These are the picks for the 2005 season. Bold represents the team selected to win. Games in red represent the Upset of the Week. At the bottom, The weekly and overall records for the season appear at the bottom. These picks are based purely on winners and losers with no consideration from the spread. The spread is only used to determine upsets for the Upset of the Week.
By now, we've all seen the play. With a four-point lead, San Diego brought in their field goal unit in hopes of extending their lead to seven. But the 40-yard Nate Keading attempt was blocked by Quintin Mikell. Danny Ware scooped up the ball off of a near-perfect bounce, and raced 65 yards for a touchdown. All in all, not a bad play, for a rookie.
It isn't easy joining an NFL team and becoming a valuable contributor upon arrival. Sometimes you're a chosen one with expectations. Others fall into important roles as the season unfolds. But if you get in the game, you better produce. These first year players have:
All along the plan was for RB Carnell Williams to be the starter. And when handed the rock, he started his career with three straight 100-plus games, fueling Tampa Bay's 5-1 start. Williams has missed some time with a foot injury, but it won't be long before "Cadillac" has the pedal to the metal again...Accelerating into his starting role is Caddy's college teammate, Ronnie Brown. In three of his last four games, the thunder to Williams' lightening when they played together at Auburn University, Brown gained more than 95 yards...Wrestling carries away from San Diego's LaDanian Tomlinson is nearly impossible, but that's not stopping Darren Sproles from being a factor. With a strong Charger history of third down backs preceding him (Ronnie Harmon and Terrell Fletcher), Sproles can generate big plays off draws and screens. He's also proven kickoff and punt returner. His kickoff return average is fifth among returners with 15 or more returns.
Running backs wouldn't be much of anything if it wasn't for the men blocking in front. That's been part of the job for guard Logan Mankins. He started from game one and held his own on the league's third-ranked New England offense. Not known for his pass blocking, Mankins helps protect QB Tom Brady's back, as Brady leads the league in passing yards...The other man responsible for Brady's blindside is Nick Kaczur. He was a reserve O-lineman, but moved up to left tackle, replacing an injured Matt Light...former Patriots quarterback Drew Bledsoe is thankful for the play of Rob Petitti. He's earned the trust of the veteran passer, but more importantly head coach Bill Parcells.
He's a part-time blocker, but Pittsburgh drafted him for his hands. TE Heath Miller's role is expanding as he learns the Steelers offense and improves his blocking. Pittsburgh has a history of great tight ends and Miller has a chance to have his name added to the list.
One of the bigger stories going into the season was teams switching to 3-4 defenses. Helping with the transition in Dallas is LB DeMarcus Ware. A college DE, Ware is making an impact in his new role, already with four sacks...Another in-transition LB is Shawn Merriman. He's not starting for the Chargers, yet, but his aggressive play is drawing attention...So is the play of D.J. Johnson, Kansas City's first round pick. Though not a pass rusher, Johnson's sideline-to-sideline speed enables him to make plays all over the field. He's part of a improved Chiefs defense with a bright future ahead...Also part of a defensive resurgence is MLB Odell Thurman. He's shown maturity in the middle of a Cincinnati defense that leads the league in turnovers...Similar compliments have been made about Lofa Taitupu. He manned the middle for national champion University of Southern California and quickly assumed the same position for Seattle.
Minnesota at Carolina - W
Say what you want about 'Lina and their passing offense being one-sided. Receiver Steve Smith has 43 percent of the receiving yards and seven out of eleven touchdown catches. The team is 4-2 with the two-man game. Expect the Panthers to keep on winning, as the Vikings have trouble defending singular stars.
Green Bay at Cincinnati - W
The Packers injury report should be sponsored by Destiny's Child's hit song "No, no, no": No Najeh Davenport. No Javon Walker. No Ahman Green. No way the keep up with the Bengals.
Arizona at Dallas - W
Was that a Bledsoe flashback to 2000 or was it just me? It looked like his last days with New England complete with forced passes and no protection. But even on his worst days, Bledsoe is able to put the team on his shoulders and carry the Patriots, um, Cowboys past the lesser teams like the Cardinals.
Chicago at Detroit - W
The Lions is now Jeff Garcia's team. But he has to stay healthy and remain on the field to keep it. To preserve him, cushioned soft spots were built into the Ford Field turf so when Garcia runs and dives, he doesn't take hard falls. But the Bears defense will beat up Garcia since they have the speed to catch him. Chicago outlasts Detroit.
Cleveland at Houston - W
Imagine this. Houston is yet to have a lead at any moment of any game this year. Never ahead by a touchdown, a field goal, not even by a safety. Despite all that, they are favored to win this week. If Vegas can believe in them, so can I. I'll risk it with the Texans.
Miami at New Orleans - W
Being down on your luck is one thing. But is the world out to get the Saints? How could the officials miss the reception by Ernie Conwell? Makes one think there might be a conspiracy going on. If Whitey Bulger is one of the refs, you know something's up. Nothing on the D-L with this Dolphins win.
Washington at New York Giants - W
The son of Archie and the little brother of Peyton showed the rest of the league how much he has grown up with that final drive for the winning score. With a performance like that, Eli is his own Man-ning. The Giants quarterback of the present and future will further establish himself, directing New York to another hard-earned victory.
Jacksonville at St. Louis - L
I thought Mike Martz wasn't supposed to not coach this past Sunday? He took offense at not being allowed to call in a play to the offensive coordinator while he was recuperating away from the game. What's next, calling under an alias? Suggestions by Kim Treamz won't be enough as the Jaguars snuff the Rams.
Oakland at Tennessee - W
Oakland spent all that money on RB LaMont Jordan. It took them seven weeks to finally get their money's worth. Using Jordan as opposed to deep throws to wide out Randy Moss is like comparing a paycheck to hitting the lottery: You won't get big pay days (long touchdowns), but you will get your money (drives for scores). The Raiders cash-in.
Kansas City at San Diego - L
Chargers running back LaDanian Tomlinson won't have another day like the seven yard performance last week. The strategy to spring him free will be runs in Greg Wesley's direction, the K.C. safety now infamous for being trucked by Miami RB Ronnie Brown on his way to a 65-yard run. L.T. will get his, but the Chiefs will come out on top for the Upset of the Week.
Philadelphia at Denver - W
Philly passes the ball an unbelievable 74 percent of the time. That's probably at the heart of the contract impasse between the team and RB Brian Westbrook. He wants top money for his position. Coach Andy Reid thinks of Westbrook more like an undersized guard. The one-dimensional attack won't fly in Denver as the Broncos clip the Eagles' wings.
Tampa Bay at San Francisco - L
Ken Dorsey will be under center for SF, though not by choice. Quarterback Alex Smith is unable to go. Tim Rattay was traded a week earlier. No one is left besides Dorsey, and maybe before this game against T.B. is over, Dorsey won't be an option as well. The Buccaneers bring the pain.
Buffalo at New England - W
While all of New England waits to see if linebacker Tedy Bruschi can play and make a positive difference for the defense, they know he can't turn around the D on his own. Maybe the Diet Pepsi Machine can successfully switch to defense. With or without the mentioned pair, the Patriots bottle up the Bills.
Baltimore at Pittsburgh - Monday Night - W
OK, here's Baltimore's situation. They go into Pittsburgh with the 25th ranked offense and take on the eighth best defense. And the Ravens will do so possibly without one of their two best defensive players, maybe both, unable to play. If they think they can win, they better get Geico. The Steelers crush the Ravens.
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Super Bowl XL