This week the Eagles travel to New Orleans to take on the Saints on Monday Night Football. I'll bet that sounded like a much better idea when the schedules were announced last week than it does now.
On paper, the Eagles should be able to take the Saints. Notice I said "should."
The Saints are another team in disarray. Of course, their problems stem from the whole bounty scandal and its negative effect on their access to their coaching staff.
Hm - the Eagles might actually benefit from lack of access to their coaching staff at this point. Is there any way to jump on the whole bounty thing after the fact?
The Saints are 2-5.
On the other hand, they're playing at home, and they're really hard to beat in the Superdome, even when they, as a whole, aren't very good.
And one could make the argument that they aren't very good this year.
On the other hand, Drew Brees. And the fact that the Eagles are ranked in the middle of the pack against the pass. I don't even want to talk about what's going on with sacks.
The Saints d is, well, terrible.
On the other hand, if the Eagles persist in giving away the ball ("No please, after you. I insist.") at a historically bad rate, that might not matter all that much.
In the end, I have to keep the faith that the Eagles will find a way to win this week. I have to. Because I can't give up on them or the season half way through.
Please guys, get on a hot streak and make me eat my words. Please.
Eagles.
Picking the other games:
Chiefs at Chargers: Chargers. I really am done with the Chiefs now, I swear.
Broncos at Bengals: Broncos. The old Peyton appears to be back.
Ravens at Browns: Even Ray Lewis-less, the Ravens should be able to take divisional rival and punching bag Cleveland.
Cardinals at Packers: I think the Packers will take this one, but I also think it will be close. Homefield and an improving offense should help, though.
Bills at Texans: The Bills got two weeks to prepare. Not that it's going to help them much. Texans.
Dolphins at Colts: I'm going with the Colts rookie, particularly since Tannehil might not be able to go. Colts.
Lions at Jaguars: I've got the Lions here. What? They aren't THAT bad - or maybe it's that the Jags ARE that bad.
Bears at Titans: Bears all the way, baby.
Panthers at Redskins: RGIII's offensive line is almost as bad as Mike Vick's, but I still think the Skins should escape with a win this week, not least of which because Cam Newton is on a epic bummer this year.
Buccaneers at Raiders: I've got the Raiders at home.
Vikings at Seahawks: You know how the Vikings are playing better than expected this year? Yeah, well, the Seahawks are playing at home, ergo, Seahawks.
Steelers at Giants: You know how the Steelers are unbeatable at home? They're not at home this week. But I don't think it's going to matter, because they seem to have the NFC East's number this year. Steelers.
Cowboys at Falcons: So do the Falcons.
On bye: the 49ers, the Jets, the Patriots and the Rams,
On paper, the Eagles should be able to take the Saints. Notice I said "should."
The Saints are another team in disarray. Of course, their problems stem from the whole bounty scandal and its negative effect on their access to their coaching staff.
Hm - the Eagles might actually benefit from lack of access to their coaching staff at this point. Is there any way to jump on the whole bounty thing after the fact?
The Saints are 2-5.
On the other hand, they're playing at home, and they're really hard to beat in the Superdome, even when they, as a whole, aren't very good.
And one could make the argument that they aren't very good this year.
On the other hand, Drew Brees. And the fact that the Eagles are ranked in the middle of the pack against the pass. I don't even want to talk about what's going on with sacks.
The Saints d is, well, terrible.
On the other hand, if the Eagles persist in giving away the ball ("No please, after you. I insist.") at a historically bad rate, that might not matter all that much.
In the end, I have to keep the faith that the Eagles will find a way to win this week. I have to. Because I can't give up on them or the season half way through.
Please guys, get on a hot streak and make me eat my words. Please.
Eagles.
Picking the other games:
Chiefs at Chargers: Chargers. I really am done with the Chiefs now, I swear.
Broncos at Bengals: Broncos. The old Peyton appears to be back.
Ravens at Browns: Even Ray Lewis-less, the Ravens should be able to take divisional rival and punching bag Cleveland.
Cardinals at Packers: I think the Packers will take this one, but I also think it will be close. Homefield and an improving offense should help, though.
Bills at Texans: The Bills got two weeks to prepare. Not that it's going to help them much. Texans.
Dolphins at Colts: I'm going with the Colts rookie, particularly since Tannehil might not be able to go. Colts.
Lions at Jaguars: I've got the Lions here. What? They aren't THAT bad - or maybe it's that the Jags ARE that bad.
Bears at Titans: Bears all the way, baby.
Panthers at Redskins: RGIII's offensive line is almost as bad as Mike Vick's, but I still think the Skins should escape with a win this week, not least of which because Cam Newton is on a epic bummer this year.
Buccaneers at Raiders: I've got the Raiders at home.
Vikings at Seahawks: You know how the Vikings are playing better than expected this year? Yeah, well, the Seahawks are playing at home, ergo, Seahawks.
Steelers at Giants: You know how the Steelers are unbeatable at home? They're not at home this week. But I don't think it's going to matter, because they seem to have the NFC East's number this year. Steelers.
Cowboys at Falcons: So do the Falcons.
On bye: the 49ers, the Jets, the Patriots and the Rams,
