise to the top? Which teams will crumble under the pressure? It’s hard to tell, but let’s make an attempt to forecast their futures.
New York Jets
The Jets’ match-up with the Miami Dolphins Monday night may not exactly be your first pick for the NFL “game of the week,” but you should still be watching it. Let’s face it. The Dolphins and the Jets are both getting desperate for wins for very different reasons.
The Jets are starting to think about playing for their playoff lives, and it’s only mid-October. Sure, baseball’s as exciting as ever right now, but this isn’t usually make-or-break time in the NFL. The Jets have the misfortune of playing in the same division as the Patriots and the Bills (yes the Bills), and a wild-card spot will be difficult to come by with teams like the Steelers, Bengals (yes the Bengals too), Raiders, and the Titans. The Jets need wins, and they need them now.
The Dolphins are desparate for a very different reason. They just need to feel some sunshine. Yes, I know that they get plenty of rays in south Florida, but their coach is the very definition of “lame duck,” and people are already packing Andrew Luck’s sun tan lotion into his duffle bag for his trip to South Beach. The Dolphins just want to have a break from all the negativity, and they just might get their wish.
Prediction:I’d love to say that the Jets will crumble under the pressure of high expectations, but they won’t, at least not yet. The Dolphins simply aren’t good enough to pull out the win. The edge, for this week anyways, goes to the Jets. The future could bring a different outcome for the Jets, however.
Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons are another surprising 2-3 team. They’ll be playing host to Cam Newton and the Carolina Panthers on Sunday, and they can’t afford to lose this game. The Falcons have one of the brightest young quarterbacks in the NFL, and they gave the Packers all they could handle for about one half of football. They’ll need a complete game from their offense and defense to hold back the Panthers.
The Panthers are one of the best 1-4 teams I’ve ever seen. Yes, I know that the Panthers are getting far too much attention, but I can’t help patting them, and Cam Newton, on the back. I’ll come out and admit that I thought Newton would be a flop. It’s too early to declare him “safe,” but the early returns are very good. Look for them to bring the heat against the Falcons.
Prediction: I really like the Panthers in this game. I think Newton will carry his team yet again, but I expect them to hold off the Falcons in the closing minutes of the game. Sorry Atlanta. I just don’t think this is your year to shine. Better luck in the future (that was not an Andrew Luck plug; the Falcons are quite happy with Matt Ryan).
Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles travel to our nations’ capitol Sunday to take on the Washington Redskins. This isn’t an insignificant game by any means. The Eagles are 1-4, and their comatose state has left them on life support. The only thing dreamy about this team is their state of consciousness. They’ll need to wake up and fight if they hope to beat the Redskins.
This is a huge game for the Redskins as well. They could potentially deal a mortal blow to one of their divisional rivals, and they could look to stretch their division lead at the same time. You better believe that the Redskins smell blood in the water, and they’ll likely come out ready to play. The only question is, will the Eagles fight, or will they roll over and play dead? The answer to that question could decide the outcome of the game.
Prediction: The Eagles are a desperate team with a seasoned head coach that has “been there done that.” I expect Andy Reid to have his team ready, and I look for the Eagles to not only beat the Redskins, but I expect them to roll over them. The Eagles shouldn’t be counted out just yet.
