This just in: Rumors of the Pittsburgh Steelers’ demise may have been greatly exaggerated.
Granted, the Steelers haven’t looked the part of defending Super Bowl champions. But if they can sneak out of Atlanta with a win today, they’ll be back in the thick of things in the AFC North.
A victory and Pittsburgh would be 3-3, one game behind Baltimore, which has a bye in Week 7. Oh, and did we mention the Bengals haven’t exactly been the Bengals lately?
Cincinnati has lost two straight after winning its first three, including last week’s 14-13 clunker vs. previously winless Tampa Bay. How ordinary have the Bengals looked this season? They’re 19th in the league in total offense, 24th in defense.
At least the Bengals’ season wouldn’t be in jeopardy with a loss to Carolina. Not so for the Kansas City Chiefs, who can’t afford a home loss to San Diego. A win at Arrowhead Stadium and the Chargers would be 5-1 and three games ahead of Herman’s Monsters.
Meanwhile, in the NFC, the Washington Redskins will be trying to recover from back-to-back losses to the Giants and the Tennessee Titans. Trouble is, the Redskins will be playing the Colts at Indianapolis. A loss at Peyton’s Place and the NASCAR circuit would be looking pretty good to Joe Gibbs.
Couch potato heaven
Pittsburgh at Atlanta
11 a.m., Steelers by 2 1/2
Last meeting: Teams tied 34-34 at Pittsburgh on Nov. 10, 2002.
Something has to give in this one. Falcons have NFL’s No. 1-ranked running game, and Steelers’ D has allowed two 100-yard games in two years. … Balanced attack? What balanced attack? Dirty Birds have run 62 times more than they’ve thrown it. … Memo to Mike “I AM a quarterback” Vick: 50 pct. (59-for-117) isn’t gettin’ it. … Stillers 11-1-1 in all-time series vs. Hot’lanta. … He doesn’t have an appendix, but at least Ben
Roethlisberger has a pulse. He had two TD tosses, no INTs in blowout W vs. Chiefs.
Prediction: Steelers 27, Falcons 20
Carolina at Cincinnati
11 a.m., Bengals by 3
Last meeting: Panthers won 53-31 at Carolina on Dec. 8, 2002.
Panthers used to AFC North by now. Today’s matchup is their third straight vs. North teams. … Peppers can be hazardous to a quarterback’s health. Julius Peppers, that is. Panthers DE the front-runner for D player of the year with league-leading 8.0 sacks and a whole lotta hurries. … Bengals have won eight of past nine vs. NFC. … Cincy WR T.J. Houshmandzadeh and S Kevin Kaesviharn reportedly two of NFL’s best Scrabble players. … Bengals coming off back-to-back L’s.
Prediction: Bengals 27, Panthers 16
Worth the electricity
New England at Buffalo
11 a.m., Patriots by 5 1/2
Last meeting: Patriots won 19-17 at New England on Sept. 10.
Pats 28-7 vs. AFC East since 2001. … Tom Brady 10-1 career vs. Bills. … What’s this, a negative stat about Brady? He’s 24th in the loop in third-down passing efficiency, having completed 17-of-41 throws, same as Michael Vick. … Owner Ralph Wilson thought about folding franchise after Bills lost to dog-bottom Lions, but decided swimmin’ in cash isn’t so bad, even if you’re losing. … How shaky is Pats’ passing game? Lee Evans leads Bills with 36 catches, 20 more than NE leader, TE Ben Watson.
Prediction: Patriots 24, Bills 17
San Diego at Kansas City
11 a.m., Chargers by 5
Last meeting: Chiefs won 20-7 at Kansas City on Dec. 24, 2005.
Damon Huard has done solid job out of Chiefs’ bullpen – 136 passes, one INT. … Our sympathies to those who picked K.C.’s Larry Johnson first in their fantasy drafts. He’s averaging 3.4 yards per. … Memo to Broncomaniacs who believe their club is the class of AFC West: Chargers tops in league in D, third in Oh, plus-8 in turnovers. … Any more questions about Philip Rivers? He’s second in the league in passer rating at 100.6. Not only that, he’s a more righteous dude than Ferris Bueller.
Prediction: Chargers 34, Chiefs 27
Philadelphia at Tampa Bay
11 a.m., Eagles by 5
Last meeting: Bucs won 17-10 at Philadelphia on Sept. 8, 2003.
Bucs coming off first dubya of the campaign, 14-13 over Bengals. Don’t count on two in a row, sports fans. We’ve got a better chance of finding nukes in Iraq. … Eagles steamed after letting one get away at N’Awlins. … This just in. Donovan McNabb has definite potential. Dude leads league in passing yards (1,849), TD passes (13) and passer rating (104.8). … Bucs DE Simeon Rice has 13 sacks in past 10 vs. Iggles.
Prediction: Eagles 24, Bucs 10
Washington at Indianapolis
2:15 p.m., Colts by 9
Last meeting: Redskins won 26-21 at Washington on Oct. 27, 2002.
Do not attempt this at home. Washington coming off back-to-back L’s vs. Giants and Tin Men of Tennessee. … One more clunker and ‘Skins will get home version of Jeopardy and a year’s supply of Turtle Wax. … Colts’ Oh overshadowing shoddy run D. Unless, of course, you’re an opposing offensive coordinator. Look for Clinton Portis to have a big day in this one. … Colts tops in NFL in red-zone Oh – 20 possessions, 13 TDs – and third-down conversions – 38-for-65.
Prediction: Colts 19, Redskins 16
Beats washing the car
Minnesota at Seattle
2:15 p.m., Seahawks by 6 1/2
Last meeting: Seahawks won 27-23 at Minnesota on Dec. 12, 2004.
Game marks return of G Steve Hutchinson, generally regarded as league’s best, to Seahawks. He signed a mega-deal – guaranteed, believe it or not – with Vikings. … ‘Hawks have won 12 straight at home, outscoring foes 352-190. … Vikes struggling in red zone – 14 possessions, three lousy TDs – and on third down – 31.5 pct. … What’s this? The Seahawks are average? The numbers say so. Seattle 20th in offense, 15th in D.
Prediction: Seahawks 31, Vikings 24
Jacksonville at Houston
11 a.m., Jaguars by 9 1/2
Last meeting: Jaguars won 38-20 at Houston on Dec. 24, 2005.
Ex-Bronco TB Ron Dayne starting for Tex’ns. At least for now. Dude is averaging 2.9 yards per. … Go figure. Houston has won three of past six vs. Jags. … Houston WR Andre Johnson on pace for 125 catches, virtually all in a losing cause. … Texans’ second-leading receiver is rookie Reggie Bush. What’s that? Oh, that’s right. Never mind. … Jax rookie TB-KR Maurice Jones-Drew is pretty darn good. He has a TD in three straight and stands fourth in AFC with 25.3 KR avg.
Prediction: Jaguars 19, Texans 11
Green Bay at Miami
11 a.m., Dolphins by 5
Last meeting: Packers won 24-10 at Green Bay on Nov. 4, 2002.
If you knew these two would be a combined 2-9, advance to the nearest casino and collect $200. … Brett Favre makes second career start at Miami. The only thing he remembers about the first one was that Pack was a real team back then. … What do you do if your QB has thrown one TD pass, four INTs? If you’re Nick Saban, you make him your starter. Those are Joey Harrington’s numbers, in case you’re still interested in Fish’s season. … Truth is, Dolphins aren’t as hopeless as they seem. They’re fourth in the circuit in D.
Prediction: Dolphins 26, Packers 9
Get a life, Bubba
Detroit at N.Y. Jets
11 a.m., Jets by 3 1/2
Last meeting: Jets won 31-14 at Detroit on Nov. 17, 2002.
Just wondering: Would New Yorkers rather go to this game or get mugged in Central Park? … Both juggernauts coming off 20-17 W’s. Big hairy deal. They’re still the Lions and the J-O-K-E Jets. … Leon Washington has ascended to top of Jets’ depth chart at TB. What’s that? Hey, don’t feel bad. We had never heard of him, either. … No truth to notion that Jets are Not For Long’s worst defensive unit. They’re 30th, just ahead of putrid Packers and gawdawful Texans. … Lions DE James Hall coming off 3.5-sack game vs. Counterfeit Bills.
Prediction: Jets 37, Lions 24
Arizona at Oakland
2:15 p.m., Cardinals by 3
Last meeting: Raiders won 41-20 at Arizona on Nov. 24, 2002.
Assuming Dennis Green is done with his tantrum, Cardinals figure to win this one. … Go figure. Cards lead NFL with 59 first-quarter points. And 59 blown leads, no doubt. … Raiders minus-9 in turnovers, but lead league in fan arrests. … Not that Raiders fans have given up, but this baby might draw less than Ken Macha’s firing news conference. … Raiders 0-5 for first time since Warren Beatty discovered girls. … ‘Zona’s Matt Leinart first player in NFL history to throw two TD passes in first quarter of first two starts.
Prediction: Cardinals 17, Raiders 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.
