Week 5 Thursday Night Pick

Six takeaways from Week 4.

1 - NFC East 2013 = NFC West 2010

Does anybody even want to win this division? The Cowboys could have given themselves a two game lead had they won in San Diego last week, but they didn't. Instead they let the Redskins and the Eagles, who have lost three in a row, back in the division at 1-3. Hell, even the Giants, who have been brutal so far aren't necessarily dead just yet. I feel like I keep saying the Cowboys should be able to get to nine or ten wins but who knows anymore. If they lose to the Broncos Sunday, every team will be under .500. Eight wins might be all you need to win the East.

2 - The Bengals aren't exactly the Bungals but they are kind of close

The Bengals are arguably the most talented team in the AFC North but it just seems like they can't put it all together. The lost in Chicago week one (not a horrible loss), then they beat the Steelers and Packers at home so it looked like they were on their way to taking control of the division. And then they lay an egg against the Browns. 6 points? I know the Browns have some momentum going but come on Bengals. You have to win that game if you are the class of the North. I kind of expect the Bengals to be like this all year now. One week great. One week horrible.

3 - I hope the Brownies win the AFC North

Two weeks ago the Browns were finished. They traded Trent Richardson and everyone had them buried. But since then they beat the Vikings and the Bengals. Now they play the Bills at home tonight with a real chance to go 3-2. Which might be good enough for first place after this week since the Bengals play the Patriots and the Ravens go to Miami. Frankly it would make me smile if the Ravens and Bengals both miss out on the playoffs while the Steelers are finishing in the basement. So lets go Browns (That's a first).

4 - Peyton Manning is amazing in the regular season

16 touchdowns, zero interceptions, the Broncos score 40 something points a week, blah, blah, blah. I'm tired of Peyton in the regular season honestly. The Broncos are going to the playoffs and Peyton might break some records but I don't care. We all know how amazing he is during the regular season. I just want to see him in the playoffs again. Because no matter how great his season is, if they lose at home in their first playoff game again, the Broncos season will be a failure. So the next 12 Broncos game are meaningless to me, their 17th game will be the first one that matters.

5 - The Texans need a new QB

If Matt Schaub doesn't throw the horrible pick six to Richard Sherman in the fourth quarter, the Texans beat the Seahawks. You cannot make that throw in that situation. I'm not saying Schaub is an awful quarterback, he's obviously better than most, but I don't think he has the ability to take the Texans any farther than they have already been. The Texans might get back into the playoffs but they aren't a threat to do any damage in the AFC with him at the helm.


6 - When did Big Ben become horrible?

I know the Steelers have a lot of problems. On Sunday they couldn't tackle anybody. But Big Ben arguably cost them the game. The past two weeks he's thrown for 789 yards but he's also turned the ball over six times (4 INT's and 2 fumbles). The key turnover last week was the Chad Greenway interception. They were down 27-17 in the third and Big Ben basically handed the Vikings another seven points. Then he fumbled on third and goal at the end of the game (that was mostly due to the offensive line not blocking anyone) but the point is, is that Big Ben ain't what he used to be. I realize he might not have the same talent around him and the offensive line is bad, but it was bad in 2010 when he took the Steelers to the Super Bowl. I'm not blaming Todd Haley and their relationship...well actually I am. It's all Todd Haley's fault. Once he took over as the O.C. last year Big Ben changed. Ben is now what Philip Rivers was when Norv Turner was the head coach of the Chargers. If the Steelers finish the year with ten losses or more, Haley better be gone.


Thursday Night Pick

Browns 24, Bills 14 ---  The Bills surprised me last week by circling the wagons against the Ravens but it was a home. The Bills are only 0-1 on the road but the loss to the Jets makes me think they are a different away from Buffalo. Plus the Brownies are coming off a nice win against the Bengals. I think they keep the momentum going and get their third straight win.

P.S. Josh Gordon and Jordan Cameron, have a big night for me.