Week 9 Preview

Waiver Winners
This week the Tennessee Titans and Buffalo Bills got some significant upgrades due to waivers.  I blogged about how Moss will help the Titans and after having a few days to reflect on the acquisition I've changed my mind just a bit.  I thought that the Titans would finish 3rd in their division and miss the playoffs, but now i believe Moss will be enough to help the Titans stay ahead of the Houston Texans and quite possibly overtake the Indianapolis Colts to take down the AFC South. 
The Buffalo Bills got an upgrade on defense which may actually help them win a game this year.  Shawne Merriman was put on waivers by the San Diego Changers after not playing a single down with the team this season.  Despite Merriman's performance dropping for the past couple years he is still only 26 years old and still should have a lot left in the tank.  Although Buffalo still doesn't have a shot at the playoffs and chances are Merriman will not return to the team next year but at least ticket sales will see a rise for the rest of the season.

Predictions
New York (A) over Detroit
Atlanta over Tampa Bay
Chicago over Buffalo
Minnesota over Arizona
New Orleans over Carolina
Baltimore over Miami
Oakland over Kansas City
Indianapolis over Philadelphia
Green Bay over Dallas
Pittsburgh over Cincinnati

Upset Specials
Cleveland over New England
Seattle over New York(N)

Power rankings
1) Pittsburgh Steelers
2) Baltimore Ravens
3) New York Giants
4) New York Jets
5) New England Patriots

Week 5 Preview

Welcome Back...
Week 5 is a week of reunions throughout the NFL. Three strong teams are welcoming back key players to make the rich even richer.  The Houston Texans (3-1) welcome back last years Defensive Rookie of the Year, Brian Cushing after he was suspended for the first four games for violating the leagues performance-enhancing substance policy.  Cushing last year was Houston's leading tackler and the Texans couldn't be happier to get him back.  This year Houston's defense is currently ranked 32nd in yards allowed per game and rank 25th in scoring defense.

The New York Jets get back Super Bowl MVP Santonio Holmes after a 4 game suspension for violating the leagues substance abuse policy and will complete the Jets potent passing game that has featured deep threat receiver Braylon Edwards, possession receiver Jerricho Cotchery (who has yet to be a factor this year) and the emergence of Tight End Dustin Keller .  The Jets already look strong winning 3 straight games and taking first place in the AFC East by beating New England and Miami.  The Jets host the Minnesota Vikings on Monday night in the Meadowlands . 

The Pittsburgh Steelers looked like the team to beat in the AFC entering last week before their last second loss to AFC North rival Baltimore Ravens.  Its important to point out that the Steelers had started their 4th string Quarterback; Charlie Batch for 2 games before they got back starting Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger.  Roethlisberger returns to action after being suspended for the first 4 weeks after the allegations of sexual-harassment at a Georgia nightclub this summer; his suspension was reduced from 6 to 4 for "good behavior".  The Steelers have a bye this week which gives "Big Ben" more time to get back into rhythm before they play division rival Cleveland. 

Week 5 Predictions 

Jacksonville over Buffalo
Cincinnati over Tampa Bay
Atlanta over Cleveland
St. Louis over Detroit
Green Bay over Washington
Chicago over Carolina
Baltimore over Denver
Houston over New York
New Orleans over Arizona
Tennessee over Dallas
Philadelphia over San Fransisco
New York Jets over Minnesota

Upset Specials of the Week

Kansas City over Indianapolis
Oakland over San Diego

NFL Power Rankings thru Week 5

5) New Orleans Saints
4) Green Bay Packers
3) New York Jets
2) Pittsburgh Steelers
1) Baltimore Ravens