So you’re thinking the Patriots aren’t the Patriots anymore. You’re thinking injuries, the salary cap and Bill Belichick’s wardrobe have caught up with them.
You might be right.
We’ll have a better feel today after the three-time Super Bowl champs play the big, bad Bengals at Cincinnati, a game that ranks among the headliners on the Week 4 dance card.
Interesting how these things work. While Tom Brady and his teammates are bemoaning the loss of wideout Deion Branch, the Seahawks need Branch to step up at Chicago in the absence of league MVP Shaun Alexander, out with a broken bone in his foot.
Which brings us to today’s other headliner: San Diego at Baltimore. The Chargers, coming off a bye, have the league’s second-ranked running game. That’s subject to change today, what with the unbeaten Ravens leading the league in run defense. Now for the asterisk on their season: The Ravens have beaten three teams – Cleveland, Oakland and Tennessee – that have yet to win a game.
Couch potato heaven
San Diego at Baltimore: 11 a.m., Chargers by 2 1/2
Last meeting: Ravens won 24-10 at San Diego on Sept. 21, 2003.
Sorry, Ravens, but we’re not yet convinced. Beat the Chargers, though, and we’re all in. Which reminds us. Can you imagine how arrogant Brian Billick would be if he’s unbeaten four games into the season? … Chargers still in shock after safety Terrence Kiel was hauled off the practice field by DEA agents for his alleged role in a drug ring. … Game matches league’s No. 2 rushing team (Chargers at 217.5 yards per) vs. the top-ranked run D (34.3). … Chargers’ LaDainian Tomlinson has 83 career TDs, leaving him one away from breaking Hall of Famer Lance Alworth’s franchise record. … Ravens lead loop with plus-10 turnover ranking.
Prediction: Chargers 24, Ravens 20
New England at Cincinnati: 2:15 p.m., Bengals by 6
Last meeting: Patriots won 35-28 at New England on Dec. 12, 2004.
Bengals at it again. Plus-24 in turnovers in 2005, they’re plus-5 in 2006. … Not that Corey Dillon and rookie Laurence Maroney are splitting duties, but each has 169 yards rushing for Pats. … Cincy QB Carson Palmer equaled career high with four TD tosses in last week’s W vs. Performers Formerly Known as Steelers. … We’d tell you more about Bengals WR T.J. Houshmandzadeh’s exploits vs Steelers, but we don’t do 14-letter last names. For the record, he caught two TD passes. … The emperor has a whole closet full of clothes. What Tom Brady needs is a few WRs. How low-octane is Pats’ passing game? Brady threw 55 passes vs. Broncos, but came up with seven garbage-time points.
Prediction: Bengals 30, Patriots 20
Get a life, Bubba
Cleveland at Oakland: 2:15 p.m., Browns by 3
Last meeting: Browns won 9-7 at Oakland on Dec. 18, 2005.
This just in. Raiders have changed team slogan to “Commitment to Tying our Shoes.” … Dog-butt Browns favored by FG on road. What does that make Raiduhs? … Oak minus-6 in turnovers after two games, leaving Pride and Poise on pace for, like, a whole bunch. … Grand Junction product Andrew Walter making first start of career for Raiders. He went 10-for-27, zero TDs, three INTs after taking over for Aaron Brooks vs. Ravens. … Maybe the kid can do more than talk. Browns’ Kellen Winslow leads NFL tight ends with 19 catches, 197 yards.
Prediction: Raiders 19, Browns 12
Detroit at St. Louis: 2:05 p.m., Rams by 5 1/2
Last meeting: Lions won 30-20 at Detroit on Dec. 28, 2003.
Lions winless as usual through three. One more disaster and GM Matt Millen might get a raise. … Motown coming off home loss to Packers. Any more questions? … Rams’ D vastly improved under former Saints coach Jim Haslett. They’ve allowed just 44 points thru three, including 10 to Broncos. A year ago, St. Looie allowed 67 in first three. … Rams plus-7 in turnovers after going minus-12 in 2005. … Did you know? Rams QB Marc Bulger is money at home – 21-4 in 25 starts.
Prediction: Rams 40, Lions 34
Miami at Houston: 11 a.m., Dolphins by 3 1/2
Last meeting: Texans won 21-20 at Miami on Sept. 7, 2003.
Texans have given up 98 points in three games. Question is, when do they give up, period? … Houston coach Gary Kubiak criticized top draft pick Mario Williams last week. When asked what he thought of Reggie Bush’s performance vs. Falcons, Kubiak said the weather in Houston sure is nice this time of year. … How phony are NFL stats? Texans’ David Carr leads league in passer rating (113.6), completion pct. (72.0) and TD pass pct. (7.3). … Daunte Culpepper’s knee is fine. Now, Dolphins are worried about his arm. Dude has thrown one TD pass, three INTs.
Prediction: Dolphins 13, Texans 9
Beats washing the car
Green Bay at Philadelphia: 6:30 p.m. Monday, Eagles by 11
Last meeting: Eagles won 19-14 at Philadelphia on Nov. 27, 2005.
Great news, Packers fans. Brett Favre has decided not to throw an INT every other down this season. He’s on pace for 16, a far cry from the 29 he threw in 2005. … Read it ‘n’ weep, Rush: Donovan McNabb leading league with 960 yards passing, ranks second with seven TD tosses. … Favre likes the big stage of Monday Night Footbowl. He’s 5-2 in “MNF” road games since 2001 with, get this, 18 TD passes, four INTs. … Iggles coach Andy Reid, a former Packers assistant, took blame for team’s come-from-ahead L vs. Giants two weeks ago. … How much has Donte Stallworth helped Philly passin’ game? He’s tied for second among NFL wideouts with six catches of 20-plus.
Prediction: Eagles 34, Packers 16
Dallas at Tennessee: 11 a.m., Cowboys by 9
Last meeting: Cowboys won 21-13 at Dallas on Sept. 15, 2002.
Kerry Collins expected to start for Tin Men. Question is, who’ll start second half? Rookie Vince Young’s future could be now. … How gawdawful are Titans? They’re losing by an avg. of two TDs-plus, no easy feat in Parity Pete Rozelle’s league. … Travis Henry will start at tailback for Tenn on “strength” of 2.7-yard avg. through first three. … Terrell Owens listed as questionable (pills) on Cowboys’ injury report. … Titans allowing 386 yards per, ‘Boys 276. … Dallas coach Bill Parcells wasn’t dodging questions about Owens the other day. He just hadn’t finished his latest doughnut.
Prediction: Cowboys 26, Titans 17
Arizona at Atlanta: 11 a.m., Falcons by 7
Last meeting: Falcons won 6-3 at Atlanta on Sept. 26, 2004.
Cards will start Kurt Warner in this one after media reports that Matt Leinart would get the call. Makes sense. Warner, after all, has fumbled only eight times in three games. … Warner 6-0 in six starts vs. Dirty Birds. … Hotlanta’s D all the rage. Falcons have allowed just 32 points in three contests. … Falcons’ passin’ game a mess. TE Alge Crumpler leads club with nine grabs. … ‘Zona’s Edgerrin James makes 100th start of NFL career. Edge had 49 career 100-yard games in first 99. When will he make it 50? Hard to tell.
Prediction: Falcons 30, Cardinals 17
Minnesota at Buffalo: 11 a.m., Bills by 1
Last meeting: Bills won 45-39 in overtime at Minnesota on Sept. 15, 2002.
Don’t ask why, but this one tends to be high scoring. Winnin’ club has scored 30-plus in past three meetings. … Go figure. Bills allowed six to Dolphins in Miami, 28 to B-U-M-S Jets at home. … Vikes committed to running game for a change, witness this stat: free-agent pickup Chester Taylor leads league with 75 carries. … Minnie QB Brad Johnson solid on the road – 31-22 career, 70 TD passes, 51 INTs. … Who says real men don’t do hyphens? Bills LB London Fletcher going by London Fletcher-Baker these days.
Prediction: Bills 16, Vikings 13
San Francisco at Kansas City: 11 a.m., Chiefs by 7
Last meeting: 49ers won 17-13 at San Francisco on Nov. 10, 2002.
Chiefs again will go with Damon Huard at QB, what with Trent Green nursing a concussion. … Second-year QB Alex Smith making strides for Niners – one TD pass, 11 INTs last season vs. 3-and-0 this year. … San Fran PR ranks numero uno in NFL with 19.5-yard avg. on punt returns. … Chiefs figure to play it close to vest again in Green’s absence. As in, look for TE Tony Gonzalez to be big in game plan. He has 12 catches after two games.
Prediction: Niners 20, Chiefs 19
Worth the electricity
Jacksonville at Washington: 2:15 p.m., Jaguars by 3
Last meeting: Jaguars won 26-6 at Jacksonville on Nov. 10, 2002.
Jags QB Byron Leftwich goin’ home for this one. He attended H.D. Woodson High in D.C. … ‘Skins, who started 3-1 last season, hoping to avoid 1-3 this year. … It’s a week later. Has Mark Brunell thrown an incompletion yet vs. the Texans? … Joe Gibbs has beaten 28 Not For Long teams in H-of-F career, but Jags aren’t among ’em. … You think Jax isn’t the Rio deal? Jack Del Rio’s troops have won eight of past 11 on road and are 9-4 vs. NFC clubs. … Those rumors are out there again. The ones about the Jags relocating to L.A. Says here it could happen.
Prediction: Jaguars 17, Redskins 16
Indianapolis at N.Y. Jets: 11 a.m., Colts by 9
Last meeting: Colts won 38-31 at Indianapolis on Nov. 16, 2003.
Colts’ Peyton Manning leads AFC in yards passing, most big games lost and TV commercials. … Rookie Joseph Addai has taken over as Indy’s starting tailback. A 4.7-yard average will do that. … What’s this? Jets are 2-1 and Chad Pennington is in one piece? In two starts vs. Colts, Ch-ch-ch-chad has 152.9 passer rating with six TDs, zero INTs and 76.9 completion pct. … New Yawk WR Laveranues Coles leads loop with 24 catches. Not only that, he’s only player in league named Laveranues.
Prediction: Colts 34, Jets 27
New Orleans at Carolina: 11 a.m., Panthers by 7 1/2
Last meeting: Panthers won 27-10 at Baton Rouge, La., on Dec. 18, 2005.
Who knew? Saints, for all their woes, 28-22 on the road since 2000, fifth-best in Not For Long. Oh, and did you know they’ve won back-to-back grudge matches at Carolina? … All-time series tied 11-11. … On second thought, Texans have decided to take Reggie Bush with top pick in draft. Reg leads NFL running backs with 19 catches. No wonder his parents never had to pay rent. … Must be a Jake thing. Carolina QB Jake Delhomme struggling, too, with one lousy TD pass in 108 attempts. Delhomme spent first five NFL seasons with Saints.
Prediction: Panthers 27, Saints 10
Read Jim Armstrong’s Opening Shots on Sunday, Tuesday and Wednesday in The Denver Post sports section and on Monday’s in NFL Monday. His previous columns are available online at www.denverpost.com.
