So it’s official, then. Tom Brady has this life thing down to a science.
He made $29 million last year in salary and endorsements. He dumped a Hollywood hottie to take up with a supermodel. His bronze bust is guaranteed to one day rest in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Seems the only thing lacking in Brady’s life is the occasional interception. He has thrown two in seven games – as opposed to those 27 touchdown passes that have him on pace to shatter the NFL record.
Brady leads a New England Patriots offense that has produced 279 points, virtually 40 per game, putting the Pats on course to become the first NFL team ever to reach the 600-point mark.
And to think, Joe Gibbs, who’ll be on the opposite sideline from the Pats on Sunday afternoon, says their defense is what sets up the team.
“They’re on pace to break every record on offense,” said Gibbs. “A big part of that is their defense and special teams. What happens is they get the ball back and their offense is so prolific, people have a tough time stopping them.”
Gibbs’ Washington Redskins aren’t too bad themselves on the defensive side, ranking fifth in the league. But their average of 14.7 points allowed, third in the league, figures to take a beating Sunday in Foxborough, Mass.
Jim Armstrong: 303-954-1269 or jmarmstrong@denverpost.com
Couch Potato Heaven
Indianapolis at Carolina
11 a.m., Colts by 6 1/2
Last meeting: Panthers won 23-20 (OT) at Indianapolis on Oct. 12, 2003
This just in. Colts have definite potential to run the table. Indy has won 11 straight games, one with Roman numerals. Both teams winning turnover battle. Colts plus-9, Panthers plus-5. Peyton Manning has 286 career TD tosses. Two more and he breaks Johnny U’s franchise record. Panthers getting by with little from passing game. David Carr barely 50 percent- 32-for-62.
Prediction: Colts 30, Panthers 20
Washington at New England
2:15 p.m., Patriots by 16 1/2
Last meeting: Redskins won 20-17 at Washington on Sept. 28, 2003
How good are Pats? ‘Skins may have best D in the biz, but they’re almost 17-point dogs. Tom Brady on pace for a mere 62 TD passes. League record is 49 by PManning. Brady has thrown 27 TD passes, Redskins’ Jason Campbell five. Other than that, we’ve got us a horse race in this one. What’s this? Pats second in the league in something? They’re first in everything that matters except turnovers, where their plus-8 figure leaves them second. ‘Skins have won six straight vs. NE. Like that’s going to continue on Sunday.
Prediction: Patriots 34, Redskins 13
Worth the Electricity
Pittsburgh at Cincinnati
11 a.m., Steelers by 3 1/2
Last meeting: Steelers won 23-17 in overtime at Cincinnati on Dec. 31, 2006
Look for big-time bounce-back from Stillers after loss to Bronx. They’ve won five straight in Cincy. … Is this a good combo or what? Steelers rank numero uno in the league in D, second in rushing. … Streaking: Cincy WR T.J. Houshmandzadeh – get me spell check! – has caught a TD pass in six straight. … Steelers not exactly fantasy-leaguer’s dream. Their leading receiving is TE Heath Miller with 22 catches.
Prediction: Steelers 34, Bengals 31
Detroit at Chicago
11 a.m., Bears by 5
Last meeting: Lions won 37-27 at Detroit on Sept. 30
Monsters of Midway were anything but in last meeting, when Lions scored Not For Long-record 34 points in fourth Q. … Say, didn’t you used to be Cedric Benson? At 3.1 yards per rush, official announcement of his draft-bust status is expected any week now. … Ex-Bronco Brian Griese has thrown for 703 yards in past two. But no, he’s not the next Joe Montana. … Motown rookie WR Calvin Johnson had first rushing TD, a 32-yarder, in last week’s dubya vs. Tampa Bay.
Prediction: Bears 23, Lions 20
Oakland at Tennessee
11 a.m., Titans by 7 1/2
Last meeting: Raiders won 34-25 at Tennessee on Oct. 30, 2005
Just wondering: Can Daunte Culpepper, like, play at all anymore? Dude led Silver ‘n’ Bleak to, count ’em, 10 points vs. Chiefs last week. … Vince Young figures to return for this one after sitting out W at Houston. Question is, is he ever gonna throw another TD pass? It’s almost Halloween and dude has three of ’em. … True, but strange: A pair of LBs – Thomas Howard for Raiders, Keith Bulluck for Tenn – lead their clubs in INTs. Each has four, tops in the AFC.
Prediction: Titans 23, Raiders 16
Houston at San Diego
2:05 p.m., off the board because of uncertain status of Texans QB Matt Schaub
Last meeting: Chargers won 27-20 at Houston on Sept. 12, 2004
Chargers coming off well-earned bye week – double-digit W’s vs. Broncos, Raiders. … So much for the L.T. is struggling story. LaDainian Tomlinson leads league with six rushing TDs. … Texans have turned corner this season. Unfortunately, when they did, a bunch of injuries were awaiting them. … Texans WR Kevin Walter has 435 receiving yards, 22 from surpassing his career total for previous four seasons.
Prediction: Chargers 41, Texans 17
Jacksonville at Tampa Bay
2:05 p.m., Buccaneers by 4
Last meeting: Jaguars won 17-10 on Nov. 30, 2003
Bucs QB Jeff Garcia has thrown 270 straight without a pick and ranks second in the bid’ness in completion pct. (.704). So who’s first? Think Victoria’s Secret model. … TB Michael Bennett, acquired from Chiefs before the trade deadline, figures to see duty for Bucs. … Only third meeting between Florida’s two pro football teams – three, if you count the Bad News Dolphins.
Prediction: Jaguars 23, Bucs 16
Beats Cleaning The Garage
Philadelphia at Minnesota
11 a.m., Eagles by 1
Last meeting: Eagles won 27-16 at Philadelphia on Sept. 20, 2004
Eagles coming off come-from-ahead L to Bears. Another one and those Andy Reid rumors will get louder. … Iggles have won six of past seven in series, and Reid (3-0) hasn’t lost to Vikes. … Vikings plus-6 in turnovers. The scary part is how they could be plus-6 and 2-4. … News flash: Vikes’ Adrian Peterson is, like, really good. Kid’s leading the league with 670 rush yards. … Best NFL D-lineman you’ve barely heard of? Try Philly’s Trent Cole, he of the 5 1/2 sacks in the last four games.
Prediction: Eagles 19, Vikings 13
New Orleans at San Francisco
2:15 p.m., Saints by 3
Last meeting: Saints won 34-10 at New Orleans on Dec. 3, 2006
Break up the Saints! They’ve won back-to-backers after opening with four straight losses. … Drew Brees: one TD pass thru four games, four in his last two. … Saints minus-9 in turnovers, Niners minus-4. … San Fran offense
looking offensive. Niners’ leading receiver has only 21 catches. … Best rookie defender this season? Niners LB Patrick Willis is on the short list. He leads his club in tackles. … Saints have won three straight in series.
Prediction: Saints 17, 49ers 16
Get A Life, Bubba
N.Y. Giants vs. Miami
at London, England
11 a.m., Giants by 9 1/2
Last meeting: Dolphins won 23-10 at the Meadowlands on Oct. 5, 2003
Memo to the NFL P.R. machine: Good luck selling this clunker to the Brits. Unless David Beckham puts on shoulder pads, Wembley Stadium will be half-empty by the third quarter. … First the Phish lose starting QB Trent Green for the season. Now comes TB Ronnie Brown, gone for the year with a knee job. Hey, at least the wind chill is 80 in South Florida. … G-Men have won five in a row. So much for .
Prediction: Giants 20, Dolphins 9
Cleveland at St. Louis
11 a.m., Browns by 3
Last meeting: Rams won 26-20 at Cleveland on Dec. 8, 2003
Brownies favored on the road? So it’s official then. Rams duking it out with Dolphins for top pick in the draft. … Cleveland aiming for back-to-back W’s for first time since September of ’04. … You know, if you look at his numbers, this Derek Anderson kid isn’t half-bad. Browns QB has 14 TD passes, 8 INTs. … Rams have won three of past four in series. What’s that? You’re right. Like that’s going to help them in this one. … On the other hand, if Rams hang on to the ol’ pigskin, maybe they gotta shot.
They’re minus-12 in turnovers, putting them on pace for something like a million.
Prediction: Browns 31, Rams 30
Buffalo at N.Y. Jets
2:05 p.m., Jets by 3
Last meeting: Bills won 17-14 at Buffalo on Sept. 30
Funny how you don’t hear that Man-genius stuff in New Yawk anymore. Kid coach Eric Mangini feeling the heat as J-O-K-E Jets continue to slide. … Chad Pennington will start this one for Jets. What’s that? You’re not alone, bubba. We can hardly contain our excitement, either. … Bills the only club in the loop to start a rookie QB (Trent Edwards) and a rookie TB (Marshawn Lynch).
Prediction: Jets 15, Bills 12
