It was just a couple of years ago that the Indianapolis Colts were flirting with a perfect season late in December. Many questioned the coach’s choice to abandon the effort for perfection in favor of protection.
How long ago must that seem for Indy fans today?! The 0-5 Colts head to Cincinnati to play the Bengals. They’d better get their first win this week, for the following week they’ll be in New Orleans on Sunday Night Football!
The second of three winless teams, the 0-4 Miami Dolphins, have to play the Jets in New York on Monday Night Football. Miami is rested, but New York is a frustrated 2-3, and you get the feeling that the Jets are going to be grumpy. I think the Dolphins drop to 0-5.
Meanwhile, the final remaining winless team is the 0-4 Rams, and they (along with their baseball neighbors) are coming to Wisconsin this Sunday. The Rams play the undefeated Packers in what is probably the greatest mismatch of the weekend. As I mentioned going into our game against the Broncos, I don’t worry about this team having a mental or intensity letdown against an inferior opponent. I think they’re a businesslike squad, and I’m confident they’ll take care of business at home.
Elsewhere, the one-time “dream team” is 1-4 and coming off a huge loss to the Bills. Their hosts, meanwhile, are the 3-1 Redskins, who are coming off a bye. Doesn’t look good for Philly fans.
Meanwhile, there’s a fascinating match-up in the NFC South. Only one game separates the Panthers and Falcons. The former is garnering a lot of attention because of their (overrated) QB. The latter was a popular Super Bowl pick going into the season, but they’re third in their own division, and a loss to the visiting Panthers would put them at the bottom of the NFC South.
The Sunday Night Football game this week should be an interesting one for us as the Bears host the Vikings. As with the Panther-Falcon match-up, there’s only one game separating these two, and the loser comes out of the week at the bottom of the NFC North. I think the Bears are better, but the Vikings have been productive in every game so far, including a real offensive explosion last Sunday against the Cardinals.
But the best game of the week is the 4-1 49ers’ visit to Detroit. I’m rooting for San Francisco, of course, and I’m actually hopeful about their chances. I heard Colin Cowherd analyzing this match-up briefly on Friday, and he feels that it’s a 21-20 game one way or the other.
I’m getting tired of Detroit’s Cinderella story, and I’m impatient for someone to play a full 60 minutes against them. No quarterback that looks so much like a grown-up Bobby Brady can be a real superstar. In the meantime, though, I am taking out my frustration with the Lions by rooting against the Wolverines (How ‘bout them Spartans!) and the Tigers (Go Rangers!).
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