The Chippers Top 5

Predictions for Week 4:

New England Patriots (1 – 2) @ Buffalo Bill (2 – 1)

The Bills offensive line has jelled and the D-line has nine sacks in two games. The Bills running backs are broken and will have a big impact on their balance. This game should be entertaining. The Pats get back on track with a back to basics win in Buffalo.

Prediction:  Patriots 24 Bills 17

San Francisco 49ers (2 -1) @ New York Jets (2 -1)

How will the SF D, coming off a bad loss at Minnesota bounce back?  The Jets have an chance to make a statement against a team most think is the best in the NFC.  The 49ers will take advantage of the loss of Revis with a solid ground game and hope QB Alex Smith makes no mistakes. In a low-scoring, defensive battle, SF will head home with a victory.

Prediction:  49ers 24 Jets 13

New Orleans Saints (0 -3) @ Green Bay Packers (1 -2)

The Saints D has gone down the toilet this year and ranks last. They allowed 275 yards rushing to KC last week at home! QB Drew Brees has to beat the 34 points his D is giving up per game.  After the devastating loss to the Seahawks, I expect Packers to be fired up for this one.

Prediction:  Packers 33 Saints 27

New York Giants (2 – 1) @ Philadelphia Eagles (2 – 1)

Turnovers finally got to Philly in the loss to Arizona. RB LeSean McCoy needs the ball. The Eagle D is playing well but can’t help with the turnover issues. QB Eli Manning looks great even with some of his playmakers hurt.  The Eagles run the ball 40 times and leave the Meadowlands with a surprise victory and no turnovers.

Prediction:  Eagles 27 Giants 21

Chicago Bears (2 – 1) @ Dallas Cowboys (2 – 1)

The Bears have beaten two weak opponents so far, and were thrashed by GB. Dallas was terrific on the road in Week 1 but has been out of sync ever since. Both D’s are very good and the Bears will leave Dallas with a surprise victory.  Two words:  Julius Peppers.   

Prediction:  Bears 24 Cowboys 20

Recap of Week # 3:

Prediction:  Bears 24 Rams 23 Win – This was an ugly game and the Bears really have some issues on offense.  This should be an easy pick on Monday nite against Dallas.

Prediction:  Cowboys 34, Buccaneers 24 Win – Tampa was horrible on the offensive side.  The Lingerie League could have fielded a team and beat them.

Prediction:  Saints 35, Chiefs 24 Loss – Who Dat??  The Aint’s are back!  It doesn’t get any easier this week going to the not so frozen tundra to face a pissed-off Packers team! Ouch!

Prediction:  Chargers 31, Falcons 30 Loss – The Chargers really laid down on this one. The Falcons are good but not that good.

Prediction:  Ravens 34, Patriots 17 Win – Thanks Refs!

Weekly total:  3 -2  Season to Date:  8 -7

The Chippers Top 5

Predictions for Week 2:

Chicago Bears @ Green Bay Packers

The Bears won’t be able to slow down the Packers’ passing game the way the 49ers did, but Green Bay will struggle with Chicago’s passing attack too. The Packers will not drop two in a row at home to start the season. They were able to sack Alex Smith four times and they will definitely get at Cutler as well. Expect a closely-contested bounce-back win from Green Bay on Thursday night.

Prediction:  Packers 31 Bears 28

Cleveland Browns @ Cincinnati Bengals

The Browns’ defense was impressive against Philly, but the Bengals’ offense will be more balanced, and the Browns showed a weakness against the run. How long will the Browns stick with Brandon Weeden?  The Bengals have a decent defense and a true playmaker on the offensive side of the ball in A.J. Green, along with a good young quarterback in Andy Dalton. Cincy shut’s down Weeden en route to a big win.

Prediction:  Bengals 28 Browns 10

New Orleans Saints @ Carolina Panthers

The Saints shouldn’t have to pass 50 times against a Panthers defense that can’t stop the run. Expect a big day from Pierre Thomas, Mark Ingram and Darren Sproles as the Saints pick up their first win. This game has “collateral damage” written all over it, as the Saints will look to take out their aggressions from Week 1 on the Panthers who, defensively, aren’t there yet.

Prediction:  Saints 35 Panthers 21

New York Jets @ Pittsburgh Steelers

Two hard-hitting defenses face off. Mark Sanchez quieted doubters in game 1. A banged up Pittsburgh roster is looking worse by the day. The Jets’ defensive line should feast after a famine against the Bills last week. The offensive line dominated a talented Bills defensive unit who recorded only one pressure. If Mark Sanchez can get into a rhythm against a suspect Steelers secondary, this could get ugly.

Prediction:  Jets 24 Steelers 23

Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ New York Giants

The Giants need to get back on track, and the average Tampa passing game helps. As long as New York can bottle up Doug Martin, they should get back to an even record. The Bucs pulled off a big win over Carolina, but the G-Men have a different level of pass rush. This will be a huge test for Josh Freeman, and I don’t think the Bucs can score enough points to hold off the Giants.

Prediction:  Giants 30 Buccaneers 17

Recap for Week 1 Games:

Prediction: Falcons 27, Chiefs 21  Win – The Falcons pretty much did what they wanted in Arrowhead as Tony Gonzalez blew kisses to the KC crowd upon his return.  Atlanta will indeed be a favorite to get to the NFC Championship Game come January providing they have no major injuries.

Prediction: Bills 16 Jets 10  Loss – My prediction of not too many points was only half right – The Bills were rotten and the injury bug raised it’s head for Buffalo which has lost Fred Jackson and David Nelson for an extended period.  QB Fitzpatrick should be teaching Math or English some where and not playing in the NFL.

Prediction: Packers 27, 49ers 20  Loss – The Packers D started where it left off at the end of last season.  I was skeptical about Alex Smith but SF is going to meet Atlanta in the NFC Championship game…Take that to the bank.  That defense is a Monster!

Prediction: Panthers 24 Buccaneers 14  Loss – Cam Newton looked lost and squandered too many scoring chances.  Tampa Bays D is better than folks think but they are a young team that will go back and forth.  Carolina will bounce back next week.

Prediction: Broncos 21 Steelers 17  Win  -  Peyton Manning needed just the first half of the first game to get back to where he was over a season ago.  It took a timely pick-6 by the bend-but-don’t-break Denver D to seal this game.  Denver faces a huge test on  the road next Monday in Atlanta.

Week 1 Total:  2 – 3    YTD:  2 – 3