If you root for the Washington Redskins, you've got to feel good about your team over the next three weeks.
Coming off back-to-back NFC East wins over Dallas and Philadelphia, the Redskins have home games against the winless St. Louis Rams and the currently 1-3 Cleveland Browns, then a trip to the winless Detroit Lions. It would be a surprise if Washington is anything but 7-1 heading into its Monday night battle with Pittsburgh on Monday night, Nov. 3 at FedEx Field.
The Steelers come off their bye week with a trip to winless Cincinnati on Oct. 19. After that, the schedule gets brutal: home against the Giants, at Washington, home against Indianapolis and home against San Diego. Cincinnati comes calling for a Thursday night game, followed by a trip to New England and a home game against Dallas.
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Under coach Andy Reid, the Eagles have been a pass-first team that also runs the ball effectively. Just twice in Reid's nine seasons in Philadelphia have the Eagles averaged fewer than 4.3 yards a carry, 1999 and 2005, both losing seasons. This season, the Eagles are averaging 3.5 yards a carry.
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Here's hoping Jim Haslett, Indiana University of Pennsylvania's most famous football alum, can stem the losing in St. Louis. Haslett's first move as head coach was to undo Scott Linehan's desperation move of replacing Mark Bulger as starting quarterback. I got to know Haslett during our days at IUP and I've followed his career with interest. He's a good guy. Here's hoping the Rams respond and win a few games.
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The Miami Dolphins have gone from NFL doormat to the team nobody wants to play in one season. The Dolphins have been running out of the Wildcat formation, where the running back takes a direct snap from center. They've beaten New England and San Diego and are a legitimate playoff contender in the AFC East.
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"We're the bad boys of football. They're (the officials) always going to look at us like that because of the physical style of football that we play." -- Terrell Suggs, Baltimore Ravens linebacker.
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The four new head coaches in the NFL are having varying degrees of success. Jim Zorn in Washington, Tony Sparano in Miami, John Harbaugh in Baltimore and Mike Smith in Atlanta. The four teams combined are 11-7.
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Sunday's NFL television schedule.
This week's picks:
Eagles @ 49ers (Eagles favored by 5), 4:15 p.m. Sunday: The Eagles run defense has for the most part been dominant this season save for being gashed by the Redskins. They should be able to control the game if they can control Frank Gore and make the 49ers one-dimensional. Bryan Westbrook will be playing hurt, the Eagles need a significant contribution out of him because the 49ers can score. Eagles 31, 49ers 24.
Bengals @ Jets (Jets favored by 6) 1 p.m. Sunday: The Jets come in rested after a bye week. The Bengals gave the Cowboys a game Sunday until the fourth quarter and have played better on the road than at home. The Jets are vulnerable in the secondary, giving up 284.5 yards per game. Jets 31, Bengals 27.
Giants @ Browns (Giants favored by 7 1/2) 8:30 p.m. Monday: The Giants scored at will Sunday against Seattle and there's no reason to believe they can't do the same against the Browns, who are in desperation mode. The Giants have an 11-game road winning streak. Donte Stallworth is expected to return to the Browns lineup and will give them the complimentary receiver they've lacked all season. Giants 37, Browns 24.
Patriots @ Chargers (Chargers favored by 5 1/2) 8:15 p.m. Sunday: This game is a rematch of the AFC Championship game. A lot has changed since then. New England's all-everything quarterback Tom Brady is out for the year. The Chargers are 2-3. The Patriots stayed on the West Coast this week after beating San Francisco. Will the strategy backfire? This is a must-win game for the Chargers. Chargers 24, Patriots 14.
Last week, 2-2 against the spread; 9-9 for the season.
Other games: Bears 23, Falcons 17; Texans 24, Dolphins 23; Ravens 17, Colts 13; Vikings 30, Lions 14; Saints 28, Raiders 21; Bucs 24, Panthers 17; Redskins 34, Rams 14 (BEST BET); Jaguars 27, Broncos 26; Cowboys 34, Cardinals 24; Packers 34, Seahawks 27.
