The Windup- The Week in Review (4)

[author image=”https://www.the3pointconversion.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/PicsArt_1437506260531.jpg” ] Abade Stanley @strakt_Marino [/author]

 

 

 

 

Week four was a little different than week three. Of course we know each individual week will bring it’s own oohs and ahhs and what the heck’s. Let’s see what we learned this week.

 

Top Gun
Matt Ryan and Julio Jones put on a performance of a lifetime. Ryan threw for 503 yards (4 touchdowns) and Jones caught 300 of them (1 touchdown) to become the first set of teammates to accomplish that feat (500 pass.yds 300 rec.yds.) in the same game. They simply bludgeoned the Panthers defense a week after pummeling the Saints. The “Showtime Falcons” have shown a propensity to make other teams look bad this year. The next few games will be a big test for them taking on the Denver Broncos and Seattle Seahawks both on the road. It seems both of those teams will have their hands full with Atlanta’s high flying act.

On an opposite note, the Minnesota Vikings are making their opponents look pedestrian on offense. They have forced 11 turnovers in four games. Their last two opponents (New York Giants and Carolina Panthers) have scored a robust ten points a piece. Take it a step further, the defense hasn’t given up more than 16 points in any game. Only one team rushed for at least 100 yards and no team has reached 300 yards of passing (which is like average for good quarterbacks now). They stand undefeated at 4-0 mostly because of that stellar unit (12.5 points against per game). It’s pretty simple then, find a way to score two or more touchdowns versus them and you will be alright. (Good Luck).

Rodney Dangerfield
The Arizona Cardinals, “No Respect”, the Indianapolis Colts , “No Respect”, the San Diego Chargers, “No Respect”. Ah yes, you can just hear the old goofy voice of Mr. Dangerfield every time these teams are mentioned. They all have Pro Bowl quarterbacks, good skill position players, and solid defensive players. All of them are also 1-3 (ehhh). The normal questions will arise like “Is it the coaching” or “maybe we need to go in a different direction at (insert position here)?”

One thing is for sure, there’s no easy answer as to why but it’s very hard to see these teams at the bottom of the league. With the amount of weapons they possess they shouldn’t be this bad. Realistically they’re not getting any amount of respect from anyone. Teams are just lining up and slapping them across the face. It’s a long season that gets shorter each week. History says one or two of these teams will make a serious run at the playoffs. I say history might get a history lesson this year.

Predictions sure to come back and haunt me
The 2-2 Cincinnati Bengals take on the 3-1 Dallas Cowboys. Bill Parcells once said  “You are what your record says you are”. I’d say that is not true in Cincinnati’s case. They have a much better team than a .500 win percentage. I’ll take them to win this weekend something like 27-21, last man standing kinda game.

The 2-2 Buffalo Bills travel to Los Angeles to take on the 3-1 Rams on Sunday. Those cross-country trips are usually a doosy for the traveling team. I have no doubt that won’t be a problem for Rex Ryan and company. Fresh off their historic game where they held the mighty New England Patriots to all of zero points, look for Buffalo to extend their winning streak to three games. I wouldn’t trust the Rams offense if they were playing a high school varsity team right now. 21-13 Bills.

The Baltimore Ravens (3-1) are home to face the Washington Redskins (2-2). The Ravens are quietly having a great season. Look for them to get to 4-1, the Redskins are untrustworthy at this point (like several other teams). I’ll say 24-16 Ravens.

SideNote:
Captain America (Tom Brady) returns to the field Sunday to lead his team into Cleveland to take on the Browns. All is well now in Patriot land they’re beloved quarterback is back to take the reigns and lead them to the ultimate victory in February. Blah blah blah. Bill Belichek must be thrilled to have his main guy calling the signals especially since Buffalo put a whopping on them last week. Look for them to show no mercy. The Browns are just awful so I’m sure they’ll be happy to oblige …Patriots by three touchdowns 35-14.