Not that the NFL season is turning into a long, strange trip, but it’s mid-October and the Bears are leading the league in points scored.
No really, we’re not making this up. The Performers Formerly Known as the Monsters of the Midway have scored 156 points in five games, about 31 per. Oh, and did we mention they’ve allowed 36?
As Week 6 beckons, the Bears and Colts own the league’s only unbeaten records. Since Indy has a bye week, a victory at Arizona Monday night would give Chicago the NFL’s best record.
We already know the Bears are for real. But what about the Rams? We’ll find out today if they’re as good as that 4-1 record. St. Louis plays the defending NFC champion Seahawks, who are coming off a bye week after an embarrassing 37-6 pounding at the hands of, who else, the Bears.
Elsewhere on the Week 6 docket, the Saints will play the Eagles in the Superdome. Forget that compelling human-interest story stuff. A victory today over MVP candidate Donovan McNabb and the Saints officially would stamp themselves as one of the teams to beat in the NFC.
Stuff happens when you sign Drew Brees, who has won 25 of his last 37 starts. You don’t suppose the Dolphins are kicking themselves for acquiring Daunte Culpepper when they had a shot at Brees, do you? Nah, didn’t think so.
Couch potato heaven
Carolina at Baltimore
11 a.m., Ravens by 3
Last meeting: Panthers won 10-7 at Carolina on Sept. 8, 2002.
Memo to Steve McNair: Sure you want to throw that pass Champ Bailey’s way? … Ravens plus-7 in turnovers. … McNair 22-9 career vs. NFC teams with 43 TDs, 16 INTs. … Keyshawn Johnson leads Panthers with 27 catches, putting him on pace for 80-some. … Panthers pretty average if you want to know the truth – 23rd in Oh, 18th in D. … Panthers DE Julius Peppers is, like, really good. Dude is tied for league lead with 6.0 sacks.
Prediction: Panthers 19, Ravens 16
Seattle at St. Louis
11 a.m., Seahawks by 3
Last meeting: Seahawks won 31-16 at Seattle on Nov. 13, 2005.
We interrupt this update on the Cardinals’ pennant hopes for a few quick words about the other team in town. … Rams’ D improved under new coordinator Jim Haslett. … St. Looie QB Marc Bulger, once a turnover waiting to happen, hasn’t thrown an INT in 214 attempts. … Rams TB Steven Jackson tied for league lead with 465 rushing yards. … Seahawks still missing Shaun Alexander. And we mean missing. Backup Maurice Morris averaging 3.1 yards per. … Seattle 16-4 in past 20 vs. NFC West under Mike Holmgren.
Prediction: Rams 17, Seahawks 16
Worth the electricity
Kansas City at Pittsburgh
2:15 p.m., Steelers by 7
Last meeting: Chiefs won 41-20 at Kansas City on Sept. 14, 2003.
Mr. Roethlisberger, Mr. Ben Roethlisberger, please pick up a white courtesy telephone. Steeler Nation wants to know if you’re going to show up this season. … Big Ben, to be fair, down several pounds after motorcycle accident and subsequent appendectomy. … So much for Chiefs playing it close to vest with Damon Huard in lineup at QB. He threw for 26 completions, 288 yards in last week’s dubya at Arizona. … Chiefs G Will Shields has played in 212 career games. Last time he missed one, leather helmets were all the rage.
Prediction: Steelers 27, Chiefs 23
N.Y. Giants at Atlanta
11 a.m., Falcons by 3
Last meeting: Falcons won 14-10 at the Meadowlands on Nov. 21, 2004.
Giants’ D finally showed up in 19-3 W vs. ‘Skins. Not that things are rosier than a garden at the White House. They still ranked next-to-last in league in third-down D, allowing 52.6 pct. completions. … As pure passers go, Michael Vick doesn’t. Dirty Birds QB has completed 50 pct. (45-for-90) of his tosses. … Falcons have NFL’s top rush offense (234.2). … Eli Manning no Peyton on third down. He ranks 23rd in loop with 68.9 passer rating at chain-moving time, just behind the immortal Jon Kitna.
Prediction: Giants 37, Falcons 26
Chicago at Arizona
6:30 p.m. Monday, Bears by 10 1/2
Last meeting: Bears won 28-3 at Chicago on Nov. 30, 2003.
Da Bears blowing their image with league’s most explosive offense. Chi Town averaging 31-plus PPG, almost twice last season’s 16.3. … Rex Grossman has thrown 10 TD passes. Not bad considering the Bears were 31st in the league in passing in ’05. … Bears plus-10 in turnovers, Cards minus-3. … Great news. Dennis Green reports there’s a kick-butt burger joint across the street from Cardinals’ new stadium. … ‘Zona S Adrian Wilson one of league’s most underrated players. His 11.0 sacks – 3.0 this season – since ’05 lead NFL DBs.
Prediction: Bears 37, Cardinals 24
Beats washing the car
Houston at Dallas
11 a.m., Cowboys by 13
Last meeting: Texans won 19-10 at Houston on Sept. 8, 2002.
Texans’ W over Dallas in ought-2 marked first game in franchise history. … Not that stats in today’s Not For Long can be deceiving, but Hugheston QB David Carr leads league with 108.9 passer rating. … Both teams minus-3 in turnovers. … Bill Parcells faces Texans for first time. A dubya and he would become third coach (Tony Dungy, Mike Shanahan) to defeat all 32 NFL franchises. … Texans rookie Mario Williams has 1 1/2 sacks. Another dozen or two and maybe he’ll stop getting those questions about being drafted ahead of Reggie Bush.
Prediction: Cowboys 30, Texans 11
Cincinnati at Tampa Bay
11 a.m., Bengals by 6
Last meeting: Buccaneers won 35-7 at Cincinnati on Sept. 29, 2002.
Bengals coming off bye week, which was preceded by 25-point home loss to Pats. … As first NFL starts go, Bucs rookie QB Bruce Gradkow- ski ought to be proud. Dude completed 20-of-31 for 225 yards, two TDs, zero INTs last week vs. Saints. … Remember when they used to call ’em the Bungles? No mas. Cincy has won eight straight vs. NFC, outscoring opposing teams 227-91 in the process. … Carson Palmer is 6-0 vs. NFC with 14 TD tosses, 97.2 passer rating.
Prediction: Bengals 27, Bucs 17
Tennessee at Washington
11 a.m., Redskins by 10
Last meeting: Redskins won 31-14 at Tennessee on Oct. 6, 2002.
Just wondering: What will Titans have left after near miracle upset of Colts? … You know, other than his inability to throw the ball, Titans rookie Vince Young has everything it takes to be a good QB. His early returns? Try 34-for-74, two TDs, four INTs, 46.6 passer rating. … ‘Skins coming off 19-3 clunker vs. Giants in which … aw, let’s tell it like it is. The whole team stunk. … Santana Moss has 1,848 yards in receptions, most in the league, since joining ‘Skins in 2005.
Prediction: Redskins 40, Titans 10
San Diego at San Francisco
2:15 p.m., Chargers by 10
Last meeting: Chargers won 20-17 in overtime at San Francisco on Nov. 17, 2002.
After considerable debate, league office decided to count Niners’ 34-20 W over Raiders. … Chargers QB Philip Rivers doin’ just fine in first year as starter – 66.7 pct., five TD passes, two INTs. … Chargers plus-6 in turnovers, Niners minus-2. … 49ers’ Alex Smith had career-high three TD passes vs. Raiduhs. … Did you know? Niners’ Frank Gore leads NFL in rushing with 465 yards. … S.D.’s Shawne Merriman and Shaun Phillips have combined for 8 1/2 sacks.
Prediction: Chargers 20, 49ers 17
Get a life, Bubba
Buffalo at Detroit
11 a.m., Bills by 1
Last meeting: Bills won 24-17 at Buffalo on Oct. 27, 2002.
Lions WR Roy Williams guarantees Lions still stink. … Lions QB Jon Kitna first or second in league in attempts, completions and yardage. Now, if he just had a W to call his own. … Bills’ offense 17-for-61 on third down, 27.9 percent. That’s second-to-last in league, ahead of only Raiders’ 24.4 percent. And let’s face it, Raiders shouldn’t count. … Talk about a coupla juggernauts. Bills coming off 40-7 trouncing at Chicago and Lions blew 17-3, fourth-quarter lead at Minnesota.
Prediction: Bills 17, Lions 12
Miami at N.Y. Jets
2:15 p.m., Jets by 2 1/2
Last meeting: Dolphins won 24-20 at Miami on Dec. 18, 2005.
And you thought Joey Harrington would never start another NFL game. He’s The Man du jour in Miami, what with the Dawfins’ coaches having bailed on Daunte Culpepper. … Miami has scored 61 points in 1-4 start. Only Tennessee Tin Men have scored fewer (60) among teams with five games. … Chad Pennington in past two vs. Fish: five TD passes and not a single, solitary INT. … Jets’ Laveranues Coles proving to be the best darn Laveranues in league with 33 catches for 431 yards, both second in the loop.
Prediction: Jets 20, Dolphins 16
Read Jim Armstrong’s Opening Shots on Sundays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays in The Denver Post sports section and Mondays in NFL Monday. His previous columns are available online at www.denverpost.com.
