(Will the Patriots end Denver’s fast start?)
After getting the unbelievable chance to watch the legendary Brett Favre defeat his old team, and send his former bosses and back-up quarterback to the depths of mediocrity, week five has a lot to live-up to.
And quite frankly, it will be damn near impossible.
Even before the Vikings handed the Packers an emotional loss, the Patriots and Ravens gave us an intense match. We also saw the the Giants, Saints, and Colts take their expected leaps to 4-0, while we saw the previously un-phased Mark Sanchez exposed as, well, a rookie.
And then there’s the unlikely story of the undefeated Denver Broncos. And for a role reversal, their departed golden boy, Jay Cutler, and his 3-1 start with the Chicago Bears.
So, with each week bringing a new tale to tell, a new dominant fantasy performer, and raising the bar for the following week, we indulge in the current week. Week four, eat your heart out.
5. Will the Real Bengals Please Stand-up?
Cincinnati has already taken care of business against Pittsburgh and Green Bay, and while they barely got past the lowly Cleveland Browns last week, they can still say they are one luck Brandon Stokely touchdown away from being undefeated.
The Ravens, like the Bengals, march into this contest at 3-1, with their only loss coming to the 3-1 New England Patriots. In all likelihood, an improved passing game and their smash-mouth running game will be too much for the Bengals, even though Cincinnati’s defense is much-improved.
It’s hard not to like the Bengals up-start, but it’s even harder to pick them against Baltimore, who looks more and more every week as a potential Super Bowl threat.
Cincinnati, you’re good, but you’re not that good.
Fantasy Perspective: Most of the Bengals should be hands-off against the Ravens, but I can see a good amount of success for Carson Palmer and Chad Ochocinco. The Ravens should easily shut-down Cedric Benson, who is battling injury, anyways, and their strong rush attack should do the rest.
4. How Will Braylon Edwards Fare in His Jets Debut on Monday Night?
You might be surprised to hear it, but this writer is vouching for Edwards as a solid WR3 (and maybe better) in week five.
He’s making his Jets debut in front of the nation, and quite possible as Mark Sanchez’s number one receiver. Jerricho Cotchery is hurting with a bad hammy, and with Chansi Stuckey now a Cleveland Brown, Edwards will be thrust into action.
And considering his last Monday Night showing was a huge 100+ yard and one touchdown performance against the New York Giants last year, the optimism should be there. Let’s just say the lights bring out the best of Edwards.
Fantasy Perspective: If I didn’t make it clear: start him. That is, unless you have very dependable options like the Giants Steve Smith, Jacksonville’s Mike Sims-Walker, or Hines Ward already positioned as a fine WR3. If you’re one of those guys clinging to the hopes that Michael Crabtree’s debut is worthy of a WR3 start, however, think again, and go with Edwards.
3. Can Tony Romo Get Back on Track Against Kansas City?
God, I hope so. But in all reality, I also think so, as well. The Chiefs can’t do anything right on either side of the ball, and while Romo hasn’t been himself for the past three weeks, this is the best possible stage for him to turn the passing game around.
However, Romo has arguably only put-in two elite quarters through the entire season, and if his running game isn’t it’s usual effective self on Sunday, he could struggle trying to carry the team on his own.
He was fairly unspectacular last week, especially late in the game, and with Roy Williams likely out for Sunday’s contest, the odds keep piling up against Romo.
But, come on, folks. The guy is facing the Chiefs. Their corners are slow as molasses, and Romo still has a killer rush offense and his favorite boy, Jason Witten.
Fantasy Perspective: Take the plunge and believe. Romo hasn’t done diddly since week one, but he looks good for a go against a pass defense that has made kings out of Joe Flacco, Kevin Kolb, and Eli Manning. Trust in the KC defense to stink it up once again.
2. Which Win-less Team Will Be the First to Win?
The Rams take on the undefeated Minnesota Vikings, and since their best bet at getting their first win is through Steven Jackson on the ground, they have almost no chance of winning this game. Marc Bulger is expected to miss his second straight start, which means the ineffective Kyle Boller should give the Vikings defense plenty of chances to make him wish he was still a Baltimore Raven.
Verdict: See Below.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers take their woeful record, offense, and defense on the road to Philly where a hot offense is finally fully healthy. Not exactly the right equation for a win. Look for the Bucs to further embarrass themselves, and the Eagles to have their best offensive game of the season.
Verdict: Eagles 40-16
The inept Carolina Panthers host another inept team, the Washington Redskins, in what figures to be a fantastic “what is their true identity” game for each team. The Redskins have been fairly solid on defense all season long, while their offense has picked-up where it left off last season and has been disastrously under-whelming at times.
Carolina, on the other hand, still hasn’t gotten anything going consistently on offense, and can’t stop anyone from running all over them. Look for Carolina to drop to 0-4, as we still try to figure out how a team as dysfunctional as the Redskins has a winning record.
Verdict: Redskins 23-14
The Chiefs, famously tough at home, will host the Cowboys, who have yet to prove that they are worthy of being called playoff contenders.
As I stated in the Tony Romo segment, however, there is little reason to think that the Chiefs can stop Marion Barber and the Cowboys’ tough rush offense, while there’s plenty of optimism that Tony Romo can get things going against the Chiefs horrible pass defense, as well.
Matt Cassel hasn’t been great, but his late touchdowns in recent weeks show he has the potential to make things happen eventually. Look for Romo to take flight, but for the game to be fairly close.
Verdict: Cowboys 27-20
Cleveland will take it’s fresh offense with new quarterback Derek Anderson into Buffalo, along with a ton of confidence after an overtime loss to the Bengals. I like Buffalo’s offense if Trent Edwards can finally let it loose and go deep to Terrell Owens and Lee Evans, but something tells me Derek Anderson will be more successful with the deep ball.
It should be a shoot-out between two very bad defenses and just so-so offenses. Another wild, meaningless game between two teams that combine for one win.
Verdict: Browns 34-31
The Titans will have to look long and hard for their first victory, as the undefeated Colts come to town, and don’t figure to have much trouble with one of the worst pass defenses in the league. Don’t expect Kerry Collins to lead the first attack to upend the Colts.
Verdict: See Below.
1. Which Undefeated Team Will Be the First to Lose?
The Denver Broncos take on the New England Patriots, and quite honestly, may not stand a chance. They have looked very good on defense up until now, but they also haven’t had to face an offense with as much potential as the Patriots.
Verdict: Patriots 27-16
The Minnesota Vikings travel to face the St. Louis Rams, and after two straight amazing games out of Brett Favre, it may finally be time to unleash Adrian Peterson again. The “Williams Wall” should be able to contain Steven Jackson enough to make Kyle Boller look like, well, Kyle Boller.
Verdict: Vikings 35-13
Even with Eli Manning dealing with a painful heel injury, there is almost no chance that the Giants fall to the Oakland Raiders. The Giants pass-rush should have a field day against Jamarcus Russell, while Brandon Jacobs and co. should have no trouble against one of the worst run defenses in the league.
Verdict: Giants 34-6
Peyton Manning has been absolutely on fire, and while the Tennessee Titans should be hungry for a win, they’re awful secondary poses almost no threat against the Colts red-hot offense. The ground game may be stifled a bit, but it won’t be anything Manning can’t handle.
Verdict: Colts 34-24
The New Orleans Saints will escape weak five unscathed, as they don’t play this week, making Denver the one and only undefeated team to lose it’s first game this season.
