Man, it is already Week 6?!? This season is flying!
1. Just when we think the Steelers have turned the corner they go and get blown out by the Jags. Are the Jags or Steelers more likely to make the playoffs?
Kevin: The Steelers have let the Bengals back into the division race, but they are still the best team in the division. I will say the Steelers, but I am not as confident as I was two weeks ago.
Bill: The Jags have been impressive at times this season, but for me the question is the strength of their respective divisions. The AFC North has only 1 good team: the Steelers. The AFC South has anywhere from zero to three good teams among the Jags, Texans, and Titans. So I have to take the Steelers here because I like the odds of the AFC South being a tight race at the end a lot better.
2. Cowboys already have as many losses as last year. Sophomore slump for their QB-RB combo or lucky rookies?
Kevin: Sophomore slump, but a combination of both. Teams weren’t ready for them last year and they certainly took advantage of that. I expect them to bounce back, but they won’t reach the potential peak that people were discussing during last season.
Bill: Dallas is 6th in total offense (9th in scoring) and 21st in total defense (29th in scoring) this year. Last year they were 5th in total offense (5th in scoring) and 14th in total defense (5th in scoring). It does seem both Dak and Zeke are having a sophomore slump, but I have to blame the defense so far through 5 games. I agree that they will bounce back but nowhere near the 13 wins of a year ago.
3. Chiefs are 5-0 and have looked pretty dominant. They have the Steelers, Raiders, Broncos and Cowboys next, when will they lose their first game?
Kevin: I will say at Oakland in Week 8. That is a Thursday Night away game against a team that will be desperate for a win. Derek Carr’s injury may end up as a good thing come late in the season. But if the Chiefs can get by that game they could sweep all 4 of these games.
Bill: This a BRUTAL stretch of games. They are @Oakland and @Dallas. I think they lose to the Steelers this week and the Cowboys before the bye. I have no doubt about their talent or coaching, but there is no way they are 9-0 at the bye.
4. Giants, Browns, and 49ers are all 0-5. Who will be the first team to win a game?
Kevin: Giants and 49ers play in Week 10, and I expect them both to be winless going into that game. I will bet on the Browns, and specifically winning against the Vikings in London in Week 8. London games are a crapshoot and the Browns definitely have a chance.
Bill: I think it is definitely the Giants. I know they have looked bad at times, but they have a lot more talent than their record suggests. I know they just lost Odell (huge loss) and Marshall (overblown loss), but Sterling Shepard will do a fine job when he returns. The Browns and 49ers are just awful teams.
5. Adrian Peterson is officially a Cardinal. Is there anyway that he can revive his career?
Kevin: Well he is going to be the starter for a few weeks. If I had to guess, he will average about 80 yards per game before David Johnson comes back. That isn’t a great revival, but it is a huge upgrade for him.
Bill: I called it! (OK, who didn’t?) That was a disaster from the start in NO. Again, what was either side thinking?! Anyway, I think Peterson has a chance to kill it in Arizona. If I’m them, I wouldn’t have traded for him unless I planned on pounding it with him (given, you know, his recent behavior). I think he will look like the old AP at times. There should be plenty of drama once Johnson returns though.
6. Please tell me you saw the Bears’ two point conversion play!
Kevin: Of course I did, and I think I have watched it 50 times. I can’t get over how great that play design was and I don’t even know how you stop that.
Bill: Yes! I think all football watchers will agree that it was one of the coolest plays they’ve ever seen! Very gutsy call that was executed to perfection.
PAT or Go for 2? (Bill leads 6-4)
PAT: Dolphins @ Falcons (Kevin)
2 Point Conversion: Buccaneers (Bill) @ Cardinals
