Philadelphia, PA (My Sportsbook) - Fans of the
Houston Texans have been riding the emotional rollercoaster from the day the season started, and Gary Kubiak and his charges simply refuse to let them off.
A team that came into 2009 carrying immense expectations was destroyed at home by rookie quarterback Mark Sanchez and the New York Jets (24-7) in Week 1, but recovered to beat the defending AFC South champion Tennessee Titans on the road (34-31) the very next week.
After winning that one, Kubiak and company laid a major egg at home against the Jacksonville Jaguars (31-24), but offered up their most complete performance of the year the following week against the Raiders (29-6).
One Sunday later, the Texans put themselves in a 21-0 hole at Arizona, came back to tie, and eventually lost (28-21) to the Cardinals. True to form, Houston went to Cincinnati and outclassed the first-place Bengals, 28-17, to erase the sting of the Cardinals loss.
The message Kubiak was sending his team in the wake of the impressive win is the same one that ever-nervous supporters of the Texans should heed: never get too high or too low, because you never know exactly what's coming around the next curve.
"I don't think you turn the corner in one game," cautioned Kubiak. "I think our guys understand that. They're learning more and more each week how hard it is to win in this league. The difference is a few plays here and there."
In this case, many of the Texans' "few plays" were made by Matt Schaub and the offense.
Against a Cincinnati team that had built its 4-1 record through five weeks largely on the back of its defense, the Texans ran up and down the field to the tune of 492 yards, including 392 and four touchdowns through the air for Matt Schaub. Andre Johnson and Steve Slaton both went over 100 receiving yards in the game, and tight end Owen Daniels caught two touchdown passes in the triumph.
"We are executing our plays and doing what we do naturally," said Schaub, who has a 102.7 passer rating and is throwing for more than 300 yards per game through the first six weeks. "We are making plays downfield. I can't talk enough about our offensive line and how it allows me to step up and have time...There are two young offensive guards in there."
Though there have been inconsistent elements of the Texans offense during the team's 3-3 start, there is no question that Houston supporters are losing a greater deal of sleep over the state of the defense. But that area added plenty of value on Sunday, as NFL rushing leader Cedric Benson was held to 44 yards on 16 carries, while the Bengals committed three costly turnovers on the afternoon.
"We went smaller this week up front," said Kubiak. "We've had five ends and three inside players, and it scares you, but we've been more active. Give (defensive line coach) Bill Kollar a lot of credit, he has done a hell of a job with that rotation."
The elephant in the room following this win is the fact that the 2009 roller- coaster pattern says the Texans are supposed to lose in Week 7. The San Francisco 49ers, with a 3-2 record and tied for the lead in the NFC West, will be the opponent trying to deny the Texans their first two-game losing streak of the year, while also sending Houston to 1-3 at home on the campaign.
A win over the Niners would offer a little more proof that the Texans are beginning to emerge from their inconsistent shell, but this is not a team that can afford to take this game, or any future contest, for granted.
"[Football] is about the long haul," said Kubiak. "We have to come back next week and be just as good."
Let's take a look at the week that will be in the National Football League:
NFL POWER POLL
The My Sportsbook's updated NFL Power Poll, which ranks all 32 league teams, can be found at:
http://www.sportsnetwork.com/merge/tsnform.aspx?c=sportsnetwork&page= nfl/misc/nfl-poll.htm
FANTASY FOCUS
Find Fantasy Editor Steve Schwarz's latest analysis at:
http://www.sportsnetwork.com/merge/tsnform.aspx?c=sportsnetwork&page= fantasy/index.aspx
SUICIDE POOL PIX
1. Indianapolis (at St. Louis) - Some weeks, the Rams will hang. This will not be one of those.
2. New England (vs. Tampa Bay) - No matter the setting, Bucs simply lack the firepower to beat the Patriots.
3. Carolina (vs. Buffalo) - Panthers can run it, Bills can't stop the run, and Buffalo still lacks the offense to compete consistently.
THE GAMES
I was just 7-7 in my picks last week, but managed to go 8-6 against the spread. I thought the Chiefs and Bills would hang (but not win), and had way too much faith in the Eagles, Seahawks, and Chargers, among others. The record for the year is now 58-32 (.644) straight up, and 48-42 (.533) while walking the line.
Chicago (3-2) at Cincinnati (4-2), Sunday, 1:00 (Cincinnati -1.5)
Storylines: Cincinnati enters Week 7 tied for first-place with Pittsburgh in the AFC North...Bengals running back Cedric Benson, the No. 5 overall pick of the Bears in the 2005 Draft, will face his former team for the first time.. .Cincinnati defensive tackle Tank Johnson will face his former team, for which he was a second-round draft choice in 2004 and played three seasons (2004-06)...Defensive end and former first-round draft choice Gaines Adams, who was acquired in a trade with the Buccaneers last week, could make his debut with Chicago... Bears' Johnny Knox leads the NFL in kickoff return average (33.7)...Chicago linebacker Pisa Tinoisamoa (knee) expected to miss the season after suffering an injury in last week's loss to the Falcons...Bengals re- signed defensive tackle Orien Harris earlier this week...Status of Cincinnati first-round tackle Andre Smith (foot) unknown after Smith returned to practice this week... Cincinnati lost leading pass rusher Antwan Odom to a season-ending ruptured Achilles in last week's loss to the Texans...Bengals safety Roy Williams (forearm) could return after missing two of the last three games.
Fast Fact: Cedric Benson (1529 scrimmage yards in 18 games as a Bengal) needs 245 more yards to surpass his yards-from-scrimmage output (1773) in 35 games as a member of the Bears (2005-07).
Prediction: Bengals know they can't afford back-to-back home losses if they harbor real postseason aspirations. Bengals 19, Bears 14.
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Green Bay (3-2) at Cleveland (1-5), Sunday, 1:00 (Green Bay -7)
Storylines: Multiple Cleveland players, including defensive starters Brodney Pool, Shaun Rogers, Corey Williams, and Kamerion Wimbley, have been dealing with the flu virus this week...Packers re-signed 32-year-old running back Ahman Green, who gained over 8,000 yards and scored 67 touchdowns for the team from 2000 through 2006, on Wednesday...Browns have lost seven straight home games since a win over the Giants last Oct. 13th...Derek Anderson expected to make third straight start at quarterback for the Browns despite completing just 11- of-41 passes over his past two games...Starting left tackle Chad Clifton (ankle) could miss Sunday's game, but right tackle Mark Tauscher could make his 2009 debut...Browns' Joshua Cribbs leads the NFL in punt return average (16.8)...Cleveland linebacker Blake Costanzo leads the league in defensive fumble recoveries (3)...Browns are last in NFL total defense (407.3 yards per game)...Packers have allowed an NFL-worst 25 sacks on the year...Browns placed linebacker and leading tackler D'Qwell Jackson (torn pectoral) on season-ending injured reserve earlier this week...Browns kicker Phil Dawson (calf) could return after missing the last four games.
Fast Fact: Browns defensive tackle Corey Williams, who had 14 sacks over his final two seasons with the Packers (2006-07), has 1.5 sacks in two seasons as a member of the Browns (2008-09).
Prediction: Flu bug is wiping out the Browns right now, and so will the Packers. Packers 31, Browns 10.
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San Francisco (3-2) at Houston (3-3), Sunday, 1:00 (Houston -3)
Storylines: San Francisco rookie wide receiver and No. 10 overall draft choice Michael Crabtree (Texas Tech) expected to start after missing the team's first five games due to a contract holdout...Texans trying to post their first two- game win streak of the year...49ers, who are trying to rebound from a 45-10 home loss to the Atlanta Falcons prior to their Week 6 bye, begin Week 7 tied with the Cardinals atop the NFC West...San Francisco running back Frank Gore (ankle/foot) expected to return to the lineup following a two-game absence... Texans quarterback Matt Schaub leads the NFL in touchdown passes (14)...Houston is last in the league in rushing touchdowns allowed (10)...Texans have forced a league-high-tying eight lost fumbles...49ers signed linebacker Matt Wilhelm (ex-Chargers) earlier this week and placed Jeff Ulbrich (concussion) on season- ending injured reserve...Defensive tackle Shaun Cody (flu) expected to return to the field for the Texans...Houston has won four straight home games against NFC opponents.
Fast Fact: In Michael Crabtree's most recent appearance in a game of any kind (Jan. 2, 2009), the then-Texas Tech receiver caught four passes for 30 yards and a touchdown in a 47-34 loss to Ole Miss in the Cotton Bowl.
Prediction: Texans need to prove they have a homefield advantage, and 49ers offense will make some mistakes as Crabtree enters the fold. Texans 27, 49ers 23.
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San Diego (2-3) at Kansas City (1-5), Sunday, 1:00 (San Diego -4.5)
Storylines: Kansas City trying to build on a 14-6 win at Washington last week, and attempting to earn first home win of Todd Haley era...Chiefs have lost nine straight at Arrowhead Stadium since win over Broncos last Sept. 28... Chargers are last in the NFL in yards per carry (2.9), and are tied for last in the league in rushing defense (57.6 yards per game) and rushes of 20 yards or longer (0)...Chiefs are last in the league in third-down percentage (21.2), and Chargers are last in opponents' third-down percentage (50.8)...San Diego leads the NFL in fourth-down conversion percentage (3-of-3, 100.0)...Kansas City is one of three NFL teams without a rushing touchdown (Buffalo, St. Louis)... Chiefs have committed an NFL-low-tying four turnovers on the year...Kansas City traded defensive tackle Tank Tyler to the Panthers and signed ex-Saints DT Kenny Smith earlier this week...Chargers center Nick Hardwick (ankle) expected to remain out...Chiefs left tackle Branden Albert (ankle) questionable to return to the lineup, and would be replaced by Wade Smith for a second consecutive week if he can't go.
Fast Fact: The Chargers (two straight wins at Arrowhead Stadium) last won three in a row in Kansas City from 1979 through 1981.
Prediction: Chargers are overdue for a breakout day offensively, and some short fields allowed by the struggling Chiefs offense will help. Chargers 20, Chiefs 13.
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Minnesota (6-0) at Pittsburgh (4-2), Sunday, 1:00 (Pittsburgh -4)
Storylines: Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin was defensive coordinator for one year (2006) under Brad Childress in Minnesota...Minnesota seeking its first 7-0 start since 2000, when the team finished 11-5 and reached the NFC Championship...Vikings quarterback Brett Favre is 6-0 for the first time in his career...Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger leads the NFL in passing yards (1887), and Pittsburgh wide receiver Hines Ward is No. 1 in the lead in receiving yards (599) and tied for the league lead in catches (41) along with the Giants' Steve Smith...Vikings running back Adrian Peterson leads the league in rushing yards (624), and Minnesota tight end Visanthe Shiancoe is tied for the NFL lead in touchdown catches (5) along with the Cardinals' Larry Fitzgerald...Steelers have allowed an NFL-low-tying one rushing touchdown... Vikings are tied for the NFL lead in sacks (21) along with the Broncos... Minnesota has committed an NFL-low-tying four turnovers on the season... Steelers kicker Jeff Reed will play despite being cited for public intoxication last Sunday night...Vikings cornerback Antoine Winfield (sprained foot) and wide receiver Percy Harvin (shoulder) questionable for Sunday.
Fast Fact: In his only career start at Pittsburgh (Nov. 9, 1998), Brett Favre completed 22-of-39 passes for 234 yards and an interception in a 27-20 Packers loss to the Steelers.
Prediction: Vikings will not be as focused as they should be thanks to a looming date at Lambeau Field next week. Steelers 24, Vikings 16.
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Indianapolis (5-0) at St. Louis (0-6), Sunday, 1:00 (Indianapolis -13)
Storylines: Safety Bob Sanders (knee) could make his 2009 debut for Indianapolis...Peyton Manning can tie an NFL-record for consecutive 300-yard games with what would be his sixth straight 300-plus performance...Colts are one of four remaining unbeaten NFL teams (Vikings, Broncos, Saints), and Rams are one of three remaining winless teams (Buccaneers, Titans)...Rams still seeking first win of the Steve Spagnuolo era...Rams have lost 16 straight dating back to last season, and are 5-33 in their last 38 games dating back to 2007...Rams are last in NFL scoring offense (9.0 points per game)...St. Louis is one of three NFL teams without a rushing touchdown (Buffalo, Kansas City)... Indianapolis is No. 1 in league passing offense (326 yards per game) and completion percentage (73.5)...Colts have allowed an NFL-low two touchdown passes and a league-low-tying six touchdowns on the year, along with the Broncos...Colts have allowed an NFL-low-tying two sacks...Rams have lost an NFL-high-tying nine fumbles on the year...Colts released defensive tackle Ed Johnson during the bye week...Rams dealt linebacker Will Witherspoon and obtained wide receiver Brandon Gibson in a trade with the Eagles earlier this week.
Fast Fact: The Colts are 0-3 in series road games against the Rams since the then-Baltimore Colts defeated the then-Los Angeles Rams in 1969, and last won in the Gateway City when the then-Baltimore Colts defeated the Cardinals there in 1978.
Prediction: Just a horrible matchup for the Rams, who will have no real answer for Peyton Manning. Colts 47, Rams 14.
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New England (4-2) vs. Tampa Bay (0-6) (London), Sunday, 1:00 (New England -14.5) Storylines: Third NFL regular season game to be held in London...Buccaneers are one of three remaining winless teams (Rams, Titans)...Tampa Bay quarterback Josh Johnson takes his fourth shot at his initial victory as an NFL starter... Buccaneers still seeking first win of Raheem Morris era, and trying to avoid their first 0-7 start since starting the 1985 season 0-9...Buccaneers trying to avoid their first 11-game skid since 1982-83 (including a 1982 playoff loss), and their first 11-game regular season losing streak since finishing their NFL- record 26-game skid in 1976-77...Buccaneers are last in the league in made field goals (2)...Patriots have allowed an NFL-low-tying one rushing touchdown...Patriots have committed a league-low-tying four turnovers...New England released wide receiver and ex-Buc Joey Galloway earlier this week, and wideout Julian Edelman (broken arm) is expected to miss the Tampa Bay contest... Buccaneers placed fullback B.J. Askew on the reserve/non-football injury (NFI) list Tuesday due to neck and back injuries suffered in a car accident, and Earnest Graham will move to fullback.
Fast Fact: Patriots quarterback Tom Brady is 12-0 with 30 touchdown passes and five interceptions in his past 12 regular season games against the NFC.
Prediction: Buccaneers will find a way to avoid total embarrassment in this high-profile setting, but won't do enough to spring the upset. Patriots 30, Buccaneers 20.
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Buffalo (2-4) at Carolina (2-3), Sunday, 4:05 (Carolina -7.5)
Storylines: Panthers seeking a third consecutive victory...Status of Buffalo quarterback Trent Edwards (concussion) unknown for Sunday, and Ryan Fitzpatrick could make his first start as a Bill after leading the team to a 16-13 overtime victory at the Jets in relief of Edwards last week...Bills safeties Donte Whitner and Bryan Scott are questionable for Sunday with ankle injuries... Buffalo is one of three NFL teams without a rushing touchdown (Kansas City, St. Louis)...Panthers have thrown a league-high-tying 11 interceptions...Buffalo is last in NFL rushing defense (181.8 yards per game), is allowing a league-high 5.3 yards per carry and has allowed an NFL-high 10 rushes of 20 yards or longer...Carolina is tied for last in the league in turnover margin (-10)... Panthers traded for ex-Chiefs defensive tackle Tank Tyler earlier this week and released DT Antwon Burton...Carolina will be without safety Dante Wesley, who was suspended by the NFL for one game after being ejected for a vicious hit against Buccaneers punt returner Clifton Smith last week.
Fast Fact: The Bills defeated the Panthers, 30-14, in their only previous trip to the Carolinas in 1998.
Prediction: Panthers really need a crisp performance to silence all their naysayers, and will find an obliging opponent in the battered Bills. Panthers 31, Bills 9.
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N.Y. Jets (3-3) at Oakland (2-4), Sunday, 4:05 (N.Y. Jets -6)
Storylines: Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez has thrown one touchdown pass versus eight interceptions during the team's current three-game losing skid...Running back Darren McFadden (knee) and guard Robert Gallery (broken fibula) expected to remain out for Raiders...Oakland is last in NFL total offense (213.8 yards per game), passing offense (125.3 yards per game), touchdowns scored (5), touchdown passes (2), and completion percentage (46.4)...Oakland kicker Sebastian Janikowski is an NFL-best 9-for-9 on field goals...Raiders' Shane Lechler leads the NFL in gross punting average (52.1) and net average (44.1)...Jets are the only team in the league that has yet to convert a fourth- down (0-for-6)...Jets have thrown an NFL-high-tying 11 interceptions...Jets have recorded an NFL-low-tying five sacks on the year...Raiders wide receiver Chaz Schilens (foot) expected to make his 2009 debut on Sunday...Jets placed defensive tackle Kris Jenkins (knee) on season-ending injured reserve earlier this week, and re-signed DT Howard Green...Oakland cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha (eye) played sparingly in last week's win over the Eagles and is questionable for Sunday.
Fast Fact: Jets running back Thomas Jones (210 rushing yards last week) needs 53 yards against the Raiders to surpass his previous two-game best of 262 rushing yards, set by the then-Chicago Bear in Weeks 2-3 of the 2004 season (vs. Packers, Vikings).
Prediction: Jets will bring the heat against JaMarcus Russell, who still has major trouble withstanding any type of pressure. Jets 20, Raiders 6.
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Atlanta (4-1) at Dallas (3-2), Sunday, 4:15 (Dallas -4)
Storylines: Falcons are a game back of Saints in NFC South as Week 7 begins... Dallas, which leads the league in yards per carry (5.9) and rushes of 20 yards or longer (9), expected to get running back Felix Jones (knee) back after a two-game absence, and wide receiver Roy Williams (ribs) back after he missed one game...Cowboys linebacker Keith Brooking, who spent 11 seasons with Atlanta (1998-2008), faces his former team for the first time...Falcons have allowed an NFL-low-tying two sacks...Cowboys are last in the NFL in interceptions recorded (2)...Starting strong safety Gerald Sensabaugh (broken thumb) is questionable for Dallas...Dallas is tied for last in the league in takeaways (4)...Cowboys wide receiver Miles Austin, who set a Dallas franchise record for receiving yards (250) in the team's win over Kansas City last time out, is expected to replace Patrick Crayton in the starting lineup...Falcons lost starting cornerback Brian Williams for the season with a torn ACL suffered against the Bears last week... Falcons running back Jerious Norwood (hip flexor) considered questionable after leaving last week's 21-14 win over the Bears.
Fast Fact: Fourth-year Cowboys receiver Miles Austin recorded 30.3 percent of his career catches (10 of 33), 36.5 percent of his career receiving yards (210 of 685), and 33.3 percent of his career touchdowns (2 of 6) in Dallas' Week 5 win over the Chiefs, his 42nd career NFL game.
Prediction: Blossoming Falcons will keep the heat on the Saints by forcing one too many Tony Romo mistakes. Falcons 23, Cowboys 22.
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New Orleans (5-0) at Miami (2-3), Sunday, 4:15 (New Orleans -6.5)
Storylines: Saints, who are seeking first 6-0 start since winning their first seven in 1991, are one of four remaining unbeaten teams (Vikings, Broncos, Colts)...Saints quarterback Drew Brees leads the NFL in passer rating (118.4), and New Orleans is No. 1 in NFL total offense (430 yards per game), scoring offense (38.4 points per game), touchdowns scored (25), and is tied for the league lead in rushing touchdowns (9)...Dolphins lead the league in rushing offense (177 yards per game)...Saints are No. 1 in the NFL in turnover margin (+9), takeaways (15), and Miami is tied for last in the league in the latter category (4)....New Orleans safety Darren Sharper leads the league in interceptions (5), interception return yards (275), and touchdowns off of interceptions (2), and Saints are tied for the league lead in picks (11)... Dolphins lead the league in third-down percentage (56.0) and fourth-down conversions (5-of-5)...Saints are allowing opponents to complete a league-low 53.19 percent of their passes, and are the only team in the league that has yet to allow a rush of 20 yards or longer...Miami outside linebacker Matt Roth (groin/illness) could make his 2009 debut on Sunday.
Fast Fact: The Saints are 0-3 all-time in regular season games played in Miami.
Prediction: Dolphins will have a good gameplan for slowing the Saints attack, but the Wildcat won't be effective enough against an underrated New Orleans defense. Saints 21, Dolphins 17.
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Arizona (3-2) at N.Y. Giants (5-1), Sunday, 8:20 (N.Y. Giants -7)
Storylines: Battle between the two most recent NFC champions...Giants, who own a one-and-a-half game lead over the Cowboys and Eagles in the NFC East, trying to bounce back from a 48-27 loss at the Saints last week...Cardinals are tied with 49ers for NFC West lead as Week 7 begins....Giants are No. 1 in NFL total defense (257.7 yards per game) and passing defense (147.3 yards per game)... Cardinals are tied for last in the league in rushing offense (57.6 yards per game)...Arizona is No. 1 in league rushing defense (59.6 yards per game) and is allowing an NFL-low 2.8 yards per rush...Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald is tied for the NFL lead in touchdown catches (5) along with Minnesota's Visanthe Shiancoe...Giants wideout Steve Smith is tied for the NFL lead in receptions (41) along with the Steelers' Hines Ward...Giants kicker Lawrence Tynes leads the league in scoring (64 points) and made field goals (15)..Cardinals wide receiver Anquan Boldin (high ankle sprain) considered questionable after being injured in last week's win over the Seahawks.
Fast Fact: The Giants (48 points allowed last week) last surrendered back-to- back 40-point outings on Dec. 12-19, 1971, when they fell to the Cowboys (42-14) and Eagles (41-28) on consecutive weeks.
Prediction: Giants pass rush will torment old buddy Kurt Warner, and Eli Manning will make some big plays down the field. Giants 28, Cardinals 14.
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Philadelphia (3-2) at Washington (2-4), Monday, 8:30 (Philadelphia -7)
Storylines: Newly-hired offensive consultant Sherm Lewis will call plays for the Redskins after head coach Jim Zorn was stripped of those duties following last week's 14-6 loss to the Chiefs...Quarterback Jason Campbell expected to start for Redskins despite being benched during last week's loss in favor of Todd Collins...Washington tackle Chris Samuels (neck stinger) slated to miss his second straight contest, and defensive end Phillip Daniels (biceps) is questionable to return...Redskins punter Hunter Smith (groin) expected to return after missing the last two weeks...Washington has scored 17 or fewer points in each of its first six games...Eagles are tied for the league lead in interceptions (11)...Redskins signed left tackle Levi Jones (ex-Bengals) and running back Quinton Ganther (ex-Titans), re-signed defensive end Renaldo Wynn and released punter Glenn Pakulak and running backs Anthony Alridge and Marcus Mason earlier this week...Eagles left tackle Jason Peters (knee) expected to play after leaving in the first quarter of last week's loss to the Raiders... Eagles linebacker Omar Gaither (sprained foot) regarded as questionable.
Fast Fact: The Eagles (9 points scored last week) were last held under 10 points in back-to-back outings on Sept. 19-26, 1999, when they fell to the Buccaneers (19-5) and Bills (26-0) on consecutive weeks.
Prediction: Eagles aren't about to lose to NFL laughingstocks on back-to-back weeks. Eagles 27, Redskins 10.
