The Windup’s Pre review Week Seven: A Cup of Coffee in a Tea Shop

Coaching Hot Seat:

New York Giants (1-5) head coach Ben McAdoo still has a pretty hot seat, the one win doesn’t change anything. I’d be shocked if he is the Giants head coach next year, unless we’re talking about a seven game win streak in week 14. They take on the Seattle Seahawks (3-2) on Sunday. Let’s see what the coach will come up with against the feared Seahawks’ defense (poor Eli).

Remember a couple of seasons ago when Dallas Cowboys (2-3) head coach Jason Garrett had his coaching acumen questioned? Then they drafted Ezekiel Elliot and Dak Prescott and everybody forgot. Garrett’s hot seat is getting a little warmer than people think. Dallas travels to the Bay Area to take on the San Francisco 49ers (0-6) this weekend. It would behoove Garrett to defeat the hapless and winless Niners. A loss to a winless team will have people talking, you know.

On to the games.

Washington Redskins (3-2) vs Philadelphia Eagles (5-1)
The Eagles only loss came to the Chiefs in a game where they gained 406 yards of offense. Philadelphia is third in yards gained and first in rushing yards allowed. They will make sure the Redskins feel every bit of those rankings. Washington is sixth in total yards and 12th in yards allowed. They are pretty good  against the run too, ranking eighth in rush yards allowed. Washington will try and run the ball, but it will be all for nought. Philly doesn’t give you a lot of options for running. The Eagles should win handily 31-17. Washington has been too Jekyll and Hyde this season, while the Eagles have been consistent.

Los Angeles Rams (4-2) vs Arizona Cardinals (3-3)
The Rams remain number one in points scored and they are eighth in total yards. Todd Gurley has 766 total yards and seven touchdowns on the season. The Cardinals have done a good job bottling up the run, so look for Jared Goff to air it out a little more. Arizona ranks third in passing and 32nd in rushing yards. Last week, Adrian Peterson provided the first 100 yard rushing game of the season for Arizona. L.A. gives up 139.5 rushing yards per game, so look for heavy doses of a motivated Peterson. Controlling the clock and keeping the Rams high scoring offense on the sideline will go a long way towards a victory. In a battle of good running backs I’ll take the Rams 33-24.

NFC South Round up:

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-3) at Buffalo Bills (3-2)
The Bills have allowed the least amount of points in the league. Even in losses they don’t give up any points. The Bucs are fourth in yards gained. They use a predominantly aerial attack, and they rank 30th in rushing and dead last in rushing attempts. Look for Buffalo to put on heavy pressure against an injured Jameis Winston, who is expected to play. Buffalo is tied for second in turnovers with ten. A one dimensional attack by Tampa Bay should be detrimental to them. I’ll take the Bills 24-16. For all their passing offense, Tampa Bay has scored 30 points only once this season. Buffalo has given up 20 points only once this season.

Carolina Panthers (4-2) vs Chicago Bears (2-4)
The Panthers are ninth in points allowed and fourth in yards allowed. A stout  defense that surprisingly forces very few turnovers, with only four this season. The offense is starting to get their young weapons involved. The Bears are third in rushing, equipped with two good running backs. It’s the old unstoppable force versus the immovable object thing again. Carolina is fifth in rush yards allowed. Look for the Panthers to stuff the box and use a lot of “run zones” to stifle Chicago. The Bears will try to run too, averaging 31 carries per game. They must find plays to mislead the Panthers defense or that’s all she wrote. I like Carolina 27-17.

New England Patriots (4-2) vs Atlanta Falcons (3-2) ***Upset Alert***

The Patriots have gained the most yards in the NFL and are fifth in scoring. They also give up the most yards in the league. If every game will be a shootout, I guess it’s nice to have Tom Brady at the helm. The Atlanta coaching staff can take a look in the mirror a little bit for their season. Questionable late game decisions still plague them. The Falcons will have to come out swinging and finish the Patriots off this time. Realistically, the first half Falcons will probably whoop New England. The Falcons have been outscored in the second half in every game except one. Will the second half Falcons finish them off? I’m predicting yes, with a final score of 33-30. It’s all flags and hallelujah for Atlanta in the rematch.

New Orleans Saints (3-2) vs Green Bay Packers (4-2)
The Saints have won three straight games, outscoring their opponents 106-51. Drew Brees remains awesome, by the way. The Aaron Rodgers injury is devastating. I could tell you about their offense, but after a partial  game without Rodgers, they fell to tenth in points. The Packers team going forward is one I can’t identify. The Saints should throttle them 34-13. I’m not sure what the Packers can do.