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PREVIEW

Both teams entered this season as major contenders and heavy favorites to reach the Super Bowl. Mid-way through the season, it’s not looking so good anymore. While the Packers still own the top spot in the NFC North, they have been dealing with a bevy of injuries. The Cowboys who will be hosting the big game, came apart early and never managed to right the ship. Sitting at the bottom of the NFC East at 1-6, the only thing Dallas fans are looking forward to is a new coach.

The Cowboys haven’t lost 5 in a row since 1997. They are going to avoid matching that record today with John Kitna at QB. After Romo went down last week, he played fairly well all things considered. Wade Phillips, who miraculously still has a job, went back to the basics in practice this week. Rather than focusing on a game plan, he put his team through rigorous drills. Offensively this team has a lot of weapons but lack a coach who can call the right plays. On the defensive side of the ball, which is supposed to be the head coach’s specialty, they have struggled — Giving up 33+ points over the 4 game losing streak. This week things don’t get easier, the Packers posted the first shut out of the NFL season last week and if Kitna can’t get the ball moving down field, it will be another long night at the office.

The Packers are still very much in the post season discussions. They have lost some key players but other guys have stepped up to keep them atop the division. They will miss Donald Driver this week but it is just another chance for someone else to step up to fill the holes. Rodgers was an early MVP candidate but now his 9 INT’s look pretty ugly. He will see the blitz early and often today and needs to avoid racking up the negative yardage. Packers have struggled offensively at times, but it’s their defense that gives them a chance to win each game. Posting a shut out last week, the Packers are 3rd best in the NFL when it comes to sacks and interceptions. That should get better tonight playing against a tentative John Kitna.

Prediction: Green Bay has a favorable line in this one seeing that Romo is out (-7). I got the Packers to win it and they should cover as well. As for the Over/Under, I am going with my gut feeling and the Under 46.

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PREVIEW

A division rivalry with tons of storylines. Perfect for a Sunday Night face off in front of a national audience.

The Vikings stumbled out the gates to start the season. They sit at 2-3 and no one is talking about the product on the field. Favre has been in the news for all the wrong reasons and has yet to develop chemistry with his receivers. Randy Moss’ arrival has been underwhelming but there is still time to right the ship. In his first time back at Lambeau, Favre came out on top but I expect to hear louder boo’s tonight. The main thing is protect the ball. Hampered by a sore elbow, Favre has thrown 7 INT’s this season already matching last years total. When he isn’t throwing INT’s, Farve is always a prime candidate for the Sack. The Vikings need to use moss as a threat down field and balance it with the running game of Peterson.

The Packers have their own issues to worry about. Hit hard by the injury bug, this team has to make adjustments on the fly. Once Super bowl favorites, the Packers come into this one trying to avoid losing 3 in a row. Hoping to have some of their injured players return, the Packers will be led by QB Aaron Rodgers. Missing RB Grant and TE Finley has proven to be difficult for the Packers offense. With just 3 touchdowns over the last 2 games, Green Bay needs to find some other guys ready to produce. The defense has looked ok and should be able to pressure Favre all night. Expect atleast 1 INT and a score by the D will go a long way tonight.

Prediction: Favre returning to Green Bay is always emotional. I am going against the grain tonight. Got the Vikings +3 and taking the UNDER (o/u 44)

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PREVIEW

After sitting through some blowouts on Sunday, tonight’s game comes loaded with probably the most compelling storyline to date this season. Brett Favre may not be shouting it from the tree tops, but if there was one game he had marked off on his calendar when he signed with the Vikings it was this one. And don’t think Aaron Rodgers is going to just sit back and let this be the Favre show either. He wants to show the fans and the front office that he is still the right guy for the job in Green Bay.

Last week, Favre led his team to a win in a thrilling game that ended with one shot to the endzone. The catch was overshadowed by the throw, but that’s just the way it goes when Brett Favre is on your team. Even though, once again he became the story of the game, playing on the Vikings gives him a luxury that most QB’s don’t have – Adrian Peterson. Peterson, arguably the best RB in the game will get a chance to do a lot of the damage tonight breaking through the weaker Packer line.

The Packers are not talked about much but aside from the ugly loss to the Bengals, they have managed to hold their own. Aaron Rodgers completed 13-of-23 passes for 269 yards including big plays down the field to Greg Jennings and Donald Driver. The Packers D is going to have a much bigger challenge tonight after giving up a lot to the hapless Rams.

Everyone watching the game will be focused on the Brett Favre drama but the main advantage the Vikings have in this one is Peterson. Favre will have his moments, but I don’t think he will be the primary reason the Vikings get the win tonight.

Minnesota Vikings Prediction (11-5): *Sigh* I can’t believe I am talking about Brett Favre again! Minnesota took a gamble with this move but it will pay off over the course of the season. They have arguably the most explosive RB in the league in Peterson, add in the arm of Favre and its sure to notch a few extra wins. This division will be hard fought but the Vikings should be the team strutting into the post-season.
Chicago Bears Prediction (9-7): Jay Cutler may have an attitude but he is also one of the best young QB’s in the league – good thing for the Bears is, he plays for them now. If Matt Forte has another productive year, an upgraded O line and the thoughts of Cutler looking down field to Devin Hester have me excited to watch this team (yes Cutler is on my FF team as well so there is added incentive for him to succeed).
Green Bay Packers Prediction (8-8): Tough break for the Packers, they are good but their division got a lot better. They have a new defensive scheme in place this season which calls for adjustments, but it had to be done since it was the weak spot for them last year. Rogers is a sound QB and if he can elevate his game, it should keep the Packers in the division race though the season.
Detroit Lions Prediction (3-13): The Lions probably aren’t winning anything more than the #1 draft pick in the 2010. Rookie coach Jim Schwartz has a daunting task ahead of him and if he can direct the team to notch a few wins, that in itself should be considered a success.

Philadelphia Eagles Prediction (12-4): Its the toughest division in football and the Eagles made some major waves by signing Michael Vick. People may think I am bias here, but this team did make it to the conference championship game last year and the core offense has improved. They lost some major contributors on the defensive end, but with new defensive coordinator running similar stuff to what Jim Johnson used to, they should be fine. As for Vick, I was not a proponent of the move but don’t see him factoring in as much as people think once the season gets under way.
Dallas Cowboys Prediction (11-5): Last year was supposed to be “THE” year… well with the Cowboys that seems to be the story every year. They lost several marquee players and this is now Tony Romo’s team. With T.O gone and Jessica Simpson discarded off, all eyes are on Romo to see if he can finally deliver. The way this division is looking, its going to be a last man standing battle to the end.
New York Giants Prediction (9-7): This team was smooth sailing until Plax gone shot himself in the leg last season. Plaxico may be gone but they still have one Eli Manning who can do wonders with the ball. Insert Osi Umenyiora (missed 2008 with a knee injury), a workhorse in Brandon Jacobs and a lock down defensive unit the Giants look like they can topple any of the teams ahead of them.
Washington Redskins Prediction (8-8): Even the last place team in this division should finish around .500. Jim Zorn’s success goes hand in hand with how Jason Campbell performs. After a blazing start last season the team came back to reality and will probably remain there. In any other division this is a team good enough to make the playoffs.

New Orleans Saints Prediction (11-5): This team goes as their offense does and though Reggie Bush has yet to deliver the goods, they still have one of the best QB’s who can rack up the yards along with a good receiving core. The last few seasons, the defense and play on the road has let the team down, but in this division I don’t see them letting go of the top spot.
Carolina Panthers Prediction (9-7): They come in looking the same as last year but probably wont get to repeat their performance and win the division. A favorable schedule and no major injuries helped them, but if they see more performances from QB Delhomme like they did in the playoffs (6 turnovers against the Cardinals), they will be not be on the field in January.
Atlanta Falcons Prediction (8-8): They were the surprise team to many with their run to the playoffs last season. I struggled to put them 3rd in this division but the possibility of Matt Ryan falling into a sophomore slump, the defense failing to improve and a much tougher schedule has me doubting that this team is legit. It does help that Ryan has Tony Gonzalez as an option on the field but that may not be enough.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Prediction (5-11): Another team in full rebuilding mode. They will have the chance to bring along rookie QB Josh Freeman, restructure a once great defensive unit and hope that Cadillac Williams can bounce back from lingering injury issues.

Arizona Cardinals Prediction (10-6): The Cardinals lost (both coordinators) more than they gained this off-season. Good thing they still have Fitzgerald, because with a similar offensive scheme as last year, even an older Kurt Warner can keep this team winning. Add on a good looking rookie RB and this is still the team to beat in this division.
Seattle Seahawks Prediction (8-8): A healthy Hasselbeck and the addition of T.J Houshmandzadeh could make it hard for the Card’s to control this division. The thing that could help the Seahawks push past, is if their health holds up and the defense steps up to the challenge.
San Francisco 49′ers Prediction (6-10): Drama once again surrounds this team as rookie daft pick, Michael Crabtree is threatening to hold out for the season. Not to mention the starting QB job is still not set. Coach Singletary had a rough task last season but they managed to finish strong. Even if the defense improves, the key to their season will be in how they come out of the gates.
St. Louis Rams Prediction (4-12): I don’t really have much to say about this team except that their fans will have to endure another losing season. They did manage to pick up some solid contributors in the draft but its going to take time for the whole vision to come together.