To me, blogging about sports is about trying to bring something different to the table. I keep on reading post after post with what seems like copy and paste information from major sports news outlets… I don’t get it. So here is my attempt to add some flavor to your weekend football preview without telling you that I think the Patriots will eke out a victory against the Dolphins. I’ll start with just a few games.
Houston @ Indianapolis
Besides the fact that Steve Slaton is on my fantasy team, I have to express my unhappiness with Head Coach Gary Kubiak on his handling of the RB situation. I’ve conceded that Ryan Moats is a good running back, but what is Kubiak trying to prove by benching the guy in the way that he did? One carry, one fumble, he doesn’t get another carry on the day? HA? Is this pee wee football? Fumbling is never something that a RB wants or means to do, and if Kubiak wanted to increase Moats’ carries, fine! But don’t wait for the second that Slaton makes a mistake and use it as your chance to pounce in your attempt to prove a point (or whatever it is you were trying to do). Anyways, Owen Daniels is out and that will hurt, my guess is that Houston will have a tough time winning no matter who is running the ball.
Baltimore @ Cincinnati
Let me say, I really, really like the way the Bengals have done things this season. OK so they did lose to the aforementioned Texans at home, but this team has only played one team with a losing record and they’ve already beaten Pittsburgh and won on the road against Baltimore and Green Bay. This is and has been my sleeper for the season, and I won’t have to wait long to figure out if the prediction holds because after this week they travel to play the Steelers. IF they can get through these next two games with even a 1-1 record, they have a chance to do some damage as their next three opponents will be Oakland, Cleveland and Detroit. I’m rooting for the Bengals, but Baltimore is coming off a nice win against Denver and they are always a tough team, no matter where they are playing.
Washington @ Atlanta
Valiant performance by the Falcons on Monday night, I sincerely thought so. But the main reason I want to preview this game is to articulate to you how boring it is to watch the Redskins play football. They are awful. John Riggins was right to say that Zorn should be a high school football coach; he is in over his head. Sorry Skins fans, I love you but I wish you would stay off my TV and out of my view. Atlanta is probably going to drub you this weekend.
Green Bay @ Tampa Bay
If the Packers can’t win this game, I don’t think they belong in any conversation that includes the word ‘playoffs.’ Aaron Rodgers has been a little frustrating to watch. Why is this guy so afraid to throw the ball away? His numbers have been pretty decent, but after that game against the Vikings the other night I looked at them and thought, ‘he didn’t play THAT good.’ He took six sacks and more than a few were in very big situations. The difference right now between Rodgers and elite QB’s is that while Brady, Manning and Brees are able to shuffle away from a rush, Rodgers is completely incapable of feeling any backside pressure. I sometimes want to yell at the screen, ‘STEP UP IN THE POCKET!’ But I’m not a big Packers fan so I don’t. Maybe I’ll take him next year in my fantasy draft so I have a vested interest.

I wanted to start with some 1:00pm games; I’ll be back later with some more.