Week 10 Preview

It’s the Packers’ week off, and it seems to have come at a very good time.  It seems to me that there is something ideal anyway about getting your bye right near the halfway point in the season.  On top of that, we are clearly dinged up and in need of the extra time to heal.  And, in addition to the theoretical and the physical merits of a Week 10 bye, the emotional timing is also favorable.  We are coming off of a 4-game win streak, and so we don’t have to languish for an extra week with a bitter taste in our mouths.  Plus, 4 of our next 5 games will be within the Division, which means that everything is won or lost in this stretch run after our bye.

For now, though, we get to sit back and watch the other guys knock heads.  And some of the contests on tap are really quite interesting.

More and more eyes are trained on the Atlanta Falcons as they flirt with perfection.  They certainly don’t seem as dominant to me as the 2011 Packers were, and we got tripped up.  I doubt that Atlanta will make it to 16-0, therefore.  Still, the record makes each of their games that much more interesting, including this week’s visit to the division-rival, down-on-their-luck New Orleans Saints.  The Falcons are clearly the better, more balanced team.  Still, Drew Brees and that offense can keep New Orleans in any game, and I like the possibilities that come with the Saints playing at home against a division foe.

Another match-up of division rivals is scheduled in Philadelphia, where the struggling Eagles will host the struggling Cowboys.  This is one of those games that has a must-win feel to it on both sidelines.  Add to that the rivalry elements and the soap opera qualities of both teams, and it promises to be quite a game.

And speaking of soap operas, I give you the New York Jets.  They’ve been in the headlines a lot this past week, but not for any truly good reason.  There’s always a lot of talk coming out of the Jets, and a fair amount of talk about the Jets, as well.  Now they have to travel cross-country to take on the 5-4 Seahawks, which will be a tough defense against which Sanchez will try to prove that he’s still the man.  Plus, there is the added challenge of going up against his old coach.  Tough stuff and a fascinating game.

Meanwhile, within our own Division, there are two games, and they’re both really good. 

On Sunday afternoon, the 5-4 Vikings will host the 4-4 Lions.  This season’s performances notwithstanding, I am frankly more afraid of the Lions’ capacity to make a run during the last half of the year, and so I’ll be reluctantly pulling for Minnesota.  I won’t be pulling hard, though, for either outcome works for me.  One or the other will be knocked down another peg below the Packers, and that suits me just fine.

And then there are the Bears.  They have been feasting on bad teams for weeks now, and making quite a name for themselves while doing it.  This week, however, they will finally have to face a worthy opponent.  And, frankly, I expect them to get embarrassed. 

And it will happen on national TV, at that, for the Texans at Chicago is the Sunday Night match-up this week.  Excellent!  I know that the Bears defense has earned quite a reputation this year, but I like Matt Schaub’s chances against it.  And, on the other side, I expect Houston’s defense to completely flummox – and likely flatten – Jay Cutler.

Perhaps this is all wishful thinking on my part, but I’m looking for the Bears to stink it up at home this week.  And then they won’t have any time to lick their wounds before they have to go out to San Francisco on Monday Night Football, to be publicly humiliated once again. 

I say the emperor in Chicago has no clothes.  And I think their next two opponents will be pointing it out to the world.

So the game-of-the-week in Week 10 is clearly Sunday evening’s Football Night in America match-up.  NBC has to love their draw for this week: two 7-1 teams going at it in prime time. 

Do you suppose that anyone will think to mention the “1” that they have in common?